FertilityZone

It won't let me quite paragraphs!!!!

Caraz - I would love some animals painted on the walls or some other pictures, but as I am not an artist, far from it, I was thinking to go the sticker route. So, if you find something nice, please share with me!!!!

The trousers I have are over the bump, but they still keep falling!!!!!!!!

I would love to breastfeed for 6 months, maybe even a bit longer, but I will try and do my best, and if we need to switch to formula, we will. Would be great to express as well, so then OH can feed one baby while I feed another, or I can even leave both of them to him and go to sleep!

Hi girls hope your all well.

Whiteangel when are you going to be a bridesmaid? I'm going to be a bridesmaid at 36 weeks preg, totally dreading it hope the baby doesn't come early

Ordered baby furniture at the weekend sooooo expensive. Does anyone know where you can get cheaper bedding for cribs and cot beds?

x

Hi Girls

Amber, I have exactly the same problem, and as going to write and ask you more experienced girls whether it was just that my bump wasn't big enough yet?! I wore a new pair of Gap jeans I bought on Sat when we were out on Sunday and had to actually unbutton my coat so that I could yank them up continuously. And so I thought maybe they were too big, and ordered a smaller size. And now today I'm wearing my H&M one with a material over bump band, but they also feel like they're falling down. The crotch being down low really feels so uncomfortable. And I was saying to my DH, if the 'waist' is always on your hips, which I guess it's going to be, how the hell are they ever going to stay up? And ideas?

I feel like I'm starting to get a bump on some days, and then other days, or different times of the day, I just feel fat. But I just have to keep reminding myself that there is someone in there, and it's not my fault this time. After a whole adulthood of watching your weight, it's quite hard to suddenly accept that you're going to get fatter, even though it's something I've wanted for so long. Strange eh?

I'm so interested in hearing all your opinions on BF and formula feeding, and doing both etc, as I feel like the more I know, the better. I have seen so many friends struggle and get so upset because they couldn't manage to feed their babies enough with exclusive BF, so I am quite open-minded about it. I would love to BF but am not violently against having to supplement with formula, as long as the baby is happy and gets enough to eat, then we will all be happy! Plus my mom and dad will be here as well, and I'd love them to be able to feed the baby as well.

Just came back out of a monster meeting to find I haven't even finished this post!

Hope you all have a good day and your trousers don't fall down as you're walking along

Good luck Whiteangel trying to alter your dress! It'll have to be very last minute won't it, as you won't know how big you are going to be! When's the wedding? Very exciting...

Amber, check out Isabella Oliver, either online or on Ebay for really lovely maternity dresses. They're expensive, but on Ebay, are affordable, and come up alot.

By the way girls, I bought a load of wall staickers for work, and the best ones i saw (which also had lovely children's ones) were at: Rose & Grey, Rocket St George, and Not on the High Street (all online). They had fab ones!

xxx

Hi jewels just read your post about maternity trousers

I'm a size 8 normally and i'm just fitting into size 8 maternity jeans now and even at that there a bit saggy at the bum.

I found the ones with the small bit of elastic round the waist were far beter than the over the bumb ones (i could pull it over my boobs lol) or the side panel ones (these covered my underwear and no more, not a great look)

I have a size 8 pair of jeans from Dorothy Perkins that are nice, can be dressed up or down, and black smart trousers from New look, these are size 10.

I'm interested the BF debate to, i really want to be able to do it but very realistic at the same time and would like hubby and my parents to help out, i didn't no you could combine so im so happy to be on this site coz i only have one friend with a baby and she was all for bottle feeding and a section as she was worried about her body, maybe before ICSI i would be a bit worried but id actualy like everything as natural as poss if everything goes to plan and don't care what childbirth does to my body.

x

update on the maternity jeans - the Next over-the-bump ones will be going back as they feel like they are going to fall down! DH reckons they'll be fine once I get bigger, but they are just too loose down around my hips - and I hopefully won't be expanding too much there!! I've just been to Asda, and bought some George maternity jeans which fit really well (big elastic bit at the front, under-bump style), and a few casual tops too, all pretty cheap, fit well, so happy with them

I took a look in TK Maxx while I was there, and they have some lovely bargains on baby clothes and other bits and pieces. I bought a 3-pack of swaddling blankets at a vast reduction from full price - I really need to find a box to start storing baby stuff in!

