June 2019 - Part 7!

[Kescilly]

Hi ladies! Picking names, packing hospital bags - third trimester here we come!

I thought I'd start out with the stats this time and I'll post the updated name list in a bit. I've just included the data that I have, since a lot of people are missing bits (or quite possibly I've missed their posts). We come from all over, so I'll put that bit in another post later as well.

Our average age at estimated due date is 33! That should help some of us who are feeling older.

And that's not just because we're all second-timers! In fact, most of us are having our first baby this year.

Baby #1 - 31
Baby #2 - 26
Baby #3 - 9
Baby #4 - 1
Babies 1&2 together! - 1

Fifteen of us are expecting lovely little boys, nineteen of us are expecting darling little girls, and at least sixteen of us are waiting to be surprised!

The average due date is June 13th, and the most popular due date is June 24th. We don't have anyone expecting on the 15th, 23rd, 27th, or 30th as far as I can tell.

And if you happen to have a baby on my birthday (June 16th), your baby will be born on Father's Day this year!

Love the stats!

Yay, I’m glad everyone has enjoyed the stats!

30+2 here and slightly starting to panic! We still haven’t assembled our furniture since another box needs to be exchanged. I don’t have many friends here but I’m so grateful for the ones I do have. They came over, checked every part across all seven boxes, and now we at least know what needs to be exchanged.

We start NCT classes next week as well, and I have my third GTT on Friday. Should I be packing a bag yet? I’m not sure how long they keep you in here or what is provided.

We also did another private scan to make sure it’s a girl, since the NHS never confirmed. It looks like it is, so I feel much better about having a name chosen!

@Kescilly you can find lots of different lists online with suggestions of what to pack in your bag, and people pack them anywhere from 20-something weeks right up until very late but I think 34 weeks ish is a common suggestion. How long you will stay in depends on what kind of birth you have, I had an epidural last time so was kept overnight and actually was there from Friday lunchtime until Sunday early evening (one night in labour, one night on the ward). A csection it'll be longer, if you're on a midwife led unit you may even not stay overnight depending on what time you give birth. Best to plan for a few nights though! And in my experience very little was provided by the hospital except a handful of maternity pads.

@toomanyflatwhites I’ve seen lists online but a lot of them seem geared towards Americans and I know the NHS has very different procedures. It’s why I can’t ask any of my American friends back home either. I suppose I could stick to Mumsnet and search! Although I feel even then, the NHS seems to differ so much.

@Kescilly everything @toomanyflatwhites said. I've used the lists on the BabyCentre website and the NHS website to cross reference, plus trying to remember what I found useful/not so much last time I gave birth. I'm 30+1 and packed my bag already will be packing the baby bag over the next week as I'm currently washing all of her clothes. No way I'm waiting until later, I'll be too huge and tired and just want to sit on the sofa watching box sets until she arrives

It was my last day at work today, surreal! Won't be going back until Feb next year. I've planned a few things to occupy myself until due date though - seeing friends/family, a bump photo shoot at 33 weeks, trips out and a 4D scan tomorrow, can't wait!

I've done a basic version of my bag too mainly from the top few threads that come up on a search on here, there seem to be some common themes. I've washed all the up to three months clothes as well now because I wanted some bits for the bag and it seemed silly not to do a full load of washing!

I'm glad I have really as I've been really tired this week and that's only going to get worse I guess so I'm relieved I tackled it at half term, though I'm sure I'll repack a few times between now and then!

Eeek I feel unprepared now! Although we are only a mile from the local hospital so hopefully my husband could pop back if needed.

I think we are going to travel an hour to the next city over tomorrow so I can do a bit of shopping. I wanted to visit Bravissimo in person because bras have been so stressful since I got pregnant. Also I really want some American food that they have there!

Place marking!

Thanks for the stats @Kescilly - I'm one of the few on dc3 then!

@stellarfox Glad you had a wonderful break away - that was me in here who recommended. It really is a lovely hotel, only about 10 mins from where I live.

