MSE Pregnancy Club 26

kerri_dfw

My OH and I have said that he can do bathtime, story/bedtime, and change nappies (whilst off or at home) so that he doesn't feel so left out because he won't be able to feed her if I'm breastfeeding. BF isn't the only way to interact with a small person

bigzippy

Adding on our newbie

Did we ever hear from Lola?

How you doing, optimistic-mummy?

1. optimistic-mummy - 12th December 2013 :male:
2. lippy1923 - 22nd December 2013 :male:
3. misscoupon - 26th December 2013 ?
4. Amyloofoo - 28th December 2013 :female:
5. Kerri_dwf - 1st January 2014 :female:
6. bigzippy - 8th January 2014 ?
7. mincepiemonster - 14th January 2014 :female:
8. Ellie3009 - 17th January 2014 :male:
9. jemb - 23rd January 2014 :female:
10. firefly369 - 28th January 2014 :male:
11. Fran-o - 28th January 2014 :male:
12. Bambisbelle - 28th January 2014 :female:
13. TeamLowe - 2nd February 2014 :female:
14. Rummer - 6th February 2014 :male:
15. durham_girl - 7th Febrary 2014 ?
16. Birdie85 - 10th February 2014 :male:
17. Jox - 13th February 2014 :male:
18. Mrs Bunny - 21st February 2014 :male:
19. Jenni_fer - 25th February 2014 ?
20. Emz118 - 26th February 2014 ?
21. Smartcat04 - 26th February 2014 :female:
22. Becca0417 - 3rd March 2014 ?
23. Kynthia - 3rd March 2014 ?
24. SmlSave - 3rd March 2014 :female:
25. Faithhope - 3rd March 2014 :male:
26. Sidney88 - 8th March 2014 :male:
27. Squ1rrel5 - 14th March 2014 :female:
28. LannieDuck - 17th March 2014 :female:
29. Claire16c - 23rd March 2014 :female:
30. Sjlou - 26th March 2014 ?
31. Lulu75 - 29th March 2014 ?
32. McRach - 20th April 2014 ?
33. TigerLilley1980 - 21st July 2014 ?

Hospital Bag list here

Supplement list and dosage here

BIRTH LIST - Within the last month

:female:Amy_85 - 22nd November 2013 13:10pm Bethany Anne 8lb 1oz
:male:Vic3 - 24th November 2013 10:29am Thomas 9lb 5oz
:female:KScarlet - 26th November 2013 7lb 5oz
:female:LilyMay1 - 3rd December 2013 09:52am 4lb 12oz
:female:Abis - 3rd December 2013 10:22pm Aliona Belle 8lb 8.5oz
:male:iceicebaby - 4th December 2013 10lb 7.5oz
:female:Finch7 - 8th December 2013 7lb 14oz

PROBABLY GIVEN BIRTH BUT TOO WORN OUT TO LOG ON LIST

Allow 2 weeks after EDD before transferring to this list (Max 6 weeks)

Lola888 - 21st November 2013:female:

CONTRACTION MASTER TIMER

Please post your birth stories here when you have time/energy

bigzippy

TeamLowe wrote: »

Tbh bigZ I don't think there's much you'd be missing from a parentcraft class, in fact I'd go as far as to say it's not relevant for you as it's general information about Labour and the choices you can have during but it sounds like your Labour has already been discussed in fine detail with experts.
Don't get me wrong, I found it useful as a starting point to think about my birth plan but it is just general information that's given under the assumption that everyone in the room is going to have an easy natural labour.
So I don't think you should be worried that you're not doing your best for MiniZ, you've just been such good parents so far that you're ahead of the curve

Thanks, that helps a bit

Sounds strange but because we've always agreed on the big things there's never been much discussion about them - it's not like we've sat up nights discussing and compromising about it, so I worry that he just goes along with my ideas to make me happy

I have the same thought sometimes, you're not alone

lulu75 wrote: »

Oh, could someone add me to the list please? Lulu75 29th March team yellow

Done

MrsBunny wrote: »

Had a terrible nights sleep last night, every time I lie on my side (either) I have the worse bump ache ever, can't decide whether it's bump or tummy ache. Baby has move to a sort of vertical position and was so uncomfortable sat at my desk yesterday in work. I can't sleep on my back anyway so one very grumpy lady her today.......and it's always the day you have plans and an evening out!

