Due June 2022 (thread eight)

[Annabell1]

New Thread.

@MrsM29 yes, and another vote for Reid.
@JAR1981 Welcome back. I'm glad all is going well.
@Rolledthedice I'm over 35 and they have only offered the glucose test as one of my parents is diabetic.
@EarlGreywithLemon Thank you for your list. I will add that to my spreadsheet. :)

We did a big shop today at the Baby Show in London. :) Oh gosh, it was completely unexpected. So we have pram now... this is so exciting.
We bought the iCandy Peach 7 bundle with the Cybex Cloud Z car seat and then some muslins, baby blankets etc.

Thanks for all the list suggestions! I think my bag is going to be massive at this rate. I’m also taking a small red light as I’ve heard it’s better for oxytocin. A scented bead bag as apparently diffusers aren’t allowed at the hospital I’ll be at. A small speaker for quiet calming music and some bedding from home. It’s hospital policy for all new mums and babies to stay in a few days so I suppose I’ll need supplies for me and the babe… but hubby could always go home to get stuff I guess 🤷🏼‍♀️

Morning ladies, I've been awake since 4.30 as my baby is doing some weird vibrating thing... it feels like he's having a fit, every minute or so he does some mad twitching then stops... Any one else had this?! I'm sure I didn't with my first! It's not hiccups, much stronger and more random

@Prema112 I've had this!! I googled extensively and it seems normal... Still no idea exactly what is going on in there though

@PurpleMoon12 Oh I'm quite relieved I'm not the only one! It's really weird isn't it... Glad to hear your research points to it being normal...

Thanks @Annabell1

I’m so glad someone said it’s acceptable to take a wheelie suitcase, I was wondering how we’re supposed to fit everything in having seen these lists. Some say take your own pillow and a birthing ball?! The book I am reading says to pack at around 32 weeks which is my plan, assuming little one hangs on until then 🤞🏻.

We have our John Lewis appointment today which is exciting!

@Prema112 I’ve had this a couple of times now, usually lasts around 5-10 seconds.

Has anyone else had a buzzing/vibrating feeling along their inner thigh? Google seems to say it’s due to a trapped nerve and can be normal in pregnancy. Feels weird though.

@JAR1981 apparently most hospitals have birthing balls you can use but the lady at my hypnobirthing said to check with them so you're prepared. She also said standard issue Hospital pillows are sh*te and to definitely take your own. Honestly I feel like I'm going to be going with more than I do to go on holiday for a week 😂

Lol, I bought a BIG suitcase for my last labour, DH was embarrassed at how much stuff we had 😂 This time we will bring less as we are only 10 mins from the hospital so DH can bring me a pillow etc later if needed

I might pack a 'definitely taking in bag' and a 'if I need to stay overnight bag' for DH to grab from home if needed

@Prema112 I keep getting really fast jabs, too and regretted googling as it came up with seizures. Good to know it seems to be normal. No idea what they’re doing in there, though!!

@Prema112 that's a good idea re a definite bag plus a just in case bag.
I'll probably put my things in either a small suitcase or a gym holdall type thing. I'm also keeping babies stuff in a separate bag so it's easy to grab. I'll also put "first outfit" and things like that in individual bags so they are easy to grab, I found that useful last time.

@JAR1981 can I ask what book you're reading? I am obsessed with having books to read but none of the ones I have give me enough details ! Also does anyone have any newborn books you recommend ?

@MrsTwentyNine I've really enjoyed "Expecting Better" by Emily Oster and am now reading her "Cribsheets" which is more about after birth. Both books focus on the facts behind all the advice we get given to help you make your own choices. Otherwise I've been reading "What to Expect When You're Expecting" by Heidi Murkoff as I've gone along and "The Day-by-Day Pregnancy Book" by Dr Maggie Blott. The last two have had some interesting bits, but I've probably found them not that useful overall, with the exception that it was my first point of call for reading about labour stages and what to expect there, different options, etc. but it was more of a starting point for further investigating. I was recommended Gina Ford by a friend of mine and must admit she certainly fits my personality type, although I totally accept she isn't going to be for everyone (not wanting to open up the baby led vs other methods here as I that's all very much each to their own and I know from research there's no difference in outcomes either way - and I also accept I may change my mind!) but it makes a lot of sense to me. I've seen Sarah Ockwell-Smith recommended in lots of Facebook groups with a huge following, I personally struggle with her writing style a bit though... I suppose that's when it comes down to our many varied personalities though 😁

