July 2013 Part 3 - happy new year, happy new thread

[dinkystinky]

Happy 2013 one and all!

Yep - double the number of breast pads and mat pads you think you will need and you should be OK for the first few days

Hi all!
Am new to this posting malarkey and have added myself to the list. SO MANY babies due in July!

Is anyone else still feeling nauseous and tired at 14 weeks?

CottonSocks - 1st July
QuinandThem - 1st July
Badgerwife - DC2 - 1st July
Cutandstick - 2nd July
Runswithsquirrels - 2nd July
Thinkingof4- DC4 -2nd July
Persuasion - 3rd July
esme80 - 3rd july
Glup - 3rd July
BB01 - 4th July
Dinkystinky - DC3 - 4th July
elliejjtiny - 4th July
wifey6 - 5th July
Notprincesskate - DC2 - 5 July
OhGood - 5th July
Gingerpanther27 - 7th July
TheQueensChristmasDinner - DC5 - 7th July
Efme - 8th July
PenguinsInThePantry - 8th July
GeorgieWilson - 9th July
shelley72 - 9th July
Calmisthemantra - 11th July
Specialknickers - 11th July
Emblosion - 12th July
mysterymeg - 12th July
Princessllama - DC3 - 12th July?
SlouchingPanda - 12th July
Thundercatz - 12th July
Twirliedobbit - DC4 - 12th July
MrsMillions - DC1 - 13th July
Hai1988 - 14th July
LittleFlower888 - 14th July
Tashtastic - 14th July
Lizincornwall - 15th July
Mizar - 15th July
Guavasforbreakfast - DC1 - 16th July
paolocee/donna - 17th July
Supershiv1 - DC1 - 17th July
missmaybe - 18th July
MrsWildermac - 18th July
photographerlady - 18th July
SingingMomma - 18th July
GingerJulep - DC1 - 19th July
Niktasha - 19th July
whitedaffodil - 19th July
orangebubbles - DC2 - 20th July
Thinking positive thoughts - 20th July
AmaDablam - DC1 - 21st July
Beaditsback - DC2 - 21st July
butterflyexperience - 22nd July
Cheeseandbread - DC1 - 22nd July
Isitme1 - 23rd July
MightBeMad - 23rd July
ArkadyRose - 24th July
Boostar - 24th July
Cantreachmytoes - 24th July
Grannyapple - 24th July
Camb79 - 25th July
Sashabella0 - 25th July
MrsRoss26 - 26th July
BoyMeetsWorld - 27th July
marimama - 27th July
YikesHereWeGo - 27th July
Flyingsprocket - 31st July
SchroSawMummyRidingSantaClaus - Unknown

My thoughts about homebirth FWIW - I support women having the right to choose but it wasn't for me. The risk of serious complications is tiny, but the effects of them can be devastating. Not a risk I was prepared to take.

I laboured in the (alongside) MLU with DS with entonox and TENS, upright on the birth ball the whole time (only 5 hours from first contraction to fully dilated). Unfortunately the little pest was facing sideways (and had a huge head) so after 2 hours pushing I had help getting him out in the form of forceps then had a 2L post partum haemorrhage I can tell you categorically I would NOT have enjoyed a trip to hospital at full dilatation!

I'm booked in the MLU again this time and hopefully this one will have a smaller head and face the right way!

Vinegar I think you're right about home birth.
I wouldn't mind a MLU within the hospital for a 'normal' pregnancy, but when it's in a separate town it feels to far from 'civilisation' to me!

Marie thanks. It went well. I might be going back to work
I feel a bit awkward that I didn't mention being pregnant, but it didn't come up and I didn't lie. I just omitted to mention it.

