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

[bunnygirl80]

Our newest home!

Old thread here

Stats thread here

Cotton wool on meconium is a nightmare - as a first time mum I did as I was told but second time I just used wipes and ds2 was absolutely fine!! They also told me not to bath them but defo ignored this too second time round.

The latest I have heard from a friend that has recently had a baby is that they also advise against swaddling now!!! Ds1 would never have let me put him down if he wasn't swaddled.

havingfaith I mentioned to the doctor a couple of other things I'd seen online I thought it could be, but I forgot about that one (it didn't used to smell but now it does...) I have mw appointment on monday so will ask her.
empress not that I wish suffering on anyone but glad I'm not the only one with mysterious problems that the doctors can't solve!

jojo welcome

We were in sainsburys last night just doing regular shopping but they had packets of babygros on half price (2 babygros for £4 we're on a tight budget), they had all different patterns one that was definitely neutral (we're having a suprise) so we got that one and some boys/girls designs. I also got a packet I think is supposed to be girls but not that girly, is red with big white dots or white with red, blue and grey hearts too girly just incase we have a boy?!

Just OBEM and seen an anaesthetist I used to work with bouncing on a birthing ball, really hope he rotates back to us!

birdbrain I saw those heart baby grows in Sainsburys and thought they would be lovely for either sex. Didn't have newborn size in stock though...

For those wondering about cotton wool/meconium, our midwife last time recommended Vaseline for those first few sticky poos - they slid straight off! I'd recommend putting a little pot in your hospital bag.

I'm getting increasingly tired and my DD (26 months) is insisting on being carried everywhere - I'm not giving in but the ensuing stand offs are wearing me out as well.

I'm really lucky with work - I work in the family business so no formal agreements have been made. I've said I'll work up to the end of Feb and maybe longer if I feel up to it. They're also going to keep on paying me full pay! I only work two days a week so it's not a fortune but it will be great not to have to adjust our outgoings.

Welcome to all the newbies - there are so many of us now!

28+4

Welcome jojo. I'm sure you're find this thread really helpful and friendly.

missmuffet, I'd also heard that newborn bums need cotton wool not wipes. Like you I can't stand cotton wool, pulling it apart is like nails down a blackboard to me. Not sure how I'm going to manage that.

wet wipes vs cotton wool
Journal article from a study at Mancs Uni - they're using this to try and persuade NICE to change their guidelines

photochick I woke up with that this morning, it passed after a bit, but it's still achey now and then. I can't remember having it last time though. I think it's to do with your muscles shifting as your bump grows and can cause cramps if your baby is stretching.

JoRich I'm off to the dentist on Monday and expecting a bit of a telling off. I've not been able to use floss or interdental brushes on my back teeth, just coping with brushing regular and mouthwash, the front teeth are fine. Agree that you need to keep brushing to help stop the bleeding. Floss harps are brilliant for my gag reflex. I had two teeth out after my last pregnancy [upper wisdom teeth], they literally crumbled apart throughout the pregnancy. It was vile smelling and the pain was constant throbbing.

ladies with SPD, I can recommend getting in the pool, don't do proper swimming. I just went to float for half an hour, our local pool have a relaxation session where they play some calming music while you swim and it's not lane swimming, tends to be people with injuries who just need to get in the pool to help with pain relief or recovery. Our pool have steps on the side rather than a ladder, much easier getting in and out.

Swimming or a gentle walk before bed may also help those of you struggling to sleep. I also read a chapter of a book before bed, DH has only just got into reading as he had stress insomnia and it's helping him switch off before bed.

Some cots come with bases that can be raised up and down. I am big of nork and they get in the way on the bottom setting, so when DD was little we had it on the top setting until she learned to pull herself up, then we moved it to the lower position, it's even more awkward now, trying to get my norks and bump out the way to get her in.

Welcome those that are new! April is going to be a busy time!

Names are awkward, we find it easy to choose girls names but boy's names are elusive [again]. Hattie/Harriet, Enid, Doris and Astrid are recent additions to our lists that we don't mind. Finding names to fit with DD's name is always fun. We like getting her to say them, it sounds so cute. She's quite taken with Daisy.

