DUE SEPTEMBER 2010: SECOND TRIMESTER ALREADY!

[Love2Dance]

Hellooooo? Anyone there? Night ZZZzzz.

Sorry to post and run re bf! I never got to find out about pain ds never even latched on! he was a breath holder from birth & everytime I tried to feed him he just screamed! He ended up loosing too much weight, jaundiced & being re admitted to hospital. I gave him a bottle and he drank for his life! I think I was just so relieved that he was finally taking something that I ff. I did express for a few days but gave in in the end!
This time though I have a really good friend who's promised to do my ironing for 6 months as long as i'm ebf!!! What an incentive!

Evening all.
Can I just say something really positive about BF? It isn't always the case that it hurts, I know I was prob lucky but I experienced absolutely no pain at all and kept waiting for the sore cracked nipples and they never came, it can be the most wonderful experience ever which is why I did it for 13 months and only stopped then due to an operation I had to have.

I would also say it takes a good 6 to 12 weeks for your milk to settle and get used to the supply and demand, in those first few weeks try to get good support from MW, HV and BF groups if there are any it makes all the difference. Also the BF support threads on here are fantastic.

I found expressing really tricky at first and definitly something that I had to practice - in the end I found expressing in the bath was easiest as the warm water helped the milk flow more easily, it helped me get used to the quite odd sensation that pumping creates and I was then abe to do it anywhere, well obviously not anywhere but you know what I mean!!

Swordfishtrombones I had my blood tests done today too and antiD. I don't mind giving blood though I donate when I'm not pregnant, the antiD did sting a bit and my arm is aching now.

When I was first breastfeeding and my nipples where cracked I didn't find expressing any less painful than feeding in fact sometimes more so after the initial latch. I didn't mind expressing once everything had healed and it meant when I went back to work when DS was 6 months old I could continue to feed him mornings, evenings and weekends and he had expressed milk at the childminders.

Just a quick line to say that I am another one who has bf both her previous DD's for 12mths+ and never had any pain, they can be quite heavy and achy when the milk comes in and you look like Jordan but it only lasts 48hrs or so before it starts settling down.

Oh and I never ever leaked or was able to express anything off prior to birth so don't worry if you can't!

Oh and I would recommend the avent isis pump if you only want it for occasional use, it is very effective.

You can find lots of really nice BF'ing bras online once you know what size you are.

Figleaves for one have lovely matching sets, but if your budget is more like mine, then I recommend
www.brastop.com/
and for wearing afterwards I recently found
www.mamafeelsgood.com/

26+4

I didnt have the best experience with either of my DS's. But to be fair neither did I have any support and was totally green. Im still intent on giving it a go again this time esp as a friend is qualifying as a bf counsellor. Both boys were really big too and fed continually so maybe I will have a more civilised feeder this time! Im already a g-cup so I look a bit unnatural when I am breast feeding. I live in a really small town so feeding out and about is not an option. All that said tho I love the closeness of it. Most of my family give out and say 'at least if you have a bottle everyone else can help' but esp in the first few weeks I love that it is the one thing only I can do and if everyone else wants to help they can mind the boys while I get on with it! With DS2 I introduced 1 formula bottle at night to get him thru 4 hours so I had the energy for both of them. Because I did this at around 4 weeks my supply evened out and it was no bother.
Interesting fact re expressing. Midwife mentioned that apparently our nipples are like mini computers that pick up signals from the baby's saliva/mouth. ie if they have come into contact with a cold for instance. The 'message' is then relayed back to you and the necessary anti bodies are carried back thru the milk! How cool is that!!

I havent bought a thing for the baby - reluctant to just yet. Wondering if I should steer clear of buying pink incase they were wrong about sex??
My bp is still very low - feel really ill and tired most of the time - bit depressed at the thought of summer long feeling like this. All for a good cause I guess.

MammyG I haven't bought anything yet, Oh apart from 2 double prams, as all DD2's early stuff is at my friends and will come back in 3 months. DD2 and friends baby are both girls so if DC4 is a boy he will be in a lot of pink.
DS1 wore a lot of pink as DC1 was a girl, and she had a lot of blue as we inherited ny nephews baby stuff.
For around the house and bedtime it doesn't matter.

