Due November 2009: Second trimester thread!

[turtle23]

New thread for you as it was geting a bit big...

Hello all,
I'm very excited

Just brought my first baby items!!
Been to Boots and they have 3 huge clearance shelves, I spent £19.16 and got

Avent Express11 sterilizer complete with 2 bottles (I'm going to breast feed so 2 plenty)
Box of 40 Boots breast pads
Pack of 6 Avent washable breast pads
A pack bed protectors (for water breaking etc.)
Little organics Chamomile and lavender baby bath
Boots pregnancy wheat germ milk and mandarin shower wash
A gift box of Boots Baby Botanics, bath foam,shampoo and baby lotion
A huge roll of cotton wool 500g

I'm really pleased with all my bits, just got to find somewhere to store it now!!

becky my dh will be late again tonight and has to go in for 3am on Saturday morning Your hair sounds like mine, I only ever blow dry if Dh and I are away without DC's!

Am a bit hacked off with myself as I fell asleep for the last 15/20 mins of The Apprentice, saw who the final 2 were but not "your fired" etc.

nijacat Dh's dn fell pregnant at 19 and sadly the whole family doubted her ability etc, turns out she is a fantastic mum to her now 6 months old ds, I think we all jump to conclusions about people too quickly sometimes.

Right off to collect ds2 from nursery, have a good afternoon everyone.

Fell asleep???? I can't imagine that! Actually I jest as I am notorious for missing the end of films through falling asleep (and not just when pg either): I could give a list of films I've never seen the end of including: that one with Tom Hanks and a football on an island, AI, Ghostbusters (watched recently), The Big Chill, Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, the list goes on.

My brother's girlfriend was pregnant at 18 and she was a fantastic mum! As I result I now have a 22 year old niece. One of my good friends here had her daughter at 17 and she is one of the most switched-on, patient, mature, fantastic mothers I know (much better than me who had DS1 at 31). Age really isn't important - people can be so judgmental.

Hello all

ninjacat I got some of the same reactions when pg with dd too, although there were also a lot of v young mums where i was living then (16ish) so I didn't feel too young. My mum's reaction to both dd and then ds was the same - crying - first time from sadness and second time from joy
I think a lot of it comes from perceptions of young mums and whether they will then be on the dole etc. I went back to Uni when my dd was 1 and did a 4 yr degree course. People used to think it was amazing, which is all very nice, but I think it's just more realising that you still have to provide and be a mother - and for that you need an education and a good job.
My dd certainly stopped me from going off the rails as a student! Only so many drinks you can have between last lecture at 2pm and nursery pick up time at 5pm!!

Can't remember who asked about dd's reaction to the new arrivals....
She was 11 when ds was born and was very excited. It's nicer as they can be quite hands on without you worrying they'll drop them etc. She's excited again this time but not to the same extent - at 15 her focus is more on herself
This time though she'll be more practically helpful I think and can take baby out for a walk etc.
It's also very handy from a babysitting perspective - we pay her £1 an hour (daylight robbery!) and get to go out for dinner or whatever. Going rate around here would be £6 otherwise - so £30 before you've even stepped out the door for your night out.

On the flip side though, by the time my children have all reached 20 I will have been parenting for 35 years!!

Laugs, yes it was Close sling and yes I did bf in it. It comes with an extra piece of material that 'secures' them a bit more and used this when bf in public if felt need to be a bit more discrete. DS had silent reflux and i found it helped alot with this too (tho not reason i got it!), meant i could keep DD in maclaren for a while and have both hands free to deal with her! Only downside was that I never had anywhere to 'put him down' as if i was out he was always strapped to me, but will def be using it again. Friend had a Kari Me sling (wrap) but it frayed within a week or so and she said she felt the baby was always going to fall out the sides - maybe she didn't have it on properly, but certainly felt the Close was nice and secure (and good quality).

DH used it a couple of times (got it in red so unisex!) and he found it comfy - he suffers with bad back, but prefered the baby bjorn just cause it was bit more masculine!

