July 2016 (7) We're halfway to meeting our little bubs

[allthegoodnamesalreadytaken]

Hi all started a new thread as the old one was getting almost to 1000. We're a very chatty bunch! Happy Friday

Thanks for all the tips ladies. I've bought the Medela swing to express. Might sound a bit silly but what do I use to store the expressed milk, also how do I store it and for how long can I store it (safely).

I've downloaded an app for my kegels. It takes me through the exercises a couple of minutes per day and I find it quite good for reminding me to do it every day. Here is the link to the App Store

Kegel Trainer - Pelvic floor exercises for men and women by Olson Applications Limited
appsto.re/gb/ZFDDI.i

Thanks for the ASOS code will definitely make use of that today

Ha ha Cookies that's brilliant! I'm missing a lot of Pilates and yoga classes atm, due to a combo of my having other things on, and some of the classes being cancelled for the Easter hols. So I need all the Hegel reminders I can get!! Allthegood I will try and remember to download that app later.

Thanks ladies for all the tips and recommendations. I must make some notes to look at when the time comes round.

Lucia I am also a fan of proper books. Thanks for the book details. Think my big sis might have a few to give me when I see her next week, so I will try and keep space in my suitcase.

Thanks for the Asos code Anna, prob shouldn't spend any more money but treating myself definite lifts morale doesn't it, even if only temporarily!

Speaking of which -

Cookies cheers for the DH sympathy and solidarity. I have decided to move on from bad start to the day by spoiling myself as much as poss. So I went to a cafe for tea & cake before hair appointment, and am now sitting in a crepe shop having just consumed the most delicious crepe. It definitely helps - right now I feel loads better

Brilliant breastfeeding tips, thanks ladies.

Lucia that book looks really good. I might order it.

I just went to my mw appointment, booked into 4 antenatal classes starting 26th May so that a good. Given a number to call to book a 1 off bf advice class which I will book for when I finish up. Got my matb1 form.
The midwife had a feel for my funds height, said it was about 2 fingers above my belly button and mentioned this is quite big for 22nd week. Does anyone have a clue if this is a problem? She didn't elaborate and moved swiftly on to something else. She said they don't use tape measures this early on however at my 16 week appointment they used a tape measure and I was measuring correctly at that point...

21+4

Thought I would share my 'Bananalicious' Belgian chocolate crepe with you all! Gosh it was divine.

Kaytee glad your appointment went well. In terms of measurements, I've heard two things that may be relevant:

Uterus reaches your belly button at 20 weeks roughly. So two fingers higher now doesn't seem huge? That's just me guessing of course....

More than one friend of mine mentioned having had previous scaremongering comments from midwifes, only to discover subsequently that there was no growth problem at all. Each midwife measures differently apparently, so there is really no point worrying about it at this point.

Not sure if this helps? I'm off to my appt in an hour so I'll fill you in on what my mw says to me. Hope I get the nice mw!

Reading online it seems like at 20 weeks top of uterus would be at belly button then 1cm for each week so surely 2 fingers above belly button at almost 22 weeks is about right? Then I think that the midwife must know more than websites

Gnat cross point - thanks.
I know the 2 things might not be related but I've only put on 10lbs so far and don't think I look very big so I was a bit confused. I had actually started to think this week that I wasn't growing enough..

Anna hope you are feeling better now.

Cookies I managed quite a bit of rest and Ds3 fell asleep on the sofa with me. DH is definitely a keeper I feel so blessed although obviously at times I still want to punch him in the face . I feel I deserve to be happy though as I was in a very abusive & toxic relationship previously.

Hi tams

Foobio lovely bump pic. I think your bump is quite high.

Sorry to everyone having mat pay issues. I hope I get my maternity allowance ok. I'm not sure I've paid in enough nat insurance so I'll have to give them a call. I paid national insurance via bill up until July last year but I didn't get charged any when I did my tax return in January as I didn't earn enough.

Kaytee finally feeling better today. I've not had a lot of Gaviscon I just have one swig after meals sometimes. Sorry you are having a bit of a tough time with your midwife. Is it possible to request another? I had to do this with ds3 as the midwife was useless.

Jem what a lovely bump.

Goingloopy congrats on joining team pink.

I'm in the packing zone today. I just want to be moved and settled so I can enjoy the rest of my pregnancy. My whole day is dedicated to trying to remember things to do in preparation for moving.

