Due in June part 3 :: Entering the 2nd trimester, bring on the blooming!

[NattyandThomasandBumpandSanta]

new thread as old one once again will not load in the time it takes me to make a cup of tea so as far as i am concered thats too bloody long!

keep this one full guys!

N&T&B

H&A, it's the hormones....

H&A that is a seriously cute chair.

I can vouch for Isabella Oliver - I ordered on Friday and received on Monday, all beautifully packaged - and the clothes are just so nice to wear.

Am steering clear of the excercise thread at the moment Sputnik - 2 sick kids and a UTI (sorry tmi) and I don't leave the house for 3 days...

NattyThomasandBump how are you doing? And how is little man?
Babymadxx

H&A love the chair! Think it would go great in DDs room if there was somewhere to put it! But don't worry I'm not going to bid on it!!

I'm thinking that someone at Mumsnet needs to get on to Cath and Isabella and negotiate us a discount. All this word of mouth advertising has to be worth 10%, surely?
Lilkel, you were in the newsletter, right? So can't you pull a few strings for us? And hey, if you can hook Birkenstock in at the same time then no one's going to complain. And maybe Green and Blacks while you're at it?
What? I'm rambling? So I am. Just ignore me - scan tomorrow, getting all excited...

Hope all goes well 2moro marylou, it's all very exciting to think we are halfway now! Mmmm maybe more scary than exciting! I wish that you could just have a baby without the labour part (or most of the pregnancy!). I think it's more scary 2nd time round coz you know what's in store!! Not that I mean to scare anyone, but it bloody hurts!

Definately up for discounts at gorgeous shops. Maybe we can email the mn peeps and see if they can do some arranging, after all they do discount at Blooming Marvellous etc.

Well, I took the plunge with Isabella, it's all your fault Marylou . That was good therapy though, and I still spent less than a pair of Heidi Klum Birkenstocks. Good luck with the scan tomorrow btw.

Annobal, we'll let you off with the exercise this week, but next time I'll want a note from your mum, ok? . Seriously, having had DD sick a couple of weeks ago I know how you feel.

Am I right in thinkng N&T&B is getting married this weekend? Probably explains why she hasn't been around. If you read this, all the best!

H&A, unlike you I would gladly go through labour 50 times in exchange for skipping the pregnancy bit. I had a great labour, or maybe that was just the nice drugs they gave me

Hello all, have been offline a bit and have spent hours catching up. Well done Taichi Mum, I am delighted for you. Another recommendation here for SpaTone, I drink it neat from the sachets and it tastes like licking a railing.

I have a scan next week, currently 19 weeks, and have started piling on the weight. It is quite disconcerting after a lifetime of dieting, to eat the same thing every day and yet still gain weight. Not good for a control freak like me. I don't think I have had any movement yet but apparently that is OK for a first timer.

Another thumbs up for Isabella Oliver. I also treated myself to a dress from Hommemummy, it was in the sale but still very expensive for maternity wear. It's lovely though - I have a big party to go to in May when I will be whopping. Everything else I got from Next in the sale or Dottie P.

Oh I am soooo chuffed and I really feel famous...even told DH about my thread making the MN newsletter and he was like, "oh, that's, um, great honey" (said with doubtful sidelong glance and shifting slowly away from me...).

Ok smug bit over.

Sputnik, I am very pleased to be a bad influence on you. It is sooo easy to forget to buy yourself nice things while pg/mum. So go buy some shoes now before you forget how to shop for yourself!! What's this about Cath rejection tho? Especially if you like the bling of H Klum sandals? Hmm. Let's see. Have you checked out Topshop online? Or Formes? I'm determined to help your wardrobe

H&A, that carseat is hilarious. Love the daisy at the bottom especially. And your DS wouldn't mind, but your DH might leave you . Mine vetoed my choice of xmas suit for DS. Was a harmless little furry bodysuit in manner of reindeer from Mothercare. Should have seen it, was so precious

off to ponder possibility of group discounts at IOliver and B'stock. Oh and I'd like a gas&air tap in my bedroom at home, please. perhaps I can offer DS some (he's teething).

Formes, fyi

LOLanyone that looks like this whilst pg needs shooting!!! I mean the cheek of the woman, I'm sure she's just trying to make the rest of us look bad!
Also lilkel you should have bought ds the xmas outfit. My mum and I bought dd an angel outfit for xmas last year. It was beautiful(and dp did not approve)!

just popped in from due in April, and yes hollyandalice, i'll lend you the gun!

Wow look! How cute is this?!baby sized and grown up sized !!!!
I have been looking since dd was born for matching outfits for us, and here they are! Alas they only go up to 6-12 months !

Thanks ellie, I'll sort her out in the morning!!

yeah ok so the Formes models are a little hard to believe. but the clothes are really very very comfy. Though I always feel a bit unworthy after looking through the I.Oliver catalogue - so their ample cleavage/thin ankles combos...

Okay, so I have a question for all you second/third timers out there. Labour. Giving Birth. It's something I've tried not to think about too much, but now I need your most honest advice possible. Am thinking of going to birthing centre - warm, dark room with dedicated midwives (who don't have a million other people to look after and keep 'popping out' for a few hours at a time) with nice big high bath in the corner, etc etc, but no anaesthetists. Mother and sister had one word for me: EPIDURAL. They think I'm crazy. I'm not against epidurals, not at all; I'll probably be screaming for one. But the choice is: hospital with possibility of epidural, but patchy midwife care, bright lights, no private room, not much 'being in control', OR, birthing centre where they look after you wonderfully but you're reliant on TENS, gas and air and massage. Views please? (The birthing centre is right next to a hospital so if there are any major complications for me or baby it's a five minute walk away...)

