Christmas and New Year's Babies - thread 2 (20w scans right around the corner)

[Gillster]

Enjoy the new thread ladies. Have put a link to the spreadsheet here so always easy to find. (Sorry can't get the linking to work automatically).

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OSdzg17qg9VY0CYhoGvKuTrF-GLnHCTFqc7NPUfAYVc/pubhtml

For all newbies, this is a thread for ladies expecting a baby around Christmas or New Year, feel free to join in.

That's a rough age for sleeping for most! Ds has only just got better now and sleeps through. I'm hoping the next follows suit!

Hiya I'm back from the abyss. Just found out we can get Internet in our temp place so we'll be connected by the end of the month! Had some really horrible family stuff happen so now im left thinking is it antenatal depression or just a normal reaction to what's gone on. Just hoping I can put it all behind me and be able to enjoy my pregnancy now. On the plus I have been deemed no longer useful at work and am in an office and loving it!!!

I have a decent amount of baby boy clothes now, the neutral stuff from dd and all the equipment is neutral and in good nick. Only big buy is dds bunk bed. We're only going to buy one mattress and use the top as big storage shelf for baby equipment till little boy moves out the cot. Could use a new chest of drawers so will be getting to the car boot sales soon.

Anyone else Christmas shopping already? Used club card boost and got dd a tablet for £40 thrilled to bits with that.

Welcome newbies and congratulations to all the 20 week scans! Lovely to bear about a few more links too.

Oh cuppa sounds like you're having a tough time. Worth speaking to your MW about potential depression so you've got help on hand if you need it? Hopefully office duties will be much less stressful for you when you've got enough on your plate.

I feel a bit bad moaning today fugg as I know I'm not the only one toddler-wrangling (and DP does all the nights at the mo so I'm v lucky)! Fri night seemed especially bad, feeling more copey today. How old is your DS? When can I hope for this seemingly mythical progress?

I've looked at a few bits for Xmas but haven't done any shopping yet. Should probably do some before 3rd trimester lethargy and panic set in!

Ds is 2.7 now, born on Christmas Day :) hoping this one comes NY day!

He got much better at 2.5 for us, we didn't change anything though.

I'm not even thinking of Christmas yet as it's going to be very low key as I'll be huge. I'll do a little tea party for ds' birthday the week before with close friends and just have a very quiet Christmas at our house alone I think.
Last year was lovely, we went to my fathers and ate Christmas dinner at a lovely restaurant, first time I've done that and it was great!

Thinking low key for Christmas here too. My dad recently split from his other half, so will probably go to his as he loves cooking Christmas dinner. Plus he has pet peacocks and lots of woodlands which makes it seem much posher than it is (it isn't posh at all. It's less hunter wellies and more art attack style bodge jobs and random dead pigeons and squirrels)

Other than kids I'm giving gift vouchers though. I normally spend months hand making stuff but Fuck that this year! The only issue is gift cards mean you can't make it look more expensive than it is. Maybe I'll make thoughtful treat hampers. Bit of cellophane and a ribbon and it looks fancy as anything. I reckon even socks and mugs look good if you wrap them nicely.

I hope your little boy gets sleeping through soon tango, but you'll be prepared for newborn nights if you haven't had time off it hopefully. Though that's propably not the most comforting thought is it.

I have 4 pillows for the bed so I can sleep almost sat up so I don't get woken by heartburn. It's very comfortable and I haven't been waking up much which I did loads last time at this point. So I recommend it for anyone struggling to sleep.

I haven't even thought about what we are doing for Christmas yet! Oh god, I need to get organised!

Don't feel you need to be too organised. If you're a last minute person you'll work it out. Plus we all have a free pass to be a bit rubbish this year. I think prep is more vital for those who have kids already as they can't miss out just cos we're all big!

I had a thought one of us might be in line to have the first Christmas or new years baby in our local area of even the country. Pretty exciting right? Whose it gonna be then?

