Minsters Side Car - Thread 7 - annoying neighbours, second hand bargains and how many sleep suits should we buy again?!

[larrythelizard]

Babies due in 2022

@Lexber 20 April 💜💙
@DKDK123 12 May 💜
@bez91 14 May 💛
@Minster2012 22 May 💜 (C-section the week before)
@whatwonder 5 June 💛
@feliznavidad2 5 July 💜
@SWAttempting 23 July (will be delivered in June). 💜
@paintfairy 24 July 💜
@Vil10 1 August 💛
@Juno231 11 August 💜
@kaylsd 15 August 💛
@larrythelizard 18 August 💛

@Kirky658 11 August 2021 💜
@Kate105 14 October 2021 💙
@Justanothercyster 10 November 2021 💜
@2020Mission 27 December 2021 💙
@blackcurrantqueen 17 January 2022 💜
@Crazydoglady123 29 January 💜
@Haiyaa 1 February 💙
@becarefuloutthere 26 February 💜

Omg yes seconded @2020mission i have also literally cried over spilt milk...

Dad not too bad, mom a bit worse but both at home, isolating for 10 days so the boys are taking lots of stuff over

@Franklydear so sorry to hear about your parents in law. Glad that they seem to be coping at home so far. The London trip sounds brilliant- so jealous of the zoo! Hope the spotting dies down and you get some answers soon.

@Vil10 I’m completely anxious and stressing at the moment which is really unlike me), every little thing is worrying me, but so far so good. I’m keeping holding on to the fact that I got a 3+ Booked a scan for 8 weeks so just 15 days to go!

@Minster2012 thank you! I’m really, really hoping so! Especially with the progesterone!

@InkyPaper you doing so well with the zen! I’ll try and copy you!

I also have never heard of a haaka… I’m learning so much!

@paintfairy it's because I'm not taking my mat leave until the next financial year, if baby was due this financial year it would have been different I suppose 😆 I mean we like everyone else on here weren't fortunate enough to 'plan' the babies birthday to be in a specific month 🤦🏼‍♀️ cervix measuring it is then. I'm probably a bit green to it but assumed if they did it once and all was ok that was it!

@kaylsd I'm also starting to miss caffeine, probably because we've got a new coffee machine and I'm jealous of DH. Hope the bbq was good, sure you'll smash the shifts 😬

@Minster2012 that's a great weight, what a super strong girl 💪🏼 wahooo

Very good point @2020mission @Kate105 I must check if the one I've bought has a stopper!

DDs hospital app went well, operation deemed a success as the 'plug' in the hole of her heart hadn't moved but they want her to take part in some research as the technology is quite new so we've got to go back soon for her to have some kind of device fitted for 48 hours to see how her heart copes at different times of day, we've agreed which may cost us a trip to the toy shop!

Morning ladies, thanks for the well wishes yesterday I'm def believing there's gonna be a baby soon now 🤪

Also about the screws @InkyPaper I genuinely nearly cried! We are getting there now, cot up so some serious nesting for me this weekend when DH & DS away to sort the room out & get clothes out etc

@bez91 that's great news bout DD, def needs some sort of treat for the next stage I think!

@BellatrixK we learn all the stuff here 😂
Haakaa added to list to stop crying over spilt milk

@Kate105 even Mother Earth gets shat on. Quite a lot!

@Franklydear here's hoping your family stay "relatively" well & your April trip is not affected

I mean there's being prepared & being prepared @Vil10, the right answer will be there on the travelling/leaving baby

I had a really uncomfortable night, I know we love a bit of TMI so once again I've got the shits. It's making life v uncomfortable. There really is no glamour to pregnancy even if you have a "nice pregnancy" 🙄

Fab news on the growth scan @Minster2012 💕💕💕 - really exciting having another scan so soon (with DS I was much fatter and had extra scans because of my BMI but no such luck this time...!) Also great news on the screws. Try and take it easy today if you've been poorly overnight

Earth mother or not that's some impressive patience @Kate105 - I think Katherine Ryan (the comedian) got absolutely panned in the press for saying she did it!

Kew Gardens has long been on my list @Franklydear. Hope your family are OK.

Yep very natural @BellatrixK - get that scan booked and start counting down.

Great news on DD @bez91 even if it is going to cost you a toy shop trip. DS still uses dummies to sleep and I'm trying to bribe him to put them all in the bin exchange for a toy shop visit - I fear that would be expensive but I want the dummies gone by the time he's 3!

@larrythelizard great wee story, that's one for his 18th 🤣

@kate105 hats off to you, no way I could do EC, it's exhausting enough watching a toddler for signs they need the potty let alone doing it during the baby stage too 🙈 You'll need to let us know if it really works and helps with toilet training further down the line.