SingingMomma you appear to have bumped me off the stats list! And we're due date buddies too!

princessllama-dc3-27th June
CottonSocks - 1st July
QuinandThem - 1st July
Badgerwife - DC2 - 1st July
Cutandstick - 2nd July
Runswithsquirrels - 2nd July
Thinkingof4- DC4 -2nd July
VinegarDrinker - DC2 - 2nd July
Persuasion - 3rd July
esme80 - 3rd july
Glup - 3rd July
emblosion - 3rd July
BB01 - 4th July
Dinkystinky - DC3 - 4th July
elliejjtiny - 4th July
wifey6 - 5th July
Notprincesskate - DC2 - 5 July
OhGood - 5th July
PenguinsInThePantry - 5th July
marmitemad DC2 - 6th July
Gingerpanther27 - 7th July
DifferentNow - DC5 - 7th July
Abzs - DC1 - 7th July
Efme - 8th July
GeorgieWilson - 9th July
shelley72 - 9th -
Devilforasideboard - 10th July
CitizenOscar - DC2 - 10th July
Calmisthemantra - 11th July
Specialknickers - 11th July
MrsMillions - DC1 - 11th July
mysterymeg - 12th July
Reikimummy - 12th July (DC1)
SlouchingPanda - 12th July
Thundercatz - 12th July
Twirliedobbit - DC4 - 12th July
Hai1988 - 14th July
LittleFlower888 - 14th July
Tashtastic - 14th July
Beaditsback - dc2 14th July
Lizincornwall - 15th July
Mizar - 15th July
photographerlady - 15th July
Guavasforbreakfast - DC1 - 16th July
paolocee/donna - 17th July
missmaybe - 18th July
MrsWildermac - 18th July
TotallyEggFlipped - 18th July
SingingMomma - 18th July
GingerJulep - DC1 - 19th July
Niktasha - 19th July
whitedaffodil - 19th July
Grannyapple DC2 - 19th July
orangebubbles - DC2 - 20th July
Thinking positive thoughts - 20th July
AmaDablam - DC1 - 21st July
butterflyexperience - 22nd July
Cheeseandbread - DC1 - 22nd July
BadMissM- DC2- 22nd July
Isitme1 - 23rd July
MightBeMad - 23rd July
Supershiv1 - DC1 - 23rd July
Boostar - 24th July
Cantreachmytoes - 24th July
Camb79 - 25th July
Sashabella0 - 25th July
MrsRoss26 - 26th July
BoyMeetsWorld - 27th July
marimama - 27th July
YikesHereWeGo - 27th July
JessicaMLH - DC2 - 27th July
Flyingsprocket - 29th July
SchroSawMummyRidingSantaClaus - Unknown

Scan unit was open yesterday so I could have my scan yea! So so amazed by what I could see. So much change since early scan at 10 weeks. DH and I kept shouting out excitedly when we saw something new: hand bones, feet, scull, brain! Little bean even stuck its tongue out at us! So relieved things are progressing well, I even gained a couple of days- Orange and Thinking we are due date buddies!

We didn't have NT testing as we didn't want further invasive tests if we got a low score. So happy that things look good though.

I'm thinking of going for Midwife unit at my local hospital which is next to labour ward if you need more help/pain relief but offers a more holistic approach. I think I'd be scared at home.

I've updated the list- I'm now 14+0

princessllama-dc3-27th June
CottonSocks - 1st July
QuinandThem - 1st July
Badgerwife - DC2 - 1st July
Cutandstick - 2nd July
Runswithsquirrels - 2nd July
Thinkingof4- DC4 -2nd July
VinegarDrinker - DC2 - 2nd July
Persuasion - 3rd July
esme80 - 3rd july
Glup - 3rd July
emblosion - 3rd July
BB01 - 4th July
Dinkystinky - DC3 - 4th July
elliejjtiny - 4th July
wifey6 - 5th July
Notprincesskate - DC2 - 5 July
OhGood - 5th July
PenguinsInThePantry - 5th July
marmitemad DC2 - 6th July
Gingerpanther27 - 7th July
DifferentNow - DC5 - 7th July
Abzs - DC1 - 7th July
Efme - 8th July
GeorgieWilson - 9th July
shelley72 - 9th -
Devilforasideboard - 10th July
CitizenOscar - DC2 - 10th July
Calmisthemantra - 11th July
Specialknickers - 11th July
MrsMillions - DC1 - 11th July
mysterymeg - 12th July
Reikimummy - 12th July (DC1)
SlouchingPanda - 12th July
Thundercatz - 12th July
Twirliedobbit - DC4 - 12th July
Hai1988 - 14th July
LittleFlower888 - 14th July
Tashtastic - 14th July
Beaditsback - dc2 14th July
Lizincornwall - 15th July
Mizar - 15th July
photographerlady - 15th July
Guavasforbreakfast - DC1 - 16th July
paolocee/donna - 17th July
missmaybe - 18th July
MrsWildermac - 18th July
TotallyEggFlipped - 18th July
SingingMomma - 18th July
GingerJulep - DC1 - 19th July
Niktasha - 19th July
whitedaffodil - 19th July
Grannyapple DC2 - 19th July
orangebubbles - DC2 - 20th July
Thinking positive thoughts - 20th July
Cheeseandbread - DC1 - 20th July
AmaDablam - DC1 - 21st July
butterflyexperience - 22nd July
BadMissM- DC2- 22nd July
Isitme1 - 23rd July
MightBeMad - 23rd July
Supershiv1 - DC1 - 23rd July
Boostar - 24th July
Cantreachmytoes - 24th July
Camb79 - 25th July
Sashabella0 - 25th July
MrsRoss26 - 26th July
BoyMeetsWorld - 27th July
marimama - 27th July
YikesHereWeGo - 27th July
JessicaMLH - DC2 - 27th July
Flyingsprocket - 29th July
SchroSawMummyRidingSantaClaus - Unknown

