February 2011 babies

[suzym1984]

Hi everyone!

Well, I got my BFP on Friday morning and it is only just starting to sink in! According to my dates I am due 2nd Feb and I thought it would be nice to have a Feb babies thread, where we can all share our news/worries/excitement!

Cant wait to hear from you

ooh - and things for Dads'

1, Assume that your DW (Darling Wife!) will be wildy unreasonable for about the next year. If she isn't count youself VERY lucky.

2, Read all the 'chapters for dads' in the baby books, and the other chapters if you have time - my DH didn't and it really annoyed me.

3, Try and be one step ahead - at the moment you might want to buy some bio-oil or something like that for stretchmarks

4, Consider the changes you might need to make to your own life. My DH carried on with his TA committment and got called up. He spent 6 months in Afghanistan while I was on my maternity leave - I was NOT impressed.

5, Start thinking about names/categories of names you like. Are there any family names that you'd be keen to use?

6, Remind your wife that she's totally wonderful and amazing AND that she's extra wonderful and amazing for carrying your child. Remember that sometimes she'll want sex and sometimes she won't - it's the hormones, nothing personal!

7, Start planning for the family finances while your DW is on maternity leave - starting a spreadsheet or something similar of all your income/committments will let you plan together how long DW can have off etc...

8, Start a fund for all the stuff you'll have to buy DC. We set aside £150 a month for DC1. It's amazing how expensive Car seats and prams are and we couldn't afford to buy them all in one go at the last minute.

9, Consider the deicsions you will need to make together - DW will probalby ask and it's very annoying when my DH goes 'I don't know' Normal questions are co-sleeping/not, family to stay post birth/not, routine/not, breastfeeding/mixed feeding/formula feeding, homebirth/hospital birth, dad in room for birth/not, dad cut cord/not.

10, Be prepared to back up the decisions you mmake 110%. My MIL really tried to undermine my breastfeeding and my DH did not help back me up. In the end I had to say somehting which was not ideal - it would have been much better if he'd said something like "mum, we've decided to do it this way, but thanks for your opinion" etc...

i'm sure there is more but that's a great start....!

Hi All,

I've had a look at the other thread and it seems that people have decided to stick with this one so I thought I'd stay here. Nice to meet the new ladies from the other thread!
Starflower - I'm so sorry to hear your news. I hope you're taking care of yourself and I know you'll pop up soon on another thread soon with a new pg.
Knitternottwitter - I am really inspired by your exercise comments. I'm a bit overweight already (a stone or so) and have been training for a 10 K in July - but 7 k was the longest I ran (ie staggered!) before the BFP! So, am uncertain about how much to push myself. My DH is very fit and thinks I should still do it (He suspects me of using the pg as an excuse, I reckon!) but I'm veering towards sticking to slow 5k jogs to keep fit. I already cycle to work and have decided to continue that til the second trimester. Does anyone else cycle to work? I really don't want to double my body weight and feel miserable and unhealthy after the birth!
food - luckily I don't seem to be as much of a piglet now I'm pregnant which seems very odd! Just seem to want healthy meals and I am definitely fancying blander food.
Symptons - Still getting lots of low back pain ... constantly worried it's AF. Might have to do another test at lunchtime! Also noticing a metallic taste, which is very excting because it's my only sympton that can't be mistaken for the onset of my period!
Oh - has anyone else bought anything for the baby yet? I was looking at some cute little babygros this weekend but it didn't feel right to buy anything yet - maybe I'm just scared of jinxing it!
Newdad75 - my advice would be to be interested and informed ... that's the best support. My DH bought me a coffee in bed this morning and when I thanked him and said 'but I'm trying to avoid coffee now' he proudly informed me it was decaff. Which I found very touching. But maybe i'm easily pleased!
Hope you all keep well!

Hey All,

Thanks for the advice.

KnitterNotTwitter those are some brilliant points - esp. about planning how to deal with stuff / questions beforehand.

Also thanks for adding me to the birth list as well. I've done some really basic trends with it (I do a lot of work with spreadsheets so apologies...) more cos this is more interesting that my actual work.

But it good to know that the group average birth number is 1.5. Also that the average age for the women (used my partners age as well as I'm 34 and she's 29)is actually 29.2 - think the national average is 30, so that's pretty bang on. I've also plotted a graph to displaying eveyones due dates but I can't actually display it on the thread - but it looks very pretty. It also looks like the highest concentration seems to be on the 5th and 6th (7 births) with no one currently posting a date for late Feb - not sure what this means, but interesting none the less. This is a all a bit random, but I'm amazing myself with the amount of information I'm going through since we found out.

