March 2018 babies due? How is everyone!

[Potteryprincess30]

Can someone direct me to the March thread please? Or shall we start a new one? I feel like the old one has completely disappeared into the depths of the mumsnet sea.

We're getting close now and wanted to see how everyone was as I'm due the 7th

All the best to you all lovely pregnant ladies

[flowa79]

Mugglenet the best advice i ever was given was if baby was fussy and wouldnt settle, instead of holding and rocking or going out at all hrs etc, place some rolled up tea towels on the floor and rock pram over them which stimulated uneven floor surface. 1 of my lo's was a cryer so this was invaluable

[Jjpeston]

Mugglenet - Hi. I'm due with my 2nd on 7th March (hi everyone else too!). Hopefully some useful tips here for your first baby - so exciting!

-Don't feel the need to buy loads of expensive 'baby equipment' like Sleepyheads, or really expensive prams (unless you really want to), and you'll probably be given a few clothes. Babygrows are what you need a few of for the first 6 months though.
-Don't listen to negative birth stories; it just doesn't help...everyone's is totally, totally unique.
-Be prepared to 'have a voice' though in your labour, even if you cant speak cos of the pain, try and get your Birth Partner to know in advance what you do and dont want/ will tolerate (epidurals, water birth preferences, whatever...remember, you can say yes or no to things)
-Be prepared with things like the bleeding afterwards (even happens with a c-section), it's heavy and can be problematic/worrying if you're not expecting it. Buy lots of maternity pads.
-Also, the Hospital bag - make sure your Birth Partner knows what's in it, and how to access it. When you are in labour, trust me, you will need Birth Partner to fish out hairbands, water, whatever you snappily request, and fast! It's a good idea to have a Mum bag, and Baby bag separate actually.
-On that note, bring water spray (from Boots) in your Mum bag- or Evian spray if you wanna be fancy - that was so lovely in a hot hospital. It's hot in all of them I hear, even in Winter.
-And, not to be down on our health service, because the NHS staff of course do their best, but do not expect there to be anything in the labour ward - i.e, bring your own cups for drinking, own water, ice, food, vases for flowers, padlocks, maternity pads, nappies, etc. The staff are VERY overstretched, and they will not necessarily be able to help you if you ask for even the basics like water. I know that sounds improbable, and probably awful, but trust me, it is good advice.
-Lastly, if you are breastfeeding, expect it to be tough for 6 weeks - in many people's cases it's very painful. You will need support, and lots of creams. Not to say that it's not all worth it, and lovely in time, but it's a hard old slog at the beginning. Even if not painful, the baby will feed a lot more than you might imagine - google 'cluster feeding'
-Very lastly, try to enjoy and see the beauty in every moment, even the sleeplessness - it's totally magical, I promise. It was the best thing I've ever done and I adore being a mother. xx

[Potteryprincess30]

@Jjpeston a 'Mum bag, and Baby bag separate'

Genius going to do this myself now! Great advice all round too

[MrsL2016]

I was going to use my changing bag (yet to buy) as the baby bag for hospital. That way my DH isn't searching through all my stuff for his.

[PandaCat]

I'm due the 6th with our second and last baby girl. We are so looking forward to her being here, especially DD1. She can't wait to be a big sister, she has wanted a little sister for the past 2 years, I can't wait to see what kind of big sister she will be.

[sammy891]

Can I join too, I'm due third week of March. Which changing bags do you guys recommend? I think it's a great idea to have separate Mum and Baby bags. Great tips!

[PandaCat]

I'm getting any cheapish change bag. We'd ditched the change bag for a kids backpack before DD1 was 2 so don't want an expensive one! It'll probably be a plain messenger style bag.

[MrsL2016]

I think I am going for a backpack style changing bag. I think it will more convenient as I want to try baby wearing.

[loveacupoftea18]

I'm due at the end of March and feeling like I need to get organised 🙈

Thanks for the breastfeeding tips - would welcome anyone else's too as really want to get that right.

I'm doing hypnobirthing classes as a friend found them so invaluable!

[blinkineckmum]

Due 20th with no3. First 2 came early though. I feel huge and uncomfortable already. Really starting to think this one might be earlier. 4 weeks left at work but I'm hoping to go away the 1st 2 wkds after that!
No facebook here.

[Tigger83]

Midwife went well and first nct class yesterday. He's measuring a week behind so pretty much perfect, I however am starting to feel huge!