Morning everyone,

How is everyone? I agree Cuppa I'm an 'organised but last minute' person

We're going on holiday with ds on Monday for the first time so I'm concentrating on that at the moment. I haven't done anything yet but will get it all done over weekend.
Anyone have any tips of travelling with a kid? :)

Baby is kicking and moving so much now, it woke me up last night! I could feel arms or legs sticking out!

Hope everyone's well!

Had a bit of a shit one yesterday... We had our 2nd cardiac scan, but this time with the baby heart Dr from Great Ormond Street. Turns out the hole in baby's heart is bigger than first thought, but at least it's not as big as it could be.
So, they still don't think it will be one that needs surgery, but is more likely now than before. It's kind of a wait and see situation.

Best case scenario is that as baby grows the muscle fibres could grow and close the heart. Worst case scenario, is baby has trouble breathing, feeding and putting on weight after a couple of months and will need open heart surgery.

*sorry hole in the baby's heart is bigger than they thought.

Sorry to hear that sherbet, it's such a worry. Hopefully everything will be fine

Sorry to hear that Sherbert, it must be such a worry but at least they know the state of play and can have all hands on deck if needed. I think babies can be a bit more resilient than what we give them credit for, so although any surgery will be hugely stressful, I'm sure your baby will get through it.

Thanks ladies. Gillster I completely agree. We're staying positive... After all it could be a lot worse, and our worst case may not even come to fruition.

And even if baby does need surgery, they will lead a normal active life after.

Sherbert I'm sorry it's bigger than they thought. Hopefully it won't need surgery, but these things have become so advanced now that even though it's scary there's never been a better time in all of society to be born with medical issues.

But the uncertainty so must be difficult to live with, I'm glad you know a little more now. My mother's partner had the same and a few other heart issues at birth and now he's the strongest most active man I know. At nearly 50 he's still making his mother panic. Gills ter is right babies are resilient little critters.

Evening all! Hope everyone is well? Had my 24 week midwife appointment today and all is well. Have only really started feeling very small movements from the baby in the last few days so it was a relief to hear the heartbeat again. Hopefully the movements will become a little more noticeable to avoid any undue panic!

We also ordered our pram on Saturday so that's a big (if not expensive) tick on the list. We went for the Uppababy Vista

I'm definitely a convert to sleeping more upright on lots of pillows. Find I can generally get a good 5-6 hours without waking. I've probably totally jinxed myself now!

Sherbert I really admire your positive attitude in a scary time. With technology now, I'm sure it will all be positive.

We're on holiday! Just got here, amazing place and sunny and lovely :)

Yay for the Uppababy Vista! I'm seeing a lot more of them around now, whereas when I got it in 2012 it was mostly bugaboos around. You won't be disappointed I hope! Great buggy. Can't wait to use it again with this baby :)

As it's second pregnancy I only get 12 and 20 week scan I think and I don't see a midwife until 28 weeks, but baby is kicking hard and often so I'm ok with that.

Hi all, just saying hello. Due DD on 30th Dec. I think I was on the original thread but not been on mumsnet since the whole hacking thing! Previous username was jugglingmonkey
Hope everyone is feeling okay, haven't been able to read the whole thread yet but will do once I've eaten my curry.... (Screw you heartburn!)

Sherbet I will be keeping fingers and toes crossed for you - hopefully everything will turn out fine x

Baby has been kicking for quite a few weeks now and this week is has really started going to town - my husband was able to feel a stronger kick this week which was really lovely as he has been waiting forever for it to happen.

We bought cot and chest of drawers last week as they had 10% off the ones we wanted although delivery time is out near November so thankfully we bought when we did!

