Oct 18 babies 4 - dates

[unicornchaser]

Hey ladies!

New thread kicked off with all our upcoming due dates so we can keep track of the exciting arrivals!! Can't wait to see if we stay in this order!

@Doll87 - 28th Sept/3rd Oct
@twobambinos - 1st Oct
@Belles86 - 4th Oct - Girl
@Filzma - 5th Oct - Girl
@mamami - 6th Oct
@TinyTerror1 - 7th Oct - Girl
@Havetothink - 8th Oct
@Smithguy86 - 22nd Oct/ind 8th - Twins
@justtowarm - 11th Oct - Girl
@Hayleyxmx - 15th Oct - Girl
@caoraich - 17th Oct
@lovesrunning - 17th Oct
@ATP1000 - 19th Oct- Girl
@mamaL86 - 19th Oct
@yerp - 28th Oct
@rhibee - 29th Oct
@rebeccaM - 29th Oct
@unicornchaser - 30th Oct
@flamingo19 - 31st Oct

Hope you and baby are okay today @Filzma. It's cooled down a little (where I am anyway) so hopefully that helps you relax and get more comfortable. Good luck at the hospital!

Talking hospital bag, anyone fancy sharing what they're going to pack in theirs? My husband seems to have a pretty good idea of what to put in his (yes, he's putting together his own hospital bag). I, on the other hand, am getting all stressed out about it: I don't want to pack up the house, but I know I'd stress if I realised I was missing something essential; especially if it's something baby needs.

Sorry if this sounds silly: first time mom and all that here.

I was also wondering about all the baby clothes and Moses basket/cot bedding. Are you ladies going to give everything a wash before baby arrives? Even if it's all brand new ?

I was just reading my hospital bag list. I compiled it from a thread of 'what do you wish you'd taken' that was on the pregnancy board a month or two back. This what I have:

For me
Snacks (inc. savoury) and drinks, large bottle of water, sports cap bottle or bendy straws
Loose clothes to come home in
One extra outfit in case in for more days
Dark towel
Absorbent pants (JMB sells some or get Tena lady pants NB larger size) or maternity pads NOT STs
Big pants. Spare socks
Moist toilet tissue
Water mist spray?
Flip flops/slippers
Hot water bottle and paracetamol
Bin bag for dirty/wet stuff
Own pillow and nursing pillow
Dried fruit
Nursing bra/vest
Lip balm
Nipple cream, nipple pads
Fluffy socks
Shower gel
Nightie/old comfy top for giving birth in
Hair tie, brush
Tankini for water birth
Music (ipod), books/entertainment, headphones, earplugs
Electric fan
Dressing gown
Change for vending machine?
Soft cushion for car home
Spare pile of clothes at home just in case/spare bag with stuff for more than one night
Pen and paper
Copies of birth plan
Phone charger with long cable
Cheap flannels
Toothbrush
E45 itch cream
Deodorant

For baby
Snuggly baby blankets
Lots of baby grows and vests (3 outfits per day)
0-3 clothing as well as newborn
Baby hat
Muslins
Cotton wool
Bottle and formula?
Scratch mitts
Nappies (12/day)
Nappy bags

OH bag
Snacks – sandwiches, cereal bars
Spare T-shirt/deodorant
Thin blanket

Apparently it's best to wash the new stuff especially, in a non-bio detergent.

That said, don't wash everything as you can't take it back when washed and you don't know what size you'll need - newborn might be too small so only wash a couple of newborn outfits I guess.

Thank you ladies for the lovely comments. I was back at the hospital today and thankfully not contractions detected. MW think it's either the heat or too much physical exertion. I'm guilty of the latter.
I'm back home now, made myself a station by the sofa. DH has really outdone himself, bless his heart. I have warm food and a throw around me. Feeling really snug. Don't know about baby though.
As for packing bags, think I'll begin buying stuff online and see how that goes. @TinyTerror1 thank for the list. Xx

That list is so useful @TinyTerror1. Thank you

My list pretty much mirrors @Tiny's with the inclusion of Vaseline/lip salve and throat lozenges as apparently gas & air really creates dry lips & sore throats!

Filzma glad to hear you're home and it's all settled down. I'll try to remember not to overdo it...

I've literally just been to Asda to get some of the stuff on the list. I bought maternity pads but they also do maternity pants (5 for £1) which they say can be used together with the pads - maybe useful for nighttime? - they only had the pants in 18-20 so I didn't get any for now.

I did a massive boots order online for the hospital bag. I got miniature/travel toiletries because I remember my bag got pretty big and heavy last time. Got a new toothbrush /hairbrush etc so I don't have to worry about packing when labour starts (and not really a waste of money because it's stuff I have to get regularly or replace anyway) I was in for a while after my son and having a back up bag at home was a lifesaver :)

Also, I would advise getting a lightweight dressing gown. I wanted to have something to cover up last time but it was so hot on the ward (even in January) i couldn't stand my dressing gown in that heat. So have a very light weight one now.

