Due May 2022 (thread 4)

[Bubbasmama2017]

Hi all I hope I've done this right.

@fejkalove just catching up I haven't noticed anything on my notes although my BMI is in over weight category too which was brought up by the midwife but they haven't seemed too concerned at scans. Let us know how you get on! I've got a growth scan on Monday as seeing a consultant so maybe they'll mention it to me then as well.

@luckygreenduck I've had morning sickness again too, when I first got covid last week my taste and smell went and the sickness seemed to go too but it's back with a vengeance the last couple of days!
Also been incredibly tired which I put down to covid but I think is just pregnancy!

@morphe Thanks. Fingers crossed for tomorrow's appointment 🙄 I'm going to call them in the morning to double check she's actually in before I turn up.

I ordered a cot that at the time of ordering had a back order date of 17th Feb. Then it got changed to 22nd Feb. Then to 18th March! After that I lost confidence that this cot was ever going to be available and decided to change colours - they had the same one but in slate grey in stock, the one I originally ordered was white. It's still a nice looking cot, and dirt will be less visible to there are positives, but the white one was really pretty!

Hi everyone, been a bit MIA as busy with work and social balance trying to see people before baby gets here - it’s exhausting!

Not a lot from me, was due a 30 week growth scan yesterday but due to illness it got moved to next Tuesday so will have to wait to find out when they plan to induce me. (Didn’t stop them ringing and asking where I was yesterday 🤦‍♀️)
Finished our antenatal classes and have baby first aid next week, was lovely to have some real life support and get to know some new mums!

Sorry to hear all the GD diagnosis, I wanted to get mine tested but midwife basically refused. I was hoping at growth scan when I’m measuring but it might make the consultant want to check!

Hope you’re all keeping well and enjoy the last trimester (as much as we can!) xx

Hi everyone! I'm just feeling very heavy and tired now... and not finding the energy to prep all the things I still need to prep! I had a bout of food poisoning/gastro symptoms on Tuesday but thankfully it was pretty short lived, not sure what caused it.

I need to order a lot for changing/feeding at the weekend I think. It's hard to plan what you need for breastfeeding when you don't know how it's going to go. What have those planning to breastfeed done about breast pumps and bottles and sterilising?

@YfenniChristie I have exactly the same dilemma... cousin's wedding mid June, if I went to 42 weeks she would only be less than 10 days old! So not sure how practical it is even though I desperately want to go as I am very close to my cousin and her family. But the thing I am worried about most is exposing my new baby to lots of germs from other people at a wedding while she is still so new! I've been thinking maybe we will make an appearance in the garden reception even if we don't stick around for the meal/dancing etc. Not sure. Unfortunately it's not very local to us either. Might be completely unrealistic. Depends when she is born.

Sending love to everyone who's finding things difficult at the moment!

@Sarah239 and @YfenniChristie I too am meant to be going to a cousin’s wedding (and be a bridesmaid!) in June, but the timings are a bit easier as I’m due on 1st May and the wedding is at the end of June. It is a 2.5 hour drive from home so would be at least 1 overnight stay, planning on baby sleeping in her pram bassinet.

I do want to go as I am close to my cousin who is getting married, she is a bit wedding obsessed and her first was cancelled due to Covid so it means a lot to her. I’m also worried about my baby being exposed to germs, smoking etc so we are planning on doing the ceremony then a bit of the outside reception but leaving before the main party.

As I’m a bridesmaid I’m expected to spend the morning with the other girls getting ready etc. I am planning on having the latest slot for hair and makeup and leaving baby with DP, but we shall see how it goes.

@Sarah239 I’m planning to breastfeed and have a second hand steriliser and loads of bottles which haven’t been opened, plus a perfect prep machine. I got it all v cheaply though and thought I should take advantage of that just in case. If I were you I’d buy some bottles and a steriliser & warmer as you’d probably need them for expressed milk anyway.

I’ve seen the breast pump I want but I’m not going to get it until later on, I’m going to try colostrum harvesting from 36 weeks first and see how that goes. I can always order it after I’ve had the baby as things come so quickly online, and it’s a waste of money if unfortunately breastfeeding doesn’t work out.

@TashieWoo I'm gonna hand express from 36 weeks and freeze what I can collect to take to hospital just incase boobs don't wanna perform on the day lol. But am not to worried. I've had some accidental leakage in bed when I'm curled up on my side so I think I may have a decent supply. I've got a breast pump a medalla one but will just breast feed until 6 weeks then mixture of breast and bottle. But bottle will still be my milk. So DH has chance to do feeds.

