MSE Pregnancy Club 26

fluffysox

amus wrote: »

I don't tend to buy any of my kids much for Xmas/birthdays, luckily they get enough off family. Instead I put a set amount aside each year (so I know they get exactly the same amount spent on them), buy a couple of stocking fillers and put the rest in the bank, then when they're old enough to spend it responsibly they should have a nice little amount saved up!

DS was 7 months on his first Christmas, 19 months on his second. First time he had a Father Christmas suit which was nice and warm and very cute. He got quite a few wears out of it with different events. Also we got him a large padded playmat as we have laminate floors. He stayed sat up unaided for the first time Christmas morning Also two board books- he still likes "That's not my snowman" and a little Lamaze toy. Total was definitely under £50.
Can't remember his second Christmas as well as we got married a few days earlier, but it was basically a stocking with little toys and books plus one or two gifts from us. Spent even less than first one but all our brothers and sisters and close friends and two sets of grandparents buy for him so he ends up with loads. Birthdays and Christmasses we do the same for all their kids so we only buy for DS as we would for them but then save an amount like they would spend in his savings account, so he can spend it when he is old enough to want it e.g. on driving lessons. Anyone who asks what to give him is given a few suggestions including money for his savings. We don't save regularly for him as I would rather our funds are in our names, we're saving for our next house and wouldn't want to hand control of hard earned cash to an 18 year old. This however is gifts to him so if he wastes it thats his problem.

This year I have some Lamaze toys from House of Fraser sale for new arrival. He will also get a cute Christmas outfit or two and probably dummies / teethers. Money in a new account. Our two year old is getting Polar Express on DVD (ebay £2) A few books, (Book people and carboot sale bargains) An outfit or Christmas jumper lol. A cuddly dinosaur with outfits to dress him up (Argos Design a bear - clearance sale), a big Thomas Tank artset, unopened butot at carboot for £2 and probably some other small bits in stocking. Will have spent under £50 per child for certain. So far about £25 on each.

DS and I both full of cold at mo. Night all x

an9i77

Has anyone else been watching their stomach for ripples when baby kicks? Isn't it the strangest thing! There's definitely someone in there!

cleofish

bigzippy wrote: »

Best of luck cleo, no wonder you're overwhelmed! I would be too after what you've been through (I remember seeing some of your previous posts) to get to this point. Look after yourself, rest as much as possible and remember none of this is your fault. I'm sure all will be well for both of you


We booked a week in Spain for next week, tonight and now I'm a little anxious something will go wrong while out there Someone tell me I'm being daft...?

21+0

Thanks big zippy, im feeling a lot better today after some betterish sleep anyway.
Sounds really nice a week away wished we had the time to do that but with moving it hasnt come about.
You will be fine I sure but we would all worry, just make sure you take your notes, you are covered on health insurance, and maybe speak to your gp before? Do you need a fit to fly notice or that might be 28 weeks onwards I think, not too sure. But enjoy your time away with oh, put your feet up and relax!

cloudy11 wrote: »

Best of luck Cleo.

Starting antenatal classes tonight. I am so not a class person but these are NHS and free so I thought I may as well give it a go! What sort of things do they cover?

We went to these, just finished last week, there were only 3 for our area which I didnt feel were enough but they were surprisenly better than I thought, but perhaps I had low expectations of the nhs ones.
bonus is that they are free though, I think the nct ones In my area were a lot of money and it was for about 14 hours, something like a whole day at the weekend and then another evening, I know for us we couldnt justify spending that money so we went to the nhs ones and ive bought books and read on the internet, although i think I need to start speed reading my books now though
Let us know how they went it? would be interesting to hear, ours were more sat down listening rather than anything hands on though.

TTC40 wrote: »

Hi Cleo - sorry that it was such a tough day for you. Not much I can say as I feel your concerns for my pg too.

We need to remember that these people deal with these situations regularly even though it's new to us.

It will take you some time to come to terms with it as it's a shock.

Don't apologise for bringing the news on here - that's what we are about. Rants allowed (because most of the time someone/ everyone understands)

Thanks tc40, feeling better today and getting the rant out helped a lot as well
How is everything going with you? Hope you are resting as much as possible (sorry I hate it when people say that although they do mean their best!)
Have you finished from work completely or now on reduced hours?

cleofish

lobey wrote: »

Cleo so sorry to hear you have been through such an ordeal. I know it's no real comfort to know you may be meeting your little girl a fair bit sooner than you'd imagined but at least to do it at the hospital with a team on hand to give you their full attention means you'll have the best care. Hope you can hang in there a few more weeks before she arrives.

Thanks also for the tips re the spasms. It did go shortly after the ice pack but I'm not sure that it wasn't coincidental. I'll pop into Superdrig at lunch and see if there are any heat packs on offer.

Thanks lobey, your right, feeling better today here, least she is going to be monitored closely now and her growth is really good so if she does come early hopefully that will be in her favour.

I hope your spasms have stayed away, I had my first physio appointment yesterday probably a bit too late, was referred when I was 23 weeks!
she said my hips seem a little out of alinement and that I might be over compensating on my left hand side which might be causing the pain and spasms, she give me some posture exercises and ball exercises but in terms of getting rid of the pain she just advised heat. I managed to get some sleep last night but woke up early with pain but I might try a cold compress today, couldnt face a bag of peas on my back at 4.30!

