Due in Dec 07 - Feel them kick!!

[buzzybee]

Hi, thought I'd start a new thread. Hope ou find this OK!

Just been shopping downtown and bought a fab paid of maternity pants for work.

Also bought "The Baby Name Wizard" as Borders were having 20% off everything. Feel free anyone to ask me a question about names now!! The book categorises them into the following "style families" (chances are if you like one name in the family, you'll like a number of others - e.g. I tend to go for "Antique Charm" names for girls which include Abigail, Adeline, AMelia, Anna. Annabel, Annalise, Ava, Bella, Clara, Daisy, Eleanor, Emma, Eva, Georgia, Grace, Hannah and Isabel):
African, Androgynous, Antique Charm, Bell tones, Biblical, Brisk and Breezy, Celtic, Charms and Graces, Country and Western, English, The -ens, Exotic Traditionals, Fanciful, French, German, Greek, Guys and Dolls, Italian, Jewish, Lacy and Lissome, Ladies and Gentlemen, Last Names First, Latino, Little Darlings, Long Gone, Mid-Century, Modern Meanings, Muslim, Mythological, Namesakes, New Classics, Nickname-Proof, Place-Names, Porch-Sitters, Saints, Scandanavian, '70s and '80s, Shakespearean, Slavic, Solid Citizens, Surfer Sixties, Timeless and Why Not?

Quite funny as my DH hat to half pull, half pick me up out bed this morning. Would have been quite romantic had I not been moaning..!!
Oh and stepping in and out the car and shower and going up the stairs has been a pain aswell.
suey2- any ideas how to go in and out the car without too much discomfort?

I find it difficult to get out of the bath, have to sort of swing myself over onto my front onto all fours hoping that i wont slip and slowly push myself up. I didnt have trouble with this until right near the end the first time.

MotherofZ I have found a feather pillow between my legs is good as it moulds to you and the top of it just tucks under my bump. Makes sleeping much more comfortable. Getting in the car is fine for me but getting out is a problem, my car is quite low with sporty seat things so end up swinging one leg out, shuffling bum round and then getting the other out and using the side of the car to pull myself out - very dignified! Much easier to get out of the driver's side than the passenger side (where I have to go left leg first) though. Very achey today in hips and back but prob cos I was standing up for most of evening at work. All this discomfort has come as quite a shock to me as although it got uncomfortable towards the end with the DSs, I never had any problems with walking, getting up/down or anything!
Mixedmama - locked hips - ouch!
Ah Buzzy, the joy of nits. Thankfully DS1 has only had them a couple of times (touch wood) and I found that putting conditioner on his hair and combing it with a napp comb daily pulled them all out - he has very thick, curlyish hair too.

mixedmama the best way is to get both legs out first by swivelling round and then use your arms to push forwards and out. You will have to keep your legs apart a bit to accommodate the bump. Hope that helps!

Will give that a try Suey.

oo sorry motherofZ that was for you!

same principle for the bath, though you will need stronger arms! Personally i would stick to the shower

cheers suey. will try that - although it does sound a bit awkward!
gather mm will give it a try too!

I only have a bath about once a week (i do shower all other times) but I do like to relax in a nice bubble bath and read my book.

Hi guys. Just about managed to read through Sat to Mon posts - I seem to do midweek when supposed to be working but not weekends - for others of you it's the opposite?! Well that seemed interesting before I typed it anyway

TheLady - I found with DD that layering works for BFing - a longish vest top with baggier t-shirt on top - expose a boob without exposing your tummy - think the hoodie is a good idea too - was summer last time so me thinks cuddly warm fleeces may be the order of the day this time.

