July 2009 Part III

[Mij]

Hope no-one minds me kicking this one off - 39 pages seemed a bit unmanageable!

Had 20 week scan today. Tiddler unco-operative to start with (although not as bad as DD was - took 3 goes to see everything) and it looks like most of the bits are in the right places. Decided right at the very last minute not to find out the sex. Realised that, if DD thinks she's going to have a sister, that nothing, not even photographic evidence, will change her mind anyway. So stuck with the 'don't ask don't tell' as per first time around and will just have to wait to sort out all the sodding clothes 'til we know what we've got.

Although... What do gonads look like on a scan?! Got a very good look at the hips from underneath, so to speak, and thought I saw two little bright spots, but that could be the sitting bones of course. Anyone tell me what the crown jewels look like on a scan?!

Hi Mij,

I'm getting rock hard bump moments too, didn't have Braxton Hicks last time so guessing it may be them.

Mij I looked at my "What to expect...." the other day and you can feel Braxton Hicks from 20 weeks so the feeling probably is them. I have been getting them too so that is why I swotted up as I thought it was much to early.

Great sling advice. I really want a 2nd hand one for the newborn stage. We have a baby bjorn but tha s better for when they are a bit older. I used it loads with DD (DS would be plonked in a light buggy and her on my front for zipping around).

Re the re-usables I wish I had looked into for DS and DD but never got round to it. DS is still in nappies for night, DD definitel won't be potty trained by the time this one is born, think I am going to leave it. I can barely keep up w/laundry as it is....

Can I just ask something about baby slings? Do they make your baby clingy? My friend uses one a lot and her baby is now 14 months and still really clingy! She said she had to use it because DD wouldn't let her put her down so the only way she could get anything done is by putting her in her sling but I'm not convinced that she wasn't like that because she was used to being strapped to her chest ALL the time IYSWIM?
Don't get me wrong I'd love to have my baby with me as much as possible but I'm worried I might create a rod for my own back.

thanks for the sling info mij. I had a mothercare one but only used it outside really. But with a toddler as well as a baby I may well get one of those Kari-mes ... if I can find a cheap 2nd hand one ... or ask for it as a present

I've had a few of those "tightenings" (since about 16 weeks) - didn't know they were Braxton-Hicks though! Even in last preg .. don't know what I thought they were but they didn't hurt.

Hmm good point hunny, I have wondered that too but didn't use mine enough to comment. I love the idea of the soft Kari-me type. Would be interested to hear others' points of view on clinginess though.
I have had Braxton Hicks for weeks now and midwife not worried. With DD (1st pg) I had them by 19 weeks and this time around they started at about 15. They are actually quite painful too! I had a fairly short labour last time so it probably is just toning up and hopefully means I'll have a short but harsh labour again (better than long and harsh I think!).
Who was it who had the sore coccyx? Sorry, I forget - I have a very sore one when I've been sitting (eg after a day at work) - is that what you guys have had?
Today I've decided I don't even really look properly pg yet. Just fat and extremely funny shaped. All a bit depressing considering I am 20 wks today. Bring on a proper rounded bump please!

I've had Braxton Hicks too, but it mainly seems to be in the morning, not painful but if I try to turn over in bed then it does hurt a bit.
belgrano i know what u mean about bump - I think bump is quite biggish but still feel like i'm just fat and when ppl touch my bump I feel like a bit of a fraud thinkin 'it's just fat, not baby!' I can't wait to have a massive bump tho

Oh dear, now I've started looking at Kari-me's on t'internet and am feeling very want-y about them! I like the wraparound factor so the baby is snug in there and you have the weight spread accross shoulders and back. My baby bjorn hurts cos its all in the shoulders, and my Ergo is not that snuggly for a tiny one and seems more toddler focussed. Mij - any others you'd recommend?

The Kari-me's sound lovely - will have to check them out now....

This may be a bit TMI, but I'm just wondering if any of you are experiencing a lot more vaginal discharge? I have the feeling my underwear is constantly damp on some days. It gets better and then comes back every now and then... Just wondering if anyone else has this? The other strange thing is the smell reminds me of sour milk. Sorry!!! I've googled but not found much...