Amber - the stickers I was looking at are at here, but there are loads of different sites selling them. I'll have to take a look at the ones jewels mentioned too

The tip with Next maternity clothes is to buy a size down from your normal. I have a pair of size 6 but am usually an 8. I got them on ebay for 99p so wouldn't have been too upset if they hadn't fit.

I'm only finding now at nearly 27 weeks that I can fit maternity clothing so don't worry if you are finding it too baggy at the moment. I find the hardest things are tops as my boobs are HUGE but I'm not so nothing fits right.

Had my 2nd appointment with the midwife today, all bloods and test back and everything was good so except for hip i am healthy!! She went to listen to the babies heart and said dont get upset if i cant find it as you cant always hear it, as soon as she put the doppler on it you could hear it loud and clear, she said it was nice and loud and strong, she also said that it was moving alot. Did not tell her i had my own dopler and had heard it already lol. Next appointment in 6 weeks!!

I cant believe how quick these 16 weeks have gone, also spoke to her about what dates do we go with??? From my ICSI i am 16 weeks today, my dating scan puts me at 17 weeks. She said that the hospital will go from 17 weeks but she will go with the 16 weeks.

I am living in leggings at the moment, i bught some maternity ones as I was finding my others uncomfortable on my waist but they keep falling down, so i can understand isuess everyone is having with jeans???

I can def see a bump starting to come, and when i am led down i can feel a firm bump there!!!!

Caraz- have you thought about using a projector to project the mural you want on the wall??? I know this is far to organised and planned, but that is how i am lol, I have found a beatrix potter picture from a book that I like and i am going to get it copied on to assitate and then project it onto the wall and then paint it. I have ldone this at work on a garden wall and it was really easy to do and saved on the old drawing skills and looked good. Just a thought!!!

Wedding is 14th April so I'll be 24 weeks. Bought a dress 2 sizes bigger than the one I tried on before I was pregnant but It's already tight over the bump.
I've got work trousers and jeans from new look, slide down a little but not too bad!

Jean Update:

Ok so I know you're all waiting for the next exciting installment of the jeans update...

So yesterday's H&M over the bump jeans seemed to actually work quite well. ie. They stayed up! I did have to fold the over the bump material in half so I wouldn't have been able to wear a tight top (but who's doing that at this 'fat' stage anyway?) but they were comfy and didn't fall down.

Today I'm wearing a smaller size of the bootcut Gap jeans I liked on Sat, and was hoping the 'falling down-ness' of them was the size, but alas it's happening with these ones too. They are properly fitting, very sexy looking actually as they are tight on the thighs, but they are still slipping down. Not as much as the bigger size admittedly, but enough to bug me. But I can't just live in one pair of jeans, and I know in summer I might not want the extra piece of material on the H&M ones, so I really wanted some with a small strip of material. So I will continue the search. Not sure whether to send these back or not... sigh.

You'll look lovely at 24 weeks Whiteangel, you'll have such a nice bump to show off.

Only 9 days to go til our gender scan! I'm not sure who is more excited, me or my mom! we have had two conflicting reports from sonographers, so I am very interested to see who was right. I so hope it was the first one, as I'd really like a little girl. But will of course be grateful for anything!

Have a good day everyone

x

On the subject of jeans, I have an amazing pair as well as some really bad ones! The worst are fom ASDA, they only have elastic at the front and are far too low at the back, the builders bum look is not a good one, New Look ones are ok but they flies keep coming undone, which again isn't a good luck! The pair I absolutely love are a brand called 'Noppies'. I was lucky enough to be given them in my first pregnancy and I lived in them, I have been wearing them loads this time too. I was given them by a friend but I believe they were about £70 in House of Fraser! I decided that I would treat myself to another pair as I am having to wash them more often this time round because my DS ends up wiping his hands on them! But, I can't find anywhere that sells them!!! I think I am going to invest in some over the bump leggings, not very attractive but comfy!!!!



The nursery I have planned sounds very boring in comparison to some of yours but its best that I don't try anything too artistic as its not my strength!!

Jasper just for you lol
Noppies Maternity Jeans, Kiev Maternity Jeans - £53.99

I've uploaded a bump pic for you Jasper: Bump pics! now it's everyone elses turn!! I really should have been wearing a bra under my pj top though

Curlytails loving the bump, can't wait till i look like that

x

curlytails - great bump, love the photo I haven't got any bump photos yet, may have to think about doing some! Oh, and I did try the Next jeans in a size smaller, but they were digging into my bump at the waistline, so the fit just doesn't work for me at the moment - annoying as normally I like Next jeans!!
taffycaz - good idea about projecting pics onto the wall, but how do you do that without a projector?

