May 2017 #11 Not long to go until the first baby shows!

[PeachIcedT]

It only took us two weeks to fill up the last thread!

Link to previous thread #10:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/2875150-may-2017-10-to-be-prepared-or-not-prepared

Link to the May data sheet: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KVJO4NGD6JrcGRGQuYnx87mLaadV5ytrP4lDfdqLrUQ/edit#gid=0

Does anyone have a night time snack or is it me and my fatty self? Literally wake up STARVING at 4am. I had a roast at 7pm and I'm hungry now!

mighty glad you are feeling a bit more chipper. It's deeply personal, I know some people who have felt cheated or like they have failed for having a CS. My personal view was, ok he didn't have the ideal birth but I can work hard to BF which will hopefully give him benefits in months to come. DH had 3 weeks off, tbh it's a bit hazy exactly when I was back to normal but I was walking short distances straight away, carried DS in his car seat to the taxi from hospital, could carefully load/unload washing machine within a few days. Made a point of having a shower every morning, important to keep the wound clean to avoid infection. Had a shower as soon as I was off drip and catheter in hospital. We had a cleaner once a week and DH did most of the meals / heavy lifting for the first few weeks. I didn't go out an awful lot for the first 3m tbh but that was nothing to do with CS! This time he's taking 2 weeks off and my mum is coming for another 2 weeks after that.

Loving the cake talk! I'm planning to make a couple of batches of lactation cookies to keep in the freezer. I made a plum crumble and a soda bread this weekend.

Re: feeling anxious still yep definitely, I think I'm tempting fate every time I refer to bump as "she".

DS is mad on Peppa Pig so I think bump might be buying him a gift from that range 😬

Has anyone else been thinking about what you are going to do for help if you have to have a csection? Or what you did do if you have had one before?

Partner has a new job and can't really have any time off except a couple of days 😭Mum is flying up and can only have one week off work 😭 Partners parents have also said they want to come visit (they are a flight away too) but I don't think they will be very helpful, they will be visiting iyswim. Thinking of asking my Aunty if she'll come and stay after mum has come to stay. Bloody living a different city to all your family!

But then it will all be totally fine if I don't have to have a csection.

@Jugoo28 @lullaby23 my husband is having 4 weeks off; 2 weeks paternity and 2 weeks leave from work. However if his promotion starts May 1, then it's just 2 weeks leave!

I'm trying to keep my mind focused back when I was 24 and had huge abdomen surgery. I remember having it on a Wednesday morning; The first day was a killer, but by Sunday I remember walking around my local park (slowly) and by 7 days, I rode my bike. Granted it's very different and I was younger, but I really pushed myself. I made myself get up every day, shower, walk etc. I lived with my parents at the time and they helped me get in/out of bed. I appreciate that this time I will have a little human to care for as well! Like @lullaby23 said, infection rates are high in CS, so keep the wound clean. I have my little nurses kit in the bathroom and I'll keep an eye on my temp if I begin to feel unwell.

@Jugoo28 I'm a bit like you, DHs family live in Birmingham, my parents are in Norfolk. I feel like it's just us two at times! We don't have a spare bedroom either for people to stay; I can imagine that MIL may stay in a hotel or on the sofa, and Mum would stay with her Dad/My Papa who lives in the next big town if I was in trouble.

My plan over the next few weeks re CS is to meal plan, & buy a microwave. I cook most things from scratch and I don't want to rely on ready meals, so I'm going to batch cook chilli, spag bol, Cajun chicken, curry... anything loaded with veg and carbs! I have a little good "stock pile" of other bits and bobs if I want beans on toast or something.

My main worry is bending down; esp with our washing machine, fridge etc. I struggle with bending because of my hips, so I sit on the floor to load the washing or fill up the fridge.

@lullaby23 I think deep down that's why I want to BF. I'm not bothered by the CS and I don't feel like a failure, but I want to give Bub a good start in life & BF could be it for me. I'm worried about him soothing on my nipple though! Could you inbox me/share the recipe for the cookies? I haven't had any leaking boobs and I'm 32 weeks today is that normal?

Really hoping I don't have to have a c section with a 4 and 2 year old with school and nursery runs and limited support!

I can't believe how close we are to baby time for everyone. The people due at the start of may will be full term by the end of this week and entering the drop zone!

We also have no babies yet both of my pervious antenatal threads we have had 28 week premature babies which made the baby coming along thing seem more real!

