Due May 2009 - Childbirth is getting closer and it's giving us the (blue) willies!!

[SpangleMaker]

In honour of llareggub's DS's painting experiments........

I've fallen off the list again, but not sure whether to add myself back on as I'm confused now about the dates! Will wait till it's updated I think.

Belgian, I have some Next jeans which are quite comfy but for a long time they kept slipping down. And I noticed the other day there's a small tear at the bottom because I had to get long length but they trail on the floor! They are the over the bump ones as I can't abide the feel of anything low on my stomach. I'm too big, generally, for that kind of thing I think.

Am getting fed-up of my maternity gear!!

Ooh i like the new list!

I have sent another message back to my ebay jeans lady saying i don't want to post them back as it will cost a lot etc but i would expect some money back, as they were bid up (its not like i got the starting price) so the fact they were described as new affected how much i paid. They didn't cost much but it is annoying when i was expecting some new maternity jeans and they are just as scruffy as my existing ones! And i only bid on them because i thought they were new and because i was getting other items from the same seller so P+P was less.

All the items also arrived smelling badly of smoke (they have been washed already) and the baby sleeping bag also had some stains (these have come out in the wash) but that just shows me i should be more cautious when they don't state they are from a smoke-free home...

Just ordered our indian takeaway mmmmmmm

MrsG There don't seem too be all that many over the bump jeans styles. I had a look in the new Next catalogue, but couldn't really see any. I think the over the bump ones would probably stay on better, but they can't get too high either, because I can't stand pressure on my stomach. I suppose that's why I've been wearing a lot of dresses and skirts. They tend to be more comfortable

My dh is away at work still and he sent my a lovely bunch of flowers for Valentines Day. I thought he'd forgotten at first, because I didn't get a text message or card and he normally sends either one of those, so the flowers were a nice surprise

I'm feeling very stretched and big today. I'm feeling incredibly uncomfortable and really have been wondering how I'll manage another 12 weeks of this. [big sigh emoticon]

Hi all.lovely new list! I do like it .

Is everyone having a romantic night...? I've caught yet another cold so not only feeling heavily pregant but also stuffy and runny-nosed.

Does anyone else find they catch colds/other minor things every couple of weeks? is this normal? i suppose withDD1 and 2 coughing on me/my food, I'm bound to catch what they pick up from other children.

Pula, sounds like a horrible ebay experience. That seller should defn go out of his/her way to pay you back if they have any self respect or respect for people (like you) buying their things. I hope you get compensation.

well, off to watch casablanca on DVD (a bit corny but very valentine's day) and eat a steak sandwich (am craving iron i think).

to be followed by choc ice cream and am dreading what may be expected from me romantically tonight . i can always blame this cold.

hope all are well.

Momino!!! LOL make your excuses early on!

Morning All,

Not sure how to add self to list of due dates - due 3rd May.

My valentine's day was spent with best friend in wedding boutique choosing another dress following debenhams appalling customer service and cancelling 4 orders! Dress sorted, lovely service in shop and no worries that it'll be ready in time for 2nd May wedding! Beautiful! (And it's cheaper than Debenhams!)

But did come home to gorgeous flowers from DH (we don't usually do anything for V day - just save the cards we bought each other several years ago and get them out of the cupboard each year - same with all other cards - birthdays, xmas, anniversary - we're saving the earth you know!)

I think I'm having a very lovely pregnancy (first one so nothing to compare to), am loving every bit of it! Am just a bit concerned about how well and stunning (!) everyone keeps telling me I look, and how this is highly likely to deteriorate after the birth when these lovely hormones calm down and/or go haywire. Does anyone have any suggestions for helping self to feel lovely after the birth?!

Am also glad to hear how many other sweet tooths (teeth?) are in existence. Am constantly craving sugar. Nutella on toast for breakfast and coco pops for snacks through the day. Have banned myself from baking as all I do is eat what I've produced in a very short time frame!!

Have a happy sunday everyone!

gert2a that's great news about your friends wedding dress what a relief for her. i was a nutella on toast etc last time with #1. only advice i can offer for beauty post birth is treat yourself to some new makeup to use and try to sleep when baby does.. which is harder than it sounds.. as everyone visits.. your fav evening telly programs come on.. it's meal time.. or you just want a bath! forget the house stuff for a while.. save your energy. but if anyone offers to cook, hoover, dust, wash and iron clothes say YES every little helps and they shouldn't offer if they didn't mean it..

