The 'Umm newbie'/ 'Thread maxed out' lovely ladies!

[mrshjb]

Hey everyone, as discussed here is our brand spanking new antenatal club thread! I thought I'd start with the stat's....

Kiki- due 23rd September
Weebairn- due 30th September
Binky- due 10th October
Misskgb- due 8th November
Ladymillion- due 11th November
Lolly- due 28th November
Chillychicken- due 10th December
mrshjb- due 28th January (awaiting confirmation of date from first scan)

Awaiting update:
mrsb87
Gennz

OMG OMG OMG - congratulations Misskgb!!!! Amazing news and wow what a story!! You are amazing! Can't wait for name and pics. Amazing you knew you would be early!

Wow I can't keep up with this thread lol. Have read everything but struggling to acknowledge everything!! Hope you are all ok.

Chilly, sounds like you need to chill. I know your business is important but so is your body! I am sure people are telling you that all the time!!

Loving the pics weeb!

So, everything has been plain sailing until now as I developed a bit of itching last week. My sis had that and told me to go to mw. She advised to get bloods done to test liver function and blood in general. Got a call yesterday with results, I have anaemia and abnormal liver results. I have a telephone app with my doc tomorrow who will tell me more and mw in the afternoon. Kinda gutted as low iron puts me high risk straight away so mlu is out the window. Hoping I have an opportunity to change that with iron tablets (I have had steak, brocolli and spinach tonight lol). The liver thing may mean early induction which I really would be gutted about. I finish work on fri and wanted to rest for a few weeks. (Must be the only pregnant woman who wants baby to come on date of after). Although I don't know the facts just setting myself up for worst case scenario.

Whatever happens we will do what's best for baby and I.

Xxx

Keep going lolly-you'll be fine if u listen to their advice & instructions. Go with it, don't fight anything & you'll be grand

Thanks everyone-I'm properly doting on her! :-)

Awww misskgb she's gorgeous and I can't believe how well you look. Massive congratulations to you both :) how did it feel bringing her home?!

Lolly sorry to hear about your blood tests. Have your iron levels been normal up to now then? Hopefully you'll be able to sort it with iron tablets pretty easily. That's what my midwife said to me when she was doing my bloods on Tuesday. Not too sure about liver conditions though. Will that be something you've developed in pregnancy then or would you have always had it and not known? Fingers crossed it's easily treatable and you'll be fine though. Let us know how you get on tomorrow.

chilly sounds like it's all got a bit hard work for you recently. I really hope you are able to spend a bit of time relaxing and trying to get back on track. Glad you're feeling a bit better from one post to the next day though. I really don't know much about the whole big baby thing, but I have read a lot of stuff on here about people who get told their baby is going to be huge and then it pops our perfectly normal sized though so I don't know how accurate it all is. Are you planning on getting childcare for your baby or are you going to try and do some work whilst baby sleeps? Sorry if you've already said but there's so much to catch up on!

weebairn hats off to you for having sex! I can't even be arsed now so I think you've done really well!! Breast feeding does sound like hard work really, but I am planning on giving it a good go. Does it get easier over time?

Midwife went well. Bump is still measuring right on the middle line and everything seemed fine with the heartbeat. Took my bloods for iron. Hopefully that'll be the last of the blood tests now. Got my scan on Sunday which I'm really looking forward to, can't believe how fast it's comes round though!

Sorry if I've missed loads of stuff you all said, I'm so knackered I'm fighting to keep my eyes open whilst writing this and baby keeps kicking my iPad!!

Night night everyone :) xxx

Helen- yes, bf gets LOTS easier. First couple of months are where all the hard work is. I found the longer I did it the easier it got, by the end I was wearing normal clothes normal bras, not feeding at night, able to go away on short holidays - it was just a lovely snuggly thing we had. And brilliant when they are ill and not drinking or eating much.

Missk- loving the pics!!! She is beautiful! You do look very fresh!

OMG! Congratulations misskgb! She's beautiful!

Feeling better today - I have a stinking cold and didn't get much sleep but I wrapped a few Christmas presents last night, my hospital bag is nearly packed and I have tomorrow off (not even working from home - I'm having a day off. YAY!). Meeting a friend for dinner tonight, out with my family for lunch on Saturday and hoping to have a lazy Sunday so a nice weekend ahead.

H I'll be working when baby sleeps and when DH is home. We're looking to start 2 days a week in nursery from around 9 months. Before that if I need to go into the office at all I'll call on my Mum or MIL to help.

