Bump Buddies



Bump Buddies

September 1, 2010

Your Chance To Get On The Telly!!

Filed under: Facebook, TV Appearances, Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — Louise @ 2:38 pm

Hey girls. BBC 3 are looking for pregnant stars of their new programme. It would be AMAZING if any of you got on it and could post up how filming goes and then we can all watch. Anyway – here’s the info…

“I’m working on a new BBC3 documentary and we are looking for a variety of UK based pregnant women, and also pregnant groups of friends, to help with the lifestyle changes that come with pregnancy.

The series will follow several women of different ages and with different stories, giving them one to one care from a personal specialist midwife.

We’re particularly looking for women who have concerns in any of the following areas:
• Worried you’re overweight or underweight
• Finding it hard to give up things (like smoking or alcohol) or not sure if you actually need to give these things up?
• Trying to keep an active social life while pregnant
• Workaholics who haven’t slowed down
• Unsure of what exercising is suitable during pregnancy
• Or simply confused by all the different information out there!

If you, or someone you know, would like to find out more please get in touch ASAP via facebook, or you can call 020 8563 6982, or email pregnancy@prospect-uk.com . Ideally you’ll provide a contact number and let us know which pregnancy lifestyle area or areas you’re concerned about”.

If you girls would like more info but dont want to mail direct to the BBC contact,  ask me BB and I’ll contact the source
xxx

July 14, 2010

Men Are Useless

Filed under: Fun, Uncategorized — Tags: , , — Louise @ 12:34 pm

Have a look girls at this Youtube video of men and nappies.  Then feel proud that it doesn’t phaze us at all….

www.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D7MoOs7wdoKM&h=29e11

July 4, 2010

Going Past 40 Weeks…..

Filed under: Starting Labour, hospital — Tags: , , , — Louise @ 10:52 am

Medically What Can Happen When Overdue:

 At around 40 weeks the midwife will sometimes do a membrane sweep.

  • Can be uncomfortable and there may be some bleeding or part of your show to follow – maybe even waters breaking.
  • At the same time the midwife may book you for a medical induction at the hospital.  This is carried out around 42 weeks, depending on hospital policy and how busy the ward is at that date. 
  • That process starts with insertion of a prostaglandin pessary or gel up next to the cervix. 
  • You may be offered up to three doses if your hospital is using gel but only one for pessaries.
  • Next level is often the breaking of the waters. 
  • Syntocinon is the last of the options.  You will be hooked up to an IV drip of syntocinon.
  • You will usually have to have continuous monitoring so that the midwives can check that the contractions are coming and that baby doesn’t become distressed.   

  Refusal Of Induction

  • You have a right to refuse induction of labour. 
  • Midwife will make you an appt to discuss with the consultant and then you are offered routine scans to monitor the health of the placenta – scans can be daily or every other day. 
  • The stillbirth rate for going overdue does double – but only to 8 in 3000 from 4 in 3000.

Getting Labour Going…..

Filed under: Starting Labour — Tags: , , — Louise @ 10:48 am

Traditional “Help”

 Raspberry Leaf Tea

  • Is a uterine tonic – doesn’t work well to start labour but makes contractions more efficient when in labour.
  •  May cause BHs and if all ready may be just enough to start but on its own won’t kick things off.

Walking

  • Can help with gravity to bring baby’s head down into pelvis and bounce on cervix – if cervix is ripe and ready it can help with the opening.

Pineapple

  • Fresh pineapple has bromelain which can soften cervix
  • Need to eat 7 to have any sort of effect.  Gets very acidy and can cause mouth ulcers in large quantities.

Curry

  • Curry works by irritating your bowels.  Your bowels will spasm and sometimes that can cause the uterus to start contractions. 
  • If it does work bear in mind that if bowels irritated more likely to evacuate during delivery!!

Sex & Nipple Stimulation

  • Sex works in two ways as prostaglandin in semen softens the cervix (some say that taken orally is more effective!!) and also an orgasm will contract the uterus.  If baby & Mum are ready sex will likely get things going. 
  • Nipple stimulation mimics the baby sucking for a feed which releases oxytocin which will start labour only if ready.  The recommendation is for an hour 3 times a day – alternating nipple each 15 mins.  Also may cause leakage!

