Due March 2020 - FIRST BABY in late 20's

[lonelyonee]

Hello!
Just wanted to start a new thread specifically for women who are in their late twenties & are having their first baby in March 2020! 🙂
Not trying to exclude anyone just think it will be nice to speak to women who are in the same sort of circumstances as myself. Plus the other March threads are pretty full!

Bit about me:

• due 28th March 2020
• 27 years old (DP is 24)
• was on the combination pill for 12 years
• been with DP a year and a half
• SO excited as this is both our first baby (DP's ex had a miscarriage @ 10 weeks a few years ago)
• feeling nauseous, boobs are killing, weeing loads & having cramps/pains.

Look forward to hearing your stories & sharing this experience with you! 🙂 xx

@lonelyonee @jl2345 glad to hear you ladies are well!!
I'm the same, wishing the time away now as I'm so eager to meet little one. We have a 4D scan booked in Jan and I am so excited to see her little face, I just hope she's playing ball and we get a good view of her!
My mother in law bought me a prenatal massage at a spa for Jan too so I'm looking forward to that, apparently I get a belly mask and some other bits, never been to a spa before so not a clue what to expect, in fact I'm a bit nervous but I'm sure I will love it lol.

I don't want an epidural if I can avoid it. I've heard too many horror stories and my mum had one with me and it leaked onto her spine, she's had back issues ever since I just dont trust it. But I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. I have my 28 week midwife appointment on the 3rd, no idea what they do this time around I think it's more blood tests and then they start measuring? I hope I'm measuring as should be. X

Sorry @jl2345 didn't see your other posts no idea why!
@HighOnStilts
I'm not sure to be honest, she literally just told me to pop to the hospital to have bloods done for 28 weeks whenever I can around new year (I'll be 28 weeks on NYD so obviously can't go then). I'm planning on going tomorrow as I'm not back at work until Thursday.
Ooo exciting about the baby shower! Should be a lovely surprise for you. I'm just such a control freak I couldn't have it be a surprise, no doubt I'll be half organising it 😂
I loved the icandy peach when I went shopping with my sister, but I also loved the Ickle bubba v4 & Ickle bubba Aston Rose so I'm not sure tbh and I cannot make a decision to save my life!
Bought an electric breast pump today from mothercare along with a purflo breathable nest (it's a cheaper version of the sleepyhead). They didn't have much left tbh I was shocked... most of the clothing is still VERY expensive so I didn't bother with that, but you ladies might be able to find something decent in your local ones?
Ooo bet spa day will be lovely! I'm on and off with back/hip pain so a bit of pampering would be fab, no such luck though!
Yeah I remember her saying measuring starts at the next appointment.

@lonelyonee don’t worry! Yeah, they check your haemoglobin levels etc again I think to make sure your iron is as it should be. That’s what we did with Mothercare, found the biggest savings we’re on the bigger things, we’ve bought bedside crib and sheets, baby carrier, bath seat, breast pump and steriliser from there, saved over £300 in discounts, agree about the clothes though, I’m also refraining from buying too much in terms of clothes as we don’t know what we’re having.
Hoping to get the nursery painted over the next couple of weeks which I’m so excited about, just lots of sorting out to do in the room first!
My friend has the Ickle Bubba v4 and absolutely raves about it, I had a go with it when I’d gone over to see her and it was dead easy to steer.
Ahh @HighOnStilts a spa day sounds like the dream, make the most of having some you time, you’ll be so chilled by the end, love a spa treatment! Ahh jealous about the 4D scan, I would love to have one but my other half is completely freaked out by then so won’t entertain the idea 😂 I’m settling with the fact that I’ve got fortnightly growth scans starting the week after next so I’ll see plenty of baby over the next couple of months ☺️

