July Mummies - 3rd Trimester = lots of loo roll!!

[IamBlossom]

MummyZena 22.7.06 34 expecting a girl
HumphreysCorner 1.7.06 Age 36 Expecting a girl
usandbump 3.7.06 Age 28 Expecting a boy
bumpybel 4.7.06 Age 32 (33 in May)
spub 4.7.06 Age 35 (36 in August) Expecting a boy
twisty 5.7.06 Age 27
puddytat99 6.7.06 (Age 33)
dangirl 8.7.06 Age 31
deblaca 8.7.06 Expecting a boy
jane OT 9.7.06
OldieMum 11.7.06 Age 44
lilianna 12.7.06
kayzed 14.7.06 Age 32 (33 on 9/7) Expecting a girl
AggiePanther 15.7.06 Age 37 (38 on 21/7)
monkeychops 16.07.06
2ndtimelucky 16.7.06
jom 17.7.06 Age 37
mumtwobe 18.7.06
Straightforward 19.7.06 Age 32 (33 on 20/6)
jersey 21.7.06 Age 34 (35 on 30/5) Expecting a Boy
heartinthecountry 22.7.06 Age 34
agalch 23.7.06 Age 34 (35 on 10/4)
madness 23.7.06
Clara1 23.7.06
pinkdolly 25.7.06 Age 25 Expecting a girl
entropy 25.7.06
IamBlossom 26.07.06 30 Expecting a boy
Wallace 27.7.06 Age 27
malachismum 27.7.06
kbaby 28.7.06
maewest 28 or 30.7.06
Cwmtydu 31.7.06

Thanks for that Kayzed

deblaca- glad someone else writes lists Will def let you know what m/w says, although don't hold your breath for anything useful, I had to wait until I was 28 weeks for my first appt with her and have since left 2 messages for her to ring me and heard nothing Now 32 wks and supposed to see her fortnightly can't see it happening.

Well off to antenatal class now will let you know how it goes
Hope you all have a restful painfree night x

kayzed-I'm surprised at my placenta as well. He didn't say about distance as they need to use the probe to be sure of the measurements hence my next visit. Fully expected it to have moved like last time.

xxx

Hi everyone,

This might sound daft but...

Are all the things in these baby books and catalogues really necessary? I mean, do you need a bottle warmer, or will a jug of hot water do? And does when you "top and tail", does the water have to be cooled, boiled water or can you just use tap water?

Obviously I would never compromise the safety of my LO, but all these things such seem to be pushed down your throat like you absolutely have to have one of everything they sell or your baby will be scarred for life!! Bad Mummy!!

Also nursing bras, are they really useful or just another gimmick?

So rant over for today (I think!!)

Take care everyone
xx

I spoke to my GP about urine tests, she said that their surgery doesn't do them as a matter of course any more. Apparently if your blood pressure is not going up, and you are not swollen, they don't do them again until week 35? Well, I guess that is OK. Have to have faith etc...

My God, the Jeremy Kyle show is SO DEPRESSING!!!!

I am also self-employed (hence the daytime TV in the background), had to send off my maternity certificate and a form I got from the job centre, can claim maternity pay of £106 per week... better than a kick in the pants.

Off to 2nd "parent craft" class today - we are covering pain relief. Should be fun!!!

Happy Wednesday all.

Kay - yes, they are mostly a huge waste of money and resources, designed to intimidate first time parents into parting with loads of cash by scaring them to death! Don't know about bottle warmers, as I breast fed and it's always the right temp, but I think generally a bowl of hot water is fine. As for top and tail bowls - what is that all about?!?!? - ended up using ours to store cotton wool in. Oh, and the water doesnt' have to be boiled and cooled unless you're cleaning an infected cord stump, or eye, for example. Normal face washing etc can be done with tap water. As I've said before on this thread - DON'T READ THE CATALOGUES!! They are designed to scare you into spending money!!!!

All of that aside, I'd say nursing bras are an absolute must, unless your boobs are small enough just to be able to discreetly pull up a normal bra. Otherwise, you end up arsing about with taking your bra off - not a great look in public . (But only if you're planning to bf, obviously, in which case, you most definitely don't need a bottle warmer).

Oh, and as I've also said before, my mum said last time 'the shops won't close when the baby's born' - if you end up needing/wanting a bottle warmer in the end, they'll still be there!

Right, second and subsequent timers, this has made me think about helping the first timers by compiling a list of 'must haves', 'helpfuls' and 'don't waste your cash' baby stuff. Are you up for it?

