Keith's BPG II

[KittyKatSmile]

@AliciaWhiskers @CornishMaid1 @Ginandtonic31 @Cauliflower82 @Welshpugmomma @Mrbay @Zest11 @RRoonilWazlib @Weenumpty

Hope this works xx

@Zest11 just so you know, Next is now selling baby things online but limited amounts each day. Worth a look though.

Me too re money! I'm spending loads online.

@Ginandtonic31 @Zest11 oh thank goodness. My online spending has got out of control. I don't even want to tell you what I've bought in the last week. And then I have a list of things I want to buy once lockdown is over. These include a new garden shed and a bbq. So just small things

Now I'm going to have to look at la redoute. Curses!

PS Boden also has 20% off but still maybe a bit posh for me (in Sainsbury's all the way, ha ha)

Hi everyone,
This is going to be super quick and I’m sorry that I’m not responding to everyone individually. I hope you’re all doing well and I see, like me, that most of us are going a bit mad with the internet shopping. Saying that kind, I feel I’m saving loads - it really has made me realise how much money I waste each month on shoes, clothes, make up, hair appointments, etc. Far too much! And so unnecessary.
Pip is doing really well - he’s in size 0-3 month clothes now so he must be growing. The sleep still isn’t going that great - it was for about a week but now we’re back to square one and doing shifts. I’m finding it so hard to sleep. Constantly checking his breathing and whether his blankets are on or they’ve came off... I’m just always on high alert!!
He’s doing really well and his hearing is top notch 😂 he does NOT like sudden sounds. He is very smiley and happy ☺️

I bought a couple items not long after coming home from hospital nice organic make, got him dressed couple days ago they don't fit and same style in the other items too, obv I was too excited opening and got rid of tags and paperwork etc so no return just going to buy some stuff when he needs it now but he's pretty much outgrown his 0-3!!

I wish we could save money but things are tighter than ever with the paycut :(

@cauliflower82 Glad to hear your pip doing well.A smiley and happy baby sounds like your doing everything right ;) I sleep like a log and would worry I would sleep through anything, we keep his bed empty apart from him but we do swaddle him for a bit of warmth! Hubs just got the baby monitor yest a 'cubo ai' it's bloody amazing! Pricey but amazing thankfully a gift !

@Zest11 if for some reason you do end up a schedule c section can always talk to me , think I'm the only one who had one... Hopefully you get the birth you want but I think it helps to know a bit about every possible eventuality so it minimises the shock and the" I wasn't expecting that "sort of moment!

We've just ordered a bistro set for the balcony hoping it comes this weekend so we can sit out and enjoy the evenings, must say feeling trapped with my baby in this apartment at times:/

@Ginandtonic31 thank you for that, so glad it's back open. I love the animal themed things.

@KittyKatSmile yes Boden is nice but I agree with you, it is a bit expensive. I look at all these nice things and have to tell myself they're a waste of money. You are so sensible!

I've also found stuff on Zara baby and also h and m which is better priced. No idea on quality though-hopefully it won't be hit and miss like George!

@cauliflower82 I am glad Noah is doing well. Re the paranoia over blankets etc are you able to get one of those sleep/gro bags or is he not big enough yet? I think (forgive me if I'm wrong!!) they negate the need for blankets, layering etc.

@Welshpugmomma that's annoying Josiah didn't get to wear some of his things. Sell them on eBay or Facebook. At least it will be something back. Has the bistro set arrived? That will be nice sitting outside. I am jealous thinking of you out in the sun enjoying dinner and a cocktail! If it does look like a c section I will let you know and yes I have been reading about all the different births just so nothing takes me by surprise!

I can't remember if I mentioned before but we had a growth scan last week and the little boy was about 2lb12oz at 28 weeks. I think that might be big but the doctors were happy. I will go back in a few weeks and see how he's getting on :)

Hi guys

Im definitely spending what we are saving on internet shopping! We've a delivery every day pretty much!

