I'm not 100% sure what the pp meant about traditions but I'm guessing baby related stuff. Gender reveal parties, registries, baby showers... they seem to be huge in the US but not so common in the UK.
I was surprised how many people are having lots of Ultrasounds on the board too, I've seen a lot of people who have seen their baby several times by now. On my insurance (and I think same in the UK) we get one at 12 weeks and at 20 weeks. It's enough for me, but I'd never say no to more peeks of baby!
Seeing so many people from the UK I'm starting to miss all the British junk food. I need a good pack of choc digestives and Jaffa Cakes and an Indian take away!
Ladies - I know I mentioned this in the maternity clothes thread, but have any of you bought some nice clothes recently in English shops that you'd recommend? I'm on the lookout for stuff that's comfy now, but will hopefully last till the ninth month too... anyone?
@Snoopylovesbelle I know the feeling, no Indian takeaways where I live, at all!
@BabyFeld you might have more luck in London, my friend (had her baby 2 days ago) couldn't really find anything up in the Midlands so had to get her maternity clothes online.
@Snoopylovesbelle@Ebiejay The best Indian and thai food I ever had were during my summer abroad in Cambridge, the stuff we have in the US doesn't compare! I'm sure the "real" thing is even better, but since I've never been to India or Thailand, it's the closest I have to go off of.
@BabyFeld I've bought all my clothes online. Expensive but seraphine is very worth it! I'm wearing a dress today that I'll be able to wear after baby comes too and is sooo comfy in lovely black stretchy cotton. Otherwise I've found some really good items on asos. New look is quite cheap for tshirts etc but quite big for mid pregnancy and quality not as great. Just bought a winter coat from h and m online for £35 given that the English summer has gone away!! Will see how that is when it turns up for non wired bras Marks and Sparks all the way!! I tried to order from jojo maman Bebe but the website kept crashing so have up
Regarding all the food conversations you are all making me hungry! Thai food is good! For anyone in London soon Patara on Greek street soho is lovely for something a bit fancy and Rosas cafe also in soho for yummy and cheap thai food!
I just bought 5 tops, 2 dresses, 2 pairs of shorts and a pair of jeans from ASOS for £96 including delivery. Luckily I'm going away in October so all the summer things in the sale were perfect for what I needed. There were plenty of other bits which would be great for winter too and I thought that was such a good price!
Hi @Scullahoo@Snoopylovesbelle I hope you don't mind another Anglophile jumping into your conversation. I'm not sure how exactly to describe the appeal, hopefully this makes some sense: I think (for me) some is the history - both the countries' and my own (family immigrated from UK a few generations back), some is the landscape, some is the architecture, and some of it is the culture. I was fortunate enough to have a vacation in England and Scotland a couple years ago. Highlights for me were Culloden, Edinburgh Castle, Chatsworth House, all the picturesque little villages we drove through. It was amazing how a place could feel so foreign and yet familiar at the same time. :x
I love Downton Abbey! One of my hobbies is sewing so I tend to pay more attention to the costumes but the house is gorgeous too. American history is interesting too, whenever we travel here I try to look for historic homes to tour because I love the insight you can get from them. If you get a chance to hop across the Pond I'd definitely recommend looking up some historic homes. And I agree with Snoopy, start with a small area. This country is way too big to try and do all at once with a regular vacation.
I'm not 100% sure what the pp meant about traditions but I'm guessing baby related stuff. Gender reveal parties, registries, baby showers... they seem to be huge in the US but not so common in the UK.
I was surprised how many people are having lots of Ultrasounds on the board too, I've seen a lot of people who have seen their baby several times by now. On my insurance (and I think same in the UK) we get one at 12 weeks and at 20 weeks. It's enough for me, but I'd never say no to more peeks of baby!
Seeing so many people from the UK I'm starting to miss all the British junk food. I need a good pack of choc digestives and Jaffa Cakes and an Indian take away!
Oh yes, my goodness. Now I know what you mean. I'm actually american but I live in the Netherlands, so when you brought up traditions I was interested because I thought that when it came to wedding planning. there are so many things they do in america that people just don't seem to do here (in Europe). I don't know if I'd actually call it "tradition" as much as I would commercialism. More ways to spend $$. The gender reveal parties are a relatively new thing, but the baby showers actually are kind of a tradition I think, since it's been around since I was a little kid. Registries are obviously a way for stores to make more money. They definitely don't do Registries in the netherlands, and I haven't herd of any baby showers either. Do they do them in the UK?
For the ultrasounds I think it also really varies by the doctor. Because I've seen US girls on this board about not getting an ultrasound until much later in the pregnancy, 12-16 weeks. I've had 4 ( seeing an OBGYN) in the netherlands. At 7 weeks, 10 wks, 12 wks, 18 wks. But I think most women here don't go to a doctor like I do. they go to a midwife. I've had a few friends tell me they were told they had to go to a midwife and you cannot see a doctor, yet I've been seeing a doctor from the beginning and they never told me I had do see a midwife.