I had some funny pains this evening. We were at archery, I'd only done a few rounds when I got a really bad pain over my ribs/under boobs. I had to stop as I was worried I was pulling muscles or something. I think it may have been indigestion, and took some Rennies when we got home, but have not had anything like it before, it was a bit worrying! Its cleared up now. Anyone had anything similar? It was kind of right across my ribs, a lateral band of pain quite high up. I'm at the doctor next week so I'll mention it to him, especially if it comes back. We're shooting again tomorrow, so see we'll how I get on .

Hope everyone else is doing well

I get pains under my ribs now Caraz esp on the left hand side. I guess everything is being pushed up underneath them to make room for our babies. That's a pity about the Next jeans, have you tried Dorothy Perkins? My other ebay pair was from their and is an under the bump pair. it doesn't have any stretchy fabric at all yet they seem to stay up nicely. I think if I'd put them on a couple of weeks ago I'd have been less sure but now I have my bump they look good.

Talking of bumps.... where are your pictures ladies???

Hope you all have a lovely Friday x

We came down to London yesterday for the baby show today, we went for lunch at jamie Oliver's restaurant and I have been up all night with the runs. Won't be going there again lol!!! Felt quite I'll last night and sickbut did not eat anything, feel better this morning and I am starving!! Really looking forward to the show today, they have a stall there called the perfect jeans, they are meant to be adaptable throughout your pregnancy so I will have a look at them and let you know.

I really need to take some pictures of my bump, I am finding it hard to come to terms with it as it just reminds me of when I was fat, mine has popped quite a bit at the moment but does seem to get bigger throughout the day.

Sorry everyone for being awol hope you're all getting on great?
Caraz, I had lots of pain under my left boob, so much that the only comfy position I could get into was to lay down, went to docs and she put me on gaviscon. Seems to have helped.
Curlytails, love your bump pic, will try to add mine today.
My lo isnt moving as much as she was, but still getting some movement so not too worried. Got my 4d scan next week, cant wait.
Hope everyone else is getting on well, will catch up properly over the weekend xxx

Pain under the boobs/ribs - I have it. And forgot to mention to consultant yesterday! It is not indigestion or heartburn in my case, it is more crampy pain, as if I am sat on the sofa and pain comes, I cannot straighten up my back without screaming! It started only on the left side, I thought it may have something to do with the heart (I was worried, as my mum developed a serious heart condition during her first pregnancy with me). Now it can be all across my front, sometimes it feels like my skin is being ripped! It hurts me even laid down when I go to sleep, the most comfortable position for the pain is if I am laying on the back, but I can only stay like that for about half an hour.

I am not feeling much movement at all. I still haven't. It only really started this week, before I could feel them move, but only be the increased pressure in the areas, and my bump getting harder there. I am actually starting to feel proper kicks now, and they are actually moving now. I think the anterior placenta is at blame here!!!!

Enjoy the baby show all who is going!

And kat13 - how exciting the 4D scan! I gave up on the idea, as we had additional scan (2D) two weeks ago in Italy, which was great, long and really reassured me. And I have another NHS scan (where I will be a piece of meat again) in 4 weeks.

thanks for the advice on the pains - they went fairly quickly and I'm hoping it was just indigestion, although it felt more muscular! I'll see how I get on at archery tonight, see if it comes back.

amber - I've got an anterior placenta too, and tend to feel movement quite low down, it still just feels like wind, but I get it more often now. Some days very regularly, others only a couple of times a day. It is getting more frequent generally though.
taffycaz - how horrible! Hope you are feeling ok today and can enjoy the show

I've another question, apologies if this is TMI!! Two or three times over the past few days I've had the strangest sensation, a pulsing feeling low down, I think in my cervix. Its lasted for a few minutes then gone away. It feels really, really odd, not painful at all, just a slightly irregular gentle pulsing or throbbing. I have no idea what it might be! Google has suggested head down baby with hiccups, baby kicking my cervix, or a vein down there swelling up. I'll mention it to my GP next week, but was wondering if anyone else has experienced this? My mind of course instantly goes to worst case scenario, and it is my cervix dilating or something!!

