Anyone else due August 2020?

[Jem9153]

How are you feeling if so? How far along are you?

I’m due 12th August, 21 weeks 1 day today, first baby and I’m having a boy!

I’ve felt a bit overwhelmed with this whole pandemic and the unknown of whether it’s going to be better by then! Fingers crossed for the best.

I also really want to start buying things but feel bad for shopping online given the current scenario, I just don’t want to leave it all til last minute and be really unprepared.

Would love to hear from you all

@Beau2020 don’t feel guilty. This is my third pregnancy. I’ve hated each second of everyone. When I plan to get pregnant I plan to basically write off 9 months of a year and try and work around when I can do that when TTC.

I get annoyed by people who love it and who say “I’ll be you’ll miss theses days/miss your bump”. Um, no! It’s like an endurance test for me.

I'm not enjoying it either. I just seem to be hopping from one annoying symptom to another. I start cbt next week because my mood isn't great. I had a car accident 6 weeks ago too and spent a month struggling with bruising to my ribs and sternum. It just feels like one thing after another.

@MrsAmelia I’m the same with the sleeping! I toss and turn all night pissing off DH haha and then when I finally go to sleep, baby decides it’s time to punch me in the bladder at 5am so I have to get up! Luckily I don’t have other DC and am not working anymore either so I sleep during the day when I can.

I’m 22+3 and just starting to feel small kicks, very low down in my pelvis. I thought I’d be overjoyed after all this time worrying about why I couldn’t feel it, but actually it just hurts and isn’t very pleasant. Never satisfied

@Beau2020 definitely dragging! I hated the beginning of pregnancy and declared about 50 times a day that I was only doing this once and one child is enough. Now that my sickness is vanished and I’m human again, I’m almost enjoying it. But omg it’s such a drag, especially being at home with nothing to do other than cook, clean and sleep. It makes the days feel longer and August seems ages away!

@Nfblues tell me about it! This bank holiday feels like the longest break I've ever had, I've cleaned every part of the house, done all the washing, cupboards stocked up, food cooked - I've honestly never felt so organised 😂 August feels like a while away, but better enjoy it whilst I can as when the babies here I definitely won't be this organised lol

@cannotmakemymindup sorry for super late reply. I know, I really wish mine had been left, as the birthing part is a midwifery lead place and wasn't all clinical and hospital like. But ah well it'll all be sweet as long as we all stay safe and healthy.

@JMill13 My consultant appointment on Tuesday has now become a phone call, however I was actually thinking meeting them for the first time would have been good, as now I won't know who I am talking to. Hoping it's a very thorough conversation though so that some concerns are eased and I know what's happening in August!

So grateful to have a thread with everyone.

@cannotmakemymindup the phone? Oh interesting. I wonder how that works. I know a lot of mental health appointments and counselling sessions are now being done over the phone (I work for a MH charity), so I suppose midwife appointments are no different. Would worry me that something could be missed if that's how all Non-hospital appointments are from now on.

This forum definitely helps. Just knowing everyone's in the same boat and hearing how each other are coping. Finding newborn/0-3 month clothes is a nightmare.

@JMill13 Yes I knew some appointments are moving over to phone/video calls but some appointments definitely for midwifey and antenatal care needs to happen in person for checking urine samples, blood pressure or even position of baby, in person.

Yes that size clothing is tricky. The only place I can recommend is large supermarkets that do clothing. The last time I went to a very large sainsburys (after my 20 week scan) they had loads of baby clothes upstairs in their clothing section and it was very quiet up there to. Barely anyone purusing. Don't know if that's any help for you? Even if its family and friends who could get them for you if you're not visiting supermarkets or live close to one?

@cannotmakemymindup yeah I've been on the tesco and asda websites having a browse but not much gender neutral stuff (we're wanting a surprise at birth) available. Hopefully by like June/July there will be more available. Not looking to buy till after my 20 week scan anyway next week.

Oh yeah didn't even think about testing urine and stuff. I'm guessing when you have your first phone consultation they'll talk you through the rest of the appointments going forward. Work out a new normal for them and us.

Hello! Can I ask if anyone has antenatal classes planned, obviously a lot are cancelled or online. Today I have the fear of not knowing what to do at all come August and beyond!

