First babies due in April - thread 2!

[ChaosMoon]

We got the limit ladies! Thought I'd start a second thread.

@Springmummy19 @Blgb @unicorn234 @donna474 @ArchbishopOfBanterbury @Anyat212 @Clare4567 @51Sunflowerb @MigMog @Buttons28 @Helga55 @LittleTopic @TooSkoolForKool

I've gone back a few pages but apologies to everyone I've missed! How is everyone doing?

That's great news @Springmummy19, well done!

Hi @Wordie, glad you could join us. You're a day ahead of me. Actually, I think you might be the first one due on this thread.

PGP sounds so awful. If I were in your shoes, I'm sure if have the same worries. But as I'm not, I'm going to be objective. Take the extra time off. You may have moments of doubt, but it won't be as much as if you keep going and feel horrendous. I think you'd regret that more.

Next week is my last full week and like @Anyat212, I'm able to work from home so I do that once a week. After next week I'm doing 3 short weeks (Mon-Wed) and then taking 3 weeks leave, so my Mat leave starts on my due date. I've been quite lucky though. I've managed to get my back pain to a barrable level through yoga. Other than that my only problem is a lack of sleep.

Oh I missed your last post @Wordie. I think you've made the right call!

Thanks @chaosmoon

That’s reassuring that we are not too far from the end. I went to work today and I’ve just sat down with my manager, who was lovely. I’ve moved some annual leave around and she’s told me to go sick for the next 2 weeks, so I packed up my stuff and I’ve finished work, until February 2020!! 😳🥳 I feel so relieved!!

That's so exciting @Wordie! Well done, you've made a good call.

And I am so jealous. I'm utterly exhausted and although I really care about what I'm doing I just can't concentrate on anything. I don't know how I'm gong get everything done. 😭

That should have said going to. Not gong.

Next Dilemma - What size to buy for baby? (For hospital bag)
Tiny baby?
Newborn?
Up to one month? Mind blown!!!
Team yellow mums - m&s have lots of neutral stuff which is super cute!

@Wordie welcome to the team hun. Awww let the joys of mat leave begin. I have most of next week of then the week after is my final week until mid April 2020. I am so excuted although I know on my last day I will ball my eyes out at the thought of not going to work and the reality of having a baby hitting me.

jojoburr17 ohh I didnt even look in M&S but I will defo check them out. I'm buying everything in up to 1 months, as it is only for the first few days I'm thinking I cant really go wrong with that size...right?

31 weeks as of tomorow. sIngle digits countdown for me now. sheeeeeeeeeeeeeet

Hi Jojo

I’ve bought the majority of ‘upto 1 month’ like spring mummy says, however I bought a few ‘newborn’ and ‘tiny’ baby just incase! I popped to Primark today and they have some really lovely things in at the moment. I love primark but I tend to avoid it as I can’t deal with stress and amount of people in there (even pre-pregancy!) but it was worth it today to get a few smaller sizes just incase.

Springmummy - I’m on single digits too 😱 32 weeks today. I can’t believe it!

Same here, I've gone with a mix of newborn, up to one month and 0-3. I haven't bothered with tiny baby but maybe I'll check out primark and get a couple just in case. :) I've only got a few of each so far though, not sure if I should be buying more but I've been told I'll probably get some as gifts so i don't want to go overboard!

7 weeks left at work for me! Such a weird thought, its going to be so strange not working, but I also can't wait!

I’ve done the same, mainly up to 1month for plain sleepsuits and a few 0 - 3. Trying not to go overboard before I know what size he’ll be. Any of you had a growth scan?

Anyone else super emotional and feeling sorry for themselves? Husband is away for the weekend on a stag do and I feel so sad and keep crying. Definitely not normal for me! Hoping it’s just the hormones kicking in!

@Wordie I had a growth scan last week after measuring big on fundal height. It looks like we're on track on for 9lb+ So I've only bought clothes in 0-3 months. Big babies run in my family though (I was over 11lb!)

I still haven't bought much but I've been given a few tiny baby things and then some newborn and 0-3. I'll do some shopping when my mat leave starts and probably stick to newborn and 0-3. Maybe six of each until I know how big they are.

I've got 7 weeks too @Junebug55! I'm only just letting myself believe I'm in single figures though. Even if I go over, it's less than 10 weeks now!

