Due in August Thread... Part Five!

[ishopthereforeiam]

Congratulations again to poppy, here's to the rest of us still with increasingly big bumps or of your choice!

Bring on the final trimester in all it's glory!

Welcome back warzone!

Ooooh Ham, how exciting! I've got everything crossed for you!

Happy Sunday! I'm off to watch my big (in both meanings of the word) sister RUN the Race for Life. So proud of her!

Hi, a while ago I read a fantastic 'hospital bag list' on here somewhere and meant to print it out but now I can't find it anywhere! Can anyone point me in the right direction. Also, I've bought fairy to wash baby clothes, bedding etc but remembered reading that I shouldn't use fabric softener. Is this right? Unsurprisingly, everything I've washed has lost its softness. Any more experienced ladies able to advise? X

hi All - welcome back warzone - glad you are back home safe and sound.

Miggins, glad you enjoying London - I am off for work in 2 weeks for a few days - lived there for past 6 years so using it as a chance to catch up with colleagues and friends too as figure last chance for a while! How was it travelling about etc - I am hoping I wont be too tired :)

have any of you got the free baby bag from the boots parenting club? I have signed up for that and was hoping to get that one to save money for something else - its boring and black though and there are so many lovelyl ones out there!!

re birthing balls - where did people get them from?

re teh angel care monitor, have any of the mums used it? i was going to order - but wonder how much it takes getting used to - ie - do you just panic the entire time there is no 'beep'??

and finally - does anyone have any good book recoms? i am packing hosp back and i know i may not have time for reading but just incase in very early and do, going to put one in there! (also - has anyone heard of books with a MR GREY in it? i havent but have seen a few comments on FB about a trilogy - wonder if I am missing out!)

anyway - chilling out today as had friends here from friday till this morning and being a hostess has taken it out of me :) hope everyone enjoying their Sunday...

everything getting very real and exciting - wont be long till there are other wee ones around to join Thomas minipop!

xx

Hospital Bags

Labour and immediate Post-Delivery

Nighties ? that will get dirty; buttoned for skin-to-skin
Large Throw Away Pants ? many pairs
Bodysuits ? in a few sizes depending on how big baby is
Hat, mittens, cardigans for baby
Sanitary Towels ? Maternity ones, night-times ones, tena ones all recommended
Nappies ? perhaps two different sizes depending on how big baby is

Birth Plan
Pregnancy Notes

Hair brush
Hair bobbles
Lip balm
Old Towel for a shower
Plastic bag for dirty clothes

Energy Drinks in Sports Cap Bottles
Bottled water kept in freezer before you go in
Glucose tablets

Ipod for music or any relaxation/hypnobirthing stuff
Hand held fan, water spray, flannel
Hot Water bottle
Camera
Phone

After-Delivery Bag

Nighties or PJ?s in DARK colours, preferably with buttons for BF
Nursing Bra/vests/tops
Socks
Bodysuits and Babygros, multiple and in varied sizes
Baby Blanket
Nappies, Nappy disposal sacks, Wipes
Fold up changing mat
Breast Pads

Clothes to go home in
Baby going home outfit

Cereal/Energy Bars and Biscuits
Water and energy drinks
Earplugs/Eyemask
Toiletries
Tissues
Paracetamol

Paper and Pen
Book
Phone and Phone charger

ham - quick question.. how many baby grows have you bought and vests? i dont know if i haev enough based on fact they may need changed few times a day? but people keep telling me not to buy lots of clothes? what do you think?
xxx

whiteangel I thought the same as you re fabric conditioner but then got a massive bottle in my bounty pack of comfort pure which seems to be fine or the supermarket own sensitive one. As long as its for sensitive skin I think its fine and fairy now even do there own brand.

frilly its hard to say what book as I don't know what genre you are into but I really like the harry bosh series by micheal connelley if you are into crime novels. Or an easy to read classic but still brilliant is mary shelleys frankenstien if you have never read it.

I know you asked ham but re the baby grows/vests I really wouldn't buy more that 1 big pack of vests (normally 7) and 2 packs of grows (normally 3) just on the basis of people will buy you loads when lo is born but cos of the wash before you wear thing you will want some already washed ones. Don't think dh and I bought 1 vest or grow for ds as everyone bought them for him! My mum and mil even bought stuff before the birth so I could get that washed.

Arrrg! Woke up this morn at 6 with a stinking cold and sore throat did not sleep properly!! Am now cuddled up on sofa with tissues olbas oil and lockets!!