Have you tried wedging a side of a thin-ish pillow or bit of quilt under your bump when lying on your side? It can help take the strain for you and I find it more comfortable, especially when going through growth spurts (I remember one specifically around 30wks, when ligaments were achy)

I am also reconsidering breast feeding.....at first I decided it was the only way I would feed baby but now, as time creeps closer I am thinking about half and half with formula. I do want to breast feed, but I don't want DH feeling left out for even longer, he feels so disconnected from the baby at the moment, every time he goes to feel the baby kicks, he stops. He spends hours hugging my bump but baby just sleeps. I can tell he's feeling really down about it and then the other night he said after baby is born I will be having lots of snuggle time with baby while it feeds and he will feel left out. (Got a tear in my eye typing this now as I really feel for DH) so as well as bf I think I will mix it up with formula so he can have snuggle feeding time too (and I can sleep!). Must do some research on formula....good job I'm off over Christmas for all this researching I am doing.

Have you thought about going for a 3d bonding scan? I wasn't really that into the idea but DH really fancied it, so I gave in. It wasn't til afterwards, when he explained, that I realised just how much it mattered to him and helped him bond with MiniZee and with us as a 3some family unit. For him it was worth every penny and he just loved it. Maybe something like that would help your DH feel more connected to what's going on inside? DH explained that he wasn't with bump all the time, couldn't feel it constantly, didn't have the physiological changes etc, and it was harder for him to bond/connect/feel part of it (even though he kisses bump goodbye every morning, and good night every night, and has "belly time" in between) and being able to see what was happening inside my belly, at each scan we've had, really helps him visualise it and feel more included etc.

FYI if you do consider having one done, you'll have to act fairly quickly - they only do them up to 34 weeks I think, and usually recommend getting them done up to 32 weeks for best results. I managed to book one on a Saturday for the Sunday though, so it's possible

Also - re feeding. If you're wanting to breastfeed, don't forget there's expressing (especially worth looking at if you want to keep your supply up) as well as formula feeding . And there are bottles specifically designed to help with keeping the cross-over going (Google things like the Haberman feeder - which mimics the effort required to get breastmilk, but from a bottle - rather than just being a similar shape as a b00b. I was watching episodes of the Baby Whisperer (which I think is also worth a watch btw) and it was the only bottle she ever recommended for breastfed babies and for any baby suffering colic/wind/tongue-tie etc etc).

HTH


AFM: I feel, this morning, a bit like I've bunked off school the week before a big exam Kind of feel like I can't go out, in case I get found out and get "told on" :o I didn't sleep well (was after 4am when I got to sleep, and the barking dogs woke me at 10am, with a pee break in between too :cool:) so not really in the mood to go anywhere anyway, but it's a weird feeling!

34+3

BadlyWrittenPoem

amyloofoo wrote: »

BWP - thanks, you're right I should have mentioned cord traction. It's a bit moot now anyway, but it always surprises me that we need to include these things in a birth plan - surely evidence based practice should have eliminated these bad practices.

I agree and the first time round I assumed that the MWs would be familiar with the definition of a physiological stage so didn't actually define it in my birth plan.

BadlyWrittenPoem

bigzippy wrote: »

DH and I have decided to also miss the parent craft class tomorrow. Both our anxiety levels are higher than either of us would like and I/we think the cost:benefit ratio is tipped against going. I have some guilt about missing both classes (this and breastfeeding) - like I'm not doing the best for MiniZee - but actually I've read, seen, and been around babies, enough to not really have too many gaps in my knowledge... and the things I'm more interested in finding out are basically because of the fact that my hospital is 'out of area', so I'm not sure who will do the initial checks and home visits etc - but I can ask my midwife/the hospital for that stuff.

Even though we discussed it logically and rationally (with a friend too, as well as between ourselves), I'm still feeling a bit ashamed to admit choosing not to go - I feel like I'm going to be judged I'm not sure how to get past that feeling though..?

Aside from the hospital tour mine were pretty much a waste of time and I wished I hadn't bothered.

MrsBunny

bigzippy wrote: »

Have you tried wedging a side of a thin-ish pillow or bit of quilt under your bump when lying on your side? It can help take the strain for you and I find it more comfortable, especially when going through growth spurts (I remember one specifically around 30wks, when ligaments were achy)

Have you thought about going for a 3d bonding scan? I wasn't really that into the idea but DH really fancied it, so I gave in. It wasn't til afterwards, when he explained, that I realised just how much it mattered to him and helped him bond with MiniZee and with us as a 3some family unit. For him it was worth every penny and he just loved it. Maybe something like that would help your DH feel more connected to what's going on inside? DH explained that he wasn't with bump all the time, couldn't feel it constantly, didn't have the physiological changes etc, and it was harder for him to bond/connect/feel part of it (even though he kisses bump goodbye every morning, and good night every night, and has "belly time" in between) and being able to see what was happening inside my belly, at each scan we've had, really helps him visualise it and feel more included etc.

