Due February 2019: here come the babies!

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New thread ladies. 2 gorgeous bundles have already arrived...

@Notasgreenascabbagelooking Just has to google the castor oil method!! Had not heard of that but a quick look suggests it might be best avoided!

On an unrelated note, while shopping for hospital bag essentials, I have come across maternity bed pads, presumably in case waters break in the night?? Is this something that is needed? As a first timer I have no idea!

@Since2016

I don’t feel prepared at all... but really, we’re made to feel unprepared by society (and ourselves) in a way.

All the baby actually needs is you, food (breast or formula), clean clothes/nappies and a bed. If you have that you’re good to go, everything else is for convenience.

You can use water and flannels to clean them, a towel to change them on, boiling water to sterilise, and cuddles to entertain them.

I found myself getting so wrapped up in what I haven’t got, when really.. you don’t actually need stuff, we just want it 🤷🏻‍♀️

I’ve bought those bed pads, but I’ve never needed them before... both times previously my waters have broken at 10cm dilation, so I was at the hospital anyway.

I’ve yet to put them on the bed, and was thinking more about the car ride on the way to hospital, and for bleeding afterwards.

I bought some.of those pads. Put one on my bed. Woke up in night dripping in sweat as they are plastic backed. Thought my waters had gone but nope just a hot flush 😂😂😂 I have got them more for car journey hospital or sitting around on at home as if I was having a "natural delivery" I wouldnt be rushing off as soon as they went. Figure if I dont use them all ill use them in my change bag. As the change mat that comes with it is tiny.

Perhaps I won’t put one on the bed then! 😂😂

@Since2016 - I know, people keep asking me if I think she'll come early - I bloody hope not!

I've got some of the mats left over from last time so I've put one on the bed - it's been fine. I also kept one in the car in case I needed it. My waters went before anything else happened last time (luckily on the kitchen floor so easy to clean). I definitely didn't appreciate how much fluid there was or how much it would leak after (the first few hours especially- I naively tried to use a normal night sanitary pad in my knickers and went through many many changes of clothes).

@Since2016 I have got everything I need now! Just a case of it's spread round my house in various cupboard and rooms (as we don't have a nursery as baby will share with her sister once old enough) and so really I do need to go through and organise and put everything away properly! Like bottles into the kitchen etc instead of under the bed 😂

I finish work a week on Thursday! Then it's my daughters birthday the Friday, her party the weekend after then I have a two week gap and then mine and other half's birthday 20th/21st and a very important final cup football match for my eldest son on the 24th (which my OH managed the team) ! I am due the 28th and I just feel pressure of all these dates to avoid 🙈 if she could come at week 37 that would be perfect as I would perhaps feel a little better for the birthdays but I know it won't go like that and it will be the most inconvenient time!!!

@cabbage no totally! Although at this stage the cot and car seat are still in the loft 🙄 I’m so chilled it’s a joke. I have lists, just no urgency behind it! I have 3 1/2 weeks so loads of time!

@yakadee nah I’m sure this baby is pretty comfy - foot in ribs and practicing the tango. I’m enjoying my naps!

@since2016

I need to find some urgency.. although it’s my third child, I have no stuff from them as my youngest turns 11 this month. I never envisioned a third child 😂

I also live in a two bed terraced house, so I’ve no space for most of the baby paraphernalia 😬

I’ve bought some clothing, but tbh... people buy you so much that half of it never gets worn.. so I’ve only washed vests and sleepsuits, and I’ll wait and see what the baby shower/birth brings.

So yeah, basic clothes, crib in our room, a baby box and a travel system is pretty much all this kid has... until we get the loft conversion done in the spring 😂

Ooh... and another essential thing I have is a baby carrier!! My first child (in retrospect) was an angel... I truly didn’t realise at the time. My second child pretty much had a two year tantrum starting from the moment he was born. I had to wear him around the house if I wanted to get anything done as he would scream the place down if I dared put him in his Moses basket for even a second.

@cabbage ah glad it’s not just me! We’re also in a two bed cottage - moving house this year all being well. Baby in our room till then!

Yes yes re sling. I’m still debating whether to just buy a new connecta now (we literally broke our old one - used daily since DD was 10 months) or whether to get a soft stretchy for the first few weeks. A bit unsure re a connecta with a newborn although I know it says it’s fine.

We have the BabyBjörn carrier, the soft one (can’t remember the name!).

