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!

And fwiw my high levels were always post breakfast and I think the highest was 9.something but they didn’t seem concerned enough that I needed any medication with that. I don’t know if it differs now though

Thanks Reastie! Been told there's a 90% chance of being put on insulin so just want to make sure I'm keeping on top of it without really knowing what I'm at and don't see anyone until next week. I've only had a couple of readings over.

Oh can see why you're concerned! Maybe they can try to schedule your section for later on in the day so you can have something early? Not sure how long you have to fast for before but I've seen a few people say they could have early breakfasts. You'd like to think they would have something in place to combat it, I'd imagine it could be a fairly common concern.

Yes, definitely worth bringing up now @Reastie. They might be able to make some sort of provisions for you.

@WeeBean I wonder if your trust is just more proactive about insulin. It does seem like quite a high percentage! How have you been doing with the diet and monitoring so far? I think they send out our labs because I know they had to for the NT testing. I wouldn’t have kept calling if they hadn’t told me they’d have them Saturday morning!

I’m loving the bit of sunshine we have right now. We finally got started on assembling our Mamas & Papas furniture last night after all those broken pieces. I don’t know how they expect pregnant women to move wardrobes up and down off the floor though.

I’m 31+5 today and getting a bit anxious!

@Kescilly possibly! Although they said there was more chance I'd end up on it because Metformin isn't an option while I'm still getting vomiting and nausea every day as that's a side effect. Been going grand so far, even lost 3lbs in a week with small changes. Ah I see! Frustrating that they keep saying they'll be ready. Maybe now the weekend is over it'll be quicker.

How exciting about putting your furniture together! I can't wait to do ours when it arrives.

Weebean thinking about it myvreadings weren’t off until late in the day (37 weeks plus) so if you were to start going that much off a lot earlier they might be more inclined to introduce medication. By the time I was 37 weeks I was practically there. unfortunately I’m tricky as what they usually do in that scenario is iv glucose (sugar) to bring it up but I don’t actually eat sugar and haven’t for over a year and a half, meaning that when I do it makes me feel incredibly ill as I’m not used to it. I’m really anxious about the fasting as it is as not eating is a huge sickness trigger. I don’t know what the answer will be tbh, I think whatever happens it’s going to be tricky. If I have it late in the day I’m going to be awake for all the fasting so more likely to feel the effects of not eating. Tbh I think I’ll end out having a breakfast at 1am, or the latest I can eat pre section and hope that will keep levels buoyant enough until after op.

I love building furniture...well sitting on the bed and telling my husband which parts to put together! Has everyone got their hospital bag ready?

Mrss I’ve got as far as thinking about what to put in it but no further than that!

I talk about how I should pack a bag every other day but that’s as far as I’ve gotten!

My hold-all is in the bedroom of my partner’s older teenage son who has materialised home for Easter... I might have to wait a while before it’s safe to get it out! I’ve been writing a list of everything I need though.

I had to buy lucozade tablets for my glucose test and it said ‘other people also bought: mesh disposable knickers’ And I just felt sad.

I have a list for my hospital bag but haven't started putting it together yet. Considering using my small wheely suitcase just in case I end up having an emergency C section and don't want to lift a big bag - are there are major disadvantages to that over a holdall that I might not have considered?

I also need to charge up all the things, like the little electric fragrance diffuser I got from Muji and my Bluetooth headphones and speaker, but I guess I'll do that nearer the time as I'll still be using them in the meantime.

I think we will be using a small suitcase after seeing the long list of things you’re meant to bring!

I just missed a call and thought it was my GTT results, but instead it was the health visitor calling. Set to see her at the beginning of May. I have no idea what to expect, because there is nothing like that in the US.

On the bag front I have gotten a far as writing a list of things I need to put in but not actually packed yet. Main reason is house is a state trying to decorate and clear spare room (which will be nursery) and loads of stuff Inc all baby clothes are tucked away and need washing don't want to dig out and wash until I have somewhere to put the clean stuff where it won't get dirty again (sigh who decided it was a good idea to get plastering and decorating done before baby arrives oh that would be me 🙄). I have bought a few bits needed for the bag over the weekend pads breast pads larger nightie which has buttons for feeding larger cheap pants etc. Still need to get a few bits (wipes, nappies etc).

@mrshadders NOPE. I started to read about what to put in it, started reading about pads and mesh underwear for bleeding and peri bottles and fr was zing spread for stitches, cried uncontrollably for 2 hours, had a hysterical meltdown on DH and then never got any further.

My bag is packed but only because I'm so bloody knackered there's no way I would have the energy to do it in a few weeks time! Baby clothes and cloth nappies all washed, ironed and put away too. My plan is to sleep for the next 8 weeks 😂 (4 year old willing!)