27+4

The useful BF info is definitely cheering - both from the people who've done it successfully before and from MammyG re the "nipples like mini computers" - very cool!

Went to see the midwife today - she recommends that my partner should talk to the baby from now on, so that when he/she is born, the memory of DP's voice means that it will be familiar to him/her. Apparently this then means that the baby is likely to quieten down when held by DP - which should enhance his confidence too, as a first-time dad!

28 + 6

Hi

I also have had really postive bf experience, and fed DS1 for 2 yrs, he self weened about 2 mths ago. But funnily enough has been rooting around again recently asking for Mummys milk (introduced that one early as could never stand the idea of him demanding "Booby" in the supermarket ), I wonder if he can smell it again?

Had MW appointment yesterday, she seems to agree that baby is now head down. I also had my anti D and have had sore bum since. Is anyone else suffering from varicose vains. They are so painful at end of day, thankfully disappear when i put feet up against wall so Im hoping they´ll disappear after birth.

I haven´t bouhgt anything for baby as yet neither.

Must get back to work....

Hi Patito,

Yes, horrible varicose veins here . Got them with ds1, but manageable, then after I gave birth to him they got a bit better, now much much worse second time. Have got Scholl compression tights on prescription - would recommend them if painful - I couldn't bear the thought of going without these days. They make you feel a bit more supported and a bit less throbby/achy if that's how yours are.

Had my midwife appointment yesterday, have got a UTI so am taking Amoxicillin for it, hesitantly. Tbh the UTI isn't that bad at all, I hardly knew I had it before they did the sample, but the antibiotics are making me feel much worse and I don't like taking anything when pregnant, like most people. Apparently it could get much worse quickly though so I was told it would be daft not to take them. Ho hum.

Haven't bought anything apart from two double prams, neither of which I'm sure fit the bill, but think I might be becoming a pram addict... I wish Bugaboo did a double, and then I could just get one and the search would be over! Has anyone used an 'icandy pear'? If so, good or not good?!

Comix - with both boys I started about now singing them a simple song or tune every night before I fell asleep. It was amazing when they were born if they got upset at all the minute I started singing it they would calm down totally! Also with DS2 rubbed my bump and lot and when he was born stroked his face too. Now he rubs his own cheeks when he wants to fall asleep and if he is upset or uneasy he asks me to rub him and it comforts him straight away - he is 2.5

Debs - ya Im due a girl so she will be wearing a lot of blue after two boys! Dont think it matters at home esp as they dont care and only throw up on it!

I dont have varicose veins but get those awful spider veins. Anyone any idea what I can do about them?

ooosabeauta

I've never had a UTI my whole life and had two with this pregnancy. Unfortunately, that has meant two lots of thrush (tmi) straight after.
I don't like taking medication at the best of times and especially not when i'm pregnant but i did pass out a few weeks ago and spent time in A&E. My eyes were rolling around my head and my brother who was with me at the time panicked and called an ambulance and the only thing they could find was a UTI. Not sure if it was the reason or not, but definately a good idea to take meds.

On another note- how many braxton hicks are considered normal? I've read that 4 is the magic number. But is that 4 in a short space of time or 4 in a day? I've definately had more than 4 today. No pain or anything though.

Where have you read that, sassy? I read in the Miriam Stoppard book I have that you actually get BH throughout your pregnancy, and I think she said it was much more regularly than 4 in a day - but of course it could easily be the case that you get lots that you don't notice because they're not very strong, or something.

28 + 7

I've read it on various websites and blogs.
It got alot worse today, had bloody loads, (must be more than 30) some wouldn't go and were still there after a few minutes. Rang my student midwife friend and she said to ring the maternity ward. They took me in for monitoring. Spent two hours listening to babies heartbeats, pressing a button whenever i felt movement and monitoring my uterine contractions. They also looked to see if my cervix was dilated but it wasn't. Got another UTI though- my 3rd of this pregnancy. Doctor said they can cause the uterus to mimic labour.
Worrying because it's twins and i'm already stretched as big as any full-term pregnant lady. I'm all bump at the front, it looks like a globe up my jumper. I'm only a size 10/12 normally, so just praying i can stretch alot more and my body doesn't think it's done!