@franklydear hope the inlaws are OK and that you still manage to enjoy your weekend in London.

@2020mission I second the hakka lid, crying over milk is indeed a thing 😂 I could barely produce anything but the one time I did manage to collect a tiny wee puddle at the bottom of my hakka while trying to pump from the other side, the hakka detached from my boob and tipped the milk out - I definitely cried that day! So this time round I've ordered the Lansinoh one with lanyard for round my neck incase it detaches again 😂

@bez91 that's great that her heart check up went Well. Hopefully the new trial you're going to be doing is helpful.....but yip I think that definitely warrants a trip to the toy shop!

@Minster2012 Great news on the growth scan! I feel you on the 'glamerous' pregnancy, I feel like all the 1st trimester symptoms have returned with a vengeance, if I'm not constipated I've got the runs, also started throwing up almost daily again usually between 4am-11am and my sense of smell has totally heightened again. Then add on all the 3rd trimester aches and pains, definitely not glowing and enjoying this part at all! Keep reminding myself that the end is in sight, not long to go now.

On the hospital feeding, I wasn't prepared at all with DS as I was so sure I'd be able to breast feed. They had the ready made bottles of cow and gate to give him, there were no facilities for making powdered bottles or for sterilising bottles so the ready made ones with the teats were your only option really. When I asked for some more of the ready made bottles to feed him the next day, I was rather abruptly told by one nurse that they were for emergencies only and I should have been more prepared and brought my own in so I'd need to call my partner to bring some. I got really upset as it hadn't even occurred to me that I wouldn't be able to breast feed nor was i expecting him to come so early but felt like she was blaming me for being unorganised! I spoke to another nurse later on as my partner was going to be late in to the hospital and she gave me a stash of them to put in my cabinet and said I was just to call on her if I needed any more, she was the little bit of kindness I needed that day after that first nurse. Will definitely be taking my own just incase this time round!

I'm really surprised to hear about the formula in hospital @DKDK123! I wonder if NHS Scotland is different or if it really just depends on the midwives at the time? There was definitely ladies in the same ward as me that were formula feeding from the get go who I heard buzz the midwives for more bottles and they were handed over without question so it can't be a case of I was only given them as I had a delay in milk supply that was out of my control and had to top up the breast feeds. I would have brought some with me if I had intended to formula feed though. I was also in hospital for 4 nights so I must have went through a fair number of free instant bottles from them!

@2020mission @DKDK123 I think it must be a trust thing. It's an easy cost and time save i guess! I mean a pack of 6 of the ready with teat aptimil is £8 each in the shops & time for the midwives. No idea, I think it's a good thing for ppl to ask the midwives what the stance is in their trust

@DKDK123 I really feel like symptoms are back too, I'm not as bad as you so very fortunate but was feeling sick earlier, don't worry @larrythelizard I have been relaxing this morning, about to pick X up then his friend & my friend coming for a play date this afternoon before DH & I have date night tonight with a quiz in our old village 🥰, we are doing 2 teams, boys vs girls. Not gonna lie I think the men have more brains than us 🤔

My apricot order has arrived but won't have time to look til later let's see what the boob zip dress looks like!

@2020mission it was maybe just that one midwife that was a nippy sweetie but she really threw me that day and I felt like shit that I wasn't prepared for my own baby. He was in NICU being tube fed the first few days so we had no issues there it was just once he was on the ward with me for a few days. Also had issues getting hold of the hospital breast pump, I was keen to get pumping with him being in NICU but again hadn't occurred to me to bring a pump as I thought I would be breast feeding. One of the nurses said there was a hospital pump I could borrow and someone would be around to show me how to use it. I still couldn't get out of bed so had to buzz a few times to enquire and every time I asked I was told it was in use. After about 4hours of waiting I was getting really frustrated as I really wanted to try get breast milk sent down to NICU and unfortunately got the same nippy lady who said there was only one pump for the whole ward and I was just to 'be patient' (because waiting 4hours already wasn't patient 🙄). Once it did become free it was more or less flung in my room with a 'press that button' and that was it. DH and I sat trying to figure out all the settings ourselves. No matter how much i tried no milk was coming and i ended up in tears, a really nice midwife then showed me how to try hand expressing and gave me the wee syringes to try, but I think I was too stressed out by that point and only managed about 6 little droplets of milk to come out in half an hour so gave up.
I'm so determined to try get breast feeding to work this time so going in with my own pump and syringes so theres no waiting on anyone but also back up ready made bottles just incase. But also think I was just a bit shell shocked first time round so just 'did as I was told' so to speak whereas I think I've got enough confidence to speak up this time round and not let any bad eggs get to me. The majority of staff were wonderful but the one or two that didn't have the best bedside manners were the ones that stuck in my head at the time.

