Catching up with TTC #1, thread 8!

[MrsEG]

Getting a new one started before we are full! I’ll go back now and add people - answering everyone’s last posts here!!

@MrsR16 Nesting sounds like a good idea! Our house is such a mess at the moment mid-decorating and I cant wait for it all to be done so I can tidy!!

@BabySquid Fabulous bump! Glad you had such a brilliant time. I’m starting to think that pain sleeping is all just part and parcel of being pregnant now! At my yoga class everyone complains of it!

@Tropicana1 I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about!

@purplefig Yeah it was amazing to hear! Apparently IVF twins are more likely to be small but she never explained why. But yeah, induction is less likely for growth - it could still be needed for other reasons but it’s nice to have one of them off the list! How are you feeling, sleeping any better?

@ELW85 I did sleep a little bit better! I still woke up about 4:30 but slept all the way from 10 til then which is amazing! I feel like I’m slowly getting used to just being tired now! Glad you managed a better sleep!

@PippaPug Glad you got the radiator sorted! Yeah I’m amazed at how care changes from place to place but I think the main thing is as long as someone is seeing us at least once a month then that’s great!! How have you been feeling? I’m 24+4 today and really starting to feel uncomfortable now. My bump measured approx 32 weeks yesterday!! 32!!! She thinks they must be lying all at the front.

@cupcakesandglitter From doing some googling I think at the 28 week appt they’ll more start telling me what I can and can’t do in the birth - like start laying out all of my options? So I’m not gonna worry too much and wait to see what they say! My only ‘preference’ is everyone arrives happy and healthy and all are safe and well! I love the bong haha - how are you feeling today?

[MrsEG]

@cupcakesandglitter Hope you get rid of the sofa soon! Yes DH is up there putting the finishing touches to cot #2 as we speak! Think we’ll then go for Moses baskets in our bedroom when they’re teeny. Cots are far too big to be dragged from room to room!

@Fivebyfive2 I’m hoping someone will get me a Ewan at the baby shower my sister is organising! If not I have it on my Amazon prime list ready to go!!

@purplefig Oh gosh, what a nightmare! Have you managed to get it all sorted? Braxton Hicks sounds scary - have you mentioned it to the midwife or is all okay? I shoved an extra pillow behind my back last night and I swear it made such a difference. I usually wake at 4 and today managed to 6!

Hospital tour went as well as it could have this morning! The ward was so quiet it almost felt serene - the midwife was saying there was a woman in labour in the next room to us and you couldn’t hear a thing! I felt a bit sad when she showed us the birth centre as it looked so lovely and there’s no way we’ll get to use it - but she then showed us all the nice rooms in the delivery suite and explained how we’d be cared for with two, showed me the private recovery rooms etc. Also saw a tiny day-old baby with a very tired looking mum!! I really hope the ward is that quiet and calm when we turn up!

Advice they have for hospital bags was, you can never pack too many sweets and sugary drinks - you won’t want to really ‘eat’ but need the energy so keep it simple with the snacks; bring a full pack of nappies; only pack assuming you’ll be in for one day - leave another ‘emergency’ bag at home if you have to stay in, for DH to run home and grab. Those were her main tips!

[BostonFern]

@cupcakesandglitter the chair looks lovely!

@MrsEG that sounds like a delicious dinner!

@purplefig oh no! These things always seem to happen at once, don't they. Braxton Hicks are a good sign though!

Still here and pregnant ladies, still getting twinges and feeling very heavy in my pelvis though, so 🤞 it's a good sign.

[Fivebyfive2]

@Bostonfern, fingers crossed you don't have much longer to wait!! Xx

@MrsEG, glad the tour went well! I really need to arrange ours, there's so much to do it seems! Good tips about the hospital bag too!

@purplefig, what do your bra ton hicks feel like, if you don't mind my asking? I told my midwife last week I've been getting period like cramps quite regularly lately, she confirmed they could be braxons... A few of the ladies at NCT all describe them a little differently though, so maybe it depends on the person??

