Due end of June/start of July - Thread 2

[Millettmum]

@Bikbikmum @Goodgoodthings @LassoOfTruth
Think the other thread is now full so started this one, please tag who I've missed in the group.

[Millettmum]

@Bikbikmum
In response to the other thread, I have been washing clothes already and slowly getting the room ready, but it difficult as this was my other daughters room who passed away in January so not easy going through stuff. I'm not sure what the normal time to get the bag ready is though? What is everyone putting in theirs?

[Goodgoodthings]

@bikbikmum I’m so pleased! And haven’t been able to stop thinking about alcohol free cider all evening 😂 which type did you try?

I think in any other situation I would have held off but because I’ve been so bored/down I’ve been getting bits prepared too. I’ve almost got all of the essentials together and have been washing clothes while the weather has been nice enough to get them on the line. @milletmum I can’t imagine how tough that must be for you, sending you love. I hope you’ve got some lovely people around you to lean on.

With the bag I’ve got a list together from the NHS website and will use that as a guide but not sure when to get it together? It seems like such a lot and I will feel so silly going in with a carryon suitcase of things that aren’t essential. This is my first baby and I feel so clueless!

[Bikbikmum]

@Millettmum I tried to add the link of this new thread but couldn't. Let's hope people will search for a thread 2. Thanks for tagging me! I send you a virtual hug it must be very tough and rollar coaster of emotions! You will be welcoming a healthy and happy baby very soon 🙏🏻❤️

I have finished my baby shopping, didn't start washing anything yet. But now, talking with you, perhaps I should start next week/ this weekend. I hope to use our tumble dryer rather than airer for most of the items. We dont have a garden and it is difficult to deal with laundry otherwise. That might cut down ironing work too.

@Goodgoodthings I share your concern, I have no clue what to include in hospital bag due to strange covid circumstances we are in now. I might be extra prepared but dont want to go to delivery room with a large bag as if I am going on holiday =)

I had tried Kopparberg Mixed Fruits Alcohol Free, we bought it from our Tesco. I drank it with lots of ice...

[Sophie1326]

Hey ladies !!

I'm due on the 18th June can I please join this thread? 😁

[Millettmum]

@Sophie1326
Of course you can! Welcome x

[Sophie1326]

Thank you! I hadn't actually seen the last thread you had but lovely to be able to speak with other mums who are due around the same time especially being a FTM and not being able to go to any of the nct classes this time ☹️
How you all feeling ?! X

[Millettmum]

@Bikbikmum
What's ironing? Found then too small and I'm just plain lazy. I haven't washed the new stuff yet, mainly the second hand clothes I've been given and bought for a steal!

I have the non alcoholic koppaberg chilling in the fridge as we speak, prefer it to the non alcoholic wine, after one glass of that I've got a headache!

[Millettmum]

@Sophie1326
Second time for me, I never did classes first time round but was thinking I might have done this time as been nearly 14 years since giving birth first time round but alas that decision has been taken out of our hands. I'm sure there might be something on the big web if I was desperate but don't want my head filled with rubbish!

[Goodgoodthings]

@Millettmum @Bikbikmum Fortunately the clothes dried okay (by my lazy ironer standards) although I was a bit worried I’d shrink something! Everything looks so tiny.

Hi @Sophie1326 welcome! Feeling pretty good today but ups and downs really! This is my first baby after a long time of trying and it feels surreal to be in this situation now with the world how it is! I’m due 29th June and hoping things will have eased by then. I’ve found that it’s been nice to chat to other ladies on here with the lack of NCT so I think you’ve come to the right place how are you feeling?

Right I’m off to persuade my other half to go on the hunt of this Kopparberg 0% because it’s all that I can think about!

[Millettmum]

@Goodgoodthings
He won't have to hunt for long nearly everywhere has it. Got it in my Asda collection the other day, even little coops have had them.