[dippyeggandsoldiers]

I've had a full meltdown today because I have no clue what to include in my hospital bag I'm on maternity leave and that gives me a lot of time to sit and over think and worry about everything!

[TiffanyAtBreakfast]

I'm due 5th March with my second - A girl. I started packing hospital bag this week with a few bits after I heard 3 separate instances of people giving birth at 34 weeks! Essentials:

Baby: nappies, cotton wool pads, muslins, blanket, emergency formula bottles / bottle (if you want), 5 x vests, 5 x onesies, scratch mitts, hat, going home outfit

Mum: maternity pads (pack more than you think you'll need), toiletries, hair ties, hairbrush, lip balm, 5 x big knickers, nursing bra, pyjamas, slippers, light dressing gown, nipple cream, comfy clothes for journey home

Dad/birth partner: phone charger, snacks, money, comfy clothing in case of staying the night in uncomfy hospital chair, and a few energy drinks!

[dippyeggandsoldiers]

@TiffanyAtBreakfast massive help thank you! I've screen shot your list so I can refer to it. I'm so panicky, my nephew came at 35 weeks, that's why I'm on edge!

[Potteryprincess30]

@sammy891 anyone can join in! I'm just so pleased to have a bit of a pregnancy hotline to check in with and learn from and to see positive support re March babies with out having Facebook

[Potteryprincess30]

@blinkineckmum glad I'm not the only one without social media but I was really starting to miss an active thread on March babies on here as it's getting closer. Just got to January and thought 'it would be great to check in with other expentant mums now' especially as I've nearly finished at university.

All this change bag information is very useful, there is so much stuff online and as I've had an 8 year gap it's sort of my first baby really after all I was basically a baby myself when I had my last so was far less organised then this time.

Haven't packed a hospital bag though yet, but thanks to everyone else more experienced for the tips!

[Mugglenet]

What great advice. Thank you. I went today and splashed out on an icandy bag but won't pack it till I start maternity.

It's nice to have a group to go to. I don't do social media either so this is a lovely space to come to either other mummies to be.

[VickyBHF]

Hi ladies, hello and hope you are all well. I am also due at the end of March. This will be our Number 4 - to be honest this has been by far my easiest pregnancy. Few aches and pains but really not too bad. I figured even if the last few weeks are hideous it will still have been overall pretty good. So strange how (in my experience) each time it's different. Sending hugs to all amazing mammas out there.

[TeaAndPjs]

I keep saying I'm gonna get organised and pack hosp bag but as of yet not done it. Maybe do it Sunday

[TiffanyAtBreakfast]

Also wanted to add -- arnica tablets for post-partum bruising and witch hazel for your maternity pads. The minute I started using these two I started healing so much quicker - wish I'd known sooner! (Midwife took pity on me crying about my stitches pain at my 6 week check and sent my DH out to buy the above while she made me toast!)

[Bee91]

I'm due 12th :)my first too!
counting down 4 weeks left at work - it's getting hard work now (mental health nurse in a secure hospital/unit)
32 weeks on monday
Just started with some uncomfortable one sided hip pain this week - only resting or a bath is helping that haha

[Potteryprincess30]

@Jjpeston just saw we are other due on the 7th of March with our second babies 😀

[Potteryprincess30]

*both due

[Potteryprincess30]

@Bee91 wow that's a really intense job and on your feet all the time I imagine. A bath every day is definitely the one the next 3 weeks though are going to disappear before you know it. It'll be that last week that will be slowest and hardest in my experience, or just the last 3 days where you've totally already checked out of the role and are mentally at home on the sofa/in the bath

[artisticat]

I'm due March 30th by midwifes dates, March 25th by my last period date and March 31st by my 3D scan. Ha.

Having a girl, my boyfriend and I were both convinced it was a girl, so it was pretty amazing being right despite the 50/50 chance! It's a good job as the girls name we chose was much better than the only boys name we could agree on!

I'm also hoping for a water birth. Main fear at the moment is being induced, having read a lot of books I'm really hoping for a natural start to labour to maximise my happy hormones.

Also just had the stillbirth chat with my midwife which really threw me for the whole day, has anyone else had that? The stats were so high it was terrifying, trying to put it to the back of my mind going forward though.

And I'm doing Hypnobirthing. I've joined a class which was pricey, but is fab for my boyfriend, as he's not a reader and wouldn't have done the work otherwise. Had to make a decision between hypnobirting and NCT, so I chose the former as I'd heard it was really useful for lots of ladies, and not regretting it so far.