new to be mum wants to chat and wants other mums suggestions

[maggs]

hello eveyone,
my name is maggie and my partner and i have just returned to melbourne after travelling across australia.when i discovered i was pregnant we descided to come back home.it feel great to be back in melbourne but i feel abit lonely and that im up for one of the biggest challenges of my life.being pregnant has made me feel very grounded and made me realise how lucky i am to be in love with a beautiful soul,my partner jeff.my problem is and im sure im not the only one thats felt like this, is im the first and only one at the moment out of my friends to be preggers and i feel like ive got no other female friend to share this with. so i swould love to chat to mums out there.i would also love some suggrestions on books to read.hope to hear from someone soon :D

[innesclan]

Hi Maggie,

What you are feeling is completely normal I felt the same way when I was preggers with number 1 and I was the first in my and my hubbys family to have one and the first of my friends aswell. I am almost 25 and have just had number 3 five weeks ago, there is plently of advice out there, during my pregnancy I found the website www.parentsplace.com a great source of info its americian but looking after you and your baby is the same no matter where in the world you live. I also live in melbourne, where abputs are you maybe we could meet up for a coffee, if your not that far away. If you want to chat anytime, just post here or e-mail me at katmick@bigpond.net.au

Hang in there it gets easier.

When are you due?

Karina - mum of 3 under 5

[xkwzit]

Hi Maggs
Congratulations on your pg. I remember looking at other Mums in the shopping centre and not being able to imagine having a child, even at 38 weeks! I decided that there was no way to truly be ready for such a change, but I found I was totally at ease with that. It was OK and we would all survive (and thrive :) ).

Books I read included
the ubiquitous (sp?) "what to expect when you're expecting" - a bit conservative, let's face it - A LOT conservative (like an old aunty telling you what you *should* be doing) but it does cover a great range of information. And I did buy "what to expect in the first 12 months"and "what to expect in the toddler years" so I do think they are worthwhile.
Kaz Cook's "Up the Duff" (reminds you that it OK to laugh at yourself and ALSO covers a good range of information). I've also bought the follow on book (about babies and toddlers) - but don't find myself with a lot of time to read it with a baby and a toddler :rolleyes: .

I loved the parts in both of these books that told you what Foetus was up to. Every week I would read to hubby "Baby has fingernails", "Baby can open her eyes" - it was really exciting to have an idea of what was going on in there.

Best of luck

[maggs]

just want to send my thanks to the ladies thst repliedto my notice.does anyone know where to get second hand stuff like maternity clothes, books, dvds,that sort of thing i'd live to hear from you again. :D

[Jen]

Hi congratulations, I fouind Robin Barkers 'baby Love" to be very useful and also contains some simple ideas for starting solids. You will be surprised how quickly 4-6 months goes!
I also rely on "Montessori from the start" by Paula Polk Lilliard.
even if you're not into the Montessori schooling etc, or if like me you hadn't really heard of it, it is a great info source for what to expect your baby to be doing for thefirst 3 years
good luck

I'm in Melbourne too,
Jen

[xkwzit]

Hi Maggs
Not sure about good 2nd hand shops where you are - but I am an EBay junkie (although I mainly shop for jewellery :D ). There's HEAPS of new and secondhand baby goods for sale and while there are some things you may not like to buy over the net without seeing "the real thing", its great for books and DVDs. You can also buy larger things like prams, change tables etc (just restrict your seaches to local items in Melbourne and people who'll let you come to pick up the goods rather than you having to pay for shipping).

Hope this helps

[juenmel]

Hi
I too am quite new to Melbourne and have found things to be pretty well organised and tonnes going on ( although sometimes you need spare cash) Try to grab a Melbournes Child magazine (free) from a local library etc for info on 2nd hand shops or I know there are various baby and kid markets going on I will try to check out. As regards what to get - do limit yourself whatever the temptations and just enjoy this wonderful little person. Congratulations on being so happy - it s great isnt it? And as for being the first among your friends you will be able toregale them all with your wisdom after!!!
Good luck, Julie

[toms1]

Hi Maggs,

Firstly congrats on being pregnant & good luck. It is abit daunting & a long time to sit & think about things. My hubby & I were trying for 5 months, & it was such a relief once i got pregnant. Then I went throught the thought process that I couldn't do it, but it's natural to be like that.