Welcome JoJo, I'm due 30th April so expecting it to be an April arrival too as all babies seem to come late in my family!

JJ on the wipes v cotton wool, I know that J&J Baby have done a lot of research and are saying their wipes are OK from birth now. To declare an interest, I work for their advertising agency, but I don't actually work on their business, have just seen documents around the office. They wouldn't be able to claim it in advertising if it wasn't thoroughly tested and proven to be safe as the regulations are really strict.

And whoever asked about black out blinds and curtains, I had to buy some curtains in a hurry last year before my little nephew came to stay and got some from Argos that were really good value and just happened to be the perfect drop length for my window. I've also previously ordered black out roller blinds from here who were fast, very good value compared to high street shops and will do them made to measure so great for odd shaped windows.

I feel like my bump has really grown this week - feel double the size I was last week and everything feels like it's stretching. Not altogether pleasant, but I suppose we're into the serious growth stage now, aren't we?!

24+2

That should say May arrival, not April!

Hello again all, this thread is moving quickly! I meant to post yesterday but got sidelined writing an assignment (am studying with OU & trying to get a bit ahead so that I wont need to do to much once baby arrives!) I was awake until 3am though, so probably could have come on here though...

Nice to read about 4d scans, I had one with DS & it was fascinating, so planning to do the same with this one if I can find a good deal - keeping an eye out on Groupon for the Harley St deal as I missed it last month.

missmuffet28 Ouch, that physio sounds awful - I'll admit I know nothing about physio, but it doesn't sounds logical to be that rough. I would have thought gentle exercise/stretching would be the way to go. Hope you aren't feeling too bad now.

aufaniae Completely agree that you just know what your doing with your own baby, found holding DS really easy & natural, but holding other newborns since I've been nowhere near as confident - strange eh?

EmpressMatilda I don't have a drop side cotbed, but found lifting DS in & out was quite easy as the base has 3 heights so he wasn't on the lowest one straight away, and by the time he was he could pull himself up so I wasn't bending over too much. Can't see why drop-side wouldn't be safe though?

JoJo, I'm new to the thread too, and also due on 30th April - but expecting this one to arrive in May also! Only went 3 days past my due date with DS, so hoping things will go the same this time.

I've still got another 3 weeks before my next midwife appt, hoping to discuss birth plan a bit more at that one, as I'd like a homebirth but want some more info first. I think I'm going to try to get a docs appt next week as the insomnia, heartburn & achy pelvis is wearing me down a bit.

Still discussing names with DH, at the moment we both quite like Elliot, but that may well change. DS keeps suggesting Roger... don't think we will go for that! (He then suggests all of his school friends names)

Hi all, anyone else gettin really bad stretchy pains in bump? Can't seem to walk more than a few minutes without gettin stabbing pains?! I wld of thought I'd be all stretched out as this is dc3! Sciatica is still in my right hip most of the time and have a bad back from doin some housework the other day ...moan over, jst feelin shattered most of the time lately!! Have mw appt 2moro so will mention it then.

Welcome Jojo!

25+6

It's ages since I checked the thread, it moves so fast I struggle to keep up! Welcome to the new people

The hospital I'm going to provides all nappies/wipes while you're in and they use Johnson's non-fragranced wipes rather than insisting on cotton wool. I don't think the advice over here is to avoid wipes, so I'll just be using wipes again from birth. I found the best way to deal with meconium is to ensure your baby only produces it when your DH is visiting! We had a deal that as I was doing all feeding he could do all nappies, and lucky for me the only meconium ones were produced while he was around to change them . I did have to deal with DS's first ever proper poo because he produced that at about 1am. I can still clearly remember the look of satisfaction on his face after he'd done it.

I'm finishing work on the 21st Feb, so only 5 weeks left! I'll only be 34 weeks, but my bp started rocketing at that point last time, so I've got to go for weekly appointments. I just can't be bothered with having to schedule those around work, I think the stress of it all would raise my bp anyway!