I feel like im so anxious all the time at the moment. In particular around feeding. I'm still beating myself up for not carrying on breast feeding. We started feeding formula a couple of weeks back and Georgie started showing reflux symptoms. She would growl on her back and like she was sick and swallowing it. She also pushes a lot and grunts. She wasn't pooing much either. I started adding coleif to her milk and suddenly she was doing massive poos! Then I put her on reflux formula but she's still sick and still pushing and I feel like the pushing has got worse especially in the night! She also got really constipated and so added coleif again and now she poos but like foamy poo! And like she's in pain a lot. I'm contemplating now going back to normal formula as don't think the reflux one is really helping but I just don't know. Feel I'm always chopping and changing her! When she's content though she's so pretty and happy! I'm also beating myself up about how much formula she drinks and worrying I'm over feeding her as she is gaining weight so fast! A lb in this last week so she's over 11lb now! But she's taking 7oz bottles! She is long too though. I just don't know. I'm questioning everything 😞

@Cauliflower82 we have Georgie in a sleeping bag. She's was turning herself during her pushing and kicking episodes and I was worried she would end up under the blanket! She looks really snug in it and means there's nothing around her. I do her last feed in it and then when she's asleep just put her down in the Next2me in it. Get one that unzips at the bottom though to make changing in the night easier!

Morning Girls!

I'm back and feeling better!!

I've had and enforced break from the pill, my body wanted a break through bleed - bloody annoying but that's life!!

@KittyKatSmile - don't worry I spent over £100 on one pair of sandals!! As I figured if I do manage to get pregnant my feet will be easy to get back to their normal size!!

I was all over the house week on week 1 & 2, but now, it looks like a bomb has hit us! Sod it, there are more interesting things to do! Slightly annoying as DH has been stood down for the past 5-weeks, so not like he hasn't got time on his hands!!

I feel awful, I've had to furlough lots of staff.

@Ginandtonic31 - none of us are born knowing what is best, so don't beat yourself up. I've always found colicy babies like to be laid on their front, over your arm, and gently rocked whilst having their backs rubbed.
If you are still a bit lost about food, I'm pretty sure nutria have a midwife led helpline for feeding.

Hope the rest of you are coping well :)

@Ginandtonic31 I hope you're feeling a bit better now. I am so sorry I can't give you any advice on those things, I just don't know. But in 3 months I am sure I will have very similar questions or worries so have reassurance that these worries are normal. How is everything now? Is there a midwife or health visitor number you can call for these kind of things?

@Mrbay I am so glad you are feeling much better, that's great. What could you possibly have been up to that's more interesting than housework?! Don't feel bad about furloughing staff, it's not your fault. Unless I am naieve and you employ extremely rich people it doesn't seem THAT bad for staff to get 80% pay to do nothing?? And I guess once tax, national insurance etc has been factored in the take home pay won't be much less? I apologise if I have got that wrong though.

I have been feeling a bit anxious now too...it's definitely the times. I'm stressing as I bought quite a few clothes in 0-3 which I've realised is too big and only have vests in newborn. I've confused myself with all the newborn sizes vs first size vs 1 month and can't work out whether a 9lb baby will need newborn clothes or 1 month. Obviously I have no idea if I will have a 9lb baby but due to genes and my current growth scan, providing I carry to term, I think he could easily be 9lb! Or maybe 8 something? And then I've looked online and so much stuff has sold out! Then I've looked at baby equipment and wondered whether I need to spend £75 on a bouncer or is £25 perfectly fine? Same goes for slings, play gyms and even things like wipes and nipple shields!! The baby market is just overwhelming!

What's everyone else been up to? Do you have gardens so you can be out enjoying the sun? Or are you going for any nice walks? I have been sitting outside for a bit each day and it has been so lovely out there!

@Ginandtonic31 has the feeding settled down at all now? Sorry I didn't reply earlier, I've been trying to think about what to say to help (in itself not helpful). Do you have a red book? Check her weight in there. My GP said it doesn't so much matter how much they weigh but whether they are broadly tracking the line from their birth weight (so if they were born 25th centile that they stay there). I would try to speak to your health visitor. Nancy also throws up in her mouth and swallows it in the night. I had a heart attack first time she did that (as it comes with an awful noise) but my mum coached me to not worry about it and she encourages her to do it ("yes good girl, just swallow it down"!!) so maybe take that one off your list of things to worry about. I remain unsure of what to say about colic and reflux; will see if my books have any good tips.

