June 2014 -Thread 8- 20 week scans, gender reveals... Halfway through!

[GillyBillyWilly]

Jump in the new thread ladies!!!!

Good question re bag - I am hoping for a home birth but packing a bag just in case. Have yet to make a pile but am thinking:

Nappies
Wipes
New born clothes - couple of sets in new born size and maybe one set in smaller baby - my friends given me a load of tiny stuff that her son never fitted into .
Change of clothes for me
Slippers
Set of nightclothes (pj)
Mags
Phone charger
Speakers for my MP3 player

I am sure I have missed loads ! Have yet to get my hospital bag as I don't really have anything suitable. Am thinking a nice backpack that I can use as a changing bag afterwards. What are you using?

Ps
Pads
Pants

I also have
Flip flops
Towel

jaykay I got mine from boots premade formula I just got the Cow and gate one no idea why that brand! they also do an SMA and Aptimil one. Quite expensive for what it is, but figured it was worth it for the first day or so if I need it.

For my bag I have quite a few overnight duffle type ones that are on the larger size so will just use one of those.

liquid - towel and flip flops - good idea!

Am also in the middle of packing the bag, in addition to the above I've added some Andrex wet loo roll as am assuming the hospital loo roll will not be very noo noo friendly after squeezing a baby out of there.

Very impressed with those of you who have packed your bag/started to get things organised. For some reason, I find the thought of packing a bag really overwhelming. I'm usually very organised but despite looking at endless lists of what I need to include, I just can't seem to bring myself to actually get started! Not sure if it's maybe a bit of a fear thing - it's all suddenly becoming so real!!

I was planning on using my hand-luggage sized suitcase - is that too big? Will the MW's look at me and think I'm a nut!? And/or is it actually better to have a bag for you and a separate bag for the the baby?

Also, meant to ask - is anyone else planning a waterbirth? Noticed you mentioned it mitchell and I think, after much deliberation, I've decided I'd like one too, if it's possible.

jessie I'm taking a holdall which has wheels and is expandable to fit everything in. I think some people are taking two bags, one for them, one for baby but I just plan on putting it all in one. Hand luggage case will be fine as those giant sanitary pads take up a lot of room!

Yup Jessie - I have decided I really want one now. Which probably will mean that I need to have an emergency C section - but hey ho! At the hospital and the birthing they both have quite a few available so in theory I should be able to. Ended up buying this from TOPSHOP to wear in the water - well obviously the bottom will come off but the top is nice a long and I think protects a bit of modesty

lmf - those pads a bloody surfboards! So not looking forward to that part...!

lmf the loo roll is a great idea.

I brought some aloe vera gel and some arnica tables today. The gel apparently is good for soothing down there and the arnica helps heal everything up.

Good idea re the tankini mitchell I already have this one www.mothercare.com/Blooming-Marvellous-Maternity-Purple-Tankini/LB2122,default,pd.html as I've been going swimming a couple of times a week so will probably pack it and plan to use it if I do get into the pool. My hospital only has two rooms with pools so I might not get it but you never know...somebody has to! Also, my MW friend told me that if I was even considering a waterbirth, I should just ask for one because even if I dip my toe in and then decide it's not for me, I get to stay in that room - and the rooms with pools are bigger and nicer than the other labour rooms!

Ha ha! Lmf that made me laugh. I've not yet stocked up on pads but sounds like it'll be an eye-opener!

By the way - has anyone else noticed that there's a thread started for babies due at Christmas 2014!? Crazy to think some woman are just at the start - and also makes me realise how far along we all are now. Yikes!

oh man are we talking about bags.. this pregnancy is going SO quickly!

ipod and docking station
nipple cream

would be my suggestions!

I've not packed yet. Excited to!! My sister recommended cheap knickers or disposable ones so I got some "full briefs" from Primark. Dude. They're HUGE! But at least they'll be comfy right??

Things about bags from when I had DS...

Pack more stuff to keep in the car that DH can get if needed. You can keep your initial bag reasonable sized then, while not having to worry about what pjs DH will pick for you if you need to send him home for supplies.

Snacks and drinks for DH, hospitals are awful places to find food at odd hours.

Have a nightie as well as pjs. If you need a catheter you can't wear shorts/trousers.

I'm really hoping for a water birth having done hypnobirthing course; have this tankini and a bargain at £9 instead of £30-

www.mamasandpapas.com/product-floral-tankini-/s0010252/type-s/

Great shout on the loo roll Lmf
i've been advised take change for car parking / vending machines
Comfy socks
Chargers for everything
Also by a friend that's a doula for your partner to pack the bag so they know where everything is - she's seen lots of frustrated mums getting annoyed with men unpacking the whole bag when they can't find anything!

I was asking my mum about why you'd need disposable pants - she said to buy some as I'd soon find out!

I took flip flops last time, really good for wearing in the shower and wearing to the toilet rather than slippers as its really warm on the Labour wards

I'm 29+1 and have almost all of baby's stuff now. Collecting pram, car seat, base at the weekend then just need to buy a sling/wrap..

Next stop is hospital bag. Can't believe my last working day is 7weeks today, it's all happening so quick. And If someone else comments on the size of the bump.. 'Ooh you must be due soon' and 'it must be twins' I will blow a fuse. And this all comes from other pregnant women or new mums.

Oh and my advice would be, don't buy disposable knickers unless you're a slim Jim. They are notoriously very small fitting, nothing worse than helping a mum who only gave birth a couple of hours ago in to a pair of knickers that either don't fit or are so small they cut in. Just big cotton knickers, preferably black, from somewhere cheap like primary.. Then just bin them.

Also you can wear trouser bottoms with a catheter, the tubing just comes out the top.
And good idea for nighties/pyjamas to have buttons down the front to allow for easy access feeding or skin to skin

What fantastic advice - I agree with not getting disposable pants - I found it was cheaper to get a pack of big pants from tescos. I love the idea of getting some button pjs -, great plan. I am planning a water birth but at home. I have heard of some people who buy/rent a pool to take to the hospital so might be an option if your hospital only has two pools. I saw lots of ladies with suitcases last time and thought about getting on of those small one myself but can't think of when else I would use it.

great tips. My bag is also packed. last time I stayed 10 days in hospital and DH was very good bringing everything I asked him. I am hoping this time it will be a short stay.

Great to hear so many of you are planning a water birth. Unfortunately something it does not work for me, I'm not that brave .
Any plans for the weekend? I'm getting ready to go out. I didn't have many cravings during this pregnancy (apart from chocolate, biscuits) but I have been dreaming about eating some octopus. I'm Mediterranean so this is very common in our diet (like squid, prans or any other seafood) but it's not always easy to get it up here. But I finally found a shop and I'm going across town to get it!
Hope everyone will have a good weekend

Now I want polpo gallego liquid! I'm off to a friends birthday this afternoon evening and just going to sleep the rest of the time!

Mitchell you are more than welcome to come to yours for lunch. It won't be the Spanish way but I assure you it's equally tasty

Just been to Westfield where I spent a fortune on things I don't need and some primark enormous knickers! I am usually 10 but they do 10/12 or 14/16 and I thought 10/12 might be pushing it a bit with the enormous bread loaf pads so hoping that 14/16 won't fall down!

I am off for a pedicure shortly. So excited. Been about a year! And holiday in 5 sleeps!! And the bloody marathon is tomorrow and then I will be able to have a conversation with DH that doesn't involve running!