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!

Thank you guys, good to know it's not just me that's sick of work already! My issue is I'm planning on starting maternity leave the first day back after Easter holidays which will make me 37 weeks, but because it's Easter holidays I'll be off from 35 weeks if that makes sense. The issue with going earlier is that I won't get the Easter holidays bonus time off!

@robyna Could you go on sick leave a bit earlier? Mat leave isn't triggered until 4 weeks before due date if you're off on sick, so you could, if your doctor agrees to it, be off on sick before Easter holidays and then start your maternity.

Ohh yes swimming is blissful @aNewYorkerInLondon I've been trying to go at least once a week but avoiding busy times so not been as much as I'd like. It feels great for the joints and to relax though I agree. I've been doing a bit of pregnancy yoga but so far finding it pretty boring... would rather have a gym sesh.

I've bought almost all clothes new and next to me crib, travel set etc... however I have picked up a few bargains on Facebook marketplace so I wouldn't rule it out @GinnyBee I've got a great stash of baby toys, bouncer and even an unopened bottle of spritz for bits for a fraction of what I'd have paid new...

Im going to stop buying stuff now though as I really need to save for my maternity leave, I want to treat myself to the hairdressers and have some treats while I'm off without feeling guilty! I keep reminded myself that we live a five minute drive away from Tesco in an emergency so anything we have forgotten or don't have enough of, we can get at the time!

Anyone else really irritable at the moment? I feel like everything/everyone is peeing me off, similar to how I feel when I'm about to start my period

@robyna ohh yes work can do one. Planning on working up until end of April (due date May 17th) so need to keep ploughing on really. I'm lucky I work from home and can sneak off for nice walks etc at lunchtime but it is a pain in the bum 😂

@fattycatty82 yes I'm absolutely fuming about really silly things! Also cried yesterday about a game my husband got me to download on my phone and I didn't understand it lol
Today has been really stressful just had too much to do and too many places to be, ready for bed!

I also want to finish by end of April absolute latest but probably will go the 2nd to last week of April, due 11th may just because I've had enough of it. I work from home but finding even sitting at a desk really uncomfortable for my hips now :-(

Heyy,
Hope everyone is well.

I was just wondering about washing the clothes etc. I'm going to wash them all but when is the best time to do it? I know it's a silly question but just curious if everyone else is and when. I go on maternity on the 15 th April, I only work 2 days a week now anyway but was thinking maybe do it on maternity give me something to do as I'm due may 16th but then also I don't know if that's too late to leave it as I might not feel up to it. X

@KMHH are you meant to wash new clothes? I had no idea. I mean I'd wash second hand stuff but clothes that have been in packets etc?

Hope all you ladies are well....

Tomorrow is a big day for me and DD, we're moving in with my parents temporarily until we find somewhere to live (ASAP hopefully so I can get things ready for the new baby!) I'm putting on a brave face for her but am distraught that it's been so last minute with ex deciding we have to leave his house tomorrow; she's having to go to her school and say bye to all the lovely friends she's made (we only moved here and in with ex in Summer). Hormones are in full swing here tonight as I sit sobbing writing this. Sorry to put this on here but don't really have anyone else to vent to. Hopefully I can get back to my pre ex self ASAP as she was much happier and drama free.

@fattycatty82

You are supposed to yes but everyone is different but they do recommend it I think, I've had a lot of mine for ages now so I'm going to wash mine so they are all fresh for her but some of the big stuff I'm not washing x

Sending you lots of love and hugs @fejkalove xx

@Bubbasmama2017

Sending you lots of love and hugs *@fejkalove* xx

Thank you lovely xx

Sending lots of love @fejkalove ♥️♥️

@MissM94

Sending lots of love *@fejkalove* ♥️♥️

Thank you xx

Thinking of you and your DD @fejkalove, today will be difficult for you both but you will get through it and I’m sure your parents will look after you both.

I’ve been up with heartburn for an hour and may as well stay up for the day now. I’m researching placenta encapsulation specifically the Placenta Plus tablets that celebrities swear by, has anyone else looked into this?

@robyna I’m planning on going on maternity leave as late as possible, baby due on the 1st May and finishing on 29th April all being well. I work from home mainly and will be all the time then, plus I want to maximise the paid time I have with the baby, who could be late! I’ll see how it goes though, I’m 25 weeks now and feel pretty well without any pains from sitting at my desk so far.

Hope you are all well

Thinking of you today @fejkalove

@fattycatty82 I technically know you are supposed to wash new things first, even your own clothes and not just baby's, but I can never be bothered! I'm going to wash the baby stuff though. New things can have traces of chemicals and detergents used in the manufacturing and packaging (or at least used to? Maybe these days it's not such a thing), and if you have sensitive skin or allergies it may be an issue.