Marylou- one word- waterbirth!!! They are fab. Definately give the birthing centre a go. I had a waterbirth with dd and it was such a relief to get in the pool. It's great coz you can move around more freely as you are less heavy and cumbersome in the water and it feels much more natural. It's also brilliant for the pain and you feel much more in control. After all your body was made for childbirth and if you believe you can do it I'm sure you can. My hospital also hs a birthing centre attatched, which makes you feel more secure if something does go wrong, but if no-one is their offering you epidurals on tap then you will be less inclined to have one. Midwives are great, they really support you and will help you to have the birth you want. I feel really lucky because I was the first person to touch my dd and I delivered her myself, it was really special. Obviously it hurts like hell, but it's all worth it!
Sorry, really long post, but I hth!!

Thanks H&A - they do offer water births and I've heard you feel a lot better in water. My worry is, I just have no idea how I'm going to react to the whole thing. I think I'm quite good with pain, but that's based on the pain I've experienced so far which I'm pretty sure isn't going to be in the same league as heaving a baby out... Your experience sounds amazing, though . Delivering your own baby - pretty incredible. What did you use for pain relief?

Hi Marylou , I think its a difficult one to give advice on really because as you all births are different, as are hospitals and birthing centres. I think the best thing I would suggest is listen to other peoples experiences and go with your instincts. Hope it helps. And aplogies if it rambles will try and be to the point!

For me I had DD at local NHS hospital. I had a community midwife (the same one I have now) running up to the birth and after the birth. She was not present at the birth. I planned a water birth with tens and gas and air. Well, the actual event was nothing like that my waters broke early and nothing happend. I got sent home and had go back daily for monitoring. They planned to induce after 4 days if nothing happend, after 2 I couldn't stand the worry and asked to be induced I was induced on the 3rd day first attempt didn't work so had to wait until they had room available for me to go on drip. This wasn't until next day, all went ok and had Dd that evening. Because my waters broke early couldn't have water birth. I had been told that induction brought on contractions stronger so thought well I'll go for pethidine as tens didn't work for me. Had gas and air as well as pethidine. Was quite a dreamy experience really and don't remember some of it. During this had many different midwives due to shifts and the fact that you have to have one with you constantly for obs while on drip. Personally I don't think I would have an epidural as I want to be able to push. This time I am making no plans, I would prefer the same midwife for the birth but don't have the money. So guess I'm back to my NHS hospital and just go with the flow so to speak. I may have meptid this time as I had a second shot of pethidine 20 mins (which they probably shouldn't have gievn me) before DD popped out and she needed narcan (sp???) as she was a bit dopey when came out. I do know someone who went to birthing centre in Birmingham but it didn't sound like she had a great experience to me either, no bettter than mine anyway. Its good that you will be next to hospital though - but don't think you'll be walking there somehow! Only other thing is not to worry about it TBH I'm more worried about the first two weeks at home!!!

Just a quick update on mat clothes just got Long Tall Sally jeans. They are very long even on me and I am 6ft 2"! If you like over bump comfort or support they feel very comfy tho.

Don't worry, I'm crap with pain- I got stung by a bee once and nearly passed out!! Labour is a different kind of pain, maybe coz you know that it's for a good reason! I used g&a, more for controlling my breathing through the contractions than pain relief (and it gives you something to bite down on!). Don't have too much though, it makes you feel stoned and sleepy. The mw had to take mine off me and she wouldn't let me have it whilst pushing, apparently I needed to concentrate! It's quite funny though coz the mw has to have a torch to see what's going on down below, dp nearly wet himself seeing her peering around in the water with a torch!

H&A, sounds a great experience - was what I hoped for!!

Agree on Gas and air MW had to grab it off me when came to pushing as not concentrating and you do feel veryyyyyyyy stoned!! Tee Here!

I was very lucky, I was induced at 12 days over. I was given one prostin pessary and an hour later I was having contractions every 3 mins and was 5 cm. 3 hours later dd was born. Maybe that's why I coped so well! Because the mw is not controlling how fast the baby comes out in the pool you are more likely to tear (well that's what she had experienced anyway). I tore quite badly and needed a fair few stitches, but maybe that's because dd was a big lump, 8 11!

Thanks guys, this is great. I guess I just wanted reassurance that people can actually give birth without epidurals... . Personally, I think privacy and being in a warm, comfortable environment is going to be more important to me than an epidural, but then my mum starts with the scare stories - my family are generally big on medical intervention and high tech facilities and my mum particularly is concerned that I won't be able to have a caesarian if I need one (she had three) at a birthing centre. But if I'm next to a hospital it should be okay...? It's a nightmare, having to make choices when I don't know enough about it. Okay, will stop worrying now and go back to shopping. Maybe I should insist on having Cath K catalogue at birth as diversionary activity?

Just go with the flow- if the natural birth thing doesn't work out then at least you know you tried. If you do need a cs then they will just pop you in an ambulance, whizz off round the corner and get your baby out through the sunroof!

Oh by the way lilkel, I found my tube of lansinoh cream yesterday and followed your lipbalm tip-it really works!! I have really smooth kissable lips today, may go out and see if I can find a nice young man to test them on (or wait till dp gets home!!). The expiry date on the tube is 06/07 so I should get some use out of it for this baby and not have to buy more, hooray!!