Still blooming and getting bigger

[littleoldme]

Decided we were getting to full. Hope this works.

With DS DH liked one name, I liked another, in the end we chose DH's choice and used my choice as a second name.
I chose the girls names, luckily DH liked both of them.
We are umming and erring on DS2's name. I like Eden, he likes Troy (I can't stand it personally) so we might have choose a completely different name.

I had decided but a fiorend told me the other day that she's getting a new dog and that's what they're calling the new dog. So I told her- haha that's what I was going to call the baby if it was that sex (still not letting anyone know the sex lol) and she just looked mortified but I said- hey don't worry.

I don't know what I'll do now. Then again baby might be born and it won't 'look' like a whatever we've chosen. I have some names in reserve anyway so will probably revert to one of those

Do you guys only have the GTT if at high-risk e.g. family history of gestational diabetes? I think everyone has it here - I had it last week as a "standard" pg procedure. No one told me it was better to drink it slowly, because it's sickly - I was really thirsty and glugged the whole bottle down in about 30 secs! Half an hour later was feeling a bit sick...the test came back fine though. The nurse said she has seen some people unable to keep the drink down, so at least I didnt' chuck all over the place, which is some comfort!

I'm completely stuck on names too. We've been through I dont know how many books and websites. We've written down lots of possibles, about 30, but none of them stand out - I just always thought I'd "know" the right name when I saw it. Trouble is I've looked after hundreds of children so any name you can think of I've looked after someone with that name. They're all lovely kids but I want a name that doesn't remind me of someone else IYSWIM. So something individual but not so weird the poor child will have to spend their entire life spelling/explaining it.

I'm having the GTT but i'm not entirely sure why. My nan had diabetes so maybe that's why or maybe it's coz I'm big so they're just doing it anyway.

Hope everyone is ok today.

Sparkly - good job re the jabs. Keep up the good work!

I dont have a problem with needles thankfully but i still try to not look when they're taking blood or sticking it in me!

Think i'm going to get one of those BF pillows. I think they're like a triangle shape and it sits around your middle and you lay the baby on either side of it to feed. Sounds more comfy than trying to everything one handed while baby is feeding!

RG - one thing I would definitely recommend - the pillow that you are talking about!!! It really helps.

Another thing, if anyone is slightly paranoid about new babies like we were/are, - invest in one of the sensor pad monitors that beep everytime the baby breathes/moves. You DO get used to the noise and it is actually very comforting and reassuring. With DS1 we were constantly in and out of his bedroom - probably waking him more often than not. With the last 2 it was a lot better for both of our states of mind!!

I bought mine form the local market for £7 and it was fab and did the same job as the more expensive ones

Pixie - bought your what? Monitor or pillow??

Thanks for all the advice regarding breastfeeding tops. I do need something very discreet. I will probably be getting millions of visitors (mine and DHs family being extensive!) so need something that I can use without displaying my heaving bosom.

I will check that website Loopy - thanks

Today we went to Bradford and picked up some lovely CHEAP wooden kiddies hangers. Also bought some breast pads so that is another thing I can tick off the list. Going to get meternity pads from Sainsburys - can you believe I have been reading reviews on the things! Sainsburys seem to get good reviews because not as thick as some and also have wings so extra protection. I remember being shocked at how much I bled after DS was born - I naively didn't realise you bleed even after a c-section .

So maternity pads were definitely not something I was going to take lightly.

I hadn't thought about getting one of those V-shaped pillows - how much are they generally? I used the one in the special care unit when DS was in there and it was very very useful - particulary comfortable for women who've had a c-section to avoid putting pressure on the wound.

Also - has everyone got their Bounty mother-to-be packs yet? The one you get with the voucher in Emma's diary? I have been to a couple of Boots branches and they were out of stock

Now - do I watch the rest of X-factor or do I go upstairs and hang clothes...?

P.S. Sparkly - I seem to remember having 2 doses of steroids injected into my delicate behind. Oh memories...

I haven't even had my bounty pack, do I get that from the midwife??

I have one of those monitors that bleep when they breath and alarm if they stop breathing, I brought one when DD1 was born because she was premature and I was so worried. Used it again with DD2, but when I lend it to my sister one of the leads broke so I have brought another one from Ebay. They are defo. worth it for peace of mind

RG-pillow ;)

Sparkly - did your midwife give you a copy of Emma's diary at your first check up when you reported you were pregnant? There is a voucher in there for the pack which you are meant to take to Boots (or ASDA according to the Bounty website).

If you haven't been given the voucher, make sure you ask MW next time you speak to her.

I know they are full of leaflets but they do have some good samples sometimes - I remember using the mini tub of sudocreme for keeping in changing bag when out and about.

By the way - hope I am not repeating myself (I've obviously lost my marbles since I got preggers just like all the rest of you) but don't forget to join the Boots Parenting club. I know it's a marketing ploy to find out all of our shopping habits but you do get a free changing bag. Have you seen how much those things cost in mothercare etc?!!!

I didn;t see a MW at the GP till 16 weeks and saw the hospital MW at 10 weeks..

Apparently there is also a voucher in the Bounty Pregnancy pack which I got from the hospital when I went for scan.

Regardless of when you had MW appointments - you should have been given the voucher. Am sure if you mention it to them next time you're in, they'll point you in the right direction.

Alternatively you could always get in touch with Bounty directly and tell them you didn't get a voucher.

