August 2015 part 3

[Dozygirl]

New thread for all due in August 2015

I had a home birth last time, but packed bags just in case (&ended up in hospital once DS had arrived, so it was just as well).

I am planning on a labour bag, a small hospital bag & baby bag, plus a back-up bag at home. I know that sounds crazy, but I ended up staying in for several nights last time, and it would have been easier for DH to locate the extra bits I needed if they were already assembled in one place, on the other hand, I don't want to take a massive bag in if I get to go home after a few hours.

My plan is:-

Labour bag:-

• 2 x night shirts
• spare knickers
• towel
• mini wash kit
• snacks and drinks (sports caps & straws) + extras for DH
• iPad/ mags
• spare T-shirt for DH
• maternity pads
• 1 pair yoga bottoms & vest top
• birthing ball (deflated)

Ward bag:-

• dark yoga pants/ PJ bottoms
• vest tops
• light weight, skirt colour dressing gown
• big knickers
• lots of maternity pads
• 2 feeding bras
• miniature toiletries
• magazine, phone charger, snacks, bottled drinks
• comfy 'going home' clothes

Baby bag:-

• blanket
• 2-3 muslins
• 2 cotton hats
• 3 bodysuits
• 3 sleepsuits with integrated mits
• cardi
• pack nappies
• water wipes
• few nappy bags
• travel change mat

Extra bag:-

• spare baby clothes, nappies etc.
• spare blanket
• spare clothes for me
• extra maternity pads
• breast pads
• additional 'activities'

My main memories from last time are of getting through far more maternity pads than I had anticipated, and needing to change knickers, trousers a few times due to leaks. I am therefore planning on having plenty available and sticking with dark colours. I also found a travel change set, like the fold-up ones JoJo sell for about £10 to be indispensable. This was great for having everything at hand and changing DS on the bed. I was also told to take cotton wool to clean DS with, but got fed up asking for water while I couldn't walk around, so I'm getting some water wipes this time.

I'm not saying this list is conclusive, but I found this was pretty much all I needed last time.

Thanks for the sympathy. I feel a bit less grumpy today. The rib pain is horrible, isn't it pinkie and dilly? Mine isn't stabby, it's more like a bruised type feeling. Only on the left side so far. I sat with a hot water bottle last night, which has helped loads.
I think it's just my expanding uterus. I can feel that it's up there now. And my bump has grown this week, it's been tight and uncomfortable for the past few days. Such fun!

Sorry your dh has to go away mzzf. Mine used to work away regularly. I used to quite enjoy some time to myself. Try and think of it as the last proper 'me time' you'll get for a while. Watch loads of crap TV, take up the whole bed and eat your fave foods.

Thank you for sharing the list equimum. Looks really sensible. I'm going to get things together soonish as dh is worried about finding stuff himself if I have to go in early. Bless!!

I hope everyone is ok today? Friday tomorrow again! I finly feel the time is going quickly

Sorry to hear so many if you are suffering with various pregnancy ailments. It's really not much fun, is it?

I've been pretty lucky, but wow, am I tired now! I've just fallen asleep while sitting on the sofa watching Peppa Pig with DS.

Lula, I hope your jab went okay and you feel alright.

Does anyone else have to go to the hospital or their 28 week glucose test? When I had DS I had blood taken by my usual community midwife at my regular appointment, but this time I've been told I'll have to go to the drop-in plabotemy clinic at the hospital. Last time I went there I had to wait for ages, so I'm not entirely sure how to make sure the right amount of time has elapsed between drinking and testing!

We've had three different builders round today to provide quotes for removing a wall. It looks likely that we'll be having lots of work done just after baby arrives! I'm trying to convince myself it will be easier than moving house with a NB, which we did last time.

Happy Friday y'all!

Wow what a great hospital list equimum - thank you so much for sharing! I'm nowhere near ready for packing so i'll be sure to dig that post out nearer the time!
I had my 28 week bloods today at the doctors (by the midwife), no mention of fasting/glucose etc. Think they were just testing for anaemia, diabetes and double checking blood group.
Bump was also measured (on target for 28 weeks). Baby gave the midwife a good kick when she tried using the doppler so didn't get to listen to her heartbeat for very long but all good! The only thing that came back as a 'negative' is my blood pressure is pretty high so they're going to keep an eye on me. I started reading about pre-eclamsia when I got home and scared myself so not doing that again!

In shopping news I FINALLY ordered a cot today - she will have a bed and not be in a cardboard box !! DH was also really cute and bought me/us a 'end of holiday present' which is a Cath Kidston nappy bag that I've always had my eye on !

