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.

I think someone posted a pic a while ago on how to dress a new born (what layers etc), has anyone got a copy of it please? Reviewing what we have and feeling a bit clueless!

Oh yes, I would like to see the list that @lydiangel83 is referring to as well, I know nothing about babies!

Has anyone else hit a wall of tiredness? Since I had a few days off work last week, I'm struggling to get through each day.

I think that was me @lydiangel83 but I can't find the link that I posted now (the image was too lo-fi to be legible). Anyway, I've got this one too, for night times ...

DD was a summer baby and came home in a heat wave. She just wore short sleeved vests to start with and was swaddled at night. I think this baby will wear a short sleeved vest plus a sleepsuit to start with and we'll see if it takes to swaddling.

I've finally managed to operate the thermostat in the new house (thank God for being able to look up manuals on the internet). The previous owners had the temperature set to 23. We've been sweltering!

Thanks @Zampa that's helpful!

You @Zampa - that's great 😁

I had my scan this morning to see if the placenta has moved from under my csection scar. Thankfully it has & I don't need to have any further scans. Baby has now turned from breech to head down so I'm much more comfortable now. She is measuring absolutely spot on for growth, hopefully she'll stay that way & not be as big as her brother was. She is back to back so getting lots of kicking but I'm not worried about that. DS was back to back too & if I have an elcs it shouldn't have any impact.

Finally started sorting all the baby stuff out yesterday, the house currently looks like a bomb site with stuff everywhere. I've got hardly any newborn but about 30 0-3 babygros! Most of DS's were neutral so I can resuse them & no one will see the blue vests underneath. My washing machine is going to be busy. I've written my list for my hospital bag & started pulling together my stuff together. It's starting to feel very real now!

Can I be nosey and ask everyone to share their hospital bag lists?

In mine I have:
2 x nightshirts (one for labour & birth, one for after)
Huge back pants x 10
Black maternity leggings
Maternity pads
Witch hazel
Lip balm
3 x 0- 3 vests & baby grow
3 x first size vest & baby grow
Hairbrush
Hair bobble
Bottles of water x 2
Ready made formula
Sterilisers teet for formula
One pack of nappies
Flip flops
Tooth brush &a tooth paste
Shower gel
Towel

At the last minute I'll chuck my phone charger in

Good idea @theotherendofthesockportal this is mine - I don't have everything yet and may not fit in one bag. My primary concern is having enough chocolate lol! Looking at your list and there's good ideas so thanks for sharing! Just wondered, would the hospital not give you formula feed?

Dates/ prunes
Lip balm
Baby stuff
Nighties
Large pants
Chocolate
Drink bottle
Earplugs
Facial moisture spray
Incontinence / sanitary pads
Mirror / basic make up
Socks
Bikini top
Loose clothes
Nursing bras
Headphones
Own blanket pillow towel
Chocolate
Long phone charger
Dressing gown
Flip flops
Nice pjs
Power pack
Mints
Face/ body wipes
Energy drinks
Eye mask
Plastic bags

So far my list is...

CAKE!

Because everyone assures me gestational diabetes will go as soon as he's born. So I don't care about anything else, I just need cake

@butterybollocks 👍👍

You will get formula and bottles in hospital if you need them but I suppose it doesn't hurt to pack them!

I decided to take my own formula so that the breast feeding mafia don't try to pressure me whilst I'm there. I have been told that it's not advisable for me to breast feed as I have vitamin deficiency, but, don't want to be pressured whilst I'm feeling vulnerable. Same as I will putting in my birth plan to I don't want the bounty photographer anywhere near me! (I sound like such a cheerful person don't I?)

@lydiangel83 I am taking some inspiration from your list. I am now wondering if my bag will be if enough!

@butterybollocks yes, cake! Why didn't I think of this?! I hope you enjoy your post natal cake

@theotherendofthesockportal what on earth is the bounty photographer?! Please don't tell me another money making scheme?!

@lydiangel83 I don't know if all hospitals have the bounty scheme:
www.bounty.com/bounty-portrait/bounty-portrait-at-your-hospital

I know mine does though, and I'm gullible and will sign up to everything when I can't afford it.

@butterybollocks I may get pizza delivered for the same reason

I haven't done a list yet but have heard great things about 'Spritz for Bitz' so will look into that as well as a squirty water bottle to soothe as you have your first post partum wee!

Having a bag for your birth partner is also recommended - clothes, food, charger etc.

So I've been feeling pretty rotten the last week, waking up several times a night with horrendous aching in my lower stomach and needing a wee every 2 minutes.

So before work I nipped to the doctor and discovered I have a pretty nasty water and kidney infection. So I'm now on antibiotics for 5 days!!!

Oh yes have told DH to pack his own bag as I won't be sharing my chocolate lol! I ordered some spritz for bitz but it hasn't arrived yet, will just follow that up actually! The whole thing still terrifies me, will it ever not?!!

Buttery I have gestational diabetics too, I'm hating it as I don't eat most meat or eggs so I'm having to eat turkey slice and cheese for breakfast, lunch and dinner with various other proteins, fat and low/ no carbs and it's a struggle.

Cake is soooooo on my list too and chocolate mmmmmmmmmm

Get well soon @DuRezidal.

I can't remember which maternity pads I favoured last time. Can anyone recommend any brands?

I probably used Tesco ones last time but I was in Mothercare the other day & found some mat pads with aloe vera in which is supposed to aid healing. I'll probably still soak a few in witch hazel & keep them in the freezer.

One thing to remember for hospital bags is to check parking arrangements. Women in labour get free parking at our hospital but DH would need to pay up to £9 a day to visit afterwards. I've got a purse that I'm collecting pound coins in.

Thanks @AGnu good tip!!

3 for 2 on maternity products in Boots at the moment so have picked up some of their breast pads and maternity pads. They're also discounting Water Wipes so going to stock up as I'm not going down the cotton wool and water route again.

I also wanted a 2 in 1 shampoo and shower gel for my hospital bag. Have splurged on a Philosophy one and got lots of free samples (cleanser/moisturiser/eye gel) which are also going in the bag.

I also stocked up in boots at the weekend @zampa. Got 3 packs of the thick pads & 3 of the thin ones. Hopefully won't need them all. I've gone for water wipes this time too, I've got them on subscribe & save on Amazon. I did cotton wool & water for a month last time, not repeating that it's such a faff. If anyone is doing cotton wool I would suggest using cotton wool pads rather than cotton wool balls, much easier to use.

Think I've finally finished sorting out the baby stuff. Thankfully i don't need to buy too much more now, new changing mats, a nappy stacker thing & a wardrobe for the nursery & I should be done. Need the wardrobe asap as I now can't move in the nursery for all the clothes everywhere.

I had an osteopath appointment today which was great. She did worry me though when she said she thinks the baby is going to be early & feels cooked already! I normally do 4-5 weeks between appointments but she said I better come back in 3 just in case! Definitely finishing packing my bags this week.