Thread #8 - TTC#1 Grads - stripy bump photos ahoy!

[PotatosMum]

Welcome to yet another instalment of TTC#1 grads. Warning! This thread moves fast so blink and you may miss a page or three!

All are welcomed with open arms and TMI whether you come from our sister thread TTC#1 or just want a safe and friendly place to share your journey.

we have ladies from all stages of pregnancy from T1ers, trying to go cold turkey on their POAS addiction, to T2ers wondering where the heck their pregnancy glow got to, to T3ers wondering if that funny feeling is the start of labour or just a fart building.

So jump on the boat, join the pink or blue baby battle and enjoy TTC#1 Grads thread #8!

Team P - 8
Team B - 8
Team V - 6

August
11 Mor (Team Vanilla)
13 Bunch (Team Blue)
16 New (Team Vanilla)
27 Potato (Team Pink)
30 Pink (Team Pink)

September
1 Shelb (Team Pink)
2 Taz (Team Blue)
4 Nev (Team Blue)
8 DrWhy
12 Danni (Team Blue)
14 Soda (Team Vanilla)
28 Leonie (Team Blue)
29 Laurenrl (Team Pink)

October
3 Lisa (Team Vanilla)
6 Irregular (Team Pink)
8 Miley (Team Vanilla)
12 Indi (Team Pink)
13 Co5mo (Team Blue)
15 Planet (Team Pink)
23 Lillian (Team Pink)
26 Lara (Team Blue)
30 First

November
19 Canters (Team Blue)
20 Jam
25 Stark!!!!!
29 Elle

December
12 Feef

January 17
4 May
13 Ni (Team Vanilla)

February 17
15 Evergreen

Pink she was amazingggg!! We actually missed the opening act, so I have no idea - exciting about your water birth class, let us know how it goes as I'm hoping to have a water birth

Pink I've got about two weeks I can use. I was going to add it on at the end but I think taking a day off every couple of weeks might help. I'm doing 3 day weeks from mid August - I could probably start 4 day weeks soon... I'll look into it - good idea.

pink I've been unbearably hot, especially on the clammy days we've been having. I'm paranoid at the best of times about smells so I have been going through deodorant like nobody's business!

I'm off work today cause I've got a fair bit of holiday to use so I'm going to wash what I need for baby's hospital bag. What's everyone using for coming home outfit? I'm already panicking about over or under dressing for the weather cause I haven't really got an idea how I'd know if they were too hot or cold! I'm gonna stick to vests with a baby grow and just add a cardigan if necessary. It'll be October so surely that'll be enough?

Morning all.

I've been told I'm not having a baby shower by my mum, which I'm utterly fine with. My hen party was almost a write off and I'm still bitter about it- I wouldn't trust my so called best friend to arrange anything for me seeing as she has almost completely dropped off the radar. My other close friends all live miles away and it's just not something on their radar.

Leonie did the hot water bottle help? I have to have a bath daily for the pain. DH has to get me out.

Shelb me neither, I do have my outbursts. I haven't had it going down my thighs but it does go up to my shoulders and arse cheeks. I think because my lower back hurts I carry myself differently which strains the other parts of me. I nearly cried when my rib pain started as its just another fucking thing to add to the list. Sorry for swearing.

Anyone else getting rib pain yet? It kept me up half the night. It's supposed to mainly be on your right side... Just to be awkward mines my left.

Pink you should have smacked them with it on the lift up. People are shameful.

I know Miley! Hilarious though. The disposable ones I have are all folded in half so I had no clue how mahoosive they were until my washable ones arrived.

Leonie, Pink, I keep getting "ooh not long left now... How long" then I say "about 6 weeks" and get the dropped jaw. I think I must look ready to pop..... Especially with my epic waddle. I keep telling DH I'm an Emperor Penguin, seeing as I have a monochrome and mustard obsession and really I do walk like a penguin. It cheers me up anyhow.

Morning ladies, how are you all doing today?