I think my bag is done but I haven't done my snack stash (I'm fussy so it'll be more for after if I don't much fancy hospital food). I've a 'cabin fever' bag that I got for Christmas, for labour, and that will be my change bag as well once we're home. It's not especially big but I think I've got labour and the first 24 hours sorted into it. Then I've another little weekend bag for a few days of staying in and then finally a tiny rucksack with stuff specifically for going home, and a few extra supplies if the staying in bag runs out. They'll all go in the car at the same time then DP will have to just nip to the car park when we know what's happening.

I don't like to feel I'm not in control of things I could control so I really wanted to get a least version one of the bags done, but I don't worry about things that are out of my hands, a bit odd I guess!

I've packed a bag for me and the changing bag for baby, but it only has supplies for overnight - husband can fetch more things if we're in for longer! Although there are lots of things I haven't been able to pack yet as I'm still using/wearing them... hoping baby stays put for a few more weeks!!

Hmm, packing the bags will have to wait until I've actually retrieved baby clothes from the attic (we have to borrow a ladder...), sorted through what we have got and decided if I need to buy things 🤣 I'm so disorganised! Hoping to have some time to get sorted over Easter...

Doh it's Cabin Zero not cabin fever 😂

@Heyha ooh I have a Cavin Zero bag, didn’t think to use it as my hospital bag but it’s a really good size, thanks for reminding me! It used to be my roller derby bag but those days are over...

I also have infinite baby clothes to wash and sort out before I pack but I have lots of the other stuff around somewhere... when I was unpacking my clothes from the house move I made a post-natal pile with all my comfy high waisted trousers, loose crop tops (my early breastfeeding wardrobe staples), massive pants, feeding bras and even my compression socks from c section and I got a bit emotional.

I've started to get bits together for the bag after my scare last week, but nowhere near packed it yet. I didn't til around 35 weeks last time I think.

@Kescilly
I just missed a call and thought it was my GTT results, but instead it was the health visitor calling. Set to see her at the beginning of May. I have no idea what to expect, because there is nothing like that in the US.

When I saw the health visitor in pregnancy with my first, she basically just gave me a load of leaflets and went through them briefly. It was essentially information that might be useful as they said they have found it easier to give it to parents towards the end of the pregnancy rather than after the birth when you don't have as much time and energy to take all the info in! From what I can remember, it was info on breastfeeding, an NSPCC safety leaflet, guidelines on safe sleeping from the Lullaby Trust, local groups at the children's centre and things like that. I remember cleaning my whole house thinking it was an inspection or something haha!

I have my glucose test this afternoon. I know it varies from place to place but it’s not until 3pm and everything I’ve looked at online says not to eat beforehand - was this your experience? I’ll be dead by 3 at this rate!

I also have to make a drink from crushed lucozade tablets but couldn’t get my hands on them anywhere so have some fake blueberry version which I hope is ok...

@dustyzest I was told to not eat two hours before. My bloods were at 9, so I had breakfast at 6.30 and then drank that sugar at 8am. That was totally fine. I didn't take lucozade either, but dextra, which cost just pennies. Same sugar, less of a brand.

I finally caved in and rang in sick today. it's been five nights since I slept more than a few hours. I just can't function anymore. My boss was cold as ice and told me she'll refer me to occupational health. Being tired is not a reason for a day off ill.....

But! Two parcels have arrived today. I bought some nursing tops from h&m to take to the hospital, and a nursing/sleeping bra and a nursing nightie for my hospital bag (in case I have a C-section and can't wear pyjamas). Now I just need to get an actual bag!
Second parcel was stuff for post-baby home. I splashed out on really nice handwash, handcream and body butter, and nice, comfy pyjamas and a pretty but practical light-weight dressing gown. Few small luxuries post-baby!

@swiftfox thanks! It seems extreme. I’ve called the antenatal number they gave me but it was engaged 11 times and on the 12th try I could only leave a voicemail. I’ll continue to hold off just in case...

@Dustyzest I wish I could offer advice! Your test sounds quite different from mine. Do you know how long it's for?

I had a letter with all of mine telling me to fast from the night before. They'd write in the time, so if my test was at 9:30 AM, I'd need to fast from 9:30 PM the night before. Water was allowed but that's it. Then I'd go into the hospital, they'd draw my blood. I was given a pouch of a sugary drink, downed it, then waited two hours for them to draw my blood again.

@kescilly it’s weird isn’t it, I think it varies from hospital to hospital.

I had to dissolve 17 glucose tablets into a mug of hot water, down it, then down a mug of cold water and my blood test is in 40 mins.

I really hope it’s just one. I’m terribly needle phobic and this will be the first one I’ve done without Valium and I’m terrified.

I’ve lost the leaflet with the instructions so I rang the community centre who told me I had to ring the antenatal team. I tried 11 times and it was engaged and on the 12 time I got to leave a voicemail. That was at 9.30 and no one has called back!

So I just did a full day of fasting and have had my vitamin c enriched tablets (wasn’t sure if it’d be too much vit c) and now I will hope for the best!