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

The pop n gro ones look similar to the BumGenius ones I've been perving at. Oh so tempting...

I always iron all our clothes but not bedding, towels or pants. I think it's probably because I overload the washing machine so they come out really creased. I don't mind ironing as I do it in front on the telly. I hate cleaning though.
petal I would wash new muslins especially if they came in a plastic bag as they tend to hold on to the plastic bag smell. I also iron them as it makes them easier to fold up and use.

Re: Meeting fellow mums,
If you don't make friends at AN class, don't worry about it. It's much easier to meet people at breastfeeding coffee mornings/toddler groups etc once you've got your baby. You just find someone you like the look of with a similar aged baby and ask them the babies name, age how they're sleeping/feeding etc and away you go.

I don't know about in the Uk but here the HV invites you along to classes once your baby is born. Ours were weekly for 4 weeks and covered baby first aid etc. There were about 12/15 of us and everyone who attended had their baby the same month. The HV suggested we all arrange to meet up afterwards but we would have to organise it ourselves as due to data protection she could not pass our details on. Everyone nodded and said good idea but no-one was willing to make the first step.
I had no friends or family with babies and I was determined to make some "baby friends" so on the last session when everyone was getting ready to go I took a deep breathe and shouted out that we were going to meet the following Thursday morning at the garden centre cafe (it's Guernsey our social choices are rather limited ) and anyone was welcome along.

I was so nervous on the day that no one else would turn up and i'd look like a Billy no-mates but everyone did. . We met up weekly whilst on maternity leave. We had a BBQ in the summer where we got to meet all the Dads. Followed by a Babies 1st Christmas Party and a joint 1st birthday party for our "April babies". Although 3 years on we don't meet up as regularly due to work, people moving etc, there are several who I consider good friends and I see most weeks on my days off at swimming or toddler group. We also arrange a "mum's out" every couple of months. I'm so glad I plucked up the courage to arrange the first meeting and the others have told me they're glad I did too.
So don't be shy and as the famous sports brand said JUST DO IT

Cyclebump re: nappies, a friend of mine swears by bumgenius also! Haven't had any experience of using any kinds myself but she is determined to have me converted!

I've been lurking by the way - laptop is goosed and internet being silly so am having to wait til I'm at work to post - currently on nightshift so not too busy!

Can't remeber who posted about a wishlist on amazon but have been humming and haying about the same thing myself. Friends want to throw me a baby shower but would feel unbelievably embarrassed asking for specific things from them! I was always of the thinking that you just accepted what you were given but I do see the sense in asking for things that you need - I just don't know if I'm happy to do it!

Only another 5 weeks left to work and then ML starts - can't wait, starting to feel really heavy now and seriously lacking energy - even nightshift is a task and it's normally pretty easy going! Still 10 weeks til babyWajs arrival though - I really hope it isn't going to drag. A friend had a baby 2 days ago and it just sent me into overdrive wanting my baby here right now!!

sats v jealous of your holiday too, DP and I would love to go away before baby comes but we simply can't afford it! I keep hinting that maybe a night away in a hotel would be just as good but he doesn't seem to be picking up on them. He is solely focussed on work just now and building up his "paternity fund" basically he wants to save up enough money for him to have 2 weeks off when baby arrives (he's self employed so no paternity leave) and then enough for me not to be worried about the financial side of things when I drop down to SMP!! Bless him he has a heart of gold at times and other times I wonder what goes on in his head - I am still waiting for my birthday present and birthday was a month ago!!

Oh and just for the record I don't iron either!! :)

FAB pic ecuse so clear!!

Just had 30 week check with midwife, baby is all great... kicked away doplar, wriggled around & heartbeat strong.. which is obviously all I want to hear but midwife still annoyed me!

