May 2017 #7....... Final months, rapidly growing bumps

[RasperryInAMelon]

We are a chatty bunch!...

For those newbies who are joining or want to update your details on the spread sheet of EDD's...

May 2017

Also a link to the last thread Thread6

Hubby read somewhere that by now we should be able to hear baby's heartbeat with a stethoscope. Cue a quick purchase on eBay and we have now been laying here listening to my tummy gurgling! Ofcourse we can't here a baby in there.

He did it because I've been a bit worried about baby last few days, wondering if the small movements I think I can feel are wind?! Think I need to just call midwife and see if they can have a quick listen with Doppler to put my mind at rest as on top of the work problems this is getting me down.

Ouch barnes!!!! Is it depth perception that's a bit out maybe?

Stethoscope will be no use when listening for a baby's heartbeat! Pinard or a Doppler.

Is a pinard the trumpet shaped thing you see on call the midwife?

Yes. They're quite tricky to use though. I think we've discussed buying Dopplers here and each to their own but if you're concerned about your baby you should be contacting your midwife or doctor.

First signs of baby brain - I left my house keys at work over the weekend, and in the bustle of all our Christmas trips we think we have lost our paper maternity notes... Feeling pretty bad about that, worried the midwives will think we are irresponsible

Tea I didn't realise they were still used, but I guess if it ain't broken etc...

I think if I had either I'd just panic myself more so I'm just not going there!

Yes I realise this ladies but try telling hubby!! Bless him, just trying to make me feel better :)

Gosh a new thread and 6 pages in!

Another one on the not bought a thing yet bandwagon! We've received a few bits and bobs from family but all the major items are still on our very long list waiting to be ticked off. It doesn't help that we're moving in a month and have to first buy furniture for the new place before we can even buy any baby stuff as it would just add to the moving chaos .

On a positive note we went to JL and have 95% decided on the pushchair we want-an UppaBaby Vista. Since we live in London and will solely depend on public transport it seemed the sturdiest and safest choice, and seemed easy to fold down and manoeuvre for us both especially considering DH is a foot taller than me! Would love to hear if anyone has experience with a Vista!

I had my 25 week midwife appointment yesterday, she took my blood pressure and checked urine (another one who cannot take a sample without getting messy!). She also listened to the baby's heartbeat and measured my uterus. Seems baby and uterus are measuring a bit larger, closer to 26/27 weeks than 25+3 yesterday! This means I have to do yet another GTT at 28 weeks-this will be the third time despite results from previous two coming up normal. I also have to do growth scans at 28, 32 and 36 weeks-which I'm not complaining about as we get to see our little fella!

I also got my MatB1 form and now have to decide how much Mat leave I'm taking and look into child care options before speaking to my HR department in a couple of weeks. Is anyone doing shared parental leave? I'd love DH to get more time with the baby so we need to figure out how much he can take, and how his SPL pay would be calculated during that time.

Ahh so much to figure out and get done, it's getting pretty overwhelming! I'm in awe of you ladies who have so much figured out and done already!

shini I've not looked into shared parental leave in too much detail, what I did last time was go back part time at 6 months. If we could both work half-day from 6 months that'd be ideal, but my reading of the SPL rules is that that's not possible, it's all about blocks of leave really. (Although OH's work policy suggests something slightly more flexible.)
Practically, we found with our first that I'm much better with babies than he is - he's much better with a toddler or preschooler. So I don't think there's much benefit in our case. I also breastfed for a long while, if we'd done SPL I'd have had to pump a lot. Going back part time at 6m meant I didn't have to pump at all (good as he refused a bottle...) but it only worked as I was half-day (at first I was feeding just before I walked out the door and again as soon as I came back in). By the time he was 1 I could leave him all day with food/water provided by our au pair and feed him when I was home.

Shini lots of friends have the Uppababy and love it. When we looked, we struggled to fold it up and down, but I think we need to have another look as so many London parents love it.

We are sharing leave - I'm taking 8-9 months and he is taking about 10 weeks at the start as well. If you share the leave, you share the 52 weeks and he would be paid whatever the rate is for that bit, if that makes sense?

shini and mrsjw we are doing SPL too :)

Shini, we also liked the uppababy vista. The fold was really easy and small size, and the parts clicking onto it are so easy to use. We were going to get a pram, which has been in storage for 14 years and they were even given it themselves but I think I like New better (snobby me!)