Am not looking forward to getting the steriliser and pump out of storage. I agonised over those wretched contraptions, and then DS flatly refused to take bottles anyway - I don't want to even think about how much lovingly stored milk had to get chucked out... I really hope that we can get the new one to take bottles, I'd really like a break once in while (DS just used to refuse to eat for eight-hour periods until I got home - meant I never felt right leaving him.)

Appear to now be suffering from Scarlotti's complaint (haven't had it since my last pregnancy!) so went off to the village pharmacy to ask for whatever treatment was safe for pregnant woman. The counter girl looked dubious and went off and fetched the half-deaf pharmacist - at this point, the empty pharmacy miraculously fills up with EIGHT people waiting in line behind me, all listening to the pharmacist lecturing me on being extra-careful when inserting pessaries while pregnant. I hate living in a village sometimes, I really do.

Tamlin poor you! My pharmacist wouldn't give me the pessary as the box said not in pregnancy so I just got weak cream. Doc gave me cream with an applicator yesterday which is much stronger - that's tonight's entertainment sorted out
He offered to give me a repeat prescription if I need it too - how long will this last?

Was thinking I'd go with the tommee tippee closer to nature bottles this time as they're supposed to be the top ones for combine feeding. I'd like the odd break too and am sure dh and dd might like to give the odd bottle. Ds used avent bottles and mam dummies and I think the teats didn't help the bf problems I had.

I just love sitting on the sofa feeding a baby on one side and pumping on the other - imitating a cow makes me feel so much closer to nature

I have it too! - got a letter from the hospital midwife today. I am pleased though, as I had a very tiny bleed last week, but it looks like it was just caused by thrush rather than anything more serious. I went to the pharmacy in Tesco and they said I need a prescription if pregnant, but from what you're saying it sounds like I can just buy the cream?

Thanks for the info about the Close sling. I've just discovered there are whole forums dedicated to the wearing of slings, so it looks like it might be a bit of a minefield.

God I hated expressing. The most I ever managed was 2oz and that took me 45 mins to extract. Needless to say DD drank it in about 30 seconds, so I still had to feed her anyway. I'm not sure if we just had a really crap breast pump or my boobs didn't like being pummelled into submission by that angry little machine. It was so noisy too, I couldn't even watch telly!

Laugs you won't get sold the pessary (in most places) as inserting anything when pregnant carries a risk apparently - I think this must be for those pregnant women who feel the need to push up as far as you can and then some
The cream you can get on it's own, and can be sold over the counter. I bought the chemist own brand and it was only about £2.
Doc will give you something much stronger and it has an applicator - which you'll need if it's internal as well as external.

Or just go and buy caneston combi off the shelf at Tesco - as per the latest radio ads. If you're asked who it's for, say someone else.

I had a hand pump from Avent and have to say it was quite comfortable and easy to use. There is something odd though in sitting there squeezing a plastic trigger to milk yourself!!

Haha, we could call this this Candida Club!! GP wouldn't give me the pessary, but did give me cream on prescription and no bleeding at all today so am pretty sure it's working and that's what bleeding was due to! As Scarlotti says, ask for their own brand if buying it (Boots is called Activall), it is exactly the same stuff and much cheaper.

Can't believe your haul Tigger what a bargain! I wonder if that is in all Boots or just near you .

I have no idea about bottle/expressing etc, am going to have a real research rject on my hands!

pootle - you had bleeding too? That's so weird isn't it? I've had thrush loads of times, but never bled before. I'm glad I'm not the only one (but sorry it had to happen to you too) By the way, everyone else probably knows this, but I had to be told by a GP a few years ago not to use scented shower gels 'down there' or anything with soap in - now I use Simple perfume and colour free - it makes a big difference.

I'll just go and buy some cream as mine's nearly cleared up now.

Sorry everybody else for the distinctly itchy turn this thread has taken... As you were {smile}

I think it's got to be the sodding heat. (Also hope that the thread's bloke is skipping this part of the conversation!)