Castor Oil

  • A very old favourite but is now not recommended at all. 
  • Chemists will not sell castor oil to pregnant women. 
  • It works like a laxative but much, much more violently – causing the bowels and uterus to spasm in a much more violent way than the curry option. 
  • The danger is that the laxative effect passes through to the baby causing the baby distress and also will pass it’s meconium in the waters.  This can lead to the baby then breathing in the dirtied waters and can cause nasty respiratory problems.

 

Clary Sage Oil

  • A few drops in the bath can help kick start labour if both ready – shouldn’t be used before term. 
  • Used in labour can help make contractions more efficient.

Homeopathy/Massage/Reflexology/Herbal Therapies

  • All these therapies have been shown to have positive effects as work to relax the mother and release any adrenaline blocks. 
  • Some therapists ask that you start therapy with them earlier to build up the effects.
  • However before spending money try sitting down with your partner and talking through what is worrying you and writing down your feelings and any actions you can take – it declutters the mind.

Think about:

  • Childcare/babysitting
  • Work issues
  • Housework, taking care of admin like bills etc
  • Feeding and sleeping for everyone
  • Upcoming events that need to be planned
  • Money
  • Most importantly – time together and life as a family rather than a couple

July 2, 2010

Gestational Diabetes

Filed under: Gestational Diabetes — Tags: , , , — Louise @ 8:10 am

What is it?  This is where you get high glucose levels in your blood during pregnancy where you have had no issues with diabetes before.  It occurs in up to 10% of pregnancies.  It usually starts after 20 weeks and usually goes away again after birth.

 How did I get it?  In normal life insulin breaks down sugars in your blood to make your energy.  In pregnancy hormones block the workings of insulin.  This is normal to make sure baby gets the sugar he/she needs to grow.  So your body should produce extra insulin to meet these demands and GD occurs when your body can’t make that extra insulin.

 Signs I have it – Thirstiness, tiredness and more weeing.  However as all this lot happens in pregnancy anyway it is usually spotted during midwife appointments when your urine sample is tested.

How is it tested?  A GTT (glucose tolerance test) is usually done.  You have to fast (eat nothing) overnight and no brekky, then the doctor or consultant will give you a glucose (sugar) drink and test every few hours or so to see if your body is producing enough insulin to break that glucose down.

 What does that mean to me and baby?   For you – if GD is not controlled well then there is a risk of pre eclampsia, premature labour and increased water levels.  For baby – he/she will produce extra insulin to counteract the extra sugar coming from you.  This makes more fat and tissues and so baby grows bigger.

 What does that mean for labour & birth?  You will be monitored closely for the rest of your pregnancy and may be offered extra scans to check baby’s growth.  If baby looks to be getting too large then often a caesarean section is recommended to avoid shoulder dystocia (when baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind pelvis as is too big).  However if GD is managed well in pregnancy then normal birth is still the preferred method of delivery.

 How can I control it?  Main method is by diet and exercise.  A low GI diet means you produce less sugar so it can’t get through to the baby.  Low GI foods include: wholewheat/brown bread pasta and rice.  Foods to avoid are white carbs, lemonade and other fizzy drinks, fruit juices, too much milk, too much fruit and anything obviously sugary such as sweets and desserts.

Meal plans etc can be found here:

http://diet.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Sample_Diet_for_Gestational_Diabetes

One very important step is not to miss breakfast as that is when your body needs the blood sugars stabilising the most after a long time without food.  Eat regularly and in moderate amounts.

The other important way to control GD is with exercise so that excess sugar is burnt off.  Low impact exercise such as walking or swimming is good – up to 30 mins a day is recommended.  Other tips on this site: 

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/pregnancy/Pages/Exerciseandpregnancy.aspx

 What are the long term effects?  You may develop GD again in future pregnancies and you are more at risk of type 2 diabetes later in life.  Babies are more prone to type 2 diabetes and obesity later in their own lives.

May 12, 2010

SPD (Symphysis Pubis Disorder) or PGP (Pelvic Girdle Pain)

Filed under: Pregnancy Conditions, SPD — Tags: , , — Louise @ 7:06 pm

What Is It?

SPD is a kind of achy grindy pain around your pelvis/hips/top of your legs.  It is caused by the hormone relaxin softening up your ligaments.  It does this so that the pelvic bones can seperate and let babys head through during birth.  Unfortunately the hormone starts it’s effects sometime after 12 weeks so the joints and muscles in that area can ache from quite early on.  Most ladies start to get it around 25 weeks.  The effects normally wear off after birth as the hormone stops being produced.  However in some cases the effects can linger on and in rarer cases it can be a purely postnatal condition.

