Late December - Early January Thread 2!

[Bella1985]

Hi! We're on to our 2nd thread for babies due at the end of December/Early January. 3rd trimester is in sight...!

Ok so that makes sense. I would never had imagined it to be like that, but the biology of it makes perfect sense. I'm starting to fixate on the labour now that it's getting a bit closer and even though it sounds horrible, and scary, I think I prefer to know what's coming than end up hysterical during birth about something completely natural!x

OK you've all inspired me to get a date in the diary with regards to packing - by the end of the first week of November it will be done. Hopefully. I've been jotting down notes based on all the reading I've been doing and all being well it will sort of consist of the following:

snacks and drink
2 nighties (open fronted?)
cardigan
books/ipad/charger
lipbalm
flip flops
maternity pads
big cheap/old pants
breast pads
clothes to go home in, something soft
nursing bras
toiletries
towel?
hairbands
pillow?
plastic bags to take washing home in
nappies
baby clothes - sleepsuits/vests - several
muslins
cotton wool
something warm for baby - blanket

Have I missed anything hugely important? I'm trying not to pack too much.

bella and admarks I haven't had grumpiness so much as general sensitivity, I had a midwife appointment yesterday and I was nearly in tears after because the midwives (there were two this time for some reason) were so sweet to me. They also found ketones in my urine . Trying not to worry about that one until after I hear about the glucose test.

I'm really glad to hear everyone's scans and checks are going well. admarks I love how they booked all your appointments! I'd be so happy with that level of organisation! Although what a faff it would be to have to go and cancel them all if you delivered early. On induction, my midwife hasn't said one thing about birth plans or induction or anything yet. She double checked the hospital yesterday but that was it. Not sure when she's planning on broaching that subject.

colonol that looks like an exhaustive list. I would just add that DH should always have his camera charged (if you are not using the iPhone for a camera) and if using a car, infant car seat and an incontinence pad to line your seat in case your waters break in the car.

admarks where I am women overdue get a membrane sweep at 41wks and induction at 42wks, unless a preference not to is expressed, although I think due to the increased risk of stillbirth after 42weeks they may require an acknowledgement from the lady on the risk.

Morning. Had my growth scan. Everything looks normal, baby is breech (which I knew as kicks as so low!!). Estimates weight is 2lbs 4. Saw the consultant for the first time & he was very brusque. I was almost too scared to ask any questions! Iv just received my birthing ball that I ordered. I'm hoping it'll be more comfy than slouching on the sofa. I wanted one last time but by the time I got round to ordering it, my DS was here. I also checked that I can go to the birth centre if I make 37 weeks. Fingers crossed! Wil have to organise a tour at some point. Feeling a lot more real now.

Apologies for double post. Oh and on the bag list, I'm taking a flannel (got so sweaty last time as hospital rooms are blooming hot) and I'd take shower gel, shampoo etc & toothbrush & paste. I'd advise a change of clothes for dad & possibly toothbrush for him. You never know how long you will be there & DH was glad I nagged him & he could freshen up. I also had a shower 2hrs after giving birth & although it was slightly shaky (me that is) it felt good being clean.

Looks like a good list colonol My friend (who has a 4 month baby) also recommended taking a big pot of vaseline and a sports bottle full of water (or any bottle with a squirty top) to use on ladybits when going to the toilet the first few times after birth... I think she actually initially said "take a jug" instead of a bottle of water but she did have a 9lb baby...

Someone posted about the full moon. I checked, the December full moon is 14th December. That's the date I predicted this one will be born. My DS was born on the full moon. I'd be just 37 weeks. Feels like Iv been pregnant for ages but I know I'll miss the kicks once this LO is born. I wonder if any of us will be affected by the moon

Looks like a good list Col, I picked up from another thread the importance of change for vending machines and dark coloured nighties and towels, plus an eye mask (not sure how important that is though!)

Lucy the midwife here said they do the first sweep at your 40w appointment. It didn't click at the time, but I don't know how many they do. But you're right, she did say they would bring an induction forward if they felt it would be at a risk to mother or baby if left till 42 weeks

Emz I have a birthing (Swiss?) ball but have no idea what do use it for! Do i just sit on it or are there exercises I should be doing to make best use of it? Google has come up with varying responses, so ive held off doing anything to avoid encouraging exit!

My friend had the sweeps & ended up being induced. She was told she could have a maximum of 3 sweeps.

I had read that's it's a better position to sit on it than slouching on the sofa. As you get further along then lightly bouncing on it encourages the right position. Not sure when to start on it. I don't want to start anything early either!

I bought a ball a week ago and my gosh it is comfy to sit on! I've been doing some gentle yoga moves on it - moving my hips in swivels and figure of 8 and from side to side- not sure if its too early but it feels really good so I'm carrying on. If it was that good at inducing labour surely it would be more famous (like curry and sex!) off I go frantically googling to check

Gtt results came back as normal so pleased with that!

Thanks for the tips girls! And good news about your GTT results Bella! !!

Great news bella!

I've got a ball (use it for my Pilates) and my teacher has been giving me prego exercises. You can sit on it and do pelvic tilts and side stretches &etc. Also it's nice to sort of get on all fours in front of it with your arms resting on top of the ball and your head resting on your arms. You then roll the ball back and forward and it sort of opens up your system.

(I've explained that really badly haven't i?!)