Caraz I've had that and yes I've thought that too!! I keep meaning to ask about it and then the baby brain kicks in and I forget. I've had it for a few weeks though and LO is still kicking away so hopefully it is nothing sinister.

Taffy I hope you are feeling better now.

Bump pics ladies....?

xx

I'll get my bump pic sorted this weekend!

I had to come home from work on Thursday afternoon as I felt so ill, I had terrible stomach, I thik it was caused by constipation and or trapped wind. I had been to the pub fr lunch and had a large lunch dn glass of coke! It was weird, I was in agony and had to get DH home from work to go and get DS from nursery. When I was lead down I had no pain at all but sitting or standing was agony. I went out for a curry with friends last night so I made sure I didn't over do it as I didn't want it happening again. In the end I didn't eat much at all and it felt like a bit of a waste of money!

The sun is shining here so we are just trying to decide what to do for the day!

Very jealous of those of you going to the baby show! Let us know what you buy!

Still not feeling great and still got a dodgy belly and off my food, not slept right for 2 nights now. Heading home this morning so hoping things will improve.

On the upside the baby show was great!! I won a pram!! I filled my name and number on mamas and papas stand and they phoned me an hour later to tell me that I had won. I was just about robust my Stokke pram aswell! I had to go on stagehand except the gift of Konnie Huq and also had pictures taken with her and the pram. Lol. Bought loads of stuff and things that I have never seen before. Got loads of freebies, signed up for primary mag and got a free tommee tippe breast pump. It was really worth going, but a really long day !!

Wow Taffy that is Brilliant! What fantastic luck I bet you are delighted even if it wasn't the pram you were planning on getting. I hope you feel better soon.

Jasper that sounds awful. Pregnancy does seem to cause trapped wind doesn't it.. and in my case it seems to un-trap itself at the worst possible moments

xx

You lucky thing Taffy, thats amazing!Which pram was it?

I know what you mean Curlytails, I had to come home from work before the wind was released in to the office.!!!

I won the mama sand papas Mylo pram, had my heart set on the stokke but it is a nice pram aswell and it has as saved us about a grand so that's great as well.

Just had a look at the Mylo, it looks relly nice. How nice knowing that it saved you about a grand too!

....sorry for the disappearing act! Just been a busy few weeks. I keep getting ill which has pretty much been the theme of this pregnancy so far! and if i'm not ill with coughs and colds then DD usually has one! but good news is im just getting over a cold so hopefully will try and boost the vitamin c and keep up with the pregnacare vits.

Anyways - sorry for lack of personals! I tried to read back but alot has been posted since my last visit
I have a scan tomorrow! and will hopefully find out whether we have a pink or blue! question though...i was a bit disappointed with my scan at 13 weeks (it was NHS and tomorrow's is a private scan). The image of the baby was just soo unclear which was unlike my DDs 12 week scan. Incidently i remember the tech said i hadnt really drank enough with DD but it was a lovely clear image....this time i drank LOADS and it just didnt seem as good. Did i maybe drink too much? is that possible? Any tips for preparing for tomorrow's scan?

Hope everyone is well! and enjoyin their second trimester x

Just bought a moses basket, stand and carry cot on ebay. Saved over £100, very proud of myself! Going to pick them up tomorrow. Next mission will be to hunt for a changing table/dresser xx

Well done whiteangel! I do love a bargain have you tried gumtree or preloved for baby bits as they often have some great bargains. I have also found that there are a few local selling groups on facebook if you use it. There is a childrens clothing one for my village and I keep seeing some lovely items for sale there.

Happy Birthday to Beanie I hope you're well as you haven't been by in a while.

xx

evening everyone

curlytails - thanks for that, reassuring that it is not just me! I'll let you know what the GP says if I remember to ask him on Friday.
taffycaz - hope you are feeling better now, and congrats on winning the buggy! I had a look at it online, looks lovely
jasper - have you tried deflatine? I found it worked really well when I was really badly bloated - that problem seems to have worn off in favour of just general indigestion or heartburn now
jen - sorry to hear you've been suffering with colds, hopefully now the weather is improving you can put that behind you! Hope your scan went well today.
whiteangel - ooh, bargain We need to look for a small chest of drawers next, I'm thinking a cheap white one that we can paint or put stencils on.
everyone else, hope you have all had a nice weekend

AFM, nothing much going on, other than stress over my mum (been in hospital for over a week, we are waiting for a care package to be put together as she is struggling to take care of herself at the moment ). She lives 200 miles away, so not easy to get over and visit, although fortunately my sister and brothers live much closer. LO is making herself felt much more - I actually saw movement in my stomach yesterday, like little ripples, very exciting And I found some lovely stencils I might buy for the baby's room - they are from the US but seem to ship internationally - here.