Just bought a second hand one and threw it in the washing machine 👌🏼

I bought a stretchy off eBay for £6, washed it and it’s good as new. I’ve got a beco soleil for when he grows out of that, it’s one of the only things I actually kept from the first baby!

We bought a waterproof bed sheet too and Jesus I thought I was boiling up in the night 😂

I've got a stretchy from my first but I think it might be too stretched if that's even a thing as we used it till 6 months. I need to get it out of the loft and look at it properly. One day! We also have a Boba which says from newborn but seems huge

Feeling a bit better today - the cot is up (not that she'll be sleeping in there any time soon), the bottle maker is thoroughly cleaned / sterilised and I finish work on Wednesday!!! (Excited is not that word!!!)

Still a few finishing touches but really getting there now! X

I suppose I can’t get over the idea that the connecta is a bit rough / big for a newborn. I used our old one from 10 months till it fell apart - July last year when DD was 2.6. I know it’ll get good wear... but will I even know how to use a stretchy? I like the reassurance of the buckles!

Sorry thinking out loud!

Hilarious when nothing else is sorted 😳

@Since2016 I have the ergo and they have a little cushion thing you swaddle up newborns in to pad things out a bit. Not sure if theres a universal version that would work in a connecta? I like the connecta and will probally get one in the future but like you wasnt sure how would work for a newbie. Then I got gifted an ergo.

I plan to go the sling library though. Is there one near you? They seem a real help.

I have a stretchy wrap for in the house for the early days. I only know a kangeroo carry though. So plan to go to a sling library to learn more ties.

It is funny as I have always worked with baby products but its a whole other kettle fish buying for your own child/a real baby from a less comercial point of view.

I don't think I put anything on the mattress last time, we've now got an expensive mattress with a nice bamboo protector so I guess I should put something down?!

Feeling a bit more organised now! I bought newborn nappies, water style wipes and changing mats in the Aldi baby event earlier in the week, and have also bought some breast pads and a few mini toiletries for my hospital bag. And ordered a new electric steriliser, set of two Dr Browns bottles and gro-swaddle using a Mothercare voucher from lovely friends, so feel a bit more on top of things. Sadly our last electric steriliser and most of the bottles weren't in good enough condition to reuse.

DH has finished decorating DS' new room so the carpet is being fitted tomorrow then he's heading to ikea to get the new bed, wardrobe etc which will be built in the weekday evenings (can't fault him, he's worked so hard and it's looking great) so DS should be in his new room next weekend! Then I can finally start washing and storing our baby clothes. We're getting there!

I'm also aiming for baby to stay put until due date. I got impatient last time and did nipple stimulation which sent me into labour and it was a very long, painful back to back labour. In hindsight I wish I'd just waited until she was completely ready as not sure if I made the labour worse by bringing it on early.

I've not thought about putting anything on the mattress or for something in the car, my waters didn't break until I was pushing last time.

I am getting the worst shooting pains right down below, it's as if baby is head butting her way down lol, she must be starting to engage.

I'm not organised, and not really bothered either, but gonna start sorting it all properly tomorrow ie clearing spare room and turning it into a nursery seeing as furniture was delivered this morning. I'm just trusting she stays where she is for a few weeks haha

Oh also, I've bought a second hand close Caboo carrier, washed it and it's came out lovely. So soft for a newborn and easy to use with just two rings to adjust. I loved my connecta with dd, I'm sure you can buy a newborn insert for it

Thanks all - there’s no insert for a connecta - suitable from 3.5kg (which this one will defintely be) as you can cinch the base. I did try a sling library last time - which is how I found the connecta! Only one that I really got on with. I didn’t like any of the others and had previously had a Bjorn which I wouldn’t recommend.

Could go again, only there on days when I’ll be juggling both DD and new baby which is NOT ideal! I may just go for the connecta (now known as Integra under the original creators but connecta is still sold as is) and then get a wrap if I decide once she’s here I’m not comfortable with it. We have prime!

Now to decide on a pattern for the sling - as DH will also use it I can’t go for anything too bright!

I did pick up my boots order though so I have toiletries and maternity pads etc!

Scan tomorrow am. DH still reckons est. weight >9lb

hayley013 I wonder that too about having my sweep at 38+4 as I also had a very long, painful, back to back labour.

Going to wait until due date this time although my midwife has said if I ask then she'd be willing to do a sweep from 39 weeks so I might see how I feel. I'm not keen on going too far over though, although I've not been anxious this pregnancy I don't think that would sit well with me. Fingers crossed it won't come to that.