PART 3!! Sept-2012 Baby Bus!! Christmas-and-New-Year-Shaggers-all-aboard!

[TinkerMaloo]

Cant see another one anywhere on the board and part 2 is full up (finally) so here is part 3! (unless I'm just being a moron and missed it?)

Chat more please ladies, we are too fat and useless to do anything else! ;)

Hi everyone, 30+2 due on the 3rd of sept and just found this page today. May I join you lovely mumsnetters?

Madmonkeys I to am also addicted to fruit at the moment it does not matter what type just as much as possible but also water I am drinking loads more water over past couple of weeks to.

Hope everyone is doing well, had to have a gtt today which I get the results for tomorrow so im extremely nervous.

X

I'm going back to work after five months and will express at work if I can so I can feed up to at least six months (all this only if BF actually works for me - I'd dearly love to do it and got a good discussion with the midwife on Monday about the support available locally, but am not going to let it kill me with guilt if I genuinely can't after a lot of damn good trying!). So I'll have to introduce bottles before I go back as DH will need to feed the LO. I'm guessing going back that early is going to be quite stressful for LO and for me but that's what works best for us (DH is taking 6 months' additional paternity leave after my five months) so I need advice on how to get the baby from exclusive breast in the first few months and onto a bottle without messing up my milk supply. All advice welcome!

funchum I'm going back after 6 months so i'd like this info too as my mum will be taking LO most of the time, so will need her to take a bottle but want to bf and express as much as possible.

I wish i had others enthusiasm about fruit! i can get about 2 bit down me a day, but thats really about it.
And i'm so glad i'm in an air conditioned office today, its bloody boiling out there!

Mm, fruit, it's the one thing that doesn't make me sick - today I've had fruit juice, dried fruit on my bran flakes, a banana, a pear and a punnet of gooseberries as a snack and a nectarine, and sat on my desk for later, cherries, a nectarine, and a kiwi. yum. I love berries so can't wait for red & black currants to be in season, I've been fantasising about them since February :o

28 weeks today, hospital appt went well and looks like I will get signed off to mw led care soon, hurrah, and I've finally had to order some maternity trousers as my regular work ones feel a little uncomfortable by the end of the day. Still half a stone under pre preg weight at 8st 12 but it's 'nothing to worrying about' the consultant said!

Hey mummyfirsttime we have the same edd :) do you know what your having?

Have had a rough few days there, was bit unwell and very nauseas.. But starting to pick up again, been taking my pregnacare vits as I feel I def do not eat enough or the right stuff, try to eat fruit and veg but sometimes it just makes me feel so sick that it puts me off for a while :(

I'm completely undecided as to breast feed or formula feed, have bought some bottles and a steriliser just I case but I'm still undecided, think I will give it a go in the hospital but I'm not putting pressure on myself. Tho mw hasn't really asked me what my plans are (this freaks me out a bit as I'm a bit clueless in regards to everything)

Has anyone experienced reduced movements recently? Over last couple of days I have felt less movements, still feel some every so often but not as much as I'm used to. Tried drinking something really cold but it didn't seem to make a big difference. Anyone any advice? Or other things I could try?

Xx

wow hot isn't the word - I just melted walking all of 4 mins to collect DSS from school. I'm trying not to look like the hot fat pregnant woman at the school gates, not sure I'm winning though.

I am a bit fixated by fruit at the moment, punnets of strawberries and cherries seem to be disappearing rapidly from the fridge. Its helping with my rather bad constipation though so long may the berry harvest continue.

As we have loads of DIY that still needs doing before the bump arrives I'm thinking of buying very lightly for this baby with a view that DP can pop to mothercare or buy online for next day delivery if we feel we need stuff urgently. We're collecting a crib this weekend and have a changing station. Other than nappies and clothes including some growbags and blankets (all donated from my sisters) I'm not thinking of anything else until we know what's what. Has anyone else gone with this approach? We'll obviously get a car seat and some kind of travel system but things like bottles and breast pumps etc I'd rather just see if we actually need it - am I deluded?