@jl2345 ahh okay, I'll not sweat it and just pop in tomorrow and have them done. No big deal, I'm genuinely not bothered by them and tbf after that bloody whopping cough injection blood tests are nothing!
Yeah I managed to get an electric breast pump for half the price it should have been, it's around £120 usually from a quick search online so was quite happy with it.
You should check out primark and Asda, they both are doing Dumbo lines of clothing which are white/cream and are lovely for either boys or girls. I'll be honest though we don't really have much blue coloured stuff for him, seems to be a lot of grey 😂
Not buying any furniture yet as we haven't moved and tbf I don't think we will be needing any until we get a cot as he'll be in with us until he outgrows then next to me crib.
Yeah it is nice and lightweight and easy to steer! Had a little go at a shop where we got the crib from recently and I have to say I liked it A LOT. Only downside was I didn't get to see colour options (only saw the black).
I am also jealous of the 4D scan as I'd love to see him again and get those lovely pictures but same as you @jl2345 my partner thinks they're creepy and isn't keen on the idea! How come you're having fortnightly growth scans?

@lonelyonee yeah, to be honest, the nursery will just be storing clothes for the first 6 months at least as baby won’t be in there 😂 ahh lovely, I’ll have a look, love all of the Disney things, Matalan have some lovely neutral bits too! Ah it’s because they picked up that I have something called low Papp-A from the 12 week screening, can sometimes be an indicator for downs but as that came back as something like 1 in 6000 plus nothing was picked up at the anomaly scan it just means there is a chance of the baby being small as it can limit the blood flow from the placenta at the end of pregnancy, so a chance I’ll have to be induced a little early, will know more about how baby is doing at the first scan though which I think will make me feel better, they were measuring perfectly give or take a couple of days at 20 weeks though so so far so good :)
Do you ladies have any more scans before baby’s born?

@jl2345 same, I reckon his room is just going to be a bit of a dumping ground for bits because of moving until we manage to get everything sorted 🤦🏼‍♀️
Yes matalan! I also saw some lovely Winnie the Pooh bits in primark yesterday, very cute!
Ahh okay, that's good though at least they are making sure and you get to see baby again. As far as I'm aware there are no more scans unless there are issues with bump growth measurements? Makes me sad I won't see his little face on screen again (unless I go private) but will be busy with the move/work etc... anyways.
Need to motivate myself to move out of bed and go get these bloods done as I only have today to do it (but enjoying a cuddle from my little tomcat 🥰).

Hey girls sorry for the late reply!!! @lonelyonee do you have a moving date yet? We're waiting on the solicitors now but I sure am hoping we are able to move in before the end of Jan, we're moving roughly 30 miles away from where we are now so as we're renting at the mo, we'll probably overlap our rent and mortgage payments so there's no pressure on us to move in just one day. It'll be a bit of backing and forthing but I want to give the house a deep clean and do some decorating before we get the furniture in. Thankfully the owners of the house we're buying have done a lot of work on it themselves so actually it will be pretty spotless when we move in, they just have some god awful floral wallpaper in a couple of rooms that I need GONE as I hate wallpaper lol. Don't suppose any of you girls have had experience with Wren kitchens? We are having the kitchen done before baby arrives and went to Wren for a quote, now baring in mind it's not a huge kitchen we got quoted £18,000 which frankly, is a f*cking joke! We're now being hounded with calls and messages from the kitchen designer we had a consultation with, haven't agreed to anything with them as it was a free - no obligation quote but I certainly wont be getting back in touch with them. We've a budget of about £6,000 max on a kitchen which I know is more than doable for the size of our kitchen.
@jl2345 good luck with your scans by the way honey, hope baby is well.
I haven't been to any antenatal classes and honestly, I dont think I will now as we have too much going on. I'm really quite clueless about the whole labour process overall but we're just taking it as it comes, no midwife has given us any advice on pain relief, birthing plans etc so I'm slightly unprepared but I'm willing to just let nature take its course and go to the hospital when I feel like I'm going into labour, thankfully the hospital is around the corner from us! X

@HighOnStilts no date as of yet, we are planning to go into the estate agents on Saturday to sign/pay deposit and arrange everything with them.
Bloody solicitors eh, everyone I know who's bought has had to wait for them for some reason or another!
Hoping to do the same as you with overlapping, mainly because of the cats, but also will be wanting to do a deep clean of both house and apartment.
That's absolutely mental prices for a kitchen! Definitely shop around a bit, I know places have got sales on them atm like ikea and B&Q might be worth a look.
I wish we could get a new kitchen but with renting there's no point. I am thinking about asking for permission to wrap it though as it is absolutely hideous and there's no way I'll be able to live with it 😂

@jl2345

Bloods are all done, antenatal unit was absolutely dead, barely anyone in there so I'm glad I went today tbh, as I go back to work on Thursday (kill me now).
When are your next midwife appointments? Mine is on 8th I'll be exactly 29 weeks.

