April 2011 - we'll shop til we pop!

[GoldFrakkincenseAndMyrrh]

Continuation from our old thread here

So maybe this thread we'll see some babies?! And definitely lots more shopping

I like Ina May Gaskin and a book called Active Birth as birthing prep.

Lis I have white stretchmarks which I guess are old ones but I'm definitely covering up in my bikini! They're not flattering :( I've been applying bio-oil as and when, really should make more of an effort!

There are the books 'a best friends guide to..' that are quite easy reading and useful.
Also ones specific to men, think we had 2, 'Dadlands' and another i can't remember the name of - sent them to my brother as he's expecting his first the same time as us.

Stand and Deliver was also good, not such easy reading as the others though.

Re stretch marks, i didn't get any with DS1 and felt very smug then got loads with DS2
DS1 was 2 weeks early and i think i got most of them in the last 2 weeks with DS2, grr!
But they have faded and now are on the something-not-to-worry about list :)

right best feed the hordes, and myself!

I'm just trying to work out which steriliser to get and have been advised by friends that Dr Brown bottles are the best - but they don't have a specific steriliser... anyone know if you can use something like the Avent steriliser for other brand bottles?

1sttimemother I think you'd need to check - are Dr. Brown bottles longer than the Avent ones? If they are you might struggle to get all the other bumph on top of the bottles in the steraliser i.e. the Avent steraliser has a sort of rack/plate that goes over the top of the bottles that you put the teats and bottle rings and lids on. If the Dr. Brown bottles were longer you might struggle to fit this rack on top. Same with Tommee Tippee bottles - they're wider than the Avent so you might not fit as many in for optimum steralising/efficiency.

Having said all of that, a steraliser is a steraliser and they all do the same thing. Maybe the best thing is to measure the length of a Dr. Brown bottle and compare it against the length of an Avent bottle and see if there's a massive difference.

HOpe this helps.

kitstwins thank you - very helpful. That's the sort of info I need - will go look in Boots today.

The Dr Brown bottles are quite tall I think. I'm sure they do fit into other sterilisers, but maybe not so well which means you can't sterilise so many in one go?

How about the Born Free bottles? They have an anti colic valve and they also do their own microwave steriliser. They are mostly online (Amazon and their own website) but I do think some Boots and Mothercare stock them.

Good point. Born Free bottles are pretty similar to Avent in terms of size. I bought all my Tommy Tippee stuff, including the steraliser, off Amazon as it was all 30-40% off (bargain!) but as I used Avent last time I've no idea how I'll get on with this new batch.

LisaMcA - I've been reading hippyish books I'm afraid (in VBAC territory so trying to kid my body with the whole patchouli and whalesong route). Anyway, Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth is fantastic as although it's very natural childbirth-focussed it has some really interesting stuff. The chapter on 'sphincter law' (yes, really!) is worth a read. Another popular one is the 'What to Expect When You're Expecting', which has a big section on delivery.

Re. BF. I failed miserably with my first born, but after a gap of 14 years! I succesfully fed my daughter from start through to around 8 months without any bottles...this was a CHOICE though and I only opted for that route as it made travelling around spasmodically after child NO1 easier, not having to throw a load of stuff in a bag, and also the night feeds were nice and quiet and quick. I adopted a policy that I did all the feeding and palmed off the other stuff like taxi driving child NO1 to husband where possible and bathtimes etc. Also it was a good excuse to sit and do nothing. I did not follow any rules or teaching guides and just fed as and when. She put weight on from the off. I also NEVER expressed...it just seemed silly to spend as much time expressing for someone else to feed in a bottle as it would have taken me to sit and feed her directly myself. Anyway, no rights or wrongs I think...simply have a go and if it works great, if it doesn't then no big deal either. My one bit of advice would be (and this is not just regarding feeding) is DON'T buy anything in advance of needing it (bar the obvious such as nappies and clothes!). You can order online for next day delivery easily these days should you really need something and it is also a good excuse to go out shopping with a purpose and let every one coo over your new little one. That's all, I'm off for the gluscose test now!

LJB36 we've just got a 7 seater to make space for the baby (DH has two teenage boys already), and went for the Mitsubishi Grandis in the end. A lot of them have crap boot space so you would have to have the rear seats down to get a pushchair in, which totally defeats the object of having a 7 seater. There aren't that many Mitsubishis about second hand and they aren't importing them new anymore, but we found one nearby. We've only had it two weeks but I love it! It's not as frumpy looking as some of the other 7 seaters as well but it's quite a personal thing. It does get a bit of criticism for light steering but think it depends on what you're used to driving before and seems fine to us. Are you buying new or 2nd hand?

OOOOh

Had to share with the April family.....Anyone looking at support belts???? Have a gander at the Nexcare support belt in Mothercare £35+. Then go to www.3m.co.uk and search pregnancy support, you'll see the ad on the right or search results for the same belt as it's made by 3M and it's on sale including VAT and postage for £25.01, these are selling at around £30 on ebay from private sellers and £35+ from businesses!

