Due May 2010: Where we get a 'bloom' just in time for the christmas mayhem???

[AnAngelWithin]

Morning ladies. Hope you don't mind me starting a new thread! The other one was too big for my computer to manage! lol

01 May - Brightredballoon, 32. #3
02 May - kaystar, 33, #1
03 May - lizzie9442, 23, #4
04 May - ForcesSweetheart, 36, #2
04 May - memorylapse, #5
05 May - Lotus Palm, 31, #1
05 May - Bettymamma #3
06 May - DorotheaPlenticlew, #2
06 May - LuckyC, 35, #1
07 May - Woody31 #1
07 May - hobnobfanatic, 37. #2
08 May - sweetkitty, 34, #4
08 May - Sassles, 30, #1
08 May - TheShopaholic, 33, #2
09 May - Alexw, 37, #2
10 May - Sophie2008, 28, #2 & #3 (Non id twins!)
10 May - Gils, 28, #2
11 May - Itshappenedagain, 25, #2
11 May - sheepgomeep, 32,#4
12 May - pamelat, 31, #2
12 May - Tamuna, 28, #1
12 May - slipperthief, 33, #2
12 May - napa, 31, #2
12 May - Katnkittens 29, #4
12 May - Haribolicious, 36, #2
13 May - Cith, 30, #1
13 May - Wibblela, 36, #1
14 May - Charmbutterfly, 28, #1
14 May - Carikube, 36, #2
14 May - JamesAndTheGiantBanana, 28, #2
14 May - CornishSAMum, 32, #1
14 May - Tinylion #2
15 May - TwentiethCenturyHeffa, 25, #2
16 May - MoggMum, 38, #1
16 May - MinnieMummy, 36, #3
16 May - schipo, 40, #1, [boy]
17 May - newmomma, 31 #2
17 May - LittleOneMum, 36, #2
17 May - First1, 21, #1
17 May - Morph2, 36 #1
18 May - TomlinTowers, 31, #2
18 May - 30ish, 31, #2
19 May - cupcakefairy, 25, #1
19 May - Pigleychez, 28, #2
20 May - LolaAnn, 22, #1
20 May - mmmmmchocolate, 27, #2
20 May - BuongiornoPrincipessa, 29, #1
21 May - Suey2, 39, #2
21 May - Sweetpeasmum, 38, #2
23 May - Swangirl,36 #3
23 May - Mollybob, 37 #3
23 May - RacquelWelsh, 38 #1
24 May - Yorky (started on here as HeadInAWhirl), 31 #3
24 May - Cafuffle 36 #2
24 May - AnAngelWithin #5
25 May - Den26, 26 #1
26 May - Booboomonster 35 #2
26 May - Washersaurus, 33, #3
28 May - Glastochick #1
30 May - tiggsy98 29, #2
31 May - April80 29,#2
31 May - Hollyoaks, 27, #2

Anangelwithin thanks for starting new thread - my computer was moving very slowly trying to deal with the last one too!

good to hear everyone's nice scan stories. our 20wk scan isn't till 11th Jan as am going home to Australia over Christmas/New Year, so will actually be nearly 23 weeks by then.

pigleychez so sorry to hear about your DH's nan.

Am feeling very down...Have just had the Swine Flu jab (Pandemrix) from the our Occupational Health team (as a community NHS worker)and haven't been able to stop crying since I walked out of the health centre and caught the bus back to my clinic/office - I look a right state! Had decided to have jab at 18 weeks (am 18w 2d) but suddenly felt very overwhelmed by whole thing. DH and I are getting on a long-haul plane journey next Saturday to go to Australia see my family for Christmas - so DH and my mum have been encouraging me to have jab before spending 24 hours on an aeroplane. Have read so much about the jab and various pros and cons and looked into Celvapan but couldn't have over the timeframe of travelling....so then rationalised to have Pandemrix... so why now am I feeling a teary and hormonal mess and hoping that I have done the right thing!!!

Hi all

Lotus - v jealous of your honeymoon, have a fab time! And congrats on your little boy! We are going to find out the sex this time - we didn't last time, but we thought it would be easier to get DS1 ready for the new arrival if we could refer to the baby by name for a few weeks before it arrives. I can't wait - a week on Wednesday!

Had my 16 week appt with the MW on Monday, not due to be seen again until 28 weeks - seems ages away! HB was lovely and strong though, and all was well with me. Den26 I would definitely push for a 20 week scan, especially given your history.

