Due August 2021 - Third Trimester!

[Daffodil21]

Not totally up to date, sorry!

@wimbler - EDD 29 July, surprise 💛
@coffeeandrainbows1- EDD 4 August (but most likely July), Boy 💙
@Jessicapebbles - EDD 5 August (but having C-section at 39 weeks, so really July), Girl 💖
@Smurf123 - EDD 5 August (but likely to be July) 💛
@WhatEvenIsSleep - EDD 2 August, Boy 💙
@ready2020 - EDD 4 August, Girl 💖
@Xaxnxdxrxexaxandrews87 - EDD 4 August, Boy 💙
@Smushty14 - EDD 6 August, TBC 💛
@Rattyclife - EDD 6 August, TBC 💛
@Dia12 - EDD 8 August, Girl 💖
@Biscuitcat - EDD 10 August, surprise 💛
@ElonaWise - EDD 11 August, TBC 💛
@Runnergirl123 - EDD 11 August, TBC 💛
@PurplePansy05 - EDD 12 August, Boy 💙
@Srtdr - EDD 12 August, surprise 💛
@Daffodil21 - EDD 12 August, Boy 💙
@Inmypjsagain - EDD ???, Boy 💙
@BananaHammock23 - EDD 13 August, surprise 💛
@MrsB2019x - EDD 13 August, Girl 💖
@Magik01 - EDD 13 August, Boy 💙
@Aaaaa1519 - EDD 13 August, Girl 💖
@Carefree1 - EDD 15 August, Girl 💖
@DressyGerbera - EDD 15 August, surprise 💛
@lucyrp - EDD 16 August, undecided 💛
@BertieBotts - EDD 16 August, want to know! 💛
@WolfMother326 - EDD 17 August, surprise 💛
@Caz1226 - EDD 17 August, Boy 💙
@Lille4 - EDD 17 August, Girl 💖
@Redskinsucks - EDD 17 August, TBC 💛
@RockyRockyRoad - EDD 18 August, can't wait to find out 💛
@Smallbean27 - EDD 19 August, surprise 💛
@WatermelonKisses - EDD 20 August, surprise 💛
@Alittlexmasmagic - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@Millymay13 - EDD 22 August, TBC 💛
@Whatshouldbemyusername - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@LottSE20 - EDD 22 August, TBC 💛
@Notinthestarsigns - EDD 23 August, TBC 💛
@Winecoffeeteamum - EDD 23 August, Girl 💖
@LaceyMermaid - EDD 24 August, TBC 💛
@Fran919 - EDD 25 August, surprise 💛
@ava50x - EDD 25th August, Boy 💙
@Ghhh - EDD 25th August, Boy 💙
@northernsquirrel - EDD 26 August, surprise 💛
@LyraShaeLilly - EDD 27 August, Girl 💖
@ame88 - EDD 28 August, TBC 💛
@diamante11 - EDD 29 August, Girl 💖
@HopefulB - EDD 29 August, TBC 💛
@CountryGirl84 - EDD 29 August, TBC 💛

Yes, it wasn't a problem to get back to full breastfeeding. But I felt lucky that I'd done it before / knew where to access support online and broadly what to do to increase and support supply, because the actual support I got to do it was non existent. Even when I asked about reducing top ups the only help I was given was a set of scales and told to weigh him before and after feeding and if he'd taken enough breastmilk then I was "allowed" to feed him less formula I think if I hadn't had that background knowledge it would have been much harder to establish.

As it was, I did skin to skin for an hour every day until we left hospital (and then sporadically at home), I gave the bottles as "paced feeds" which helps them not take more than they are actually hungry for, I kept putting him to the breast at every opportunity (not just every 3-4 hours!) and did let him feed for longer than they advised - they kept telling me only to let him have 10 mins each side. I did do the top up after the 10 mins each side, because actually the reason they advise this in that situation (not generally) is because if babies are small, weak or not getting much from the breast then the effort involved in the active first stage of feeding will exhaust them and they burn more calories than they gain from feeding too long. So I made sure to give the top up so he was definitely getting calories and then I let him keep going in the more passive/less energy draining way for as long as he wanted to. I co-slept when we got home as well which really helps with milk supply and getting their feeding cues nice and early.