Been to choir practise for first time here! Fab and auditioning next week for participation in concert on 4 march!

We are overseas I had a birth plan as advised by the midwife that ran our antenatal class. It was a bit of an eye opener as it turns out there are some practises here that doctors use that are not standard in the UK any more! Although I went in for an ELCS in the end I still brought it with me (with a few non relevant bits crossed out!) because unless you specify rooming in they put the baby in the nursery . I've since discovered that I should have requested baby to stay with me in recovery after CS to initiate BF, last time he was whisked away with DH which I hated and DH was too overwhelmed to do skin to skin so poor DS was stuck in the cot.

Feeling a bit rubbish here. Monday night DH took me to hospital with shooting pains in my RHS. Ordinary, I wouldn't have said I needed hospital, but as I couldn't move from the pain and because of the baby, I wanted to get checked out. Thankfully baby is 100% fine, they have no idea what the pain is, which is gradually fading. Was there a good 4hrs, home for 1.30am and poor DH back up for work meeting at 4.30 :( Spent yesterday napping on and off, so thankfully I feel much better today so far.

Hope everyone else is doing well still!

shini and mrsjw we're doing SPL too. Not sorted the details yet - but he's going to take 4 weeks after the birth, then 2-4 months at the end. The gov.uk information on it is pretty straightforward.

rustler I live in MK and defo want to visit the safety centre - but confused as to where it is, as the only safety centre I know of here is a place for kids called hazard alley! Can you post a weblink? We actually have our eye on the Britax already so glad it came recommended, did you find the prices competitive at the safety centre? Or would you suggest going to try and buying else where? Thank you

Ladies - considering booking a 4D scan, anyone else having one?

We have a Vista and I love it! Also getting a board for my eldest, really want to try him on one first just incase he completely refuses to get on!

Just getting settled into the new thread.
I think I have about 12 weeks left at work, but do have 2 separate weeks of AL between now and then :) x

We have the uppababy Cruz shini and would recommend it over the vista if you get a lot of busses. It's easier to get up on and off, and you can get two next to each other in the buggy space. Agree it's a great pram. We still use it most days 22m in.

We are also doing shared parental leave. We did last time too. Split 9/3m. It meant I could return to work without worrying about DD settling at nursery. Plus it's invaluable for dads to get an insight into what it's really like caring for a baby day in day out.

Sounds really scary bright. Glad all is ok.

Thanks for all the great info Savage Blossom MrsJW Rustler Cox Autumn and Peas

I'm probably going to take 8-9 months off as well, and figure out when DH will take his SPL. It might have to be in blocks which works out better for him rather than all in one go. I hope to BF for as long as possible too but not sure if I can work part time and yes how great would it be to be able to work half day from 6M. Trying to find nursery options near work so I can pop in to see baby and BF.

So great to hear that everyone loves their Vistas, I think I'm sold on the idea. I too love that it has a massive basket under (super useful for us depending on public transport) and that the carry cot and seat can both be parent facing. My hesitancy was that it would be too cumbersome but it seems like that's not been an issue for most.

We were seriously also considering the Cruz EsmesBees, though since I'd only be taking buses during mat leave and not at rush hour, we are leaning more towards the Vista. It looks like a great option though, definitely if lots of bus travel is needed.

My last 13 weeks of Mat leave would go as unpaid leave, does that mean DH would go on unpaid leave if i were to transfer that to him as SPL?

shini yes I think so

Gurtie it's www.incarsafetycentre.co.uk
I think the prices are competitive and the choice is unbelievable! The advice you get is better than anywhere else, and that was after visiting John Lewis, which was not too bad either. These people don't do anything else than car seats, though. If you go and gain advice but decide to not buy just yet, they won't pressurise you. Also they told me I can come back nearer the time to have it reinstalled or even in our other car, which I'm tempted to do. I wouldn't worry about the accessories they sell. There's also a FB advice group which I follow and they also recommend and advise going to one of the ICSC ones.
EsmesBees I like that about the SPL. My OH is starting to work Saturdays when I go back so he can have a day off in the week to spend with baby.
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