Have a good week

Hi girls hope your all keeping well and have had a nice weekend.

I have my 20 week scan today soooooo excited and going to find out what the flavour is

Have a good Monday girls

x

Hi girls, sorry not been on here so much. Well as you can see from my updated ticker, I now believe we are having a girl We had a gender scan yesterday, which also gave us a look in 4D and some photos and she's perfect! I'm having the same fun with the trapped wind - had it really bad yesterday As for the jeans discussion - over the bump all the way for me. I love the extra warmth and find them more comfy. My current (and only) pair are from Debenhams.

Good luck for your 20 week scan today Sasha - looking forward to hearing the flavour. There seems to be a lot of girls on here at the moment .....

Amber - think we are going to go with the Babyjogger City Select too. Where are you getting yours from, have you found a good deal?

Caraz - sorry to hear about the worry with your mum. Those stencils look fab - we are now in the discussion whether to do a 'pink' nursery.

Whiteangel - your bargains sound good, we really need to get on and get organised with furniture.

Jen - sorry to hear you've been poorly - hopefully that'll be the end of the colds. Did you find out yesterday if baby is blue or pink??

Jasper - I had exactly the same thing after a large lunch and loads of water yesterday. Had to collapse on sofa afterwards - was so uncomfy. People looking at me in the Harvester must have thought I'd gone into labour due to the movements and noises I was making Hope your tummy is all better now.

Taffy - fantastic news about your pram. Pleased you had a good time - we would have loved to have gone, but not needing so much this time and being really busy - wasn't to be.

Well have a good week everyone.

Nikki x

Scan is no where near as good as 12 weeks but so nice to see baby again. I found out i have a low placenta can anyone shed some light on this? I'm already getting extra scans at 30 and 36 weeks to measure baby and now i'm getting one at 34 weeks to check placenta, can't complain

x

Just a quick reply,as going to bed. Nikki, I was told to say away from lullaboo baby, as the customer service is horrible (someone got money taken from the credit card, delivery promised next week, nothing arrived still three month later, no replies to emails or calls, person had to go through credit card company to reverse transaction and get money back). on the other hand, heard good things about kiddisave, but haven't contacted them for the price yet.

We just bought the car seats and bases tonight, so feel like we are going forward a bit!

Will post more another day.

Congrats Nikki and sasha!!

Sorry i've not updated but was just exhausted after Sunday. I was booked in at 11:30 am and baby was all curled up....the sonographer was struggling because baby's legs were tightly shut. She said she suspected girl but couldnt give a definate. The scan was about 45 mins drive from where i live so we had to hang around for another hour and go back and the baby was then on its tummy so still no clear shot....she suspected girl again but thought she maybe saw something but could have just been the cord....finally at 3 oclock after hanging about we went back and she concluded GIRL! I wont be running out to buy pink yet though....i feel like i'd like confirmation at thwe 20 week scan because although at the end she said she would confirm as girl i dont feel as confident as i did with DD1s scan were they said 100% girl straight away.

What do you ladies think? Do you think you'd be happy to decorate the nursery pink based on this? Im just worried i wont get confirmation at 20 weeks because this baby seems comfortable all curled up and was the same way at our 13 week scan. Im pretty sure the NHS wont spend a huge amount of time looking for the gender if she's in the same position.

so pleased to (cautiously) announce another baby girl :) :) xxx

Hi Ladies, congratulations on your and it still seems that girls are leading the way at the moment.

I'm off to the 3rd Tri tomorrow I'll miss you all as nobody seems to chat in there but it won't be long before you are all heading that way too. I've really enjoyed the second tri but can't wait for the end of the third and meeting my LO

xx

Lots of girls!!! I suspect I am having a girl but who knows!!!



Bye Curlytails, see you in the third tri! I am surprised its quiet as some of the ladies must be on mat leave so you think they would have loads of time to sit and chat! I definitely intend to spend my last few weeks sat on the sofa or in the garden in the sun!!!

