December 2013 part 2.

[TakingTheStairs]

Just starting a new thread as we're starting to run out of room on the first. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/a1716486-December-2013#38680515

Ganetgob my scan is in 2 weeks too. June 5th. Can't wait!

I had a scan last week...and then another one next week, but I've hit 12 weeks now!

Haha not a prob ganet.. I flipin wish it was me!

Very envious of all these scans! I think mine will be a couple of weeks away as I am only booking in on Saturday, when I'm 10wks I think.

Have had really bad tummy problems - hideous constipation (sorry if tmi) on Saturday when I was in utter agony. I am now on a major fibre diet so hopefully I can avoid a repeat of Saturday! I was told by a pharmacist that none of the remedies were suitable in pregnancy so I'm going to ask the midwife on Saturday if she agrees, as it's be good to have a fall back plan if the all-bran, prunes and kiwis don't do the job!!

Very envious of the holidays and minibreaks being mentioned - I have decided to save up my annual leave and use it to kick start my maternity leave instead. I'm working 4 days a week at the mo but that's only for this year while I cover for someone else; due to go back to 3 days next year which means my maternity pay will be calculated based on a 3 day week which means we'll be super skint! Supposed to be saving this year but so far we're failing...!!

Lisba, you can take Lactulose completely safely in pg but I think it's prescription only. Go see your gp and ask for it. It's the only thing that got me through the first few weeks. It makes you v thirsty and VERY farty but I reckon that beats being constipated, nothing worse imho.My bowels have settled down now, hopefully yours will too.

I cycled 12 miles yesterday and can still walk today!

Thanks Holly - I will definitely ask for some lactulose!

Well done on your bike ride, that is seriously impressive! I am trying to increase my activity a bit as have just been so sluggish and knackered that it's left me feeling like a big blob.

Have renewed my enthusiasm in walking our dog, and am planning to start swimming once a week with my mum, as she wants to lose weight so I thought we could motivate each other.

I'm trying to be as healthy as poss this week (and for the next 30 or so, if I can!!) so that my weigh in with the midwife is hopefully not too scary. I know I am overweight and was before being pg, but am just scared of being told quite how bad it is!

Lisa & holly you can buy it over the counter from the chemist, but of course once you have your exemption card you can get it free on prescription (but you would have to wait a couple of weeks for your card etc..)
It's very very sweet stuff!

Dasie it's rubbish isn't it when you don't have the support you want or wish for at least! Oh well, plenty to be happy about so I'm not going to let it get me down.

well done Holly on your cycle- I did a 15 mile cycle on sunday and had to sit on the sofa for over an hour after as I was so tired! We're cycling on holiday in June so need to keep my fitness up- my mum is a bit worried that i'll be overdoing it but as long as I feel ok I figure it can only be good??

(I don't think exercise during pregnancy was encouraged in her day)

Lisa another thing that you don't have to buy on prescription that might help is ground flaxseed. I put a few dessert spoons on my porridge or cereal every day- it's very good at keeping the bowels regular and really really healthy- it has omega 3 etc in it- (and it doesn't taste of anything) you can find it in most supermarkets or healthfood stores. You can also put it in other things including baking.

Holly and mumof2 you sicken me!!! [Envy] all my adult life I've been really fit, I'm a climber and gave up the day I found out I was pregnant (I spend a lot of time dangling upside down waiting to hit the wall after attempting something risky), and now, less than five weeks on I am exhausted and foot/leg/kneee/hip-sore after and hour and fourty minute walk to the next village and back. Which incidentally is another story: I went along to the surgery in the next village for my booking in appointment for 9am, only to be told it's at 2pm, baby brain? I fear so...

So I have been given 2 bottles of champagne one from my employers and one from the youth group for the engagement... Neither of which I can drink...

But I feel bad that next week I will be telling work that I am also expecting (how no one has guessed is beyond me!!!) and will be off for a year at Xmas...

I need to get some exercise... Just finding time is impossible...

Glad the scans are going well...

Thanks mumoftwo, someone else told me about flaxseed so I need to get some. I did find some linseeds in my cupboard at the weekend though and have been sprinkling those on my cereal as apparently they do a similar job! I am feeling a lot better today so am hopefully making progress with the focused effort on food, but will definitely ask the midwife about the lactulose!

bonkers I won a bottle of champagne recently and it just annoyed me so I gave it away as a raffle prize! Probably shouldn't have been so hasty and could have saved it until the new year...