@lonelyonee Oh I know right, robbing twats! I saw some couples around us having their kitchens designed and was having a nosey and their kitchens were massive so god knows what they would have been getting quoted! The kitchen showroom looked impressive but their prices are just crazy. I noticed the kitchen sink faucet he'd plonked on was £500 alone! I said we should go to B&Q for a quote and then look for a local tradesman who fits kitchens and compare! As we're buying our house we want a kitchen that is going to last and is durable lol.
I've got my next midwife appointment on Friday, more bloods and they start measuring, I feel like I'm as big as I should be right now, my belly is so goddamn tight. I can't have big meals anymore 🤣

@lonelyonee @jl2345 also, you girls getting any stretch marks yet? I dont have any on my belly - yet, but I'll wait lol..
I must admit it's only just hit me recently that my body will never be the same again. I've told my OH about this and he honestly isn't bothered, said he loves me even more now I'm carrying his child and that out weighs anything. Thankfully I will have plenty of time to shift any baby weight before our wedding!

@lonelyonee @HighOnStilts thanks, I’m sure everything will be fine, kicks are strong and bump is definitely growing so hoping baby is about the size it should be for how far along I am!
Mine is next Monday (first day back at work after two weeks off which I’m not overly happy about 🙄) I’ll be 27+4 when I have it. No stretch marks yet, lathering you the bio oil everyday but to be honest, I’m just coming to terms with it being one of those things that if I’m going to get them I’ll get them regardless 🤦‍♀️

@HighOnStilts @jl2345 £500 for a tap! 😮 the cheek! I'm sure you can get a durable one fitted expertly for much much less. I think they were taking the piss weren't they!
Erm everyone says I'm small and in comparison to other women @ 28 weeks I think I am too! I am feeling stretched and full though.
No stretch marks as of yet (that I can see 😂 I am using my sample creams of palmers cocoa butter stretch mark creams (there's a tube & a tub, you're supposed to put tube on first then the tub). Although I am not using it anywhere near enough, I am useless and keep forgetting!
It really is insane how our bodies are changing (the men are living in their own world they have no idea do they 😂 they're gonna have a shock I think).
With regards to baby weight I've not thought much about it tbh. I know that breastfeeding helps because you burn SO MANY CALORIES & it also helps your uterus go back to normal? I'll be honest I've not been exercising during pregnancy so I doubt I'll feel up to it afterwards (even though everyone bangs on about doing exercise 🙄).
Glad baby is nice and strong *@jl2345 hopefully the scans will show baby is doing well and reassure you 🤞🏻☺️ also f*k work 😭 counting down the days to breaking up the end of Feb! 😂😂

@lonelyonee @jl2345 I know... £500 is a joke! I found one on Amazon for just under £100! 🙈
We've got a consultation booked at B&Q tomorrow afternoon but I'm going in well prepared, we know exactly what style we want and will tell them our budget as soon as we meet with them so no chance of them fobbing us off! I'm not in the habit of being messed about and we need the kitchen fitted before baby arrives in March.