Don't get me started on the lack of support for breastfeeding - DS1 had an infection when he was born so had to go to SCBU for a week and had to be fed through a nasal tube . I tried to express to keep up with him but there was no support, and then when I got home, the MW just kept on telling me to put DS1 in a cold bath before feeding him to try and "simulate the birth experience" to kickstart the rooting reflex. I look back at that time as one of the worst of my life and cannot believe I put DS1 through that, I can only say that it must have been because I was in hormone-fuddled sleep deprived mess. So eventually my milk dried up after 6 weeks and I wanted to find out some info about formula feeding (how to do it, sterilising, best type of formula) etc and there was absolutely nothing out there that I could find. Just felt so guilty and then left in the dark to try and work stuff out at a time when the brain isn't working anyway. I ended up writing to complain to the NCT about the lack of information and support from them after I had paid my £149 membership fee - never got a reply...

See what I mean about not getting me started, still gets me riled!

oh pigleychez I am jealous about the Chinese Takeaway!

I had no idea that BF could be so problematic or that nurses in hospital could be so unhelpful I hope they are better when I am in.

MIL wants me to get in touch with NCT - is it worth it? She found it worthwhile 32 years ago, are they helpful?

Yay its the weekend!!

Sorry to hear of all those breastfeeding stories, I agree my hospital didn't give me any clue or direction on the feeding at all and we struggled in the beginning but thankfully we had a great la leche league counsellor near us and an NHS support group that gave me the encouragement and belief I could overcome the early problems so we were successfull and then with DS he was a pro from the beginning helped that I knew what I was doing.
Sounds like a few of us have breastfed so anyone needing support will hopefully be able to get some help here at least.

Totally at the honeymoons and holidays!! I am looking forward to DH being off for 2 weeks over Christmas and New Year.

Wibbela I dont have an NCT near me so no idea sorry!

p.s I'm 20wks today, feels great to be half way but I still get concerned about lack of movement, hope little one gets more active soon.

BRB half way already...and most babies are born between 37 and 40 weeks anyway, so you may be over half way! althought i am hoping to go term as i have an exam 4 days before im due and would like to sit it!

were off for a walk in delamere forest today...or were going on a bear hunt as my Ds keeps saying.may have to do a stop off at the suppermarket as well as i may have to purchase some more tunic tops and leggingsas im running out of things to wear at the minute and i think people will notice that more so than the bump!

anyway hope yuo all have a lovely day!

Yeah, sorry to read about the breastfeeding nightmare stories. I never really appreciated what a big deal it can be. I went to a parenting workshop the other week run by a friend, and they showed a film of a new born baby being put on his mothers bare chest straight upon arrival, and without any help, using his only his sense of smell, he flopped himself around to the nipple and began to feed. Very baby kangaroo. Reading this list I guess that doesn't happen often It's terrifying that it seems like hospital procedure and staff cause problems in most cases. Does a difficult birth always means difficulty breastfeeding? Can you have a straight forward natural birth (if there is such a thing) and then have trouble breastfeeding?

Wibbela - i can't speak from experience, but i have signed up for NCT course and it does seem to include a lot on breastfeeding. I have heard mixed reviews though re the often unrealistic expectations it sets for natural births. I was also told to get in early because the courses get full quickly around here. Might not be the same everywhere.

Tinyveins, you asked for recommendations re over the bump jeans on the last thread. I got some Noppies jeans and can confirm they're a much more cosy than the under the bump Top Shop ones I've been wearing. And they stay up! Quite easy to find online (on ebay if you're lucky) - but prices vary - and be warned their sizes come up big!!

We had our xmas do at work this week and I got quite a few comments about the bump, quite a bit of pointing too but no touching. I couldn't resist pointing at a few beer bellies in return

Congrats on 20 week scans btw and good luck to Den and anyone else having to fight for theirs. I'll be having mine in new year - i'll be nearly 22 weeks by then though

Hi all.

Piglet sorry to hear about dh nan - thinking of you.

Cith - bad luck bout feeling down. I totally understand yr worries re jab and I'm sure hormones don't help! But it's good that you've made a decision, and I think it sounds wise given yr flight etc. There is no reason to worry now, just take if easy before long haul flight as I reck it'd be knackering being preg.

Re breastfeeding - I had normal birth and dd didn't want to feed straight away. But midwife was great - not worried as babies aparantly often don't need sustenance imediately. So I had a midwife help me a few hrs later and it was fine. Still had one beeatch midwife tell me I was doing it all wrong (we were in for a few days). But I ignored her. Mostly, support was good - south London hospital.

