🍼👶🏼👣 MAMAS DUE OCTOBER 2021 👣👶🏼🍼

[MyGrassIsBrowner]

Hey ladies, thought I'd start a thread for all us mamas due October 2021! Whether you're on your first or your tenth child, let's share our journey together!

My due date is officially 8th October and this is my second baby girl 💜 My DD is 15 months old so I'm gonna have two under two.. god help me 🙉
I'm actually booked in for an elective section this time (reason being is that I have low grade rectocele prolapse and I'm petrified that another vaginal birth will make it worse) my first labour was 4.5 hours from start of initial contractions to birthing her - textbook waterbirth on paper pretty much. I am however starting to reconsider my decision and go for my original plan of a homebirth. DH has just landed a new job only 15 mins away so it changes a lot. Any other ladies looking to try for a homebirth? I know for me personally it takes a lot of the strain off finding childcare, given how quickly I laboured first time round!

Cant wait to hear your stories and share these last few months of our pregnancies with each other! ❤

@summerhillgang glad to hear your out of the hospital and had a good experience from staff at least you know you were in good hands. The extra checks from consultant and scans will be reassuring for you . Enjoy having a good rest at home you can't beat your own bed.

Been feeling pretty traumatised after my hospital experience since getting home. Guess I am just on high alert now that this baby could come early, and everything that would mean. As FTM, I have no idea what's going to be typical for me. I'm getting proper organised just in case! Trying not to stress myself out but it's hard. Was proper wired from the steroids when I got back from hospital and took me ages to calm down. Every little twinge is getting me worried 😟

@queenie273646 sorry to hear that you also have bleeding. Did the medics give you any advice on what can cause the sensitivities? Is there anything you avoid specifically?

I think I am going to stop the walking up / down hills and do more walking in flat places like the beach, and keep doing swimming but just not over exert myself, after what has been quite an active pregnancy. And prob DTD is off the cards until I am past 37 weeks.

I do really want my home birth or at least to have early labour at home.

Also separate point, and back to the discussion before, what's the best formula you can use? As prob wise to have some just in case. Another friend recommended Hipps Organic.

Today we're putting the cot up and assembling the bouncer, washing all the babies clothes/bedding/towels, and I'm packing a hospital bag for me and for the baby. Then I'll feel better if this happens again and I need to suddenly go into hospital.

Xx

Ps I bit the bullet and bought some
Crocs, thought they might be good hospital wear 🐊

@summerhillgang Oh hun I'm so sorry. You're probably feeling quite shell shocked to be honest. I know I would be.
You really do need to take things easy though (where possible) dont be walking up bloody hills you mad woman! 🙈

Also with regards to formula, all the generic stuff, it's all the same. Aptimil is more expensive because you pay for the branding. We used Cow & Gate and had no issues? But it can be trial and error with what your baby will take, just dont go for the more expensive stuff thinking it will be better cause it's far from it!

Xx

@summerhillgang and omg with regards to the crocs, what colour did you go for? Something funky I hope! I'm wanting a pair myself!! Xx

@summerhillgang oh you will feel really nervous for a while until you havnt bled for a while. I bled at 15 weeks thought the worst as I didn't have anything like this with my first ! Consultant checked me out and baby said couldn't see a cause everything looked fine she could see old blood etc was sent home, she said some people can have a sensitive cervix which causes it due to hormones or sex etc. Had sorry for tmi brown blood a few times over different weeks last time was around 2 weeks ago and I ring every time midwife checked my blood group and she said as long as it's brown not bright red it's old blood which made me feel a lot less panicked they said 2 weeks ago as long as it's like that and baby is moving as normal it'll be my cervix, it usually happens a few days after sex so I do just think it's a sensitive cervix, I had a low lying placenta at 20 weeks so assumed it could of been that but they said everything is closed etc. Your best to try and get some sleep and rest over the next few days as much as possible. Your organised now for birth but I'm sure everything will be fine keep an eye on baby's movements and if you ever do get scared ring maternity unit sometimes even speaking to someone on the phone calmed me down. Formula wise this time I'm going to try kendamil it's a new formula made in the uk they sell it as Asda boots sainsburys etc, they have a website aswell you can order from if you want to look at their formulas etc, they don't use fish oil etc, but apart from those all the other formulas are exactly the same pretty much. Good shout on the crocs ! I've got some pairs of new cheap flip flops from all the holidays we didn't get on last year so I'll probably stick a pair of those in I was not this prepared with first and the walk to the shower was a pain (was on a ward for 4 days) and even getting up for the toilet etc, remembering back im now going to pack a dressing gown a small thin one for those trips incase I end up on the dreaded ward again.

