Due November 2019 thread 5

[PyjamasForever]

Couldn't see that anyone had started another thread after we filled up the last one, so hopefully I haven't made a double...

29 weeks today! How is everyone?

I'm driving 2 1/2 hrs with ds to see my family tomorrow. DH isn't well so we're going on our own. Everyone around me is getting in a right old flap about it. Not sure why really, I'm leaving early, there are lots of places to stop en route and I've driven the route hundreds of times before. Never mind, better than no one caring I suppose

Stay cool this weekend, mummies!

Really feeling it in this heat! So bloated in general and also cant stop eating. I feel bad that I'm gonna have my work cut out for me losing any baby weight once he's born.
Is it unrealistic to think I could start exercising at 29 weeks????

@Tmnmpa1 I think you could start gentle exercise like aquanatal classes or gentle walks, but I wouldn't do anything too much. I've put on loads of weight so I've decided to try to eat much more sensibly once I get home from the work trip I'm on.

Feeling super emotional today. Left my toddler with family while I go away for 4 nights for work. He was fine but I sobbed most of the way to the airport.

This heat birthday yesterday which was lovely (apart from a slightly grumpy 7 yr old but can't win them all!) rewarded with a just before 4am wake up today from our 13 month old ... so glad it's a bank holiday so I can have a nap later.

Got all emotional to DH last night that now it's been my birthday (which was the next "event" to get past) there's nothing to focus on between now and November! I think these last few months will go very slowly

Morning. I've had 2 sleepless nights here at my parents now. Just so uncomfortable and really bad pgp particularly in the groin area. Really hope my physio comes through soon. Not looking forward to the drive back this eve!
Hope it's a bit cooler today for us all. I've been melting 🥵
I've got a funny feeling this baby will come early. Don't know why!

Happy Birthday for yesterday @mintypea5 I hope you managed to find time for a nap today.

My DC go back to school Wednesday so DH has taken the day off so we can have a lazy quiet day maybe walk the dogs on the beach and chill out I don't want the summer holidays to end but at the same time I can't wait to kick everyone out of the house and finally get started on sorting it all out!!

I bought some nappies today and I know it's silly but I had to open them when I got home to see how tiny they are!!!

Hi Ladies hows it all going? I am now counting down the weeks until MAT leave and every so often I panic about labour! However I am sooo excited.

I couldn't be any more constipated and starting to get some heartburn (probably because I am so blocked up). The back pain has subsided though after I started using my v shaped pillow at night.

Hope you are all ok and getting ready for your new arrival

I start my countdown tomorrow as I’ll be 30weeks! Really looking forward to starting maternity leave.

Anyone getting nervous about giving birth or the practicalities of it. I’m starting to think about what I should pack in my hospital bag as I can’t remember what I packed or needed last time.

Chased my people services team about confirming my maternity leave. Guy I spoke to said it could be up to 3 months because they're busy! I was like on that's fine but I'll have had my baby by then ... he looked my information and said oh I see we've already had this over a month and should hastening it

So tired and achy. My 13 month old
Got rather cross it took me a while to plate up his dinner so now he's nicely asleep I'm looking forward to a strawberry milkshake some of my birthday chocolate and the bake off!!

Ooooh I love bake off! Its my 8 year old and my programme together, she spends her whole time saying 'you could make that better mummy' which is completely untrue, but Ill take it before the teenage years come along and all I can do is be wrong!!

@Mintypea5 thats mad- youd hate to see them in a hurry!!

@Zarara I'm getting a little nervous about it- its been years. I was reading a thread in AIBU about is labour that bad and was thinking 'ohhh I dont remember it being that bad' then I remembered more and more and decided to stop reading!! I went and got new pyjamas, slippers, few toiletries, breast pads/maternity towels/bridget jones knickers the other day. Ive instructed my daughters on which make up to grab me for DP to bring me, as he wouldnt have a clue. I bought a small bottle of squash as the hospital water tastes like toilet water!!

Im getting anxious about hospital and labour too. I just bought some packing cubes for our week away next week and thought they'd be handy in hospital too. All the bags were so chaotic last time - dirty and clean stuff, mine and baby's all mixed up, food, nappies, muslin, loads of pants and pads...!

This time I shall be supremely organised. Supremely

I need to start thinking about hospital bag(s) - any advice?

Also, my midwife said I should call them if movements are reduced but also if movements have increased and now I'm stressing. Baby has been jumping around like mad today. Should I be concerned??

@Sleepyquest I've never heard about increased movement being an issue, I thought all movement was good! That seems unusual advice.

With the hospital bag, I'd definitely have separate ones for you and baby. Plenty of nappies, babygros, wipes and muslins in baby's, plus spare carriers for dirty clothes for you both.

Some people take snacks and drinks in with them for during labour. I couldn't keep anything down but everyone's different. Mothercare do black nighties with poppers all down the front which were great (until I vomited and leaked waters through all 3 of them haha). If you're having a waterbirth some people wear half a bikini but I wouldn't care myself!

