Due september thread 5

[mummyhill]

Thanks I thought it would be really difficult to start a new one and silly me it couldn't be simpler.

I am luckier this time round with dd i never saw the same midwife twice this time i have seen the same person at the gp's surgery every time.

moschops - if you are looking for real nappies have you tried the nappy lady - she recommends some that fit with what you want.
nappy lady

Sallie - Milward said she had a skirt from there further down the thread I think.

20 weeks yesterday
Will need to buy everything too. No offers of loans from friends yet and dont want to ask. Guess some are probably at at 'thinking about n0.2' stage.
Any advice from current mums on 'must haves' and 'dont bothers'? I think we can forgo a change table. What about baby baths? Dont really want to spend too much nor clutter up our small flat.

...on the subject of cloth nappies, I have just been given a few motherease one size nappies to try so will give them a go on dd once I have armed myself with a bucket and nappisan and will let you know how I get on. Can't face trying ds too - he is 2.5 and resistant to potty training....

sallie - are you going to 'dry pail' or put the dirty nappies in liquid in the bucket? I find the dry bucket much easier and doesn't smell I actually need to buy some more nappies as the second stage ones have done 2 children now and a few are a bit worse for wear! I have loads for the first few months though as my SIL gave me all hers as she bought some and didn't get on with them.

my current thinking on nappies is to buy some eco disposables and some old fashioned terry squares to begin with. i have changed the bottoms of many of my 30 odd cousins over the years and have a pretty good track record with 'traditional' nappy folding.........and then try out some of the modern styles when i have got to grips with my baby's routine/body shape etc.

i said to dp last night ' any thoughts about nappies?' as he ought to be consulted, his reply was ' whatever you decide. i've never changed a nappy in my life so it's a skill i have to learn from new anyway'.......he is in total agreement with me about using washables and has even offered to have lessons with the washing machine (the only household appliance he doesn't use)

lol i can see total chaos ensuing in our house when baby comes home!!

Boompi, on the subject of baby baths some friends of mine have a bath seat which you can use to sit the baby in in your bath - takes up a lot less space than a baby bath and leaves both hands free.

boompi - as picalli says there are baby supports available. I use a bucket bath as I found it much easier than a baby bath - smaller too! Will try to find a link.

Back from an excellent holiday in Egypt - lovely break, but loads of stress at work, so now hardly feels like I have been away at all.

Sallie, I have done some shopping at Isabella Oliver - got the hipster a-line skirt which is lovely to wear, and doesn't look maternity at all. Also got the wrap top, but haven't worn it yet.

Scan next Monday, so looking forward to that.

pooka, Looks like I'll be joining you at Yoga if it's the Tuesday pm with Zoe. I want the 6.40 class so that DH will be home in time to look after DS. Did you do Yoga last time?

Re Maternity clothes a friend of a friend has a shop/website called tiffanyrosematernity.com don't know what it's like and looks a bit ££

Oh how funny, Rhumba! Yes, it's the 6.40 with Zoe. May change to the earlier one when I leave work, but that may prove more difficult as will have dd all the time then! Didn't do any exercise at all last time, and am hoping that the class will help with homebirth and breathing as hadn't a clue when dd was born.

Sallie - I have the long skirt & turtle neck top from isabella oliver - really wonderful to wear. I found the long sleeve tops too short & trousers too long (I'm 1.75m). I've almost lived in the skirt since I was 10 weeks!! Really washes well. Took it on holiday practically uncreased from the suitcase. Wish they made them in others colours/patterns- I do wear a lot of black but would get another of the skirts if it was in black with a pattern.

Zubb - thanks for your clothing tip

Not been on here for a few days, have had my mum staying with me while hubby was visiting his folks abroad. Hope everyone is well... I am off work for a couple of days, just feeling "weird", light-headed, bit sick, and annoying hip pain! Hoping the rest will do me good.

Boompi - on the subject of what to get for a new baby I would say not alot. I lookedatll the catalogues and there is so much unnecessary stuff! When I had my first I didn't realise this!! The things I've used regulary are a maxi-cosi car seat and maxi cosi push-chair, a baby bjorn baby sling (fabulous - used to 18 months+ with my three), a baby bath that fits on the bath from mothercare (I could bath baby whilst little one in the big bath at the same time - never tried bath seats but these look good), soft changing mat on bathroom floor for after the bath, an ikea changing table in the bedroom, a nappy bin that wraps the nappies, a rucksack type handbag, I co-slept with dds so didn't use cot for ages. When dds were small they wore vests and babygros mainly during the day as these are easy outfits to put on. I got rain/snowsuits from H&M for use when in babysling. Good luck with all your purchases - if in doubt wait until after the birth as then you will really know what you need from all the articles on sale

Haven't posted anything on here for ages again, but have been reading and catching up with everyone.

I'm nearly 19 weeks now (on Friday) and am excited to say that I am actually looking forward to this baby coming now. At the beginning of the pregnancy I was not happy about it at all; this baby was unplanned and I felt really unhappy about it.

But now I am feeling happily positive about it. I am very glad that I went to see the doctor when I did and glad that the combination of anti-depressants, talking and being off work have helped to get me feeling much more like me again .

I came back to work on Monday and am surprised (but pleased) that it is all going fine (which wasn't how I felt when I was last at work). I managed to get promoted in my absence which I am quite impressed with.

