Due April 2021

[BoJingle]

Is around who's due in April 2021? How are you feeling?

I was in a thread on here in early pregnancy, dropped off when I joined the buddies Facebook group, I'm still in it but its not really for me.... I miss having a place to go to chat pregnancy though.

@StayingPositive8 same situation for us. We’re in E London and looking to move at some point hopefully within the year. We have signed up for NCT classes in our local area in March which are supposed to be in person but I imagine it will switch back to zoom. Worth booking sooner rather than later as I booked in Dec and we got the last slot in the whole borough! Mad!

Friends of ours did zoom ones in August and they loved them. They have built decent friendships from it even though they have only been able to meet a handful of times. I think having a local group to WhatsApp at 3am and you’re tearing your hair out really helps!

I figure it’s best to do it locally because you will make friends when you move through baby groups etc anyway.

We've signed up for NCT starting in March. Currently still meant to be in person, but realistically I bet they'll be online - so good to hear the online ones aren't a waste of time. I would love to get to meet people in person though. We're also going through the Positive Birth Company online course, which is interesting so far.

We’ve signed up for an online nct class, it’s end of March.

Hospital one is beginning or March.

Both at the weekend.

Has anyone started making a list of what they need to get for their hospital bag? I've seen so many different things and I don't actually know what I need and what won't get used!

@firsttimemomtobex no I haven't but if anyone comes up with a list it would be good to see! When do people actually pack this stuff? Do you have it sat on standby just in case? I've seen people arriving at the hospital with whole suitcases - how much stuff is there?

Honestly I haven't done very much at all. Only just getting confident it's actually going to happen after losses. Ordered my first baby item yesterday which felt like a pretty big step! Still need to work through all of the car seat, buggy, crib type stuff. It's kind of overwhelming!

A friend sent me her hospital bag list and it was sooo long! Don’t want to end up taking too much stuff but once you’ve packed enough clothes for a potentially extended stay, plus clothes in a variety of sizes for baby depending on what will fit it does all start to add up. I just know I’m going to end up with practically a suitcase full of food. Sounds stupid but I’ve heard so many stories of people not being given much to eat on post natal wards and given the cafes won’t be open and partners won’t be able to pop in an out so easily due to COVID I’m super worried about being hungry lol

Thanks for all your help with the antenatal group conversation! I have booked a course today, so feeling a bit more organised!

@firsttimemomtobex I have been looking at this list:

www.nct.org.uk/labour-birth/deciding-where-give-birth/giving-birth-hospital/hospital-bag-checklist-what-do-i-need-take

I have a friend who is a midwife and she said a wheelie suitcase is a good idea, or separate items into 2 bags, one for labour and one for baby and you post birth. Leave the second one in the boot until you have had the baby. She basically said that clothes for mum for a few days, just in case you need to stay in. 4 x vests and baby grows etc for baby plus a pack of newborn nappies etc.. And also take a battery pack and cable to charge your phone just in case you can't plug it into the wall.

@Mimba1 I've watched a few YouTube videos of 'what's in my hospital bag' and people tend to take a carry on size suitcase for the mom and then a bag for baby!

@LuckyFlash I see loads of people mention the amount of clothes but most people I know who have had babies have been sent home like 2 or 3 hours later so I think I'll have a spare bag of extra clothes ready in the car incase I need them but not going to pack tonnes, I'm also worried about the hunger 😂

@StayingPositive8 thankyou I'll have a look at the list! I need to get a battery pack for my phone as I don't have one and a lot of people have said to order an extra long cable as the plug sockets are usually far from your bed in hospital.. good luck with your antenatal course I haven't looked at any yet don't know whether to do one or not 🙄

I’m currently making a list of everything I need to get, it’s all making it feel really real though.

Have a look at charlotte louise taylor's video on hospital bag contents on her youtube channel - theres also a separate one for baby bag - thought she had some useful tips!

I didn't have anything ready for my first as she was early, literally stopped off at Sainsburys on my way to the hospital for snacks and my waters were breaking at the time, I should have told them and got my shopping for free Hopefully I will be a little more prepared this time but if my DD see's me packing a bag she will only steal it and try and pack what she wants in there!

