Pregnancy #12 the joys of pregnancy (and eating)

wakametango · Jun 24, 2021

SavvyBee said:
Gosh pram shopping is just…. Underwhelming, isn’t it? Sorry this is a long post but I feel completely deflated! I don’t know if it’s bad luck, covid rules or whatever but sales assistants just don’t seem very interested or helpful. Granted I’ve not made any actual appointments just been in for a browse and a push around but I kind of expected more. Thus far

1 - John Lewis Oxford Street. 50 odd year old man looked like he’d just got back from a 3 day festival. Told him we were due in November and he responded “oh so you’re quite early then”. Erm, OK. Then proceeded to tell him we think we knew what car seat we wanted and he responded “oh, banging”. Didn’t offer to show us it, or ask us any more questions about what we were looking for. I genuinely looked at his shirt to make sure he did in fact work there.

2 - Harrods - surprised to find a girl who looked like she may or may not have finished her A Levels. Fair enough, I’m sure she’s well trained working in the baby room. Nope. Asked her two questions to which she responded she needed to go and check with her manager. She came back with the answer to only one. Asked her if she could recommend any of the (very few) brands they had over any others for a general use pram (we told her we didn’t want something as small as the BabyZen). “Errrm yeah this one’s meant to be quite good” as she flicked the handle up and down on one. Then stared blankly at us. Ok helpful. Then we asked her about a discount label we could see to which she said she needed to check again with her manager and we got bored and left after ten more minutes of standing around like numpties waiting for her to come back.

3 - John Lewis Stratford - nobody even glanced in our direction or asked if we needed help, they also didn’t have seats/ fabrics on three of the chassis I wanted to try out so more standing around looking for someone to help and then got bored and left.

4 - Mamas and Papas Stratford - “let me know if you have any questions” - ok thanks, I’m completely new to this so I’m not even sure where to start! We live in London but want something that’s robust enough to take on walks in the country too so have looked at the Cybex and Bugaboo but again, fairly clueless as to what they each do differently. “Oh right ok yeah both are popular. The Ocarro bundle is pretty good though and on sale at the minute. Have a look and let me know if you’ve got any questions”. Why is it good? What does it do? Why are you telling me about it over the two I’ve just mentioned?

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT QUESTIONS I’VE GOT BECAUSE I AM BRAND NEW AND CLUELESS AND THIS IS HARD!!! Can someone please just help me?! Offer to demonstrate them, tell me something interesting about one of them or try and sell me on one feature or another, ask me a question, ask what bloody colour I want… something!!

Maybe I’m expecting too much and people generally go in much more prepared or knowing what they want but seriously, I’m ready to drop probably the best part of a thousand plus pounds on “stuff” that I’ve got no idea about and nobody can even be bothered to show or tell you anything.
I then had an argument with my mother in Mamas and Papas because everything I picked up she had something negative to say or told me why I shouldn’t get it and I’ve just got home and inhaled two bars of chocolate and want to cry!

Oh what a shame! We booked John Lewis Brent Cross for a pram consultation but my other half can’t commit to dates and times because of his work so we just decided to go in, we ended up in the welwyn garden city branch.

Before we went we knew we wanted an all terrain buggy because we have a big dog and are out all weathers with her. So maybe for yourself start what activities will you do in it, what wheels do you need then you can start to whittle down from there.
Once I knew I wanted an all terrain to take me from the beach, woods and parks I asked the ladies on here and created a list.

The lady was so helpful in John Lewis I was almost annoyed as I knew what I wanted and what I was looking for

We decided on a buggy and then used a guy from Tottenham who gets you what you want straight from manufactures with a huge discount. His name is Sunnee and everyone in north London uses him. He still uses a book so you can pay him outright or in instalments.

