Due end of January 2022 - Thread 2

[expectinglittlebear]

We are about to max out our thread, so starting the next one!

@spttc @tangfastic91 @thecapitalsunited @alle1991 @sociallydistained @jonesy88 @erin87 @essekey @erinrose82 @bobblewobble1 @loll84 @dolly0706 @kayl23

I hope that's everyone! Tag away if not :)

Hello everyone I hope you are all well!
I am not in the "feel huge" family yet although I started to struggle with putting on shoes etc... I have other minor symptoms like heartburn (thank god gaviscon exists) and a weird dull pain on my upper abdomen, associated with numbness of the skin above that... Really weird! I figured it is where the ligaments are stretching the most, as it intensifies in the evening or when I lie on my right hand side 🙅‍♀️ I will tell the midwife this friday at my 28wk appointment...
Other than that I feel good and I hope it lasts!

I managed to hear baby's heartbeat with a stetoscope so now I am obsessed 🥰😂

Last weekend we bought the travel system and we will get a new chest of drawer as changing table. Nothing more for the nursery atm because we also took the decision of moving to another part of the country to be closer to my partner's workplace... We still don't know if it will happen before or after baby is born I guess it will depend on the house market 😂 I am sure we will regret it... 😬😬 But it would make our life much easier with the baby since I can work from home after mat leave, but he has to commute every day and at the moment is more than 1h driving each way!

I’ve unfortunately had a migraine which started Sunday (feeling great all week beforehand… possibly did too much) and is still going today. I’m at work and managing but it sucks. I do suffer from them but I believe this is my first during pregnancy (28 weeks). Does anyone else get completely paranoid about pre eclampsia etc at the slightest set back?

@EsseKey moving is always stressful even without pregnancy/baby and covid in the mix but from my experience if you have the opportunity to get rid of commuting time, I would highly recommend it. My DH has always worked in a very expensive city so living there is not an option and we were always used to commuting. Once I returned to work after DS, I resented it so much much more as it's just wasted time that can be put to much better use. I place so much more value on our time now.

@sociallydistained I think it's normal to worry about everything. If it feels different from your usual or you're worried for any other reason, I would just call your midwife for reassurance. It's what they're there for.

On a positive note from me, I had a really productive appointment with a consultant midwife this week to discuss my previous birth. They are supportive of midwife led birth which is great however I do fall outside of the guidelines for home birth. Though ultimately it's my choice and my risks are lower than they could be. We have also got a not brilliant but better childcare plan for DS1 for labour. I think I'm going to leave both options on the table and see how the cards are dealt. From experience, I think instinct is going to play a part and I'm going to know where I want to be.

@BobbleWobble1 there’s some really good UK based homebirth groups on fb if you haven’t already seen. Could be very informative as lots of women in your position are on there. I’ve found it really useful.

You’re right about going with your instinct though!

@BobbleWobble1 thanks for sharing your experience! I don't remember living in the same house for more than 3-4 years in all my adult life (I did travel quite a lot :D) so I am not scared of the moving, but I know that everything will be much more difficult to deal with when we have a baby!

On a different note, does any of you know what happens if I give birth in a different hospital? I will ask to the midwife when I see her on Friday, but just wondering whether anyone knows?
I assumed that I they would not send me away if I happen to be in labour somewhere else than my local hospital, but since I know this is a real possibility (we will probably move already in a temporary house near my partner's work, after Christmas), I would like to know if this might cause any issue!

@sociallydistained I had one of these a few weeks back and was similarly worried. Like I knew that 99% it was absolutely fine but there was a chance it was not fine. I called my local maternity triage and they had me come in to be assessed. I was absolutely fine but the midwives and doctor I saw all said I'd done the right thing in ringing to ask. If you are worried about pre eclampsia then I'd suggest doing the same just to reassure yourself.

I started our NCT course last night. Last night's session was over Zoom but the rest are going to be in person. Not sure the other couples are going to be people I want to stay in contact with but the information seemed good so far if aimed a bit more at encouraging midwife led units which my consultant has so far been against.

Thanks @thecapitalsunited I’m at work now and have the morning off I will ring them tomorrow I think if this persists. Definitely want to get my blood pressure checked just incase.

Just catching up on the messages

I’m finding the weeks are flying by now and it’s happening so quickly. Keep having moments of panic that I’m not organised/ready and then think it’s fine I’ve got 11 weeks.

Had a growth scan today and baby is measuring 3 pounds 1 ounce. Not sure if that’s average, small or big. But they had no concerns and were happy with the growth

@Alle1991 it's FLYING by I think. See we have 11weeks but I feel towards the end we won't have the energy to be doing lots (depending on what you have to do that is). We're getting all the more energy draining stuff done now before I'm totally useless 😅😂 I'm 28+2, I had a scan today and mine is measuring 2lbs 15oz..... so only 2oz difference to yours. I was told that's 66th centile for weight which is perfect.

