Due December 08 - time to start blooming and glowing.

[JamInMyWellies]

New thread lovely ladies

has anyone else got indigestion, i'm sure this didn't start until much later last time. I was just putting my son to bed and kept burping through his stories, not nice for DS. Looks like i'll be drinking gaviscon from now on.

DH has made Tom Yum soup for dinner, not sure how that is going to suit my belly, but it just tastes so good.

My mum came to stay when DS was born and was FAB - she didn't try to take over any of the babycare (apart from cuddling of course!) and did loads of practical things like cooking, laundry etc. I feel so greatful to her. She then went home when DS was a couple of days old so that DH and I could have time alone with DS. Which we did for all of 24 hrs before MIL decended, ho hum...

Not sure how I'd feel about a Mat Nurse (not that we could afford one, or have anywhere for them to sleep). Looking into a doula tho, meeting one possible lady on Monday.

I'm so jealous, rhinestone. My mum was worse than useless - sitting around huffing about how we weren't in a routine yet (after three weeks) and when was I going to bring her dinner and not lifting a finger to help with anything. The one time I asked her if I could leave DD with her to have a precious hour or two's nap I came back to a very full nappy and very red baby bot. She hadn't even noticed!

(I think it was a ploy to drop a hint that she doesn't 'do' babies. I kind-of knew this already but hoped she might want to help out when the baby arrived. At least I know better this time and won't be disappointed!)

Oh and she also kept asking DH when we were going to switch to formula - and even turned up one day with bottles and powder although I'd spent ages in hospital working to get my supply re-established after being readmitted with postnatal complications...)

(ooh I'm getting quite cross now, remembering...)

Evening ladies

On hols now, very excited. Lots of Phish Food to eat, sure I'll burn off the calories running after DS.....maybe not though.

Verso, you evidently have every reason to be **ed off about the lack of grand-maternal care demonstrated by your mother. Tsk!

Zoejeanne - when I had the 16 wk check up, my MW suggested recording the doppler on my phone, sounded a wee bit like galloping horses, but was pretty cool and DH enjoyed listening to it later - as did everyone else I proudly played it to...or maybe they were just being polite.

Anyway, sipping my fun-free Becks (quite tasty) and waiting for summer to rock up.

your mum doesn't sound too helpful Verso. I am lucky in that both my mum and MIL have been really helpful after I had both my children. Not sure I would go for a maternity nurse but can see why they would be useful.

oh a full time cleaner-now that would be good.

I still feel rubbish-ridiculously tired and look fat not pregnant really. When will I start blooming? Finding it very hard to be patient with the kids. And a weekend of ferrying DD from ballet to a party to another party.

Hmmm, had to squeeze into a posh/ too smallt frock today and found that I could only get the boobs in if everything else went southwards (eek). Kind of the opposite of a wonderbra.

Would "Toupe" tape work?????? We'd get an awesome cleavage!

i just had 2 large bowls of rice and 2 big bowls of tom yum soup, soooo good, no complaints there. BUT I am still hungry!!! how is that possible. Right i'm off to raid the fridge. I wish i had bought ice cream, would be so nice serve up some right now.

I'm also considering a doula this time around. Dh isn't so keen but as I keep pointing out, I may go into labour & he might have to stay & look after ds. I don't particularly want to give birth on my own! Looking at the Doula UK website, experienced doulas (3/4+ births) charge between £500 & £900, or you can get a trainee doula for £150.

Don't know about maternity nurses, can see how they'd be useful but never fancied having someone around constantly that first week.

I've eaten so much food today, mainly junk as well!

anyone still awake, i'm still up. Will be away for a few days as going down to London for long weekend it is DS's NCT group 3rd birthday down there.

Still up cos currently trying teach cat how to use new cat flap, he has just run off in disgust. DH and i keep putting treats on either side then try to shove his head through when magnet activated to give him an idea of what to do. He is a smart cat but clearly not impressed. At least we are packed but have an early start.

You can get night nannies as well, by the way. I was thinking of hiring a maternity nurse this time (because of c/s and complete lack of support from family) but wasn't sure because of the expense and also because I don't want someone telling me what to do - as I've pretty much BTDT! (What I don't know about Harvey Karp isn't worth knowing .)

Anyway - for me the crucial thing is sleep. If I have another colicky baby I'm not sure how I'll survive 24/7 until the baby settles (DD took eight months altogether) - so I trawled the internet and discovered there are some nanny agencies that do nannies specifically for night time. They come around 9pm and then during the night either bring the baby to you for feeds or give expressed milk (if you're BF) or bottles (if you're not). It sounds like bliss to me and nowhere near as expensive as a maternity nurse.

I'm only planning on booking for one or possibly two nights a week - to allow me to get at least some sleep. Everyone says "nap when the baby naps" but if the baby only ever naps for 45 minutes at a time that's a bit difficult!

I've already noted interest and will make a booking after the 20 week scan I think. If you're interested I can CAT you some links.

You're up early Verso, everything ok?

My meighbour had a night nanny and said she was fab. I think it's a good idea for a few days a week. I can do anything on sleep, but deprived I am useless. I am planning on a bit of Cbeebies action for the big one whilst I snore for an hour....

Know what you mean about sleep Verso - DS wasn't colicky, just woke frequently for feeds for a good long time (not going to say how long as I don't want to scare the first-timers ). DH spent A LOT of time pounding the pavements at the weekends while I caught up on sleep. One time he said ' but DS is happy, we could just play down here...' but I replied grimly 'I'll hear him, take him OUT' .