Lolly sorry your iron levels are low. Hopefully the mw will be able to give you more info.

Absolutely freezing in work today. I'm wearing a long sleeve top and a suit jacket but I'm so cold. It's 18 degrees in office so shouldn't be feeling this cold. Brr. I've only got two maternity jumpers and I really don't want to buy any more but I might have to! I need to buy nursing bras too, have no idea where to even start with that one!

Thanks everyone. We're so pleased with her!! She's on formula atm as she won't take milk from me. Just expressed for the first time & got 1.5oz so will c if she takes that from a bottle later.

Felt fine bringing her home. Big sis came round & changed her bum & outfit. Lil sis (who has 5) helped with making bottles, feeding her & sorting the cat seat out. Mil came for a cuddle. My mum is coming today. As we're feeling quite good we're gonna bash visitors off & then use next week to settle into a routine if we can. Will change the plan if needs be but going ok for now!

Waiting for doc then hoping to go for a walk in a bit

Chilly sounds like you're making great progress! :-) H- hope dh wasn't too grumpy when u found him yday!!

Hey everyone! misskgb how's the little lady doing? Does she have a name yet? Has she taken any of the expressed milk?

Glad to hear it does get a bit easier weebairn. How long have you got off work? Sorry I can't remember!

Sounds like you're feeling a bit better chilly :) Hope you've enjoyed your day off! I had some maternity bras from h&m that were actually nursing bras as well. Bought them too soon though and can't fit in to them now!! Strange that you're so cold, thought pregnant women were supposed to be always boiling?!

Hope your appointments went well Lolly?

I had to come home from work this afternoon and go to bed, was so knackered. Glad it's Friday! Got my 4d scan on Sunday which I'm really looking forward to. Don't feel like I've felt baby move as much over the last few days but I don't know if it's because I've been really busy at work. I really hate the constant paranoia though! I know I'm a worrier so don't want to ring triage because it's not like I've not felt him move, just wish he'd have a good busy day again to reassure me.

Hope you're all doing well :)

P.s. No misskgb he wasn't too grumpy. He's got used to me having a few more strops than usual! I was annoyed with him because I'd read the start of your story and said about how it had been a really short labour and he started going on about how he was sure I would have an easy, short labour and I was like arrrrgh stop jinxing things and shut up and let me read at the same time hah!!

Haha funny!!! Still.no name. We've decided about 5 times & then changed our minds! We don't mind but everyone else is like come on!!

She took the bit I expressed yday but I've not done anymore yet. Will try tomorrow & c how long it is before my milk comes through. She's feeding every 2-4 hours so glad she's not solely dependant on me

Take it easy.......well done for cominghhome early & not fighting it!!!!

Gorge pics Misskgb, she is adorable. Looking forward to knowing her name. You sound like your settling into motherhood really well.

Good on you Helen for having an early fin, best to go with your body. In terms of movements my antenatal class midwife says always get checked out. Do you feel kicks at a certain time? Babies are sometimes in a routine. My little man kicks most at night, if I didn't feel him at night I would be think something was up. Luckily he likes a good wrestle every night.

Chilly- glad to hear you had a day (or having) a day to yourself. Fab that you have sorted Christmas. I am half way there with the help of amazon lol! Going to try and get some more done today when I am out with MIL.

All good here with results, docs were being over-cautious. Midwife was annoyed that docs were sharing results instead of her. Although my results were abnormal for a pregnant lady I am normal lol. So still all set for MLU. Had risk assessment so know I am defo on track.

So that's me on maternity leave and 37+1 today. Think I am next due date for us ladies. Happy if my man comes on time not too bothered at this stage of being early. Looking forward to the rest. Going to get stuff booked in for next week to keep busy. Hubby is worried I will get bored.

Happy Saturday everyone, I have been in the wide awake club since half 4 x

Hello everyone, hope you've all had a nice weekend :)

Has the name been decided over the weekend misskgb? How come you don't want to breastfeed straight from you again? I'm not been remotely judgey just curious and can't remember if you've said?!

Yeah I really needed to go home. Unfortunately haven't had a decent sleep all weekend so still knackered. Got reflexology on Tuesday night so hoping that will help me to sleep, always did before I got pregnant!

He had a right party after I wrote my previous comment. He seems to have settled in to an evening active routine and then just occasionally throughout the day! If he doesn't move much at night I will now start to get concerned.

