Due August 2011, third and final trimester here we come!!!!

[KLou111]

Oooooo ladies, an exciting time for us all either already here or speedily arriving.
Can't believe how quick it's all going.

Bubbas will be here in no time!!!!

Aw jenni how lovely that your colleagues are looking after you so well, and what an incredible story! Your eye problem doesn't sound nice, glad its not a brain tumour though, good ol' dr google
I've been scaring myself reading stories on MN about third labours, they have a reputation for being awkward - either much longer, or more stop start, or more sudden and intense and painful, or overdue if you were previously early, or early if you were previously overdue. Basically unpredictable...how to scare myself silly for no reason!
I'm just tucking into DS's sweet box, they're his rewards for doing wees on the potty. Have told myself potty training him is more stressful for me than for him so I'm more deserving
Decorator is coming back next week to finish the baby's room, then we can go carpet shopping, then get the furniture out of the loft. So it won't be sorted for another month at least, giving me more reason to fret

Anu I used fairy non bio but use half the usual amount you would use :)

Just ordered changing unit and changing mat for the top. ooooo it's getting all exciting now isn't it??

Wow Jenni what a day you had! Hope your eye sorts itself soon :)

Anu I use fairy non-bio too. I think any non-bio is fine.

Re breastpumps, I have a Modela Swing and would definitely recommend it, but it might be worth waiting until after the birth before actually buying one. You can usually borrow an electric pump from the HV or MWs or the NCT hire them so you can try before you buy IYSWIM

Anu, to echo the others, I use non-bio too. One tip I have for getting poo stains out of newborn clothes (they can be very stubborn!) is to add a small scoop of nappy cleaner powder to the wash, it works wonders!
I would also hold fire on actually buying an electric breastpump until you need one, as KTisPG said, you can borrow/hire initially if you need one. I personally hate expressing as it messes my milk supply up and I get an oversupply which is uncomfortable, but did use an electric one in hospital with DS1, it was far superior to the manual one I have here that I use when I really have too! Good idea to do your research now though in case you decide you need one.

Hi all - have tried to post a couple of 'biggies' over the last couple of days but have lost them....grrr. still the whole typing thing has been (nearly) as cathartic as a pint of beer!!!

Good news on bumps, jobs and houses, all
I'm now glugging spatone to try and bump up my 'slightly low' iron levels before being forced onto the GP cheapo constipation iron tablets. does anyone have any experience of this?

I used surecare for the first month and then fairy non-bio ever since (half the amount). I add a scoop of napisan to the nappy wash or the clothes if they are really awful!!

I also have a medela swing and think its fab. If you are going to do a lot of expressing, hiring a double-boobie pumper from the companies saves a lot of time

Just a thought, while we're on the subject of expressing. If any of you are close to a milk bank (see www.ukamb.org/) you could consider donating breastmilk once you have established your supply (around 6 weeks or so). Donated breastmilk makes a huge difference to very premature babies and as they often only take around 10mls at each feed, every drop really does count.

I donated when I had DS - I expressed once each day (usually in the morning) and froze it, then took it to the milk bank when DH was complaining he couldn't fit anything else in the freezer :o . You have to have a couple of blood tests etc (like when donating blood) but nothing very scary.

I also donated breast milk- really rewarding and easy. It really makes a difference to prem and sick babies as there is no substitute. Often these babies are too fragile for formula

Thankyou ladies! Fairy Non bio it is then for me too! Littlemisslozza is there a partcular nappy cleaner powder you suggest i get?

On the breast pump - yes im only doing research at the moment so in case i need to get one later then i will be prepared with a name and all DH will have to do is go buy it for me / order it!

I had a surprise baby shower organised for me this weekend and it was soo thoughtful and amazing!! Its got me very excited as well as i got a lot of presents for little bubba! new clothes, vouchers for mothhercare and next and somthing called 'Slumber bear' which is supposed to soothe and calm the baby so they could sleep better. The sound from the bear plays womb sounds, lullabies and ocean sounds!!! its looks fab and has some great reviews. Not tried it yet but might put in batteries and see what it sounds like :)Here it is - www.amazon.co.uk/Prince-Lionheart-Slumber-Bear-Plus/dp/B000L3ISWI

Great tip re the nappy cleaner - I will remember that one!