With the hospital bag, I packed mine about 35 weeks last time. In the end my boyfriend had to come back and get quite a lot of extra stuff as we ended up staying for a week (poorly me and poorly baby). From memory the most important things are:

Sleepsuits in newborn and maybe 0-3, plus hat
Breastfeeding friendly nightie (better than jamas for immediately after, try find one with buttons)
Massive pants in a bigger size than your usual
Maternity pads & breast pads
Unstructured nursing sleep bra
Comfy loose clothes, probably still maternity clothes with breastfeeding friendly tops
A towel, soap, deodorant etc
Nappies & muslins

I think the nhs list is pretty comprehensive, I’d really stress to think loose and comfortable for anything you may wear!

For anyone with bigger boobs (I’m 32FF) who’s planning to breastfeed, I’d highly recommend these in the ‘busty’ size. Unfortunately probably not so good for anyone who’s plus size, I’m size 12 and found the XXL busty to be my best fit, but I lived in these for ages after the birth.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01NBFY93S?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_pd_title&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Is anyone else in the Safe Sleep and Baby Care group on Facebook? I think I need to leave it! They are so harsh, if someone says something they think is incorrect they are pounced on by everyone else and then blocked! There is a post this morning about Moses baskets. Most people on the thread haven’t heard of one, people saying they are unsafe because they get wet, one person saying you have to trim the basket. Someone else asking if Moses basket is a regulated term because there are so many trendy products out there and the want to know if they are regulated. I think it’s aimed at the US demographic. I think I’d be too scared to ask a question! 🙈

@curlywurly3 that sounds crazy! We’ve had SIDS in the family so understand the need to be well informed, but it’s not about terrifiying mothers surely?!

I’ve got an appointment for birth trauma therapy, without sharing any negative vibes for first time mums, has anyone had any experience of such therapy? Quite apprehensive about it. Happy to PM to keep positive labour vibes going!

@kescilly I want to Bravissimo in London a few weeks ago and bought a non-underwire bra and a supportive sleeping top. I'm already a 36E, and my old bras were so uncomfortable! However, they told me to come back at week 37 for a final nursing bra measure as your boobs will still grow...!

Gosh, all you guys are so organized! I bought three baby outfits and a cute little blanket online but that's all I have so far. I was given a bunch of tiny baby clothes from my brother, and a Moses basket and a car seat from our friends, so I guess that's something. I really want to paint the baby's room a nice bright colour though before we set up in the too much!

Hospital bag- I don't even have a suitable bag . I have my backpacking bag or a selection of small handbags. So now I've started googling changing bags for the baby which could also be used as a hospital bag. Has anyone got a nice changing bag so far?

@daffydillo I agree it’s important we educate ourselves and be aware but from looking at the comments, I think some people have taken everything very literally and now they all seem nervous wrecks!
I haven’t got any experience on the therapy but good luck with it, I’m sure it will help you x

By the way, are people still taking folic acid or stop at 12 weeks?

@hexagon01 thanks for the list, very useful!

@Curlywurly3 that does sound like an American group. I had never heard the term “Moses basket” until I moved here. I think most people in the US would use a bassinet for a newborn.

I think most people can stop taking folic acid after twelve weeks. There is probably some in your prenatal vitamin anyway. I was advised to continue taking it throughout, but that was in the context of an inherited blood disorder.

@swiftfox we have clothes and nursery furniture but it’s all in bags and boxes! I thought I knew what bag I’d want to use but now I’m wondering if it’s a bit too nice to take to the hospital. Wish I hadn’t been so quick to get rid of some of my husband’s old bags!

I think I’ve gone from a DD to an H so I’m a bit terrified to think what might happen to them next! I haven’t had a decent bra this whole pregnancy. None of the sleep or nursing bras that people recommend seem to go above an L or XL so I think I’ll have to continue to do a lot of expensive online purchasing and returning. Would be nice to try on a few bras in person today though.

