Pregnancy and Baby Advice Thread: From Conception to Birth, and Beyond!

[Susiew2001]

I'm at a loss how can I measure at 31 weeks last Monday but only 26 weeks today? Are midwives just measuring differently?

Are they sending you for a growth scan? Because if there is a difference in measurements then they should do. According to the rules anyway! And yes people do measure differently, but it also depends on baby's position and if you've had a wee or not! X

 

[Susiew2001]

Has anyone got a rough idea of how much they spent on baby essentials ? Any recommendations there seems to be a lot on lists that I don't think will be necessary. I had a nosey in mama and papas and I've freaked myself out in cost of stuff. I'm really hoping to take 12 months off work if it's financially viable we will try to save up nhs pay a good maternity package I think lol and il be working as much unsocial hours in the weeks 17-25 as that's what they base maternity pay on x

Blimey avoid mamas and papas like the plague! It's SOOOOO expensive and needlessly so. It's difficult to say how much we spent...we got my old furniture from home and the cot we had already as a friend was throwing out so we bought a new mattress only. Moses basket came from my SIL so again new mattress only tho agree with cai I wouldn't buy new as she was only in it a few weeks (3 if I remember). Babies don't need that much really and though it's really tempting to buy loads of clothes (and we did) people but you loads and give you lots of their kids old stuff as well. We will not have to buy her a thing in 9-12 range as people got her stuff for Christmas and also got a massive bag of lovely stuff from a friend.
I reckon your biggest expense will be a pram and car seat. But then you can potentially use again/sell on if it's in good nick.
One thing I would suggest, is not to buy expensive bottles (in the first instance, anyway and esp if you're intending to bf). Babies don't know the difference and will be happy with whatever you choose. And I have got friends who bought the whole tommee tippee starter set (quite pricey) to find they a) bf (hadn't intended to) and b) when they did give a bottle, the teat was too stiff and he wouldn't drink from it so loads of money wasted! We got 2 from asda and they have been fine and she drinks fine out of them! As most are standard neck/wide neck you can buy different teats that fit and you don't need new bottles if that makes sense.
Also, aldi nappies are good as are sainsburys.
Xx

 

[Dubchick81]

Hey ladies.. Just a few "things to know" for bringing on/during labour:-
[h=2]Other things to remember[/h]If you are in early labour or trying to get things moving, remember these things:

• Rest at night as best you can. Use the day to get things moving, but don’t exhaust all your energy in early labour – it’s like sprinting in the first 5 kilometres of a marathon. You have a long way to go, and more energy will be required in the latter stages. Being exhausted later makes the seduction of pain relief or intervention stronger and more likely.
• Walk – especially through contractions – it’s the best thing you can do!
• Stairs – climbing stairs is a great way to get things going and to help get that baby down and into a good position.
• Avoid the bath or swimming – it counteracts gravity. Jump in the shower instead and if you need to sit down on a chair in a shower that’s okay. If it’s comfortable to do so, sit on the chair backwards as it will encourage baby into a better position if you can get your hips higher than your knees.
• Keep upright where possible – make use of gravity. When the uterus contracts, it contracts forwards, so lean into them, bend the knees and have your knees apart. Don’t lean forward so much that gravity wont help – about a 45 degree angle is good.
• Keep yourself busy – find yourself a project to do to distract yourself to help with the anticipation. Sort your recipes in an album, store photos, have lunch / dinner with friends or family, do scrapbooking – anything to keep your mind off going into labour or it can drive you mad!
• MOST IMPORTANTLY REMEMBER! That baby will come when he is ready – sometimes no matter what you will to happen, baby will not come when we would most like it! The greatest gift you can give your baby right now is the gift of choosing his own birthdate, should the both of you be healthy.

 

[shenzi]

Are they sending you for a growth scan? Because if there is a difference in measurements then they should do. According to the rules anyway! And yes people do measure differently, but it also depends on baby's position and if you've had a wee or not! X

I'm going on Monday for a scan after today's bleed, I'm hoping it is just babies position and not that she's gone back 5 weeks (if that is even possible!)

 

[slimming-girl]

We have been given a Moses basket so just new mattress needed for that. I did try to look at some Moses basket textiles but it seems you can't buy any well I couldn't see any so I will was the bedding that came with it. We were given a car seat but looking at pram travel systems it seems you can get some deals with car seats. I intend to breast feed do I need to buy bottles as well and a steriliser set? Or is it best to see how I go and then buy last minute if needed ? Do I need a crib? This is very blond of my you discuss cots and bedding can I buy a cot and mattress and mattress sheets and then just use dream pods for the sleeping purposes? Or do I need blankets Aswell? I don't want to buy unnecessarily if it's just to look nice and of course be a waste if money that could be used elsewhere. Mamas and papas is indeed expensive we will buy very minimal clothing after all we don't want to find out sex and people will buy clothes and we can always buy clothes after birth. What about muslin squares ? So expensive for little pieces of material what exactly are the intended purposes of them. I came out feeling quite flustered. I don't intend to buy anything as yet but out of curiosity when did you start to buy and store ? X

