First timers due in Octoberish

[Kittiwake]

Hi this thread is for any first timers or anyone really who wants to chat about their imminent arrival and general lack of idea of what to expect!

I realise that there is already an October thread but there seems to be quite a few people who have come a bit late to join in the discussion on there. Hope this doesn't offend anyone

Hi ladies

Another newbie - I only joined MumsNet yesterday. My baby's due 30th October...

Hubby & I live in Bangkok but are from Essex - there's a chance we'll be back in the UK in the New Year but at the moment his company are not telling us anything. We moved here 2 1/2 years ago when he was offered a secondment.

From what you're all saying I'm so glad I'm having the baby here (I spent my first trimester in the UK)as I see the same Doctor (yes, Doctor) every time and have access to the birthing pool as most people having babies at the hospital opt for a c-section.

Jo
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Hi MrsJoJo. Welcome

Wow, sounds like you get amazing ante-natal care in Bangkok. What an exciting place to live too. My DP and I would love to live abroad (probably Spain) but it seems like a distant dream at the moment (sigh!).

I'm managing to do everything but write this bloomin' birth plan! I don't know why I keep on putting it off. I just need to get something down on paper but I'm really procrastinating. I was hoping to make a detour via some shops to the hospital and get some boots I've had my eye on and maybe pop into Bravissimo to get measured for nursing bras.

I need to get some nursing bras too but I'm waiting for my midwife to pop round first. Is bravissimo good for nursing bras? I was going to go to Marks and Spencers but their maternity bras were so boring that I'm might give Bravissimo a go. Good luck with the birthing plan. Dh made me knuckle down and write one with him on the weekend.

Welcome Mrs JoJo. I'm an expat too, except that I'm from NZ and am living in England at the moment. I've been really lucky in England with my maternity care and have seen the same midwife all the way through. Glad you've got good care in Thailand. It's such a beautiful country, we stopped off there for week on our way here.

Hi there everyone.

Hello MrsJoJo - have also been to Bangkok and loved it especially that huge market can't remember name.

Primi - I have bought some Bravado nursing bra's they are so comfortabel I bought some more and have been wearing them all the time. THey are particularly good I think if you are very large of breast (like me ) Other peope have reccomended Bravissimo though. I had some M&S maternty bras and they were pants. Which part of NZ are you from My BIL lived there until last year so have evisited a few times also have uncles, cousins and great uncles over there.

Miss B and Stefka - didn't see programme as don't have any TV reception at the moment as neighbour has some scafolding up that is blocking our signal but looked at thread blimey seems to have made an impact. 1950's lady sounds horrible.

Hope you got your birth plan done I left mine 'til the last minute before I saw the midwife think it was beacause it made it all seem a bit more real putting it down on paper

I'm having a bad day (again!)

Went into town to try to get fitted at Bravissimo. There was no one available to do a fitting so I just tried on the Freya nursing bra that I was planning to buy. It fit really badly and they didn't have any more sizes in stock so I just left it.

Kitti and Primi, don't bother going out of your way to go there. Every time I've been I've ended up waiting to get a fitting (even if I've made an appointment first) and then they never seem to have many sizes in stock. They only do 1 or 2 styles of nursing bra and you can get them all on figleaves so the only reason to go there is to get properly fitted (which is easier said than done!).

I was wondering about those Bravado bras. Do they really do the trick then? I'm larger of cup at the moment (ahem ) and I was wondering if they'd give enough support. Since that Freya one didn't fit I was thinking something like the Bravado one might be better.

Anyway, I then went to 2 different Office shops to try to get some boots that I've got my eye on and neither of them had my size. I then legged it up to the hospital for the drop in thing with the midwife to discuss birth plans only to be told by the surly receptionist that the class had been cancelled. I tried to make an appointment for the following week and she said I couldn't do it face to face, I would have to call up. I told her that I'd been calling every day but the phone just rang and rang and she just shrugged her shoulders. Grrrrr .

Sorry for ranting, it's just one of those days. I think I'm a bit over-tired.

I'm going to go and have a nice cup of raspberry leaf tea and try to calm down.

