August 2011 - yellow, pink or blue, which one are you?

[KTisPG]

I'm yellow

Kick kick kick kick kicking! My this is tiring....

Third baby, due 11th August - already have a 4yr old august boy and 2 yr old sept boy. Apparently this is another boy :o

OH works aboard for months at a time - only see him about 30 days a year so I can't understand why I am having another baby! Bit of a shock. Doing this on my own - but he'll be back for the birth if that's in August.

Hello! Please can I join? Due 18th of August - I'm a blue : ) x

Welcome newbies. Here's where we keep our dates if you would like to add www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1138953-August-2011-the-one-where-we-keep-our-dates

Woweeeee all these newbies!!!
Welcome and congrats captain and belle our thread is getting biiiiiiiigggggg!!

Well, I've got baby stuff in the washer (was lovely taking it all out of the packets ) it's all so teeny!! The mitts are so small!!
Am 26 weeks tomorrow, but we're going back to Midlands in a couple of weeks for a couple of weeks, and you never know, so packing it ready just in case .
Can't believe how much stuff we've got to take just for bubba!!! No room for my stuff lol!
Oh it's all so exciting!!!!!

Welcome to all the newbies and congrats.

MrsStevo, I was just amazed reading your post that you've already started your NCT classes, until it dawned on me that mine start in a month's time. Wow it's flying by now! FX for your next hospital app.

I think I'm going to try to do the NHS course as well as the NCT classes, as the latest MW at my surgery told me yesterday that there's a chance you'll meet the MW who ends up delivering you. That would be brilliant, considering I am yet to see one person twice, either at the surgery or hospital!

Has anyone done a hospital tour yet?

rugbywidow no tour yet, but I've signed up for the NHS classes in May (it was May/July) so they start next Sunday!! I've been very lucky and seen the same midwife and sonographer at every appt-the benefits of a tiny hospital (where we admittedly can't give birth!)

The NCT classes didn't appeal due to cost and timing - a full day during the week??

Hi Daisyair, lucky you on the MW front! My NCT classes are mainly a couple of hours on a Tuesday night. We could choose which ones we wanted to suit our schedule best - though maybe this is different across the UK - it sounds like you might be in quite a rural area so maybe less class choices. V of your MW apps.

Like you Rugby my NCT classes are in the evenings. They also start in a few weeks (end of May), so time really is flying now!
I'm also going along to NHS classes, had a choice of May or July same as you Daisy but apparently the MW for July is brilliant, so I'm going to that one. By then I will only have about 6 weeks to go!

Also trying to arrange some Hypno-birthing. Just found out about another free course which is closer to me than the other one I have a chance at going on (which starts on Friday but thanks to MW mis-spelling my email, I only just found out yesterday). So hoping to get the one closer to home....

OOh Hyponobirthing is something I keep looking into and then forgetting about. Has anyone done it and what did you think?

It is v expensive it seems for a paid-for course, so I'll have to look out for a free course like you've found Alibaba.

We're not doing classes this time (3rd time) but first time round I did a three week NHS breastfeeding course (2 hours a week) as well as antenatal classes which was fab so would highly recommend that if you are planning to bf.

Clearly you can't properly learn to breastfeed until baby is born but it was great for tips and knowing what a good latch looks like. Also good as women only so better for making friends than antenatal classes where everyone sits with their DH (in my experience) and can talk about pg issues more freely without embarrassing the men! The other great thing was getting to know the midwives who were specialists in breastfeeding as I did subsequently need their help and it was lovely that I already knew them.

rugbywidow yeah been VERY lucky and your right re ruralness probably affecting NCT course times (one full midweek day, one full day Saturday + 1 evening session is what August due daters get, whereas NHS has 2 Sunday 2 hour sessions and 2 Monday lunchtime sessions all held by different midwives)

alibaba never knew that there were free hypno birthing classes, might investigate that!

I've been lucky to have consistent ante- and post- natal care from our community midwife, although I think its a real positive that the person who delivers the baby in hospital has never met me before and more importantly will never ever see me again

oh my, hospital bags? buying clothes? mattresses? Please tell me I am not the only unorganised first timer......we did buy a pack of nappies yesterday though, our first purchase!!!

