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!

@Kescilly I’m not going to do it as I asked my midwife about it and she said the tests aren’t helpful as it can come and go so even if it comes back negative that doesn’t mean you haven’t got it! She just said that they will keep an eye on mum and baby after birth for any signs so I’m thinking I’ll leave it at that

After saying that I started googling it more 😬 My midwife didn’t seem worried about it but some of the stuff online is a bit worrying!

I’ve done it for all mine @kescilly

Actually came on here to recommend you a good US podcast called Pregnancy Confidential and they talk about GBStrep in pretty uncompromising tones.

As very good as our public healthcare systems are here I’ll always be baffled as to why they don’t test as standard for GBS in pregnancy (or
give chicken pox shots).

Go into google and put “the doctors laboratory” + “group B strep” and it’ll give you the link.

Free to order but you’re charged on sending back the swab. IIRC it’s about £40. Don’t do it before 35w. Results are texted and mailed to you.

I've got a Group B strep test in the house that my friend gave me, the hospital ended up testing her. Just waiting until 35 weeks before I do it. I don't understand why it's not a routine test either.

Yes, it’s standard in the US. We have just gotten the kit but my husband ordered it so I can’t be sure how long it took to arrive. I can ask him tonight.

To be honest, I have felt a bit shocked throughout the pregnancy with the way the NHS handles a lot of things, so it’s been difficult to gauge what’s really important.

@Kescilly I'm sure! I've been a bit 😳 about some of the things I've heard on here, and I love the NHS and was born and raised in it, and two of my best friends in the UK are doctors. I imagine it's a bit of a shock to the system coming from the US where you are very much a customer.

I find the differences fascinating. One of my friends is due in August in the UK and we compare notes all the time.

I'm unsure what to do about strep B.
I asked the midwife at my last app and she said it's my choice about paying for the test. She did say I could pay for the test and it could come back negative but that could change by the time you go into labour? She also said if there is protein (think that's what she said) in urine, it can be a sign of strep B so they would test you for it then? So hard to know what to do for the best 😫

Mine said something similar @morgan999 that even if I test negative I may not be negative at birth, that it comes and goes if you have it. So hard to know what to do.

@allfurcoatnoknickers my family are all doctors in the US so I’ve had to be a bit creative with the truth when telling them about my care here.

I hear what people are saying about possibly testing negative now but being positive later. But other than the cost of the test, is it really a reason not to test? If the NHS doesn’t plan on testing us, they won’t be testing us at birth regardless of what we do now. However if it’s positive now, that’s more information than we would have had.

@morgan999 that’s why the recommendation is to hold off on testing until 35w, it’s unlikely your GBS status will change after this time.

Here, have a look

tdlpathology.com/gbs

The reason the NHS doesn't test for Strep B is because (as pointed out) it near pointless. Something like 1 or 2 people in 5 carry it, and if you got a positive test, you'd freak out. Or if you got a negative one, you might be lulled into (false) sense of security. The NHS has to draw a line to what it can and can't afford to offer - personally, I think we get a pretty good deal for essentially nothing, compared to pretty much every other country in the world. The likelyhood of your baby contracting Strep B is so low that it's simply not cost-effective (there's still business decisions which need to be made even in the public sector cause the money isn't infinite). Also, even a positive test doesn't mean your baby will contract it.

Sorry, this might sound like a bit of an NHS rant but honestly, I've been so impressed by my care so far - and everything, from scans to prescriptions to getting my teeth cleaned has been free! They simply can't test for every eventuality - plus, I really think it might spread paranoia in expectant mothers. I know I was freaking out about the glucose test, the anomaly screening etc etc. I am done being tested - I'm just going to try and enjoy the rest of the pregnancy and feeling the little guy do somersaults I do have good faith in my midwifery/hospital team that if something unexpected happens, they can deal with it - but I appreciate that not everyone has such a good hospital/community team around them

On a slightly lighter note, is anyone else considering using reusable nappies/wipes? I've just started to research them - seems there's tons on offer and I'm pretty confused how they differ. Idea would be to do reusable stuff at home and then have smaller quantities when we're on the road.

