We're now halfway and it's PMA all the way - Nov 2011

[cep]

Halfway there now ladies. on the countdown.

Thanks Ali will give the cot bed more thought, but nowhere near Bristol unfortunately!

Folic I would vote northumberland, round Bamburgh, lindisfarne etc. Defo not guaranteed sunshine but I don't think anywhere in England is! You could do Northumberland and Yorkshire Dales in a week to mix it up!

Evening! The scan was wonderful! We aren't finding out the sex - team yellow. Baby was very co-operative and did lots of posing for the sonographer who was lovely, much more patient and interested than the 12 weeks woman! Got some lovely photos which I have put on fb. Baby no longer looks like homer simpson with an old man's nose..yeay! :o

Folic Highly recommend Chatsworth House/Buxton/Bakewell, stayed in a wonderful B&B in Bakewell -Castlehill Farm. Only has two bedrooms (in the eves with lovely views of the garden) very romantic and chocolate box! Lots of nice pubs and restaurants but still very small villagey feel. Only stayed a night there so don't know about longer breaks. DP has been promising to take me to Whitby since I moved to Lincolnshire 2 years ago (!) so hoping to get there in the next few months!

Ooh I got the tommee tippee breast pump, had extremely mixed reviews on the Amazon site (where it was half price) but my sister and her friends got on well with it so I made a purchase. I'll let you know how it goes in about 5 months!!

Sleep well ladies x

I got on really well with tommee tippee breast pump (though was their older style as was 6yrs ago). Yet my sister didn't get on with avent or tommee tippee & found it much easier to hand express!!
I think it is a little trial & error but I would definitely have one in beforehand - with DS I had mastitis less than a week after having him & feeding/expressing was all I could do to relieve the pain; didn't have a pump in the house so my mum ended up late night shopping for one!!

I have a Medela Swing and got on well with it. I'm planning to express colostrum antenatally this time and freeze it - just in case the baby needs feeding after birth I'm not available (I'm worried I'll tear again & end up with s transfer).

Think my colostrum is coming in btw - anyone else? It's, er, orange....

Caz she has 1 child and returned to work full time 6 weeks after the birth - not because she had to but because she wanted to!

Another vote for the Yorkshire Coast or the Dales. My perfect weekend would staying somewhere around Bolton Abbey estate and dinner in Ilkley, visit the Moors for a walk, maybe pop to Harrogate or York if I wanted to shop. Oh & Betty's Tea Rooms....mmmm.

Thinking might ask DH if we can squeeze a weekend in before junior arrives.

Wow 6 weeks. I will feeling very much in recovery after 6 weeks, and I had an easy birth with Belle physically. Well when she finally got going, took 5 days to get me to labour, but when they did she was here in 5 hours, no grazes or tears or anything like that.

yup lots of colostrum here. The right side of my pjs are soaked through as I'm typing. Been like it for about 3/4 weeks now, and spotting for another 3 weeks before that. Mine varies in colour, from clear to orangy tinge and sometimes milky white too...

Oh Caz you've made me feel better about my orange colostrum! Oddly enough when I squeeze I get one milky orange blob and one clear orange blob. It's not pouring though - though DD wishes it was! She's quite excited at the return of milk!

Yes, 6 weeks and I was still in full on Baby Blues (which turned out to be PTSD).

I'm almost finished as a bfc now so I am planning to fit that in more once dc2 arrives, I think that will be enough mental stimulation.

I plan to go off about 37 weeks but take 2 weeks holiday to try and extend the money post birth. Though work knows about all my gallstone issues (currently quiet) so if that kicks off I'll go off sick.

36 weeks is definitely not too early and I'd second what everyone else has said happy your boss can't pressure you to follow her way of doing things.
How were the GTT results? I'm booking in for the test in a few weeks.

Thanks for all the pump chat, sounds like the Medela Swing gets the most positive feedback?

Folic massive coincidence we just had a "lets squeeze another holiday in" chat and are thinking of Islay to do the distilleries - for him not me! We did York in Feb, erm, the week I was knocked up - lovely place. Lake District is gorgeous, I love Buttermere and the Fish Inn - does rooms and nice food.

Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay are lovely too, nice restaurants in RBH can be very very busy though.

No leakages to report here yet, boobs have shrunk back to near normal size and nipple agony has stopped. Hopefully they are just resting getting ready :)

Have a good day everyone and remember to be positive - you and your bump are the most important consideration - your work won't fall over if you need a breather.

Good morning all. Have been away for a while as things are sorting themselves out at home.

Folic Hope things are better

For all those that are having a tough time at work I'm sure you would just love to tell them to stick their jobs up their arses. Are some companies so behind with the times?? I'm pretty lucky I'm now just doing 6 hours per day and have managed to dodge a move to a crappy civvie job an extra 40 miles round trip travelling away. I sent a very long email outlining all my welfare concerns and the secondment was cancelled. phew. There are many laws protecting women during pregnancy but I do understand when you are in a job you love/hate and you don't want to let people down. I felt the same but then decided that this is the most special time in my life so I'm going to protect it and fight for it.

Weight - Erm I've roughly put on about I too, ate and ate to keep the nausea away. Trying to eat more healthily and swim more but life just seems to get in the way. I'd like to try pregnancy yoga but am probably the most un-stretchiest person alive.

Purchases - deposit down on Joolz Day travel system and Stokke Sleepi package. I did buy two little sleepsuits the other day in cream! as Jelly Bean was far too shy to show its bits off at the scan.

Thinking of going for one teal painted wall in the nursery with a white tree sticker and owls and birds. I've seen a fair few stickers and someone mentioned a good site on here, anyone remember?

GoldMaple I wish I could meet up with you, my dream is to move to Canada. I have family all over, mostly in Nova Scotia where it is beautiful. A house on a lake shore would do me just fine. I'm hoping to try and do a house swap with one of my many cousins who has a place like that for next years holiday. I only live a 30 minute train ride from Central London so may be a perfect swap. :)

Sorry, long post but I've been away. I've probably missed a load of what has happened but I do hope everyone is as well as they can be. Oh and reason for long post is DP has a brand spanking new iMac. Very nice. must not spill drinks on it

Never do the yoga! I've never done it before and am very very unbendy. It is so good for relaxation and warding off aches and pains. Really recommend it.

Pam Just emailed a teacher so that's the first step. Am I likely to fall over when sitting crossed legged. I can't tell my DP as he'll film it and stick it on youtube. I remember the time when I had a go at pilates with one of those big balls. never again.... My balance is bloody awful. God knows how I managed riding horses for all those years.

Folic I'd like to weigh in on behalf of Yorkshire for a UK holiday. Before DD we did city breaks, but obviously these don't really appeal to a small child, and we couldn't afford the secluded country villa type foreign holidays that we dreamt of (!) so we had to rethink, and opted for UK holidays for a couple of years instead. We loved Yorkshire so much when we went that we went back to the same area the next year, as there was so much more we wanted to see. And, I know you English folk will laugh your heads off at this, but we found the weather to be fantastic compared to what we are used to at home (Northern Ireland). Nowhere near as changeable, and much warmer. It makes me howl with laughter when I hear people in England complain about the 'British summertime weather', because when I visit England it might as well be Spain, the difference in climate is so noticeable. I was still wearing my winter coat until half way through June, it was so cold here! Sorry, rambling.....

I'm off to take DD into town to buy her first school uniform (sob!). Needless to say, she is very excited......

never nah you won't fall over. It isn't like normal yoga - different places will teach different forms the one I do focuses on breathing and core stretches - cat pose, dog pose nothing to destabilise. Often spend 10 mins on all 4s doing pelvic floor exercises! I've bought a dvd as well but haven't plucked the courage to use it as DP is always in the room.

Thank everyone for holiday suggestions, I've copied and pasted and will get googletastic over them all. Special mention to Cali for the passionate pitch for Edinburgh, made me giggle as it would be a staycation for us, but maybe we should get on the 'ole open topped bus one saturday and see it through new eyes

never great to hear you so cheery this week. I second yoga. Yoga in pregnancy is not 'yoga yoga'. You'll be able to do everything and it's just nice to be out and doing something with other pregnant women. I didn't get to my class this week as wasn't feeling up to it and felt like I was missing out on the news and gossip.At the one I go to there isn't a lot / any? balance work, it's mostly mat work and you can prop up with pillows, and there are two relaxations where we end up under blankets almost snoring. No joke. Very relaxing. Go for it.

