Due February 2007 - 2nd Trimester

[CurrantBun]

For those of us due February 2007 and moving from the first to the second trimester ...

We've made it this far - only another 6 months to go! (Gulp!)

Evening Ladies

Being signed off sick has obviously made me spend hours on the internet! It has sent me dizzy looking at car seats and travel systems but these are my priorities (check out the first-timer!)

1. Good named car seat (maxi cosi is indeed excellent and comes top in the Which? guide and the Mumsnet/Mothercare green book)

1. Rear and forward facing pushchair

1. Lie flat or carry cot extra.

Now, with regard to the Isofix, I was disappointed that our car, though not new, doesn't have the Isofix fittings. However, we've decided, we want one with a base that stays in the car and the seat clicks in and out and there are lots of non-Isofix versions. It seems to be approx £65 for the base alone and up to £90 odd for the maxi cosi.

I fancy a Quinny, but was initially frightened by the cost - £650 inc carrycot, car seat etc. However, this came down to £400-£450 on www.kiddicare.com. The ILs will be buying so, budget restraints are their call.....!

Congrats those who had good scans today, by the way.

Sorry should read, "our car, though not OLD"...

Plumpbump - our car is pretty new and is a family car but doesn't have ISOFIX either. Had the strap in base been available for the cabrio when I bought it, I probably would have got it. But to be honest, I have absolutely NO problem strapping the car seat in quickly and easily without any compromise on safety. So I would say that a base, while it may look ultra convenient, is probably not that necessary. And quite often I'm using it in other cars such as my mums and DHs. And it is unrealistic to buy 3 bases.

hmmmm, you make a very good point Suzi. How true. Perhaps it would help to have a demonstration - I understand big Mothercare's and Halfords fit them etc. Think I am just nervous, not so much of safety, as being able to manage at the supermarket etc by myself!!

Suzi (our resident car seat guru!!), what's the difference between a Buzz and a Speedi? Thank goodness those of you with experience can streamline our first time purchases!!!!

Speedi is bigger, has 3 inflatable wheels (buzz has a non inflatable at the front). Buzz has the quick unfold system, though that's a gimmick! Buzz needs the pushcahir part to come off the frame to use the car seat. But I found that ideal and less bulky. The speedi the car seat goes on top of the pushcahir part. The buzz pushchair seat can face forwards or backwards. Facing you is lovely when they're under 4 or 5 months. Speedi only faces forward.

Speedi is cheaper

I would suggest that for pushchairs that you test drive as many as possible. And think about what's important to you. The buzz is not ideal for public transport of for completely off road for example. And is relatively heavy but is really light to push. There are sooo many out there to choose from!

If you go to Britax's website they have a checker where you put in what car you have and they say whether the seat you pick has been tested in it. Beware though, as I checked our existing seat fitted, but when we got the car I found that I couldn't get the seat to go in right facing backwards, but forwards is ok.

Plumpbump, I've got a Mothercare travel system (the same as the Graco Quattro I think), it cost about £240 and comes with a carrycot, car seat (suitable up to 13kg), pushchair with 4 postions including flat for newborns, and a few other bits like changing bag etc. I must admit my eyes goggled when you said about spending £400+. Although I intend to use ours for subsequent LOs I still think I spent plenty on it and think I could've got away with a cheaper/second hand one.

Also bear in mind how long you're going to use it - so many people I've spoken to bought super dooper travel systems with the intention of using them forever and ever, then bought a £30 stroller-style pushchair at 6 months and use that all the time.

I only use the big fancy one for walks near home as the lanes are so bumpy, in town the little chicco is plenty good enough!

Hi all just to fill you in as i was asking for advice a couple of days ago about SPD i went to see my doc yesterday and she says that it is SPD and gave me pain killers and lots of practical advice to minimise pain and keep me mobile so hopefully we will be ok - also explained positions for labour need to be different as if in wrong position can cause damage!
Hope you are all ok just wanted to fill you in. oh and on the travel system front we have bought a Britax one - it seems huge but comes with all the bits like car seat, different positions etc, changing bag and rain covers - it was £200 from Mothercare.

MoosMa, don't worry about the weight thing. As long as your baby is growing normally and getting all the nutrients it needs, all should be fine. At least your midwife is supportive. And just think how little weight you'll need to lose after the baby is born!

