Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Birth clubs

Connect with mums-to-be with similar due dates to share experiences and support.

October 2014 - thread 6 - BLUE/PINK/YELLOW the finding out begins!!!

999 replies

sazzlehopes · 09/05/2014 20:54

The fun and chat continues! We are heading over halfway ladies. Old thread is here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/2052958-October-2014-thread-5-Bigger-bumps

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Thread gallery
18
binkybunny · 11/05/2014 09:29

Feeling a bit sorry for myself this morning. Had a great day packing up the house yesterday but have woken up with a stinking cold and hardly able to walk with lower back pain.

captain I would just like to see my MW. Not seen her since 8 weeks and wont until 24! I so want to hear the heartbeat Sad

YellowWellies · 11/05/2014 09:30

Binky hello I'm in Fife! And another English émigrée. We visit family in Kent and the last trip was hard as he's too young to sit in the car happily all day yet too old to sleep all the way there. We used to set off at bedtime and arrive at 3am (breaking the journey with family in Derbyshire). Now I'm preggers I'm chuffed we've an excuse to say visit us instead!

binkybunny · 11/05/2014 09:44

Wow yellow that is some drive! The farthest we have to go is Henley on Thames. Not looking forward to it in August for my sisters wedding with 7 weeks til EDD! Nice to hear from someone local-ish Grin

Are you having a hospital birth and do you know where yet? We live west of Perth but have opted for Dundee as Perth dont have anaethetists (can't spell!) should things not go as planned.

Me23 · 11/05/2014 09:55

Welcome yellowWellies and welcome back MrsCaptainReynolds have added you both to the stats thread which is here www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/2075765-October-2014-Stats-thread?msgid=46965376#46965376

Re carryin on with life as normal before kids well of course things won't be the same. I don't believe it is as easy or hard as you make it as that leaves the burden on you, it is multi factoral your baby is a human being with their own personality they may not be the type of baby who jus fits in to life and can easily adapt. Some babies are high needs and don't sleep well and consequently for a while at least you may not feel up to traveling or hiking etc..
I'm not trying to scaremonger just giving the other side of the coin. (Can you see I had a high needs non sleeping (till 16 months) baby?)
We went to centre parcs when he was 7 months that was quite adventurous Wink

YellowWellies · 11/05/2014 10:00

Hellooo!!!! Binky I'm five minutes from the Vic in Kirkcaldy. Am tempted by a home birth but DS was back to back and got stuck so needed an epi and ventouse so think I'm going for the MW led unit (its just across the corridor from the consultant unit should things go tits up!).

Last time I gave birth on Orkney (nearly air ambulanced south as they don't really have the facilities to deal with prems but there were no NICU beds in Aberdeen) where you can't get epidurals. I was all for a natural birth and utterly against epidurals until he was back to back! I got diamorphine and puked for eight hours instead. Grin Grin Grin So having the option is a great choice. I would love to have a water birth it helped so much with pain but on the island you couldn't deliver in the pool - I'd like to this time. But I'll keep my options open - having done it without I'm not averse to an epidural this time. Never say never! A calm birth flicking through a magazine rather than screeching like a death metal singer, could be nice. Blush It might scare DH less!

As long as your car seats aren't too low don't worry about travelling then. As it is you'll have lots of leg stretches with loo breaks. Anyone else up to the loo like an old woman all night? Blush

YellowWellies · 11/05/2014 10:06

Thanks for adding me Me23. Agree on the flexibility! DS finally fell asleep at 3.30am (fecking molars, fecking reflux!) so our adventures for today have been downsized! That's not being boring its that we're not safe to drive! Envy Still they are nearly both cut so I should get some sleep soon!

mum2kiss · 11/05/2014 10:09

I dont think ive ever heard anyone describe the parenting of their own children as boring. I can imagine if I had to spend an entire day or weekend cooing over someone elses baby and I didn't have my own children with me I would be feeling pretty bored though!

I agree with me23 that sometimes you just have a baby that doesnt easily fit into your lifestyle but you just make adaptations accordingly. Also you never know how you will feel once baby is here...if you are someone who likes to hike you may find that is the last thing you want to do for a few months! Or you may find at 3 weeks old you're hiking up a mountain with a baby that is happy to snuggle up in a sling for hours...I travelled long haul with dd when she was 5 months old and the flight attendants said they forgot she was on the flight as she was so quiet. However I flew long haul with her at 2 years old and it was a living nightmare! Lol!