Another tip - you can get a free sample of Bepanthen nappy rash cream from here if you complete their survey. Only took 30 seconds and you can always tick the box that says 'don't you dare ever contact me again' to avoid the junk mail.

The little sample packs are so useful to carry around.

HAvent got the Bounty pack- naff all in it iir.

The Boots parenting one- you apply for the parenting thing and then when your pack comes through yopu have to buy a packet of nappies before you get the free change bag- bit norty if you're a clothie like me but I will buy them so that I can take them to the hospital

I remember getting a mini dove soap in my Bounty pack which will be very useful in my hospital bag. Also got sample of Simple Oil Gel for babies which was sooo thick and gloopy that it convinced me I would never buy the stuff.

Sparkly - have been surfing and you can register at www.emmasdiary.co.uk/sign_up.php to receive a voucher for a pack from Lloyds. But apparently the Lloyds packs aren't as good as the Bounty ones.

Be careful to tick all the boxes that make sure you don't get junk mail though, or you'll be hounded!

When i went for my booking in appointment with the MW she told me she had accidentally forgotten to put the bounty packs back into her car after taking them out the night before. So we didn't get one and it's not been mentioned since.

Choudru - i think i tried to join the Boots parenting club but couldn't see anything about a free changing bag.... ?

What's emma's diary?

What's emma's diary?

It's a pregnancy diary- what happens when and the difefrent tests. Menat to help you through the pregnancy

Yay! managed to walk into a shop and come out with a baby thing today. one Aventi steam steriliser installed! (dont really know why as am BFing i hope)

ta for all the nice words re the mumps... which now i dont think was mumps at all as its gone right down and i never got feverish

welcome maddy

RG- pillows- mine is an expensive one but i looooove it, best thing i ever bought i think. called the 'big v pillow' got it in john lewis for £40 and gulped a bit, but its nearly as long as me and a bean bag type stuffing and amazing for leaning up in bed, long enough to tuck inbetween knees and support belly at same time. DP took one look at my grin when i got into bed with it and realised he was already defunct, pre-baby! rec'd for BF too...

...just realised i was starting to sound like a saleswoman

anyone got any idea which breast pump to go for? im hoping to BF but ive heard that its good to have one to hand in case you get overfull, IYSKWIM! but if BFing goes well, dont want to spend a bomb on one of the fancy electric ones..

pelvic floors everyone!

Hi All!

Back from our lovely holiday and it's taken a good hour to catch up on all the posts since I was last here! Holiday cottage was so pretty and dated to 1500s so felt like it had a lot of history. The owners lived in the adjoining property and lent our DD their grandson's sandpit and toy car to play with in the garden, so she was a very happy bunny. Weather was a bit hit and miss, but it didn't seem to matter and we managed to eat a lot of ice-cream so it can't have been tto bad!

Choudru - I decided to start potty training our DD about a month ago. She has a sticker chart and every time she sits on her potty gets a sticker. So far only one wee in the potty, and she has spent a long time sitting on it, she seems to know what her body can do, but just won't do it! She's 2 next week BTW, so I figure it could take a bit of time, I just - selfishly- wanted a bit of nappy free time before the next one arrives!

Hi Geekinpigtails! I presume you're going to PAH - the parking isn't great and the spaces are ridiculously narrow for a maternity hospital, it's also expensive, as are a lot of hospitals I guess, but it still frustrates me. I went to the antenatal classes, and they were pretty useful, but I shan't bother this time. I can also recommend the breastfeeding workshop they offer too.

SGK - sorry to hear about all your injections, I think you are very brave and I know if it were me I would really struggle. Heck, I cried when DD had her heelprick test and first vaccinations!

I have a growth scan on Monday - excited and nervous. DH can't come as he is back at work, and I'll have to take DD as I can't get any childcare at such short notice. (The appointement letter arrived while we were on holiday) so it will be a fun afternoon, I'm sure. The walk to hospital will do me good anyhow...

Must go to bed, ooh, before I do , welcome Nicola and Maddy!

Six messages in the time it took me to write that one - I can't keep up. Just remembered what else I was going to write (I should make notes while I'm reading the posts so I don't forget!)

I was given a V shaped pillow as a present when DD was born, it was bloody marvellous. If anyone asks you what present you would like, ask for one (my DH suggested it to the friends who bought mine, the best bit of advice we got from our antenatal classes). Ours was a John Lewis one too, though it sounds a bit smaller than yours Revelyell.

Really am going to bed now. Night all.

revel - ok ok, i'm sold. I'll buy a big V pillow!!

Breastpumps - I'm thinking about getting an electric one. i saw my sister struggle with a handheld one and it seriously put me off for life (even if it was 17 years ago!!). I've heard that the Minerva (well it's really minerva i dont think but i cant remember the name of it now) Mini is good but very noisy. They do a quieter one but it's about £80. Erk!!

Anna -- Here (in the US) I think everyone takes the preliminary GTT, then if you come out borderline (which I did probably because I'd just had lunch), they make you do a full test, fasting and dehydrated. I think it's a bit much, but whatever, it's done.

I am back in my home town, for the moment, so today I wandered around the annual fair finding out who else is pregnant or has just had a baby. One of my cousins is expecting in January, her older sister had her first in April. They're both much younger than me, or at least it seemed that way when we were growing up, they're probably both over 30 now. I also ran into a crazy Brazilian sailor-woman I know who had her first two years ago at the ripe ol' age of 45. Her comment on my pregnancy was: "Eh, so you beat your brother!" which I found amusing (he's been married for a couple of years, no sign of babies yet).