July 2019 (thread 7)

[RooKangaroo]

Sorry, can't think of a more exciting title!

Such a chatty bunch that we're racking up the threads now. Can anyone share the link for the Google Docs spreadsheet? The one I tried didn't work.

Thanks!

Jxtina86 we have an anxious rescue dog that we're worried about - we work with a vet behaviourist already so they have given us advice to help her get ready for it. Playing baby noises, bringing in the prams/cots, etc early so they can get used to it, getting them used to being separated from usual spaces (our dog isn't allowed upstairs but we are going to get her used to being in the kitchen alone while we are elsewhere because we will need to do that with baby - she may also be grateful for her own space too! we have baby gates everywhere, don't think that is very practical with cats though!). Our dog is already on anxiety medicated and we have the adaptil diffuser too - I'm skeptical if it works but we'll try anything. The medication has definitely helped though.

We have a rescue dog who is highly strung (he's a GSD x border collie) but otherwise fine - I thought he'd be fine but when we brought my daughter home he was a bit of a nightmare. We couldn't let go of him as he was barking and scrabbling to get to her - I was so upset - but in time he came round and now they are great together, my daughter adores him. But I am fully expecting to go through it again - I think he was just confused as to what she was - not sure he'd seen a baby before!

I am expecting that our dog (she's a miniature schnauzer) might be similar. She isn't good with new people - but she does adjust after time so I think in the long run it will be ok. It's also going to be a balancing act allowing family to visit - that will stress her out a lot. Some people think we're ridiculous with the boundaries we have with her to reduce her stress and also that we put up with it all - I know so many people have said they would have rehomed her long ago! But we are her 3rd owners already so I am committed to making our new situation work for everyone and preparing her as best as we can for it. I think in the long run she will be great with a kid - she is so friendly and playful once her anxiety subsides. We joke that she is our first baby!

It's definitely an interesting time for pets. I was doing my degree in Canine Behaviour and Training (although I've intercalated due to being so sick during pregnancy), but I'm truly fascinated by behaviour.

We have two dogs, and I'm spending quite a bit of time on their training plans where I can.

Pet Remedy is another good alternative to adaptil and feliway. Pet remedy has valerian root as an active ingredient.

I'm so glad they're are so many fellow pet owners in the same boat! We've had our female cat for 12 years since she was only 8 weeks old! She is my first baby through and through and I feel so much guilt of how much this is going to disrupt her very quiet life. I'm hoping she surprises me and is completely unphased but if I can help her through with whatever I can I will! She lived indoors for 10 years or so and was seemingly terrified of the outside world, yet when we moved last year and got a garden, she was venturing out within a month and even exploring next doors garden with interest so there is hope she'll get through it!

FuzzyPixel oh that sounds fascinating. I'm really interested in dog behaviour too. We have tried her on various natural things but she is now on fluoxetine and pexion, with xanax occasionally for very stressful incidents. We are working with a really good vet behaviourists to help her.

Thank you thedust - it is fascinating. It was just a bit of a hobby around a busy day job. I've done quite a bit of volunteer work with dogs, and I just love it.

I think finding the best behaviourists is a good step for anxious dogs. I've been lucky to spend some time with some great behaviourists and learn from some fantastic trainers.

I think preparing our dogs for the baby has and will take so much time - I've had the fear after seeing a lot of dogs rehomed for respond similar to 'we've had a baby'.

If it helps any, our cat wasn't remotely interested when we brought our last baby home lol. We've since introduced another kitten and she absolutely hates him 🙈 but hoping they'll both be fine with this baby. Neither of them really bother with the toddler so I'm sure they will be ok!

thedust and fuzzypixel I just can't imagine ever rehoming my dog - I'd do anything to make it work, makes me so sad to think of it any other way. But then we took a dog once from a rescue centre who was being rehomed because his owners were getting new carpets! 😏 I remember the health visitor came out to see a friend just before she had her baby and said "I assume you'll be getting these (2 border collies) rehomed?"

I'm allergic to cats dogs feathers and fur... and personally don't like animals... especially when they maul about your house creating extra mess and extra cost.. unlike babies of course lol

I have two house bunnies 😊 they won’t really interact with the baby much I can’t imagine so I’m not too worried. They aren’t as effected by the goings on in the house as cats and dogs are.

