April 2013.....we're halfway there! (Part 5)

[bunnygirl80]

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Old thread here

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Fluffeh I seem to remember changing 15-20 nappies a day in those first few weeks. I had a mix of aldi and nature baby both are low chemicals and gentle on bots.

With reuseables don't bulk buy one set, DD is skinny and has thin legs and we tried lots of different ones before concluding they don't work for all. I admit I really like the totsbots fluffle and teeny fits, i bought a selection pack from fill your pants. They do have ambassadors all over the country who have them for you to look at and see what might fit.

Missmuffet she should never have done that I am horrified and furioud on your behalf. I think you should complain, she could have torn the cartelidge between your pubis and left you in a right old state even with long term difficulties. I had tubi grip, support belt and crutches and cocodamol at 26 weeks and signed off from work. Seriously see someone else, if you can afford it try a chriropractor, about £38 for a session about 30-45 minutes long. A great massage, reminder of gentle exercises and aftercare was amazing. I saw the NHS physio who was great but overloaded and it was 6 weeks between appointments, I saw the chiropractor every 3 weeks, it helped relieve discomfort but didn't make it better until after I had baby. I also did pilates after, very gently at first, but my pelvis is better this pregnancy.

I think the best advice is to keep your pelvis balanced, no leaning to one side, crossing legs or carrying a heavy bag on one side.

Go see your GP as they may be able to give you some pain relief, i only ever took mine at night to sleep, it made me a bit woo and dozy using it during the day, but it helped with some of the pain.

Photochick I'm Jersey, which are you? Shopping for baby things here is proving difficult as usual a lack of choice and rip of prices. I'm a regular John Lewis online shopper as they deliver free to CI and no probs getting the VAT back or returning things so I intend to make quite a few more purchases from them!

Fluffeh I think one pack of size 1 and 1 pack of size 2 is a good start. You will manage if DH pops out to the shops, don't worry, I changed my first DDs nappy on my lap with numb legs (spinal), a catheter & two drips in each arm and a heart monitor (straight forward birth, large bleed after) because I didn't want to disturb the midwives!! I just sat there cuddling her as I couldn't reach their to put her back. When you know your ELCS date I recommend booking a supermarket online delivery slot for a few days later. You can put all the basics on & plan easy meals DH can sort out & you can amend order up to 11pm night before to add stuff you need.

Fluffeh it's hard to imagine now, but - once you've recovered a bit from the CS - you will almost certainly feel absolutely fine about being left with the baby while your DH pops out for a short while.

Being with your own baby is totally different from other people's. When I was pregnant the first time, a friend visited with a 6 week old. I was so impressed with DP, he was so good at holding the baby. I on the other hand found it really awkward and I was scared I'd drop her or hold her wrong, and I thought "oh my goodness, I'm going to be really bad at this when my baby comes!"

But when DS was born, holding him just came naturally! My mum actually asked me how to hold him when he was 2 days old! You'd think, with experience of bringing up two DDs and of holding countless other babies, my mum would be teaching me. But in reality, she'd forgotten as it'd been so long, and in just a day or so I had become more of an expert on how to hold DS than her.

The teacher in this scenario was not my mum, or me even, but baby DS. Babies teach you how to be a mother. It's partly that they're not going anywhere, they are there, and you just have to get on with it, so you learn quickly. They tell you if you're doing it wrong! But it's more than that, instinct is a very powerful thing.

You're absolutely right that with a baby, there are suddenly lots of logistical challenges to deal with. How to go shopping in the supermarket with a baby in tow, for example? I went in with the buggy the first time, and balanced lots of food on it, I must have looked like I was shoplifting! It worked, but wasn't ideal! The correct answer, I later discovered is you put them in a baby seat on a special trolley. I'd never noticed them! Or simple things, like how to have a shower when it's just you and the baby? (For me, the answer was to put DS in a bouncy chair in the bathroom with me, and coo at him while showering. I forget how old he was when we started doing this).

You'll be fine I promise. It's great that you're able to discuss your fears with your DH and he's being so supportive. However I wish I had a crystal ball to show you you and your baby together, you will be an expert mum in no time!

Jsa and steph, thanks :)

Fluffeh one thing I'm planning to do is cook easy meals to freeze - macaroni cheese, cheese and potato pie, spat bol, chilli. I helped my sister do this when she went on mat leave and it made life a lot easier, especially since she had an EMCS! It meant she or BIL could just blitz them and add a bit (ie cook the pasta) without too much thought.

I'm planning to use washable nappies but will get a couple of packs of small nappies to start with because even the smallest size were a bit too small for DNephew when he first popped out! :)

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Thanks all for extra advice i think I'm just going to stick with what the midwife said which is similar to what some of you have said and just try to be more lady like keeping my legs together not crossing etc which is obviously the total opposite to having them torn apart at great speed and beg her to not send me back there if I complain again! Not a constant deep aching this morning but still sore to the touch especially the 'massaged' area!

