September 2020 6 - we are (almost) ready babies!

[ChipsAreLife]

New thread. Crazy to think we will have some babies arrive on this one 🥳🍾

@WillowT I've got cheeky wipes too so planning on using those
@pangolin84 how was your scan?

I'm trying to have a much needed post work nap but the baby has got hiccups which are very distracting! He had them whilst the doppler was on at the midwife as well this morning. Also gave her a right good boot whilst she was feeling his position 😂

Happy to say the growth scan was fine. They compared the measurements to those they got at the 20 week scan and plotted them on growth curves - it’s all tracking normally. No further action unless my bump doesn’t grow by 1cm per week. He’s currently head down but back-to-back. Possibly this is contributing to my small bump. I’m still only 34 weeks so lots of time for him to turn around but I have an anterior placenta and wondered if that makes them more likely to stay facing outwards.

@MooseWL Thanks for asking! Weirdly my baby also had hiccups when the sonographer was scanning him. Must be something in the air.

Had these emails today, I'll just leave them here incase they are of any use

cheekywipes.refr.cc/SK38QGN

@ShiningStarz I think it's the discomfort from the cramps and the contractions which are so irregular. Plus I have got pelvic girdle pain, anytime I stand up it feels like my pelvis is about to dissociate. Baby is moving so hard too, especially the swirming movements which are bringing back the sickness.. I suffered with hyperemesis for the first 16weeks and it is all coming back again, I'm really struggling. Rant over.. thank you for listening. Still very grateful to be pregnant.

@Smilymami awww no it's such tough times but the end is near. My little one is swimming very hard today too!! They've a lot to answer for !! I'm sure when we meet their little cute faces you'll have Forgotten about the discomfort of pregnancy 😊😊

@lattelover12 oh god I caved and started having a nosey at that post natal thread. It's terrifying 😂😂
All the feeding and lack of sleep drama!
How are you coping with Wren @sara7455?

My bump has had a growth spurt the last couple days!! Really Itchy today so definitely more stretching happening!! 37 weeks tomorrow, can't quite believe it 💜

Pah hahahahaha @MooseWL welcome to my (super snoopers) club 😂

It all sounds very full on doesn't it? I'm sure our babies will be the ones that sleep 7-7 and feed like a dream 😇 😂

@MooseWL we’re doing ok, definitely not sleeping through the night but the cluster feeds have moved to late evening and are followed by a 4 hour stretch 10-2 for now so not too bad. Babies this little have no concept of a routine though so may all change again tomorrow! The cute baby faces definitely make it somehow ok though!
Absolutely let people help I’d say, OH is back at work now and somehow blissfully sleeps through all night feeds and changes but he’s a huge help in the evening and takes him weekend mornings so I can catch up on some sleep!

Sounds like you are getting on great @Sara7455 have you had any visitors to
Your house / taken Wren out yet to meet others / walks??
I wonder what we'll do when it's our turn, I feel like hiding away for few weeks until
I feel like I know what I'm doing but aware that family will be eager to meet little one!!

That sounds tiring but like you're managing! I think even now if I get a 4 hour stretch it's a bonus. And good that your partner helps out at the weekends 😊
Honestly this other thread just sounds like everyone had a breakdown in the first month and none of their babies would be put down ever 😂 also people stressing about how much weight they still had to lose like 2 weeks after having a baby! Noooo your body has just literally grown a human give it a break! Reading it stressed me out haha!

Sounds awful @MooseWL hahaha!!! I couldn't find that thread!! I did have a sneak peak but decided I couldn't find it so not to get myself stressed out about what's to come 🤣🤣

@ShiningStarz we’ve had our parents and my SIL with her little one (5months) visit at home and been to the park for a few walks. For most people we’re saying that we’re happy to meet for a walk but not having loads round to cuddle him. He’s extra vulnerable so we’ll have to be careful all winter as even a cold could be dangerous for him. Tbh though even without the covid risk, visitors can be exhausting so I probably wouldn’t be that desperate to have everyone around straightaway!

@MooseWL that does sound stressful! We’ve had no real choice around putting him down as you can’t co-sleep with a premature baby. I have got a supply of milk in the fridge/freezer though so when he’s clusterfeeding and I just can’t stay awake anymore I’m giving him a bottle to go to sleep with. Everywhere online says not to but nurse and midwife have both said it’s better than totally exhausting yourself (and the baby).
I can’t imagine how they’ve got time to stress about losing the baby weight though! I guess c-section benefit is that you can’t exercise whether you want to or not for 6 weeks so you just have to go with it!

@Sara7455 I think I'll be cautious like you. I know Wren is extra vulnerable and sounds like he is being very well looked after. I'm actually relieved I can say we are taking precautions for a few months and not let the influx of visitors come. With COVID everyone understands, if it wasn't for COVID it would be hard keeping people away!! I think I'll be taking advantage !! So glad to hear you 3 are doing well xx

I wonder how @Bubble29 is getting on?? 2 must be an extra handful 🙈 !!!!