Ladies, our nursery canvesses have finally arrived! Just gotta line them up and get them on the wall without then looking wonky... Wish us luck 🙂

[purplefig]

@MrsEG yes all sorted now thankfully - managed to find one in stock we could pick up yesterday. Why couldn't it have happened on Black Friday?! Ahhh so glad you got a "lie in" 🤣 the difference between 4 and 6 is real though!! Yes I think having the back supported makes a huge difference. Did read some women could on sleep on sofa towards end - as back was supported by back of sofa. Your hospital tour sounds interesting and that's some great insight from the midwifes about bags. Lucozade and Percy pigs it is. Re: braxton hicks, I spoke to a family friend who used to be a midwife and she said that's what they sound like and pretty normal around this stage. My old pal google confirmed. Not too concerned now but it was a bit of a panic when they kicked in yesterday!!

@BostonFern I know!! So irritating. They say things come in threes though right?! Hopefully that's it for now. Not 100% sure it's braxton hicks but seems like a normal time to be experiencing them from what I've read. Fingers crossed the good signs continue for you.

@Fivebyfive2 not 100% sure it is BH but if it is, mine have been concentrated in one area and feels like mild stitch. The tightening only lasts maybe 10 seconds and then goes, but I was getting it a lot yesterday and some today. Not painful, just a bit weird / uncomfortable. Apparently they're more noticeable if you over do it and don't drink enough, both of which I've done this weekend. Good luck for canvas hanging!

My back is bloody ruined after that dog walk. Feeling very sorry for myself today 🤣 off to retire to the sofa. X

[MrsEG]

@BostonFern All sounds like good signs!! I really hope you’re not waiting too long!

@Fivebyfive2 I was definitely the earliest along on the tour - one woman was due on Thursday!! My consultant asks me every time I see her if I’ve booked it though so wanted it done before my next appointment. I think perhaps it’s because she wants to discuss birth at my 28 week catch up! Ahh those pics are so cute - good luck lining them all up!!

@purplefig Lucozade and Percy pigs are the top of my list (and some Phizzy Tails of course!) Oh what a ball ache but at least you have a fridge again. I suppose BH will become more common for you soon as you edge in to the third trimester (!!)
Oh PS - passed an M&S today and got some of those bras - holy comfort, Batman!!

Had a super successful day; two cots now built, radiator painted and on a whim we went to Mamas and Papas and they price matched the car seats we wanted so we’ve saved £90 - so pleased to have them ordered as they were the last ‘big’ item on the list! DH got the shivers as we left and I asked what was up - apparently with that and the tour ‘shit got real’ today! It’s so weird seeing the cots together in the room - I still find it impossible to imagine babies in there!

[purplefig]

@MrsEG ahhh totally meant phizzy tails (DH accidentally bought plain Percy pigs instead the other day and I legit cried 😳). Ahhh I know - tomorrow marks the start of my last week in the second trimester!!! How?! Oh aren't the bras just heavenly?! I mean, hideous, but so darn comfy!! I live in them.

What a productive day you've had! Sounds so good - bet building the (two!!) cots really made it real too. I think you've said but I can't remember - what car seats did you go for in the end?

My back has properly flared up this weekend so I'm booked in with a physio who specialises in pre/postnatal women on Tuesday. X

[MrsEG]

@purplefig We went for the Cybex cloud Z; they’re expensive but our in-laws paid for them so we went for it! They have a fab recline function for when babies fall asleep in them, handles to carry and 360 spin on Isofix. I’m delighted with them! We’ll never be able to give anyone a lift in the car ever again though haha! Oh the bras are amazing! Physio has honestly been worth its weight in gold for me (just done my exercises in front of Attenborough!) so I really hope they are able to help you this week. There’s just nothing worse than having to live through pain! One week left of the second tri, where has all that time gone, eek!

[MrsEG]

Also, I don’t know if anyone else has seen this before but it’s a visual birth preferences planner - the idea is you click the icons you want, and can print a visual aid for your notes for when the time comes. I don’t even know what some of them mean (!!) so I’ve found it handy and interesting to google it all today :)

birthplanner.me/

[cupcakesandglitter]

Omg @MrsEG they're both up 😭😭😭 how amazing is that, and you've done the hospital tour too! What a nice day for you both, how exciting 😊 ooh Thankyou for that link!!

Thanks @BostonFern I really hope it's not too long for you now!!

@Fivebyfive2 that's beautiful, little Homer will love it - did you manage to get them up?

