Due June 2022 (thread eight)

[Annabell1]

New Thread.

@mrsnt. That's so ridiculous that they didn't want to check. Iron levels are lower in pregnant women but there's still a threshold it needs to be above!

I had my bloods done to check for iron a couple of weeks ago and it was ok so the midwife said maybe I'm just one of the lucky women who have exhaustion the whole way through for no reason. Hurrah! I did learn what the iron levels are meant to be above though. She said they look for it to be above 110gl for second/ third tri.

@pregnancydiaries I’m so sorry, that’s awful for you! Really hoping treatment starts soon and you start to feel better.

Just done a big shop online! So have to share!

Things I got:

1. Maxi cosi car seat 360 pearl
2. Uppababy vista pram (purely for the green colour as it's so pretty!)
3. Dockatot
4. Nuna leaf baby rocker (it can be used until they're 60kg...WHAT? Maybe that was a type on the website but too late now!)
5. Chicco next to me

Clueless if any of this will work out 😂 But I feel like I can now relax ??

80 day countdown till mat leave 🤞🏽

@MrsTwentyNine I did a similar shop a couple of weeks ago when I was off work for a week. It feels so good doesn't it 😁 I'm a spreadsheet girl and loved watching it all turn green as the stuff arrived! Travel system and nursery furniture due later this month/early next month. Must admit I didn't enjoy watching the bank account empty 😂 your post has just reminded me how happy I was to watch it all come in!

When are people thinking they'll pack their hospital bags? I'm 28 weeks next week, I've been thinking of sorting it when I get back from our last pre baby holiday at the end of March, which will be about 32 weeks. I was originally thinking about 36 weeks but early arrival scare stories are making me think earlier is better. I have a spreadsheet (of course) of all things to go into it 😁

Oh @fpeg you and me both! I love a good spreadsheet!! Some of mine are Amber and I want them all to change to green already. I also purchased the medela breast pump electric when I don't even know if I can BF yet!

Also regarding hospital bag @fpeg I was going to wait for my NCT lessons which start in 6 weeks which is when I'll be 31 weeks! Hoping they give a bit more clarity on what to pack haha

Love all the spreadsheets! I have a list in a notebook - felt much less anxious when everything was in one place.

Sadly come down with a stomach bug so sitting on the sofa feeling sorry for myself today. Disappointing as it's a lovely sunny day - but ventured outside for a walk and felt terrible after 5 min, so leaving that for another time.

Another one loving that I'm not alone in spreadsheetville... Probably won't start thinking hospital bag until 30 weeks plus here too, hopefully once all the other baby stuff is sorted.

Today I hit 24 weeks, which is exciting. Baby feels a bit like an alien at the moment as he's wriggling happily around. Feels particularly weird when he's under my belly button - don't know if anyone else feels similar?

I have also spotted my Linea Nigra for the first time today. It is off centre, which I think is very rude. It could at least be symmetrical. :)

I am pushing on with DIY today, as we've got one more room to refurb before little one arrives. Almost ready to start the strip out, which feels good. So much to do though!

Thank you @EarlGreywithLemon ♥️

Another one on the spreadsheet bandwagon. I'm having a day on the sofa and it's definitely going to be dangerous for the bank balance!

After walking to town and back (got some cute hand knitted clothes from the artisan market), I have decided I need to bite the bullet. Can anyone recommend a good support belt? My right side of my belly was in agony. :(

+1 to the spreadsheet frenzy! We went for dinner with a friend who has two little Girls and she had compiled a list of must haves for when the baby arrives. We're first time parents and no young children in our families, so super clueless. It's so reassuring to have a list to work from. 26 weeks Monday and feeling time is suddenly slipping away. We're also planning renovations and it's all soooo slow. In Spain (where I am) they advise to have hospital ready at 7 months. I am planning to sort mine out by Easter.

I've not bought anything yet 😂
I'll do my hospital bag when I start mat leave at around 37 weeks probably. I'll wash all the baby stuff, then pack it some time between 37 and 38 weeks.
We only really need a pram and car seat. Still got a next to me from my daughter, and we've got about 15 baby grows and 25 vests in newborn / 0-3 that are unisex from when my daughter was born.
We will need a changing mat and bits like that, but not a lot. We've got 3 packs of newborn nappies from the Emma's diary packs which will do us for a bit, plus we always have wipes in anyway because of my daughter.