Firstly she wouldn't give me a HIP form as she says there's no way I'd get it (I am admittedly right on the cusp but I thought I could at least try!?!?!)... then she let the student midwife measure my bump & prod around (which I'm normally fine with, everyone needs to learn), but then student announces that she has no idea what she is feeling & can't measure bump as she can't find my pubic bone (WTF?!?!?!!) & so midwife gets in there, has a good prod around (uncomfortable, thank you) & finally they manage it. Then I get into the car park and some annoying lady pulls out in the car next to me & says I've parked too close to her & she had to climb over her passenger seat. When I informed her that I took the last space in the car park that she had parked over the line of, she shouted at me & drove off. GGRRRRR. It's friday people, be happy & leave me alone!!!

Rant over. I'm going to eat cake.

Morning :)

ecuse - lovely picture!

I can't recommend re-useable nappies enough, we've used them for DS and it has saved us a fortune, even though we have actually bought loads.
These are my tips:

• you will need about 20 nappies, 20 boosters and 4/5 wraps to give you enough to not run out while you are waiting for ones in the wash.
• We found wraps with poppers better than wraps with velcro. The velcro ones are fine with a weeny baby who is lying down, but once they start to want to be propped up (so 4 months-ish) then we found the velcro rubbed on DS' tummy and made a sore patch so we switched to popper wraps.
• Best wraps we've used are Motherease Airflow, and if you ask on the nappy board/threads here most people will recommend those.
• If you are using fleece liners, think about getting some paper ones to use out and about so that you can flush the worst away rather than carry it about with you!
• Once DS was sleeping for longer stretches at night we found that our normal nappy didn't do the job. On a recommendation from several people on MN we bought some Ella's House hemp night nappies and hemp boosters to use with them - wow they are brilliant.

We used Bambinex Bamboo - not sure if they make them still but I would really recommend bamboo nappies especially if you have a heavy wetter! I need to strip wash all my nappies and go through them, some are worn out, and then buy a few new ones for this baby

1st time mother what's your due date? My official one is 20 April and my MW told me I wouldnt qualify but I did. Money came in this week. Put it to her this way. You are not asking her to lie on the form but the rules are very vague so you may get it and it's no loss or effort to her.

And you have my sympathy with students. My policy is say no regardless. My Dad is a GP and I was a guinea pig for every student health professional for the first 18 years of my life. I've done my bit I reckon. I felt a bit guilty saying I don't want a student MW at my labour as I want a home birth that is intimate and with as few strangers there as possible. Someone else will volunteer.

I don't mind medical students much as I have weird hips and am used to be marvelled at

I had one at my 32-week check. I was asked if I minded and although I agreed I'm glad I'm relatively chilled out for a first-timer! She spent ages prodding me with the Doppler wand before saying in a panicky voice 'I can't find a heart beat'.

Baby had been kicking all morning so I stayed calm while the mw found it for her. Dread to think how it would have made a more stressed person feel.

I've posted in nappies for advice on reusables and people have been really helpful. It's here.

1st

I e-mailed them to clarify the vague 25 weeks reference, this is their reply:

Thank you for your email

Women who reach their 25th week of pregnancy on or after the 1st January
2011 will not be eligible for the Health in Pregnancy Grant.

This means that your midwife or GP must certify on your claim form that
you are at least 24 weeks and 1 day pregnant by 31 December 2010. I am
unable to give specific advice on individual due dates.

There is no cut-off date for submitting the Health in Pregnancy Grant
form, but fully completed claim forms must be received by HM Revenue &
Customs within 31 days of the health professional signing the form and
the claim must be received before the baby is born.

More information about benefits that women or families may be entitled
to is available online. The website address is www.direct.gov.uk

Regards

W Kapke

I didn't look at your dates but if this applies to you, I'd be happy to forward the full e-mail for you to show shove it your MW face your MW.

Ooh exciting stuff happening, yesterday and today I sorted out, spare room, unopened boxes from last move (years ago ) and ALL the cupboards in the house. We have just returned home from, the recycle centre, the council large goods centre and Save The Children. Result being, we have cleared an entire wardrobe and chest of drawers, have removed all unwanted/needed furniture, glass, jewelery, shoes, handbags, all Christmas and Halloween decorations (I love shopping so this is a cunning move lol). Also replaced lots of walking/climbing group equipment and clothes so they have gone to a local charity shop that raises funds for the Mountain Rescue. So a very productive day and morning, I'm now knackered but happy .