Hi all
Sorry have been off enjoying myself too much to be on!
Went out last night with DH and SIl and her DH to a very nice seafood restaurant. Had a glass of delicious champagne which I managed to make last throughout the whole meal.....was fabulous.
Off for a night away in a hotel with DH and the girls and some family tonight....long walks in (what's left of) the snow and a swim in the pool is just what I need. Only prob is I have woken up with an eye infection in one eye (I wear contacts and tend to get really horrific eye infections). Am very nervous about it as after my last infection (which lasted about 3 wks) I seem to be allergic to all of the treatments the gp prescribed and ended up in A&E with an eye the size of a golf ball. They gave me some drops usually given after eye surgery to reduce inflammation and said the infection had cleared but I was so allergic to the medicines it looked even worse! Ugh. So horrible and very painful. Anyone know of any natural remedies at all?

Sorry huge post.
Oh and by the way pula I'd be sending the jeans back and requesting a refund as they are not as described in the listing. What a cheek. . Can't believe people think they will get away with this sort of thing.
And thanks for the feedback on 'Bay'. I really do like it but am now nervous about what RL people's reactions would be - I think there might be a bit of . I still really like Munro too (that was my choice for DD2) but since then we've had a Murdo born in the family and if we use Munro it might look like we're being a bit 'copy cat-ish' which we aren't of course but people might think so and I'd hate that. God knows what the poor little thing will end up being called. I suggested Arthur last night and DH turned away in disgust. I think it's nice.

Had a lovely chat the other day with my 'homebirth friend' - am still very keen to go ahead. DH keeps making negative comments about it - he thinks I'm crazy. Why can't we agree on anything!

Anyway hope you're all having a nice relaxing Sunday.
x

Morning everyone

Welcome Gert (don't think I said it before)
I too think I've been lucky so far with this pregnancy. Apart from the odd episode of bleeding earlier on and bits of backache I've been feeling fine. Lots of people have told me pregnancy suits me, I look really well etc, which is lovely but I'm a bit scared about what a state I'll look afterwards. Hopefully the lack of sleep will mean I can't focus on my reflection in the mirror properly!!

Re maternity jeans, I've given up. The under-the-bump ones dig in too much and the on-the-bump ones sag. I've always struggled to find jeans to suit me so I wasn't surprised to find the same in pregnancy.

We had a nice Valentines Day. I baked DH some heart-shaped biscuits & made a box for them. It actually pleased his frugal nature that I'd not spent one penny (I'd made his card too)!! He bought me a beautiful posh heart-shaped box he'd filled with chocs, 2 of each type so we could share.. ho ho ho

In other news, I got measured for a bra yesterday as all of mine - including the maternity ones - are really uncomfortable. I'd gone from a 32 to a 38 Think my cup size is the same but she couldn't measure as the bra I was wearing was squishing me too much! The bra she brought me was so comfortable I kept it on... couldn't believe the relief of having a well-fitting bra!

Oh meant to say divedaisy thanks for doing the list, it looks so much more organised!

Momino love your bump!

Frazzled have a fab time at the hotel

Oh and pula had just skim read quickly (am meant to be getting kids dressed and packing not Mnetting!!!!) and didn't see the bit about smelling of smoke. GROSS.

Also maternity jeans - No, I have also had many, many kinds and still they fall down and I spend all my time hauling them up so I don't get builders bum. And the over bump ones are ok but either fall down or cut in. You can't win. My comfiest trousers are yoga pants leant to me by a friend - great for around the house but I wouldn't want to be seen out in public in them!

Morning all!

I've given up with maternity jeans. I've got two over-the-bump pairs and both fall down. In fact, the pair I have from Blooming Marvellous are blooming massive and fall down completely. I think I've lost a bit of weight (obviously my bump is bigger) so although they kind of fitted when I bought them they are huge now. I think I'll ebay them and as they are hardly worn hopefully someone else will get some wear out of them.

I went to a wedding yesterday and wore my maternity wrap dress for the second time. I last wore it before christmas and I couldn't believe how much my bump has grown. I might post a headless shot of me later on, if I dare! I had lots of comments about having less than 12 weeks to go, although in my case that is true as my c-section is at 38 weeks!

I've got another cold, so whoever posted earlier about picking up bugs and colds in pregnancy, I am definitely feeling your pain...

Frazzled- i have managed to get a refund for the cost of the jeans (postage was only a little since it was combined) and they were quite comfy so i will wear there. Yes, the smoke smell was disgusting- will definitely ask about it next time its not stated as smoke-free. I think i just assume people with kids dont smoke in the house but it was the gran selling the stuff...

Gert- make the most of enjoying your pregnancy and feeling blooming. If you manage to get showered and dressed before teatime when you have your LO you will be doing well! I wasn't prepared for the post-birth tummy last time (it takes a while for your uterus to contract so you still look about 5 months pg which can be quite depressing, so i treated myself to some trousers/jeans to wear in the short-term). Sleep while baby sleeps is great advice and might be possible when you only have 1. Make the most of offers to help so you can have a rest. I know its lovely to cuddle your baby, but also good to let others have a cuddle and also to put them down in a moses basket (when awake or asleep) to get them used to it (hopefully they wont cry) and also so you can do things for yourself (have a cup of tea/biscuit, clean your teeth/comb your hair....) to feel more normal. If you breastfeed, you will spend a good amount of time glued to the sofa anyway!

