Pregnancy 12 weeks + post IVF/infertility - General chat and support Thread 2

[Janefx40]

We've run out of room so let's start again.

New people welcome. The group aims to support those who are pregnant post difficulty.

All are welcome - we are aimed at 12 week plus as those early weeks are a different kind of roller coaster and another group exists for support then. However you are welcome here too if you want to join.

Some of us have been here a while and nearly ready to pop. Others already had their babies.

Welcome one and all xxx

Mum is visiting for a few days and we did a big baby shop, I thought I had most stuff but managed to find more!! Have a change bag and a bath now as well as sheets for the crib. Think it's about time to start packing a bag, when did you guys do it? Anything that wasn't suggested you really would suggest or anything people say but is really unnecessary?

emalady I packed at 36 weeks to be honest all’s I had was clothes in different sizes for the baby. Nappies, milk, toiletries for me, including pads, nipple pads, jarmies. Slippers. I packed far too much we could of stayed for two weeks and I wouldn’t of ran out of stuff 😂 x

@emalady I started packing at about 20 something weeks but I was just desperate to make the remaining time seem quicker 😆😆😆
As Liverpool said- nappies (0 and 1 size) two size clothing- lots of sleepsuits is all I needed, wipes, few empty rubbish bags to put dirty nappy or dirty washing, pampers changing disposable matt, dummies, milk with teats and bottles, definitely baby hat. For you phone charger, pijamas, pads, big knickers, slippers hairbrush and band... to be honest that’s about all I used (I jumped in the shower only on my first morning at home so baby had familiar smell (I didn’t sweat as much as I had c section)
Sorry if I mentioned obvious...

@fox23 thanks, I think most of it is stuff I have put to one side already but will check. I was going to bring snacks too as I'm hoping for a svd rather than a section. Did you pack dummies /milk / bottles because you knew you were not going to breast feed or incase /as top ups? I was going to buy bottles hopefully for expressed breast milk but not sure if I should have a bit of formula in just in case.

@liverpool19 so don't need too many changes then?

Next possibly stupid question, what type of bag did you use? I was thinking maybe gym bag as can section off different bits eg my stuff vs baby stuff?

@emalady glad you asked as I'm just starting to think about packing now too.

@Fox23 and anyone else who had a c-section. We're pyjamas comfy afterwards - should I think about things with high waists to avoid rubbing scar? Or will anything do?

Last time I didn’t take formula as planned to breast feed. If baby sick/ not feeding they will supply (they say they won’t but that’s if you are planning not to feed or change your mind). If baby needs it they won’t leave them without. They also supplied me with bottles when I needed to express but initial was expressing into syringes anyway.

@Janefx40 hey. I got pijamas from primary, like a dress with buttons 👌🏻 But to be honest only using it home, bcoz in the hospital was wearing dressing gown that they gave me. I usually wear size 8, but bought briefs size 16 😄 so it’s way over my belly button and doesn’t rub the scar.
Also didn’t have bottles or formula, but when I was worried she wasn’t getting enough-hospital gave me bottle and formula (although as someone said, they not providing u with it anymore). They do, when u need. Took loads of breast pads 😆 used none! Milk came only at home, even then, only needed them for a little while.
Just few sleepsuits for little one and hat 👌🏻

@Janefx40 I didn’t wear hospital dressing gown the second day so was wearing dress like pj’s. Maternity leggings are good as they have low belt. And also bought size 16 big knickers... still wearing them now as very comfy and nobody to impress anyway ☺️
I was planning to breast feed, didn’t work out. They provided Aptemil ready made milk in bottles with teats. They sell them in pks of 6 in most shops. It’s good to have some just in case.
I was ok to do most stuff next day, for some recovery takes few weeks.
Regarding bags, I ordered set from Amazon for like 16.99 or something similar but yes, gym bag is ideal- something you can keep on the chair as you won’t be walking much on first day/night (if c section)

@Fox23 “size 16 knickers, still wearing them now” 😂😂👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻 same here

Thanks @fox23, @aliona19, @liverpool19, @beanhunter for all the hospital bag tips. I’m 35w tomorrow, but we’ve already started pulling a few things together. We started with a weekend hold-all, but quickly moved to a med-sized trolly bag! 🙈 I think it’s safe to say we’re overpacking! 😂 But I can’t wait to meet my little one. 😍

Hope all the new babies are settling well. 😊

Can’t keep up with due dates...who is the next person to meet their little one?

@SouthernBella74 honestly, I didn’t feel like I was taking to much but ending up using like 30%.. like change of clothes. Spend time in hospital gown and bathrobe. Had just wipes instead of shower. Only thing about “going home clothes”.. after c section I had soo much fluid in my body, my thighs were rubbing each other (never happened b4), so I hardly fit in my Maternity trousers!!! Legs just wouldn’t fit.. so make sure it’s comfy and big 😆 and obviously maternity pads and things like that

Amazing advice - thanks Ladies. Size 16 pants it is! Think I will pack a bag for the car and a bag to take in. Carnage can have extra babygros etc so I don't worry about running out but just bring smaller selection into hospital. DP can fetch the other stuff if need be x

@Janefx40 that’s exactly what we did. We kept the spare bag in the car. With c section at least in my hospital you don’t get a room or space or locker until after you’ve had your baby. Check with your hospital. So I would suggest have a little carrier bag with immediate non valuable essentials such as baby hat and nappy, baby grow , slippers and place for your and your DP clothing (you both have to change before going in for an op). Because we didn’t want our stuff to go missing from waiting room and right after you had baby you will not want to go and get your bags.

