12 to 24 week pregnancy thread

snoopytweety

jennynoo wrote: »

I'm small myself so can't give much advice but most carriers are designed for men and women so should go to quite big sizes. I was trying to open the babywearer webpage which I know gives advice of larger people but the site doesn't seem to be working at the moment. You need to decide what type of sling you want first: a structured carrier, generally have buckles and padding but limited carrying positions and wont last as long; a semi structured carrier like a mei tai which can have varying amounts of padding and different ways of fastening/tying and can do different carrying positions or a wrap which is basically just a long piece of material and you can tie it in loads of different ways so loads of different positions. If you get a wrap you can get a stretchy one which is great for newborns or a woven wrap which will do well into toddlerhood. There are also bag slings which I don't generally recommend as I think too many people use them incorrectly or ring slings which are quick and easy to use but I have never seen a man with one and they don't seem that cool.

My preference is a wrap because if you put the time in to learn a couple of different ties it is extremely versatile, you can get them in different lengths but if you got one that was short the only problem would be that it would limit the amount of ties you can do but there would still be lots of ties you could do. Also they are best for spreading the weight across your whole body so good if you have a bad back. When I first put a woven wrap on I was just amazed at how light LO seemed. You can start out with a cheap wrap to see if it's something you would like, I think my first stretchy one was only £25. I then got a gauze one again for £25 (but in a sale) which is better for hot weather but I didn't notice much difference. When I finally got a woven wrap which are best because they are really supportive, strong and soft it was £60 but by then I knew what I wanted so was prepared to spend the money.

Mei Tais look great but I haven't tried one yet. If you don't like the whole tying process these are a bit of a compromise because they still have the wide adjustable straps so you can still get a good spread of weight and can do a few different positions but are not as versatile.

The main things to look for in any carrier is that babies back is well supported so it doesn't slouch at all. Babies knees should be higher than their bum and the support should reach from knee to knee (not just across the crotch like a lot of structure carriers).

The only problem is that there aren't many shops around that sell wraps and mei tais, most are sold on line so you need to see if there is a sling meet near you or a sling library so you can try the slings before you buy. I just went ahead and bought one online but went to a sling meet after a while and it was great to learn a few more ties.

Ok, I've given you loads of information now and I still haven't told you all the benefits of carrying babies! I hope some of it is useful. That other site still isn't working so try this one. http://www.slingguide.co.uk/index.php

Any more questions just let me know.

Wow - I want to be in your gang, you know everything lol - I will do some more reading, thanks ever so much x x

Aimless

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Close-Baby-Carrier-Charcoal-/220889249380?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DDLSL%252BSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D330621182482%252B330621182482%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4117132834781280457

I bought one like this, though mine was rather more faded than the listing suggested! I went for this because I was a bit nervous about tying, had visions of my knots coming undone and baby crashing to the floor!

If you do go for a sling, make sure you read the warnings on the site in the post above about 'bag type' slings. I didn't like the look of them when I was searching for a sling, they seemed far too closed in, and according to that site, some babies have suffocated in them. Just noticed the poster above doesn't recommend them either.

LegalBlonde

snoopytweety wrote: »

Welcome - I recognise you from the earlier thread, glad everything is going well for you - been keeping my eye on that thread and there seems to be quite a few sad stories at the mo - made me cry a few times! x x

I know I have too I am lurking more now as really what can you say, and I try to be grateful for what I have got and not moan about being sick!!

lisa26_2

snoopytweety wrote: »

On the nice side of the estate near Morrisons, should give you enough info without revealing too much publically lol.

It is 3 bed, detached, and really big with open plan living downstairs, so pleased as punch!

Have my 16 week midwife appointment this afternoon, very excited, as I am hoping she will take pity on us and let us hear the heartbeat!!! x x

i know roughly where you mean! You're even nearer me now!!

Good luck this afternoon, I think they do usually have a listen for the heartbeat at the 16 week appointment. My 16 week appointment is on monday but I'm having mine at the hospital as I'm also having an extra scan to check my cervix due to having some treatment following an abnormal smear 18 months ago. It's an internal scan.....lucky me!!!

snoopytweety

lisa26 wrote: »

i know roughly where you mean! You're even nearer me now!!

Good luck this afternoon, I think they do usually have a listen for the heartbeat at the 16 week appointment. My 16 week appointment is on monday but I'm having mine at the hospital as I'm also having an extra scan to check my cervix due to having some treatment following an abnormal smear 18 months ago. It's an internal scan.....lucky me!!!

Hi, I had an internal scan as part of my investigations into fertility issues, it wasn't bad actually, a little undignified, but certainly didn't hurt.

We will be really close lol - maybe Morrisons will be the place for coffee lol x x x

lisa26_2

snoopytweety wrote: »

We will be really close lol - maybe Morrisons will be the place for coffee lol x x x

Probably not a bad idea....seeing as it's one place that I actually know where it is lol!!

twigpig

snoopytweety wrote: »

Have my 16 week midwife appointment this afternoon, very excited, as I am hoping she will take pity on us and let us hear the heartbeat!!! x x

They don't check the heartbeat in my area at 16 weeks any more, but I know some ladies did get this in other areas of the UK. You could always ask....she can only say no

phunkles

20weeks here and ive yet to hear the heartbeat.
Midwife wont do it til 25week check point blank refuses to even touch or attempt to listen in until 25weeks.

Getting lots of wriggles and squirms going on.
First felt flutterings from 15weeks onwards, but from 20weeks its been a lot more defined and often!
At 20week scan she commented on how lively baba is :eek: lol
Everything was measured and is normal and fine
Oh and were team yellow all the way - even if baba did do a little flash that makes me think I know.... and the scan pic makes me think im right from something I read online but who knows 20 weeks to go and ill know if im right or not.:rotfl:

Amymo

Hey ladies, have been away for work but am back again. Am now 16 weeks and I think I might have had a few fluttery movements in the last two days, very exciting! I know this will sound mad but I'm terrible at estimating and visualising measurements, so when I read that baby will now be about 10 cm ish and looked on a ruler at work I just couldn't believe how long LO is now! It's mad to think that we've known for 12 weeks and I just didn't realise it would be that big yet! :rotfl:

We've now told our bosses and best friends, I still have one friend to see, and because I don't like attention I haven't told anyone else at work yet, everytime I nbuild up to it I chicken out as they're a make a fuss kinda bunch and I'm enjoying our secret for now!

Ooh, phunkles it'd drive me mad wondering, we're saying we want to stay team yellow but at my 20 weeks I'll probably be desperate to know! Wonder what you think you saw!

Have had a lovely day, half of my family is abroad and my parents visited them this week and brought back some lovely little outfits for us, they are so excited bless them especially my little gran, it's her first great grandchild and she sent the prettiest little booties, keeping them at mam's house for now though til after the 20 week scan, I'm superstitous like that!

phunkles

Amymo - seriously i do the same with a tape measure -26cm head to toe mine is apparently how is that hiding in my belly!
dont even start me on its grown from 2 things that are microscopic

I wavered the weekend before the scan and was like ohhh i dont know then on the scan day I just thought its the last surprise in life really, so its a surprise. And well me and oh have predicted different teams from day one lolx

Awww at your gran

Superstitions - only one we going to stick to is the no pram in the house until the birth.