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

[Cai]

Hey girls, here's something to look out for that my doctor mentioned this morning - another odd pregnancy side effect! It's especially worth keeping an eye out for if you do a job involving lots of typing or repetitive movements. http://www.babycenter.com/0_carpal-tunnel-syndrome-during-pregnancy_234.bc There's this too http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Trigger-finger/Pages/Introduction.aspx which I definitely do have and it really hurts! My finger keeps getting stuck and again this is apparently common in pregnancy and linked to carpal tunnel. Doctor says no point doing anything about it now as I have only 7 weeks left, have finished work and all she could do is give anti-inflammatories which I can't take but if it happens to you definitely go and get checked out as there might be something that could be done earlier on in pregnancy? Apparently both problems are to do with our lovely friend water retention! Who knew that pregnancy could give you bad hands? xxx

I had carpel tunnel - it hurt!!! :-(
I found that my midwife gave me impossible advice...sleep with yr hands on pillows ...she also told me to not sleep in my back - can't do both?!

I had v bad water retention which is a main contributing factor to me losing 24 lbs so far in just 2 weeks!! The water!! When I got bk from actually giving birth to a nearly 9lb baby I had only lost 7lbs and I nearly cried!!! So just goes to show it's the water!!! Xxx

 

[Dubchick81]

I think they say now you shouldn't us any products on babies until they are at least a couple of weeks old. I have tonnes of baby wipes I've been bought and don't intend on using any of them on baby, at least not to start with! First bath he has with a product in will be a Lush bath! Can't wait to get him started on lovely smellies from a young age x

No well it's always been the way (here) to use cotton wool n warm water for changing bums for the first 6-8 weeks anyway. N for bathing they don't recommend using anything. I kno I defo won't. I don't intend using baby wipes at all. Stocking up on water wipes but won't use them til at least 8 weeks in...

 

[sarah_lou1981]

I've got LOADS of cotton wool balls ready. I will use wipes but not for the first month or two at least. My sister used cotton wool whenever she was at home but gradually started using wipes if they went out so Zac got used to them but didn't overload his skin all in one go. So that's my plan too.

 

[sarah_lou1981]

Anyone else struggling with leg shaving? Got a bath earlier and it was so awkward. Think I'm gonna have to have a go at doing them standing up or in the shower or something. I'm not even sure I got them all. Need to make an effort to keep them done though, especially towards my due date!!

 

[Dubchick81]

Anyone else struggling with leg shaving? Got a bath earlier and it was so awkward. Think I'm gonna have to have a go at doing them standing up or in the shower or something. I'm not even sure I got them all. Need to make an effort to keep them done though, especially towards my due date!!

I've started shaving my legs at the sink before my shower. It's impossible in the shower I find coz I get dizzy from bending over lol

 

[sarah_lou1981]

I've started shaving my legs at the sink before my shower. It's impossible in the shower I find coz I get dizzy from bending over lol

That's what I was worried about. Plus I didn't wanna risk slipping and hurting me or bubs. Think I'll have to start doing them at the sink too!

 

[missy1978]

That's what I was worried about. Plus I didn't wanna risk slipping and hurting me or bubs. Think I'll have to start doing them at the sink too!

Me too, I can't do mine in the shower at all so it has to be in the bath or in the sink. And bikini line? Don't even go there!

 

[missy1978]

No well it's always been the way (here) to use cotton wool n warm water for changing bums for the first 6-8 weeks anyway. N for bathing they don't recommend using anything. I kno I defo won't. I don't intend using baby wipes at all. Stocking up on water wipes but won't use them til at least 8 weeks in...

It's funny because I'm sure my friends with kids must know all of this but they keep buying me baby bath stuff! I have a tonne of cotton wool and I'll be following the official advice, same as you girls and not using anything other than water for a good while. He's still getting a lush bath eventually though... xxx

 

[missy1978]

I had carpel tunnel - it hurt!!! :-( I found that my midwife gave me impossible advice...sleep with yr hands on pillows ...she also told me to not sleep in my back - can't do both?! I had v bad water retention which is a main contributing factor to me losing 24 lbs so far in just 2 weeks!! The water!! When I got bk from actually giving birth to a nearly 9lb baby I had only lost 7lbs and I nearly cried!!! So just goes to show it's the water!!! Xxx

Ah bless you, it's really sore isn't it Has it gone away for you now the water retention has gone? That weight loss is amazing, mega impressed! Gives me a bit of hope for the future as I seem to be retaining a lot too...

I've not actually been diagnosed with carpal tunnel but doctor said I most probably have it and I definitely do have trigger finger which hurts like a *******! My hands are stiff and painful, don't think my job (which I have thankfully now finished!) and my crutches (which I shouldn't have to use so much now) helped though so hoping it might improve a bit now I'm on mat leave.