Thanks Jasper.. see you soon.

ps I haven't forgotten your bump pics.... you can post them here: Bump pics!

x

I have taken the picture, just need to upload it now! I'll get DH to do it when he gets home this evening as I have no idea how our new camera works!!!

morning

curlytails - good luck in the third tri see you over there in 4 weeks (if you get lonely, pop back in and say hello )
jen - congrats on the scan, pity they couldn't be more definite on the gender though! Ours were quite definite its a girl, and I am buying girl or unisex clothes, but I'm still a bit paranoid it'll turn out to be a boy! Hopefully at 20 weeks they will get a really good look for you and confirm . I was advised to eat a bar of chocolate before the scan - it gives the baby a sugar rush so they are more likely to be active (she was asleep on one of ours too, and refused to budge )
sasha - also congratulations on the scan, and the . I don't have any experience of the low placenta (mines anterior high), but have read that it will often move anyway as the uterus stretches upwards - most end up not being a problem I understand, they just like to keep an eye on it.
nikki - congrats on . We were thinking of having the 4D scan, but not sure the budget will stretch that far at the moment. I looked in Debenhams, but the only maternity stuff they had was Red Herring, and the jeans didn't work for me.
Hope everyone else is doing well.

Nothing to report from me, other than getting totally fed up being so tired all the time, and not sleeping well Seeing the doctor on Friday, so might ask about testing for anaemia, although I'm not sure its that bad (have had severe anaemia previously, so know what it can be like!). I just have no energy at the moment - so glad I am not working, I would not have been able to cope with my old 90 minute drive each way, I barely feel safe driving to the shop down the road!

I bought some lovely little 0-3 month long-sleeve vests and a BabyGro sleeping bag from TK Maxx yesterday, all massively reduced, worth a look if you have one close. I'm getting a bit confused over exactly what clothes to buy though - initially I was thinking just babygrows and sleepsuits, but as it will be summer, I'm now thinking mabye shorts and t-shirts, or little dresses? Do we need to buy leggings, what about socks? So much choice! Don't want to end up with loads of stuff that won't get worn though.

Hi girls. Not been on in ages. I'm still parked up in hospital but still pregnant. Can't believe I'm 32 Weeks now so I really should go to third tri! Good luck to everyone and see you over there. Xxx

Hello all!

curlytails - see you in the 3rd timester in a few weeks!

Caraz, sorry you are not feeling too well. It is hard, isn't it? I had the worst bump pain yesterday, honestly, it was hurting by me just breathing! I was thinking calling the hopsital, but as i had little sleep night before, decided to have a lighter dinner (miso soup and watermelon for afters), and get more sleep. I am still tired, and bump is quite hard and still a bit sore, but it is much better than yesterday. And the thing is, if I wasn't going to a client today, I would have called in sick and probably tried to see someone about it. But - I feel much happier going to the clinet than my own office, that unless I really can't move, I will be coming! And we also agreed with him that I can come for 4 days here next week as well, so it is making me happier. There are a few things he wants me to finish before I go on maternity leave, and I would feel very bad if I didn't. But I don't care about the office work (don't like the place!). 19 daysof work left!!!!

We have our first 'Bump, Birth and Beyond' class tonight, have no idea what to expect. It is run by local children's centre, not the NHS.

The nursery work is coming along well, the plaster is dry, and the painting will be done tomorrow and Friday, unless something changed. We went for Dulux 'Mellow Mocha' colour in the end. Will have a look and try to brighten up the walls with some splashes of colourful stickers.

As for baby shopping - I am lost what I need, I have started buying, I have been 'very active' member of ebay for the last couple of weeks. I have vests and sleepsuits, plenty of Huggies hats, got some socks and scratch mittens from Tesco the other day as well. I have a couple of outfits that I bought in Italy, and I think that will be enough. I have started shopping for the hopsital bag, and have it saved in Excel, so just going through it. (I think it came from the forum here somewhere). I even bought disposable cameras (BOGOF at Boots), in case of emergency! I amhoping to buy a bag itself as well, as we have one small enough bag that we use for travel, but OH is off to an exhibition end of March, and possibly begining of May as well, so I would like to have a dedicated bag that I can keep packed - will have a look at TKMaxx on Friday probably. I also need to get some more cardigans - but they are so expensive!!!!!! I got one on ebay so far in blue, but would like to get more neutral colours, so I can use them for either baby.

