Pregnancy after Miscarriage Part IX - Knicker Checkers etc

[dan39]

New one! Thought I would make my mark!

Oh fabulous Herbie, you've made me sob - Well obviously you didn't have a fabulous time of it but hope you can view the end result as the key thing (I had a pretty similar time with dd1) ! I am soooo happy for you and DP, what a long road you have travelled. Congratulations and welcome to cromwell Samuel .

Hi Gilly - will come and see how things are going for you....

Scarlotti - My Mum still worries about me !

Tamlin to be honest, the washing is more down to the constant battle I have with the rest of the family to keep the house tidy. I clean, they mess up. At least if I'm washing babygros then I feel as though I'm doing something towards creating calm.
Neuroses 101!!

Someone mentioned on the other thread (babies due in Nov) about Christmas shopping so that's been stored in my mind now and am wondering whether I should start thinking about stocking presents now, rather than leaving it until little one arrives.

I can only conclude I am losing my mind

ahhhhh Herby congratulations and welcome Samuel. It sounds like the day of the birth was pretty awful - wish you a speedy recovery and for your blood pressure to come back to normal soon. Bet he's absolutely gorgeous, congratulations again on his safe arrival!

Scarlotti ah well I'll join you in the nueroses 101 club - nesting instinct kicked in at about 8 weeks here, am currently working my way through every single cupboard in the house having a clear out! And have started buying baby toiletries and nappies and a few outfits already!

I have started gettting a few bits for Christmas already too but I normally start my shopping really early in the year - my PA is the same. I am going to make some gifts this year too - hyancith pots, jars of chutney, bags of fudge etc!

Ha ha blondie, I bought some first size nappies at Tesco the other day with the weekly shop. Spreads the cost if nothing else.
I have been given some reusables from a friend but am not sure that I'll get into the routine of using them. I'd love to be greener but am worried that I'll do it all wrong and won't keep on top of the washing. Certainly doubt I'd manage when I went back to work.

I like the idea of making some presents. Anything to keep the cost down sounds good to me. Wonder if I could get the DC's involved somehow ... any ideas gratefully recieved

There were some ideas posted on MN last year - a whole "make your own Christmas 2008" thing but I just did a few bits, enjoyed it so thought I'd do something similar again this year. If I see a similar thread get started I'll post a link!

Re nappies - with the extra electricity and detergent etc to wash them apparently it's not that much greener to use them anyway so don't beat yourself up!

Hi ladies,
I have to say that I'm amazed how supportive, informative and friendly this forum is! It's so nice to read your stories and all that you have been through accompanied with so much support going round!

Anyway, I was wondering if I can join too? I got my BFP a couple of weeks ago (am now 6 weeks and 2 days with an EDD on 7/3/10). I have had three M/Cs and therefore felt extremely nervous about this pg. In fact, after the first week of finding out all my pg symptoms disappeared all of a sudden causing an almighty panic attack! I was certain it was over. To cut a long story short, I had my first scan yesterday and all is well, they found a single heartbeat and the little tiny round blob measured at 2.6mm, which is spot on with our calculations.

Oh and Herbaceous, congratulations on your baby Samuel! Your birth story was very touching!

Welcome on board Carrie and congratulations on your BFP! You'll get plenty of support here so feel free to some and share your concerns/paranoias/good news anytime you wish.
Finding a heartbeat is a brilliant milestone and lowers the chance of m/c dramatically.
Hang on in there

blondie thanks for that, hadn't thought about the electricity etc so that might just ease the guilt!!

Maybe I'll start now with making some cards. I had a 'craft phase' a while back and have heaps of stuff that never got used - much to DH's amusement. It's all in the baby's room-to-be so will need to be sorted. If I can pull my finger out I might even eBay some of it.

Carrie - congratulations - hope you have a long and uneventful stay here!

Scarlotti - don't ease off the guilt too much! The study that showed that reusables weren't all that was quite flawed - based mainly on terry nappy users for example, because they couldn't get a big enough sample of people using other nappy types. What it did conclude was that the behaviour of users - eg not tumble drying or ironing the nappies - could have a significant effect on the amount of energy used. And obviously it's much cheaper!