So today I am worried...I woke up with some mold cramping yesterday morning and I didnt feel any movement all day...then I had more cramping in the middle of the night and still havent felt any movement...not sure if to sit tight or try and get hold of the midwife...I also had a couple of episodes of shortness of breath yesterday which doesnt usually happen!

binkybunny · 11/05/2014 10:39

mum don't know whats best to advise but hope alls ok. Could it just be growing stretchy pains? Or maybe trapped wind? DH nearly took me to A&E last Sunday night as I was laid on thd bathroom floor screaming in pain wirh stomach cramps, I thought I was going into labour. Turned out to be trapped wind Blush

I really hope our baby is cooperative when it comes to travelling then as we have no family close by and obviously want to spend as much time as we can with them. Some of my family and most of DH's won't travel so if we have a baby that doesnt like it we'll be having a few stressful journeys!

I really hope I'm not put off hiking/ climbing etc after our baby is born. Seriously missing it at the moment so have been looking forward to strapping baby on (for hiking not climbing!) and heading to the hills.

YellowWellies · 11/05/2014 10:48

Mum2 I'd go and get checked. For peace of mind. I'm sure you'll be fine Thanks Thanks

Binky have you got any health ishoos stopping you hiking now? I know I found it easier in pregnancy than with a new baby as the logistics and ill timed poos / pukes / sleepless nights always thwarted us! Grin I had pals who were into it at two months post birth though.

binkybunny · 11/05/2014 11:03

yellow just being out of breath and a painful lower back have put a bit of a stop to it for now. I didnt do anything for the first 3 months then tried to climb a munro which I failed at! Hoping now I'm into the second tri and the weather should start picking up a bit we'll get out again. DH is going to have to get a bigger rucksack as mine really made my back sore and it only had waterproofs and lunch in it!

Me23 · 11/05/2014 11:31

mum2 agree if worried call gp or mw. Cramping can be quite normal I've also had it for a few days now but I've sent off a urine sample to check it's not a uti. Also I wouldn't worry about lack of movements at this stage it is not expected to have regular movements.

YellowWellies · 11/05/2014 11:38

I felt movement once last week and once this. Its nowt to worry about at this stage if they go quiet. But get checked just because you're stressed about it. You might get another cheeky scan out of it Wink

Binky sounds like a plan, the second trimester was when I felt most like me and up to hiking. Having a winter baby I was worried about slipping on ice and falling on him in the sling for the first few months! Blush Daft I know but hormones didn't make me vair rational. By 9 months old we'd got a new puppy and I was doing 5 miles a day with a buggy. Do what feels right for you Smile

pebble82 · 11/05/2014 11:39

DP and I go out walking a lot usually but haven't for a while now. We were just talking this morning about going out again soon now the weather is getting better. Going to check out baby carriers at the baby show on Friday. Staying away from Baby Bjorn carriers though as heard bad things.

YellowWellies · 11/05/2014 11:49

Baby Bjorn's are awful you're right. Fiddly, hurt your back and damage baby hips. I love our ergo so easy to use, and you can walk miles without backache. Pals rave about the manduca and connecta too. I'm too lack handed for the wrap ones personally but that's me not them Blush .

Can you tell I'm pinned on the sofa by a teething teeny who just wants cuddled - not the worst day! Smile

YellowWellies · 11/05/2014 11:49

kack handed!

claptomania · 11/05/2014 12:05

Hello all - also delurking self! Although have been following along.

On the subject of slings - DP and I will be writing our list of absolute essential first baby purchases today. We're keen to keep the levels of stuff to a relative minimum. What do you think of the below - what have I missed and what in your view is not essential? Usual caveats apply about all babies being different!