Oh, and we ordered the car seats and bases. With all the deals, in the end, for 2 Cabriofix seats and 2 easybase bases we paid just under £330! And I am also getting about £33 back in points in Boots! We got the seats on Boots online, with 20% of from their parenting club voucher, decided to buy one red and one black, and then the bases where less than £70 each from Amazon. I am quite pleased with this, now just need to wait for them all to arrive (well, collecting the seats on Friday).

Ok, enough - it is already a massive post!!!!!

poppy - so glad to hear you are still with us, although sorry you are still in hospital. It must be working though, as you have been hanging in so long now! Fingers crossed you manage a few more weeks

Afternoon ladies, it's been a hectic day - DS not well, been vomiting loads and been to GP. He has a sore throat too and fell asleep straight after we came out - thinking there's a nasty nappy waiting for me too!! Hoping I won't come down with it too, as I had a severe bout of gasterenteritis (food poisoning) when I was pregnant last time, and it was quite scary. Not sure my pelvic floor will stand any vomiting this time.

Jen - pleased your scan was good, perhaps at 20 weeks they'll confirm a girl. We still didn't believe it at 20 weeks so we had a private gender scan at 24 weeks!

Poppy - 32 weeks, that's fab. Not too long to go now.

Curlytails - have fun in 3rd trimester and see you soon!

Amber - 19 days to go Sounds like you are getting organised (your car seats and bases were a really good price). Good luck at first class tonight - be interesting to hear what they discuss and how different it is to an NHS or NCT class. Looking forward to hearing more about the nursery as it all comes together. Our local shop has the pram for £770 including chassis, 2 seats, carrycot, 1 set of adapters and 2 raincovers. Will still need to buy 2 footmuffs (but maybe not initially - depending on whether we start using the pram straight away or wait until LO arrives as it'll be summer).

Sasha - congrats on the scan and having a boy! Not really any knowledge on low lying placenta - perhaps your midwife can give you some reassurance.

Caraz - sorry you are so tired still, hopefully it'll pass soon. We just used sleepsuits and bodysuits in the beginning (much easier), only started on proper clothes from 0-3 months. We'll do the same this time - but probably will get a couple of little dresses (won't be able to resist). We went to Babybond - paid £79 for a gender scan, and apparently their website says you get 4D pictures which I think is a mistake, so they gave us those for free. We ended up with effectively a growth scan (worth £119)

Nikki x

hi all

amber - how did your class go? We're booked in for the NCT classes in April, not sure whether I'm looking forward to them or not!
nikki - hope your DS is feeling better now, and has kept the bugs to himself

I've done some more shopping today - bought the car seat and isofix base from Halfords (at least I haven't got the base yet as they didn't have one in stock despite my pre-ordering it!). Got a good deal I think, it works out at £183 for the two, a cabriofix seat and easyfix base. I've also ordered the BabyBay co-sleeper cot from Amazon - a supplier in Germany that worked out about £100 cheaper than anywhere in the UK! I'd been hoping to get one on ebay, but the prices kept going too high.

So the place is starting to look more like a baby is due now - car seat stashed in the corner, and baby clothes drying on the airer (I washed all the ebay stuff) - all feels very strange, but a bit more real

My mum still isn't well - she was supposed to go home today but has now developed pneumonia and is on a drip and antibiotics We'll drive up on Saturday to visit, hope she is feeling a bit better by then

Caraz, sorry about your mum. Hope she gets better soon.

The class was ok, although I didn't agree with number of things. Like don't give dummy or bottle to bb until at least 6 weeks old, saying it causes nipple confusion. Well, there are plenty of theories either way, but. Have seen plent. Real life cases where using bottle and breastfeeding works well. Next - do not wake up baby for a feed if he is asleep for longer than usual, like after early evening sleep for 5-6 hours. We have friends who wake up their baby at 11pm after 6-7pm feed just to feed the baby, and then they can sleep till 6-7am! Few other things, but it was good to get information about what is going to happen when (baby check-ups, midwife checks, immunisation, etc).

It is a Sure Start centre course, next week it is the midwife session, then the health visitor (we'll miss this one) and be more how to loo after baby, bathing, nappy changing, etc.