I'm not as fit as I used to be. I used to run 6 miles twice a week, yoga once or twice a week plus swimming and cycling. Got out of the rhythm of it when I got ill about 18 months ago with colitis and never quite back into it. I was knackered yesterday, had to lie down for 2 hours and had jelly legs. But I must say I feel loads better today, more energetic and motivated. Possibly cos I took the morning off (!) and had a lovely lie in. But exercise always energises me, when I can find the time and be arsed! If any of you have got a Wii, I think the dance games are great exercise. Good fun, something you can do for just 5 minutes here and there when you're at home.

My first pair of maternity jeans arrived yesterday. They're great at the top but I can only conclude they were made in the land of drainpipe leg people. I'm pretty slim but really struggled to get my legs into them, even on the calves. I like skinny jeans as much as the next person but these are ridiculous, really badly designed. So I'm back to wearing my old skinny jeans (that don't cut off the circulation to my legs) with the extender things, which are quite good, until the next pair of maternity jeans arrive. Oh well I suppose that's the risk you take with buying stuff on ebay! Gah, this whole maternity clothes thing is really annoying.

Hi girls, a few questions.

So not sure if anyone read the article about co-sleeping and SIDS in this mornings paper. Theres a thread about it on MN running right now too.

Here is my problem, I did co-sleep with N, but we used a snuggle nest; also since we have a gigantic bed (3mx3m) we used to just place snuggle-nested babe in the space between the headboard and our pillows (which was still had about 2ft of clearance space)...we do have a cot and will be using it during the day+when dh and I want alone time; but I'm really struggling to see if co-sleeping under these conditions would still be a bad idea.

**also, I am really struggling with our dog atm. I really love him; but I am being pressured by relatives to re-home him. He's getting bigger by the day (8 months old) and is also becoming more and more badly behaved. I do spend about an hour training him everyday and I take him on 2 (1-1.5 hour long walks day) I just don't understand what I can do to calm him down. Ds is also now teaming up with Milo (our dog) to add to the daily mischief. Am I being selfish in keeping a dog while living in Central London instead of finding him a home somewhere in the country? I honestly felt that because I live soo close to hyde park he would enjoy living here as much as I would love having him; but MIL is adamant that he's unhappy because he's not meant for the 'city'....(I'm seriously crying right now--anyone have any advice) I really felt that love, kindness and walks was all a dog would need (besides food+vet stuff).

Hello all.

Feel fab today. Managed to nearly slero through last night for first time in weeks. Now paranoid its cos something is wrong.

Qow what sort of dog is he? Have a look at his diet and see if he would benefit from a change. Some foods are packed with e numbers and crap and lead towards bad behaviour. I feed Wainwrights to my 2yr old whippet. Its pets at home own brand natrual dried food without loads of rubbish n its very good value.

Id change his walk routine as well. 3 20 min walks and one big one shoulf reduce his stamina a bit and break his day up more meaning he may spend more time snoozing and less time causing chaos.

No reason why any dog cant live in the city but some such as working collies or spaniels never really make good pet dogsand need the stimulation a working life brings.

Holly I'm struggling to do anything too (apart from the odd cycle) I was doing pilates every week till I got pregnant then felt too sick/tired to go, and by the time I feel better I won't be able to do half the stuff (instructor reluctantly said she could bring special pregnancy stuff so I could continue but its a big class and she has to lug enough stuff as it is!) I have a pilates in pregnancy book so may just try to do it at home...

I'm not sure about the skinny maternity jeans- I love skinny jeans when not pregnant but I just think when I've got a big bump I'm just going to look like I might topple over with a big bump sticking out! I may try some on when I've got a bump, or else just stick to bootleg again.

Queen sorry to hear about your dilemma with your dog- I'm not really a dog person (I like dogs just never had one) but I can't see why you can't keep him if he gets loads of exercise (and it sounds like he does!) and is happy. It just depends if you think you can handle a lively dog who still needs some training and a baby- could be a bit hectic! I find it hard enough to look after a cat sometimes ;-) (he's very demanding in the cuddles department and I just don't have the time bless him)

Regarding co-sleeping- I have never done it with either of mine - just had the moses basket next to the bed in the beginning. Looking at the snuggle nest, looks pretty secure- i.e. baby can't roll out so I don't see why it wouldn't be safe. I also do love those cots where one side comes down and it can be clipped to the side of the bed- that's a great safe way to co-sleep I think.

