Due November 2009: Second trimester thread!

[turtle23]

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

BBL - I'm also not used to heel either, I have some low ones though. But I always spend lots of time to find a pair of nice looking and still comfortable shoes/sandals. It's really worth it and they do exist, so I am sure you will find something.

Becky, I went to a wedding when 29 and 32 weeks pg last time and just wore a pair of pink satin-effect ballet shoes from Primark. They were just what I needed!

I'm still not feeling a whole lot of movement at 17/18 weeks, although I remember feeling a whole lot more last time. I think it's because I was slimmer! I get the odd sensation of wee bean turning somersaults, but no individual kicks or flutters. In fact, it's easier to feel from the outside.

I'm feeling huge already

DH last time began to take an interest in the bump when you could feel individual kicks, especially when cuddled up against him at night. He then just started bellowing HELLOOOOOO at it every so often. I'm predicting he'll be the same this time. I found out that he secretly loved getting the Babycentre weekly email updates that I forwarded him at work, but at the time never really acknowledged them. He's asked when I'm going to sign up again this time, which reminds me I really should get around to that!

Things I wouldn't do without for first timers:
babygros (now called 'sleepsuits' I think) and vests - all you really need for hospital.
V-cushion for feeding (the fuller the padding, the better)
just a few bottles for top-up feeds
breast pump - I started with a tommee tippee hand pump, but got persuaded to buy a medela electric one from ebay by a friend which is the best thing I ever did.
Muslin squares were handy, although my DD was never sick so I did wonder what all the fuss was about for a while! They were great as bibs for weaning and towels for wiping bums after washing.
Some form of baby holder for trying to eat your dinner - be it a bouncer, swing or sling!
Yes, breast and knicker pads.
A comfy BF bra for bed time - I had a crossover-style one which expanded with me.
Bump bands (if you haven't already got them) for when you pull up your top to BF and it's freezing - keep you warm and cover up the blubber!
Baby gym for the floor - can buy you up to half a hour's peace after a few weeks.
For a bit later - we bought a baby einstein musical thingy for the car which had flashing lights and is remote controlled. It was fantastic for long journeys - first used when she was 4 months.
I would consider buying something nice to wear (maternity style or a couple of sizes bigger than pre-preg) later in pg so that you're not still hauling yourself into the same old despised clothes and feeling depressed because nothing else fits after the birth. Especially at Christmas (November baby veteran here).

Don't bother:
scratch mitts - socks are much more effective
Johnson & johnson anything - you only need water and cotton wool! In fact, DD is still just bathed in plain water.
I found I was given loads of bibs as part of baby sets and they were all pretty useless.

We were loaned a crib. In hindsight if we hadn't been, we could actually have kept her in her buggy's carry cot. However, she would have outgrown this earlier. Definitely don't buy a crib/moses basket - they last no time at all.

I think I'll shut up now and do something useful . Have a good weekend!

Ok, I don't think, anybody could understand my last post , I'll better go to bed now and you'll figure it out... good night

there must be something about evenings, cos titchy is kicking me like a good 'un again!

holiday crisis...someone please find me a holiday 3rd or 4th week in july........

Evening! Think I might have discovered why my feet have been hurting so much. They've grown at least a full size! Was a 6.5 before I got pregnant and am now a 7.5/8! Wasn't expecting that.

Still feeling little movements. No big kicks or anything.

Morning! I went to bed at 9pm with a terrible headache, so woke up at 6.30 and had to get up. Seems such a waste when DD is still asleep.

The others of you getting headaches - please tell me they go away soon! Can we take paracetamol? I thought so, but I read the packet last night and it said to contact GP, so I gave it a miss. Is there anything else that relieves the symptoms? Also very stuffy nose here - DH can't stand the sound of me breathing!!

I'm feeling the odd internal movement, but nothing on the outside yet. I'm 15+2. I still haven't heard the heartbeat yet and they didn't measure it at my scan, so hopefully I will hear it at my midwife appt next week.

Tamlin I hope you enjoyed your much needed night off; it sounded lovely. You could schedule in a few more in the next few months under the pretence of 'getting DS used to me being away for when I go into hospital'. Or was it you who is having a home birth?

lemontop wow at your super-expanding feet!

Becky when's the wedding? I think I'd feel fine in strappies now, but not so fine after about 6 months.

There are soooo many posts, you chatty lot how can I keep up!

I have had a day without medication, mainly as I don't want to be taking it so long without a break. AND, I was not sick yesterday . I am still exhausted, and have to eat really small amounts to be sure it will stay down, but yesterday was the first day of the new me! I also went swimming with DD and DH, although it mainly consisted of bobbing about, in a Lido so very cold!

Had 16wk midwife appt this week. Sugar in my urine, but she was not bothered. She just said its probably that you ate something sugary, will be checked again when you have your consultant appt/scan in a few weeks. Nice its taken seriously eh? She also said, even though I have been seriously sick, not likely anaemic as 'don't look it' . Shame, as it means I have had to self medicate with Spatone as I don't beleive her, and it is very expensive . Oh well, if needs must.

