Due August 2009 - Does My Bump Look Big In This????

[kitkatqueen]

Hello everybody Here is the shiny new thread, hope you found it ok!!

Yep, nowhere seems to do decent maternity wear. I found New Look was alright for casual stuff, H&M great for tops, Next Jeans are ok. Mamas & Papas had a lot of stuff really reduced in the sale (I mean stuff for £10 that was previously £50 ). Trousers are a nightmare to find - am going for the scruffy look here as I don't need office wear

Anyone else getting a bit of a nesting craving? Got up this morning and have dragged all dd's old clothes downstairs to sort into vacuum bags...though having started I'm not sure I can be bothered finishing . Can't figure out a way of doing it without bending lots.

No bump for me at all, just my usual pudge looking ever-so-slightly larger. If I ever get pg again, I'm going to make sure I've lost at least 5 stone first, so I can actually see something!

There is very little choice in maternity clothes for people beyond size 20. But since I've not been at work and not really gained much/changed shape, I'm still getting away with yoga trousers, some jeans, pajama bottoms, and most of my t-shirts. I am a complete slob basically, but I barely leave my house.

I had another 'dry' night in terms of leaking boobs, so thought maybe what happened the other night was a fluke. But no! Woke up this morning to find dried colostrum/milk streaks on both. Looks like slug trails, eewwwww!

I'm getting ready to quit my job. I haven't been back at all since January, and can't see myself going back to that job after mat leave anyway. If I'm still employed by them at 25 weeks, they have to pay SMP. So if I give months notice now, should be fine. Earnings are high enough due to my getting 5 months full sick pay.

Had a rotten day yesterday, ended up a tad hysterical, crying and throwing up because of a letter saying boss and HR were going to visit me at home. Just don't want to deal with it anymore. Social worker came over and is going to phone work and tell them I'm not well enough. When did I become this delicate flower? Man, I feel stupid.

Hello All,

Yank - that sounds awful, surely they are not allowed to come to your house are they?

BunbVLump - I had the leg cramps at night and my yoga teacher suggested eating celery, odd I know but I have eaten a stick or two each day ever since and no leg cramps in the night at all.

Thanks goodness it is Friday - after a couple of shorter weeks this one has been a struggle. Am sure people think I am a freak as I just sit at my desk watching my belly move rather than doing any real work.

Anyone else been told not to wear underwire bras? My gp said it is fine, but the scary bra lady in Marks's basically told me I would block my milk ducts and damage my baby if I kept on wearing them. Tried some non-wired but with boobs this big it did not look good.

quiotix - I believe the 'myth' that you shouldn't wear underwires comes from the fact most women wear the wrong size bra. If you have a correctly fitting bra it's fine to wear underwires (personally I've found M&S crap at fitting - when not pregnant according to their measurements I'm a 36C whereas I'm actually a 34F). Have to admit though I've started wearing soft cup bras because my bump keeps growing and I've just found them more comfy.

I do have red marks at the end of the day from them, think I will try shopping elsewhere for some non-wired ones soon then.

Hi Ladies

just wondering for the first timers has the dreaded stretchmarks apperaed for anyone yet and how many weeks are you? or if you have had babies previously, at what stage did they come if at all? Im doing the bio oiling twice daily but ive read that if they're gonna come they come no matter what you slap on your skin!

Hi Ladies!

BumpVLump I have had the most terrible leg cramps at night and was told its down to lack of hydration and salt. I ended up taking some rehydration salts and it has made a difference. I now just need to remember to drink copious amounts of water every day!

Valz - I have had the dreaded stretchmarks appear and I'm 25 weeks. I've been slathering myself with everything on the market including some very expensive products I was given to sample. I'm hoping the slathering means that I'll get less of them than I would have if I hadn't done anything but am pretty sure they're genetic!

Yank - your job sounds like a nightmare! Will be so good for you to get rid of them - hope its all sorted quickly.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Valz - not yet this time (but I am a 2nd timer). 1st time around they didn't appear until I went overdue (grrrrrh) and was carrying very heavy and low, Fortunately though very low under the bump so not very visible.