Doctor said if I wasn't pregnant she'd refer me to have it looked at but no point as it'll probably go away once he's born anyway and she'd normally give anti-inflammatories but can't. :/ Got told to put my hands on a pillow at night too, not sure how the hell you are supposed to do that? Plus I'm now using about six pillows to sleep lol and Colin will have no room in the bed soon, poor man! xxx

 

[Cai]

Ah bless you, it's really sore isn't it Has it gone away for you now the water retention has gone? That weight loss is amazing, mega impressed! Gives me a bit of hope for the future as I seem to be retaining a lot too... I've not actually been diagnosed with carpal tunnel but doctor said I most probably have it and I definitely do have trigger finger which hurts like a *******! My hands are stiff and painful, don't think my job (which I have thankfully now finished!) and my crutches (which I shouldn't have to use so much now) helped though so hoping it might improve a bit now I'm on mat leave. Doctor said if I wasn't pregnant she'd refer me to have it looked at but no point as it'll probably go away once he's born anyway and she'd normally give anti-inflammatories but can't. :/ Got told to put my hands on a pillow at night too, not sure how the hell you are supposed to do that? Plus I'm now using about six pillows to sleep lol and Colin will have no room in the bed soon, poor man! xxx

I stopped suffering from it so much when I stopped work and relaxed a bit more! so hopefully u will find the same!!

I also haven't needed my heartburn tablets since the moment he was born! that's a huge relief for me as it was sometimes so bad I would cry!! (Like sob and moan cry!)
I did gain around the 5 stone mark so still got 3 stone to shift to be at my pre preg weight but the way I saw it was that I wanted to enjoy my pregnancy and it could be te only time... If I wanted cake I had some... If someone bought me lunch I ate it... And fruit gave me heartburn towards the end!! Amazingly Donner kebab didn't give me heartburn!! Lol xxx

 

[missy1978]

I stopped suffering from it so much when I stopped work and relaxed a bit more! so hopefully u will find the same!! I also haven't needed my heartburn tablets since the moment he was born! that's a huge relief for me as it was sometimes so bad I would cry!! (Like sob and moan cry!) I did gain around the 5 stone mark so still got 3 stone to shift to be at my pre preg weight but the way I saw it was that I wanted to enjoy my pregnancy and it could be te only time... If I wanted cake I had some... If someone bought me lunch I ate it... And fruit gave me heartburn towards the end!! Amazingly Donner kebab didn't give me heartburn!! Lol xxx

Good news then, hope it goes the same for me! That heartburn sounds awful, I've been very lucky not to have much of it fortunately! Love that kebabs were better for you than fruit lol xxx

 

[Cai]

Right I hope no one gets upset in any slight way about my advice now.

Regarding baby bottles

I have bought a range of bottles and I'm v happy I have!!

The tommee tippee bottles aren't my favourite (don't get upset if those are the ones u have bought) mainly because I'm trying to do everything one handed and to get the lid off u def need 2 hands ( if not. 3 sometimes!!)

The avent ones are my fave

The tesco ones I have are weird cos u have to line the kid up exactly - but only a prob when putting the lids on!

In the hospital I used the SMA ready made and the teats the hospital provided which ha d 3 little holes in and Stevie drank so much better from these - I kept one ( used) As an example and this week ( or when I can get out the house) my mission is to find something similar for him to use as all my bottles have just 1 small hole and he gets tired and falls asleep too easily when he feeds from these ones! (Hubby in particular I happy to just out him down after 1/3 of his feed)

If anyone has advice on bottles please share!!! Xx

 

[Dubchick81]

Right I hope no one gets upset in any slight way about my advice now.

Regarding baby bottles

I have bought a range of bottles and I'm v happy I have!!

The tommee tippee bottles aren't my favourite (don't get upset if those are the ones u have bought) mainly because I'm trying to do everything one handed and to get the lid off u def need 2 hands ( if not. 3 sometimes!!)

The avent ones are my fave

The tesco ones I have are weird cos u have to line the kid up exactly - but only a prob when putting the lids on!

In the hospital I used the SMA ready made and the teats the hospital provided which ha d 3 little holes in and Stevie drank so much better from these - I kept one ( used) As an example and this week ( or when I can get out the house) my mission is to find something similar for him to use as all my bottles have just 1 small hole and he gets tired and falls asleep too easily when he feeds from these ones! (Hubby in particular I happy to just out him down after 1/3 of his feed)

If anyone has advice on bottles please share!!! Xx

You can get a quicker flow teet hun battery hav them in boots and mothercare. I get tommee tippee bottles (260ml) but wana get the mothercare own brand ones (150ml) for first months as they've been highly recommended n are anti colic without the expense!! Not that money comes into it when its baby's comfort n health.
Boots also have 90ml premade bottles of (I seen) sma and aptimil. Sterilised n ready to use. The ones u get in hospital. EUR12 for 6 bottles n the teet is separate n sealed, just like in the hospital

 

[missy1978]

I was looking at the MAM bottles, they are supposed to be anti colic and self sterilising? Sounds interesting if nothing else. We have been given some second hand Avent bottles but I feel funny about using them, is that just me being weird?

