Waters have broken at 28 weeks - we're in America!

[Southsearocks]

I've come over to the US for a two week holiday to my partner's family. No problems at all in this pregnancy (my first). Then yesterday morning the waters broke! I've been admitted to a local hospital and although me and baby are fine we'll be here for the duration. It's likely to be three months! Baby could come any time between now and full term so we're keeping everything crossed (including my legs of course) it stays in as long as possible. Either way we're not able to fly home for a looong time...

Our baby will be coming back to the UK an American citizen - how about that?

Pray the insurance works out for us!!

Hi Southsea, I haven't noticed this thread before, but it stuck a chord with me because I was at sixth form college today with my son for his yearly review. I saw a lady with her son who used to live on my old street. He was born at six months,after having the steroid treatment for his lungs for 48 hours prior to birth. He was there today - A big strapping healthy lad of seventeen!
This will certainly be a story to tell your little one as he/she grows up.

Hi Southsea, some pram advice. Try the kiddicare website as they have videos showing you how they fold etc. It could be quite good in your position.

No pram advice for the UK but in principle would really advise a three-wheeler, even if you don't walk in rough terrain. They just handle so much better.

Sounds like you're doing ok - except for being woken at 4 am . xxJM

Hows it going today southsea? I hope you and the pebble are both fine and he/she still inside safe and sound.

Just checking in southsea hope you're ok

Hey Southsea, how are you both doing today? Has your iPad arrived yet? I'm addicted to Pocket Frogs at the moment, pretty silly, but it passes the time, while I am on part bed rest.

I think Maclaren xt techno is a fab choice if you are going for all round versatility. Suits newborn, until too heavy to push. Folds easily and compact. Nice price tag too.

I'm not a fan of city jogger, but maybe I'm too short at 5"4? Found it heavy get up kerbs, with a 1 year old in- though fab folding. This may also be because I'm spoilt by Phil & Teds and mountain buggy!?

Hope all's well today. For prams, for me what I really wanted was something that could be forward and rear facing. I also love a lie flat carrycot for the first few months, but the one most important thing for me would be the rear facing option.

In terms of makes - I have always had very big contraptions - mamas and papas ultima, and now an Emmaljunga (Swedish super pram that is huge in our estate boot), and whilst great to push, they are not great for cars or shops and certainly not for public transport.

bump

hope all is well!!!

Marking my place.

Hoping all continues well x

Hello, thanks for all the pram advice! I'm going to look online like some of you have suggested and get some ideas. I might have look over here too, it will be something for us to look forward to when I get out. In the back of my mind I've been thinking that I might have to come home on my own with Pebble so didn't want too much to carry.

So, no news. We're now 31 + 4, wow! I've put on 4lbs in a week and judging by the response of the nurse that is good, but I was a bit shocked. I already feel like I'm the size of a small bus. I was overweight before I got pregnant so feeling myself ballooning doesn't sit comfortably. But then I think about how I perceive other pregnant women and it's probably the one time when you can't fail to look gorgeous. There is nothing so lovely as a big bump. I also haven't seen myself properly since I arrived because the mirror in the bathroom is too high for me (I'm a real short-arse) so I can only just see the top of my bump. Looking down on myself I can see that it has grown though and SIL took a few photos yesterday so I could see then that I am pretty damn huge! My plan for losing the excess is to breast feed and get WII Dance - that should shift a few pounds.

Not much to tell you today. The days are drifting into each other. We get quite a few visitors now from the blood ladies and domestics that like to have a chat and listen to our English accents. Everyone we've met has been so lovely. SIL had a good idea to give the staff here some tins of Roses or Quality Street, because the chocolate is nicer than the usual Hershey (which has got a bit of an after taste of sick IMHO) so I'll ask my brother to bring some if he can. He's hoping to come over in February sometime for business so will be stopping by to see us and his new niece or nephew .

Am getting hooked up again so will be back. Baby is looking smashing, it's official.

Tarlia, why are you on bed rest, if it's ok to ask? X

You sound really well Southsea, just keep on cooking your little pebble a bit longer :)

I have got pretty much the same weight losing plan once baby is here. Breast feeding and Dance central on Kinect!! I'm sure we will both shed pounds and become excellent dancers .
With ds1 I was overweight before getting pregnant and once ds1 was born the weight came off really quick with breastfeeding and walking and I ended up lighter and fitter than before pregnancy :)

Wasn't quite as easy after DS2 but fingers crossed for dc3.

Anyway I'm waffling now, take care x

So glad you are holding on tight Southsea . I am sure the MW would love some British chocolate. I also think it is your British duty to introduce them to marmite

Hi Southsea, I've been checking in every now and then to see how you are getting on. Sending my best wishes from faraway Surrey!

