Due March/April 2022 Thread 3. Third trimester and babies!!

[Dyra]

Didn't quite realise we were so close to the end of the second one. So let's have another one! I'll post the due date list in a moment.

Hello everyone. I’m 34 weeks on Wednesday and still haven’t picked my hospital bag. In my last pregnancy I was packed and ready to go by now but I’m just not organised this time. What has everyone packed that they think they will absolutely need? I had a scare recently and thought the baby would come early so I’m going to try and make sure my bag is packed by the end of the week xx

@Caass45 I've got a ton of those Eat Natural bars, some black chocolate and a big bag of walnuts. Think I'll need to get something else too... maybe something like jelly beans and Jaffa cakes - marathon runners seem to go for that! Otherwise @Dyra mentioned pasties, I guess we'll need some real food at some point too 😅 - not sure what I'll bring... a stack of sandwiches??

Just caught up on what I missed.

@Dyra thanks for the suggestions cereal bars are a great idea I will deffo get some. So glad hiccups are seemingly normal the things you read can be quite worrying but if she's just got a good head of hair were fine 😅

All these big babies ! I have read people who had a small baby and a big baby say the bigger one was easier to deliver. Our little girl was measuring just under the 50th percentile at last measurement so I think she's generally on average. The measured me at 31cm at 33 weeks so I don't suspect she will be very big but who knows until she arrives

@MiracleBaby2022 thank you also great advise! Thank you I'm so clueless 😅

@Naomixx oh gosh well I've actually been quite organised but my hospital bag isn't quite packed yet - got a couple of more things to add.

If I remember correctly here’s what’s in my bag:

2 huge t-shirt/dresses
A hospital/labour gown
A light dressing gown
Button down nightie
2 nursing bras
1 loose fitting nursing top
Loose fitting lounge pants
Leggings
Flip flops
8 huge knickers
Loads of breast pads
Maternity pads
Arnica cooling jelly
Peri bottle
Drinks bottle
Towel
Flannel
Toiletries
Hairbrush
Small makeup mirror
Very long charger lead
Earplugs and eye mask
Noise cancelling head phones
A book to read
Plastic bag for soiled clothing
Snacks/bars/chocolate

Camera + spare batteries

I’ve put the clothes for after birth at the bottom of the bag and those for during labour on top. Everything is in separate clear plastic bags that are labelled for my partner to grab easily. I also got him to pack it so that he knows where everything is.

Baby’s got another bag 😅

Hello everyone,
Im 34w today , I have everything ready for the the bags just not packed yet and baby stuff not washed yet. This is my third time packing but first c-section.

Here is what I have in my bags if it helps anyone:

My bag:
Change of clothes x 3
Button down nightie x 2
High waist knickers x 7
Nursing bras x 2
Bath towel
Hairbands & hair brush
Sliders (found easier as flip flops especially if you need to wear the compression socks which I had to both times)
Maternity pads (pack of thick but also pack of slim ones)
Reusable breast pads
Toiletries (face wipes, lip balm, mini dry shampoo, toothpaste & brush, shower gel, hand sanitiser, nipple balm, face tinted moisturiser)
Snacks (some cereal bars, choc bars, flapjacks)
Water bottle
Long phone charger
Book
Peppermint oil capsules and high fibre drink because of the c-section plus a dressing gown rope which apparently helps to pull yourself up easier post section

Baby's bag:
1 small pack eco nappies plus 1 pack biodegradable water wipes for hospital (I will be using cloth nappies and wipes once at home)
Colostrum syringes (hopefully full from home, hospital said they have freezer and can store these for me if needed)
Newborn/up to 1m sleepsuits (probably 5)
Newborn/up to 1m vests (probably 5)
Hats x 2
Cellular blanket
Thicker blanket
Going home additional clothes (cardi or warmer all in one, depending on weather)

Husband can always bring more stuff if staying longer, those of you who will be induced I would definitely recommend plenty of snacks and books, change for vending machines, it could be a few days process especially with first baby, from the moment my babies were born I was discharged within 24h both times (if everything is ok of course) so you don't really need a lot in normal circumstances post birth.

Those of you who will end up with tears & episiotomy I can highly recommend Spritz for bits for stitches, I had a 3rd degree tear & episiotomy with my second and this spray was just amazing and helped a lot with recovery. If you end up overdue you might need to take 0-3m size rather then the smaller clothes.

Forgot to add few muslin squares for baby 😊

@onedream oh I've never heard of the compression sock thing you mention, what's that for? I wear compression socks for low blood pressure daily anyway, but is it a thing during labour that I'm not aware of??

@MiracleBaby2022
It was those terrible green nhs high socks, I think to avoid blood clots, I had to wear them both times, not sure why exactly maybe something to do with epidural? I had epidural with first and spinal for theatre repair post birth with second..had to continue wearing them at home for few days too..they were so tight so couldn't wear flip flops properly so this time I got some sliders

@onedream oh I see! Well I'll make sure to pack my own then. I use toe socks so my compression socks have the toe part cut off to allow me to wear the toe socks over them. And toe socks are perfect for flip flops. Anyway I'll pack them too!

I keep reading about the 3 x changes of loose comfortable clothing, is that for before/during labour? I've only put in one pair of loose lounge pants...

@MiracleBaby2022 those will be perfect for the flip flops
The change of clothes and how many you will need depends I think on what sort of birth you will have, when I was induced with first it took 3 days in hospital until my baby was born so used some clothes in days before the actual labour, following the birth I had nightie on and then changed in clothes again day after (the day I went home),my husband had to bring me more as most I packed I used before birth..this time with section I will take some over bump leggings and loose tops to change again day after with some spare just in case of leaks, stains, etc. so probably about 3 sets of tops and bottoms..