Here goes mine:

Must-haves

• somewhere for LO to sleep (this does not have to be a state-of-the-art expensive cot)
• sheets and a couple of fleecy blankets
• nappies - cloth or disposable (but you don't have to buy a year's worth in one go)
• about 10 vests, 10 babygros, a sun hat (you'll be given a million cute outfits etc)
• car seat (if you have a car!)
• buggy or baby sling
• changing mat
• cotton wool
• big tub of Sudocrem or sim
• old knickers and maternity pads
• nursing bra
• breast pads

Helpfuls

• muslin squares
• baby lotion
• wipes? (though they are terrible for baby's skin they are useful for when out and about)
• steriliser (ok this is a must have if bottle feeding, but a useful if bfing)
• breast pump
• bottles, teats etc for expressed milk
• some kind of bag for nappies, changing mat etc when going out (but NOT necessary to spend ridiculous amounts on this - can just be a smallish bag you can transfer between existing large bags or put on buggy etc)
• baby bath
• baby monitor, if you live in a large house

don't waste your cash

• top and tail bowl
• matching bloody everything
• baby oil, talc.... yadda yadda (apart from lotion)
• tons of little outfits
• minature Timberland boots, adidas trainers etc (what is that about!?!?)
• those parasols for buggies (they are never at the right angle anyway)
• bottle warmers
• baby food processors
• anything like that!!

OK, brain melted now so I've probably missed off a whole load of obvious stuff, but let's try to compile a really good list.

Kay I breastfed at first, for three months, but when DS went onto bottles of formula I served them to him at room temp, or zapped them in the microwave for 25 seconds, still do that with his cows milk. OF COURSE I test it and OF COURSE I wouldn't scald his mouth, it's common sense really. I bought a bottle warmer and shouldn't have bothered, if you leave it in a second too late it makes it too hot, and then you have to cool it down! Total faff and totally unecessary....

oh and agree with SF about her list, espesh the buggy parasol, I don't think I have ever bought a more annoying item.

straightforward - love you ........... (thanks for the list)
i'll have to add it to my other growing list .... yes - i love lists

Hey all

SF what a fab list, thats really useful info for us niave 1st timers!
How is it all the mags, catalogues ect brainwash you into thinking your LO will be less loved without this or that?

At least MN peeps are fab at making it all o away !!

Evening ladies

Had my GTT this morning and great news!!!
It was ok and my homebirth will deffo be going ahead.Glucose drink not pleasant but 4/5 attempts to get the bloods each time so i resemble a pin cushion atm.I am soooo pleased and excited i am having a large(ish) glass of wine tonight.

Hope you all are fine and well xx

Hi all - been offline for a few days as our internet connection has been down. Nightmare - think I got MN withdrawal symptoms!

I'd really like a homebirth (first baby) and altho my mw is not exactly against the idea, she hasn't been that supportive either. Her view seems to be 'well, you can go for that, but you know you'll probably end up going into hospital'. Also I broached the subject at my first appt but we haven't really discussed it since. Had my 28 appt on Monday and she was more concerned with jabbing me with sharp implements :)

Have been going to NCT classes, which are ok, good to meet other parents, but MN is deffo the best source of practical information I've found. Also have an NHS antenatal class this afternoon at 2pm, it's practically the only one out of the series of four that I can actually get to as I'm really busy at work at the mo. Apparently this one's on labour, so maybe will get a chance to ask about homebirth then...

Take care all - esp those of you having a hard time. :)

Great list HC! I can't think of anything else to add and I definitely agree with everyone who says that there's a whole load of crap out there you could buy.

Babies and weddings: its a minefield out there with so many companies all pushing their 'must have' products!!

Thanks guys, SF I think I love you. I've gone throught my "Mothercare list" already and with my practical head on, deleted about 10 things off my list, i.e bottle warmer and stuff and lucklily I had most of your must have list anyway, so saved money too!!

It is hard for first timers, coz like JaneOT said, they make you feel like your baby will be mising out if you don't buy everything going, and so you do, and find you don't need half the crap they pushed you into buying!!

We "firsties" really appreciate all the advice!!

Have a lovely day everyone
TTFN xx

maewest - there's no reason that you shouldn't have a homebirth as a first birth - once you've had a straight forward pregnancy and no expected complications - and there is still enough time to organise it . I would be v interersted in what feedback you get from raising it. I'm aiming to have one as a first timer however I'm not giving myself a hard time and when it comes to it and I feel that I need or want to go to hospital well thats what I'll do and that's ok.

I've just got back from my 3rd nct antenatal class and we discussed the whole culture of fear that's promoted around child birth and as a result the negative connotations attached. I felt quite empowered after (just need to work on sustaining that posititivity).