By the way, I had a quick question - regarding telling people, there seems to be a number of different opinions. From those of you who've already told a few,to those who are waiting 8 or 12 weeks, to earlgreyismynectar who is looking to wait for 5 MONTHS... (good luck with that!). Is there a general consensus or it is really just down to how you feel?

Thanks again in advance and on a final note I just wanted to send StarflowerGirl a message to say I'm really sorry to hear your news.

newdad75 chuckling at the spreadsheet and graphs... I did SO many spreadsheets with DS1... The reason that people aren't posting due dates much beyond 12th Feb is that they don't know they'e pregnant yet...! Whipping out Excell tells me that someone due on the 12th of Feb 2011, will have had the first day of their last period on the 8th of May (i.e. 12/2/2010 minus (7*40) ) If the first day of their last period is the 8th of May then assuming a 'standard cycle' of 28 days they their AF would have been due on the 5th of June - and many women have cycles longer than that....

In terms of telling people I don't want to tell most people - including family - until 12 weeks in case we were to lose it or the 12 week scan test shows up a problem and we decide to terminate. I think i'd want that to be private - we might choose to tell people after that though IYSWAM. Also if you've lost one baby and then struggle for a bit to concieve again then having told people puts some pressure on you. And if you lose a number of babies then you won't want to be telling people - too painful. The ectopic baby I lost in March we ended up telling quite a lot of people because I was rushed into hospital and then had two weeks at home recovering from the surgery - so it wasn't something we could keep quiet. So many people told me that I was very brave for going public with it - as it isn't commonly done. And once I had it was amazing the number of people who told me of their miscarriges, struggles to get pregnante etc - one person who I had though I knew really well before this told me that she'd had to have an emergency hysterectomy after her DD was born - I had no idea before - so sad.

Also a factor for me with DS1 was that he was the first grandkid so a lot of people had quite a lot of emotions wrapped up in him.... If we had lost him then they would have been gutted and actually not as much help as they might have been.

That said you'll probably be fine :-)

Knitter I echo your point re telling people, in my case we lost our DD at 21 weeks and so we had told everyone by that point and it was so hard having to spread the sad news. I am telling only very close friends and family this time until after the 20 week scan...

Newdad would love to see the spreadsheets, I am such a geek!!!

grumpling to help with running I got myself a bellybra which I wore from quite early on while running only:

www.bellybra.com/

I cycle to work at the moment - 30 mins each way. With DS1 at 12 weeks I suddenly felt really vulnerable on the bike and decided to listen to my body and stop. I'm going to do the same this time.

I'm also signed up to do a mountain marathon at the end of October but I suspect that isn't going to happen - there's running, and then there's running!!!

Welcome newdad, I am loving that we have a dad here! As for the spreadsheet (which I am loving by the way), you wont see any late Feb due dates quite yet because women due around 15th Feb are only finding out now (due to cycle lengths, etc). Give it another 2-3 weeks and we should have a complete list (yay!).

Ugh my symptoms are just coming and going. I am exhausted (about to have a nap) but I am not feeling as sick as I was on Sat, which of course worries me, probably only because I had a mmc in 2007 at 8 weeks and my symptoms were not very strong. This is what I hate most about pregnancy, the worry whether everything is ok or not. I continue to have no appetite and my boobs are still (if not more) sore and bigger. Having actual nightmares about the scan on Fri and miscarrying, I just really want to know one way or another and THIS SUCKS!!

Hello everyone,
In no particular order...
I know what you mean about the symptoms, banana87 - I keep wishing they'd be stronger so I'd feel more pregnant... I bet I'll regret this if I start puking!
newdad - lovin' the spreadsheets. I think it's a man thing...
grumpling I bought a baby name book from a charity bookshop I volunteer in (I had to tell them - no lugging boxes!), but am trying to hold off on the cute stuff!

Telling people? Only those I'd tell if there were a problem later. And because I work freelance, I've had to tell some 'employers' when booking in work for early next year.

Advice please: I phoned the midwife team last Weds (answerphone only service) to arrange an appt and no-one has returned my call - when do I start to pester? I know I'm prob not their priority, but still...

Take care everyone : )

Thanks KnitterNotTwitter - that's really helpful advice. I think I will stop feeling guilty about cycling and keep going until it starts feeling wrong.
The bellybra is amazing! I had no idea such things existed ... it's a whole new world!
newdad75 - in line with what some other girls have said - we're only telling the people we'd want to know if anything went wrong, ie close family, until 12 weeks. I'm telling my sister tonight and I can't wait!

Hi all, I'm also moving over from the other thread, and agree with KnitternotTwitter about moving the next thread into ante-natal groups!
Newdad, apologies for giving you more figures to plot into your spreadsheet, but as a geek I respect what you are doing and am interested in seeing the results!

