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 💛

@lucyrp No, thank you! It’s good to have the heads up. My plan is to pump after feeds to keep up my supply, I do have my medela swing pump to use too so I can always compare the 2! Xx

@Jessicapebbles I think it's completely hit and miss with them and it all depends on your patience I think 😂 some people get on with them really well and others don't. I was part of a support page on Facebook for a while for them as I was thinking of getting one but after seeing all the posts of it not working etc I decided it wasn't for me. Hopefully you'll get on with it well especially as you've pumped before! Xx

@lucyrp I normally get a good 4/5 oz from each side so hopefully it works. If not I’ll just resell it. I just thought it might be worth a try so I can pump on the go 😂 xx

@Ready2020 my baby box arrived this morning! Itching to open it but should probably wait for DH 😂

@Jessicapebbles yeah it looks so appealing that's why I wanted it ! They have good resale value too so even if you don't get on with it you should be fine to sell it on xx

@wimbler I have my MW appt tomorrow, curious to hear if she says anything, although admittedly I have no idea what these 3/5, 2/5 etc. stages of engagement mean 🙈 Glad your LO is positioning nicely, must be such a relief this time!

Thanks @jessicapebbles, I am cracking on, it's surprising what you can used to when youhave to. I didn't expect to have to stick needles in me 6 times a day, report on everything I eat to the MW and basically live a bit of an Orwellian lifestyle in these final weeks, but if this is going to help us get to 39 weeks and avoid medication then I'm all over it. I have been doing ok since last Wednesday, only had 2 or 3 readings very slightly above the norm (by 0.1-0.2, so borderline). MW hasn't called me to put me on metformin which she said she would do as soon as they conclude my GD can't be managed by diet only. So hopefully this will all be OK.

I actually really like the design of Elvie and I'd be interested to hear your experience. I wonder if it just varies with pumps because we all have different boobs, sensitivities, lifestyles etc. I read many comments as well that Elvie works better as a second pump not the main one, but if you have Medela too this should be totally fine.

I think the electric ones are generally expensive for what they are, and Elvie in particular. It should really work as the main pump at this price tag, I agree.

I've not bought a pump yet, I feel like I don't know if I'm going to need an electric one, or a pump at all, because my ideal vision is to EBF for 6 months and if I have to leave the baby with DH for a few hours or later on if I want to give him some breast milk after the first 6 months, then I thought I'd get away with expressing and/or a standard non-electric pump. Is this a bad idea to wait till after the birth with buying one? Is everyone buying in advance?

Are you also buying the whole shebang with sterilisers, bottles etc now? xx

@Daffodil21ah just go for it. I didn't wait 🤭😬 I think we'll use the box as a toy box rather than a place to sleep as our cats will just keep jumping in it!

@PurplePansy05 I've bought an electric pump, milk bags for the freezer, steriliser, bottles etc but no idea if I'll even be able to bf or pump. But will still make use of bottles and steraliser if not!

@Ready2020 I'm soooo tempted!! But will try and wait 😂 we're going to use ours as a toy box too. Is it really sad that I kind of want to colour it in?!

@PurplePansy05 I've also bought a tub of newborn formula just in case - trying to make things as easy and stress free as possible for both occasions, but also going into it pretty blindly having no idea!

@PurplePansy05 I have steriliser in the attic but haven't bothered getting it down yet. I did buy a couple of new bottles just incase but I plan on breastfeeding initially
I won't be getting a pump. I had to use one for ds and couldn't get much and it hurt for me so if I cant breastfeed I just go to formula I'm not stressing out with pumping.

@PurplePansy05 Glad to hear you seem to have got It all under control!

If im honest with my first baby I didn’t even think about an electronic breast pump until my friend gifted me the medela after she was born. It turned out becoming a godsend as I had to exclusively express due to tongue tie and latch issues. But I feel a lot more confident this time that hopefully U can just feed as normal and only use my pump as/when needed so you may be ok with a hand held!

I have bottles still from my first but im really going to try and not go down that route (nothing against anyone that does - I did it too, but I am determined that I will have a BF journey with Atleast one of my girls ❤️)

Xx

@PurplePansy05 I have a handful of bottles that I bought from aldi and someone from work has lent me her steriliser. Won't buy any formula until I need to or they are born. Keeping an eye out for a bargain for a second hand electric pump as I had the handheld tommee tippee last time and it used to be such hard work on my hand so don't fancy doing that again. I have a haakaa too so going to use that to catch let downs and then fridge or freeze that for OH to feed to baby. I also have milk bags that I bought from aldi. I won't be pumping if I can't breastfeed I will only pump alongside now and again if I can for OH to feed xx

Hi everyone
Just wondering does anyone have any areas of sore skin? I’ve had a patch at the very top of my bump- pretty much all the way through- almost feels like it’s burnt- very sensitive
There has never been any redness or marks but it does itch sometimes
Is this just down to that patch just maybe being more sensitive do you think?
Thanks x

I’ve bought a pump, only the bellababy one from Amazon. Was £40 on prime day, for that price I thought was worth just having it in and giving it a go. Still not bought any bottles but they’re in the Amazon basket ready to be ordered as soon as I’ve made space for things in the kitchen. I really hope I can BF but equally don’t want to pressure myself. I’ve been trying to read whether having had previously pierced nipples (would like to blame being younger and more foolish!) makes it more difficult but it seems to be a mixed bag with an increased risk of difficulty/infection so can’t be too hard on myself if it doesn’t work out.