23+5

Hi ladies

Haven't been on in a while, have been up and down and now signed off work for 2 weeks. But I've enjoyed reading all the outfits and BF tips so thank you!

Allthegoodnames thanks for the app! I have been feeling v guilty about neglecting my pelvic floor exercises so will check it out. Does anyone have any tips for remembering to do them?! I was considering setting an alarm twice a day...

Have added below my favourite scan pic so far - my little boy's lips and nostrils at 20 week scan! I can't believe how 'human' the photo is - lots of my friends couldn't see it at all though until I said it was zoomed in on his face!

20+6

Thanks for all the combi feeding advice everyone. I had been thinking about formula for the one feed a day, in case I'm not able to express if something happens. Sounds like I might need to rethink that. It just seems like such a minefield when you try to look into it! I know there's only so much planning I can do beforehand so maybe I'm thinking too hard about it at the moment - there's no way to know until I'm able to try anyway. Lots of things here that I hadn't thought about, which is great.

AnnaT Thank you for the heads up about the asos offer. Will have to have a look tonight. I'm getting to the point where my larger pre-pregnancy clothes aren't going to cut it much longer and I don't have enough maternity stuff (other than trousers) to last me all the way through.

Allthegoodnames - breast milk can be stored in bags or boxes in the freezer for up to 6 months or one day in the fridge. However, it is worth knowing your milk changes to meet the needs of your baby so the milk of your newborn is likely very different to your 6 month old. We tried to use ours up within 4 four months.

I used to store mine in 4oz bags. They were weening pouches which had a presser seal on top and a pouring nozzel. I would take the pouch out of the freezer and put it in the fridge the night before. Then we could use as much or as little or it through the next day warming it up by placing it in the bottle in warm water.

DS had a gassy gut and couldn't always pass wind, so someone suggested Colief which we were able to get on prescription and used to use a little expressed milk before a feed to feed him the couple of drops of the magic. When he went to formula I would just pop it in his formula before each feed.

hello

Bit of a drama as on my own this week (OH abroad for work) and Ted pulled my glass bedside lamp off the table and it smashed cutting his top lip and nose...argh. They're only little cuts but jeez louise what a way to start the day (was right next to him folding pants on the bed!).

Have also totally lost my voice as have bad cold and so sound like croaky old crone especially when I cried out my shock and surprise at above incident...

Wanted to weigh in on mixed feeding discussion. i had a partial boob reduction when i was 30 and so was producing at around 70% capacity milk. from about week 4 we regularly gave him formula for the evening feed and 'here and there' depending on where we were/convenience etc. Ted very happy with both (boob/teet/formula/expressed etc). Stopped breastfeeding at 6 months which was fine too.

biggest advice is be kind and honest with yourself and DC and don't go crazy if BF doesn't work for you. i personally found expressing to be the most boring thing in the world and stopped around week 3. just wasn't producing enough and felt awful sitting there like a cow!

I used lansinoh bags to store my milk in the freezer and got them on eBay, I just attached them to the pump then wrote the date on the bag which had the oz markings on then put in freezer. I used to express about 4am when my boobs were rock hard and that way I built up a nice amount bit by bit and then fed dd from boobs that were a bit more comfortable than when engorged! Totally forgot that until reading all the advice .
Had the madela swing which was good but sold it and tempted to try a cheapie manual this time round as I ended up just boobing it most of the time as dd was a sleeper (yes, the holy grail of baby types). I will probably end up with a non sleeper and begging for the electric one this time lol.

Got my change bag yesterday which made me think about writing my list for hospital bag...getting a bit real now! Also got my mat leave cover sorted and now can't wait to finish.

Thanks goingloopy will have a look on Amazon for those pouches. You're like the font of knowledge when it comes to BFing

Hello all - so behind on this thread! Had bonkers work over last couple of weeks - so sorry I've missed so much. Glad that everyone is doing ok. Lovely pictures of bumps and scans popping up all over the place - not to mention chocolate crepes gnat

Elizardo - you poor thing! Hope you and Ted are ok, what a blooming horrible shock first thing in the morning.

Great tips on breastfeeding, thanks ladies. There is so much to learn but in a way it is comforting to hear it's different for everyone.

My bump has grown so much in last few weeks, I will soon be spherical. At least people sometimes give me a seat on the tube now, which is progress. The challenge of being a 5ft tall expectant mother…..

We're off to Rome at the weekend on a little break - we had some flight vouchers left over from a trip I couldn't make last year so we thought why the heck not?! However, I have just read that gelato might be off limits though and having a minor panic! Does this sound right to anyone?!

