Due February 2019: here come the babies!

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

@Thesnobbymiddleclassone @Babynum2 I really liked the idea of a home birth too but couldn't find a way to get everything else I wanted (dd not to have to leave her home and my parents not here while I give birth). I feel like I'm likely to need support bf too - not that my hospital were any use last time.

My midwife was really good going through it with me.

They don't just leave when you're done, she said they stay to offer support with feeding if you want it (I've said yes as didn't BF at all last time).

She said they stay until they're happy baby is feeding and okay and that you're okay also.

@Thesnobbymiddleclassone I needed ongoing bf support during the night I stayed last time and was worried I would only have support for the first feed at home. Dh wasn't entirely convinced about the idea either (although better than last time). Maybe I need to convince him to have a third baby so I can have my home birth!

I got some M&S maternity/nursing nighties and vests in the sale - I had a gift voucher so it was free. I got a few sizes to keep me going. As they were so cheap I don’t care about throwing them away!

@Celebelly I’ve bought some jelly babies “for the hospital bag”

@powkin If they make it to the bag, you're a stronger woman than me!

Place marking 😊

@lanalawr aslong as the dont induce you i dont see why you cant have a waterbirth, my bestfriend had a baby 2 months ago she was measuring bigger and had growth scan they est baby to be 8.14 they let her have one! Think mine was more because DD was measuring very very small 5lb they said but as usual they was wrong!

I had my hospital nighties that i gave birth in made into a teddy bear it had first babygrow and blanket aswell my mum done it as DDs baptism gift be nice to do it again x

That's encouraging @Babynum2. I'd still like one and I'm not particularly bothered by the idea of a big baby. Will see how it all pans out.

I'm gonna go out tomorrow and make it my mission to get everything I need for hospital bag, but I have a question, what constitutes a 'hospital bag' for you all? I'm thinking a hand luggage suitcase would fit everything in meaning just one thing to carry for OH, rather than various bags, but then would make sense to have our stuff seperate, I just don't know!

I've used my small wheel case.

I've used our changing bag for all the baby's stuff and then a rucksack for my stuff. I wanted them separate to make it easier for DP to find stuff if I need it. Also keeping some stuff in car that I might not need, but if I do DP can run out and get it, such as extra drinks, etc.

@Celebelly and @powkin I'm planning to buy some jelly babies too  My friend advised me to buy some Lucozade tablets but I think I've never seen them in shops.
@hayley013 I've packed a small hand luggage suitcase despite what midwife in my antenatal class has said- 'hospital is not a hotel so don't bring a suitcase' I think it will be much easier to have all the stuff in one place and it can be easily pushed under the bed so it doesn't take space too.

Those who are having subsequent babies and bottle fed, and are planning to bottle feed again at least some point, are you buying new bottles / teats?

@Celebelly DH will be lead to believe it is the same packet but I will probably go through two or three replacements 😂

FIL came round this evening, was hoping we might get a bit of Christmas/baby cash/baby bits as he made a big song and dance about coming in person etc. Turns out he’d brought a cushion cover for my husband and a weird top for me.... ummmm OK?! Cat already on the cushion!

I've used a gym bag for my stuff and the baby changing bag for baby's stuff. Hubby will pack a rucksack with a few bits for him and snacks etc. He won't be staying over anyway as will need to get home for my son (although covered pretty much all day by mum and Mil).

@Lookingforadvice123 - we're going to bottle feed and have bought new bottles / tests x

Using a wheely case - same one I used last time. Will put DH’s stuff in mine - I’ve told him to plan to stay over as last time there would have been no way I was able to lift the baby / get out of bed unaided and the postnatal Ward is a little third world! Fx for a one night stay!

Can partners stay over in hospitals? They weren’t allowed with my first two babies..

I’m really hoping to be home same day, I was with my first, had to stay a night with my second due to retained placenta though ☹️

Hated being in a ward with other mums, just wanted the privacy and quiet of my own home!

(Jelly babies are definitely going in my bag now!)

@NotAsGreenAsCabbageLooking - my hubby wasn't allowed to stay with my first. He could stay until I was moved to a ward. I didn't enjoy it on there either, was desperate to get home! X

@hayley013 I have packed a sports bag I had hanging around the house and am putting the babies stuff in a changing bag once I get one. I figured two separate bags would make it easier.

Thanks guys, I'm still unsure what I want to take, I gather OH will he left to carry everything sondont want him carrying loads of bags.

@NotAsGreenAsCabbageLooking my partner was able to stay as there was a private room free, but if I'd had to go on the ward he would've had to go home. I had to stay due to having a catheter in overnight for stitches, and I could barely move for it to lift DD, praying this time I don't have to stay over, otherwise I'll send partner home to be with dd preferably

I had a room last time (DD was in NICU) but DH was allowed to stay at all points - labour ward and post natal. It’s only a chair (birth centre there is a bed and it’s 48 hours I think) on the ward but it reclines! I know I’ll be in at least a day but the hospital does enhanced recovery so hoping to be out by the next day.

Sorry should have made that clearer - hospital policy is partners can stay on the ward or in a room. Pros and cons tbh but I’ll need him to stay!

My waters have gone!

@Babynum2 Good luck!!!

Oh @Babynum2 how exciting! How far along are you? Good luck!!