Oh no @purplefig I hope physio helps next week 😞

Ladies my bump has popped, a LOT 😂😂 I've attached a pic below, cannot believe how round it is!!

[PippaPug]

Morning everyone!

How is everyone’s start of the week going? I’m heading to London to meet friends before my interview later....trying to hide my bump a bit, i have big boobs which hides it quite a bit but I’m looking very round today 😂 it’s only a temp job but I don’t want to be told no just because I’m pregnant.

@purplefig - there is so much to read up on regarding pregnancy/labour isn’t there?! I am taking a pack of nappies and leaving a pack in the car/parents house and ours - so someone can always bring it up to us! I’m taking two bags to hospital - will look like I’m going on holiday!

@MrsEG - your really on it aren’t you doing a wars tour! Glad it helped you though, I really wanted a water birth and still a little sad I will never have that chance! Very excited for the pram - they will store it for us till we want it which is great, our car seats have arrived as have our cots but not the mattresses yet - they are going to keep them till Jan/early Feb - or when we need them which is great.

@BostonFern - We went for a Mountain buggy duet luxury one (apparently the tires won’t burst 🤨) with the carry cots too (they can go in them from birth but not parent facing so I’m so pleased I can have them face us!) what pram have you got? So many single buggies and some fantastic ones out there!

@Fivebyfive2 - did you get any good deals at mothercare? Lots of people went to our local one and said there were no decent deals on so came home empty handed, think it’s going to be a while till mothercare has a sale on, I’m not sure they know what they are doing unfortunately.

@ELW85 - How are you feeling now?

@thumper59 - How was your first weekend together as a little family? I hope you and Freddie enjoyed lots of wonderful cuddles together ☺️

@MrsH497 - Not any difference between the names - different companies call them grow suits, sleep suits, all in ones, onesies - exactly the same thing, normally their feet are covered up and they have either poppers or a zip down them, they look very comfortable!

@cupcakesandglitter - that chair looks so comfy! I have decided not to get one (so far!) as I can’t work out how I would realistically sit in it, holding both babies and get them (and myself) comfy and to latch on?! Looks wonderful however! Your bump is looking beautiful!

Hope everyone has a good Monday 😀

[MrsEG]

@cupcakesandglitter Lovely bump!! I will put up a nursery pic soon, want to get a few more bits done first though! Now the cots are built we have completely changed our minds about how to arrange all the furniture - they’re bigger than I’d imagined!

@PippaPug Good luck at your interview! I’m sure you’ll be fine - at least it’s cold so you can wear some big layers!! I know, I was the only person on the tour not due this side of Xmas! My consultant was super keen on me doing it though and I do feel like I’m more informed to have the birth preferences chat with her next month now too. Oh that’s fab, what a great little store they are! I still need to buy mattresses, and a baby monitor - they’re on my list for Black Friday!!

[purplefig]

@MrsEG ooo those car seats look very snazzy! According to the guy we spoke to in Halfords a lot of the isofix bases (with the bit that comes down to the floor) won't fit in our car annoyingly. Glad you're finding physio useful - I've just signed straight up for a private one as a) she specialises in pregnancy and b) I don't have any NHS fight in me atm 😂. Oooo thanks for the birth planner link, I'll check that out today - sounds really good.

@cupcakesandglitter gorgeous bump! How many weeks are you now?

@PippaPug best of luck with the interview. Could do a long scarf casually draped over belly?! And yes I agree, there is sooo much to swot up on during pregnancy 😅

We didn't do much baby stuff this week thanks to all the fun fridge drama 🤣 but a friend did send us a a really lovely changing bag and a baby monitor, so we're slowly getting through the list. Oh also - I'm 27 weeks today so officially in my last week of the second trimester!! Crazy. Definitely starting to feel it now 😅. Have a good Monday all x

[cupcakesandglitter]

Ahh @PippaPug good luck!! Hopefully they won't notice/question it. That's a good point re feeding - could you use your maternity pillow (if it's the u shaped ones) and sort of have it around you so they can both lie on that? I've not seen a breastfeeding pillow for twins but actually I'm sure they exist 😂

@MrsEG can't wait to see it! Makes sense, I've seen some huge American nurseries on Pinterest where the cots are like next to each other and then there's like drawers or something along the same wall 😓 they have some big rooms!