Hope yall are enjoying this beautiful day.
xx

That's pretty much how I feel about it deblaca - I'm not fixed on homebirth as some 'perfect birth', and understand that hospital is there as a back up. I feel a bit more positive today as went to an NHS antenatal today and managed to speak to the other mw at my clinic (not met her before). She was a lot more positive and said that of course they would support us - staff shortages permitting. To be honest, I think this is the root of the prob, the mws are generally supportive of home birth as long as you've had an uncomplicated pg, but they're under pressure because of scarce resources. I feel a letter to my mp coming on :)

We've also been doing NCT, which has been helpful, and also my antenatal yoga class is excellent - lots of practical stuff around positions, relaxation, breathing etc, and generally a really sorted bunch of women who make me feel like I can do this!

Evening all

Had m/w appt this morning and saw yet another m/w but she was lovely and let me ask all my questions without a hint of impatience! Asked about painful hips and she said this is very common and unless its unbearable to just go with it and rest up as much as poss, if it gets too much I can see a physio and get fitted with a corset. It can be eased by using a v pillow, sleeping in the recovery position and getting off your feet as much as poss during the day.
First antenatal class went well although it felt a little long 7-9 pm, I go to bed these days at 9 pm and when you have been at work since 7.00am it makes it a very long day. We talked about the start of labour and what we may feel, when we should go to hospital and ways to help ease pain at home.
Discussing pain relief next week and interested to know how that will go coz I got the impression she frowns upon epidurals and that is what I'm planning on!
Went to Asda earlier for grapefruit and bought mango instead so typical of me at the mo, I'm a danger to myself and those around me

Hi ladies,

What a beautiful day!!!
Had to sit under the parasol in the garden today coz it was sooo hot. Girls were out all day, heavily ladden with sun cream of course.

But...(Rant alert!!!)
We dont have an outside tap, so last week DH bought an attachment to fit tap for hose. Of course he wacked it straight on and watered the garden no probs. Could I do it? no way. Me and mum tried for an hour to stick the bloody thing on. Water kept spitting out all over the place. On one occassion we even managed to get the ceiling!
In the end I had to spend about another hour watering the garden with a watering can. Now my back is absolutly screaming at me, all that waddling backwards and forwards with a full can. And I know the plants still havent had enough. rant over.

Have to admit that I have been a bit naughty. I should have had my 28 week check with mw last thursday. But I was feeling ill and didn't go. Was gonna ring and cancel but chose not to (as a matter of principle). I feel that my care this pg has been awful. Have rang my mw several times in the past and she has never once returned my calls, I have to chase and chase to get anything. So I thought i'd just leave it and see whether she would check on me.

A week later and she still hasn't called. I know it sounds petty, but am just so annoyed at the standard of care that I am recieving.

Well, I hope everyone else is ok.
Kayzed-I think it's a great idea making a list of what you need for the baby. I have really bad preggy head at the mo and cant think of anything else, but if i do I'll make a list too.

Hope tomorrow is as good as today. Have a good evening.

Apologises to you StraightForward on thanking HC not yourself for the list. Yet another Preghead moment by myself!! Just wanted to let you know we all appreciate your hard work.

Have just booked into a 'breathing and relaxation' class at my hospital as you're all talking about your classes and I was beginning to feel that I could do with a refresher as having an em c-section last time I didn't really use any of the labouring knowledge gained in my classes. And its all a bit fuzzy now 2 and a half years on. Mind you this lot will probabaly all go out the window at the crucial time too!!

I like the sound of you coming away from your classes feeling empowered deblaca! Hope I get some of that too!

Enjoying the weather. Had a pedicure yseterday (first one ever!) and my waxing today so I'm feeling great!

Just logged on for the first time since posting that list, about to apologise because I felt I'd had a rant, then read all of your lovely remarks about how helpful it had been - feel all glowy now!! Glad it helped!

Lovely day here and this afternoon I'm taking DD into Brighton to see the 'Streets of Brighton' stuff - loads of free entertainment round every corner as part of the festival. Last year there were drumming bands, dancers on stilts, bizarre women 'swimming' down the street... DD loved it, and is really looking forward to going again (only this year it won't be freezing ). Have a good day, y'all.

Hi everyone

Jom, so jealous about pedicure. I don't think I can see my toes (so i suppose it does not really matter!)

I've got an appt with my GP today as my ankles have puffed out over night and my fingers too. Also my bump really hurts, like someone has squashed me...

Any way hope you ladies have a good day

Sam x