No orange of yellow leaking boobs for me yet. They are huuuuge though.

Aaah, Folic - if you're already in Scotland, why not explore it! (Someone said they had moved out of there... obv wasn't you...)
The Banffshire coast is my old summer hanging grounds, and I can never get enough of it. Or, go to Iona and chill?

:)

Cali Yeah that's what we tend to do though when don't want to go too far, go 'Up North'. Been away twice already this year in Scotland.

We chatted about Mull etc, not too far, still an island etc but really the unpredictability of the weather (and we are by no means sun bunnies at all) kinda puts me off. I'd just like a bit of sun on the bones and know that can't be guaranteed at all in England but it's more likely the further down we go (?). I'm thinkng back to watching Andy Murray play in 40 degrees as it pissed it down up here We just rather not have a holiday with kagouls on fighting the midgies. Agree though that Scotland is totally stunning. I've got photos of me on what look like caribbean beaches dressed head to toe in waterproofs!

How are you doing today?

Hello everyone.
Folic have you thought about the lake district. We got married in Edinburgh then honeymooned there so driving distance is not too bad.

No leaky breasts for me so hope won't have problems breastfeeding later.

Happy as boots delivery just arrived with lovely smelling bath milk. On special at the moment as qualifies for points through parenting club. Also got root touch up to try as hair a mess. Never tried home dye before bit thinking this may help once baby is born so can quickly touch up hair at home as not sure how baby would cope at hairdressers and normally there for three hours.

Folic Hmm, I can't think of anywhere on the west of the Pennines that could guarantee sun either - Peak district is wet wet wet, so are the Lakes.
East coast definitely, or Devon.

I'm ok today - started the meds today but it will be a few weeks before the fluoxetine kicks in. Don't know how quick the iron is though - anyone have experience?

Folic - just read your post so before i catch up with everything else I'll just get this in now. Me and DH looked a little while back at cabins in north yorkshire when we wanted a weekend away, it never came off in end but they looked amazing. Self catering, plenty of space to potter/relax/some good walks/villages/pubs near by etc etc. www.bromptonlakes.co.uk/
There were some good deals package wise but not sure whether it would still be case now as its school hols and I only looked at long weekend rates when i was looking. Now as a Yorkshire girl I have to say we're not renowned for the sunny weather round here....but it has been lovely recently so if it continues, you could get some very nice days....

Happy I am very on your behalf. What do you do, work as a city trader?! Or a surgeon or somehitng equally as vital?

Sorry, being flippant, but I agree woth everyone else, the hours you are doing seem crazy and not conducive to a relaxed stress-free pregnancy, plus it is simply none of your boss's business when you finish. Just inform her when you will finsh (and no, 36 weeks is NOT early) and that you will write to HR/personnel once baby is born to let them know when you will be coming back.I am working till 38 weeks cos I have to financially (but I can work from home), and taking 10.5 months off. I would love to take a year off.

I just get so annoyed at bosses who fail to see that flexible, hapy attitudes means they get to keep good, hard-working staff. Making you feel bad about taking maternity leave wil probably de-motivate you and make you feel inclined to look for something else long-term.

Rant over... Hope you are OK.

Ladies. A delicate question.

DP is very much a 'boob-man', and (TMI) our sex life is very good atm, as I always have a high sex drive when I'm pg
Will it cause any problems if DP ermm focuses on my boobs - ie I did hear that nipple stimulation can cause labour to start.
Anyone know?

Hi all,
folic before I forget if you do end up Yorkshire, let me know i can send you some recommendations for places to go/eat etc. Someone metioned Ilkley and thats about 5 mins from where I work so I'm pretty good on that area, also Harrogate, York, Leeds etc if you plan any city time in.
Anyway.....
Yoga DVD arrived yest so will maybe give that a bash tonight. I was going to ask peoples opinion on breast pump buying before birth....however I found a good little tommee tippee kit last night which has some containers/breast pads etc and also a manual pump so thought id just get that and then its at home if needs be etc. All a bit confusing re first time breastfeeding so I'm trying to read a lot on the subject at the mo. Was bit concerned as nipples are fairly flat but the more I read suggests that messing too much with them before baby arrives (to make latching on easier) can not improve problems and that nature will probably just take its course, fingers x'd!