What Are The Effects?

Walking becomes very painful and sufferers can develop a waddle.  Also any activity using one leg at a time can be tricky (stairs, getting into a car or bath, moving in bed etc).  Lying on one side can make the ache feel worse.  Any activity involving opening legs may also trigger the pain so swimming breaststroke and (sorry girls) some sexual positions may need to be avoided amongst others.  ** Swimming breaststroke will feel ok while you do it but will aggravate the issue for later on when you’re dry.

Effects On Labour & Birth

The standard lay on the bed flat on your back position will most likely cause pains in trying to keep the legs open particularly when pushing.  If opening legs is difficult laying on one side can help (if can bear the possible ache of lying on hips).  Ask a supporter to hold your top leg.  Squatting will likely also be out.  Kneeling and leaning forward takes the most pressure off the pelvis – try kneeling on bed and leaning over the back of it (or a couch if at home).  Epidurals do take away the pelvic pain as well as the labour pain but special care may need to be taken when the needle is sited.

Help/Comfort In Meantime

Anti inflammatories may be prescribed by your GP depending on your stage.  Physiotherapy can help.  There are pelvic girdles you can wear to help the muscles support the area and reduce the pressure.  Chiropractors/Osteopaths are sometimes helpful but be sure they are trained to work with pregnancy. A TENS machine can help as can accupuncture.  In some cases you may need a crutch/crutches to get around and in very severe cases a wheelchair.  Some exercise plans can be given to help – pelvic floor exercises can help strengthen the muscles that are taking the strain.  Also water can take the weight off and provide welcome relief.

Other info

  • It is sometimes recommended for sufferers of SPD to leave a 2 year gap between pregnancies.
  • If you suffer in your first pregnancy it will likely be worst the next pregnancy and again for further pregnancies.
  • More info is available on the website: http://www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk/

 

April 30, 2010

How Did You Find Out???

Bump Buddies asked – Ladies can you all remember where you were and what you were doing when you found out you were pregnant? (Aside from peeing on a stick?!!)….

Here were the replies:

Bump Buddies – I’ll start – for my first we just come back from shopping in ASDA and he was kicking off for spending money on a test (even though it was ASDAs own brand – tight knacker he is) and I was petrified when I got two lines and didnt believe it. Was teh most excited and scared I’ve ever been at the same time.  Second time we were in Leeds and had been snowboarding but I kept falling on my arse so suspected that preggers brain was in effect. Then spent about 2 weeks panicking that all teh falling over had doen some damage and that the boozy nights I’d had at Christmas before realising were bad too…

AC – i do it was amazing, i found out via a telephone call because my little baby was a very much wanted IVF baby after 5 years ov infertlity. I found out on the monday after a blood test taken on the previous Friday. That was the longest weekend ov my life xx

AH - For me it the test was on a Sunday morning with a hangover!!! I had missed my 3rd period but we had been putting it down to stress of moving. Hubby went for a run whilst I went to naffi to buy a test I couldn’t wait till he got back so I did it it was posetive my first reaction was ooooh shit then I was exited. 3 days later i had my 1st scan And I was 15 weeks.LC – Yep! The bank holiday just after christmas… Suddenly it just dawned on me that I’d missed 2 periods, so went straight up to tesco and bought a test, and came straight back home! X

RS - 1st was after a weekend away in London knew I was pg as my boobs (which are naturally big) wouldn’t fit in my bra, hubby was in the bath at the time. 2nd a Thursday about 5 am as I couldn’t sleep knowing I was going to test sadly I miscarried, 3rd racking my brains and can’t remember poor G’s though as I did 10 tests (all positive) in a 12 week period it is hard to remember them all lol x

NC – yeah, i’d not had a period for 6 months so had been on some tablets to try and get my period back. I’d suddenly got waaay bigger boobs and couldn’t stop weeing so asked the doc if this was just a side effect of the tablets and he suggested a pregnancy test. I was very dubious as we’d done numerous tests before n i was thinking i maybe couldn’t get pregnant. Got home and did the test expecting only 1 line and 2 showed up! We both went off into seperate rooms to think and didnt really talk all night untill we came back together both deciding to keep him :) it took a while for the excitement to grow on us like! Cant wait now