I've been using bio oil on an evening before I go to bed, I bought a tube of Palmers stretch mark cream and was gutted as it smelt disgusting! I was hoping for the classic cocoa butter scent but it was certainly not that so I binned it lol.
I must admit, shaving is becoming a chore now, it's not impossible but it's a feat and I get out of breath afterwards 😆
I haven't exercised at all... but to be perfectly honest, I'm non stop at home, cleaning, looking after the pooch so some days I do feel like I don't stop! How you girls are coping with work is beyond me so I really take my hat off to you. I don't think I'll end up getting a job after baby, I might get a part-time job when they go to school-possibly just for my own sanity however then there is childcare to think about which might just end up being counter productive financially. The OH is getting a pay rise soon and since our mortgage is almost half of our current rent, we'll be able to live more than comfortably. X

Just wanted to attach a pic of my preggo belly and my pooch! He hasn't been too fussed by my bump like some animals would be, but yesterday he decided he wanted snuggles with me and the OH on the sofa.. 😄

@HighOnStilts ahh that's great how did it go?
I have some bio oil and coconut oil, I'm going to try my best now to start doing it every night along with downstairs also. Apparently it's meant to make the skin down there supple so that you don't tear. Worth a try I reckon! Haha yeah can't really see what's going on down there now eh! I keep teasing my partner he's gonna have to do it 😂
Ahh you know what now you've said that I'm the same, I don't really stop. I run around like an idiot at work then I come home and do things around the apartment, then I'm running around after the cats as well so I don't actually get much of a break tbf.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do with regards to going back to work. It's no secret I hate it but it's an income I don't think we can really afford to lose. I may look into other opportunities whilst I'm on maternity but I don't want to say anything for sure as I don't know how I'll feel or what it'll be like when it's time to go back.
You're very lucky! My partner earns about the same as me so not exactly the best pay, especially when we have large outgoings & debts we are paying off.
Awww that's a lovely photo! If only I could get one like that with one of the cats! Going to make it my mission to try now! Haha 😂

@lonelyonee It went absolutely fantastic! We were quoted £3,861 (not including fitting) but it's well within our budget and the design they've come up with is everything we envisaged, OH has just popped a bottle of champers to celebrate so sod it, I'm having a cheeky glass!

Have you looked at 'Peri prep your bits'? The website is called myexpertmidwife they also have a spitz for bits aftercare spray for down there which I've heard really good reviews about!

Just don't work yourself too hard, easier said than done but we need to start taking it easy now! I need to actually look at maternity allowance myself just to see if I'm entilted to anything with me not working, but I've a feeling due to my OH income we wont get f*ck all! 🥴
Definitely try and get one with your cats hehe! Generally hasn't been bothered by my bump at all, he just randomly wanted to sit between me and the OH on the sofa which is a rarity lol. Considering he's a huge lad with long legs he manages to get curled up in the smallest of spaces, lol! X

@HighOnStilts oh yay I'm so glad for you! Massive difference and this time you're actually getting what you wanted well within your budget ☺️ oh I most definitely would have a cheeky glass in this case, I wouldn't worry about it (I had baileys on Christmas Day, albeit watered down with a load of milk but still!).
Yes! I'm 100% going to get spritz for bits, anything that will help soothe the area and promote healing is worth the money! Apparently you can spend loads on the oils but they all work the same, pretty sure Olive oil is a favourite from what I've been reading so as long as you're oiling the skin with something natural it should be safe to make the skin supple.
Definitely easier said than done with January/February being our busiest time at work. I also need to prep everything to hand over to another member of staff so there's that too. (Plus the move!!!).
Eurgh I've obsessed hours upon hours over the money and I just can't stress myself out over it anymore... partner is gonna have to pull his finger out and pay our rent whilst I maintain the car, council tax etc... if I thought I was poor last year well I was wrong!
I will try! They're not really lap sleepers so may be hard to get one. It is mad how small they can make themselves to squeeze into a gap! Bless them.

@lonelyonee Thank you chick!! 😊 the Champers was absolutely gorgeous! 🤤
I've read about olive oil too but not sure how I feel about putting that down there, haha!!
I do feel for you still working, how the hell do you do it?! 🙉 I'd be having a mental breakdown!
I am incredibly lucky I haven't had to work but once my little girl goes to nursery/school I might find that I want a little part-time job just to get me out, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. Life is too short and to be honest I'd much rather be around for my children as much as I can as they are growing up.
I'm suprised as I thought most cats were into snuggles!! My greyhound can get into the smallest balls, but when he lays out he's all elbows, he's such a derp haha!! X

@HighOnStilts ahhh screw it what's the worst that can happen, it's not very smelly and I suppose it soaks in?
Well I've been off over Xmas (booked it as holiday) & got my first day back today so wish me luck, let's hope I don't murder someone 😂 bloody dreading it!
I agree I'd rather be there but it's not always realistic for people so we shall see.
The cats are very snuggly when they want to be, my tomcat only really wants cuddles when we go to bed, but I've had to cut down as I can't sleep on my back anymore with him on my chest. My one girl paws at my bump though like she's trying to get in, I have to tell her off for it but I know she means well. They definitely know there's a baby in there & have from the beginning.

