April 2017 # 6 - Third trimester is here!

[MyGreenSofa]

New thread for the lovely ladies due in April 2017. Suddenly there's only 3 months to go! And the thread has already welcomed two special, early arrivals.

Please continue chatting here!

Aber I picked up a support belt from Mothercare which made a real difference. And I've started to work my pelvic floor and core muscles twice a day at the advice of the physio.

There are loads of other tips (keeping your legs together when you roll over in bed, not lifting heavy things, etc) which stopped me from aggravating it on any given day, but I feel like the exercise is the only thing that has actually improved things rather than just keeping it at bay.

Aber - I find that a nice soak in the bath helps but then I tend to suffer with hip pain more at night rather than during the day.

I hope you find something that helps.

Abe Peanut I got a support belt from mothercare too, it's great for when you are walking around and doing things

Walking in the pool seems to have helped with my pelvic pain, and lots of resting!

Had my first day of maternity leave today, finding it a bit weird because I'm not able to do that much. Luckily my dad works shift work so he was able to take me in to town so I could get some fresh air.

We only went to 3 shops but it was sooo hard to walk, it literally feels like this baby is knocking on the door now! I haven't given birth before but I cannot believe this baby is going to stay in there for another 4 weeks. The weight of him on my pelvis and bum is quite unbearable at times.

YY to the Mothercare support belt, it is £12 and I'd pay £50 for the difference it's made (crap quality as it's already unravelling though!!) but the RELIEF has been amazing!

Hi guys, sorry I've been quiet for a bit, seem to be incredibly busy at the moment! It was a weekend of nice busy things though including among other things my 'non-baby shower' on Sunday - basically just an excuse to see all my friends at once and spend an afternoon drinking tea and eating cake!

Also went to a baby show on Saturday and bought the Haakaa breast pump - anyone else heard of this? It seemed really good and isn't too expensive anyway, plus there was quite a good discount so decided to just go for it. It basically looks like a manual pump but you don't actually have to do anything so it's totally hands free. Hopefully not too good to be true !!

I also had a look at a few different slings and soft carriers but wasn't really sure what to get, the choice was a bit overwhelming, think I need to do more research! Anyone else got one?

Aber hope you find some relief soon. I second time spent in the water - whether thats the swimming pool or the bath or both!

Hope you're ok now Cuppa that sounds awful, you poor thing.

Hope you DH is doing ok jobrum.

Spa sounds like bliss Peanut glad you had a good time! My friends broke my 'no gifts' rule at the babyshower and clubbed together for a voucher for a pregnancy massage and also pregnancy reflexology which was really lovely of them so have to see about getting that booked in! Your shower sounds like bliss too HL, I guess you gotta take what you can!!

I seem to have constant quite severe rib pain in my back now which isn't fun. Even with doing lots of stretches at pregnancy yoga and also pregnancy pilates classes every week 35+4 now. Sitting at a desk just sooo uncomfortable on my back now.

How's everyone else doing?

Had my meeting at the midwife-led unit today to see if they would allow me to give birth there instead of labour ward despite my BMI as my pregnancy has been so straightforward so far, and providing everything continues well they are happy to have me!

I'm delighted it is such a relaxed, homely atmosphere, and they've got all the balls and seats and pools and a nice little kitchen.

The midwife got me in a few different positions to make sure they could easily monitor the heartbeat, and they were happy with the results of that so I'm v chirpy today!

Hope everyone is feeling well!

I keep meaning to order the haakaa pump marmite thanks for the reminder!! I saw a good review where a lady put it on one boob whilst baby was feeding on the other, and she collected loads of milk that way!
Abe that sounds great! I've not been able to have a water birth because of my BMI as they have a weight limit at my trust so good news that you have been accepted into the MLU!

37 +2 now so feeling very heavy! Hope everyone is getting on ok

Great news that they are letting you go to the MLU. I've been measuring a bit small, but they've said if she catches up by 38 weeks then I can still go mid-wife lead.

Marmite agree about the overwhelming sling selection, like so many things that we have to buy for the baby! We went for a babybjorn carrier, as of all the ones we tried on it seemed the least 'fussy' to get on and off. If she likes spending time in that I will probably also get a soft wrap for wearing a bit around the house.

Hey there,

Got the Hakka pump too - few people recommended it to me & it's very reasonably priced.

Need to look at slings but think I will wait until little one is here.

Awake since 3am this morning & then into a pretty difficult meeting oh the joys! Can't wait to finish work. Meant to be end of march but struggling now so think will get doctor to sign me off a week earlier.

My ankles and acid reflux in the last couple of weeks has got really bad - anyone any tips?