Good hospital list really need to finish mine,still need some new nighties and pjs :) Im only taking 2 baby gros to hospital though as when I had ds they put him in a hospital baby gown thing straight away and swaddled him and he stayed in that all night as I had him at 7pm so the day after I put him in baby gro and we were going home so dont think I will need more than 2, and if I did dp cannot stay the night anyway so he would be able to bring some up the day after. Dont take too much ladies I did last time and half the stuff I didnt even use. I also wasnt aloud any food while in labour had a slice of toast in the morning and couldnt have anything else, so im just taking energy drink, water and im going to put in a cereal bar just in case, not taking alot as there is no point. Will put something in for dp though and ds when he comes afterwards. What is everyone else doing with there other children while in labour? My mum lives aroud the corner so she's on call to watch ds but would like them both to come up and see baby soon after.
scottish I picked up a birth ball on Thursday from sainsburys it was only £3.99 it's pink but I dont mind :)
Im also after some book recomendations not going to take any to hospital though as I did last time and believe me the last thing on my mind was reading would like to get a few to read while bf and while at home in early labour etc. '50 shades of grey' I was going to get this but not sure as seen some terrible reviews and some great ones, not sure if it's the type of thing i'd like to read while in early labour though

whiteangel I have always used fairy fabric softner on ds's clothes going to do the same with babys clothes keeps them lovely and soft
ham keeping everything crossed for you!
frilly Good luck to your sister, I dont blame you for being proud what an amazing thing to be doing hope you have fun today

Im just having abit of a relaxing day today the tops of my legs are throbing since doing the living room on Friday so I must have really over done it, learnt my lesson now so just small jobs for me from now on, Sunday lunch is on and going to have a nice long bath after when ds is in bed :) Hope everyone else has a lovely day.

Oh was going to say aswell Ive been picking up 2 small cartons of formula a week while doing weekly shop aswell as they're great for putting in changing bag etc just in case but so expensive so building up abit of stock now, I know I want to bf again but would rather be prepared and always had one in bag with ds1 just incase.

I have read the trilogy of 'Grey' books and they get better with each book. They're not high brow, intellectual or something you'd ever see at a book club that's for sure. The first is basically a shag fest but the second and third books have got more of a story to them. You do have to read the first book though as they literally pick up where the last left off.
Whiteangel I have washed all my baby clothes in non bio and comfort pure fabric softener. I did the same with DD and she was fine.

Might do an order on amazon then picture it's £12 for all 3

I have just realised that we washed all our baby clothes in normal stuff...didn't occur to me to use anything else...maybe I'll re-wash them

Also if anyone else is planning a water birth, what are you planning on wearing?
I have a tankini that fits now but I think in another couple of weeks it will be far too small, dont know if I should get a maternity one or wear the one I have and a long vest or something.
I know I wont really care when in labour but I would feel better to be abit more covered up.

Ooh, just read the synopsis of fifty shades of grey, looks good!

Re :hospital bags. If anyone is having a c section then pack an electric toothbrush, they kept putting the cannula in the back of my hand which was really uncomfortable, and I couldn't brush my teeth properly! Electric toothbrush was a life saver :o

as were polos and chewing gum! :)

at 3Bears
It may be just the book to read in early labour ladies as it will certainly get the oxcytocin pumping .

3bears, I'd like a water birth and would probably just wear a bikini...

thanks all for the updates, and especially on the fifty shaes of grey - think i may order! and will head to sainsburys for the birth ball - i had a quick look on amazon and they were all £20 ish hence why i checked :)

so as a novice to we have to use a specific washing powder - I think i saw someone say fairy... is that what we have to use??

Thanks!
xx

Sc0ttish, it's been fab being down here. I have found the travel within London a bit tiring at times and it's not helped my huge Elephant Lady feet, but everyone gives up a seat (although no-one helped me with my luggage at King's Cross, miserable gits) so all fine really. Journey down on train was fine though.

I've seen so many people reading 50 Shades of Grey on t'tube. I'm currently reading "The Night Circus" and am really enjoying it.

DSis has been rodding out TONS of clothes from DNephew which is fab. Loads of stuff right up to aged 3, so am v pleased and will pick it up next month when down with car. I use Fairy anyway as DH and I get itchy otherwise, and have used a small splash of either Comfort Pure or Fairy conditioner too.

Also Sc0ttish, we're getting the Angelcare too as after MUCH research and recommendations from various people, decided it was the best one for us. DSis gave a demo yesterday and it really seems sensible.

Hope everyone is having a nice Sunday and all the daddies to be are having fun too . DH said he got quiet emotional reading his card . x

PS, here's my nappy bag I got for a bargain of £24 at TK Maxx!! Was chuffed to bits as normally, is a lot more.

www.thediaperbagdiva.com/index.phproute=product/product&product_id=55

Hmmm Scottish I'm not entirely sure all the lists I used to make that one were quite vague like "some" or "several" or 5-10. I've packed 4 for hospital I think plus going home outfit basing that one if I'm in for one night. Then will get DH to bring more if staying longer. People are always saying don't buy clothes but most presents like that will come after baby is here and depending on when visitors come that would = a naked baby. So we've bought about 12 plain bodysuits and I think 6 sleepsuits in a mix of tiny and newborn. I know there will end up stuff not getting used but hey... plan on having another and it's all unisex so :) Have got a lot more in 0-3 months though as I don't have much willpower! Also didn't want to get hardly any as I'm really not keen on over gendered baby clothes and do expect some gifts won't be what I want to put on the baby... maybe a bit harsh?

