Due March 2010 - we're halfway there!

[annamama]

... this is a new thread following on from the last one, welcome oldies & newbies ...

Anna clever you peeing into a nappy! Made me

Tigress I also clocked the pregnacare tip, but i stocked up months ago when Boots did a half price deal (or a buy two get one free or something ) and still have a month and half left . So anyone who can get to an Asda should head off prontissimo!

It's also interesting to read people's thoughts and experiences on cloth nappies. Smac good for you setting up as a nappy advisor!

Nappy technology has come along way since the terry cloth nappies I grew up in . Or else I'd have no interest (boiling nappies - an early childhood memory - no thanks!). We're planning to go to Nappy Ever After as they do demos on a Tues afternoon (I want to get a sense of what's actually available) and are also, conveniently enough, a nappy service. Handily, I can also walk there from work! For other Londoners, check out the Real Nappies for London site for more info on nappuccinos etc. There are also vouchers schemes that can help with reduced cost starter packs etc if your borough is signed up.

I'm planning to use washables (I've used a mooncup type thing for nearly 10 years, as have the same issues re plastics/chemicals/landfill for sanitary protection, so it fits with my values) but am also planning to play it by ear. If it's a nightmare, I won't beat myself up about using disposbables now and again (and definitely for things like holidays and travel).

There are also companies that make baby clothes specifically for cloth nappy babies (eg see Frugi, originally called Cut4cloth) so I hope that minimises the poppers popping open problem.

Between this and the home birth plans, you're going to thing I'm a raging hippy who's off weaving lentils when I'm not at work/on MN .

Went shopping after work today and finally picked up a maternity coat (a rather sensible choice from mamas and papas. I schlepped all the way to JoJoMamanBebe in Notting Hill (made it there at 5.55 when they closed at 6) just to try on their manky matenity coat (think "sack of potatos" ). So picked up some muslins and a little portable changing bag/mat thingy (my SILs in Ireland swear by them) before heading back to Oxford Circus for H&M and mamas and papas.

So am now cream crackered. Night night ladies - sweet dreams (and not too many loo trips!) to all

God, sorry for that massive post! And also for it being a bit "real nappies or bust" . I didn't mean to get soapboxy about it as I think we should all just do what works for us and our families

Have just caught up on all the posts since 9 November. Am going for a lie down to recover. Which fortunately coincides with bed time.

Had pregnant lady yoga tonight which was just what I needed after a day of work that simply confirmed that EVERYONE I work with/for is an idiot. I think that they may have realised that I was in a bit of a bad mood after I tore a few heads off. Unfortunately most of my work is over the phone so they can't see the bump and make excuses for me...

Pleased to hear the scares are resolved and big hugs to those who are having down spots. Enjoy our continuing expansion everyone!

Morning all
Have managed finally to coax DD out of the shower (current obsession) and sneaking a few minutes whilst she watches cbeebies dries off..
Glad yoga was good blueydragon I'm hoping to make mine tomorrow evening....and of course everyone you work with is a muppet, not long till maternity leave eh?! Not that i'm also on the countdown or anything...

annamamma interesting you called your DD Ellie.....the REASON for MummyElk is my own birth announcement about our DD which went wrong..I was texting everyone, typed Ella out, realised predictive text said Elk....went to hit Spell....but hit Send....About 30 of our friends got text saying "we've had a girl and called her Elk" and some replied "how lovely, is it a swedish name" . Anyway it stuck. I love her name (Ella Rae) but Elk suits her too .
I'm hoping the next one is less eventful all round, from the beautiful two pushes labour to the eloquent and tear-jerking text (iPhone must have an app for that surely?)

Just sneezed again. Any tips on pelvic floor exercises? Do you think I have a problem or is it temporary rubbishness? It's not the first time I've complained on here before about illness-related weeing, and I do NOT want to become a tenalady...