Princess I am awake most nights. I try not to fidget too much to wake DH. I normally end us researching baby stuff on my phone and worry about school and all the work I need to do.

Annoyed about Jeremy Vine- didn't hear it but can imagine what was said. I normally like listening to him in the holidays. Why do people always have to rubbish the profession- everyone I know woks really hard.

Rant over- sorry

Glad you got your scan and everything's looking good, Cheeseandbread

I'm still waking up loads in the night. It was like this last time too. I think maybe my body is trying to get me in training for the sleepless nights with a baby......

Also away in the night for at least two hours after loo trip, though slept on my own one night this week and had no probs Now it's got to the stage I expect it so just lie awake and I LOVE my sleep. Maybe my body has started my training for broken sleep!

Morning! Feeling a little fed up today as the snow has scuppered our plans for going to see my parents and best friend this weekend. Hey ho, at least we now have two days with absolutely nothing planned to chill out and hibernate!

princess is your itching caused by dry skin? If so I recommend trying a bath in E45 emoillent bath (sorry not sure of correct spelling) or something like Oilatum - always sorts me out. There is a cream called Doublebase that's really good too, I've used it in the past for dry skin and a friend was actually prescribed it for itching in pg. You won't see it on the shelves but most pharmacies will have some out the back that they'll sell you if you ask at the counter.

I keep thinking I feel little fluttery movements occasionally, but then last night I was feeling the same thing right under my ribs and I'm sure there's no way the baby has migrated up there yet! It is my first though so seems unlikely I'll be able to feel anything for sure for a few weeks yet, so waiting patiently for that moment....

marimama I have stuck to tops, dresses and leggings on eBay as I think you're fairly safe going for your usual size in them, but you do have a point when it comes to jeans and trousers re. needing to try them on. I can be anything from a 10 to a 14 in normal trousers depending on how they come up so who knows what I may need in maternity ones. Also, never having been pregnant before I'm not sure whether I'll prefer over- or under-bump ones.

Stay safe and warm, everyone!

13+6

singingmomma I was sick this morning and I'm 15+3. It's so much better than it was though, eased off from around 14 weeks I think. I still don't have much of an appetite but I think that may be a result of not eating much for about 3 months!

Still loads of snow here. Couldn't get the cat to the vet but he just wants to sleep at the moment and I managed to get another appt on Monday. I've had to take the day as leave but I have a long commute and don't really fancy it if the roads are still bad so am looking forward to a day mooching about. I don't think any of DH's colleagues got to work from here on Friday and they're in the army so I don't think anybody should be having a go at teachers.

Somehow managed to miss the last page of posts....Welcome singingmomma and yes, at 14 weeks tomorrow I am still tired and nauseous, although it is slowly getting better.

Glad you had such a lovely scan cheeseandbread

Sorry for all those not sleeping . I always wake several times but do generally manage to get back off luckily. I slept appallingly up until about 7 weeks but fortunately seems to have settled down again. For now...

Still puking at 16 weeks here.

Sorry your appointment didn't go well badmissm

I've got my consultant/registrar appointment on 30th January. Dreading it as with DS3 they brushed over my concerns about me and DS2 having hypermobility syndrome and went on for ages about me being high risk of having high bp even though I've never had high bp even after trying to entertain 2 children in the antenatal clinic for an hour.