Good news Bella. Great tips with the ball. Will get mine blown up. (DS also loves to "bounce" the ball).

Has anyone else been told they are snoring? Iv just started apparently (DH has informed me!). I snored badly in the 3rd trimester with DS so he was prepared. I figured I have to put up with him snoring & mine is only temporary. I'm guessing it's because the baby has moved up higher & pushing on the lungs? Hope I'm not alone here?

That's great Bella for getting the all clear!

You've all made me paranoid now RE: snoring (I hope not but probably, will be asking DH tonight), birthing ball (should I know about these?! shit), and full moon (can this have an effect?).

I read that it's basically impossible to start labour without it just starting itself, if that makes sense. Is that not right?

PS thanks for all your suggestions re the packing - I have added them all to the list

Sorry! That's my fault. I went into labour on a full moon & the maternity unit was packed out which the midwives blamed on a full moon. There's no evidence just a lot of rumour. I'm sceptical!

Birthing balls aren't a must, Iv heard a lot of people find them more comfortable to sit on in the latter weeks & can encourage baby to engage later on. I'm pretty sure baby will come when it wants to come.

Snoring, well DH put his back out at the weekend so hasn't been sleeping well therefore he's heard me. We did joke about it in first pregnancy. I don't snore on nights he sleeps ok (therefore I can't be snoring loud enough to wake him which he has done on occasion to me!!) don't mean to worry you, sorry

Had my scan and consultant appointment yesterday. All looking good so far. GTT results came back normal, baby is still head down and surprisingly baby is charting on the 65 centile (although I do take this with a pinch of salt given my experience with DD). It's gone up some centiles since my 21wk scan maybe that explains my exponential weight gain over the last few weeks. Anyway next scan at 34 weeks, seems like such a long way away.

I've moved to the spare room, it's far more comfortable for the both of us as I need my tower of pillows to stop me from rolling on to my back. Everyone gets proper sleep as well which is great.

I'm definitely snoring, DH finds it hilarious. Sometimes I catch myself waking up with a snore-snort too Plus am getting regular blood noses. I think all the membranes go funny in pregnancy plus of course you have more mucus so it's not surprising.

colonol my consultant told me on Tuesday that no one knows what starts labour I may have asked if my giant baby was likely to come early but the most reliable theory had to do with uterine stretch receptors ie when your uterus gets to a certain size it signals to your body to GO. But he said it is all very unclear, and that anything like a birthing ball is purely for your own comfort.

Don't think I snore yet don't sleep for long enough to snore! DH hasn't mentioned anything yet and he definately would if he heard me!!

I hadn't heard anything about the ball until recently either colonol, a colleague said she bounced on it during early labour and found it much better than sitting on the sofa and then they mentioned some stretches in yoga you could do with a ball and everyone around me nodded as if "yes of course I have a ball" so I followed suit and have found it to be a nice perk. I think some maternity units have their own ones which you can use so you don't have to go and buy one necessarily...

I hadn't heard of the full moon thing either. Hmm, normally I'm sceptical of these sorts of things but if baby does come early....

That's great news Lucy. This LO is bottom down, the kicks are so low. Iv got my next one at 32 weeks but actually having it at 31 instead as we are in London at 32 weeks. They only do the scans on 1 day in the week.

Glad it's not just me snoring. Haven't managed to wake myself up yet. Thats an achievement!! You make me feel better Stealth, going to get my ball blown up whilst DS naps

I missed out your post for some reason lucy - great news on your results. I've thought about heading to the spare bedroom a couple of times but haven't gone yet. Will see how it goes as I get bigger (I've grown a LOT recently). I'm only 5feet tall so I don't think there's anywhere else for baby to go except out, but people keep telling me about their petite 5foot friend who had a really cute small bump and a normal sized baby blah blah and its making me wonder about the size of the baby / get annoyed with their lucky friends for being so cute in pregnancy...! The rage rears its head again...

Speaking of which, we have big committee on Monday with senior management and I have to give 2 reports, colleagues have started getting excited at the thought of me unleashing my pregnancy rage at certain staff who could probably will grill me or criticise my work... don't know if it would be a good thing or not to let loose...!

Btw I saw balls in tk maxx for £10 or so if anyone wants to buy one. V reasonable.

bella definitely unleash the beast! I yelled at my boss and my HR Director last night. It was very cathartic. They both totally deserved it nothing to do with hormones

Just got back from mw 28 week appt, iron levels are borderline which would explain why I'm quite tired and will be my big excuse for the grumpyness

Baby's head is 3/5 in the pelvis, I've just looked this up and it says online that 3/5 is 'engaged' - eek! I knew head was down low due to huge pressure in a weird place, and I know it could still bob back up, but I'm a little freaked out at this engaged status. I have googled obviously and it doesn't necessarily mean baby will come early but omg things are progressing and this is getting real!

Wow he/she is low. No wonder you need to pee a lot. My LO is not low at all, but I think that's more common with 2nd babies. They have more room to swing about. (Which he/she does) the somersaults make me feel a little queasy sometimes. It's all such guess work. What did the MW say about he/she being 3/5?

The midwife just said 'ooh yes baby is low, she's in the pelvis' and that's it! I've looked at my notes since coming home and seen the 3/5 which I then looked up. I guess she's not worried right now as by next appt at 31 weeks s/he could have come back up. I think I'll ask her at next appt if we're looking at early labour if baby is still engaged.