Due May 2022 (thread 3)

[GinnyBee]

Hiyaaaa! I didn't see a new one yet and thread 2 has 1000 posts now and has closed. Tagging everyone from the last page of previous thread. Sorry if any regulars were missed out!

@fattycatty82 @KMHH @cloudpopbump @TashieWoo @Bubbasmama2017 @Sarah239 @robyna @YummyMummyXoX @morphe @acupofteamakeseverythingbetter

I feel really unwell and sorry for myself today 😩 no cough or snotty nose but chest feels tight and I'm achy and very tired! Done a lateral flow today and yesterday which are both negative but not ideal for starting back at work tomorrow

Hi everyone, not been on here for a while - been quite busy and just shattered as really not sleeping well at all! The hip pain / aches during the night from trying to sleep on my side are something else. Think i'm going to get one of those full body pillows that I saw a few of you recommended earlier on the thread!
Sorry to hear some of you had covid over Xmas / NY - must have been a worry - so far we've avoided it but some family members had a few close calls! Lovely seeing so many 20 week scan pics...got mine on Thursday and can't wait to see the babies again! xx

@Bubbasmama2017 sorry you are feeling bad today :(

I agree, I feel in limbo too but just researching stuff until I feel comfortable/able to buy things!

I imagine I will probably buy stuff before I go on maternity leave but it will be stacked into a corner before leave I think.

Hey ladies! I hope everyone who has been feeling poorly is getting better speedily! 🌻

I have five baby name books that we are finished with. (We've compiled our master list -- no decisions yet!!)

If any of you are in London and would like to have them, I'd be glad to meet you anywhere near Kensington Gardens and give them to you.

I wanted to ask this group first before posting to the wider MN community.

I found thumbing through the books to be less stressful than reading lists online.

Had my 20 week scan today and everything suddenly seems real!! We've ordered the bugaboo fox 3 but really no idea what to go for car seat wise!

Has anyone found any good maternity jeans? I'm usually a size 12 with big thighs so go for a mom jean but the maternity ones that came today don't unbutton so my thighs don't stand a chance😂

Hi,

Just joined the thread. I am 19 weeks and due on the 31st May. It's taken me a while to get used to the idea of being pregnant as I got pregnant with a coil in situ so was a stress head for the first trimester. I've enjoyed reading all your posts and reaching out to you all.

Can I asked everyone's thoughts on antenatal classes? We will do the free nhs one. My midwife recommended the NCT but it seems quite pricey and as this is my first pregnancy I want to work out if it's worth the price?

@aNewYorkerInLondon I'm a bit too far from London and not currently commuting for work otherwise I'd love these books! I think we've decided on first name but middle name not so sure... 🤔 she may end up not having one!

Oh my, the confusing world of travel systems, prams and car seats! We've spent weeks deliberating and still no closer to deciding what we want. We love the Joie stages car seat that you can use from birth to 4 years and really happy with the safety ratings but we also want a three wheeler that can handle rural walks but also compact enough for shopping trips around town, which is a challenge in itself but so many of them already come with a car seat as part of a bundle... seems none of our options are perfect but I suspect we may be overthinking 😂 A friend of mine kindly offered me her pram I should have just taken that and been done with it!

Congratulations on your scan @florencebunny and welcome @CharlieAlice22, I had a strange mix of emotions too for the first few months... feel much more settled and accepting/happy about things now hope you do too

Happy New Year everyone!

Welcome @CharlieAlice22 we haven’t even looked into antenatal classes yet and really need to have a look this weekend. I would imagine we will go for the free ones though. That’s partly because looking at the prices of prams, car seats, nursery furniture and all that is a bit overwhelming and we won’t exactly be flush when I go on maternity!

We’re setting some time aside this weekend to go through car seats, prams and cots and I will have a look before the weekend at antenatal classes and then see what the hubby thinks.

I am still only feeling flutters - I am now 23 weeks but they are now every day at similar times. I know they said at the hospital it would take me longer due to my weight and anterior placenta but it is so frustrating. Haven’t felt anything externally yet

@EastMidsGem I'm the same some days feel more than others but my partner hasn't been able to feel anything on the outside yet.
I was worried yesterday so text my midwife but she hasn't responded ;-( I know they say don't worry til after 24 weeks especially with an anterior placenta but it's so hard not to!

I can't find anything out about local NHS antenatal groups will ask my midwife at 24/25 week appointment. I've joined one called daisy birthing but it's more about how the labour will go and getting prepared mentally and physically for that.

Morning ladies, hope you’re all well. @Bubbasmama2017 sorry you’re poorly and hope you feel better soon, and welcome @CharlieAlice22!

