Due November 2009 - second trimester thread part 2

[skorpion]

Hope this works

Evening all

katster have a great holiday!

I'm feeling tonnes better than last week. Having trouble sleeping but at least I'm not crying all the time!

It's a shame that breastfeeding is made to sound so scary. Hardly any of my friends have breastfed and I keep getting told that it's a nightmare and I'll be stuck on the sofa feeding all day. I'm of the opinion that I will give it a go and see how I manage. The thought of doing it in public is what terrifies me. I've got giant boobs and can't think how I would cover them up. Silly I know.

Lemontop - yup mine are big buggers too. My DP has me prepared for this however and thought it might comfort you to know that if anyone stares / complains, they're breaking the law - Sex Discrimination Act 1975, amended 2008

Erika It's more me being shy and prudish than reactions of other people I'm worried about. We'll see..!

Get some linen squares - everyone I've spoken to, regardless of how well endowed, have managed to cover and be subtle about it. I'm also reckoning that by the time we'll be up to leaving the house, we'll have had maybe up to two weeks minimum practising at home, so it will be a damn art by then!

Morning all,

I've had a crap night, been awake for most of it coughing and worrying about the baby. I was coughing so much it was making my stomach hurt and the baby has been wriggling around loads, might seem a silly question but does anyone know if too much coughing will hurt the baby?

On a more positive note I ordered a double buggy last night, am really excited! Treated myself to a Phil and Teds and can't wait to start using it!

lemontop re the breastfeeding, you may find there are days when it seems like you are stuck on the sofa all day breastfeeding, mainly when they go through a growth spurt. However, it doesn't last long and once your milk is established you soon find yourself getting into a routine. Just use the time to watch some good films or tape lots of programmes and make sure you have plenty of water and snacks to hand!

As for feeding in public, I would wear a vest top underneath a normal top so that I could pull one top up and the other top down, therefore not exposing any tummy or boob. Hope that makes sense!

Good morning all!

I am so tired. Had bloods taken yesterday to find out iron levels. I am sure it will be fine I just need sleep. I love sleep. I miss sleep.

Ponkey bad news. Went to see MW yesterday and didn?t like her v. much. But all the others looked nice. They were really busy and running late and I was thinking don?t let me go to that one, don?t let it be her and guess what it was her. There even was a very gay male MW who looked rather nice but I got her! I felt rushed and not taken seriously enough if you know what I mean. Also, she went to ask for help when I mentioned chickenpox so not a great opinion about her. Asked about swine flu so all she did - gave me 4page info.

The hospital is very modern and so far looked clean to me. I am due 28 Oct (so they say but I know this one will not come out till half Nov). I don?t understand why the take 28 days so seriously. It?s not true for everyone! Where about in London are you?

Mw appointments at 11+ weeks, then 28 BUT booked myself in for this one 25+ as needed the forms and had some questions. I think then I am seeing her at 32, 36 and 40 weeks.
Got both government grant (will send it off today) and MATB1 forms (that one says 14 weeks before EDD) as I was 25+ she gave it to me.

Also asked for Bounty pack but apparently the hospital doesn?t do Bounty! The form I mentioned yesterday might?ve been Emma?s diary I found in one of those booklets lying around in hospital reception I think. Haven?t heard from those either? so if anybody has a spare Bounty leaflet/pack my way please.

Also booked one day (Saturday) birthing class (lead by NCT teacher) at the hospital. 26 Sept if any of you are thinking of coming? Have decided I will not be joining the NCT weekly refresher ones after all.

helips Ive thought this about coughing but i've been assured, no it wont do any harm to the baby.

Its funny, ive been thinking about bf too as i ff ds and felt guilty about it ever since, but had exactly the same worries as lemontop. I was going to ask you about your experiences if any of you have bf before.

hoping everyone is recovering from their illnesses. x

I found bf easy in the way that you don?t need to prepare anything as it?s always there and ready. Can?t imagine getting up in the middle of the night and prepare bottle while the baby screams to be honest. All respect to who?s done that. I enjoyed my soap bf sessions in front of telly on the sofa or bed?with cup of tea and house and mobile phone on hand. This is true. As soon as you sat down one of the phones would ring!

Scarlotti what insurance did you have. And what exactly I should be looking for in the cover? Can you tell I have never done this before?

Broodzilla I shall be dragging dh to the hospital workshop again and you will be surprised how much helpful he can be at birth!

In regards to the baby and pregnancy manuals I read this time first time around
www.amazon.co.uk/Birth-Beyond-Definitive-Pregnancy-Family/dp/0091856949
and found it really useful. It has all the pregnancy information, but also, birth, breastfeeding, newborn care (how to bath them etc.) how baby fits into family and medical conditions and childhood illnesses all of that. It?s like a little encyclopaedia/bible. I would really recommend. It is a little pricey though.

Baby moved up a bit sometimes can feeling movement above the belly button. Used to be only very low before. I become boxing bag if I am only a little bit late with my meals. Very funny. I am like alright I will feed you now!

