End September babies

[Elly88]

Hello! So I'm 32+4 with my second, a girl this time 😊 the whole pregnancy has gone quick as been running round after my toddler, though now I know I'm almost there it's going so slowly! So looking for some buddies to compare notes and pass the time with! Though don't know why I want it to hurry up as I know too well the pain and sleepless nights ahead 🤣 just I think uncomfortable enough now to want her out! Everywhere pretty swollen already, hips hurt and wake me up, I pee all the time even in the night, tired and get some braxton hicks. How are others doing?

@Spark27 I'm the same, I never have a bad nights sleep when DH is here the next day! Although this weekend I've been treated to some time on my own and a nap. DH has earned himself some serious brownie points.

@Elly88 I made the decision very early on with DS that I wanted a section and the recovery from the section was actually less than the recovery from the tear. This time there was no question because I really liked how controlled the section was. I'm a preper so knowing a birth date helped with the anxiety and childcare plans. Just generally made me feel more in control too.

@Crumbsinthecarpet I have horrendous braxton hicks over the last week and sometime they can present as a period pain type pain, as long as theres no pattern to them your all good. I had about 2 hours yesterday where they all felt like proper contractions then it all just stopped and I've been fine since.

Ziplock bags are a god send! I read about them on here just before I had DS. Made it so much easier for a middle of the night clothing change as a vest, baby grow and nappy was all in one place. We have labelled ones like "for theatre" and "going home clothes". I've also got ones labelled to help DH like "San pads" and "boob pads".

Its definitely top of plan for this week as well as finishing school uniform for the other two. The eldest goes back 3 weeks today, the youngest starts 4 weeks today and I go into hospital to have this one 5 weeks today! Time is really going to fly now

@mistletoeprickles yes sounds very logical, just scares me so much more than a natural delivery, don't know why! Did your partner have to take 6 weeks off work or were you able to do things yourself after a couple? I am a total planner myself too so the idea of a more fixed date is very appealing (I already had my hosp bags packed months ago how much of an organisational freak I am 🤣) how long were you in hospital for with your last c section? X

@Elly88 no DH had 4 weeks I think, i was driving again by that point but we live where everything is pretty accessible. I walked to the local supermarket 3 days later, slowly but i went!
Hes having 3 weeks this time, mostly so he can be home October half term too.
They have said recovery this time will be longer but we're prepared for that. Providing I can do the school run we will be fine. Shopping etc can wait!
As I have gestational diabetes I have to be admitted the night before but I was home 24 hours after section, so 2 nights. I was on my feet within a few hours. I'm a home bird so I'd rather be resting at home if I can. DS is going to find it hard not seeing me for 2 days though. Lots of facetime is the best I can do due to covid visiting restrictions.

Have any of you thought about what you'll do about visitors etc with covid?

@mistletoeprickles ah see you need to drive everywhere where we live and we're not allowed legally until 6 weeks after a c section :/ my husband has 3 weeks holiday to take off I think so hell use that.
Good question re covid and visitors, I hadn't even really thought! Family are going to want to hold them, you ladies going to allow that? So tricky whilst they're still so tiny and have no immune system isn't it x

@elly88 are you in the uk? It's a common misconception here that it's a legal requirement to not drive for 6 weeks, however it's not actually true. If you can perform an emergency stop then it's ok. I checked with my insurance company after having DS.

With covid we're at the stage that we've told everyone we wont be having the world and his wife through the house as we did with the previous two. The exposure would be so high if we did. Possibly just both sets of parents to start with and then they will need to wash their hands first.
There isn't really any guidance but I discussed it with my midwife and she said it's the perfect excuse to get people to leave you alone . We plan on a few days without anyone visiting anyway because the children will be meeting him for the first time when we bring him home as they aren't allowed in the hospital currently. They and DH will need the bonding time they are usually allowed for 12 hours a day on the post natal ward.
It was one visitor after another with the other two and I think I'm over that , itll be at our pace and if people don't like it well it's tough

I have no idea about visitors either. I would like my mum to come and keep me company and help - she'll tell me she thinks I'm being OTT about stuff, but we can laugh about our different approaches, and she will make herself super useful cooking and doing things around the house. But then I know that it will be difficult if I'm anxious about the in-laws coming over and wanting to hold the baby all the time as it seems like I'm showing favouritism... Which I am! 😂 (I really appreciated other people talking about their challenges with MIL the other day! Made me feel less guilty!) But late sept/early October might not be great for meeting people out and about, and so if infections start to rise again, I think we will have to make some difficult decisions. Not looking forward to those conversations!