On the nappy front I'd love to try re useables but there is so many to choose from and don't know anyone who has used them and I just don't have the cash to trial and error with them so I think I will stick to disposables to start with even they are a minefield but at least your not stuck with them if they aren't right, I used huggies with ds1 but I see huggies aren't going to sell nappies in the uk anymore!

I approached dp about names subject told him under no circumstances do I want a nameless baby so he needs to get his backside in gear! So will shall see!

The meal idea is a great one please someone remind of this nearer the time! My dp can't cook so this will save my tired butt if I do it!

LikeCandy, WeeHans and EmpressMatilda - sounds like we're all at a similar stage! I just can't wait to go on maternity leave now - but there is so much to organise here before I do! I can't quite comprehend treking to work for another 9 weeks though! I'll bet she ends up coming early too so I don't even get any time to relax! :)

We had our 4D scan today - it was lovely! Actually a really reassuring thing to do at (nearly) 28 weeks too as you get confirmation that all of the development is on track. The lady was really good and checked the date, weight and where the placenta was. She confirmed that we are having a girl (I'd have been stuck with a lot of girlie clothes if not!) and also that she doesn't have a cleft palate, which is reassuring. Apparently weight is currently around 2.8lbs which is 53rd percentile and she's showing growth around 1 week ahead (28+5), which is also on track.

We also got a sneak profile of what she looks like. Poor soul has her father's (very Spanish) nose! Also his mouth and chin. To be honest... not sure she's mine!!! ;) She is very sweet though - didn't stop moving the whole time and kept putting her feet and hands in front of her face!

She's currently head down and lying with her spine down my left side - which will be perfect if she stays there! Judging by the amount that she fidgets, I wouldn't guarentee it though!

NCT starts tonight, so it's a really lovely baby-themed day. Work... what's that?! :)

Leluella I'm in Guernsey. We haven't even got a mothercare! Thanks for the info on John Lewis - I think I will have to have a look online and make a list!

Novia the 4D scan sounds great! We have ours next week Friday when I will be 27+3 so hopefully will get a good result too!

Didn't realise they could estimate weight aswell that will be interesting! Hope our little man is co-operative! We are wanting to know if he has Daddy's nose too! And ears! Xxx

TrishStar - it's so sweet, you'll love it - I'm just a couple of days ahead of you, so you'll be spot on to get good pictures!

I did specifically asked her to check the size (to see if she was on track) and check where my placenta was, so make sure you ask. Our lady was really good though and did all the measurements for us and told me how the baby was laying. We went to The Baby Scan Clinic on Harley Street (it was a Groupon offer), are you going to the same place?

Apparently they look exactly the same (just fatter) when they come out as when they are part-baked! :)

Novia and Empress think we have the same due date: 5th??

I am sat in Costa playing on my phone, I have a late surgery this evening starting at 1835 & have been at a study day today.

Right Reusable nappies (have been meaning to type this for a while!)

Totally agree with kellstar they do not suit all babies. Also agree with whoever said that they don't work with all styles of clothing. Saying that & don't shoot me I think the parents who choose cloth nappies are generally not the types to be putting skinny jeans on tiny babies!

I think you need to ask yourself:

• what type do you want? Multiple layers with wraps & boosters or an 'all in one' like a disposable? One size from birth to potty? Or multiple different sizes?
• what are you going to store them in? and where? you need a nappy bucket, the Totsbots one has a lockable lid which is toddler proof (supposedly) even of this is your first ypu may well have a toddler and a newborn in the future.
• what are you going to wash them in and what cycle? Dry them in? Certainly most bamboo nappies dry very quickly and don't think a tumble dryer is a necessity.
• where are you going to get flush able liners from if used? Some of the really big supermarkets are certainly are now selling them.

We used Totsbots EASYFIT.
Pros: 'birth to potty', bought half price off eBay as factory seconds die to pattern imperfections, VERY easy, no pre soaking, prObably one of the 'slimmest' brands. Washed very well on 40, normal detergent. Really cool patterns.

Cons: personally I think from 10 lb is more realistic! Not great for very heavy wetters, my daughter occasionally got a sore tummy if it hung over the top of the nappy and rubbed on the Velcro!

I started using flushable liners (2p each) and quickly realised they were pointless until they are producing proper poos- they are there to enable you to remove with any solid matter. Tiny baby poi just goes straight through them.

Hope this helps?

Apologies for typos- on phone!

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Novia That sounds amazing. I am trying really hard to resist booking one. I have various worries about head shape/size and also very keen to know what size he will be. I just find myself wondering what he looks like. But I keep telling myself I only have a few months to wait until I find all that out.

