4 Months pregnant and growing..!

[mamnor]

Hi there,

Just wanted to post a message here as I don't think I am the only one pregnant woman in Hackney at the moment...?!!
I am currently 4 months (first one), EDD 11 Dec and planning to have the baby at the Hommerton..

Both me and my partner, specially my partner, are slowly adjusting to the idea of a 3rd person 'moving in' with us. Its a good excuse to use when getting rid of some of my husbands years collection of empty boxes and old clothes!!!

Whats your story?

/M

Hi Mamnor

No you're not the only one! I'm beating you slightly (EDD 17th October) and this will be my third baby born at the Homerton.

How are you feeling?

Hey ruthydd!

Wow, number 3! And at the Homerton, I would guess you must have had good experiences there to go back? Its hard to get a clear picture of that place as everyone has had a different experience. But how are you feeling, you can probably confirm if every pregnancy is different?

I am doing alright almost 18 weeks now, but I think I've been lucky as I am just feeling tired most of the time (and of course having to go to the loo all through the night ). I think the hardest part is to try and be a little active, altough I guess for you thats not a problem with two young already!

I'm here too !!
I was hoping someone may start a loca;l thread !!
I am 28 weeks weeks and it's my first little one !!
I too will be off to the Homerton, my EDD is 30/9/07.

Hey Alfie72!

How are you getting on and hows the prep going for the new arrival?

I've got a new found love for ebay, think I've managed to save a bit of money on baby things

Anyways, currently planning my antenatal/parent craft classes.. and trying hard to motivate myself to excersise..

Mamnor

Hi all

Yes, I've had two positive experiences at Homerton (but equally I've heard some horror stories too but I think you get that everywhere to a certain extent). Have you been for a tour? Ask to be shown the "Mother Suite" which is a mid-wife led unit and has a birthing pool.

Also, have you found Merry-go-round? Its a second-hand baby-gear shop on Clarence Road and I find it cheaper than ebay. I bought a wilkinet sling there for £7.50. They were going for about £25 on ebay and only cost £30ish new.

As for exercise, a quick plug for the anti-natal yoga class at yogahome. I arrive feeling achey and leave feeling fantastic.

Hello!

I had DD at the Homerton in January this year - and it was fine (well, you know...). Put it this way, if I have another I would not hesitate going back there.

Ruthydd mentioned yogahome, I can also second that, I take DD to sessions at their 'sister' site - Lightsite across the road, they do baby music, massage, yoga, etc.

Re antenatal classes, we went to the classes offered by the Homerton and we also did an NCT-type course in Hackney - went a bit overboard on the classes to be honest!

Hey,

I did try the Yoga home a while back and was quite impressed by it, I will go back. Its great as they seem to offer something for everyone.

As for 'Merry-Go-Round' I will go and take a look! That sounds like my kind of shop, so thanks Ruthydd

As for Homerton, I am glad to hear its not all horrible. Had mixed feedback, but just decided to go with it. Did any of you hire a doula?

Sorry, don't know nothing about doulas. Sounds like a good idea though.

Has anyone seen my other thread? here I'm getting desperate for a decent plumber and wondered if anyone can recommend one.

I've had 3 children at Homerton and can honestly say that during the birth they have been great every time, though afterwards - you are seriously fending for yourself! do not, under any circumstances, let your husband / partner go home after the birth when the midwives tell him to, as this is when they abandon you and baby to a ward, sometimes without a cot, without a drink of water, without checking on you at all, you cannot 'rest' as you are holding onto the baby you have just given birth to and you do not know what to do with them! It was very scary first time round, but then we learnt and my partner did not leave the side of the bed until we were all discharged home. With my first baby I remember dragging my self, a couple of hours post epidural, down the ward with baby in arms, to the reception desk to ask if I could phone my partner to come back as I had no pillow, no cot for the baby, no breakfast and wanted a drink of water. I was directed to the payphone down the hall. I walked there, reversed the charges to my Mum, and she arrived soon afterwards like the cavalry. Also, the ward does feel a bit like a madhouse. Good luck!!

hiya
i'm glad to see all those people from yogahome in print! I've also just been to a yoga class at the kings hall leisure centre, though they aren't running over the summer.
A friend of mine is a great plumber - damien. His number is 07878014892. He lives in leyton but is fitting us a new kitchen and knows hackney really well.
mel

Hey Mamnor,
Sorry I have been away for a bit...
Now I am on maternity leave - Yay !! so trying to keep busy, looking at a few things in baby shops, trying to go to the lido and keep up with my preggers yoga class. E-bay addict eh ? I am a facebook addict I reckon. i annoy my mates at work who are envious about me little " holiday"
Start ante natal classes at the Homerton in 2 weeks.
I have been avidly reading the rest of the thread....
Think the mother su
ite could be the option for me I reckon, if it's available of course on the day !!I was told by my community MW that I could be discharged from the post natal ward as early as three hours after the big event !!! Blimey !! I am keeping an open mind about it cos it's all an individual experience isn't it at the end of the day ?

