First-timers due December - new thread!

[mopsytop]

Had to start a new thread, as our old one got too big to post anymore.
yay figgy - your scan sounds great! A wee boy - now you only have to think about boy names. Woohoo.

Ah she didnt mean it badly people just spout nonsense based on people they knows experience in pregnancy.

Starting to realise I have no idea with babies ......... what r muslins for? What's the difference between romper suits and bodysuits? Do they always have to wear bodysuits under clothes? I need a good book I think!!

It does seem people just burble out the first thing that comes into their head without filtering out 'how will this sound to the newly pregnant woman in front of me'? You've got to smile...

And as for all the baby stuff- I know what you mean! I'm just crossing my fingers and going for the 'as long as all the bits are covered, it's not turning blue or going red in the face, it'll be fiiiine' approach. And making sure the washing machine insurance is bang up to date!

Hey girls... and hello lurkers :o

Glad everyone is ok, and im glad bump likes a brew cherry hehe
I can't remember anything I was going to say to you all now, I'm sorry!!

I rang in sick yesterday, going to go back on Monday. Work are fine, but I don't feel safe driving to work, and I'm a wuss n dont know how to ask the doc to sign me off lol

kri5ty I think being dizzy to the point where you can't drive/can't work properly is a perfectly valid reason to be signed off. I would just explain to doc and I am sure it will be fine. I know what you mean about feeling guilty asking, but it's okay! People always say things like 'we're not sick, we're pregnant' but to be honest, when I was suffering from those hideous migraines up to 5 or 6 days a week, unable to move from the bed except to vomit, in dreadful pain, I counted myself as pregnant AND sick. I had to intermit a whole term of my PhD due to it and the doctor wrote me a letter for this purpose (similar to going out sick in a 'normal' job). Sometimes pregnancy causes problems that are akin to being ill. So don't worry about it and go ahead and see the doctor if it continues.

My baby has been kicking so I feel reassured all is well, although this morning I am quite stiff and sore from the fall. I think one must get hurt more easily when preg - is it due to the looser ligaments? - as I am sure if I had had a fall like that before I was pregnant I wouldn't have been this sore.

figgy no idea of difference between rompersuits and bodysuits. Does one have long sleeves and legs and one short? I am getting nearly everything free as well northern - think I will save my 'cute' purchase for when baby is a few months old and we are going to my sister's wedding. Everyone says that for the first 3 months they poo/vomit all the time so it's easier to keep them in a bodysuit for quick changing purposes, and also that they are often wrapped up warm in a blanket or whatever so no point wasting money on expensive outfits for 0-3 that will more or less never be worn. So think I will save my pennies for cute clothes for when it's a bit bigger! It will be all snuggly and cute anyway in rompers. Awww.

Hope you all have a great day now! I am in a great mood today, no idea why, but long may it last!

Anyone moved on from pregnancy books to parenting books yet? any recommendations? Am particularly looking for good advice on setting sleep routines, feeding routines as will have no clue what to do!!

I have had 'The Baby Whisperer' recommended by a couple of people. Also got the Mumsnet babies guide, I liked their pregnancy book and the baby one is good too. Not bossy or preachy at all!

figgy Your boss sounds like a charmer
kristy don't feel guilty... if you are not feeling up to it then that's just it. You don't want to risk driving when feeling dizzy... why would you?

mopsy glad you are in a great mood :)

So a romper is exactly the same thing as a body suit except it is pretty and colourful... read outerwear. A bodysuit is the same thing but more white and boring... read pajamas or inner wear. Essentially babies wear one more layer of clothing than adults... so they need to wear a vest/bodysuit underneath everything. In Kristy's shopping thread... other mums suggested to use fullsleeve bodysuits for pajamas and sleeveless/half-sleeve vests under clothes.

So far with parenting books I have read baby whisperer and shhhhh gina ford and the attachement parenting - Dr Sears book

And I think all of them have things in them that I found really useful, I liked and intend to give a try.

Glad you've been signed off for a bit kir5ty... don't know about the falling, but I certainly think that when pregnant you're a bit more..

I fell over yesterday Northern just onto my knees and hands (not onto bump) but got a fair knock. Was very upset and worried yesterday, but call to midwives and baby kicking and wriggling reassured me. Think was cheerful today 'cos of nice blue sky maybe? And going on hols on Sunday for a week - yay! Well, I say hols, actually a conference for 4 days and 2.5 days to sightsee but still!