We have:

  1. Reusable nappies
  2. Car seat
  3. Sling
  4. Babygros
  5. Muslins
  6. Sleeping contraption, preferably portable
  7. Buggy suitable for one handed manouevring with easily spooked and pully dog in other hand
  8. Chest of drawers for baby clothes, toys etc

Is this a naievly short list? What's on yours?

claptomania · 11/05/2014 12:06

*Naively

tak1ngchances · 11/05/2014 12:28

Maybe breast pump, and a bottle steriliser thing? I want to BF but I also want to express some bottles so that DH or someone else can feed the baby if I need to rest or go out.

binkybunny · 11/05/2014 12:30

On our list we also have....
Changing mat and bag
Breast pump and bottles
Bedding (sheets and sleeping bags)
Bum cleaning stuff (wipes and creams)
Hats scratch mitts booties/socks
Nightlight, so I can see what I'm doing without waking DH
Baby bouncer
Floor mat/ gym thing for tummy and play time

Also a load of unnecessary but they looked cute for the nursery type of things Grin

mum2kiss · 11/05/2014 12:46

Mothercare has a list of essentials on their website as well as a list for the hospital bag. I looked at them a few weeks ago and thought they were quite realistic. If you download the Emmas diary app there are similar checklists on there which I plan on using as it allows you to check items off as you go :)

I think I felt a bit of movement not long after I.posted this morning. I now just feel weirdly emotional and tearful! All very strange!

YellowWellies · 11/05/2014 12:55

Off the top of my head - grobags or swaddles? You'll need some sort of bedding.

Wipes? (we liked reusable cheeky wipes until he weaned onto solids then his poos were too grim).

Nappy bucket for reuseables.

You'll need a hat, a snow suit and a car seat for taking them home.

Also a thermometer for if they're ill. NHS24 will ask what their temperature is and make you feel crap if you don't know! Confused The Braun thermoscan is good.

And depending on how big your house is and where they'll sleep - a baby monitor. I love our video one as you can see if they are squeaking in their sleep or if you need to go and settle them- rather than listening outside their door trying not to wake them! But loads of folks do without especially in the first months as they are usually in with you.

And what about feeding - FF or BF? If the latter you'll need much less: maybe breast pads if you leak, nursing bras and tops, a comfy cushion and a pump / bottles if you want to express feeds. FF needs much more kit sterilisers, bottles, formula etc.

Baby bath.

Errrrr I've got a list somewhere I used first time. eBay and second hand sales were really useful.

We managed without a Moses basket. We had a bednest crib which clips onto your bed and was a godsend for night BF as you don't have to get out of bed, and he napped in that, the buggy or on me. Mostly the latter if I'm honest for the first few weeks months.

For us the bednest, ergo sling, Velcro swaddles (prems like to be swaddled, bigger babies tend to prefer not to be) and tuppence and crumble star blankets (as he hated snowsuits and you can wrap / unwrap them and put them in the car seat without waking them!) were the most useful things in the first few months. And a book called 'What Mothers do' really helped with the mental transformation post birth.

For you maternity pads and witch hazel liquid kept in the fridge are a godsend if you get sore lady bits or stitches! Blush

bumpbangbump · 11/05/2014 12:55

I had a seriliser last time and hardly used it. I'll be using Milton this time as items can stay in there for 24 hours and stay sterile.

I would add a bath support as they're so slippery when tiny, I was always convinced I would drop ds and drown him. Mother are do a great flannel one which is only £10 and works a treat.

The other thing would be something to chuck the baby in when you're downstairs and fancy eating with 2 hands or need to tackle the washing mountain or do some washing up. A bouncer or the pram part of the buggy will do nicely (if of has one of course).

Best buy for me was some tea tree oil for the bath and to have in a jug of water to poor on the lady area after a wee. Feels so wrong to be wiping for at least a week...

YellowWellies · 11/05/2014 12:59

I found a tablet saved my sanity in the first few months when you are pinned to the sofa. He was a prem and would feed for an hour at a time every three to four hours. I could read a book without turning on the light, MN, Facebook etc and not fall asleep on him! I got through a couple of ebooks a week and felt like my brain still worked Smile .

YellowWellies · 11/05/2014 13:00

bump argh god yes to the jug!

binkybunny · 11/05/2014 13:35

Eww to the jug/ wiping. Hadnt got that far in thinking. Having slight heart palpitations!!!

Love the swaddle things. Mums getting one of those. She also got us a Winnie the Pooh baby bath set which is so cute.

Think Kindle/tablet is going on my bday list!

Swipe left for the next trending thread