Really glad that all of your results are normal Lolly. Woohoo for maternity leave as well, bet that's a relief? What have you got booked in? I think even if you get bored it's got to be significantly better than being at work!!

Had my 4d scan today and he is definitely a little boy, saw the 'goods' to confirm that! He's measuring around 2lb 9oz, some of his measurements are slightly under the average but she said nothing at all to worry about. Neither me nor DH were big babies so maybe he'll be reasonable sized at birth and then grow taller like us afterwards. The worst was his stomach measurement, which was 27w when I am 28+4 today, but it made me think of misskgb at her 20 week scan and I thought maybe it just depends where abouts in his cycle of filling and emptying he is? She said that was still in normal range though so it's ok.

He's in the right position for birth and has a good strong heartbeat. She said the umbilical cord looked long and strong and he has plenty of amniotic fluid. He was asleep for most of the scan though the lazy sod! He's definitely got some of my DH's features as well which is weird- he has his nose and chin dimple! I'll attach a picture after this post :)

Hope you're all well :)

It's much clearer in the flesh, quite hard to take a picture of photo paper!!

Aw what a gorge photo H. Shows up pretty clear. Sounds like you had a great scan and found out lots about your lil one. Doesn't sound like he is behind too much a week isn't much really. As long as he is within the line that's the main thing. Glad he is moving lots.

My little man has moved lots this weekend, hope he doesn't turn as he is in the right position.

Day 1 of mat leave and been up since 5, was in tescos at half 7 getting stuff for Brekkie lol. Just came back to bed to find a series on netflIx and then going to go to the supermarket again.

Not got much planned really. Going to try and get out at least once a day. Need my hair doing, a few Christmas presents to buy, seeing my friend on fri for lunch. Sis is coming over next weekend. Xx

Glad to hear babies are moving about nicely for you both ?

I feel like we've helped with you H-with the tummy measurement :-) being slightly smaller than their chart is definitely better than not being able to find it at all!

We finally named her on Saturday night- Olivia Faith

I wanted dh to be involved with the feeding and not for her to be solely reliant on me. She's taking my expressed milk well (dh calls it fibe dining!) But we've noticed she's not as settled on it, although does sleep for longer periods. Seeing either the mw or hv this morning so will ask!

Ah what a beaut name Misskgb! Love it xx

Misskgb, know ur super busy but if you have time can you poss share what you packed in hosp bag and more importantly what you needed? I am hoping to get that ticked off ASAP xx

What I def needed/used/wanted but didn't have: 3 pairs min pjs for me, spare bra, maternity pads, hair bobble, jaffa cakes, jelly babies, still bottled energy drink, clean clothes to go home, phone charger, flip flops or slippers

Hospital gave me disposable pants which proved great for first 24 hours. They also provided nappies (mine were in the car) and milk when I couldn't feed (not all hospitals do) & a knitted cardigan coz she was so small!!

What I packed but didn't use (partly coz of speed): tens machine, 2 bikinis, 4 books, toothbrush/paste, ipod, the big camera, water spray bottle

For baby: 1-2 vests & baby grows, hat, mitts, nappies, wipes, car seat, coat to go home in & a nice blanket-minimal!

If u want to ask about any specific items go for it!

She's put on 3.5oz already! ! :-)

Ah thanks so much Misskgb, really appreciate it. Need to sort my bag out ASAP. Xx

Thanks :) I was amazed at how clear the scan was, so different to the standard NHS one! Yeah don't think the measurements are anything to worry about. I've had a quick look online and it does seem like there are a lot of different measurement standards going round too.

Fingers crossed he stays in the right position for you Lolly. It's pretty unlikely that he would move now isn't it? Haha that's very early to be in Tesco, but I think your plan of trying to go somewhere every day is a good one. What series did you find to watch?!

Yeah knowing your experience of your 20 week scan really helped when she said that about his stomach misskgb. My heart stopped for a minute! Love the name, really really pretty :) have most of your family been round to see her now? Fair enough about the feeding, what did the health visitor say?

6 weeks on Wednesday until I finish work (unless I decide to take Xmas eve off as flexi). Can't wait :) Not actually confirmed it with HR yet, but got my meeting next week and can't really see how they can stop me from finishing when I want so for now the countdown continues :)

Are any of you buying cute little festive outfits for your baby?!

Hi ladies

Helen I remember at 30 weeks getting measured 35 weeks by consultant and then at 32 weeks being measured 31 weeks. It's crazy. It does make you worry no matter what.