Everi think my Doppler is an Anapulse from Amazon. I waited until 12 weeks to buy mine but at the time I bought it I wished I'd got it sooner because Potato's heart beat was very strong at 12 weeks and really easy to find.
The main thing I learned was that I was much better at finding her than a midwife, nearly all of whom have been rubbish at it. I even had to show one young midwife how to find the heart beat which the nurse who was in the room at the time found hysterical.
When you get one, watch a few videos on you tube and take your time

Feef no baby shower here. I don't have many friends or family so it's a bit redundant

Canters yay fit buying lots of baby stuff

Leonie sorry you're in pain. Take it easy

Pink how many weeks are you now? Potato has hiccups a couple of times a day and loves to squirm painfully when I try to lay down I miss the cute little kicks

Most people were dragged up these days

Yes to being hot all the time! It's driving me crazy! Thank god another side effect of pregnancy is less body odour otherwise I'd smell like a workman all the time!

Shelb my pain goes down my inner thighs... I've just got used to being constantly uncomfortable and in pain now. It's only a few more weeks.

Danni lol at getting better seats because of baby, that's a new one.

Co5mo sounds like you've been a busy girl, how did you break the washing machine???

Don't worry about the growth scan. Measurements are incredibly unreliable. The baby could have been sitting low, the midwife could have been off with your uterus placement, and the whole where to measure too and from is woolly anyway. The scan is more a tick box than anything x

Bunch I know the disappearing friend feeling. One of my friends who had a baby last year told me that her two best friends just completely vanished when she got pregnant and a few others became very distant. I guess it's just one of those things.

No rib pain yet but I'm dreading it. I broke my ribs quite badly a few years ago and as it is I sometimes get incredibly painful stabbing pain. Not fun.

I keep being asked how long too and when I answer people inform me that's ages! Really, is it really ages, well thanks for that

So, week two of mat leave. I've got to clean the flat and do the washing and start packing busy, busy.
I've nearly finished my cross stitch for Potato now, just need to back stitch the horse and sew the border (which is massive so nearly finished may be an overstatement)

Is everyone else still driving? I think I'm going to have to give up in the next couple of weeks. I'm struggling to get behind the wheel, I can't twist in my seat so sometimes I can't see what's coming as well as I should and Potato gets really excitable when I get in the car which is very distracting

I can't remember if we've had this conversation, but when is everyone going on mat leave? I was planning to go at 37 weeks but am feeling shattered already and wondering whether to move that forward.....

Also how much help do people have around for after the birth? My MIL is insistent I will need (her!) help and it's really upsetting me as it makes me feel like having a baby is going to be horrible plus I'm a really private person and don't want people in my house, I just wanted it to be me and baby....am I woefully naive?

Of course you're not Canters but from what I hear if you have a c section help is most definitely needed, but that's what paternity leave is for!

Canters my maternity officially starts at 36 weeks because I was sure I'd be exhausted by then but I also decided to take all of this years holiday before maternity leave so I actually finished work at 31 weeks. I'm so glad I did as I feel so much better for it.

I've just got OH for the first two weeks while he's on paternity leave but to be fair he does know what he's doing so I'm sure he'll be more helpful than most blokes. Your MIL probably just wants to feel important and needed so is bugging up her role. If your uncomfortable just tell her that you're grateful that she's offering to be on hand if needed and that if you and OH need help or a break you'll give her a call wilfully misunderstand her intentions

Thanks guys. I should probably have said the situation is a bit more complicated as she's in india, so it's very all or nothing! She wouldn't come for at least three weeks after the birth....but isn't that when i'll start feeling a bit better and want to do things with baby on my own?

Canters I'm having my mum here for a few months once baby arrives. I'm very close with my mum anyway and I know everyone has different situations but I think I'll need all the help I can get, even if it's just laundry and cooking meals and helping out around the house while DH and I get used to being parents. And I agree, from what I've heard about c section recovery it's pretty hard to do anything by yourself for a couple of months so maybe take the help offered. Sorry you're feeling so knackered.

Danni hope you had a great time at Beyoncé, I love how being preggo got you better seats

I too am feeling pretty hot all the time, I'm usually quite a cold person especially in bed but I've been telling DH to open the window the last week or so. I just put everything down to pregnancy atm.

Hope everyone is ok today, sorry for the ones feeling aches and pains, my pelvis is more achey than agony now so seems a lazy day yesterday sorted me out.
I really need to stop eating chocolate/sugar. I had terrible acid reflux last night and I think it may have been down to the sugar I've eaten over the last few days.

Hi all just checking in after being away for the last 2 weeks on holiday visiting family! Had an early baby shower while I was there too so that was lovely!