Names are a subject of much debate in our house. I like Charlotte, Beatrice or Harriet. DH hates them and wants Emma or Emily, both of which I think are too boring. He's willing to accept Charlotte, but doesn't like any of the potential short versions of it.....apparently girls who shorten it to Charlie end up sleeping around

We still have the packet of cotton wool from when DS was born...
In NICU they didn't use cotton wool, they used these gauzy cloths and water. But as soon as we got home weren't straight onto wipes - but we did go for unfragranced and sensitive ones!

We've almost finished DSs 'big boy bedroom' and we are planning on moving him into it at the weekend. Our nursery (we didn't know gender the first time) is very simply decorated with Elmo from sesame st. We've decided not to redecorate even though we know we are having a girl this time. I'm actually looking forward to getting it stocked with newborn stuff.

A good friend is highly likely to have an emergency c-section today or in the next couple of days. She's been suffering with obstetric cholestasis and gestational diabetis and has been playing the 'fun' game of being closely monitored with regular blood works to try to balance the baby getting bigger and her levels not rocketing sky high. The bright side is that she is almost 35 weeks so she's done well to get so far. Hopefully not much time will be needed in the special care nursery.

Hi all. I'm wide awake and it's nearly 5:30am. I'm in so much pain with my pelvis that when I finally got home from the office at 7:45pm, I burst into tears. My DH picked me up to the station and I just got into the car and bawled. It's so not like me.
I feel like I'm splitting in half and called the GP who told me to call the Antenatal clinic at the hospital. The Antenatal clinic just told me to get a physio and a support belt and hopefully I'd be fine after the baby is born. I wonder should I have gone to the GP for extra painkillers? I don't really want to take them, so haven't booked an appointment. Can the GP do anything else to help?
I keep reading stuff about how PGP can cause permanent damage and I'm so scared I did something when I ran to the train the other day. It was so stupid of me. Also, went to pregnancy yoga and while I didn't do any leg stuff, the instructor said I should rock my hips in figure 8s. And now I'm having hip pain all of a sudden.

I'm hoping to get to a physio today when I get to work (we have one in the office, but she's been away all week) I just don't know what to do.

I spent the day with a coat belt tied around my legs and it seemed to help a bit. So am now laying in bed with a dressing gown belt tied around me and have taken a paracetamol.
A pillow between my knees almost seems too wide.
I feel really panicky that I've down a lot of damage. Can anyone else report that their PGP improved during pregnancy?
I'm sorry for the me-me-me post, I'm just really hurting and feeling quite scared. Although, hoping its just because it's the middle of night. Hoping things seem better in the morning.

Ollibobs, I had SPD when pregnant with DS. By some stroke of luck I seem to have gotten away with it this time around. But I was in agony constantly so can fully empathise with you. I was given co-codamol by GP which really helped but i felt so guilty taking it. My SIL gave me a support belt she had used when pregnant, it really helped. It was a huge wide thing that covered nearly all of my hips/bum and it wasn't that comfy to walk in but for round the house it was brilliant.
All I can say on a positive note is that as soon as I'd had DS I leapt out of bed like a new woman! Fingers crossed you'll do the same.
You have my full sympathy

ollibobs I had SPD last time and its flared up again this pg too. The support belt from the physio worked wonders for me, although I haven't quite got as far as needing it this time. I don't know if I was particularly lucky, but my pain was completely gone within hours of giving birth last time. The worst part was having my legs in stirrups for stitches and dealing with a minor pph, I needed gas and air for the pain in my pelvis despite having given birth with nothing! But the next day I was leaping around like a new woman. The chances are you've not done anything that will cause a lasting problem. My symptoms come and go, some days I can't walk at all without being in agony, other days I feel fine. If I overdo it one day I tend to pay for it the next, so I just need to remind myself to slow down a bit.

mumtowombat how are you coping in the summer heat? I'm getting seriously short tempered and I'm swelling up like a balloon!

Some lovely names! Elliot and Harriet are really pretty.

