September / October / November mommys 2012

Elamsmom congrats on team pink

Yes its a heater thats mounted on the wall and uses wall power.
Enjoy the decorating and painting while you can

Awesome decision on going to Genesis! Have you seen a midwife as yet?
In Cape Town at Mowbray women still seem to have a hard time with VBacs, in particular getting back up gynae's for VBacs.
I havent raised the topic but my gynae needs to respect my wishes.

Dont u sometimes feel gynae isnt as forthcoming as they could be? Sometimes I wish doctors (all of them) would treat us as adults and level with us rather than withhold information from us to protect us?
I will never forget going for my 'free' 3D scan at the hospital when I booked my bed (a service some medi clinics seem to offer).
The lady specifically told us to remember that she wasnt there to advise of any problems or do a gynae type scan, only to do a 3D scan.
To this day I have to wonder if she hadn't seen something with Kaylee's heart and chosen not to say anything or to contact our gynae afterwards. In hindsight I would've asked her if she was seeing anything that was cause for concern.

Hi Ladies

I haven't posted ina while. been super busy. But been reading daily.

@Joybaby: where can I buy the wall panel heaters? do you mount on wall then plug into wall socket?

AFM: Am now 22wks 3 days. Last appointment was at 20 weeks. looks like Team pink again! Have started buying stuff for the girls' room & enjoying that process a lot. Can't wait for the finished product. I'm a really girly girl so the bedroom is very pink&white at the moment At least it will be a while before my girls are old enough to have bedroom colour scheme preferences so it'll be as mommy likes it for a few years:laugh:

Made quite a big decision as well. I went to see a midwife at genesis clinic about a vbac. I decided that although my gynae hasn't definitely said NO to a vbac, I can tell he is not keen, and that means that i am not giving myself the best chance for a successful vbac because my main care provider is not into it wholeheeartedly. So as much as I love my gynae, I have moved from him & will be consulting with the midwife from now on. I also need to get a backup gynae. The backup gynae you only see once at 36 weeks and then he is available at the time of birth incase you need a caesar. My midwife suggested I don't use the same gyane as I have been using becasue he won't be very happy about it and wont be very supportive...so, now to find a new backup gynae.

Sorry for selfish post.

Belaine, Pls let us know how scan goes.

Welcome to Mckim & BettsF.

Welcome BettsF!!!
Do tell us a little more? Do u know if youre expecting a boy or a girl this time?
Where do u live?

Hi everyone,

Ive been following this group for some time now, but this is first time im actually writing. Im also an October Mummy to be, i already have a 3 year old son, so this is my second. My edd is 07 October 2012.

Belaine hoping your scan went very well and that you got to see finally if its team pink or blue! (Here I am stressing about you but just read that your scan is only at 3:30

Robyn what can I do to get a job where you work!!! Flip 9 months maternity leave with no restrictions on a 2nd time pregnancy!
I also used an agency, it went very well I must say. Although after this I also did actual UIF directly and that went smoothly as well, it was just the first day going in and completing all the paperwork that was a schlep but once you didnt have to sit in the first que it was much better. Certainly would not want to do that with a little baby in tow though!

Monica so glad all is well with your girly! Names???
Praying that your boss will be understanding and that you will get full pay! Were you with the same company with your first child? Australians are pretty accommodating in terms of family needs if you work over there, so hopefully they'll incorporate that into what they offer you.

Mckim your leave schedule sounds perfect, cos then you get the benefit of the public holidays with your annual leave. Its lekker to be on leave over Christmas

Regarding the layette list!
It can be sooo intimidating first time round! Just remember a lot of stuff you can buy as you need so dont go crazy esp for clothing and blankets etc.
Towelly nappies (spoeg doeke) - we had 8 and we literally used them all. They are very handy for reflux accidents, and burping! We also kept at least one in each room!
Wet wipes - my favourite brands are Johnson & Johnson and Pigeon. Both also come with good specials at clicks / baby boom / reggies / spar / pick n pay so keep an eye out and try buy R100 worth of toiletries every month.
Body wash - I prefer Johnson's top to toe because of the foam it makes. The Elizabeth Annes one is very gentle for dry skin, but I only like the pump action one, the normal lid never closes properly again so cant take it with you on trips away from home.
Thermometre - if you can afford it, get a proper Braun Ear Thermometre. They go for around R400-R600 but reads in 2-3 seconds and much more accurate than the others. If you cant afford this, try get one that reads quickly, cos you cant expect a baby to sit still for 10-30 seconds while its reading!
Nightlight - waste of money. Rather spend the same money and install a dimmer switch on your main light. Or put a low watt bulb in a normal lamp on the floor, its dim enough.
White noise: CD didnt work for us, as you need a cd player. Its not a necessity but we were gifted with a Sleep Sheep which we still use to this day!
Angelcare monitor - a must! You can close door and go watch your movie at full volume and not worry you wont hear baby.
We had the breathing mat but we never used it. Even though K was a heart baby, we never really felt the need. She slept on her sides and we alternated sides and back after each night time feed and nappie change.
Body wedges - worked very nicely the first 4-6 months till she was able to roll properly.
Wedge under the mattress to elevate the matress and aid with breathing / stuffy nose - definitely liked this feature.
Humidifier - was a good buy esp when stuffy noses. Buy eucalyptus oil with it though.
Nebuliser - this again is a MUST for me. And you can buy saline samples from most big pharmacies. And if baby needs stronger meds for the nebuliser you'd get that at time of visiting a doctor anyways.
Proper big bath towels are fine. The hooded towels only last the first year if that and are expensive.
Wall panel heater is another must especially in winter. Room temp should be 18-20 degrees and its difficult to achieve this without a heater, and the wall one is cheap, low on electricity and safe.
Stick to neutral wall colours and plain curtains and furnishings. Accessories with decor like lamps, stickers, labels, bedding etc that way its easy to change themes every couple of years.
Nappies: Personally pampers active is the best for me but they have gotten so expensive! Huggies gold is a close second but doesnt seem to absorb as well.
Huggies dry and Pampers Sleep & Play are the 'cheaper' options but dont absorb well, and dont have elasticated waists so doesnt fit nicely. So cheap isnt really cheap cos you have to change them more often. Stock up a packet a month if you can these are expensive. In the beginning you can go through 8-10 nappies a day and a pack of wetwipes in a week.
I tend to buy nappies according to specials, between pampers active and huggies gold.

Hi Ladies

Hope everyone is doing great.

Belaine: All the best for your scan today. Keep us posted

Hi there

Just a quick hallo very exited about tomorrows scan can wait its hectic here today need to do 10 things at once at least i can take a breather now.

Thanks for all the info really helpful!

Take care