My scan is good news. T2 is dated at 12w and T1 is dated at 11+1w but according to the scan and tests T1 developing as well as T2 and T1 is growing just slower and AF has risen slightly.

T1 still to be monitored for miscarriage risk. I am no longer on bed rest and hydration routine just light activities and to keep my fluids up.

T2 was sucking their thumb and had hiccups. Can't stop staring at the scan photo :)

I use a co-sleeper at the side of the bed but for the first month we use one that goes in the bed at the top.

Thanks for the input Frouby and mumof2boys

as far as co-sleeping is concerned, I'm feeling a bit better.

Milo is eating a diet of raw meat and skinners field and trial kibble. We've changed it from royal canin because our vet ran out of food. We're trying skinners because it says it's gluten free and also happens to be super reasonably priced.

will having him neutered really make a difference? He's tried to eat our rabbit about 5 times this morning. I'm truly scared.

queenofwhisper what breed of dog is he? Certain breeds don't settle well without constant exercise and stimulation. Other things to consider:
Have you had him dressed (knackers cut off)?
Have you looked at what he is fed (my dog is very susceptible to E-numbers, some foods are a bit like blue smarties for him)?
Have you changed anything in the house or his routine lately? He may be distressed by a change and acting out (there's a hormone aerosol you can buy like feliway but for dogs that may help)
Have you made sure he has enough stimulation when he's not going for walks? Mine is an energetic nightmare if I don't leave him "things to do" whilst I'm out.

i've just checked out the NCT Bednest and so want one now!! A great alternative for co-sleeping. Anyone had/tried one? It can be hired or bought www.bednest.com

the thing I found with a moses cot with my DC's was having to jump out of bed to get them then climb in to bed to feed or soothe. With the bednest I could just reach across to soothe or feed quite easily. Now I just have to convince DH! Also can be used up to 7 months which means I won't have to kick DC2 out of his cot so early to give it to the new baby!

Queen your dog is only 8 months old. He will be bouncy and energetic for a long while yet.
Can you look at getting a professional walker that will take him out for at least an hour long walk every day. The socialisation with other dogs and stimulation will tire him out... and if you are finding him hard work, it will be a bit of a break for you.
You say you're training him for about an hour a day. That's fantastic, what kind of things are you doing with him?
We have our dog enrolled in adolescent classes to help continue his training and help with his socialisation. Is there anything like that near you that you could look into?

Hi guys,

Milo is a labrador--and he's ever soo cute/sweet. He's just soo very jumpy. During our daily training sessions, I'm working on his walkin to heel (which is terrible still) and his pulling+jumping. He just can't stop jumping up at people...and when he jumps on me and knocks me down, I do feel a little bit abused. It doesn't help that whenever I do take him out for a walk quite a few people do stop us just to play with him and indulge his need for attention. I think this encourages his need to jump up and lick. Vet wants us to wait till he's closer to 1 before we have him 'clipped'.

He's fully house trained, he's just terrible with the jumping+barking and pulling. Not to mention his need to eat the rabbit. The rabbit leaves tonight (I was pet sitting for my best friend)
I think hiring someone to help with Milo might be a good idea, as well as more training classes.

Hi all, just wondering if anyone else has had a decrease in symptoms yet? I'm between 9 and 10 weeks, my symptoms (I didn't have that many to begin with) have pretty much disappeared and I'm worried I've got a private scan booked for this Saturday (the day before my 29th, so let's hope everything is ok otherwise it's going to be a shitty birthday! )

I've stopped feeling the morning sickness, but my breasts are still sore-ish.

CC between weeks 9-10 my nausea settled right down and then between weeks 10-11 it came back with a vengeance (including some puking- sorry TMI) and then this last week, 11-12+ the nausea has settled right down again and I only really feel ill when I'm travelling in a car.

My boobs stopped hurting a few weeks ago!

Try not to worry as these things do fluctuate alot, easier said than done though I know!

ccsays my nausea and exhaustion eased up hugely around 9-10 weeks too. Don't worry, it seems to be normal for around that time.

Queen it is exhausting dealing with a puppy, believe me I know. A harness rather than a lead on a collar might help with the pulling. It makes a big difference for our dog. We have a "step in " type harness.
As for the jumping, the need for attention shouldn't have anything to do with that, it's good that he's not scared of people. Maybe a trainer will be able to help with some positive reinforcement to stop the jumping?
You'll get there! Don't give up!