Summer '20 Grads Part III

[SmileyT]

@Dipsy77 ❤️❤️ 15th September
@Mococo1 ❤️ 16th September EDD 27th March
@zippityzip ❤️ 18th September EDD 29th March
@mrsmummy1111 ❤️ 21st September EDD 3rd April
@Sausage1990 ❤️28th September EDD 20th April
@smileyT 💚 2nd October 🧡 26th October EDD 15th March
@mrsI2020 💚 2nd October EDD 22nd May
@cocoblue22 💚 3rd October EDD 12th March
@littleRa 🧡 14th October EDD 8th March

@noble89 EDD 25th March
@fairylights2 EDD 1st April
@eloise27 EDD 8th April
@Lettie365 - EDD 11th April
@Ltay2 EDD 11th April
@Madz123 - EDD 13th April
@blodyn91 - EDD 14th April
@samilicious EDD 16th April
@Mustbemad82 EDD 20th April
@MrsEmilyB EDD 30th April
@Catherinettc EDD 19th May
@Blondi3 EDD 25th May
@Sophi123 EDD 25th May

💚 extra scans ❤️ 12w scans 🧡 20w scans

@zippityzip I think second hand is class! I would still personally want stuff I would choose myself, like I wouldn’t put my baby in something I didn’t like the style of just cos it was free but tbh most baby clothes etc melt me anyway! I understand first time mums wanting to go full hog buying all but when you’ve already had kids and you realise how little the stuff gets used abd you can literally save thousands! It’s madness!

How many weeks till you all started buying!? 8sleeps until my early scan, I’ll be 7 weeks then! Xxx

So far I plan on buying a bedside crib second hand and just buying a new mattress. For the sake of 6months use I'm not spending £150+ if I don't have to

I've got my first lot of reusable nappies second hand already now and will most likely end up with the second lot from her too so will save a tonne!

WTF is a wipe warmer lmao!

I will probably look into second hand high chair or I like the look of the Aldi one previously recommend and maybe even pram if a good deal and good condition. Otherwise I won't be spending a fortune on one new!

However I will want to buy my car seat brand new because that's a safety thing. Same with a carrier or sling will likely be keen to buy that myself so I have guarantees etc.

Clothes I will probably mix it up and buy new and look at eBay for anybody selling unworn baby clothes and even worn if right condition. I buy most of my own clothes off eBay already haha. I will need to stop myself from buying clothes because I adore all baby clothes and it's taking so much to not start buying now 😂

[quote zippityzip]@mrsmummy1111 Glad I'm not alone in that worry!!! I would have spent hundreds on scans by the time the baby is born just to make him feel part of this pregnancy. I really think we've been forgotten in all this.

Can I ask which hospital you picked (don't worry if you don't want to share!) [/quote]
@zippityzip Of course I don't mind sharing! We are in Bromley so about 5 mins away from the PRUH. I had DS there and was really happy with it, plus he was admitted back in on day 2 with jaundice and they were so brilliant throughout everything so it was a no brainer to go back there.

I'm guessing you're either Queen Elizabeth or Darenth Valley?

@Bl0ndi3 Worth bearing in mind everyone will buy you clothes when the baby is born just get a few bits first and then evaluate what you said.
I was literally donating sacks of unworn clothes because they only last minutes before they've outgrown them!

@mrsmummy1111 I've heard good things about the PRUH for maternity care but it's a ball ache for us to get to. QE was where I had the two awful experiences so now I'm at DV - so far so good!

@zippityzip yeah I've heard that a few times I think I'll buy first size only and enough for maybe 1 or 2 weeks and let everybody else buy the 0-3 etc and then see what I've got but it's gonna be hard to hold back on buying cute baby clothes when I see them 😍🥺😂

My friend works for next and hopefully come christmas sale we will know the sex so she will put loads of cute stuff aside for me haha

Hi girls! Little update from me! So bleeding and pain has stopped after the weekend.... I called EPU at both St Helier and Epsom today but no answer/have left message and not heard back from either. I have also done two more pregnancy tests this morning which are pretty strong which I guess is a good sign. I just don't know what to think as after bleeding/cramping etc was sure had all gone wrong! Still no other pregnancy symptoms so for now just keeping fingers crossed. Have call with GP on wednesday first thing and, if all carries on without obvious miscarriage, I guess will try and book an early viability scan at just over 6 weeks next week? Feeling like a complete rollercoaster already and still trying not to get hopes up completely, but equally maybe all is not lost?