Haven't had time to catch up on the whole thread but hopefully everyone is doing well.

Canters I am thinking the same too. DP will be taking 2 weeks then back to full time work and I'm feeling like I will be fine on my own? We don't have scheduled visitors until 3 months after my due date. I really hope my expectations are right and we will be ok! The only thing that worries is me is establishing breastfeeding so I might look into getting a breastfeeding consultant to come to the house. Not expecting much support from post natal care in terms of breastfeeding support and i think I just want to be out of there ASAP and be at home. There is a thread on the Childbirth section about the DP staying or not staying in post natal wards and i have to admit the reviews of post natal care in wards is quite dire and depressing!

Morning everyone

Canters - I'm due to give up work at 38 weeks but to be honest, I'm struggling, so may bring it forward a week. I just don't want to be sat around for potentially 5 weeks though (if she comes late).

And hear you - I wouldn't want my MIL there either - put your foot down or get your oh to? I am close to my mum but we won't be having there too much, but that's just us.

Tired. Snotty. Aching hips.

X

I'm not worried about the growth scan but being told your baby might not be growing properly but then being told that you have to wait 8 days could make life really stressful if I was worried. Having talked to friends over the weekend two of them booked for private scans because they could get them much quicker than. Totally unnecessary if there was better information for the patient or the urgent booking system worked better. It can sometimes be easier to get a hospital to listen to patients and make changes for the better when feedback comes from someone who works there who can see both sides of the problem rather than when it comes from complaints.

Breaking the washing machine is a long story involving a hair grip four years ago...The current problem has nothing to do with a hair grip but I will forever have to take responsibility for anything that goes wrong with it!

lillian- I worry about breastfeeding too, your plan sounds like a good one.

shelb- OH thinks his parents coming isa great idea, and that I will need the support. It's so difficult to explain to him why I have an issue - they are lovely people but can be a bit much and take over, but this is the cultural norm for him so he doesn't see it as an issue.

cosmo- I can only imagine how anxiety provoking waiting for the scan is, youre right it does seem ridiculous!

Ah, loads to catch up on again!

Feefs - I hadn’t heard of the Bednest, that’s really useful. And interesting about being able to rent them too. This seems more affordable, given you can’t use them beyond six months.

However, the website says you can’t use a Sleepyhead inside it. Does anyone know anything about that? Anyone considering a Bednest?

Bunch - great pads! Also, I love your pinafore/dungarees (can’t tell from the photo) – you look fab!

Leonie - how is your back today? Has it eased at all? I went a bit crazy on Saturday and cleaned the bathroom to within an inch of its life (don’t know what came over me….), and I really paid for it later as I’d been leaning over the sink/bath a lot.

Pink and Leonie - can’t believe your stories about train/tube travel, it makes me fume! Are you being refused seats if you ask for them, or just that no one’s offering? I’m asking most days at the moment, and someone always gets up (though there are also always people in the priority seats who look away when I ask and pretend not to hear me…).

Danni - so jealous of you seeing Beyonce! Hope it was awesome!

Canters - I’m going on mat leave at 38 weeks (well, technically mat leave starting at 40 weeks, but using two weeks of leave beforehand so off from work at 38 weeks). My office is very flexible though, so if I needed to go a bit earlier because I couldn’t cope, it would probably be fine. Would your MiL stay with you, or be in a hotel? That could make quite a difference, I guess.

Indi - I’m also eating so much sugar! I never have it normally as I’m a savoury person, but I can’t seem to stay away.

Other random thoughts (because I can’t remember who mentioned them)…

I also want lots of brie now…. We can have baked camembert, right?

Not really keen on a baby shower, though some of my friends would like me to. Completely a personal thing – a) I’m not a huge fan of being the centre of attention, and b) I worry something would go wrong and would prefer to celebrate afterwards.

I like Miley’s idea of a bbq or party beforehand. My due date is one day after my 30th birthday, so if I want any kind of celebration I’m going to have to organise it for before birth, I think!

Any getting a cot top changer (rather than a full changing table/chest of drawers?). We could fit a full one in, but I’ve recently seen about changer trays that can go on the top of the cot, and that seems like a really good use of space.

Bunch you are really looking great! I remember breast pads from when my sister was breastfeeding and I think it's scarier to remember the times she leaked through them.

