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

[KTisPG]

I'm yellow

Anu I've never had a baby changing unit, not felt the need. I have one changing mat upstairs and one under a sofa downstairs with a little rattan type box with nappy changing stuff in. I've found this works well for me, and am too lazy to always go upstairs to change a nappy . Plus the fact I'd have one or two toddlers trailing behind me...or unsupervised downstairs. I also feel happier changing them on the floor as there is no danger of them falling once they start to get active which is surprisingly quickly!

I too am having hormonal moments, glad to hear I'm not the only one! DH is a farmer and leaves the house at 5am every day, getting back just in time for bedtime stories around 7pm. He pops home at breakfast time for an hour but his parents still live on the farm so he's based there in the day. Basically, as with farming really, it means no lie-ins for either of us (unless we go away somewhere or the boys go to my mum's for a night, which has started to happen occasionally) and also all the housework/garden/many 'boys' jobs are mine as he's not here and has little free time to do them. I'm just getting quite tired at times now, partly due to pg but also as the DS's are taking it in turns to get me up too early! I am quite envious of my friends who take it in turns with their DH's to have a lie-in at the weekend, I would love that.

Anu I've not needed a changing unit either - also used a changing mat on the floor and kept one upstairs and one downstairs like Littlemisslozza. I did find a changing box useful to keep everything in one place and would take it upstairs at night. Also useful if you're going away as you can take all your normal things with you. I had something like this: www.amazon.co.uk/Tippitoes-SB2-Changing-Box/dp/B002UUU74W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304939054&sr=1-1

Damnit I keept forgetting to check the box!!! www.amazon.co.uk/Tippitoes-SB2-Changing-Box/dp/B002UUU74W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304939054&sr=1-1

Wow, so many messages!
Don't have room for a nursery so baby is in with me. Will plan to have bunk beds in DD room when baby is older. I have a small flat so avoiding large bulky bits if poss but have been given or free cycled a moses basket, play gym, bouncy chair etc
Not buying any bottles/sterilisers etc
I had a Jane pramn last time which was fab and lasted till DD was 4. But this time its a little too much so gone for Nipper 360 and will get seperate car seat.
Hearing about all the DH arguments, drinking etc brings back DD's pregnancy (am now divorced from her Dad) and very glad I only see DP on weekends!
Was at my last Doula birth on saturday, all went well, a lovely home water birth (I hope this little one was listening and learning!)
Having a shiatsu massage tomorrow, I need some pampering and off to a festival with a girlfriend next weekend, not sure how well I will copwe with the camping and late nights!
Planning on starting a birth plan soon as having been to lots of births, I really want the first hour to be undisturbed if all is well so might get everyone to clear out of the room and just have Dp and the baby for a while.
Seeing midwife on wednesday at last!

Aw, everyone rowing with OH's - think the third trimester hormone surge is kicking in for all of us?! I have done the same this weekend with DH, I am NOT putting up with his drinking and generally behaving like a boychild, and leaving me to sort everything out in the new house and with the baby. Haven't had any tears, but I was calling him all the names under the sun and throwing plates at him yesterday... not proud of myself (and now I've got to replace all my fecking crockery!) but he seemed to get the message that I'm a tad frustrated with him! He's on a tight leash for the next month anyway as we're off to his sister's next weekend to babysit our nephew while they're at a wedding, then the two weekends after we're in Cornwall on holiday.

MrsS ebay, freecycle, gumtree... there are LOADS of ways not to spend money on babies. I know two are going to be more expensive than one, but spend your money on the really important things (car seats, cot mattresses) and not on those that aren't (cots, moses baskets, furniture) - you can always get your DH to do boy-jobs with anything that's a bit battered and repaint/revarnish stuff that's not quite up to scratch. John Lewis and Mothercare are ludicrously expensive. We're getting our pushchair/buggy/whatever you call it from a shop that's in a right ghetto part of Leeds - £300 cheaper than on the high street, but still a brand-new Britax one with all the trimmings.
Or maybe I'm just v used to being brought up in a mend-and-make-do household (my youngest brother slept in a drawer until he was six months old and big enough to go in his cot!)
Also no way I'm getting a changing table, I'm far too lazy to go upstairs!

