👣 Due late Nov/Dec, it's bump time ladies! 👣

[ChampooPapi]

Thread 3 👣👣👣

Thanks @kkr168kr and @confused107! I really didn't realise quite how many scanning companies there are! All the ones like Window to the Womb and Meet Your Miracle etc aren't that accessible for us, we're in Sheffield with no car, but even actual private health clinics are not that much more expensive! There's one I've found called Babybond by Ultrasound Direct which is only £65 and our local private maternity unit led by a consultant is £95. So I'm sure we can figure out a place to go.

@Hanrora06 I've had to use baby bond/ ultrasound direct this time. I don't really rate them. Had better experiences with my first pregnancy using Before the stork but had no choice during lockdown as couldn't travel far. There's only two scan places near me and they're both ultrasound direct.

@Hanrora06 I've had to use baby bond/ ultrasound direct this time. I don't really rate them. Had better experiences with my first pregnancy using Before the stork but had no choice during lockdown as couldn't travel far. There's only two scan places near me and they're both ultrasound direct.

@Hanrora06 I've had to use baby bond/ ultrasound direct this time. I don't really rate them. Had better experiences with my first pregnancy using Before the stork but had no choice during lockdown as couldn't travel far. There's only two scan places near me and they're both ultrasound direct. Now that we can travel a bit more If I want another scan I'll definitely be going elsewhere.

How did that post twice?? Sorry ladies

@chubbyhotchoc haha technology does strange things. oh ok, how come you didn't rate them?

@nearlyamummyof2boys not excessive at all. It's so hard the boys can't be included at the mo. It will be really special for him to see baby. Make the most of your child care!

@restorationinsanity I am the same - and also haven't bought or researched anything! Picking a Moses basket up from a colleague this weekend so hoping that may help?

Loving all the baby clothes girls! X

First time I used them was with my missed miscarriage and they were very unhelpful. Just 'there's no heartbeat'. No advice on what to do next. Just wanted to get me out of the door. They then sent me the photos afterwards 'congratulating' me. The second time I used them with this one it was a different branch but same company for harmony test plus scan which was £500 so not cheap. It was very quick. They had a very small screen on the wall and the girl barely spoke to me. When I asked about the Nuchal fold she just shrugged and said she wasn't trained for that. It will be different with different branches of course but I really don't like them. Most of these companies are geared up to selling gender reveal tat and not much else.

@chubbyhotchoc I'm sorry to hear of your experiences.

I have to say I agree with what you said re the private clinics. I think we are using them to plug a gap in the NHS, and they are not for that really. When I went for my NIPT test the lady doing it didn't know anything about it. I didn't expect them to be experts, but when you spend a lot of money I think you feel like you deserve a bit more. When I asked the question about whether or not the fact the box for IVF hadn't been ticked the manager didn't know. So I guess that means she doesn't know how the test works. Bless her she chased the lab for 2 days to get me a solid answer. She was lovely and tried her best but not a trained screening midwife at the end of the day.

I will go back there for another scan with my DH as he can't come to the 20 week NHS scan but I'm going to wait until after the NHS one as I know that they can't really help if anything is wrong

I think we're going to use window to the womb for a scan after the anomaly scan so that DH can see the baby. It seems to be the only one local to us offering scans at the moment. The only other one is the cIinic that diagnosed my ectopic and I know it makes no difference, but I'd rather not go back there for this. I wasn't sure he'd be that bothered but he seems quite keen. I think now I look pregnant, and I think I'm feeling some movements, he's starting to view the baby as a little person and wants to see it wriggling around etc.

I'm looking forward to my little felt kit arriving to make for the baby's eventual bedroom. And have found a really adorable Peter rabbit folding changing mat that we're going to use for downstairs changes/travelling.

@peachypetite I think that's what's stopping me too. I don't have enough experience with babies to feel confident about buying weather appropriate clothes for when they're older, so I feel like it's easier to just wait til the autumn winter stuff comes in.

@confused107 totally. They are definitely not medical even though they say it's nhs sonographers. When I went I just had low expectations. I think it's all fine and nice to go to these places if you just want to see baby but that's about it,

I'm not going to buy any clothes until the last second - people keep giving me clothes!