Btw, my midwife told me last time to avoid wearing black knickers and tight trousers - she said that there was something in the dye which could be an irritant. I've never read this ANYWHERE else, but I assume she wasn't just making it up!

Hi everyone,

Thank you for the warm welcome!

Gosh, it gets busy in here!
I've been trying to be really good today and get some work done, but somehow ended up browsing the IKEA catalogue and measuring the spare room for hours...

Pootle that's funny, because I had a "moment" today when I realized that the space I now use as a study will end up being the only place downstairs where we can store the pram... I don't mind packing away all the paperwork that's work-related (I'm looking forward to that bit!) but my massive bookshelf is half-filled with boring study/work related books and journals and the rest is filled with books I'm really attached to. No way I'll be able to sell them or take them to a charity shop! I'll have to find somewhere for them to live.

On a more positive note, got quite excited about furnishing and decorating the spare room! I've given up on trying to get DH remotely interested/engaged in any of the baby stuff, so I'll just make all the decisions myself and send him to IKEA with a big list.

How are all your DHs/DPs? (Or do you remember how they dealt the first time around?) Mine seems determined to spend ALL his spare time on his hobbies "as he won't get to come November" and at times I feel like having a baby is something I'm doing on my own, or like I talked him into it against his will. (I didn't, he was very keen while TTC!) I guess as we're busy feeling sick and carrying the beans it means we get more involved far sooner and the daddies become daddies when the beans arrive?

One more thing - (sorry about the marathon post!) have any of you looked into or actually used the baby hammocks like Amby? I really like the thinking behind it, but not sure if it's all that practical in the end.

Right, time to rustle up some dinner.

Ooh tigger all your Boots stuff sounds lovely to get you feeling really babyed! I would love to go and get lots of stuff but simply don't have space until we move after summer.

All you clever second (3rd/4th...) timer mummies, what is it that you absolutely could NOT live without when with new bubba?

We need to know!

PS Voted with pride today, BBL!

Did you get lost in the end?

ooh just bought a dress off ebay, didnt think I was going to get it. Just hope it fits now as it would be perfect to wear on our anniversary.

raggie for me its muslin squares! they are great for loads of things:
Covering yourself whilst bf
wiping up sick
putting on changing mat on cold nights to stop the shock of cold on baby!
comforting
as a "draw" sheet in the moses basket/pram/cot if you have a sicky baby
The list goes on!
Both my 2 still sleep with one now as a comforter.
Broodzilla My Dh was similar to yours when I was 1st pg with ds1, but once we started buying prams and gadgets he got more into it! also once he could feel the baby move himself he felt more involved. I guess its quite hard for them to start with as all they see is their dp/dw feeling sick,tired etc and that's no fun for anyone.

Hope all those with thrush get sorted soon.

I have also been and voted, just have to wait and see what happens now.

Broodzilla what do you do? Are you are happy freelancer like me and a few others on here? I know what you mean by distractions such as Ikea catalogue! My current distractions are: you guys, Isabella Oliver website, Facebook, amazon.co.uk, the cats, the garden, TV, the list goes on...

I'm cooking dinner. DH has come home early from Leeds today. Yeah! So he is upstairs bathing the DSs. Bad news is he has to go back again tomorrow. Pooooo.

What could I not live without with new baby? That's a good one: DH / my mum, breastfeeding cushion thing (like an L-shaped cushion you can buy them), Vaseline for the nipples, muslin squares, breast pads, as well as all the stuff they tell you to put in your hospital bag, lavender and chamomile oil for the bath (great for healing cracked nipples).

I did find the polling station in the end - it was down a long windy road!