You are doing so well, and always seem so upbeat - hang on in there.

And don't worry about baby weight, it soon drops off when you are running around after the little blighters!

Hello again, Southsea, so glad to hear all is going well. What a lovely idea, to give the hospital staff some 'English' chocolate - our american friends in St Louis went mad for it when we sent them a 'care package' with our good old Cadburys in it. Their favourites were Curly Wurlys! Or Twirly Wirlys as they called them...
Keep on smiling and looking after that baby,
you are doing so well!

Lovely to hear a cheery post from you southsea !
Waiting for you to get words with friends on the iPad though- get your priorities right

Marking my spot.......and sending all my good wishes to you too of course

Good to hear from you! It's fantastic you're almost at the "magic" 32 week milestone - it really is an important one. Not much longer for you to wait at all now if they induce at 34 weeks!

Yes, Angry Birds ate my life. Well, a small part of it when I could should be doing better things. But in your situation, as much as I hate to say it - yes, it's a great timekiller! Wish I'd had it when I was on bedrest.

You could always buy a US pushchair. They're usually cheaper, much more choice, often more "exciting", and won't add to your luggage allowance. Only downside being you would of course have to lug it back with you, but nevertheless, it might be worthwhile. Given you're likely to have the baby in the hospital for a bit and you won't be there all the time, you may have time for some pram shopping in person possibly? Honestly there is a lot to be said for trying them out and seeing what works for you. Maclarens are generally very good though :)

As somebody else has mentioned - look into slings. With both of mine they were in a sling most of the time for the first few months anyway. So many advantages, not least of which it makes it harder for crazy old people (or indeed crazy young people) to prod your baby without warning.

Hang on in there, and think of that lovely English chocolate you have to return home to!

Wow, almost 32 weeks!! How wonderful! Just checking in to see how you are. We're heading home tomorrow (British Columbia, Canada) so I'll only be 8 hours behind the UK and 3 hours behind your time zone.
Hang in there, Pebble, and much love to you, southsea!

Wow, almost 32 weeks!! How wonderful! Just checking in to see how you are. We're heading home tomorrow (British Columbia, Canada) so I'll only be 8 hours behind the UK and 3 hours behind your time zone.
Hang in there, Pebble, and much love to you, southsea!

Southsearocks - wow, so close to 32 weeks, it is fantastic. It is great to hear that pebble is doing so well still. I have been following your story hear, and keeping hopeful for you.

Also great to hear that the ipad is getting so much use too!

The great pram debate here is good too, one thing is that you will find a pram in the airport coming home useful, and US prams are generally cheaper, so worth the investment over there.

You said you were sad at missing out on some of the pregnancy fun bits, including the mothercare shopping... so below are a couple of thoughts, but only read on if you are in the mood for baby shopping.

only read next bit if you are in positive baby mood....

If you want another positive for the situation that you sadly find yourself in, it is that any baby clothes you do buy over there will be great, wash and wear for american clothes is the best. I loved having relatives in the states to send things across that we just can't get here.

One example of something you can't get over here: is the sleeper gown, I had them bought for me on recommendation, and would say do get someone to pop to your nearest carters store and find these sleeper sets for your pebble when you feel you are ready to buy baby clothes. I thought they would be terrible, but loved using them much better than ordinary sleepsuits (I just wished I had more than 2 when my youngest was born) They have little cuffs that cover the hands, baby mittens never stayed on my childrens hands!, and access for nappy changing, so much better without fiddly poppers.

Another thing I cannot find equivalent of in England are the [[http://www.carters.com/carters/3-Pack-Multi-Color-Safari-Print-Receiving-Blankets/V_C9191RCV,default,pd.html?cgid=carters-baby-neutral-blankets receiving blankets, I loved mine, they got used in numerous ways too, started for swaddling baby in, then used as crib sheets, and with the pram/pushchair for extra warmth.
Both of these things I have suggested and added links to here can be used from early on, so should be in use before you head home, but also be able to be used after you get home too. Anyway, I hope that this helps as a bit of a distraction from all the waiting and hope that it does not upset you in anyway. Will be following this thread and hoping for pebbles to stay put for a bit longer for you. Best wishes to you and your dh.

Whoops messed up one of the links and please ignore the spelling mistakes, I accidentally posted rather than previewing!!! also did not mean to bold the whole sentance.

Also meant to mention that that website FAQ also says that they accept UK credit cards for billing, although they do not ship to addresses outside the U.S. So might be of help to you when you get to that point.... Sorry I am waffling now, best wishes to you.