Thread 13. TTC #1 Grads. Some of us still remember that thing called "a full nights sleep" for most, it's a mere memory.

[AudreyBradshaw]

Behold, the wonder of birth! Members from 6 weeks bfp to post-partum wonder Mamas! No question to grotty or minging.

We've come full circle from obsessing about cervical mucus to now obsessing if it's our vagina baby plug going! What larks!

Lots of talk about poo, ours and now babies too! Baby brain is REAL! From morning sickness in the first trimester to the third trimester struggle of getting out of bed ( "walrus-ing"in our house), to actual real babies who are growing so fast! Discussion on the merits of sleepyhead and Ewan the dream sheep.

Sooo many gorgeous babies now! And equally lovely Mummy's! We are amazing! What a year! Can you believe it's been a year since our first tentative TTC thread!? Look how far we've come!

Roll up, literally, in my case, cause I'm practically rotund! for TTC #1 Grads!

marmite I finished at 36 weeks but used 2 weeks annual leave and 2 weeks mat leave before due date (though J decided he wanted to come 2 days into annual leave). I think 36 weeks is average and I think it's important to have some time to yourself before baby arrives if you can.

bunch well done Atticus! He's getting a big lad Harrison does the sniper crawl type movements too - very cute! Not when he screams in frustration though.

soda I've only ever been to Oxford Street once in my life - last December. I vowed never to do it again so I'm very impressed you managed it with a pram!

lillian wow! And I though 13 weeks was a shitty end of the stick. Hope it's just spotting as bunch says

marmite, I finished at 38+1. I went a week overdue so was frustrated that I hadn't stayed at work longer to be honest. I'd work as close as possible up to my due date if I were you, so you have more time afterwards, but it depends on how you feel nearer the time. We have had a few early arrivals on here!

Re periods, I went back on the pill at my 6 week check, and it had to be the mini pill as others dry breast milk up apparently, so no periods here. I'm going to swap back to my previous pre-pregnancy pill as soon as I can so that I at least have the 7 day break between packs. I loved not having periods when pregnant but now I want them back so I know everything's in working order ready for baby number two, as and when they are on the horizon.

I've got my first post baby smear test soon. I think it's going to be uncomfortable after an episiotomy and forceps

Brilliant weight gain by R canters!

Marmite my last day was 38+2 which was a Friday and my waters went the following Wednesday so I really wished I'd had a week longer. I really struggled in my last week too but then it was boiling in August and I was commuting by tube... See how you feel closer to the time if you can I reckon. If I'd been overdue like pink I'd have been really frustrated but most of us on this thread have actually gone a bit early I think!

Yeah Oxford St was a challenge! I really struggled with the pram on the escalators actually - ridiculous that Bond St tube doesn't have a lift. I was in and out as quickly as I could and bought basically all my presents in John Lewis! Still a bit to do but will be trying to get the rest online

Oh and no periods here at 13 weeks after birth. I'm not on any birth control pill - A is proving a rather successful contraceptive device at the moment. No idea when I'm supposed to have time for sex.

I was supposed to finish work at 35 weeks but went off sick at 33. I really struggled towards the end and would go around 30 weeks with baby number 2. However my job involved being on my feet all day, was emotionally draining and I did 24 hour on calls every week on top of a full working week. So perhaps it depends on the type of work you do!

Soda I feel exactly the same! Desperate to have sex and really miss DH but WHEN???!!

Miley yay to Harrison sleeping more.

That outfit is adorable.

Nev I agree, I don't see BF rates as low either based on the number of comments and looks I get but that may just be that the breast feeders who've never struggled or who are militant about it, shout loudest. I also hate the condescending, comments about people not knowing why you don't breast feed and maybe it's medical. No, I just did research and decided it wasn't worth the emotional stress for so little gain.

Indi sorry you're feeling stressed I guess the only thing you can do is talk to him about it and maybe make a list of tasks.

Marmite I finished really early. About 32wks but I was very poorly.