Best of luck @fejkalove and sorry it turned out this way, he sounds like a proper arsehole. You're better off without!

I've been up since 5.30am as well @TashieWoo not with heartburn but just woke up for no reason. Although I lied in bed for an hour before getting up and starting breakfast. Will schedule in a nap later!

@fejkalove, good luck today! First steps are always so hard, even when they are toward a more stable future. We're with you!

@fattycatty82, I have sensitive skin and always wash everything before we use it - clothes, towels, etc. @GinnyBee is right that there are both chemicals from the factories and also general filth from shipping (even when it is in packages) that you want to wash off when you bring it home.

It makes sense that this is important for baby as their skin can be very sensitive (and to use the correct laundry soap for them too), but it also really makes sense for adult clothes. I worked in a bridal gown salon for 7 years when I was younger, and it was horrifying what state women would be in when they'd come to the shop to try on wedding gown samples. They'd come straight from the gym, they'd come without knickers, they'd come smelling like they hadn't showered in days. It was shocking. We drew the line at no knickers and made them run to a nearby discount store to pick up underwear or they had to reschedule their appointment, but EEEWWW! If they're willing to try on ££££ gowns like that, imagine them trying on jeans at the local department store. Or even worse, them trying on clothing at home that they've ordered online then returned. Even those awful people who buy something for an occasion but leave the tags on and return it afterward.

If you google "washing clothes before wearing" you'll see dozens of articles that just make your skin crawl.

Oh yeah, everything gets washed when it comes in my home.

Whoops I was wondering why it was so quiet, have only just found thread 4 😅 Silly me!

Good luck today @fejkalove

What travel systems/pushchairs/car seats has everyone bought? I'm still deciding!

Will buy car seat new but will try and get next to me crib and pushchair second hand maybe, provided in good condition.

(Sorry I seem to be incapable of posting about more than one thing at a time)

Also been thinking I will use up 20 days annual leave from mid April and then official maternity leave from mid May (due date is 16th) that should maximise leave time! Of course if the baby comes early I'll have to start maternity leave sooner.

@Sarah239 we've gone for the Uppababy Cruz - we found a reasonable deal where it came with the carrycot and car seat.

@GinnyBee I did consider it, and the stress is a lot to the point where a senior member of staff did genuinely recommend it to me quietly. I just don't want to do that to the kids, I've got 2 year 11 groups who are already worried about me going a few weeks before their exam. I know I need to think of myself and baby but unless I get really unwell I can't see myself being signed off.

That bridal shop story @aNewYorkerInLondon 🤮 and there was me always enjoying the feeling of wearing something brand new (I thought!) no one had ever worn before. I sometimes find clothes just aren't the same after they've been washed though... even just once.

Has anyone started antenatal classes yet? I realise it's really early but although I'm signed up to an NCT course starting in March we started a month long online one (free) beginning of January and I've found it really good. It's given me a lot to think about and I'll be much more prepared for when I see my consultant end of feb.

I also wanted to ask if anyone had seen their consultant yet? My appointment should have happened by now but it's been postponed. I have no idea what she's going to say but I feel so passionately about certain things I don't think it's going to be a nice experience. Im so against certain interventions like inductions and I have so much anxiety around internal examinations I used to have to pluck up the courage for a year to have a smear test..

Because of this and a few other factors I am edging towards a c section for the sake of being in control/knowing what will happen and when.

I had such a good birth with my daughter all those years ago I wish I had the courage to go through with a vaginal birth but sadly, the truth is, I just don't think I do. I still have a hypnobirthing course to do and the NCT so maybe that'll change how I feel about it all

@fejkalove I am so sorry you're going through all this, it must be horrible for you. I was a single parent with my daughter in the end and as hard as it could be at times, it did get easier and leaving the wrong man freed me up to (eventually!) meet the absolute love of my life so trust that you'll have that happiness too xx

@robyna you sound like a really good teacher who cares about their kids, I bet they all appreciate you a lot. But I'd definitely put yourself and baby first in this instance, kids are adaptable they will still be inspired and motivated by you when they take their exams even if you weren't there right at the very end

@fejkalove good luck today, I hope things go smoothly for you and your daughter. Your ex sounds like the worst, how could he do that to you and your daughter with no notice. I’m sorry, I hope things look up for you soon and you go back to your pre ex self.

Re the washing I do always prewash the newborn and 0-3 months items but don’t really bother after that. I love the first wash, seeing the tiny items hanging on the line smelling of fairy non bio

@Sarah239 we’ll be using the icandy peach we had for me previous two, it’s 9 years old now but still in fine condition. I am looking into a new car seat, still not sure whether to get a longer lasting swivel one or the early stages one that clips onto the pram. Also looking into the doona car seat/pram that looks fab, does anyone have any experience of it?