November babies - getting close now...

[KatieKat88]

Thought I'd post another November babies thread as I haven't seen one in ages. I'll be 31 weeks tomorrow and it's starting to feel very real now! Not that the crazy heartburn and ever expanding bump wasn't enough of a reminder... anyone else due in November and want to chat?

@weathergirl1 that made me lol for real going upside down! How did you manage that!!

@ohmydaysmate did a sort of forward roll up a stack of pillows against the bed head 🤣🤣

@Weathergirl1 why did you even try that?!

@Ohmydaysmate hope you're feeling better- I have no helpful suggestions but you have my sympathy at least!

@KatieKat88 I love an experiment! 😉🤣

@weathergirl I’m impressed!
@KatieKat88 I am thank you, still have the pains it feels so much like contractions but the hospital are sure it’s not so I’m guessing if it was I would have had a baby by now! Just hope they clear off soon I don’t want it for the next 5 weeks!

Happy Monday everyone!
How are you all doing?
I had a mixed weekend! Had my placenta scan, which has moved well out of the way and the exit is clear - whoop! Was lovely to see my baby again too.

But I've had weird sight loss migraines. Anyone else had these? It's like a get a flashing silvery hole in my vision so I can't focus or see properly. Saw the consultant who said they were due to increases in hormone levels and that I should avoid driving far (my office is over an hour away by car!) so I'm working from home today and waiting to speak with my boss to see if he he's happy with me WFH for the next 5 weeks - eek! Wish me luck!

@Hayesdays Ohh no, that sounds terrible! Good luck with your boss! :)

Today is the first day of my annual +maternity leave. Finally getting all the preparations done. Otherwise I have been stressing for weeks for not having my hospital bag or birth plan ready (not that I was doing anything about it 😅)

Has anyone got a maternity winter coat?

Last week it was so cold during one of the mornings and I realised none of my winter coats fit me anymore. Felt sorry for myself and splurged on one of those 3 in 1 coats from Seraphine, but order got cancelled after a few days (they have the worst customer service 🙄) and now I have to order it again and I'm thinking whether I actually need it or not.

thanks @Rotorua it went well, Boss said safety was his main priority and to work from home as much as I like, so that's a relief! It's just going to be a lonely month with just me and the dog during the day haha!

Oh how lovely! Congrats on the start of mat leave :)

I looked at maternity coats, but they all seemed to be expensive and resemble a bag of potatoes! Not very flattering! so I looked on Pinterest for ideas and lots of mums to be layer up and wear giant scarves over their bumps. So I think thats what I'll end up doing. Hopefully by Xmas I'll be able to fit back in to my normal clothes and glam coats...wishful thinking maybe?!

@Hayesdays Glad to hear it went well 😊
I know what you mean about loneliness. It's only my first day and I'm already starting to think it's way too quiet and boring at home.

I so agree about the coats looking like bag of potatoes 😄 Afterall I ordered the coat I had my eye on, hopefully looking like a bag of potatoes won't stop me from wearing it 😅😅

@Hayesdays glad your boss is so nice/reasonable! I'm struggling now, my knees are so painful it hurts to walk, stand up, sit down, lie down... hoping my midwife has some suggestions but not holding out much hope. Not long until I finish work at least.

And I agree about the maternity coats - layering all the way unless it becomes properly freezing!!

thanks @KatieKat88 I'm very lucky to have a nice boss :) he has an 18 month old so maybe that's helped too.

I'm hoping we have an OK winter. I keep seeing these reports of a bigger beast from the east hitting us this Nov/Dec which fills me with fear! I live on a country lane 40 minutes from the hospital. Last time the snow hit we were snowed in for 3 days! If it happens this year I may just have to move in to the hospital in advance haha!...Maybe I should get the husband to watch a few OBEM and take notes just in case hahaha

I am sick of these pregnancy hormones! Met a colleague at the supermarket who's wife is newly pregnant and he was buying her pjs and cosy socks and chocolate just because. Came home and blubbered because that was so thoughtful and why can't my husband but that thoughtful? Pull yourself together woman!

