Christmas and new years babies thread!

[CuppaSarah]

Just got my bfp positive today and am thinking we need a thread for all the babies that will be born around new years and Christmas. I'm due new years eve and just know I'll be sick of the comments real quick! So we can vent and plan low stress xmases together.

I know we have the December thread and will have the January one, but why the hell not there's room for everyone!

I'm also down for a home birth, had one with ds2 and it was lovely so hoping for similar again - seems lots of women are swaying towards it from various threads on here

I'm hoping for a home birth too.

Ooh! Busy today!

Hello newbies, and sorry to hear about all the sickness, I hope it subsides for you soon. My jabby-shabby-tailbone-pain has eased a little today and DP is back (yay!) so am off solo-childcare and back to the office where I belong. DS survived 3 whole days with barely any ill-effects and even a few new tricks.

I planned/hoped for a water birth last time but never got it. I had a VERY quick first labour and there wasn't even time to run the tub. Was discharged 4 hrs post-birth too, so definitely going to aim for home-birth this time, or there's a v real danger of me giving birth on the road. And I CBA to pop out for a couple of hours to have a baby when I can do it in the comfort of my own home. (crossing everything I get as easy a time of it!)

hope I have definitely been feeling some deep-down squirmings for a while now, especially now as I'm going to bed. I never felt anything before 20 weeks with DS but I suppose it's easier to spot when you know what to expect.

I'd love a home water birth too - my mum did with my two brothers (one by accident, the second because the first was so much easier) and says it's significantly more relaxed and less painful. Don't know if it can be linked, but they were both incredibly peaceful, contented babies too.

My midwife is a bit of a doom monger and said my options were limited as my DS was an ECS - seems a bit defeatist to me, but what do I know?! Certainly they're not up for me having a home birth at least, but I'm at least going to give VBAC a go, preferably in water.

How's everyone's sickness today? Hope things are improving for everyone. Nauseous but not actually been sick yet - this is progress!!!

I had a rather disturbing dream last night - I had the baby and it was a girl...but it was also massive! Like the size of a Labrador with a big floppy head and i was struggling to hold it as it was so heavy...
Woke up all panicked!

Anyone else getting crazy dreams?!

Wow ohholy, that sounds terrifying! Nothing quite as dramatic, but lots of very detailed, vivid dreams, which take a while to shake off in the morning.

My main gripe today (I seem to have a new one each day ) is being constantly hungry but unable to finish a meal without feeling fit to burst. Blurgh.

OhHolyFuck do you want my massive baby vest for your Labrador daughter? I don't think even the biggest newborn ever could fit it though.

I have been having odd dreams, I dreamt about jacket potatoes last night. I'm becoming genuinely obsesses. They're just so amazing and perfect and I need one.

I really wanted a water birth with first, but the second I was in labour the thought made me full of rage. Worried I'll transfer to hospital as I'll feel the same about a home birth this time. Who knows?

It really helped me with the pain last time, but everyone and every labour is different!

Olaf for a boy and Fido for a girl?!

Hi everyone, hope you're all good

Not been on in a while, so just seen the spreadsheet from Gillster. Thanks

I'm 29 and this is my first. I'm thinking girl, but DH thinks boy.

Our 20 week scan is on the 10th Aug, but my MIL has managed to get me a 16 week scan tomorrow. So hopefully be able to find out if we're team pink or blue!

Feeling very lucky with symptoms as I've had no sickness etc, but the last week I've had really bad heartburn and stretching pains in my stomach. Think I'm starting to get a proper bump - can't wait xxx

Exciting Hez! Let us know! I was convinced my DS was a boy and I was right - could have been mothers instinct, could just have been luck!

My hospital (Lewisham) sent my 20 week scan appointment through and I'll be 26 weeks by then (apparently they're very busy) so I've also booked an earlier one privately, next Friday.

Feel sure this one's a boy too, but who knows!

Ahemily. I can certainly relate. It is sooo annoying, this constant hunger. Not only do I feel fit to burst, I get so uncomfortable and feel like I can't breathe......then off to bring it all up I go...... Well, it is certainly the best weight loss program

32, first baby. Don't know what's normal and what's not for my body.