Feel in a bit of a grump today. OH left it to late to get my Christmas present and now you can't get what I wanted anywhere he's also in a funny mood as he wants me to just have something else which is more expensive but not as good and I really don't want to.
It's looking very much like I won't get my Christmas present until The end of January when it's back in stock. Just a little upsetting when I did all my Christmas shopping months ago to make sure everyone got what they wanted and I didn't have to run around near Christmas when it's busy and stressful and now I'm stressed out trying to either get my hands on what I wanted or find an alternative I won't be disappointed with. So far I'm failing on both counts.

Potato you are so much better than me on the christmas organisation! We need to do a huge online shopping night this week and do it all...

We tried a night without the sleepyhead last night as Bodhi was very sick all over it as being put to bed last night.... it better be bloody dry by tonight!! Sleepyhead grand has been ordered as he is hanging out the deluxe and did not sleep just in his next2me!

soda canters evening nap time! We put Harrison down for a nap then DTD otherwise bedtime is just too late and I'd rather stick hot pokers in my eyes than engage in any physical activity.

nev Harrison is the same. He leaked a wee through last week and it had to be washed
He wouldn't settle at all! We'll be getting the grand soon, too.

potato that's really crap of your OH. Maybe get a token gift off him for Christmas but make sure he buys you what you want when it's available.

Harrison slept through the night! 10-5.30 I'm still in shock!

Miley glad its not just us who can't sleep without the sleepyhead. I didn't realise how hard the next2me mattress is either till last night I wouldnt be able to sleep on that poor little lad.

Looking forward to today it is Christmas Cooking Day... tesco should be arriving any minute full of everything I need to make the things I am contributing to Christmas at my parents/ boxing day at MILs and christmas eve and NYE here at home. Obviously I cant make everything in advance but I am making and freezing what I can today. Shame I have a slight white wine hangover from dinner at the village pub last night

Arya, has worked out how to talk... she now entertains herself by sounding like a dying cat!

I take it all back. OH has just bought me a alternative present which is much, much better. Now feel like a bit of a bitch for whining

Thanks for your input on when to finish work! I have a desk job so not on my feet all day (although already beginning to struggle to sit comfortably at desk with expanding bump ) but I do commute via a horrendously busy tram system with a bit of a walk at the city centre end. I guess it's hard to know how you will feel until nearer the time. I will have some annual leave to use up so should be able to use a week or so of that at the start anyway. I was surprised that a lot of you guys went quite early - kind of puts paid to the myth that first time mums are always late! My mum was 2 weeks early with me (her first) too although that probably doesn't really mean anything! It's so hard to know because as you say Pink I wouldn't want to have too long sitting around twiddling my thumbs at home but at the same time do want a bit of time myself at home first to do last bits of organisation! Oh if only this whole baby malarky wasn't so unpredictable

I hope you guys are all still on here by the time April rolls around, it seems there's quite a big gap after I think May with me and Fishy trailing at the end!

Glad your OH got you a better alternative present Potato!

Love the sound of your day of Christmas cooking Nev sounds right up my street!

We put our christmas tree and decorations up last night, accompanied by some Ikea alcohol free gluwein which actually wasn't too bad!

Pink I've had my first smear and was episiotomy and forceps too. It was utterly fine. Same as previous ones.

Just en route to my parents. Dad has the big op tomorrow finally!

bunch and miley I had the spotting at 5 1/2 weeks but this time at 7 weeks it's definitely a full blown period ... they lied to me those breastfeeding evangelists!

Atticus is trying to crawl already omg! They're growing waaay too quickly these little ones with potato's Arya trying to talk!!

Marmite I went at 37 weeks - mainly because I was getting quite uncomfortable fanny daggers that stopped me in my tracks and quite awkward to explain to colleagues! Had it in my mind I would go at 38w because of DM and DSis and wanted at least a week off before baby came - in the end I went at 40w so you never know really.

Pink I'm not looking forward to that first smear either might make sure to give DTD a try before then I've not even attempted it!

Miley horaaay on H sleeping through the night!! I am happy with 12am - 4am at the moment but looking forward to longer sleeps!