@Wordie I've been ridiculously emotional. Cried for aged yesterday because I couldn't decide what to cook. (Hidden meaning, if I don't have the energy to spend 4 hours on the kitchen then I'm losing my identity.) I honestly think it's sleep deprivation as much as hormones. I'd definitely be worse if I didn't have DH here for hugs on demand. Poor you. 💐

I'm starting antenatal classes on Tuesday and I'm so excited! Anyone else done theirs yet?

Oh and @Hopeislost, that really does sound big! Fingers crossed yours is closer to the 9lb mark. ☺️

Thanks @ChaosMoon I hope so too! We start antenatal classes on Monday!

Hello ladies. Today to get through and then off all week and then last week is my final working week. I'me feeling really emotional today more so because I feel like I've already being left out at work, I understand I'll be gone soon so they are taking responsibilities away from me but I just want to shout' I am still here guys!'

Anyone else going to be a SAHM once bubba comes? I've told work I'll be coming back but I doubt I can return to this job as the thought of having to travel 52 miles a day on average already kills me, it would be so much harder to commute with a baby waiting at home. I could find a job closer to home but we don’t have anyone to watch bubba and unless I can find a job that pays me as well as this I'm scared most of my wage will go on childcare. I'm the higher earner and I'm not sure hubbys wage will be enough. We are extremely fortunate as we live with FIL and he pays all the bills (we have offered numerous times but he refuses to let us pay for any of the main bills) so the only bills we really have is our own (my car, our phones.sky package) ect. We’ve both been saving as much as we can but a part of me still isn’t sure if I will be able to return to work in a year of if I will need to be a SAHM for a bit longer and I’ve never not worked in the past 15 years so I don’t know how I feel about it all.

6 weeks of work left for me and I'm really counting down now. My replacement has started today. I'm having mixed emotions also. It's strange to have to hand everything over but at the same time I can't wait to finish! I'm pretty sure I'll be back after 9 months but will see how I feel closer to the time.

I can't believe we are on the final countdown and talking about leaving work and thinking about hospital bags 🙈

I've been to two nhs classes this month, my final one is a tour of the maternity unit at the hospital next week. Have found the information very informative and have definitely learnt something.

Any of you had a look at hypnobirthing?

31+1 💛

@Buttons28 unfortunately because I am on medication, I will be taken straight to the delivery suit when baby arrives. not sure if it is just a rule at my hopostal or a general rule but anyone on medication or deemed high risk dont get the option for hypnobirthing or pool birth

I know what you mean about mixed emotions. I love my job but I'm so exhausted. I'm far more ready to go than I thought I would be.

I'll take a year, probably a bit longer with holiday at end. At the moment I plan to go back, but I don't think you can entirely predict how you'll feel. The child care costs are a concern. It's something DH and I need to look at seriously. Along with 110 other baby related things! It'll certainly be a huge adjustment @Springmummy19 but also an incredible opportunity.

@Buttons28 I did a hypnobirthing course last month and I love it. It's so relaxing and wonderful practicing with DH. I feel so connected to him and I think it's made us both feel a more positive and empowered about the birth.

Springmummy19 you can still do hypnobirthing if you're consultant led. Even if you end up with a c section, you can do that as well. Actually, I think it might be even more valuable if you're not in a birth centre or at home, as it gives you some control and familiarity in a very unfamiliar environment. If you can find a course and think you'll do the practice, I think it's worth it. If only so you feel more relaxed in the lead up to the birth.

And I know what you mean about the countdown and hospital bag Buttons28. Spoke to a friend yesterday who gave birth to her first at 34 weeks. Made me think I really need to get mine packed tonight, and start carrying my notes every day!

@ChaosMoon tell me about, I've looked at the childcare grant and I think it gives you about 2K off yearly childcare- I'm not sure on the full details but even that would only helf for a few months plus the thought of missing out on key moments in bubbas fist year makes me even more fearful of going back to work. I mean we'll have a roof over our head so I have to be grateful that we'll be in a better position than some

I honestly thought once yo get told yo cant use the birthing centre, you options are closed but I'm so glad to hear thats not the case.