I don't think I'm doing a baby shower as I hopefully will have moved by then, and I won't know a lot of people in the new area. My friends are so far spread out these days it would be hard to have a celebration. If I get back to Canada before baby comes I'm sure family will organise something.

I'm due in the beginning of January, and am planning on not going to work after Christmas holidays. I think we break up around the 18th, normally, so it really is good timing as far as maternity leave is concerned. Still have to figure out telling my employer, and have to get through a restructure first!

I don't know if this is hayfever or something else, but I cannot stop sneezing these past few days. It can be quite painful if I'm not in the right position and my uterus complains. So miserable!

Hi all

I'll be finishing work at 37+3, with a weeks holiday and then maternity leave starting a week after. I'm beginning to panic that baby may come early and I won't have handed everything over at work. There's no basis for me thinking she will make an early appearance, it's just the irrational pregnancy hormones!

I'm still driving and have no plans to stop until I can't fit behind the steering wheel

Miley, for coming home outfits, we are going to wait until nearer the time and then buy one outfit in two sizes, so we can then take back the one we don't need. I'm planning on a vest and then a nice sleep suit/baby grow for baby, maybe one of the Mamas and Papa's Welcome to the World ones. I'll also take a hat and a blanket for her. I'm due on 30 August.

Canters, that's a tricking one with the MIL. My parents live 10 minutes away and will call round when we need help, but will also stay away if needs be. OH's parents live 2 hours away and I expect they'll want to be up at the first available opportunity. Can't really refuse when my parents will be around, but OH and I have agreed that we are not having anyone stay overnight with us immediately after the baby is born - we want time to find our feet first. Can your in laws stay at a hotel or would they be annoyed at that idea?

Lisa, no one has ever refused me a seat, but then I've never asked! It's more people not offering when all the seats are taken. Today, I've travelled from Newcastle to Leeds and back for work, seat reserved in both directions, so no problem there. But each time I've got on and off the train, I've had to lift my wheelie case into the overhead locker thing. No one has offered to help, and people have definitely noticed as I heard one lady mention it to her husband. I might accidently wheel over his foot with it when I get off

Miley, the saving grace is its not just the Geordie's who lack chivalry - the Yorkshire folk I've encountered today do too.

Potato, I'm 32 weeks tomorrow, and last night is the first time I've felt hiccups. Baby has been really active over the past few days though.

The heat is killing me today. I've not struggled with it so far, but I hate that clammy feeling.

Pink - lols! Definitely 'accidentally' wheel it over his foot when you get off.

I had a few months when I felt really nervous about asking for a seat (even if I had my badge on), because it felt too early and I felt like I didn't really deserve it because I wasn't 'properly' pregnant yet.

Then I had a day when, if I hadn't asked for a seat, I know I would have vommed all over the floor as standing was making me nauseous and dizzy. 27 weeks now and haven't looked back!

On train back to London from big work event in Glasgow. Am knackered and relieved it's over. It seemed to go well so really pleased.

pink / leonie - nobody has offered me any help with my wheelie case on overhead space either so I just asked. I never thought I'd be brave enough to ask for seats on trains or help with luggage etc but I just do now - people have never said no and I don't want to stand or lug a case myself!

danni - love that you're putting your bump to good use, excellent work!!

Yes to feeling hot all the time!

I'm working up until 38+2 but work are pretty flexible and can work from home or do shorter days if I'm struggling so I'll see how it goes. Don't really want to be waiting ages at home for baby to arrive, and would like longer with baby before retiring to work.

Re help - DH will take his 2 weeks paternity leave and then 2 weeks annual leave so hopefully that will be enough. If it's not then it's a bit tough! We don't live close to family and DH's mum is ill so can't help out and my dad is sufficiently unwell that my mum can't leave him overnight so it's a bit tricky. We'll be doing the travelling to up and stay once we're a bit sorted.

No to baby shower - it's a personal choice but I'm just a bit superstitious about getting gifts for baby before they're here safe.

lisa - we're getting a cot bed and matching drawers with cot changer on top from mothercare - they've got a good sale on at the moment with an extra discount off matching nursery items.

potato - still driving here. As much as I can - still need to practice and build up confidence so I feel ok doing it once baby arrives. I definitely find baby squirms a lot though, but that's probably because I still find it really stressful and they pick up on it!