If you were looking this one is the one I've been recommended by the hospital physio as it not olny supports the bump and pelvic muscles it takes the pressure and shares it around to help with pelvic, back, abdomen and leg pain! Just paid for it online and it's already dispatched should arrive tomorrow or next day, I'm very excited as have been having mucho problemo with pain!

Lucielooo I don't know how many children your planning on but I have a 12 seater Land rover which is brilliant and the kids love it, we can go anywhere including through last years flooded street lol and the odd field as a short cut when the road is blocked as well as a handy new Volvo for less busy days. My DH is planning on filling all the twelve seats I reminded him that he'd have to re-marry as I'm knackered

Awesome saltedpretzels I have vehicle envy! We do look jokingly at the 12 seat Land Rover (defender?) when we've been browsing autotrader! Especially after my comment that 'we should just keep popping them out until we're too old'. DP is a few years older than me though so I reckon we'd struggle to fill a 12 seater but not for lack of trying! DP is one of ten and his big family are brilliant, (money being no object) I think it would be fab to have tons of kids! (although to be fair, I don't have any yet so may change my mind come April.. though I do have two teenage step-sons)

Lucieloo I hope your two teenagers are less work than mine! Mine just turned 16 (boy) and although he has hours of loveliness and adores his little sister (2) he can be the most hideous thing at times too.........

lol LJB36 DP's 2 boys (15 & 12) are both lovely and difficult in equal measures :) i.e. typical teenagers! They're very good with my niece who is 4 so I am crossing my fingers they'll be the same with their new little brother when he arrives!! We only have them at weekends too so there may be a bit of a settling period, but at least they'll get a break from the baby if it's too much for them..:)

SaltedPretzels - I'm so glad that someone else is contemplating moving at this time. At least I'm not completely insane on my own
I was very jealous at your description of where you were - I was born in Cumbria and love it round there.

Does anyone else keep waking up on their backs? I go to sleep on my side (several times a night after waking up) but always wake up on my back - my mw told me to try not to sleep on my back! Also anyone else feel like they've aged considerably - I was kneeling down earlier and when I got back up my knees felt like they were going to collapse!!!

Why is it we're not supposed to sleep on our backs?? I get by far the best sleep lying on my back compared to my side? If i lie on my side I'm awake every hour with sore hips and need to roll over, which makes me realise I need the toilet.. which means I have to get out of bed which means I'm permanently knackered after 5 toilet trips a night!!

It's something like an artery that runs down your back and when you lay on your back the artery can become compressed which means you and the baby don't get such good blood flow.

However if you find yourself waking up on your back or it's the only way to get comfortable then really don't sweat it.

The optimum way to lie is on your left side. It's best for blood flow and best for positioning the baby as you get closer to term (although we don't really need to worry about that too much yet).

sassy - I think each pregnancy has aged me about 5 years , at least that's what it bloody well feels like! Although once that baby is born it is amazing how much better you feel, and so quickly too.

I reckon if you sleep fine on your back then carry on, sometimes i do. But mostly i find it too uncomfortable anyway and have to get nestled in all my pillows!
Does anyone else have a long pillow?
I do, but not sure exactly how to get comfiest with it.

We are looking for a 7-seater, but waiting to hear about DS2's mobility application. If we get that then we can go for a new motability car, nice but not so much choice. Otherwise a second-hand something. Fancy the Seat Alhambra with sliding doors & lots of Isofix.

Salted - that support belt sounds good, let us know how it works out once you get it.

JKS - I've got one of the dream genii pillows and still not sure what goes where! All I do know is that DH should not be trying to put his legs round the long part of the pillow while I am like he tried to last night .

Glad to hear it's not just me that feels like I've aged with achey bones etc and also pleased to hear that others are sleeping on their backs without issues - it was to do with the artery and blood flow that my mw recommended not sleeping on back.

Have to say after watching this week's OBEM I'm considering a water birth - DH liked the look of it as well as said was calm and the baby was nice and clean when it was born!!!

Hi all

Sassy I have a drem gennii too. You lay on the flat bit, with the small bolster behind you against your back as you lay on your left. You then snuggle up to the long side and bring the long bit between your knees. I still roll occasionally but not as far. I think the bigger we get the more it supports the bump. I always slept on that side anyway but even with our new bed and mattress which is sooooooo comfy i am getting achey hips and lower back. I only feel it when i get off the train in the morning. Speaking of trains, for those of you who commute dont forget you can sit in 1st class up to 2 months prior to the start of your maternity leave providing there are no seats. You need to send your MB1 form (is that what its called) and photo card number and journey details to your train co. I was able to email mine. I am National Express East Anglia if you want the email addy.
Back to your post sassy same here re the water birth. Deffo looking into that.