CG – First time was at a service station on the way to st ives,this time was at home with an early test and I spent ages looking at the faint line thinking is it? or isnt it? lol x

AW - yea id just been made redundant 5 days prior!!! the look on my husbands face as we approached xmas was a picture lol xx

PPG – Watchin 16 and pregnant n she was havn symptoms id felt so i txt my bf to pik up a test he did n yep i was and still am.. 6 weeks to go

DT – the first time i had bought a test the day before but wanted to do it on the morning so i had waited till my partner had gone to work and did it only problem was then i wanted to tell someone i was sooo excited and i had to go to work later smiling like an idiot all day but not saying anything is so hard lol.Second time i hadn’t had a period for a couple of months i was nervous as we had been trying for about 9 months and there had been nothing and it came back negative so i had gone to the doctors to see why i hadn’t had a period and they said we have to rule out pregnancy first so i did a test and it came back positive which ended with me smiling like an idiot again lol x x

DJ – My 1st one was at home I was a few days late but after trying for almost 10 years I never thought it would happen. My friend was with me and I remember sitting in the toilet & 2 lines coming up I was crying with happiness that was on the Monday by the Thursday I was rushed in to surgery with an ectopic pregnancy lost one of my tubes and I thought my life was over. Then 12 months later Id had a week off work and wes looking through my diary and realised I fas a few days late so said to A I was late and I was going to get a test in true man style he said ” don’t be using them yet cause you know you won’t be ” so I’d come back from the farm went for a shower and I’m so impatient I had to do it I was stunned the 2 lines shot up fast as anything. I called A to come up and he knew I’d done it but was stunned by the results. I know have a gorgeous 15 week old beautiful baby boy N xx

JF – my first one i was at a water park in cyprus was really irregula so didn’t think i was late but the rides made me feel more sick than they should so we got a test on the way home i couldnt believe it when it was positive we’d been trying 2.5 years ! second one id had a miscarrage the previous month so wasnt expecting it either we’d just got a new … See morecar i was just taking for a drive and i couldn’t remeber how to drive ?! so i thought baby brain and so got atest on the way home was over the moon when it was possitive : ) xx

EHMB – i was due on, on xmas day, and i had asneaking suspicion i was pregnant, left it until the monday, and did the test at home alone, was amazed it was positive, best feeling in the world, didnt tell my partner for a week coz wed had a miscarraige few months before and he’d siad he didnt want to know next time until after 3months had past!! took us 3 years to fall pregnant, and it truely is the best feeling in the world, i feel so honoured. xxxx

HMR – I found out when i was bout 5-6 weeks I got pregnant at the end of nov and now i am 27 and 5 days pregnant,
I had unusual bloating and I got really dizzy often and getting really bad moody and my bf immediately took us to asda to buy test. Much to my surprise, it came back positive as soon as I took it.
and again he wanted to go back to buy other one which we did lol twin pack!! cos he didn’t belive it xx and we can’t wait to meet our little girl in july x

NV – well i was at me fellas mums avin a drink! that was until i dun my test! n now i have a gorjuss 6mnth old baby girl called mia,shes my world xxx love you princess xx

JEW – I was at my mums house and suddnley realised I was over two weeks late! The boyfriend and I went to asda and got the test! Went home straight to toilet, and it came up in digital pregnant. Was so shocked. Boyfriend nearly fainted was sooooo funny! Now we have a week left till we meet our baby boy :) XXTo add your story join us on Facebook (link on home page or search bump buddies).

February 6, 2010

Shopping & Discount Codes

Hey Ladies

Fancy buying your nursery gear or maternity togs this weekend.  The latest discount codes we have found are listed below:

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Shop     Vertbaudet

Deal     20% off (watch out lots of restrictions where it can be applied)

Valid Till     30th May

Code  0649

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Shop     Mothercare

Deal     10%

Valid Till    31st May

Code JLK

____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

January 29, 2010

Bad Mammy Fines

Filed under: Facebook, Fun — Tags: , , — Louise @ 1:02 pm

Add up your fines from the list below and see how terrible you are – this is just a joke by the way – no official action will be taken on those who have more than £300!!!