I also didn't take formula with me. What surprised me in Germany vs the UK is we were not asked about brands and in fact they gave us a different random brand each time and it was never mentioned about mixing them whereas in the UK this is considered really really bad and highly likely to upset their tummies! Here there is another type of milk marketed as well called HA (hypoallergenic) and sometimes we'd get the HA variety and sometimes the normal one. Sometimes we'd get milk in a completely unmarked bottle. I was also able to express and store that in the ward fridge which they'd give me by preference if there was enough there. So we continued to mix brands totally randomly (supermarkets are not anywhere near as well-stocked here) and nothing bad ever happened.

Wow @BertieBotts that sounds tough. Maybe I was really fortunate. Our nicu had staff trained in breastfeeding after nicu and we're really supportive. They encouraged me to try and put him on whenever we were there, gave encouragement aswell as space and privacy where needed. They just checked that he was swallowing and wasn't getting too tired. Once discharged I was told to wake him to feed every 2-3 hours including through the night as he was still small. Ds was weighed by baby clinic or hv very regularly every couple of weeks but never was I told to weigh him before and after each feed. I think that would have stressed me out!

Weighted feeds is really bad practice, but it was all I was being offered so I took it at the time! It can be easy to make mistakes with it and in general it doesn't give you any useful info.

I possibly didn't need to do everything that I did but it made me feel better and did seem to help.

I think / felt like there was a bit of a disconnect, because I gave birth at a small hospital, then DS2 was tranferred urgently by ambulance to the main city hospital with NICU. I assumed I'd be transferred as well, so sent DH chasing the ambulance, but I wasn't. So essentially they had a baby without a mum and of course it wouldn't have been much use giving breastfeeding advice to DH.

I was put into a room and then told I could talk about transferring when the day staff came on but that never happened. So I kept badgering them until they agreed to just discharge me, which they did that evening - I'd given birth at about 3am and he was transferred at 5am.

I only visited once in NICU for about an hour and it wasn't at their designated "breastfeeding time" So I made arrangements to come back in the morning at that designated time and then just by chance he was doing better at that point so he was moved to a normal children's ward and I was able to room in with him. But because he was going through the process of transferring wards they didn't want me to feed him so I had to go off and pump instead.

It was just weird really - it felt like he was "their baby" and I wasn't involved from the start so I never really got any BF support having moved onto that ward. If I'd been on the postnatal ward, then I would have been closer and would have been able to sit with him as long as I was awake basically and feed whenever he needed it (once he was able to be normally fed).

So needless to say I'm going to the main city hospital this time. I never imagined that it would make things so complicated. I just thought I'd be transferred directly after him but not quite as urgently!

@lucyrp I get pins & needles on the loo! Drives me mad to be honest. I get up and my foot is numb and I can't stand on it!

Wow. So much to know! Thanks for all the info ladies!

So much to catch up on!

I'm due on August 25th with my second, a girl. Finally getting round to getting all the baby stuff out and sorted! It feels like there's tonnes of stuff!

Girls I am in a slight panic mode, the baby has dropped - I am pretty certain. 34+3 today and the bump is lower down, I can finally take a deep breath, I need toilet trips every 10 mins and I also had some cervical mucus today, for the first time since forever. It's not the mucus plug yet, but it was definitely there and my discharge up until now was different. The way I walk has changed too, it's basically a duck wobble, feet wide, shifting the weight from one side to another. My pelvis is really struggling. It's all happened today and I actually said earlier that I thought he'd changed position again.

Is this normal? Am I supposed to be prepping for an imminent arrival??? 😱 xx

I think it's all fine :) Don't worry! It can be really uncomfortable in your pelvis once the baby drops. They can sit there for weeks, though.

MIL is causing drama by being rushed into hospital but providing no info other than swinging wildly between "I'm fine, I'm going home" and "I'll just drop dead here all alone then shall I" - she doesn't seem to grasp that people aren't rushing to her side because nobody is allowed inside the hospital (and DH not allowed to enter the country) unless she's actually dying, because of COVID restrictions.

Thanks Bertie, that's exactly what I needed to hear! 😄 xx

@PurplePansy05 don't worry I've been the exact same the last couple of days. I definitely have a head down and feet in my ribs. Can hardly sit normally because I feel like I'm squashing them between my bum and my ribs and its so painful. Also had sciatica today for the first time during pregnancy which is unpleasant and uncomfortable. Beginning to get cankles after work too. Also waddling like a duck ☺️🤣

@PurplePansy05 my OH has just said he noticed me walking differently when he dropped me off to pop into the shop before 😳😂

Another Facebook marketplace bargain with these shelves. I'm in love. Can't stop going in the nursery 🥰

@PurplePansy05 totally normal as far as I know! My baby is quite well engaged now (or was at my last midwife appointment at least) and it's coincided with me getting a proper pregnant lady waddle and some really sharp pains in my pelvis 😬 the midwife said especially for your first they can pop in and out of being engaged for weeks. I'm trying to enjoy the slightly increased lung capacity!