 

[PrincessPeach]

Hey ladies.. Just a few "things to know" for bringing on/during labour:-
Other things to remember

If you are in early labour or trying to get things moving, remember these things:

• Rest at night as best you can. Use the day to get things moving, but don’t exhaust all your energy in early labour – it’s like sprinting in the first 5 kilometres of a marathon. You have a long way to go, and more energy will be required in the latter stages. Being exhausted later makes the seduction of pain relief or intervention stronger and more likely.
• Walk – especially through contractions – it’s the best thing you can do!
• Stairs – climbing stairs is a great way to get things going and to help get that baby down and into a good position.
• Avoid the bath or swimming – it counteracts gravity. Jump in the shower instead and if you need to sit down on a chair in a shower that’s okay. If it’s comfortable to do so, sit on the chair backwards as it will encourage baby into a better position if you can get your hips higher than your knees.
• Keep upright where possible – make use of gravity. When the uterus contracts, it contracts forwards, so lean into them, bend the knees and have your knees apart. Don’t lean forward so much that gravity wont help – about a 45 degree angle is good.
• Keep yourself busy – find yourself a project to do to distract yourself to help with the anticipation. Sort your recipes in an album, store photos, have lunch / dinner with friends or family, do scrapbooking – anything to keep your mind off going into labour or it can drive you mad!
• MOST IMPORTANTLY REMEMBER! That baby will come when he is ready – sometimes no matter what you will to happen, baby will not come when we would most like it! The greatest gift you can give your baby right now is the gift of choosing his own birthdate, should the both of you be healthy.

Thanks for this hun! xx

 

[slimming-girl]

When I say blankets I mean the cot bedding sets with blankets bumpers and all that lol x

 

[Susiew2001]

We have been given a Moses basket so just new mattress needed for that. I did try to look at some Moses basket textiles but it seems you can't buy any well I couldn't see any so I will was the bedding that came with it. We were given a car seat but looking at pram travel systems it seems you can get some deals with car seats. I intend to breast feed do I need to buy bottles as well and a steriliser set? Or is it best to see how I go and then buy last minute if needed ? Do I need a crib? This is very blond of my you discuss cots and bedding can I buy a cot and mattress and mattress sheets and then just use dream pods for the sleeping purposes? Or do I need blankets Aswell? I don't want to buy unnecessarily if it's just to look nice and of course be a waste if money that could be used elsewhere. Mamas and papas is indeed expensive we will buy very minimal clothing after all we don't want to find out sex and people will buy clothes and we can always buy clothes after birth. What about muslin squares ? So expensive for little pieces of material what exactly are the intended purposes of them. I came out feeling quite flustered. I don't intend to buy anything as yet but out of curiosity when did you start to buy and store ? X

We found our Moses basket mattress at mothercare (size was a problem it seemed) but got the cot mattress on offer from toys r us.
I don't know what Hosp you're at but all in Birmingham (except one) you need to take formula with you (if you want to af) my advice would be to get one of the starter packs (boots and others sell them) you can get either cow and gate or aptamil and they are ready made sterile bottles with teats to attach as you need. If you don't need them then fine, but it saves the stress if you do as they are prepped and ready to go! I bought one pack and only used about 4 as I topped her up in the first few days as she was a hungry sausage and I couldn't keep up! Then once home, I got the other bottles from asda and my steriliser (a cold water Milton one) so that hubby could feed her sometimes.
I would advise not buying the cot sets including the bumpers. Quilts and bumpers are a cot death risk and you're advised not to use them (sorry-midwife bit coming out!) just buy a couple of cot sheets and blankets and they should do you! We didn't use a sleeping bag/pod until she was about 10 weeks as she was a summer babe and it was too hot. Just one blanket was fine!
Personally I love my muslins. She was quite a sicky baby and it was useful for general mopping/wiping. You can get reasonable ones from asda. Asda and sainsburys are great for baby stuff. Mothercare are good for 'specialist' bits but expensive for other things.
We started when I was about 24 weeks I think...just got bits and bobs. You will find you get loads of bits tho!
X

 

[Susiew2001]

Also, re NHS! Try and get to a maternity seminar. The amount of hours you work in weeks 17-25 weeks is important obviously but you can average your pay over the 12 months, so for instance rather than full pay for 8 weeks, then half pay plus mat pay for 18 weeks, then 13 weeks at mat pay then 13 weeks no pay, they add it all together and average it out so you get roughly the same amount per month. Much easier to budget etc! Xx

 

[Dubchick81]

Well susie has it all covered.

U'll need a couple of blankets either way for pram n (over here) our hospital tells us to bring our own blankets for in there?!