Finished packing bump and my bags, arranging for cleaners to come 3 days a week for the first couple of months, one less job

Oh and pregnancy hormones worked a blinder a real victory... I've been having long term disagreements regarding a huge advertising campaign I signed up for that was a few £K. After 3 months it became apparent that the staff involved really couldn't give a hoot so I took it upon myself to play mystery shopper. I then asked a friend and a received feedback from non biased clients as to the lack of interest in this venture. Anyway long and tall of it, I complained first in person then by telephone then e-mail and was passed to 8 different people and ZERO replied, One year on and the invoice dropped on the mat for the first installment of £1K, so I refused to pay until someone acknowledged my complaint and gave me a satisfactory reply.

Two days ago I received a telephone call from the head of UK tourism, I torn strips off the woman, cried, balled, repeated everything as I couldn't remember what I'd said or if I'd forgotten anything. She took it for over 40 minutes before deciding to call me back that afternoon after looking further into it.

3 hours later, she had wiped the slate clean, taken my hormonal yellings as a passionate response to an ignored complaint and taken the hit as a result of so many staff errors.

YEY FOR HORMONES

I know it's a typo but my goodness 'reusable virgin' made me laugh out loud.

I forgot, on the subject of students

My first two were born at St James teaching hospital in Leeds so students were pretty much a part of any experience.

I have decided not to allow students this time as the last time I was 9 cm dilated and the drip I'd been put on required topping up (can't remember what it was however I was induced so something to do with speeding things up I think )

Anyway the student produced the syringe to feed into the tube, she forgot to open the valve on the drip, obviously I was watching her so the liquid in the syringe sprayed everywhere, end result baby crowning whilst I was also having an eye bath, not the best of moods after that I can tell you lol. I apologised to her the next day but enough was enough.

Hello Aprilites,

Glad to hear everybody seems to be fighting fit.
Cyclebump ? Lol at the name ?bumgenius?
Stats Your babymoon sounds lovely
MrsWajs Don?t be too envious, there is nowhere as comfy as your own bed at this stage in pregnancy.

I hardly iron. I do tumble dry for 10 mins then hang out, to shake the creases out and soften fabric. Please don?t flame me

Those of you who told me not to go into work were absolutely right. I?ve still got intermittent pains and very strong contractions. Yesterday I also had an upset stomach so I spent an hour in the loo reliving my first labour I?m having to rock backwards and forwards and occasionally get on all fours to deal with them. I was even tempted to get the tens machine out! All of which, I?m sure, would not have been a nightmare to deal with in the office

I?ve only got 2 more weeks until I start AL and then ML but if things carry on like this I can?t see myself going back ? which feels really odd, sort of like I?m just sloping off. An agent who was mildly interested in the first draft of my novel emailed me yesterday to ask how the rewrite was going, so now I?m panicking about getting that finished too. This is all very different from my first pregnancy, which I just breezed through.

Kitstwins If you don?t? mind me asking, where did you buy prem baby gros? It might be nice to have some, just in case. If I don?t need them, all the better and I can donate them? but it might make me feel a little more prepared.

Ah Snap, that was no typo, I have learned that humorous sexual references get your threads answered quicker when one is on MN!

I'm noone has pointed it out yet

Notanother when are you due? Have you called the MW or anyone?

Notanothernewnappy I bought the premmie babygros from www.peenyweeny.co.uk. Told to by my consultant after my babies nearly arrived at 25 weeks - it was all fairly gulp-making as some of the stuff on there is incredibly tiny. Anyway, their small baby stuff is up to 5lbs - I think my girls were in them for a good few weeks as they always seem to come up larger. Like the 'newborn' ones from John Lewis that you could fit a three year old in!!

Full respect to those of you using reuseable nappies as I'm far too selfish. We did get asked when the girls were a day or two old whether we'd be using them, at which point my husband (already on his billionth nappy change) looked at the midwife as if she had sprouted nine heads. Calmly announced we'd be landfilling Pampers for eternity as we already had enough on our plate thanks very much. Anyway, this time around I'm afraid feebleness prevails as I'm planning on going down the disposable route again. For no reason other than it worked really well for me last time and I'm frightened to rock the boat and try something new. Feeble but true.

