Hi everyone, yet another thread! Sorry if some of the following replies are a bit outdated...
JollyBear thanks for the Auzzie crunch recipe (I hadn't heard of it before either but it sounds yummo), and sorry Katie that was my fault as I'd asked for it. Hopefully your GD will go after birth (I've heard this is usually the case?), and we can all have it as post-baby celebration food
LadyT I'm not actually learning any music at the moment (as I'm on maternity leave and it's too much like work!) but when I go back in January I'll be singing in Mozart's opera The Magic Flute. What opera did you see at La Scala? I studied for a while in Italy, but unfortunately at the time La Scala was closed for renovations, so I didn't get to see anything there. Fortunately though, there are many lovely opera houses in Italy so I wasn't too disappointed.
To the ladies craving chalk/makeup pencils etc - have you had your iron levels tested? It's called Pica when you crave or want to eat those things, and I think it's thought that it may be due to a deficiency in vitamans or minerals. I'm having my iron and vitamin levels checked next week at my MW appointment, as my iron levels were a bit low last blood test. Have bought a bottle of Floradix in advance but will wait for the result to start taking it. Haven't had the desire to eat any eyeliner pencils though yet, how disappointing
Turniphead thanks for the info on your birthbag favourites - I didn't know about the camomilla drops, so have made a note of it.
LadyT LOL about the doing the full 'makeup shebang' after birth (I know I will be wanting the same! hehe)
Summer and Veggie, about the no perfume/deodorant issue, I've been using one of those mineral crystal anti-perspirants for the last few months, and surprisingly it's been working amazingly well in the hot weather over here. I was skeptical at first as it didn't seem to work, until I read the instructions and realised it needed to be slightly dampened before applying! But the great thing is it doesn't smell at all (either of fragrance, or of sweat) and is much more natural than using the normal commercial stuff, so I'm happy with that. It's this one if you're interested.
Veggie - 1.8L of eucalyptus oil! Crikey! I was going to ask what you needed all that for, but then you mentioned you use a couple of drops in the wash with the eco balls. I really want some of those eco balls now, they look great.
Indith great news on the job, congrats!
waitinggirl congrats on the distinction for your dissertation too, very well earned!
I am worried about any of you who are swigging gaviscon - my midwife told me implicitly not to do that but to measure the dosage and not take more than it says on the bottle. If it's not working, you should definitely see a doctor to get some more effective medication. There are H2 Blockers or PPI's (Proton Pump Inhibitors) which can be used during pregnancy which are deemed safe, especially as it's no longer the 1st trimester. PPI's are great (and generally more effective than H2 blockers) and I have used them before for reflux/heartburn, and have been advised if it gets bad then I can always take them again. Fortunately my heartburn is not too bad at the moment
waitinggirl how are you going with your furniture hunt? Have you tried ebay? We got some great stuff on there really cheap and it looks virtually brand new. It was a 3 piece matching set (cot, change table, chest of drawers) in solid wood for about £40. My BIL in the UK did the same and got a lovely wood cot & change table for £45. So it may be worth a look if you haven't found anything yet. Also well done with handling the 'bloggate' so well, I think I would have dealt with it much more irrationally and completely cut her out of my life. Hard to do though I understand if your DH's are friends...
Hatty HOORAY you amazing placenta-moving-marvel! I knew you could do it!
kayz glad you got the all clear on GD.
jumpjockey you don't have a link to that thread about pushing in childbirth do you? Sounds like it would be an interesting read (as a first timer too, I am thirsty for knowledge about all things labour related!)
TYV - you reminded me that a will is something DH & I have been meaning to do for a while. Didn't think about the childbirth aspect of it but I guess you never know
chutney hang on in there with those niggles, hope you're feeling better soon!
Beans can I play devil's advocate and say that I think even though those women in the Daily Mail article may come across as vain and selfish in a way for wanting an 'easy' way to avoid childbirth, that adopting and bringing up an unwanted child is still a lovely and selfless thing to do? There was a part of me that actually felt bad about bringing a child into this world when I know full well there are so many children waiting who are in desperate need of a safe and loving home. I can see how the article is offensive however to women who choose to have their own child, and I guess that is part of the problem with the sensationalisation/one-sided-ness that we so often see in the press.
Verso how scary with your fall! At least you know your bub is well protected in there but it still doesn't stop the shakes or the anxiousness that follows a fall. I fell on the pavement about a month ago, and it took me ages to stop worrying about doing it again. In fact I still worry!
Indith GREAT post about cloth nappies, and traceface it's fab you want to try reuseable nappies, we are definitely going to be using them. Have a look at my pics - I've put up one that I made myself, and it only cost me about £2 to make. I've heard nothing but good things about them from those who use them, and the amount of money you will save is phenomenal too - can you try that tact with your DH? Otherwise perhaps get him to read a couple of pro-cloth nappy websites like this or this in his own time to let him have a think about it. Eco disposables are better than normal disposables of course, but I think as veggie has mentioned previously, part of the problem is that the poo still goes into landfill rather than being treated at as sewerage. And of course they still need to be manufactured, which is another environmental issue. If money is not a problem (as bio disposables are more expensive and if he is considering them, then perhaps this is the case), could you reach a compromise with a nappy laundering service? You should still pay no more than using disposables but it is better for the environment and some would say better for baby (although this will be my first time using cloth, so that's just from what I've read, not personal experience!) rosmerta I hope your DH comes around on it too! I think you should both use the "so can we use cloth nappies now?" line just after giving birth. How could they say no after you've done that???