Hi Rachel, I find sweet stuff gets baby moving pretty quickly.
Banana, chocolate and cake all work a treat for me. But maybe not at the same time. Heartburn alert!
It may be that baby is feeling a bit squashed now they're getting bigger. Movements do become less drastic and more swaying and deliberate as baby has less room to bounce around. As long as they're still regular, I'm sure all is fine.

Give the midwife a ring if you're worried though. They really won't mind.

I had a steriliser and a few bottles but stuck with bf and had cracked it after a couple of weeks. So glad I did, it saved me a fortune!
I used to the odd formula feed when out and about, and used to bump up my supply with expressing. You soon get a feel for it, don't worry about feeling clueless.
I actually had to ask someone if I needed to sterilise my boob before feeding him! (You don't by the way!)

Not deluded lady, just practical!
I'm gathering what's left of DS's stuff that I didn't give away and is neutral coloured then buy girly stuff later.
Lots of people have offered bags of clothes so I think I'll be sorted to begin with.
I just need to wait for buggy delivery, and get a cot as DS is still in his.
I'm not sweating over the rest. I'll be doing that anyway!
I worked from home today so took a shower earlier and actually enjoyed the hot water running out and stood under cold water. Warming up again already. Not looking good for August sweat-fest! I can just feel the swollen foot misery coming on!

Hi all, been catching up on posts as had no internet for a few days!

Was a little worried as I haven''t really changed my diet at all (it's fairly normal I think ) and haven't been taking any pregnacare tablets and am now wondering... I'm I supposed to?!? all scans have been normal and baby's heartbeat is fine, so is it neccessary?

I haven't had any cravings as of yet, or any pregnancy related oddities but have noticed today that my ankles (or cankles as my freind calls them) are a little bigger than normal today, I'm putting this down to the fact that it's SO hot (currently 30'C in my home!) and hoping they'll be gone tomorrow wishful thinking

Also, filled out my maternity leave form today for my 2nd job (not entitled to maternity pay , I miss out by 1.5weeks!!) so only have 8 shifts left. (yay!)

Can't believe how gorgeous the weather was and how much I struggled with it. I was sweaty flushed and very slow moving - so not nice. Guess I was living up to the hype. It was horrid on the tube and not a single man offered me a seat even though I was wearing my "baby on board" badge - its always women who give me seats. Really interesting seeing all the BF & bottle discussions - I'm ever hopefully it'll be ok just like funchum8am

On the fruit front my favourite at the moment is pineapple juice - ridiculous sweet and addicted.

So excited the cot & travel system due in two weeks... feeling my 30 weeks now and bump increasing visibly.

All this talk about good weather is getting me down :( I suppose between the thunder, lightening and very heavy rain it is nice and warm but you don't remember that. Lol flooding is a big problem at times here. Must get outside in the sunny bits to remind myself it's not all bad..

Thanks for the advice whereare. But ended up going to docs as I've been a bit unwell recently and he sent me to hosp for a movements test. Mw was pretty useless, read doctors letter put straps in my stomach said have some water and walked out leaving me for 50 mins wondering what the hell am I to do.
Checked my notes after and I've never read as much crap as I did, she barely spoke to me and then wrote how I'd complaint of history of no fm. (don't no where she got that from)
As my dc is quite the wriggler but was reduced past two days. Came out thinking it was a waste of my time and was they from half 6 til nearly 8. won't be rushing back anytime soon

Came home and ate a whole tub if strawberries, was so yummy. Going to buy more tomorrow :)

Rachel sometimes midwives leave a lot to be desired, and the terminology they use is very abrupt but you did the right thing to get checked out! I'm glad all seems to be well :) And if you are ever worried again, dont let this experience put you off telling someone and getting checked.

