June 2013 - Thread 4 - don't forget your pelvic floor!

[redwellybluewelly]

Last thread too full to add a link, hope everyone can find their way back!

Withalittlesparkle how are you managing 60 months off??
Must really sit down and work out my leave. Boss is so disorganised he'll probably mess it up anyway...

That is the one benefit of working in a big secondary school, they are really organised with maternity leave and have led me through the whole process. Gonna take a year, then ideally go back part time. They are going to work out a breakdown for me of wages if I went down to 3 or 4 days a week so I can work it all out.

On a different note... I AM TOO EXCITED TODAY! Want my little man now! Think it is all the nesting etc that is contributing to that. I'm on half term so I have time off to watch OBEM and plan things.
Friend is passing on lots of 2nd hand bits and bobs on Wednesday - Moses basket, clothes etc. But, should I take her electric breast pump? Kind of want to, they are so bloody expensive, but I have also been reeding scaremonger stories online...the thing is, are those stories just there to make you buy new all the time? Because surely it wouldn't be sanitary to use a new one, then potentially wait a few years and use it again with your next child if milk had leaked into it somewhere? Surely mouldy old milk would be unsanitary whether it is yours or not?

mawgatron it may depend on the pump. I have one from ds (Medela pump in style) which I have stored since then. I'm replacing the parts that the milk runs through (in the case of the one I've got it's just the tubes, breast shields and valves). The main bulk of it is just a pump/motor and the milk doesn't come into contact with it. I know they say don't use a second hand one, but if you replace certain parts (and you can normally buy accessories kits/replacement parts fairly easily) I can't see how it would be a problem. Maybe have a look at it and see if you can work out how it works, and ensure you can replace bits you need to.

I thought sparkle was doing quite well for maternity - 60 months off!! Wow!

Gosh you are all sounding so organised - I am feeling a bit behind!

Hope the move finishes well, MrsBri.

AlohaMama - do you want to come back to the UK? Big move!

I wanted to ask you all - in terms of sleeping I keep reading you should really sleep on your left side as far as possible, particularly from the stage we are all at now onwards. I try to fall asleep on my left side (surrounded by pillows, the boyfriend has an iceberg's chance in hell of getting anywhere near me with all the bolstering!) but I am so MUCH more comfortable on my right side, or on my back, kind of 3/4 tilted against a pillow (so not lying flat, if that makes sense).

Should I do anything more or do you think our bodies will tell us if it's just too awful to lie on our backs? I know it's to do with a major nerve and blood supply....

I have, after spending the first half of this pregnancy not putting on weight and being really happy about that, seriously started to pork out. Worried as 15 weeks to go...!

Olimoss I found the dreamgenii pillow helped but I'm keen to see if anyone knows more about this - I like to sleep on left and right sides but I worry about turning in the night...

Oh I've seen that pillow but it kind of weirds me out with the built in 'arm' hugging you! I was wondering about whether to just get a couple of good quality V shaped pillows...

I've done quite a lot of pregnsncy training but am no expert. Left hand side is optimal for getting baby into best birthing position but ultimately sleep how you are comfy. If you sleep on your back your body will wake you up if its struggling (feeling sick, dizzy etc) but side laying is ideal if you can. Like I say just what I've been told so not gospel. I go to pregnancy class and the teacher said that's what is important is that you get sleep!

I was told much the same re sleeping. I aim for left or right but ultimately you are always going to move in the night. I tend to find that baby wakes me up if I lie on my back, in a sweet but annoying 'I really don't like this position mum' way. I read somewhere that there is no way you would ever be able to stay in a position long enough for it to actually hurt you and ultimately you shouldn't worry. I still occasionally wake up almost on my front. I am starting to fantasise about sleeping on my front again!

I am stressed today. We spent a lot of time researching prams etc only to discover pretty much nothing will fit in the boot of the car. I love my car. It?s a new beetle. It is not designed for children at all!

I am in the office. It is 1030. Someone has brought in a massive tray of crispy creams, a box of quality street and some satsumas for their birthday. I have had two satsumas as that didn't seem indecent. At what point is it acceptable to go over, break the seal and start shoving everything in my mouth? In public?!

I use the dreamgenii and position it for right sided sleeping. I do switch between left and right and you still get a bit of bump support, so you can change sides. I just prefer right sided sleep though.

I had found I kept waking on my back, which was strange as I never sleep that way, but the pillow has stopped that, thankfully.

Now is fine, Sarah! :-)

Reassuring, thanks all.

Donuts are go, Sarah! I'm about to crack into some slice I made on the weekend, as breakfast number 2. Keep me going till Lunch number 1.

This is the title of an email just received:

Lime Ginger and Toffee Cheesecake in the usual place - please help yourself

It's like they are trying to feed me:-)

Ahh I just replied to the sleeping post on the wrong thread Wanted to say that sleeping on both of my sides is not comfy for me. Weirdly I'd rather sleep on my back but I know it's a no no Also want to say stuffing face in public is totally acceptable during pregnancy DH cleaned my car yesterday and found all my secret chocolate wrappers. I'm now on a strict no chocolate diet for a couple of days

Sarah, pig out - my view is, this is probably my last pregnancy. After I have had this baby and finished breast feeding, i'll go on a diet. After I'm back to my 'pre baby weight' I'll probably have to continue vigilence on my weight/diet as being well in my 30s and having had DCs, it's very easy to gain weight and takes effort to remain the same size.