We got the icandy peach, some maxi cosi swivel 360 car seat and base for about £900 x

Hannah_204 · Jun 24, 2021

littlepup said:
McFlurry are fine according to my trust, that have an official line on it

You need to book an appointment at John Lewis then a pram specialist goes through it all with you and will even do a car compatibility check

I wish I’d known before I saw the midwife yesterday.. If I get one from your area are we ok then?

a car compatibility check? Woohoo I was about to go with my tape measure how embarrassing

wakametango · Jun 24, 2021

Hannah_204 said:
I wish I’d known before I saw the midwife yesterday.. If I get one from your area are we ok then?

a car compatibility check? Woohoo I was about to go with my tape measure how embarrassing

More organised than me. I’ve winged the car seat business

Hannah_204 · Jun 24, 2021

wakametango said:
Oh what a shame! We booked John Lewis Brent Cross for a pram consultation but my other half can’t commit to dates and times because of his work so we just decided to go in, we ended up in the welwyn garden city branch.

Before we went we knew we wanted an all terrain buggy because we have a big dog and are out all weathers with her. So maybe for yourself start what activities will you do in it, what wheels do you need then you can start to whittle down from there.
Once I knew I wanted an all terrain to take me from the beach, woods and parks I asked the ladies on here and created a list.

The lady was so helpful in John Lewis I was almost annoyed as I knew what I wanted and what I was looking for

We decided on a buggy and then used a guy from Tottenham who gets you what you want straight from manufactures with a huge discount. His name is Sunnee and everyone in north London uses him. He still uses a book so you can pay him outright or in instalments.

We got the icandy peach, some maxi cosi swivel 360 car seat and base for about £900 x

Omg I feel like tottenham is the place for mums my sister lives there and has got so much amazing stuff through the mums group!

Hushpuppy · Jun 24, 2021

SavvyBee said:
Gosh pram shopping is just…. Underwhelming, isn’t it? Sorry this is a long post but I feel completely deflated! I don’t know if it’s bad luck, covid rules or whatever but sales assistants just don’t seem very interested or helpful. Granted I’ve not made any actual appointments just been in for a browse and a push around but I kind of expected more. Thus far

1 - John Lewis Oxford Street. 50 odd year old man looked like he’d just got back from a 3 day festival. Told him we were due in November and he responded “oh so you’re quite early then”. Erm, OK. Then proceeded to tell him we think we knew what car seat we wanted and he responded “oh, banging”. Didn’t offer to show us it, or ask us any more questions about what we were looking for. I genuinely looked at his shirt to make sure he did in fact work there.

2 - Harrods - surprised to find a girl who looked like she may or may not have finished her A Levels. Fair enough, I’m sure she’s well trained working in the baby room. Nope. Asked her two questions to which she responded she needed to go and check with her manager. She came back with the answer to only one. Asked her if she could recommend any of the (very few) brands they had over any others for a general use pram (we told her we didn’t want something as small as the BabyZen). “Errrm yeah this one’s meant to be quite good” as she flicked the handle up and down on one. Then stared blankly at us. Ok helpful. Then we asked her about a discount label we could see to which she said she needed to check again with her manager and we got bored and left after ten more minutes of standing around like numpties waiting for her to come back.

3 - John Lewis Stratford - nobody even glanced in our direction or asked if we needed help, they also didn’t have seats/ fabrics on three of the chassis I wanted to try out so more standing around looking for someone to help and then got bored and left.

4 - Mamas and Papas Stratford - “let me know if you have any questions” - ok thanks, I’m completely new to this so I’m not even sure where to start! We live in London but want something that’s robust enough to take on walks in the country too so have looked at the Cybex and Bugaboo but again, fairly clueless as to what they each do differently. “Oh right ok yeah both are popular. The Ocarro bundle is pretty good though and on sale at the minute. Have a look and let me know if you’ve got any questions”. Why is it good? What does it do? Why are you telling me about it over the two I’ve just mentioned?

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT QUESTIONS I’VE GOT BECAUSE I AM BRAND NEW AND CLUELESS AND THIS IS HARD!!! Can someone please just help me?! Offer to demonstrate them, tell me something interesting about one of them or try and sell me on one feature or another, ask me a question, ask what bloody colour I want… something!!

Maybe I’m expecting too much and people generally go in much more prepared or knowing what they want but seriously, I’m ready to drop probably the best part of a thousand plus pounds on “stuff” that I’ve got no idea about and nobody can even be bothered to show or tell you anything.
I then had an argument with my mother in Mamas and Papas because everything I picked up she had something negative to say or told me why I shouldn’t get it and I’ve just got home and inhaled two bars of chocolate and want to cry!

