November 2010 Babies

[JosephineClaire]

Are there any others out there expecting November babies?

Our first baby is due on 15 November (so I'm 6+1) and I'm the first of all my friends get married and get pregnant. Would love to compare notes/worries/milestones with some other girls due around the same time...

Love Jo x

Hi Fireflyz and girls,
I use hair removal cream as I read in my pregnancy book that it is not harmful; can't cross into the blood stream but it's true that some people do advocate the use of totally organic beauty products during pregnancy.
It is quite amazing how protected the baby is! The placenta filters out anything harmful -eg dirty salad germs!

I'm quite emotional this week. Am struggling with the NHS who have insisted on my having loads of tests for a 'maternal heart murmur' but when I went to get the results, they were no-where to be found. I have multiple appointments and I work full time which I feel makes me look bad as I have quite a responsible job. [embarrassed]

Although have been longing to have a break from work for the past year, now the reality is approaching, am feeling uneasy. It's a total change of status and identity isn't it? Can't believe I am saying this!!! Have been gagging to get out for a while and am mentoring a colleague to take over from me; suddenly felt upset that someone else would be reaping the rewards of my blood, sweat and tears! Is this just hormones???

A change in lifestyle takes some adjustment Artyfarty. I am due November 20th and finished work a week and a half ago. I was in a contract and it came to its natural conclusion, so now I am pottering around the house and cooking and tidying etc. Although I really like having more time to myself and the ability to have a lie down whenever I want, it does feel strange not having anything to do and even stranger knowing that for the first time ever I will be relying on a man (my husband) to provide for me completely.

My hormones are a bit up and down too. I found myself crying the other night because my husband hadn't asked how the baby or I were when he got in from working a 14 hour day. I irrationally panic and work myself up that he doesn't care, when in fact he is working so hard to support us and because he loves us!

I have also read that hair removal cream is fine to use in pregnancy.

sorry - I meant Artyparty!

Hi everyone

Re la bikini line - good to hear what you all think. Well I might be a bit less regular with the cream than usual and get one of the special sensitive skin ones for when I get too hairy and scary ... so that's when the lifeguard tells my OH he can't bring a gorilla into the swimming pool with him

artyparty and daisystone - I sympathise - I've been feeling teary, and also overtired lately.
A midwife I spoke to this week said that at this stage we are full of hormones racing around.

To me it also feels a bit like ... 20 weeks done... 20 weeks more to go...
Sometimes I love being pregnant... other times I'd like to feel "normal" again!

But mostly I'm trying to look on the bright side. After all we're in the middle of something miraculous here!

I've bought a hypnotherapy CD called Pregnancy relaxation (available on Amazon and through NCT) - it's really good, I try to use it every other day. Sometimes I fall asleep with it, other times I don't, but it is relaxing.

Also got the Dream genii pillow - it's nice! DH likes it because it means I've stopped stealing all the pillows and wrestling him for the duvet!

Got 2 good library books out - two Dorling Kindersley books by Miriam Stoppard 'First time parents' and 'new baby' - just dipping in and out of them but they are really fascinating.

Thanks Daisystone
Your post made me realise that there are other ways of life. I actually might finish work earlier than I'd planned rather than hang about feeling bad about myself. Your description of the pottering and cooking sounds most attractive.

Nice tip about the relaxation cd fireflyz. I am doing antenatal yoga which is so lovely. Time invested in de-stressing certainly makes you feel more in control of events!

I've got the Dorling kindersley book by Leslie Regan - all very sensible advice and reassuring - would recommend.

Hi, hope everyone is getting along ok. I posted back at the end of June, but havent had time to post again since...been so busy!!

Am now 23 weeks and 2 days. Which means that come Saturday, I'm 6 months pregnant! A very scary thought indeed. demonskitz it seems you and I are due the same day. Also, I was looking at the Summer Infant body support pillow too. Can I ask where you got it from?