Miss Bumpy, sorry to hear that you're having a bad day. I think I'll give bravissimo a skip in that case. What do you think of the raspberry leaf tea? I've been wondering whether to buy some.
Kittiwake, I'm from Auckland, which is the biggest city in NZ. Where do you get Bravado bras from?

Miss B Bravissimo experience does not sound good! I love the Bravado bra's they are so comfy I find it really hard to get bra's to support my normally huge norks so at this time you can imagine need something with a bit of scaffolding to it. Beacuse they are really stretchy and cover a range of sizes I am hoping will still be okay even if they grow a bit more when I am breastfeeding, (please god no!)

I got one from Figleaves to start with and then bought some from ebay which were new and still in packaging but only £12 each. You are really not having much with the hospital are you must be really frustrating.

Prima - My BIL and SIL live in Auckland in Hillsborough used to love visiting them

Kittiwake, my best friend used to live in Hillsborough. You must know Auckland quite well then. Did you ever visit the zoo or Western Springs park? I used to live around there.
Thanks for the tip about where to get bravado bras, I'll definitely check them out.

Yes we did visit the zoo! I remember seeing the kiwi [GRIN]
My dad's brother also lives in Auckland my mum's cousin is in Wellington and my great Aunt and Uncle live in Christchurch, so we have been to quite a few places in NZ. I loved Golden bay and around Nelson the best I think and a really lovely island just off the coast from Auckland can't remember the name but had a lovely beach and lots of vineyards you caught the ferry from Auckland began with a W I think!

Hi,

I'm feeling a bit better now DP has come home with some chocolate for me and I've had a shower and calmed down.

So you reckon the Bravado bras are supportive enough Kitti? I worry that those crop top style bras won't provide enough scaffolding but I'm willing to give it a go.

Primi, I find Figleaves the best place for bras. There are various offers (I think you can get 10% off and free delivery through MN and there's a website called www.vouchercodes.com or something which always has various discount codes...I think there are some 20% off codes at the mo).

Primi, I quite like the raspberry leaf tea but I'm not sure it's actually doing anything! If you like herbal/fruit teas I reckon you'll like it. It just tastes vaguely raspberry-ish. If you don't like herbal teas you can get it in tablet form too. It's meant to make labour shorter/easier...anything that can promise a shorter labour has got to be worth a go IMO

Hi ladies

Yes, I am lucky with the antenatal care I'm receiving! My doc even scans me at nearly every appointment (but I don't get pictures as the machince doesn't have a printer attached!)Not sure if this is good or not as some people think the ultra-sound affects the baby - I enjoy it though

You're all so lucky to be able to get nursing bras - I have to make do with what's available and as Thai women have small boobs I'm already bigger than their biggest sizes (I was pre-pregnancy so have no chance now). We do have M&S & Mothercare here who stock some bigger nursing bras but its hit & miss if they have them to fit me - I don't trust their measuring either as they are just not used to dealing with big boobs!!

I'm hoping to make do and get fitted before buying some when I return to the UK at Christmas - I like the look of the Elle Macpherson nursing bras - have any of you tried them? I know they're expensive but I'm sick of wearing horrid things that don't fit properly so DH has promised to treat me

Jo
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Hi there,

I can imagine getting bras in Thailand would be a total nightmare! Have you checked whether figleaves deliver internationally? Also ebay might be worth a look. Actually, I've just remembered that there's an Aussie site called Zodee which does Elle Macpherson bras cheaper than in the UK and I'm pretty sure they ship internationally...Oz is closer to Thailand than the UK so that might work out well.

I've got one of the Elle MacPherson "Maternelle" bras which is a bit like a crop top but lacy and pretty. It's ok but it's not amazing support. Depends on how big you are. I think it would be great for someone a bit smaller. I tried one of the "La Mere" ones which are really pretty and lacy and it looked lovely but it wasn't at all supportive. Again, it would work fine if you've got smaller boobs.

God, I'm just realising how obsessed with bras I sound ! It has been quite an obsession during pregnancy. It's just so hard to find things that work and are comfortable (and don't look like something my granny would have worn!).

I'm meeting a friend at Brent X today. There's a Rigby and Peller there as well as a John Lewis so I'm hoping I'll have a bit more luck with getting fitted for a nursing bra.