Wow to those so organised with Christmas nev and potato! also glad you're sorted on the present front we've got our tree up and 1 present for M underneath still unwrapped (Sophie the Giraffe)... looking a bit sad to be honest haha!

Good news DH is now on leave over Christmas and New Year! Yay to an extra set of hands to help with M and having some nice family time. Thinking of braving it to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park at some point!

Thanks for the advice everyone. Just have to keep taking each day as it comes. I was not prepared for the sleep deprivation or constant night time feeds. DH is being amazing and I'm trying to nap loads. Hormones are all over the shop. Sorry will try to catch up properly soon. Hearing how well everyone is doing really really helps more than I ever though it could. Particularly the fact that everyone is doing it differently, I know what I want to try to do by it's so good to see it going right in a multitude of different ways.

Ah miley I wish it was that easy for us! A doesn't tend to nap in the evening much - perhaps 20 mins here or there and I need to be pretty err 'warmed up' and relaxed which wouldn't happen in that time and when you're listening out for her waking from her nap I'm not relaxed! And by the time she goes down for the night about 10 I'm too knackered. However all this is a bit irrelevant given DHs working hours at the moment. He came home last night at 10 but then had to carry on working til 1.30am Really looking forward to him finishing for the Xmas period on Friday so I get a bit of help in the evenings.

We got some professional shots done of A this morning. Waiting to see them all but she showed me them on her computer at the time and I'm so happy with them! That's grandparents Christmas sorted!!

Proper read now.

That flight sounds a nightmare nevlet. Glad you had a nice weekend tho. It was about 50/50 on the ward I was on nev, maybe it's lower in Scotland. Around 50/50 with work colleagues and my friends too most attempted initially and then gave up for various reasons.

When did your milk come in soda?

How long before he stopped feeding all night night Leonie?

Thanks canters. Glad R is doing so well.

That's sounds frustrating^^ indi.

So crap about periods ! !

My plan was to finish at 37 weeks marmite finished at 34 would finish at that or earlier in future .

That's crap about the present potato! Glad he got something better

Delighted your dad is finally getting the operation bunch.

Still no night time sleeping. Only feeding. Cracked at 5am with an inconsolable baby unable to latch on or be comforted. Rang the ward and managed to express a tiny bit of milk. But was just panicking!! DH got sent to Asda for aptamil ready made. She had 20 ml and then was calm enough to breast feed the next time. Still no sleeping tho for me. Have sent DH to bed so he will be functional later. Need a functioning DH!

Struggling here! Daytimes are fine but nighttime is horrific

Isn't aptamil ready made an actual life saver?! I hate it when they get so worked up through hunger they won't latch and just scream, not really sure how people get through that without formula.

Feefs I don't think anything can prepare you for the sleep deprivation and feeding frenzy. I still feel a bit shocked by the amount of time I spend breastfeeding, I had no idea it was like that. It will slowly get easier.

Miley what's an evening nap? though can't complain as R went down at 10 last night which was amazing.

Yay for photos soda! I really want to get some done of R at some point.

Feef my milk came on day 4 - baby just sucking on you loads before then to try and get the milk to come in. I promise it gets easier. The first couple of weeks DH and I never slept at the same time - we just did shifts! Have you tried a dummy to settle? I was really against them before A came along but it's been a life saver. And a nipple saver

Strange one... have any of you started having odd reactions to certain foods after having baby? I seem unable to have much garlic now. Spent all night up with cramps and feeling queasy. Third time this has happened since Bodhi was born and everytime I have had a lot of garlic in dinner the night before. I have had to cancel going to NCT Christmas meet up today as last thing I want is a big lunch and am knackered from no sleep. So annoyed.

Such a life saver canters. Had the midwife around this morning and jaundice clearing she observed a feed and was really happy. Anna has now slept for 3hours some of which I slept for going to re try a nap again now.

I think it's coming in now soda I may get a dummy.

Feefs - you've reminded me of something I'd completely forgotten. I used to absolutely dread night-time. The days were fine, whether I was alone or had DH/ friends, but I used to almost be scared of the night-time and endless feeding, never sleeping cycles.