@Jxtina86 thank you, I was thinking feliway would be the best way to go a few weeks before due date. we’ve let her sniff the baby stuff we have so far and luckily she’s not allowed in our spare room without us either and is shut in the living room over night so her routine won’t change. Well she has learned to open the living room door to get to me at night lol but we are planning on fixing that! Just nervous on how she will deal with the noise of a newborn 🙈 although a client suggested playing a baby crying through a speaker occasionally!

kentishgal no, we can't imagine rehoming our dog either, even with all her issues. It would traumatise her so much! However, we have had conversations about what we'll do if she can't adapt to the baby and will always have her best interests at heart - but we'll find ways to work around it and that is an absolute last resort.

When we rescued her, her previous owners gave her up after a few weeks because their daughter was allergic...despite being a breed good for allergies! We think it was her behaviour issues. We are being realistic about how well she will cope with a baby though and preparing her for it all.

www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/dog-behaviour-health/sound-therapy-for-pets

Check out the sounds sociable file here. There's a booklet which explains how to use it.

I'd always start on the lowest possible volume and move the speaker around the house.

Thanks FuzzyPixel - that's what our behaviourist has recommended too!

Back to baby/pregnancy chat haha - has anyone found any good maternity tights? I got a 2 pack from h&m but they've got holes in the toes already after a few wears!

@thedust I have only managed to find nice leggings, could really do with some tights! At the minute I’m managing to wear my normal tights below my bump but they constantly fall down 😩

I bought some maternity tights from JoJo but they’re too big for me as I was only really slim pre-pregnancy. So for now I’ve just sized up in normal tights!

I’ve been having really bad lower back pain at work for about 4 weeks (on my feet all day) and the last 2 days I’m getting pains in my right bum cheek 😳 anyone any idea what it could be? X

I'm still sticking with non-maternity tights as don't know where to start with trying to find a decent pair of maternity ones! Although finding skirts more comfy than jeans so need to find a decent pair of tights soon I think!

@Giraffe888 I've had similar pain in my bum/top thigh and midwife said it was sciatica, but know others have had similar as PGP? I do stretches each evening to help relieve the pain but also told not to be in the same position standing or sitting for too long (which is easier said than done!)

That’s sciatica @Giraffe888 I get that, have done for years. Ask your midwife about physio (I’m being referred at some point!) I also do yoga which helps. You can find exercises online which you can do at home. I usually go for regular massages which are a god send but since falling pregnant the lady who does my massage can’t do as much as before which is a shame.

Thanks @beckybutterfly and jxtina86 I had a feeling it might be sciatica 🙁 I’ve been doing yoga at home but I’ll try and do it more frequently x

@Giraffe888 mine started around 14 weeks and has been up and down in intensity. I YouTubed sciatica exercises in pregnancy which really helped. Also sleeping with a pillow between my knees helped at night, as well as going down stairs one at a time when it was really bad. It's eased off this week (19) but carrying on with stretches to try and prevent it being worse again if I can!

@jxtina86 I’ll look at those exercises thank you. I’ve been sleeping with a pillow in between my legs for the last week. Hopefully it doesn’t get too bad! I’ve got an underlying back problem so I was worried I might suffer with it in pregnancy x

My car seat has arrived! Managed to get a Joie Advance iSize birth to 4 years with Isofix base for £155 😊

I’m glad you lot are staying here. I don’t have Facebook.

@ReginaPhalange89 I’ve been thinking of you and your agonising wait. And @kentishgal I really hope things start to settle and pick up you poor sore love!

I’m just back from Tenerife with a couple of girlfriends (a last hurrah as it were!). Felt really safe - the hotel staff were amazing and had the contact details for an on call doctor 24 hours.

We had been planning New York in the summer pre-IVF but then this happened on its own and we thought 34 weeks was rather pushing it so after much deliberation we brought it forward and are going at 25-26 weeks. Took out hefty travel insurance!

Had 20 week scan today and all looks well with baby but I seem to have developed a 3.2cm fibroid so have to see the consultant in 4 weeks. It wasn’t seen at either of the two ultrasounds I had preconception or at my 7 or 12 week scans so presumably has grown over the last 8 weeks. Hoping it doesn’t mean much!

Haven’t been doing religious bump photos but took one at 17+6 and then a few on holiday and I’ve grown loads in 2 weeks!