Something like the flannel material ones @justtowarm? That's what I was looking at getting.
Great shout on the travel toiletries and just a new tooth/hair brush

I'll be looking out in Asda for the maternity pants too, a friend gave me a huge stock of pads she didn't use after having had a c-section but I have heard that you can easily be struggling even with 2 on once so the pants may give a bit of extra reassurance once wearing clothes again!

@unicornchaser

I've got a very light jersey fabric robe, I wanted black in case of any embarrassing leaks 🙈

Last time I just got cheap giant granny pants from asda and used maternity pads with them, it seemed to work and I'll do the same again :)

Ah yes noted, no light coloured dressing gown/pjs!

For those who have mentioned having bump support/bands are they effective? (Not the physio strength ones that hurt!)
I have been feeling like I need to hold my bump when bending/getting up from sitting or walking any distance as I'm getting some really painful muscle pulling and stretching feelings. Would the bands help?

And also, is it down to lack of muscle tone so would pregnancy yoga or aquanatal help?

What maternity pads are you all going for? I went to ASDA today but really struggled. I wanted some big knickers and some thick maternity pads but couldn’t find either. I ended up getting some Tena lady maxi night I think they were called, because I remembered reading on another’s thread. But now I’m doubting myself because are Tena lady just for pee??

I've got boots and morrisons ones but really want to get the winged ones too.

Just read up and discovered it's round ligament pain I'm having and swimming & yoga will help so will look to start that I think!
Might give a bump band a bash too as I am only sporadically remembering to do pelvic floor exercises never mind adding those stomach exercises too haha

I get a bit of round ligament pain too unicornchaser, it's really annoying. I would recommend doing pelvic floor exercises though, unrelated to the round ligament pain. I was having trouble remembering so I got the NHS squeezy app (it's £2.99 but I think it's worth it) - it gives you reminders to do them as well as having quite a good explanation of how to go about it.

Yerp I did find thick maternity pads in Asda, although I bought the last two packs... I don't know where you looked, they don't keep them with the incontinence and sanitary stuff, they are in the 'baby' section in every shop I looked in. Obviously

Yes, they're never where they should be, I searched Morrisons today only to discover they were out of stock of everything I actually wanted. I might just order online.

@filzma glad you are home now and that you got checked out. I think it tells the rest of us baby can come anytime and to start getting organised.i have enough for the hospital bags now just need to pack it into the bag. I'm going to do it tomorrow.
I second the light dark dressing gown for hospital. Jersey satin or something like that. Not too warm but covers you up if walking around.

Thanks guys I think I’ll order them online. They are much cheaper than the ones I bought too so win-win!
I think I’m going to start putting a few bits into the bag today. I have everything for baby so that bag should be able to be packed at least.

I packed the bags this morning. Just need to put the spares of everything in the one place now for dh in case of an extended stay. And put in the last minute bits and bobs when I'm on the way in. Charger snacks etc. But I have the essentials. I'm ready so if someone could let my baby know the good news and tell him to start moving towards the exit over the next four weeks that would be great

How is everyone feeling today? I took delivery of the car seat and buggy yesterday. They can take a while to figure out its always good to have a bit of testing at home of the car seat instead of outside the hospital in the rain

The baby is currently going crazy punching and whatever else he is up to in there. Its quite sore but very reassuring.

Hope you have the feet up @filzma.

Are some of you finishing up work today? What nice plans have you for the time off before baby arrives.

@twobambinos as a teacher I'm on holiday now, but I'll be going back in September. The plan is to go for the whole month and start my maternity leave on the 1st October. Baby is due on the 16th so I don't know whether I'm being overambitious.

I've been spending the summer sorting out the nursery. Just got the hospital bag left to pack and other tiny bits and bobs.

It's been lovely being at home though because I can lie down whenever I feel too tired or get dizzy (nausea is also back even if not as terrible as I the first trimester).

Don't know about you ladies, but sleeping at night is a bit of a nightmare. I used to sleep on my tummy pre-pregnancy and now I find that my arms go numb all the time by sleeping on a side. Baby also seems to be moving the most at night and keeping mummy awake. Hope it's not a warning sign for many sleepless nights to come

@twobambinos 💕💕 barely moved an inch today. Netflix and actual chilling. I could get used to this life. DD is at DMs. She took all the baby clothes to hers for a wash and that's a weight off me.
I do feel a massive difference just getting proper rest and letting my body be.

I actually got 7 hours sleep last night, couldn't believe it, almost feel human. Feels like baby took advantage and grew another inch in response though