November 2021, thread 3 - hello second trimester!

[AlackAlasAlackaday]

Hi everyone, following up from our second thread here.

We’re just about through morning sickness and odd early pregnancy symptoms… what will the second trimester bring?

The lists of stuff to pack are very helpful. I'm gradually getting various things, but haven't started packing -31 weeks now.

A question for you anyone who can help - in the mumsnet article about what you need for a baby it says this. Are these four different types of clothing? I have some short sleeve body suits (maybe not so idea for a November baby, but they were on offer and had pictures of toucans on them) and some sleeps suits so far....

Really useful seeing everyone's hospital bag lists. Need to get started on mine! I'm having a c-section so heard I will need big pants to go over the wound. Anyone who's had a baby previously, what sort of size should you go for immediately post birth? I know your stomach stays big for a while but not sure how big. I'm normally a size 8, should I look at size 12 or 14 pants if going for non-maternity ones from somewhere like M&S?

@Katy4321 I have been asking my mum lots of questions about keeping the baby at the right temp as it's really stressing me out. I only bought short sleeve vests and she said it's better to do that and layer the baby up as needed on top (cardigan, coat/blanket) rather than having lots of heavy layers under.
I think the article means 8 sets, like 8 vests, 8 sleepsuits etc. I feel 4 wouldn't be enough, if the baby does a few explosive poops you would have the washing machine on all the time but if you have 8 you've got a bit of a buffer. I bought a few multi packs of plain sleepsuits and vests for the start and will buy more once we know whether it's a boy or girl.

I managed to pack the bag for the baby at the weekend and will think about sorting mine ASAP as so many people at work have started telling me how they gave birth at 37 weeks and I definitely don't feel ready to have a baby in 4 weeks eek!!

@Katy4321 I would say sleepsuits & baby grows are the same thing (the long leg & log sleeved ones that go in the top) & vests/body suits are the same too (no legs & come in short or long sleeved to go underneath sleepsuits.

I’ve got mostly short sleeved as I figure the heating will be on & I can always Chuck a cardigan over. It’s worse for babies to be too hot than too cold anyway.

@Floryella probably two sizes above your normal size will be enough, but really high waisted so the elastic is well above where your incision will be x

Thanks @knock123 and @sparklyblue81 that makes much sense! Trying to not go overboard getting stuff, as don't know how big she will be either.
Will start packing in the next week or so.... Time feels like it is flying, but from reading other posts the last few weeks can feel slow.

I hope everyone is doing OK.

@sparklyblue81 thanks for that! I have no idea what to expect - I heard you look about 4 months pregnant for a while?

Got my c-section date yesterday, 17th November. Really nice to know when she's coming (unless she decides to make an early appearance).
It turns out from the growth scan I was sent for (because apparently my bump was too small?!) that she is actually 85th percentile, with a massive tummy! So I'm quite pleased she'll be coming out at 39 weeks, I already feel absolutely huge and not sure how I can keep stretching!

Yes it takes a good few weeks for your bump to go back down for most people anyway. Loose, stretchy & comfy is def the way to go 😊

I’ve been referred to the diabetes clinic after all (I thought I’d managed to escape 😭) so will see what they say on tues. then I’m back to consultant on Friday & 32 week growth scan to see what bubs is up to.

I’ve already been told they won’t let me go overdue so it is def less than 2 months to go for me now 😬 Coming round a bit quick 😱 All starting to feel very real all of a sudden - I think I’ve been a little bit in denial that I’m actually going to have to give birth & ride that crazy newborn sleep deprivation rollercoaster again 🙈

@Katy4321

The lists of stuff to pack are very helpful. I'm gradually getting various things, but haven't started packing -31 weeks now.

A question for you anyone who can help - in the mumsnet article about what you need for a baby it says this. Are these four different types of clothing? I have some short sleeve body suits (maybe not so idea for a November baby, but they were on offer and had pictures of toucans on them) and some sleeps suits so far....

@Katy4321 we’ve followed the Emma’s Daiary list which is… Six sleep suits / long sleeve suits Six vests / short sleeve suits Two cardigans / jacket Shawl Snow suit Cotton hat and mittens Plus we have two winter hats.

I was always brought up to lay up before heating on. I won’t freeze the little one but it will have layers.
Plus my in laws are rather excited and brought it a little Jean and jumper out fit and I picked some plain dungerees up in the sale.
Not sure if it’s against the rules but if you don’t want to spend a lot on things like snow suits, I got a lovely one off Vinted for under a fiver.
We don’t know if girl or boy yet so not gone ott so once it’s here and growing we can get more colourful stuff.

Hope everyone is keeping well
Had a growth scan on Friday at 32w3d and baby is still sitting on the 20th percentile. I can't take in that she isn't enormous like all the other babies in my family.

I feel exactly the same as @sparklyblue81, it's getting a bit real! Also been told I won't go overdue. I'm led to believe I will be thankful for this when the time comes, but right now I wouldnt mind a few extra weeks to prepare

@lizlou85 thank you - that sounds great and I will check out Emma's diary too

@yogity that sounds like a good sign that they must be growing at a reasonable rate to maintain 20th percentile.

I'm having a growth scan towards end of this week at 32w plus 6. Bit concerned as most people appear to have had one earlier, and I'm consultant led, because of being an older ftm. Have only spoken to the consultant once over the phone briefly and that has been it...
Have seen the community midwife, so am getting regular check ups, but just feels a long time since last scan.