Anyway we heard the heartbeat, very very strong, and fast. DD was there and she stood on a little stool and listened and was fascinated, but more fascinated with the blood pressure equipment!

Things you can do without with a newborn:
Scratch mits - use socks if you have to use anything
Little nail clipper, hair brush etc set - you will have lost it by the time you need it.
Door hanger tidy, - i just kept hitting my head on it as I walked past.
Any kind of bath product, unless you are recommended by gp due to skin problems. If no skin problems, water and cotton balls are perfect.
Wet wipes. As above, not needed.
Don't need to worry too much about trousers, dresses, etc for the first few months, other than to show off, babygrows and sleepsuits work fine and are easier to change nappies when wearing
Room thermometer

Essentials
Nappies, nappy sacks
Muslin cloths are very useful, as they can be used for other things when no longer needed.
Babygrows short ones and sleepsuits. Lots of funky colours.
As it will be cold - all in one outdoor suit.
If breastfeeding, some nice comfy pads
Llanisol if you get sore cracked nipples.
Large muslin cloth if you want to cover yourself when bf'ing out and about. Or don't bother, I did not care who saw! If they wanted to look, let em!
Microwave steriliser if you are using bottles, much easier than steam, takes up less space.
Baby monitor
Bath temp checker, until you learn how to judge a bath temp. Although at first, water is mostly luke warm anyway.
Beanbag! - DD spent a lot of time on a bean bag!
Good books for when baby is sleeping, which will possibly be a lot in the first few weeks. Either sleep or read and rest.
Baby sling if you are able to use one.

Morning! It is peeing it down with rain and I am off shopping for: shoes and birthday presents for the two most awkward people in my family (brother and brother-in-law). The house smells of holidays (we've had bacon butties for breakfast) and DH is taking the DSs into town for hair cuts.

The wedding is 18 July - so a bit of time yet. I like the idea of primark ballet shoes - we have a primark here so will investigate.

I hope everyone is having a nice Saturday morning

Pavlovthecat so pleased you've had a good day without being sick perhaps you'll start to feel much better now.

Laugs my headaches have almost gone now so there is hope. I did take parecetomol when I was desperate. I thought it was fine to take in pregnancy.

Weston I don't know any holidays going! I always go to my dad's caravan in Borth when we are desperate for a break!!!!

Ursigurke I had the major pregnancy blocked nose this morning and the weirdest dreams ever last night, which actually involved me having a blocked nose and I know I snored because I woke up with a really dry mouth. Poor DH has to put up with it.

*Laugs - paracetamol is perfectly safe for use in pregnancy. Do not take it all the time, but even a couple of times in a day is fine if you really need it. There is no point suffering if you do not have to.

A friend of mine had a serious ski-ing accident a few months ago, she was 16wks pg at the time, broke her femur, and snapped her tendons in the other knee. She was given copious amounts of paracetamol around the clock as her pain relief as it was all she was allowed to use - poor thing!

Becky - not just not sick, but not sick and no drugs - YEY!

I am glad I have a lot of energy, as I was in the process of cleaning the kitchen, been at it for half hour, after doing the bathroom, when suddenly the heavens opened and I had a mad dash to bring the washing in from the line. That was hard work .

Have a good weekend everyone.

pavlov - I'm really glad to hear that you feel so much better. Congratulations to no drugs - no sickness!!! Now you can finally enjoy your pregnancy and I'm hoping you will only have drug- and sicknessfree days from now on.

I have to ask Pavlovthecat what was your friend doing skiing at 16 weeks pregnant??? Is she bonkers? Actually I can't talk I went skiing when I was pregnant with DS1 but only about 4 weeks.

I've been to town and come back with the birthday presents but no shoes. I'm just too fussy I think. Sigh. Nothing grabbed me and it was soooo wet that I couldn't be bothered to treck around all the shops.

Just saying hi- thanks all for the great tips on what to guy and what to avoid.

Beckybendylegs flat ballerina pumps and a big clutch might look good with the dress (in a contrasting colour to the dress?).

At 19 weeks and I have not felt any baby movement but I know the bub is fine as heard the heart beat at a check up.

For me, I find my weekends are a wipe out, and I have kind of lost touch with some friends because I'm too tired to organise stuff, what a saddo, It has dawned on me that I used to organise girly get togethers. I hope I can meet people when I have the bub as all of my friends work. did any on you experienced mums find you met people easily with babies?

On a plus, the ms is less frequent though.

I'm now going to start politely asking for seats on public transport - so wish me luck and hopefully I won't be on a the receiving end of commuter rage.

My bump is obvious, a lovely old man gave me his seat yesterday and a cool bus driver opened the doors where I was the other night (even though I was half way down the line - I could have hugged him).

I know someone who used the baby on board badge but said it didn't work. Does anyone have any tips for getting a seat .............. and I'm too slow to run for one.

Ursigurke - thank you, I hope so too

becky we all asked the same question. Worse than that though, she had never been ski-ing before. We tried to tell her not to do it, tried to tell her bf not to let her do it, but no, it was fine, she would be fine. She wrapped herself around a tree after doing some free skiiing away from the nursery run after her lesson, and was lucky she did not kill herself or the baby. I mean really. I do not think even now she realises that she could have died/nearly died, or that she could have lost her baby. She says, it could have happened to anyone. er No, it happened to her, and she was told something like this would happen, so she cannot say it was a fluke accident. In USA in hosp and rehab for 6 weeks before coming home.

