I was looking at info on water births the other day.  Is there anybody in Australia (I'm in Vic) who has any info on whether a water birth is possible here?  It wasn't mentioned as an option when I saw my gp but I'm wondering if that would be covered by the hospital tour.

What a great link.  I have bookmarked it for when my baby is bigger or I need to look after my niece     Thanks!

You should be fine.  I think the thing to remember is that if you start to feel unwell go to the drs straight away and let them know what happened.  Things like Listeria can be treated and there are usually only problems if you have symptoms of being unwell and don't get it checked out.

Otherwise if you feel fine I wouldn't worry too much. 

Thank you all so much for your help.  I think I'll start by looking out for maternity friendly regular clothes and see how I go.

Thank you.  I have the birth and birth support sorted now so am feeling a bit more relaxed about it.

Thanks so much for all this fantastic information.  I believe that the more you know the better and I know so much more now than I did before.

Wow so many thoughtful responses.  Thank you all so much for taking the time to give me your ideas and recommendations.

I have ordered some of the books you have all recommended and will post back here if I have any other questions.

Rivka, thank you for explaining why you found Ferber and Babywise helpful.  It is really thought provoking and I like how your child is so obviously not lacking in attachment or confidence.  I still think I am leaning towards the attachment parenting scale but I don't think we will ever be complete attachment parents as I think a bit of balance is a good thing.

Thanks again everyone.

Thank you so much for all the recommendations.  We are aiming towards a more natural approach so I think maybe attachment parenting???  I think we will probably mix and match a bit though because I don't know how practical some stuff will be.  I guess a lot is just trial and error but I'd like to read a few different books and see what resonates before the baby comes. 

Thank you so much for all the advice.  I will definitely check out ebay.

I'm in my fourth month (16 weeks) and due between Christmas and New Year.

I'm newly pregnant with my first baby and am looking at different parenting books but there are so many I don't know where to start.

Which books did you find the most useful and which the least and why. 

Also are there any particular parenting methods you found better than others.  I figure the more info I get now the better I will be later on,

Thanks!

Hi

I was just wondering when others bought maternity clothes or whether they managed by adapting their usual wardrobe.

I have been looking at maternity clothes and they are so expensive so was wondering which items would be essential to buy and which ones I could get away with buying ordinary clothes eg leggings, stretchy t-shirts etc.

I am currently working full time so will need a work wardrobe as well as casual clothes.

We knew within a couple of weeks since we were trying to fall pregnant.  I didn't really have any symptoms until I started being sick all day long from about 5 1/2 weeks. 

Hello

My name is Jasmine and I am a very nervous mother to be.  I live in Melbourne and am 14 weeks pregnant with our first baby.  We have been married for a couple of years and decided to start a family in the new year and although I am excited to be pregnant I am a little freaked out about giving birth.

I have joined a few parenting forums to try and get an idea about what to expect.  I had my first visit with my GP a couple of weeks ago and my first ultrasound so it is beginning to feel a bit more real.  We're waiting to find out if I have been accepted to the birth centre or if I will need to book into the hospital.  Hopefully there won't be too many other women due around the same time as me so it won't be booked out.

I want a natural birth so have been researching that.  I also want to breastfeed.  There is so much to think about it seems a bit overwhelming but at least I have 5 1/2 months to sort it out.

J