*Pretended you hadn’t smelt a dirty nappy so OH gets it…£10

*Pretended to be asleep so OH gets up with baby…£30

*Stood on LO…£7

*Dropped something on LO…£5

*Banged LO’s head…£10

*Smoked by LO…£80

*Put baby in bed with you to get more sleep…£20

*Left a nappy on longer than 12hrs…£30

*Had a PJ day and not changed them in the night either…£50

*Weaned earlier than guidelines…£10

*Had baby fall off bed/couch…£24

*Fake cried back at LO when whinging…£8

*Had LOs ears peirced!…£40

*Skipped bath night because you couldnt be bothered…£18

*Secretly enjoyed your LO crying at your Mil…£0.50p

*Paid more attention to laptop/computer than your child…£20

*Ignored your HVs advice…£30

*Bit LOs nails instead of clipping them…£0.50p

*Swore infront of LO…£8

*Swore at LO?!…£22

Total possible is £430.  Post your score up on your Facebook page to show everyone how good/bad you are xx

January 6, 2010

Bump Buddies Facebook Babies 2009

Filed under: Births, Facebook — Tags: , , , — Louise @ 4:57 pm
Mum
Birth Date Baby’s Name Sex Weight (lbs)
Danii Blackman 16-Mar Erin Elise M 3.15
Donna Mechen 01-Aug Jack M 8.02
Laura Sherwin 06-Aug William M 6.09
Stacey C Mackay 06-Aug Jacob M 10.005
Mary Roberts 07-Aug Buster M 7.11
Liz Clarke 11-Aug Jack M 9.04
Tina McPhee 14-Aug Max M 3.6
Samantha Armstrong 22-Aug Harry M 7.13
Nina Businska 27-Aug Angela (Anielka) F 7.2
Stacey Thompson 29-Aug Kayla Lei F 6
Adriana Erdosara 05-Sep Sophia F  
Rachel Whitlow 11-Sep Jack M 6.145
Nicola Cressey 12-Sep Elizabeth F 9.1
Carrie Stuart 18-Sep Harry m 8.2
Louise Turnbull 19-Sep Freya F 8.01
Leanne Murray 21-Sep Owen M  
Terase James 21-Sep Alfie M  
Joanne Dale/Davis 24-Sep Logan Jack M 7.9
Georgina Lee 24-Sep Maddison F 8.6
Stacey Coleman 25-Sep Mia F 7.6
Steph Boon 26-Sep Liam M  
Danielle Broadley 02-Oct Jack M 7.8
Josie McCarthy 04-Oct Otis m 6
Joanne C Daly 14-Oct Jenson m 7.9
Emma-Jane Cartwright 22-Oct Aidan m 8.9
Nicola Inganni 23-Oct Emily f 6.7
Makala Bird 25-Oct Louie m 6.3
Jodie Lyon 28-Oct Mason Reece m 7.6
Toni Reid 03-Nov Chloe f 6.14
Jayne Walker 09-Nov Malakai m 7.7
Katie Jo Riley 16-Nov Alfie m 6.6
Ruth Smith 17-Nov George m 7.15
Andrea Houlston 18-Nov Lucia Grace f 7.3
Sam Rothwell 20-Nov Mia Jayne f 7.7
Lynsey Stratton 25-Nov Star f 6.15
Natasha Hammond 25-Nov Corey m 8.4
Vicki Parker 26-Nov Amira f 8.4
Suzanne Newcombe 01-Dec Kai m 8.2
Samantha Lambert 02-Dec Georgie m 7.8
Katie-Louise Pilkington 08-Dec Darcie George f 7.14
Kerry Scully 08-Dec Kai m  
Simone Walker 11-Dec Jayden m 8.6
Yvette Maxwell 11-Dec Charlie m 8.7
Stacey Lyon 11-Dec Maddison Ann f 5
Lizze Cantrell 12-Dec Isabella f 5.13
Natalie Wood 14-Dec Teela f 7.9
Stacey Burgess 14-Dec Jayden Jo m 7.11
Bridie White Coombes 16-Dec Erin Grace f 5.3
Jillian Grant 21-Dec Joshua m 9.15
Anna Olivia Jansen 21-Dec Theo m 6.11
Deb Turner 25-Dec Sophie May f 9.1
Daniella Goodier 26-Dec Sebastian m 6.14
Amie Collier 30-Dec Ollie James M 7.12
Natalie Cheetham 30-Dec Zakary James M 7.11