Has anybody ever tried with or know of people who have?

@Caz1226 me!

Top of my bump where my bra line would be and is there with or without one on. It’s not red just sore and sore to touch but it’s only a few cm long probably just off centre to the right if I was to look at my belly button. No idea what is it, was going to ask midwife next week.

@Fran919 that ones amazing apparently! I'm trying to grab one second hand off eBay 🤣 my friend had both hers done and didn't have an issue !

On topic of pumps and bottles, I have the Philips Avent pump, and I'm looking for new bottles. If anyone's spotted the Avent natural bottles on sale anywhere, please let me know!

@Fran919 I had one done previously which caused a bit of trauma (semi ripped out). Removed 7/8 years ago and healed up. It had no impact on feeding, I never got mastitis and often I had a better flow from that breast than the other.
There are many ducts in the nipple so if one or two are damaged through piercing, there'll be others to fall back on x

@lucyrp ah that’s good to know! Yeah I read all the reviews on Amazon and seemed good and it has come up in a few ‘best pumps under £100’ and to be honest, though might seem wasteful just thought it’s only £40 can spend more having a lunch out! Plus a few friends have recently announced they’re expecting too so I’m sure somebody might want it if not.

@Fran919
Yes mine is pretty much sounding exactly the same but mind is to the left not the right
I’m due to see my midwife on wed for my 34 week check up so I’ll ask as well I assume it’s just down to sensitivity xx

I've got the Tommie tippee whole kit with steriliser and everything. I also got the Lola and Lykke breast pump. Just washed babies coloured clothes today and started working on the nursery over the weekend. It's my day off so I want to cook a nice big meal that will take me to Wednesday dinner atleast.

That one is on my shortlist @Whatshouldbemyusername 😊 For now I've decided to buy the Haakaa one, plus bought some Vital Baby and MAM bottles on sale and milk storage bags from Medela on Amazon. Also bought the Milton cold water sterilising set. You've all motivated me!!! I'll see how I get on with this stuff first, all in all it cost me £90 and I think I'll either use it a lot or sell it on Marketplace. I won't be investing in electric pumps, sterilisers and more bottles for now until I know how we're doing on the BF front.

I'm also wondering how I'll get on with BF with my Raynaud's (of the nipples). I thought it went away and was so happy, but it was only temporary when the weather was hot. Even in this weather when my boobs get exposed to a tiny bit of cooler air, I have excruciating pain in my nipples, left especially. I am still optimistic that maybe this will go away post-partum, otherwise it will have to be an investment in a good pump as I won't be able to get my boobs out outside the house at all 🙈 xx

Also my pelvis is getting a total battering and it feels so stiff every time I get up after sitting down it's crazy! That's a new one to add to the list! xx

I’d really recommend the haakaa pump or ones that are a similar style. Mine was essential for easing engorgement and catching the let down on the side I wasn’t feeding on. I also used just before a feed as my initial let down was very strong made my daughter choke a bit. They’re surprisingly effective too. I had a very good supply though and actually had to wear shells in my bra for most of the day as I leaked so much. I’d end up with several ounces without trying. As I mentioned before my milk didn’t store well (and DD refused a bottle - that’s another story) so it all went to waste in the end 🙄

I probably won't get a pump. I find pumping to be so tedious and I hated having to do it when I was apart from DS2. If I have to do that again I'll rent the hospital grade one again (I believe you can also do this in the UK from pharmacies) but I think for normal day to day separation/breaks or topping up I would probably just use formula if necessary. If my supply is better then I might look at something like the Haakaa. But I didn't even leak last time! So don't think it would have done anything.

Reynauds of the nipple can be a problem when breastfeeding, probably if you google you'll come across some good info about how to cope/manage with it.

We have some bottles left over from DS2 but I think I will probably replace them or at least the teats.

I don't think nipple piercings cause an issue while breastfeeding although obviously you would need to remove any jewellery in case it came off in the baby's mouth. You have several holes in the nipple anyway and the baby needs to take a big mouthful that is much bigger than just the nipple itself, so it shouldn't matter. Like Xmasmagic says, even if it impacts one or two milk ducts it won't impact the rest and you can do without a couple. Breast reductions or other surgery that involves relocation of the nipple can sometimes be a problem for breastfeeding, depending on how it was done. And PCOS can cause breastfeeding issues which is one of the lesser-known ones.