Valz - This time around I don't have any yet. Last time...well at 38 weeks I shouted "OMG I've got stretchmarks" when I spotted myself in the bathroom mirror...unfortunately dh replied "Yeah, you've had them for a while now" (seems I couldn't see them cos they were on the underside of the bump!)

I would recommend bananas for leg cramps as its lack of pottassuim. Also drinking tonic water helps because it contains quinnine.

im lucky with the stretch marks, none on bump so far and this is baby no.3 however my boobs are destroyed by them! Nothing works for me but have been putting on loads of bio oil too.

I find the soft cup bras more comfy. Im just going saggy When I have stopped BF I am going to treat myself to some nice sexy underwear that isnt balck or white or chewing gum grey

valz - first time round, mine appeared at about 36 weeks, just as i naively thought i'd got away with it! Used bio oil that time around. this time, no extras so far but i am sure they'll catch up with me. Am using boots expert anti stretch mark oil this time, as a precaution!

I agree about maternity clothes- the only shop we have is mothercare and i'm not that impressed with their stuff at the moment. fortunately, i have my stuff form last time as dd was born at exactly the same time. I have topped up with some nice tops from dorothy perkins - not maternity, just got a couple of sizes bigger than usual.

Re clothes, currently in my Asda maternity pants. I LOVE them, and for £12 they are lasting really well. Got some Dorothy Perkins onder bump jeans, but they fall off. I think due to my pear shapedness I need overbump stuff anyway.

Got some lovely tops from New Look and Doroty Perkins. I'm basically doing jeans or trousers with vests or plain tops, dressing up or down with cardigans in varying degrees of 'casual'. I would love to but some nice flowery tunics but no money yet.

Pelvis unhappy today. I'm getting sick of work. I think my boss thinks I've lost... well it would have to be 100 IQ points for the way I'm being treated. Grr. I'm with you Sarah, feck work!

Anyone thinking about cloth or who just wants a free cloth nappy to cuddle/sleep on/stroke Little Lamb are giving free ones away www.littlelamb.co.uk/freenappy/?utm_source=Free%2BNappy&utm_medium=Banner&utm_campaign=Go%2BReal

Hmmmph I've been bumped off the list, hopefully this is the up to date one...

Clairedaz EDD ??? (((GIRL!)))
Clare1234 EDD ????
Flibertywidget EDD ??? (dd 21mnths)
Skydancer EDD 27th July
2HotCrossBunsAnd1InTheOven EDD 28th July (DS 3.7 DS 1.9) (((GIRL!))))
pussface EDD 29th July (DSS 14, DD 6mo)
Uki EDD 29th July (DS3,DS1) ((((GIRL))))
Nandos EDD 30th July (((BOY!)))
Hope88 EDD 1st Aug (First and it's a BOY!)
BumpVLump EDD 1st Aug (first) (((GIRL!)))
Cheekymonkey EDD 1st Aug (DS)
traceybath EDD 1st Aug (DS4, DS14m) (((GIRL!)))
lalaRachel EDD 1st Aug (first) (((SURPRISE!)))
Specialoffer EDD 2nd Aug (DS16m)
nellyup EDD 2nd aug (DD3, DS4)
trixymalixy EDD 2nd Aug (DS 2) (((SURPRISE!)))
faerieprincess EDD 3rd Aug (DS20m)
gemdangracie EDD 3rd Aug (DD2)
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Rachel1963 EDD 3rd Aug (DS 3.1) (((SURPRISE!)))
Oonaghbhuna EDD 3rd August (DD1 3.6,DD2,2) ((((BOY!))))
Mellin EDD 3rd August (DD 2.4)
LeninGrad EDD 4th Aug (DS 2.9) (((SURPRISE!)))
Cairns EDD 4th Aug (DS 18m) (((SURPRISE!)))
moosecat1 EDD 4th Aug
Zorra EDD 4th Aug
TaleofTwoCities EDD 6th Aug (DS4,DD2.1) (((BOY!)))
nuttygirl EDD 6th Aug (((SURPRISE!)))
noodle12 EDD 6th Aug (DD 2.5)
PPorgy EDD 6th Aug
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fairylights EDD 7th Aug (DS2) (((SURPRISE!)))
Mayl EDD 7th Aug (DD DS)
lifesaboxochoccies EDD 7th Aug (ds 2.10)
Haribosmummy EDD 7th Aug
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MammaDani EDD 8th Aug
Hunnybunnyaug09 EDD 8th Aug (first)
BabyBump2B EDD 9th Aug ((((GIRL))))
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LittleFairySmile EDD 11th Aug (DS age 2) (((SURPRISE!)))
Lyra75 EDD 11th Aug (DS 16 months)
monkeyfeathers EDD 11th August (DS 8)
mamamila EDD 12th Aug ((GIRL))(DD 1.9. DS 16.9)
hencath EDD 12th Aug (first)
fairygirl3 EDD 12th Aug (DS, DS, DD)a
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longtalljosie EDD 12th Aug ((GIRL!))
Fruitymum EDD 13th Aug DD1 3yrs old
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Heinzsight EDD 13th Aug (DS1 12, DS2 9, DD 15 months) (((((((SURPRISE)))))))
Boogiewoo EDD 13th Aug
babycat EDD 14th Aug (DD)
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thecollection EDD 15th Aug (((Girl!)))
loopylou25 EDD 15th Aug (DD1 5 DD2 1)
thatsnotmypirate EDD 16th Aug (DS 19 months)
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duchesse Edd 17th Aug (but I think 9th) DS 15, DD 13, DD 11
KitKatqueen EDD 18th Aug (3 DC) (((((BOY!!))))
Valz EDD 18th Aug
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Beccylt EDD 20th Aug (1 DC)
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MichaelaS EDD 20 Aug
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ameNbump EDD 31st Aug