@Zest11 I think if you have a larger baby (9lb is large to me! Nancy has only just made it there in the last week!) then 0-3 is probably great. That's what Nancy is now in and we just roll the sleeves up if they're a bit too big still. On the bouncer front, I'd get the cheap one. The baby might not even like it. I used mine a lot in the early days to put her in while I shovelled down some dinner but now she prefers to be on her playmat so getting an expensive one would have been a waste of money. Nipple shields: get the boots ones. They're great. But you might not need them. I tried some more expensive ones and had to throw them out. Slings: well. I've got 4 so am in a good place to advise here :-) Babybjorn is brilliant and is the one thing where I'd say to not compromise. However, don't buy new, keep an eye on Facebook marketplace. I'd say it's also worth getting a fabric one. Mine is called CuddleBug and someone gave it to me secondhand. I put Nancy in it at least once a day and it's magic. Will soothe her if she's nuclear and she loves to me close to my sweaty chest :-) Wipes: dunno. I've got cheeky wipes which are reusable ones which I really like but realise that's not for everyone.

@Mrbay such tough times, although staff should be pleased the furlough scheme exists (I'm sure not everyone sees it that way). Goodness knows what the future holds in these strange times.

I'm getting very used to lockdown now, which is odd. I walk for miles every day (although annoyingly my new activity tracker (one of last week's online purchases) said that I'd walked 0.6km yesterday, whilst acknowledging I'd walked for an hour!) My garden is also looking great: I've planted (ok, my mum's planted!) so much veg, I'll be self sufficient by summer!

Sending love in this strange new world x

Morning!

I'm been doing a bit of DIY, sanded the front door down and have repainted it.
Got a lot of training in with the pup.
Had a few little hacks with the horse - tho last time he thought everything was going to kill him and his canter looked more like a ball being bounced across the ground, so I've taken to lunging him at the mo!
I've been selected to test a new dress pattern so have that to look forward too, tho, I haven't found any suitable fabric so it will have to be made out of bed sheets!!

Regarding furlough - most of the guys I've done it too take home around £1k per week, so it is quite a drop for them! I wish the career guide at school had told me how much money you can earn for being a ground worker, on the rail or bricky etc!!

Ref baby stuff, does your area have a swap shop? A town local to me has a baby sling borrow scheme so you can trial one, hire or buy.

regarding equipment - at long as it does what you need, it doesn't matter if its a fiver or £500 - the baby will not know!

Have you seen the fab mum hack for changing them? when you un-do their baby grow, refasten it around their arms so they cannot grab their bits!

Last night I was ready to rip my own ovaries out!! I don't think I've even been in so much pain! Caution TMI - or gone through so many pads! I counted I'd gone through 8 pads from 9am to 9pm!
On the plus side, Care and Zita West are doing lots of seminars and advice for free - I suppose that they now have a lot of time on their hands. I didn't know that Care was part of Zita West.

I'm hoping that they will allow medical treatments to resume in May, as I am so ready to get the next EC over and done with! I just want my life back, pain free as I do not want to go through another period.

Sorry rambling today! Clearly I am avoiding work this morning!!

Hi @Mrbay sounds like you've been super busy. I was thinking that yesterday about furlough. Sounds like a great scheme in theory unless you've got a super expensive mortgage to pay; won't work for many people in financial services!

Let's hope fertility treatments can indeed start up again soon. The clinics must be desperate to open up again so they'll be doing it as soon as they are safely able to I'd say... Zita West are great; that's where I got my Tiny Dancer! Must include them on the thank you care list!

Sounds terrible about your period. I am wondering what my first one back will be like!