Thanks

Hi ladies, haven't been around for a while and have just spent half an hour catching up, glad everyone mostly seems to be OK!!

I'm 22+0 and am pleased to say I have a pink bump So we will have two little girls, which I think is lovely. Not to mention easier, they will be about 3 weeks apart birthday wise so all the same clothes should fit! Baby kicking loads, have noticed considerable increase in strength between about 19 weeks and now.

Those of you also on your 2nd, what are you planning to do about buggies? I like the look of the Phil and Teds, but the baby gets no stimulation at all being shoved in the back like that, but you wouldn't even be able to talk to it going along, would you?. Am thinking:
(a) use my Bugaboo Cameleon again, and get a buggy board for dd, who will be 3 but refuses to walk very far
(b) stick with single buggy for 3 year old and put new baby in sling until 3 year old decides she is able to walk
(c) get double buggy as yet undecided which one but probably not Phil and Teds.
Any suggestions?

christiana not sure if anyone has answered your question but it's probably your pelvic joints, the ligaments stretch about now and it will feel like it's in your butt cheeks but towards each side. Keep your belly pulled in while you can just above your pubic bone, helps support the joints and if it gets any worse, ask your midwife to refer you for physiotherapy as they can do some good exercises! Am also having days when I hobble round like an old granny, but know what it's like as I had it last time (only its nowhere near as bad this time!)

eviebear yes me - I was just complaining of exactly that to DH last night [blush

Wiltedrose I have bought the power twin as I don't personally like the P&Ts - Its not as big as it seems in pics as is only about 8 inches longer than my normal buggy (Yes we had them side by side to see) I can't wait to use mine. (I have also bent the rules a bit as will be using a matrix on the rear its sold as sutible for this in Europe just not here - The only prob with this is when its flat in carrycot mode you cant recline front seat will put a pic on my profile)

I have bought a woven wrap sling here off ebay as I thought it was the most versatile and could last through to toddlerhood and also to carry DS now if I need to. It appears to be the best type of carrier for those of us with bad backs.

Queenfee thank you, just had a look at pic (adorable children btw!). I can cope with longer but just not keen on wider (so to speak!), so will have to go and see if I can find one to have a look at 'in the flesh'.

If anything it's more complicated than it was choosing the buggy first time around!!

Newb I get cramps too. During the night my abdomen feels really tight and disturbs my sleep, not labour tight, but like tummy has stretched during day (gravity?) and at night tightens back up. Bit like how you feel after you've been working on your abs (not that I have done THAT in a while!!)

When wake up in the morning, feel like you, a bit worried as tummy tight and bit awkward (ooh, hope things are ok.....). Then baby starts kicking as my breathing/heart rate change upon waking, he's letting me know that he's is fine

Phoenix I'm going to the baby show at the NEC too!! Not been before and one of closest friends invited me but we haven't bought our tickets yet. This friend I have known for years, she's pregnant with her 1st and would you believe her baby due on exact same day as mine. I said to her, can't you do ANYTHING on your own!

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Mij - I really fancy a kari-me or moby type sling, but won't they be too hot in the summer time?

wiltedrose - my ds will be 3.5 so I was thinking a buggy board and/or sling too. Apparently the M&P prammette has a buggy board on it already. I have one of those in the loft, but wasn't overly fond of it first time around.

I had a minor bleed yesterday so ended up at the hospital to be checked. They said all okay and I've had none since still a worry though. They said it's probably as I have a low placenta and will rescan at 32 weeks.

I also bought my first new baby purchase - a cute little vest I've probably opened the flood gates now, so will need to be careful which shops I go in. At the begininng of this pregnancy I thought I didn't need anything but I've soooo changed my mind

On the s&v crisps front, I've discovered co-op truly irrisitable ones. They are REALLY strong, fantastic.

morning everyone, taken me a while to catch up whilst dd eats her shreddies!
hunny i had my dd in a sling alot and did find her quite clingy but i think it depends on the "type" of child as she was in it with me all day whilst i took her to work with me, if i were at home or unable to take her with me and STILL use the sling i doubt she'd have been as clingy!
eviebear i know exactly what you mean i had a mad moment yesterday when i thought iwas either bleeding or waters were leaking on a rush trip to the loo as felt quite damp!
double pushchairs we went to kiddicare, as said above in another post and got a single pram, now starting to worry that dd will also be a regressor back to mummyi want the pushchair! she usually wont go in it, think i may use hte new pram with the seat unit in it and carry baby in sling if this happens. my new prams so lovel im thinkin of using it for dd now as it is lighter to steer than my maclaren and my sciattica is killing me!
im having crazy dreams at the minute. sunday night i dreamt i was going for my scan, which is next tuesday, and when i got there they said they have decided not to scan pregnant women anymore and tried sending me away whilst in floods of tears! last night i dreamt i was playing bollywood bingo(!!!) whatever that is!
cant wait til next week for scan, and im getting excited about finding out the sex as iw ant to start knitting pretty baby things!!

Gosh - so much to catch up on after a few days off ! Thanks for the kind words PrincessButtercup; still don't feel any movements but now not dreading it when it does happen. Was thinking about getting one of those fetal heartbeat monitors but was put off by bad reviews on Amazon of them not really working. What type did you get jenny79 ?

Have been making my list for everything to buy and researching different products (finally DH's very sad subscription to Which actually comes in use). Decided last night to get the MaxiCosi car seat and worked out that car has Isofix. Still considering prams but everyone has said to me get two, including a Maclaren stroller type one which is light and small and collapses. For the other I'm thinking about a Stokke because they're supposed to be good for in town (back wheels flip up for escalators on tube), have lots of room for the shopping bag (live in London W1 so have to carry everything home from shops) and turns into high chair for restaurants. Apparently not easy to fold up though and heavy but we have a garage at back of house which is so narrow that none of our cars go in it. My plan is just to wheel pram straight in to garage and leave it there and then go through back door. Tracked one down to orthapedic shop in Trafalger Square so going to look at it at weekend with my mum. Although there is one on ebay ...

However was also considering a three wheel one that I could run with (assuming I ever start running again). We live really near one of the Royal Parks and used to run round it in the morning. So thanks for the tip re: Mountain Buggy; will check it out.

Hope that nanny is coming round to agree contract at weekend and will show her my list and get her advice on what we actually need and her preferred brands. One of the people we didn't hire said she wanted a Silver Cross carriage pram, so my husband struck her straight off the list as he thinks they're very old fashioned. Plus out of the question when you live in the West End.

Hunny great news about the talk on your birthday dinner. Was wondering how that was going.

and Belgrano best of luck for the next scan; keeping everything crossed for you.

and apropos nothing in particular: Classic line from DH at weekend. I was moaning about fatness and he told me off: you're not fat ... you can call yourself big boned now. Thanks !

Eek! Have just made up my baby shopping list and the total ££ is frightening! I did price most items from John Lewis etc. so will need to do a bit of bargain searching but still a daunting prospect! I think because I was working when pregnant with the last two, I didn't notice the cost so much. Now I'm kicking myself for having given so much away!

The not-sure-abouts on the list are:

Arm's Reach Cot - I'm keen to co-sleep for a while because I love having the baby close by (and frankly could do with the extra sleep & not having to get up so often). I don't want to put DH through having to perch at the very edge of the bed again through fear of baby-squashing so this cot seems like the answer. Not the most attractive I've seen (gave the most beautiful White Company cot away to my brother ) but v economical (£215) as comes with mattress & 1 sheet included. Also doubles up as a travel cot. Hmmmm...

Close baby carrier - Looks very snuggly (similar to Karime) but maybe a bit warm for July?

Washable nappies - I've been having "Ahhh" moments over the Bumfluff website but can I deal with ANOTHER load of washing??

Wiltedrose I was a big fan of my Phil& Teds and got tons of use out of it but I agree that for that period when baby is old enough to really take notice of its surroundings but not big enough for the second seat, it isn't ideal. For me the benefits (manoeuvrability and the ability to switch between double and single use) still outweighed the negatives but it really does depend on how much you're going to have the two in the pushchair together.

Eviebear - I think that's normal. At least seems to be for me (mine's also fluorescent yellow due to my prenancy vits!). Not sure about the smell though. If it's quite strong, I'd get it checked out.

hi everyone - Eviebear - you are not alone - i have noticed the same thing.