A mini suitcase worked for us for my first birth. We ended up in hospital for 4 days for a "normal" birth. Friends who were induced or had c sections ended up in longer. Given covid its likely that partners won't be able to come and go as usual, so best to pack everything you think you'll need and keep spare things in the car. I packed mine by 35 weeks last time and baby arrived at 39.

Also, lip balm, a pillow and a small battery operated fan were my top 3! Always pack more pads than you think you'll need. I personally wouldn't bother with going home outfits, no one will see them. PJs are fine!

I packed for a hospital day trip so I woefully under packed for my 2 night stay 😂

So.... I've created a Facebook group 🙃 I said in my opening post on this thread that I was in the Facebook group but that particular group wasn't for me and that really hasn't changed.

Facebook is much easier to keep up with conversation threads and I have been in a really great supportive group for 3 years since expecting my first so figured I'd create a new one for any April mamas and see how we get on.

If anyone fancies joining, its a private group, here's the link: www.facebook.com/groups/257523745746809/?ref=share

Hi all, I’ve been so busy with work that I’ve barely had time to think about the baby... but my mat leave cover started yesterday and just 4 weeks left so hoping I can start to get myself more organised soon! I have a cot coming from a neighbour, have all my baby wraps/slings from my others still, and a changing mat and that’s it 😫

The sales in this country have been moved and will start 20 January, so hoping I might find a baby supplies shop with a good sale. Otherwise I’ll wait til sales start across one of the borders (it’s typically much more expensive here).

I told my team last week and they were a bit shocked, I feel bad for them as I took over a bigger role in September so they’ve had change already to deal with but the person covering me is great and I’m sure will be great until I return late September. Still yet to tell my family, it feels a bit pointless as borders back home closed and no one could come over now, even if I had a health issue so I figure it’s going to cause a whole heap of worry for no purpose. Such a dilemma though!

@wavesandsmilesencore Don't feel bad for your team, they'll be fine! The family one does sound tricky, especially if if would worry. Would your family usually come over?

I can't get my head into baby preparation at all. When I try and look at what I need I get side tracked. I'm currently weighing up a perfect prep machine vs a smart kettle. DP thinks I'm mad.

@BoJingle what's a smart kettle? I am intrigued! I have a perfect prep but it's 5 years old now so not sure how safe it will be.

I have not joined the Facebook group yet as I am worried I'll get addicted like I am to MN 😂

@baahumbugg 😂 It can be! No worries and no pressure for anyone, it's only a tiny group tbf but the links there if anyone wants it 😄

I didn't use a perfect prep last time and we were absolutely fine and didnt feel like we needed it so OH is a bit resistant to buying one but with a toddler and a baby, I'm thinking of anything to make life easier.

It's a kettle that has an app and connects to alexa 😂 you can also set the "boiling" temp so it can just boil to 70 degrees to add straight to formula rather than 100 then letting it cool. Like I say, my OH thinks I've lost it 😂 Google the ikettle!

Oh my god that sounds amazing! Off to google it now. I found the prep a bit of a hassle as often my daughter only had 3 or 4 ounces at night so ended up wasting lots of formula as the minimum on the perfect prep was 5oz I think, it might have changed now!

@baahumbugg Doesn't it! I have a three storey house so I like the idea of being able to set the kettle to boil before I head downstairs so it's done when I'm in the kitchen and ready to make the formula!

Has anyone had their 28 week appointment yet? I have mine this week and I’m wondering what to expect. Other than 2 scans all my appointments so far have been over the phone (and were completely pointless) so this will be my first time seeing the midwife

I had mine 10 days ago. I see the midwife for every other appointment.

She checked my urine and took my bloods, checked my blood pressure, measured my bump and listened to the baby’s heartbeat. It was all really straightforward, and it gave me the opportunity to ask any questions that I had.

Thanks @MsHedgehog

Do you know what the blood test was for? Is that routine at 28 weeks or for something specific? I was hoping I’d had the last of them unless needed for something in particular haha

Looking forward to having my bump measured. People keep asking me for photos as I can’t see anyone and every response says that my bump looks small - it’s put me on edge!