That's annoying. Sorry you had such a shit time of it. I didn't realise Mama's and Papas was still open in Westfield. I thought it had shut down! Someone mentioned (a few threads ago) a website that ranks baby products and although I had already chosen my pram I had a look and found it really useful. I can't for the life of me currently remember what website it was (useful, I know!) But when I do I will send a link as it was really useful x

wakametango said:
Oh what a shame! We booked John Lewis Brent Cross for a pram consultation but my other half can’t commit to dates and times because of his work so we just decided to go in, we ended up in the welwyn garden city branch.

Before we went we knew we wanted an all terrain buggy because we have a big dog and are out all weathers with her. So maybe for yourself start what activities will you do in it, what wheels do you need then you can start to whittle down from there.
Once I knew I wanted an all terrain to take me from the beach, woods and parks I asked the ladies on here and created a list.

The lady was so helpful in John Lewis I was almost annoyed as I knew what I wanted and what I was looking for

We decided on a buggy and then used a guy from Tottenham who gets you what you want straight from manufactures with a huge discount. His name is Sunnee and everyone in north London uses him. He still uses a book so you can pay him outright or in instalments.

We got the icandy peach, some maxi cosi swivel 360 car seat and base for about £900 x

Does Sunnee cover Essex as well

Smallpotato · Jun 24, 2021

Borntorun said:
Your manager is actually ridiculous. There is no way I’d feel safe to do a 120 mile round drive after a night shift. How many weeks are you now?! I’m highly recommending my night exemption I’ve got right now but in all seriousness I’d take this one to HR if they won’t change your shift

I’m only 11 weeks but at the time of the appointment I’ll be 18 weeks. I’ve rang my friend who is an RCN rep to clarify it all!

Abcd123 said:
You are entitled to paid time.off for appointments. Can they let you finish an hour earlier?

Im a nurse, and there will be no one to handover. My Trust state “reasonable time” but I work 13.5hr shifts, so they see this as reasonable as I finish my shift and I have time for the appointment. Ridiculous!

Borntorun · Jun 24, 2021

Smallpotato said:
I’m only 11 weeks but at the time of the appointment I’ll be 18 weeks. I’ve rang my friend who is an RCN rep to clarify it all!

Your appointment is a legal right though, shouldn’t matter what your profession is. It is a complete pain in the arse though isn’t it, I always arrange my appts on a day off because I can’t just ‘pop out’ for an hour as it would leave the unit unsafely staffed and they have to close if there’s no one of my grade there (and there’s usually just me, not like there’s a few of us ). But then I don’t need consultant appts, they’re not very flexible are they. God remind me why we work for the nhs again

Chickenandgravy · Jun 24, 2021

Smallpotato said:
I’m only 11 weeks but at the time of the appointment I’ll be 18 weeks. I’ve rang my friend who is an RCN rep to clarify it all!

Im a nurse, and there will be no one to handover. My Trust state “reasonable time” but I work 13.5hr shifts, so they see this as reasonable as I finish my shift and I have time for the appointment. Ridiculous!

Omg thats so bad. Surely they cannot expect you to come off that shift and go straight to an appt I would HR or if you have a union (not sure if nurses are even allowed unions so excuse my ignorance ) like it must be dangerous for you to be driving and awake all that time....I know how fucked I feel after a nightshift and that's only 8 hours!

Definitelyme · Jun 24, 2021

Chickenandgravy said:
Just had my 36 week midwife appt. The midwife seemed surprised that the babys head was 3/5ths engaged. I thought that was reasonably normal for this point
I've been getting period like cramps on and off and I think I've maybe been losing my plug over the last couple days
As I left she was all like "see you in two weeks.....if she isn't here first" bet she says that to everyone but it's got me all excited

None of mine ever engaged, even when I was overdue. I think 3/5 is pretty impressive!

Chickenandgravy · Jun 24, 2021

Definitelyme said:
None of mine ever engaged, even when I was overdue. I think 3/5 is pretty impressive!