Do any of you know if there are blood tests at 28 I think there should be and if we have to bring that horrible lucosade drink? I wasn?t told anything.

Koumak I just looked for travel insurance online and made sure that it covered pregnant women at the stage I was at. Most will easily go up to 26 or 28 weeks. If you're travelling later then you may need to shop around a bit more.
Lucozade test is at the 28 week appointment. You need to drink a set amount (think it's 250mls) 45 mins before your appointment then don't eat or drink anything after. You will get blood taken at your appointment and they measure how much your body has processed the sugar. If you're unsure, then ring your mw and check.

Re bf - with DD it was a breeze. She latched on just after birth and it was plain sailing. She was only 5lb6oz so when she fed it didn't take long and we settled into a great routine, no pain at all.
DS totally different. Didn't want to feed for about 12 hours after birth, wouldn't latch on properly as kept sucking his tongue I perservered until he was about 5 weeks old but we never really managed it. He got very sleepy and feeding was taking anything up to 2.5 hours a time. I had very little support - ended up giving him a bottle of expressed milk which he almost hoovered up in 5 mins. We moved to bottles and the guilt for me set in.
Night time bottles though - fill them up with the water then put the powder in the little plastic tubs that sit in the neck of the bottle. Baby wakes, you tip powder into bottle, shake, warm if baby wants either in bottle warmer or a kettle by the bed, then feed. It can all be done without leaving the room

I know of a few people who've bottle fed and just given room temperature bottles. Baby is perfectly happy as that's what they expect, and Mum is much less stressed as doesn't have to find places to warm the milk up everywhere!

I'll aim to bf again and hope it works this time. Just giving the other side of the story as a lot of health professionals will just be negative about bottle feeding. All well and good (and can understand why) but of no use if you and baby are at your wits end because things just aren't working.

helips sorry you're feeling so rough. Must be awful. Maybe I need to invest in some box sets for breastfeeding!

koumak my baby wakes up in the morning moving around loads as if it's telling me to get up and eat! I've also started feeling a bit hungry at night and the baby moves around then. Could be coincidence but it would seem to make sense. I'm considering leaving snacks by the side of the bed so I get a bit of a lie in.

I'm hoping the breastfeeding thing will just come with experience. My hospital do classes once a week so I think I'll get myself along to those and hope I can remember it all when the baby is here.

I've lined up a range of beauty treatments to try and make myself look a bit better before the wedding. Having my eyebrows done, a French manicure, highlights and a haircut and might brave a San Tropez fake tan but fear I may look like an oompa loompa. He he!

Hello - don't post v.often more of a hoverer!
I could write a book on breastfeeding - but my main advice would be stay open minded - I was totally set on breast for dd1 - but it was never meant to be - she was 3.5weeks early and as a result v.sleepy and didn't have much suck but I perservered for 10 days without giving her bottle (as advised) - 8 different midwives and bf counsellors tried to help us. In the end she screamed and screamed for hours on end - I can't belive now I was so stupid to let it go on for so long, but because midwives can't say give her a bottle I carried on trusting there judgement. I ended up with pnd through guilt. My 2nd DD though completely different story - I didn't even want to try as I was so scarred from the first and she latched on herself I hadn't even looked at a book or diagram this time I don't think they help - and it was easy!

I agree about keeping an open mind re. breast feeding - that is totally the best way to be. As one midwife said to me when I gave up with DS2 'you could breast feed him for two years and then give him chips and sit him in front of the TV for the rest of his childhood, is that better than bottle feeding him and providing him with a healthy balanced diet and a happy childhood?' Everyone wants to do the best for their children and early feeding is just a small part really in the grand scheme of things. Some people find it easy, other don't and beat themselves up about it (like I did). I struggled with breastfeeding - did better with DS1 than DS2. I am going to try again with DS3 / DD1 whatever comes out! I have friends who, on the other hand, found it a breeze. Everyone is different. Every baby is different too.

I'm dreading the Lucozade test I detest the stuff, it makes me feel so crappy. If it could be the orange stuff, that would be okay, but nope, has to be the plain one. Ew.

My MW said that if you get a normal bottle, drink to the bottom of the "L" and that's the exact amount Hope that helps.

also try not to listen to other people to much - I had a friend (in the nct) who was bragging about about how natural and beautiful it was to bf - turned out she was only doing it when she was out and ff indoors! Theres a whole scary pressure group out there who try to make you feel 2nd class if you ff! (tragedy is they'll go off to school in 3 years and be fed turkey twizzlers before you know it by the same goverment who bullied you into bf in the first place)

lemontop - I have giant boobs too (38H if you need to know!) and like I say with my dd2 it was a breeze and I loved it even after the bad experience first time, and it is easier if it works. Least in winter (my first 2 are may) you can cover up a lot more to feed out - paschminas etc. I also duel fed for a while after bf was established, which worked well for me as it meant I could give a bottle if I was in an awkward situation and I also used to give a bottle last thing at night as this helped dd2 sleep for longer.

