Due November 2009 - second trimester thread part 2

[skorpion]

Hope this works

Hi all, still ill with the swine flu, dh has gone back to work but my in-laws are coming over to take ds out for the day so that I can rest.

wizzy My phil and teds arrived yesterday and is still in the box too! I haven't the energy to get it out, thats a job for dh at the weekend!

I had a cs and still managed to breastfeed. I just made sure I was well propped up in the beginning and used a breastfeeding pillow, very useful.

I think my bump has gone down a little bit since being ill, it still is rather large though! Had an argument the other day with a woman in m &s about how pregnant I was, she wouldn't believe I was almost 6 months, kept counting the months on her finger and saying I had longer to go. Thing is she was including July and Nov, we are at the end of July now and I'm due beginning of Nov so she was getting it wrong. I said 'I think I know how pregnant I am, thanks' and walked off, stupid woman (her, not me!)

Sorry to dash in and not respond to posts,, rude I know, but I just had the. most. amazing. dream.

I met him. My little boy. I gave birth, which I remember enough detail of to know it was real in my dream but not enough to dwell on it. I then carried him everywhere for a couple of days, attached to me. I recall breastfeeding him for the first time, then every few hours afterwards. I recall him waking for a feed and that amazing realisation that I did have another baby. He remember all the feelings that I felt and it was all wonderful. I also recall telling everyone his name, which is the name DH and I are considering, in the dream is was very matter of fact, that was his name, end of story, but no middle name decided, which is true! I remember texting people to tell them he had been born, and I remember his weight! (5lb 10oz) which I was pleased about as it was more than DD and meant I did not have to stay in hospital.

The only thing that made it a little less real was that he spoke once, in a baby voice, said 'cuddle' and 'milk' .

But I loved him. And now I feel I know him a bit better. How weird is that?!!! I wonder if it is because I had some anxieties over how I would feel as I have felt so crap about the pg over the last few months.

Not today though, I feel very excited

I will now go and read posts and try to respond!

Morning ladies

Erika I have borrowed my belly bar from a friend so not sure where you can get them. There's enough shops around us though that sell belly jewellry (sp?) so I reckon if you popped into one of those next time you're out you'd find out. It's a very long plastic bar with white plastic balls, so not pretty in the least but long enough to last right through!

I have had several comments over the last few weeks about my size mainly around the idea that I can't possibly still have 3 months to go and am I sure there's only 1 in there! I think it's rude to be honest, I wouldn't dream of commenting on a strangers size or shape. I think if you're feeling a bit large, or having an off day the last thing you need is strangers making it worse!

helips my bump has gone down a little and changed shape recently, I'm wondering if it's organs moving out of the way a little or baby moving. I get bad constipation (sorry tmi!) and find it gets smaller again when the latest bout has passed

scarlotti have you considered being violent? I think you are legally allowed to be violent in pregnancy . I agree, it is very rude. I get it too, the other way. 23 weeks? You can't be? Is the baby alright? etc etc. fuuuuuck ooooooff and I smile sweetly while thinking what it would feel like to slap them!

pavlov x-posts - what a beautiful post Am delighted for you and am sure that this will go a long way to compensating for your tough time so far.

If he does turn up at 5lbs 10oz too then at you!! DD was 5lbs 6oz which was fab and left me almost intact, DS was 8lbs 10oz and let's just say not much of me was left intact after his entrance

Scarlotti - at your second one! I hope he is not that big! DD was 5lb exactly (although on the photo of the weighing machine, I am sure it is just under). Perfectly healthy but nice and small, although she still managed to get stuck! It meant I had to stay in hosp for 7 days to make sure she gained weight, which she did, but I was quite pleased. This time though, I will have DD to worry about too, and won't want to be away from her or the family home for that long.

You are right, it has helped me enormously feel more positive about this pregnancy. I always knew I wanted the baby even though I felt so crap but I worried my negativity would affect my bonding. If the dream is anything to go by, not likely!

pavlov Rofl!! I am starting to wonder whether to just tak the p!ss for my own sport. Would I get arrested for touching someone who touched me I wonder...?! My personal preference is comments along the line of 'pregnant?! OMG! I hadn't noticed' or 'Just one in there? Gosh, I never thought to find out..'