I’ve been through a bit of a rough time with my anxiety and made the decision to send my horse to a different home for the rest of my pregnancy on Monday. I’ve had him 4 years (owned horses for 15 years and have another retired one) and he’s a bit of a tricky character sometimes, and now he’s not being ridden (I stopped at 10 weeks as not worth the risk, he’s doing some groundwork but it isn’t the same) and the fields are too muddy to allow him to go out for very long, he’s become rather boisterous and frustrated. He doesn’t understand why I’m not as strong or confident with him, and I’m sure animals pick up on hormonal changes. It came to a head when he reared up last week and caught me on my nose, fracturing it, and although baby was fine I was just so fearful of anything else happening that could put her at risk. The situation wasn’t fair on him or me in the end.

So he has gone to the lady I bought him from, I trust her implicitly and she knows him, he has plenty of space to run around and she will exercise him, and I can go to visit a few times a week. I am devastated and miss him so much, I used to go to the yard to see to him 3 times a day so it was a real anchor for me and also good exercise, but I know I’ve done the right thing for everyone.

On the baby front - I am 23+3 now and she is moving regularly, DP felt her move for the first time last night which was a really special moment. My mum found a lovely John Lewis Moses basket and stand on her Nextdoor app so I’m going to collect that, which will be our first bit of furniture! We have some clothes bought by grandparents too. In terms of prams I like the look of Uppababy, Venicci and Cybex at the moment but really I have no clue!

@tashiewoo that must have bee scary, sad to not have him around but sounds like you made the right decision.
Lovely your partner has felt some kicks, I'm sure it won't be much longer for the rest of us

@Bubbasmama2017 so nice to hear someone else not having felt the exterior movements yet. It is hard not to worry. I have sort of been trying not to think about the whole birth process yet as I don’t want to freak out. I am counting down my days left at work though as I’m taking the maximum maternity leave as early as you can take it so only 5 weeks left.

@TashieWoo it really does sound like the best choice for both of you. It’s great that you can go and visit regularly, but we do get attached so it must have been really hard to make that choice.

I did buy a few clothes in the M&S sale because I just couldn’t resist but think we will probably need a lot more - just hard to guess how many you might be gifted as I have a large family who I’m sure will be showering us with gifts when he’s born

@EastMidsGem @Bubbasmama2017 I've not felt any definite kicks yet and certainly nothing my DH could feel on exterior. Only really feel flutterings , I was hoping to feel more defined movement by now, makes me feel quite nervous for 20 week scan tomorrow.

I've no idea why but I've been so lucky with movements. I'm 21+2 and I see my tummy move a few times a week and regular inside movements, and my husband managed to feel something a couple of weeks ago. He hasn't felt loads but a few times now. I've managed to capture some videos of my tummy moving too! I first felt movements at 16+6 so really early and lucky for a first pregnancy.

I was told at my first scan (and prior to pregnancy) that I have a "tilted uterus" so maybe that's why, everything is really close to the front?! My placenta is posterior high too so well out the way.

It's a double edged sword though as now I'm starting to panic if she has a quiet day... I think I'll be very on edge when I have to start monitoring fetal movement!

I really hope you all get to feel it soon as it's the most amazing thing! Don't worry though as it's still normal not to feel them yet, just a spectrum isn't it!

@hwp22 good luck with your scan tomorrow! Twins right?

@Sarah239 Tilted uterus is tilted backwards :) normally it tilts forwards. I have it too! It rights itself during pregnancy though. It'll be the posterior placenta that's making it possible to feel movements early.

@Bubbasmama2017 @EastMidsGem I haven't felt much yet either, I'm 21+1 today. I feel really faint little taps when I'm sitting or lying still, it's not at all consistent, and have only felt it once externally and my partner also once, New Years Eve I think and not again since. But I have an anterior placenta so it's not unusual. I'm quite slim though so that helps a little.

@fattycatty82 I know, right?! There are sooooo many options, how are we meant to decide! I think I'd ideally want a full travel system just to get it all done in one, but how to find one that's right for us I have no idea! Let me know what you decide on as my criteria is really similar to yours! Rural life - need something that can handle the terrain at home, but also fold neatly into the car because we have to drive everywhere to get to civilisation... argh!

@TashieWoo Well done on doing the 'adult' thing with your horse :) it's hard when you know the lifestyle you enjoy has to change, and especially when it means you can't take care of your animals anymore. We have horses on the field next to our house and the lady who looks after them the most is one trimester ahead of me, I often bump into her in the morning when I'm walking the dog and she's feeding the ponies. I haven't seen her since before Christmas so maybe she's got someone else to come in for her now too.

@Bubbasmama2017 and @EastMidsGem it makes me feel so much better that everyone hasn't already booked on to antenatal classes. I don't know if my midwife is just very prepared but she keeps recommending I sign up and then I feel guilty for not wanting to spend the
money!

@TashieWoo sorry to hear you've had to make a difficult decision. Sounds like you've made the right one for you, your baby and the horse though.

I'm only 19 weeks. (Due 31st May so behind most of you ladies I expect) not sure I've felt anything at all yet so counting down the days until that 20 week scan! Keep rubbing my belly but doesn't seem to do anything haha.

