August 2011 - 2nd trimester blooming - not us!

[KTisPG]

New thread for us August 11 ladies

mrsv I had SPD last time. Midwife referred me to the physio clinic where I was given useful tips on how to get in and out of the car and bed without wrenching my hips apart. Can't remember what exercises were good tho! I was in agony but it disappeared as soon as I'd given birth.

rugbywidow I have a couple of very tall friends who have Stokke buggies. They love them but their only complaint is that they're a PITA to put up and take down as there are so many buttons and clips etc. They've ended up with...guess what...the maclaren techno xt! Its the only umbrella fold with extending handles and my 6ft friend finds it the perfect height; they've not used their stokke since the newborn phase was over.

I borrowed a buggy board and used it for the first time today...oh my word my back nearly gave out. Its so far from the buggy that I was bent right over the whole time to reach the handles, and it was really hard to walk without kicking it. There's no way I could use that every day for the school run. Are there different ones on the market, did I just borrow one that sits unusually far from the buggy?!

feralgirl we won't be finding out the sex either, we like the speculation and the surprise!

Someone upthread mentioned the Pliko...we used this when DS was a baby and I got on fine with it. It's a bit of a tank but great for hanging shopping bags off/fitting stuff underneath, and he always seemed very comfy in it. Once he was over 1 we bought a Maclaren Techno XT and it's the shizz, apart from not being able to have it facing you - that was important to me when he was very small, so I could chat to him and make sure he was still breathing and not covered in bees etc so worth getting something that can face you. But I love the Techno and will probably use it for no.2 once it's sitting up.

We also have a Maclaren Volo which is awesome in a flimsy lightweight sort of way. No use for babies but brilliant for stop-start walking toddlers as it weighs almost nothing and you can carry it over your shoulder when it's folded up. Good holiday buggy, provided you're not holidaying in the mountains.

Hello everyone, I'm also in the miserable stinking cold club .

Hope you're feeling better MrsV.

Re slings, I love my kari-me here and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. I got it with DS because I wanted a sling that was secure enough to wear while loading the washing machine and not have to hold the baby in . I figured if it was that secure, I could cope with anything DD chose to throw at me while carrying DS in it!

I'm still undecided about pushchairs. I had a Maclaren Techno XL with DS and it didn't last as long as the Triumph we had for DD, but you can't use a Triumph until 6 months. Maybe I'll do without for the first 3 months then compromise with a Quest which can be used from then... decisions decisions. I definitely want one that's toddler friendly

I forgot to say I got a fantastic bargain at our Nearly New Sale on Saturday: a Tutti Bambini gliding feeding chair here which I've been coverting since DD, which I paid £40 for

I love that feeding chair! That is something i really wish I'd known about and bought first time around, doesn't seem worth it on third and prob final baby, but it looks lush, excellent bargain!

That's a bargain KT, I found one here for £99 delivered which is quite similar. Got to work out if can fit it in the nursery though :) May put it in conservatory failing that, but defo want one.

Is anyone else suffering in the heat? Here near Bristol in the South West I have almost every window in our flat open, and still feeling exhausted due to the summery weather!

As lovely as it is, it would be nice if the sun had waited until I had bought a fan first! :)

But the baby has been kicking a lot, so I guess I'll let the sun off for today.

Which heat is that yukana ?!??? It was 3 degrees when I drove to work this morning and I have both radiators on full whack in my office AND I'm still wearing my scarf. Lucky South-Westeners having sunshine!

KT that feeding chair looks beeeeeeautiful! I have never really understood the need for one of those until I tried one out in kiddicare on Saturday, they are pure bliss... with or without a baby to feed. I too want one now so I hope they have one at the nearly new sale I'm going to in a couple of weeks! I may have to dispense with cots for the babies in the nursery if I do get one though as there isn't that much room in there, but the babies won't mind sleeping in some kind of hammock instead will they??

