April 2017 #5 - second trimester! Less feeling crap, more feeling kicks

[Celen]

For all those lovelies expecting babies around April 2017

We're going for the Giggle 2 as well. I like the fact that it grows with them so it should last until they don't need it any more. I'm keeping my eye out because I quite often see offers where they throw in the car seat for free.

Only thing we've bought so far is a Moses basket and stand. But that's only because there was 60% off! Having it delivered to my mum's though as I'm a bit superstitious about having stuff in the house just yet.

Might have a look at this Giggle 2!

Cat I'm a secondary teacher too... love what you said about the teenagers! I've been so worried that they have spotted a bump but you're right... I'll probably be 30 weeks before they ask me!!
I got a ton of maternity stuff from eBay and also asos. Half of the asos stuff went back though! So far I just have some jeans and work trousers, most from new look, H&M and asos own. I would go to H&M and maybe do a big asos order before half term finishes!!

My OH has just suggested a trip to Mothercare Saturday... I was stunned! He said we should make the most of their sale... I'm still scared to buy stuff!

First time poster & first time mum! Due 16th April :) had 2 losses this past year so hopefully all will be ok! Work knows now which is good but scary. Nice to be part of this thread

I had an appointment today with the obstetrician who said I'm at risk of premature labour - have to go for a scan next week to check the length of my cervix

I had my scan today, I'm not 20 weeks but tried to take advantage of half term and not needing any more cover. Went perfectly and we are expecting a baby boy! Very unexpected as we don't have any boys in family, all cousins are girls who have then had girls. We were convinced we were having a girl as well.... But it's definitely not!

Thank you to everyone in the Facebook group, don't think I could cope without it.

Good luck to everyone with scans coming up x

Hello to all the new April mums!
jpeg I have ordered the Sola 2 but due from mamasandpapas. I love it! I had it with dd2 and didn't even look at another pram.
everdene why are you at risk of a premature birth? I hope you don't mind me asking

Yes, I'm a teacher cat, secondary as well. You're probably right about the kids not noticing!

I've ordered a load of stuff from purpless. It's really nice, easy to wear and sizing seems OK.

everdene that sounds stressful. Hope scan goes well and hope you are not feeling too anxious.

catandkitten I bought some lovely things from seraphine this week, had a nice selection and while not cheap it's not unreasonable. Great for basics and dresses.

Oh and congrats on your baby boy news sussex!

Welcome newbies :)

I also get the rage when no shops have in-store maternity wear. I buy very few clothes online as returning them is such a PITA, but Red Herring at Debenhams, New Look and H&M all stock mat wear in store. M&S lady looked a little miffed when I told her I wouldn't bother with their range if they wouldn't keep it in store. Their loss. I'd rather buy online from the online-only folks than somewhere that can't be arsed to stock up.

Everdene that sounds stressful. I'm also at risk of preterm labour, but thankfully my cervix has done its job and not shortened too soon either time.

Congrats on the baby boy Sussex!! Can't believe it's time to find out genders already!!

How can I join the Facebook group when I use MN on my phone?

Re the Giggle 2, Kiddies Kingdom online is the cheapest place we've seen it so far. They seem to price match anywhere so it varies between about £480-£530, you just have to keep your eye on it!

And yes, agree it's super annoying nowhere stocks mat clothes in shops. I bought 2x leggings, 1x pair of jeans & a dress online a few weeks ago & that was enough of a faff. I need a coat & a new swimming costume quite urgently but I wish I could just go out & look rather than trawling every site. The only place I've seen that stocked a fair amount of clothes is the large Mothercare at Lakeside.

Jpeg - I think if you log on using the mobile site rather than the app you may be able to get to the direct messaging facility. I don't think you can on the app? You need to give your email address to LotsaTuddles or I think *ChatEnOuef?
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Maternity clothes - I remember ending up in hormonal tears after trawling around Oxford Street looking for stuff last time lol. It's such a pain!

I have a Britax Affinity travel system which I really like and we will use again. DD will be 2.5 when new baby comes but determined to get by without a double buggy, though unless she stops being such a runner I'll need to rethink! But the Britax is very sturdy and comfy and absolutely lovely to push. Adjustable handlebar which is very helpful for shorties. You can clip on car seat and carrycot (to make a pram) and a seat which can face either direction. However the seats don't fold so you need lots of boot space and it's rather bulky for public transport and you wouldn't be able to fold it. The back wheels are wide too, but this seems to be a universal travel system issue.

