July - we’re half way (thread 3)

[PeanutButterFalcon]

Spotted the last thread was almost full so started this one.

[THATbasicSNOWFLAKE]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/4248377-July-2021-thread-4-maybe-there-will-be-more-babies?watched=1

New thread before this one is full!

[Devonfirsttimemum93]

I was invited a while ago to receive my first jab - before the guidance was advising pregnant women to get it - due to an underlying condition, and went round the block between my midwife, OBGYN consultant, hospital team and GP who seemed to pass me on to the next person to ask about benefits/risks. Eventually the guidance changed, and I was able to ring my GP and ensure they booked me for a Pfizer or Moderna jab as I’m also under 30. I tried to book it online through the original link they sent through but it advised me to ring my GP as they couldn’t guarantee stock of those brands in my area.

I just weighed up the fact if I got Covid in my third trimester then the actual risks of that compared to any hypothetical risks of a vaccine (which is non-live anyway) are far greater. Didn’t have any side effects apart from a sore arm! Only trouble I have now is trying to arrange the second dose not exactly on my due date! (Great timing by me!)

[TiredAlreadyOhDear]

So I had my midwife appointment and asked about the covid jab - she told me I should be able to have it and to call 119 to ask - but I called them and they said I’m not allowed it yet - so now I’m still not sure hahaha sorry I know that doesn’t help!

[PeanutButterFalcon]

@THATbasicSNOWFLAKE thank you that’s perfect. There seems to be so many ears on everything at the moment it’s all the baby would have

[THATbasicSNOWFLAKE]

Best asking your mw @Flittingaboutagain as i know different hospitals can have very different set ups

[Flittingaboutagain]

So many great tips!

Can anyone advise on how it may work if I end up having to go in (planning a home birth) and can't breastfeed. The formula I have chosen isn't available in a carton or pack, it is purely powder as I wanted to avoid a particular chemical..how will I make a bottle up from powder on a ward? Do they provide a steriliser for bottles and a kettle?

[THATbasicSNOWFLAKE]

www.mamasandpapas.com/products/knitted-cardigan-nb-s738xg2b1

Ive been eyeing up a white one in next but it has ears

[Luckyelephant1]

@PeanutButterFalcon think I'll prob do the same re. bras.

I'm sure I've seen some plain white cardigans in M&S and Next.

It's so hard to plan clothing for a summer baby! Think I've got most stuff covered now but if there's suddenly a big heatwave in July (surely there has to be one at some point this year!!) I'll need to get more bits I think.

[THATbasicSNOWFLAKE]

I got a plain grey cardigan with no ears etc from mamas and papas

[PeanutButterFalcon]

I’ll have to keep looking. All the shops seem to have hooded ones with ears on, or no neutral ones.

@Luckyelephant1 I don’t have the biggest boobs either and have got some crop top ones to begin with and then will see if my boobs get any bigger.

[Warrickdaviesasplates]

@Luckyelephant1 easier boob access is the main point of nursing bras I think. It's easier to leave a boob out for a long time as well without straps digging in or the cup riding up.

I have quite large breasts (F cups) so found it easier to be discreet in public and the ones I got were very soft cups with no underwire (they might all be like that) so I found them more comfortable.

It might be worth seeing if you can find some cheap-ish ones and just getting one or two. If you get on well with them you can always get more. I did find comfort to be so important during breastfeeding as at the start it can be a pretty uncomfortable process so anything that might help is worth a try in my book.

[Luckyelephant1]

This may be a stupid question and I know things may change as my milk comes in, but I have small boobs that haven't particularly grown if at all during pregnancy. Generally I wear bralettes or crop top style bras that will be pretty easy to pull down to get a boob out for feeding. Do I really need to get specific nursing bras? What benefits do they have other than the easy boob access?

[TiredAlreadyOhDear]

@PeanutButterFalcon I’ve got one cardigan - but my dads wife is knitting me a couple more so very lucky for that.

I’ve started getting bits now for my bag - so far I have

Disposable underwear
Maternity pads
Three nursing bras
Two black nighties
One pair of pjs
Nipple cream (not sure if I’ll need to take that with me or not though)
Breast pads

Think that’s all I’ve got so far!

[THATbasicSNOWFLAKE]

I have three cardigans, one is new the other two were dc5s. I would have atleast one.

@ElderMillennial, i read it as pads 🤣 we must have equally mushy brains

[PeanutButterFalcon]

Do we need cardigan/jackets for the baby? I’ve looked everywhere and cannot see one I like. Hoping someone might knit me one at work now.

My plan is to pack this week after I’ve washed and ironed everything. Think I have pretty much everything. I was hoping it would all fit in one bag?

We’ve been picking up snacks in our food shop and drinks as I know DH will be starving

[ElderMillennial]

When I said maternity bags I meant I've bought maternity pads 🙄

[Warrickdaviesasplates]

@THATbasicSNOWFLAKE

Food bags are good, i will be doing this and writing the size on the bag

That's such a good idea! I've got a couple of "new born" sized outfits a couple of "up to one month" and a couple of "0-3 months" I plan on bringing with me. So writing the size on the bag will mean I don't have to try and remember which outfit is which size and direct DH to them while incapacitated.

I've started making a list of what'll need to go in all the bags so I get any little bits I need with the weekly shopping. I've got a list for my bag, one for the baby's bag and a list for each child that my mum will be looking after while I'm in hospital. Dh says it's going over board but I feel calmer already knowing everyone can just grab their bag and go and I won't have to worry about forgetting my towel or DS's nappies or DD's spare socks.

Has anyone got any nappy bag recommendations? My old one is falling apart so thought I'd try to treat myself to a nice new one. (And I can use it as babies hospital bag.)

[TiredAlreadyOhDear]

Yeah I was thinking of doing the same - bagging up like the outfits for the baby so it’s easy to just pull out a bag and know you can dress it rather than routing around for all the different bits you need. Xx

[THATbasicSNOWFLAKE]

Food bags are good, i will be doing this and writing the size on the bag

[ElderMillennial]

You could also use packing cubes to split things if you're using one bag.

Not sure if it has been mentioned above but some people use large food bags to split baby outfits.

I haven't packed a bag yet but have bought some maternity bags and mini toiletries.

[Foxglovesandlilacs]

I find a case easier as it had a divider/zip thing so I put things I need for labour in one side and after labour on the other. And take carrier bags/wet bag to put dirty clothes in.

[Flittingaboutagain]

Thanks ladies. I was debating a case or a hold all type bag.

[Foxglovesandlilacs]

@Flittingaboutagain I have always taken a cabin suitcase for me and change bag for the babies stuff. I’m having a home birth too but will have one ready just in case. My 5th baby was supposed to be a home birth but when I rang they told me to go in as there weren’t enough midwives! So always best to be prepared.

[HumunaHey]

Just placemarking and hoping to catch the new thread as I see this one is almost full.

I'm 30 weeks (due with my second). I'm slowly packing my hospital bag. Just need flip flops for the shower and that's it.

Me and DH still haven't decided where DC1 will go when it all kicks off. That's the one thing that's stressing me out. Other than that, I can't wait until the big day and being able to lie on my belly, like a PP has mentioned!

[THATbasicSNOWFLAKE]

Let us know what she says please @TiredAlreadyOhDear!

Praying i dont have to stay in overnight 🤞