Have just waved goodbye to DP, DD and the in-laws as they head off on a nice walk and I stay home to rest. Realised I'm totally exhausted and just want to cry, and a mountain walk is the last thing I need!
Also am feeling stuck and frustrated with several circular conversations with DP, mostly relating to our almost 3yr old so not directly pregnancy related, but also about wedding plans where we hardly discuss it but each have an entrenched position and think the other one is being unreasonable. His latest plan with DD is that we should move to France for 3 months to put her in preschool here as apparently it makes us more likely to get a place in the french school in our area - first off, no effing WAY do I want to spend 3 months of my mat leave living with his parents while he works and I care for a newborn, and second I'm not even sure I want DD to go through the french education system. Uurrrrr - he is just bloody stubborn and only ever wants things his way and it just makes me wonder (frequently) how our whole lives together will pan out without me just rolling over and letting him do everything he wants.
Sorry for the rant/essay, it's always hard when we are here visiting and this stuff invariably comes up - plus am feeling mega hormonal today for some reason!

I've started packing my bag too! Just so excited for it and I know my fiancé wouldn't know what to pack in a panic so may as well have it ready.

30 weeks on Monday 😄 hope everyone is having a nice weekend. I've got physio for my painful hips on Tuesday can't wait

I have had a great day been to my local nct nearly new sale and got loads of bargains. So I spent £26 and got two sleeping bags, five bibs, cot mobile, book, maternity top, trousers and skirt, rucksack with reins, baby bath and travel cot. Suitably impressed and would recommend if you have one in your area. It was £1 to get in as I am not nct member and that was after the nct members had had the first 30 minutes of shopping time.

28 weeks here, bloody exhausted but think that may be the circumstances more than the pregnancy. I’m feeling pretty low, sticking my head in the sand about baby’s upcoming arrival. I am excited to meet him and know he’s ok but I can’t bring myself to get organised, I wasn’t meant to be doing this alone.

I’ve had a shit week with a sick 4 year old, no sleep and today he’s just whinged all day. I’ve thrown up everything I’ve eaten (good old sickness has returned) and generally feel like shit. I’ve shouted too much and left them to their own devices, feel like I’m failing. Managed to get our this afternoon then came home via McDonald’s. Left them in front of the telly and come to get a bath. I’m not really sure I’m how going to manage with 3 on my own :(

@fee1234 glad you got your physio appointment! I hope it helps soon.

@Blondcat sounds like you made out well! Do you have much left to buy?

@Napssavelives I’ve been thinking about you but didn’t want to make you feel like you needed to post more. I think you’re doing brilliantly. Can we help in any way? Find any lists of things you still need to organize, or look up any other resources for you?

We’ve just had our day out and I’m glad I dragged myself to Bravissimo. I’ve never been so well contained! I can’t believe how tired I am though. I was trying to walk at my usual pace and I feel like I pulled a muscle in my side!

@kescilly still need bouncy chair, breast pads, nappies and wipes, blanket or two, changing bag and possibly a changing table /cot top changer but mostly there I think.

Hi! My little girly is due in June :)

Feeling super un organised reading about people getting their hospital bag ready 🙈 I don't even have a suitable bag I don't think?!

Haven't bought too much for baba yet BUT I am armed with a list 😂

Hope everyone is getting on OK, it would be nice to chat to other ladies in the same boat!

Thanks for the stats Kescilly!

Sorry to hear you’re feeling completely fucking demoralised @napssavelives have been thinking about you and how you are getting on.

Weekends are hard and shouty at the moment too: DS is 17 months and at THAT AGE where it’s whinge/grab/try and push head through bannisters/fall face first on pavement without putting out hands/bite sister/mum/anything - having to be “on” all the time is hard and exhausting when TWENTY EIGHT WEEKS PREGNANT.

At once I think “fucking hell where has the time gone” and in the same breath “another TWELVE weeks”?!

Oh, and we might be moving house in 4 weeks. Six hundred miles north. LOLZ. The English house selling system loves to have a laugh at our expense I feel.

Also been to bravissimo today, came away with the biggest bra I’ve ever owned . No wonder my internet trawling has resulted in lots of returns!
Not bought anything yet as don’t need anything, I do want to buy something special specifically for this baby though. Just can’t decide what I’d like to buy for him that isn’t clothes!