The hammocks about look very comfy for baby MrsS. Only thing is I have been advised against using one until the baby is at least 6 weeks due to movement. Apparently when baby is born, the slightest movement causes it to 'freak out' and tense up like when it was inside, therefore waking him/her up. They need to sleep in a cot/moses basket etc that is stable. Only what I've been told by MW, so don't shoot the messenger. :)

Wow!! You lot have been chatty! Long catch-up post ahead!

Just to add to all the buggy/sling comparisons, we had a Streety travel system which is heavy but sturdy unlike the bug-a-boo which felt like it would blow over in the smallest gust of wind. It also has loads of shopping space underneath - and being heavy I'm sure helped shift the baby weight faster last time!!! I also have a kari-me sling which is a jersey type material which I used in the colder months, then got a calin bleu muslin type sling for the summer - even that felt too hot sometimes. Last used it in July last year with DD 1.4 at a concert in Hyde Park - love them and can't wait to have a small enough baby to use them again!

I too had a cold - started with sore throat overnight on Thursday and full blown sniffles Friday, but already better so not too bad.

Had my anomaly scan this am and all fine with baby. They also checked out my uterine arterial blood flow (which isn't usual so don't panic if they don't do this for you - DD was IUGR so they're being ultra-cautious this time). Took ages to get the 2nd reading but apparently all fine. I'm on 1x 75mg aspirin a day for it but think that's the max you can take. Also been diagnosed with suspected SPD following some horrific pain last week - carrying a ream of paper was painful and turning over in bed was agony! Have suggested I work from home this week to rest properly (and avoid spending 2 agonising hours on the train each way!) - not heard back so hope it's ok! But consultant said it's fine to take paracetemol to help with pain management, so hope that helps anyone wondering. Am going to look into aquanatal classes to help as well as water's meant to be good for it.

Also not finding out the flavour - I want to but DP doesn't so have had to begrudgingly agree. Although we get another 3 scans at 28/32/36 weeks so plenty of time to work on it!

Thanks Cappucino, that's really useful as I really wouldn't want to pay all that money and it not last past newborn stage.

KTisPG what a bargain. I saw the same deal as KLou but may wait and see now, to see what I can find at the newly new sale instead, in a couple of weeks time.

We found mould on the nursery wall last week, so are having to get that checked out fully before we can start filling it with lots of lovely products.

KTisPG I am so so so at your nursing chair bargain. I have coveted one of those since pg with DS. When he was small I used to go to John Lewis and sit in the display model It was popular with all the pregnant and newly postnatal customers

Thanks for all the lovely messages, my back feels much better today and I was fine at the gym. I think it's carrying dd around that does it!

I have felt the baby move lots recently, all the time so it's nice and reassuring. I'm swaying towards finding out the sex as I keep referring to bump as a boy and think I'll be a little shocked if I'm wrong when he appears. Also need to decorate and it will affect the choice of colour!

I'm getting really excited about things, to be honest it still feels a little unreal! I had been thinking I had a lovely big bump but the lady in mothercare couldn't believe I was almost 20 weeks! It was the boost I needed!

Guys were nearly half way there!!!

For those that already have used reusable nappies, which kit do you recommend? I've seen the birth to potty Bambino Mio kit on offer HERE for £179.99, so am very tempted to buy it, and all the reviews are great, but just wondered if there's better. Ta in advance :)

Blummin eck 20 weeks we are nearly MrsV, yet still NO SODDING BUMP!!! Wouldn't think I was pregnant! :(

I found that getting one or two of several different types of nappy worked best for us, since there are so many variables between nappies and babies (chubbiness of thigh, heaviness of wee etc.) DS wee'd straight through the Fuzzibunz, for example, but got on fine with Bambinex Teddies. If you buy mostly 2nd hand it can keep the cost down.

Having said that, knowing what I know now (which isn't much ), I am very tempted to sell the lot and buy as many Itti Bittis as I can afford. So cute, brilliantly absorbent and not confusing for DH who never used our cloth nappies as there were too many different kinds!

Just gone through heaps of messages! Nice to hear how you all are getting on. Had my 20 week scan and everything was fine with baby. Didnt find out the sex although was tempted. Also can feel the baby move around and have some sharp kicks which is awesome and surprising at the same time.