When are people thinking of stopping work? I am planning to stop working on Friday 22nd July when I will be 32 weeks. I have some holiday to take which given my parttime working will give me about another month until I start maternity leave. I'm going to keep DS in nursery (although fewer days) so that I can enjoy a bit of me time before small one arrives (and I then have no more me time for a long time).

I'm glad this is a three day week for me - another 3 hours or so at work and I can go home . Looking forward to seeing DS who I haven't seen since 4:30am on Tuesday morning (I had to work late last night and so missed him going to bed by 10 minutes ). I phoned when he was going round on his truck upstairs wearing nothing at all . I wish DH had photographed the occasion - although I heard the gales of laughter .

I have been feeling small one move for a little while now - not too forceful but definitely movement . My 20 week scan is 2 weeks today and DH and I are probably going to ask whether it looks like DS2 or DD. We shall wait and see.

Congratulations on your promotion PC!!

As for stopping work, I'll be working up to due date - being self employed means that my maternity leave is funded by the Maternity Allowance at just above £100 / week. I can just about afford 3 months off so want to take it all after the baby arrives. Saying that I only claimed it for 2 months last time and then did some work in the evenings.

I think I'm going to stop working on 19 Aug when I'll be 35 weeks but I'll see how it goes. I work full time as a lawyer and it can be quite stressful and long hours - it hasn't been too bad so far although the commute is getting me down a bit but that could change at any time so i guess I'll see how it goes.

Congrats on the promotion by the way PC.

Not sure when I'll stop work yet either but probably first week of September which will be 37 weeks. Want to work as long as possible as I'm also self employed and Maternity Allowance isn't quite gonna cut it. So I'm trying to work as much as possible, pay off as many of my debts as possible (!), and am hoping to be able to do some work in evenings after the baby comes to keep afloat.

I've got 5 more days in the office (work 2 days per week). Scan on 9th May then last day at work on 10th, fingers crossed that all is well. Taking 6 weeks leave, then 11 weeks maternity leave. Have said will prob go back, but know I won't.

I'll be finishing work on 29th May, when I'll be 25 weeks. I work as a nurse, which means I'm running round the ward like a nutter most of the time, and I can't wait to finish work to be honest! I'm taking my 7 weeks' annual leave before I start my maternity leave. Long lazy days in the park with a Magnum and a good book here I come

Hi all, just catching up - don't seem to have posted for a while - been feeling a bit low actually. Spent last week with parents in Scotland (me and DD) - had a good break but back to reality now and life as a pg SAHM is really getting me down. Woke exhausted this morning, had a nap for an hour and a half this afternoon and still felt exhausted. I'm OK when we have something organised for the day, but today was totally empty and sometimes that can feel so bleak.

OK, moan over - Boompi you were asking about equipment - I say definitely don't bother with a baby bath - we bathed DD in the basin to start with, and then used a basic plastic bath support which was great - and we never had to deal with the fear of the big bath that some babies seem to develop when you transfer them.

Where are you planning to do your nappy changes? Just make sure it's somewhere you don't have to bend over - you'll spend a shocking amount of time on this activity in the early days! We got the Ikea DIKTAD chest of drawers with a fold-out changing table on top, and our backs were very grateful for it. When DD got too big and mobile for it we moved to changing her on the bed (not nearly so comfortable, but at least there are fewer changes these days!), folded the changing table away and added the DIKTAD bookcase on top. HTH

Thanks for the tips on stuff all.
Sorry you are feeling low Franch - this weather doesnt help does it? Are you getting out to yoga or anything else relaxing?

Just had a package arrive from Blooming Marvelous. The Roll top trousers are so comfy. Much better than my tracksuit bottoms.

Also got a 'Grandparent Book' A bit sickly sweet maybe but it will suit my Mum - especially as my folks live in South Africa and are very sad they are going to be so far away from their first grandchild. It allows them to jot down things about themselves and their lives. I would have loved one from my grandparents. I may even try convince my 96 year gran to jot down some things.

I am so confused about when to start my maternity leave. work are pressurising me for a date but I have no idea how the I will feel in the third trimester. Work involves a mix of standing, walking and sitting. I dont want to lose my annual leave quota but cant decide if I should take it before of after my mat leave. If I take it before - and go into labour early - I have been told by HR I will forfeit any remaining A/L. If I add it to end of mat leave it is beneficial financially but it rules out the option of taking extra unpaid mat leave if I want to. Decisions decisions.......

But am off to see my parents in sunny SA next friday for a week so feeling cheerful!

Hi, is it too late to join in? I'm due 17th September with my first. Can't believe I've only just come across this site, all your hints & tips have been really helpful. I'll be 19 weeks on Saturday and have my second scan on Tuesday. Have been feeling movement for over a week and it's getting stronger.
Am planning on finishing up work 19th Aug too but will just see how it goes.
Not bought any maternity clothes yet but really need to start as everything is too small, wish I could go to work in joggy bottoms! Anyone ordered anything from Next?

Hi ych - congratulations!
I tend to have Next maternity stuff, and at the moment am living in a pair of black trousers from them. I also got a pack of 3 t-shirts which is always useful! Just be careful on some of the drawstring stuff as it will probably still be way too big and you end up looking really odd with it all tied up strangly