I think I counted 96 ladies on the spreadsheet and not all of them are active on the thread so I wonder if we do have babies out there mcbaby??

nurseb oh yes batch cooking is such a good idea. I can't be arsed right now but I need to do it, our microwave went bust but DH is going to buy a new one, also want it for sterilising pump bits and bottles if I get round to expressing. DS will probably be having some very simple teas for a while but luckily he likes beans on toast with veg sticks

This is the cookie recipe I'm going to try nurseb haven't made them yet so can't swear by them yet but heard they are good. I never leaked at all last pregnancy just had a bit of dried colostrum (sorry!) crust on my nipples in the morning towards the end so I wouldn't say it's a definite indicator of supply.

It's tough being away from family jugoo mine are a 13 hour flight away! Hoping DH can sneak in a little bit of annual leave once my mum goes back so I won't be alone for first 5 weeks, also we are moving back in the autumn so I know it's only 3 months or so before I am less isolated.

esme we intend to get something for 4yo 'from the baby' to make him feel less left out esp if other people are giving the baby things.

nursebp I don't get any liquid leaking out my boobs but if I look closely at my nipples there's a bit of encrusted stuff, same as last pregnancy. I bf without any issues last time and had enough to donate extra I expressed to the milk bank, so don't worry! Remember 'milk' doesn't come in until about day 5 anyway esp with first time mothers and/or c/sections; before then it's the thicker gooier stuff.

Hi everyone, I haven't posted for ages, but I have finished work as of Friday and am now sitting waiting for my weekly growth scan, so I finally have time to catch up. I now have my cs date, which will be on 20/4 when I am exactly 39 weeks, unless something goes wrong in the meantime. DH has 2 weeks paternity leave (he'll also be off for a couple of days immediately beforehand for easter, which will be nice), then my mum is flying over from England for the next 2 weeks. With a 5 and 2 year old I don't think I could manage otherwise!
Re presents, I'll be getting something for my two 'from the baby', just not sure what yet! Last time DD1 was 2.9 and got a Kiddizoom camera, and she loved using it to get snaps of DD2.

Thank you 😁 Is there a Facebook group or mostly on here?

I followed mn from test to birth last two times but just haven't had the time and only now seem to be starting to realise I've got a baby arriving really soon! 😱

I'm having a surprise again but money on a third boy.

Need to catch up but random gem of information from radio 4 this morning, British and Canadian babies cry the most, Danish babies cry the least.... Didn't catch the study but will look later. Tempted to think lies, damned lies and statistics....

Hello everyone! I haven't written on here for ages as it moves so quickly but I'm on maternity leave now so will (hopefully) keep on top of it. I'm 36 weeks today and feeling well. Baby's head was 2/5 engaged at last check up and I'm sure bump has dropped further over the weekend so all seems to be going to plan.

Off to pack my bag!

Have a good Monday everyone :)

Jimmy yes, if you send me a message with your FB profile I can try add you to the group (it's secret so you won't be able to find it)

Hiya Enter. Glad all's going well & v jealous you're already on leave!! Am 2 wks behind you dates wise but 4 more work weeks to go. Booooooo!!!!

& welcome Jimmy!

McBaby "entering the drop zone" lol!!! Makes me think American football and running with a baby!

Jugoo re CS - it's a distinct possibility at the moment. Feel v lucky that OH aid with me at home for first 4 wks - 2 pat leave and then 2 AL.

Any tips on what first aid stuff we should get in (for poss post CS and for basic baby stuff) would be really appreciated as we tend to just go out and buy plasters etc when we need them at the moment!

Lullaby may be being dim, but what are lactation cookies?!?

Autumn - hope you get to see someone today. Sending good vibes!!!!

And loving all the cat gifters. Feel like my boys are letting me down a bit tho . They're great at cards but not so good at gifts. Must have a word!

Spent last night cleaning the new high chair we got on eBay. I need to get a baby insert pad to go inside but having managed to figure out how to remove all the straps and inserts? Put the bits I can through the machine, and detol cleaned the rest it is now up and proud in the kitchen. Really quite excited ;). It can be adjusted for height and used in recline position for newborn so if my back starts playing up and/or I or OH needs to give a bottle then we can do so at a decent height in the kitchen. Meant to be good to age 3 as a high chair and age 8 at the lower level as a kids feeding seat (swivels around 360 so could also b a "fun" chair) but let's see if it lasts that long!!!

teaspoon I was given wound wash and antibacterial cream by Dr to apply once the waterproof dressing came off but no idea if that's standard in the UK. For baby I would get some Calpol (can use from 2 months), a thermometer, maybe a snot sucker (lovely!)? I had this little kit but I ended up buying a contactless thermometer. Probably wouldn't bother with teething gel or infacol/gripe water as you might not need them at all and can always pick up later on.