Apparently fabric conditioner reduces absorbancy so I guess best not to use it on cloth nappies or towels etc for changing.

I'm planning a water birth 3bears going to take a black tankini and can ditch the bottoms at the appropriate time!

Thanks on the house front. Keep up the good wishes, I'll let you know when we are having a viewing and maybe some telepathic messages of "YOU SHOULD BUY THIS FLAT" to the viewers would help!!

Stupid question alert: Do you have to wash all baby clothes before use? And why?

Scottish You dont have to use fairy just any non bio I think, but fairy smells yummy especially with the almond and honey softener. It's just been on offer at sainsburys for half price so I stocked up but it's unsually back on offer ever few weeks

fairtradelu I think it's just to make sure there all clean, you know if somethings been dropped on shop floor a few times etc. Im not really sure why you have to wash the vests/babygros in the plastic wrapping though?

Ham okay may just buy a bigger tankini top then as I dont really want to have to get any more maternity clothes if I can help it with only being a few weeks left. Will keep fingers crossed for your flat selling .

mrsmiggins That changing bag looks great, what a bargain! I picked up some aden + anais bib things the other day from tkmaxx for 6.99 they're £17 online so was really pleased, will definitely keep going in there to search for more bargain bits

I got a size 14 tankini from primark bears (i'm normally a 10) and it is holding up well. Not maternity just normal but it stretches over bump, at first it covered all of bump but each week I go swimming a little bit more of belly is on show hehe! Plus hardly cost anything and it has really good support for the boobs I just bought the bottoms in a smaller size as they do separates.

fairtrade I think I read a thread somewhere that said washing was recommended incase there were chemicals used in the production of baby clothes that would need washed out before. A lot of people on threads like "do I really need to wash baby clothes before use?" saying they definitely would and did, some who know people who work in manufacturing and would advise it, and others who didn't bother and were fine. I'm sure it's mostly precaution... didn't take too much for me to do though as they are all so small!

Going to get the birth ball out, aching all over back and ribs as per. Repeat as necessary "only 8 weeks to go, only 8 weeks to go..."

thanks miggins - was teeny bit nervous of london but you have re-assured me ;) ive got first class on train as work is paying so that will be a bit better. (I too still have the elephant feet by the way!!!)

thanks for update on angel care - think will probably go for it. Great that you are getting all the clothes from Dsis... that will really help! Love your changing mat - agree TK maxx great for stuff like that and 3 bears, i got this bibs there the other week too - couldnt resist! i have got loads of the aden and anais large muslins - my Dmil lives in usa so got her to send me some!

thanks ham - i think i need more as have loads of vests but only i think 6 or 7 baby grows with neutral design on them - will get a pack of white ones - i find it all so confusing though - was just in marks and spencer and was about to get them but thought should i get up to 3 months, or up to 1 month! i think i will go with the up to 3 months - and if i end up with teeny baby DH can run out!

thanks 3 Bears on the washing powder - will check out for the sale at sainsburys!

oh, and by the way - whover mentioned the veggie 'colin the caterpillars' - i have just bought some and veggie percys for good measure!! xx

Thanks ham will go and take a look there this week was going to go anyway in search or dark pj bottoms and nighties so will definitely check the tankinis out thanks :) Ive just been on my ball aswell had to fight ds for it though dont think im going to be off it now.

scottish Ive just got the twinkle muslins from amazon and they were £25 for 2, there so expensive but they seem fab cant wait to use them :) I saw the sleeping bags in our local tk maxx aswell but talked myself out of getting them.

Has anyone else got any cellular blankets? Havent got any yet and not sure if I should as I have alot of normal knitted blankets but I know they're supposed to be better for keeping babys at the right temp.
Still havent got my monitor either think I may go for the angel care one but dp likes this one www.johnlewis.com/231281480/Product.aspx which has good reviews, so annoying choosing out of all of them.

Good evening all, hope you've had a good weekend!

Frilly I have just told DH that i'm thinking of reading 50 shades of grey and his face lit up lol. He's heard good stories . Best start it before I get too massive to jump him!

I am desperate for a water birth again and will probably just wear a bra this time (if im lucky enough to get one). Last time I wasn't prepared and was completely naked , not that I cared at the time but having a little dignity is nice.

Ham I'm not too sure about your dad being able to visit as both my babies were born in the night and we didn't have this worry, however, i'm sure if your dad visits you on the labour ward then it's fine but post natal they are strict about it being set visiting times. I'm not really sure you would want visitors on the labour ward because you stay quite messy for a while, if you get what I mean and (obviously if all is well) you go to post natal quite soon after your bath so there isn't really too much time.

Have had a big walk today which was lovely but oh my goodness Im knackered now! Think I shall settle down in bed with my Martina Cole book and hopefully have a lovely long sleep tonight! Fingers crossed!!