Take plenty of big black pants (high-waisted ones will cover c-sections), plenty of pads as you will bleed for weeks, nipple pads, a dressing gown (again mothercare are good and dark ones are better in case of leaks) whatever clothes you are comfiest in for after the birth and going home, again if you have a planned or emergency c-section you don't want jeans or anything that will rub that whole area.

I'd recommend cheapy flip-flops for the shower, toiletries, hairbrush, hair bands and your own towel.

Phone charger definitely. All other stuff is optional like music, tens machine, books etc. It kind of depends how long you're in and if anyone will be available to pop home for you. I do know that the longer you're in the harder it is to stay organised with your stuff! That's why I'm all about the packing cubes this time

Oh and your maternity notes.
Small detail

I'm just trying not to think about labour too much. I know the drill and the more you think about it sometimes the more of a thing it becomes (bit like going for an injection, the more you build it up in your head the worse it seems!).

Bought all the exciting stuff for my hospital bag at the weekend (maternity pads, nipple cream etc.). The maternity ward was crazy hot last time so layers are defo a must. My hubby turned up in shorts and a tee after popping home and it was Christmas! Definitely worth having a you bag and a baby bag. We left most the babies stuff in the car for DH to fetch until she arrived. We moved about a bit and was much easier having less stuff.

When is a good time to get organised with a hospital bag? I’m due end of Nov, 27 weeks at the mo. Seems like D day is aggggeeeessss away so haven’t really thought about until reading your messages just now

I've been freaking out slightly thinking about labour more due to the distance to the hospital and making sure the kids are sorted. I'm trying not to think about it too much not until I see the consultant and have my next growth scan to see what's happening anyway.

I've got a couple of things for my hospital bag. My hospital suggests taking two one small one for labour and an outfit for the baby then a bigger bag to take onto the ward afterwards with everything else in I have a list somewhere so I'll stick to that and then add anything else I might want.

I don't know what position this child is in either but my ribs are dead and at the same time it feels like it's trying to dig it's way to freedom! I can't sit down for too long now because it hurts too much going back to class in September is going to be fun 😭

Hi all,

I am 28+2 with Baby #1, due 19/11/2019 and am surprising chill about labour so far - if anything I am excited - haha. I think all the hypnobirthing reading I've been doing has me in a good place. I am quite at peace with the fact it's going to hurt, but I'm confident. Our bodies are designed to do this ladies - we can handle whatever labour throws our way!

I've not started packing my hospital bag but have started picking up bits to put in it. We've been waiting for the nursery decorating to finish and so I've already sorted babies toiletries for hospital. Clothes for both of us will come next.

It's my aim to be done by the end of September (31/32 weeks) as I want to use October to prepare for Christmas. Something tells me it'll be a challenge with a newborn! Too organised? Very obviously a first timer once again I think!

once I'm in labour it's fine! 3rd time and I roughly know what to expect (and know my pain limits) but I've been induced both pregnancies before so petrified at the idea of spontaneous labour like o don't know what to do or expect.

Still at least a 50% chance I'll be induced so I might not have to worry but still nervous.

I haven't done my hospital bag yet but I will do over the next week or two... too much to think about with work, toddler, 7 yr old starting juniors and managing PGP / heartburn

Hi All!
I’m 30 weeks today and haven’t bought a thing for either mine or baby’s bag! Guess I should start now although OH keeps saying we have loads of time!
Also petrified of labour, I have a small pelvis and really bad PGP and back pain. Don’t know whether to try get an elective section as petrified of baby getting stuck and or me haemorrhaging! Doesn’t help that I’m quite a small build and OH was a 13lb baby!!

Hi @Unsureursula - my OH is the same! We've got just under 12 weeks left and he feels like it's ages away. It's making the name debates especially frustrating - I'm frustrated we can't agree and the clock his ticking - he's frustrated that I am frustrated with "so much time" left to think!!

I think it's normal to fear labour, especially if it's the unknown. Have you talked through your concerns with the midwife?
How did baby measure at your 28 week appointment?
You've still got time to finalise your birth preferences, and think about options. But you can do this - and whatever form your birth takes, it will be right for you and baby!

@Unsureursula most the research now suggests that mothers frame size will limit the size of the baby so don't worry too much about a potential 13lber!

I'm planning on getting my bag sorted this weekend at 31 weeks. I'm back to school next week for 4 weeks so wont get round to it till maternity leave starts otherwise. If you sign up to boots parenting club they have extra point on at the moment on baby stuff!

Thanks for the excellent advice everyone! I think I'll start getting some bits for the bag. I like to be prepared and it adds to the excitement. I'm racking up the boots points!

@KJ1988 I've already started Christmas shopping!! I've written up lists of what I want to get for everyone so I'm working my way through that. Ideally I want everything sorted for when little one arrives so I can just hibernate for December if my past two are anything to go by I'll be a hormonal nightmare for a couple of weeks after birth so I don't want to cause myself or anyone around me any additional stress!

@Sleepyquest with my first I racked up tonnes of points and then when I was feeling a bit blue one day used the points to treat myself to a new perfume and very expensive blusher that I never normally would have let myself buy. Figured I'd earned it by that point!

@HeartvsHead that sounds amazing!! I'll save them for a rainy day