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'm feeling the urge to shop too! Great thread title.

Absolutely not allowing myself too though, moving house in just over a week so priority at the moment is packing! We are in a rented house at the moment so will be lovely to finally have our own house just wish we could magically teleport ourselves, furniture etc then get some magic fairies to unpack it all the other end!

Liv 77 and IlikeToMoveItMoveIt totally agree about the bumbo. We really didn't use ours much at all, bit of a waste of money really.

Going to buy the ikea antilop highchair this time, as ours from Mothercare was awful, broke easily, bits of food down all the crevices and a nightmare to clean. We bought a handysitt when dd was a bit older and it was great, would thoroughly recommend. Getting a bit ahead of myself though as baby not even born yet, going to be a while before even have to contemplate weaning....

We have a boys name sorted but can't agree on a girls name at all.

Off to wake up DH now as it was his turn for a lie in this morning. Have a good day everyone, sun shining here.

Agree carpal tunnel sounds painful, ouch.

My SPD kicked in with a vengeance yesterday, i got all down about it thinking this was it for the next 12-16 weeks, DH trying to positive but not helping! and this morning it feels fine
Am going to be extra careful from now on though as yesterday was enough of a reminder.

DH still in bed with a possible migraine + his bad back. I've walked round the block with the boys, vis the doughnut shop, lol

Oh and I've got a work thing to go to with DH in a week, have ordered some dresses off Asos & Seraphine, hoping they'll arrive tomorrow so i can decide/get sorted with tights & shoes/etc.
Both of those sites v good for clothes ideas, plus Picchu maternity if any of you are shopping online.

wow only just catching up (again!) with all that's going on. Amazing that we're on the 3rd thread now, and just getting closer and closer. I'm just over 25 weeks, and finally getting lots of movement and weird (but lovely) wriggling.
Definitely the same as those with lack of full night's sleep... haven't slept through for months now, either it's a 3am pee break or discomfort trying to sleep on my side and rolling onto my back. Boooo.

We're almost there on names I think - but don't want to make a definite decision till baby arrives... let's hope that's not too late!

and a huge thank you to all those posting product information and tried and tested tips. Please keep them coming as I have no clue about what to get and am wading through lists at the moment to work it all out, so all thoughts are very gratefully received.

Oh - and anyone else got leaky nipples?! (TMI?!)

Well I started leaking at 5months with DS1 - horrified myself, lol!, and pretty much from the start with DS2, though i was still BF when i got pg so body never had a chance to dry up i suppose.
Keep waiting for it to start this pg, have had some 'crustiness' of v early colostrum on my nipples but not peoper leaking. Actually enjoying not wearing breast pads yet + bra all night so in one way i'm hoping it stays away longer, though of course if i don't start leaking soon i'll be paranoid that i'm not going to produce milk this time round

Hello,

May I join your group? I've just found your thread.

I'm 27 weeks, EDD 11th April. Based in London and at Queen Charlotte. W6.

Anyone else due around 11th and at QCH? or London?

I don't know anyone that is pregnant, so haven't got anyone to chat to about pregnancy.

Hope you are all well x

Welcome to the thread martha, all newcomers are very welcome here , and this is most defo the place to chat

I've never really leaked in any of my pregnancies, although I suspect I had a bit of crustiness the other week. Mind you I never really leaked a great deal when I was bf'ing either - apart from when my milk initially came in. Ah I can remember, waking up in a puddle of milk having soaked through to the mattress

Oh yes, and I'm very that you have a doughnut shop in walking distance of your house. Although actually that's probably a good thing!

My mum and dad have ordered a new cotbed mattress for us - hurrah. I think that is probably the biggest expense we have for this baby.

I've already bought a 2nd hand cherry red Tripp Trapp , but it was such a bargain that it seemed rude to not buy it!

Hi and welcome to Marthamydear

And thanks too for product advice everyone. I'm going to give a sling another go this time around. We were lent one (can't remember which) with DD but it was like trying to do some kind of bloody knot exam. It never felt comfortable and was convinced daughter was going to drop out. So if anyone actually used one that was comfy and easy to tie then let me know. Did look for the Mayan one that someone on this thread recommended but they seem to be hard to find in the UK.

Had a gruelling trip to IKEA today so my nearly 3 year old could choose her own big girls bed. We don't deperately need the cot yet but I can't physically lift her in and out of it anymore. The SPD is making me feel like 100 years old. but physio on Tuesday and I'm hoping for miracles.