Oh and whoever asked, I meant to say - the Babydan is a full highchair and doens;t do a booster seat.
We have 2 -
fisher price Fanbloodytastic. Can't recomend more highly for weaning out and about. We didn't like relying on places to have highchair so we took this one. Fits to any standard chair and the trays mean when food is finished, snap the top on and toddler can read or play on a clean tray. All dishwashable too.

We also have this
Pricey but folds down to a barely there seat.

Will use both for new baby.

And even though the iCandy Apple doesn't fold down flat and you have to lift the pushchair bit off, it has never bothered us. What I love is that the fully flat pram can face towards you or away (and we did change it depending on sun glare) and then so does the pushchair seat bit.
Really iCandy should pay me I love it soooo much. Only going for a buggy board as DD will be 3 soon.
Oh and link to iCandy here

Not sure if anyone will remember me (apart from cep) but I used to post on here a while ago but the thread moved so fast and I was on too many threads at the time to keep up (and was constantly shattered) so dropped off around at 16wks (I'm 21+3 today).

So I was hoping you lovely ladies would have me back, I've been missing the chat?!!!

I've only scrolled back a couple of pages but promise to to at least try to keep up from here on.

folic I'd second whitby and the east coast. Or Northumberland? Actually never been to Northumberland but DH raves about it and weve been meaning to go for years. The lakes is always a good choice but will be busy. I also love the little villages in the Yorkshire dales. Further south in Wales, with potentially better weather, I can recommend Abersoch or even further south St David's-which is probably one of my fav uk haunts! Both by the coast.

Holly your boss sounds like an arse and your working days sound like a nightmare. Do you know your employer is LEGALLY required to undertake a risk assessment of your work WITH you? see here this should include working hours etc.

The breast pump talk is interesting. I have been given given a medela by my SIL. What about sterilisers? I have seen this on sale, any views if it's a good deal?

Ps we had our 20wk scan last week and we're having a boy!!

sorry Pamsco I meant to reply earlier. The test wasn't lovely. They sat the 3 of us in a open plan cubicle, took our blood and then told us to drink the sugar solution. I was sat like an idiot going "what sugar solution?" I thought they'd just kindly left us a glass of water each because we'd had to fast! It tasted like tepid, flat lemonade but wasn't as awful as I expected. Called back for the results last night and they just said "normal". I was so relieved because it means I avoid the diabetes/homebirth debate with my consultant. I had a little cry and DH called me a fool!

MrsA I'm an accountant . I think my boss just can't be arsed to replace me. She's probably thinking she can manage for a few months but not a year. Better not tell her about my career-break plans yet then.

The travel is too much, I haven't had my assessment yet but that's my fault because she keeps telling me to arrange it myself and something more urgent comes up so it goes to the bottom of the list.

MrsA boob/nipple stimulation is fine. in later pregnancy it would stimulate oxytocin and make your uterus contract but the receptors are 'active' (for want of a better word) until the end of pregnancy. Think of it along the lines of bf in pregnancy - full on nipple stimulation there! My friend is just about 40 weeks and bf her DD and said that this week it's started to cause contractions. I wouldn't worry too much - unless your doctor has told you to avoid orgasms then you're probably fine (they give me Braxton Hicks )

I found some alcohol-free fruit cider at Tesco today (online) so have excitedly ordered some. Has anyone tried it? Koppaberg I think it's called.

I also have some no-alcohol Rose in the fridge so I am off to have a glass in the bath. Evil SIL is here tonight so I wish it was real booze...

ooo non-alcohol rose... , really fancy that now you've mentioned it happy ! I forgot you could get non-alcoholic wine etc.

Orgasms give me braxton hicks too. Really uncomfortable verging on almost painful. Avoiding that for now. sex life is out of the question we've decided too, between my hips hurting too much and the uncomfortable bump we've given up a few times half way through recently. Not going to bother anymore! DH frustrated! lol!