I had completely forgotten that, it's so weird. I think that went away a few weeks ago, as now it's absolutely fine, and I'd forgotten I even felt that way. It's amazing how time moves and things change.

So glad the jaundice is clearing, and I hope the milk gets itself sorted soon x

feef it does get easier. It is so difficult but you're doing amazingly well.

nev yes! Garlic and onion have me doubled over and ridiculously gassy! Harrison gets gassy too if I eat those!!

So I either have mastitis again (probably) or the start of flu. Supposed to be out tonight after spending ages getting H used to a bottle and I'm laid up in bloody bed! My first experience of being away from H and having a babysitter as my mum has had Harrison all afternoon for me. Disappointed.

Had little chunk weighed yesterday and he's 14lb 4oz. He's completely changed from the little 6lb 6 baby I brought home 13 weeks ago he's following between 50th and 75th centile line perfectly and hasn't had to be adjusted for being prem. I'm proud of him we have awesome babies.

I'm also now so anxious after the bad news I keep having awful nightmares and find myself waking up to check H is still breathing OH thinks I'm nuts but it's really knocked me sick.

Hope everyone is well, I'm too busy feeling sorry for myself to properly read.

lisa I remember that too! It's all forgotten about now but I used to dread it as I knew I'd be woken every hour. Plus H was a grunter which stopped me sleeping! I remember wishing things would get better each night and they eventually have

Oh god yes me too! Had totally forgotten about the night time dread!

Has anyone here heard of haakaa? I was told about it in another group. It's a silicone device you attach to your opposite boob when feeding and the baby stimulates a let down and then it works by suction. You don't do anything. I can get 1-2oz off during a 10 min feed and now have a 3oz bottle for dh to give whilst I have a bath tonight without any extra effort . I don't find time to express normally because I struggle to get R down, so this is a game changer. Plus it's only £16!!!

Sorry your both ill miley and nev. Rubbish timing!!

Hello everyone! Sorry I've been a bit AWOL. It's been busy trying to get everything in order for baby's arrival, and trying to clue up a few projects at work. I'm 37 weeks today - where did that time go?!

Massive congratulations Feef! I absolutely love the name Anna. It sounds like you're doing amazingly well. I'm sorry the night times are a bit of a nightmare, and hope that resolves soon.

Canters I've been looking at the haakaa, and it's on my amazon baby list. I hadn't heard of anyone with experience with one, and it sounds fantastic! I'm glad it's working for you.

Miley I hope you're feeling better soon. That was quite a shock to read about the bad news in your group, and I can understand it knocking you sideways quite a bit! My goodness, Harrison is certainly doing well with his weight, little sweetheart.

Soda professional photos are going to be the best Christmas gift ever! Did you choose a Christmassy outfit for Alexa?

Lilian hooray for family time! Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is one of my favourite Christmas things. Another is walking down Oxford and Regent Street to look at the lights and do some shopping. I've not had the energy to do either this year though!

Potato I'm glad your OH found you a nice present! I like it when the other half pays attention and spends a little effort on gifting. It is the thought that counts, and it's important in a relationship!

Bunch I hope your dad's op goes well! It's nice you and Atticus are able to be there for him. Can't believe Atticus is trying to crawl already!

Marmite here's a bump shot at 37 weeks. It's getting hard to get around with a massive bump and swollen legs! I've had issues with my sciatic nerve for the past few weeks which means I sit on a hot water bottle now. Baby feels like she's bruising my right side from the inside out, so there's just no getting comfortable. If I didn't work predominantly from home I'm sure I'd be using some sick leave by now.

I can't believe periods have been making a reappearance already!

Indi I hope your DH smartens up. It really annoys me having to delegate every single thing; it's probably our biggest row. Do you have any plans for your mum's birthday? It's my OH's birthday tomorrow and he's taken to checking on me every few minutes to make sure he won't be sharing his birthday...

Leonie I love how genuine you are about your experiences with breastfeeding. At this stage I just hope it works for me - the class I've taken on it suggested mums with PCOS (though I'm not sure this is me anymore) can struggle and I've not really thought through plan B. Glad to hear you find it easy now!