I am so glad it is cooler today! Yesterday walking around was almost unbearable, but for all my complaining I'm glad I was down in Basingstoke rather than up in my native north east, loads of my friends have flooded houses! :(

To all of you eating fruit by the ton... I am so jealous! Anyone know where you can get sugar free fruit these days? lol ;)

Re breastpumps. Did anyone manage to ever get more than a few drops out with one of those things? I breastfed both my two til they were 20 months and fifteen months and did try several times to express, so that someone else could help with feeds/I could leave the house for more than ten mins etc etc.. but all pumps ever did was give me incredibly sore purple nipples and produce enough milk to feed a fieldmouse!

I'm a first timer intending to breastfeed, and express every now and then so DH can feed Peanut. Have bought the tommee tippee anti-colic starter kit which comes with 2 bottles, the 3 types of teat, and 2 milk bibs, so everything you need. Don't think we'll need more than that. It's really just a nod towards him being more involved, but he'll be able to give them water if expressing doesn't work out. I got the tommee tippee manual breast pump when it was on offer in Mothercare, and I've just got a lock n lock lunchbox and milton for sterilising. Don't think we'll need an electric or microwave steriliser, just seems like a waste of money.

Only a few more things to get and we're essentially there, at the stage now where I'm looking at what I've got and realising I'm not going to need some of it, which is irritating- ah, the wonders of hindsight!
Apart from that and the squillion loads of washing for all the clothes I bought, things ticking along quite nicely here.

Rachel if you're at all worried, always get it checked out. If it's nothing, at least you've got peace of mind, and if it's something, you'll be glad you went. It's not worth the risk. Not when we're so close!

I too have been eating a lot of fruit, but strawberries are so expensive, I can't bring myself to spend money on them... wish they were only £1, then I'd get loads. Trying to stick to shopping in Aldi, as their fruit is often a fair bit cheaper than the suprmarkets, although the fruit is a lot more likely to have mouldy bits, ick.

Nightmare if it helps, the redcurrants in my garden look pretty ripe, so I'm sure it won't be long!

With regards to breastfeeding I will say I'll try and give it my best shot, but if it doesn't work out in the grand scheme of things I won't be losing any sleep over it. I really beat myself up last time only able to do it for a month and it was horrible the guilt I felt with my body 'betraying' me in a way by not being able to carry him full-term and then eventually unable to feed him myself. This time I'm much more confident that at least the start (colostrum and that) is the best bit for the baby's antibodies. Five years down the line does it really matter to me now how long he was bf? No. I have much more important things to worry about and the parental guilt will always be there for other things :)

Rachel I have noticed movements changing a bit in the last two weeks - more just that I'm not getting the same whole belly shaking and moving but gentler. Think she is just running out of room in there to move as hard, although she is still moving away as much. I find I don't notice the movements half as much anymore. Definately would say to nip to the maternity hospital and not just rely on the mw if you are worried. You are the only one who knows your baby's movements and they won't mind checking you out even if there is nothing wrong.

Yes, yes, yes to the fruit. I am eating loads of it at present so glad to see I'm not the only one.

ladygagoo I'm not buying a load of stuff. I'm hoping to get a bigger place to live soon and have no room here for stuff to be sitting around. I have the basics and there's always the 24 hour tescos five minutes away if need be.

Anyone else having problems with their feet?? Mine are absolutely aching, especially on the arches, after ten minutes of being on them and I have to put my legs up. I swear I'm starting to eye up the granny-type sandals they advertise on the back of newspaper magazines.

Well, the overwhelming concensus seems to be that this is the trimester of fruit! Apricots, nectarines, bananas and apples today. Nom nom, as DD would say! My bump is really starting to get in the way now, I'm loads bigger than last time.

The natal hypnotherapy CD sent me to sleep again this afternoon, I hope that means it's working.

MadMonkeys i love that Natal Hypnotherapy cd too. Very relaxing.