My foot cramps are getting more annoying. I was sitting this afternoon on sofa when my foot started distorting and cramping. The pain didn't get too bad, so I am happy with that. Had a leg massage and acupuncture this morning, but it doesn't look to have helped to stop them yet!

I m knackered, we just went to collect Moses basket stand that I won eBay for £5. So now we have somewhere for babies to sleep for the firs months. One car seat base has arrived today, hopefully the other one will be here soon and I can collect the car seats themselves from Boots tomorrow. Oh, and I have ordered a microwave and hand blende yesterday - so we are getting the 'convenience' equipment sorted too! We haven't had a microwave for 8 years, so that is going to be a change for us!

morning,

Just back from GP appointment, everything looking normal which is always a relief Fundal height 24cm, which is spot on for date. They've taken blood to test for thyroid issues and anaemia because of the tiredness, I should get the results next week sometimes, but its probably just normal pregnancy tiredness!

amber - your course sound interesting, but there do seem to be so many conflicting theories about how things should be done! I want to combine breast-feeding with bottle-feeding expressed milk, but no idea at the moment how to go about that, or when - something to ask about on my course in April I think.

Amber - you'll go with what feels right when the time comes. I had to combination feed from 10 days with DS and he still took both OK - we used the tommee tippee closer to nature bottles & teats and they worked fine. DS also slept loads so I was told by the midwife to wake him for feeds every 3-4 hours. Very confusing for a first time mum to get all this conflicting advice! The foot cramps sound nasty - hopefully soon they will pass.

Caraz - glad everything is normal and fingers crossed for the blood tests. Sorry to hear your mum is still poorly.

AFM - DS is finally on the mend, in fact found the top of two bottom teeth this lunch time (first ones) so very excited about that! Had a better nights sleep last night so feeling better today. We are starting work on the rear garden this weekend (well DH is) and excited about that too.

Nikki x

Hi everyone,

Nikki - I hope DS's teeth aren't causing too much bothe now that they are almost through. They look so different once they start getting teeth. My DS got his first 2 at 5 months and nearly has all of them now! He bit DH tonight and left quite a mark, we need to put a stop to that!!!

Caraz - I hope the visit to your Mum is going ok and you managed to get some rest on the long journey.

Amber - I beleive that there is an ingredient in tonic water that can help to stop the cramp. Can't remember what it is so it may be worth googling it. We got our first microwave just before we had DS, definitely a worthwhile investment. On really bad days I have even reheated cups of tea in there, which is something I said I would never do!!!

Not much to report from me really. The days and weeks are passing very quickly which is great! I still haven't got round to making a list of things we need to buy, I might do it this evening. There really isn't much but I am keen to shop around and get the best prices!!!

Have you all been watching One Born Every Minute? I was watching it with DH this week and found myself saying that I can't wait to give birth, yes, the actual labour, not just seeing our baby for the first time! Maybe thats the point when I will start to believe its really happening!!!!

Hope you are all having a good weekend!

Quoted from "Jasper"

Amber - I beleive that there is an ingredient in tonic water that can help to stop the cramp. Can't remember what it is so it may be worth googling it. We got our first microwave just before we had DS, definitely a worthwhile investment. On really bad days I have even reheated cups of tea in there, which is something I said I would never do!!!

The ingredient in tonic water is quinine. The last time I saw consultant she said she cannot give my quinine - it is not good in pregnancy. But then - reading forums lots of midwives recommend a glass of tonic water, so I decided to have one tonight. Had a hen's party tonight (not mine, friend is getting married in 7 weeks), and I am exhausted. It is way past my sleep time, and I am in the hotel in bed, just winding down a bit and relaxing. And already can feel cramp showing it's colours, hopefully it won't come out properly like last night.

Boots messed up my order of the car seats, and only sent one of them. The excuse is that the second seat (different colour) went out of stock. They didn't bother to let me know, only when the store manager called them up couple of times did they say this. Refunded my money, apparently (will see in the bank in a few days), and added extra 500 points to my Advantage account. Need to check this when I next get to the store. Well, next time seat comes into stock, I might not be able to get double points like now, and my 20% discount expired on Wednesday (well, still have one for OH), so might not get as good deal. We still have some ime, but I was looking forward to have this bit sorted, now it is going to be another few weeks. I think if I find another one in red for less than £100, I will just buy it there.

And - our nursery is finished! Well, I might get some stickers later, but all the plastering and QI ting is done, and I even changed the light switch to the dimmer!