Wanted to ask you ladies a question - DH and I are due to go for a wedding in Ireland at the end of June when I will be 36 weeks but still 4 weeks away from my due date (1st August) I know I probably cant fly but do you guys think it's wise to chance it? Anyone else travelled quite late in the third trimester?

Ooo glad your scan went well Rehune. Wouldn't like to comment on the travelling thing. I am staying well and truly put here personally :)

Will have a look at the Itti Bitties astar ta :)

I would say check out insurance and book as late as poss, if it's your first you'll probably go over due anyway x

Klou I used the free advice service from www.thenappylady.co.uk/. You fill in a questionnaire with all the considerations - drying space, hard/soft water area, number of children etc etc and they come back with a recommendation of exactly what you need for free (including buckets etc). I bought what they said and was all great.

Even if you don't buy with them there is a goldmine of information on thta site too.

We used Bumble nappies with Motherease wraps and they were great. Hardly ever leaked. Because they tied using a Nappy nippa (like a plastic clip) they fitted really well no matter what size he was and lasted from birth to potty training.

Rehune I wouldn't chance it personally - just a little bit too late but everyone is different. It is a hard decision to make. Also don't forget you will be very heavy and tired towards the end and won't necessarily fancy the travelling. Having said that I went to a wedding 10 days before I had DS (and had fun) but that was only travelling an hour each way.

Hello everyone, can I join you?
Due August 12th with my second child. I've looked on here before but not found this, must've been looking in the wrong place which is pretty likely since I'm quite new to this site.

Hi NHAN welcome and congrats :)

Bloody heck astar Itti Bitties aren't exactly cheap are they?? Cheaper with flaming disposables at that rate lol!!

We've got one of those electricity meter thingies that says how much you're using, so next time I put a wash on, going to look at cost. DH thinks it's around 20p. Worked out if I have it on every other day (just for nappies), that's around 60p a week. Buying nappies say £180 lasting til potty training at 2ish is around £2.33 per week vs disposables at probably £1 per day average. That's a pretty big saving IMO!! Not worked it out before, but that's a lot, almost £500 over 2 years!

Great to hear about all the good scans, and welcome NHAN. :)

Rehune I'd have to say I probably wouldn't chance it either. That's just what I would personally do though. :) Most say your first is usually late, but that wasn't the case for me and my mother. My mother was a month early and for me it was three weeks. I'm also getting strong kicks though, it's a really pleasant feeling.

MrsS The weather cooled down from about 4pm onwards, so it's lovely now - especially seeing as we have the windows open. I'm not sure how warm it was here, probably at least 12+ degrees celsius?

Rehune if you are okay to travel by ferry or something then I would maybe go for it? obviously just bring your notes with you incase of emergency going into labour or something but it is pretty unlikely really? I am travelling end of june too, only within UK will be going up to the lake district from London for my brothers wedding and probs stay a few days. It didnt cross my mind about it being a problem tbh, although I am due couple of weeks after you so would be only 34 weeks and i have tendancy of going overdue.
If you feel up to it it'll be nice to go and enjoy the wedding, enjoying ur very last few weeks as a couple just the 2 of you, cos even though you can still travel and go places with babies its not quite the same. so i would go for it, should be able to book hotel that is cancelable beforehand if when the time comes you do not feel up to it, and book the travel a bit more last minute?

nhan welcome :)

nice to hear about all the buggies shopping, slings etc people are having a look at, and nursing chair sounds a great bargain i saw some when expecting my 1st and they seemed to be hundreds!

cant believe nearly 20 weeks already, seems to have gone pretty quickly. really looking forward to scan

Welcome NHAN!

Re nappies - I am very tempted by webstarter.easily.co.uk/users/www.durhamhappynappies.co.uk/

It's a local service which delivers clean nappies every week and takes away the dirty ones to wash them for £40 per month! They provide the nappies as well so hopefully that sort will be OK, will try that first, if not they do wash your own nappies so can try other sorts if needed. Is a bit lazy, but hey, I reckon anything that makes the newborn stage easier is worthwhile!