@summerhillgang The best thing you can do, is whatever makes you feel safer. If that is nothing but sitting with a good tv series and feeling your baby move - so be it! I will be FTM here too but i truly think anyone would stress in this position.

Definitely pack your hospital bag, i think having that done will be one less worry and make you feel prepared. As you said, you have had the steroid injections and there is no bleeding looking from your womb or placenta so no reason tk believe baby will be come early - even if they do you are prepared!

As for the crocs, there is no shame in comfort! Tried to get myself up and ready today as I have been feeling very trapped and isolated. Then decided I hate everything so am said in my joggers again haha.

Is anyone else isolating themselves a bit in this last trimester or do you think I am being too OTT. I just know myself that if I could not have DP with me due to covid or if I was a close contact I would worry for 2 weeks straight..

@Juicytoot287 I too am laying low now. Absolutely petrified of getting Covid this late on so I'm minimising contact with everyone. I'm so upset today though, had an appointment at a pram place to test out some prams. DP woke up coughing and spluttering, took an LFT but it's negative. Anyway, I gave him ample opportunity to say he was too ill to go and he left it right until the last minute to finally get out of bed, by this point we had 15 mins to get myself, DD and him ready as well as packing a bag for DD and other shit. So I said oh ffs forget it I'm cancelling. So not only have I had such a shitty month, him working stupid hours at work, being on my own with my DD every single day, the one fucking day I get to look forward to getting out and my world comes crashing down around me. (Okay probs an over exaggeration but its literally how I feel) so now im not speaking to him and today is going to be all round SHIT. xx

@MyGrassIsBrowner Oh no! I would be annoyed too, definitely sounds irrational but I get it completely. I know we can't expect the world to stop because we are pregnant and I am happy for everyone being able to go out - but it feels so isolating and like the first lockdown. DP walks the dog after work every day, and I tag along slowing them down or else I wouldn't get out really. Can't walk her on my own as she is too big and incase she pulls. He also works long hours so I am alone for 11 hours a day. But i agree, you get one thing to look forward to so when it gets ruined it is awful!
DP had a nice idea if you have one near - Drive in Cinema. Nice way to get out but also stay in? Welcoming any other ideas that keep you sane! Trying to avoid busy shopping as cases are high in the area and seeing friends outside in gardens where I can as they are all nixing and going out (understandably so)

@MyGrassIsBrowner book yourself in next time go yourself to get a feel for them and leave dd with your dp. Also while your out grab yourself a nice lunch and enjoy your day. Oh your feelings are valid I think men don't get it at times!
We all had covid a while ago (delta variant) it wasn't too bad I had bad cold symptoms for a few days felt really sleepy dp was the same but vomiting he was ill the week after me and dd , dd was fine after 2 days I was fully back to normal after around 11 days so I feel ill be covered for a while to not get it but I'm just carrying on as normal. I know it's awful to think birth partners won't be aloud in if they have tested positive it's all still up in the air I'd say try to self isolate so to speak 2-3 weeks before your due date to be ok the safe side, when we did the ivf they said to sort of take more precautions and sort of self isolate for 10 days before but I wasn't even tested before my egg retrieval or anything but at that time nothing was open bar the supermarkets so we didn't really have anywhere to catch it from I know test and trace and being pinged at the moment is crazy.
I think by the last few weeks of pregnancy I won't be moving anyway I remember being 7 weeks from the due date with my first thinking I can't get any bigger then the last 4 weeks hit (5 when I went over due ) and I could barely lift myself out of bed 😂.