@Katy4321 if it helps, I'm also consutant led due to my thyroid and I only had an in person appointment at 28 weeks and due for another in a couple of weeks at 36 weeks. The others before that were just on the phone. I can't comment on your growth scan timing because I've not needed any but I just take it that if they don't want to see me more they can't be too worried about me. Hope all goes well at the scan, it'll be great to see your baby again hey!

@knock123 thank you - that makes sense and glad your thyroid problem is not causing too much concern. Yes i think there were no flags other than age with me - so a good sign. And I guess it is really this end of the pregnancy they want to keep an eye on regarding growth, as ill have scan at 36 weeks. And yes it will be lovely to see her again :)

Hi, not sure if your dr and hospital is like mine, we’re they like you to do a lateral flow test before arrival BUT I was in the pharmacy today collecting a prescription and was handed a leaflet saying fromOctober you have to have a code to collect kits and they are phasing out to service where you order online and they send via the post. Just an Fayai if anyone needs to order some in advance as having to go collect isn’t as convenient for some as arriving via the post.

@Lizlou85

Hi, not sure if your dr and hospital is like mine, we’re they like you to do a lateral flow test before arrival BUT I was in the pharmacy today collecting a prescription and was handed a leaflet saying fromOctober you have to have a code to collect kits and they are phasing out to service where you order online and they send via the post. Just an Fayai if anyone needs to order some in advance as having to go collect isn’t as convenient for some as arriving via the post.

*that’s Just an FYI.

Thanks for the heads up @Lizlou85

Has anyone seen @AlackAlasAlackaday??

I'm here @knock123, I somehow fell off my own thread . Thank you for tagging me!

Still pregnant. Enormous. In the hospital loads for monitoring/consultant appts, but broadly ok. Each twin is now 2.2kg / 25% centile, and I have a date for an induction in two weeks (will be 37w) if things don't kick off sooner. Feels very real now!

@AlackAlasAlackaday oh good I was worried as not seen you for so long but glad to hear all is well! How exciting 2 weeks eeek!!! Sorry to be an idiot but are you giving birth vaginally then, not c section?

Basically I've agreed to try for a VB (they're both in OK positions, which is the thing that stops it being viable for a lot of twins), but with a very low threshold for saying "No, this isn't progressing, section please" - because if you have (induction) intervention after intervention the second twin can get distressed and then need an emergency section to haul them out. So it's not the clearest route for birth - my older DD was a straightforward "wait for contractions, ring the hospital" - but it's the approach I'm most comfortable with. I'd prefer a VB if circumstances allow. I'm bouncing on my yoga ball and going for lots of walks at the mo trying to get things going, and I've forewarned DH that somehow we'll need to have sex too .

Have you got a birth plan going, or have you got a while longer to mull things over still?

@alackalasalackaday good to see you back, very glad you are doing ok and exciting that it is not long now.

@lizlou85 thanks for the warning about lateral flow tests

@AlackAlasAlackaday wow amazing!! Fingers crossed all goes to plan for you but sounds like you're mentally prepared for all outcomes and in only 2 weeks, so exciting!!
I'm 34 weeks now so still have a bit of time to prep. Was wanting a home birth but I've had to compromise with birth centre attached to the hospital with the consultant, but hoping for a natural birth with as little intervention as possible but also trying to prepare for all possibilities.

Just been to midwife today and baby hasn't grown enough in the last 3 weeks so got to go for a growth scan. She told me not to worry so of course I'm sat here stressing! My partner is away for the first half of next week and after so many bad news scans in previous unsuccessful pregnancies I have major scan phobia and can't stand the thought of going alone, hoping I can arrange it for when he's back

Gah @Knock123 how stressful. They tend to be very cautious though so though it can feel so worrying it’s usually just (more) monitoring. Or the measurements are off .

Fwiw I had my older daughter in a MLU/birth centre and loved it, I’m very jealous! Like yours the labour ward/consultant was in the same building so all felt very close if needed.

Thank you, I told my mum and she said small babies run in our family (not sure if that's even a thing) and was always having growth scans with me and my brother and everything was fine. She also said if my partner is away she'll drive 3 hours to come with me. I checked the chart from the midwife and the measurement is 1cm out so clearly its not a massive change, just them being super cautious.

Oh I'm so glad you had a good experience in an MLU, I've been doing hypnobirthing and really hoping for a calm experience.

What is everyone else planning?

Currently 31 weeks and something days, anyone else struggling with temperatures at present?. I know it’s unseasonably warm at the moment but yesterday when sorting things in baby’s rooms, windows wide open I still had to keep stepping out to cool down. Last night we had the window open and fan on and still I struggled. Been up since 5am because the local cockerel has been announcing its dawn. Anyone have any tips ?

I've been feeling the heat more than expected and am mostly in t-shirts or thin dresses at the moment - even today with the rain the windows are open.

32 weeks today for me and definitely going through the acrobatics where I feel physically assaulted from the inside out. Baby boy is breech and so one part of me is getting a particularly good kicking. He's barely lived all pregnancy actually as I've felt his kicks in the same place throughout. Only a few more weeks til I get my planned section date - glad we are going down that route otherwise I'd be worried to get him to turn! The raging heartburn continues though.... 24 weeks of it down and only 7 more to go.....!

Anyone been utilising their Emma's diary and Bounty free packs? i had a lovely lady in boots give me all at once which was nice and saved me going back.

@Roopers glad I'm not the only one who feels like they are being bruised from the inside out. My little one seems to like punching my right side, then having a couple of flips and back to kicking or punching again.
It's rained all morning here but I've had all the windows open again. Feel sorry for anyone who's final few weeks were in the hight of summer.