Personally, I never found using reusables to be a chore - one extra load of washing every 3 days or so. I'm really not very domestic at all, but it just got to be part of the routine. We even used them on holiday (cottage holidays with easy access to washing machine) because there just wasn't really a reason not to. (Admittedly this was with PFB, so had nothing better to do with my time! )

Cornflakegirl, yes, you're right about the nappies. For starters, if you're using bamboo or microterry, they take fewer resources to make than cotton terry (and the big study which most people cite to say that disposables are equivalent was assuming 1980s levels of power usage when washing and drying - machines are a lot more efficient nowadays)! Tots in cloth tend to train faster as well, although I'm not sure how much their mothers being VERY motivated to get their washing cut down plays into that!

I still stick DS in disposables from time to time - usually when we're going to be out all day, and I don't fancy carrying soiled cloth nappies home with us...

Just popped back to check, Congrats to herby
Connor has had a persistent eye infection since he was born, Can't get rid of it he looks really crusty!
He is quite an easy going baby still so far so good.
Good luck to all the newbies,it's a long journey but sooooo worth it!

P.S another cloth user here! I take pride in my stash of pretty nappies.It does take a bit of extra energy when u r shattered so I am doing both at the mo.Dispo's when out & cloth at home.I have 2 in nappies it saves me a small fortune, but then a see another nice nappy & have to buy it!

I would like to give it a go, the nappies that is, but to be honest I'm a little embarrassed to admit I have no idea how to go about it!!
I've been given 20 little lamb first size with booster pads and covers. My friend said she'd been told she could wash them at 40degC but I thought it was supposed to be 60degC to kill any bugs.
I do have a tumble dryer but also somewhere to hang them to try and dry them naturally so to speak - if I do this do I need to tumble them then to fluff them up (like towels going stiff?)
Am not overly squeamish at the thought of bringing home dirty nappies as long as I have nappy sacks to contain the smell!
How do I keep them whilst waiting for a full load to wash? All I remember is my Mum's nappy bin when I was little - a sloppy smelly thing!!

Sorry, wrong thread for this really.

mumface when my DS was born he had a crusty eye as he'd got meconium in it from my waters/birth. I was told to rub colostrum or breast milk into it - it did clear it up! Think it's the antibodies. Might be worth a shot and it's natural.

Congratulations Herby on the arrival of Samuel. Felt very teary when reading your story, so glad you are both home now.

Hi Carrie welcome to the thread.

Cloth nappy using mums, is there a particular brand you'd recommend? I definitely want to use this time but like so many other things I am completely confused by the choice. And do you buy them online, can't see much in supermarkets. Don't need to buy just yet so have lots of time to research but a bit lost at the moment. I don't have a tumble dryer so would like ones that dry quickly.

I think I am now finally feeling more relaxed about being pregnant - not sure if it's all the kicking, or just the fact that I've been working full time for 2 weeks (as opposed to the usual 2 days a week) so haven't had time to worry. But we go to France in a fortnight and I am now starting to wonder what their stocks of Tamiflu and Relenza are like........

scarlotti Can't try colostrum in eye trick am bottlefeeding!
You can wash the nappies at 40 or 60 but 60 is recommended for newborns first few months or if more than one child in cloth.
You don't need to tumbledry but it will soften them a bit.
If you use microfleece ones these usually dry quickly anyway.
You can also drypail, put them in a bucket with a few drops of teatree or lavender oil if u like,then just chuck them in the machine.
If nappies are v.soiled I do a rinse cycle first.
Check out chat threads for cloth users under nappies/potty training.

Oh don't forget not to use any fabric conditioner & only half the amount of washing powder/liquid.

Good morning all my favourite Knickercheckers!!! I am awfully sorry that I have not posted lately, with the redundancy at work and needing to be finished by the 31st, and being too tired at night I just dont get a chance.

Herby Congratulations, your birth story was wonderful... sounds like you had a bit of a stressful time but I am pleased you have your beautiful baby now. Your story was one of the first that I followed on this thread and I am so very pleased for you.

Carrie Welcome to the thread. Congratulations on your BFP, I am pleased you found us, you're in good company - hopefully we'll all be able to keep you sane until you've past your various milestones.

Scarlotti Did you have a lovely time away? Somehow I have managed to completely relax about the money situation at home, and although I know I will have to go back to work, I am just looking forward to any time off with the baby. You'll work it all out. Well done you, for getting out all the newborn clothes to wash, my nesting hasnt kicked in yet.. Although I am hopeful that it will..