I think it sounds very positive @Sophi123 and it can be normal albeit terrifying to bleed during pregnancy from the many stories I see on here . Still have everything crossed for you but I hope you feel better as things are looking positive for sure!

We are roughly similar stage and my only symptoms are sore boobs and on and off cramps so don't worry about lack of symptoms I hear they ramp up from 6+ sometimes and sometimes you just don't have any and are considered lucky but actually i find it stressful not having any too as it feels wrong and as crappy as they are I'd rather have them for peace of mind even if I feel like death 😂

So I've got a list I've been keeping since before the MC from my research of things to buy etc...

Thought I'd write it up into a note a share it here with the hopes that
A - experienced mums might be able to tell me if it's wrong or anything's missing and
B - it might help other first time mums with a guide

From reviewing it I don't think it's a bad list... it doesn't seem to have much on there that isn't essential or am I way off with that haha

Changing:
Reusable nappies
Nappy bucket and laundry bag
Nappy liners
Nappy boosters
Reusable wipes
Disposable nappies
Disposable wipes
Changing bag
Travel changing mat
Nappy cream
Nappy sacks

Bathing:
Bath seat
Baby towel
Baby toiletries
Bath thermometer

Going out/travel:
Travel system
Car seat
Baby carrier or sling
Child car mirror
Pram organiser

Feeding:
Muslins
Nursing clothing and bras
Breast pump
Milk bags
Nipple cream and pads
Bottles
Bottle steriliser
Feeding pillow
Bibs

Clothing:
Baby grows / sleepsuits
Body suits / vests
Socks?
Pram suit
Cardigan
Baby detergent

Sleeping and nursery:
Cot
Wardrobe
Chest of drawers/changing table/ add on
Bedside crib
Baby monitor
Baby blanket/cellular blankets
Room thermometer
Night light
Sleeping bags/swaddles
White noise toy
Mattress
Mattress cover/bedding

Misc:
Baby bouncer / swing
Play mat / activity gym
Dummies
Thermometer (a good one!)
Nasal aspiration
Baby grooming set
Car seat/pram blanket (morrck)
Travel cot?
Downstairs sleeping option?

I have no idea how this is going to post and it pasted into the text box weird 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻😂😂😂

Ladies, I had my scan today around 3pm. I'm SOOOOO happy to share that everything was normal - including the bladder. Honestly, the last week has been so hard because I've been so anxious about there being any issues. Baby was so active as well. It was truly magical seeing him move around - living his best life lol. Sorry I haven't kept up to date, I hope you're all doing amazing ❤️

@Bl0ndi3 fab list!
Matt Hancock has announced informal childcare can go ahead even in lockdown areas. I know this affects some of you 🙌

Yayyy!! So so relieved

@FairyLights2 oh that's so amazing I'm so happy and relieved for you ❤️

Hi ladies. My area will he in local lockdown as of tomorrow evening 😏 but the health board have said it won't effect current arrangements for scans and stuff which means DH can still come next week 👍🏻 thank goodness. I'm so sorry for those of you who are still not able to have your partners with you. It's just awful.

When it comes to post birth I don't think they just chuck the dads out in a cold hearted way, all the reviews I've seen on my local health board have said the midwives have been excellent & stepped up to support the women. Many even said it was actually nice to chat to the other ladies around because they were all on their own, so a real community feel which was nice. I'm trying my best to focus on those positivea because at the end of the day we have to make the best of it as the situation is out of our control. Its really hard.