Aww look at him! 🥰

@lonelyonee I do hope work is going okay for you!
I know it's not always possible for people to stop working to become a stay at home mum, to be honest I have days were I feel complete guilt for not working, but my OH really doesn't mind being 'the provider' and I'm lucky that he's not one of these men that feels like he needs to remind me of it. He works hard in his job and I work hard at home keeping the house ticking over, even the small jobs like washing/ironing make all the difference. He's well looked after lol.

Aww that's really sweet. I don't think my dog has a clue that I'm pregnant.. will be very interesting when he first meets her 😂 although I really don't think he'll bat an eyelid, I'll just need eyes in the back of my head as he's such a big dog! X

@HighOnStilts it went nice and fast thanks for asking! Knackered now though.
Yeah it's just one of those things though, can't be helped.
Yeah they are very sweet to me so I can't complain. Oh tell me about it cats are little ninjas so I'll need to be alert when baby is sleeping in the day! On a night they won't be allowed in the bedroom which will go down like a sack of s##t no doubt as they've always slept in with me. I feel bad about it but it's for baby boys safety so it's not even a question of whether it's happening or not.
I've attached a photo of my tomcat for you although he's a little bigger now he's still adorable 🥰

@lonelyonee I can only imagine!!!
I'm having a bit of an off day today, feeling a bit emotional and my belly is so uncomfortable! 😩 hormones are crazy at the moment!
Aww yeah I bet the cats wont be happy but you do right, I know I wont be leaving baby unattended around the pooch either.

Aww you're cat is gorg!!! Lovely colouring 🤩

@HighOnStilts oh no, hope you're feeling a little brighter now? I know what you mean mine seems to have been hurting today not sure whether I'm bending over to much or if things are really starting to stretch! Had a large meal earlier and oh my god I thought I was going to burst it was so uncomfortable.
Nope but hoping to transition them into the new routine when we move so they'll always be sleeping separate in the new house and hopefully that will help 🤞🏻
Aww thanks, he's bigger and fatter now but yeah his colouring is lovely. He's part Bengal which is surprising since he's so small, we're convinced he's a dwarf cat or something because his dad is so big! His belly is all spotty it's really lovely, I'll have to dig for a photo.
In other news we ordered our travel system today! Went for the mamas & papas ocarro... it's really lovely and very easy to assemble/interchange/collapse etc... but it's gotten me VERY excited now, I can't wait! Will arrive the end of the month so when that's here it'll be getting closer to babies arrival! Eeeeeek!

I feel somewhat better today, think I just had a random blip. Obviously our hormones are all over the place lol!!
Had my 28 week midwife appointment yesterday, everything was spot on, measuring as should be, urine was fine and I've put on 4kgs since my booking appointment apparently lol!! She said that's really good, not too much not too little. Also had bloods taken she took two vials worth and did it really bloody slowly lol!
Decided I am going to give birth in my hometown, its only right she is born in Hull - we're moving 40 mins away to Scunthorpe but I've got my mums we can stay at if the labour is slow so I'm closer to the hospital. Their new labour ward is a midwife led one and they have birthing pools in every room, they look so swanky! I dont want any medical intervention but if it's needed, the labour ward is next door so they just wheel you in if need be! Scunthorpe general is dated and they only have one pool so if I go in and want to use it and it's already in use, that's my plans out of the window and I know I'd be really upset about it! X

@lonelyonee by the way, the occaro pram is really lovely!!! Bet you're so excited. Can't stop peeking at our Stokke I really want to take it for a spin but going to be a bit awkward if someone looks in and there's no baby in there 🤣