I was toying with the idea @swiftfox after a month or two once we've got to grips with having a baby around! But then s/he will be going to nursery three days a week at 7 months old so in disposables those days at the very least, I don't know if it's worth mixing and matching. I think we will probably do reusable wipes though as that seems easy enough to do and it's a bit of an environmental win, but obviously not as much as going for reusable nappies too would be.
So I don't know, really 😂

We use reusable wipes and absolutely love them. We did try nappies too but ended up giving up, but we will be getting them out again this time round and giving them another go. We use cheeky wipes and tots bots nappies

How about reusable breast pads? I’ve got disposables for the early days but thinking when supplynhas settled down a bit

@heyha there's a Swedish brand of nappies which are biodegradable if you are looking for green alternatives. The name escapes me, but I thought I'd get some as a compromise at least until I scope out whether the reusable ones are too time consuming.
@kimbishop86 cheeky wipes is the brand my friend uses too - that's two votes for them so perhaps I'll get some! The big-brand disposables look like they have way too much stuff added to them for my liking

@napssavelives I think the wipe company does breast pads too - I got given loads from a friend, but considering reusable ones too

@Napssavelives I was just looking into this yesterday (because I’m already leaking a lot). It seems like a no-brained, right? But the general consensus seemed to be that they are bulkier and have more of a tendency to leak than disposable breast pads.

I was thinking about getting some to trial around the house but maybe relying on disposables until I know if they work.

@Napssavelives @Kescilly I've bought some from jojomananbebe which have really great reviews, will buy more if they live up to expectations!

We are going to have a go at the reusables- both nappies and wipes. Just bought a big bundle with the real nappy week discounts. Worth looking now if you ware thinking about it! We've gone for a mixture of bum genius and tots bots along with cheeky wipes but can't recommend as we haven't used them yet!

lol @swiftfox you beat me too it, I was also feeling the urge to squeak a little on behalf of the NHS. I was also about to write, that I think the reason that they don't offer universal strep B testing is that such a high proportion of women test positive, but the risk of passing to the baby is really low. So it would be a significant cost investment to test and treat everyone, with low return. One of the trade-offs of having a universal public health service, free and accessible for all I guess..

However, totally understandable that lots of women would want to take up the test privately to reduce risk for themselves and their baby and I don't think this is completely pointless, because if you test positive, you then have the option to do something about it, if you want to be extra safe. It's only £40, and relatively straightforward to do.

I was going for biodegradable nappies, until I found out that they burn them all in London anyway so doesn't make much difference. I've been checking out www.thenappylady.co.uk/. I think I might try reusables, but also accept that when out and about I might also have to sometimes use disposables. I've bought a load of cheeky wipes too..

I use the reusable breast pads from Asda, they're really good as they have a waterproof bit at the back so they don't leak though, unlike the mothercare ones which are like a thick cotton wool and just get saturated and are basically completely useless!

I'll be tested for GBS at 36 weeks but only because I had it last pregnancy I think. I didn't know it wasn't routinely offered.

I'm also using reusable cloth nappies and cheeky wipes. So excited! I've found the following websites good (in addition to the nappy lady one just mentioned):

yesbebe.co.uk
www.kingdomfluff.co.uk
www.babipur.co.uk
www.boobalou.co.uk/reusable-nappies.html

Thanks @Kimbishop86!

For those interested in group B strep info including things about antibiotics and whether your status can change, this website has a lot of information.

gbss.org.uk/info-support/we-are-here-to-help/faqs/

I looked into the strep B test too. I think it's each to their own on whether to do it. But my midwife said similar to others, it can change even in the last few weeks. So we won't be doing it but understand those of you who might.

I have little lamb reusable breast pads and we already use cheeky wipes reusable wipes with DS. We only started using the wipes in Jan but I can honestly say it's been no hassle at all and actually use less cloth wipes compared to disposable. We are considering cloth nappies and if we do go ahead (need to get the initial money together) will probably use the Motherease Wizard Duo system. I highly recommend using The Nappy Lady. Her advice is free and no pressure at all to buy. She sent me a detailed email with 3 options that she felt would work for us based on the answers I gave in the questionnaire. Also the Telegraph recently did an article with some recommendations.

I think Cheeky Wipes have a sale on til 3rd May and The Nappy Lady has a sale on next week so it's good timing if any of you are serious about it!

I'm trying to keep up with the thread, but I'm a bit all over the place at the moment trying to sort out a school for my son for Sep. Things haven't gone as we hoped and he is currently without a place that can support him. Hopefully that changes!