Re bikini lines..I've always used hair removal creams in that area but wasnt so sure on it since being pregnant. Im sure like everyone says though, the creams are fine. Might be a stupid question, but theres nothing stopping us going to a salon and having a wax is there? The wax is a natural product anyway isnt it? Anyone know?

Have to say (and not sure anyone else feels the same or not?) this isnt really what I thought being 6 months pregnant would be like!

Hey!
Been away for a bit, but it's great to hear everyone's updates and news!
Not much has changed at my end, just lots and lots of baby movements. I had a little scoop of choc brownie ice-cream last night and I think the sugar-rush made baby wake up and dance - v amusing.
I know what you all mean about being emotional - I feel like every possible emotion I can feel is hiding just below the surface and it doesn't take much to bring it out. So when I'm happy, it's a real high, and when something upsets me, I bawl my eyes out. Think it's starting to scare and/or irritate DH.
And thanks for the CD tip Fireflyz, I will definitely look into it.
Hope everyone has a good week
Jo x

Hi everyone, can't believe I am almost 23 weeks. i thought I would look and feel a lot more pregnant than I do. I am still not feeling much movement but the woman who did my 20 week scan said I have an anterior placenta so I wouldn't feel movement until later. Sometimes I think I feel bubbles but nothing definite yet. I am finally starting to have a bit of a bump though.

I am getting a little bit uncomfortable in bed now so I think I will get one of the dream geni pillows in a couple of weels.

Anyone else feel like they wish it was November already? I am counting down the weeks!

Ooh, also found out we are having a boy which I am delighted about. We are having our 4D scan in 4 weeks.

And re bikini line - I just keep getting mine waxed as per normal. Hurt like buggery though!

Hope everyone is keeping well...

Hello 1tiredbunny I got my pillow from Littlewoods (I like the interest free shopping although I know it's naughty, but I also got cashback through Kidstart for shopping through them!) Hooray for being 6 months on Sat, apparently at 24 weeks our little ones are 'viable' - so yay

Re waxing and hair removal cream etc, I read on the Veet website that their stuff is safe to use in pregnancy, its in their FAQ section. And yeah it's ok to go to the salon and get it waxed.. but I've never done that and would be terrified I think lol I have enough pregnancy disgruntlements without any added self-inflicted pain! hehe.

Hi everyone

Thanks for hair removing tips! 1tiredbunny good to hear veet reckon their creams are still OK for us non-waxers!

None of my regular trousers will do up now! My M&S work trousers are OK undone with a bumpband holding them up but jeans are very uncomfortable... so I've taken the plunge and bought a pair of maternity jeans online with verbaudet. Hope they are OK.

22 weeks and getting quite a few kicks now... love it!

PS there are summer sales online with blooming marvellous and jojmamanbebe.

Hi everyone

maternity clothes shopping update!!!

vertbaudet sucks! I tried to track my order online but when I looked, there was no record of it. I phoned their helpline and it turns out that because I didn't open a credit account with them, there is no order tracking process and it also means I can only get stuff delivered to my home address, not my work address.

As I had requested that my order went to my work address, the person on the helpline said that my order would not be processed and would come up as an Error!!!!!

She also said they are having problems with their website... hmmm, not very good for an online business.

I looked on some of the other websites but all the things I liked in my size had already gone

So feeling a bit desperate, I went back into town ... and tried TopShop (too trendy for me), and Gap (nice stuff, got a top and some leggings but jeans too long for my stumpy legs!) and then I remembered New Look... which was great! Came away with some jeans and a top from the sales. At last... they might fall to bits after a few washes but hey. At least I now have some jeans I can sit down in again!

Apart from backache, leg cramps and hideous constipation, bump and I seem to be fine! Hope everyone else is doing well.

Hi fireflyz
I am feeling the backache, cramps and constipation vibe! All of sudden I feel huge: as DH commented aghast at my belly "you've gone to a different level now".
Am living off home-made fruit smoothies and yoghurt as can't cope with the carbs.
I got my maternity 'capsule wardrobe' from H&M - they have a 'maman' range which is suprisingly nice; a dress in new look and leggings and jeans from M&S limited collection maternity range. All still going strong (I bought them at 10 weeks).
Am 25 weeks now and baby has been going mad with the kicking over this weekend. It's constant - do you think that's normal?
Still under surveylance by the Consultants team but at least I get an extra ultrasound at 32 weeks!