Thank you so much ladies, cant say enough how nice it is to have support from you all!
I will try all- the ball, belt and swim, fingers x.

I am becoming obsessed with newborn layers. Yesterday at the hospital we followed a couple out with their baby and he had a hooded coat / pramsuit & we don't have one of those yet. I thought it would be too warm for the car but maybe that's what he should be wearing!

At night, we've got a Sleepyhead inside a Chico Next 2 Me, & the plan is vest, sleepsuit and 1.0 tog grobag as our bedroom gets so hot. Has anyone used a Sleepyhead with sleeping bags (as opposed to cellular blanket) does it work OK?

abe baby has to be a certain weight before they can go into a sleeping bag (I think 8lb 8oz off the top of my head?) so you'll probably end up using cellular blanket for the first while anyway. We've actually been gifted a grosnug which is a swaddle type sleeping bag (the size down from grobag) and holding to use that from the early days instead of blankets as our house is freezing. We'll be doing vest, sleepsuit and 2.5 tog grosnug probably.
As for pram suit, I managed to get a cosy one in the mothercare sale at Christmas. You'll pick one up easy enough before the summer stick properly comes in.

Abe - I too am getting confused about layers. I'm just planning on a vest, baby grow, thick hooded cardie and then layering up with blankets for the journey home. Does that sound reasonable?

In other news, my lovely work team organised a lunchtime work baby shower for me. They had all cooked a range of sweet and savoury food, salad and fruit. It was a true feast. They surprised me with flowers and presents. It was so sweet! I've got another week to go but won't see all of them so they organised it for today.

I think this time of year makes it quite difficult to judge what layers will be required. If it's anything like today I definitely won't be putting on coat on him as well! Just vest, sleepsuit, knitted cardigan, hat and a blanket.

With DD she was such a hot baby that I never had to layer, still don't at 8! She can honestly melt ice! Gonna see how this one is, before layering.

My last day at work today! Got £200 gift voucher, a buffet and lovely baby toys, oh and a bottle of red for me . Had to hold it together to not cry when I left!!!

Time to really plan stuff now as I still haven't bought clothes or packed my hospital bag

Think with layering it's meant to be 3-4 layers at most and then blanket when necessary. That's what they told us in ante natal class. Vest is one layer, baby grow second etc

For leaving hospital we have the vest, baby grow, cardigan and sleeper suit thingy. Hats are not meant to be used in bed if I remember correctly.

After baby is born they want a hat on them as they have come from a 37 degree cocoon out into the world so need time to acclimatise

Had my 36 week midwife appointment today and got sent to hospital to be monitored - I had protein in my urine and oedema, so the risk is pre-eclampsia.

Has anyone else got any experience? My blood pressure is still low and I haven't had any headaches.

Hi bangbang
I've no experience of that I'm afraid. I hope everything is ok. Are you still in hospital or did they discharge you?

I've got my 36 week appointment later.

Thanks everyone for the layering advice.

Kitty they sent me home but said they'll ring today with blood test results and I need to go back on Monday either way.

Have NCd by the way but been posting throughout!

Hope you're ok bangbang sounds a bit stressful.

I too have been thinking layering is going to be particularly difficult at this time of year, it's so changeable! for coming home from hospital I've got vest, sleepsuit, knitted cardigan and hat. Then blanket(s) as needed. My mum gave me a pramsuit thingy but am I right in thinking they can't wear that in car seat? So blanket over the top once they are in car seat instead?

Just had my 36 week mw appointment, she said bump has dropped right down and that baby's head is fully engaged! Although I know this doesn't necessarily mean anything with a first baby, but it explains why I'm suddenly peeing twice as much and feeling more pressure in my pelvis! Good to know baby is in right place too - hopefully they won't move now!!

I'm in daycare just now on the monitor as I've been severely itchy for over a week and my GP didn't do the right blood test on Wednesday which is helpful. Labs are now doing it but apparently it can take a day or so. Also had reduced movement but he's been bouncing since they strapped the trace on, typical!

Yes to no hats while sleeping (apart from when first born & out in pram ok too) and no padded pram suits in car seat.

I haven't got a pram suit, think we will just get away with it warming up but April is such an in between month! But I think vest + sleepsuit + cardigan + blanket will be fine.

Gro bags are great but yes the minimum weight is usually 8lbs 8oz. I purposefully bought neutral coloured ones so I could use again but my 0-6m ones are 2.5 tog as DD was September baby so I'm probably going to end up having to buy 1 tog!

Sorry to hear you're in for monitoring bang bang & Keith but good you are being looked after! No experience of what you've described though bang.

Apparently he's not moved enough so I've to stay on the monitor. Dr was lovely and says it's presenting like Cholestasis but need to see what bloods say.