@hwp22 Good luck with your scan today! I’m going in for mine today as well. I thought I’d feel more prepared this time around but I’m still nervous.

@CharlieAlice22 up until last night I’d have been in the no-movements club with you guys, but (I think entirely by chance) I finally felt something. It was just for a moment and I think it was pure luck I put my hand on my bump right then. I wriggled around for ages after trying to get anything else to happen but I suppose it’s when they’re ready.
Previously my midwife had reassured me they don’t expect much from first-time and/or anterior placenta pregnancies until week 24 so that reassured me and I hope it does for you as well!
(Also CharlieAlice I’m due 27th so I’m right back there with you!)

I haven’t booked any classes yet either. I was wondering about joining some NCT classes but it all seems a bit daunting. If it wasn’t for covid I’d feel better if the classes were in-person, I was looking forward to making some friends!

Good luck for all those with scans today 🙏🎉

@GinnyBee we wanted the same and ruled out the out and about pram and pushchair because it was too bulky, not just getting it in and out the car but want to manoeuvre it around the shops in town and smallish spaces when needed as well as muddy tracks in the countryside. We also decided early on that we weren't paying silly money so went for something mid range. We spent months deliberating but ordered this last night, had to buy separate car seat base and will still need some sort of footmuff for winter time, but total was around £530 ish

infababy.com/ultimo-travel-systems/infababy-ultimo-3-in-1-travel-system-black-beauty

We've pretty much got what we need now, save for the odd bit of clothing, although hoping to get donated a few bits! Even got a huge bundle of toys from Facebook marketplace for a bargain £20. But then there's the cot/bed to think about when baby's outgrown the next to me crib at 6 months and another car seat at a year old.... will we ever have any money again?! 😂🤦‍♀️

Still waking at silly o clock and having crazy nightmares but getting more excited as the weeks go on! Wishing everyone a lovely day xx

@TashieWoo sorry to hear your tough time with anxiety and agree you deffo did the right thing all around, it’s still tough though ❤️ We got the uppababy vista pram and then the cybex car seats which fit with the adapter on the pram but have heard good things on the cybex travel systems, hope you get sorted with!

@EastMidsGem I’ve been a clothes hoarder and then got loads for Xmas… did my first wash this week and had 84 newborn and one month pieces…. People will definitely buy you a lot! Tho that does included like 10 for plain white vests etc people have got me.

@Sarah239 I have a tilted uterus too and everything I read said my bump would pop out late but same, I had my progesterone bloat and then bump seems straight out! Wonder if our babies are right at the front or something as I’m 22+1 today and I’ve been feeling baby since about 18/19 weeks and I’m a point where feel them consistently a few times a day, though do have odd quiet ones. Don’t overly think OH has felt them yet but I have no idea how as it feels like a disco in me! Even had them wake me up at 3am thumping away 😂

Hope everyone is doing well and good luck for scans today ❤️ I put my Mat1b form in yesterday and now I’m on official countdown to leave 😂😂

@GinnyBee oh! well they said mine was tilted forward so maybe it's more forward than normal?! I had to put my closed fist under my tailbone during the early scan to tilt everything backward again so that the transvaginal scan was easier! You're probably right though that I've just been lucky with placenta.

@GinnyBee I'm done for clothes up to 3 months really 😅 I've got 15ish vests and sleepsuits in size up to 1 month and 0-3 months. Plus a couple of little dungarees/T-shirts/shorts rompers. I need a little cardigan or two but not really anything else 😅

We bought our car seat the other day. We went for the maxi-cosi pebble pro with the isofix base (£250 brand new) as we are planning on a second hand pram.

@Bubbasmama2017 we have a week off at the end of feb/start of March so that will be the nursery week but like you, I want to buy but don't want to buy because the room isn't ready so it's awkward! At the moment I have baby clothes in plastic boxes next to the bed. We have the next to me crib and the 6 months+ crib in the spare room flattened down 😂

@TashieWoo sorry to hear about your horse. I'm a horse mum owner too. Mine is retired and luckily quite chill, but taking him for walks when they're in is difficult. He walks too fast for me with all the mud so it's not very enjoyable.

I'm now 22+1 and think I can feel exterior movement, but just tried to get OH to feel and nothing yet, but it's reassuring that you're all in a similar position.

@Sarah239 Thankyou! 🙂 Yes twins….what a good memory you have!
@Honeymint Thankyou! Good luck for yours today too! I feel quite anxious but not as bad as I was for the 12 & 16 week scans. Xx

The movements feel so strange don't they? I'm 23 weeks now and getting lots of them.

Can I ask what next to me cribs anyone has bought / thinking of getting?? We're sorted on the travel system and have been given a cot bed for when baby is in their own room (just need to buy a new mattress) but really struggling to decide on a next to me for in our room!
Also wondering about what to get for when baby is napping downstairs? Ive heard Moses baskets are only good for a few months? Any advice would be great! xx