@onedream I'm being induced and it's my first so I'm expecting to be in for a while. My plan was to be in my loose over-bump lounge pants to begin with (guess I should add a top for it!) then move on to one of the massive t-shirt-dresses with leggings and dressing gown over it, then another long t-shirt with or without leggings at this stage perhaps and eventually the birth gown for the last part. Maybe I should add something more than just these huge t-shirts for labour and something more 'normal' but I don't really have any more loose fitting maternity clothes that I have spare... 🤔

@MiracleBaby2022 I think what you have planned is absolutely fine, you will be on antenatal ward when induced so you can literally wear whatever you comfortable in, further down the line you will be examined and baby monitored every now and then so loose t-shirt is perfect for that, when I progressed to 4cm that's when I was moved to labour ward so then I have changed into nightie I actually laboured in and gave birth in and after the baby is born once you are moved to postnatal you can just keep the nightie on and use the normal clothes next day when you hopefully will be going home

@onedream thank you, I was getting a bit stressed out but think you're right. I'm just wondering if I'll just be 'using up' my labour outfits too early on. I'll just add a couple of loose tops I think for wearing with my leggings on the antenatal ward. Is it worth bringing your own pillow and a nursing pillow? Lots of sites mention those, but my god, the size of my hospital bag... 😳

@MiracleBaby2022 yes that's a good plan, keep your labour clothes for when they move you to labour ward, until then regular leggings and t-shirt is great, if you end up sleeping on antenatal tshirt style nightie or long tshirt will be great for monitor or examinations during night hopefully it will work quickly for you and you won't be there for long..
I haven't bothered with pillow but I can see it mentioned lots by others, I won't be taking one as long as I remember I was happy with what was provided I guess it's just a personal preference, I have used nursing pillow last time around but when already at home to get a good comfortable position and latch I haven't used it in hospital, first time around I bottle fed, second time around I breastfed but baby latched for little time only each time the first day or two so it was easy enough just to put him on breast, I guess again it is a personal choice, no harm to leave it in car and just bring it in if you want it..

I might have missed them, but things on my list to add to what’s here already

Nipple cream
Paracetamol, ibuprofen
Tissues
Handheld mirror
Fan
Toiletries/change of clothes for DP
Hats/scratch mits for baby
Muslins
Pillow
TENS machine
Hospital notes

And lavender oil spray for our hypnobirthing and see if it’s helpful

Hi ladies, sorry I’ve been a bit quiet, it’s been a busy couple of weeks with appointments.

I’ve just packed a loose T-shirt type dress for early labour, I’ll be going into a hospital gown for an epidural fairly early on anyway. For after birth I’ve packed loose pyjama bottoms and tops that I can button down for feeding/skin to skin.

I’m trying not to break into my hospital bag snacks at the moment! I feel like I could eat all the time!

I turned 37 weeks yesterday, which I can’t believe. With the hyperemesis, viral infections including covid and PGP it’s felt like the longest pregnancy ever! I’m hoping it will won’t be too long now until we meet baby. I’ve had two weeks of losing bits of plug and on/off spasms up my back (baby is back to back according to the latest scan, just like my son was-hoping she will turn!). I’m booked in to start having sweeps next week, and an induction at 39+1 if she hasn’t arrived by then. I started harvesting colostrum last night, didn’t think I’d get any, but got about 0.4ml, which isn’t a bad start! Also, is it just me that thinks the term ‘colostrum harvesting’ is a bit weird?! 😂

The compression stockings are to help prevent blood clots in your legs. If you have a spinal/epidural/any operation (i.e. any reason you will be immobile/unable to voluntarily move your legs for an extended period) you'll be given some to wear. If you're already numbed, staff will put them on for you. We're very good at it. If you're an antenatal inpatient for any reason, you'll be given some to wear as well. But tbh you don't have to. Just make sure you stretch your legs every now and then. Otherwise you don't need to wear them.

If you're planning on being in a few nights (induction/elective section), I do recommend bringing a pillow. Hospital pillows, unless they're brand new out of the bag, are about as thick as pancakes. And only slightly more comfortable. Nursing pillows imo aren't worth it while in hospital. If you need a bit of propping up, a rolled up blanket or towel will do the job equally well. Until your milk comes in (hopefully you'll be out of hospital by then!) they won't be feeding for very long in the early days anyway.

@BostonFern There's a finish line in sight! Two weeks until induction for sure. FX baby turns. Did your DS come out star gazing, or did he turn in labour at any point?

I'm starting to feel like I've packed a bit too optimistically. I'll adjust if things change in the coming weeks.

@Dyra son came out stargazing! Assisted delivery in theatre. Midwife has told me at least with PGP my pelvis might be looser and baby might have a better chance of moving- got to look for the silver linings, lol.
I’ve packed optimistically this time too, I guess OH can bring more in if needed.

Lots of talk in the news about the government removing access to free lateral flow tests so worth ordering some in ladies for those who want to stay safe in 3rd trimester and approaching your due dates!

Yeah, DH said the other day the numbers being bandied around is £30 for a pack of 7. Nobody is going to want to pay that, so it seems that they're blatantly going for herd immunity now.

@SouthwestSis oh no! Where do you order them from? Last time I just got a pack from the pharmacy

Wow £30 for every 7? People will just stop testing won't they.....worrying for anyone with any sort of vulnerability.

For some reason I can't paste the link but if you just Google "order lateral flow tests" it will take you to the government website and you can still order a box of 7 for free at the mo

Yeah free atm still. Think DH said after mid March is when they will no longer be. Probably at the same time all restrictions will be dropped.

Thanks so much, I've just ordered a pack! I guess we won't be able to order more than the one pack though...