Tamlin Sorry to hear that you're still suffering with pain, how was the physio, has it helped at all?

Gently Hi there, how are you? I am pleased that you dont find yourself knickerchecking so much now, I am the same.. this thread was brilliant for me in my early stages but I think I am getting there without needing constant reassurance and without worrying all over the place. Time really is a great healer ay?

Suze Did you have a fabulous time away? I am imagining that you're too busy with DH out and about enjoying your time together making up for the time spent apart to worry about posting at the moment.. but i do hope all is well your end.

Well we're okay too... I now only have 5 weeks and 4 days until the due date and I cant BLINKIN believe it! I am induldging in some baby showering on Sunday, my best friend insisted even though i protested! I now think that it will be a lovely way to spend a day with my friends as me not as someone's mum... if that makes sense?? Hopefully I will laugh a lot and take lots of photos and remember how fabulous each and every one of my best friends are.

We had our last antenatal class last night - it was strange leaving the other couples at the end, I think it dawned on us all that we're all going to have a little baby to bring home with us soon enough. I am terrified but awfully excited.

Hope you're all hanging in there.. and apologies to anyone that I have missed out. xx

Hi ladies,

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I've had a blocked nose and whereas I would normally quite happily turn to nasal spray I obviously can't do that now (in addition to so many other things). Therefore, I was wondering if you've tried nasal strips instead? They should be safe to use, but do they work? Or do you have another method that works (bought some saline drops but don't get what's the point in that)?

Take care!

scarlotti - I just used to keep the dirty nappies in a waterproof nappy bag until I had enough to wash (drypailing as mumface said). I stuck a few drops of tea tree oil in every day or so to improve the smell. Mainly washed at 40, occasionally at 60 - never seemed to have a problem with bugs. (Actually, had huge problems later on with DS seeming to become allergic to his own urine, so had to switch to disposables / potty train - but that wasn't till he was around 2.) Don't have a tumble dryer, so the cotton nappies did get a bit crispy - but they soften up quickly when the baby wees - and DS never seemed to care. You can use fleece liners to limit the contact between crispy nappy and beautiful baby bottom!

Alana - I used totsbots (in various forms) but have no idea what all the latest innovations are. Would suggest the nappy section here for advice, or the nappy lady - very helpful, you fill out a questionnaire, and they will recommend you a system. Flamesparrow also normally gives good advice at her site but it says her store is closed due to illness. (One of my friends is using Flexitots but I'm trying to avoid thinking about them because I already have perfectly functional nappies!)

Thanks for all the nappy advice, I guess it's just a confidence thing. Once I get into the swing of it then it will just become part of normal life I guess.

I have a tommee tippee nappy bin from DS - wonder if I could use that to store the nappies until wash time? No reason why not and it blocked the smells from his disposables wonderfully.

Hmm, strange to be spending my days thinking of nappy washing!!

ashliegh so glad you're ok with the redundancy thing. I agree, enjoy your time off and you can work out looking for a job etc. nearer the time.

carrie not tried nasal strips so can't help unfortunately. Could you try albas oil on a hankie/pillow? Or there's always old fashioned steaming over a bowl - might unblock some pores too!!

scarlotti - completely a confidence thing. I'm actually pretty rubbish at changing disposables - never had enough practice at knowing how tightly to fasten them I think!

Nappy bin sounds perfect for dry pailing - I only used bags because we didn't have room for a bin in the bathroom. You might want to look at getting a net to stick inside it, so that emptying the bin into the washing machine can be done by just lifting the net out rather than scooping the nappies out by hand.

cornflake good idea with the net. The bin comes with these cartridges of what is really a big long nappy sack. Was thinking I could use that to hold them and keep in the smells, then chop the end of the plastic sausage and pour them into the washing machine.

Euw, sounds gross when it's spelt out like that!!

My Dh tightens nappies so tight that I used to think DS would be squeezed in two!

Herby popped back to see how you were and had a good cry at your post!! Congratulations girl you did good!! Sounds traumatic but he is here and well and you love him!! V similar to my experience too, apart from the big BEEEEEP - I hope you are geeting some sleep and some lovely cuddle times.
My dd is nearly six months and I am mostly on sleep and feeding boards these days but like to pop in here, its s lovely thread as you all know by now so good luck and fingers crossed to all the current inmates!!