Hi all I'm feeling very tired allot these days I had to nap yesterday which isn't like me. When I went to see my mum she noticed I've got varicose veins and swollen feet but I hadn't even noticed but now it's been pointed out I can see em. Anyone else getting really hot flushes in the night? I'm waking up around 4am covered in sweat.

@Sarah239 I hope to BF if it works out, but in case I struggle or just for the initial adjustment before I get the hang of it I have a MAM set which I got on Boots sale, and have also ordered Kendamil Ready to Feed starter pack to take to the hospital and for night feeds etc. if I'm having a hard time and want something easy and not to mix from powder. Also I think once husband can start doing some feeds we'll be using formula as I'm not sure I can be bothered. with the freezing and defrosting breast milk. For pumps I just got a cheap manual one, I think Medela, because if it doesn't work out then at least I haven't spent £200 on a pump! And if it does, I can upgrade later.

Have my consultant appointment today finally! Just rang the hospital to double check she's there and she is!

You don't need more than a couple of bottles and a cheap microwave steriliser if you are intending to breastfeed and just want to have some kit in just in case.
I bought a pump when my baby was a few weeks old, went for a Bellababy which was recommended by my local BF peer supporter and it was only £45, it's really good.
I now express milk and stick it in the fridge for my OH to give a bottle in the late evening so I get a bit of protected sleep, it works well for us

@Kittycaz I am definitely getting the hot sweats in the middle of the night. I keep waking up worried I have wet myself or am bleeding because everything feels so wet! Another very unglamorous side to pregnancy

Just went to pharmacy to get my aspirin tablets and the pharmacist said I had another prescription ready to. She then gave me iron tablets I looked at her confused and left to ring my midwife who informed me bloods came back that I am anemic. So got iron tablets 3 times a day now.

@Kittycaz sounds like my midwife with communication! I'm quite busy with work today but have hit a wall with tiredness this afternoon and not even sure how I'll sit at my desk another 4 hours without falling asleep. I was wondering if I had low iron they look bloods for that last week but I haven't heard anything.

@Kittycaz I'm warm in the night, not sweaty hot, but I've noticed that I drool! Drooling is pretty normal for daytime naps as metabolism runs faster and we produce more saliva, but drooling overnight is completely new to me! I keep waking up with a wet patch under my cheek.

So I FINALLY saw the consultant today! Basically got my ELCS approved, I was prepared for more of a fight but I barely even got to voice my reasons properly as she was just repeating that it's completely my choice and she will certainly go with whatever I choose. Now I need to see another consultant as at my trust they require two to sign off on it, but it just feels like a box ticking exercise now, she very much made it sound like a formality more than a medical appointment.

She also booked a growth scan for me as baby Thor is in the 10th centile, I have that on Monday. So yay all around! C-section going ahead and I get an extra scan!

@Sarah239 @TashieWoo Our wedding is roughly 3 hours away (possibly more if you add in breaks for baby). I think, hand on heart, I'd rather not go as I don't know if I'll even be able to enjoy myself or if I'll just be on the edge the whole time. I've told DH that I'm happy for him to go without me and the baby (my family aren't far so I have support) but he'd rather we all went or not at all.

I've idly looked at bottles and sterilisers but haven't made a decision yet on what to get. I'm planning on breastfeeding, hadn't even thought of harvesting before hand! When did everyone's milk come in? I'm 30 weeks now and had had nothing so far.

@GinnyBee Yay for seeing the consultant at last! Bet it was a relief that it was so straightforward after all the hassle trying to see her in the first place.

Glad your appointment went well @GinnyBee, that must be a weight off your mind.

I’m 31+4 and no milk as yet, at NCT the other evening we were told that colostrum harvesting generally starts at 36 weeks but I’m going to ask the midwife at my appointment next week.

I’m getting hot in bed now and I’m waking up a bit sweaty, I don’t think the pregnancy pillow helps though. Has anyone found any nice maternity & nursing nightdresses that don’t cost a fortune? I also need something nice to give birth in, I like the look of seraphine birthing gown but it’s £42!