Lactation cookies are just biscuits with ingredients that are meant to help milk production (galactagogues), that recipe includes oats and brewers yeast both of which are meant to be good. I decided it's worth a try as took a few weeks for my supply to get up to scratch first time round.

Love the look of that website and recipes lullaby thanks for sharing.

Welcome and congratulations jimmy!

autumn that's dreadful about your scan I really hope you get it sorted. How have movements been?

Enjoy your first sunny Mon off those who have just started mat leave

Loving all of the cake recommendations... might try something this afternoon.

Just been to the midwife and ended up spending 3/4 of my appointment in tears. Every appointment I've seen the same MW who's been amazingly supportive and baby has always been head down. Today my usual MW was ill so I saw a new lady, who was lovely, but struggled to find baby's heartbeat and got all flappy herself and thinks she may have turned breech and was talking about CS.

Then when she asked me how I was feeling emotionally I burst into tears but she would jump in over everything I said and pretty much her standard answer was 'that's perfectly normal'.

Whilst I'm sure my feelings are normal, it was a very open question that I didn't feel was dealt with the best way. I guess I haven't been asked how 'I' am in a while and it just sank in really quickly...

The appointment felt really rushed and I didn't get to ask any of the questions I wanted to.

I think I'll have a little nap now, have a late lunch and then relax with a face mask in the tub this afternoon.

@EsmesBees My diets been horrendous too. Terribly the last week or so I've just eaten what I want, when I want, in the quantities I want 🙈

@nursebickypegs My folks have been making comments too. I know it's done in a jovial sense, but I don't think they realise how much it bothers me and if I say something they just tell me I'm being emotional and over reacting.

@Autumnsweater That's awful the way the scan department have treated you. I hope you manage to get it sorted. Can your MW not help and book something?

@JimmyChoo17 Welcome! 👋🏻 there is a FB group, PM myself or @savagehk your email address and I can add you ☺

@MrsJW15 re growth charts, it seems @PeachIcedT and I are the same as you. I asked today and she just showed me a page where they write down how many cms I measure at and that's it.

@Jugoo28 I hope your DP will be able to take his two weeks Pat Leave?

@McBaby I was thinking the same, I can't believe all of these babies are being so well behaved. But like @lullaby23 said - not everyone is active these days, I wonder whether some have had theirs already!

That sucks rasberry - when do you get to see another mw? I had a similarly useless HV once, but luckily I wasn't worried about my son at all, so just largely ignored her - and of course it wasn't while I was pregnant! Some people really do need some interpersonal skills.

@savagehk really thick question, for those first 5 days would you feed baby a bottle? I had some encrustations a few weeks back and I was like "yay! Here we go!" but never appeared!

@lullaby23 My MIL is in america and got me a snot sucker! Hurray....?

@RasperryInAMelon oh your appointment sounds awful! Can you see your regular MW another time? MWs are meant to support you, and listen to you. do you think baby has moved? I had a brand new midwife a few months back and she struggled with the heartbeat too, made me so anxious. Is this your first baby? (Sorry I forget)

Yup, my folks just make comments all the time. E.g. DH & I are big Star Wars fans and DH has made a Star Wars mobile. It's really clever, it's cute and he's really proud of it. When they popped over last, they just made comments like "it will give the baby nightmares" and "it will knock him out if it falls on him" and what do you know, DH is deflated and I'm worried about the mobile. MIL has a rule that if she doesn't like something, please just smile and nod and I'm going to apply it to my Folks as well. They were also making comments on how we have set the nursery up too. Ffs.

DH is on twilight shifts this week, 3pm to 1am so expect a lot of boring rambling from yours truly! I'm going to waddle to the garden centre and start replotting some plants this afternoon.

No, baby is expecting only colostrum until your milk comes in. See here for some info. kellymom.com/ages/newborn/when-will-my-milk-come-in/

Some info here on how to help your milk come in, including post-c-section: www.llli.org/nb/nbjulaug05p142.html
Basically, try to spend as much time as possible in the first few days topless with baby on your chest, suckling whenever it bleats (my approach from last time, which worked quite well!). With the c-section, ask for help positioning baby to avoid your scar, I think rugby ball is sometimes recommended for this but I'm no expert!

@savagehk I'm not supposed to have another appt for a few weeks but because she couldn't work out where baby was she's booked me in to come back next week which is with her. Then I've got my actual birth plan appt which should be with my usual MW thankfully.

@nursebickypegs I am seeing her again in a few weeks to do my birth plan thankfully.