I'd like to give birth in the mw unit attatched to the hospital but I'm not allowed because my bmi is over 30. I was really lucky last time on labour ward and got a lovely midwife who tried really hard to let me have the birth I wanted despite being high risk. She knew I wanted a water birth so she got me a washing up bowl filled with warm water to dunk my feet in and we put a lush bath bomb in there too to hide the hospital smell. I must have looked so funny sat on a birth ball with my feet in a washing up bowl with the ctg monitor on! I'd said I wanted to give birth somewhere familiar too (really wanted a homebirth) so she asked me what room DS2 was born in after we were transferred and she got me in the same room. Hoping I get a lovely midwife this time too.

16+1

Marimama Dinkystinky MarieKL A Doula sounds a good idea, but as I live in the arse end of beyond miles from a major city, actually finding one that will come here might be a problem...also, I know what Doulas do, but don't know the mechanics of the system...do you have to pay a Doula? For me, that would be pretty impossible atm, have been unemployed for 2 years...

Vinegardrinker The MLU here is 40 miles form the nearest hospital with a maternity unit..my friend tried to give birth there and ended up airlifted the 40 miles when it went badly wrong...

Also they've said I can't use the MLU, am 45, BMI of 30, 6 previous bad pregnancies. Now they think I might have gestational diabetes, my blood-pressure (usually troublingly low) has shot up. I also have pre-existing medical conditions that would make a traditional labour hard, painful, or impossible, depending on how they play up on the day....

Afternoon all and welcome Singingmomma - sorry to hear you're still suffering from morning (or is it all day?) sickness. Sorry to hear of all those suffering sleepless nights on the thread - fingers crossed it will pass soon. Have had super lazy day today - all kids classes cancelled so apart from a snowball fight in the garden and a quick trip for milk and bread havent ventured out at all today. DS2 and DH are currently making jam tarts in the kitchen.

Ellie - the midwife from DS3's birth sounds really really lovely. Hope you have a better consultant apptment on 30th than last time round and an equally lovely midwife this time round.

BadMissM - you might be surprised as doulas are all over the country and while you do pay for them, often they will do discounts/special deals for clients and they are alot cheaper outside the cities. Check out doulauk.org - you can search by postcode to find nearest doulas. I think I would go to your GP, if supportive, and relay your concerns - hopefully they will then absolutely insist on speaking to your consultant again and persuade them that your gestational diabetes and blood pressure plus existing conditions should be taken into account.

Ama - over or under bump is such a personal choice. Try a few on to see how you like them. I found underbump works best for me until around 30-32 weeks then its over bump all the way to the end.

Ps glad you had a good scan Cheeseandbread - its amazing how quickly babies develop isnt it! Glad your cat seems to just be resting but not in pain Devil.

Itchy skin - best I've tried is diprobase but think aqueous cream is nearly as good and way cheaper!

Sorry to all those still feeling ill [sad
I am still beyond tired most nights but luckily feeling okay otherwise as long as I keep eating!

Definitely can understand hb views re the risk but there are so many factors at play and such limited that it's negligible if it's really any riskier and it still feels like the right choice for me

badmiss that sounds really tough, I was going to suggest asking if you could be booked for a different hospital but I guess that's probably not an option either. I can't quite remember, were you hoping for elective cs? With so many medical problems I can't understand why they won't be more supportive. Maybe a sympathetic GP could help?
My sil had a doula when she had her first baby a few months ago, she had a really lovely waterbirth and I don't think it cost too much, but no idea exactly how much

Those who are not sleeping well, have you got a maternity pillow? I got mine out of loft a few weeks ago and am sleeping so much better, it's amazing
mine is just a really long straight pillow, you get various different kinds but basic one works well for me. Best £20 I ever spent (7 years on it's had a lot of use!!)

Hi all,
I've been missing in action since Christmas, but been lurking now and then. Good to hear of great scan news (ohGod had a few tears reading your post) and on hearing heartbeats. I got to hear sproglettes heart at my 16 week mw check, after a while trying to hunt for it - it was surprisingly low down which makes me realise that my big bump is not a babe bump but a bacon sarnie and cheese straw bump Must start eating more healthy stuff.