Is anyone going to the baby Show at the NEC? I am taking my Mum, and a baby mad friend, and shall let them organise things between them :)

Daisy and Rugby I'm in Edinburgh and have found a class in South West Edinburgh and also one in West Lothian. If this is near you, I can let you have contact details. These were not advertised AT ALL I heard about both through word of mouth....

That's so good of you Alibaba but alas, I'm in the south east, so too far to travel.

If you here of any in Herts please let me know

alibaba thanks am in Gloucestershire though!!! Although a mini holiday in edinburgh was briefly contemplated...

Gutted re classes here. Just spoke to MW as have to go back to the Midlands from Wales on Monday for a couple of weeks (long story, 40 year old bro broke leg on hol, lives on his own in Worthing, at mum and dad's in Midlands, they on hol for 6 weeks from Sunday, were going to cancel as his op Saturday, needs a bit of help for a couple of weeks, I hit the roof so have offered to go help), anyway, I'm 26 weeks tomorrow, and just rang to check if could make my 28 week appt when I got back as not 100% when will be back. Asked if she could book me some classes over the phone for end of May onwards, and all been cancelled til 29th June due to staffing!!!!!! OMG, that's like 6 weeks before due!!! Cutting it a bit fine if you ask me!

Bag all packed to take with me just in case. Washed and ironed all the teeny clothes today (even though they're new, can't beat the just washed smell).
Just need a couple of nighties and comfy clothes for me.

Don't worry KLou, my NCT classes don't start until 7 weeks before - I was getting worried that everyone is starting now!! Hope everything is ok with your bro's op...I'm sure he'll really appreciate you helping him.

Interested to know when people are starting mat leave (sorry if we've done this already?!) I have a 75 min commute through London so thinking of finishing at 34 weeks...I think the heat combined with train, tube and bus combo won't really work beyond that...

Welcome & congratulations to all the new mamas & their bumps! Wow, there?s quite a few of us now. :)

It sounds like everyone is starting to get things ready for the new arrivals now. Oh, its so exciting! I am starting to feel a bit more organised, although I?ve not gone as far as sorting out the hospital bag. I?m the one who gave bags full of breast pads away! :) I actually managed to get myself in the loft this weekend & got a few essential bits out before I get too big to get up there. I totally forgot just how teeny-weeny newborns are until I took out the newborn clothes. I also realised to my horror just how many cloth nappies I?ve accumulated over the years. I got some Diddy Diapers & Kissaluvs in newborn size & ohhhhhh, they?re so yummy! Tee hee hee

Re the mattress, we also bought a pocket sprung mattress with DD1. It was also used for DD2 & it will be used again this time. The top layer zips off & can be washed. It dries in a jiffy & great if there?s been a nappy leak during the night or if you have a sicky baby. They?re expensive, but well worth the money IMO. From what I remember the sponge ones are not to be used for more than one child due to the risk of cot death as the sponge stores bacteria.

I am rather pleased with myself - I managed to get hold of a second hand bedside cot for just £40. It fits snugly to our bed & I am really looking forward to not having to get out of bed for night feeds & waking up next to little pickle in the morning. I love it!

anatomyofasmile, I am self?employed too & was also a bit daunted by the whole MA thing, but once I?ve read though the (very confusing) form I?m feeling a bit more confident. From what I can gather as long as you don?t hold a small earnings exception certificate, have been paying class 2 NI & have been self employed for 66 weeks, its fairly straight forward. I can?t see any reason you wouldn?t be entitled to tax credits if you qualify for them simply for being self employed.

Klou, what date did you end up putting down as your start date for maternity allowance? I am thinking that with only the 10 days worth of work we?re allowed to do & with summer being the busiest time for me that I may just put a week before my due date as the start date. I?m also still a bit in the dark about the 10 days of work as everyone I?ve spoken to seems to have a different answer. Btw, your bump has definitely grown!