Sorry for so many questions @sara7455 but how are you expressing (you've probably said before but this moves so quickly!) are you using a pump/which one - there are so many out there!

I'm hoping to bf but expressing so my partner can do some feeds sounds like it may be a lifesaver!

@ShiningStarz definitely no harm in being cautious and it does make it a lot easier to spend the whole day in pjs when you need to and not have to worry about having a house full!

@MooseWL I had to express for him when he was still in nicu so I needed a hospital grade pump in the house (and used the Medela while in the hospital - I think it’s the Symphony that the hospitals have). A friend loaned me her Spectra S1 which I really like but it might be overkill if you’re primarily breastfeeding and just want to express a bit for OH to be able to step in when needed or just if he wants to occasionally- I think mine quite likes doing the odd feed while I’m asleep.

Anyone else had to have the awkward conversation with family about not seeing anyone after the baby is born due to Covid?
I've just done the first and explained at least two weeks- the facial reactions made me feel super guilty.
I'm not even sure I only want to wait two weeks!
🙈🤷‍♀️😞😞

@Laura1348 I find blaming health professionals sort of helps - “the midwife said...” then it’s harder for people to argue then. Wren’s community nurse said she was happy to impose a grandparent ban and be the bad guy if we needed. you can FaceTime/ Zoom etc for them to see the baby in the meantime. It is awkward but you need to stick with what makes you comfortable especially as it looks like numbers are rising again. Hopefully your family will respect that

@Sara7455
Thanks for taking the time to respond. Blaming midwife is good idea!!👍👍
I did say they could come see through window but that was like a led balloon.
I think they get it but don't at the same time??🤔🤔
Hopefully over time...🤞🤞
Thank you very much
Xx
Hope you are the family are well

@Lilice I'm sorry you're still having problems with HMRC. They're a nightmare. Hope you get it sorted. Ha I know what you mean about not being prepared. This year has been so crazy I've not mentally prepared for it at all!!! Living in denial.

Re visits. I actually will get family to come pretty quickly as hoping weather will still be good so can sit in garden. I'll make sure they wash hands and wear a face mask too. I find I'm running on adrenaline and excitement at first but after a week then that's when I want my space! I will also make them bring me lunch 🤣 but honestly do whatever you want and feel comfortable with. It's your baby and you're in charge!

Ha @MooseWL if you don't have a breakdown in the first month you're the unusual one!!! It's hardcore but we've got each other to message at 1 am and 3 am and 4 am 😆😅

Just had a call from hospital. They've advises I have to self isolate for three days before the section. Trouble is the day before is DDs first day of school. I think it'll be ok to take her as chances will be so low I get it! They've said DH has an hour after birth which is crap because he'll have to leave pretty much straight after I leave theatre. They've said I'll hopefully be out 24-48 hours later. And DH can visit for an hour in the afternoon. I feel really upset about it but trying to hold it together!

So the midwife rang me today to say I have group b strep. Has anyone else got this?

@Laura1348 I'm finding it quite stressful thinking about how to manage visitors and their expectations when the baby comes. We've been so careful throughout the lockdown and I'm nervous (reluctant) about relaxing the rules once the baby is here.

We've spoken to our parents openly about how we feel nervous and they've been very understanding, but it is the first grandchild for all four of them and it upsets me that I want them to keep a distance most of the time (I think I could manage letting them have a cuddle if the baby is bundled up and I can take the blanket off to put in the wash afterwards). They've said they'll be even more cautious and strict with following the guidelines in the two weeks leading up to my due date and my mum has suggested they could wear masks if I felt more comfortable with that. I think other family members will have to wait until we feel more comfortable.

I'm planning to breastfeed so that will also be a good reason for keeping the baby close to me.

@ChipsAreLife I'm also hoping the weather will still be good enough to sit outside when the parents come. I actually looked at the weather for last September the other day and it was around 20-25 degrees most days so I'm hoping it'll be similar this year.

Have the rest of you had these kinds of conversations with your family? If you have, what kind of precautions are you thinking of taking?

I’ve briefly spoken to my family about things. Tbh the only people likely to want to come and have cuddles quickly will be the grandparents and BIL. The rest of the family live further away and I can’t imagine will be in any rush to come visit.

I don’t mind them having cuddles, as long as they wash their hands beforehand, but I don’t want anyone kissing the baby or anything! Also I will ask them to be quite stringent in following the rules in the weeks before she is due and make it very clear that if they feel unwell or even a little bit run down in any way to please not come and wait until they are feeling better.

We’ve also said we won’t want any visitors for the first week anyway so they won’t be coming until at least then.

With friends, I think it will be gardens and no holding for a little while, but as the friends who live locally to me all have babies/toddlers themselves I know they understand.