February 2019 babies... here comes the third trimester

[maxiflump1]

New link ladies...... the final trimester is here!

I haven’t thought about visitors either except that my Mum (and probably my dad and brother) will be at the hospital as soon as poss. Mum has already said to call her immediately, no matter the time!

DH’s family are almost all in the midlands (2.5 hours from us) and don’t come up here anyway. We go down there a few times a year. MIL and FIL will probably come up but not sure they’d rush to get here same day or anything.

DH has two teenage boys so not sure how that will work. Eldest doesn’t come over any more anyway and I don’t think he’ll be bothered about his baby sister. Youngest will come but to be honest probably just as part of his usual EOW routine. DH does all pick ups and DOs and I’d be surprised if their mother brought them over but they live in another town too so tbh I wouldn’t be happy about DH leaving me when I’ve just given birth to go and get one or both of the boys.

My mum is my birthing partner. So think I will need to fight her for cuddles.

She asked me the other day if I have an emergancy c-section and was totally ko what I wanted to do about cuddles. I told her to cuddle the baby straight away if I cant. I want baby to feel secure. Not precious about 1st cuddle in that situation I dont think. So told her to go for it.

I am so grateful to my mum who has been my absolute rock pretty much being a full time carer to me in pregnancy. Its been testing for sure but made us alot closer for sure.

I grew up seeing my grandma daily and my grandparents where my absolute favourite people in the world. I hope for the same relationship for my little girl with my parents.

Other than my parents. I think I am going to say no visitors for a week.

I think I want to get into a routine and fairly confident with feeding. I have my heart set on breast feeding so going to try everything and hope that I am able to.

I might have to give a disclaimer to visitors my top maybe optional 😂

I am also worried about my dog silly as it sounds. This new person coming into her life and loads visitors etc. Dont want her to feel over welmed or pushed out. Thats really important to me she still feels loved etc silly as it sounds.

So I think a week just us will do us all good.

I’d agree @notquiteagandt you need time to bond, and too often I think people rush into visitors. I have a huge family (one of 5) so it’s not optional for us!

I must admit that while I’m dead set on BF again (I BF for 15 months with DD and I cannot imagine not BF again) I’m a little nervous! As she was in NICU for a week it took a LOT of effort and heartache (there were tears) to get us started. I’m really hoping this time it’s much more straightforward... does anyone know if c-sections affect the time it takes for your milk to come in? Last time it took till day 3 after birth but I was already in labour when I had my EMCS...

Ps. @notquiteagandt I would reccomend lots of stretchy vests - cheap so it doesn’t matter if you wreck them - so you can lift tops up / unbutton etc... tbh I found bf tops a total faff and barely bothered. You also get pretty comfortable with everyone seeing your boobs for a while 😂

@Since2016 thanks for the tip. Have been looking at specific bf ones but keep looking at them thinking I could get 3 or 4 normal ones for same price. So might just size up alot.

Glad having a winter baby tbh as think make it easier. Planning shirts I can unbutton and oversized grandad cardis over vest tops for first few weeks until i get really comfortable. Think any style is going to go out the window!!

I have read with csections milk can be a little slower coming through, as body doesnt always recognise straight away placentas gone as its been cut out. And you may need to work harder to get colostrum going. I am planning to harvest some before labour if I can. Just incase she needs a bit of a hand for what ever reason. Or its slow coming through due to csec or prem birth etc. (Totally over thinking every possible situation but want to be prepared)

28 weeks on Monday and it’s flying by. Very disorganised in terms of baby stuff but once we move house on Thursday I’m going to write a list and then hit eBay and Facebook to get everything.

Feeling pretty well although can’t believe I’m the same size now as I was when I delivered my son (at 35 weeks) - he was a titch though! Got a growth scan on Thursday to see how this one is getting on so fingers crossed. Reflux is pretty bad and I’ve had to up my dose of omeprazole but otherwise am ok.

It is possibly to exclusively express long term. It's hard though. Someone in my dd's Mumsnet group did it. Hats off to her!

Thanks @notquiteagandt I was totally not prepared with DD! Now in fairness I had colostrum from the get go so hand expressed that and then pumped till I established bf - the nurses joked I could feed the hospital with my milk production 😳 she was a big baby... so no issues with supply! just wondering now whether an elective section will delay it any in comparison... will do some reading... can you tell this is number two and I am in denial 😂

Tbh you can’t prepare for everything but I would reccomend packing as though you would be in for a few days. And yes - I’m the early days, vests, big t shirts and button down pyjamas! You’ll find your groove once you’re settled though - you can wear pretty much anything and BF discreetly i round - unless you’re blessed with v v large boobs - slightly more challenging then!

26 weeks today although I feel that the weeks are dragging in. Possibly due to really struggling at work (sales related and very pressurised) and counting down until I finish up in 6 weeks!

