[stella777]

I used bio oil and palmers cocoa butter last pregnancy and still got stretch marks. Only mild and after 34-35weeks though which is pretty good for twins. I honestly don't think any of the creams help but it does feel nice and helps relieve a little of the itching that occurs with your skin stretching

Miso - I can't help on the breast size front as I am larger in the bust, but size shouldn't be an issue. I used the medela swing electric pump for expressing and it was fine. If you are interested in the ameda purely yours I did see it online on sale
http://www.nursingangel.com.au/products/Am...252b-BONUS.html

Kelly86 - I don't really believe childcare is necessary for 'socialisiation' but that's just my opinion. I think you can offer them the same experiences at home and with friends and family and out and about. I won't be using daycare unless necessary as I am a SAHM and don't feel I need to at the moment. AT the moment I won't be sending my kids anywhere until 3yo preschool. But agin, depends on your situation as to what suits you
(by the way, my 2 are driving me bonkers and I would gladly palm them off to someone else for the day today!)

[-Moxie-]

No need to use any thing to prevent stretchmarks. Way too late for that LOL. Never had a popped out button either. Just gets flatter and shallower.

Seems I have plenty of room for baby (still plenty of saggy flabby belly, but no room for other internal organs. My bump is all relocated innards.

Saw Dr last week and he is happy for me to stretch my visits to 5-6 weeks rather than 4, but did say to come in sooner if I had swelling, headaches, not feeling well, etc. Also said it would not be uncommon to have shooting/stabbing pains radiating up or down from everything being looser after multiple pregnancies.
He has already suggested bubs is going to weigh between 3 and 3.5 kg (range of my other children). Fundus was also measuring a week behind, although that was just with sight measurement. Although he has been pretty good with size and weights with my others.
Really love my Dr.

Im putting in my leave forms tomorrow and have decided on taking the full 2 years on offer. I wasnt going to but the manager is annoying me with all her demands and tantys. Mind you I only work 2 evenings a week and only about 3 out of the last 6 years. Ive also discovered FA and FTB money is pretty good with 4 children and a low earning DH. With only DH's income Im hoping we will be eligible for a HCC. I think we will be a few dollars a week below the cut off, although if DH does any overtime(few and far between) we probably wont.

[littlesmooch]

We have a bit of a crazy baby that loves to move around A LOT! Last night I was lying down on the bed & DH was about to put his hand on my belly for a feel when there is this almighty thump from within.

DH looks at me with this big grin & says 'I saw that one!' So glad our baby can be accommodating at times

[newyearbaby]

Hi all, had to comment on the small boob thing. My sister is really flat chested (probably less than an A cup) and she managed to breastfeed both her babies, so boob size really doesn't matter. And trust me they all grow when your milk comes in a few days after birth. They then subside a fair bit again but so long as you have a nipple your baby will suck it

Belly button - mine has never popped out in pregnancy before, but this time it popped out at about 18 weeks!! And I don't think it will be going back in itself.

Still no stretch marks. Yay! But am massive already so they may still come.

Childcare - I too am a SAHM and had no intention of putting my kids into care until pre-school at age 3. But found that last year my 2 year old was bored at home with his newborn brother and decided to put him into care 2 days per week. I don't regret it. He now goes to pre-school 3 days per week.
My 16 month old might start going to occasional care soon to give me a break later in pregnancy. We'll see how I go. Other than that he probably won't go into care until he turns 3.
They definitely can learn to socialise at playgroups and even just at parks so I don't think childcare is necessary for that either.

Anyway, that's it for me. My next scan is on Tuesday, so looking forward to that.

Have great evenings!

[Glorious]

haha go active babies! mine has been moving around in there like no tomorrow! I found out that if I put a remote control on my belly you can see it jump when the baby kicks- pretty cool party trick

[last~one]

I think my bub must have a slip n slide in there with it! Wow!

I wake every night at 2 and then again at 6am, with bub kicking up a storm! Im hoping this will be feeding times my last little one demand fed and was up every 1.5 hrs!

Is anyone else experiencing a huge appetite now?
I cannot stop eating its terrible, and Ive put on 3 kgs in just 2 weeks!
I really have to stop giving into temptations, maybe im bored now im not working and the kids are back at school!
I just always need to eat! arrrgh!