Definitely feeling far mor PG than same time with DD - probably not different but just seems it - can't believe it's still months to go.....wonder who will pop first? We're bound to have some in October surely - which is next months!!! Scary or what

I have also now just secummed to writing a list of things we need to do pre-button - not really baby related items - more basic - like tile bathroom and sort shower out, paint DD's rooom so no hissy fits when we need some of the baby stuff etc etc..........DH is NOT going to be impressed - especially when in my typical business effficient mode I have allocated a person and date to each task - mainly him for them all and within 4 weeks!! What do you reckon the odds are when every spare weekend minute is currently spent either playing or watching rugby???

Hello you lot!

Thanks for all the nappies and clothes advice. Have got a little list of things to look out for now.

How exciting.

Have you guys seen that 4D scans video thing? It's lovely!

For all those in pain - I share your pain, man. I think a hip replacement looms on the horizon for me...5 years of physio and me exercisng pretty much every day have not got rid of this injury. But I have just booked a 2 hour full body deep relaxation massage, going to have one every month now until the end of pregnancy. First one next week. Yes! V excited as she comes to you so you can just pop into bed straight after.

Hello you lot!

Thanks for all the nappies and clothes advice. Have got a little list of things to look out for now.

How exciting.

Have you guys seen that 4D scans video thing? It's lovely!

For all those in pain - I share your pain, man. I think a hip replacement looms on the horizon for me...5 years of physio and me exercisng pretty much every day have not got rid of this injury. But I have just booked a 2 hour full body deep relaxation massage, going to have one every month now until the end of pregnancy. First one next week. Yes! V excited as she comes to you so you can just pop into bed straight after.

Neuro - VVV - of the massage obviously not your pain! Seems such a good idea - may well have to suggest something similar to DH. We're on holiday next week with my folks on one of the more remote western isles - roll on a week of Granparents looking after DD, DH off throwing himself off mountains on his bike and me enjoying an intense relationship with the sofa

Are there any oils etc they can't use in PG? Do you have to book a special PG one? You'll have to report back on how it was. Enjoy

Well it's £40 which is quite extravagent, but on other hand, it is my hip and my health, which gives me a lot of pain and has done for a while, so...a treat out of my savings account. And how often am i pregnant?

Yes you do have to avoid some oils in pregnancy. Lavendar is my fav and that's ok to use, but only in late 2nd trimester and last 3rd.

I want to crawl under my desk and go to sleep.

to those of you suffering with your hips etc, i have suffered with severe SPD during this pregnancy and have a few tips which you may feel useful:

getting out of cars: sit on a carrier bag (makes it easy to swivel and manouver without opening your legs.

bath times: sounds silly but sit on an upside down bucket or something similar whilst in the bath, you may not be able to relax but at least you can get out! and it does wonders for swollen ankles too!

bedtimes: invest in a satin/silk/slippery pj set, i have trousers and cami set and it makes turning over in bed so much easier than my usual 8 point turns when i'm not wearing them!

the biggest tip: POSTURE! it really does do wonders if you ensure you sit, stand and walk upright at all times. when i saw my physio for the first time we were both shocked at how much i arched my back... so much so that when i laid flat my lower back didnt touch the bed! no wonder my hips had so much to bear!

i have just noticed that although i read our thread several times a day i only actually write on it once a week or so and when i do they are loooong posts! sorry!

Right: this is going to be long!

I have been indulging myself, and put on my long-neglected researchers' hat. There are lots and lots of threads about what's essential for mum/baby, and what to take into hospital.

I've been combining, editing, and generally tidying up, but I've no idea how well they'll come through if I post them to the list.

I'll try one section now, and see how it looks....