@Bubbasmama2017 it may be your anaemic, I've always been borderline anaemic before pregnancy but think it just tipped it over edge. I had iron in my pregnacare tablets but it's not enough. They got me on 210mg 3 times a day, which is gonna do my constipation wonders 😂 but I thought to myself other day I'm getting dizzy when I'm walking in shops and things but just put it down to being tired. Not long though now til LO is here and I don't need to take tablets no more. It took em over 2 weeks to perscribe me the tablets I was just shocked they didn't at least ring me to tell me I had to ring them. I'm gonna bring it up next week at my 31 week apt.
@GinnyBee I think I've been drooling to my left side of my mouth is all cracked and dry and keeps bleeding so not sure whether it's irritated from that. Good luck on your scan Monday it will be lovely for you to see your little Thor

@SouthwestSis

You don't need more than a couple of bottles and a cheap microwave steriliser if you are intending to breastfeed and just want to have some kit in just in case. I bought a pump when my baby was a few weeks old, went for a Bellababy which was recommended by my local BF peer supporter and it was only £45, it's really good. I now express milk and stick it in the fridge for my OH to give a bottle in the late evening so I get a bit of protected sleep, it works well for us

So did you not use any kind of pump before you purchased one a few weeks after your baby was born? Or did the hospital give you a pump? The bottle setup I want is for expressing milk and saving it, not just backup for formula in case breastfeeding doesn't go to plan so I'm not sure what to have in prep. When my sister had her first baby she struggled with breastfeeding and had to do a lot of pumping initially before latch/tongue tie was sorted out (but eventually she found breastfeeding great!)

I am 29+4 and no milk yet! I don't know anything about colostrum harvesting although I have read pumping early can induce labour? Is that right? I need to read up more.

There's so many things around postpartum and caring for baby I still don't feel like I know enough about/am prepared for!

Can anyone recommend a 120 x 60 cot mattress? Does anyone think it's worth buying an organic one? Xx

There's so many things around postpartum and caring for baby I still don't feel like I know enough about/am prepared for!

I feel exactly the same, @Sarah239 ! We're so busy preparing for the actual birth and making sure we have purchases ticked off lists, that I haven't had a chance yet to actually think about how it will work in practice! Like, we have loads of clothes now but how will I know what to dress the baby in? And if I'm using a breast milk collector to catch leakage, how long will that keep? How should I store sterilised bottles to make sure they stay sterilised until use?

But my friends have said the same, they had no idea what to do when the baby came home! Starting with nappy changes, knew it needs to be done but no clue how.

Completely agree on the feeling that a lot of the looking after baby bits are a mystery!
I have been told you shouldn't pump for the first six weeks unless you are advised too as it can mess up your supply. Your milk doesn't 'come in' till around day 3 but babies don't need a top up in that time unless there is a medical issue. They just have small amounts of the first milk you produce which is different. It's why babies lose a bit of weight at first but they build fat in order to see them through that first week or so.
Obviously there are always exceptions.

From my breast feeding class on Monday they said this: from 36 weeks u should try hand expressing. To try to stimulate ur milk supply and if u can catch any great get it in a sterilised bottle and in the freezer. Will keep in freezer for 6 months. In fridge it's 5 days but u gotta put it to back of fridge. When u gotta use the milk u have frozen I. E u have issues with getting a latch on defrost the milk and put the bottle in a bowl of warm water til milk is skin temp then u can feed ur LO with a spoon. They only need a tiny amount when there little. When hand expressing do both breast but one at a time u should get around 30ml. I'm thinking of hand expressing til babies born so I can take some frozen milk in hospital bag just incase. There is allot of support on the labour ward for breast feeding. If not look into your local childrens centre they may have a BABES breast feeding class u can attend. I'll take a picture of my leaflet I was given to show how to hand express.

These are from my leaflet hope it helps

Just seen this whilst looking for cot mattresses:

www.mumsnet.com/swearsby/best-cot-mattresses

I found it helpful xx

If you ask your midwife at your 36week appointment then they can give you some sterile syringes to collect colostrum in that you can then freeze.
Bear in mind that not everyone is successful in hand expressing before birth but this doesn't mean you won't be able to breastfeed successfully afterwards!
There are some good YouTube videos that show colostrum harvesting technique, most women only get very small amounts to start with, sometimes as little as 0.2mls at a time but every drop is precious liquid gold!

As for clothing, the general rule of thumb is to put baby in 1 more layer than you are wearing yourself

Anybody getting a specific nappy bin or just getting a pedal bin? And how many nappies are u stocking up on pre birth? Also anyone asking there midwife to do a tour of labour ward before hand. I want to so I know what I'm supposed to go when labour actually happens.