Have been feeling mildly sick all day, and have had my due date moved forward 2 days by my GP, so its now the day before my 35th birthday instead of the day after....and I was hoping for a party

KnitterNotTwitter #2 (33) 1st Feb
SuzyM1984 #1 (25) 2nd Feb
Mrs Teapot207 #1 (42) 2nd Feb
Carabee #2 (38) 3rd Feb
Diddygirl #2 (35) 4th Feb
Dee36 #1 (36) 4th Feb
HazB2010 #1 (32) 5th Feb
MissTfied #4 (32) 5th Feb
Gina FB #1 (31) 5th Feb
Banana87 #2 (30) 5th Feb
newdad75 #1 (??) 6th Feb
PinkELephant73 #3 (36)6th Feb
LalZee83 #1 (26) 6th Feb
AnaYorks #1 (29) 7th Feb
smallblackflowers #2 (34)7th Feb
Debka #2 (30) 8th Feb
Detectivepotato #2 (28) 9th Feb
Grumpling #1 (30) 10th Feb
Applecharlotte #1 (30) 11th Feb
Earlgreyismynectar #2 (39) 11th Feb
clareanna #2 (34) 12th Feb
Pink10 #1 (??) ??
pipsicles #? (??) ??

Not been on here since my first introductory post. So many people have joined in that time! Sadly though, some have left us (((hugs ))))

Last week i purchased a (barely used, only for 2 weeks) Swing Medela elec pump, for £30!!!! Bargainous!

I've wanted one for ages, and regretted not pumping routinely with my son, so when i saw this on Market Place on Facebook i was so happy! It's perfect, and i've saved 50 quid

I'm certainly not going to spend as much money on "in-case" purchases with this baby. A small, light pram, loads of babygros for many months, Tescos nappies from the start (WAY better than bigger brands IMO), secondhand stuff all the way! I was a single Mum form the start last time, so i've always been reluctant to over-spend so I'd get DS's toys from charity shops and clothes from cheap shops - even his cot was from an auction house (it was barely used though - great nic).

I've always been happy to be handed stuff down, but i still bought a huge, impractical and expensive pram and other bits i never used. This time i know exactly what are essentials, and not worth getting new, or at all! No way i'm lugging a baby bath into the living room this time full of water for example - sink....here we come!

Anyone else consciously spending less than last time (or if it's your first is anyone happy not to buy into the commercialism of babies!)??

personmaker Definitely not spending so much - ideally not spending anything....!

We got a phil and teds buggy with DS1 so that will do both of 'em

And I've got boxes of clothes, toys and stuff in the loft that I'll bring down nearer the time. Plus a box with my maternity clothes in (including some left over maternity pads!!) DS1 has the wardrobe that I had when I was little for his clothes now so new DC2's clothes will go in DS1's old chest of drawers.

I've got all the washable nappies we bought for DS1 so won't need to buy disposables, apart from 2 weeks worth for the meuconium....

What else will we need that we haven't got already?

personmaker (love the name BTW) I am not buying anything until after the 20 week scan. Last time I bought some second hand items from a friend and a week later we had found out the bad news about our DD.

This time I am refusing to jinx it by buying anything!! That goes for family too!! I figure I will buy basic stuff, nappies, cot changing mat etc and muddle on through the first few weeks and see what else we need then!! Its a minefield out there [shudders in fear at baby shopping emotion]

personmaker it's baby number 1 here, and we're really going to try and get as much stuff off freecycle and from charity shops as possible. We'll also keep our fingers crossed for donations from already-parent friends!
Thanks for the Tesco nappy and baby bath tip off! Do they just fit in a washing up bowl at first?!! God, see how clueless I am!

Hi everyone!
Wow this thread is hotting up ! Everytime I log in it takes ages to catch up!

HazB I would ring back on Weds if I were you, 1 week is long enough in my opinion, and you will feel better for having chased it up.

Does anyone when we get our maternity exemption form for prescriptions/dentists etc?

Personmaker I am not buying anything until the 12 week scan. Then I will start with a few bits and pieces (clothes, nappies etc) and save buying the big things for later in the pregnancy. Ours is a first grandchild, to we suspect it will be spoilt rotten by our parents. DH is not keen on second hand stuff so I might leave all budgeting to him in that case.

Hi everyone, wow lots has happened since I was last on this thread!

So sorry to hear StarflowerGirls news. hope she is ok.

I was trying to keep it a secret but we went to a wedding on Saturday and my friend rumbled me - she has never known me drive to a social event before so knew something was up! SO she is the 3rd person to kmow apart from MN. We had a good time at the wedding but I was more than ready to go home by 10pm.

Is anyone else finding it hard to stick to 200mg caffeine a day, caffeine free Diet Coke just doesnt do it! Have also bought some Red Bush tea but not tried it yet - smells a bit weird.