I'm totally knackered after another really bad night's sleep I'm off to my preggers yoga class in a bit and then off shopping with my mate

What's everyone else up to today?

PS. I was just reading in the paper about a woman who gave birth in 8 minutes !!! It was her 3rd baby but still

Sorry MrsJoJo, wrong link for Zodee. Try this

Hi all

My Mum has gone home and dh is horribly busy at work - didn't get home till 11.30 last night.

My great aunt also lives in NZ! Used to be in Christchurch too but has moved closer to her daughter somewhere unpronouncable!

I found Bravissimo hopeless for maternity bras - she wanted me to have one that made me look like Madonna and I didn't even half fill it...I bought a couple of the Bravado ones the other day from Blooming Marvellous and they were really comfy when I tried them on. My only worry about buying online is the sizing so would prefer to get fitted and the lady was really nice. The odd thing about nursing bras is that they are for a 'range' of sizes, which I guess is good as you can't know what you're going to be!!!

Well...better go and...um...er...do nothing!!! Hurrah! Mum has left me a few jobs, but nothing too strenuous!

Hi all

Good luck with the bra's MissB I know what you mean about the look of the Bravado ones as I usually find those type not supportive enough but for some reason these seem to work. THis is the ++ style. I would say that they are not hugely attractive but I'm past caring about that now, going for comfort all the way!

I am a complete idiot as I managed to slip on the stairs last night, landed a bit awkwardly and feeling a bit bruised down below baby was moving around loads afterwards and I felt quite a few BH last night so by this morning was a bit worried. I went to see midwife first thing and everything fine she said baby is 2/5ths engaged now so heading in right direction. Think it just shook me up a bit really. I then managed to drive to shops this morning and realised had left my purse at home so had to go all the way back again AARGHH!

Think I will just give up on rest of day and eat some chocolate, I can't evenwatch any telly though as still no reception.

Hope your feeling okay now, Kittiwake, after your fall. The island just off Auckland with the vineyards is Waiheke and one of my all-time favourite places.

I had my aquanatal class today and I am so exhausted from it. I'm going to go and check out the figleaves website now that I've been measured by the lady at Marks and Spencers (all of their nursing bras were hideous).

updated list:

Pinkdelight 12th Oct
WMWG 13th Oct
Stefka 14th Oct
Miss Bumpy & Kittiwake 15th Oct
Primigravida 20th Oct
Mrs JoJo 30th Oct

Hey all,

I am going to go look for bras tomorrow. Do debenhams do bras? There aren't many shops here and I think the only other place I can go is M & S.

I had the NCT class and we went over the first stage of labour. It was really good but my DH is going to miss the next one when we do the next two stages.

I cleaned the whole house today and made three tuna pasta bakes. One to eat and two for the freezer. Then I tried to build the pram - complete disaster! That's a job for hubby I think.

Hello ladies,

Sorry to hear about your fall Kitti. Glad everything's ok though. I think they're well padded in there! I met up with a pregnant friend today and she was on a bus that crashed earlier this week and she was thrown forward onto her bump and got a nasty bruise. She was so worried about the baby but it all turned out to be fine thankfully. Just goes to show what tough little creatures they are

Sorry to hear your mum's gone WMWG. My DP is often out until really late too so I can sympathise. I was just having a go at him today because I've been really tired and lacking energy this week and he hasn't been around to help out so I've ended up not eating very much because I'm too tired to cook. I've been trying to explain to him that I need a bit more support at the mo.

Anyway, the bra shopping was semi-successful. I went to R&P and found only one bra which fitted but a) it was £39 [shock!] and b) it only goes up to the size I am now and apparently you need to allow at least one more cup size for when the milk comes in. I think I might order one on figleaves anyway (they're cheaper there and I can get a 20% discount too I think) and also a Bravado one. I want one of the ++ styles too. I'm with you on the style front Kitti...I'm well past caring what it looks like! I just want it to work.

Just bought 3 bras on Figleaves and it came to £72 ! And that was with a 20% discount and free delivery. If any of you are planning on getting some bras, just type "COSMO" into the discount code bit when you're checking out and you'll get 20% off and free delivery.

It's a really expensive business being preggers isn't it? DP doesn't have to worry about any of this kind of thing. I dread to think how much I've spent on bras, maternity clothes, expensive anti-stretch mark oils etc over the past 8 months!!

