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...!

The MW yesterday asked that I knew babys movement routine. I said sort of. My problem is that now I'm at home with DS, every day is different & I don't always notice movement depending on how much Iv been on the go. I'm feeling really paranoid now. Lastnight I got into bed & there was plenty of movement but it was more jerky than normal. Haven't had much this morning, lying down now & there's movement but seems quieter. Trying not to scare myself!

I'm exactly the same. Everything is about recognising patterns that are unique to your baby yet need to match their textbook standards...it's enough to drive someone mad! I had a morning where I realised I hadn't felt baby at all last weekend, so I lay on my side and rubbed and talked to my belly and nothing. DH went to get a cold glass of water and still nothing. I was on the verge of hitting panic button when DH started asking questions about usual week day routine and when do I feel the baby at work, and that's when I realised I only really become aware of baby's movements about 3 hrs after getting up when I'm sat quietly at my desk and here I was trying to force baby to move 2hrs after getting up and in a completely different position! Baby moved fine for the rest of the day and the panic button remains untouched...its so hard to find a 'routine' when our lives change daily and we obviously impact our little ones' routine as a result!!

emz it's really hard for me to monitor movements as well when I am running after DD during the weekend. I have the kickcounter app and I log in movements on a Mon-Fri but I find I never do it consistently during the weekend so I always get a dip in my chart over the weekend. My strategy for now is to lie down when DD is having a nap and at night and if kicks are reasonably rigorous, I consider that OK for the weekend?

I had a mini panic last night at around midnight. I had lots of trouble getting comfortable and had mild tightenings on and off for about an hour. Was a bit worried that it was the start of the real thing (I had PROM with DD and didn't have contractions. I was induced under epidural so don't know what early labour feels like). Started to panic that I didn't have any plans on where to put DD if I did have to go into the hospital. Anyway, I've lined up 2 sets of friends to take her now and in addition to packing my hospital bag and baby's I need to pack an overnight bag for DD just in case! The discomfort has gone now thank goodness. maybe too much chilli last night tsk tsk.

There is another baby on the December thread (at 35wks I think)...

Wow another baby! There have been loads of early babies on the December thread. Gosh I wonder when our first baby will arrive...not too soon hopefully.

Agree with you lucy - using instinct on the weekend rather than trying to find a routine is a good plan. It will certainly save a lot of worrying and panic.

Also - sorry to hear about your panic last night, do you think it was braxton hicks? I don't think I've had that so don't know what it would be like, but read that it could feel like tightening of the belly...

Sorry to hear about your panic lucy I'm glad it's gone away today.

The worry about movements is real isn't it. When people tell me to enjoy the pregnancy I really struggle to put that into practise because I'm always thinking 'if someone can just give me a crystal ball and let me know that everything is ok then I'll relax and enjoy it but for now I'm going to sit here and worry about just about everything thank you very much'.

I totally forgot to mention this before - a while ago I signed up for John Lewis' baby mailing list and they sent us two vouchers in the post - one for free tea and cake (which we used last night - was brilliant) and one for a free gift. If John Lewis is somewhere you're planning to go it might be worth doing. So last night we went and did a complete u-turn pram-wise - we're now going to go for the Uppababy Vista. Anyone else thinking of this one?

Yes, I believe it was Braxton Hicks coupled with gas . My uterus goes hard and then it goes away. It was sporadic and according to Dr Google, the real thing would be regular.

Do sign up for myJohnLewis too -- they regularly send vouchers for free drink and cake at your nearest John Lewis and I've had two vouchers for 5 off 50 pounds spend.

I will sign up for that - thanks!

If it helps to know you're not alone with the trapped wind. I get it occasionally it's been so ridiculously painful. I heard that the pregnancy vitamins can interfere with digestion.

I'm getting so many Braxton Hicks it's crazy! Very disconcerting.

Really hope we all make it to term, I am NOT ready to see my baby at 35w

And fwiw my doctor said not to worry too much about patterns of movement but to just keep an eye on overall numbers over the course of the day/night. He said if you think baby has had a quiet day then lie down and do the cold drink thing. But not to worry too much about feeling things at the same time etc. He said really when you're busy you won't notice the kicks and it's not worth freaking yourself out.

Thanks for the tip re JL!

I don't remember being that aware of DSs movement. I think it's only become more of a thing since he was born. "She's" been moving ok. Good advice Lucy on sitting still & checking movements. Thank you. Sorry about your panic. I think my anxiety is upping a bit now as I feel the birth might be closer. My waters suddenly went with DS at 34+6. I was in hospital when contractions kicked off & it all went very quickly. I'm more worried this time as it might be quicker or my waters might not go first again. All the unknowns! Going to pack an overnight for DS as well in case we need it. Will sort that this weekend. Can't believe it's November next week!!

I'm getting a little bit paranoid about baby arriving early...I had an upset stomach last night, convinced myself it was my body getting rid of everything before birth...it obviously was just a little upset stomach...it's going to be a long 9 weeks if I carry on like this...!