Re nct - my gang here have been a lifeline, 2 yrs on we are still in touch. But it can be luck of the draw as to who is in yr group. I did the classes but am not a member - classes were expensive enough. But worth it for the people I met.

Anyway, having a rest prior to decorating Xmas tree, making mince pies and hoovering... Better get on. X

Hi All, thanks for your messages. Think i'll phone midwife on monday and hopefuly its the other one thats on duty! I'll try get a name to contact at the hospital and try for 20 week scan that way.

Pigley hope your DH's nan ok.

Cith - sorry you're so upset re swine flu jab. i had pandermix jab around 3-4 weeks ago and all fine so far. It is a big decision to make though. Try to focus on your trip

Re breastfeeding: it's awful so many people have had bad experiences And so often caused by staff! This time, I'm going to refuse their 'help' (I didn't realise at the time that the whole pinching the nipple, shoving baby on thing isn't recommended any more so I didn't object), I've got a lot more information about what things to try and I'm going to write a long list of all the breastfeeding counsellors etc in the area so if there are any problems I can make phone calls from the hospital (or get DH to do it!) to get good support and help.

I did have other problems with the staff in the hospital, which were linked but separate. My community MWs made a formal complaint on my behalf last time, and I'm prepared with ways of dealing with it if it happens again. Mostly calling in my Mum who is a very scary lady and doesn't put up with any rubbish!

I don't want to scare first-timers though! A lot of it was fab - although labour was difficult I had 3 fantastic MWs who were amazing. One of them saw me through the night and was really lovely. In fact, all of my time on the labour ward was great (excluding the pain ofc!). It was just the post-natal ward that was a nightmare.

Pigley - glad your DH's nan is doing well, how did her operation go today? I'm very of your takeaway!

Cith - sorry you're feeling down, please don't worry about the jab. Lots of women have had the Pandemrix so you're not alone How's your arm?

DOH I completely missed that there was a new thread and posted on old thread a coupla days ago - thought you were all just too busy for mumsnet when it was still the most recent post today!

BRB how lovely to feel the kick with your hand! I still have far too much padding for that, but LO is very active on the inside.

Heffa sounds like a horrid experience RE BFing. I had a terrible time of it last time as DD wouldn't latch and as her blood sugar was low they insisted on 4 hourly formula feeds from one hour post-birth and they put her in special-care. I asked for 3 days for a pump before they brought me one (this time I'm taking my own in) I spent 9 weeks expressing every 2 hours and trying to get her to latch to no avail but had very low supply despite drugs to increase etc. This time am arranging to have a lactation consultant there immediately post-birth to help me get LO latched right from start. Salisbury Hospital seem much more clued up than Frimley Park were when I had DD and they've already said that as a diabetic mother they'll help me express and freeze colostrum pre-birth to help deal with potential low blood sugar in LO.

Memorylapse How you getting on with the insulin? I'm desperately hoping to stay off it for as long as possible, as I found it piled the weight on me last time. BY this stage with DD I had gained voer 2 stone, only 9lbs so far this time. Consultant reckons it's only a matter of time though and that insulin is inevitable before birth.

NCT in Farnham area were fabulous and I made so many good friends through their coffee mornings, but didn't find out about them til DD was 6 mths old so too late to know if they would have been any help with BFing. I'll deffo be joining again nearer time of this one's birth in the hope of meeting some people in this new part of the country!

tinyveins I got a Hands off the bump t-shirt in New Look a few weeks ago (havne't worn it yet tho)! hth

My bump is gigantic - largely i think because I have always carried all my weight on my tummy so there's still a couple of stone of fat there that bump is just pushing out. Am starting to struggle to fit behind wheel of car as I only have short little legs to reach the pedals! Have warned my boss she may need to relocate me soon to an office I can reach by public transport - my current one I can't. I asked a sales asst in Salisbury's big Next last week if they had a maternity dept - she said they didn't but asked when I was due. When I told her she looked shocked. I said, "I know - and there's definitely only one in there"- she said, "are you sure there isn't another hiding behind it?? That's quite a bump!".

20wk scan on scan on Tuesday - think am gonna give in to hubby and find out sex, against my own urges, as he reckons he needs the time to get his head around it if it's going to be a boy! I can kinda understand that as I felt same first time around, but as I've now got my wee girl I really don't mind this time.

Pigley..sorry to hear about DH'S nan...we have just discovered that my step grandad has advanced prostrate cancer..why do these things always happen before christmas.

re breastfeeding...I used to hate it when I had dd and the midwifes grabbed hold of your boobs and clamped the baby on.