Gnat that looks incredible! Well deserved treats good for you. How was your hair appointment did you get anything drastic done?*
*
kaytee you have a lovely neat bump. I think your uterus sounds in the perfect place.

In terms of measuring it's always been ridiculous for me. Talking measuring something like 38 weeks at 30 weeks type scenario. Tested for diabetes, went for fluid scans, nothing came back. Saw consultants. Result : Babies were on the skinny side and average weights. It meant nothing. And got me into such a flap. So I very much take the measuring with a pinch of salt. And that was several midwives measuring me so wasn't down to how a particular one did it.

anna I may have filled a basket on asos and then actually bought it all oops

fifi that scan pic is incredible!

elliz really sorry to hear about Ted. And hope you feel better soon. Hope tomorrow is a better day!

With the breast feeding advice I think it's trial and error really, no right or wrong answers, everyone is different and all different experiences.

Sorry minnie saw your message after I posted, thanks for the tip on the bags, got lots of research to do

Eliz so sorry to hear about Ted's accident. Poor thing! Hope you are ok? My hubby is also away for work..I'm missing him loads! :-(

Cheery enjoy your trip to Rome, I'm so jealous! I know nothing about gelato being off limits. Does anyone else?

Anna thanks so much for the maternity wear ASOS code! I bought a swimming costume for £22 - love a bargain.

Fifi sweet scan pic and kaytee lovely bump!

By the way for those who are fans (me!) One Born Every Minute is back on Channel 4 on the 22nd March :-)

Cheery when I was in Venice I looked up the word pasteurised in Italian and pointed at my stomach, they were happy oblige with yes/no. A lot of them publish the ingredients on the side of their carts.

Ah thanks jem and mascara! I definitely look v preggo so hoping that'll make up for my rubbish Italian

mining DD is not a sleeper and never has been. I've put my name down for a sleeper this time. I'm so jealous of sleepers! Can't even hide it!!! I've just had two nights sleep as my mum had DD while I'm poorly. It was bloody amazing!!!!

cheery I love Rome!!!! You're fine on gelato. The only thing to be wary of is if it comes out a machine like mr whippy or McDonald's my midwife said. Just as they contain a lot of bacteria apparently. Enjoy it!!!

Eliz poor Ted! How terrifying for you!!! It's so hard as you don't realise things are a danger till they get to them. I'm so pleased he's ok.

I'm glad you've all been using the Asos voucher! Mine arrives tomorrow! Got a wedding next week and dress I had planned to wear don't do up so hoping one in my order does.

Sorry posted too soon! Had my scan today all fine which is good. Stayed team Yellow!! Can't wait already to meet him/ her!!!

Feeling better but not eating much still. Hoping to recover in the next few days

Ah thanks Anna Congrats on scan!

Allthegoodnames there were/are two bf trained experts in my other mn fb group and I learnt everything from them. I was so pissed off that basically they (healthcare) seem to drop you like a rock once they know you have delivered safely and baby has latched on once. DS latched on like a pro the night he was born but the next morning was a different story. Fortunately I got help but it was really only by circumstance. I felt let down by the antenatal teaching on bf and would never have made it past those first 4/6 weeks if it hadn't been for those two ladies in the group. I was/am fascinated by the whole baby growing inside and milk making /adjusting thing that I tried to find out about becoming peer support in my area for new mums. But there is little to no funding and postnatal services (Health visitors etc) are really struggling.

I am more than happy to share everything I know on the matter and ask my experts when I don't know something. Then you can take it or leave it. I think that is the most important thing to remember in those first months - your baby your choice. Advice is nice but not always welcome.

Pump wise, i have friends who got on better with manual pumps and others who didn't get on with pumping at all. I went for an Ameda lacteline duel because it is possible to thoroughly clean all the parts the milk passes through and that also meant I was happy buying it second hand (it had actually never been used but got it at half the price) and have lent to friends sonce using it. I will have it back for this bany and again feel confident I can clean all the corners of it and sterilise it. For example, the milk does not run through pipes so they stay completely clean and are there to provide the suction. I remember feeling a bit like a cown and it was noisy. I could never really bring myself to use both pumps at the same time but it meant that I always had one ready to go if I got a few minutes.

It is better to pump in the morning because your milk is creamier, bit I found that quite stressful so ended up doing it in the evening which worked for me.