It was my birthday yesterday and I spent most of the morning crying after DH said "I was being irrational" the night before.

I was like "hello, I'm pregnant and my hormones are up the spout and I can't even get drunk on my birthday".

After pulling myself together, we went out for lunch and I had a big fat steak and a nice glass of wine and then lots of amaretti and caramel honeycomb ice cream followed by chocolate birthday cake.

As we were wandering around after our meal, I couldn't help but notice how many people stare at you when you are pregnant. I felt like a celebrity - or a weird alien creature. What people don't realise is that just because you are wearing sunglasses, doesn't mean you can't see them looking.

I preferred last years birthday when I could drink loads and wear a cute little dress.

Hi there

artyparty i get lots of kicking too - I've sort of noticed a few times when it seems to happen a lot - when I drink something very cold, or when I've just eaten, or when I sit hunched up over the computer!!! It's like bump is an internal thermometer and posture gauge But kicks also happen for no reason as well - I tend to notice it more when I'm sitting still and relaxing. I really love getting kicks!
(but I guess if you're worried about it at all, then why not speak to a midwife.)

daisystone happy birthday for Sunday! re what you said about people's reactions - there was an article about this in the paper on saturday - quite interesting www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/jul/24/pregnant-rudeness-birth

BTW i expect you've heard about this already, but you can always contact the midwives at tommy's the baby charity, via email or on the phone.
www.tommys.org
I phoned the helpline a while ago when I was worried about something I'd eaten, and I was generally feeling stressed and worried, and the midwife I spoke to was really supportive.

hi ladies. sorry not been on since early july . now 25wk+ and my boy likes nothing more than a good kick and moving. nothing happens for ages then typically at bedtime he starts. No problem to me though because I am sooo tired from working and my other 2 DC that I always nod off. Feeling fine except for extreme tiredness which seemed to kick in the day I turned 25wks. Now moved my DD (20m) into a big bed and got the cot bed ready for babe in my bedroom. Really weird seeing it set up. Using a moses basket 1st like other DC but it will be inside the cotbed due to lack of space.

I think my placenta is still low. Simply because I keep feeling a lot of pressure "down there". I only had this sensation with other DC when i was in labour. I will just have to wait until 32wk scan to see if placenta has moved.

Recently decided to FF this babe as did other DC and was happy with my decision. Of course then Gisele had to come out with her comments which then made me feel s**t and a bad mother . FYI DS - tried to BF, DS wouldnt feed, I had little milk, felt battered by the midwives and emotionally scarred/depressed. He started feeding straight away on formula. DD was FF as didnt want to put my babe, me or family through the stress. Both none the worse for being FF.

clothes shopping?? Still wearing the same rubbish from prepregnancy as never been one for shopping even when got £. Does make me realise that my clothes were way too big before.

Sorry bit of a mind dump. Love to one and all. P.S. - Last day of work is 14th October .

Hiya - thanks fireflyz. I have been reading up and it seems the kicks are more noticable because there is less space in there now!
daisystone you birthday meal sounds yummy. I have also found myself bursting into tears when anything slightly emotive comes on the television. Last night it was over a crippled baby elephant - DH just thinks it's funny!
Mama I have yet to experience or understand the FF v BF debate. I just thought BF happened by itself but realise that it must be quite painful to get started and hard to maintain. .

My last day at work is 8th Oct - hurrah!

Hey everyone, hope you're all good?

Mama2Monkeys - I saw that comment from Gisele in the newspaper - what a load of rubbish. Of course BF has its merits, but heaping that kind of pressure on new Mums is very insensitive! I would ignore it, and stick with what you decide for yourself :)

My last day of work is 22 October, but as I work from home, this shouldn't be too much of an issue

I'm 6 months pregnant today (11 Aug) - due 11 Nov - suddenly feels a bit more real! And baby just will not keep still - I love feeling it kick, but my goodness, it's just all day long!