I think she moves ALOT to be honest. MW was gobsmacked when her heartbeat was really fast despite the fact that she'd spent 5 mins before shoving her about. She didn't display any movement at the MW appointment but I'm sat with a cup of peppermint tea precariously balanced on bump and it's jiggling away so I'm sure she's doing ok in there, just no idea what's where.

It is first baby and I think as I said, no ones really asked me how I am... it's always how's the baby - so I haven't really though about it until today.

All we can do with PIL and Parents is just that - smile sweetly. We know that we've done the things that we think are best for our little ones and we all have to start learning somewhere. The mobile sounds brill... DH is a huge fan of StarWars! Can we see it? ☺

Hi all, long time spent catching up!

Raspberry that's terrible - was the heartbeat found in the end I'm assuming? You would hope that if they have a flap due to there own fault - then they are able to cover it up as to not panicky us!

I've had 32 week midwife check up this morning, baby's heard down and everything fine other than split abdominal are the apparent cause for stomach pain I have been getting - the joys.

This is prob a stupid question then - but if our milk doesn't come in till around day 5, is the baby hungry until then?

Nurse my SIL is like this - she dresses it up as her sense of humour but I have just avoided her as much as poss throughout the pregnancy, dreading her being so overbearing and full of 'helpful' advice when baby comes. Have already warned hubby that she isn't to be round all the time!

Absolutely shattered this end - have been away on a work event since last Wednesday, working 18 hour days and running around like a loon. Can barley walk today as a result and have the aches and sore throat of a cold. Have eatern pure rubbish - just whatever was quick, so am so glad to be home today catching up on sleep. To tired to cook but have an m&s ready meal at least which isn't great but better than McDonald's etc!!

I'm right at end of May - due 30th, finishing work at 35+4 so only got 4 weeks left at work - CANNOT WAIT!!!!!

Oops cross posted - ignore the milk question! Just read response

@savagehk thank you so much!!! I've copied and pasted this into my notes!

@RasperryInAMelon I'll take a photo! We bought some baby Star Wars toys years ago, they are all soft and cute and we have used them. We even have a baby light sabre

My baby moves loads, right side and then up when I'm walking about, down below when I'm swimming or sitting down... I can always feel him! Agreed, only one person has asked how I am. I was in the throws of a bad depression when I found out I was pregnant and now I feel great. No MW has asked if I'm okay, how am I coping etc. I'm so worried that once baby is here, my hormones are going to crash.

@Autumnsweater aww poor dogs, every time I'm getting beaten up by baby I can't help thinking of our Golden's mum who had 11 of them in there, that's a lot of ways to get poked. Hope you get your scan sorted soon, I can't believe that's a efficient way to organise them for anyone 

Loving all the recipes, will definitely need to try some! On the grounds that if it contains fruit or veg it's healthy.... carrot cake must be really good for you... and cocoa comes from a plant so that must be good for you too...no?!?

My diet has been ok, IF I've been organised and have done a Tesco shop... this is something that we will need to get better at we frequently have an empty fridge because both of us hate supermarket shopping  I've been craving more vegetables recently, crunchy tasty ones especially. Can't eat oranges or satsumas anymore they set my heartburn off... apples however I could eat a whole tree of!

@RasperryInAMelon sorry you've had such a rubbish appointment, it's hard seeing someone different to begin with and then her getting flappy won't have helped you calm down. Enjoy your relaxing soak (don't do what I did and get stuck in the bath and had to have DH help me out ) I've sent you a PM for Facebook access as well.

@Jugoo28 I'm the same, DH will have started his new job (2 days before baby is due) so while he could take his paternity leave it would mess up so much of his training that they'd end up putting him back a month which would muck up wages etc too much. We're in the process of moving south to be closer to family so we're actually going to stay with my DPs while we wait to sell this house and buy a new one... otherwise I would have been stuck up here 250 miles from both my DH & DPs. Like you not sure my ILs lovely as they can be would be much use, FIL I think is still scared of me (because girls can't have opinions) and MIL would have a tendency to ask before doing anything which defeats the object of the exercise. They've been very sensible though and booked a B&B near my DPs for 2 weeks after my due date... that way they can be a bit more flexible.

Does anyone know if there's a time limit on taking paternity leave? Does it have to be within x weeks of the baby being born?

@McBaby he he he at "entering the drop zone"

I think we must have had earlier babies that we just don't know about... either that or they're all being so well behaved now we're in for nightmare newborns!!!

@nursebickypegs I haven't had any leaks yet either (33+5) just crusty bits like @savagehk said

@Northernexile ooooo you might be our first (that we know about) baby, that's not very far away!!

1004 looks like you can take it later, but you do need to take it all at the same time, so not overly helpful.

www.gov.uk/paternity-pay-leave/leave