June 2013 - Thread 7 - Getting closer!

[Sarah2506]

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

Wow wish I could fit in pre pregnancy trousers, I've been in maternity trousers a while. Have a lot of weight on my thighs mostly - have always hated my thighs.
I bought some energy sweets and drinks for hubby and I to put in hospital bag as thought they may be useful.

food and drink wise in the labour bag ive got lucozade (the non fizzy one) for me and redbull for him, as well as a couple of sports bottles of flavoured water casue i dont know how long we'll end up being there, and got some jelly sweets plus some cereal bars/nutri grain bars, then my bag if we have to stay over has got a bottle of squash in it cause thats one thing we had to take my sister when she was in...

I'm feeling very weird today, got what i can only describe as period pains going on at the bottom of my belly/bump, it's odd, feel like i'm literally about to come on my period which is about 8 months too late

Oh is anyone itching like crazy? I am still moisturising the same as I always have done and am itching like mad - all over as well not just on places where I am growing and skin is stretching. It's driving me mad!!

Good luck today, Sam.

Steff, I've got similar stuff in my bag too to keep us going, though we have apple Capri Sun and water as our drinks.

Gina, I think you should call your midwife about the itching as they may want to do a blood test as itching can be linked to a liver function issue. It may not be, I don't want to scare you, but I'd get it checked out.

Got the midwife in just over an hour. Suppose I'd better go and wee on my fingers in a pot to take with me.

I've a list of questions / issues today. She'll love me!

pre-pregnancy trousers?????!?!!?!!!? dear lord - not worn those for a long time... (and fence painting? feeling tired just reading that)

Oh sports bottles might be a good thing to pack (adds to list).

Keep with the moisturising - I'm going through tonnes!

Had my whooping cough jab this morning, I didn't faint! (I normally do with jabs) However I think I probably wasn't fit to drive home, at least I didn't pass out and scoffed a mars bar as I walked through the door to get blood sugar back up. I've achieved very little else today. possibly should make a bit of an effort to do something beyound watch Bargain Hunt and various things I've sky plused... anyone else's arm really hurt post jab?

I think you need to have the itching checked out, obstetric colitis (I think) can cause itching and can lead to a few complications. dI'd go so far to say that if you can't speak to your MW ring your delivery or medicom number.

don'tmind - my arm was sore post jab for a good few days but did go off eventually!

My bag at admission
Maternity notes
Charged camera
Mobile phone charger
Antibac gel
Antibac wipes
Dark Towel x 1
Shampoo/shower gel/Deodorant
Toothbrush/Toothpaste/Mouthwash
Tea tree oil
Makeup
Lypsol
Hairbrush
Water Wipes (trust me paper can be awkward)
Maternity Pads
Breastpads
Lanisoh cream
Indigestion tablets
Flip flops
1 x T-shirt or tops (in addition to what I wear in)
1 x bras (in addition to what I wear in)
1 x Nightie (for straight after op)
Dressing gown
Light shawl as hard to get cardi on and off
3 x BIG knickers
Sports bottle (easy sip)
T-Shirt for him
Toothbrush for him
Pants & Socks for him

Baby Bits in my bag
Blanket
Cuddly
7 x muslins
2 x vests
2 x sleepsuits
Hat
Little Cardigan
Nappies
Baby Wipes (plus cotton pads)
Nappy Bags

Food in car
Fresh Orange
Squash
Grapes
Snacks
Crisps
Peppermint Tea
Bendy straws
Dried prunes or apricots

Backup Bag in Car
3 x vests
3 x sleepsuits
1 x packs of nappies
2 x packs Maternity Pads
1 x pack Breastpads
2 x T-shirt or tops for me
2 x bras
2 x vests
2 x PJ or soft trouser bottoms
5 x knickers
1 x black towel
Baby sling
Car park change
Gifts for/from new baby to DC#1
Car Seat

At Home
Shower sheet & dark blanket for sofa
Big pads for the bed

This is my list that I'm working through, its for CS so no tens or other useful items like birth ball or pool inner which I took last time. 

A colleague gave me a great tip regarding food for DH. She said to make sandwiches now and pop them in the freezer. Then when you go to hospital get them out and put them in your bag. By the time they have defrosted DH will be getting hungry. This saves you having to either make fresh ones when contractions start or him having to go wandering through the hospital in search of food.

redwelly - good list! Also c section so will be in for a few days. (Particularly if last time I end up needing blood put back in)

I hadn't thought to pack a sling, didn't think I'd be able to carry baby in a sling for the first few days. Which is a very good point, I think they haven't made it down from the loft, better send DH back up there... Has anyone had a c section before? What sort of time frame is there for this sort of stuff?