I had a bag for me, a bag for ds abs my husband had a bag for him too. I did spend 5 days in hospital though. I took a nightie which was a godsend for the induction suite as not given a gown at that point and the midwifes were in and out every few hours examining me. I also took pyjamas which were a godsend once i was allowed to remove my hospital gown and shower after the c section. Lots of big pants, maternity towels, fluffy socks, toiletries, moisturisers, lip balm as I found my lips were quite dry. Some reading books, puzzle book. A bag for the baby included nappies, nappy bags, vests, babygrows, ready made bottle starter packs incase I couldn’t breastfeed which I didn’t manage whilst in the hospital so these were essential. I had quite a bad experience with breastfeeding in there with a couple of midwifes but my community midwife has been lovely and I’ve managed to express and have given my milk to my ds through a bottle and am doing a mixture of breast and formula now.
A bag for your dp is essential too. My dh was advised to pack shorts a t shirt and flip
Flops due to the temperature in there. We also packed ourselves a little picnic and lots of drinks too x

I had a look yesterday at the stuff I had put to one side as a starter of a bag. Obviously hadn't looked at what I was packing properly. No nappies, one vest but 5 sleep suits. 6 inco pads (like disposable changing mats, 6 maternity pads and 8 pairs of pants for me 😂 think I had a bit of a breakdown. I have a loads of Halloween sweets for energy if needed!

It's hard to know how much to pack. I was told I would be in 2-3 days minimum but have come off medication so will check with my consultant next week.

I'm due 4/2/19 so don't think I'm next.

I'm due 18th Jan but if it is a c-section they will do it at 39 weeks so any time after 11th. I think @SouthernBella74 is a day ahead of me officially but with the c section I may have jumped the queue. I think someone is ahead of me still x

I took a cabin suitcase for the baby and a bag for me. I also packed a towel for a shower (best shower I’ve ever had) all his clothes where too big for him so my mum went out the next day and bought tiny baby, boots where a god send for that. He’s still in them now.
If I’d of known I was only going to be in less than 12 hours I’d of left everything at home 😂 don’t forget your car seats and blankets.

X

Ah yes blankets. What size was your boy when he was born? I have tiny baby, newborn and 0-3 months clothes (all given to me by a friend who had twins). I said to DP if I go into labour early, we need to grab the tiny baby bag but have assumed that otherwise newborn will fit?

jane he was 6lb 4oz but looked really small. They had to go and get the peadrition as they were worried about how small he was but once they weighed him she wasn’t needed. Boots, Tesco Tiny baby and next first size have all fitted better.
I had new born and they hung off him, id take a couple of each size to be honest.

X

I’m loving all the hospital bag chat - it seems like such a lovely time ago. The past (almost) 4 weeks have been a blur, a lovely blur 😂.

My top recommendations are a dressing gown, slippers/flip flops, sweets/snacks, some fizzy juice (you get water which I had loads of but it was good to have a bit of a sugar rush every now and then). My LO was 7lb 9oz (having been told at scans I was going to have a big baby) and newborn clothes were perfect. I had only taken one or two newborn vests and sleepsuits and mostly 0-3 but LO was too small for the 0-3 clothes. Phone charger too! If you’re planning to BF, a couple of feeding bras and tops. As others have said, no need for breast pads until your milk comes in.

At the hospital they provided all nappies, nappy bags, maternity pads (though they are massive so I took my own slim ones in too), pad things for the bed and also that could be used as changing mats, bottles of formula (they had various brands) and teets.

Can’t wait to hear news of babies arriving 😃.

@janefx40, yes our EDDs are really close. I’m 17/01/19. But the doctor has suggested they want to induce me a week early due to my age, but I’m not on board with that plan 😬. I really want to labour naturally and have a vaginally delivery. So being referred for more discussions about my birth options.

I don’t think I have very many “newborn” items, just a lot of 0-3 months, so need to buy a couple of more for the hospital bag...and then edit some of the things I’ve packed for myself! 🙈

southernbella I was induced with the propess and allowed home after it was put in. It wasn’t a bad process and I’m either really lucky or one of life’s freaks and my labour was really really quick 8 hours in total. X

My baby was 10lb4oz 😳😳😳 so newborn or tiny was out of question. She fitted in some up to 1month outfits and George 0-3month. I wasn’t told she will be this big.

@fox23 wow!

I have newborn and 0-3 month stuff, as DH and I are both big I haven't got any tiny baby stuff but hopefully we will be fine. I was going to use grobags but should I still pack a blanket for hospital / instead?

@liverpool19, I remember reading about your experience. If they could guarantee that for me, I’d be more comfortable with it. 😃 But my friend was induced last year (also over 40) and after 2 days of nothing happening, ended up having to have a c-section. Me & my siblings were all late, so it might be genetic 🙈