[Sophie1326]

@Goodgoodthings Ah that's amazing! I'm due on the 18th June defo feel like the end is getting closer. Trying not to feel anxious about everything as long as my partner is still able to be my birthing partner on the day I think I'll be ok! I'm glad I've been slightly prepared with sleepsuits etc because if I look now online there's barely anything available in the small sizes !!

Any one have cravings for ice pops or is it just me?!?!

[LassoOfTruth]

Hi @Sophie1326! Welcome.
Thanks for the new thread @Millettmum. I have so much respect for your bravery and calm at what must still be a very raw period of grief despite at least being able to think of the happy new baby times ahead.

If I can work out how I'll tag anyone else who I think was still around on the thread (I'm so bad at this stuff).

I've done almost zero preparation so far - turns out that WFH full time and looking after a toddler whilst 30+weeks pregnant is quite hard. Planning to send DH up to the loft this weekend to hunt out the small baby stuff and sort out furniture rearranging etc.
I do have a maternity bag packing list if that's helpful to anyone. Most of this stuff I did bring and find useful. In no particular order:

Consider packing two bags – the first with just a day or two’s worth of stuff, the second with more clothes etc if it turns out you need to stay in hospital for longer. Your DH can bring this/put in the boot of the car for when needed. Talk DH through the bag(s) so he knows what’s in there. Make him put down his phone while you have this talk. Point and use visual aids as necessary (just my DH? ).

For you:
-Maternity notes and birth ‘plan’ (hahaha)
-Nightie or whatever you want to wear for birth (if anything) – although hospital will probably supply some kind of fetching bumless gown.
-Nightwear/loungewear/PJs and a spare pair of bottoms
-Dressing gown
-Couple of t-shirts, vest tops
-Clothes to wear home – joggers and old t-shirt fine
-Lots of disposable and/or old/comfy knickers x10. Shorts style or boxers are good
-Maternity pads x24/heavy duty STs OR tena lady underpants
-Book/ipad or whatever you like to relax/entertain yourself - don't forget the headphones!
-Chargers for electronic things
-Moisture mist spray (did not really use this myself, but some women have said it was a must-have because they got so hot during labour)
-Old flannels and an old, preferably dark-coloured towel
-Snacks, drinks/juice cartons and sweeties like jelly babies, inc mints (I couldn't eat or drink anything except water because the gas and air made me so so sick, but maybe it's good to have a few things to hand if you want them).
-Flip flops (for toilet/shower - essential. I'm no germaphobe but the hospital toilets were surprisingly disgusting)
-Slippers/Warm socks
-Breast pads and nursing bra (if planning to breastfeed)
-Basic toiletries – 2n1 shampoo, soap, moisturiser, tinted moisturiser, hairbands, moist toilet wipes, lip balm, hand cream, nipple cream, body lotion/butter, little mirror, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, glasses and contact lens stuff (if you wear these obvs)
-Water bottle sippy thing (this was my best friend)
-Plastic bag for dirty clothes
-Breast pump and breastfeeding cushion (if planning to breastfeed)
-Own pillow from home because the hospital ones are generally very flat

For Baby:
-Clothes – 5-10x babygrows/sleepsuits, vests, hats, mittens, socks/booties, celluar blanket, something warm to wear home (if winter)
-Muslin squares
-Newborn nappies and nappy bags
-Some ready-made formula bottles even if planning to breastfeed (I added this because DD wouldn't breastfeed for a week or two and we had to combination feed until she/I got the hang of it)
-Cotton wool balls
-Car seat inc padded newborn insert
-Carrycot/buggy

For Husband/Partner/Birth partner
-Snacks and drinks
-Change of clothes/shirt
-Toothbrush
-Phone charger

I didn't plan on NCT this time (didn't bother last time) but am definitely finding it nice especially in the current weird circumstances, to know that other ladies are going through the same thing!