I wanted to donate breastmilk as I had a ridiculous oversupply with DS1 for the first few months, but they had no way of me doing it round here , I was very surprised that they weren't set up to take it. That's lovely all of you that did though.

Re nappy cleaner, I think they're pretty much the same. I've used napisan and also one called 'nappy soak' by Perfectly Happy People'. Both work!

sisterT I've had iron tablets in all three pregnancies and have been lucky enough never to experience constipation with them, they were fine, no adverse side effects here thankfully!

GOt our letting agents coming round to 'inspect' the house this morning.. I didnt realise how hard it would be to 'hide' the pregnancy :(

winter just be out and tell them to show themself round? or do u mean u got loads of baby stuff ready?
if its the agents not landlord they pay less attention though, ours are never thorough when they come to do inspection they kind of just come in and stand there and i show them whatever i want to show them, i think the actual landlords would do a lot more. but hopefully it goes ok for u!

anu baby shower sounds so fun and that slumber bear is very cute

Ah Jenni I told DH the story about the midwife on the phone and he went white!! I reminded him that we have an ambulance station at the end of the road (you know, those sirens that are always waking us up!?) so he wouldn't be on his own for long! In a way though, being taken by surprise like that would make for a very quick labour without the stress of having to trek all the way over to the hospital....still not ideal!

Breastpump chat is interesting. Have borrowed one from my bro's ex but not sure what make. I'll have to check it out...

Well it was painless, she was here less than 5min :)

Annie DPs already done a trial run seeing how long it takes to get to the hospital... 6min 45 sec and thats without trying :)

Anu thanks for putting the slumber bear on here. a newly pregnant friend came over recently and mentioned something like this but couldn't remember the name of it - I'm so pleased you've said. THanks. Baby shower sounds amazing - lucky lady!

With regards to the breast pumps - I've been looking at Medela and haven't bought one yet as a) they're tres expensive so need to take the plunge and b) Not sure whether to get the normal electric one or the swing. Do any of those ladies that have these have a recommendation either way - obvs one's cheaper than the other, but is the more expensive one really much better? Thanks

Hi ladies!
I got few pages behind on this thread but I?m catching up! I was very busy trying to organise many things?but still so many to sort out?

In the meantime my iron dropped so much that now I have to take a huge amount of tablets for a while. This is because last time the MW did not see this coming despite the blood results and me asking if it was the case to start taking it? and now MW-who barely speaks during visits and never measured me - booked me in a month time as she said they are ?spacing out? if there are no urgent problems? Monday I?ll see my GP and talk about it.
In the meantime, I?ve booked a growth scan for mid of June and I look forward to it!

Jenni, the story of MW on the phone is really scary for a first timer as myself!

6mins 45 winter thats amazing!! We timed it as 40 mins if it's rush hour - and thats in a taxi using bus lanes. If it happens in the middle of the night I reckon it can be done in 20 mins just in our car in normal lanes...good thing is we have to pass one hospital on the way so if it's getting a bit close I can pop in there! That is my main worry though, not getting there in time or not knowing how close I am to "the pushing bit" whilst sitting in traffic...probably a good distraction from being scared about the actual "pushing bit"!

RugbyWidow7, re breast pumps, I did a little bit of research myself and the main differences between the two are that Mini Medela is for travel & occasional use and it is quite noisy while Medela Swing is for everyday use, pumps more milk in less time (2-phase expression) and it is quiet.

