November 2017 #4: Bump botherers, nesting and maternity leave!

[GingerHanna]

In which we swat away unwanted hands, perform military operations every night to roll over in our sleep, clean the kitchen cupboards for the eleventy billionth time and count down the days to our maternity leave!

Previous thread here.

Click here for The List.

@DuRezidal I'm planning to pack my hospital bag on my first day of maternity leave, I will be 33+2.

@lydiangel83 I've bought two huge new nighties, one to wear during labour/birth, the other afterwards. The afterwards one is a button down checked thing that can be used to hold baby skin to skin and looks enough like a normal top for me to wear home

Also, the herb tea can be diluted to use like the spritz stuff & also for cleaning the cord stump so it doesn't get too yucky. I'm usually a total sporner but the cord stump totally turns my stomach!

Oh my. The cord stump. DD's tried to grow back We had to kill it with salt

I've got a day off all to myself next week so planning to make it a baby day & sit down & sort all her clothes, blankets, bins, muslins etc out & get some of them washed. After that I'll know what I'm missing & will also start packing a bag for me & a bag for her. Will also do a spare to keep in the car in case we end up staying in for while. Worked well last time, DP would bring clean things in from the car every morning & take all the dirty stuff home. You don't get a lot space so best not to take too much.

For giving birth I had a long vest top. It covered my modesty if I wanted to walk round the delivery room but was easy to do examinations etc. I had to put a hospital gown on once I'd had an epidural & wasn't a fan of all the extra material. For afterwards I had an oversize knee length nightie. Don't normally do nighties but good job I took it as I had a catheter in for 18 hours after emcs. Once that was out I changed into big black pants, loose pj bottoms & a nursing vest so I was nice & comfy. That first shower after was amazing!

Thanks all helpful tips

@AGnu what's a stump cord?!!

The cord stump is the bit that's left after they've cut the umbilical cord. It's clipped with what looks like a plastic bag clip & stays for a few days until it falls off of it's own accord. DS1's didn't bother me but DS2's hung around for nearly a week & smelled of rotting flesh, which is basically what it is! DH had to change the nappies because I couldn't stand looking at it, let alone the smell! The midwives insisted it wasn't infected & the yellow oozing was just part of the healing process... I was never overly convinced! I'm hoping if I bring DD into my herbal baths it'll help it heal faster & not smell.

I've just ordered my herbs. In the end I went for: calendula, lady's mantle, lavender, nettle, plantain, raspberry leaf & witch hazel for the bath. Will drink raspberry leaf & nettle tea closer to the due date & for a while after & plan to soak maternity pads in witch hazel & put them in the freezer. I'd definitely recommend the frozen witch hazel (or aloe vera) pads, even if you can't be bothered with all the other stuff - the relief is amazing! Also, I was incredibly doubtful about the idea of sticking savoy cabbage leaves on my breasts to combat the pain of engorgement when the baby is a few days old... this time I'll be sending DH to the supermarket within 24 hours of DD's birth to make sure we have it when I need it. Cabbage in your bra is wonderful!

@izzi that sounds so worrying, hope you are ok and resting lots. I like the advice above that baby grows when you rest! I can believe that. Stressing and overdoing it can't be good. Feet up and lots of relaxation!

I've got a new nightie to wear in hospital (button down, black, granny chic 😂 my DH is a lucky man!) and my SIL has given me a bag of things for my hospital bag that I've not even looked in. I don't even have a hospital bag! I'll be shoving it all in a bag for life at this rate lol.

I am getting quite nervous. We are going to France tomorrow night for our honeymoon. We originally planned this enormous road trip of Europe; Paris, the Black Forest, Munich (Oktoberfest), Vienna, Slovenia national park, Milan, Venice, Florence, Monaco and then back to Paris via Lyon. We have now whittled it down to just getting over to France and planned to drive to Nice then up the coast to La Spezia and Tuscany. Only thing is, I saw the midwife today and she originally encouraged us to go, but now she doesn't think we should even go down to Nice, let alone in to Italy! I am getting quite anxious about it because she thinks it may be overdoing it. We are picking up the camper van and packing with all our comforts tomorrow lunchtime, before driving the Eurotunnel over. But I am worrying. I don't speak French or Italian! I have got French cousins and aunties I could call upon, some in Paris and some in the south, but I still feel a bit uneasy. I think I may have an ear infection which is what is making me feel worse. We are now talking about maybe coming home after a week and just heading to the Lake District or somewhere else! I didn't think this far ahead when we were planning the trip! Gah. Sorry I don't know what my point is I just wanted to vent x

Oh goodness @Agnu I hadn't considered the cord!

@hazandduck do you feel well enough just to get across the Chanel and stay within distance of the ferry? It would be a shame to cancel all your plans. We went to the Lake District for our honeymoon and we loved it!

This evening my final baby tooth came out, I think it must have become wobbly due to the baby sucking all the calcium out my teeth! I feel a bit embarrassed about the gap in my teeth as of course its near the front. I can see another adult tooth growing behind though. Whats the going rate for the tooth fairy these days?

Oh @Hazandduck I can understand your nerves but I think you should go and have a relaxed trip. Even if you're doing a bit less it will be lovely to get away and have quality time. Plus Italians LOVE pregnant women and I bet French do too. You'll always find people that can speak English, and I'm sure will all be fine but of course do what you're comfortable with. We were in Italy last week and just made sure we knew where nearest hospital was, just in case!