Right, gotta get on, have a lovely 12 hour day today and Wednesday - bloody stocktaking. :(

Anu I do think a changing unit is worth it if you have the space, you can easily make do with changing them on the floor but as you say its easier on your back and more comfier to change them higher up. I know people do say dont use them once they can roll but i have used for mine well after that, obviously just dont leave them unattended. I am now toilet training my ds1 but until then i've still put him up there to do some nappies, put pjamas on etc and he is coming up to 3.. and still putting my 16 months up there aswel. it prevents them escaping during nappy changes too, keeps them in one place as there is nowhere to run off. I've not had one with a bath in so dunno how useful or practical that is but it could be good for the early days b4 u have to move them into the big bath. With mine i've just put baby bath on top of the kitchen table at first, but then they start splashing too much so have to put it inside the main bath or floor gets wet

I can't remember who else it was who had gtt today, but hope it went okay. I had mine this morning, when I went they told me it was supposed to be on another day but luckily they did still agree to do it otherwise would have been quite a pain. I remember when I had it for ds2 they just gave normal lucazade to drink, like the orange one you get from the shops and tastes okay but this hospital gave some disgusting clear coloured one, it was rank! so that was not a nice suprise, but oh well. Now just hope the results will come back okay

Thanks for your feedback littlemisslozza, ktispg and firawla!

Loved the changing box ktispg!! Will def get it as it will make me more mobile. But I think I might also get a changing table simple because Ive had very bad back pain before and dont want to risk getting is again with all the bending. Also I do have the space for the table.

Firawla I definitely wont keep the baby unattended but just wondering if the tables have some sort of safety straps to ensure the baby cant move.

And my gloriously hormonal moment of the day was...stubbing my toe and bursting into floods of hysterical tears It really hurt though.

Was ordering a cappuccino in starbucks this afternoon (had to make my toe feel better somehow) and the barista asked me how long I've got. Her shock was unmistakable when I said 'over three months'. She helpfully said perhaps it'll come early. Oh boy I'm huge!

I can recommend a cot top changer if you want a high up one but not a whole other piece of furniture. And until the baby can pull themselves up to standing, you can just leave the changer on top of the cot A second mat and some bits downstairs under the sofa is an excellent idea too, I'm loving some of the tips on here. I kept using the cot top changer til the DCs didn't have a cot any more (just after 2nd birthday for both of them) - of course we never left them unattended. Well DH did, but only once

How was the scan MrsS? And when do the GTT people get their results - is it on the day?

MrsS hope it's gone ok today, also men have an amazing talent for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. I think it doesn't sink in they're having a baby until your in labour (and even then my Dp tried to clean the bathroom before he took me to hospital!) lol!

DTM we have similar boy and girl jobs in our home. Dp is OCD so he does all cleaning, ironing and washing where I cook and fix stuff!

selina where are you getting your 4d scan done? I'm thinking of getting one and I'm Cheshire based!

Thanks for all the messages of concern regarding my callosing, it was bloody scary but at least it doesn't affect the baby so I suppose I'm lucky. Shopping is now a major no no, as I can't stand still (aka Que). I'm finally seeing the Mw on Friday so I'm going to ask her if I can get anything to help it, as Im worried about callopsing again with dd roaming free! God forbid I do it on a busy road! I nearly went over at work this morning but sat on the floor till I felt better, which looked strange but worked!

littleMissL a good mummy friend of mine is married to a farmer and you have my admiration, I struggle with Dp working long unsociable hours, but it's nothing compared to what he does!

Thanks everyone for your finger crossing and good wishes.

Sadly they haven't paid off :( Babies are being pesky again - 1 has 8cms of fluid around it and the other has less than 4cms. Consultant is not happy and they are querying whether it is TTTS again. So, I'm being shipped back to Birmingham Women's Hosp on Wed for further assessment - poss more surgery either to further divide the placenta or just to drain some amniotic fluid off the bigger baby again. Fortunately they aren't in the same dire critical condition as last time (yet) but they need to act quickly to get things straightened out. If they don't do more surgery and just drain the fluid then it is likely that I'll have to keep having that done regularly until the babies are big enough to come out.

I'm gutted, as is to be expected, but in a way not surprised as we saw it coming based on the last 2 scans. Plus, now we've been through it all once and know Birmingham Hosp and the Consultant there, it doesn't seem so overwhelmingly scary. Still have the risk of miscarrying though and the added bonus risks of heart and brain damage to both babies... such a scary prospect.