Yeah, sadly DH comes from a long line if big babies. DD is his step-daughter, and was also 3.5 weeks early. I'm expecting this one to be around the same size to be honest, guess if I'm mentally prepared then that's the best.

Am sure this time will be much smoother for you, not least as you've done it before so your confidence levels are up. Also, if this one isn't feeding as much as maybe he could, you'll spot it earlier. Remember too that they can't make you stay in, especially with the threat of flu or other bugs, you are within your rights to say that you will all thrive better at home and you're willing to have extra mw visits.

I think I will stand up for myself much better this time. I was made to push DS out far too quickly, hence the mess I ended up in, and on researching the situation since I think there was no need for all the monitoring I went through. This time I will be better prepared to say I want things done more my way.

Morning all,

pav what a great dream,

Was going to ask if anyone had a bought a pram yet, but I see helips and wizziwoo have. I'm not sure what to get yet, ds2 will be 3 when bump arrives so should be able to walk everywhere, however its a 2 mile round trip to school which I think is too far for him to do twice a day, thinking maybe just a buggyboard? not sure.

No leaking boobs here yet (don't think I got that until afterwards last time)
BBL and fruitpastels my tummy button has very nearly popped out too, no line for me yet though.

Went to visit my friend in hospital yesterday, she has had a horrendous time and it sounds very scary . She had to be blue lighted to hospital because apparently once you bleed with placenta previa it can mean your placenta could just come away so would need to deliver asap! This is why she now has to stay put until birth, she seems ok though, quite happy.
Just so not to panic anyone with placenta previa she has a very very bad case which is quite unusual, its alot more common for the placenta to move by the 34 week scan

Anyway I've gone on enough, hope you all have a good day and those feeling poorly are better soon.

tigger we are buying a Quinny Zapp, for 6 months on, and a maxi cosi car seat to fit it, and for the first 6 months we will use that. With DD, I hardly used the pushchair/travel system, and the only bit we used really was the carseat part when she was asleep. I carried her mostly in a front carrier, and DH used the carseat. She would be taken out whenever we got to where we were going, and I cannot see myself doing shopping or needing to keep baby in a pushchair for more than 2 hours, so carseat will be fine.

Then, at 6 months, we will have the Zapp as a stroller. If it does not work, I shall sell it and get a maclaren or something, if I find I need the baby in it more than I planned, as the Zapp has good resale value (and I should be able to pick this AND the carseat up for less than £200). It is also light, and easily compactable, which is key with a toddler (DD will be the same age as your LO, 3), it takes up little room as it great for travelling too.

tigger we've gone for the buggy board option. I bought a 2nd hand bugaboo on eBay as our old travel system was too heavy now we've moved to somewhere with stairs down to the front door. DS will be 4 when LO arrives, old enough to walk but not for long trips.

I'll sell it again once we've no longer any use for it and hopefully recoup some of the money.

Thanks, scarlotti, I'll have a browse.

Pavlov that such a beautiful dream, I'm jealous In a good way!!

Rough night again, didn't get much sleep, and not entirely sure how I feel this morning. Was woken up by Bryn (We're trying to get used to saying his name instead of "Him" or "The baby", as Mum is still calling by the nickname and DP hates it!) kicking away, obviously saying, "Eat something, I'm hungry!!!". I thought they weren't supposed to wake you up for feeds until after they were born...

DP has promised to take me to see Harry Potter tonight

As for belly comments... I was in Tesco yesterday (Saw a couple of pregnant women and couldn't help but wonder if they were any of you lot ) and the lovely guy at the tills was chatting away and asked how I was. I said I was knackered, to which he said, "Ah, but you're young, no excuse!" I laughed and replied that I was ill and pregnant, I was most definitely allowed to be tired. He looked shocked and said he couldn't' tell I was pregnant. I didn't know whether to be insulted or complimented! I did have a big jumper on though...