The problem I have with a lot of things, they are last minute, such as makeup, phone charger (I don't have spares) - I think I might need to have a "grab if go in labour early" as well as a "night before check list".

I won't be able to use the sling for a few weeks but its more for DH because he has an issue with his neck and the sling will let him hold baby more, we have a close wrap rather than a crotch dangler type.

I'm going on my last big shopping trip tomorrow into town, my list is great but I certainly don't have everything on it!

DontMind I've a list printed of what is in a bag and what needs to go in, DH for all his minor faults is reasonably capable so even if I were to end up being taken in without bag he'd be able to sort it out. As long as toddler dd isn't annoying him!

Re snacks I think flapjacks are very good, sweets and sugary drinks are all very well during labour but afterwards slow release energy is whats needed. Plus oats stimulate milk production. I have bought some tubs of fruit in fruit juice, and making some raisin flapjacks today. Also got frusli bars and still lucozade for straight after.

I'm 99% serious about encouraging visitors to bring those incredible salads qnd fruit packs and fish and brie etc etc from M&S!

Gina - oh these are my 'I'm feeling massively fat' trousers so they can get on and aren't tight around legs or butt but I can nowhere near get them done up....

Whilst all this stuff is really useful I just can't see how I'm actually going to pack it all in and get it up there?! We won't be driving as the car park is a building site. So no car to leave stuff in. If I packed all your suggestions I would need a big suitcase or a couple of smaller bags. I can't see the hospital being thrilled if I turn up with either. DH can bring stuff in daily I guess, but does anyone have an absolute essential list?

maybe you could take a family sized suitcase, get them all wondering how long you're staying for

Thanks will have a word with midwife re: itching.

Re hospital bags I know some people have used the smaller wheely suitcases - hand luggage size ones - so may be an option?

I have packed cereal bars as thought they would be good energy wise.

Sarah I managed to get everything into a small wheely suitcase at the weekend. I had a short stay in hospital at 30 weeks and know it fits in the lockers at the side of beds. Looked like a massive list but magically it all fitted in the end.

Now concerned about soggy sandwiches so will do a dummy run. Surely it would be fine though? - I freeze bread all the time.....The scientist in me is off to experiment with DH's packed lunch......

I've frozen sandwiches before, does depend on the bread.

I do have an 'essentials' list, basically its what I have packed at the moment! But it does pack in small and it also depends on how easy it is for your DH or family to bring in extras. One thing I have been much much more careful about this time is ensuring everything is easy to find in babies room.

Also our hospital is outside of town so if you don't bring food with you the nice to eat options are limited.

Steff, the midwife I saw just said that some people turn up looking like they're going on a fortnight's holiday! Apparently our antenatal class on Saturday will give us tips about what to pack.

Baby B is still measuring 2 weeks ahead and apparently has very long legs. Which isn't a surprise as I have VERY long legs and DH's aren't short either, but not as long as mine. The midwife also said he's happy and calm as his heartbeat was 130 after a good poking!

We are still head down, but not engaged yet. Still time though.

And even better is that my blood pressure is as low as it has been all pregnancy. Shows that finishing work has benefitted me.

I've frozen sandwiches before too and they've been fine to eat. I'll see if DH wants to do that.

Oh, and my midwife asked if I was getting 10 movements a day as that's what they look for. I have loads more than that. Sometimes 10 in a minute! Good to know it is a low target for further on though.

MrsBri... If the movements change you need to check it out. I would be massively worried if mine went down to ten movements a day after being a wriggler for so long.

It's not so much the number, as what's normal for your baby. Mine has a nice little routine, which I hope it sticks to when it arrives as it means I'll have a couple of quiet hours in the day time :D

Oh and movements shouldn't lessen towards the end, they just aren't as 'dramatic'... Think squirming rather than kicking out.

Oh, I'd be first on the phone if the pattern changed too much, don't worry about that. If I think he's quiet now I'll do all the tricks to move him, but would call straight away if I didn't entice movement.

His pattern has changed over the last week or so, which freaked me out to start with, but I'm getting used to it now.

I can't imagine only 10 a day, it has to be said.

Wonder why I've just been told they do lessen then? You'd expect a midwife to know what she is on about.