@nearlyamummyof2boys just to mention that when I called to book a private scan a few weeks ago the receptionist said they had a policy of needing 7 clear days between scans (we had a date in mind but my NHS scan was arranged for a few days later so we didn’t book it in the end). Not entirely sure why they had that policy, but just thought I’d mention it in case that is a thing that all the private scanning places say? Also I don’t think it is excessive to have a private one at all! My partner hasn’t seen the baby yet so I think we will definitely try to get one at somepoint soon....

I'm having the scan mainly as I'm a nervous person I had a miscarriage in 2018 so that hasn't helped my nerves at all and being that much older extend not having any contact with midwives etc they seem very unhelpful at moment I am already getting anxiety about this scan like will there be a heart beat etc I just need to see and know baby is alive and ok and yes getting the added bonus of finding out what it is is great I myself havent brought nothing havent thought of any names etc at all the only thing I will get are these blankets which I love if all is ok

@hanrora06 we are also in Sheffield & had a private scan with Ultrasound Direct (£45) who were based in a GP practice building just off City Rd if that helps you. The lady doing the scanning was lovely - we couldn't believe how enthusiastic she was given it's what she does all day everyday!

You mentioned a midwife led unit a while back. Can I ask where you mean? I'd be interested to find out more about it.

@chubbyhotchoc oh my God I'm so sorry to hear about that, that's awful 😔 I do find it a bit strange almost how many companies are offering this medical service mainly targeted at yeah selling key chains and pink/blue teddies, like it's fine to get that stuff as well of course but I think they should be fully aware of the huge responsibility they have in this job, it's not a superficial thing to offer and should be treated that way.

@firstbabybell thanks for sharing that, I'm happy to hear you had a good experience! And it's really nice to talk to another Sheffield mum to be 😊 The midwife led unit is the one at Jessops, so it is next to the actual maternity ward but separate if that makes sense. There's some info on the website but the video tour is out of date and super retro, it's been all done up apparently since.

Hi ladies, thank you for the invite to join this group! I am shocked that so many of you have already bought so many items for your babies! I've literally have only bought two tiny books and that's it 😅 you're all giving me inspiration to start shopping like mad 😁 xx

Welcome @Missworry92 and congratulations again on your pregnancy lovely. You can hold off until later buying these days because the internet is so useful for next day delivery ect, but at the same time you can also go hell for leather if you want!. Your not jinxing anything by purchasing any baby items, your at the stage where you have the same chance of taking home your baby as someone at full term. So if you want to shop, bloody well go for it 👣🌈

@Missworry92 I haven’t either, maybe I’m too relaxed but November feels so far away to me 😂 I’ve also got a couple of friends who have offered me bits so feeling quite chilled about it.

Said I wouldn't buy a think until 20 weeks. But now I've found out the gender I'm absolutely itching to start buying! Still only a week and a half to go

Hi everyone, I think it’s been a good couple of weeks since I’ve been on here but I’ve been so busy doing a bunch of extra shifts at work (2 babies on the way means we need the money!) but I really hope you’re all doing okay. I thought I’d update you all as I literally just had my 20 week scan, both babies are looking perfectly healthy and I’m pleased to announce that I’m having a boy and a girl! We were convinced we were having 2 more girls as there are so many girls in the family so I’m so shocked right now but over the moon ❤️

Congratulations @StephRae! One of each, how lovely!

And welcome @Missworry92. I haven't bought much either (literally a changing mat and something to make for the baby's room) but we're getting some secondhand family type stuff, and borrowing a bedside crib from a friend. Really I think I'm just waiting until some more autumn winter baby clothes come in!

Question for the already-mums, or those more prepared than me: without proper antenatal classes, how is everyone learning about the labour and birth process? I understand how it works mechanically, but not sure how much I need to know (like when to push or not) and how much the midwife will kind of instruct me? Sorry if that sounds really stupid!

@Missworry92 I haven't bought anything at all so far so I wouldn't worry!! December is ages away and tbh I don't have the space for it! So I'm quite happy to wait and I'll probably get most stuff second hand anyway. My mum got me a little grey fluffy onesie and my Nannan knitted me a little grey jumper (with huge red buttons that will clearly need removing before it goes anywhere near the baby lol) and I've been donated some baby plates and bowls and that's enough for now! Though I have started looking at beds online- has anyone got any recommendations? I quite like the SnüzPod so far, if I can get one second hand and just buy a new mattress for it!

How is everyone today? feeling much better after a couple of rough days!

I think buying stuff is so individual, you'll have a chance to buy things so I think enjoy being at your own pace.

Our pram bundle included a Moses basket which should arrive next week I'm really excited!