Aww that's an awful experience @DKDK123! Which NHS area was the hospital in? There were 2 other women in my ward with the hospital pumps as well as me so we certainly didn't have a shortage where I was! The midwife helped me get the pump together and on my breasts and plugged in and ran me through the settings. She then came back after 20 mins to check what I expressed and to see if we'd need to use a syringe instead but I pumped out about 8ml on each side that night so she just said I can feed him that 16ml and then feed 15ml of the formula bottle as a top up to take him to the 30ml he needed in those first few days. I think I would have been in a panic if they didn't help me as it was 5am and I was on my own so no husband to help. I was in for another 2 nights and I kept that pump the whole time so I could keep pumping and topping up.

@2020mission wow that sounds like such a positive experience! It was Forth Valley, 4 years ago tho so hopefully things have changed a bit this time round. The care I received before DS was born I couldn't fault, the midwives were really short staffed and rushed off their feet but you were never made to feel like an inconvenience. After DS was born when I was moved round to another part of the ward it definitely had a different feel to it, I couldn't wait to get out of there but was stuck there for a while as i was still quite poorly, once DS was discharged from NICU and in beside me I asked to be discharged 2 days after that. Hoping things are a bit better by now or that I don't need as long a stay after baby's born this time round 🤞 but I'm more prepared for it to speak up for myself this time round if need be. (Again tho it wasn't everyone, there were some amazing midwives and doctors and I do get they were under pressure as very short staffed at the time)

Hopefully will be different this time @DKDK123! I wouldn't think NHS Forth Valley would differ much from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Gosh @DKDK123 no wonder you were apprehensive about this baby, a traumatic delivery and not great post-natal care!

Sounds a lovely evening @Minster2012!

After feeling good yesterday I feel like trash today, bloody typical!

Have sorted two sale dresses from Nobody's Child for the two weddings I have in April as well as a few other bits, have sized up quite a bit but I think they look alright!

Sounds horrendous @DKDK123 but don't worry this one will be different 🥰

Yey for sorting dresses @larrythelizard! I'm literally trying on stuff now from my online order...have put some pics on Insta, do boobs get even bigger with milk coming in ladies? Or do they go down @2020mission @Kate105 @becarefuloutthere? Do I go for 12 which is better now but slightly tighter on boobs but looks better everywhere else or 14 which is looser overall?

@Minster2012 mines didn't change size in the slightest during pregnancy but are slightly bigger now (since breastfeeding started). I'd guess a cup size so not that big a change. I'm only ever wearing nursing bras right now but old bras are definitely a bit small now. I know yours have already increased during pregnancy so who knows what you're in for once the milk comes in 😂 maybe they will stay as they are and they just got bigger early.

@kaylsd I've bought a pair of leggings but dog hair sticks so I can't wear them in the house. And I never go out the house. 🤣 I also need some long t-shirts to hide my ass. BBQ sounds amazing! Its certainly been nice weather for it.
@Minster2012 great news about the scan! I suppose as they get bigger there is less room, so often harder to get measurements as bits are in the way! 4lb seems madness doesn't it. Mine they estimated at 1lb the other day. Really strange about the formula. The shits sounds great! 🤦‍♀️ Talk about 1 extreme to the other.
@InkyPaper ginger biscuits didn't work for me either. And yeah the gp did try to call me for a flu vaccine but I told them no. 🤣 Apparently they only give it until 31 march anyway.
@Vil10 do normal people only get a 12 and 20 week scan? I thought there used to be a third one later? I've honestly no idea as I seem to have 100 and I'm over it now. 🤣
@2020mission how bizarre they don't have a lid as standard?! I can definitely see why you'd cry over split milk.
@Franklydear sorry to hear about your family. I hope they are ok.
@BellatrixK getting to that 8 weeks is the hardest bit I think. But you are nearly there!
@bez91 I would think no one plans their leave and baby around the bloody financial year. 🙄 I guess I'm lucky as no one seems to care where I work. I'm glad DDs appointment went well. Ridiculous about the 1 parent thing though.
@DKDK123 you are not selling the 3rd trimester. 🤣 I don't think I'm looking forwards to it to be honest. And how ridiculous about the milk thing in the hospital. It also annoys me how they expect you to just know these things? I have no bloody clue what my hospitals policy is and neither would it occur to me to take some. I intend to BF too. I also don't plan on being in there long! I suppose i ought to at least buy some bottles in case.....