I put ds1 to the breast as soon as he was born, ds2 had breathing difficulties so was taken to special care, so I didnt feed him..got down to the ward and slept and was shocked to wake up and discover the midwives had given him a formula feed..so it took a few days to get BF established. DD2 fed straight away too and took to it like a duck to water..the hospital I had her in had baby friendly status and really supported and encouraged BF...

I noticed that there doesnt seem to be much promotion of BF at the hospital Im due to have this baby at, but the other hospital has baby friendly status..so another consideration to change hospitals. When Ive been on the day assesment unit..Ive seen no end of the mums formula feeding and It makes me wonder if there isnt the support for breastfeeding

would add that obviously sometimes its just not possible to BF..but just wonder if this particular hospital dont offer a lot of BF support

Cant believe we are almost half way already... how quickly has that gone!!

Wibblea- I didnt do NCT classes, just NHS ones. I go to the local NCT baby/toddler groups and have been since DD was 3mths. I have made good friends and enjoy the mornings there.. A great source of support. You dont have to be a member to visit the groups.

Heffa- We had takeaway again tonight (Fish and chips this time though)! How bad is that. We didnt get back till late from visiting DH's Nan and tried to go to the local cravery but had a 30minute wait but with a hungry toddler wasnt going to happen so chippy was easier Yummy though!

We travelled down to Visit DH's nan. She has been moved from Intensive care now onto the stroke ward. Her operation went well and the pacemaker seems to regulating her heart well. Shes sooo much better now since that so its looking good thankfully. Thursday night we were all told to expect the worst.Will still be in for a while as they need to monitor her bleed to the brain but shes stop seeing things which is good.
Bless her, she was so pleased to see our DD and loved the special card DD had made her. She was more worried that I was looking after myself properly as she said I was looking tired.

Thankfully we have a lazy day tomorrow.. I cant wait!

Chinese takeaway last night her too

Re: BFing well this is the fourth baby I will have BF so am pretty clues up. DD1 was a nightmare to start with, she was born at 37+5 weeks and was very sleepy and wouldn't latch. All she did for about the first 3 days was sleep, we had to keep wakening her up trying to latch her on, anyway she got bad jaundice which made her even more sleepy and unable to latch so I had a pump. Had some great MN advice and through perseverence we got her started on BFing and that was her for a year.

DD2 different, homebirth, she came out and was put on my chest and immediately went for a boob and I think stayed there for the next 6 months even before the cord was cut she had her first feed, was lovely. DD3 was a good feeder from the start.

My advice is get them feeding as much as possible in the first few days, I won't let mine go more than 1 1/2 to 2 hours without a little feed, even if you think they aren't taking much, what they are doing is stimulating your boobs (and brain) to make your milk come in as quick as possible and even a few mls of colostrum every few hours will stop them getting dehydrated etc and remember you are not starving your baby they are designed to survive on colostrum alone for the first few days and they do need feeding very frequently, it's so hard when you see formula fed babies taking 5 ozs and sleeping 4 hours when you are so tired.

I too remember everyone and anyone trying to shove DD1 on my boobs when she wasn't interested, it's horrible and you feel like a failure.

I disagree I think I read somewhere that most babies are born between 39 and 42 weeks so prepare to be overdue (which is a living hell) sorry but it is.

pigley - so glad your DHs nan is doing a bit better

Not doing NCT here but what they do have is a breastfeeding club which is supposed to be very good (also has a manned creche!) and the best thing is that they give you vouchers towards a cleaner or an ironing lady (I am not kidding) for so many hours a week.

brightred - this one has started moving a wee bit more but nowhere near as much as the last two, maybe just be the position of the placenta, am booking my scan for about 22 weeks so in a fortnight or so. Am definitely finding out the sex but am about 99% sure it's a girl, even DD1 and 2 call the bump their little sister.

Ah I'm so excited!! Last night was lying in bed and hubby had his hand on my tummy and the baby started kicking really hard!! I put my hand on and could feel too, so excited I almost screamed. Since then have been feeling the baby heaps and heaps... very reassuring. Am 17+3 today but before I was pg didnt really have much fat on my lower abdomen.

One other thing I have noticed is my stomach is SO hairy. I kind of want a girl so I hope this doesn't really mean I'm having a boy. The weirdest thing is the hair is literally on exactly half of my stomach, the left half... and the baby always seems to be camping out on that side too.

lola..thats lovely..although im 19+5 and baby kicks hard..I cant usually feel it on my tummy barr a couple of times..thinks its cos Im fat!

funny how unborn babes have a preference for one side..I wonder why that is?