To be fair then @Hayesdays if you're snowed in a coat will be the least of your worries I'm hoping it's scaremongering and it'll all be fine...

I got a wooden cape jacket something like this from a charity shop in my last pregnancy, it then got passed around all my second time pregnant friends and is now back with me again, as no-one wanted to shell out on a hideous maternity coat that would barely be used!
I also have one of those zip in panels for my normal waterproof - it works but it doesn't look good!

@Rotorua I've got one of the Seraphine 3 in 1 parkas - I love it, super cosy and think it will be great for baby wearing too.

haha @KatieKat88 I think you're right! Luckily we have a very lovely farmer neighbour who said he'd take me to hospital on the tractor if needed hahaha! Fingers crossed for no snow though...although wouldn't it make a funny birth story!

A cape is a great idea @Montgomerystubercles I think I may even have one lurking in the wardrobe from a few seasons ago!

Ooh I haven't got a Seraphine coat, but I did get the hoody with the extra zip in section - hoping that will work! Capes and ponchos are a good idea - have a poncho from ages ago that I'm going to be using, and DH treated me to a skirted trench that isn't actually maternity wear but wraps around the front so is easily adjustable.

We're en route to my parents with a small van load of stuff for them to store for us until we move to a bigger house in a couple of years (!). It's usually about a 2.5-3 hour journey which we break at about halfway. We had to stop inside the first hour because I was so uncomfortable (think it's Braxton Hicks) - can't exactly adjust the set in the van like a car 😭. Planned the next stop for another 40' along... It's going to take us all day at this rate 😬

@leomama81 Ohh perfect! It didn't have any reviews on their website, but it looks very practical and could actually be used also when the baby is born. I can't wait to try it :)

Had my 36w scan today at Kings.. baby all healthy and well thank god but already weighing in at 6lbs 12!!! What has everyone else had?
DS1 was 9lb so I guess I better gear up for another big baby!

Another 24th November checking in! It still feels so far away! Even finishing up at work on 7th seems an age away (though already mentally checked out).

Anyone else have a movement concern? My usually very active baby stopped moving the other night. After a very thorough check over at the hospital all is good and baby is back to normal crazy activity but now I'm completely paranoid and constantly aware of every movement (probably a good thing).

Otherwise just back pain and exhaustion, I could easily spend the whole day in bed some days - if I could get comfortable.

@suki32 I could have written your post! I have until 15th of November to go I work but mentally feel so done with it already.. the constant exhaustion and back pain are not helping either, but I really want to maximise the time with the baby so pushing my mat leave start to 38 weeks..

Baby has quiet days and active days. I find it easier to monitor the movements now as I feel not just kicks, but stretches and turns and readjustments in position, which are not very “active” but lets me know that something is happening in the belly!

@suki32 Due date twin :) Definitely relating to the checked out mentally. My last day is the 8th November as I have two weeks holiday to use. It's hard at work because I'm in the process of handing work over and it's surprisingly hard to sit and watch other people do your work - especially when it's not going well and you end up having to take it back to fix it :-( !

I had a spell where I couldn't remember whether I'd felt it much but thankfully baby has been really REALLY active this afternoon - getting kicked right above the hip bone which is pretty uncomfortable but I'd rather be in some discomfort than not feel them at all.

I think as long as you stay aware and have an idea of what's normal for you and what isn't, that's the key. Always better to be safe and get checked out and the midwives would always prefer you went in regularly than not at all.

Yup mentally checked out of work here too I finish on the 7th - hooray! I've got a couple of weeks annual leave too, seems like it's a popular thing to do.

@MrBobLobLaw I had 32 week scan and baby estimated at 4lb 4oz, I think they're meant to put half a pound a week on now until birth so I think 6lb 12 is about right - and don't forget it's only estimated. A friend of mine was induced last week 2.5 weeks early as they estimated he was going to be a 10lb plus baby, but he was only 7lb 14. So take it with a pinch of salt

@MrBobLobLaw I had my second growth scan at 31 weeks and estimated 5lb 10oz. Giant baby.