Enjoy the sunshine ladies x

@KittyKatSmile @Mrbay thank you so much for your such kind, reassuring words. Why is it that everything can seem worse than it really is? And yes, for some things there is just no need to get fancy stuff but it is just SO easy to get sucked in
to the marketing and think 'my baby needs the best' when really, they don't have a clue nor do they care! It's also extremely helpful to hear of recommendations for specific brands too. I have not thought of that changing tip mrbay, so thank you! :) And yes there are swap schemes and rent a sling type places near me but they are all closed for the foreseeable due to the current situation.

Re. Furlough and your staff, I can now see why some people may find it very tough. I suppose it seems okay to ignorant people like myself(!) but actually, can be quite difficult especially to people with little to no disposable income.

I'm sorry about your period, that sounds truly horrible. Endometriosis can be such a cruel, cruel thing. Yes, I hope the clinics will be allowed to open again soon, my heart breaks for the people that were/are planning treatment cycles. The hospitals in the south west seem to be managing okay with the virus from what I hear from my Dr friends so perhaps when the restrictions are eased, bath could be one of the earlier ones. I do hope so for you anyway. I forgot you had a new puppy...that must be providing you with so much entertainment and definitely keeping you busy :)

Kittykat, I am glad you have got into the swing of lockdown now. I think as long as we have our health, all we can do is embrace it. I love that you are remaining active and I love even more the idea of your vegetable patch. Photos will definitely be needed when things grow!

@mrbay I thought of you today when I saw news of fertility treatments restarting. Very happy for you, hopefully just in time for when you want to start the next cycle!

Hope everything is going okay for everyone else. @KittyKatSmile @Ginandtonic31 @Welshpugmomma @Cauliflower82 Would love any updates if possible.

I am feeling optimistic that some restrictions may start to be lifted over the coming weeks. Is anyone else just desperate to go shopping in the shops? I'm getting fed up of having to send back Amazon orders!

Hey @zest11!

Thank you, I may have shed a tear when I received the email.

Hopefully this means that births can start to be accompanied too in the bear future.

@Mrbay I thought exactly the same as @Zest11 when I saw the news. So pleased for you.

Things are going well here. Little Miss Nancy is still teeny tiny but so am I so I'm being fairly chilled about it. She is 2 months today! I can't believe it. And lockdown here in Guernsey has been ever so slightly relaxed as of yesterday so my dad and stepmother are coming round for dinner tonight (we are allowed to mix with one other household. I foresee a lot of family fall outs/divorces!!)

How are you all doing??

Just need to wait to see if, it is all treatments that can restart, if it is, I'll be ready to start in 3/4-weeks - can't remember where I am with the pill - I cannot face another breakthrough bleed again.

I am disgusted with the posts about how its unfair that fertility can go again, but the dentist can't open - trust me lady, I'd rather be flashing my pearly whites than my lady bits!!

That's great news regarding the socialisation! /nothing wrong with a teeny tiny baby, she'll be absolutely fine :)

Hi All

How are you all?

Am I right in thinking @Zest11 - you are due in a few weeks time?

I'm waiting for my next cycle to start and I've been given the go ahead to have steroids - what should I expect?

@Mrbay brilliant! What are you taking steroids for? You're in for a great time! I'm not sure if anyone else here took them, I was on them for about 9 months all up so I can answer most questions I'd imagine! Imogen Edwards Jones' book is quite good and she takes them; it sums it all up pretty well!

What news from everyone?

@KittyKatSmile - because this will be my 4th transfer I just wanted to try something different - the consultant was like the treatment for NK cells is steroids so let's just skip the testing and go straight to the drugs! I changed consultant (he was the first one available after my last failure) and he is very basic and not all about the extras which I love!
Oh I'll go have a little read - thanks!

@Mrbay oh that's good. Great to skip all the rubbish and go straight in. Make sure you take omeprazole before the roids to look after your stomach. I had the NK cells and it was a pain to get diagnosed so you're ahead of things at this stage. Thinking of you and hope work isn't too painful

@KittyKatSmile - thanks for the tip! I do love the taste of Gaviscom.