I just wish I was past 28 weeks so I knew that if they have to come out now they would stand a good chance ... I'm not quite 25 weeks yet so that seems a long way off.

On the plus side ... this has put yesterday's grump into perspective!

Anyway, sorry for depressing post. I'm off to eat a ton and a half of chocolate and maybe wallow in a bath. DH has been tasked with heading to waitrose (NB: we aren't rich, it is just the nearest shop with yummy food in!) to find something delicious for dinner!

Wow, quite a few posts to read from last night lol!!
Sorry all of you who have been rowing with your DH/DP's. Not a nice thing is it? Thankfully I've not got there yet, but I am preparing myself to (and I'm sure DH is too as he has a pregnant father app on his ipad which updates every week, so i'm sure it says about the hormonal stuff coming up!)
We're back in the Midlands for 2 weeks now, so couldn't have a full on row if we wanted to as my brother will be here lol.

KTisPG I went to buy that box as I bought the bath and the top and tail from Tippitoes and it comes upon amazon if you want the box aswell. I didn't a the time, but prob will later on :)

Oh MrsS :( :( :( So sorry that you're going through this again, really impressed with your positive attitude though and how much better you feel for having been there before and knowing the hospital etc. Enjoy your waitrose food and look after yourself

Hi Everyone!

Best wishes to those who are having scans!

I am having my GTT next week. Firawla, I really hope to get the orange flavoured one.

MrsStevo, I am very sorry to hear that. I keep fingers crossed for you. Take care and try to stay positive.

For BF and bottles, I?ve heard that the new Medela Calma bottle works like natural breastfeeding and babies do not feel the difference. Pros: no needs to change teats as one size is ok for the whole breastfeeding time. Cons? it?s quite expensive.
Anyone tried it already?

DTM sorry never answered your question - I dry pail, and have never had any issues with staining or anything. I only use a couple of drops of tea tree oil in the bucket if it starts to smell during periods of teething (grimmest poos in the world!). I looked into camomile tea etc for the liquid for washable wipes, but found myself using just tap water. And yes, a cheap fleece blanket from the pound shop is all you need for your wipes and nappy liners (fleece next to baby's bottom means they stay dry as the fluid wicks through as fleece isn't absorbent). The all-in-one/pocket nappies tend to come with built in fleece liners though. HTH!

oh mrs S sorry to hear you are having more problems with your 2, must be so worrying :( hopefully the hosp will be able to do something to sort things out for them, even if you have to keep having the draining operation atleast if it keeps them healthy then everything will be okay in the end. keep us updated how you are all doing

carrie i'm not sure when gtt results come back, its not on the day im thinking either they tell u @ 28 weeks apt or they send it in the post, i cant remember?

anu i dont think most changing tables have straps on it? apart from ones u get in public changing areas sometimes but not normally the ones to buy for at home, unless ive just not seen it. as long as u are stood next to them it tends to be ok?

Got a bit of a one for you. I keep feeling kicks 'down below'. Am getting kicks in my belly but also inside my 'flower' area inside like it is slightly contracting.
Is this a normal thing????

MrsVidic
I'm having the scan in Altringham with these-
www.babypremier.co.uk/
Will let you know what they are like.
KLou111 Maybe your baby is breeech and thats why you are feeling kicks down below?
MrsSteve sorry to hear you need more investigations. Hope all goes well

Oh right, thanks Selina I've got my 4d scan next week so will get them to have a look. It doesn't hurt or anything, just feels like a slight prodding.

KLou i am getting kicks right down and in there too... its probably in a comfy position... i had this all the way through with DS and he was in a funny position. I think i have a wide uterus so he was transverse and feet down for a long time.

I am gettng some quite sharp and painful knocks inside as it connects with bladder, bowel and what feels like my fanjo!