I've started on my hospital bag but it's definitely a work in progress, and there just seems to be so much stuff I potentially need. At the moment I've concentrated on snacks! I love the idea of ziplock bags for putting vests and baby grows together though 👍

Are your partners allowed to go with you for growth scans etc? My hospital have this week changed their policy to allow mums to have one person with them at the 12 and 20 week scans, but not for any others. Felt quite upset that my husband won't be able to come for my 36 week scan - it's the 6th scan of this pregnancy and he's not been able to come to any.

@Flowers81, I think mine is the same as you. Partners now allowed for 12 and 20w scan but that's it. It's a shame, but I'd rather they limit numbers to things like that and allowed them to visit post birth.

Regarding visitors I think we'll play it by ear depending what the local situation is at the time. Our families are quiet small so fortunately theres not too many to worry about. I think my parents, sister and her family will be allowed round, but only adults to hold her and they'll be washing hands and doing temp check first. In Laws is a bit more difficult as they will need to come down on the train (few hours) and then stay somewhere else for a few days. So it might be a case of them not being allowed to hold her? Depends on the situation really. If levels are still low where I am I might let friends come round, but probably not hold her. But to be fair my friends have been completely useless the whole pregnancy so I wont be inviting them round, it will be up to them.

Spark27 I knew I should have come on this thread while I was laying wide awake last night! Finally managed to doze back off and was woken with leg cramp 😫 I too need to start washing clothes- I washed them all when I put them away after DS (all white baby grows) but IDK it feels like new baby needs the freshest of linens! I’m not sure about having it in drawers for 5 weeks either, but if I need to put my hosp bag together then it’ll have to be done. (Am I overthinking this?!)

Visitors- I’m so glad to have a reason to restrict visitors TBH! Immediate family will be no problem, with washing hands etc. but extended will be asked to wait until later. Perhaps Christmas even if infection rates aren’t too bad around here. We’re in quite a low risk area. Flower81 I completely feel you with In Laws 😂 my niece/nephew are no problem at all but DH’s side are... energetic?!

mistletoeprickles We’re the same- I would like a few days at first with introducing DD to DS- I think it’ll hit him hard as it is, without visitors traipsing in. How do you all think your DC will find it with a new sibling?

@UserFriendly14 DD will be fine, shes 10 and done it before, itll be helped by being back at school (hopefully). I'm not sure on DS, hes very dependant on me and is always two foot behind me and very snuggly so I don't know how he'll cope sharing us a bit more but he talks about his baby brother all the time so fingers crossed he'll be fine.

On MIL, mine is having the children whilst I'm in hospital and DH is back and forth. I'm just hoping she knows when to leave! Its SIL we will have issues with, she does not know boundaries at all. When DS was born she tired to visit at the hospital within minutes of me coming out of recovery. The midwives had to tell her she couldn't come in! When I finally caved and let her visit at the house she was here hours and hours, I even went to bed with DS and she still stayed!

Good idea, probably for most family washing hands before a hold is a good idea, tho I'd rather my I laws didn't hold her at all 🙈 but can't see that one going down very well with them or DH. My family live 4 hours away so not sure when they'll visit as now spare room is set up as baby 2s nursery! Can't say we got heaps of friends visiting last time, but I hear you saying they've been rubbish so up to them to make the effort if they want to! I knew I'd be emerging the other side of lock down with another baby in tow 🤣 probs won't let friends hold tho, they still don't hold my toddler since this all kicked off anyway.
As far as I'm aware partners only allowed to standard scans now, unfortunately.
@mistletoeprickles yes I'm in the UK, ah that's interesting to know, thank you!
@UserFriendly14 pregnancy insomnia has hit for me too now, hate lying awake for random hours at night then feeling exhausted come morning 😴 I don't nap very well though if I try during my toddlers lunch nap I can't switch off.

Anyone else now looking and feeling massive, like arms, legs, face, hips, everywhere yet all you wanna do is lie down and eat crap?

@Elly88

Anyone else now looking and feeling massive, like arms, legs, face, hips, everywhere yet all you wanna do is lie down and eat crap?