Hi KnickerCheckersOfTheWorldUnite!

Wow I?ve been off radar for two weeks now ? first in Cornwall then laptopless at home for a while and too damn busy at work to even sneak a lurk in (grrrr ? do so hate it when work gets in the way of mumsnetting)
But am shirking at home today and have had a quick skim of the latest news .

First of all a huge Congrats to Herb and a welcome to little Cromwell / Samuel! Am in shock and awe at your birth story missus, well done and hope you are at home in your bower of bliss enjoying your time with him. You have come such a long and difficult journey to get to this point I?m fit to bust with happiness for you !

Scarlotti and Blondie I desperately need some of your Nesting Dust? over here as Brother-in-Law and Girlfriend have just left after another 10 day stay, husband is home (hoorah ) and our tiny 2 bed house looks like it?s been burgled . Not to mention the piles of half-assembled flat-pack IKEA shelving everywhere for me to fall over.....

Gently I am dying to know what it is you do / did / are doing in your various names .... please tell! I know what you mean about feeling a bit more invincible and less needy ? I?m 31 weeks now so not far behind you. Bet we start needing full-time hand-holding again in the final few weeks though!

Tamlin and Cornflake I?m thinking about reusable nappies but don?t have a dryer or even a line in the garden (size of postage stamp and stuffed full of flowers). I usually use airing cupboard to dry laundry. Am I insane to even be considering eco-nappies?

Mumface glad to hear all?s going well, hope Connor?s eye clears up soon and I?d be really interested to hear if the colostrums thing works too.

Ashleigh are you up next then??? Wow! Didn?t you have two possible dates or something (may well be losing final marble here so apologies if I?m mixing you up with someone else, possibly even myself ....). Know what you mean about the extreme tiredness ? I?ve been going through what feels like jet-lag for the last two weeks and even had to leave a restaurant in the middle of dinner the other night (at 8.45, the shame!) to go home and sleep! Sorry to hear about your redundancy, really hope you turn out to be one of the people for whom it ends up being a blessing in disguise.

Welcome to Carrie and any other newbies I?ve missed.

All fine here - LittleSyd and I doing fine, measured bang on for dates at the midwife today (absurdly pleased at that) although she still keeps saying it?s a boy despite evidnce of 21 week scan saying pink flavour. I am going to the NCT classes and although I?m not so impressed by the teacher I am a teacher trainer myself so pretty hard to please in that dept, and let?s face it it?s really Speed Dating for pregnant couples isn?t it? The other couples seem great so it?s good to know some other baby-makers in the area. Have picked up some good tips though and would recommend it to anyone. The breast-feeding one was last night and I was soooooooooo disappointed not to be presented with any kind of knitted breast! Mind you, the teacher was great for that session (different woman) and we did all get to sit around practising with Tiny Tears dolls which made me feel about 2 years old. V.informative though.

Right, best get off and do some actual shirk ? roll on Mat Leave I say. Love to everyone and so sorry I?ve been awol ? hope I haven?t missed anyone, enjoy your weekends

Hello all

dan 6 months already?! Heavens!

suze lovely to hear from you Glad you're doing so well and understandable about the hand holding requirement lessening as you get further along.
Shame about the knitted breast - did you get given a frube to try sucking in odd positions?!
Try going on to the nappylady site and filling in their advice questionnaire - you'll get someone replying to you with tailored advice of what to get. I've just done it and they're excellent.

Think there are a few of you around the same due date so exciting to see who will be first.

Today is a little sad for me. The baby we lost at Christmas was due today I feel as though I'd like to commemorate the day somehow but not sure how. Also feels as though I'm being mean or wrong somehow, feeling sad for the one I lost when 24 weeks pg with this little one - is that mad?

Oh Scarlotti the due date anniversary is a tough one. My heart goes out to you. I think it's perfectly understandable to want to mark the day - with my darling Lost Boy we had ashes to scatter so we did that on his due date, seemed appropriate somehow. I also got some black ribbons and tied them in the branches of the trees where we scattered the ashes, they were there for ages and it gave me a focal point to visit when I wanted to howl in the woods.

I think if you want to do something to commemorate your loss you should do it, no matter what it is. Thinking of you and sending big (((((hugs)))))