After faffing about last time sitting on the floor of a cold nursery trying to get DS to sleep in his own bed at 3am, I think we will go straight to co-sleeping this time. Think some kind of cot with the side off pushed up to the bed might be worth trying. Whatever gets you the most sleep I say!

You're all probably going to hate me now but we never really had any sleep issues with ds. I am worried though that dc2 won't be as good & ds is going to be on a full Cbeebies diet

Lucky you Rosmerta.
I'm not looking forward to the lack of sleep either. Both of mine were such greedy babies they were feeding all the time when they were tiny. I actually found it OK with DS as knew what to expect, but was shocked with DD at just how frequently I was breastfeeding. So I do think a little bit of forewarned is forearmed for first timers. If you are breastfeeding, it can be very tough in the first 6 weeks or so while they cannot hold much in their stomachs. Much better after that though.

My DS is the same as you rosmerta am bricking it that this one will be up all night. If you are going to breast feed I say learn to feed lying down much easier in the first few weeks. With DS he would wake and I would latch him on and doze back off a couple of time I would wake up a couple of hrs later and he would still be sucking away.

Hope you are all having a lovely wkend off for a bit of david tennant, I do hope he is not leaving I love Dr Who.

couple of questions, ladies:

some of us are obviously due around christmas - is this going to prove a huge problem in case of getting help with breastfeeding etc? am a first timer, and intrigued by this talk of night nannies/maternity nurses/doulas. they sound wonderful but alas we don't have the funds to hire one. however my main concern is if we have problems with bf, it is likely to be over christmas & how will we get help? are we going to have to pay exorbitant rates (someone mentioned emergency rates)?

secondly - am going on hols in a week to sunny portugal - are octopus and squid considered shellfish?

also, what are people's opinions on diving into an unheated outdoor pool? i cannot bear having to creep in, but if people reckon the bump isn't going to like it, of course i will. will be 17 weeks when we go.

thanks

waitinggirl, it's probably worth checking your local hospital if they have bf clinics and when they'll be open. Also there's the NCT bf helpline and the LaLeche League (think that's right) if you want to speak to someone. I'm sure they'll be manned over xmas as well.

Not sure about the squid/octopus, I don't think they're shellfish but I wonder if its like fresh tuna, just little amounts because of mercury?

I don't think there would be a problem with jumping straight into an unheated pool, the baby does respond to changes in your body temp but I think its more of a problem if the pool's too hot!

Hope that helps! Whereabouts in Portugal are you going?

Been away for a few days - wow you lot were chatty at the end of the week !
welcome waitingirl, hope you can start relaxing and enjoying PG soon - I think I'll feel better after 20 week scan too
minster sending you virtual {{hugs}} xx
LadyThomson the storksaks are really lovely too I just bought 'Pregnancy & Birth' magazine and it has money off vouchers for some changing bags including a lin & leo one and a Storksak
zoe I heard heartbeat at 16 weeks and recorded it on my mobile phone for DP to hear afterwards, it recorded really well !
Verso your mum sounds like a nightmare. I really hope mine doesn't stick her oar in too much.

Well ladies as well as dreadful heartburn I have now been getting Braxton Hicks contractions - am only 18 weeks !! Apparently dehydration can cause them and I was told my MW to drink more so have been constantly sipping water. I had a few mild ones over a week ago but wasn't sure what it was, then on Thu I had several and my bump/belly went solid and felt really tight so I realised what it was - a bit scary to be honest as was terrified it meant early labour may start . However, drinking lots of water seems to be helping. Had a few last night as was up late (tiredness can also be a factor - can you tell I've been googling this !) but none today so far...

mibbes, how worrying for you. Glad everything seems to be ok

Morning all! Have been away fpr a few days and there's a new thread and everything. Welcome to the new folks and I hope you are all well.

Re: maternity bras, underwireds are fine if they fit properly. If you want a supportive non-underwired bras, am afraid to say I found the Triumph Doreen bras the best, but they are v v ugly. No mono boob effect though. Have just bought a couple of bras the next back size up and they seem to be fine.

Re: bfing, you can also get lots of support on here and people are around all the time . It is hard in the first few weeks, but it gets easier and when the baby is a bit older it is really really easy, much more so than bottles .

Hurray, I had my amnio results over the weekend and everything was normal. Such a relief . DH is very pleased too as I'll stop fretting (and grinding my teeth in my sleep!).

It was DD 2nd birthday on Saturday. We had her little friends over for a party in the afternoon which went very well but was a bit exhausting.

Minster sorry to hear that you are feeling so down. I hope that you will be able to enjoy your pregnancy more soon or at least stop feeling sick!

Nolda that's great news

Nothing much happening here - waiting for my consultant appointment to come through. Haven't been sick since Friday morning

Hi All

My first post on our new thread. I have been away celebrating for a few days as I got a huge promotion on Friday. I am so pleased as it is a massive career step for me. It also means my pay doubles and my maternity package (6 months full pay) will be based on me new salary .

Re breastfeeding - I found some of the advice on here was the most useful! People like TikTok are an amazinf resource and looking at some of their existing advice threads is a great idea. I was very lucky last time in that DD was a great feeder from the beginning - I hope it is as easy next time.

Re doulas etc. We are considering a post-natal dula who will come in for several ours a day afer the baby is born to cook, care for the baby, play with DD etc. I won't get her stright away but after christmas when DH goes back to work.

Hello and welcome to all the newbies .