June 2013 - Thread 7 - Getting closer!

[Sarah2506]

We got full! Hope everyone manages to find their way back here:-)

Dontmind and hugs.

Steff a lie down sounds like a good idea!

Just done the online shop to come Monday - gives me tomorrow to add on the things I've forgotten. The last two times its arrived I've had some interesting items which I didn't mean to order and left others off makes for quirky meals - probably just as well no one else is here. The dogs judgy enough!

I now have a bag with five pairs of big knickers in it. I feel this is a minor miracle!

Ok, so how the heck do we fit all the required hospital bag into a reasonably sized bag?? I've just had a trial run of all the things I can pack now (ie leaving out the long list of last-minute items that I'm still using) and its filled two large holdalls...
How many baby clothes are you taking? I've put in 3 newborn vests, 3 newborn sleep suits, 2 0-3 vests and sleep suits, pair of socks, 2 hats, cellular blanket and shawl. Too much? The nappies, maternity pads and breast pads are bulky buggers!

Ok, so how the heck do we fit all the required hospital bag into a reasonably sized bag??

Last time we looked like we were going on a 2 week holiday when we arrived at the hospital

Don't pack too many of the nappies/maternity pads/breastpads, you can always get DH/DP to pick up extra stuff from home if you need to stay in hospital longer.

I've packed a v large hold all, but I've got friends who've turned up at hospital with the same amount of packing as they did to go to a festival....

It's a tricky one, isn't it? So many unknown variables - length of stay, size of baby, etc...

If you read backwards you'll see a discussion about how people are handling the bag and spares. I'm on a phonr running out of juice else I'd retype some of the good advice people suggested.

We're going with an immediate bag for post surgery, then a second bag in the car boot (thou I realise not everyone will havea car). Also ensure 'someone' at home knows where extra clothes etc are kept so they can bring things in if needed. I always use the bottom drawer of our baby chest of drawers for spares and last time put post it notes on piles of babies clothes so my mum or DH knew what a vest was or a sleepsuit. yes this level of explanation really did help

We're also filling a cool box with food to keep in the car. If I'm not going to get any sleep during the hospital stay I'm going to eat instead

I've packed 3 babygrows, 3 vests all in newborn/up to 1 month and I think should be fine as am not measuring huge and estimated 7 pounder so should be okay - if not hubby knows where all her clothes are. Then have couple pairs scratch mits an a couple of hats. Finally a swaddle woombie.

Sold my car today, am very sad as I did love it but onto the next car - not sure what but think it will be a 4x4.

I'm taking two holdalls now. With the drinks and snacks that I'll need (I drink a lot) and the size of the maternity pads, there's no way everything will fit into one bag. I originally packed a holdall for me and a tiny bag for the baby, but we've since been told to take enough stuff for three days so I've had to add more clothes etc. As DH should be able to stay in hospital with me, we also need clothes for him too.

Very cross! Not pregnancy related but my fridge door is broke! Such an inconvenience it's made me so cross!!!!!!! I normally wouldn't be this irritated by a fridge door but at 36+4 I feel I'm allowed plus I have some serious crease pain not sure if its that SPD thing to do with joints at the mo its only on one side

Hope everyone is resting up got my friends little girls 4th party tomorrow she's having a pool party at the local swing pool which if I do say so myself is timed perfectly so I can float with a woggle like a whale while the kids play around me

We thought he was round the corner and now we are in a further 2 days and phototherapy is going to be starting again :( then they start talking about a blood transfusion to sort him out! The naughty nurse left the baby's notes in our room by "accident", so I did take photos on my ipad of every page, to read later, then the dr walked in and got annoyed they were in here lol :) now to look at my notes tonight and copy them and I may start to piece this disaster together!

The hospital bag was tricky for me as he's my 5th I thought I know exactly what I needed, I was wrong lol :) I had a labour bag and only needed the flannel and lip balm! Dh left the other bag in the car until we were transferred to post natal ward. The only thing I needed was my phone charger, as once I was texting everyone how labour was going etc it had 2% left and was touch and go getting a photo of baby in scbu, when the midwifes went to see him :) the main bag you can't really go wrong with, just make sure dh runs around for you

Oh no sams sounds like such an ordeal your so brave I'm keeping everything crossed lo improves soon

Oh sams I am sorry, but they shouldn't be getting cross about you seeing his notes? Its your right to do so! (Have been there)

Do they know whats going on or are they still at the try stuff out stage? Have you been able to see your other children? I am v v worried about this one being in NICU as well for breathing issues, especially as they are delivering earlyish and baby isn't big (breathing issues not uncommon in CS and have been advised baby may need some help).