I am definitely keen to try to bf though so many people warn it is hard that i am quite nervous. But i got the La Leche book which seems v informative, and am determined to try to get help if i struggle. American books advise having the phone number fora "lactation consultant" handy in your phone so that if you are struggling in the days afterwards you can get some quick help, but Britain doesn't seem to have those... I woukd like to track down someone who can give advice in advance though, just in case we need it,so we are no having to wait for the once a week bf clinic help locally.

I am hoping to express a bit too so that DH can be involved. I know it can cause complications in milk supply if done too much too soon so will try to be careful, but gosh, there is so much conflicting advice on that that i will go with what is right for us.

WinterMymble you're a nicer person than me :) I'm going to encourage DH's involvement more down the pooey nappies and playing with baby so I can nap route if we get BF established, sod trying to express as well! :o

haha, made me smile, yes, our arrangement here is that if DP is in the house, he is in charge of nappies, i am in charge of feeding. That was the rules for DS1 and it will definitely be the rules for DS2. I found expressing to be a faff, combined with the effort involved in washing and sterilising the pump/bottles and the pump was never as efficient as DS at getting all the milk out, and to make matters worse, on the one night i decided to go out, i expressed milk, and DP stupidly tried to give it to DS cold from the fridge...cue call to me when DS wouldn't take it, then heated it in the microwave and in his wisdom then decided to stir it with an unsterilised spoon...so that was my night over as i had to come back and feed him myself and the contaminated expressed milk had to be thrown away. But then DS was a fussy baby, had and still has reflux and for ages would only sleep in the day if on me, so i was rather limited as to what i could achieve between him feeding and sleeping...hoping this bean is not cursed with the same problems, as it would be bliss to have a non-puking baby who is happy to sleep horizontal!

Grin.... DH has declared solemnly that he is going to be 'a nappy changing ninja', which bodes well I think... He is also getting bath time as responsibility. Might mean i don't need to express as well .... I do want him to be involved as uch as possible.

I think he will be much better than me actually at the physical carrying and caring because he is much more dextrous. I am clumsy and drop things... shiver!

breastfeeding has many advantages...included being waited on at weekends, watching lots of tv/dvds and having meals cooked for you and drinks made ;) men can bond in many other ways, in my opinion wintermymble :)

Ooh Loopy i like those advantages! Some consolation snce i keep hearing horror stories about the Bleakness of Maternity Leave if you are doing it all without local family.

Has anybody else been going to NCT? i went along today.

I'm with you winter on the BF. I like the idea of DP being able to get involved with feeding too.

But, i am very much liking the sound of all the other advantages of me being the sole feeder. :)

I really want to get into NCT, but not sure how to find out about it. i've looked online, but cant seem to find anything near me. Would be great if i can as i've moved to cornwall recently and not made any friends yet. So am hoping Baby will get me out and about more.

That is my hope for NCT too, Mikya - to help get in touch with more people in a baby context in the hopes of having some meaingful contacts to occassionally hook up with and catch up with afterwards too. I hope it has that consequence... A bit early to tell yet!

Does Cornwall NCT maybe also produce a book? Edinburgh NCT have this rather fabulous Edinburgh for the under 5s book that is full of ways for mums/dads/carers to hook up with other people and escape the house.(www.edinburghforunderfives.co.uk/. )

It was quite reassuring, so i wonder if maybe Cornwall or other NCT groups publish something similar?

I'm doing NCT too a friend recommended it as she met lots of lovely mums at hers and we don't know that many people here so am hop. I've not been to one yet though think the first class is August. As the doctors have said I might deliver early I'm hoping I get all the classes in!!!
Have a good weekend everyone xx

at the 'nappy ninja' Winter although I wouldn't totally pass on bath time. I loved doing baths with ds as he was a real water baby.

Mikyah < whispers > try netmums to search for antenatal classes, local events and groups with baby