We went to the first nhs antenatal class yesterday. We're signed up for nct ones that start next month but I figured there's no such thing as too prepared.
It was held at the local children's centre and went quite well. DP was a bit uncomfortable but that because of the 3 men in the room he was the only one over 21, but once he relaxed he settled fine. Next week they are having a baby massage and bathing session. With real babies eek! I hope they don't want us to try bathing a real baby already, and how brave must the babies parents be to let a group of 15 new parents loose on their precious children? Lol

Someone reminded me this morning that I'm now officially in 3rd trimester. I was so happy I cried! OH NO WAIT THOSE WERE TEARS OF DESPAIR!!! I thought 2nd trimester was the good bit, I'm so miserable & in pain & not sleeping and I feel horrible for everyone around me & I have a bad feeling its all supposed to be downhill from here.

I made a doctors appointment for this afternoon, the paracetamol aren't even touching the pelvic pain plus I have a weird sinusy headache (its my cheekbone, one side of forehead, inside of nose when I blow it & ear that are all hurting) so I really just need to get some decent pain relief from GP and hopefully a few pain free days will recharge me.

Fluffeh I think that would be a bit offputting? Everything is a bit easier with your own baby I think so I would wonder if practising with someone elses might make you worry more than really needed

olli and user I am so with you on the SPD pain. I am in so much pain with it as well day and night and the co-codamol isn't having any effect.

I agree that it is an accumilating pain so if you over do it one day the night and following day is agony.

On a positive note though, I had it in my last pg and it disapeared the second I gave birth

I would suggest anyone suffering a lot from SPD should consider taking early maternity leave and putting your feet up etc it will do you the world of good.

I am off to Hove today to a private medical practice for a check up after that crash in November. I could really do without wasting my time going but the insurance company is insisting on it so off we go!

26+1

Yeesh, sorry quite a few of you are in so much discomfort with SPD, it sounds horrendous. You poor things. Tea and sympathy from this quarter!

Hope your appointment goes ok jacqueline. Pain in the arse all the faffing around you have to do because of somebody else's actions!

Somebody up thread asked about calf pain, oddly I had this on and off all day one day this week and my mind started to work overdrive. DH is the opposite to me in terms of worrying and was completely unfazed by it. He did bend my foot back to get rid of the pain and we had another little helper in the form of DS who did my other foot at the same time, too cute. I've read if the pain is persistent and doesn't ease off when you flex your foot upwards you should seek medical attention. Only other thing I get is a bloody nose a lot but had this with DS.

27+ 0

olli, user and jaqueline you have my complete sympathy. Hoping you get some relief soon

Can't remember who posted about decorating for baby but I'm slightly in love with this wallpaper: www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/products/osborne-little/cockatoos/80115

It seems that everyone (work, family, friends) is asking me how much maternity leave I'll take. It's driving me slightly mad as I don't think I can make that decision until baby is here and we're in the swing of things. I'd love to take the full year but not sure we can afford it. For some reason everyone asking me how long I'll take gets my back up, not sure why. I'm turning into a moody cow.

Sorry to those of you suffering. I'm in lots of discomfort with back and pelvis but its manageable at the moment. Work is hard work tho standing all day!

On a more cheery note tho, we have a date for the wedding!!! 2nd March! So exciting xxx

26+3

I'm loving the Sainburys baby event, I picked up quite a few very practical things so starting to feel a little more organised. We're aiming to have the nursery painted in the next 2 weeks and then go and get some furniture after pay day. Hoping this isn't all way too soon.

Congratulations on setting a date Trishstar, that's so exciting and not far away! I love wedding talk, what are your plans?

Thanks Teapig!! Just having a quiet little registry office wedding followed by meal on the evening with close family and friends.

I need to find a dress! Help me ladies please! xxx

Hi everyone,

Can I ask about weight?! I didn't put anything on until well after 20 weeks, a combination of MS and no alcohol, I think but I had the shock of my life this morning when I weighed myself to see I have put on a stone...from where? When?!!!

I have been doing zero exercise and eating too much, I have now admitted to myself, but it was so nice to have an appetite back after 20+ weeks of not wanting to eat anything.

Does anyone have any tips on how to control weight gain?

Entered third trimester today, yay! Baby still not moving in recognisable patterns, no movement for ages, then some kicks, wish it was more!

27 + 0
9 weeks left at work (and counting down by the second)