FYI if you do consider having one done, you'll have to act fairly quickly - they only do them up to 34 weeks I think, and usually recommend getting them done up to 32 weeks for best results. I managed to book one on a Saturday for the Sunday though, so it's possible

Also - re feeding. If you're wanting to breastfeed, don't forget there's expressing (especially worth looking at if you want to keep your supply up) as well as formula feeding . And there are bottles specifically designed to help with keeping the cross-over going (Google things like the Haberman feeder - which mimics the effort required to get breastmilk, but from a bottle - rather than just being a similar shape as a b00b. I was watching episodes of the Baby Whisperer (which I think is also worth a watch btw) and it was the only bottle she ever recommended for breastfed babies and for any baby suffering colic/wind/tongue-tie etc etc).

HTH

34+3

Thanks bigzippy and Claire....having a teary hormonal grumpy day today.
We have talked about 3d scan but it's money at the moment, just can't spare enough right now but I know mum is giving us some money for Christmas and I have discussed it with her that we might spend it on a scan....which she was over the moon at! DH does think its a good idea too so will move pretty fast after Christmas to get one done.

Have thought about expressing too...I think my main worry is not being able to breast feed, so trying to mix it up with formula is helping me cope abit better, then I was thinking of DH worries too.....you know what it's like to worry about what ifs etc?

Re sleeping, I have been very lucky and been sleeping 7-8 hours straight each night with my lovely pregnancy pillow I've had since about 12weeks! But last night I was up with aches and no matter where or how I lied just couldn't sleep. Baby n bump are having a growth spurt.

Of course there are lots of other jobs DH can do with baby and as it grows older he will be the long taking it to his flying club (DH loves model aircrafts), riding his bike, playing tag round the forest....all boys stuff. As a baby there is bath time, snuggles on daddy's belly, story time etc....think I need to point these out to DH


Thankyou ladies as always xxxxx

clearing_out_my_pockets

becca0417 wrote: »

I now have far too many 'basics' ...

With a 6 week old, I'd say you can't have too many basics!!

(Relurks)

becca0417

clearing_out_my_pockets wrote: »

With a 6 week old, I'd say you can't have too many basics!!

(Relurks)

Just what I needed to hear

fran-o

Just coming in to join the conversation about feeding and Dads involvement... We had our NCT bf session on Thursday night, Mums and Dads attended so we could all understand and the teacher did try to emphasise feeding as a team effort... One of the things that helps baby with bf is skin to skin contact and this can be with Dad as well as Mum. If for whatever reason Mum cannot give skin to skin when baby is born, it's a good idea for Dad to whip his top off apparently so baby still has the comfort it needs, and can start bonding with parents. We talked about all the extras that make feeding successful: spotting signs that baby is hungry, how to know if baby is feeding enough, mixing bf and expressing or bf and formula - and those are all things Dad can help with. It can be Dads job to take the baby for a cuddle/ burp post-feed, or to calm it from crying pre-feed.... I think it's just a case of making sure Dad is part of the routine, once you've worked out what that routine is!! I'm a first time mum too so no expert but hope this helps a little. There is helpful advice out there...

Just spent four hours on the high street (inc a long cuppa with a friend) and now going to have a restful afternoon if I can, perhaps a little online shopping for the things I couldn't find at the shops. Have been quite mse on gifts this year, feel a bit tight, especially with the generosity people are showing us with baby gifts and hand me downs, but got some nice gifts (just at nice prices!)

Have a nice weekend, big hugs to Rummer and anyone facing difficult news. I have a scan on Monday to see if low placenta has moved away from baby's exit route, feeling positive as it apparently does move for most people. So will be a long weekend off work for me, even if Monday involves 34wk midwife appt, scan and blooded test!!

claire16c

DH did a 108 mile row/bike/run in the gym for charity today, and I'm just as tired as he is now :rotfl:

He was aching when we got home, took him about 11 hours, so I got his tea & drinks etc he could barely move off the couch poor thing, I said now you know how it feels to be pregnant lol!

He's raised around £1700 for charity though really proud of him.

I'll give him a few days off before he's back to waiting on me