MSE Pregnancy Club 24

dizsiebubba

Hi all,

Hope everybody had a good weekend? A few things that I thought of when reading back over the weekends posts.

Local to Croydon? – As Allders is closing down now for good they have reductions on everything. They have a M&P baby department downstairs in there and they have at least 20% off everything. You need to be really quick though because it was selling out fast but they had their moses baskets (complete with bedding and frame) for £70 maximum!!!

Finding out the sex – The way I see it is that although you are a couple, if mum has done all the work carrying the baby, mum should get the final say on finding out the gender. Luckily for me, originally me & oh were both against it but at our 12 week scan we both agreed that we would find out at the next one and now we are both really excited to find out! J

Hormones – Good god they turn a sane person crazy!!! Had a major hissy fit at the weekend…poor OH didn’t know what had hit him, I was genuinely threatening to run away and leave him L Luckily he has forgiven my madness and was so sweet all of yesterday…I love that man lol.

Anomaly scan – I’m getting really scared now that there might be something wrong L There is no logic too it, nothing in either of our families to suggest there might be but as its drawing nearer its freaking me out L

Maternity clothes – Does anybody know who sells them over a size 18? I need to buy some soon but I can’t really find anyone except for simply be?

Temperature – Does anybody else have a problem with heat? I seem to be much warmer now I’m ‘with child’ and I keep breaking out in an uncomfortable sweat when out and about…not good L

Boots changing bag – What is everybody doing with them? I already have one so I’m not sure what to do with this one?

MrsExcited

Oh mi Gosh!!! I'm now in the teens! ! :eek:


Good luck for today RJ!!

AMC1979

Re. fans I have a hand fan, more effort but the batteries run out on the hand fans so fast!

I think Ikkle asked the question about antenatal classes a few pages back. I found out about my NHS ones through the hospital. I had to keep ringing up until they had more information as they were in the process of re-organising them but it was worth persisting as the NCT ones in my area would have come to £260 for 21.5 hours! These were 4 classes of two hours completely free. We didn't have to sit on the floor or do breathing or anything like that. Basically the lady taking the class took us through a number of things such as the signs of labour (in the first class) and how to prepare, pain relief/birth options, the third class was on breastfeeding and last class changing baby's nappy, bathing baby, a typical day with a newborn baby (basically sleeping, feeding, winding, changing nappy, and repeat!). So it was pretty useful and saved us all that money to boot.

Midwife appointments: After my initial booking-in appointment I don't think I saw the midwife until about 16 weeks, although when I had my first scan I was 12 weeks 5 days. Then appointments were every 3 weeks after that. At my last appointment the week before last the midwife said to come back in 2 weeks, so I've got another appointment on Thursday when I will be nearly 37 weeks.

Also I think someone asked the question about birth choices. I highly recommend ringing your hospital and asking them about taking a hospital tour. I had mine on Friday (after being booked in about 3 months before!) and it was really useful. They showed us the birthing unit and the general ward and talked about pain relief options and what might happen during the birth. But your midwife should also be able to give you some info. I had a leaflet from the midwife at my booking-in appointment on where I could give birth. From that I decided I'd like to use the birth centre in the hospital where they have one room with a fixed birth pool and 3 others with inflatables. If the birth is straightforward (fingers crossed) then apparently giving birth in water is highly recommended as in terms of pain relief level it's next most effective after an epidural (or something like that).

Had a bit of drama on my first day off work. Slid/fell down the stairs (only the bottom few steps fortunately) and grazed and bruised my arm and side, then my cat just brought in a bird – fortunately alive for once – which went flapping around the room and I had to rescue it! Think I need to rest now!

I'm thinking of getting the Medela Swing electric breast pump off eBay even though I don't know how I'm going to get on with breastfeeding. Am expecting to not be great at it to be honest as I'm funny about my boobs generally and not really into the idea of doing it, but I figure I owe it to baby to give it a go. My husband thinks I should wait and see how I get on but I feel I don't want to breastfeed for months on end anyway (plus I've bought baby bottles for newborn and 0–3 months now!). Should I wait?

dizsiebubba

AMC - I have bought the medela off ebay too... hopefully its worth it!

MissMonkeyMoo

Morning ladies!

Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend!

Emsbet I am loving that changing bag! We only have the boots free one at the moment, and I haven't even taken it out to look at yet! But the one that you've got is just afb - I may have to invest!

Bikelesschick - we've gone for the Mamas and Papas Zoom Travel System; we saw it online and it had great reviews, then when I spoke to my best mate I found out that was the one that she had bought it! She swears by it - it's her first child, but her OH's third and he says this is by far the best pushchair he has used. It's very versatile and easy to steer one handed (when needed!). There's a link to it here: http://babyequipmentcomplete.com/main_site/main/index.php?pge=detail&iid=9448

AMC - ouch! Hope you are ok after your fall! As for breast pumps, the medela swing is very popular, but I read on a diff website some great reviews for this breast pump http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spectra-3-Electric-Breast-Pump/dp/B000UTUFP6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340613536&sr=8-1 which is a lot less money! I am very keen to breastfeed (if I can!) but OH really wants to feed baby too so I have already gone ahead and bought the pump! I know I may not use it for a little while, but I feel better for having ticked another thing off the list!