Happy 31 weeks due date buddies!!

Hope everyone is feeling well. I'm washing baby clothes today - this is making me very happy

Thank goodness you said that Bella. I also had an upset stomach on Wednesday & convinced myself it was labour. Really need to try & relax. 6 weeks until we are full term. Scary. The clothes look so tiny & cute don't they.

Baby is moving lots now I'm thinking about it.

yes I know what you mean. I was sharing the other day at yoga that the thing i find most disconcerting about pregnancy is the unknown - not knowing when baby will come, what birth would be like, whether I'll need a emcs, how i'll recover etc etc.

This will demonstrate what a planner I am - I have booked our Easter holiday. yeap. easter. We wanted to stay close to home and there was this particular lodging that I liked, so figured I should just book it now while I had the time before everything becomes a blur. With DD we didn't go for a holiday the first 9 months because we were so consumed by being first time parents. we all went a little bit mad at home.

How big are your hospital bags? I am thinking of a cabin luggage, one of those wheelie bags we can take on the plane. I am also having some issues with snacks - with DD I remember packing some snacks and then on the day I didn't want to eat any of them anyway and got DH to go out to buy other stuff.

Lucy for some reason I keep worrying about a c section. My labour with DS was fairly quick & I had no pain relief (because they didn't give me gas & air not because I didn't want it). I was fixated on not wanting forceps with him & I recovered really quickly after. This baby is still breech at 31 weeks so I'm just hoping it's being a bit cheeky & there's still plenty of time. I'm also stressing about when this baby will arrive & Christmas plans. DH is having his work Christmas party really early & local just in case. I go from being excited to worrying. Need to just relax.

We have been talking about our summer holiday so that makes me feel better about being organised. We are away for an adults only weekend in May for a wedding. My parents are having both children, we will see how that works out!

My bag is a hold-all but a big one. It's a Tripp one, it's rammed. I'm probably not even going to need half of it but even with a straight forward birth last time I had an overnight stay so planning on one night. Iv gone with hold-all as I took a small suitcase last time & kept having to lift it into bed to unzip & it irritated me. Snacks, iv got different types of snack bars. I didn't have time to eat last time & didn't want to eat after so thought they would be more stomach able than the hospital food.

I'm also a planner. DH and I almost booked a cottage for august a couple of months ago but decided against it as we had a feeling MiL would have plans for her 60th - lucky we didn't as she's since booked a farmhouse in August for whole family which is going to be amazing! DH and I have also pencilled in a week trip to the Canaries for 10th april where we'll stay with friends. I want to book the flight asap but think it would be best to wait until baby's arrival just in case there are complications and things we need to consider before flying with such a young baby. If all is well though, we really want to do this, we've read blogs by people travelling with babies and it sounds like one of those things that sounds really daunting but will be fine in reality!

I haven't bought snacks yet. Not sure what to take...cereal bars? I have a cabin size suitcase. Decided to just use what I have at home and not buy a bag for it. Will need to take the changing bag for baby's stuff as there's no room in mine!!

We didn't fly with DS until he was 18mths. It wasn't as bad as either of us expected. I really want to go abroad next year but DH has said he doesn't want to with 2 children. There is a lot of stress with packing & weight limits but airlines do help as much as they can.

Iv just got different snack bars hopefully they will be useful. Iv also got to pack baby a separate bag which is probably easier when we are searching for nappies. New crib arrived yesterday. Feel like I'm getting organised. Still a lot of washing to do!

Have you all started sleeping much more recently? I've just woken up, after 12 hours in bed! I've been up 4 times to pee and everytime I had to turn over I woke up, so roughly 6 times but that's much longer resting time than usual. That's the 4th night in a row that I've really pushed how long I'm in bed for, I'm so tired....Zzzzzz!

I'm probably capable of sleeping more but there is always sooo much to do. that said, my previously atrocious sleeper DD is now a champion sleeper (changed at around 1.5 years) and slept until 730am new time today! . Got an extra hour . But most nights I wake once between 4-5am to go to the loo and after that i do struggle going back to sleep.

I washed baby's tiny baby and newborn clothes yesterday, with some towels and blankets. they are all so white! I forget that baby's clothes are generally white. I still have to wash non-clothes items and 0-3m clothes. I have about 2 dozen sleepsuits from tiny baby to 0-3 and 2 dozen bodysuits -- I think this should sort baby for the first 2 months.

bella it's great to have something to look forward to -- I am certainly looking forward to our farm stay in Easter, I'm sure DD would love feeding the chickens and riding ponies. We flew long haul with DD (13hours with a 7h time difference) at 1yo. I found it the flight and the jet lag pretty tough going. She was walking already and couldn't sit still in her seat. And when we put her down for night sleep at our destination she woke 1h later thinking it was a nap so we were frequently awake in the wee hours of the morning. I think they travel much better below 6m as all they do is sleep and eat.

btw, not to scare the FTMs, but I was in the hospital for 5 days despite having a term birth and not having a c-sec. I was properly emotional and weepy by day 5 and begged to go home because I hardly got any sleep in my post natal ward. I have started packing, and I'm packing for 2nights + a bit.