Thanks Mel, I knew someone must know a plumber!

Agree about the post-natal ward. If you want to fork out £70 you can ask for a private room - well worth it if you get an en-suite shower as I did. One other good thing is that there are take-aways on Chatsworth Road and Homerton High Street, so if like me, you give birth after the canteen has shut and the packet sandwich doesn't really hit the spot you can send dp/dh out for supplies.

How's tricks ladies ? This has been a very helpful thread.

Hello!!

Sorry, been away for a bit also, life and work just took over a littlebit too much lately.
Had my 20 week scan a couple of weeks back and I know these can sometimes be wrong, but we had a very clear view of the sex of the baby.. so I am having a boy and I am very very happy.

In terms of the hospital, I also heard that you could pay extra to have a separate room, altough this depends on if any rooms are available.. + the takeaway sounds like really good option.

• Alfie72, I have also become a Facebook addict!!!Its weird how you get obsessed with the little things on there!! My best feature at the moment is the count down timer I've set up for when my maternity leave starts.. I cant wait to finish work!!!!!!

Fantastic news Mamnor !! I haven't found out the sex of my little one but I may sneak a peek tomorrow at my scan !!
How long til your maternity leave starts now then ? It's bliss when it happens...lie ins and lunches out replace retail therapy !!
Hope you are enjoying the sun, bring it on !! I may even try and get to the lido tomorrow, it's great- have you been ? It is like a remake of orca the whale when I jump in !!!
Chat soon !!

Hey Alfie72!!

My DH and I were to curious, so couldnt stop ourselves from finding out:D Also means I can actually call 'it' - 'him' now, makes life a little easier..

Ah, if only it started tomorrow. My maternity leave doesnt start for another few months, starts mid November!! So ages still.. sniff. Finding it more and more diffecult to go to work.

Anwyay, havent been to the Lido yet. Kind of hoping (in vain) that the Clissold Leisure centre will open some time this year, but don't think it will happen until close to Christmas if I'm lucky..

Doing some reasearch on prams these days, and reusable nappies. You made any decitions on what to get/do? So many choices!!

/M

hello does any one know family where they need a nanny?

Hey Mamnor,
Good to hear from you.
The weather seems to be holding out for us here in Hackney !!
Your maternity leave will spring up before you can blink- I bet you. I could have worked another 4 weeks but I thought, nah bugger it !!
You know what- sometimes it would be nice to find out what things to buy- i.e for a girl or a boy...I think I would find out next time !!
Re- prams- thinking of getting a quinny, look pretty cool, are lightweight and you can add bits as you need them and have had ok reviews..everyone around my neighbourhood ( London fields) has a bugaboo- blimming expensive and heavy ( my mate has one) then I'll probably downsize to something little when he/her gets bigger-to a maclaren or something. I am a big fan of the baby carriers - think little bubbas like the close skin to skin contact so we'll prob get one of those as well.
I am going for the disposable nappies I reckon- I think I'd go mad having nappies stinking the house out and once you have washed em' out- it probably isn't too much more eco friendly. If the little one gets a reaction though- I'll prob plump for the towelling ones. I hear the nappy collection companies are good but I think thery're spendy !!
I have spent the afternoon gathering stuff for my " hospital bag" just in case the wee one comes early, then DH doesn't have to stress about buying stuff for us !! I got all excited today putting the tiny outfits into the bag !!! I can't believe that I'll be a mama soon !!!
I reckon the private room idea at the hospital sounds just the ticket don't you ? I start ante natal classes this week so I'll make an enquiry and let you know !
I reckon the water birth thing sounds great too. My M/w wanted me to have a home birth but I think maybe if I get pregnant again- I'll deffo consider it !!
Hope your week at work goes ok and chat soon !!

Hi Mojenko31,
Maybe you could post an ad on Mumsnet local re- the Nanny vacancy ?
I don't know anyone myself but hopefully someone will.

Hey Alfie72,

You?re right, I know the maternity will be here and I will be wondering what happened to all that time I had 3 months earlier!