And I passed my theory test last night (yay!) which means I might actually be able to squeeze my driving test in before the baby comes

The thing I'm having most trouble with is sleeping - I know I should get a Dream Genii pillow, but £50 plus however much the cover costs just seems a little steep considering I only have a few months left - any alternative suggestions?

Jo x

Hi josephineClaire
You could just put a pillow between your legs and lie on your left side. Later on you may need a little cushion under your bump too, to stop it 'pulling'. I got the dream genii which is good, but I managed with pillow propping on holiday as couldn't fit it in my case!
You could also try a relaxation before bed - focus on each part of your body starting with the feet and think 'my feet are relaxed' then move to the ankle etc... sounds barmy but I do this in antenatal yoga and it works!
I've also been reading about Giselle and her 'post baby tips'. Hmmmmmmmmmm
I also love the kicking now. It's impossible to get down about anything with a constant reminder of a little sweetie inside

Hi everyone!

Managed my first bar of chocolate in 6.5 months! Couldn't face it before now... oh boy was it good! :o

The likes of Gisele need to get a life in my opinion. Either that or keep those Breast Gestapo opinions to themselves! The only way to be is happy... and not everyone is happy doing the same thing... that goes for babies as well as mums!

Looking forward to starting my maternity leave, date tbc when my boss gets back from holidays end this week. Can't start soon enough to be honest - I am soooo tired a lot of the time!

Before I go catch some zeds, does anyone put bio oil or moisturising cream etc on their nipples? Apparently you shouldn't put bio oil on if you are BF in case baby ingests it by mistake, but if you aren't BF yet, I wondered if it was ok?

Hi fireflyz - if you aren't breastfeeding I can't see why it would matter to put BioOil on your nipples. It is not harmful in anyway. You could always check their website and they probably have a contact facility so that you can email or call them if you are really concerned. If you have dry nipples maybe just use a special nipple cream.

To be honest I put whatever cream I am moisturising with all over myself and that includes breasts and therefore nipples.

I pretty sure you will be OK doing that!

Hi fireflyz, I agree with daisystone about the moisturiser- am slapping it all over with gay abandon at the mo! Using a combination of Bio Oil and Palmers cocoa butter depending on which I fancy. Hope they work, but if not at least I smell nice!
Have got five weeks to go until maternity leave starts and wow I am so ready for it. I know it's not a holiday but I am looking forward to just being able to rest a bit and do a couple of nice things around the house, rather than working full-time and having weekends/evenings full of chores and decorating, albeit self-induced I must admit
How is everyone else doing? The thread seems to have gone a bit quiet of late

Hi everyone - I agree redbird79, I'm counting down the days until maternity leave. Just to be able to lie in past 6.30am for a few weeks will be bliss. I don't know what else I'll do to fill the time but I really want to make the most of some time on my own. I've got a week off the week after bank holiday and then 4 weeks in the office after that. Am thinking (hoping) that will fly by!

Baby seems to have grown lots in the last two weeks and is now moving all the time. I remember worrying about his movements back at around 23 weeks but now at almost 28 weeks he seems to fill up my whole tummy and I get all sorts of squirms, wriggles and punches, which is so lovely! Just can't wait to meet him and spend lots of time gazing at my scan picture trying to grasp the fact that that's actually my baby!! I'm going soppy :)

I hope everyone else is doing well?

Aww Smithy that's sweet! I am feeling my LO much more now - but with an anterior placenta it probably isn't as much as some.

Now I get a bit worried if I haven't felt her for a while. It feels like she is doing somersaults some of the time - she feels more like a fish than a baby.

I ordered my crib and mattress today and am now thinking about buying a changing table and nursing chair. I don't really want to buy any other furniture. IKEA have some good and cheap chairs which could be used for nursing.

I have been putting off buying stuff (apart from clothes) until now, but with only 3 months to go, I suppose I need to get organised!