I think that’s been my whole pregnancy TBH! I know this will be the last pregnancy so I’m indulging while I can!

mistletoeprickles Yes DS is the same- very clingy and a mummy’s boy. As he’s not yet 2/not talking much at all, I’m just not sure how he’ll take to her at the moment but he loves other children so I’m sure he’ll get used to it! About your SIL- Wow that would tip me over the edge. I bet there were a few pointed looks at DH at the time! My DF is exactly the same though and I’ll be saying from the start that we’re not doing long visits.

Elly88 Yes pregnancy insomnia has been a PITA. Especially as I know the sleep deprivation only gets worse when baby’s here, so I’m laying awake kicking myself knowing I’ll be wanting this sleep soon!

One good thing about having the kids is that we've lost our guest bedroom so the inlaws cant stay. Oh no! 🙈 The only 'spare room' is DH's man cave and full of stuff, so he cant even complain. Neither of us can really be bothered to go up and see them, so about 3/4 times a year is our max.

Got the newborn and up to 1 month stuff washed. Theres not that much stuff so need to check what there is so I know whether to open the new packets. Got a new packet of each (vests & babygros) but didnt want to open them too soon in case I want to return or sell them. So tricky to know on sizes x

Most people are telling me that my weight is all bump, although I know my thighs are definitely not like they were. I really want to lie on the sofa and eat caramel shortbread but unfortunately DD wants everything I have, so I've really had to cave it in. Very sad about that

That is a crying shame about the spare room! DD’s room is/was the junk room, so we’ve been trying to clear it but realising there’s no where else for it at the moment. Caramel shortbread is definitely too good to share!

I don’t know why, but I had it in my head that I needed to wash all the 0-3 sizes of DS’s white baby grows/suits, but have now realised it’ll be up to 1 month we need. (Baby brain!) That doesn’t seem too daunting. DS never fit into newborn sizes- RIP to the cute coming home outfit I’d bought!

Baby has developed hiccups as I’ve been typing this, so it’ll be interesting to see how long they last. She’s so active at night now, the sleep gods really are against me!

Wide awake again at 2am 🙄 so hard to not get up in search of food as the longer I lie awake my tummy then starts to rumble but I really don't need to put on any more weight 😳
I'm so so fed up and bored now times going sooo slowly! Tho I'm also pretty sure this is my last pregnancy so should really be savouring the moment...
Clothes all washed here and everything ready so really is just a waiting game.
Could really use a break but too stubborn to involve MIL again after DS getting upset and not wanting to go last time but her taking him anyway. Safe to say with my hormones sky rocketing atm I got rather upset too! He's nearly 20 months and also very clingy which I don't mind, except when you're exhausted and just want a couple afternoons a week - how I miss him going to nursery. I hate corona virus.

I'm awake too. Woke up needing the loo and cant get back to sleep. And the baby is kicking the hell out of me. Fortunately DD is at nursery today, but then I need to do some work. Urgh. After 17w of work not giving me anything to do they've now piled the work back on in my last 4 working weeks. Like I have the motivation. I just want to sit on the sofa, watch rubbish, eat rubbish, and nap.

After finally drifting off about 2am, I’m now awake again. I wouldn’t mind so much but I can’t stop yawning! I do think my body’s just getting ready for the intermittent sleeping that’s coming and still oh so well remembered with DS.

I'm glad I'm not the only one whose up and down, although I've found if I sleep for a long period I really hurt when I wake up and try to move. Most the time i pee, turn over and go back to sleep but a few weeks ago I'd be up for hours!

Clothes are all washed here, I don't have a huge amount of newborn. I think about 8 grows and the same in vests but I have mountains of 0-3 months. We also seem to have hundreds of blankets 🙈. The next to me is ready to go up, but I wont be doing that until the day I go into hospital. Mostly because DS wants to get in it! All that's left on the baby list is the premade formula for the hospital which I'll grab when we do the big shop next week.

Dd helped me with the hospital bag yesterday which is good as shes had very little interest but as a preteen whose been home since March she has very little interest in anything!

I had the bright idea of washing some curtains yet, washed them and left them for DH to put back up! I had good intentions just couldn't be arsed. I get tired so easily and big activity seems to set off the braxton hicks.