Right, that's enough about bras from me for today I'm off to have my dinner. Hope you all have nice evenings.

How did everyone sleep?

I did not to badly considering how sore my back is.

My cot arrives today - whoo hoo!

Then I am going bra shopping (after the crappy hospital class that is).

Hi ladies

Thanks for the links MissB - Looks like the Elle Macpherson bras won't be any good for me then - I was pushing an E cup last time I was measured, no idea what size I really am now... Have to wait until Christmas to be properly measured when I'm in the UK! I don't order online without being 100% sure of my size and the brand because returns work out really expensive.

Know what its like to be lonely - DH is working ALL hours and on-call 24/7. I went out with friends for dinner last night so, what with his socialising & work commitments we've managed just one night in together since last Friday - AND he's out again tonight. Wouldn't think we've only been married 6 weeks would you (but we've been together 13 years)!!

Don't think he realises that he will need to be home more often once the baby arrives as I'll go nuts - we don't have a car and not all Thai taxis have seat belts so there's no guarentee I can use our car-seat which strands me at home or forces me to use the city's Sky Train like the Docklands Light Railway which has no lifts or esculators. We don't have our pram/buggy yet as its in the UK

All us ladies need to take care not to fall over - a friend did so earlier this year and went into labour the next day (it was her second baby but even so). In the UK I guess the leaves will start falling from the trees soon - watch out as they are slippery!

I've just got back from the hospital. I had a huge wobble and burst into tears in the Doctor's room explaining how DH is probably going to be a useless birth partner due to a phobia of hospitals, medicine, bodily fluids and medical procedures; a doula (only one available) who is out of the country until 4th Nov and my closest friend who has lots of family & friends staying (about 15 people as its her hubby's 40th b'day) when LO is due which means I may have to give birth with no-one to support me other than the hospital staff who are lovely but their English is questionable

Other than that everything's fine, baby is in position and continues to grow. I've been referred for physio as I've a bad back (had this before pregnancy) so now wearing a hideous industrial strength maternity belt (Stefka - have you asked your MW about these, the relief is instant) and lost Saturday & Sunday morning as they want me to go in for treatment. Cost me a fortune today - over £130... Thankfully my medical insurance should cover it all but I still had to sign the credit card bill. The NHS may have its faults but its free!

Sorry to waffle - see what spending too much time by yourself does! Have a good day folks - and a nice weekend too!

Jo
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Sorry things are so hard for you Miss JoJo. Now is not the time for your partner to be busy. I can relate as we have a guest issue that has been taking up a lot of my DH time when I feel that I need his attention more than ever.

My DH is also very worried about the birth - he suffers from fainting spells and is very squeamish. I told him just to stay by my head and not look - I really hope that he will be ok.

I did have a support belt - bought it off ebay. It was great for a few weeks but now it pops off as I am too big!

Thanks Stefka

Things aren't so bad, I generally feel lucky to live here... I just had an emotional moment - it probably won't be the last!! Didn't help that my friends last night were telling me that I'm mad thinking I can do this by myself - I've no choice as my best friend in the UK had a baby 2 weeks ago & my mum teaches so can't come over because its term time. One of the friends last night is the one with all the guests, the other is BF her 12 week old and I'm not that close to her anyway.

I generally have things easy - I've not worked full time in over a year (apart from 3 months freelancing in the UK). I've a maid (we're expected to hire someone and its too hot for me to try and tackle some of the jobs myself, especially now - just wish she spoke English as my Thai isn't up to having a lengthy conversation with her!) who comes in twice a week & does all the housework, washing & ironing. I'm trying to avoid getting a nanny but if I did get one at least I would be able to pop out for groceries without worrying about LO's safety.

DH does work too much, unfortunatly its a problem all the ex-pat managers in his office have (all us wives are friends, its a little incestious at times as we all know each other's business). He's already told them he'll be taking sick leave when LO arrives as they're granting him just 2 days paternity leave starting from when I go into labour - he's also said they can send us back to the UK if they have a problem with it! Luckily we're both very close to his manager and I can have him marched out of the office when I demand it -not that he'd thank me for it!

Jo
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