 

[Dubchick81]

We found our Moses basket mattress at mothercare (size was a problem it seemed) but got the cot mattress on offer from toys r us.
I don't know what Hosp you're at but all in Birmingham (except one) you need to take formula with you (if you want to af) my advice would be to get one of the starter packs (boots and others sell them) you can get either cow and gate or aptamil and they are ready made sterile bottles with teats to attach as you need. If you don't need them then fine, but it saves the stress if you do as they are prepped and ready to go! I bought one pack and only used about 4 as I topped her up in the first few days as she was a hungry sausage and I couldn't keep up! Then once home, I got the other bottles from asda and my steriliser (a cold water Milton one) so that hubby could feed her sometimes.
I would advise not buying the cot sets including the bumpers. Quilts and bumpers are a cot death risk and you're advised not to use them (sorry-midwife bit coming out!) just buy a couple of cot sheets and blankets and they should do you! We didn't use a sleeping bag/pod until she was about 10 weeks as she was a summer babe and it was too hot. Just one blanket was fine!
Personally I love my muslins. She was quite a sicky baby and it was useful for general mopping/wiping. You can get reasonable ones from asda. Asda and sainsburys are great for baby stuff. Mothercare are good for 'specialist' bits but expensive for other things.
We started when I was about 24 weeks I think...just got bits and bobs. You will find you get loads of bits tho!
X

J's mam bought us a cot set which has a "duvet" sheet n bumper thing. It's really cute but I didn't hav the heart to tell her about the SIDS risk with them so we'll picture bubs in it at sum stage but def won't use it. The duvet will come in handy for cosy sofa days etc but the bumper def will not b used. Prettiness isn't worth the risk

 

[Dubchick81]

Sorry. Me again...

We bought our wardrobe n cot in ikea. Both really "cheap" n perfect.
Our wardrobe wasn't a "nursery" wardrobe so BF has put in an extra shelf as baby's clothes won't need the length of adult clothes (obviously) so gives extra space. N it looks great in there as its white (same as other furniture)

U can go way overboard n spend stupid amounts but u can have a beautiful nursery n still keep costs right down!!

I've also chosen not to get a changing table... Personal choice but I feel much more comfortable changing babys on my lap. I get all fingers n thumbs changing them on something (table/sofa/ bed) as

 

[sarah_lou1981]

Re the blankets I've got cellular ones and that's all he needs during the night. I double it over so it's the equivalent of two blankets but because it's got holes in if it goes over his little face (which it never has yet) he can still breathe.
I haven't got a changing table. I've just got a mat that I use on the floor.
Also don't pay a fortune for nappy sacks. If there's a Morrisons near you they do 100 for 12p and they're brilliant.

 

[Dubchick81]

Re the blankets I've got cellular ones and that's all he needs during the night. I double it over so it's the equivalent of two blankets but because it's got holes in if it goes over his little face (which it never has yet) he can still breathe.
I haven't got a changing table. I've just got a mat that I use on the floor.
Also don't pay a fortune for nappy sacks. If there's a Morrisons near you they do 100 for 12p and they're brilliant.

I want a morrisons near me!!!!!!!!!!
Cheapest I can get them is EUR1.50 for 100.... Ud hav a year supply for that lol

 

[sarah_lou1981]

I want a morrisons near me!!!!!!!!!! Cheapest I can get them is EUR1.50 for 100.... Ud hav a year supply for that lol

My dad kept buying me them so I've got about 1200 of the things!! I can stick you a pounds worth in the post if you want, you'll be sorted for months!!x

 

[Dubchick81]

My dad kept buying me them so I've got about 1200 of the things!! I can stick you a pounds worth in the post if you want, you'll be sorted for months!!x

Ha ha... U cud have a few more packs for the cost of postage lol

 

[sarah_lou1981]

Ha ha... U cud have a few more packs for the cost of postage lol

I don't even know what the charge to post stuff these days. I avoid the post office at all costs lol x

 

[Dubchick81]

I don't even know what the charge to post stuff these days. I avoid the post office at all costs lol x

Nor do I. I post everything from work so it'd b a shock to the system to have PAY for my own postage lol

 

[Susiew2001]

Wilkinsons do cheap and v good bags as well. I bought 3rolls when she was born and still not finished them!

Completely off topic, but how many of you have been given Vitamin D supplements during pregnancy and afterwards drops and tablets for you and baby? Have just been watching panorama from Monday and it's got me thinking. So sad. Those poor parents. :,(

 

[Dubchick81]

Wilkinsons do cheap and v good bags as well. I bought 3rolls when she was born and still not finished them!

Completely off topic, but how many of you have been given Vitamin D supplements during pregnancy and afterwards drops and tablets for you and baby? Have just been watching panorama from Monday and it's got me thinking. So sad. Those poor parents. :,(

Aww I saw a bit if that. Where the babies were taken off the parents for abuse when really it was vit d deficiency?
I'm prob too early but not been given anything as yet.