Due May '09, a Spangle-tastic start, who will be next....anyone, anyone........?

[Grumpyoldcaaaaaaaa]

Starting new thread ladies, in honour of Spangle.

It just looks awful, its already quite snug on the zip, in 4 weeks I am doubtful it'll do up, also the actual dress comes right up to the armpits, but the straps are too big so gape and its too big round the bust, but you cant make it any tighter because the actual dress part is too high, and me having a bizarre bust it looks like I dont have any boobs, also couldn't wear a bra under it as its too low at the front which means you can see nips through it, then you get down to bump and the material is really un-flattering, makes me look huge as its really tight on bump and clings to bum so you can see underwear, Im actually sat here crying now, i thought it would be perfect

DD1 just asked me why I'm so forgetful when I have 2 brains at the moment (my own and the baby's!!!!) Good question I thought!

Get thee to a dressmaker, she'll sort it. I don't know what size boobs you are, but Bravissimo have bras for all sorts of dresses. Have a look on the M&S website or something for a low cut bra. I'm sure a normal bra will be fine just to wear under the dress for one day.

I'm sure on that link we had a few pages back there was an all in one thing to wear under clothes. That might hold you in and make the dress less clingy. Or go commando?

choc don't cry babes. Sounds like you have 2 options - take it to a dressmaker locally and they can see if they can alter it to fit (they'll be able to let out and take in by an inch or two where needed).
or
phone up the company you got it from and explain the situation and as long as you have proof of purchase they should refund and you can send it back as it doesn't fit. You still have plenty of time to find an alternative if you do this. Was it Seraphine it came from? (sorry can't remember)

chocbunnies take a pic of you in your dress and we'll tell you if you really look hideous in it! Bet you'll look lovely. Can't believe they don't take a refund. If you haven't worn it (except for trying it on) then I can't see why not.

frazzled You're right. The best way to keep jaundice at bay is to feed. I think a lot of mums get annoyed with us when we keep going on about feeding baby, because they don't want to wake baby because baby is sleeping nice (and has been for the last 6h), but then you do get like you discribed: a vicious cycle: jaundiced because not feeding, not feeding because jaundiced and so on. Anyway. I think what you're doing is brilliant: expressing for now to get your milk supply up. The next thing to do is to feed baby within an hour of birth, because that way the feeding gets of to a good start and baby will be more likely to wake for his feeds. After that, even though it's demand feeding, do use your common sense and make sure baby feeds regularly (i.e. about 4hourly). Try and wake it by giving skin to skin if it doesn't and do some expressing if that doesn't work either. It's definitely a good idea to keep baby exposed to sunlight in the daytime too, though not right in front of the window, because that way you risk overheating or sun burn.

jael I have 25 months between my 2. They're the bestest of friends now and inseperable. If one is out on a play date, the other is totally lost. When I talk to ds about the time before dd, he just looks at me like I'm talking absolute nonsense. For him his sister has alwas been there and he can't remember a time without her. Your new baby will definitely just end up fitting into your existing routines, but it might take a few weeks of adjustment. Use your dh's time at home for that adjustment. It'll make it easier. My only worry is how I'll do bedtimes with 3 having had the adjustment from 1 to 2 before I know daytime will just work itself out somehow.

frazzled lol at your dd's comment about you having 2 brains!

Im a 36/38c ish but my boobs are about 9 miles apart, the dress just makes that look even worse, maybe if I got some masking tape and taped em together it might look better, you really cant wear a bra with it, the cross over on the straps is so low down, almost top of the bump low, arghhhhhhhhhhhh

choc how about swapping it for a size bigger? Would that make a difference? Definitely see a dress maker, they might be able to sort it for you so it sits better.

It was Seraphine, I've emailed em to see if they'll swap it or refund me, but they seem to have a 15 day rule, but no harm in asking I guess, I'll take a pic of me in it but you wont like it I promise!

choc having just had a peep at your bump on your profile, I am sure you do not look horrible! If you really hate it, they should refund you if its not worn surely??
I also meant to post about your DH and the football.I would put your foot down. Its not on the day after your wedding!!