Going to see the GP on Thursday am. Im a bit worried about my 12 week scan as I will be abroad during that week. Not sure if I want to have the scan beforehand in case it is bad news, but I suppose the good old NHS probably wont give us the choice anyway.

Is anyone thinking of going for a private dating/reassurance/viability scan? If so, where? Babybond do them for £50. Am a bit confused, and think maybe I should wait for the NHS one ... but my GP said this was at at 15 weeks! gah, how can I wait that long!
pinkelephant - thought I'd miss coffee loads, but can't face it! Could do with a beer though - have stocked up on Becks blue, but it's not the same... Good luck on Thurs.

Hello all,

So sorry to hear about your news starflower. I can't imagine how you are feeling.

HazB2010 I too am missing the beer - but I'm drinking little bottles of shandy and pretending they are French beers.

suzym1984 I believe we have to sign forms at our booking in appointment with our doctor/midwife for free prescriptions, and a card will be sent to you a few weeks later.

My symptoms too seemed to have eased off so I am a bit anxious, but I also am not looking forward to the real nausea in 2 weeks time and so count myself lucky that I'm feeling normal at the mo.

newdad75 Is your dw/dp also on here? It's lovely that you are getting so into this from the start.

Loads more new people - I love reading all the posts!

StarflowerGirl - so very sorry. ((hugs))

Nice to hear others have 'pregnant' days and 'not pregnant' days too. Haven't reached the retesting stage yet, but definitely not feeling as pregnant today.

Later down the line it would be really interesting to hear from experienced mums what equipment is useful and what's just a nice to have.

Big big hugs to you, Starflower - I'm so very sorry for your loss. Even so early on our little beans have whole lives, futures, names, personalities and so much more in our imaginations. You have lost a child. Give yourself time to grieve, and take care...

Thank you Earlgrey for your wave - as the Prima ballerinas (I prefer that description, I think) we shall be relying on our more experienced friends over the coming months!I hope your pains aren't giving you too much trouble. In my last pregnancy I had lots of stabbing pains too. I phoned my midwife who had me whizzed in for a scan that very afternoon, which was very reassuring, because there was absolutely nothing wrong. In the end I felt very pleased that I had wangled a 6 week scan as I got to see the teeny mite very early on.

Welcome Newdad and congratulations. Mr Teapot has become increasingly jealous of my new online friends, and I think he might like to poke his nose in to see what's going on. I was initially uncertain whether this would be a good thing (you know, I might want to ask something to the girls that I don't need him to know about?!), but perhaps it would be nice for him to have a fellow future-dad to compare notes with. I don't know whether he's ready for the gruesome details of our ailments mind, but maybe it will be good for him to see that it's not just me who's turning into a narcoleptic seal, with a bad crisps&marmite habit. No doubt he will share his terror and excitement with you too!

I've chuntered on long enough - take care all! x

By the way, Personmaker - is a Swing Medela Electric Pump something that you attach to your nipples at some point - or is it for the garden pond? Do I need one? How does it work? Do they hurt? Will I feel like a Friesian cow? Are they really 80 quid..!?

Hell's teeth - I've so much to learn....

MissTfied Thanks for the reply!I guess I will have to be patient, just I was due a check up anyway and thought it might be free

HazB2010 I would LOVE an early scan, and would gladly pay £50 for some reassurance. If u find out any more info would you kindly post it here?

Well today I had loads of weird symptoms....lower back pain, cramps, and I even kept running to the loo to check that af hadnt arrived. I havent tested again tho (not since saturday, so doing well!)

I am now just focussing on the scan....just wish it was sooner!

HI suzym, I'm near Leicester, but think these companies are nationwide.
This company has them for £50 www.face2facebabyscans.co.uk/
and this one for £99, inc £30 deposit (hope that means it's refunded!).
www.babybond.com/early-pregnancy-scan.php
Am undecided...

This is such a busy thread! I have to keep logging on to remind me I'm pregnant- DD takes up a lot of my concentration and I don't have any real symptoms so keep kind of forgetting then getting excited again! Anyone else noticed that no-one (including you) is so excited second time round?

Newdad I must admit DH and I did chuckle at your spreadsheets- will you have the birth plan reproduced in triplicate for your DW when the time comes?

We are telling everyone, I am rubbish at keeping secrets and if anything did happen, I think I would prefer all the sympathy I can get. I wouldn't contemplate a termination.

HazB2010 Thanks for the info

I will have a look now and let you know what I decide.

Also, I am member of BUPA....does anyone know if this has any maternity benefits? Its part of DH work deal so I know nothing about it!

Debka I am the same.....so so bad at keeping secrets! ANd telling people is so enjoyable!