I’m hoping to get Christmas out the way and then get everything sorted. Got my main bits like pram and crib, need to get more of the little bits.

Think baby’s weight is pretty average from looking online and asking others, also I’m sure they would have said something if it wasn’t. I don’t see the midwife for another 4 weeks now as she’s on AL

Anyone keeping an eye on the Black Friday sale? I’m crossing everything for mamas and papas to have a decent sale

Yes Natural Baby Shower having a pre Black Friday sale, I got some bits 20-30% off like a baby rocker/bouncer and a baby to toddler carrier. Think they're adding new bits each day, and with a sale on Mori (got a few bits there too) Just watching to see if the other stuff I need gets added

@EsseKey I've always worked on the assumption that you wouldn't get sent away. We had show tickets in London 3 days before due date with DS. I was adamant I was going if I didn't have a baby before then!! I just figured out where the nearest hospital was and took my maternity notes and a bare essentials hospital bag. None of it was needed but I didn't even consider it a problem if it had been.

@thecapitalsunited we did NCT first time around and honestly I don't have many positive comments to make. It was very idealistic which I think is probably worse for those who are consultant led. Out of 7 FTMs, only one had an intervention free delivery. I found from speaking to others that was fairly representative.

@BobbleWobble1 that's good they're supportive of a midwife led birth. Have you looked at a birthing centre as a possibility as well? From what I've heard, they have a far less medicalised environment than a hospital, much more like home. Although of course nothing's going to be as homely as your own home!

Everyone is so organised with all their shopping, I better get in gear and buy some baby things.

I have a question. I've just had an appointment where the midwife said the baby's head is engaged, spine is against my tummy.

I thought this was a good thing, as baby's in a great position, but a few Google searches later and it seems for FTMs this happens 2-4 weeks before birth Does anyone know if this is true or what baby's head engaged this early means? I have no idea "how" engaged baby is, the midwife didn't say.

I am only 29 weeks! I don't want to have the baby before Christmas, he's too small. Please stay in, baby. It's safer in there

Does anyone have a baby wishlist or similar? If yes, what did you put in there? I didn't want to do one, but I have many friends and relatives that live far away/abroad and are asking for it... I don't like to "ask" for gifts but at the same time I understand that they want to gift us something! I just don't know what to put on it, I think that we sorted already the main bits like pram and crib and some reusable nappies, I am sure it's full of useful baby stuff out there, but I can't come up with anything that is not clothes?!
Any ideas welcome, especially from experienced mums! 😊

Hi. On slightly unrelated note. Did any of you buy anything from website babyandchildstore.com or smartkidstore.com. I have found a good deal on these websites, but they both look identical with the same phone number and address. Looks very dodgy...

@EsseKey I've a friends baby shower coming up and they sent out a registry which crosses off things once they've been bought. Has things on it at a variety of prices, like sleeping bags, swaddle bags, cellular blankets, a rocker, a play gym, specific clothing items, a nappy bag, breastfeeding supplies, bottles etc. Plus some cute toys and a mobile, changing mat etc.

We've got a lot, so when family asked what we wanted, I didn't really know so they suggested money for his ISA. Works for me as I like things minimal and not too much stuff or waste and that way he gets a head start on some savings.

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7
Thanks!
We were thinking of opening an ISA for her after she is born so that's a nice idea, although I know most of our relatives would prefer buying baby stuff 🙄 she is the first baby of the family in a loooong time so everyone is Extremely excited and willing to buy cute baby items instead of just giving money (which they often do for our birthdays for example) 😅
We were thinking of doing the baby wishlist on amazon, so at least we have the option of returning/changing items if we change our minds about something 😅

@EsseKey 😂 you're going to have the best dressed and well supplied baby !

Same on my partners side, first grandchild and nephew etc and they wanted to get stuff like the pram etc. My mum gas a few so is a bit less bothered 😁

I thought about opening a Junior ISA for baby but I was put off it by a thread on here not too long ago where the kid had gone off the rails (drugs etc) but were still entitled to access the account at 18. I’m planning to put baby money into my own S&S ISA but into a slightly different fund so I know which money is mine and which is baby’s.

Btw for anyone interested The Nappy Lady has a pre Black Friday sale on - I've gone a bit nuts on some gorgeous patterns. Some nappies 40% off and Baba and Boo wet bags starting from about £3.

If anyone sees any other bargains can they let me know?

Before we run out here's a new thread! Just in case 😅

Due end of January 2022 - Thread 3 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/4399868-due-end-of-january-2022-thread-3

For those of you wanting gift ideas, it wouldn't fit an Amazon type wish list but perhaps a a voucher for a baby class or similar in your area? Costs of these can soon mount up and you will honestly be drowning in clothes etc that you don't need as lovely as they are. Something else I would consider when choosing items for wishlists like bouncers etc is a bit of longevity. It's amazing how quickly babies grow out of these things.