Due Jan 2010....watching our beans grow into babes!

[dal21]

Hello all! Thought I would start this off as our existing thread is full!

We did NHS classes only and DH and I didn't feel that we had anything in common with others there, having said that there were only 4 other couples and they didn't appear to have read any info on pregnancy so we went over and over what to eat in pregnancy and hardly covered giving birth! I was still working F/T and the sessions were so late that I guess it didn't help that I was tired and fed-up! I now have lots of 'Mum' friends in the area thanks to regularly attending local groups, and we have some friends who've also become parents over the past few years so DH has 'Dad' friends too. I think it helps to share stories

I've thought about NCT classes this time, to make more friends with a DC of the same age ASAP, but being a second-time Mum I'm not sure if it's appropriate. Can anyone help - is it new Mums only?

Hi lilacpink I looked into it and from what I know (which may not be totally accurate) it is for first timers only- EXCEPT their 'refresher' courses for 2nd timers, which are shorter and less frequent, generally one day and one evening or 2 afternoons. It was recommended to me by a surgeon dad of 4 little children who was dragged along and said it's actually pretty good, not tedious and patronising and is useful.

and I think you can join at any stage but need to sign up for classes early

Great, I've just emailed NCT to ask for refresher course dates in my area

Just had my second midwives appointment and I've been bumped back a few days so I have updated the list. I am now 14+1.

Hi to everyone, sorry I haven't been posting for a while, life has been crazy although I have managed to keep up with reading the thread, which is a feat in itself given how fast this one moves.

? londonlottie - early cos it's twins! (1st baby) - London SE5/SE22
1 singalongamumum (DS 18mth)

1 Alibobins (DS5 DD9)
1 ClaireDB (1st baby)
2 Lisylou1980
3 salvadory (1st Baby)
3 liny
3 sunshinejanuary 1st Baby - South London
3 Bethoo (DS 2 DD 8 mon)- Wiltshire
4 pepa (DS 3.5, DD 18mth) Toronto, Canada
5 Dizzyclarebear (1st baby) - SE london
5 timmette (DS 3)
6 oomska (DD 13mo)
6 crumpette (2nd DC)
6 gizzy1973 (1st baby)
8 STA1mum (DS15mth)
10 Zen1980 (1st baby)
10 lizzylu (DS 14mths)
10 Somewhathorrified
10 kittykat765 (DS 19mth) Bristol
11 Katiei (DS)
11 anastaisia (dd b2005)
11 lilacpink (DD 3)
12 roastbeef
13 skidoodle (DD 13mo)
13 LessThenIdeal
13 Sleepingalot, Sheffield
15 lynchy09 (DS14mth)
15 Sersi (DS1 6, DS2 4) HERTS
15 Worriedunfortunately (DD 4y)
16 DesertFairy (DD3)
16 ampster (DS 11mo)
16 ILoveDolly
17 slightlybonkers (DS 3yo)
17 MrsStripey (DS15mo)
17 Liskey (1st baby)
18 alfiesmadmother (DS1 7,DS2 5 and DS3 3)
18 dal21 (DS 20 mths)
18 Southwestwhippet (First baby)
20 sooooexcited (DS 2)
20 showmethemummy (2 DCs)
20 verytiredmummy (DS)
21 quirkychick (DD 3.5) Norfolk
23 AutumnAir (1st baby)
23 Sazlocks (DS 17mo), Shropshire
24 Blocka (DD 32mo), North East
24 totalmisfit (DD 3.3), Norfolk
24 Laura233
24 coffeeicecream (DS 9mo), NW London
24 MamaLazarou (1st baby)
25 FlightofFancy (1st baby), Surrey
25 Noodlesforbreakfast
25 Iateallthecreameggsyummy
26 Biccy (DD 3)
29 helenabeth (DS1 4.5, DS2 20mths)
29 Mowmi (1st baby) Surrey
30 nervoussara, Brighton
30 (or thereabouts!) anniemac (DD 4)
31 laurawantsababy (DD 11mo)
31 IrrationalMother (DS 18mo)
[?] Miss Chatterbox (DD1 4 DD2 2)
[?] Beanz2 (DS 13mo)
[?] Fififorgot, South

The ones that have lost their little ones:
VivClicqot
beanieb
coffeeandcarrotcake
Rainbowdays
EsmeandDante
bluespix77
AmyLou32
st arshaker
Th eKurgan

Apply now if you want to do NCT classes!

I tried to book at 14 weeks with DS and Due in July 06 was already full! Luckily as due date was 31st July they agreed to let me into Due in August. In the end he was born Aug 15th (overcooked!), so all worked out, I would have been left so far behind by the July group!!