Definitely buying some pre-made bottles in though. Midwife said last week that she recommends everyone keeps some formula in, even if they intend to BF only. I like her practical thinking!

Is there a particular brand of formula which is meant to be better than another? I have no idea which to get!

Will def be listening for more bottle advice

 

[Cai]

You can get a quicker flow teet hun battery hav them in boots and mothercare. I get tommee tippee bottles (260ml) but wana get the mothercare own brand ones (150ml) for first months as they've been highly recommended n are anti colic without the expense!! Not that money comes into it when its baby's comfort n health. Boots also have 90ml premade bottles of (I seen) sma and aptimil. Sterilised n ready to use. The ones u get in hospital. EUR12 for 6 bottles n the teet is separate n sealed, just like in the hospital

We did have a box of 6 bottles for emergencies which we took to hospital not knowing what they provided.... So glad they gave them out as Stevie was having 8 every 24hrs - the box was £7.99 (have sine seen at £6.99) but that's a lot on milk per day/week in comparison to a tub at. £8.50 which would last 5-6 days I think going on what we've used So far. Def good for day trips out tho!!

The teats in hospital were diff to the ones included in the box which is why I swiped one xx

 

[Dubchick81]

Missy the bottles will b fine once sterilised but get new teets

Ok. So I've been completely OTT on what feed to use if breast feeding doesn't happen for me and had some time to spare yesterday. So went to boots. Compared aptimil n cow n gate n they hav EXACTLY the same ingredients. Obviously if bottle feeding u need to giv baby bottles of boiled (n cooled) water. Not sure when u shud start that as haven't got that far yet n dunno if u can give a brand new baby water.

 

[Dubchick81]

We did have a box of 6 bottles for emergencies which we took to hospital not knowing what they provided.... So glad they gave them out as Stevie was having 8 every 24hrs - the box was £7.99 (have sine seen at £6.99) but that's a lot on milk per day/week in comparison to a tub at. £8.50 which would last 5-6 days I think going on what we've used So far. Def good for day trips out tho!!

The teats in hospital were diff to the ones included in the box which is why I swiped one xx

Oh yea I didn't mean as a regular feed thing lol
I meant to get more teets
A whole tin of food was EUR12 or 6 of the premade bottles were the same. I kno where is rather spend my money lol

 

[missy1978]

Missy the bottles will b fine once sterilised but get new teets Ok. So I've been completely OTT on what feed to use if breast feeding doesn't happen for me and had some time to spare yesterday. So went to boots. Compared aptimil n cow n gate n they hav EXACTLY the same ingredients. Obviously if bottle feeding u need to giv baby bottles of boiled (n cooled) water. Not sure when u shud start that as haven't got that far yet n dunno if u can give a brand new baby water.

That's helpful, thank you! I have no idea about feeding tbh which is pretty bad considering that it's the most important thing

It's definitely best to be prepared - I'm not assuming that BF will work so need to make sure I'm sorted for all eventualities! xxx

 

[Cai]

Missy the bottles will b fine once sterilised but get new teets Ok. So I've been completely OTT on what feed to use if breast feeding doesn't happen for me and had some time to spare yesterday. So went to boots. Compared aptimil n cow n gate n they hav EXACTLY the same ingredients. Obviously if bottle feeding u need to giv baby bottles of boiled (n cooled) water. Not sure when u shud start that as haven't got that far yet n dunno if u can give a brand new baby water.

I spoke to the midwife on Wednesday and said Stevie hadn't had a poo for over. 24 hrs... She said some cooled but not cold boiled water would get things moving.
If BF no water is needed at all as it's meant to b an all in one - as I'm doing both I have given Stevie some water ever since Wednesday only once or twice and he had only had 3-5 sucks on it but just enough to clear his tongue of milk residue xx

 

[Dubchick81]

That's helpful, thank you! I have no idea about feeding tbh which is pretty bad considering that it's the most important thing

It's definitely best to be prepared - I'm not assuming that BF will work so need to make sure I'm sorted for all eventualities! xxx

Me neither. I wana do it but I'm not pressuring myself as I kno it just doesn't happen for some. So I'll hav in sum aptimil n bottles just in case.
I only plan to bf anyway (if it works for us) for max a week r 2...
Don't stress about not knowing about feeding. I kno to hav food in n checking temp n all that jazz but no idea how much feed at what age etc. we're new to this. We'll be taught n learn as we go