BBL (sorry that abbreviation seems to have become your permanent name now...) I went rock climbing for the first time at about 4 weeks, when didn't know, but did suspect of course. I was so proud of myself at the time, it was SO high and I did it all my self, no pulling me up just footholds and handholds all the way - but can't quite believe I did it now!

pavlov and becky - agree with you. Skiing during pregnancy is extremely irresponsible. Even for a good skier. I'm a fairly good skier and could be sure that I would never fall during the whole week, but I could never be sure not to be hit by someone else. I think in Austria every winter several people die on the slopes (and even more in avalanches off piste). So it was clear for me not to ski this season even if we got a two weeks stay in one of the best ressorts offered for our wedding. Your friend is right, it could have happened to everyone that's why pregnant women should not ski.
pinkfizzle - I mentioned the baby on board badge. I wouldn't say it works every time but it does most of the times so I guess it is worth to try. At least if someone gets off I'll get the seat, no one else would dare taking it. I'm usually trying to stand right in front of the priority seat as I think, the person on it should really offer it (unfortunately usually a middle aged man who really tries hard to focus on his newspaper)

raggie - I suppose you were secured, so I don't think you could have hurted the baby, I think, normal skiing is much more dangerous than normal rock climbing (not sure about free climbing though

Pinkfizzle babies are complete friend magents! I'm was really nervous about making friends when I had DS1 because we lived in a village and I didn't know anyone as I'd just been working full time but soon made friends through going to the local baby and toddler group and just from walking around with a cute baby.

Raggie I don't mind being BBL! I didn't know I was pregnant with DS1 either when I went skiing at 4 weeks. I suspected I might be as I was late so didn't drink much despite being on an all-inclusive skiing holiday - but I was a bit nervous and more careful than normal skiing - no black runs for me that week!

Magnet not magent! Durrr spelling!

Hobnob - agree on the clothes for Christmas, DD was a late Nov baby and my memories of that christmas are having nothing to wear at my parents for te day and sat in their guest room attached to the breast pump - fond memories - not!!

I also have the electric medula breastpump - best thing ever!

Just spent last 2 hours sorting my 'thin' clothes and putting them into loft for now, tho have kept out my larger size trousers ad tops - nice to have something to wear a few weeks after birth when sick of still wearing maternity clothes but nowhere near into normal ones. Also been sorting DS & DD's clothes, moving DD in 2-3 (she's quite diddy at 2.5!) and DS into 12-18m (he's quite large!), it's amazing the clothes they get through. I tend to buy a year / season in advance in the sales and then put the clothes away for when they're ready for them, saves having to spend loads of money all at once.

Wow - just catching up again! Am loving the lists of useful/useless things, I actually don't have a clue so it's great to read your tips!
Also glad BBL to read what you said about babies being friend magnets as we really don't know many people in this bit of London. That's the main reason I am going to the ante-natal classes really! And we are hoping to move to a completely different part of the country when baby is 1ish.
Also, BBL I am going to a wedding on July 18th (and one on Aug 15th) and am also panicked about what to wear. The one you're going to isn't in Chippenham, by any chance?!
Usigurke I think the blocked nose thing is a pregnancy side-effect. I think that's my probem at the minute - i have sinusitis quite badly at the best of times and coupled with extra pregnancy sniffles it has all got infected... Sorry I realise that is gross!
I am in bed... FIL is here but thank goodness DH has taken him out. We were all meant to be seeing Alistair Macgowan tonight but I have wimped out.
LAugs I have taken paracetemol under Drs orders to lower my temperature. She said it's fine in pregnancy, as did the pharmacist.
Right, hope you're all having lovely Saturdays! I am being a total slob. I hate feeling like such a weakling at the minute! I shouldn't have been in work this week but I feel like I have had loads of time off lately....

Ah sadly no my wedding is in Cardiff!

I made some very good friends in Oxfordshire before we left thanks to having the DSs and already in Shrewsbury I've made a few thanks to attending a drop-in with DS2 (for babies and toddlers) and school with DS1.

I'm going to a Body Shop party tonight - woohooo! This is another thing you will find you get up to once you have children - Body Shop, Usbourne Books, type parties.

Oh and say goodbye to close male friends. I have no male friends except the husbands of mummy friends. All but one of my mummy friends are women (there's one guy who shares the childcare with his wife). I sometimes miss having close male friends.

Oh and brush up on your cake making skills too because once your little ones get to preschool / school there will be fetes and summer fayres and the like and you'll be asked to provide cakes to sell!

BeckyBendyLegs I hope I don't have to say bye to my male friends - one of my best mates is male and I think you can have a really different type of friendship with a bloke. Oh no! I am secretly hoping that won't happen tho as his wife refuses to have chn and he is desperate, so maybe he will visit us so he can play with ours!

And as for cakes.... Better start practising now - that has never been my forte!