@Juicytoot287 it's just super frustrating and even though it's probably something fairly insignificant it meant a lot to me and he knew I've been hyped for ages. We never got the pram shopping experience with DD as I had her in lockdown so everywhere was closed. I can probably count on both hands the amount of times I've actually been somewhere that isn't a supermarket. Was supposed to be seeing my mum too and I'm also upset about that now as she'd been getting excited to see my DD. We live 40 miles away which isn't long but we dont get to see each other like we used to.

My sister had Covid (she works in a pharmacy ironically but was obv working throughout) she's only 22 and was actually very ill with it, she's fully vaxed now but she gets illnesses really easily now and has been suffering from tonsilitis, colds etc ever since. Also took months for her smell/taste to come back and certain flavours she can't taste anymore! 😟

I'm not vaccinated by choice, going to get vaxxed once I've had DD. I feel for you on being in the house on your own. I cant walk my dog either plus I'd have DD to take with me too and it's just too much for me.
I'm happy for everyone getting back to some sort of normality but at the same time quite jealous although it's frightening that people who are fully vaxxed are still testing positive. I know we have to learn to live with it but it makes it such a miserable existence atm.

@queenie273646 annoyingly I dont drive anymore, well dont have my car anymore so I heavily rely on DP. The pram place is back in my hometown with is 40 mins away and I can only get to by car. Annoyingly where I'm living now there are no pram places similar to the one I was booked in for.

I have to laugh as with my DD that final week I went overdue I went bloody massive, needex help getting out of the bed and all sorts 🤣 this time I feel huge too and I literally am wondering how big this baba will end up. My DD was 8lb 6oz! Xx

Yes I agree. I am actually vaccinated with my 2nd dose next week but even then I don't feel 100% safe with the amount of people catching it anyway. I know people who have had both jabs and covid and still caught it - rotten bit of luck! I would probably feel differently about it all if I was not pregnant but just cannot risk the baby as I wouldn't forgive myself.
Going to do some googling for nice walks or activities outdoors like mini golf to try and squeeze some "us" time in before the new arrival

@Juicytoot287 Wish my DP was on board of trying to get us to do some 'us' stuff. Fucking dick 😒

It's a mad world atm and what a time to have kids ay! But they're so worth it. My DD is amazing, a little firecracker and drives me batty sometimes but I'd go to the ends of the earth for her!

@MyGrassIsBrowner oh no it must be tough having to rely on him for the car you have every right to be upset re book your appointment and tell him even if he doesn't want to come u need a lift , could you not get yourself insured on his car so you could use it ? I was expecting a giant baby as I was 8pound 10 and Dh was 8 pound 12 and our dd was 7 pound 5 I thought she was tiny ! They do say ivf babies are smaller though . What prams did u have in mind or did u want to look at them all ? The icandy ones push lovely I had one with dd , I havnt even tried an egg 2 pram I just went on a whim and bought it watched a lot of YouTube videos and seems pretty similar to an icandy in the way it handles so thought that'll do . Oh I'm the organiser for any activities in our home we would be sitting in the house all weekend if I didn't book and plan things this weekend was bowling and mini golf and dinner out with dd and Dh some men just arnt planners, next weekend we have a spa day booked I'd be on my death bed before Dh sorted anything out for us to do together , book some things for u to do im sure you'll feel better getting some time together even if you did have to organise it. Is anyone else sweating all the time im excited for the autumn weather now and the dark nights so I can sit in a hoodie and leggings and not feel guilty about sitting indoors because it's chucking it down outside eating my way through desserts that say portion size for 4 people.

@queenie273646 he drives a big 4×4 that I bloody hate driving lol. Test driven it myself and just couldn't get to grips with it. Sadly even if I was to get insured on it, it'd be pointless as he has it everyday for work anyway. I wouldn't have minded but the fact is he woke about 15 mins before we were due to leave and didnt understand my urgency (we had a 40-50 min commute to my mums to drop DD and dog off, then had to go drive back out to the pram place)
You know what really makes me laugh more than anything? He's a wedding and events co-ordinator soon to be general manager of a venue. Planning is his forte!! I could honestly throttle him sometimes but yeah, men just dont get it.