Pavlov, we bought the Zapp for DS, and I've got to say that I'm not loving it because a) you can't hang anything off the back handlebars (nappy bag, groceries etc) without risking the whole thing tipping over backwards, b) the raincover is HOPELESS, it's just velcro'd together and slides off the handlebars all the time (even if your beloved child doesn't kick it off), and c) the foot brake and release seem to be buggered after only a year. I actually bent the wheel trying to unjam the brake, and then the whole thing wouldn't run, and I had to carry it off the bus (where we were at the time). Awful thing. It's now sitting in the cupboard, and I'm using the Phil and Ted all the time.

I do love the sound of your dream though. Reminds me of one I had with DS where this coracle came drifting across a lake with a fat smiling fair baby in it, and I remember picking him up and thinking 'Ah, so THIS is what you look like! Okay, you'll do!' He did look much like that eventually! (The only dream I've had about this kid was when I pulled up a mandrake, Harry-Potter-style, and there he was, shrieking his head off crossly.)

Ursigurke, I don't think you need to prepare your nipples. Get in some lansinoh or similar stuff, and just air 'em out as much as you can once the baby's here - I found that once the first couple of weeks were past, it was fine.

Wizzy, you should be able to bf after a c-section, you just need someone to help you with different holds (like how to nurse lying down on your side, or the football hold) and make sure the midwives stay on their toes getting the baby in and out of the bassinet for you. Maybe call NCT or La Leche to see if someone can advise you in advance?

Went to see HP last night, and God, I was uncomfortable - cinema seats are not designed for SPD, apparently. My lower back was killing me, ditto my hips, and I wound up trying to ball up my cardigan and DH's jacket so I could shove them under me. The baby also seemed to object to the loud noises, and kept trying to burrow away in the direction of my tailbone. Ow, ow, ow!

pav and scarlotti thanks for the pram advice, I have been thinking about getting something from ebay, I do a lot of walking so really want something that lays flat, but with 3 dcs space is a big issue, think we will have a test of a few at kiddicare on Saturday and see what works, then I can look for it on ebay at a bargain price!
I'll probably go for a Maclaren when baby is a little older too as they fold up so small.

erika Enjoy Harry Potter

I am back at work (can you tell?). Feeling much better. Verdict: No Temp so no SF. Just a bog standard sore throat virus.

Scarlotti I dream of having an 8lb 10oz baby. DS was 9lb 12oz but my Mum says thats easy as I myself was 10lb 4oz
Any way hence the GTT test.

Hope everyone is well and Helpis do make sure you get plenty of rest and fluids. Whatever you do don't push yourself into any thing too physical untill you are 100% better.

I think I'm wierd. I kind of like it when people are fixated on my bump. I just think damn right it's huge and I'm proud as punch

Feeling very sad today as dp is off to work the festival season so won't see him untill Monday night now then he leaves again Tuesday morning and so the summer will continue in such a fashion. I should be going to but have resigned myself I just cant keep up with the pace (or the crowds) still will be good for ds to have some Mum time before lo arrives.

Morning all -just been to collect DH's new bike, so that'll be the last I see of him today!!

DD was 8.1lb and the DS jumped exactly 2lb to 10.1lb, and that was after weeing and passing his meconium!! I'm hoping this one doing jump another 2 lbs!

Re nipples - I never did anything to prepare my nipples, nor did I do the perenial massage my yoga teacher keeps going on about, neither time did i tear and with DS didn't even have a graze, think it's more important that the pushing is controlled and not frantic.

wizzy my sister bf'd after cs number two and three. She found lying on her side the most comfortable and she had no problems.
She also used a rubber shield for the nips, must ask her about that.

pavlov lovely dream! I haven't got any ideas about the lo, what she'll look like, who she'll be. I do start wondering though.