Still friends with all 8 of our group, and 6 of us are local and still meet weekly 3 years on.
We also did 2 NHS classes, but the group was huge so didn't get to know each other. There was a smaller NHS breastfeeding class which was good though, and got to meet a new mum with newborn and chat about her birth, first feeds etc. Made it all seem v real!

It took me a while to get the hang of expressing, and never had leaky boobs, but got there in the end. Another vote for the avent manual pump, & decided to express when went back to work so then got Ameda double pump which was fab.
I found it a faff to get DH to give regular ebm feeds, but used to occasionally for nights out, trips to hairdresser, gym etc.

Good luck to all those having scans this week!

I'd second what Crumpette said about the basic manual avent breast pump. I tried a medela electric one and hated it! (But I know people who liked it.) I found I was best off expressing after the first feed in the morning, but I also needed to do it every day, whether I wanted the milk or not - and dd would only drink it from the bottle if it hadn't been previously frozen. And I could never express very much (though my supply must have been fine as I bf exclusively to 5.5 months when we introduced solids, and bf in total to 20 months). I did find it useful at the weaning stage as I could express enough to mix her porridge with, or mix into purees etc.

On the stretch mark front, I just used coconut based body creams, and have one small stretch mark, which you can only see if you sort of stretch my skin out a bit. I got stretch marks during puberty on hips and thighs (the ones that start of red then fade), but nothing like that with pregnancy, which was nice. I think as the bump got big I forgot it had an underneath, and wasn't so good at rubbing the cream in there - and that's the bit that marked. Must remember this time to pay attention to the underneath!

But, the other thing I wanted to say is that I just never think about the fact I have a stretch mark. It really really doesn't bother me one bit. When I look at it, it's more with interest, and 'oh, that was from dd', and in a funny way I actually like that little reminder that I carried her in my tummy. And to tell the truth, I've felt more confident in and happy with my body since having dd than before, even though I never quite lost the last few pounds.

Anyway, ramble over, better get to bed so I can stay awake for my 7.30pm scan tomorrow...

Good luck for your scan today Biccy, looking forward to hearing how it goes.

Hi all

Am drinking water in preparation for my scan this morning and shaking like a leaf. Feel scared witless.

Let you know later how it's gone.

Good luck Liskey and Biccy. And anyone else due scans today!

Morning all

Am trying to remember all the questions that have been asked so I can try to answer some of them!

I really struggled with breastfeeding (a loooong story for another day) and mixed fed my son from 9 days old. He never once had nipple confusion (although I think by then he was so hungry he'd have eaten anything, poor boy). He did go through a phase of refusing bottles but that was about 5 months I think.

Also, because I had hardly any milk, I found I couldn't get anything out at all with the hand pump. Nothing. So I bought a Medela mini electric one and that did the trick.

I'd second whoever said NCT classes were worth it. I also made really good friends at my NCT and we're still in touch 2 years on. In fact, I'm panicking slightly about this baby as we've moved now and I don't know anyone in my new area. Think I'll check out the local NCT and find some coffee mornings etc and start all over again.

Hope you are all well. X

Thanks for all your advice.
I have now joined the NCT class for the january due date and I will probably do the NHS ones during the day... DH can come with me on the evening ones, I think he might show some interests, just have to hope that football is not on at the same time...;-))

I'm between jobs, as the site where I work is closing and starting in another one but only May next year.. so I'm taking note on the breastfeeding pumps advice

Hi everyone! Just had scan, saw baby. Looking good, strong heartbeat, small nuchal fold. I did a small cry! Am such a softie. Now in hospital waiting for blood test. Very very bored. Good luck to everyone else with scans today!

Good news ampster - I am sure I am going to cry tonight, no matter what the outcome!

Er...what's NCT? Do you do this aswell as the hypnobirthing classes? Sorry have no idea.

great news on the scan front Ampster so now we await the news of Biccys.
having a panic this morning as my doppler will not work, i think it was the headphones as they were under my dog and i pulled so maybe pulled the wiring out?? dont know how i could cope not hearingthe hb as so used ot checking eery morning like i did with the last two! it is even worse now in second trimester when you feel normal again!
got another DVD 10 minute solution butthis is a toning one so my chest is killing today! have dp doing it too and it is so amusing watching him dong it completely different to what the instructor does and we all know how men hate being corrected by women/their partner!
i find it hard to make new mum friends as i find i rarely have anything in common. the one i did meet at my first ante natal class has kind of stopped calling etc, it sounds harsh but she always treat me like i was making mistakes with my shildren. always critisizing my parenting skills, also not helped by being quite resentful that i got pregnant the second time when she was trying but she has fertility issues so i felt a bit bad and dare not knock on her door to tell her my good news as her second IVF attempt did not stick. i sound horrid dont i but army wives are in a league of their own when it comes ot clicks!
alot of the army wives dont work so they just spend their time going round each others houses taling about other people etc. best shut up there before i make myself sound like a pertentious bitch!