Thanks @purplefig only 19 weeks 😓 I don't mind having a bump at all (it's quite nice actually) but I wonder how much bigger it'll get 😂 did you manage to get the fridge sorted?! Lovely of your friend to give you that stuff, I didn't realise how expensive both can be! That's so crazy, I can't believe you're so close too!!

[MrsR16]

Hello you lovely ladies! I've been trying to catch up and just found it impossible so apologies for anyone I miss! The Festival of Remembrance was amazing (as always) but it was a long day... I'm feeling it now and am definitely starting to struggle to walk! What didn't help was that on my way to my Remembrance service yesterday, some numpty ran into my husband's car! Just totally didn't look where he was going and has scraped all up the passenger side... 😢 thankfully it was low impact, otherwise I'd probably still be in hospital now! The midwives weren't concerned, but I did call them just to see if they wanted to see me!

@cupcakesandglitter that is a beautiful bump! Make the most of it before it gets too big and you end up like me 😂😂

@MrsEG I have got an Echo Show which we'll use as a baby monitor! I just thought it would be good to be able to use it for something else once baby's grown up a bit. And it was much cheaper than any baby monitor I found! 😁

@PippaPug good luck!! Let us know how you get on.

@purplefig 27 weeks?!? God time seems to be just flying!

[BabySquid]

Evening all, gosh that first day back at work was tough... my back is killing from sitting for so long!!
Also 27 weeks today! @purplefig don't you think it's just flying by way too quickly?!! My app is telling me that we're in the third tri from now??

@cupcakesandglitter that's a lovely bump, enjoy every min of it (especially before it starts getting in the way!)
@BostonFern things are sounding good for you, hope you've not too long to wait.
@thumper59 look at his little face, and such long legs! Congratulations he's just lovely 🥰

We ordered our nursery carpet at the weekend, fitting is 7th December, so we've time to decorate and I think we're ordering the furniture this weekend, just hope that mamas and papas are still ok to make delivery after 7th dec.
This little one is moving around so much now, my bff stayed this weekend and couldn't believe how active they are!! Proper making waves on my belly and kicking things off! (Like DH's arm in bed!)
Hope your all good for a Monday.

[MrsEG]

@purplefig Oh what a pain! Isofix are a lazy gal like mines dream haha! Although am I right in remembering you don’t plan on using the car loads? Enjoy the physio - pregnancy specialist sounds absolutely ideal. A changing bag and a baby monitor - what an amazing friend!! My baby monitor is nearly £140(!!!!!)

@cupcakesandglitter I’m obsessed with Pinterest nurseries!! 19 weeks already - when is your 20-week scan?

@MrsR16 Oh what a pain about your husbands car!! Glad you’re okay. What’s an echo show??

@BabySquid Glad the first day back went okay!! Ha one of the twins knocked a mint off my belly last night!! Amazing to watch them isn’t it?!

Happy Monday! Went to the dentist today to make the most of the free dental care - had a good scale and polish!! I’ve won an amazing twin feeding pillow on eBay too for pennies so off to pick that up as soon as I’ve logged off from work. 5 and a bit weeks until I finish for maternity leave now - I actually feel a bit sick saying it!

[MrsR16]

@MrsEG I just couldn't believe it! And the echo show is one of the Alexa devices from amazon - it hooks up to a camera so if bub is upstairs in cot, then I can see exactly what's going on while I'm downstairs

Introducing Echo Show 5 - Compact smart display with Alexa, Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KD7TJD6/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_v2zYDbQYSBPFB

[purplefig]

@cupcakesandglitter I think you look absolutely fab! I definitely had the start of a bump at 19 weeks - and it's definitely grown significantly since . We did get a new fridge freezer sorted thankfully - now fully stocked after our Sunday shop too. Bloody annoying, but glad it's done. Yeah all the little pieces can add up...it's definitely worth asking other parents what they found truly necessary. And also remembering you can buy stuff once there here, you don't necessarily need everything for their arrival.

@MrsR16 I know - it's going crazy fast! Where are you at again? Sorry to hear about DH's car - is it fixable? So irritating.

@BabySquid Oh that's interesting - mine says from next week we'll be in the third tri. Agree it's going fast, but I am getting excited to meet them now! And I'm not a huge fan of becoming increasingly immobile / the back pain etc. Amazing they kicked DH's arm off in bed! I had my hand on my belly today and I swear I felt their foot properly kick into my palm. It was amazing!