I've just decided to buy 3 different pairs of jeans from Next and see if any of them stay up. I'll keep the best pair. I've got no jeans at the moment, but with my mat leave coming up I really want some, I'll be actually using my mat clothes a lot more, now I'm not in my uniform anymore.

I'm thinking about taking my dcs swimming this afternoon. It's all avoidance behaviour really, because I should urgently update my portfolio, because I've got a meeting in just over a week with my supervisor and it would look good to have a nice recent reflection in it. But my mind is in other places, all I can seem to do is think about baby things, but not in a work sort of way

I was feeling a bit tired and sicky this morning. I told my dd(5) to dress herself, which she can, but usually wont or does very slowly. It being sunday I thought it would be perfect to make her do it herself for once. Well, I just noticed she's wearing her jeans back to front! I told her to turn them around and she wont, because 'it's too difficult' Her choice I suppose.

Frazzled Enjoy your night in the hotel, walking and swimming.

Belgian, where have you found decent skirts? I want a long one but haven't seen any good maternity ones anywhere, grrr. I would like to get one. Do let me know about the jeans as I wouldn't mind getting another pair. My bump is rapidly getting bigger but still not as big as I thought it would be at this stage. x

Hello all,

I'm new here but thought I'd say hello (after some encouraging from divedaisy on a different thread). I'm not much of a poster so far and am not really used to the idea, but it'd be nice to drop in and you all seem to be having fun - though glad to see I'm not the only one catching every complaint going, eating sweets like a maniac and feeling like a big blob! Am expecting dc2 on 30 May - dd is now 18mo and this one will be a boy which I am quite nervous about. Dd has been such a laid back darling since she was born, people have been trying to wind me up with stories of riotous boys who don't sleep through till age 4 (dd slept through at 6 weeks and has done ever since, couldn't believe it then and still can't!). I'm hoping he'll have some kind of chillout gene from dh who is much calmer than I am.

Well, I am feeling rather happy today because I finally got flowers after years of nagging dropping hints! Has cheered me up a lot as have been up and down with AND which is not great with a full-time job and toddler and bump and ongoing house renovation project (yes we probably are insane - am hoping for an inhabitable kitchen by the time the baby arrives!). Must say dh is in general being lovely at the mo which is as great as it is unexpected and helps lots, though can't stop the down days entirely. Divedaisy said it might also be encouraging to join you all here and though I haven't read everything it is just really nice to see all the sharing of the random crap (and random nice things). So will be sticking around to see how you're all doing and hopefully getting into posting a bit more often myself too!

Btw - haven't had time to look at all your posts but did I gather people are looking for decent jeans? I got some good over-bump jeans from H&M - they do slip a bit but look pretty good so I am putting up with it. I do tend to fit into their clothes well anyway for some reason, so maybe not such a helpful tip for those who are between sizes or something, but I thought'd I'd have a go at contributing something useful!

Anyway, Happy Sunday all...

H&M is worth checking, about half my maternity clothes come from them. I got my favourite long black skirt from there last time, but this time I've only got knee length ones and my favourite this time is unfortunately from 'premaman' a European type of Mothercare. You can find them all over Europe, except for the UK I've learnt to buy my maternity clothes a size bigger than my normal dress size, because with my other 2 I'd grown out of my maternity clothes by 32 weeks

Hello MsG,
I found a nice maternity denim skirt in Zara. It's over the bump and slightly fitted which means I now have to take it down rather than up when going to the loo - doesn't make me feel terribly stylish, but no-one else has to know!

Hi Belgianchocolates, I'm guessing you're in Belgium? Me too! I also am living in H&M clothes, though actually I tend to do that anyway! Have never been struck by premaman's stuff but might head back for a look, quite fancy a long skirt. I also have to buy them too big, nothing more depressing than getting too fat for clothes that are designed to expand anyway...

Hi Euromum, firstly: welcome to Mumsnet!Where are you from? I don't miss Belgium too much now. I haven't lived there since I was 19, so... The main things I miss are food, such as nice bread. Or the atmosphere on a nice summer's day when people sit outside on the terrasses in town having a relaxed drink, watching the world go by and maybe even enjoying the music from street musicians. I don't think I could ever go back there though, I'm too used to stupid things like 24h shops and stuff. I'm also very happy I didn't give birth in Belgium. Despite all the moans from a lot of mums on here, it's actually much better. Much more evidence based, so you don't get doctors doing things for the sake of it like in Belgium (e.g. routine internals from 36-37 weeks), better pain relief options, a more 'natural' approach and you get better post natal support when you leave hospital, thanks to the community midwives. Again lots of complaints about them, but at least there's someone coming to see you at home after the birth. From friends and family at home I've found that unless you hire someone privately, you're more or less on your own.