I know how you feel though as I've had a lot of grief about my weight (or lack of it) since I became pregnant. I am very petite, and started out weighing just under 7 stone. Although I've put on about 4kg since then I still get 'tut-tutted' by the hospital, who seem to be convinced that I'm a closet anorexic and not eating properly (I was even made to see the dietician, who confirmed that my diet is perfectly healthy and more than adequate). I've stopped worrying about it. My baby is growing fine and my body will put on whatever weight it needs to - I'm eating well and healthily but I am not prepared to force-feed myself in an effort to satisfy the NHS.

Thanks for all the pram/travel system reviews/recommendations. The amount of time it'll be used is a good point - I was tempted by the Quinny Zapp as it's so small and lightweight, but seat can only face forwards and doesn't recline. Also it doesn't have a basket or anywhere to store things. I also want to test out the Buzz and Speedi (amongst others) when I go to the Baby Show next weekend. Priority for me is ease of opening/closing, and ease of detaching car seat from base as our hallway is too small and narrow to get a pram in so will need to detach baby in car seat and bring into the house first, before folding down wheels outside and bringing indoors to store.

I had the Mamas and Papas Pliko buggy and car seat. The buggy was fine but the car seat (that clicks into a base you leave in the car) was really heavy once your baby is past the tiny newborn stage. They got stolen so I got a Chicco buggy (similar to M+P)and car seat (much lighter). But I rarely used the car seat in the buggy - I think they are much better off in a buggy that lies flat. I also think carrycots are a waste of money as you will not use them for long. This time round (3rd baby) I will use the Chicco car seat on its own, and have bought a cheap lightweight Chicco stroller that reclines. (reduced to £50 in Argos, includes cosy toes and rain cover). I do not feel the need for a travel system, a carry cot or a buggy that costs £600+!!! Think about how suitable the buggy you like is for a tiny new born and also a strapping 3 year old!! That Quinny one for instance looks very small and narrow.

been for detailed scan this morning, all fine, saw a good shot of the soles of her 2 little feet which was pretty cool.

Hello everyone I hope you don't mind me "popping" in but I didn't know whereabouts to place my message. I am a "grannie2b" - my DD is having a baby in Feb 07. I am so worried about her. Her DP is behaving in a rather immature manner, one minute so supportive and the next minute in the pub with ex-girlfriends. My DD is so upset she is fed up with lies, lies and more lies. This is her first pregnancy and of course she wants everything "right" for her baby but with all the stress and everything she is experiencing pains in her tummy. We live around 5 hours drive away and I don't know what to advise her. She has given up work already so is in a very difficult situation. I cannot sleep worrying about her and her future.

Hi is there any possibility that she could come and stay with you for a while? Just to get away and try and sort out what she wants.

Hi sweetpea. I'm not sure what to advise. I guess her DP needs a good kick up the behind and your DD is the only one who can do that. But I would imagine she's rather fragile at the moment so that may be tricky. I agree that her getting a bit of time away might be nice? Or perhaps you could go and stay for a few days?

It sounds very much like she'll be doing the bulk of the parenting (as most of us mums do!) so tell her to remember to do what's right for HER and HER BABY. And not to worry about anyone else.

Hello Sweetpea, so sorry to hear about the problems your daughter is having. Not wishing to be controversial, but is your DD sure there are lies etc? My DH is wonderful and never gives me a reason to worry, but I have been feeling very "hormonal" and a bit paranoid - watched a documentary last night on kerb crawlers and imagined that's how his mates end their nights. Even checked his texts which were extraordinarily dull!

I'm also quite high maintenance at times (partly down to work worries) but quite moody and stressy - is your DDs DP feeling like he needs to be out of the house more to get a break or feeling that panic some men get about becoming a dad? Have no idea of the history so just asking really.....

Getting your DD up to you for a few days might give them both a bit of breathing space - twas a good suggestion, IMO.

Was going to make comments along the lines of Plumpbump's, Sweetpea. It could be that your DD's partner is just feeling a bit panicky about the prospect of becoming a dad and is seeking refuge in the pub with his mates. My DH, who really isn't one to go out much at all, has been to the pub a few more times since I've been pregnant. Think he just feels that he wants to take opportunities to socialise while he still can - I have no problem with that. Not sure how happy I'd be if he were drinking with ex-girlfriends though! I'd agree with others - could DD stay with you for a few days, or you visit her?