Advice please. Was 26 weeks yest, and have noticed kitten isnt kicking as much, i can still feel him moving, it's the motion kind where your tummy feels sick, but not as much kicking. Have any of you experienced this? Is it just him changing as he gets bigger or should i call the midwife?

Sassy20 I'm planning on a waterbirth at the moment(at home hopefully) - seems intuitively to me, to be more comfortable than birthing on dry land as your body weight is supported, it's warm and it relaxes your skin and I love being in water anyway. Am hoping to do it at home so I can definitely get access to a pool as if there's someone in the one at hospital it's hard luck and you can't use it. I mentioned it to the midwife at my appointment on wednesday she seemed very suprised! Which sort of threw me and started me wondering if it was a bit self indulgent to ask for a homebirth as you need to have a midwife with you all the time? I'm prone to letting things go because I don't want to make a fuss which is one of the reasons why I'd like to be at home so I feel more comfortable/in control in my own surroundings than in hospital.

Still, presumably childbirth is the one time when you're allowed to be selfish?

kittycatcat.. I'm national express east anglia to so if you have the email address that would be great? I thought it was from 32 weeks that you got an upgrade but that much better if you get it from 2 months before maternity leave... it would mean I'm already eligible!

In terms of movement I have days where I don't really feel any kicking but flutters round the outside of the bump which feel like movement did at the very beginning and then other days I get proper kicks that make my tummy move. I think this is just down to the baby being in different positions but it does worry me when I don't feel so much, and then a couple of days later he's kicking out the front again.

However, it is always worth a quick call to the midwife if you're not sure. It only takes a couple of minutes and you've got nothing to lose - there's nothing worse than the feeling of worry when you're not sure.

If you are worried kitty, call the MW. But I have just as many squirmy movements as big belly shaking kicks. It often changes from day to day as well.

Why do you think a homebirth is selfish lucie? For low risk mothers it is statistically safer for mother and baby and a homebirth costs the NHS less than a hospital delivery - there's nowt selfish about that

that's true.. I think it's because the community midwives have to come to you (is that extra work for her?) rather than if you go to hospital and they're all there anyway. Although presumably they don't mind attending births otherwise midwife is a unlikely choice of career! Not sure why I feel like this, I think it's because she asked me why I'd like a homebirth and all I could think of to say is that it's more comfortable/relaxing which didn't seem like a very good reason for demanding all this extra attention.

I have lots of ideas about why I think it would be better for me and baby - for example I'm more worried about feeling afraid/out of my depth/stressed than I am of the actual pain, and think hospitals can be stressful places rather than reassuring ones - but I feel silly saying this to her especially as she's a midwife who has been to tons of births and I've never had a baby before so what do I know?? I think I sound ridiculous saying all this by the way and know I should have more confidence in what I think but it's difficult when you have absolutely no experience and no idea how you're going to handle the situation. The midwife couldn't have been nicer by the way, she's lovely, so she didn't say anything that made me feel like this!

I'll concentrate on costing the NHS less though - that's a good thing!

On the plus side, we're going to pick up the nursery furniture my sister is passing on to us tonight so I think we're going to start getting the rooms organised this weekend... yippee!

JustKeepSwimming I too have a long pillow, my fella got me it quite early on - it's useless! It's massive and unwieldy and i reckon only works if you lay in the exact same position all night long, otherwise you have to wrestle it around like a crocodile! It's also a barrier down the bed.....

Salted Please can you let us know how you go with the support belt? I've been wearing a Carriwell support belt since about week 18 because of pain - ligaments but mostly a biiiig old pelvis appendix scar causing weakness - and it's changed my life, no pain at all and lots of lower back support also. I think I'm going to outgrow it soon though and it would be nice to have another option.

Has anyone else developed an old lady groan on bending down....?!

Morning all

kitty I had a about a week where I didn't think I was feeling nearly as much movement and was just starting to get a bit worried. Then I had a couple of days with lots of big kicks and movement, so I think that does just happen sometimes. I noticed a change after doing yoga, so maybe if you shift about a bit it might make a difference. As others have said, do check if you are worried.

I am currently being kicked because my nice skinny maternity jeans that looked ace at 18 weeks are now digging in right across my bump and clearly Piglet doesn't approve. I also get kicked if I balance my laptop on bump in the evening.

I've also got one of those dream genii pillows and I wake up every morning to find it on the floor, so I don't think it helps much! I tend to sleep on my side anyway but also wake up lying on my bump, which is a bit of a worry. I might have a flat baby.

Has anyone else started snorning?!

I've been informed by DH that I have. This is not cool. I've had a stuffy nose the whole time I've been preggers and it drives me mad but he snoring is new. Any ideas on how to prevent it. At the moment DH says it's funny but I can see the joke wearing quite thin in three months. I have never felt more attractive! And, yes, Sassy I feel like I'm ageing daily. I now make a noise when putting my tights on, a sort of grunting.

I also like the look of the water birth - it seems a lot nicer than lying on a bed with your legs in the air. But then I remember the drugs....