This means, once you factor in breast feeding, I have about 10 - 12 months of not watching what I eat and worrying about it, followed by about 30 years of self denial and restraint.

When you look at it that way, why would you waste any of this golden time in your adult life when you really can eat anything without worrying about it?

Crack open the cheesecake with a doughnut topping.

Sarah - re prams and boots, can you check if you can get a frame at least and then the seat/cot unit on the spare back seat? While I could get all of my icandy in the boot of my fiesta, I often couldn't be bothered (as it had to go in a particular way to fit) so would just stick the cot top on theback seat/in the rear foot well.

Seems exessive to change your much loved car over this!

Don'tMind - I might adopt that as my mantra and just see what level of porkage I can achieve.....

I would love to relax and keep eating chocolate but I feel if I did I would loose control! It helps to know Summer is on its way...don't want to be a fat mummy Is anyone else using to the Davina antenatal DVD?

I am now in love with Don'tMind. Much better advice than this five a day, good nutrition nonsense. Anyone going to the babyshow this weekend in london?

I am using Davina but find it a bit too chilled out so am also swimming and walking. Sarah we were supposed to go to the London baby show on saturday but actually I've changed my mind as think I might get swept up in it all and spend too much money, I am also rubbish in places like that at the moment, get all hot and bothered. Have fun though, hope you get some bargains!

The thought of a baby show frightens me, I'm afraid. I already refused the list of stuff we 'have' to get from the lady at John Lewis, and she looked at me like I was crazy!

I am going to the show in London on Saturday early breakfast then hopefully a day of bargain hunting for big stuff like the pram and furniture so excited

Hi everyone - I just found this today. I've read through the whole thread, it's really nice to have a place to hang out / share / chat!

I'm writing because I am soooo tired today. I'm not usually knackered on Mondays (as in no more than normal) but I'm really struggling today!! Falling asleep on my computer... I have to power through til 7pm - any tips? I can't have coffee at this time or I won't sleep tonight (should have had a stronger one this morning clearly), does chocolate or anything else do the trick? I'm too far from home to go and have a power nap! Argh! I wanna SLEEP!!

Also been reading the sleeping arrangements conversations with interest. I get so overwhelmed with what I need to buy and actually making a choice when faced with 50 different cot / pram types and well meaning advice. A good friend recommended an Inglesina Carrycot (a lying down thing - this is probably obvious to everyone else but me), which apparently can be used in the car too, though not sure this applies in the UK (she's Italian and uses it here all the same). But then when I asked her about what she had bought in more detail, it turns out she bought another pram system when the baby was 6 months old (the inglesina pushchair thing was too heavy apparently). The inglesina system is 800 euros already. People don't really buy a whole new system at 6months do they?? I've delegated this decision making to my husband who seems quite happy to have practical things to do, but being a total control freak I have many opinions of course! Only reason I am thinking about travel system is that we're hoping to go abroad for a few days a month after the baby is due (if labour all goes ok & is on time). This will involve coach, plane, car, metro and train travel... so not sure what is best way to carry the baby around! Sling & car seat I am thinking....

Zzzzzzz I'm so tired I think I might go and buy a mars bar and hope for a sugar rush!

June - sometimes a little walk around the office helps me or a window open for a bit. I know how you feel though its exhausting ploughing on in the office!

I was desperate to go to the baby show, unfortunately double booked myself! Baby brain!
Who ever goes hope you have a fantastic time!
I have just been sent home from work with a bad back, horrible head cold and incredibly tired as can't sleep with the back/cold combo! Joy! All I want is neurofen cold and flu!
As for the eating- the cheesecake with a donut topping sounds ideal! pear I had a horrible realisation last night when I went to my secret chocolate stash only to find that I had eaten my last bar without realising! Think I will have to send dh out on a sweet treat shop!
I went to my first nearly new sale at the weekend- got my first few bits, although I am team yellow I found my self drifting towards the blue rails! So got some unisex- yet probably meant for boys baby grows!! It is all becoming so real and even more exciting!
Hope Monday is treating everyone well!

P.s. sarah my brother and sister in law recommended to us to get a mclaren techno xt(?) or something like that, it's not a travel system at all, but apparently was easy to store, went flat for baby, and was pod for getting in and out of car- bus - train etc. I really want a pram/pushchair that faces me, so I'm ignoring their advise- but may be helpful to some people! Plus it's cheaper than most and lasted them for both their children.

Long message- sorry!

Sarah - yes that's a good tip Re Mclaren pram. My mum is going to buy one because she won't be able to carry our bugaboo as its too heavy for her. Apparently the Maclaren is the lightest and highly recommended for travel according to my friends. You can also use from birth to toddler.