IWCAS how are you feeling btw after your sad spell the other day? I thought about it in the night, what everyone said was quite right, and you're perfectly entitled to the odd panic about Impending Motherhood (aren't we all) - you'll be a great mum, you'll have your moments (don't we all ) but there is always an answer and This Too Shall Pass. DD spent a lot of time in with us in bed, so I have no problems in the whole co-sleeping thing (no smoking/drinking anyway) I truly believe you instinctively sleep in a more protective way around your baby.
And the Kari-Me is easy to tie on, once you've done it a couple of times it's fine. The babybjorn is great too, so easy, but I definitely couldn't do it once she'd piled on the weight, just too heavy on the shoulders (or look at slings that put the weight on your hips, like the Kari-Me)

Jeez, Essay. Sorry.

good morning ladies and every expanding bumps!!!

wow i have missed sucha lot in the last day!!!

love the christmas thread titile- I may be pregnant and its xmas, but I am not a taxi service... heehee-
how true! this will be my third pregnancy over the xmas period and people do think its acceptable to ask you to be taxi driver- my ils even phoned me when i pg with ds at half 2 in the morning for a lift home as they forgot to book at taxi and could't get one- i sent dh out!!!!

not got much to say really except i am on the mat leave count down, i have 19 more working days to take and still have 5 annual leave to squeeze in too!!!heehee

I'm not taking any pregnancy vitamins. Last time I took folic acid til 12 weeks then tried pregnacare mulitvits and felt rubbish. A nurse friend told me as long as you were eating okay they really weren't necessary and the iron in them can actually make you feel worse so I've not bothered this time. (Did take folic acid though again til 12 weeks).
One last word on nappies. DD has one pair of jeans that don't fit with real nappies - lovely pair of M&S ones that were a gift. She wears them on disposable days! Modern real nappies are mostly very streamline (not the prefold rubbish ones that our council palms you off with in their trial pack!!!!) but pocket nappies in particular are pretty trim so we've had no problems getting clothes to fit. If I was to recommend one universally popular nappy it would be the Bumgenius v3 pocket nappy - it's a BTP (that's birth to potty) so you don't have to splash out for a variety of sizes, they are streamlined, easy to use, easy to launder and seem to fit most body shapes.
If anyone wants to talk more about nappies then you can email me on nappygolucky at rocketmail dot com - address it to Sarah.
I would strongly recommend not getting a full set of anything, buy a few and see how you get on. Nearly new nappies retain quite a bit of value so if you don't get on with them you can sell them on and try something else. Ebay won't let you sell used nappies but there are some on MN or the Cloth Nappy Tree or the nappy site so you could also consider trying some second hand ones before shelling out on lots of one particular brand.
Definitely contact your council as most either offer a trial pack or vouchers for money off coupons.
Right I'll stop raving on about nappies now, still waiting eagerly for annamamas tip of the day

Just a quick post to say that preggie women are being offered a choice of which swine flu vaccination to take, if you don't want Pandremix you can now ask for Celvapan. It's in the Pregnancy forum thread.

Hoorah!!

...come on annamama!!! also waiting patiently/spending my sick day not doing much other than MNing..

I forgot to add my own little tip on the whole Am I Going To Be Any Good at this Motherhood Lark....it's Naomi Stadlen's book What Mother's Do - complete blessing in paperback disguise here

glad you don't take vitamins smac. I mean to, but i forget. and DD turned out ok without them (did the folic acid thing though) so fingers crossed sporadic vitamin bursts are the way forward for DC2

Oh the pressure! Ok here comes tip of the day:

If a child refuses to use her/his potty for weeing and pooing, you can still get good use of it - it can be used as a snack pot to put clementines etc in! (This was actually invented by DD so I can't take full credit for it.)

Yeah and about weeing in nappies, you need 2 if you want to completely empty a full adult bladder...

MummyElk - at your story! Little Elk oh how lovely.

About pelvic floors, I find that mine is fine really except for extreme coughing and violent sneezing. But when I was coughing for weeks and feeling like a Tena lady it made me depressed. I think you just need to do your exercises regularly but who can be bothered...? I'm trying a little bit.

Yeah highchairs are for later, start with a baby bouncer! Oh and baby gyms are great too from a couple of months old.

Sleepy - that's annoying that your baby wouldn't show its bits at the scan! If you're desperate you can always go for a private 3d/4d scan...

Smac - good luck with your business!

Caitni - can you send me one of those lentil blankets you weave, sounds great!