Any of you spread sheet girls have a list of what we're meant to pack in our hospital bags?
We're 10 mins away from the hospital so not planning on packing loads, DH can nip home any time, and they also kick you out pretty fast where I live. If baby comes in the morning and all is well you don't usually spend the night, unless you really want to....

@beansprout55 I'm not currently at home (so not next to my beloved spreadsheet) but I used this as a starting point if it helps x

This is my bag list:

notes, birth plan, maternity pads, big knickers, bras, breast pads, hairbrush, nightie, Hair bobbles, headphones (for relaxation hypnobirthing podcast), vests, babygrows, hat, blanket, muslins, wipes, nappies, car seat, flannel, toothbrush

If I stay in my husband will bring deodorant, shower gel, shampoo etc if I feel like I need it

A lot of online lists say scratch mitts, but most babygrows have them built in, so check before buying extra.

Also they don't stay on very well! Baby socks on their hands tends to work well.

What kind of bag are people packing into? Will a suitcase or a soft bag or backpack be better?

@RoseValleyRambles I was going with suitcase because it can be wheeled and if I end up needing a c-section it will be easier to move about than a backpack is my thinking.

Oooo @fpeg that's great. Thank you!
Good question @RoseValleyRambles, was wondering if anyone had an answer to that. What's the norm? Is it weird to go in with a suitcase? I've no idea what people do 😕 I'm 24 weeks tomorrow. Haven't seen a midwife since 16 weeks and will next at 28 weeks (the Jersey timetable of events is different to NHS) so I plan on asking all sorts then. x

@beansprout55 @RoseValleyRambles I work in a hospital and I always see new Mums with their wheelie suitcases outside labour ward! So I'm going with suitcase too. Luckily I'm also 10 min drive from hospital so only taking the bare minimum (whatever that means...don't have a list yet )

@MrsTwentyNine thanks! Will deffo take my suitcase then. x
Someone mentioned either on this thread or a previous one that they signed up to the 'Positive Birth Company' for the hypnobirthing course. If you see this message I'm really keen to know how you're getting on with it. I think I might give it a go!

Suitcase it is! Thanks guys :)

My list is:
For me:

• nighties x2
• knickers (I had net knickers the first time for a VB but will pack C section knickers this time)
• hair brush and hair grips
• wash bag with toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser etc
• light dressing gown
• slippers
• flip flops for the shower
• maternity pads (the hospital provided them last time - but just in case they don’t any more)
• breast pads
• feeding cushion - I didn’t take one last time and really missed it
• eye mask
• ear plugs
• phone charger
• headphones
• change of clothes
• prescription medication
• windeze - didn’t use it last time, but I hear trapped wind can be worse with C sections
• dried fruit (for constipation purposes! )
• sports cap water bottle
• snacks
• extra pillow
• anti bac wet wipes
• tissues
• hand sanitiser

For the baby

• 5 baby grows (took 3 last time and it wasn’t enough - mind you, we were in 5 days and also she was a very vomity baby)
• 5 vests - mix of short and long sleeve
• 2 hats
• cardigan
• blanket - for the car seat, but we also needed it for her review - we were told to have her in just her nappy and blanket
• Muslins
• cotton wool (the hospital provided it last time, but just in case)
• two small bottles of ready made formula, just in case -didn’t need it last time
• nappies

I also had the following last time:

• straws - didn’t use them
• a nighty for labour

I’m in two minds if to get a nicer baby grow for coming home. Last time I found I was much more attached to the first vest, baby grow and hat she wore, and all going well I hope to put this baby in the same ones.

I packed a small wheelie case for me last time, the changing bag for the baby with her stuff in it, and a small shoulder bag with snacks and water. We put a few items for my husband in my wheelie case too - wash bag, slippers, change of clothes etc

I packed my bag around 35 weeks, and all going well plan to do the same this time.

Oh, sorry, an essential one: nipple cream if breastfeeding, and apply often and liberally. It makes such a difference.

A number of people recommended a pot of Vaseline to put on the baby’s bottom before the first poo, to make it easier to clean. Meconium is supposed to be pretty sticky . We took one but didn’t use it - found it was absolutely fine to clean without