LittleFairy I now have a solution to the clean washing pile problem, I "pay" myself for every basketful that I wash, dry and put away. I only give myself 30p per basket but in this house it works out to about £15.00 a week. Its sad I know but as a sahm I don't earn any money and consequently get a guilt trip any time I have to buy anything for me. So I told my dp that I will be a sahm for free - If he wants a cleaner he will have to pay! I have a complee list for everything from emptying the dishwasher to cleaning the loos I don't always actually "draw" my "wage" but at least I feel as though I am entitled to spend some money on me.

As for the names our "theme" is unusual 1st name v traditional middle name, pretty, unusual girls names are easy boys - nightmare...

suggestions welcome...

underwires are safe in pregnancy and during breastfeeding and if you have large norks (as they say on here) its better for your back to be wearing somthing properly supportive. Wires in bras shouldn't be pressing on breast tisue anyway, they should be flat against your rib cage.

I found this site v useful. Most of us wear the wrong size / shape of bra. this site sorted out a lot of mistakes I was making... This One

Hope that works!!

Personally I don't buy nursing bras I modify ordinary ones. My current favourite is a Katy price bra from asda, which doesn't make my e cups look like a couple of tennis balls in socks Also because they are padded to a degree breastpads aren't as obvious and if you do leak your bra acts as emergency back up.

maternity clothing I actually love my local 50/50 shop I don't know where you could find out if you have a local one, basically you take clothes in to sell and split the sale price with the shop. In my last pregnancy I bought over £175.00 worth of clothes for less than £50.00. Yes it was second hand but you wouldn't know. Tops, I have managed to get some reasonable bits from asda. sun tops without straps can double up as a bump band and make your existing tops last longer...

My biggest problem is a swimsuit can't find mine...and wanted to go tommorow.

lalarachel - glad u noticed u had fallen off!! not the 1st time the wrong list has been updated - it was probably me sorry!

crafty I have just blitzed the house, so yes the nesting fairy has arrived in this house lol! I then went over my friends to baby sit and blitzed her kitchen too! Dp has now arrived home and keeps saying things like "omg its so clean" in a kind of shocked whisper!!

sorry so many posts - baby brain wouldn't let me do all the replies in one!!