This might sound completely niave but anyone else got a feeling they might sleep better once baby arrives? I know there will be feeds and baby waking up a lot but perhaps when I do manage to sneak some sleep in between it might be better quality sleep!

dizziblonde wrote: »

Cleo I don't know if this will help - but this was Erin way back when we were still in hospital... for those who don't know the story my waters sprung a slow puncture around the mid 33 week mark, and I went in to be checked out with period type pains - leading to her being born just before the 34 week mark (she missed out because the clocks had changed the previous day!) - 4lb 15 when she was born... now a whopping 98th centile 16 month old in age 2-3 years clothes and even the neo-natal doctors don't recognise her as being an ex preemie.

She'd have been the equivalent of mid-35 weeks gestation here - think it was the day we came home from hospital - just found it on my photobucket and it might put it into perspective a bit.



And this was how she was at just about the 1 year mark in contrast (the great Tesco dummy heist)

Thanks dizziblonde so much for this, I was really worried how a baby at 34/35 weeks might look and how small and fragile she might be. Your little one looks so lovely and she doesnt look as small as I thought she would for being so early.
I hope you dont mind me asking but did they induce you or was it a cesarean? How did you first notice your slow puncture and how long did you both spend in hospital?

bride2be2012 wrote: »

Hi all, just back from the hospital. After the change in movements yesterday, I hardly felt any all day today, so called the hospital who said to go in for monitoring. Got hooked up to the monitor straight away, and bump started kicking away! Little rascal! Everything fine, stayed on monitor for about 40 minutes before they sent me home. Midwife said baby is just being a madam before she even arrives!

I know with me my little girl is a madam before she has even appeared, I will be having strong words with her once shes out really glad that you had movements and you were reassured, lets hope she doesnt mess about for you anymore!

cloudy11

Well the NHS class was actually quite useful! A bit cringey at the beginning where we had to play a game to get to know the other couples a bit (my worst nightmare!), but then after that it was a good talk and info on birth. Although I felt I knew a lot of it from reading around, it was still useful and really good to know the midwives views are very positive on a lot of things I want to do in labour anyway and that they actively encourage them.

We couldn't justify the cost of the NCT ones so I am quite pleased these seem useful.

cleofish

Sorry ive had to do the posts like this, but just wanted to thank people for their kind words and reply as best as I could, this thread moves fast some times!

I had my second and last steroid injection yesterday to build her lungs up so hopefully that will do something to help and along with how good her growth has been according to scans, last one this week put her at 5lb 4 I think, hopefully that will all be in her favour.

I have more monitoring tomorrow and another scan and consultant apt on tuesday so I assume dependant on those scan results a decision will be made. My family has been really good the last couple of days, really helping to get the new house ready, not letting me do anything but I think Id better pack my bags ready just in case!

Hope everyone has a relaxing day as best as they can!

cleofish

cloudy11 wrote: »

Well the NHS class was actually quite useful! A bit cringey at the beginning where we had to play a game to get to know the other couples a bit (my worst nightmare!), but then after that it was a good talk and info on birth. Although I felt I knew a lot of it from reading around, it was still useful and really good to know the midwives views are very positive on a lot of things I want to do in labour anyway and that they actively encourage them.

We couldn't justify the cost of the NCT ones so I am quite pleased these seem useful.

I was glad there wasnt any cringey stuff like that here, im not a fan of that either .
We came away though really liking the midwives as well, they seemed really positive in their words and I could imagine them really helping when im in labour, just got to hope I have a good one now. Glad you got something out of your class as well.

TTC40

cleofish wrote: »

Thanks tc40, feeling better today and getting the rant out helped a lot as well
How is everything going with you? Hope you are resting as much as possible (sorry I hate it when people say that although they do mean their best!)
Have you finished from work completely or now on reduced hours?

Glad you are feeling better. I know I needed a couple of days for the news to sink in & adjust.

I'm still feeling fine. Have worked a few days at home & then back in the office yesterday, today, tomorrow. Have slowed down alot but must admit I can't go from my 'normal' to total rest. I am heading in the right direction though & there's lots I would have normally done which I haven't done.

Was meant to be taking my god children to the Warner Brothers Harry Potter tour this weekend - gutted to be missing it & one of them (age 8) face timed me the other day to say she was sad I wasn't going with them .

I found dizzi's photos reassuring too. One of my colleagues had her son at 32 weeks and he was over 5lb. I know they are all different but it's good to see happy news if you do go early.

Watched the Midwife programme the other night. Thought it was quite informative. OH also watched it (his choice) & it was useful for him to see what went on in a c section (as he has no idea). Also good to see a Mum 5 years older than me (& not so good to see a couple of Mums 26 years younger!)

32+2

lobey

Glad you're feeling a bit better Cleo. I'm amazed that some babies are over 5lbs at 32 weeks, the weight of some babies at full term! Sounds very positive if you've been having the steroid injections too.

I'm still having the spasms but they don't last as long, maybe 5-10 mins which I can manage, just get panicky not being able to breathe!

BeNiceToMySelf

lobey have you asked your midwife about the spasms yet? they seem to be staying with you for some time

glad you're better cleofish

I liked my nhs classes too, the midwife was pretty helpful. 34+6