And yesterday I stumbled on another MN thread for women who have SPD so severely they were unable to open their legs at all during labour and needed to have an epidural to endure the pain of just opening their legs. Trying not to think about that possibility.

Also went swimming today which was bliss. No breats stroke kicks obviously and very gentle effort all round but it was wonderful to feel weightless. I am delighted to be having this baby but I so want my body back again.

Welcome Marthamydear, I'm W7 and due 4 April. I'll be having mine at Ealing Hospital so not too far away!

Am tempted to try swimming but am having a body crisis and feel HIDEOUS. I'm hoping it'll pass soon, is rubbish!

hello everyone! Thanks for creating the new thread too, Frakk. I can't believe we're in 3rd trimester territory. Well, I will be next week. It's at 27 weeks isn't it? Babies are on their way. Hell fire!

Time has started to race terribly. So strange as it was SO slow for SO long and then suddenly, post Christmas, it's only weeks away. I am starting to feel a little bit more organised and am getting loads of hand-me-downs from SIL and friends, which is great. And cheap.

JKS I made it to JJMB at the weekend and they didn't have the coat you suggested. I ended up buying another style there, which fits nicely and is good for work and dog walking, so thanks for pointing me in the right direction! It was reduced to £30 in the sale too, so I was well chuffed!

I am clearly very lucky as I am still sleeping really well. I did a 10K walk yesterday and slept like the dead last night. I do worry about squashing my bump though as I often wake up lying on it. Not flat, obviously, but giving it a proper squishing. I've tried propping myself up with pillows but I wake up in the morning and they are all on the floor, even the long maternity one. I have been having very vivid dreams too, a few of the rude type (!) but also ones where I am shouting and can't be heard and I wake up feeling really stressed. Most odd.

Re names. I have two girls names and one boys. That's it! I supposed I only really need one of each (don't know the sex) but I feel I ought to have a long list to choose from. DH bought me a book for Christmas with a zillion names in but I think they had gone for quantity over quality and it's so silly that I have found no inspiration. I am not calling my child Snow, or Brazil. Honestly.

PS hello Marthamydear. I'm due on 17th April and booked in at Kingston, so not a million miles away.

Hi everyone, not posted for a while.
I'm not a sling fan either, tried a couple with DS1, gave me back ache and he hated it. DS2 wasn't much better. Found the babybjorn good for the first 5 months though.
We'd chosen Catherine for baby, but with the royal wedding a week after the due date, there's going to be so many Cates and Katherines, so we're thinking again.
I'm still sleeping okay too, although ds1 and ds2 are usually up by 6.20am.
We're off to Antigua on sat for a week to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary - v excited!

Afternoon all

Sorry in advance of epic post, been saving it it ha ha!

Bloods next week and my 1st Anti D since DD 1+2, 15 years ago I'm glad to say for anyone rhesus negative like myself It's no longer given 5 times now it's just two in pregnancy and one after the birth if baby is positive. Poor DD's passed on negative blood to them both, waiting for them to start thinking about families (in many, many years time lol)before I break the news of what that will mean.

All shopping done I love shopping, great thread name Frakk

If your breastfeeding it's better to invest in washable pads and in your changing bag putting a spare t shirt in a plastic bag (bag for dirty one). Then when if your pads leak or move if your using disposables without tape you save yourself the embarrassment of having milk stains on your boobs, not a good look says the voice of experience

Hospital bag:

Disposable pants - go for a size larger if you have (like me ) a bigger bottom. The disposable pants are the same size front and back whereas 'normal' pants have extra material to cover your bum, don't forget you will still have a tummy to fit in as well! You only need them for the first few days to week whilst the majority of your uterus lining is shedding then either carry on with them or just use your period pants.

Books, crosswords even a laptop to watch dvd's, unless your very lucky or have given birth in record time previously you could be at the hospital for days hours so don't forget to pack distractions.

Toilet bag: I like to have two (greedy me) one for getting ready/bath/shower/morning stuff.
The other as a toilet bag for, pads, spare pants, baby wipes (for you) any cream you've been given or sterile pads for stitches etc. It a proper pain when your busting for a wee and searching for a pad, pants, wipes and then trying to hide them discreetly whilst passing everyone en-route to the loo only to find someone in and you have to stand in the corridor with a pad the size of a moses basket mattress, how embarrassing!