I never used to like Premaman with my first 2 pregnancies, but this time around I saw a few things in the sale I liked when I was there in Jan. Maybe it's just because I'm a bit older now and I have caught up with maternity fashion, rather than the other way around? Ater all back then I was early-mid 20's and now I'm in my early 30's!

The H&M jeans didn't agree with me I'm normally a 10 (38) and even their 14 (42) I couldn't get past my hips comfortably. For some reason H&M jeans never fits me. Funnily enough their ordinary trousers (including maternity) fit me perfectly because I'm tall.

Euromum I misread your post a little: I'm not in Belgium, I'm from Belgium and in the UK! So half the things I've said wont make any sense now. Still I'm happy that I'm giving birth in the UK and my mum was very impressed with the care here too, because she was very worried that I've not been seeing a doctor!

hi all. hope everyone is well today and had happy valentines yesterday.
i'd been worried about dh nagging me for romantic activity but I just told him truthfully that i was too full of cold and baby to feel 'up to it'. he's a very good sport and said he understood.

i just don't feel sexy and can't imagine feeling that way the rest of this pregnancy. i just feel massive and now getting a little tired of everyone telling me so (thank you for those who've been kindly giving bump-compliments). i still can't believe I have 10+ weeks to grow.

euromum, i didn't know Zara did maternity? I'll have to look at the bigger store in Leeds to see if they do the maternity range. will also check the Leeds' H&M as the York one doesn't have maternity.

having a lovely day and now relaxing with DD1 watching Fifi and the flowertots and sharing a fruit scone.

Re. Maternity Jeans. Spent a while on line looking for over the bump jeans (can't wear anything too low due to my shape, so most under the bump are too low and uncomfortable). Ordered a pair from M&S in my pre-pregnancy size and believe or not, they fit and are comfortable. Haven't taken them off since they arrived (eeurrrrgh)!!

I haven't worn heels for a couple of weeks - been in my walking boots due to the snow. Is anyone still managing to wear heels? Got a lovely maternity dress, but want to wear it with long black heeled boots - am wondering how I'll get on!

Not had a chance to be on much over the last few days. Had a lovely valentines yesterday... DH took me and DS out for a lovely lunch. We don't do presents but we do cards and always plan to spend the day together instead. Have just caught up with the multiple pages and LOL's at the leopard print knix, fanjo/fou fou/ouf ouf/woof's

momino your bump is a lovely shape.

a big hello & welcome to euromum sausage My fav's out of your list are harriet & beatrice, Matilda makes me think of the film with danny DeVito (where matilda is a genius and lovely with it) and Jemima makes me think of jemima puddleduck...

frazzle I like bay but it does make me think of the bay city rollers & bay trees?! sorry to hear about your eye infection... does which hazel help with the puffyness? I think there are quite a few homeopathic remedies... pulsatilla rings a bell and how about the good old rescue remedy?

I have dreadful dry hands too... and the only thing that seems to stop them cracking is the nutrogena super concentrated hand cream.

I have quite a lot of maternity jeans... I was lent a few types from friends... next & blooming marvellous over bump which i don't find comfy and i'm forever hauling them back up... I then treated myself to a brand new pair of seraphine under bump jeans last oct and realised after i'd worn and washed them once that i'd got too big a size... so couldn't return them. I'll probably end up selling them on ebay. In Nov I decided to push the boat out and ordered a pair of Isabella Oliver under bump jeans in a size down from the seraphine ones. These I have to say are fabulous and i wear them pretty much constantly. The only times I don't have them on is when they are in the wash and drying! They have a small jersey panel on the front that sits on the lower part of your bump and it has elastic with button holes in it through the top that you adjust by selecting which buttonhole/button to fasten on either side. I have to admit I do wear them with a large waist size part elasticated belt round my hips (under my bump at the front) as I lost weight over xmas/new year off my hips and could prob wear a size down from last nov. With the belt they are my next favourite trousers to wear after the yoga ones!

BTW I love the new and revamped list looks tres organised thanks for doing that divedaisy

Delighted you got the refund pula it was definitely deserved for their shoddy listing description.

If I've forgotten anyone...sorry... forgive me there were just so many pages to remember!

all, can I ask your honest opinions about the name Seamus? I think it's cute but then I'm american so not too sure what is 'uncool' here. a friend told me seamus reminded her of a red-haired, beardered old man.

even though it's probable we're having a girl, I need to have a couple of boy names and would love your view on this one.