Mum's hospital kitclothes
Robe/dressing gown
Night shirts (open fronted ones are handy for breast feeding!)
Cool casual gear for daytime in hospital (always really hot in there)
Slippers
Old t-shirt for labour
Old pants or disposable ones
Going home clothes (still probably maternity)
feeding bras, breast pads
Warm slippers
soft shoes/slippers with rubber soles.
a sarong, with t shirts etc for the top
flip-flops to wear in shower
warm socks

sanitary/toiletries
not too many smellies, it will disguise your natural smell, something your baby will bond with and may cause skin reactions in your babe if you are planning to bf.
Shampoo/conditioner
toothpaste
deodorant (roll-on)
hand mirror
make-up
shower gel (if it's too perfumed it will sting your, er, delicate parts)
Maternity sanitary towels x 2 packs (or Always Ultra)(the cheap ones are more padded)
OR non-stick-on pads (mothercare)
OR TENA lady incontinence PANTS
Breast pads
Tissues
Soft loo roll
Bath towels x 2
moisturiser/hand cream
hairbrush & hair elastics/clips
lavender oil - use it in the bath afterwards (helpful if you have stiches)
fine water spray bottle
Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream great on lips
flip flops for in shower
cold flannel.
good concealer
lip salve
shower gel: a baby no tears one

food
ice lollies for labour
water bottle with straw/sports top
lucozade sport or similar
cereal bars
cordial to make water taste better
a bar of your favourite chocolate.
Kendal Mint Cake - absolute bliss
dried fruit
crisps
cartons of fruit juice
loaf of banana bread
half bottle of champagne and some gorgeous french cheeses and crackers
dried fruit - dates etc - yummy and full of fibre
biscuits
tinned fruit - lovely and refreshing

other
maternity notes/birth plan
a really good book
Tens machine (maybe hire)
phone numbers and change for telephone box
Thank you notes (I wrote loads whilst in hospital!)
Camera/video camera
music ? ipod or similar
credit on your phone
Make sure your birth partner is well versed on everything that might happen, all the choices you want to make, and is in a strong frame of mind.
paracetamol for afterwards
lansinoh for sore nipples
bags to carry home gifts/flowers
mirror in case you want to see the head crowning.
and my best tip ever is take your pillow
birth announcement cards in case you get bored.
and inform dh/dp to have a gift for you for doing really well
pillow, magazine and food for birth partner

Baby's hospital kit

nappies (one pack newborn size)
wipes/cotton wool
Margarine container to put water in to wash them
muslins
4 body suits
4 vests
Warm cardigan
Scratch mittens
Hat
Going home outfit
Blanket
Sheet
a word of warning- I had a lovely shawl for ds1 from my mother. It went missing when a midwife took ds to they nursery for me to have a sleep, and once things go in the hospital laundry you can't get them back. save those things for going home.

from an egocentric mother of a gorgeous girl with down syndrome - I am saddened to read some of the comments posted here.

Having a child with down syndrome is not the end of the world. As to how it would impact on other children. My other two girls are not lacking for anything by having a sister with special needs. If you had taken the time to read other sn threads you would see that other siblings are also not missing out by having siblings with special needs. In fact research has shown that the siblings more often than not are more welcoming, inclusive, empathic and well rounded individuals.

Again - research has shown that if a prenatal diagnosis of down syndrome is given and the mother/parents have an experience of families who may have a family member with down syndrome they are 70% more likely NOT to terminate. Why - because they are able to make an informed decision based on experience not some doctors say so of what living with down syndrome is really like.

Who is to judge the worth of a life. I am curious as to those who indicated that they would perhaps terminate especially in terms of their current family. If one of those children you already had were to become ill or disabled in same way - would you love them any less - would you get 'rid' of them because they would impact negatively on those who are not disabled.

Just curious as to why people are so afraid of down syndrome and think the current medical stance which is to test as many was possible for indications of down syndrome is okay. What right has anyone to say my child is less worthy of life simply because she has one more chromosome than the next child.

What a slippery slope we embark on - what is the next focus - how many parents would abort a pregnancy if they could find out antenatally if their child had any number of conditions that cannot be tested antenatally at present.

will leave you to your thread and wish you all the best for your pregnancies. May you be as blessed as I am to have three gorgeous girls who are loving, amazing, happy, caring cheeky monkeys.