Still being sick most days but definately feeling better so hopefully I can start enjoying this pg a bit more. Though I think I'm nearly 18 wks (I forget exact dates) so I'm a bit miffed its gone on this long.

I'm quite envious of you all talking about lovely prams and travel systems shopping, I'd love to splurge, but they're just way to expensive for me so I'm going to stick with my trusty and indestructible secondhand Maclaren.

I've picked up some good maternity clothes from H&M but having trouble finding some smart casual trousers that fit. Most shops seem to have stopped stocking their maternity wear, just online, but I find I really need to try trousers on, it's rather frustrating.

Anyhow hope everyone is ok, and enjoying the snow - we have hardly any, DD and I are most disappointed.

hello all. not been about for a while, have had two poorly childen to look after this week . luckily the worst i have at the moment is a cold coming (thanks DD!).

good news on all the scans coming through, i was v sorry though to read about arkady - do hope you are doing ok. sounds like you have lots of support.

have my 16wk appt on monday so am looking forward to hopefully hearing the heartbeat, beginning to wonder if i am just a bit fat through too much cake as not felt any definite movements as yet. am also starting to think about buying some maternity clothes, as i'm beginning to feel a bit uncomfy by the end of the day. have a few forgiving dresses so i may get away with not buying too much at the moment. have had lovely stuff from isabella oliver in the past, but out of my price range now sadly.

so has anyone started their baby shopping yet? i think this time round its what i am missing the most!!! i do keep forgetting i am pregnant and i worry that this pregnancy will whizz past without me having the time to really enjoy it.

hope everyone is enjoying the snow, we took the DCs out sledging today for the first time and they loved it! not looking forward to the school run on monday in it though...

For dry itchy skin I found baby oil and aveeno both really helpful. The advantage of baby oil is that it doesn't feel as cold when you put it on as other moisturisers.
Bio oil made me even more itchy, I got given some last time and I wouldn't waste my money on it if you haven't tried it out to be sure it suits you first because it's crazily expensive.

Sundaysunshine I know the problem, haven't been at work for the last 2 years (still in middle of Employment Tribunal), and DD is 14, so I have nothing from first time at all.... would love to splurge but is more about seeing what I can afford.... and back in tribunal in 2 weeks...

Thinkingof4 Was hoping for Elective CS...with other problems I have plus being 14 years older than last time, not sure will manage VB. I'm literally on benefits, so think Doula may well be out of my price range...

Dinkystinky My GP is really flippant about whole thing...she didn't hink it was neccessary to ask for a nuchal scan or Downs' testing either. Just feeli like no-one taking me seriously realy

badmissm and sundaysunshine I'll be joining you in the not splurging. This is DC4 so we have all the baby stuff already although tbh most of it is quite tatty. I've got some cheap vests from ASDA and a tie dying kit so hoping to get creative in a few months. Most of the vests I have are ancient and bobbly, ok for under babygrows but I think with july babies they won't be wearing anything over the top of their vests.

16+1

I wish I hadn't looked at the Isabella Oliver website now - totally gorgeous dresses but so completely purse-emptying! I wonder if it's worth splurging on just one item maybe (or just hunting on ebay?) as dresses definitely seem the most comfortable option, even at this early stage.

On biooil: I have used this before for scars, and have found it lovely on my chest recently. It's definitely helping me feel like I may avoid stretchmarks, and if nothing else my DH enjoys putting it on! So sorry to hear of those still suffering from MS, I feel like I'm emerging at last from the never-ending tiredness so maybe we'll all start feeling more human soon?

Still no baby shopping for me yet. Scan on Wednesday, so hopefully after that? Though if this snow sticks around for too long I can't see me leaving the house much...! A walk in wellies today was fun, but the car has yet to be moved and watching everyone else struggling to move their cars on our road is off-putting.

elliejjtiny Think I'll be looking longingly at younger friends who've all recently had babies (last 2 years). Anything I did have for DD when tiny got left behind/given away when we left France, too.

Will also be looking on Ebay etc for nice second-hand stuff, as at 45 don't think I'll be having any more!

MrsRoss26 I got some lovely stuff from a really cheap shop...Savers? Home Bargains? called Rescue Oil. Very like Bio Oil but about £1.50 or so... and I'm allergic to loads of things, but this is great!

We still have no snow, either...