What's everyone up to over bank holiday?? xx

People's comments are just beyond, aren't they lula?! I've worked from home today and am in a much better mood for not being commented on or prodded!
I hope your whooping cough jab was ok? I have mine a week Monday.

My midwife hasn't mentioned anything about a hospital based glucose test equimum. Only that she will take my bloods at 28 weeks.

Yay for ordering the cot fanby. Which one did you go for? Mil is buying ours, and is highly offended that we've decided not to get it until nearer the time baby will go in it .

I finally ordered my pram this week. We decided on the jane trider a while ago, but have taken until now to agree on a colour. We've settled on boring black to make it easier to sell on.

Happy Friday everyone. I'm not very sick today, so stuffing my face with cake

We've finally made a start on the nursery ordered the furniture the other day and it will probably be here in a couple of weeks so we've got a deadline now!! Just the snuzpod to get next and then that's all the big purchases done!!

I guess 26 weeks is too early to pack hospital bags isn't it? I'm too eager!!!

Oops u guys have reminded me that I need to make my 28 week appointment. Not sure how to fit it in this week though because I'm working nights and my midwife only does a Wednesday afternoon clinic so the last thing I want to do is have to get up early mid night shifts to go to an appointment. I was meant to ring yesterday so I could see what the latest appointment time was and if it wasn't late enough I would try for a different Day. It's so hard to actually get in touch with midwives though as they are only in the office at certain times.

Well work this week was horrendous. Way too busy for a pregnant tired grumpy person. Got painful and swollen legs again and no break. Only 6 more weeks to go now and boy am I counting each shift down!. And lucky me finishes my last working week on Fri sat and sun night shifts, yey. Only silver lining to that is the extra pay I'll get for working Weekend nights so I'll have a slightly nicer pay packet come august so I guess it'll be worth doing.

Sorry to hear you've not been having a great pregnancy frolic. Every bodies pregnancies are so different aren't they. My only problem is that I'm bored of it and getting impatient but I have no pains or sickness or anything. I think finally my massive child bearing hips are coming in useful! My bump is quite low to most people but genuinely think its down to how wide my hips are so there is plenty of room for expansion before it needs to push up into my ribs.

Hope u all have a lovely weekend

Got my results back from my glucose test - it was fine, but apparently I'm anaemic now! Got a prescription for iron tablets and more Fybogel and Omeprazole yesterday and my whooping cough jab today, and an assessment at the wellbeing clinic for the anxiety on Tuesday. I think my boss is getting annoyed with how many doctor's appointments I have, but I am actually booking more than half outside work hours. :/ I just seem to have a new thing wrong every single time I see the midwife.

On a happier note, baby is SO ACTIVE now! We went to see Mad Max yesterday and baby was kicking like crazy in all the bits with the drumming, and this morning he was kicking my other half while he hugged me. It actually makes me feel really excited about finally getting to meet the baby, and I think it makes my other half feel a bit more connected, too!
And we've bought a cot! And it only cost £30 off eBay. It's terrific, it's one with a side that folds down and slides underneath so that you can use it as a c o-sleeper, but it's full sized so it should last until baby is big enough to go into a proper bed, too. Going to reorganise my room and figure out how to fit it in today. :)

Oh Dozy that doesn't feel like fun at all. Although I'm missing work because I love my job I am beginning to feel very fortunate that I'm not on contract at the moment so have been able to take things at my own pace and rest when needed. I know what it's like on a long crappy shift anyway, never mind lugging a giant bump around with me!

My bump looks like I'm smuggling a bloody beach ball up there, she's so high up that I just look big. The MW measured me 3 weeks ahead with the tape measure at the last appt - arrrgghh!! Thankfully my bloods and my GTT came back all normal so bring on the cake!

I've been up most of the night, helping DH get ready for leaving at 3am. I hate saying goodbye to him, but at least this time he's not going somewhere dangerous thankfully. Plus it was a bit blissful to have the entire bed to myself, I just didn't appreciate how much more room I would need as a preggo lady. It's not all about the bump size, it's the manoeuvring whilst not been as fit and flexible as normal too. Maybe they should have pregnancy extensions for beds!!!

Siani so good to feel the bump though isn't it?!!! My went cuckoo over me eating a curry last night - although DH has said no more curries until he's back, just in case it triggers anything! Hahaha!

Thanks dozy. I'm desperate to enjoy it, but it's hard when I'm constantly sick and uncomfortable. I'm only 5ft and have really narrow hips. It does feel like baby hasn't got much room at all in there.
I'm sorry work is so difficult for you. It's great to be counting down to the end of it now. Take it easy, and don't do too much.