@MrsEG Yeah we won't be doing a tonne of driving as we live in town / near the beach etc., but we will no doubt be out and about at weekends. I don't understand the huge spectrum in price...the guy we spoke to at Halfords implied some aren't as safe as others, but it seems mental that they'd be allowed to sell unsafe car seats?! Guhhh. Wow that sounds like an all singing all dancing monitor! We've got a pretty basic plug-in one that just picks up sound. Ooo good shout on getting in the dentist in before the babies arrive. 5.5 weeks is not long at all - are you excited?! I'm planning to work until the end of January - but the more uncomfortable I get, the more I get tempted to bring the date closer haha.

Have a lovely evening ladies! My back is feeling a bit better today, so I took the dog down to the coast to check out the crazy stormy waves - it's properly bitter out there! Glad to be home with a spag bol bubbling away in the slow cooker and the prospect of a hot bath x

[MrsR16]

@purplefig yeah, thankfully it just looks cosmetic 😊 could have been a whole lot worse!! And I'm now 34+5, getting super uncomfortable! 😂

[cupcakesandglitter]

Thank you @MrsR16 definitely going to, it's already starting to get heavier 😂😓 glad to know you're okay and they weren't worried, shame about the car though, how irritating 😩

Thanks @BabySquid I can't believe you're 27 weeks too!!!! Awww how lovely - soon you'll have the carpet in there and a ready nursery!

@MrsEG same here, DH finds it funny when I go on 'just to browse' because I always get new ideas 😂 my scan is next week Tuesday, I can't wait!! You've had such a productive Monday - i can't believe you've only got 5 weeks left!! That'll fly by!

Thankyou @purplefig I didn't expect it so soon because it's been slowly growing but my mum pointed it out 😂 glad the fridge is all sorted, what a palaver - worst thing about being an adult is when things go wrong 😂 oh definitely, I have a few bits I know I'll need but I'm planning on winging it for the most part 😂

I managed to bag such a bargain today! Popped into H&M today and found a maternity coat, it was on the sale rack but had no sale sticker. £69.99 but down to £7.50 in the sale!!! Best purchase of the year 😂😂 I was so chuffed! It's kept me nice and warm this evening 😊 had a lovely date night with DH, first time we've sat in a nice quiet restaurant - I started to well up 😂 bloody hormones 🤦🏻‍♀️

[ELW85]

Evening all!

I hope your weekends and Monday were kind to you?

@purplefig - I’m feeling pretty good at the moment thank you 😊 definitely more settled after the scan and feeling the baby quite consistently every day now, which is really reassuring! How are you getting on? I’m so pleased your back is feeling better!

@cupcakesandglitter - lovely bump! I realise time is really flying when I read how far along you are!
Your date night sounds wonderful, and what a find on the maternity coat!

@MrsEG - I can’t believe how close your mat leave is! Have things settled at work now with the awful woman that made everyone leave?

@PippaPug - I’m good thank you, how was your interview?

@MrsR16 - oh no, the car incident sounds awful! So pleased you’re all ok, but definitely not needed especially on a day like that.
We watched the service on TV, and I cried my eyes out when the 44 vets lined up to represent the battles of WW2.

Does anyone have recommendations for baby monitors? We don’t have one yet but with Black Friday coming up, we should probably make the most of finding one!

[MrsEG]

@MrsR16 Ooh that’s interesting - we have three Alexas already (DH is obsessed!) so I’ll get him to have a look!!

@purplefig We were told the exact same about car seats at John Lewis - frightening really isn’t it?! So DH went away and looked up safety reviews etc online at home, which had won safety awards and also ones that had won those ‘tried and tested’ by parents things. I feel funny about taking any sales assistants words on things considering Sleepyheads are sold in shops even though the lullaby trust say they aren’t safe 🤷‍♀️ I’ve questioned everything I buy ever since! Glad your back is feeling better, spag Bol sounds fabulous!!

@cupcakesandglitter Only one week til your scan now then! Excellent bargain on the coat - I got my H&M maternity coat on eBay and it’s so so roomy and comfy!

