Pregnant with second (or third/fourth/etc) baby, due in/around September 2020

[NameChange30]

Hi! Is there anyone out there who already has at least one child and expecting another baby in or around September 2020?

I would love to chat to other pregnant mums who have "been there, done that" at least once before...

I am less excited this time, since I know what I'm letting myself in for 🙈 But also very much looking forward to giving my son a sibling. He will be 3.5 when baby is born.

Definitely going to find out. I want to know whether to keep all her stuff or get rud and start looking for boys stuff. Think we might pay for an early gender scan so we can take her as well. I think seeing it on the screen and explaining it's in mummy's tummy and is her sister/brother will help her to understand. And might help with her understanding why I can do less rough and tumble play. And I'm too impatient to wait for a surprise. I'm the kind of person who looks for her Christmas presents before

Hi all

prettygirl welcome and congrats

Spark yes I'm avoiding picking up and carrying DS unless absolutely necessary - had to cut down very quickly because the PGP kicked in early.

About potty training and introducing the idea of the new baby - we found the Pirate Pete potty training book good (there is a "Princess" one for girls too) and I have bought the pirate Pete book about a new baby too, will probably wait until closer to due date before giving it to DS.

We are most definitely going to find out whether it's a boy or girl - I'm like you Spark, far too impatient We found out first time and I think there are more advantages second time, mainly that DS has been asking if it's a boy or girl and I think it will help him to know, but also from a practical POV - I tried to get mostly unisex clothes so we can reuse a lot but we do have some more boyish clothes that I'll keep if it's a boy and donate if it's a girl. If it is a girl I won't get loads of pink but I won't be able to resist buying some girly things, a few dresses and flower prints etc.

DS has been saying he wants the baby to be a girl...

I looked up private gender scans and found one that is from 18 weeks but I figure I might as well just wait another 2 weeks and find out for free!

It's early days yet but I met my doula the other day so I've been thinking about options for the birth. She warned me that second/subsequent births can be faster! For some reason that hadn't occurred to me but now she's said it I think a lot of people have that experience.

Have any of you been thinking yet about whether you would like to give birth in the hospital, midwife-led unit or a home birth?

I was induced for DD and it took 2 days, so hoping for something quicker than that! I'm definitely going with hospital and all the drugs they will give me. We had some complications after the birth and DD ended up in SCBU, so I definitely want all that stuff on hand (although it's nothing that should happen again).

Sorry you had a long labour and complications after. Totally agree with you about wanting to be in the hospital for peace of mind. If it wasn't for previous shoulder dystocia I would be tempted to go for a home birth but I think I need to be in the hospital just in case there is a problem with the baby even though the probability is very small. My ideal is to give birth in the MLU, which is in the same building as the delivery unit, but actually there are very few births there because women tend to get transferred to the delivery unit at the slightest indication of any possible complication. I really want to stay in the MLU unless it's absolutely necessary to be transferred but not sure how much power I will have over the decision even with a doula to help me be assertive.

I'm probably over thinking it especially as I still have about 6 months to go!! 🙈

How is everyone? Following the latest announcement about pregnant women, I'm dreading having to self isolate for 12 weeks

@NameChange30 Absolutely gutted. My employer is fine with me wfh but we currently have renovation work going on and it's almost impossible to do so. Also, I wasn't too worried about own health until today as we were classed as any more at risk than most.

For anyone who missed it: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51917562

In particular, "Boris Johnson said people should work from home where possible as part of a range of stringent new measures.
Pregnant women, people over the age of 70 and those with certain health conditions should consider the advice "particularly important", he said.
People in at-risk groups will be asked within days to stay home for 12 weeks."

This is helpful (shared on another thread)
www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

I'm pretty gutted too. Obviously I will do what I need to to protect me/baby/family, but I feel like I'm not getting to enjoy my pregnancy at the mo. I'm planning on telling my family this weekend and wanted it to be a joyful time, not one of worry. I already feel quite isolated from work since I went back from my last maternity leave (only work part time so feel like I get left out of a lot, cant easily go out for drinks/dinner, go on trips,etc) and I feel like this will add to it.
Last time I was pregnant I found out the day after my DH deployed for 6months, so I was looking forward to a more fun pregnancy and not feeling so alone. But I totally get why the Gov has advised it, and why we should do it. I just need to get my head around it.
WFH tomorrow, but cant really do anything. I'll see what policy work come out with, but I can see me being put on indefinite leave. I'm just lucky that my work will still pay me. x

How is everyone? I'm WFH from now on, and bored already!

This is reassuring:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3851405-Coronavirus-and-advice-for-pregnant-women-statement-from-RCOG-RCM-and-RCPCH

Anyone still reading? Or avoiding mumsnet to stay sane?!

Hey, I'm still here, sorry. Been really busy trying to work out what all this new guidance means for my family. I'm WFH now, but cant really do much so it's not really a hardship. The rest of my office has gone into shifts to try and stop any illness taking out the whole team (it's a military building so can only work there). DH works in the same building so hes 1 week in work and 1 week at home too. We're really fortunate that we're both on full pay. As nursery is shut I'll have DD home. We could get a place as we're key workers, but I'm worried about her being exposed to more people (and a lot of key workers who could be exposed to the virus) and bringing it home.