Hi December Ladies! I hope I am allowed to post this here!
We (my obstetrician father and I) run antenatal classes in South West London and we are looking for a couple to come along to one of our courses for free in exchange for a very honest review!
So if you have not yet signed up for any antenatal classes and would liek to come along- or you would just like some more details then please do contact us via our contact form!
Thanks so much.

doctoranddaughter.co.uk/antenatal-classes-balham-clapham/

Welcome to the new thread mama
hope your doing ok Sherbert sounds like you're looking at it all the right way being nice and positive.
Everyone seems to be doing a good job of shopping I've picked everything but cant actually purchase anything big till the move really. However I did accidentally start packing the babies hospital bag last night. Was meant to be looking at what we've bought to work out what we need and got a tiny bit over excited.
Hows the christmas shopping going for those that have started?
Also had a little countdown and only 10 weeks until maternity leave now :O (I'm only actually working 8 of them yay :) )

Hi Hope - we have pram, car seat and Moses basket picked out but are going to have a good look at them and get some demonstrations the first weekend in October when we go up to visit my In-Law's - bought some grobags today as the official shop has a sale on.

I printed a hospital bag list last week - who knew you needed so much stuff!

I am like 20% there with Christmas Shopping - I buy all my friends kids stuff in advance (Sales etc. are a good time to stock up!) but nothing for family or friends yet - thank goodness for Amazon (how did we live beforehand?)

Fuggy in my area the midwives still asked for me to come to a 24 week appointment. It's odd bow things change between areas. Glad you're having a great holiday! I'm booking our last minute break today. Dh got a big tax rebate enough we can have a caravan holiday and pay for Christmas and some baby bits so it's helped massively.

Loving all the big purchases! We need to get all the baby stuff out and get sorted. I totally understand wanting your hospital bag sorted too. It's just so reassuring to have. I'm going to start stocking up on the boring small bits next big shop. Buying it one pack of maternity pads and newborn nappies at a time makes me feel less like I'm spending a small fortune.

The time is going to start flying now. I have our first wedding anniversary at the end of the month. October is a it empty. Then my birthday in November. My dad's birthday, Christmas and baby all in December. It's too bloody busy!!!! Anyone else curious how they'll cope?

I'm sorry it's been such a long time - just playing catch up now. Sherbert, am thinking of you and hoping all will be well.

Our little one tried to make an early appearance on Sunday. I had what I assumed were Braxton Hicks in the afternoon which, by the evening, had turned into proper contractions. My waters started leaking at around midnight so I went in.

Thankfully, she's still in there! I've been given some injections to slow things down and a course of steroids to help her lungs develop quickly. I've also been advised to move from Lewisham, where we're registered, to UCH, as apparently they have a good neonatal unit.

It's been a weird old time of it but I'm doing okay. The contractions are ten minutes apart but aren't picking up the pace at all, and I'm not dilated at all either, which is good news. That said, I didn't dilate with DS either, hence the EMCS!

Sorry for the long and rambling post, I just thought I ought to let you know that I'm still here and thinking of you all! Am on bed rest now for the next week, so feel free to entertain with witty anecdotes!

Thanks for all the support ladies. One day at a time

Bloody hell Shake! Glad that they've got you on the steroids and are keeping baby cooking for as long as possible. How far along are you now?

I've actually had another traumatic little twist in the tale this weekend too. I had 2 big bleeds on Sunday and was admitted to hospital for monitoring. Baby is all fine and has been the whole time. Now home on bed rest too. I knew this pregnancy was going too smoothly!

Cuppa you're clearly a girl after my own heart. We've been slowly buying boring stuff in with the weekly shop for weeks now. Whenever there's a deal on nappies or wipes etc.

What kind of toiletries do I need for a newborn in terms of bathing and changing? Any recommendations?

Hope that's so frustrating! When are you hoping to be moved by?

I'm 26 weeks now Sherbert, so every day counts! As far as I'm aware, the next 48 hours are the most important, after that she's likely to be okay, albeit with some medical help.

So sorry to hear about your bleeds, how frightening for you. What a relief your little one is fighting fit - try to get as much rest as you can now, I'll join you!