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 💛

@PurplePansy05 after any surgery especially additional surgery, trapped wind is really common. I had it really badly after my CS. They gave me doses of peppermint oil in the hospital from the drugs trolley on rounds which really helped but I’ll definitely take my own this time just in case. I can’t imagine you would need more than 90 pills! I think I had 2 lots of peppermint oil in the couple of days I was there but not sure if it’s stronger than the capsules

My SIL gave me a bottle of peppermint cordial which I had a few glasses of. I don't know if it was down to that but I didn't get trapped wind at all x

Thanks ladies! I think I've underestimated the trapped wind issue 😂 Off to add another thing to the list...

@Daffodil21 Can I just share how impressed I am with the fact you've painted your toe nails, I'll be attempting this now and already feel hot, bothered and huffy-puffy. I would die for half a day in a nice spa and a pamper sesh with mani, pedi & a facial. I feel like last time I did this with one of my girlfriends was a lifetime ago and it probably won't happen soon either 🤦🏼‍♀️ xx

Oh my goodness you're all so organised! I'm another one who hasn't started anything for a hospital bag. Good to know about the peppermint capsules though - the midwife thought baby was still breech at my appointment today (growth scan tomorrow so I can find out for sure), and if he/she stays like that I think my preference would be a c section as I don't fancy the look of ECV (though I change my mind all the time).

I'm starting to find it all so tiring now - even after a better night's sleep I'm struggling through the day. I think pregnancy is mother nature's way of meaning you really don't mind about the prospect of giving birth by the time you get there 😂

@lucyrp that's why I didn't start packing the bits I bought before I left Scotland in the bag as I needed the bag for my Suffolk trip!

@wimbler that's what I thought - couldn't imagine needing anymore than 10 surely but didn't want to leave loads behind if I did need them!!

@PurplePansy05 my mum did them for me!!!!! She gave me a little pedicure the other day - even trimmed my toe nails for me because F that atm 😂 currently got my feet in a bowl of cold water which feels soooo nice!

@biscuitcat sleep what's that?? 😂
I'm really struggling with the heat, and the sore hips and the heartburn atm. Midwife told.me yesterday that I should now get in habit of rolling on to side to get up not just bending straight up or down.
Also I'm only 5ft so my car seat is pretty close so I can reach the pedals... But now bump is touching the steering wheel. I can't not drive for the next 6-8 weeks! In non covid times my mum would prob have driven me anywhere I needed to go (we are spending most days together anyway) but we still aren't car sharing / sitting indoors unless absolutely necessary just to be on the safe side. Any tips on that one?
I also haven't started the hospital bag but know I really should.
Ds arrived at 37 weeks so that's only 5 weeks from now! I've said no to a really good friends wedding in July I would be 38 weeks but it's an hour away from hospital and while it is near another big hospital I don't feel comfortable being that far away just in case. Dh is gutted mind you as it was to be our first childfree overnight away since ds was born 3 years ago. (We were supposed to get away for a night last June for dh 30th but covid threw a spanner in the works for that one!)

I've done absolutely nothing for hospital bag but whilst we're on the topic - what kind of bags are you all using ? Am I going to need a suitcase ? 😂

Do you have a list that you're working from for the bags? Or can anyone list items that they are taking that aren't on the usual lists found in advice?

We're going away next week for 4 nights so was thinking of using the same bag for that trip but I'll start getting all the bits together from now. I think the baby box provides with some things.

@biscuitcat I so agree with you.

I also wish I had my mum near me now to chat or just to help with the little things...she's retired now and I'm sure she'd help a bit, but this isn't possible with her being far away 😔 I spoke to her today and feel a bit better though.

Every sympathy to all of you struggling with sore hips, lack of sleep, tiredness, heat, being wobbly, heartburn et al. I am going through this covered in dust and tripping over crap moved from one room to another every single day and I must say, my resilience is at all time low. Just focusing on getting through every day best I can.

Re hospital bag, I ordered a weekend overnight bag from Amazon for me and a smaller one for the baby. I might reassess the content of mine though, I have a box or two of maternity pads that takes up a third of it, ridiculous packaging. I haven't got a vagina the size of Asia and hoping not to have it after the birth either I might unpack them and put them in a clean zip bag instead. Also stocked up on M&S pants, I love them a bit too much and really unsure on coming back to sexy lingerie tbh 😳 xx

@Ready2020 this is mine (it's assuming I have a CS):

Maternity pads
Nursing bras
Large high waisted knickers
Clothes/pjs (buttoned for bf)
Babygrows/sleepsuits
Dressing gown string (I read this is useful for tying to the bed to help you get up?? Not sure how this works but chucking it in anyway!)
Wipes (me)
Wipes (him)
Cotton wool
Nappies
Hand sanitiser
Phone charger
Portable phone charger
Book
Snacks
Cash
Face cream
Lip balm
Underwear/socks
Earphones
Formula - pre filled (just in case)
Nipple cream
Breastfeeding book (the food of love)
Ear plugs
Eye mask
Toothbrush/toothpaste/mini mouthwash
Breast pads
Body wash/shampoo/conditioner/dry shampoo/deodorant
Wash bag
Water bottle with sports cap (drink laying down) or straw bottle
Pillow for car (across scar)
Paracetamol/ibuprofen
Hair bands
Sandwich bags containing sleepsuit/vest/nappy (apparently useful for nurse to grab everything together if you can't?)
Sanitary pads (not winged) for wound
Flannel for drying wound after shower
Flip flops (for shower)
Something for trapped wind (peppermint tea or oil?)
Swaddle
Nightie (shirt style for bf)
Plastic bag for dirty clothes
Towel
Neck fan

Probably lots of unnecessary items but just been collecting my list from various posts I've read. Also FTM so pretty clueless!!

@Ready2020 also the baby box isn't a nationwide thing, just in Scotland! There's a list on badger notes I think x

I used a big shopping bag like slightly smaller than a blue ikea bag! Also a rucksack or whatever you're using for a changing bag. I split stuff out into before birth and after birth but it got all confusing because I got separated from DS2 so I should have done one bag with my stuff and one bag with baby stuff. I think DH left the after birth bag in the car because it had all the baby stuff in it but that then meant I had no deodorant, change of clothes etc.

Wasn't too bad, I had a hospital bag fail with DS1 as well, because he was a planned home birth but I transferred in and didn't have a proper bag packed for reasons I forget. My ex had to buy nappies and wipes from the hospital shop and when my dad came to visit I asked him to get me disposable pants :o he came back with these granny pants like you'd see on a market stall. To be fair, the most comfy and best post birth pants ever! I've missed them in every other pregnancy!

Don't worry if you forget things as there will be a way and you'll cope.

Just seen some of the chat regarding maternity wear and post pregnancy outfits ect. I've looks everywhere an I've done 2 online order now with Shein and it's so cheap and I find the maternity stuff fits perfectly and is so good for the price. It took around a week for delivery but I have been so impressed. Ive got 3/4 lounge suits two for post section around £15 each for leggings/joggers and tops. They are perfect as they are loose for section swelling, high waisted, thin material and I've got the darker coloured ones xx

@Smurf123 you're only just doing that now ?😨 I've had to roll onto my side for what feels like forever. Pretty much since my bump made an appearance I've had to go on my side first then get up 😂

@MM1993 absolutely not unless you're using a small hand luggage suitcase which you could do one side for yourself and one for baby, il he using the baby changing bag for the baby and I have an overnight/ weekend bag I'll be using for myself

@Smurf123 re. your mum, short answer is stuff Covid times. You need all the help you can get and that's exactly what it is... help. Especially with DS. It's not jaunting about on jolly's and having huge raves, so personally I would accept the lifts and enjoy the indoors when needed (and hand DS over for entertaining 😆).
My MW handed me a leaflet which recommends twice weekly LFTs for both myself and husband on the lead up to birth, so they should be arriving today. I hate those things but have every respect for health care professionals who've already done millions on them self.x

Oh that's interesting about the testing. Is that even if you're vaccinated? DH is having his second one next week.

I have got into a book crazy mindset again so I'll come back to recommend Birth Skills by Juju Sundin, so good, I'm re-reading it now and it's definitely on my list of the top parenting books ever.

@BertieBotts yes. I think it's partly because I'm in Bolton which is still high for Indian variant cases. Whilst the hospitals aren't nearly as overwhelmed as they were, they're still very busy.

@Daffodil21 the dressing gown cord and paracetamol etc will be good to have at home but unnecessary at hospital. Wound dressings are similar, it'll be properly dressed after surgery. Advice is not to get it wet at all initially, the MW will remove the dressing (and stitches/staples) at the 1st home visit, when you can the start allowing water to run over it. Maybe take a large muslin instead of a swaddle. x

@alittlexmasmagic to be fair my mum wants ds back with her. She's only in her 50s and is used to having ds full time while we worked until March of last year but she was diagnosed with cancer literally a few weeks before the first lockdown. It's been a hell of a year and she's been through 2 operations, chemo, radiotherapy and will be on medication for years but thankfully now has the all clear, but understandably dad still worries about her and with the new variant we are just trying to ensure we give her immune system..as long as possible to get back to full strength. But thankfully her household (bar my teen brother - he's too young ) have all been doubly vaccinated. Myself and dh have now had the first vaccine too and I'm getting my second in a couple of weeks, plus ds will finish creche for good in a couple of weeks too (not that he's been able to go for the past week either!) so all of that will help as we will be an exclusive bubble really.

@lucyrp I don't think I've really thought about it tbh. I probably have usually turned to side before getting up automatically.. Though running after ds I know I've sometimes jumped up and gone oh shouldn't have done that so fast 🙈will make more of a conscious effort to think about it.

@PurplePansy05 hope your building work going ok. I don't know how your managing to stay so calm! We have builders here too but they are working on the garage which is at least detached from the house. Albeit we have all the garage stuff now in the living room/ what will babys room. It's driving me mad having the house so disorganised. We were told 2-3 weeks to get the whole job done. This is now the end of week 4 and the answer when I ask when it will be finished is "oh I don't like to give specific time frames " 🙈

@alittlexmasmagic so helpful, thank you! The swaddles I've got are basically large muslins anyway. As I say, FTM so totally clueless!!

Oh @Smurf123 Sorry to hear about your mum's diagnosis, that's totally understandable you're trying to protect her as much as you can. That's really tough. Glad she's doing better now

Re staying calm, honestly? I am SO fed up that I just had to start to ignore it, I don't look at any of the rubbish and just go about my day, step after step. Otherwise I swear I'd have gone mad by now. I think we're in for another 6 weeks and then some bits will unfortunately have to be done after the birth (I say bits...I mean the windows 🤦🏼‍♀️) so after many initial cries about it I explained it to myself that it is what it is, I can't change things so we'll go through it. DH gets the shit from me when it gets too much though, admittedly, hormones are raging and the need to be in a clean place and to nest sometimes overwhelms me and this is when I turn into a witch 🧙‍♀️. Don't feel bad, it's not easy, you're allowed to be fed up. Big hugs! xx

@Smurf123 oh bless her! Treatment during lockdown must have felt so incredibly lonely. Understandable about protecting her, nurseries are just germ exchanges despite their very best efforts. The eased restrictions, vaccinations and a new baby will do her the world of good x

@Daffodil21 oh thanks. Good list. I'll start making my plans. Ah yeah I know the baby box isn't outside Scotland. I was saying that to myself mostly 😂

I have rain! For the first time since we moved. Its a glorious fresh cool rainy day.

Morning ladies

It's nice to see everyone so active. I'm still on the acid reflux group that we started abs now I've got severe pain on my heels! Is anyone getting this? I tried soaking my feet in Epsom salt too but nothings helping. Any advice?x

Curious about where everyone is planning to deliver (labour ward, birthing centre/midwife led unit, or home birth?)

I was told originally that I'd need to give birth on the labour ward because I have Crohn's Disease. but at my last consultant appt I asked about the birthing centre as I've had no issues during the pregnancy and my disease is in remission, and the baby appears to be totally normal and a healthy weight (that was the main concern with my condition). Now I'm trying to decide what's best, as I'd prefer a more mellow environment and a birth pool.

Would be great to hear others' plans - apologies if this has already come up and I missed it!

Thanks for sharing hospital bag contents! I think it’s early too but it’s all these early stories stressing me out. My nct classes start on Monday and the group leader made a WhatsApp chat- one couple said they may not be in on it, lady was due 19th July and had the baby yday! So..just in case!
I’ve also been told it’s good to split your bag into stuff for you, stuff for baby and stuff for him. I’m going to ask husband to either pack it or pack it with me so he knows where stuff is if I can’t get to it! Suddenly been panicked into buying car seat etc so will make a start on that this weekend 😱