Eidsvold - congrats on your three gorgeous girls. I sympathasise with how hurtful it must be when people talk about Down's risk. I myself had the triple test, not because I was worried about the "risk" of having a Down's child but because if it was likely my baby would be, I wanted a chance to prepare - to find out what support groups there are out there, what extra medical treatment he/she might need, practical stuff like that. I personally would never abort a Down's child anymore than I would one with the "wrong" hair colour.
A lot of the mums I have spoken to here and RL feel the same way.
Please do NOT read too much into comments that you may see here and think that we somehow think a child with a disability is somehow a disappointment. EVERY child is special in one way or another.

Thelady - my word that list is fab!!!!! You are to commended on your research!!

Morning all
Thelady - well done on the lists.
Kerioke - cheers for the advise. Another bad night last night, just can't turn over as I am in soo much pain. Sent most of last night thinking 'Shall I move or not move?' at the risk of getting shooting pains.
Eidsvoid - not sure whose comments your are referring to, but I declined the triple test on the basis that whatever is meant to be, is a blessing.

eidsvoid i feel pretty angry about your hijack. Unlike other areas of mumsnet, we are a group of women going through all of these considerations in real time, often for the first time. On this thread, we have been able to discuss our fears and information we have been given without judgement. I am sure you will agree that other threads on mumsnet can be far more aggressive and controversial.

In any case don't assume that people on this thread with concerns have not read other threads: just because we may not choose to comment doesn't mean we haven't been trying to get as much information as possible.

I am not going to make a comment on your position on DS. The fact that it is tested for at an early stage in PG means that people in our position have to consider all of the consequences of termination and of maintaining the PG. I am sure you will agree that DS includes a very wide spectrum of severity of disabilities and until now we have been able come on here, without judgement, and air our concerns. Sometimes in RL it is difficult to be so candid without being confronted.

I can understand that you feel very strongly about this issue for obvious reasons. But everyone is different and we all have to make choices based on our individual circumstances and frankly it is none of your business to make a judgement on those choices.

i feel i possibly missed something as i have read back on our thread and have no idea what evisvoid is referring to... we have all ben open minded, supportive and informative in equal doses and i have read nothing about a december mum considering to abort... and if i did it would be her personal choice which i would support... and i also feel at th8is point in our pregnancy we are way passed the triple test stage which many of us declined... at 3.50 am perhaps evisvoid was a little sleep deprived and hit the wrong thread!

i appreciate and respect most comments on this site especially our special december thread and i have grown to know many of your situations and personalities well. i will not allow threads that accuse or judge to spoil what we all have and i hope others here feel the same.

and to evisvoid - i do appreaciate your situation and i am sure you do a wondeful job, i have a niece with downs and my partner has a nephew so neither of us are blind to the situation or the combined strains and joys DS can bring... all three of your daughters sound very special, but i feel you are a little to opinionated to aim such comments so blindly. this is an ante natal thread and we will discuss whatever we wish as we need to as always.

new topic - what are everyones plans today?

I have to agree with suey - the idea of this website it to air our views and fears (sometimes things you just don't feel you can say in RL) to help you make a decision no one should feel its wrong to do that - I have an aunt with DS (my mums sister) and a friend who's sister has DS and can say after speaking to them being a sibbling to someone with learning difficults is both a challenging and rewarding experience - for example with my aunt my grandparents died over 10 yrs ago and the responsibility for care falls to my mum and dad, it can be very stressful at times, having had first hand experience of seeing this I know I would have to think long and hard about knowingly having a child with DS and the impact that would have on the rest of my ds's life...

Its a very personal decision and I don't think anyone should be made to feel bad about being honest about how they feel - up front information helps parents make an informed decision, there is nothing worse in this world than an unwanted child healthy or otherwise

not sure if this has come across the way I intended at all but congrats on your 3 gorgeous girls, this isn't a personal attack I just wanted to say how there are two sides to every story and I hope people won't be put off discussing anything on this website for fear of recriminations