From Spotters TTC thread to BFP! Success at last!

My pleasure jellycat, you're almost 20 weeks! Are you finding out the sex?

Katie I'll also be doing a bit of bottle feeding as well as breast, otherwise how do you go out by yourself?! And it's awkward if you want some alcohol.. Hope you don't have to move again!

Chloe, your night off sounds like a good birthday present!

x

20 weeks today! Scan is in just under 2 weeks but we are staying as we did last time too even though have to say been very tempted to know this time.

I feel so disorganised this time have hardly discussed names, haven't bought any clothes or sorted out current clothes, looked at crib mattresses... Or anything. Dh seems to think we can organise it all once I'm 36 weeks pregnant !

Katie and MrsP, you can still exclusively breast feed and drink if you are clever with pumpings. I have gone 2 months without having to give her formula because I have pumped when she has slept for long stretches, or when she only takes one boob before falling asleep. That way I can have someone give bottles of breast milk while I go drink, shop, have date night, etc. But you have to really want to breast feed in order to not get super annoyed by the whole process. I didn't think I was that intent on exclusive breast feeding but I have become very protective of my supply and I yell at dh any time he suggests formula to supplement. Once I go back to work and can only pump twice while there I wonder if I will have to supplement with formula. One boob makes way less milk than the other, and the pump is way less efficient than gabby, so it will ban interesting transition.

Jelly, you have plenty of time . Do you think it's because this is #2 that you are less prepared so early?

Katie and MrsP, you can still exclusively breast feed and drink if you are clever with pumpings. I have gone 2 months without having to give her formula because I have pumped when she has slept for long stretches, or when she only takes one boob before falling asleep. That way I can have someone give bottles of breast milk while I go drink, shop, have date night, etc. But you have to really want to breast feed in order to not get super annoyed by the whole process. I didn't think I was that intent on exclusive breast feeding but I have become very protective of my supply and I yell at dh any time he suggests formula to supplement. Once I go back to work and can only pump twice while there I wonder if I will have to supplement with formula. One boob makes way less milk than the other, and the pump is way less efficient than gabby, so it will ban interesting transition.

Jelly, you have plenty of time . Do you think it's because this is #2 that you are less prepared so early?

Ahh another team yay! I've been super organised with buying stuff, but we've been very disorganized when it comes to names! We've discussed it in conversation but not sat down properly & talked about it. I started going through a names book & highlighting in pink the names I liked, then the idea was DH is to go through with a blue hi-lighter & any we've both hilighted will be on the short list. But I'm still not finished doing mine yet & haven't looked at the book for about 2 months!

Thanks for the tips chloe Yes I was planning on expressing rather than formula, we'll see how it goes...

x

P.s when are you back to work chloe?

I think it might be because it's no2 or that we've just moved us or the fact after one you have less time to yourself. Mrs p have you not got any kind of short list ?

I agree with Chloe, totally worth it to bf. the bonding is so special. I pump in the mornings and usually get between 5-8 ounces. I'm able to have one bottle for me to get a break and am starting my freezer stockpile. I try not to do more than one bottle a day so it doesn't impact my supply. While DS was in the hospital my schedule got all out of whack, so DS has been cluster feeding to bring up my supply, but it also may be the 6 week growth spurt hitting at the same time. The cluster feedings can be hard, but you just have to remember that it's temporary and necessary because your boobs will catch up.

We are doing great. DS healed so quickly. He's pretty much back to normal. We have his post-op appointment this week. I also have my six week OB appt on Tuesday. I can't believe how quickly things are going by.

Pregnant ladies - have you taken bump photos?

And if you can believe it I miss being pregnant so much! Enjoy it while you're there. It's just so special to have your LO in there with you. I can't wait until its time to try for #2.

Have any of you been taking childbirth classes?

I haven't signed up for a childbirth class, but I did order the natal hypnotherapy CDs. I can't take that class, since it's only offered in the UK, but I heard so many good things about it, I wanted to try it over hypnobirthing. Hopefully the CDs and book will be good enough. I could take a different class, but I'm not sure I want to take a class that uses a different method. Might be counterproductive.

I'm wondering if I should take the general childbirth class at the hospital. It focuses on relaxation techniques for childbirth, but discusses pain relief options and other general childbirth knowledge, plus it includes a basic course on breastfeeding and infant care. They also have separate classes specifically devoted to infant care and breastfeeding that I'm very interested in. What do you all think? Is it worth doing all three? Obviously, the more classes I take, the more money I'll spend. The breastfeeding and infant care courses are significantly cheaper than the comprehensive childbirth class, and I'm more worried about the breastfeeding and infant care aspects.

I would share a picture of my bump, but I'm not sure if I actually have a baby bump or I'm just getting big because I've been so hungry. That has actually started to calm down recently, thankfully.