Sorry about the anaemia siani. I wouldn't be surprised if I join you afterthought bloods next week.
That cot sounds fab, and a total bargain.

Hope you aren't missing dh too much mzzf. Funny about your baby liking curry. I have one coffee a day and he goes bonkers!

Happy Saturday everyone! I don't feel bad and the sun is shining, so off for a long dog walk and lunch on the beach

Thought I'd pop in quickly one quick break from revision! Been reading but not had time to post!

Had my anti-D injection on Friday- a right stinger but only sore for about an hour after so don't worry anyone else who needs it! It's not as bad as some make out! Apparently my iron levels have dropped a bit but not below the cut off so midwife wasn't worried! I'm gonna have to have bloods down again in a couple of weeks though as I'm moving hospitals and apparently they take their own bloods rather than just goin off the ones you've already had- find it a bit strange but never mind! Just hope iron doesn't drop further by then and me end up needing meds etc! Midwife tried to say 'is it really worth you movin hospitals when you have I have them again and booking again etc' I was like yes for my sanity and to minimise anxiety in a clinical enviro then yes it damn well is!!

Had a right funny turn earlier, felt really faint and sicky and actually felt that bad I cried- I am not one for tears in any way and have had a fair few failing episodes pre pregnancy so used to that feeling but this was a thousand times worse- couldn't hardly move, was so weak it was awful! DH came to the rescue made me eat chocolate, drink a little full fat coke and made me jam toast- within minutes I was back to normal! Bizarre! Must have been blood sugar!

Hope your all enjoying the sunshine whilst I'm stuck in revising! Soak up some rays for me! Xx

Lily - how come you are movinv hospitals? Apologies if you've said previously but I can't remember anyway with my brain at the moment!!
I've decamped to my Mum's house to have some R&R whilst DH is away, plus she's awesome and helps out with the dogs too.
Back pain has now arrived on the scene for me, due to LO's position - the little mite!!!

Sorry to hear some of u haven't been feeling the best

So at the beginning of pregnancy u get paranoid over whether you'll make it to the magic 12 weeks and they'll find a baby in there when u go for a sca. Now it's paranoia over movement. Anyone else feel the same? If I've had a busy day and not had chance to pay attention to the movements and then start panicking and thinking have i actually felt her move at all. She does of course eventually move but I swear my heart skips a beat until I feel her again. All these reminders everywhere to 'count the kicks' sometimes just makes u paranoid rather than relax. I want to get to the stage where her movements are much more obvious and defined so I don't have to worry as much.

Mzzzf- I'm moving because I'm slap bang in the middle of 2 hospitals and when they asked me at 8 weeks I just kinda went with one for no reason- not something your really thinking about at that stage! Since then I've looked at the 2 and the one Im moving to has a MLU birthing suite- really home from home relaxed environment which will be so much better for me as hospitals make me extremely anxious! I've only ever been admitted once in my life and it was for antibiotics through a drip overnight and I literally cried the entire time I was there! They let your DH stay all day/ night with you- there's even a pull down bed whereas at the other one they send him away overnight and at mealtimes- I will NOT be good left on my own! It's also a centre of excellence for maternity.

Even better I've just had a msg from a friend who gave birth there yesterday and she said they were amazing- first baby 9lb 5 just gas and air and no stitches she said it was down the midwives who she couldn't rate highly enough! Said there's a little kitchen you just go and make brews etc and very very relaxed environment- exactly what I am hoping! Of course if anything changes and I end up high risk I'll have to go into the main ward but hopefully not!

Dozy- I know what you mean about kick paranoia- I've pretty much stopped worrying now though at 28 and a half weeks as he moves loads!! Pretty much in a pattern too which is good but yeh his movements are really strong and defined- can often see my whole belly moving around! So it does get better! Know what you mean about the 'count the kicks' campaign, I suppose it's a good thing really but does make you worry!

I hope you're feeling better today lily and that the revising is going well.
It sounds like you're making a good choice with the hospital. The mlu sounds fab.

Enjoy some pampering at your mums mzzf. I hope your back feels better. I found a hot water bottle helped a lot with my rib pain last week.

I know exactly what you mean about the kicks dozy. It's so hard not to worry. And I find the advice about counting / not counting quite confusing. My movements were really strong last week and could be seen from the outside. But I think he did a big shift yesterday as my bump shape has changed and the movement is less defined. I also have an anterior placenta which makes it harder to feel I think.