@lanalawr crikey - that must have been exhausting. I pumped alongside bf but DD never took a bottle so a lot got wasted but it was fairly easy so never bothered me - but I couldn’t imagine having to do both pumping AND all the faff with bottles all the time. That’s impressive!

I believe it's 28 weeks and most websites inc nhs say that.

We've been in town today so lot of walking but I feel like someone's punched me in the vagina area. Really hurting to walk and go upstairs.

Surely not Pelvic girdle Pain or whatever it is called already? 😭

I really wanted to bf my son but it just didn't work out. He had rather an eventful entrance to the world and had 'tension in his tongue' (whatever that means) and just couldn't get it. Tried for a few days and ended up bottle feeding. It actually was the best decision ever as I was really beating myself up and it was like a weigh was lifted when I decided to stop. Xx

I'll certainly give it a try with this little one x

@Baby160P I’ve had pelvic girdle pain since about 4 months so probably is!!

Started then more at tops of inside of thighs as if I’d been in the gym or something but then became more in the general pelvic / vagina area...

Hurts to put trousers or socks on - I have to sit down (well now I have to sit down anyway as I can barely bend with my bump)

My advice is just don’t overdo things even if you feel ok. I pretty much ran for a train the other day which was really silly but I acted more the next day. Also if I’m on my feet for a while, shopping, cleaning etc then I feel it later / next day

MW has given me phone number for physio

@AliceRR oh man! Thanks for the advice.

Baby has also moved today as was kicking super low last night and now it's higher up.

Was hoping it was related but I think I'm just in denial!! 🙈

@notquiteadandt it doesn't sound silly to worry about your dog and visitors /new baby at all. I'm a bit worried about the cat and planning to get a feliway diffuser (calms cats not sure if there is a dog equivalent) and give her a bit of fuss. Introduce them gently if possible. Played her baby crying noises and she doesn't seem fussed so that's reassuring.

Oh and I’d second the dog thing. I worried a lot about ours (pug who was our complete world until DD came along). She coped fine - I feel more sorry for her these days as DD never leaves her alone and she’s getting on a bit. As long as they get plenty of attention too - I told visitors to make a fuss of her too - then they shouldn’t feel pushed out. Plus having a dog is a great reason to force yourself up and out with a newborn - even on the days when you just can’t face the world!

We have a dog (and two cats) and I think the cats will keep a wide berth! Our dog is a very gentle girl but she does get a bit excited, so keeping her calm when we are back from the hospital will be the most difficult thing I think. She's been around small children and babies before and is mainly just curious/happy to join them in running around the place shrieking. She's good at taking herself away if she wants some space so I think we will just make sure she's able to be in the room we are in and welcome on the sofa with us as usual, but we'll also make sure she has somewhere else in a corner to take herself if it's a bit much.

The good thing is that she will force us out the house for walks!

@AliceRR
Yes to the heart burn/ acid reflux was really bad and is occasionally but I find a chewing gum helps so much

I had to ring the doc and they prescribed me something but since being prescribed them
It seems to have settled down and tbh I don't want to take any tablets unless I am in agony kind of thing but they are safe for pregnancy.

Heartburn and restless legs are doing my head in at the moment!! I’d love a decent nights sleep... 😩

With regards to the pumping, I found expressing breast milk really easy, it was the actual feeding that I found excruciatingly painful the first time round (lasted three months) and then impossible the second time round (lasted 36 hours!)

I shall try again this time, but won’t beat myself up about it if it doesn’t go to plan. Certainly not putting myself through three months of hell again.

@Alicejj8x That’s interesting to know - will try gum! Don’t love Rennie and and also can’t take them all day long...

I think milky drinks help me a bit eg strawberry milkshake 🙂

@NotAsGreenAsCabbageLooking I have the restless legs too especially in bed. Last night it was just one of my legs. Not sure what can be done to alleviate it.

I got heartburn really early on which then calmed down but has ramped up again, with more unpleasant reflux on top.

I have lots of different committments, so leaving work/uni is more fragmented. I’m going to be really sad leaving my paid work, it is the first job in my life that I’ve really enjoyed and love my colleagues so I’m not looking forward to it at all (except avoiding tube and stairs at work which can both do one!).

@AliceRR I noticed on my rennies that it said to avoid taking them close to consuming lots of dairy as it makes them less effective. I am finding that hard as i’m eating lots of yoghurt/fromage grains/yoghurt coated raisins. I forgot the other day and took one after a breakfast o cereal and threw up later for the first time in months. Thought it might be worth noting if you don't like rennies anyway that it’s best not to take them too close to a milkshake.

*fromage frais (no idea what fromage grains would be)

@Surprisedmom That’s interesting. Last night when I had the Gaviscon I can’t remember what I’d had just before but will keep an eye on that - thanks!