Morning! Hope everyone is well

Just had my latest midwife appointment today. Baby's head is down and the feet firmly in my ribs 😖 Have been referred for a growth scan tomorrow as measuring a little small on the graph (again) keeping positive and seeing it as another opportunity to see baby again before the birth ( need to resist finding out the sex) I'm hoping that I just have a small neat bump as I'm quite petite

@ChaosMoon Did you attend a class or something online? I've been looking at the online course from the positive birthing company. I'm guessing the benefits are you have much more of an understanding of what is happening and are less likely to panic and are able to keep in control by using the techniques?

@Unicorn234 Glad to hear the appointment went well the other week, when do you get checked again? Fingers crossed it all goes well and they don't have to put you on medication and induced early

@Buttons28 I have been put on metformin before bed now to help with my fasting levels as I couldn't control them so hopefully they'll induce me around the 38 week mark as I'm getting so big and feeling uncomfortable lol. I've got my next appointment next Wednesday and a growth scan so I guess everything will be discussed then xx

Hi, hope everyone is coping OK. So glad I found this thread again!

@Buttons28 I'm feeling super nesty too. Only 30+5 but the nursery is nearly ready.

We had our first antenatal class last week. I was nervous but everyone was really easy to talk to. My OH was more enthusiastic than I had expected too, which was good.

I've convinced myself my baby is breach. I keep poking what feels like a head on my right side below my ribs. It moves away when I poke it though. Still lots of time for a somersault but I guess it's up to the baby in the end!

I'm on iron tablets too - slightly alarming colour when I first had a No.2 after taking them! (Sorry if TMI)

I'm working up to 2 weeks before D-day and given how exhausted I feel this week I'm slightly worried I won't make it that far! Agree that childcare costs are pretty terrifying, I've not really looked into properly yet but it's definitely on the list to start thinking about.

I think I'll be taking 9 months off, not sure I can afford to have the final 3 months without any pennies coming in but we'll see how much I manage to save in the next few months of full pay!

Hospital bag is still not packed... but I've given myself a deadline of 1st March to get it sorted!! Looking at the size of my checklist for it i'll need a suitcase rather than a bag!

Has everyone bought their prams yet? I still haven't and feel like it's a pretty important one to get done soon! I think I know which one I want though (Oyster 3) its just a case of ordering it. My mum has put the fear in me about keeping it in the house though - apparently it's 'bad luck' to have a pram in the house before you have the baby! I had never heard this before!

We have the Oyster 3 @Junebug55, although I haven't actually seen it yet... We chose it, DM kindly went out and bought it, and then wouldn't let us have it for the same superstitious reasons! 😂 I've never come across anyone else who believed that. Your DM isn't Northern too is she?

Mine is definitely going to be a suitcase. It's not packed either, but I've told DH he needs to get on it soon. Sods law says I'll go early if I'm not ready.

Glad you found us @Clare4567! I had my first class this week. It seemed lovely, but it was so late, I was half asleep/semi-hysterical throughout. I suspect I did not make the best impression... ☹️

@Buttons28 I did a class with Bump and Baby. I seem to be getting positive birth school emails, although I haven't read any yet so I don't know how good they are. I hope the scan goes ok today. 🤞 I'm sure it'll be fine.

@Springmummy19 that 2k is a drop in the ocean isn't it? And I know what you mean about missing key moments. How long are you initially planning to take for mat leave?

I know what you mean about those last few months Junebug55. Not sure I could barely to go back early though. It's hard to say now though, isn't it?

Hello everyone! I thought you'd all left me as I didn't realise there was a limit and we'd had to start a new thread I must have missed that! Haha!
33 weeks tomorrow and not feeling too bad, bending over and tiredness by 7pm is causing me major problems and it took 30 mins to cut my toe-nails yesterday!
Had a growth scan this week as my "measurements didn't match up" and baby boy weighs approx 4lb10 already! Jesus 😂 it was lovely to see him again thou, going to town on sucking his thumb! And he's head down legs up so hopefully that won't change now.
Can't have a water birth thou which I'm a bit gutted about as I've got to be on the consultant lead ward incase one of my varicose veins pops 🤢

I think I have pretty much everything I need apart from a monitor and a mobile for his cot, but I am quite OCD so I've had a list for ages that I keep adding to and ticking off.
4 weeks at work to go!