Am sure its all ok hon x

MrsS...gah im so sorry things are difficult and not straightforward for you :(
Not ideal at all, and i really hope they can sort things out. You are being closely monitored which is brilliant, and you will be in the best place... but.. i am sure they will sort it out and those little babies will be absolutely fine x

klou - I have this as well, along with panic attack type things (or at least it feels like that), going to see my m/w tomorrow so I shall ask then what it is. typically though i've not had one since last weekend - probably a good thing, but it honestly felt like something bad was about to happen & I couldn't place it but was really really worried & anxious/loss of breath/heart racing within about 5 minutes it settled again.

mrs s - sorry it's not better news for you. fingers crossed however they are able to do something to help the babies & keep them put for a few weeks yet.

cappy - thanks for the tips.

mrsv - don't worry about not looking the part sat on the floor, if it's what you need to feel ok again. hopefully your MW is able to help you though.

anu - it does look good, I had a pine one with DS, which tbh we used for about 2 months if that as it was a bit of a pain having to go upstairs to it every time DS needed changing (lazy mumma emotion!) this time we've opted for the M&P cot bed which comes with a changer thingy on the top and a draw underneath, I think it will probably get more use tbh.

kon/fir - this GTT test - is it the one which happens with the consulant and takes about 2 hours? if so I have that friday of this week, what happens there? I have to have it as mum is type 2 insulin Dependant diabetic so apparently with DS it had to be noted but as she's not insulin I need the tests.

anyhow big waves to every one, hope you're all ok, I'm off to curl up with colin firth in the kings speach & a huge bar of dairy milk. :). did you all see kelly brook lost her bubs? poor girl, she was due at our time as well. :(

MrsS I wish there was something useful I could say :( other than 'hang in there and keep your chin up'. I have so much respect for you, you are handling what must be a very stressful situation with great strength of mind. Focusing on the positives (knowing the hospital/consultant etc.) is very good. Wishing you lots of happy baby vibes.

dtm that is indeed the GTT - I had mine today as my dad has type 2, although there was no consultant involved, just pathology dept. You have to fast for 12 hours beforehand , then you go and give a blood sample, they make you drink a sugary drink (last time I had the rank clear liquid, this time it was a vaguely pleasant orangey one), then you have to sit around for two hours without eating or drinking, then they take another blood sample and you are free to go. It was quite pleasant doing nothing this morning but I feel like absolute shit now.

Hello Everyone, I haven't been on the thread for ages but it's nice to see everyone is getting ready and getting bigger and I'm sorry for everyone with worries and woes.

I was told today that my baby bump is measuring big and wondered if anyone else has had this, they said if it's measuring big in 3 weeks time they will send me for a growth scan.

Also, I have SPD and went to the physio today and she gave me giant sized tubigrip, it is lush and I am no longer in pain and can do things like sit and pick things up off the floor!!

Hi all,
Sorry I haven't posted for so long. 2 weeks ago I was involved in a very nasty car crash, which resulted in me having a broken collar bone and 2 fractured ribs, and ALOT of bleeding from down there :( After nearly 2 weeks in hospital with constant monitoring and regular scans, I was given the all-clear to come home yesterday, as long as I "take it easy". Not easy with a 2yr old, but I'm trying :)
On the plus side we live with M-i-L at the mo, and now that SIL has had her baby, all of MIL's focus has switched to me and my pregnancy, so she has been brilliant at looking after me, DH and DS :)

Trying to read all the posts is a rather mammoth task, but I'll get there, but in the meantime...
MrsS sorry to hear that you're still going through the ringer with your peas. Hope everything goes well for you this week.
Wishwales Hope all is ok with you, and your little girl is staying put. Having had 2 weeks bed rest, I can sympathise with how stir crazy you must be going, but hang on in there, it's all for the best x

As for changing tables, I bought an excellent one from Babies'R'Us last time, with 2 shelves underneath, and I couldn't have lived without it. I had to have a C-section with DS, so bending down to change on the floor/bed was completely out. We continued to use the changer until we moved his room around to fit in his toddler bed 6 weeks ago, so up til he was nearly 2. Due to limited space, I have bought a cot top changer for baby2, as I am having a c-section again, but I know I'm going to miss the extra -junk- storage space that the table gave me. :)

I hope everyone is doing well. I was very chuffed today to get onto the wii fit, and discover that at 26+2 I've only put on 4lbs so far!! Guess it helps to be a fatty to begin with!!!

XXX

thanks star - my letter doesnt mention fasting but will be 25+ weeks so had better ask the m/w today if I should fast or not - good job the apt is 9.15 so will only mean missing breakfast.

another 1 - did the MW tell you how big you're measuring? I think usually 2cm they don't worry too much about, might have been how the baby was laying?

Lili - goodness, take care of yourself, glad you've had the all clear now, get those feet up, and let MIL/DH take the load for now.