And LOL on the food front.. I'm eating so much naughty stuff, I've had profiteroles every night for the past few days 😂
Also, with you re the weather, I'm dreading it if we get another heatwave 😢 bring me sunny crispy cold autumn days ANYDAY!!

@queenie273646 and @MyGrassIsBrowner Oh my goodness Craving all the dessert lol. I have had scones and jam every day - I still eat healthy meals and my 5 a day, but my goodness I just want chocolate or cake all of a sudden. See all the other women and their amazing diets and I am just like... oops hahahaha

Definitely plan some stuff though. You sound a lot like how I feel and I think it is heightened for us as we aren't at work (I assume you aren't as you mentioned being stuck in every day) so we just sit waiting for company lol and if he wasn't well, he did probably just over look it. Just remember that he can always make it up to you and it's not worth the stress long term. Milk it and make him make it up to you with a late night shop run for more profiteroles 😂😂

Mini golf is a fab idea Queenie! Will be looking into an outdoor course near me for next week as DP is off for a week.

Feeling a lot better after some rest, dog snuggles, home cooked food and a bath.

DH has been working like a trooper today getting the DIY done - he's put the cot up, assembled the bouncer, put up a wine rack, fixed the bed and pressure washed the steps as they are a bit slippy. I washed all the baby clothes too 😊

Tomorrow will sort out hospital bag properly and keep it packed and ready to go.

@queenie273646 thanks for reassurance, I think it must be the same thing as what you've been through. Possibly the fall from a few weeks ago caused it, possibly the vaccine, maybe the bath oil I used, who knows! I feel a bit more safe now, and bubs is moving around lots so all is good. Kendamil looks great! I am like you, I organise everything in the house, including my birthday meal and seeing DH's family lol (but he's busy with running his business so I'll let him off)

@Juicytoot287 thanks for kind words, and yes lots of loafing around stroking bump today. Bliss. I am also isolating and defo not making any plans, I've had one dose of the vaccine but not taking any chances in these final stages. This weekend it seems like everyone is out doing something fun today on my WhatsApp, there is Pride on and Wilderness festival. But I think I am happy washing my baby grows ❤️ I am embracing JOMO (the joy of missing out)

@MyGrassIsBrowner I got the pinky lilac coloured ones. I'm going to be a 'fun mum' lol. Sorry DH has been rubbish. I have exactly the same issue with my DH that he drives a massive 4x4 (I call it the tank) and we live in quite a hilly place now, it's not easy to drive at all. Therefore I am reliant on him right now too. We're trying to trade it in but there's such a shortage on new and used cars right now, we can't figure out what to do.

Profiteroles are defo in my top 20. Right now I'm obsessed with Snickers ice creams - need one after evening meal - naughty x

Men just dont bloody get it sometimes do they! Thanks for you lovely words though ladies.

Have had to book me and DP in for a PCR test this morning as hes coughing badly and is unwell and I'm not starting to feel great either. I'm unvaccinated, he's had his first jab. Safe to say I'm starting to stress out now 😩

@summerhillgang Ohhh Snickers icecream.. never tried it but obv now you've suggested it DP can go buy me some to make up for being a dick yesterday 😆

@MyGrassIsBrowner Oh Bless you! There are lots of colds and flus starting to recirculate so fingers crossed it is just a cold perhaps. Do keep us updated!
Even if it is the worse, drink lots of water and rest rest rest!
xx

@MyGrassIsBrowner shit sorry you're feeling rubbish. try to take some liquid echinacea ASAP (safe for pregnancy) before it develops properly, always works well for me. if you do end up getting sick then manuka honey can really help make you feel better and of course paracetamol. I stupidly took Sudafed by mistake and felt like the worst pregnant woman in the world 😟 x

@Juicytoot287 @summerhillgang Aww thanks ladies. We're booked in for 10:30 so hoping the results wont take an age to come through. Also thank you for the recommendations with certainly look into that!
Gonna be devestated if they come back positive though DP is supposed to be starting his new job on Wednesday.. bloody sods law really isn't it! X

absolute nightmare. Results are usually within 24 hours currently even though they say 72 so fingers crossed!

Just turned up to my 28 week midwife appointment and the midwife is AWOL. Noone has heard from her... bit worrying!