Finally, don't forget in your hospital bag to pack a small thank you for the staff both labour ward and postnatal, this can be a simple thank you card or a box of chocs/buns/biscuits etc, you'd be surprised how many people don't bother and take them for granted as it's 'just their job' but I do feel that they help you when you are at your most vulnerable (and lets face it the things we say and do in labour they need a medal some days) and this deserves the personal touch in return IMO

I find in the final months as my bump grows, I get itchy and although I use cocoa butter stretch mark massage lotion as DH loves bump kicking his hands, I use baby oil after a shower on my boobs, bump and hips this really helps.

I'm glad to say my vinegar craving has all but albeit which is a huge relief not to mention saving lots of money on heartburn remedies

After been glued to the tv and ignoring anything else watching One Born Any Minute I have dug out my old diaries (when I had DD's I documented everything until they started walking)I guess I was just too busy running around after that lol. Anyway I noticed both times I forgot things to take to hospital because once the bag is packed there is always something to add such as snacks, drinks change for the car parks, taxis, vending machine, payphone if your not allowed your mobile or if your battery dies as you forgot to fully charge it each day on the run up to D day. So this time taking note of the programme and my diaries I have written a list of everything to go into the bag and as each item goes in it gets crossed out. The list is taped to the back of the front door with an envelope containing 2 x £20 notes and 5 x £1 coins. My snack box containing cereal bars, chocolate, energy drinks, straws, bottles of water, nuts and dried fruit for both of us is hidden in the house so nobody can raid it before hand, the hiding place is written in the envelope with our telephone reminder list of names and numbers for after the birth.

Can't believe how close we are now, seems like yesterday we were discussing blue lines and telling people......... I start maternity leave in 12 days .

I'm really glad we didn't find out the sex now as I'm very excited to find out at the time, with both DD we knew which was useful for choosing names and colour's etc but it's also fun guessing.

After 2 natural (gas & air)lots of swearing and threats births, no stitches, I'm going to try for a water birth however, this time I'm not ruling out the epidural, it's much safer now than back then and it's not an endurance test like my mother thinks it should be, however I don't want to increase my chances of intervention so I'm going to see what happens on the day with the plan in rough being water birth with options.

Hi all - haven't posted much, but I have been lurking, and it's been lovely to read how you're all doing.

I'm now on annual leave, with mat starting in four weeks. Then we've decided I'll take a career break for 3yrs. Eek! I'm excited but nervous too.

I'm still quite sick - even though it did let up for a bit - hence I haven't posted much, I do feel like I don't want to bring the tone down.

We have emptied the loft and found we have pretty much everything we need except the pram/pushchair, so I'm very of all of you who have theirs. As soon as I have my next non sick day I want to travel to Southampton and have a nose at all the different ones. I was certain I wanted the icandy Apple, but now I'm getting other ideas...

I have no suggestions re slings. We do have one which Dh uses - just a bog standard M&P one. Personally having carried a baby for the pregnant bit, I can't wait to not have to lug them around!

Just waiting to see if our birthing centre has reopened so I can avoid the less local superhospital. I've had two very straightforward births, with minimal pain relief, so would prefer the birthing centre, or failing that, a homebirth. Eek again.

Loulou With you on the long term sickness.. it's very annoying with both DD I bloomed, I think this time it maybe a boy lol!

Again, with you on he sling, 9 months is enough, I have a lovely chariot pram which baby will love and that's good enough for me

Ooh before I forget..... After a good chat with my accountant please be careful of sick days before maternity leave as your maternity pay is payable as an average earning from the past 26 weeks, so if you've had unpaid time off or sick days this will reduce any payments.

Hey All!

Salted great advice! Thanks! We'll have to compare bag lists in a few weeks.

I'd forgotten that the new series of One Born Every Minute starts tonight. I loved the last series, and never thought I'd be actually pregnant during this one! I'm excited! (Sky+ is set!)

And we have our first folks on leave! Well done!

Wow my belly feels so huge this evening, I'm really uncomfortable. Maybe getting off the sofa will help!

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

Seems as though lots of ladies and bumps are doing very well. Which is great!

I have, so far, been very lucky... no real problems throughout pregnancy, starting to get a few kicks now, which hurt from time to time, but it's comforting too.

I haven't bought any baby stuff yet, it's unlikely that we'll get anything until the baby is born. We have been given a fair amount.