I?ve sort of gone a bit Ebay mad over the last week since I now know the gender of the baby, trying to be as non-gender specific though when buying clothes.. although its really hard to avoid the baby blue!!! (I went a bit overboard the other day though when I bought a breast pump..!!! )

Been looking at one of these 3 wheeler travel systems. I?ll be using the bus mostly next year, but will also be travelling quite a bit abroad, so been looking at Quinny and the Jane models. Think you?re right about the Quinny ones and they are cheaper then the Janes, could spend a small fortune on these things easily! I think I?ll also need to do a bit of hands on research in the shops..

I?ve decided to try the washable nappies, although that?s been a whole new world of research and shopping around! I am pretty chilled out about it and will see how I get on with it for a few months.. who knows they may drive me mad also.

Putting together the hospital bag eh, that?s good planning. We thought about a home birth too, but since its my first I was a little worried and decided on the hospital in the end. Don't know if the water birth is a guaranteed thing through, depends on if its free on the day I guess.. altough I will do a little more research on this! But let me kow on the private room, and how you get on with that..

Besides from all that I had my 22 week M/w appointment yesterday and it was quite a bizarre experience. After a lot of discussion, they admitted that they had forgotten to take one of the blood tests on my first check-up.. even though my papers said they had done this particular test. Then when she tried to take my blood again she really didn?t know what she was doing and ended up sticking a needle into my arms a few times before giving up as she kept missing my veins.. anyways, had a couple of different mid wifes so far, and none of them seem to inspire me with any great confidence.. altough I have to say that the doctor at my GP is amazing.

/M

Hi there Mamnor,

That's not at all good news re- the blood tests. Maybe make your GP aware if it happens again or if you are worried.
maybe the practice nurse could do them instead ?
I also see the community midwifery team at my GP and a student m/w filled out the forms but unfortunately put the wrong date of birth on there, so I had to get the test repeated....aaargh !!

I have been blessed with a great GP practice too, I really don't ever want to leave the practice now, They have been efficient and supportive.

I have met a few of the Homerton M/ws and they have all been lovely. I think it's as you say - the luck of the draw who you get on the day !!
I'm off to classes tomorrow with DH so I am sure I'll meet a few more !!

Re- the water birth- I went to visit a mate today who is hoping to have a water birth at home, it looks like a really cool idea but there are no guarantees like having one in hospital. I will be praying that the pool is free on the big day.

I have been having acupuncture today as my little one is lying breech and we're trying to get him/ her to turn. The treatment starts early so the baby has space to manoueuvre- I highly recommend acupuncture for so many ailments too through pregnancy. It's so restrictive isn't it- having to watch what you eat and take to treat yourself. I think I am going to try and get some in before the EDD too as it can improve the labour apparently.

Holistic health on Broadway Market has a whole heap of other treatments on offer for pregnancy- massage, craniosacral therapy, homeopathy. It's a great investment !!

I have been thinking that i should invest in a breast pump too, it makes me giggle a bit though cos it's like milking a cow isn't it ? Oh well, I am sure that feeling will pass when the time arrives !!

It's funny re- the retail thing now, we used to shop for ourselves but the fun goes out of shopping a bit when you have a whole new body shape to deal with so I agree shopping for babies is much more fun. I am trying to stick with primary colours as much as I can cos I don't want to dress the baby in white all the time !!!

chat soon

A

Hey there Alfie72 and mamnor!

I had the Quinny Zapp, which is mega compact but totally useless on a day to day basis as there's nowhere to put anything. Can't recommend the Maclaren Techno enough but I know that the lack of a carrycot is a bit offputting. It's so light it's easy to lift on and off the bus.

Hope you're both well and not suffering from any nasty pregnancy woes like heartburn or constipation (been there!).

One good thing about dressing a baby in white the whole time is that is makes it easier to bleach out the poo stains from their clothes

Hey mojenko31,

A good place to find nannies and nanny shares (or to advertise yourself as a nanny) is www.nannyshare.co.uk

Welcome back Mrs Macleod !!
Words of wisdom there about the white clothes,I do think that babies do look very angelic in white too don't they? then they poo and posset !!
Ta for the tip re- the buggy too. I think we may go for the Buzz and I have persuaded DH to buy a super flash bag for me to take the essentials in. I'll deffo go for a maclaren when the little one grows a bit more and can keep his/ her head up !!
I have been a bit anaemic and heartburny but otherwise I have refound some energy, maybe it's the fact that I am on mat leave now ? I have been having a few lunch dates this week too, bring on the sun !!!
Hope your ailments have improved. When is your EDD ?