I've got tomorrow off work because I worked Sunday so can't wait to get home, see DH relax and chill out and hopefully have a lie in tomorrow!

Sorry this has been so mammoth - blame the dull train

Waves to everyone else I've not mentioned.

I wanted a cot top changer but our cotbed is secondhand so I don't know what one would fit and I find it really high so I wouldn't want to be changing a baby on it. I've bought a cheap Ikea Sniglar changing table. It seems fine and doesn't take up too much space. I've put the baby's bath and toiletries underneath it on the shelf, and can squeeze a plastic box for towels underneath it too. Quite happy with it!

To whoever was asking about maternity leave - my maternity leave starts two days before my due date but I'm taking two weeks of annual leave first to finish at 37+1. I'm working 3 day weeks for three weeks before that too by taking my annual leave on Mondays and Fridays. At this rate, I might see if I can drop down to four days a week for most of August. I am trying to keep some annual leave back but I'm starting to get backache and feel quite fed up - and I'm only (almost) 28 weeks!

DH has had a chat with a recruitment agency about a job in the Midlands today, which sounds quite promising. He is from the Midlands originally and it's commutable from his parents' home, which would give us the breathing space we need to decide what to do long term if he got it. He should know more about whether he will be made redundant in the next few weeks. The job sounds quite promising and is better paid than his current job, and if he got it then we could live about near his parents. He said knowing that there's options out there has eased the knot in his stomach a little bit.

If we did move to his mum and dad's area, hopefully they would be able to help us with childcare - even if it was just picking the baby up from nursery if we were both working late. It's given me some hope that we won't be destitute by the end of the year and while I really love my job and our house, and our life here, I think I could cope with relocating to be near his mum and dad. It would help with any initial loneliness, I think.

Hey all! waves

Have been super lurky for this entire thread so very anti social, but keeping up with all of you.

Leonie so pleased there seems to be better news on the job front now, must be such a relief for both of you. Also, the Midlands is great (in my very humble opinion!) so definitely worse places to be. Helpful grandparents are no bad thing either.

Starky Happy Birthday!

Potato any news on an exchange date yet?

Miley are you any further on grandparent solutions yet? Hope you can manage to agree some boundaries before baby's here, as lovely as I'm sure they are, it'd drive me bonkers too.

Glad to hear people are liking their NCT classes. We're booked in for the start of September when I'll be just over 35 weeks. Hoping it might help make me feel like I have the faintest clue what I'm supposed to be doing!

DH and I have had the bum massage conversation, his response was that he'd do whatever I wanted him to so no drama there. Think I will try it. Even if it doesn't work I'd hate to not do it, tear, and then wonder what if forever more!

I've only got 9 weeks left at work as of this Friday, cannot believe how fast it's going. I'll finish at 36+1 on Sept 9th, but take holiday until my mat leave starts on my edd. Very lucky that my holiday year runs July to June so I have an entire year's allocation to play with. Will end up being paid for about 10days of holiday at the end when smp runs out, which allows me to stay off longer - 11 months in total.

Dog owners - have you thought about how you'll introduce the new baby to the dog? I'm expecting ours to be fine with her, but he's not had any contact with babies so he might not know quite what to make of her. He'll probably pretty much just ignore her until she's weaning and dropping food all over the floor...! Just conscious it's a big change for him too I guess.

Baby changing - we've bought a Mamas and Papas cupboard/changing unit for the nursery. Pretty much perfect condition but we picked it up for £50 from Facebook so pretty chuffed. I've had a bad back in the past (double slipped disc) so want to try and avoid hunching over as much as possible.

Right, this is probably far too long a post by now so I'll stop! Hope everyone's had a good day.

Sorry to hear about your back, Irregular. I hope it's not too bad.

No dog here, but we do have two cats and they are used to getting a lot of our affection and attention (particularly one of them, who follows me around the house and doesn't tend to leave me alone). I'm expecting them to hate it, particularly the noise and crying. Poor little ones.

pink and lisa- in laws would stay with us, alas. I'd love it if they came and spent some time in a hotel and did other stuff, but no. Plus dh will be back at work so it'll be even more super awks.

Lisa I've got two cats too. I'm going to start playing them baby noises in the next few weeks to get them used to the sounds.