[quote beansprout55]@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! [/quote]
I'm doing the online course with them - it's videos that you can watch in your own time which suits me well rather than a live session. Really informative and helpful and not too long. Have just finished them and going to watch them all again but with my partner so he has all the info and knowledge too! Has made me quite excited for birth!! 😊

Fab! Thanks @yellowpinkbluegreen. I think I'll sign up too. I'm struggling with work at the mo and taking even more time off for classes just won't be possible - I had been searching for an inexpensive online option and so many others have recommended hypnobirthing courses, it seemed like the perfect fit. Does it cover breathing techniques etc well? Really hoping for a VB with just gas and air, so I know how important it will be to have a good breathing technique. Thanks!xxx

@beansprout55 yes a couple of different breathing techniques for the different stages of labour! Let me know how you get on if you do it!!

I’m buying and packing MAM nipple shields. I didn’t manage to get my son to latch and I’ve read on la leche league these are supposed to help establish breastfeeding if you have difficulty. It’s £6 worth spending just in case because it can be really hard to establish breastfeeding if you don’t manage it within the first day. I really really want to breastfeed this time.

Those aiming for home birth (I’m sure there was someone else on here?) are you packing lots of stuff in a bag, in case you end up transferring? The lists of stuff I’m seeing here are more then I’d take on holiday lol so need to find a balance I guess. 🙈

I’ve been considering the Positive Birth Company hypnobirthing course and wasn’t sure whether to sign up for a live zoom or learn at my own pace. Good to hear the videos are worth it! 😊

I’m terms of books, my goodness I have so many at this point! Currently reading ‘Hypnobirthing: Practical Ways to Make Your Birth Better’ which is same content as the PBC course. I also enjoy the ‘Why x Matters’ books as they are pocket sized, well researched and easy to read. ‘Why Homebirth Matters’ was useful for my circumstances but they have a whole range of topics including cesarean, induction and breastfeeding. I’m reading the Oxytocin one at the moment, it’s really interesting!

www.pinterandmartin.com/why-it-matters

I've come for a moan.
I've had a few people say to me that I'm 'huge' already and am I sure I haven't got gestational diabetes! One being a work colleague. I'm emotional enough as it is right now.
Why do people think it's ok to comment on the size of peoples bumps! I would never.
It's just made me so paranoid about my size now! Granted I was overweight to start with but I actually haven't put on any weight at all so far (no idea how!)
Am I that huge for 25 weeks?

@imhereforthecake your bump is so neat and I'd say we are the same size except my bump doesn't look that neat haha, I have put on 10kg so far and I'm so scared as my BMI was 33 to begin with 😩
You look absolutely fine and ignore the work colleagues!!

@imhereforthecake same size bump ** to clarify!
I'm so impressed you've put on no weight. I need tips ?!

Thank you for the book recommendations @fpeg and @Rolledthedice !

@MrsTwentyNine thank you ❤️ my bmi was the same as yours to start.
Honestly with the weight - I have no idea. The only difference is I've been snacking a lot but not really wanting big meals. But the snacks have most definitely not been healthy

@MrsTwentyNine I’m currently reading The Positive Birth Book by Milli Hill. Not too far in but so far so good and much more detailed than A Modern Midwife’s Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond which I really enjoyed as a first book to read as it was super approachable but not very detailed. Also got Expecting Better on the go and like @Rolledthedice TPBC hypnobirthing book is up next which I thought I’d read before deciding if I want to do the online course.

@imhereforthecake Your bump is lovely!

@JAR1981 I have the tingling thigh too - feels like nettle stings! On the same side as the hip that clicks when I do ab exercises (pre pregnancy). I suspect the two are related. If you Google "meralgia paresthetica pregnancy" there is a pdf document from the Royal Berkshire hospital that has some suggested stretches and physio exercises to relieve it. Not sure how effective they are but the stretches feel nice anyway.