July 2015 - into the final trimester we go!

[broodylicious]

Hope this works....

Thanks Ladies xx - very helpful - perhaps I will get measured between 35-38 weeks and buy 2 - for my hospital bag as a starter.

I don't need them right away, as I am still sort of growing into some of my bras and there is still plenty of room for more growth

Love the idea of birth announcement, I was just going to do a text message or BBM update. Not all my Friends and Family are in the UK.

I am looking to have personalised thank you cards with baby picture for those that give us gifts. Planning also on doing a general thank you card after my baby shower.

We had our 28 week appointment today :) measuring 2 weeks ahead but no concerns. Midwife wouldn't listen for heartbeat though apparently there are too many people who are being sent to our local maternity unit when heartbeat can't be found. We're doing text/whatsapp/Skype announcements again this time, just can't justify the money to buy cards when we're moving so close to baby being born. Found some lovely little boy outfits in tesco today and will be going back to grab them soon

I cannot imagine not doing cards, but I know it is really uncommon in the UK. So, who wants to see the design we picked for the cards?

Pink for when we have a girl, blue for a boy. The names are just a sample to give people an idea how it would look.

Oh they are lovely :) xxx

Elle McPherson nursing bras have come highly recommended to me and they are gorgeous.

They are very sweet fatty. I just can't imagine being organised enough to send out cards, everyone will be lucky to be included in a group text here!
Sorry if I'm being too nosy you don't have to say, but what country are you in? Or from?

Thanks for the tip broody, tonic water for me tonight then!
Lovely cards fatty

mees, I'm in the Netherlands.

Those cards are really sweet fatty

Think will just be doing texts and calls to close family and friends and let the news filter it's way out. Most likely will do a Facebook post once our twins are actually home :)

Does anyone else have really aching joints? My fingers actually hurt when I make them into a 'claw'

Also I may get voted for asking the dumbest question on this thread... But... Talk to me about nursing bras? I'm slightly confused as to what bra I need.
I will most likely be bottle feeding. But if possible will try/breastfeeding in the early days and "top up" with formula. If that makes sense then eventually go to bottle feeding fully.
So do I need a nursing bra? Or just a regular fitted bra?

I also am hesitant/don't want to go anywhere to get fitted as I had a horrible experience when I was laughed at yes... Laughed at...at a bra fitting. Yes I was "flat" but I was 16!... Definitely not the case now though

Lewaney as I understand (FTM here) you want something soft, possibly not underwired, and with a way of accessing the boob for feeding - usually a clip that easily unhooks. They need to be fitted really once your milk comes in properly which won't happen immediately. I've heard Bravissimo are by far the best place for bra fittings full stop (never mind when feeding). I've got a couple of cheap ones in my amazon basket and I think these just pull to the side, I figured they would do for a starter, but I will wait till nearer giving birth until I see how much more my boobs grow.

I am also researching washable pads but haven't got very far with that so far.

Who asked about weight earlier? I've put on about 7kg, but I'm confused as to where! My bump is still very neat and there isn't any extra weight elsewhere, other than my boobs! But I guess blood, placenta and fluid all weigh quite a bit, even if the baby is still pretty small just now.

lewaney it sounds like you may have mild carpel tunnel syndrome. I have it too. You may notice the ache during the night or esrly morning. Nothing to worry about, it can get worse, but usually clears up gradually post delivery. Physios can give you splints if it does worsen.

Re feeding even if you are mix feeding you will need bras, breast pads etc.

fatty are you going to do the pink/blue anniseed "little mice" on crackers too? I remrmber being offered them by our Dutch patients.

jmojo, we are most definitely serving 'beschuit met muisjes' (rusk with mice). Not on crackers, it has to be rusk!

muddy I use little lamb reusable breast pads and really like them. So easy to use and I never leaked through when using them (and they didn't give me weird pointy boobs like some I tried!). And considering I had an oversupply problem and leaked through 3 sets of disposable breast pads in 20 mins once I think that's good going!

I also like bravissimo, only place I buy my bras but they do only cater for the larger breasted lady. I think they start from a D cup in some styles but not sure.

What a nice tradition, it's unusual seeing how little things around the birth are different in other cultures FattyC

loopy, I find all the differences intriguing!

The birth announcement cards are really useful. Of course most people will already know before they receive the card, but usually they will wait for the card before asking to come visit.

fatty always used to enjoy them!

I really like them as well, so tasty! I am always disappointed when people do a 'modern' version... Like cake with whipped cream and mice. It is still nice, but nothing beats the original!

lewaney, I personally would get fitted just before babies arrive - I know this may sound patronising to ftm, so sorry, but once they're here, the last thing you'll want to be doing in the first few days of their lives is going for a bra fitting! The lady I saw at m&s was lovely and will be going again soon because I feel like my boobs are exploding and I need comfort. Defo soft, cotton and no wires are best for that. I never had an issue with leakages but yes, pads are a good idea if you happen to.

Broody it's not patronising (I'd worked out it would be logistically difficult, and I hate bra shopping at the best of times) but don't see the point in being fitted when your ribs are at full pregnancy stretch and your milk hasn't come in. That's why I'm going to just go for the soft ones I linked to at first, then get properly fitted as soon as I can. Personally I'd give M&S a wide berth though. Or their fitters at least.

Nature thank you will look at little lamb. Re Bravissimo, I've not been yet, (got pregnant just as I was discovering this) but turns out that post bra-intervention my boobs were actually a 28DD not a 32A. So even my seemingly tiny chest would have been Bravissimo-worthy. Currently in a 34D anyway!

Thanks jmojo having looked into it. It does seen I have all the symptoms... I thought I was imagining the pain at one point!

Thank you all ladies for the advice regarding bras! None of it was patronising :)

muddy bravissimo fitters are great, and I think in all the years I have been going there only once have they not had a bra in the size I wanted in a particular style.

I'm in denial about my rib size - I think it's almost 38 now which would put me back in the retail category of too unusual to bother with. I'm enjoying fitting into shop-bought bras so much for the first time in my life! Normally I have to buy online because I have a big rib cage in proportion to cup size. On the plus side, I've always had really super lung capacity - I'm always the last person to finish breathing out in yoga! No idea whether I will be able to get nursing bras measured at shop therefore.

Forest friends wall stickers arrived. Too cute to look at for long!!! The feelings of love for LO are quite overwhelming already.