Not sure how I'm gonna survive the 12 weeks. I got bored when signed off with sickness for 2 weeks, and that was without having to entertain a toddler.

But in good news, we had our scan on thursday. All fine and EDD has moved to 27 Sep. Booked a gender scan in for 4 weeks and got the anomaly one in 6 weeks.

I haven't really been saying anything as I had a miscarriage last week. Obviously it was really upsetting but feel like I'm doing ok and I wish you all the best with your pregnancies (especially with everything going on atm). Look after yourselves.

prettygirl
I am very sorry about your miscarriage

Spark27
Glad your scan went well!
If you don't have much work and can look after DD that's great. I mean, entertaining a small child while pregnant is not easy at the best of times let alone while on virtual lockdown... but at least you don't have to worry too much about work while you're doing it!

I have a similar dilemma about childcare. I am WFH due to pregnancy, and classed as a key worker so there is plenty of work and my manager understandably wants me working. DH is not a key worker but he doesn't get paid if he doesn't work (self employed) and he's the main earner. He could take some time off for childcare but we don't know how long things will be like this and we can't afford a long term drop in his income. So I am tempted to send DS to nursery (with a small group of key workers' children) but it obviously isn't ideal. I've been stressing about it for the last couple of days

On a positive note i had a gender scan today and found out it's a girl I wasn't going to have a private gender scan but I've been feeling so down about all the developments of the last week that I thought it would cheer me up. Nice to have one less uncertainty! Funnily enough DS has been saying it's a girl and he was right!

So sorry to hear that @prettygirlincrimsonrose. I hope your looking after yourself and getting lots of support

It's such a difficult decision to make about the nursery. I'm half tempted as she loves the routine of it, and I know we'll go stir crazy, I'm also worried if i get overly tired I might snap at her. But then im worried of the risks.

Yay, a girl. Congrats. We've booked a gender scan for 4 weeks time. I'm worried that DH wont be able to come to the 20w scan if they stop allowing +1's so am hoping that the private scans will still be allowing them in when we get to 17w.

Wondering how everyone else is going on here. Reaching out for support if I'm honest. I know we are all struggling with managing young children, pregnancy hormones and anxieties, plus working from home without childcare (we are also living in a half finished renovation) and the stress of impending coronavirus doom. Any coping tools that anyone can share? Xxx

Hi how is everyone doing?

@MamaB80
I'm sorry I missed your message For some reason the thread keeps dropping off threads I'm on, maybe because we are not posting much!
Sorry you're struggling. I feel much the same. No renovations to contend with though - that must be stressful. Not sure I have any coping tips expect make sure you and your partner are sharing childcare, mine is doing his share which is keeping me sane! Also getting outside every day preferably for a walk but if not just hanging washing in the garden tends to lift my spirits a bit.

Sorry @MamaB20, I meant to reply when I saw this on tuesday, and then the week got in the way.
Had DH home this week so it's not been too bad with him helping with childcare. But hes back in the office next week so I know that will be a struggle. Hoping the weather stays good so DD can have lots of time in the garden to tire her out.
Trying to do a mix between online activities (Joe Wicks, Captain Fantastic, story times, etc), some crafts and garden fun. Tried a bit of cooking too, but I've now run out of SR flour!

I've been feeling pretty down being stuck in. Been getting lots of headaches. Pregnancy and stress related I think.
I think the lack of an end in sight to all of this isn't helping either. I get that no one knows, but it just feels never ending.

Hope everyone else is doing ok, and that you're all managing to enjoy the nice weekend. xx

Hi everyone,

Can I join please? Due on 19 September, and have a DD who is 3. Bumpy start to this pregnancy with two bleeds but trying to stay positive as 16 weeks today. WFH and trying to keep DD entertained while feeling tired has been tough but know u have it so much better than many others.

MrsMyreton
Hello and welcome, congrats on getting to 16 weeks My DS is 3 too and hard work atm!
Has anyone else found that their kids have been really clingy? I think he's been like that pretty much since I told I'm pregnant but it's got worse on lockdown. It's driving me crazy because I can't escape!

Spark
I agree with you about the lack of end date, it's tough

Evening all, how is everyone? Has anyone had their 20 week scan yet or due to have it soon?
Mine is in 10 days - will have to go alone as them's the rules atm So I'm glad I had a private scan at 16 weeks, at least DH came to that one.

I can't believe i am nearly halfway (19 weeks now) and some of you will be halfway already. This might sound silly but I keep forgetting I'm pregnant because of everything else going on - I think September will come around scarily fast. But meanwhile life seems to be excruciatingly slow some days. Strange times to be pregnant.

I'm gutted I can't go to pregnancy yoga any more and trying to motivate myself to do some online classes but can't be arsed

Hi @NameChange30 let us know how your scan goes. Completely agree about the slow days, but you've cheered me up at the thought of being 'halfway there'! Are you going to find out the gender?

My scan isn't until the start of May (at the end of week 20) so it feels like a long time away.

Hi everyone!

Wondered where everyone had gone!

I'm 17 weeks today and looking forward to seeing baby again in a few weeks. Sad that DP can't be there but I think I'm going to find out the sex for the first time (last two I let as a surprise!).

It's so weird being off work. My colleagues are going to get a shock when they see me next!