Work is very boring at the moment, not a lot on my plate so I'm struggling to motivate myself to do the very small to do list!

How's your little one?

@Mrbay Glad you are ready to start again and the clinics are opening in time for you being ready. I'm glad the NHS are giving you a new plan, that must be quite reassuring! I wish you all the luck with your next cycle. I guess a fresh egg collection is coming!

Yes, not too long now, I'm 34 weeks. Growth scans are proving a bit stressful as they resemble a yo-yo rather than the proper curve. The plan was always induction at 40weeks but now plan b has now been suggested, at 37 due to 'restricted fetal growth' which could mean an issue with the placenta. Have to monitor movements (as I do anyway!) and go back in a couple of weeks where a decision will be made.

Oh that is worrying but exciting at the same time @zest11 - you all ready?

I'm actually getting back on the rollercoaster on Wednesday - eeek!

Hi everyone. Just catching up! I don't get told when anyone replies anymore.

@Zest11 wow that has come around quickly! At least they are keeping a check of you. The growth chart can be quite inaccurate too. Keep us updated with the checks.

@Mrbay I'm excited for you starting Wednesday! So glad they have started fertility treatment again.

@KittyKatSmile Jealous of your relaxed lockdown. I'm desperate for them to say we can mix with one family household! Then I can at least mix with my mum and dad which would help massively. @Welshpugmomma How are things in Miami? Is there lockdown? We were meant to be going to Florida in October but doubt that now! I'm just hoping at least by next May we can go!

Georgie is doing well and we are much more into the swing of things now. Someone told me it gets better at 5 weeks and how true that was. She turned 10 weeks this week and sheas a beast. Last time I weighed her at 2 months she was around 13lb I think. I've stopped weighing her as I was becoming obsessive with it. Especially as I think she over feeds. She's dropped a feed in the last few weeks so taking less oz overall which is much more how it should be. Perhaps she was just catching up as she dropped so much weight after birth. I'm still feeling crap about not trying harder to breastfeed. It plays on my mind a lot. I can't help thinking I could have managed it if I tried harder. But we are where we are now. She's a very happy and content baby so I guess that's what matters. She's always smiling and kicking about and she's sleeping lovely. I'm trying not to force a routine as I think she will fall into one herself. She's currently fallen into her own routine of last bottle around 9.30 and sleep at 10pm then wakes up around 9am. I keep seeing people put their babies to bed at 7.30 but I don't stand a chance with her. It worries me I was doing it all wrong but I'm just going with it for now and figure she will pull it all back at some point. Well she has to when I go back to work!

How is everyone feeling about returning to work if this continues? Georgie is due to go to nursery 3 days a week and my mums 2 days a week but at the moment she has never seen another person other than mummy and daddy. If things don't improve I don't know how she will take to being left with my parents never mind in a nursery with other children and adults! I'm at least hoping we can mix with my parents soon so we can get her used to them at our home, then theirs and then on their own with her. At least then worst case scenario my mum can have her 5 days a week whilst we introduce her to nursery slowly.

@Ginandtonic31 Nancy is similar with bedtime. Last feed from me at 9pm then my mum dream feeds her at 11pm and she then sleeps until 7/8am.

Please don't beat yourself up about the breastfeeding. It's so hard and your mental state is likely to have really suffered if you'd carried on putting yourself through that. The most important thing for Georgie is a happy mummy.

The going back to work and care thing is a real worry. Luckily Nancy probably thinks my mum is her father (actually she thinks Joe Wicks is her father; he's the only male voice she ever hears!) so my mum can look after her. Nurseries here have been told today they can operate from 1 June. Lockdown has been really strict but we're coming out of it now as we were able to close our borders easily. I am able to see my brother and friends from next weekend.

I'm meant to be back at work in London on 1 September. Can't see that happening but don't quite know what will happen. Had a job interview this morning for a job in Guernsey which I could juggle with going back to work part time but am more likely to just extend my mat leave and then leave. Who knows.

@Zest11 stressful about reduced movement but good that they are monitoring you. The NHS is bloody brilliant for that.

Sending love x