Had my second midwife appointment this morning, which all went fine. Fundal height is measuring bang in the middle of the range for this stage of pregnancy, and baby's heartbeat sounded good and strong. Blood pressure completely normal too. All reassuring.

Great news, Currantbun. What is the fundal height, is that the ridge they feel for which is the top of the womb?

Do they measure it in centimetres? I've heard people quoting numbers before but no mw's ever been near me with a tape measure?

Plumpbump, fundal height is the measurement in centimetres from the top of the pubic bone to the top of the uterus. They use it to check that the baby's growing at an appropriate weight for the length of gestation. It's not always hugely accurate though (hence why a lot of women get sent for growth scans in later pregnancy) but better than weighing the mother!

Midwife was very excited that I now have a bump: it's quite small but definitely visible. I caught a glimpse of myself in the full-length mirror in our bedroom as I was getting dressed this morning, and sideways-on I do finally look pregnant!

in response to sp's message about dd..tbh I would not stay with them but would make her aware that you are concerned and offer a listening ear if/when she needs it.

I have a wonderful dh but at times he does drive me mad and being pregnant and full of mad hormones it's more than ever now BUT imo it's for us to work through. I also know thats its not forever. Again imo if my mil felt sorry for dh and suggested staying with us or even speaking to me etc then I would hit the roof, the same would happen if my mum suggested staying with us..I'm sure dh would be the same. Like others have sadi, having a baby is life changing and even now with dd I am sure it's hits dh all of a sudden about the responsability..I'm a sahm so with dd 24/7 but dh has 10 mins at night and weekends due to work so I think he's not so attached to the situation iykwim...BUT he still needs his time out lol..!! HTH.xx

Nice to hear everyone is ok, not been around much as so busy with dd and to much to do to little time..! Anyone else panicking that baby will arrive before they have chance to finish anything.?!

Another spd sufferer here although I expected it as I had it with dd. I;m v bad atm BUT I do struggle to turn over in bed and dh has to try and hoist me at times...mmm not v attractive. .
Anyone else feel huge.? I am getting depressed as I am sure I am the size now as I was with dd as 40 weeks....Loads are saying "so how long", expecting a reply of "oh 4 weeks" BUT then look shocked when I say LOL I;m only 24 weeks. They then pity me, fearing a big baby...blub......mmwwwaahh....

shhhh I'm enormous! Definately about the same size as I was at about 28-30wks with DS. Mind you, I was quite neat with him. But even the nurse at my skin appointment said to me "where did that come from" as she had seen me just 2 wks ago and there was very little there!

Can't remember who was asking, but most mws don't worry about fundal height until you're past 25wks or so. As it's particularly unreliable before then. Mind you, I measured small for most of my pg with DS and he wasn't small.

Anyone being sick? I'm getting uncontrollable nausea at times and throwing up acid. Even with morning sickness I could still control the being sick. I'm on loads of gaviscon - have been for weeks. And I had awful (worse than this) heartburn with DS but wasn't throwing up. Any ideas? I do think that this baby is sitting VERY high as I feel kicks in my stomach and near my ribs. I never got that with DS. Could she be squashing my stomach already?

Suzi - I had the sickness/indigestion thing with DS2 - I really feel for you.

Sorry - can't offer any advice, I just ur up with beuing sick every so often but mine did carry on until Ds2 was about 6m old (sorry - you don't want to hear that). I had to have a gastroscopy and everything - very grim.

I would go to your GP to see if she can offer anything else.

I am also feeling very sorry for myself as I have piles and vulval varicose veins and wondering how I can hang on like this for another 4 months

Sorry to hear you're feeling bad suzi2, I don't have heartburn as such yet but am having to prop myself up a bit in bed as I have the beginnings of it...

DD1 sat high and kicked me in the stomach and now DD2 is following in her little footsteps. If I lean forwards while sitting down I can feel huge pressure up under my ribs and I quite often get the trampoline effect - she bounces off my bladder and hits me in the ribcage, knocking the wind right out of me!

Time flew so fast up until about 20 weeks, now it's really starting to drag and February still feels soooooo far away.