Hi everyone,

Just marking the spot at the mo, but dying to catch up on everyone's news and all your lovely advice on cloth nappies (whichIi really want to use). As well as breastfeed, homebirth etc.

Yep, I am a first time mother - all my fantasies will probably turn into nightmare hospital delivery, mountain of disposables and bottles galore (and I'll probably be happy with that!).

I also tried cloth nappies second time around. I wish I had first time!

I didn't bother witht the newborn ones as they wrok out expensive as you can only used them for a few motnhs. I had Totsbots which lasted DS2 from about 4m to 18 months. I gave up when they became too leaky.

Groan - I'd frogotten how stressful buying and sellign is. WE've barely started!

I also vote for the taxi service title - great idea!

Hi All.

LOVING the alternative uses for disposables/potties!

Sarah Good on you for going on mat leave early. I've felt SO much better this pregnancy compared to the last two. Only difference is I'm not working -therefore not getting up at 6, not contending with shrieking teenagers, not having to stand most of the day. Bliss.

Caitni Snap!! Mooncup? Check. Reusable nappies? Check. Homebirth planned? Check. Puree all own weaning food? Check. Do I qualify for lentil weaver Brownie Badge? In fact we were so smug green that DH's work was being interviews for a real nappies slot on the Politics Show and we got interviewed on TV.... if you're REALLLY REALLLY uber bored and want to check out DS on the web for it the link is here

However green we are though there's something about the first few weeks of having a baby and going on holiday and the like that make me RUN for the Pampers. Principles Schminciples!

Hi all,

In our house potties are not used by humans. DD has a range of toys which she sticks on the potty from time to time so that they can do their wees and poos. God knows how the poor toys coped before we got the potties in. One day I will get her on there...one day...

Just to add to the thoughts about nappies too. I had great plans to use cloth nappies first time round and then DD was in hospital for ages and life was v stressful and I didn't. I had bought a load of beautiful newborn cloth nappy supplies as well. Fortunately I was able to flog the lot on ebay so got something back for it.

I have several friends who have used cloth nappies successfully and they all told me (too late) that I shouldn't have even thought about using them for a newborn and that they only went into cloth nappies once the babies were about 3 months or so. Might be worth bearing in mind.

I have tried to assuage my guilt about polluting the planet by using the Naturecare Baby Nappies. They do the same thing as Pampers etc and are disposable but are also 100% biodegradable so won't be around for 500 years and you can get them from Sainsbury's and Boots. Like a true convert I can't understand why everyone using disposables doesn't use them!

Hmmm, all this talk of nappies is making me think maybe I should consider reusables this time. (Wonder if there is a laundry service round here?) Although, like Arcadie, I cannot imagine choosing to learn about disposables during the first few weeks of baby's life. Also cannot imagine that DH will be anything other than unimpressed if I suggest the idea to him. He already thinks I am a fair weather greenie who makes a big fuss about the central heating and expects him to wear a sweater in the house before going near that dial - but who can never hope to undo the damage done by once taking 10 flights in 2 weeks.

Supposed to be working from home today but internet connection has been very up and down, which has interfered with MNing as well as work... Did, though, get onto FB and untag some photos of my DS that someone had copied from my account, put onto hers and tagged as herself. She has even appropriated one photo as her new profile pic. Is it me being PFBish or is that a little weird and really Just Not On?

MummyElk, hope you feel better soon and have enjoyed a guilt-free day of MNing .

Hi all, all your chat about cloth nappies is making me very seriously reconsider my options. Might have to get myself a new DH first, mind you, the current one is likely to want to divorce me on the grounds of hippidom and that's without Mooncup/homebirth precedent (not the tolerant sort, no he isn't)!

Mummyelk, I love the story about how your DD got her NN, brill! Only in the age of mobile communication could that happen...

Pregnancy vitamins: the only thing there is good evidence for taking is Folic acid in the first 12-14 weeks, ideally from before conception. Everything else is not necessary for anybody who has a halfway decent diet and no particular medical (ie absorbtion) problems. Bear in mind that the anxiety and insecurity created by suggesting your unborn baby might be lacking something if you do not take Vitamin XYZ creates a HUGE and very very profitable market.... And yes, lots of people do not find iron particularly easy to take.