Trying not to get my hopes up that it actually means anything but I'm just so excited to meet her (although I know 36 is a bit early and she should cook for a bit longer )

Definitelyme · Jun 24, 2021

Chickenandgravy said:
Trying not to get my hopes up that it actually means anything but I'm just so excited to meet her (although I know 36 is a bit early and she should cook for a bit longer )

I would definitely see it as a good sign that you hopefully won’t be waiting another 5 or 6 weeks!! Though I think (just to piss on your parade ) that they can disengage as well so it often doesn’t mean anything. Or maybe I made that up when mine refused to start heading down that way

Chickenandgravy · Jun 24, 2021

Definitelyme said:
I would definitely see it as a good sign that you hopefully won’t be waiting another 5 or 6 weeks!! Though I think (just to piss on your parade ) that they can disengage as well so it often doesn’t mean anything. Or maybe I made that up when mine refused to start heading down that way

I just read that somewhere aswell so you defo didn't make it up

SavvyBee · Jun 24, 2021

Thank for the tips ladies - I have got an idea now on models I like the look of I just kind of felt a bit deflated and underwhelmed I thought when you were about to drop a thousand odd pound on some baby equipment people would want to give you the time of day or show some interest but hey ho! I know if I went in to Jimmy Choo looking to buy a pair of shoes for that kind of money they’d at least look interested! I’ll go better prepared next time and hopefully have a better experience.

Babyyoda88 · Jun 24, 2021

Just had my 25 week appointment and just like with the scan, the midwife had to chase the baby round my womb with the Doppler, you could hear the thuds of her kicks she really doesn’t like being disturbed. Finally she settled and the midwife said her heartbeat was perfect

orange club biscuit · Jun 24, 2021

Hushpuppy said:
That's annoying. Sorry you had such a shit time of it. I didn't realise Mama's and Papas was still open in Westfield. I thought it had shut down! Someone mentioned (a few threads ago) a website that ranks baby products and although I had already chosen my pram I had a look and found it really useful. I can't for the life of me currently remember what website it was (useful, I know!) But when I do I will send a link as it was really useful x

Was it Made for Mums? They have some really useful reviews on that site and they’re very detailed, have loads of different lists and categories. I basically chose mine based on that, I didn’t even bother going into any shops at all and just got it online!

Smallpotato · Jun 24, 2021

Chickenandgravy said:
Omg thats so bad. Surely they cannot expect you to come off that shift and go straight to an appt I would HR or if you have a union (not sure if nurses are even allowed unions so excuse my ignorance ) like it must be dangerous for you to be driving and awake all that time....I know how fucked I feel after a nightshift and that's only 8 hours!

us nurses love unions! Something doesn’t go our way? UNION!

my amazing friend is a rep and she agreed I’m in the right, so I’m going to formally request for that shift off by annual leave.

Borntorun said:
Your appointment is a legal right though, shouldn’t matter what your profession is. It is a complete pain in the arse though isn’t it, I always arrange my appts on a day off because I can’t just ‘pop out’ for an hour as it would leave the unit unsafely staffed and they have to close if there’s no one of my grade there (and there’s usually just me, not like there’s a few of us ). But then I don’t need consultant appts, they’re not very flexible are they. God remind me why we work for the nhs again

I have not a clue! My plan after this baby is to attempt the private sector for a bit!

Easilyannoyed · Jun 24, 2021

SavvyBee said:
Gosh pram shopping is just…. Underwhelming, isn’t it? Sorry this is a long post but I feel completely deflated! I don’t know if it’s bad luck, covid rules or whatever but sales assistants just don’t seem very interested or helpful. Granted I’ve not made any actual appointments just been in for a browse and a push around but I kind of expected more. Thus far

1 - John Lewis Oxford Street. 50 odd year old man looked like he’d just got back from a 3 day festival. Told him we were due in November and he responded “oh so you’re quite early then”. Erm, OK. Then proceeded to tell him we think we knew what car seat we wanted and he responded “oh, banging”. Didn’t offer to show us it, or ask us any more questions about what we were looking for. I genuinely looked at his shirt to make sure he did in fact work there.