What do they normally do in the UK? It's extremely popular here to have home births. I feel like a total odd ball because I'm planning it in a hospital without a midwife.
Hello UK moms!!! I wanted to say hi also!! I'm Molly. I also like the UK. I don't really know the reason to be honest. Haha I think growing up I had an interest in other cultures. I visited London and Salisbury when I was 19 and I loved England. I'd like to go back. I'm curious as to what the American traditions you're referring to that are different than where you ladies are from. Just curious how culturally pregnancies are different. I love this post!
Hi everyone! I hadn't heard of gender reveal Parties either! Baby showers are rare but they do happen more and more...possibly the influence of U.S. TV culture? One of my friends who lives in central London is organising a shower for me which is very sweet but I've no idea what to expect! On the scans I have had my 20 week but because of a potential issues (low lying placenta) I get scans at 32 and maybe 36 weeks. So you do definitely get offered more scans if there are complications. From a cultural perspective Id love to learn more about doulas as I don't really understand what they are about but I think popular in the U.S.?? Hope everyone is feeling fit and well! xxx
U.S. Mom here specifically on the east coast. Baby showers are a usually fun get togethers with friends and family. It can be a small party or a huge blow out where you rent a venue. My shower with DD I had about 30 people- all my best girl friends and female family members and we had a tea party and opened presents. It's a way to get together share baby stories and do something nice for the new mom. Second showers are not as common and usually happen if you are having a different sex than the first one or there's a big gap between kids. My family likes to have one for each baby but that's not as common.
Doulas are labor support people. They are there to help the mom and be her advocate. They help with comfort, breathing and pain management. They can also help with after the birth and infant care. Many will come to your home after to help prepare meals, clean, help with breastfeeding, baby care and making sure you are healing well etc. They are especially helpful for people who don't have extended family or help.
Thanks I could do with a doula! My mum lives 5 hours drive away! Didn't realise showers tended to be for first baby generally...always interesting to learn about these things!
Hi just read this, I a UK mam to be. I'm in Durham in the northeast. Currently 22 weeks pregnant. I'm pleased this thread is on here as sometimes feel a little left out when it comes to discussions on where to get cheap maternity clothes etc. yeah I watched that extraordinary births, the keeping the placenta attached really turned me a bit queasy! That's defo not for me! Nice to meet you all x
I have a question for all of the London ladies. MH and I are considering transferring to London from the U.S. for his job and I'm completely lost on where to even begin researching. We currently live in the suburbs of a fairly large city here, but the COL is low compared to London. Can anyone give me a ballpark figure on what I can expect to pay in monthly rent for a 2 or 3 bed in a family friendly area in or around London? I'm not looking for the best of the best, as I know we can't afford it, just an area that's considered safe where there will be some other families.
@WineBaby122 I don't live in London but I can tell you that house and flat rent prices are absolutely extortionate. You are better off looking outside London as inner London prices will definitely be thousands per month. Sorry I can't be of more help however, maybe try apps or websites such as right move and zoopla to get ideas on cost for the type of house you're after! Good luck!
@WineBaby122 hey, i live in place classified as essex but tbh its london! I would say 2 bed £1250 pcm upwards (furnished more). It really depends on where in london, whether its a house or flat and where your OH will need to commute to for work. There are a lot of developing areas in and around london with young families but the other issue is availability and this varies dependant of the time of year (June -August easier to find somewhere.) As PP suggested have a look at some property websites and it will give you an idea also. Areas of Kent, Middlesex, Essex, are very close by and may be cheaper options.
Re: UK mums
Regarding all the food conversations you are all making me hungry! Thai food is good! For anyone in London soon Patara on Greek street soho is lovely for something a bit fancy and Rosas cafe also in soho for yummy and cheap thai food!
Xx
Someone get me home!
I'm not sure how exactly to describe the appeal, hopefully this makes some sense: I think (for me) some is the history - both the countries' and my own (family immigrated from UK a few generations back), some is the landscape, some is the architecture, and some of it is the culture.
I was fortunate enough to have a vacation in England and Scotland a couple years ago. Highlights for me were Culloden, Edinburgh Castle, Chatsworth House, all the picturesque little villages we drove through. It was amazing how a place could feel so foreign and yet familiar at the same time.
American history is interesting too, whenever we travel here I try to look for historic homes to tour because I love the insight you can get from them. If you get a chance to hop across the Pond I'd definitely recommend looking up some historic homes. And I agree with Snoopy, start with a small area. This country is way too big to try and do all at once with a regular vacation.
I'm a history nerd lol
Second showers are not as common and usually happen if you are having a different sex than the first one or there's a big gap between kids. My family likes to have one for each baby but that's not as common.
Doulas are labor support people. They are there to help the mom and be her advocate. They help with comfort, breathing and pain management. They can also help with after the birth and infant care. Many will come to your home after to help prepare meals, clean, help with breastfeeding, baby care and making sure you are healing well etc. They are especially helpful for people who don't have extended family or help.