choc right, I think get your Yellow Pages out and look up dressmakers / alterations - we've one locally called QuickStitch I think which is a chain I'm sure and you just walk in without an appointment, they have a changing room where you put the dress on, then a lady comes in with a tape measure and a mouthful of pins and pins it all up to where it should be and sees where it needs let out. (have done this a couple of times with ill-fitting evening dresses and a bridesmaid dress too). You leave the dress there and a couple of days go back to try it on again when you collect. It's amazing what they can do, honestly. I'd give that a try and it won't be awfully expensive either. I'd guess £20-£30 at the very most, depending on how many seams etc need unpicked, straps shortenend etc. Worth a try anyway to see if they think it can be sorted. Good luck hun. x x x

Right have put 4 pics up, they wont be up for long though as I really think they are awful, all opinions welcome

oh, chocbunnies, sorry about the dress. i agree with the others about going to a seamstress. good ones will know what to do and/or give you suggestions what to wear underneath. also, re: returns, I think they would/should honour a return for a genuine reason especially if dress has never been worn. there are always many excuses why people don't return within stated time. it's worth to try and best if you phone.

about having 2nd child: a lot depends on your DC1's nature. DD2 came when DD1 was 20 months. dd1 has always been dramatic, high maintenance, clingy and she was on the cusp of talking so the lack of language frustrated her into being impatient/tantrummy. (i make her sound horrible but she's gorgeous, usually well behaved, lovely, etc - just hard work sometimes!)

dd1 was quite upset when dd2 arrived and i found it very difficult to cope (having pnd didn't help) especially trying to co-ordinate meals/feeding time. there was a lot of crying in the 1st year. now, they play and are good mates - it's so lovely to see dd1 helping dd2. and dd2 trying to keep up/copy with dd1.

those going to no. 2 will do fine and it will be so satisfying to see the 2 of them together.

Choc, are those the pics on your profile? If so, you look really nice! If you feel uncomfortable in places then by all means get it altered but you really do look lovely in those pics and it looks like a good fit.

Maybe see a dressmaker if you're worried you'll be bigger in 4 weeks though as you don't need to be stressing about this. I honestly don't think you look anything other than lovely in it. I would say if I thought it wasn't flattering. xx

choc just had a quick look and my initial comments:
-it is a beautiful, simple dress that - whatever feels big/tight- should be able to be fixed by a seamstress.
-i see what you mean by the bra area. someone mentioned bravissimo - would they or another lingerie place have something that would work under this?

if you feel strongly against the dress, though, do try to return it. because in the end, it is you who will wear it and you want to be comfortable to be happy.

I hope you do try the seamstress, though, as i think the dress is gorgeous and you look great in it already - imagine how much better you'll look and feel getting it fitted.

choc wow you look lovely!! The dress is gorgeous and you certainly do NOT look massive in it at all. You may need a decent bra underneath, but other than that, you look like a beautiful blushing bride.

I agree with everyone else choco. I think it looks lovely! I can see why you would feel a little uncomfortable as it is a clingy fabric, but MsG is right. You don't need to stress about this in 4 weeks time so I would take it to get altered so you know that it will be perfect for you. I do think you look great though! Wish I could look like that being this pregnant! lol

choc you look lovely in the dress. It's just like the picture on the Seraphine website. Have it altered a bit if it's uncomfortable, but it honestly looks nice.

wanted to take the dcs out to the library and have just discovered it's shut. The house is upside down and can't do anything I've planned, because there's stuff all over the place and in the way. I'm bored!

choc you look lovely in the dress! If you are anything like me, it is probably just the contrast between wearing a beautiful dress and normal maternity attire of wash worn trousers and a top!

Thank you for all your messages, has made me feel a bit better about it.

I dont want to return it if im honest as that means trying to find a replacement with 4 weeks to go, Madi likes it and says 'you gorgeous mummy' i think she likes the feel of the fabric as im getting lots of cuddles in it.

Does it look better with the twisty straps or the t-shirt straps? I like the t-shirt straps as I could then negotiate a bra for it, twisty straps could cause a mine field of bra issues, but not sure if twisty straps look more 'dressy' IYKWIM?

I dont wanna let everyone down by looking rubbish on the day, people aren't best pleased with the whole thing as it is, dont want people to think I haven't made the effort.

I rather like 'oopa'

Sorry - a bit slow. My brain clearly in the same place as your frazzled.

God, I can't even type one sentence with no mistakes now. I give up. I'm going to get chocolate...

Chocbunnies your dress looks really lovely. I think t-shirt top looks better and agree you just need to find the right undies - take the dress with you when you go shopping.

chocobunnies, I actually prefer the tshirt sleeves look.