Anyway, I better stop faffing about and do some work. Have a good day ladies.

It's funny you say that rain - even though my bump is huuuge, I feel like I've actually lost weight everywhere else (my face and arse most noticeably )

Hi all. Will try and update the spreadsheet soon, if there's anymore changes that haven't already been said then let me know. Been mega busy at work.

Actually threw up slightly after brushing my teeth last night. Haven't suffered from MS but do have nasty gagging when doing teeth before bed. Weird!

Gillster I'm exactly the same. No sickness at all, but brushing my teeth is horrible! Every time I gag, but luckily no sickness (yet!)

gillster & Hez I've occasionally had the toothbrushing thing & no actual sickness, but in the early days touching the "dryness" of newspaper, cardboard (we were moving house, so lots of wrapping) and bogroll (!) made me feel really unwell. Pregnancy is WEIRD.

Excited by the upcoming gender scans, I'm waiting myself (for no better reason than stubbornness) but can get excited about your revelations now to keep me going. :D

Does anyone else get trapped wind just under their collar bone?

Hi to all the newbies! Exciting to have a few more faces on board!!

I totally get the teeth brushing and gagging thing! Happens to me every time I brush my teeth. It's horrible! Tango that's so weird! Isn't funny how different textures can make you feel all funny? I hate the feel of material between your teeth! shudders

So I've just had the very serious maternity leave finances talk with DH. Worked out all of out in comings and outgoings. Maternity pay is shocking! We will be fine, but literally on a shoestring.

18 weeks this week and I've got my next midwife appointment tomorrow. I'm so glad I joined this thread because it's given me so many questions I need to ask the midwife tomorrow! Hearing you all talking about home births and water births makes me realise how naive I am! I haven't even thought about it yet!!

Hello sherbet! Lovely to be here! Totally feel you re finances - the fact that we're all having Christmas / NY babies doesn't help with the saving either!!

Oh jeez ahemily! I haven't even thought about Christmas yet!!!!!

The budgeting and money talks have been going on here too. Our plan is to start buying Christmas presents next month. But everyone except children get gift cards.

But with dp being a sahd and myself working ft, working it out is difficult. We could just afford us both to stay off for the year, but it would be really tight. So looking for dh to find some temping, then a part time job when I go back and us work ft hours between the two of is. Like I work 3 says a week he works 2. Problem is finding something that pays enough, I have a good wage and unlimited overtime but are required to do the odd overnight and weekend so childcare becomes a nightmare too. How is everyone else doing maternity leave?

In less boring logistical news my boss let me go home early yesterday and it was amazing! I curled up on the sofa and snuggled dd all afternoon

That's actually not a bad idea on the gift card front Cuppa. Looks like there will be a finances chat part 2! Lol!

cuppa - I'm in the same boat as you. I work FT and DH is SAHD. He does work freelance from home in the eves (but his earnings don't even cover the rent).

We're going to basically use our savings to finance mat leave. We deliberately held off buying a house this year to save tying the cash up and will use some of "deposit" for now and buy in a few years instead.

But it also it looks like I might qualify for the new "shared parental leave" (weirdly: even though DP doesn't, as he's self-employed). Which means I can stop-start my mat leave. So I might be able to set it up to "dip-in-and-out" of work (maybe work 4-5 days a month after 3 months or so) and top up earnings that way, I'm speaking to work about it at the mo. DP might be able to pick up more work out-of-home if I'm off too, we'll see. Basically: it's complicated!

We've finally agreed to stop getting presents for my (many) siblings, so xmas should be easier on the wallet this year (although I've still got 8 friends with babies pending Sep-Dec!). I'm thinking small-and-thoughtful is the way to go. Though i'm not sure when I've got the time or energy to be thoughtful!

Had my 16 week scan today

Everything looking great, but couldn't find out if we're having a boy or girl. Baby wouldn't keep still and kept kicking its legs up, so they couldn't get a good look. Fingers crossed we can find out at our 20 week scan.

Was so lovely to see baby again - makes it more real. I was also amazed at the difference a couple of weeks makes!

How is everyone else doing maternity leave?

I'm the higher earner. We are taking 4.5 months each, me first. Then DH will go back part time.