Those who mentioned OH's planning weekends away etc - mine was like this with DC1 - seemed in total denial! But he dotes on DS and most of the time is a very considerate dad who more than pulls his weight, it just didn't really happen until the baby actually arrived. Think reality just takes longer to sink in for a lot of men!

Buggy-wise I'm wondering if we can manage with just our light-weight babyzen yoyo with the new baby and 2y9m DS. At the moment we use the buggy a lot still, as if he's walking he's prone to either legging it or laying on the floor and refusing to move!

Just a maternity clothes update. Bought some Blooming Marvellous 100 denier maternity tights from Mothercare earlier. They are sooo comfy with plenty of room for my bump to expand. They feel like lovely quality as well. £10 a pair but worth it.

My only issue is I had to go for the large as I was on the border between that and medium because of my height and they recommend to go up a size if that's the case. This means there's slightly more fabric in the leg than I need but they don't seem to be wrinkly. Plus, tights always seem to shrink a little in the wash so this will probably right itself!

I was just about to ask if anyone recommended any tights. Thanks Sarahhh1984

I bought the ASOS "improved" fit ones and they lie. Nothing maternity about them as they dig in to my 15wk bump so I had to roll them down.

H&M ones in 40 or 100 denier end up with the crotch by your knees sadly as they're great when they 1st go on.

Off to mothercare now, 3rd times a charm right?

So how do we join the Facebook group? Sorry to sound silly...

Those who are buying very expensive travel systems for hundreds of pounds: all great if you are quite well-off, but just don't do it if you're not. Honestly, with my first I used one for a very short time before realising that I preferred my cheapie stroller for every day use, as it was so light and quick to fold away.

Another tights recommendation (kind of) - 70 denier hold ups from Amazon. No digging in around the waist at all! Yay.

cantmakeme - best decision I made with DC1 was buying a second hand travel system. He hated the carrycot when he was tiny so I hardly used it when he was small (sling was a lifesaver), and by the time he was happy to ride round in a buggy and getting heavy enough for me to appreciate him not being in the sling, he was big enough to use a lightweight stroller. Sold the travel system on for the same price I paid for it so no loss!

I think if your not planning on using a sling of some sort then a travel system is good. My DD liked the catycot and we put a mattress in and used as a crib for first couple of months. Also I loved the way the car seat could be slotted into the pram frame if needed. I will be using the one I had for DD, but there are some great second hand ones out there.

I'm also wondering about the Facebook group. I thought I'd messaged the lady who created the private book but maybe I didn't?!?

RaRa - I wasn't particularly planning to use a sling but Velcro baby had other ideas - for the first 3 months or so he had to be in physical contact with me or DH pretty much 24/7 or he went nuts!

Travel system was handy on occasion so glad we had it, but glad we didn't spend a lot on features that only have a short lifespan. We were originally looking at buying a new Uppababy Vista and so glad we didn't!

Oh yes, sorry I meant to say that travel systems are definitely good!! Esp in terms of the car seat slotting on when baby is asleep. But go secondhand or cheaper if you're struggling financially, nobody needs to spend loads unless they want to.

Our travel system was a good investment - we used the carrycot as DD's bed (with a proper mattress) for months, and the pushchair bit for long walks. Also useful for shopping trips once she was in school in Belgium (where I didn't drive). Took it to school with her in it, went home via shops, flipped it to lie flat mode, filled 'trolley' and took heavy shopping home. Car seat attachment was good too, as I could nip to the shops if she fell asleep in the car and not wake her. That was worth a fortune.

FB group, message either me or Lotsa with your email address (the one you use for FB), and we should be able to let you in. Don't forget to say hi when you join :)

Choccy , Gorilla and Chat, apparently I'm at risk of premature labour as I have had (minor) surgery on my cervix - I had a LLETZ excision after an abnormal smear about 10 years ago.

I've got a scan on Monday to check the size of my cervix, and then when I have the 20 week scan I'll have it measured again to check it isn't shrinking.

I feel a bit anxious really but mostly because of having to juggle appointments etc with work. I thought my line manager might be difficult, though so far she has been good, luckily.

Has anyone had any thoughts about the kind of birth they want? The consultant said he thought an epidural would be best for me.