I'm like a sloth today. Dragging myself around at the horses. 🤣 It was also too warm. Can't wait for summer. 🙄 I've also got trapped wind again that appeared late this afternoon and it's not comfortable at all. 🤬 Haven't slept well the last 2 nights- woken up and then couldn't go back to sleep. The baby also seems to have stepped up it's strength/moving and it isn't always convenient. Can babies move too much? 🤔 I then worry something is wrong and maybe she's stressed? 🤷‍♀️ Can't bloody win! 🤦‍♀️🤣

@paintfairy yeah it's just the 12 week dating and 20 week anomaly scans that NHS do as standard. I had a few extra later in pregnancy once I got diagnosed with the polyhydramnios. I actually hated the later scans to be honest as there is nothing to see really once baby is bigger. It was just sore from them pushing trying to get measurements 😅 didn't help my last one was a student so they took longer to do it.

Hi, just skimming really, sorry, @Minster2012 you look fantastic in your insta, lovely dresses
Mum is in hospital but they think they can send her home again today, just waiting for results, we’re going to London, obviously not the same with the worry but nothing we can do from here anyway, so we might as well

@Minster2012 hope the 💩's went! Are the dresses actual maternity ones or just normal sizes sized up?

@Franklydear ooh I like Kew Gardens, we went a few years ago, DH a gardener by trade and he gets very excited by plants - enjoy and hope everyone is better in the family soon!

@larrythelizard argggh I suppose that's a tough one especially with new baby incoming with dummy's. Saw your insta and think you're off your t*ts working out in the garden btw although obviously take my hat off to you, I'm struggling up the stairs right now 😆

@DKDK123 oh god yes a lanyard is a cracking idea! I was the same as you with DD and didn't even think to take anything else in with me as presumed BF would all be ok. Didn't have bottles or anything then she wouldn't feed because of her heart and it was just a nightmare as they wouldn't discharge me until she fed 🤦🏼‍♀️. Staffing also an issue, Amazon prime helped us out! Absolutely with you on this time round knowing to speak up for yourself!

@paintfairy I don't think they can be too active but I know what you mean - everything is a worry 😆 Sometimes I find myself whispering in the middle of the night "will you calm down now please so we can all get some sleep"

Had the tiniest bit of spotting this morning, like if I hadn't of looked I'd have had no idea it was so small. Rang pregnancy assessment who told me to monitor and there hasn't been any since so maybe just an irritated cervix 🙈

@Franklydear your poor mum, hope she feels loads better soon

@BellatrixK turns out my zen feeling has now completely evaporated and I've spent the last hour panicking that it's all going wrong. All because I told someone at work and now I can't stop thinking I've jinxed it, which is so ridiculous.

@bez91 hurray! Glad your DD's appt went well! 🙌

@Minster2012 it's all so exciting, loving seeing the nurseries coming together. Aww pregnancy is so glamorous, nothing like the 💩 all night to start off the day. Your dresses looked lovely! On the boob front, my mum said hers got bigger when the milk came in, so maybe a bit of space might be better?

So relieved to be on this board and hear the feeding chat because honestly, taking formula to the hospital just wouldn't occur to me - do midwives tell you or give you an indication about what you should bring nearer the time?

Nothing to report from me. I was fine and super zen and now panicking because I've obviously jinxed everything by telling someone, because that's how it works right? Didn't help that then I immediately saw a post on insta who'd had a missed miscarriage after seeing the heartbeat on the viability scan and holy crap the anxiety 😂😭

I'm way less pregnant than you though @bez91 - makes life much easier!

@InkyPaper I get you on the jinxing, I kept telling DH I'd jinxed it and he kept just saying don't be so silly, you can control it. You just have to keep going day by day and hope for the best. The MC risk decreases week on week especially after seeing a heartbeat, have a google and look. I ended up booking private scans at 8 and 10 weeks as I freaked out before the 12 week scan!

@Minster2012 boobs get huge once milk is in! I had no idea they'd get bigger. Had to buy a sports type bra for sleeping at night as you milk leaks everywhere. Invest in breast pads! And go for the 14!

I've got covid so battling that at mo so a bit quiet on here for the time being. It's tough being unwell with a newborn 😩

My boobs went even bigger when my milk came in @Minster2012 but then they settled down again about about 6 weeks or so? Definitely invest in some breast pads and bras you can sleep in like @becarefuloutthere says, otherwise you'll end up waking up in a horrible damp puddle 😂🙈 I'm now back in my third trimester bras though. Never really got on with nursing bras because they're all just so mumsy and frumpy and never got one that fitted properly because of having to buy everything online. It's probably worth taking the time and effort to try lots of different ones and just send them all back again, but I was too lazy.

Up at this godforsaken time because PTSD has not woken up for milk during the night and my boobs are going to explode... currently downstairs with the trusty haakaa taking off some of the pressure! Except I think I can hear noises from upstairs so I bet the fucker changes his mind any minute now. 😆🙈

Yup. That's him. Better hope I've got something left for him 😂😂😂

@Kate105 did you have anything left?? 👀