Phew, thanks @lucyrp! Re shelves, I've been looking everywhere and they seem to cost £30-£50 per shelf or a set of two at best. So I bought Ikea's Bekvam shelves, £3.50 each, bargain! I will paint them. They're normally used as spice racks, but perfectly fine as nursery shelves. I've also made a good start on painting the nursery in the last week, it's coming along nicely. New carpet going in next week and then we're full steam ahead! xx

I must have completely missed everyone's comments about the babies engaging @biscuitcat, not sure how I've managed that! 🙈 Panic over now, as long as we're all going through similar things, I'm happy! Indeed, it's so nice to breathe! xx

@lucyrp I have those little planters too!

I also think mine has changed position, I think he might be breech again 🙈 going to call my midwife next week to pick up some sample pots and going to be cheeky and see if she'll have a quick feel when I'm there...

Has anyone got serious baby brain? The last few days have been especially ridiculous! Probably a good thing I have finished work 😂

@PurplePansy05 yeah these were supposed to be £40 from mamas and papas but got them for £20 on Facebook and asked BIL to pick them up for me as they are by where he lives and he refused to let me give him any money for them so actually got them for free 😁

@Daffodil21 my friend gave me them as a baby shower present ! Don't know if the baby is a boy or a girl but they're super cute I don't mind 🤣🙈

Exciting times @PurplePansy05!
Reckon mine keeps moving about still - there’s definitely not much space in there any more though.

Someone please tell me the cramps stop?! Never felt anything like it.

@HopefulB I still get cramp every night despite taking magnesium and iron supplements. Tonic water actually seems to be the best cure for me! I got it in my thigh last night which was the worst pain I’ve ever experienced (not sure how I’ll cope with labour 😂)

@PurplePansy05 my midwife said 3/5ths of baby’s head was palpable at my appointment last week so I think that means it’s working it’s way into my pelvis?! She also said baby was in a great position which is so good to hear after my last breech pregnancy. Got a scan tomorrow though so hopefully that confirms it. I’m definitely waddling a bit more too and keep getting feet up in my ribs too!

Is anyone else SO ready to have these babies evicted??! I’m so uncomfortable haha. I’m officially on count down now…We will have a baby by the end of the month!! 25 long days to go!
Bought myself an Elvie pump this morning, has anyone got experience of using one? I used the medela swing with my first but I can’t see being attached to a cable very doable with a 3 year old so I’m really hoping the elvie lives up to the hype!
Hope you’re all doing ok and @PurplePansy05 I’m so sorry to hear about your GD, you really haven’t had the easiest ride! Xxx

@Jessicapebbles I’ve heard good things about the elvie! Hoping I can borrow or get one second hand for this one. I’ve got the medela swing too but to be honest I can probably see myself giving formula instead of pumping for the occasional feed if we go down that route. Last time my breast milk didn’t store well as I had high lipase and it made it smell and taste rancid even though it wasn’t

@wimbler Oh wow, I’ve not heard of that before, that must have been really frustrating for you!

Yes I’ve just got a 2nd hand one off eBay but £125 is much better than £249! I’ll let you know how I get on! Xxx

@Jessicapebbles thanks for getting back to me. I'm glad your medicine is working out well for you. I've actually been recommended to stay on mine through the birth and for a couple of months - originally they had said to stop early in the third trimester, but now based on effective it's been at managing my inflammation and the fact that I'm not having side effects, it seems best to stay on. Especially as antibiotics seem to be a trigger for flares for me, and antibiotics are pretty common if anything goes at all wrong in the birth. Hopefully it will help!

@WolfMother326 That is really good they have decided to keep you on them, I think it will help for when your hormones etc are settling down as that when I started to flare last time. Fingers crossed everything is plain sailing for you and you don’t have and trouble with it! Have you long to go now? X

@Jessicapebbles I don't have experience of using one but my manager and best friend both had one and they sold them on as didn't get on with them very well. All I will say is don't stress if you don't get the output you're hoping for as it's not you it's most probably the pump. Another lady I met off mumsnet had one and was having the same problem and then bought a bellababy one which is about £40 and got so much more output with it. I think they're good as a secondary pump but not as a primary one which I feel they should be for the price you pay! Sorry to not have very high thoughts on it ! Xxx