2 - Harrods - surprised to find a girl who looked like she may or may not have finished her A Levels. Fair enough, I’m sure she’s well trained working in the baby room. Nope. Asked her two questions to which she responded she needed to go and check with her manager. She came back with the answer to only one. Asked her if she could recommend any of the (very few) brands they had over any others for a general use pram (we told her we didn’t want something as small as the BabyZen). “Errrm yeah this one’s meant to be quite good” as she flicked the handle up and down on one. Then stared blankly at us. Ok helpful. Then we asked her about a discount label we could see to which she said she needed to check again with her manager and we got bored and left after ten more minutes of standing around like numpties waiting for her to come back.

3 - John Lewis Stratford - nobody even glanced in our direction or asked if we needed help, they also didn’t have seats/ fabrics on three of the chassis I wanted to try out so more standing around looking for someone to help and then got bored and left.

4 - Mamas and Papas Stratford - “let me know if you have any questions” - ok thanks, I’m completely new to this so I’m not even sure where to start! We live in London but want something that’s robust enough to take on walks in the country too so have looked at the Cybex and Bugaboo but again, fairly clueless as to what they each do differently. “Oh right ok yeah both are popular. The Ocarro bundle is pretty good though and on sale at the minute. Have a look and let me know if you’ve got any questions”. Why is it good? What does it do? Why are you telling me about it over the two I’ve just mentioned?

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT QUESTIONS I’VE GOT BECAUSE I AM BRAND NEW AND CLUELESS AND THIS IS HARD!!! Can someone please just help me?! Offer to demonstrate them, tell me something interesting about one of them or try and sell me on one feature or another, ask me a question, ask what bloody colour I want… something!!

Maybe I’m expecting too much and people generally go in much more prepared or knowing what they want but seriously, I’m ready to drop probably the best part of a thousand plus pounds on “stuff” that I’ve got no idea about and nobody can even be bothered to show or tell you anything.
I then had an argument with my mother in Mamas and Papas because everything I picked up she had something negative to say or told me why I shouldn’t get it and I’ve just got home and inhaled two bars of chocolate and want to cry!

Try and find an independent shop I have had really good service from two different shops not chains and they have shown me how to collapse different prams specification price and different models I suggest you watch some YouTube videos on different prams I have watched bugaboo fox, stokke, cybex priam, mima xaria, icandy and egg2. Then went to look in real life booked an appointment and then tested them pushed them now just got to look with my partner and make a choice car seats for me was an easy choice it is the cybez cloud z as you can fully recline it so your baby can stay in it for slightly longer. Xx

Hushpuppy · Jun 24, 2021

Chickenandgravy said:
Just had my 36 week midwife appt. The midwife seemed surprised that the babys head was 3/5ths engaged. I thought that was reasonably normal for this point
I've been getting period like cramps on and off and I think I've maybe been losing my plug over the last couple days
As I left she was all like "see you in two weeks.....if she isn't here first" bet she says that to everyone but it's got me all excited

This might be a dumb question, but how can they tell the head is engaged, by feeling the bump or is it a scan? X

orange club biscuit said:
Was it Made for Mums? They have some really useful reviews on that site and they’re very detailed, have loads of different lists and categories. I basically chose mine based on that, I didn’t even bother going into any shops at all and just got it online!

Yessss that's the one! Made for mums, thank you! I found it really helpful x

Easilyannoyed · Jun 24, 2021

Amberella said:
Has anyone been doing any swimming?

I was planning on taking it up in the mornings but kinda put off because of germs and also I don't think my swimsuit would fit me now! I'm fed up of just walking and a bit of walking, I just feel like a right heifer.

Does anyone have any idea of a good maternity swimsuit for a chunk? (me)

I have a hunza g one it is expensive however it grows with you and it is one size fits all so post baby it will ping bag to your size they are also made in london and just gorgeous it’s fhe weird crinkle material there’s a ASOS version too but I suggest a plus size one as the material is not the same as the hunza in order to go over your bump x

Chickenandgravy · Jun 24, 2021

Hushpuppy said:
This might be a dumb question, but how can they tell the head is engaged, by feeling the bump or is it a scan? X

She pushed quite hard on my pelvis/top of my pubic bone (that's what it felt like anyway ) and had a good feel and told me that way, I've been feeling quite a lot of pressure down there when I walk too so apparently that's also a give away that they are in your pelvis.

Pregnancy #12 the joys of pregnancy (and eating)

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