Bloody Braxton hicks have got me today, bit painful too

Glad I'm not the only one wide awake around 2am!
Tried again with the MIL today, she was still late but just sent her straight upstairs to get my toddler up from his nap as he was already awake whilst I hid in the bedroom. He's so much happier going off with her if he doesn't see me, so actually enjoying a few hours to myself this afternoon. Though still had to walk the dog, prep dinner and hang the washing. Could do with cleaning the bathroom and hoovering but my feet are killing me when I stand up! Anyone else get that? My legs are so swollen if I've sat with something pressing into me I'll get a big dent cos there's so much fluid retention, same as my last pregnancy 🙄 can't wait to be my normal (ish) size and wear normal clothes again! So grateful to be pregnant and be getting my little girl but my god I'm so over being pregnant now, feeling very impatient! X

This is so bloody frustrating! I HATE pregnancy insomnia!

After a miserable nights sleep yesterday, I was banking on DS’s after lunch nap to get 30mins to an hour myself but typically he didn’t end up having a nap! I avoided caffeine/sugar and have not been on my phone until now to ensure I got off as best I could tonight but it’s now 3am and I’ve not slept a wink If I’m not tossing and turning, as soon as I close my eyes my mind goes off into a waking dream that I can’t shut off. I’m now on the sofa after feeling guilty disturbing DH with my movements and baby has now decided to do the conga!

mistletoeprickles That’s so sweet about your DD helping out with your bag! Hope your BH calmed down in the end. I never had them with DS weirdly, but I’ve definitely been feeling a lot more this time round.

Elly88 Yes my feet were swelling last week but luckily it seemed to calm down with the heat dissipating. Glad you got a few hours to yourself though! I have a day booked off work next week that I haven’t told MIL about, so she’ll still have DS for the day- I can imagine that I’ll want to get so much done that nothing ends up getting done!

Right I better try for some sleep before I lose the plot. My biggest saving grace is that DS isn’t an early riser!

Thinking of you all!

Crappy night here too! Woke up at 11.45 with braxton hicks . I've never had them like this. I have a midwife appointment today so I'm going to talk to her about it. It's going to be a very miserable 5 weeks if it carries on like this.
I'm also falling asleep randomly which isn't the safest with DD and DS home. Luckily DD is really good and gives me a little nudge. They were eating lunch yesterday and I nodded off sat at the table with them!

@Elly88 I'm glad you got a bit of a break today. I hope you enjoyed it.

@UserFriendly14 I used to do that. I'd get DS to MIL and DD to school then go home again . Unfortunately I was made redundant earlier this month after being furloughed since March otherwise I'd do the same now! DH has been back at work since May so it's been a long few months and I'm looking forward to September but so are the children now.

MIL is popping round today to drop off some baby clothes she acquired from somewhere, it's always good to have plenty, so I'll be washing those today. Weather is meant to be rubbish here though so it'll be a tumble drier job!

DH and I had an at home date night last night, we try for once a month when we just get the kids to bed and have a takeaway and just talk to each other. Its was lovely and I love hearing him laugh 😍. We forget ourselves sometimes especially when hes so busy at work

I spent last night sleeping on the sofa too @UserFriendly14. Was so tired, and tried to get an early night, but just couldn't get comfortable. Was hot and tossing and turning for ages, so went downstairs to give DH some peace. Probably managed about 5hrs in the end before the bloody cat pounced on my feet. Now waiting for DD to start shouting at me in 5 mins.

My DD (nearly 3) is very excited about us packing the babies bag. I got her to help me choose some outfits the other day and now she just wants to pack more and more. It's very sweet, but I'm going to have to repack!

I dont really have much swelling at the moment, apart from my bits (sorry, tmi). It feels really puffy down there. Esp around my episiotomy scar. Not sore or anything though so that's a bonus. I remember the post birth fluid retention from last time though. Urgh I swear my feet sloshed with water for a few days. And sweating it all out was grim. Got mattress protectors and towels at the ready, and a new duvet and bedding ready for once that's done and I'm done with bf. The sweat and stale milk on bedding is grim x

The date night sounds like a lovely idea @mistletoeprickles. I keep thinking I should do something similar but as so knackered come the evening. I might order something special with next weeks food shop and plan on it.

My mother has gone off on another 2 week holiday. She usually has DD 1 day a week and obvs hasn't since March. Now I want her to be around to have her and help a bit she keeps going away. I know this makes me sound grumpy and unreasonable, but I'm getting fed up with it. I just need some time to chill, and get stuff done. How dare she 🙈