It's highly unlikely he could turn to breech but really don't want him to go back to back. Starting to feel his limbs come out, hubby felt his knee or elbow last night. It's like something out of alien. Rather than little kicks it's big slow stretches. Feels very weird.

I had a productive day yesterday shopping and cooking and a bit of cleaning. Hubby had this morn off so had a long lie together and now I am washing all of little mans 0-3 months clothes. Aiming to pack hosp bag by end of the day. Watching a few things on Netflix on my iPad. Watching Him and Her which is complete trash tv. I have such a bad attention span I don't really enjoy watching a lot of tv. I am
So rubbish at watching films.

6 weeks sounds like nothing doesn't it? Nah they can't stop you. Depends on the policy. Usually you have to give 28 days notice. My company was pretty relaxed about it all, could finish a week earlier or later.

Not got anything festive just yet, got a feeling my aunt will be kitting him out. He is going to be dressed on superhero baby grows most of the time. Hubby is obsessed xx

Sorry Helen meant to ask, do you have anything festive sorted? X

We've got a tshirt saying first Christmas on. She's got some dresses & tights to wear if she fits in them but they're not festive

Mw told me we've got to feed her max every 4 hours & not let her go over. Also told me I should be expressing every 2 hours (or at least 8 times a day) & not just once or twice a day like I am but I just don't have the time/energy! I don't know how people manage breastfeeding or expressing for bottle feeds alone. I salute those who manage!

Yep most people have been now. Just friends wanting to come over but we're making sure we have time to ourselves & we're not busy every night!

Morning,

It is a bit crazy isn't it Lolly. Sure they just like to stress out pregnant women because clearly we don't have enough stress in our lives!! Haha wow it sounds so weird to see limbs. I remember feeling my friends baby a few weeks before she was due and I thought it was mental how well you could feel everything! Can you work out what's where now then?! Limb wise I mean!

Your day sounds good. I'm the same, I would go insane if I just sat about and watched tv the whole time. My DH is the other way round, he absolutely loves films and has to have something on the tv all the time. Drives me mad!!

I told them at 25 weeks when I was planning on finishing and she booked in my appointment next week to discuss so should be fine really. How long are you planning on having off again?

Hahaha! We saw a superbaby baby grow the other day with a little detachable cape and everything, it was very cute!

Think Christmas will be a quiet one this year. Going to my family on the day and then will see DHs family at some point but definitely won't be any long days or late nights!!

My sister was expressing misskgb. She did it because my niece was too small to learn how to breast feed so by the time she was big enough she didn't really take to it. But it nearly destroyed my sister, I know she had a lot going on with having such a premature baby full stop, but expressing at times during the night and also feeding at other times meant she pretty much never got any sleep. So from watching her doing that I have always thought I would either breast feed or bottle feed. Suppose if you want to express for the first month or so so they get the nutrients it might not be too bad, but it didn't appear to be a long term game at all! My friends who have breast fed said it's knackering to start but then much easier in the long run when they're not feeding as much. Watching my sister constantly on the steriliser and mixing up the bottles and having to take the heated water whilst out and then my niece refusing to drink much of the bottle so it had to be chucked just all seemed a right hassle, but I think it's whatever works for you!

How are you recovering?

I'm just expressing wgen I can. Its working out to about 3 bottles a day for her. She does take my milk better than formula but she's also needing more regular bottles so it's not as filling for her. May need to up how often I express as I've started leaking!!

Recovering really well thank you. You know what I'm like, I drove to my friends the day after I gave birth; went to Asda on the Friday; took her football on Sunday & walked to the pub for lunch today (30 mins each way!) I've told myself to take it easy (!) and to listen to my body if I feel tired or unwell. Mw coming to see me again tomorrow but I feel good!

Dh goes back to work on Monday so enjoying what time we have together as much as we can. Bathed little ladylast night which was nice! :-)

Lolly I forgot to say-they encourage dads to have skin to skin contact so u may want to put a tshirt in for daddy incase baby is still a bit bloody. My dh took his top off completely but I know not everyone does x

Wow you've done so well to be so active so quickly misskgb. Hats off to you! You didn't need any stitches or anything did you? Is your DH just having a week off work or has time really gone that fast?! Any pictures of the little one?

How's mat leave treating you Lolly?

29+1 today and I am officially huuuuuge!! Pram shopping on Saturday. Wish me luck!!