Tbh I'm gutted about no face to face NCT classes because as a FTM I won't be able to meet any new mums locally and have that support network & new mum friends. But again... We'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Sausage1990 mine too - are you in Lancashire 👀❤️👋🏻

It is rubbish isn't it and it's definitely the worst part about being pregnant during this pandemic for me as I don't feel to concerned about actually getting covid although being much more careful. We will still have the most wonderful pregnancy that we possibly can and have healthy gorgeous babies at the end of it ❤️

@fairylights2 ahh I'm glad your scan went well and you're feeling so much better 💕

@sophi123 I'm glad the spotting has stopped & keeping fingers crossed for you that all is well. I'd say an early scan will be good for you to put your mind at ease too. 😊

I went to my SIL yesterday and she gave us LOADS of baby stuff she doesn't need. She's moving and needed to get rid of some of the stuff. So we got a play mat, jumparoo, baby sleeping cushion (like sleepyhead but a different brand), a walker thingy (one that baby pushes around & one that they sit in with wheels if that makes sense), and a moses basket and stand!!! Lots of the stuff she got 2nd hand and used with my niece but it could all be brand new. So little wear because they don't use each but for long. Alot if it will go in the attic as 1. It's way too early and 2. Baba won't need it for a while but it's saved us alot for later on. I've been looking on fb market place and there are LOADS of things in there for so much cheaper and practically new so I'm definitely doing that.

@Mococo1 you saying about people not spending too much money & someone else saying about others buying excessively for you, it reminded me - has anyone thought of doing a baby registry? Like they do in America (or at least they do in the TV shows)... So you could ask for specific things like a particular brand if nappy or wipes or the reusable equivalent, or other essentials like breaths pads or something, otherwise you could ask for vouchers for a specific store or brand to buy the pram you wanted or something that's more expensive so you don't want someone to may outright for but would happily have a contribution towards. I can't help feel it might be a better way so the gifts are helpful and useful bit just lots of clothes that won't get worn... I duno maybe this is the nieve ramblings of a FTM haha but I'm thinking about it. Xx

I wouldn’t waste a penny Ona. Nappy bin! I wouldn’t even use one if it was given to me for free lol xxx

@bl0ndi3 No I'm a Welshie in South Wales valleys 😊 but yes I agree we have to try to make the best of this. There are a whole load of women who's already done this and there will be more... And we'll definitely be in a facebook group by then so we can all have 3am chats while we're all up haha

Not the best news for us at our scan unfortunately.
The baby's nuchal translucency was 2.9mm - the highest it should be at that gestation (12+6) is 2.4mm. Teamed with my bloods, it put us at high risk with a 1 in 59 chance of down's. We opted for the harmony test, luckily kings gives it on the NHS but it's going to be an agonising 2 week wait for those results. Not what I wanted to hear today, especially going through it alone as the bastards wouldn't let my husband in with me.

But I don't know anyone that's been through it before, so if you guys have any experience or know anyone that has, I'd love to hear your stories.

Realistically I know the risk is still very low, but the unknown is very scary and waiting 2 weeks is going to feel like 2 years!

@mrsmummy1111 - such an anxious time for you especially when your partner can't be in scans etc too. Don't have any advice, but will keep fingers crossed and hope you can find some distractions over the next 2 weeks.

@Sausage1990 - thank you. EPU have actually offered me a scan on Wednesday morning which I am so grateful for given my anxiety levels. Warned that may not be able to see much as only c. 5+4 but hoping that they can at least check nothing horrid like ectopic etc.

@mrsmummy1111 thinking about you, it will be a long couple of weeks I imagine
Have you got some good support networks

@mrsmummy1111 I hear you - you must be super stressed. I would be.
However - still 58 to one to that all is ok! I'm keeping it all crossed.
There are a few threads on NIPT in pregnancy boards I think?

It'll be a long two weeks but we are here for you xxxx

@mrsmummy1111 I'm really sorry to hear that! My heart dropped at the scan too when they mentioned I was at risk because baby's bladder was full. He was also just above the norm and now a week later he's within the normal range. The wait was so agonising but remembering that everything can still be fine made it just about bearable. It was you who actually gave me hope!

I wish I could reassure you in a similar way. Remember everyday the baby is growing and the size can make a huge difference. Try to not think about it too much (easier said than done) and next scan will be hopefully be much more positive! Sending you LOTS of positivity and praying for the best outcome ❤️

@Bl0ndi3 @Sausage1990 thank you ❤️❤️

@Bl0ndi3 love the list too! Thank you for sharing. I'm honestly clueless, so I've saved everything lol x

@mrsmummy1111 oh I'm sorry to hear it didn't go quite as planned today. Fingers crossed for better news as time goes by but also remember that your baby is a blessing regardless of the outcome, you will be an incredible mother to this child, with or without downs. Sending lots of love & prayers your way xxx

@mrsmummy1111 Thinking of you 💕