Belgrano its me with the inflamed coccyx. i am ok when i sit on a sofa or something soft but anything like the car seat or work chair is agonising, particularly towards the end of the day. GP just said paracetamol for the pain and muscle rub. had to ask the pharmacist for the muscle rub as most on shelf said not to use whilst pregnant. good luck with your scan by the way. x

i am getting really quite frightened about the birth now. i know nobody has a great time of it but genuinely scared of having such another big baby (DS was 9lb 5oz.)i am only quite small (5'2"). Does anyone know of people who have asked for a c section and actually got one?

i never had a sling for DS but am tempted to invest this time as although DS will be nearly 4 when baby arrives he is a "my legs have run out of walking" type of guy.

take care, ML

maid something to consider if you are going to keep the stokke in the garage - does the seat unit/ carrycot remove - Imagine you have just got back from a knackering shopping trip and the baby is asleep! I also use mine (still!) a lot indoors for naps so I can pop out shopping/school runs without disturbing them - I did this with my 1st but may be more a 2nd baby syndrome thing!

mickey I have been thinking a lot about the birth too. I used a tens machine the last twice which DH seems to think I loved - I can't remember! Also I have had 2 third degree tears and am trying to find out how to avoid another. I did read somewhere recently that the NHS is trying to do less C sections as it cost twice that of V birth so be prepared to fight for what you want! (I am on the other end of the scale only want ces as last resort but I know its personal)

princess B I did the same ad gave away all my things - so anoying but have managed to get a lot of stuff for free or reasonable through ebay and freecycle etc.

soozee My 3 wheeler my DD stands on the back of the shopping basket (metal bar) which means ahe is inside the hood so I am not tripping over her IYSWIM but sadly this only works if the child in the buggy is sitting up. However when DS was young she would sometimes catch a lift on the front and lay her head on her brother if she was tired! Good Luck!

I haven't had BHs yet but I keep getting sharp shooting pains down one side of my bump - anyone else had this?

Oh Mickeylou that sounds like an ordeal having such a big baby on such a small frame as yours. I would just keep at them about what you want. Will you have someone to help you if you do get a c-s? That is probably equally important too if you have another DC to look after.

xxHunnyxx Re the sling issue; I found that out of my two DS's the one who I was attentive to (& I mean often walked around holding him, picking him up at the slightest whimper, thoroughly enjoyed feeling close to him and being there for him) was a much more content baby than the eldest who was nowhere near as cossetted. That was my experience anyway.

Found this quote on a review for the Kari-me...."i i have 3 types of baby carrier, i have this one for when i go shopping, its fab, my 10 month old has always bee used to being carried in slings etc (he is confident and very curious) he always goes off at toddler groups etc and very rarely cries or moans he is happy to go to anyone as i believe having him in the sling from small has given him a sense of security (im also a childminder and now ALWAYS use my slings with my minded children if they fit, it helps them settle in quicker and they bond with you and are less distressed when settling in!!).

My only query with the Kari-me is that, with our babies being summer ones, the fabric could be too warm; a criticism of that particular sling?

Friend who is also 22 weeks pg woke up one night recently wringing wet with sweat, hot and having full body shudders. Then her bump shuddered. Has anyone else had this and any idea what it could be? I wondered whether she'd got too hot in bed or maybe it's hormonal? Baby still moving but she thinks quieter (though that could be her imagination as is currently busy at work) My DP has rigors when unwell, which is kind of uncontrollable violent shivering (yes, I know.... ) and I think it sounds similar

Hi Misspaella - thanks for message - yes i do have a lot of support. my mum looks after DS for me when i'm at work. i'm sure she will help me when DH is at work. also my sister is a teacher so she will be on hols the whole of august and i am sure she will be on hand to help. GP has told me to speak to midwife about a c section - she said its nothing to do with her - but she seemed to agree that 9lb 5oz was too big a baby for someone my size. i'll keep you posted.

sorry ruby i havent come across anything like that. i hope your friend is ok. i would get her to the MW just to be on the safe side x

Thanks mickeylou. I suggested she speak to her midwife though tried to be low key as didn't want to alarm her. She seems fine now; not mentioning lack of movement when contacts me. I would have been alarmed by it had happened to me

If anyone else has experienced similar symptoms I'd be interested to know xx