I have bought the 'Medela Pump-In-Style Advanced' breastpump (which arrived today funnily enough!). I can't vouch for how good it is yet but it seemed to be fairly well recommended. It is a double electric pump though - I went all out as I'm obviously going to be feeding two bambinos. I actually got it off ebay to be honest - it was £67 which didn't break the bank. I ummed and arrred about getting one second hand as I thought it might be a bit grim, but it is in really good condition and you can easily sterilise all the bits that have been used before. I also figured that lots of people 'rent' them from hospitals / nct etc so using them second-hand must be ok.

jenni - sounds like you've had a bit of an ordeal and sorry to hear about your eye. Does it stop you driving or doing stuff at the moment? Dr. Google is a nightmare! I've promised myself I won't use it anymore as it invariably freaks me out!

All is well in team twinny over here. Had my weekly scan this morning and babies' blood flow is good and amniotic fluid levels are fairly static :) Growth scan in a week to see how they're actually developing - my mum is coming with me which will be lovely. Although not sure she'll be that impressed with the 2 hour waiting time....

We're off to Chester this weekend to stay with some friends that have 6 month old twins so we can have a crash course in what on earth we need to do with them!! I feel absolutely clueless at the moment - I've spent all my energy focussing on getting through the pregnancy and have somewhat neglected the 'what to do when they arrive' bit!! Any other first timers feeling remotely the same!?!

MrStevo, very good catch £67 for a Medela double pump! And I heard you can buy the attachment parts if you want to, they do sell them to those who are renting it.

Great for the scan and to hear the twins are OK! Enjoy the full immersion course.
I?m a first timer and I?m clueless as to what expect after?. I?m starting my ante-natal classes soon and I really hope they?ll help a bit?
And tomorrow I'll go visiting a friend with a 2m old baby...let's practice

Hi all, just back from Mw appt who told me although I'm measuring 29 weeks (am 31+1) to get my childcare sorted as baby is 4/5 engaged! I'm not convinced as I went od last time 8 days. Dp was with me and I think it's been the kick up the arse he needed to get the nursery done!

Our time from home to hospital s 40 mins no traffic 1 hr with. Plus speed bumps !

MrsS I feel the same - just ordered a couple of books from Amazon so I can get reading. DH said "can you get one with a step by step guide to putting a nappy on"

Hi all ladies,

I've not posted for ages, life has been very hectic and i've been very stressed! We are moving house, and finally have a moving date of 29th July (eek - i'll be 38 weeks 2 days) We are moving to a village in Cornwall, just found a house and put in an offer - accepted so starting to feel a bit more relieved. I am due to have a planned C section in Treliske (truro) hospital on the 5th of August just a week after we move.... Anyone had any experience of moving so close to the baby's arrival or Treliske hospital? I suppose if its good enough for Samantha Cameron its good enough for me ....

I am hoping to start calming down now and do some packing! Too many posts to reply to personally (i've been away for a bit) but just to say Hi to everyone and glad everyone seems to be doing well

TTFN x

Hi all. I have the Medela swing. I traded up my TESCO vouchers and bought it in the baby section which worked out v good value a couple of years ago.

MrsS the Medela stuff is all interchangeable - I hired a double pumper from them for my expressing marathon last time (and used the swing when travelling etc). The bottles etc fitted both pumps, so it might be worth thinking about buying some spares from the company for the peas.

It takes us a 7 mins pootle in the car to get to the midwife-led birthing unit and 40mins to the JR hospital in Oxford. My experience last time was that the midwives send you out for walk around the town to 'get you going' and it is far too near a couple of rather nice pubs. I'm not sure I should recommend giving birth on a pint on of loddon Gold and a TENS machine but it worked for me........They werent impressed

lol SisterT a pint of something sounds good to me!

MrsS good luck with your twin trial :) Glad we're talking about breast pumps, although my Mum has said wait to get one as if I am anything like she was she could literally just put 2 bottles under her boobs and it poured constantly!! Thankfully she was a nurse at the time so knew all about donating milk to the Special Care unit!!
Also not planning to express for a few weeks after bubs is here so got a few weeks to test the breasts to see if I do have excess leakage

Time to our hospital is approx 6 mins too as straight down 1 main road, 10 mins if more traffic due to Summer hols (well, this is west Wales lol!!).