Cycle how is Nye?

sams I really hope things start picking up for your lo,

I hope everyone who's still being kept in is doing well, wishing you and your lo's good health

had another rather big bh a couple of hours after the first one, resulting in me walking hobbling round Tesco with oh worrying, went to bed and now got rubbish pains all down there and on my back

Sams, don't know if this may be helpful, but I had such a shit time with DD and phototherapy that when they took DS in I insisted that they use a billiblanket as well. This meant he was under lights, but had like a plastic light thing tucked into his nappy all the time so I could hold and feed him and he still be getting therapy.

All the staff were impressed at how quickly he came round, and he didn't have the whole bounce back thing where the levels spike after lights go off.

I hope they are being kind to you. With DD it was a nightmare with bullying MWs and dire threats and insinuating I was mad because I didn't want to leave her crying for food under a hot lamp. Bastards.

Sams it sounds like you're really going through it. You're doing so well. Like dontmind said- make sure that someone is looking after you too. I'm sure this round of lights will get little one sorted and you'll all being hugging in your very own bed very soon. Take care lovely.

Arlandria how was baby shower?

Steffanoid- sounds like you've had a pretty busy day- rest up now!

Pinkapples- sorry to hear about your fridge door. Everything is worse when you're at this stage of pregnancy isn't it?! At this point with DS our washing machine blew up and the ceiling of our entrance hall started leaking. You have my sympathies!

Off to sleep now- had lovely nap today else I'd have been in bed hours ago!

Must pack hospital bag tomorrow....

Night all!

I have a feeling that today's going to be a long day. Have been up with DS since 6. After late night last night that can only spell trouble!

I also have a wonky bump! Until 2 this morning my bump was nicely rounded at the bottom. Now it's a bit weird with one side of the bottom of my bump a bit 'pointy'. Anyone else had this at all?!

Sams sorry to hear your little one is still not well, hope he perks up with the lights.

Am I - I have a very wonky bump, particularly noticeable during bh. The right side sticks out way more, but I'm convinced she's been sticking to the right side for weeks now.

AmI we can keep each other going.

Yes, I always have a wonky bump as baby lies to one side with their back out, maybe getting ready to drop?

AmIGoingMad - I'll see your 6am and raise you 4:33am. (Toddler with man-flu) And my parents are visiting today. And my mother will judge the state of the house

thankfully I went to bed realtively early on the grounds that Eurovision is not something anyone should ever watch sober.

oh and YY to wonky bump. This one is over to the left at the moment.

Morning ladies, hope you are all ok. Sams I really hope your lo responds to the lights soon, my DD had triple phototherapy and I found it so frustrating but I also found the biliblanket to be very useful as at least I could feed her and cuddle her without being growled at too much by the midwifes!!

TMI here but finally gave in this morning to poor DH's advances but now im completly paranoid that it may trigger labour.......tell me im being silly!!

Nye is still in the neonatal unit. He's off the phototherapy, but still being tube fed and on antibiotics for the another 3 days. He's getting warmer as they feed him up. He's suckling a bit when I feed him, but not enough. I'm expressing as much as I can but he's having about half and half with formula:-(. They've moved the tube feeds to 3 hourly last night which is good progress and he actually woke up for a feed in the night. I must be the only mum wanting her baby to wake up and cry! He's so quiet and sleepy.

Cycle it's good to hear that Nye is starting to get there. You're doing really well- that would be a lot to cope with at the best of times let alone with post natal hormones flying around. Sending hugs!

Dontmind you have my sympathies. 4.30- what a nightmare! And my parents can be rather hard work too so good luck with today love! Come and rant to us when you need to!

Glad I'm not the only one with a wonky bump! I'm used to having one side fuller than the other if you see what I mean but not the bottom of the bump being so uneven! And she had already dropped, maybe she's popped back up to change position! Not sure how I can carry any lower than I am though!

I hope you've all got the sunshine we have here today!