Highchairs: either go with something light and easily moveable ie Ikea highchair or something really substantial that will last. We were given out first TrippTrapp chair from a cousin and loved it so much we have in the meantime bought another 2 ! What really annoys me is expensive plastic tat !

Pelvic floor exercise: yes, we should all be doing several sets of fast and slow contractions 10 at a time several times a day for the rest of our lives ! I know I don't... A maternity physio once told me they are most effective when done standing on your head, no really, so pressure is off pelvic floor, and you can do the contractions more effectively . There's absolutely NO chance of that happening here, oh no siree!! But all you Yoga goddesses really have no excuse not to try it .

Have seen MW today, all's well, baba's heartbeat heard like a wee horse's hoofbeats . I am also waiting for appointment to see haematologist, just jolly well hope they will not want to do a bone marrow biopsy, gah!

Hope you are all well on this washout of a Tuesday .

Sorry to derail/hijack a bit ladies - but I have a pressing health query and am getting nor response on other topics, so I wondered whether any of you might be able to help / advise.

Please excuse my copying and pasting from my other thread in Pregnancy but I'm a bit concerned, at work and so short on time...

In short, I'mnot sure if I have another UTI or if this is just general pregnancy discomfort, and whether/if I should try and see my GP (never easy) or my midwife?

Anyway, pasted below. I'd be hugely grateful for your opinions...

------

Hi ladies, a bit of advice if you'd be so kind...

Last couple of days, have had nagging achey lower abdominal, and weirdly, groin pain. Much worse today, in fact is uncomfortable to walk.

I'm 24 weeks pg.

Had a UTI picked up in my routine urine sample at 16 weeks, although had had no symptoms ? that said, after a course of ABs I did feel much less wiped out in myself, so think maybe the infection had been wearing me down even though I didn't know I had it.

Feeling pretty knackered at the mo, but that may have more to do with upping my work hours and a nighmarish 2 hour commute/nursery run than anything...

I've no other obvious UTI symptoms, no burning or anything.

What do you reckon?

Ignore it?
See GP? (NIGHTMARE to get appt... BTW)
See midwife?

Suggestions as to the best course of action from here greatly appreciated.

--------

db
xx

Hey DB, I would say see MW if they're eaier to see than doc, they might be able to check for signs of a UTI with their dips sticks then you can see the doc if needed for AB's..

designerbaby, asymptomatic UTIs are really common in pregancy. A lot of women do not get the typical symptoms of stinging when weeing or weeing all the time (or any more often than you are when pregnant anyway ).
Phone your GP, see if they are prepared to give you a prescription without seeing you or offering you an emergency appointment. Get treated sooner rather than later; it can get so much worse. Also ideally have a urine specimen sent to the lab for analysis before you start your ABs. In some practices you can hand a urine sample in and collect your prescription at the same time.

So UTI sounds most likely to me . Could also be groin stain, ligaments softening, small bit of grit stuck in tube between kidney and bladder?? If in doubt go and see your GP in RL.

HTH a bit

DB could it be hips playing up? Or is it not that sort of pain? I would ring the midwife asap just to get some peace of mind - she might at least be able to pinpoint more what it might be? if it was hips that would account for walking pain...if it's a UTI you need to get it sorted soonish (obviously)
more from me in a bit - keep us posted DB

Thanks ladies

asymptomptomatic UTI, Pacific? I dodn't know there as such a thing... Weird... Ok... might well be then. Makes it bloody hard to spot, though doesn't it... .

MummyElk, doesn't feel muscular/hip related. I think maybe it hurts when I walk around because of pressure of small person on bladder. It's a bit like toothache - only way I can describe it, really.

Have called GP, they're bloody useless and really Not Helpful. Can go in for 8am (it's a half hour drive away now, yay) with DD in tow and see triage nurse with a view to perhaps getting an emergency appointment. It's usually a 2 hour wait minimum, which DD just LOVES, as you might imagine. Fun fun fun.

Might try midwife and see if any more joy...