Okay, question of the day. For a normal pregnancy what's the latest you would pack your hospital bag? I was told to have it packed no later than 30 weeks last time but this time I was planning on being bone idle and leaving it until 37 weeks. Is this deranged or wise? What is everyone else doing?

Hi kittycat

I'm due 8 April. I was up the labour ward all day on monday. They assured me baby was fine did a test to see if there was a chemical present in my cervix that would indicate I was likely to go into labour in the next 2 weeks - which thankfully came back negative

So it is v probably just strong braxton hicks and wierd pains (maybe due uterus stretching or fibroid breaking down).

Sorry if my post worried you! I know everything should be fine - but the symptoms are so like v early labour I can't help worrying. I am hoping that if I get myself all prepared to go in early then sod's law says it won't come to that

NotAnother - are you alright? I think I'd be phoning the hospital in your position! Please do let us know :)

kitstwins - I'll be 34 weeks tomorrow and I'm getting mine done this weekend. Primarily because we are going away next weekend and I want to be able to take a packed bag with me incase anything happens while we're away. We are only going up to London to see my brother and his DF, but it is far enough away what with the dreadful traffic that I don't want to be thinking about trying to come home first to get a bag together etc.

oh x-posts. Glad you are alright.

Last time I packed at 36 weeks. I found the snacks for labour the hardest part - as i kept buying chocolate, packing it in the bag, then getting up in the middle of the night to scoff it

kitstwins Thanks for the link. When did your twins arrive? I have 34 weeks in my head for some reason.

Sorry I keep worrying everyone I told my mum about the 'down on all fours' bit yesterday and she nearly had a heart attack.

I'm sure it's fine and baby will be overdue and a whopping 9.5lb - just a bit uncomfortable for now!

notanother only worried me for you :)

Notanothernew 35 weeks. Not bad for twins I think but a bit of a shocker all the same due to the lack of suck reflex. Another week would have made all the difference I think.

I've also just read the rest of your post about your stomach pains. Are you sure you're okay? If it goes on for longer I would personally call the labour ward again as an 'irritated uterus' can trigger labour pains (this happened to me with the twins at various stages which they managed to block). Sounds a bit painful.

Kitstwins - I've been told by MW to pack now, I'm 31 weeks

1st For the HiP grant, going by Salted's email if you are due 22nd April you should still qualify. If your due date on the stats thread is right you should qualify. you can contact HMRC and get them to send you a form. Any HCP can sign it GP, MW, etc. When you get the form print this thread and Salteds email and bring it in. If HMRC don't think you qualify they won't pay it.

I've decided to hold off buying reusables and see how it goes with disposables first.

I've checked through all the stuff we've bought for Buster and the babygrows we've bought are newborn, but the differences in sizes are newborn for John Lewis are the bigger than the 0-3 months from Sainsbury's. My mum, trying not to worry me about the size of baby bought a pack of tiny baby ones. They are soooo tiny!

Just watching the film Valentines Day! I'm blubbing! And I've just realised how yummy Bradley Cooper is!! I'm suddenly feeling romantic! Best go get DH a card!!

Notanother hope things settle down for you!

RE reusable nappies, I have a few different types to try, and have sent off for the cash back scheme my council runs, hopefully I get on with them but I am not even going to try for a few weeks....I know how knackered I will be lol.

I got a letter yesterday offering me an allotment....what great timing. I have been on the waiting list for about three years...from before I even thought DC2 was a possibility, now I get told I will get one 4 weeks before baby is due typical!!
Luckily my parents have offered to make sure it is cultivated enough that I won't get kicked off if I don't manage to get there much this year. But the other issue is that the plot they have offered me is on a new site, which is further away than I can easily walk to (don't have a car, and can't afford one soon, whether or not I pass my test next week) so I have to either factor in bus fares (it is luckily a very easy bus journey) or turn it down and go to the bottom of the list for one that is closer, waiting years again.