Thank goodness mopsy... glad no harm done bar the worrying/stress. I live in fear of having a fall, as our house is rather, erm, unique?! in places as it's a rather battered terrace. And again, having a fall which would previously be shaken off with a 'bloody OOOWW, someone get me a G&T and a sitdown' now takes on a whole new dimension.

We're getting a little break too so what with the bank hols followed by a short break I'm getting more cheerful too! Of course, no conference for that extra special cherry on top(!)...it's so pants when you get 'days away', but it's actually in a hotel in the centre of a town listening to presentations of variable quality for three days....

Yeah, I am actually presenting a paper also, hoping it's of the better quality variety :) Luckily giving it day one so can then relax! I still get nervous, I wonder do the nerves ever go away?

Nope, the nerves never go...but the immense feeling of relief afterwards almost makes it worth it!

So, off to the shops at the weekend, and on the list of things we've yet to get (although everything so far has been promised from rellies):

• Travel system: will go and play with these for ages
• Changing mat and some sort of bag
• Bouncy chair
• Breast pump of some description (apparently some people swear by electric, others by manual...God knows)
• Monitors: I wasn't too bothered but DP insists...

We'll also need to get a new mattress for the cot, but can't get that til we actually get the cot and can measure up. Ditto things like nursing clothes: have had no expected massive increase in boob size, but you never know what might happen, so hanging on til the end for that!

Plus the cute purchase as mentioned earlier...
How's everyone else getting on with this sort of stuff? Am torn between a feeling that we've forgotten something and heeding the warnings of 'don't buy loads of crap you'll never use'!

hey girlies... im back in work today :( i did a self cert for last week... may pluck up the courage and visit the docs next week and see if they will sign me off

I am excited for the baby show in manchester this weekend :o but we already have most of our purchases, so we are mainly going for some freebies and maybe a changing bag if we find a cheap one (as the boots one looks sooooo small!)

northern i figured... its our first... let me buy loads of crap i'll never use, its all part of the fun! lol

figgy 2 of my firends have used "the sensational baby sleep plan", they swear by it, both of their babies slept through from 7pm-7am from 5 weeks old, and they also know other people who have used it! It's similar to the baby whisperer, but it allows more flexibility in your day to cope with eing delayed at the shops etc etc !

Ps.... the nursery is finished :o i will put new pics on tomorrow... i did it when i was getting a 10 minute break from dizziness! lol

Sorry to hear you're still feeling grim kri5ty, but there's no point being in work, not achieving anything and making yourself feel worse if so. Hope you manage OK today. And can't wait to see your nursery pics.

We've decided on one of the Mothercare spin pushchair/pram things, and buying one of the car seats to go with it. Collapses down small for our small car, and is nice and flexible re. travelling on train for me, and will do for sprog until they're old enough to get out and walk! DP spent, as expected, bloody ages playing with the things in all the different shops, but all in a good cause.

Got a changing mat and a pile of muslins on the sensible side, and then a little toy elephant and a t-shirt with a camel on (to reference the one and only, and very memorable holiday DP and I have ever had, in Egypt) as our daft purchases...have to let myself be overtaken by the urge to buy cute some of the time

Aw I felt all gushy over beyonce announcing she pregnant this morning DH was saying " u don't even know her what u so excited about" and of course he Is right (and she designs clothes ranges with real fur so she is on my bad list) but still AWWWW.

i know northern, but the great thing about my job, is that it isn't important at all lol, it wouldn't make any diff if i was here or not... apart from it meaning someone else would have to step in, but i did nearly spill coffee all over someone yesterday because i was going so dizzy! maybe i should have (just on a toe, nothing important!!), then work might have sent me home lol

Aww i like those prams too, we just went for a cheap hauck one, as my friend bought ours, and i didn't want her spending a fortune, and it was the chepest one we could get that had good reviews!!

figgy i didn't realise she designed with real fur :o i have gone off her a little now!!

Ok now rant time... so feel free to ignore!!

The OH is seriously winding me up! he is doing it on purpose, and its driving me crazy! He knows exactly what buttons to press, and usually i try and ignore it, or have a witty comment, but with all these hormones i am just falling for it and snapping back, at which point he smiles or laughs!

ahhhhhhhh lol

I didn't know that either figgy, but was always put off her by the fact that she sung about a chinchilla fur coat in 'Crazy in Love', so it doesn't surprise me. Still, we've all got significant bump superiority to her, so can revel in that!