[LassoOfTruth]

@em90792*,*@RenegadeMrs, @mrssunshinexxx, @MRSRCH, @bubblesqueek, @BabyBird20
New thread if you'd like to stick with us :-)

[MRSRCH]

@LassoOfTruth thankyou!

[em90792]

Thank you ladies!

Oh my, How did I not know about alcohol free cider!! I know what I'm popping into my weekly shop!!

I managed to finally sort through the baby clothes this week! I haven't got round to washing yet but managed to get all my newborn/0-3 month stuff together ready to wash in a month or so!

[Sophie1326]

@LassoOfTruth wow thank you so much!! I will definitely be using this so will screen shot it to refer to! I plan on getting my hospital bag together next week and just adding the snacks in a week before I'm due maybe😁

Realised that all the pyjamas I own are bottom and tops and thinking I might need to get myself a button down nightie.. wishing I thought of this before all the shops closed! 🤦🏽‍♀️

[LassoOfTruth]

I treated myself to a pair of 'maternity and breastfeeding pjs' from Amazon (I know, they sound very sexy, eh?). They haven't arrived yet but if any good I will let you know. Button down nighties are an even better idea. I remember very well last time bringing some PJs I'd bought with a button-down top, thinking that the ancient band T-shirts I usually wore to bed might not be respectable enough for the hospital ward. I was aghast to realise that straight after birth, I still had way too much tummy to actually wear them!

Alcohol-free cider is definitely going on the shopping list! Essential item if you ask me. Thanks for the tip . Fingers crossed this sunny weather holds a bit longer!

[PandMmum]

Hi ladies, I'm due in July 15th, been looking for July due babies, hope it's ok to join you here please? Thank you x

[Millettmum]

@PandMmum welcome!

I bought a button down nightie from primark before it closed ready for giving birth in.

[mazcroz]

Hi ladies, hope it's okay to join you! I'm due June 16th, its a nice feeling to know they are so many other mums to be going through this crazy time with me! I'm a first time mum and feel so unprepared, even though I physically have most of the bits I need, I'm so anxious about when she's actually here?! I'm not very maternal naturally with other people's children, and I've never even changed a nappy, everyone I've spoke to says that it will all just come naturally when it happens so i'm hoping thats true lol. Especially with all the classes being cancelled I've just been watching as many vids as I can online though it doesn't feel quite the same! Anyone else feel in anyway the same or have any advice?! Thank you!!

[Koo33]

Hi ladies,
I am due on 18th June and suddenly feel like time is going very fast with all that’s happening.
Luckily I think I have most things but need to do a big sort out and see what I still need. So nice to speak to people in the same situation x

[Millettmum]

@mazcroz welcome!

I was pretty much the same when I had my first, I can remember me and my ex not having a clue what to do in the hospital, but the midwives show you so don't worry, we was even shown how to bath baby while others watched (supposedly they advise not to bath a bit now but that was nearly 14 years ago). I wasn't maternal one bit either but wanted a child, totally different towards your own! I was anxious getting nearer to the time of birth not knowing what to expect, just take each day at a time and try not to fill your head with things, every child is different x

[Millettmum]

Welcome @Koo33

I'm finding myself wishing time away and counting the days down but then thinking I have got everything ready yet etc

[BabyBird20]

Thanks @lassooftruth and @milletmum! It suddenly feels like the due dates are getting very close and I feel hugely unprepared!! I'm due 15th June and slightly panicking about not even having somewhere for baby to sleep yet!! 😬😬

[LassoOfTruth]

Hi new ladies! Yes, my due date of 19th June seems a bit close now too. With my first I bought a sort of baby instruction manual called 'Your Baby Week by Week' or similar. It came in pretty handy as I was utterly clueless (still am). I've always been good with kids but not tiny babies - I mean you never really get to look after a newborn unless it's your own, right? I'd never changed a nappy or anything. The midwives are great though and it's not rocket science. Pretty sure I've forgotten everything after 2.5 years of insufficient sleep so I hope that book is still on a shelf somewhere!