Speaking of dreams, last night I was being examined in a room full of med students. I can still recall looking at around twenty people staring between my hoiked legs How exhibitionist is that!

scarlotti I got an e-mail back from the nappy lady (very quick) and got recommendation for two brands I haven't even heard of. More to choose from. I'll follow your advice and go on to MN nappy discussions. Thanks again.

beepbeep DH cycles a lot, too. Does your use a road bike? Fantastic cycling countryside around Oxford, love the Cotswolds. We lived in the Chilterns before, that was great, too. I sometimes call myself jokingly a cycling widow, but to be honest better that than out-to-pub-to-get-legless-every-weekend widow. Hope your DH has a nice day of cycling.

Hi everyone.

pavlov lovely dream. I've found I've started having fairly insane dreams this week. Nothing as pleasant as yours though!

Today was the first day I haven't been woken up by baby kicking me, telling me to eat and I slept in till ten, which must be a record for this pregnancy.

25 weeks today. I got an email saying this was the week to think about getting all the baby stuff you still need. What?! I haven't bought anything yet. There are so many different types of buggies to start with. I read the reviews on here yesterday and still I'm non the wiser. I think I need to go to a shop and try some stuff out.

Skorpion - Nipple shields, £3.99 in Mothercare Most hilarious things I've ever seen, I must confess, but they seem like SUCH a brilliant idea.

Ohhh is anyone else a Twilight fan?? I've just got on to the last in the series. Don't normally do the teen-angst crap, but these are so well written.

Anyone in Brighton / Hove who wants to get coffee at some point? Am going out of my mind being so unsocial, and found out yesterday that the only contact I have (A mental health support group I run) will probably fold as the professional we have onboard is leaving sigh

Have eaten so much today already. I did a really silly thing and weighed myself earlier. Am over ten stone for the first time in my life.

I think the pram thing really depends on what your lifestyle is like - are you going to be hauling it on and off buses (in which case, you want lightweight and easily collapsed with one hand!) or are you a big walker(in which case, a Jane model or Phil and Ted with big wheels is prob your best bet)..? I keep one pushchair for train travel, and the Phil and Ted for hiking around the village on dodgy terrain.

skorpion the advice I've been getting on mn is that the motherease airflow wraps are best for newborn as they are poppered up the side and waist, so contain explosive poos best. I've got a few to try and am now trying to wait until baby arrives before buying any more. Want to check they suit him size wise.
If he follows my other two he'll be shorter and chubbier!

Erika am in Brighton/Hove but will be working up until mid October, sorry.

lemontop that's just scary. 25 weeks and you're supposed to start getting stuff already? I also plan to wonder around shops to have a look at stuff, make a list and then perhaps shove it on to somebody else to do the actual shopping. Or order on line, but not before seeing it in real life.

We're not going to prepare a nursery until she's a couple of months old and hope to keep things simple. Newborn babies don't need much, do they? I read a lovely line from a fellow mn-er, not sure if it was on this thread: few clothes, a clean bum, a boob and lots of cuddles. That's my motto now!

Scarlotti wasn't competative birthing by the way. I know the size of baby doesn't nessasarily reflect on the expirience of birth. Sounds like you had a dreadful time with dc2.

Lets hope this time goes some way to repair some of the trauma.

pavlov, what a nice dream, especially after having had a rather hard time.
lemontop, I think too that I should start with getting stuff, at least getting information about it. For the big things there are always delivery times to respect and new furniture has a strong smell too. (And I'm always a last minute person, so I'm a bit worried to end up with nothing when the baby comes)
Ninjacat, I do agree with you, so at least you are not alone being weird. I like getting comments about my bump. And I really think it is just a way of showing interest. (And to be honest I'm always comparing the size of my bump with other pregnant women, I was even jealous once as one woman in pregnancy yoga is a week behind me but has a bigger one!!!! )

Ugh, is anyone else over heating today? Damn pregnancy and ME grumbles

Ah well, pjs and watching Black Books is in fact the cure for everything, right? Just wish DP's freezer wasn't broken, could really do with some ice cream...

I think we've got most things now - got enough clothes for the first few weeks, and all the equipment except from cot and sterilisers. Thank goodness we didn't have too much in our attic!