I have my gestational diabetes test 20th January... hopefully I wont be suffering. I have also developed a hernia on my belly button (yuck, very unsightly, but thankfully not painful)

I start some birth lessons in February at hospital, but I'm wondering if I'd be better off joining NCT, just to find a small network of mothers... Only problem is, we hope to move between now and when baby is born.
I guess I could join another NCT group that is local to where we move to.

Lots to think about in the next three months. It's going to busy!

Hope you are all keeping well.

Watched One Born Every Minute last night and had a dream that the baby had arrived. I was SO disappointed when I woke up this morning and there was still a bump and no baby. Sigh.

Dunno about anyone else but I find this series so useful. This is DC1 for me and I've never been in a maternity unit before so getting an idea of what goes in is massively comforting, even if that lady last night was screaming like a banshee...

I too find One Born brilliant, cyclebump. When I first started watching it, my best friend who has had FOUR babies (oh yes) posted on FB that it was making her friends who were mothers want more and her friends who weren't NEVER want to try - I remember posting back that I was obviously weird as after years of not being sure, watching all the births made me definitely decide I WANTED to have a go!! Certifiable, obviously...but so useful to see what goes on and the environment in which is takes place etc. GOSH, IT'S SOON NOW EVERYONE!!! AAAARGH!!

I watched One Born Every Minute last night but just kept crying! Pathetic I know.. I'm sure it was just a hormones night.. will try again next week and see if I can be anymore grown up. Think the 1st time nerves are just kicking in...

I watched OBEM last night and sobbed when the babies were born too. I also sobbed when the young Dad started to cry.

I would also like to add for the first timers that not everyone screams like that lady, so don't let that put the fear of God into you.

I don't get OBEM and I'm quite glad of that in many ways!

Wow you're moving between now and April, martha? You brave girl. I was born at QC BTW, great choice of hospital

I have my GTT sometime this week and a whole load of other bloods. Yuk. Last time I had to have a GTT to test for diabetes/insulin resistance the drink was so sugary I threw up everywhere! But that was on a 100 solution and I think the pregnancy one is done at half strength?

My antenatal classes start next week! I'm doing a very hippy class which is all about relaxation and mental preparation for pain. I have no idea what the name of the approach is in Enlgish though! The other option seemed to start from the point of 'when you get to hospital you will be given an IV and then your epidural...'.

Karoleann I've vetoed Catherine for a girl for pretty much the same reason. Ditto William for a boy, not that it's a favourite of mine anyway. Enjoy your trip to Antigua!

Love the sound of your classes Frakk, they are the type of classes I would choose too. Relaxation and mental preparation are key and are forgotten by many - imo.

I also meant to say in my last post, if you learn anything from OBEM, it should be don't lie on your back. I know it's different for everyone, but for the majority of people laying down is the most uncomfortable position to be in - it also means you have to push against gravity. Why the MW's actively encourage it I do not know, well actually I do - it's all about control, but that's another story!

What shall I have for lunch later ladies, soup or a sandwich? I can't decide, I fancy soup but I'm erring towards a sandwich because I am already bloody starving and it's only 11am

Soup. I miss soup!

Lying on your back makes you less of an insurance liability because you're not moving etc. Sad but true...It's the safest position from the hospital's perspective!

Morning ladies!

I also watched OBEM - which I have been avoiding till now, as it all just looks so horrid and I get really freaked out. I am glad to hear that not everyone screams like that woman did. I was trying to decide whether she was just a complete drama queen or whether it really was that bad. Came to the conclusion that no matter how much pain I was in I would never, ever wave my fanjo about with Channel 4 filming, so we were very different people. I'd like to watch one where someone looks quite sane and dignified please! Also perhaps someone born in the same decade as me! DH welled up when the baby was born, which was quite funny and also made me realise that he is going to be an emotional wreck. Lord.

Quick update on HIP Grant - I got mine paid in today. Sent the form off on 30th Jan and was in my 25th week before the deadline, but not at 25 weeks, so it looks as though they are still paying it out. Very chuffed as it covers the cost of my ebay Quinny. Huzzah. I know it's supposed to be for fruit and veg but I've decided I don't feel guilty, have paid tax for many, many years and if I am able to get something back for the first time ever so be it. Ta da.

Finally, I have created a 'stuff I need before baby arrives' spreadsheet - compiled from a couple of lists that very organised friends have created, plus advice from MN and a book. If any other first timers want it just direct message me with your email and I will send it. It's just the basics but it's quite handy.

Iliketomoveit - both, surely?