Two UTIs in 8 weeks? Weird. I am drinking plenty... why why why? [self-pitying emoticon]

db
xx

DB I think it sounds like it could be a UTI although, like our resident GP Pacific, I think you should get it checked out properly. At my surgery you can certainly hand in a urine sample early, so perhaps ask about that? The midwife may be a better option, as perhaps she can arrange a prescription via the Whittington (are you still at the Whit?) that you can just pick up.

Sariska er, a FB friend used a photo of your DS as her profile pic? If so then I'm - that's totally Not On (and quite strange ).

Arcadie I hereby award you a Lentil Weaver Badge, first class . LOVED the link - clever you and your cute little son! I'm hoping that reusables are just as convenient for me (but then I think the mooncup is about a trillion times easier than remembering to have tampons secreted about my handbags etc ).

BPM hope house stress peaks soon. It'll be worth it in the end!

donttry hello . Sure there's nothing wrong with being a fantasist first timer . Although, I saw my home birth midwife for the first time on Friday and she was very reassuring about the whole thing...and was also reassuringly a midwife rather than a hippy dippy sort iykwim.

anna potty as snack pot duly noted as today's top tip

IWCAS I'm still in my coat from last year (which I love!) but it is starting to make me look fat, rather than pregnant, even with clever use of a scarf...so maternity coat it is from now on. Found it quite hard to find one that wasn't either horrible (eg JoJoMamanBebe one) or just overpriced and not very warm (I have to try things on before I buy - it's the one thing holding me back from proper t'internet clothes shopping!). Was beginning to think pregnant women were expected to waft through winter in long cardies and layers . "This too shall pass" are my words to live by too . And an early HAPPY BIRTHDAY for tomorrow!!! Hope you have a lovely day (we'll have virtual cake and candles for you on here )

Smac thanks for tips on nappies. Bumgenious looks fantastic though reckon I may be like Swings and get some eco biodegradable ones in for the early days.

I also agree that daily vitamins aren't essential for pregnancy, bar folic acid of course, but I take a multi vitamin anyway (have done for most of my life) so just switched to pregnacare ones once I needed to. I eat pretty healthily, but am also fairly resilient to most colds/flu and always heal quickly from burns etc and while I doubt it's really to do with the vits I'm too much of an old dog (meaning can't learn new tricks ) to stop with the vits now!

Feel like i had something else to add but my mind has gone blank...can you tell it's nearly 5.30?

Big waves to everyone

PS also love the taxi service thread name...

db,have a look at this. You have to scroll quite a bit down to "asymptomatic UTI". It is an American site so bear that in mind.

Apart from the shape of your plumbing being slightly/very changed by having small person growing inside you which can predispose you to getting bacteria into your bladder, there is also the immunological aspect of pregnancy: the baby is only 50% genetically yours, the other half comes from dad's contribution . Your body would normally reject something like that as "foreign" (if a sibling donated you a kidney, say, you'd need to take rejection suppressing drugs for the rest of your life), so during pregnancy your immunity is slightly lowered to allow your body to tolerate the small parasite inside you . Hence more thrush and the like when you are pregnant as well... oh the joys!

If it does turn out to be a UTI, you can try "double voiding" to prevent another one plus all the usual ie drinking lots/cranberry juice etc: Do a double take. If you feel like your bladder isn't draining completely, try double voiding. To do it, remain on the toilet until your bladder feels empty. Then stand up for 10 to 20 seconds, sit down, lean slightly forward over your knees, relax, and wait until your bladder empties completely.

And keep forgetting to mention: yes, like the "not a taxi service" for our next thread as well. 4 pregnancies in 7 years, DH ows me so many trips home...

Feck.

Can't get hold of a midwife (good job it's not an emergency, eh?). Looks like it's the morning written-off at the GP then...

Maybe will try and get SF vaccine at same time [fat chance enoticon]. Thinking of asking for Celvapan instead of the usual one - apparently it's safer for pregnant ladies? [double fat chance emoticon].

Really quite uncomfortable and don't think I can take the risk of waiting til tomorrow to get hold of midwife only to be told to see my GP, and then having missed the 8am emergency appointment slot...

It's all so haaaaaarrrrrd at the moment! [self pitying emoticon]

Bah!

db
xx