I am curled on the sofa drinking Lucozade Original. It's a bit of a ritual when I'm ill and harps back to childhood. strange comfort but does the job for me.

As for GTT test I have been told turn up, have bloods, drink lucozade, go away, come back, have bloods.

I HATED breastfeeding. Also in the bigger boobs club and even dp says they've now gone past sexy and into practical (although not really that practical). I still have nightmares about ds feeding with blood around his chops. Ugh, and at 19 the mw's made me keep going! This time, no way. If it doesn't work it doesn't work. Full stop!

doris failure to bf Ds contributed to my pnd too so am with you in that camp. Easy to see that with hindsight we should have just gone to bottles but the pressure to bf is really quite strong I found - that includes the pressure I put on myself.

Lol at the turkey twizzlers comment though!!!

Am up to a 36G here (normally sit around a 34E) but know they will increase when the milk comes in, sigh.

Ninja are you having the full GTT test then? We get that here if we 'fail' the lucozade test. I had to have it with DS - no food from 8am, bloods at 10, glucose drink then bloods at 12:30. I was about to faint from hunger by the end!!

lemontop I had similar treatments before my wedding and it's a great idea, makes you feel pampered and special - enjoy!

DS and I weren't much good at the discreet breastfeeding bit. I had the best intentions, but I also had a lively and sociable baby who did NOT want his face covered up at any point (and 32FF norks, which didn't really help). In the early days, he insisted on being able to see me, and then later on, he kept popping off every time there was a noise and having a good look around at everybody going by (thus allowing everybody to get a good look at acreage of wet boob). Muslins, pashminas and those modesty wrap thingies just got hauled off and tossed aside by fat baby fists, and if I kept putting them back, he'd latch off and start crying crossly at me. It's why I get so cross with the people who bang on about the importance of DISCREET feeding - ok, YOU try do it with my kid!

On the bright side, nobody wants to look at you or even make eye contact once they realize you're nursing - you might as well be a nun sitting there with your norks out. Have never seen so many men try so diligently NOT to glance at my bosom.

Has anyone used a breast pump? I really want to breast feed, but DP also wants to be able to feed him. We're thinking of getting one, but I don't know if there's a specific type that is better / more comfortable to use..?

I'm kinda nervous about breastfeeding, but if I can, I want to. It will just be that bit easier, especially for feeds in the middle of the night. Plus with my ME even going down the stairs to the kitchen, then back upstairs to feed would be tiring.

DYING for a cheese burger. Is it worth the walk...?

I am easy i never had problem taking my boobs out in public - to breastfeed only obviously!!!

ErikaMaye - don't bother with hand one as it knackers you out after 3 pumps! I used an electric medula one with dd1 worth the extra money. I also think you can hire them from the NCT.

Hello All

I hope everyone who was feeling ill is picking up a little

I am meant to be going away this weekend to the coast to babysit my sisters 2 young children however she is laid up with Swine Flu symptoms and her little girl who is nearly 3 also is showing signs - however she is still wanting to go ahead with the trip - a little worried as don't want to say I cant go as already agreed but also a tad worried about if it affected the bump...probably just over-reacting - I do that alot lately

I had a strange twinge last night as I was walking home from the tube - it was a sudden sharp pain in my hip - it was a lot like stitch but more painful - only lasted until I got home and sat down but it did make me stop a couple of times - I know I am a complete wuss with pain so probably wasnt too bad just wondered if anyone else had experienced it?

I hope everyone is having a lovely day!!

Take Care x x x

Ninja I had GTT a couple of weeks ago as I had GD in 2nd pregnancy - try not to eat anything too sugary the day before - i swear i was only diagnosed as GD last time because I'd been to the cinema the night before and eaten a whole big bag of minstrals just before the 12 hour cut off! every blood test I did after that (three times a day after meals for the rest of the preganancy) came back normal.

erika I used an electric breast pump, very handy to express excess milk and means the dp's/dh's can have a go at bottle feeding, although you'll be surprised how quickly the novelty wears off for them! Also, for those still worried about breastfeeding in public, you can always express and take a bottle out with you, I used to do that until I felt more confident.

Can't remember who said about the phone always ringing when you sit down to feed, so true! I used to use the feeding time to call up my friends too! Another thing to bear in mind Erika if you do manage to breastfeed is that your body sends out feel good hormones which hopefully will counteract any negative feelings you might have. I loved breastfeeding but have nothing against bottle feeding, whatever works best for mum and baby is the key!

erika I used an avent hand pump last time and thought it was excellent. I think you can hire/try them from sure start centres too so ask your mw. Always better to borrow/hire one somehow if you can first as it's quite a personal choice in terms of comfort ease of use etc.
One of the main factors is how quickly (or not!) your milk comes out too. Mine was on fast flow so I could fill a bottle in about 5 mins with a hand pump.

I've just won some totabots nappies on eBay so very pleased although someone bid at the last minute and won the wraps I had my eye on