i wanted ot do hypnobirthing but it costs about £500 or something crazy like that!
we only have two parent classes here at the medical centre, the first tells you about the birth and differnet pain relief options and pass everything round. the second is all about breast feeding. i asked about breathing and the mw said they dont do it anymore as they prefer to teach it on te day which i think may be a bit too late! by that time you are in panic mode andcant concentrate on breathing right!

Hi

Had scan - very active baby strong heartbeat everything looked ok. At which point I burst into tears of relief.

Sonographer said I look like I'm 13 weeks pregnant not the 12.3 I think I am - my due date has been moved forward to the 13 January.

Good luck Biccy hope everything goes ok for you.

Great news Liskey, hurrah! So, that's good news today from you and from ampster, so hopefully these things will go in three's!
Will update later...

Congrats Liskeyand ampster on fab scans. Good luck Biccy with yours this evening!

Liskey we're due date buddies now!

Have my first antenatal app at hospital tomorrow 2pm but don't think they'll give me a scan as had one at 9wks (will be 13 wks tomorrow).

Don't want to seem greedy but would love to see that all is okay. Been trying to think of ways to persuade them...so far only come up with sharing my giant chocolate buttons... Any one got a better idea???

sleepingalot will they offer you a nuchal translucency scan anyway? Has to be between 11 and 13+6 weeks I think. I know not all areas offer them, but worth a go!

Liskey and Ampster- hurrah!!

Well today I have been skiving and have achieved precisely zero- have not even got dressed all day have munched 4 crumpets and various avocados, however, oh and loads of kettle chips... sigh will have to go in tomorrow though so am not too impressed with that prospect.

Not sure if I'm going to do the 2nd-timers NCT thing, I don't want to find myself in labour again and have NO idea what to do (cringe) but then again I've done it before and I don't like people too much!
Hypnobirthing sounds very interesting indeed, that may tempt me! No pain, right!!?

So pleased for you Lisky and Ampster!

Let us know later Bethoo how you go.

I am jealous Crumpette of you list of yummy food. I find now that i feel i really want something, then i eat it and instantly feel like it was the wrong thing and it is making me feel sicker than i did before!

DH thinks i have lost the plot, the other day i coudn't eat my dinner as i thought the lettuce smelt to awful!

Hi sunshinejanuary- I know this sounds bad butI envy you! I am just insanely hungry, all the time! It's horrid all I do is eat, I have already gained ehem, quite a lot of weight!!

I know what you mean about smelly lettuce though- there are some things that I go near and want to be sick instantly (lettuce is one of them, in fact any 'healthy' substance!)

I have just realised that I have to book my next mw appointment, consultant appointment and my next scan and I rang the hospital who were totally useless- before (different hospital) everything was booked for me! argh! effort, may have to stop eating for a second and go in!

Hi all. Back from scan and all is well. One little baby, 49.1mm long, heart beating, due date brought forward 2 days to 24 January.

Must say, it was the fastest scan in the world ever! I got there just before 7.30 for a 7.30 appointment, they'd turned off their computer and were sort of shutting up shop... they'd crossed me off by accident! So, was rushed into the room, 2 mins of scan (was so quick that although she said there was a heartbeat I didn't actually see it myself) and out again pretty much!

Nice thing was, the sonographer I saw was the same one who had to give me bad news when I miscarried in February, and I think it was quite nice for her too - she even gave me my scan pictures and told me to hide them in my handbag so I didn't have to pay for them! They're very small and hazy though, no way I could try and guess the sex...

Oh, and I blubbed.

well done on happy scan news.
Biccy we are almost due date buddies as my scan moved me to the 23rd Jan.

I am planning to do hypnobirthing this time as well. Such an amazing way to get DH involved in the whole thing and a great way to stay in control of pain/ panic etc - we didn't pay anything like £500 bethoo think it was more like a couple of hundred and that was for a private course in our home.

somewhat NCT is a national vol sector organisation who provide private ante natal classes, nearly new sales, campaigning for better maternity care. coffee morings etc etc etc Really useful for first time parents as classes are small and you get an opp to meet people a few times before the birth and most people become good friends afterwards. they have a website if you want to see what happens in your local area.