yay - midwife appt tomorrow! Going to discuss antenatal classess with her; we have no idea when or where we should be going! I remember getting a leaflet ages ago saying we had to pay for the classes (which we couldn't get our heads round - surely they are free?) and then I may even broach the subject of birth plans too - or is that too early at 29 weeks? I have no idea what facilities my local hospital has and I am completely in the dark about pain relief choices! Good grief, I suddenly feel as if I know nothing at all about what is going on with my pregnancy! What am I going to be like when baby actually arrives?:rotfl:

fluffnutter

MissMonkeyMoo wrote: »

yay - midwife appt tomorrow! Going to discuss antenatal classess with her; we have no idea when or where we should be going! I remember getting a leaflet ages ago saying we had to pay for the classes (which we couldn't get our heads round - surely they are free?) and then I may even broach the subject of birth plans too - or is that too early at 29 weeks? I have no idea what facilities my local hospital has and I am completely in the dark about pain relief choices! Good grief, I suddenly feel as if I know nothing at all about what is going on with my pregnancy! What am I going to be like when baby actually arrives?:rotfl:

You'll find out all about your local hospital and pain relief options at your antenatal classes. Additionally your midwife will be able to give you some information. Your hospital might also do tours of the birthing suite - virtual or real.

This leaflet that said you had to pay...? Who issued it? Sounds suspect to me and more like an advert for non-NHS antenatal classes than anything else. It depends on your local PCT of course, but AFAIK, everywhere offers a least a couple of free sessions. I had two NHS classes - one concentrated on labour and the second on what to expect in the first two weeks after birth. They're very local-centric, i.e. they told me about my hospital and the policy in my area and even who I was likely to meet. I found them great.

There's also loads of other stuff available like breastfeeding workshops at one of the local hospitals, Bump and Me sessions at a Surestart centre, aquanatal (not free), pilates (not free), active birth workshops (not free). You've really got to ask around - your midwife is a great starting point. I can't rate Surestart centres enough; I've been to loads of things at a local one, and it's all free. Once a week I go and talk to a midwife about babies whilst someone massages my feet - for free! It's great

Re. birthing plans, I'm due on Wednesday and no one's ever said a word to me about them. Hence I don't have one (not one that's recorded anywhere)! Oh well...

Crabapple

AMC1979 wrote: »

Also I think someone asked the question about birth choices. I highly recommend ringing your hospital and asking them about taking a hospital tour. I had mine on Friday (after being booked in about 3 months before!) and it was really useful. They showed us the birthing unit and the general ward and talked about pain relief options and what might happen during the birth. But your midwife should also be able to give you some info. I had a leaflet from the midwife at my booking-in appointment on where I could give birth. From that I decided I'd like to use the birth centre in the hospital where they have one room with a fixed birth pool and 3 others with inflatables. If the birth is straightforward (fingers crossed) then apparently giving birth in water is highly recommended as in terms of pain relief level it's next most effective after an epidural (or something like that).

I had a water birth, and it was lovely just stepping in the water because it took all the weight of bump off me! It was a while before I needed any other pain relief (I loved the gas and air!) because the water really helped. I would say though that it isn't for everyone and you can't guarantee a pool at most hospitals as they are limited in number. I was lucky that I arrived at the right time! I can't compare to other pain relief though, but it wasn't enough to get through labour for me and I definitely needed the gas and air.

I'm thinking of getting the Medela Swing electric breast pump off eBay even though I don't know how I'm going to get on with breastfeeding. Am expecting to not be great at it to be honest as I'm funny about my boobs generally and not really into the idea of doing it, but I figure I owe it to baby to give it a go. My husband thinks I should wait and see how I get on but I feel I don't want to breastfeed for months on end anyway (plus I've bought baby bottles for newborn and 0–3 months now!). Should I wait?

If you can get a good deal, the medelas are really good pumps so I'd say yes. If you don't get the use out of it then resell. To anyone who is planning to bf, they recommend that you don't give bottles for the first 6 weeks or so as it can confuse the baby and also you need to establish your supply. It might seem like a good idea to express and bottle feed but it's a lot more effort than just picking baby up and latching them on (and they don't like waiting while you warm milk!). It's a great thing to let dads do the odd bottle though, my DH loves to feed our DD and I love kicking him out of bed at the weekend so I can have a lie-in!!

dizsiebubba - I got maternity clothes in matalan, and they sell online if you don't have one near you.

Labour vibes to anyone who needs them!

LadyMorticia

Hey everyone.:wave:

Seeing my midwife today. This will be my second appointment with her (including booking in appointment).

Is it weird that I'm excited to find out what blood group I am?

MissMonkeyMoo

Fluffnutter - thanks for the info! The leaflet was actually part of the info that my midwife gace me on my booking in appointment! Think that's why PH and I were so confused about why we had to pay for the classes, but I will ask her tomorrow and see what she says. I always get to see the same midwife and she is lovely so I know she'll be able to give me some good pointers. I also have to confess, I wasn't looking forward to putting a birth plan together cos I have a feeling it will only go out of the window once labout actually starts! It's actually nice to know that you haven't got a plan, cos I think I'll end up the same! How are you doing in any case? been wondering about you over the last few days cos haven't seen you post for a little while so though maybe you'd gone into labour! x

mishkanorman

Oh my gosh im a big bag of hormones today sat watching Maternity Ward which is not my smartest idea but I've started now so may as well sob my way to the end,

So far we've had 2 x premies that are 27 weeks (1 which stopped growing at 21 weeks - she was teeny)

triplets, pre-eclampsia & a woman who couldnt push as she had a heart problem.

Im 28 weeks this week :j and get to see my bubba again on friday :j this week cannot go fast enough !