Sorry comixminx, i looked it up last night after i posted it and it's 4 or more an hour not a day. (forgot to say)

Thanks for the extra info, sassy - that makes sense - and sorry you've been having hassle! Good luck with the UTIs and hope you don't get any more...

Hi all, definitely starting to feel like I'm slowing down and generally feeling v preg and v hormonal. Sorry to hear some have been having a tough time with contractions, varicose veins, etc etc - I am counting my blessings really (when I can find the energy ).

Had another scan Thursday at 24wks+5 - all v reassuring and the estimated weights were good - bang on average for a singleton - so no wonder I'm feeling huge and exhausted carting two of them around... Still v early days but nice to know they'd have a fighting chance if they arrived early.

PS, sassy - have you looked at twin bumps on youtube? Don't know if it would scare you or reassure you to see how big some women's bumps get!

bella
Not looked at youtube but do go on a site called twin pregnancy and beyond and there are alot of photos on that. Size is a bit of a sore point at the minute. Living with my mum at the moment cos the house we bought in march is still not ready-argh. Found scales whilst looking for dd school shoes today and made the HUGE mistake of going on them. 3 stones 4lbs more of me. Not good when i've probably got 11 weeks to go. Need to curb the chocolate fests. Boo!!!!!

...but chocolate provides vital nutrients. Please be responsible and think of your babies' health...

last time round, I put on about 4 and a half stones altogether, iirc. This time I'm gaining much more slowly (only 1 stone so far) but I was fatter to start with because I never lost all of the weight from last time (and then gained some back!) so started this pregnancy 2 stone heavier iyswim! Am hoping to breastfeed for longer this time round and see if that will magicaly take me down from my usual size to sylph-like proportions...

I 98Kg when I got pregnant and 96Kg at the end of my pregnancy, due to loosing a lot because of sickness in first trimester! I breastfed a very hungry baby and by 2 weeks after birth I was 74Kg, and I really hated it! My body changed so much that I wasn't familiar with it anymore, everyone commented how great I looked and all I could think was that I had to buy lots of clothes and couldn't afford to. Suppose we are never happy, I did put weight back on with every feed DS dropped so unless you plan to breastfeed forever you will probably have to modify your diet at some point bellabelly!

• definitely not planning to BF forever but might consider expressing indefinitely... What I really need to do after these two are born is find some time for exercise but that can be quite hard!

Like your thinking!!

I don't weigh myself when pregnant... it would only upset me! I weighed myself when preg with DC1 up until I was 6months. Unfortunately by that stage I'd gained 3 1/2 stone and I know I continued to put it on! I managed to get back into pre preg clothes just before I concieved DC2 and I never weighed self! This time I had about 6 months in my pre children jeans and I haven't weighed myself at all... I imagine its 4 stone!
However eating is the only thing that keeps my severe sickness at bay so I really have little choice if I want to get out of bed and function.
So I'd say... don't stress... you will loose it

28+ 3

Don't really see the point of weighing yourself during pregnancy - some unknown amount of the weight gain is baby, some is water, some is placenta, so you can't really calculate how much is down to your own weight gain, surely? But I'm not a one for weighing myself anyway, to be fair.

29 + 2! Is it time for a new thread yet?

I'm down with the no standing on the scales during pregnancy. Every time I see the midwife she asks me if I want to be weighed but has stopped since I told her I'd rather chew my own arms off. I'm building a baby and so what if he's almost entirely composed of cake? We're both happy I was running regularly until about a month ago when I thought my uterus was about to fall through the floor in the local park - very odd sensation - so I'm sticking to walking occasionally but am enjoying taking it easy even more than I thought I would. I used to think I loved exercise. I didn't realise I loved telly even more until this month.

Whoever it was who mentioned preggo porn in relation to the hotmilk maternity bras - you have ruined it now!!! Aaarrgghhh. It's ever so....slightly....wrong. I might have to get a 19th century M&S special now.

Is the 3rd trimester 26 or 28 weeks? I can't find a definitive answer.

26+1