Also any good baby books you're reading? X

@WorriedButterfly we’ve just signed up for NCT, which I know will be online but I figured it would be better than nothing, given that all our local NHS antenatal classes have been cancelled (and I’d be surprised if they are reinstated before baby is due). I’m hoping that I will still get a network of ‘mummy friends’ even though it will be online. I’ve also been reading ‘The Best Friend’s Guide to Pregnancy’ and ’What to Expect When You’re Expecting’ and have found them really good. I was even brave enough to read the chapter on labour today!!

@WorriedButterfly I'm doing online NCT too, I've heard good things and figured everyone is in the same boat stuck at home. I'm starting them in mid May and looking forward to it. I've also been reading How to Grow a Baby and Push one out, it's good so far.

@JMill13 awww we are going for surprise to! So just got gender neutral clothing. I still wanted a surprise at the end of all this for something to focus on, help time go faster and a positive thing!

@mable88 I didn't even think to consider NCT online courses for antenatal classes. Good call, thank you . Although this is my second it's a big gap so I feel like I'm rusty and things have changed in the years in-between. Like remembering how many layers for the baby etc,.

Oh and hope your scan goes well @JMill13

Thanks ladies I'll take a look at those books. @cannotmakemymindup nct look pretty booked up for August already (just FYI ).

@WorriedButterfly not surprised as most trusts have no antenatal classes or certainly for mine it is just hypnobirthing classes (which was all they were offering this time round anyway)

@mable88 I have signed up for NCT, I thought the same as you - online is better than nothing for meeting people in the area.

@WorriedButterfly I have read French Children Don't Throw Food. Its been around a while, but its a good reminder to take a step-back and use some common sense as a parent, rather than worrying about "whats right" all the time. Also, "How to Grow a Baby and Push it Out" - not overly detailed, but much more of a British take on it all than the What to Expect series.

I’m going to need to have a good look at these books lol! This is my first baby & starting to feel out of my depth!
I’m not entirely scared about labour or birth, but I’m so scared to take a newborn home & have no idea what to do with him 😭 I can’t even begin to think of all the things they need (apart from the obv vests, sleepsuits, bottles/formula, nappies etc), but even things like crib bedding & swaddling I feel completely clueless with!! I have times when I worry that I have no clue what I’m doing

Thought I would share positive updates for you lovely August ladies.

I had a consultant phone call yesterday which was with a Dr. Registrar and she was lovely. Really informative, but also not rushed let ask questions, explained lots of things but also very proactive in what care I will need going forward, which appointments should be face to face and which ones will be in person with them and midwife especially as I need blood tests due to aneamia.

Then today out of the blue had a phone call from midwife team asking if I have got any other appointments booked which I still didn't. So next appointment booked with them for 25 weeks plus she could see everything about me needing bloods at 28 weeks etc,. And hopefully the midwife I am going to see is going to be my midwife now, with my named one shielding.

So yes, two positive days and proactive care. Really happy with everything they explained about plans with appointments, as long as nothing else needs to change due to Coronavirus. Definitely feeling relieved.

@cannotmakemymindup oh wow, love a good positive outcome. Hopefully nothing has to change from that and it'll keep your mind at ease going forward.

@Lolxx I don’t know if this will be any help but there’s a website called essential parent which goes over all the basic things. It uses credible sources such as WHO, NHS, UNICEF etc and is given out by healthcare staff. You might find it helpful if feeling overwhelmed about the little things

Does anyone here have a 25 week midwife appointment coming up? Mines booked for the end of the month and I’m not sure if it’s still going ahead. I’m also supposed to have a glucose test and not sure when that will be. I’ll probably call them next week to clarify but would be nice to hear if other people are still having their appointments?

Hope you’re all doing well x

My hospital have cancelled all 25 week appointments, but will have a face to face 28 week one. Makes me slightly nervous, but understandable in the current situation.

How are you feeling?

Well my midwife isn't even replying to messages (text or voicemails) so I've resorted to buying my own urine test strips and a glucose testing kit as I don't think my 25 week appt or my GTT will go ahead.

Checked everything this morning and all is well so gave me complete peace of mind!

@Nfblues I think the GTT is meant to be between weeks 24 and 28 if that helps x

@StephD2020 I'm the same, I keep checking my blood pressure as I keep panicking. Its borderline low as it was at my booking appointment which has made me feel slightly calmer.
Do you have an alternative number for the midwife? I don't have a direct line for my midwife but they've now set up an email address which you can email with queries.