Daisy, I got a maternity swimsuit from Matalan too & think it?s great. What sling are you planning to get? I loved my Mei-Tai, but I like the look of the hug-a-bub ones. Has anyone got one?

wishwales Hope your little girl is still hanging in there

MrsS Hope your scan went well this morning. I have a Baby Jogger too & I absolutely love it (I?ve been through 7 looking for ?the one?). The best pushchair you could invest in IMO, mine is no problem on the beach & I really like that they are compatible with the Maxi Cosi car seats too. Rugby it may be worth looking at the BJ too as the handle is quite high. Some people actually say it?s too tall for them, although I?m a shortie & can?t say that I?ve ever found it a problem. Annie I?ve seen lots of discussions about the bee on the pushchairs thread. It may be worth your while having a look on there for reviews.

Thanks for the tips on SPD carrie and kath. I?m just starting to feel a bit uncomfortable in the hip department & am hoping that it won?t be getting any worse.

Enjoy your 4D scan Selena. How many weeks will you be when you have it? I?m quite tempted to have another at around 28 weeks, but we?ll see what the bank balance is like. Is anyone else thinking of having one?

Finding and agreeing on a name is soooo hard.. With our DD?s my DH has always left the list making to me & then he would pick the ones he likes from that. This time we are having a boy, so he?s suddenly developed his own ideas. His front runner is Enzo at the moment. I can?t say that I?m entirely bowled over by it. I'm rather liking Rufus or Albie at the moment, but I keep changing my mind pretty much every week. I think Ivy is lovely Kate. I also think Rose is just lush Annie & definitely prefer it to Emily (although I like it too) Emily is quite popular here & I know at least 5. I have to agree with star that Rose is far too often relegated to a middle name. Ayyash is a fab name for a boy Firawla

Thanks for sharing the link star - really fascinating.

Re Hypnobirthing, alibab & Rugby, I tried it with DD1. Not very successfully, but I found the techniques incredibly helpful during most of my labour. I agree with misslozza re the breastfeeding classes & its great for making new friends.

Oops, I?ve just realised what a mammoth post I've created. sorry!

alibab I'm in Midlothian and work in west lothian can you pass me details of the free classes please.

theonlyhb2 I went to the baby show at SECC last Sunday. Got some great washable nappy and breast pump etc bargains.

littlemissw I too really want a baby jogger and DH keeps asking why I am so fixed on one of them. So many people like you say they are great and as we have steps outside our house I wanted something light. That and the compatibility with carseats is brill. You have convinced me further :)

KLou your poor brother, hope he recovers well. You sound to me like someone who is very well organised and likely to be reading a lot about pregnancy and birth and afterwards. That was like me four years ago (before baby brain struck....!) so I was actually a bit disappointed to come away from antenatal classes having not really learnt much more than I had already learnt from books anyway. The main benefits of the classes ended up being the chance for DH to hear it all too, meeting people at roughly the same stage and having a tour of the maternity unit (which my hospital do at weekends anyway). Chances are you will get most, if not all, of your classes in anyway. I did my last breastfeeding class on my due date and still had 12 days to wait although hopefully that won't happen for you!

klou i think you will be alright with your classes 6 weeks before, atleast it'll all be still fresh in your mind for the big day eh!
but i agree with littlemisslozza didnt really learn a huge amount from mine either, i just did the nhs classes with my ds1 there wasnt much to it just one class about pain relief, one for breastfeeding and one about basic care of babies bathing and changing nappies etc, but just did them so atleast i could feel i'd done them iyswim? not bothered with them again for ds2 and dont think i will for this one either, as its all still fresh in my mind anyway the other 2 were not born that long ago.
would like to go see the birth centre though if i get round to a hospital tour

i have my gtt coming up on this monday so just worrying a bit incase it comes back with diabetes then wouldnt even be able to go in birth centre and i think they induce you? so reallyy hoping not. is anyone elses gtt coming up too?

littlemissw I've dated it from 6th August, but may contact them to start it earlier.

Sounds not too bad then classes only being 6 weeks before, thank god for that!!

Spring mattress it is then. I've seen the zip off cover ones so will go for one of those. DH's parents are buying the cot stuff anyway and been told to pick what I like :)