I have been feeling really nauseas last few days and baby has been quieter..wonder if its having another growth spurt

Chinese here for dinner last night too!!

Sorry to hear so many people have had negative BF experiences. Although it is really helpful for us first-timers to hear your tips!

heffa, booboomonster and den - thanks for your messages...feeling much better thanks (although still sore arm) - I think I was just overwhelmed with having finally made a decision about the damn jab + a good dose of hormonal tears. Have had a weekend of taking it easy and trying to get organised for our trip to the sunshine...including getting my 'wild woman of borneo' legs waxed so won't scare people off the beach when I bare the milkbottles!

piglychez am so glad to hear that DH's Nan is doing so well. I hope you and your family all had a relaxing Sunday today!

forcessweetheart - you will have to let us know if you get any reactions to the 'hands off the bump' t-shirt...I think I would get sceptical looks as not really got a bump yet! Was getting a script from the pharmacist yesterday and as I presented my maternity exemption card, she said to me 'Your pregnant? How far along are you?' and told me I didn't look it at all after I told her I was nearly 19 weeks! Oh well...am sure bump will come soon enough. It seems that people can't help making comments either way.

Lola & ML sorry I missed your posts as was so slow writing my own. Lola - that is fab news! I felt baby move at about 17w5d too...but haven't felt as much since then.

RE Breastfeeding - it sounds like those who have had a rough birth experience struggled to get breastfeeding established. DDs birth was quite traumatic and I didn't bond with her straight away and always blamed that for the breastfeeding problems. My birth plan includes immediate skin to skin contact this time if possible, fingers crossed for an easier time. I also think I'll follow someone elses advice and ring the breastfeeding support workers rather than wait for them to ring me, last time I was already at home and had given up by then .

Well 16 weeks today, going for mw appointment to have bloods taken and organising last few bits for Christmas. Got most of it done yesterday .

Also, as a proud North-east lass, feeling very proud that Geordie Joe won the X-factor last night .

P.S at those going abroad over Christmas and getting some sun and those reaching 20 week scans very soon.

Hollyoaks..I was rooting for Joe..Olly is a natural entertainer but Joe has the most fantastic voice..he is so talented..so glad he won..not sure about the choice of song though..originally sung by Miley Cyrus

Hello!

Cith hope you're feeling better about your jab. No need to worry - it's all done now!

I had my Celvapan jab on Friday and it was totally fine, no sore arm or anything. In fact, the practice nurse who gave it to me was pg too and she had had it, so I felt much better. x

It has been so good to read all your BF experiences - and in general, how the MWs in the hospital were. I am very glad that I am beligerent and when I am feeling like my brain is like a fluffy cloud, DH is also stubborn Not sure what the MWs will make of us in the hospital, but I am sure they have seen all sorts

Pigley Glad your DH's Nan is better

Went my sister's yesterday - good fun was had She is about 10 weeks ahead of me, and with a DS already, it was really good to pick her brains about stuff. She touched my bump and I was happy to let her do so I asked her if many people had touched hers, to which she replied "no - must be the look on my face!" Her DS is so cute, well behaved and a loon all at the same time! Hope ours is like that

Gosh, so much news to catch up on!

I went into BFing my DD with a completely open mind. I thought I'd give it a go, knowing it's best for baby and me, but I wasn't going to be militant about it and beat myself up if it didn't work. So I got a tin of formula and some bottles at home, just in case.

Being so relaxed about it, it actually came very naturally to me and I BFed until she was almost three! I only stopped then cos I had to have a breast lump investigated (non malignant, as it turned out), and the BFing was complicating the issue.

That said, I'm not resting on my laurels. A friend did extended BFing with her first, and couldn't get going with her second at all!

It's been great to read of the scans. I had my 19-week one today, and the baby wasn't helping at all - all curled up and with its legs crossed. The sonographer wondered if she was cold! I'd been freezing on the journey there so felt v guilty! Anyway, they can't be sure of the sex, because of baby's coyness, but they are guessing it's a girl. I'm utterly thrilled - I've ALWAYS wanted two girls, and I've had four pg dreams where the baby has been a girl. Sod's law it will turn out to be a boy, of course! Not that I'll mind!

Hobnob - congrats on the girl or boy.

Heard babies heartbeat today at mw appointment and had 16 week bloods . Now don't need to go back till 25 weeks so a bit of a wait, though I suppose its broken up by the scan.

Hope everyones well, its quiet on here today.