Thank you @sock and @Lydia. Yes, I agree we should still go as we have been so shattered and desperate for a nice break just us. I've never visited the Lake District and it looks so beautiful, so I would happily go there too! But I have been dreaming of all the Italian food for so long...I think it was my earache and seeing the midwife that made me feel extra nervous. I fell asleep really early tonight on the sofa and have woken up feeling a bit more calm. Going to sit and wait at my docs tomorrow and see if I can get antibiotics!

That's a good plan about checking the local hospitals too. I am going to google all the ones on our original route just so I can be prepared. I don't know if anyone else has started to feel more and more anxious recently. I've been so chilled and excited (for me any way) but the last week or so I've been getting creeping anxious thoughts. It feels like we are so close to the finish line now, just want baby here safe and sound, but obviously not 8-9 weeks early! Xx

@hazandduck With my first, I went to Tenerife around 28 weeks pregnant. I got very worried about movement and ended up in the local maternity ward. The Spanish midwives couldn't have been nicer. They found an English speaker and looked after me.

Whilst nothing will go wrong on your trip, please rest assured that with your European Health card and travel insurance, you'll be covered in any circumstance.

Have a wonderful time, relax and rest!

Totally get it @Hazandduck I was a bit more nervous on holiday after a very relaxed pregnancy, but the sun sea and food outweighed my worries and I loved being on holiday. Plus people are so lovely in Italy especially, our B and B owner nearly cried with happiness when he saw that I was pregnant, and a restaurant owner got out his accordion and sang happy birthday to me (was not my birthday but only song he could think of to wish me well for baby I think). Very sweet!

Just popping on here to have a bit of a moan, I think I've got another water infection :( it doesn't hurt to pee but I was up well over 10 times last night trying to squeeze out the smallest drops that felt urgent. I'm going to mention it at my growth scan this afternoon as my community midwife has gone on holiday.

@theotherendofthesockportal if you have a pot, take a sample with you and the midwives on the ward will test it for you. Bloody utis are a super pain!

@Hazandduck I hope you do go and enjoy your time abroad, it'll be wonderful - only sad thing is that you'll be missing out on those yummy Italian cured meats and the gelato. I long to go back to Sorrento one day.

@izzibee29 why miss out on gelato? I ate loads last week, please don't tell me it's on the banned list?!

Sorry to hear that @theotherendofthesockportal must be miserable :(

@Zampa that's what has been worrying me so thank you for reassuring me!

Thanks everyone, I will definitely be chilling out to the max! @izzi I love Parma ham and melon it's my favourite thing to eat on holiday, so will have to accept I can't indulge, wah!

Back from the doctors (mayhem because it is the flu jab clinic today) but I was seen immediately and have got an ear infection so think that's why I have been a bit mopey the last free days. Got some ear drops so hoping they kick in very soon!

@sock that sounds awful, you poor thing :( Do you think baby may be sitting right down on your bladder too which can make it worse? Xx

@Lydia I didn't know gelato wasn't allowed either? Oh man :( Is it because of pasteurisation? Xx

@lydiangel83 it's the homemade ice cream uses raw egg thing, but to be honest we've all probably indulged in the odd thing we were supposed to have. Bet it was scrummy x

*weren't

I agree @Izzi there is so much to keep track of, and it varies from country to country too doesn't it! How are you feeling today? Taking it easy?

Hi Haz,

So mission feed baby is in full swing - every day feels like eating the same amount id try and pack in over Xmas.

I've managed to work from home since Monday which has been bliss!

Very much feeling more chilled and I have a nice reward lined up for Sunday, some cuddle time with my friends week old baby.

Excited to hear all about your travels- hope the ear gets better xx

I rushed for a train today, knowing it would hurt later. Guess what, it hurts! Really annoyed with myself.

Oh @Zampa you'll think twice next time x

I seem to be spending an increasing amount of time in bed. We're desperately trying to teach our nearly 6yo to not need pull-ups at night. He was fine the first night but last night he wet his bed & woke me up at 4am. I didn't go back to sleep until 7 but thankfully DH was working from home today so could sort breakfast. After that the day started off ok but by midday I was back in bed with a sore belly. Not sure if it's general bump-ache or constipation or what but I keep getting pains. Usually it's at the same time as BH or when she's kicking & I just feel bruised but this was worse & more prolonged.

I'm guessing it's constipation related because it's been a couple of days but the level of discomfort does seem a little disproportionate. Trying to figure out if something in my diet could've caused it. I've given up trying to take the iron liquid I was prescribed because my levels were only just lower than the "normal" range & it was making me gag really bad. I'm eating spinach constantly though - no idea if dietary iron can cause the same issues as iron supplements! I'm trying to drink plenty but right now I just want to curl up & feel sorry for myself. 9w, 2d & counting... That's if she comes on time & doesn't keep me waiting like her brothers. I'm as pro-"natural" birth as they come - no drugs with either DS - but if it wasn't so early I'd be pleading for an induction, or just someone to cut her out!

Oh @Zampa take it easy! Be kind to yourself :) @AGnu I dream about spending longer in bed, I get very little sleep but if I try and rest during the day I get compulsions to clean.

I had my growth scan today, the appointment was an hour and half late 😡 I was not very amused. Baby is still a big baby, new measurements show she is on the top of 90th percentile, which is better than the giant size she was showing before.

She has long legs like her daddy, she made as difficult as possible for her legs to be measured by crossing her legs and moving away from the scanner. At the scan she was breech, so now I am confused, do babies flip round a lot a 31 weeks?

I also have had my wee sent of to be cultured with a suspected uti. The hospital were really good to me when I asked them for help.