Has anyone been having braxton hicks yet? It's just occurred to me that maybe that's what the hard, uncomfortable bump I had last week was. I've noticed it happening when I'm desperate for a wee.

I hope everyone is having a good weekend? I've had a few days of not being sick / feeling quite good. We even made it out for a nice meal last night

I'm 28+2 now and sometimes it feels like big movements and other times not.

Haven't had any tightenings/braxton hicks yet so I can't comment on that sorry.

Lily the MLU sounds good. I had a look around mine the other day and I mist admit I was slightly disappointed. I also have two hospitals i could go to but one is where I currently work. However their MLU has pull down double beds for your partner to sleep in whereas the hospital I'm booked at doesn't. In fact the rooms don't even have a bed in! There are two rooms with birthing pools and one of these has a giant bean bag and the other has a mattress type thing on the floor. One room has a single bed. And one room just has a birthing chair with a rope hanging down to hang on to.

Seems odd that all the rooms don't have the same things in it. I think I'd want the pool with the mattress on the floor in case the pool doesn't work for me.

Dozygirl I am constantly paranoid about movements - made worse by the fact that this baby seems to have no discernible pattern. Some days way more active than others and at different times each day. I've taken to just thinking about it every couple of hours and whether they've moved or not!

Does anyone know if you can charge mobiles or docking stations in labour wards? I've heard sometimes you can't because of safety reasons but what if you have a long labour and need your birth CD!!!!

Last time I would hear folk speaking about the kicks keeping them awake but I never felt them like that. I wasn't worried as such because I did feel some kicks just quite gentle. I now know she was breech and that was why I couldn't really feel her. I think this time it's stronger but I'm much more conscious of them. Obviously at this stage they are jiggling about a fair bit but in a few weeks' time I'll know to focus on where I'm feeling the kicks as well as how often.

I'm pretty sure you can charge your electronics on the ward. Every other hospital ward lets you, so not sure why labour would be that different. Just don't unplug one of their plugs! That once happened to me on ITU when a cleaner unplugged a dialysis machine of the patient I was working on to plug in the vacuum - proper squeaky bum moment!!

The kicks I feel aren't very violent either, I don't get kept awake or such like but since she's breech I think that helps explain it. I feel the odd few which are big but I do have to be sat down, relaxed and focussed on her to feel it. I don't really feel them when up and moving. But I've been told this is all normal for breech babies.

Ugh Dozy its a shame you can't deliver at the nice one where you work. Would it be too weird?! I have had two friends who have delivered in the hospital they work in and they were grand. It doesn't sound like you're too sold on the other place...

Due to being high risk I have no option except delivering on the consultant led delivery suite, kinda glad that option is already decided for me and I feel very comfortable and having the consultant and anesthetists a sprint away!!

All the mlu's sound fab! I'm quite jealous. We do have one locally, but it's not that swish. And, as we are quite rural, the transfer time to the main hospital is at least 45 mins. So we have decided that it's not a risk we're willing to take with this being our first. And I think going to the hospital might be a good way of envoking Sod's law and ensuring I have a complication free birth.

I hope every one is ok today? I spoke a little too soon yesterday about feeling good. I now have a steaming cold. Lucky me! Does anyone have any suggestions about what I can take other than paracetamol? I really missed a large brandy and a glug of night nurse last night.

I just didn't fancy the extra drive down the motorway to my place of work when in labour. I'm sure the one closest to me will be fine. Both of them are right next door to delivery suite so can go to all the doctors etc if something goes wrong or I'm not coping. Be nice to at least start off in the birthing suite.

I've been poorly sick today and throwing up Since the middle of the night. Not really sure why. I've had to call in sick for the nightshift tonight. Really didn't want to because I wanted the extra money u get for a bank holiday but I knew if I went and it was busy I'd just regret it

Went into a busy bar last night, the type u have to squeeze past people and my bump kept getting knocked so i didn't really like that part. Was worried someone might hurt me. She's been fervently kicking away last night and today though so guess she must be ok. And the kicks are stronger after me saying they haven't been!

Frolic sorry your not feeling well either. I'd probably feel the same about jist a MLU that wasn't in the same place as a consultant led unit.

Hope you feel better today Dozy.

I am starting to feel very pregnant. I have had to call time on me doing food shopping on my own. I just struggle to lift 'bags for life' that are full of tins etc from the till to trolley and from trolley to car and then car to house. Is anyone else struggling with this? or just me? considering doing online food shopping.

I am definitely feeling slower and my legs are sooo achey. I think I maybe just tried to do too much this weekend. I think I will feel much better when I finish work in 6 and a bit weeks. Cannot wait