I found Conception, pregnancy & birth by Dr Miriam Stoppard to be my bible. It is like an encyclopaedia of pregnancy info & parenting info, also Up the Duff by Kaz Cooke brought me alot of light relief & makes you feel positive.

Good Luck!

[chloe010988]

hi maggie & others,
reading your posts has been good im a mum to be a totally lost however im a bit different cos im only 16. i have an awesome boyfriend who wants me to do whatever i want. we decided to have the baby but im so scared. Im still in year 11 doing it till i start to show really badly i just reached 3 months and now i realised i have to do this and im scared. I need some advice on what to expect for the next couple of months and would love to hear how everyones doing as they go along. Does anyone nkow what they're having and names??
Thanx guys CHLOE

[jamb]

maggs,
i also think robin barkers babylove is great- gives both options with pro's/con's. up the duff for a laugh- good read. the "what to expect when you are expecting does cover alot of topics. congrats and enjoy the ride.

[draught]

I agree with the others - Robin Barker and Kaz Cooke are my favourite authors these days! Target is the cheapest place to buy both in my experience.

As for second hand stuff - I also agree with xkwzit about ebay - we have sold and bought some of our baby stuff and it has been very successful. Op shops also tend to have good kids clothes, although you have to wade through a lot to find what you want. And school and church fairs or fetes often have a table of clothes for $5 a bag - a friend left a bag on my doorstep when I was pregnant the first time -she said that she just couldn't walk past such bargains. It was all good quality stuff like pumpkin patch and peter rabbit, and included a beautiful woollen duffle coat - and she had paid $4 for the lot.

And young Chloe - hang in there! There is lots of support and information out there for you and you will be fine. Just remember that no one has all the answers and it is okay to ask lots of questions - I am a lot older than you with two kids and I still ask hundreds of questions all the time because I believe that knowledge is power.

[georga]

Hi, I am a first year student midwife at Monash Uni, Peninsula. I am also a mother of two beautiful children. Part of my course requires me to talk to pregnant women about their experiences, concerns, etc and to accompany them to some check-ups or antenatal classes. I would be very grateful for any volunteers. If anyone needs verification of my course I can arrange that. Thanks, Georga

[Immysmum]

Hi Maggs

Congratulations - you will absolutely love it!!!!
I agree with a few others - Baby Love by Robin Barker is fantastic, it is my Bible!!! in fact my Mum laughs at how I always refer to it!!!

Up the duff is hilarious as well - definitely a good one to read if you are feeling a little bit down!!!.

Take care and hope all goes well

[channy]

hey all.. i am a 21yr old first time mum.. i also have recently moved to melbourne and am finding it a little lonely..my little boy malakai is 8wks old and having some problems with reflux but i cant get into a specialist till 30th June and he is not putting on enough weight.. can anyone tell me how much weight their baby put on around this age in a fortnight? my closest family are an hour and a half away and i dont know anyone here..would love to make some friends and share some stories..you can email me on b_c_stoner9@hotmail.com..my fav book when pregnant was Kaz Cooke - Up the duff

Chantell

[toni]

Hi there,
ive just moved to meelborne from qld and i dont have any friends here.
im expecing my first baby in 4 weeks and i feel so alone. i stay at home and dont talk to anyone except my fiance and dog. i long to have some friends and people i can talk to. i am also very nervous about having my first baby and would like to have someone i can talk to about it. i turn 21 in august and i am also getting married then, so i have a busy month but still i feel so lonely. would love to chat with someone in my area, i live in Langwarrin near frankston. please email me or jion me on msn chat my email is angelfacetm@hotmail.com.
looking forward to hearing from you
toni :p :rolleyes: