Due August 2021 - The Final Countdown continues...

[Daffodil21]

Continuing the previous thread!

I'll let @PurplePansy05 post the updated list

Just wanted to start the day with three things I'm grateful for today. Maybe we can all point that out too? It's so easy to feel shit with aches and pains, reflux, lack of sleep but during these times I think breathing and gratitude helps put things in perspective.

1. Grateful to be at this stage of my pregnancy. My eldest sister has undergone 6 IVF cycles and still not pregnant. I know a lot of you have had miscarriages and are here now so I do feel grateful for all of us x

2. having a cup of honey lemon tea in the balcony with the sun warming me up and listening to the sound of the fountain downstairs whilst breathing, really put me in a great mood this morning.

3. Lolas cupcakes! My DH got me 2 yesterday and I have one to indulge into later today ❤️

On a side note, all the best to all those having their c secs booked this week. It's gonna go well and you will soon have cuddles from your little one xx

Lovely idea @Whatshouldbemyusername

1. I'm so grateful for the NHS, especially as I'm sat waiting for an echo... just to be on the safe side. The amount of treatment I've had over the course of my three pregnancies must be in the millions which I could never have afforded.

2. A wonderful boss. My line manager has been fab, I'm coasting my way to maternity leave with ease and zero work related stress.

3. A bit of rain. Sunshine is fab but I'm way more comfortable in the cool

xxx

Lovely idea @Whatshouldbemyusername

1. I'm grateful to be at this point after multiple mcs. Still shit scared of the outcome but grateful to finally be at this point nonetheless!

1. I'm grateful that our house reno was pretty much there before I got pregnant. Having read all your stories about having to get the house ready while you're pregnant makes me realise we're lucky we had it mostly done.

1. I'm grateful for being in the position (just about!) to start my maternity leave early and being able to my shitty boss to fuck off. It's meant a stress-free third trimester which is invaluable.

1. Soppy alert 😂 I'm grateful to this group for making this pregnancy more enjoyable ❤️

@alittlexmasmagic with you on the rain!!

Thank you for the new thread - I thought you lot were quiet :o

@Magik01 I am so scared of a cord prolapse! For some reason or other I can't stop obsessing over it. It's reassuring to hear your DS is OK even though you had one last time.

@biscuitcat sounds like we are in a similar situation with a breech baby that then flipped. Is your baby engaged now?

@Inmypjsagain Hahaha to the dream! I am rubbish at swaddling XD

@Ready2020 I felt like that about epidural with my first birth and a bit with my second, but I did opt for it with the second one. I won't lie it was horrible going in but the thought of the relief for the contractions made it worth it and it was very quick. I'm a bit worried about induction, but I also think that you tend to hear the worst horror stories - there are lots of straightforward inductions. But if it gets to that point you can discuss it then

@alittlexmasmagic Oh that's good to know about the cord. I will ask them about it / put it on my backup c-section birth plan!

@BertieBotts I had no idea that it could even happen before it happened to me! Ok the “plus” side I believe that it probably only happened as I was induced early and it was when the midwife was breaking my waters. Within half an hour he was out so they reacted very quickly thankfully!

@Inmypjsagain how are you this morning? Have you had any more fluid?

Lovely idea @Whatshouldbemyusername here’s mine:

1. I am grateful that my DS has gone past the defiant stage (for now) just in time for his brother to arrive as I was really worried about that.

2. I am grateful for how supportive my DH and whole family is. And they all can’t wait for the baby to be here.

3. I am grateful for the NHS and how understanding they have been with my mental health and referring me to the right people. And to know that it’s okay to ask for help which I didn’t last time. If I need it this time, I will ask.

😊

1. My number one is the same as @Daffodil21 's, it goes without saying.
2. I'm grateful I will be given an opportunity to become my son's mum. Amongst everything else I've done and aspired for, the top spot was always reserved for Motherhood, without a doubt. It's like despite many reasons to be happy and proud of, a piece of my heart was missing for a long time. So I can't wait for this.
3. I'm grateful to be on maternity leave now and to pause, observe and have time for people around me and of course for my son soon. I think trying a different life for nearly a year will do me a world of good.

xxx

Oh yes I was watching that Emma Willis programme (it's all on youtube, she trains as a maternity care assistant) the other day and one of the senior midwives was explaining how it can rarely happen when you break waters and what they do to combat it and it sounded terrifying!

I think it started for me because last time, my doctor told me when the baby isn't engaged, if your labour starts with the waters breaking then it's a lie down and call an ambulance situation because of the risk of cord prolapse. The baby then engaged so I didn't have to worry about it any more, but with the way they keep saying this one is happily floating around and probably won't engage until the last minute, it's worrying me! I asked her about it and she said yes the same advice applies, but also not to worry as it's only a theoretical risk and she's never actually heard of it happening to any of her patients (this way). She also wouldn't have mentioned it if I hadn't asked, and I've never heard of it as advice on MN etc so it must be a really low risk.

Aww great idea ☺️

1. So unbelievably grateful for what an easy time I’ve had the whole way through. Other than a bit of moaning in the heat last week it’s been a million times better than I could of ever imagined.

1. Grateful for the NHS and the fact they listened to how much this phobia of birth has affected me and approved my c-section without too much fuss. Will be sending that consultant a huge bunch of flowers when this is over! 💐

1. Grateful that he’s still in there and hopefully won’t come before he’s told to 😂 So so lucky to have him

Loving the gratitude list ladies ❤️❤️.

@Daffodil21 I agree with yours as well - this group has definitely been such a support during my pregnancy. Thank you ladies ❤️

@BertieBotts ohhh that makes sense. Mine hasn't engaged yet and the MW also said they won't perform a sweep unless baby is. I didn't think to ask the finer details of why. I'm supposed to be having one at 39 wks so 🤞 x

@alittlexmasmagic our due dates are the same. I'm having a final growth scan and MW appointment at 39+5 so will know what's happening then x

@BertieBotts try not to worry about it, I was just one of the unlucky ones!

Had a midwife appointment today- bump is measuring small so she’s arranged for a growth scan tomorrow. Slightly anxious as I asked what if he’s not grown since the last one and she said they may bring the section forward.

Woooh, well I had a productive day! Tidied up the bedroom, ordered our new dining table and packed up mine and baby's hospital bags. Well...nearly! Got quite a few questions, especially if any of you stayed in the hospital for several days. It will be at least 48 hrs for us due to GD. In terms of packing:

• Do I need to bring my own towel? If so, shall I bring more than one?
• How many bras?
• Will 2 dark, comfy nighties be enough?
• How many pads to take roughly per day?
• How many pairs of big pants per day?
• What happens with wet towels/flip flops after shower? Anywhere to dry?!
• What happens with dirty underwear/clothes? Shall I bring some plastic bags for those so DH can take them home to wash when he visits?
• If my baby boy seems big, shall I take a mix of newborn, 0-1 and 0-3 clothes? Or just take newborn and prep larger for DH to bring in when he's visiting?

TIA!!! xx

@PurplePansy05 I’m sure there are towels but I’m taking a big dark coloured one of my own. Was only planning to take two bras (my most comfy two) but don’t know if I need more. Got 7 pairs of big pants in 😂 two packets of maternity pads. Think I saw somewhere take 10 per day? I love got two nighties in. I’ve got plastic bags in for my washing and baby’s washing. In the end up I only went with newborn size clothes. I think one or two things are maybe up to 1 month. I’m hoping I’m only staying in one night after my c-section but I was kind of packing for two nights just in case, since I think mine will be in the afternoon so might not get home the next day. Planning to take sliders but wear my trainers when I go in, then get my partner to take them home if he can as I think il just wear the sliders home. I know he isn’t allowed into the ward to collect us and we have to meet him at the door so I’m thinking it would be easier to just slip them on my big swollen feet 😂 I’m sure there’s bound to be something I’ve forgot!

• Do I need to bring my own towel? If so, shall I bring more than one? My hospital supply tiny hand towels. If it won't bother you then use them, but I prefer to bring my own (cheap ones that can be chucked if you haven't got where to hang them out, etc)
• How many bras? Until your milk comes in you don't need too many- change as often as you normally would. Once milk comes in, omg you can be leaking all over the place so you'd need a few! BTW I heard that with c-sections your milk tends to come in later so possibly you'll be home at this point.
• Will 2 dark, comfy nighties be enough? I bled through my first nighty during first feed, so I'll take 3 this time...
• How many pads to take roughly per day? I like to use the hospital ones as long as i'm in the hospital- they're really long so I prefer those. Otherwise for first 48 hours you'll probably need to change every hour or two. After that more like 3-4 per day. But everyone is different. Don't take a million with you, your partner can always bring more as needed.
• How many pairs of big pants per day? 2 or 3.
• What happens with wet towels/flip flops after shower? Anywhere to dry?! As long as you're on delivery suite you have your own en-suite, after that its hanging around in your own cubicle- gross. Thats why I recommend cheap towels that if you can't air them out you can just chuck them. I bought a couple of dark ones in Tesco for £3.50. Won't cry if I leave them behind...
• What happens with dirty underwear/clothes? Shall I bring some plastic bags for those so DH can take them home to wash when he visits? Yes to this one. Plastic bag for dirty laundry and if you can send them home for a wash!
• If my baby boy seems big, shall I take a mix of newborn, 0-1 an- definitely take 1 in each size and then see what you'll need. Babies are very curled up, sometimes baby can have a large head but small body- that can make them bigger. My DS1 was just over 6lb but very long (59cm) so hardly fit the newborn. Thankfully he was curled up so fit in just about but DH brought the 1month size which fit him better.

Hope that answers your questions @PurplePansy05. I just wanted to add enjoy your maternity leave and make the most of it- if you ever have another DC, its never the same again! There is nothing like that first maternity leave before baby is born. Stupidly I worked right up until DS1 was born (he was a week early) so never got to enjoy that time!

Love the gratitude idea 😊

1. I'm really enjoying spending time with my family now I'm on mat leave, and appreciating that baby will have such a lot of people in their life who will love them

1. I'm appreciating my body for the amazing things it's doing (even when everything is achy!), and that everything seems to be going smoothly

1. I appreciate where I live, which is a lovely house that DH and I have put lots of TLC into, and feel very lucky that I have somewhere so nice to spend my time and bring up a family

@BertieBotts yes just the same - though baby flipped a while ago for me! They were well engaged at the last midwife appointment, and just in the waiting room now for my 38 week appt so will see if that's still the case!

That's super helpful @Ava50x, thank you so much ❤ I've packed up roughly in line with what you've suggested, just a couple of bits left 😊 I love my maternity leave. It's really surprised me and I wish I took another week off earlier! But I'm making the most of this time now. Very good point about any future mat leaves not being the same, I never thought about it this way. What I've also learnt is that if I have another baby I definitely won't be working past 36 weeks. I feel this was my cut off and I can't imagine having any complications again, plus a toddler, plus working from the office past that date. It might even be sooner. I've pushed myself too hard now.

@sarah13xx Sounds like our bags are similar! That's good news. I'm sure we'll be fine. Got lots of snack too, finally some Kitkats, I sm DYING for a Kitkat after months on barely any sugar 🙈

Final question, are you taking bank cards to the hospital? Is it all safe to just leave them in a bag, especially if I will be quite out of it after the section? xx

@PurplePansy05 I’m going to tesco shortly for my snacks then once they’re in that should be me sorted! Was thinking though on the morning I’ll be starving and just thinking ‘those snacks are in that bag’ 🤣 will make me even hungrier! Aw you will be 🤦🏼‍♀️ I can’t imagine how hard that must be to go without for so long! I didn’t even think about the card/money situation. Other thing I’ve forgot is a few face masks. I think you take it off during surgery and on the ward but thinking il need one to walk out. I think my hospital maybe takes cash instead, I should maybe put £20 and some change in. Planning to get my partner to keep my phone on him in theatre and leaving my ring at home because I don’t really want to leave valuables in my bag 🤔

definitely take some sort of cash/bank card esp if partners aren’t allowed in the ward, breakfast was burnt toast at my hospital so was glad to have my cards and get my own food/snacks

You might have a small locker by your bed, our hospital has them in the rooms so you can secure valuables overnight or if you want to go for a shower, walk, etc. You might want to see if you can set up contactless on your phone? Apple/google pay are fairly widely accepted now.

If you take cash, coins are more useful than notes in case you need to use vending machines etc.

For baby clothes, if you're likely to stay in a while the best solution I found was to prepare little packages of clothes for about 4-5 days in each of those three sizes at home, clearly labelled. (Or 2x packages in each size covering 2-3 days).

Then just take in 1-2 vests and sleepsuits in all 3 sizes so you're only taking 6 things in as opposed to 30! Once baby arrives you can try the clothes you have on, and ask DH to bring whichever size fits best.

Yes to plastic bags for sure. And if your DH isn't one to separate the washing, buy some colour catchers and instruct him to use them. Do not let him leave the clothes in plastic bags until you get home. They will go mouldy if they're damp.

Thanks girls. DH will be under strict wash asap instructions for sure, I fully expect some gross interesting underwear, towels etc. He knows how to separate clothes, luckily I will also take some cards/money I think. Last time I set up Google Pay I had fraudulent activity on one of my credit cards not long after. Obviously not sure if this was linked, but it never happened before or after I've removed it xx

I took my own towel and had 2 showers, one before birth on antenatal ward and one after birth. With my csection I only had one shower in the 2 nights I was there. It’s warm on the wards so mine dried fine over the back of a chair. Flip flops a must for the shower!

I took one pack of pads but the hospital actually gave me a whole pack to use when my waters went. They suggested using two pads to start with after birth. After my csection they put a pad between your legs and you sit on a puppy pad until they take the catheter out so no underwear required for that part. I got through 3 pairs of underwear in 2 nights with my csection I think. In terms of pads, I’ve preferred the natracare ones to the lilets ones I have.

I was wearing a hospital gown until the morning after my csection then 2 nighties. The post partum night sweats are unreal so I soaked through one lot of bra, underwear and nightie.

It’s also nice to have a pack of face wipes and your favourite face creams to freshen up even if you can’t leave your bed. It made me feel so much more human!

Thanks @wimbler, my Vichy face gel is definitely coming with me! How are you doing? Are you both back home now? 🥰 xx

I have a quick question, which pads are best postpartum? I don’t think I bled particularly heavily after dd1 but can’t for the life of me remember which pads I used

I’ve packed spritz for bitz with me as I’ve heard amazing things and the last time my stitches were so painful for over 2 months 😖