Having lots of trouble remembering stuff atm!

hey all
valz- i seem to be the only unfortunate soul who's already got marks.. 24 weeks now or 25 already..hmm pregnancy's eating my brain! but anyways, been bio oiling and slapping on other creams as well. been using both cheap and expensive stuff religiously. haven't got any on belly yet, just on upper thighs since about two weeks ago and a couple on the boobies. not nearly as upset about them as i thought i would be! they're small as well and i know they'll be gone one day..right??? but really, some will get them (apparently even as many as 90% women) and some lucky ones won't. it's a small price!

i have massive problems finding nice clothes as well. mamas and papas trousers seem to be the best ones for me. have found a belly band very useful! can still use many of my old tops with the band covering the extra territory between pants and top! brilliant!

it seems that my feet are getting bigger! apparently it can happen. not sure if it's my imagination. anyone else turning into a hobbit??

finally, i've found that non wired bras are much more comfy than most underwired ones. apparently wires can be different and if you really want underwifed ones you should go for soft wires, plastic ones rather than really hard metal ones that won't be flexible at all. sports bras have been real good for me as long as they are not "too supportive" eg tight. have to wear a bra even when sleeping some nights so soft support bra has been great for that. no no no for sexy lingerie lately. it's all massive white stuff! but really, i think keeping as comfy as possible is the most important thing right now.

and i reaaallly have to get my sleeping pattern fixed! awake all night sleeping all day. anyone else with sleeping problems..?
good night..

Hi all,

Just checking in and catching up with everyone. I don't seem to have much spare time nowadays - DS is crawling and beginning to walk - he's just 11 months now!! and he's turning into a real live wire!!!

I still wear underwired bras and still find them pretty comfy. Still not really in maternity clothes, but have sucummed to a pair of (frankly hideous!) maternity jeans from Formes to walk the dog in (I have to put DS in his back pack, so need something comfy over my tummy!)

Is everyone over the MS now?

Can't remember who mentioned nesting, but it's alive and well in my house - I already have the nursery pretty much sorted

Well, sleep is beckoning. Thankfully, it's one thing I never have a problem with!

HM

oh i would love to have the nesting feeling,i just cant keep on top of my housework & when i think of the new baby i just wonder where im going to put all her things & how my house will look even more of a bomb site.
Im pleased to hear all the positive news on underwired bras ,am going to get some new ones from fig leaves,the maternity ones ive got now are hideous & do nothing for me.
Have had a week of work which was lovely & have had no sickness ,lets see if it lasts once im back at work .
So has anyone decided what pram they are getting yet?even though this is bsby number 4 im still struggling to find one that ticks all the boxes.

Fairygirl3 Mine is no4 too. No3 will only be 20 mnths so i'm looking at the Kolcraft Tandem... Don't want to go back to a forward facing system so not many options. Areyou needing a double / a single?

valz - I have them - just on my sides around my hips, thankfully, but they're there. I was 23 weeks as of yesterday.

Re: maternity clothes, I'm lucky in that it's jeans and t-shirts for work, so I stocked up on M&S jeans (so far so good), H&M tops, New Look tops, and some Mamas and Papas very nice tops (I signed up for a catalogue online and got a £5 off gift token to use). I've also got a belly belt, which has allowed me to wear my last two pairs of normal jeans a bit longer (I've always been a waist kind of girl rather than hipsters), although I think I'll need to get some braces in the next month or so to keep them up (I'm on the last notch of my belt). I've also got bump bands to cover up that open zip area, but they're still a bit too big for me.

I saw that UniQlo had some vests new in-store which have a built in bra (no wires), although they don't come in XL (I might fit a L though!) - thought I'd mention it anyway, if anyone likes that kind of thing, post-pregnancy? They look quite comfy for sleeping in, anyway. www.uniqlo.co.uk/catalogue/women/t-shirts-and-polos/361945-black-bra-tank-top

Incidentally , if anyone is around the SE and London, and has a 'Cook' store near them, they do a deal for pregnant ladies - valid only for six months, but hey. Basically, sign up (it costs nothing), you get 10% off your total food shopping (could be handy once the big day comes, but there's time to send someone else to get some food for you (who has to be named on your card - it can only be one other person)), and as well as that, you get a loyalty card, which is stamped for each £5 you spend - once that's full, you can have £10 of free food. Oh, and although it says "Frozen Ready Meals" we're talking nice frozen ready meals...! www.cookfood.net/

That sounds like a good deal, thoughtforms. I've never heard of Cook store though. Are there lots in London?

craftynclothy, thanks for that link! I was wondering about trying out bamboo nappies.