Can't remember who posted about nappies but I am similarly confused. Going to buy disposables for early days and then try a couple of reusables and see which we prefer before stocking up. Not settled on brand yet though.

What are people's views on drop died cots. Which? recommends against them and apparently they're banned in the US as unsafe. Yet most cots and cot beds I can find for sale here are drop side. And if it's not drop side surely it's hard to get baby in and out!

Drop side.

toobreathless Yes I am also due 5th April so there are at least three of us on this thread for that day. Doubt we''ll all three actually give birth on that date though. Would be cool if we did but somewhat against the odds!

Evening ladies knackered central here!

Lovely to hear all about the 4D scans and 28 week appointments that are taking place and coming up soon, makes me feel all excited again

I had my appointment with the student advisor today and she has confirmed that there is 0 maternity leave granted from the social work placement and any time I take off will have to be made up over the summer break before I start my second placement in September

I can take time off for all my antenatal appointments and don't need to make that time up

I do have the option to intermit, which basically means I could stop now and then start at the exact same time next year. So basically I would be taking a year out. However, there is no financial support for this at all. The NHS medical bursary does pay some maternity pay but the social work bursary would stop the second I intermitted and wouldn't start again until I began back at uni.

So I am going to take a few weeks off around the time of the birth, then go straight back finish the placement, then make up the days I have missed and then break up for the summer. Returning in September to start my second full time placement.

It is going to be manic and not the best situation in the world but it is do-able and I am confident that the uni will support me no matter what I decide.

DH has started to clear out our room to make way for all the baby stuff. I am staying well out of the way Like magic it will all just be done

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novia the scan sounds absolutely lovely, really made me smile to think that we all have the same thing going on inside!

Empress I know, DD was due 12th April 2011 and arrived on 23rd April 2011!

JH that sounds rubbish!! You poor thing. You sound sensible and like you have a plan though.

Anyone else what to volunteer their name short list so we can ooohhhh & aaahhh and maybe discuss in a really nice non MN baby board way!

Novia I'm not going to that one as I'm in the West Midlands though I did buy my package thru KGB deals so we paid £59 for the £144 package! Think we get a DVD with 10 mins footage, cd rom with pics and 3 photos printed out. Can't wait to see our son! Bought some lucozade in prep for making him move as its at 11.30am and baby is a night owl mostly like his dad! Xx

Hey trish were due date buddies and im also in west midlands!x

Where abouts are you steph, I'm in birmingham!

Anyone else nesting decorating?

We're moving house and just having a think about colours for rooms.

Found this site, which is brilliant for procrastination ideas www.houzz.com/photos

Check out the Kids rooms! Real fantasy stuff, lots of them. Wish I had the skills to do some of those (or money to pay someone to!)

All this baby talk is so exciting! It must be really lovely for those of you having the 4D scans although it wouldn't suit us as we are definite about not wanting to know whether ours is a boy or a girl. It is good we feel that way though as they are not available on the island so we would have to travel for the scan too.

I am counting working days even though my classes seem to have calmed down over the holidays! I know it could just be that they have not yet warmed back up and are still in holiday mode but, as I teach lower ability children a lot of the time with a big mix of additional needs and behaviour issues, this calmness makes a big difference.

I am trying to organise files and timetables and support groups so that handing over is as easy as possible, especially if I do not actually make it to the start date of my ML - as I never have done before! I am rather looking forward to having some time to myself so really hoping it happens. I am stopping when I am 32 weeks and there still seems so much to get done. I still have not packed my bag for the hospital as it feels like tempting fate but there are carrier bags of stuff around the house ready to be put together if the time comes (suddenly).

As for reusable nappies, we use fuzzibunz and Nature Babies Stuffables and they have done a good job on both DDs. They are all-in-one nappies that are as easy as disposables and are still in great condition - the sun bleaches any poo stains away really well! I agree though that the very early days are easier with disposables whilst you get your head round new things! There are lots of organisations that rent out testing kits so that you can try a few different nappies for a couple of weeks before you actually jump in and spend the money. However, they have saved us a HUGE amount of money and will even better value for money now that we are having DC3.

On that subject, these leggings look like the cutest thing for wearing over reusables so I am planning on buying lots once the baby is ready for 'real' clothes.

Bit of a me-me post but is anyone suffering with insomnia and does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get to bloody sleep??! I am exhausted, but struggle to fall asleep before one o'clock which is leaving me very very very tired in the day just wondered if you huts had any ideas before I went to the doctors, I'm really struggling. Part of it is stress related but I try really hard to switch off in the evenings but there is always something... Last night I was too hot when it was almost freezing here and hearing was switched off?!

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