Ok, I've just read todays post and forgot most of them already.
tigger- your shopping sounds interesting but I didn't even know that half of that stuff existed. I suppose I still have to learn a couple of things.
Broodzilla - Welcome. I guess it is more difficult for men to understand all the changings as they don't "feel" anything different. My husband was always nice but once he had seen his first child on the screen he changed a lot. It helped him much more to understand that there was really something big going on which could actually really be enough reason to make me feel sick or tired. He still doesn't see all the work that we will have to get done before november though. And about his hobbies: He recently rediscovered some old ones, started to play tennis again and registered for two runs with some colleagues from work, so he will need to get in shape for those too. And he got the chance to get Arsenal season tickets for next season, something he just can't miss out (which I can understand but probably not the best season for it)
BeckyBendyLegs - agree with you, it is really important to vote. I even voted for the Austrian president when I lived in a small village in the French Alpes and had to explain to the solicitor (who's signature I needed) what he had to do. But this time, I completely missed all the dates to get my papers. (I guess, I could still quickly fly to Austria and vote on Sunday when we have to vote). I guess a first pregnancy is the best excuse I could possibly have but I still feel guilty (especially as Austrian elections are usually not exactly to my taste) and hope it will be the last missed election

The only things I could not live without (for the first couple of days at least) would have to be a dummy, and Dh to prepare all the bottles for me!

We have postal voting here, which takes the fun out of it a bit. When do we hear the results? There doesn't seem to be any special coverage on TV. I think I will try and stay up late for Question Time after all the exciting scandals this week. It used to be my favourite programme, but it's really not the same without half a bottle of wine inside you!

New baby essentials. Hmm. I definitely second what the others have said: muslin squares, vaseline, breast pads.
I also found a moses basket really useful, as you can carry the baby with you to sleep in different rooms, if you're a bit neurotic like me and won't let her out of your sight for ages.
A camera.
A nice person to make you copious cups of tea and tell you how bloody drilliant you are, often.
Oh, and you definitely need a car seat as the hospital (well, mine) will not actually let you leave without one.

Things you won't need:
Bath lotions and potions for the baby - they tell you to just use water and to wipe baby's bottom with cotton wool and water
One of those nappy bins that wraps the nappies itself
Teddies - you will be drowning in them once your friends get wind of the new arrival
An alarm clock... ever again

I couldnt get the hang of those nappy bin things, it seemed to get blocked a lot or the bags would untwirl themselves.

Can I admit here that I am a Big Brother fan and am very excited about tonight? It is something you either love or hate - DH HATES it with a passion. I get so addicted every year. Anyone else as sad as me???

Another thing you won't need: one of those towels with a hood - a regular towel folded over is fine.
Agree about teddies! Actually any toys - the little one won't care for about 3 months anyway!

Oh a moses basket is defo a must I agree with Laugs. I need a new one as our old one is in bits. Both DSs lived in it for the first few months - great for napping anywhere in the house.

forgot to mention: the friend who surprisingly got married two weeks ago told me today that she is 10 weeks pregnant (not the reason for the wedding though). Everything in their life seems to happen a bit quick so both are a bit scared but still happy. (they already had their first scan because of a light bleeding)
It's so exciting, now I even have a pregnant friend in RL... and I am even the more experienced one who can say lots of wise things

becky i am a devout bb fan!! never miss an episode and...(whispering) don't tell anyone but i even went to an eviction night during BB3! I am offically the saddest person on the due november thread. I'll never live this down .

Oh and on a more thread appropriate note - thanks for the tips on what to get. As a first timer i'm noting them all down.

Ha ha, interestingly one of my best things was those nappy bins!! No smells of anything nasty lingering as it locks away all the smell. Saves on hunting for a nappy sack each time.
Baby bouncer chairs are fab - but the simple ones that don't have lots of attachments as then you put baby in, wedge the bottom bit under your sofa chair, relax on sofa watching tv whilst bobbing the chair gently with your foot sending baby off to sleep

Can you tell by my choices that I have more than one dc!!

Ds slept in his moses basket for 4 months, then I put it in the cot for a few nights to ease the transition. They're so portable around the house too for nap times or when visiting granny overnight etc.