@ELW85 Nope! They managed to convince the lovely girl who handed her notice in to stay, by altering the team a bit - but nothing has been done at all. I think they feel they’ve solved it by just moving that one person, forgetting how much she’s affected other colleagues in the past. As awful as it sounds now - I’m just like ‘I’ll be gone in a few weeks, it’s someone else’s problem now!!’
We’ve had Motorola recommended for a baby monitor and warned to steer clear of BT, so that’s what we’ve been looking at! They are pricey but like you say, Black Friday is coming!

Had such a lovely eve - went to collect a twin feeding pillow locally and the woman I bought it off could not have been lovelier. She invited me in to her (huge, basically a mansion) house, asked if I had any twin questions, etc. She then said would I be happy to be contacted as she’s in the process of setting up a local twin group too. And told me if I ever have any questions when the babies are here to contact her, that other twin mums were her lifeline in the early days. I have an ally haha!

Happy Tuesday all - raining cats and dogs here, just want to stay in bed!

[purplefig]

@MrsR16 oh phew - that's good! Sorry to hear you're at the uncomfy stage - you probably get told it all the time, but at least there's not too long left now!

@cupcakesandglitter oh I do love a bargain - enjoy your smug snugness!!!

@ELW85 glad you're doing well - agree once you start feeling them more it's quite reassuring. Though I do find if I have a busy day I feel them less, which can freak me out! Ahh pregnancy...

@MrsEG yeah it is frightening and pretty manipulative really as surely they all have to be safe to be sold?! But it's a good point about the sleepyheads. Good idea to research safety award winners etc. sometimes all this research feels like a whole extra job though 😅. Ohhh another twin mum...you're racking them up!! Amazing if that group is set up once the boys arrive though.

Just back from physio. So glad I went - thanks for giving me a kick up the backside about it MrsEg!! Basically one side is weak and the other is overcompensating and now super tight. She did some fairly intense release work (owwwww!!) and I've got a list of exercises and stretches to do. Feel better just having a plan in place.

In other news in the last few days we've been invited to two weddings next year. Same weekend, one on sat one on sun - about 6.5 hrs apart. With a 5 month old. Lol. X

[MrsR16]

@purplefig I am getting so excited to meet baby! I just hope it arrives on time... I'm glad physio went well for you! And ooh.., good luck with the weddings! 😂

@MrsEG at the moment, I use the camera to spy on my dog during the day! Generally he's asleep, upside down on the sofa (lurcher life, hey?) but it has night vision too, which will be amazingly helpful!

@ELW85 I recommended the Amazon Echo Show to MrsEG! My thing is I was loathed to spend so much money on something that could only be used for one thing...

I have my first health visitor appt this week, ladies! Anyone had theirs yet? I don't really know what to expect...

[PippaPug]

Thank you for all the good luck messages!
@MrsEG @purplefig @cupcakesandglitter @MrsR16 @ELW85

Interview went well - for several reasons I ended up disclosing the twin pregnancy, partly because she was asking if I could stay in jan/Feb and partly because I recognised the nanny who is currently helping her - she is friends with my friends who know so thought it would come out sooner rather then later. Also during the interview I felt like I didn’t want to be ashamed of the babies, I am proud and I know I can do my job so I mentioned it. It went well - and I have been offered a trial and with the possibility of starting ASAP if it goes well, so fingers crossed!

MrsEG - do you have much more to get? Your doing very well with finding twin mums! Hopefully the twin group will be set up by the time your boys are here and you can take them for support! What twin pillow did you get?

Purplefig - your pregnancy is flying by, your only a few weeks ahead of me but seems like your so much closer then me! How are you feeling almost in your third trimester?

Cupcakesandglitter - Yes there are twin feeding pillows which I have already (google peanut and piglet pillows!) my maternity pillow is huge but I’m hoping to have that as a back up with regards to feeding! How is the nursery prep coming along?

MrsR - hope you and bump are ok? And your husband and the car? How frustrating and must of given you both a fright for sure.

ELW85 - monitor wise - do you want a camera one, or not? I’m afraid I’m the other way around from MrsEG - Motorola’s I haven’t found as good as BT ones - but also depends on if you camera or not.....I don’t like WiFi ones at all, anyone unfort can hack into it and I have heard it happening before - they really creep me out!

Hope everyone is having a good Tuesday - it’s pouring down here currently, hoping it will settle soon!