Probably wise to pack for more than 1 night. They wanted to keep me in longer but I discharged myself as I had had enough. Plus DH wasn't allowed to stay so when he returned in the morning he brought me fresh clothes & whatever else I needed.

Jet lag sounds bad with a 1yr old. I'm bad enough with jet lag. Would have made it even worse for you guys as parents if you are up with a toddler. We did a Greek island at 18mnths. He slept most of the plan journey even though it wasn't his usual nap time & he adjusted quickly to time but I think it was only an hour out.

I woke at 6am this morning new time, couldn't get back to sleep. DS slept until 7.30 new time. Really wished I'd made the most of it. I'm shattered now! Iv got so many clothes that I'm washing & then sorting. It's so hard when you don't know the size of them! Iv got my next growth scan this week as we can't make next week. (They my only do these scans at my hospital 1 morning a week). Be nice to see baby again.

Why do they make the clothes white? Runny baby poo from breastfed babies stains so easily & I remember the poo explosions from last time (sorry FTM, don't mean to put you off!)

I'm definitely getting more tired and therefore starting to sleep more. The beginning of the end!

We'll be taking DS-to-be on his first long haul flight at 8 weeks or so - off to visit family. Am hoping it will be ok! Because our families are so spread out he will have to get used to travel so we figure we might as well start him early. Next year is booking up fast too - we're looking at summer and Christmas 2017 plans already!

Just got back from the US where I spent a couple of days with my mum after finishing my work week over there. She bought me copious amounts of baby clothes so now have loads. Can't believe how teeny tiny they all are - so cute! We didn't buy any white ones, although am wondering whether that would be smarter as at least if they get pooed on you can just bleach them?!

Really glad to be back home & not have anymore trips planned though. Will properly turn my attention to hospital bags, nurseries and everything else now!

Re the hospital - we are pretty close so I figure DH can pop home if I need extra stuff. Not much point lugging loads of extras in if we don't need them.

Glad you have positive (ish!) travelling stories. Thanks for advice re hospital bag too.

I've had a bit of a downer moment today. I went shopping with my sister and a) I've given in and am now wearing mat skinny jeans so feel hideous b) I'm so bloody hot every shop is just disgusting (I didn't even take a jumper or coat!) c) I waddle really slowly and am breathless which is annoying and d) my hips/pelvis/feet/back hurt so I need to sit down in between every shop. How can I be this big and uncomfortable so soon?! At worst I have another 11 weeks of this and I will still be getting bigger... My lovely plans of gentle xmas shopping during my month of leave before the due date is starting to seem like an over optimistic dream. I have a growth scan tomorrow and feel so big now I wouldn't be surprised if they went "oops sorry our mistake you're actually 40 weeks - congrats!!" I also feel really bad/guilty for feeling so pathetic at 31 weeks as there are so many more to go! Am having serious jealousy moments when I see glamorous pregnant women and desperately want to stop other waddlers to ask how far along they are so I can compare to them!! How are you all feeling? (I won't try not to be cross if you're feeling teeny and great )

Oh Bella. It's horrible when you feel like that. I'm measuring exactly what I should be. Some people tell me I'm looking tiny & near, others have said I'm looking big. Neither comment has particularly bothered me. But today Iv been feeling really uncomfortable. My tummy feels so tight & heavy. I can't get comfy. I complained a bit & was told by mother & grandmother that I should stop complaining as if got 2 months to go yet & il going to double in size! not the most reassuring but I'm struggling with bending & I can't see my bits anymore. I keep wondering for I can keep going for 2 more months & my baby isn't engaged. I can't imagine how you feel. Hopefully you will feel a bit better tomorrow

Emz If it helps I haven't seen my bits since June!

Same colonol!!

It's the whole 2 months to go thing that's adding to my bad mood. That sounds and feels like such a long time! The weeks seem to fly by, months feel like years though!

I'm sure my bad mood will pass - DH is back tomorrow

I watched a couple of episodes of One Born Every Minute on YouTube last night...never had an interest in the programme before...not sure if it's helping by informing me of things I need to know or just scaring the hell out of me!!

2 months does feel like a long time! I keep thinking that it's 6 weeks until full term. If I make that then I'm happy but 6 weeks feels like a long time right now and it could be up to 11 weeks. Sorry, I'm not helping. I'm just worrying how I'm going to continue coping day to day & with DS. Iv got my Christmas shopping day next week with my mum & sister. I'm just going to do my best & not push myself. Iv got time after for Internet shopping. Iv also got a full day in London for a theatre trip with DH next week that we booked when I was pregnant before. Originally I was due in July so this was an adult day trip,best laid plans and all that. Just hoping I survive & enjoy it. Trying to just take everything in my stride. But it's hard.