[MickeyBoo]

I just went through a few weeks of wanting to eat everything in sight, and now this week have had to slow down because the heartburn is just awful and I feel like I'm about to explode with just a small meal. Probably a good thing though as I have gained 3.5kg sine 17weeks and it really needs to slow down a bit now!

Bub is super active in there too, but she's head up so all the kicks are down low and really uncomfortable, can't wait for her to turn around and kick up high a bit more

Stretchmarks I gave up after #2, my stomach is ruined, and no amount of cream is going to make them go away. Cocoa Butter does seems to help them fade faster, but the marks are still there.

Breast Pumps they never work for me, I can get more out by hand than I can by pump, so although I have the Avent Manual one and it is comfortable to use, I can't say I've had much success with pumping.

I'm 24 weeks this week, been counting down the weeks and starting to let the reality of it all settle in! Have been nesting a bit this week and going through all the baby clothes which is making it all seem so much more real than before My next OB check up is on 1st March, and I get my referral for my first sizing scan for 2 weeks after that, so hopefully bub is growing well in there and is an average size and the diabetes isn't causing any problems. Still on monthly visits at this stage and most likely will be up until 34weeks

[newyearbaby]

Breast Pumps - I used the avent manual one for my first bub and found it fine to use.

With my last bub I upgraded to the Avent Isis Electric one and found it brilliant. I used it to do nipple stimulation when I hit 39 weeks to help bring on contractions.

And the first time I used it post birth I was amazed that I could pump out 90ml of breast milk in 9 minutes. Even as bub grew and fed more it never took me longer than 10 minutes to pump out an entire feeds worth of milk.

[last~one]

I used everything I could for stretch marks with my first pregnancy, but unfortunately i had quite bad fluid, and my skin stretched so much I have so many stretch marks, on my tummy, boobs, thighs and the backs of my legs, my poor old body!
It used to get me down a bit, as the ones on the back of my legs are quite deep, so no more shorter dresses or shorts for me.
But Ive learnt to live with it, and had bought beautiful babies into this world so, each mark has a story to tell!
The marks are now all worth it I actually found out that its not the top layer of skin that stretches, its underneath your skin that stretches,and its just luck! which is why they say that creams and oils dont help, I guess some would minimise. I still use cocoa butter after a nice warm shower or bath though, it feels nice! and after a while they do fade a bit

Ive been nesting alot lately too!
Im really loving the washing lol and cleaning constantly!
This week I purchased a 'happy hangup' hammock for bub, its absolutely gorgeous! and I wont be needing a bassinett, cot or portable cot with it! Its so versatile!

Mic, thinking of you and hoping bub will be doing well at your sizing scan x regular checkups would keep your mind at ease

Im actually suffering from pnd, I had it with my last 2 pregnancies, and have unfortunately felt down again
But I have a fantastic team of dr support, and I see someone every week to monitor me, bub and my progress, I get to hear bubs heart every 2 weeks.
x

This post has been edited by last~one: 18/02/2012, 09:55 AM

[Lineth]

Hi all

I've been offline for awhile after our move to the Blue Mountains. Had to change phone provider and had real problems with Telstra..

I'm 25 weeks now and have put on 7.5kg. I still feel fairly compact but am starting to get some back pain at the end of the day or discomfort if I don't sit in the right position. Have also been getting a bit of indigestion, which I never usually get, and struggling to find comfortable sleeping positions. Am only getting up to the toilet twice per night so far though, touch wood. Just turning over a lot more.

Have been using cocoa butter on belly and boobs, when I remember, but think I'll have to add thighs and bum to that! Have just noticed have put on a bit of weight there.

We've been lucky to get lots of hand-me-down baby gear from friends, so have cot, change table, baby bath & stand, pram. Don't know the sex, so haven't bought much yet, and also have quite a few second-hand clothes. Am looking forward to setting up and decorating the nursery. We see the cot each time pass the room, which is exciting - makes it more real!

Bubby isn't kicking as much as some of yours sound like they are, but do feel it regularly, which is great. Funnily though, it often kicks in the same spot (LHS and low-down) - I thought in the early days when there is still lots of room for bub to move, I would be feeling it all over..? Maybe bub found a favourite position early on.

Anyway, hubby's insisting on an early night, so bye for now. Great to catch up on all of your news. Will look at joining the FB group tomorrow.

Lineth x