It's rotten if your OH is deliberately winding you up kri5ty. Whilst pregnant is NOT the time to play this game, although I bet he's doing in a slightly cack-handed way of showing affection? Is he the sort of person where, if you burst into tears (work those hormones!) he'd realised he'd messed up and stop it?
I only ask as my OH had a tantrum about breakfast cereals the other morning (don't ask) and I burst into tears- which is something I never, ever do- and he not only stopped but spent the rest of the day apologising...

haha he is the type of person that if i burst out crying, would know he has done wrong... feel really guilty about it, but will then go in a mood and not talk to me (coz he is angry with himself)... he is away for the night tonight and on a stag do in ibiza next week so i am going to be very lonely! Its nice your OH said sorry eventually!! Although we had an argument last week (over something he broke, silly and petty lol), i ran out of thehouse crying and he did ring and say sorry, then when he got back in at midnight from work, woke me up to give me a hug lol

Especially as the occy health doctor has told me im not fit for work, and have to go back for a review in 4 weeks lol

Heh! It's true they drive you mad and then when they're not there it does feel lonely. Sounds like your OH is like mine- always taking the piss, but will apologise when they realise that they've crossed the line.

Don't know whether to say well done, or poor you, or find something inbetween re. the occy health signing you off. Is it the dizziness that's causing it, or is that one of many symptoms? Do they know what's causing it? At least you can be at home, and then I suppose it'll be a case of whether you go back to work this side of having your baby at all. Take it easy though!

I've found out today, at my 25wk check up, that the reason I couldn't find the NHS ante-natal classes in my area is because we don't have any. Seriously. They run a one day (and not even a full day) session, which is on twice a month, and you attend that. And that's it. There are a few other complementary things but nowt else.
Might as well go and give birth in a field on my own save for the bloody cows for all the help you get round here. Hope everyone else is having more luck, and will enjoy hearing from you what they're like round your way!

Hello ladies!!

Just had an email about Sophie Giraffe (the chewy toy for dogs babies) being £10 (instead of £17) at the baby show, yaay!
Also decided I'd like to get a sheepskin baby wrap/rug/thing, so hoping to get one of those at the weekend.

NorthenChinchilla, that's a bit, well, shit that you can't get classes.
They do them here, but not going. Bit miffed at the MW's, I've been put into the care of Mental Health mw (because of my bipolar-ness), but she's told me the MH MW's never attend a home birth...which really sucks as the whole reason for going to see the MH MW is the extra support/time/care you're supposed to get. AND MH MW's don't 'do' appointments, you just have to turn up at the surgery and they'll get to you when they can (wednesday mornings 9-12), which is alright for a not-so busy housewife like moi...but I can't see it being much fun for working mums/those with other kids/commitments.

figgy, we've got this book, which is really, REALLY helpful (esp. as DH has never been anywhere near a baby, except for at work).

awch thats pretty crap! Wonder why they don't attend and what is this giraffe thing? I got the email too, but I have never heard of it, no doubt I'll come home with one anyway! What does that book have in it? I may get it too lol

northern I guess its good, I'm just not too sure where I stand with work making me take maternity, I think its at 36 weeks, so its only 2 weeks earlier than I planned. That's crap about your nhs, we get 3 classes but i already booked nct as I wasn't sure what we would actually get.. to be honest a good book would prob do the same job... but without all the pushy stuff!

1.5 stone in 26 weeks that is bad right?!! I am 5 10 and it's all gone on the bump but still eek!!

Managing to go home to Scotland for weekend tomorrow thought it was a good idea. At the time now thinking eek plane at 26 weeks and then 2 hour drive maybe not my best work but can see friends and family for last time til prob January most of them so glad I can go.

Also on the giraffe It is cute but don't get what it is either

kri5ty glad to hear you have been signed off, I think we feel like we have to battle on regardless at times and we really shouldn't!

Had a consultant appointment yesterday, I am now measuring 3weeks ahead despite not having put on any weight for over a month. So I have to have a growth scan done on top of the extra one for low lying placenta. Made the mistake of Googling why I need the scan, so we'll see what happens!

Am back at the hospital today for GTT. The drink actually doesn't taste too bad!!

On the more positive side we are decorating the nursery today and we now have a car seat as well as the pram...bouncy chair, playmat and I accidently picked up a changing mat at the weekend!!

When is the baby show? Anyone been around the labour ward at their hospital yet? Think I am going to go end of October.

Figgy I have put on between 1.5 and 2 stone and I'm 5"4... I think you're doing well lol

London I go in November I think , I wanted to go earlier but wasn't allowed x