Due August 2022 (3rd Thread)

[Beth262]

New thread - because I'm badly procrastinating with actual work today 😆

@squatternutbosh12 @Cakecakecheese @Shelly1812 @Coalcraft @madeleine85 @SantiagoSister @Mufflette @Gem2811 @ToCaden @RP90 @mamaof2girls @beckybloomwood11 @Isonthecase @Kcat82 @Unknown6 @strawberrysummer19 @Celyn22 @theotherfossilsister @PopgoesBang @Surprised12 @miltonj @BunnieMilk @Delight12

Sorry if I've missed anyone!

Oh my I need to find these ice creams! I had a little hunt in Sainsbury's recently with no luck. How are you feeling?

I feel like since hitting trimester three it's been go, go, go. First my GD test, then my growth scan and then yesterday I found out that I am REALLY anaemic. I thought the breathlessness was related to pregnancy but apparently not. I am on iron now but gee whizz... I feel like time is going to start moving super fast.

@SquigsC dp suggested we stopped I Waitrose and that's where we found them, he was certain he hadn't seen them in sainsburys and we went to an Asda last weekend (we don't have a local one) and they weren't there.
Feeling ok, first lot of insulin last night, so hoping to see a difference in my fasting levels soon.
I'm currently sat on the bedroom floor supervising the build of a pax wardrobe!
How are you doing? You're right it is non stop with everything. But I guess that's how it's going to be for a while now!!

@PopGoesBang thanks. I think I need to spend the weekend finding a Waitrose near me 😊
Hope you start to see some progress with fasting readings.
I may try the banana recipe over the weekend, getting a bit bored with the same thing every day.

Thanks for the info everyone, I think baby has been moving around as I'm feeling kicks in weird places and now have a visibly wonky bump. Joys 🙈

How exciting about people starting the third trimester! It really is flying by...

I really wish I could relate to the feeling that it's flying by - definitely dragging for me! But at the same time, while the weeks are slow, the months are quick.

Maybe it'll come in the third trimester. 26 weeks today!

Can really relate to this odd way in which time seems to be passing- for me it feels like the days drag and last forever but the weeks are racing by. 27 weeks yesterday so 12 weeks to go 😱 I was 26 weeks, literally blinked and there 27 was 🤷‍♀️

Time certainly feels strange at the moment. I feel like I've already been pregnant forever but at almost 28 weeks I find myself swinging between "there are still 11 weeks left" and "omg there are only 11 weeks left"!

Hope everyone is doing ok, especially those who are having no fun at all with GD (although that ice cream you mention does sound very nice...)

I'm with you on the time perspectives... when I realise babies are commonly born weeks 37-42 it makes me think again - and look at the calendar again! As my due date is 31st August, but he could come as soon as 10th August! We've had to change some plans just in case!

I'm not sure if I've mentioned her on here, but anyone who is interested in recent history of labour and the birth process, as well as some research into what makes labour faster and easier, check out Ina May Gaskin. I've watched a lot of interviews and talks with her, and now I'm working my way through this talk she gave in Stockholm a few years ago:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=1tknikOZkC4&list=PL8xGrtKcvVRjrCQKvFNij_lkacGVkhUr6&index=1
It really feels so useful to me, and more relatable to listen to a woman through the internet who speaks rationally than an assigned midwife I rarely get to speak to or build a relationship with!

Definitely feeling the time flying by now. I remember the first pregnancy test and every hour seemed to drag by until we were lucky enough to have a private scan to confirm things..now I can't believe where the time has gone....and stressing about how much work I have to get done before going on Maternity leave.

Just wanted to mention John Lewis for anyone looking for all the baby essentials. I'm not sure if it was mentioned on here but they do bookable appointments where they show you around different products dependent on your interest/needs. It was brilliant and we've been twice. There was no sales pitch whatsoever, but they did send a code to get 10% or 15% off dependent on how much you spend when you order in the next 3 months. For complete novices like us it was great, and we even got to take the pram for a test run and try it in the back of the car.

Had my 28 week midwife apt today. Seems like that was booked forever ago.
I start fragmin injections on Monday - anyone else having to have those? It really is just as well I got over my hate of needles, this pregnancy would have been much harder if I hadn't!!

Time is a funny old thing, I agree with the days are long but months are short.
I have a feeling I could well be an end of July birth now. Induction around 38 weeks has been mentioned but nothing set in stone yet.

Hi everyone hope you are all well. We don’t have long now! blowing my brains out trying to find a good buggy bundle with car seat. Have an Audi A3 so hoping there are some that will fit easily in the boot. Any recommendations? Did you go and look at lots or order online? X

@Ems2208 You really do need to try buggies out before buying unless it's an emergency back up, there are loads of things that vary between people so something that suits someone well is someone else's worst nightmare. Make sure you check boot fit but also height of handle bar, ease of folding and unfolding (possibly post c section), whether the length fits with your stride length and possibly whether you can use it with a buggy board if you plan to in the longer run.

I really like ours but did loads of online research to narrow it down and then checked it fit our heights and car in person which was absolutely the right call, I have had a LOT of friends who didn't and just ended up with a very expensive mistake. We didn't try our first because we just needed one that was cheap and fitted in our tiny house and I remember getting serious buggy convenience envy 😂

@PopGoesBang how did starting the Fragmin go? Glad your needle fear is better, although you still have my sympathies- I had to use Fragmin for 6 months a few years ago and I was not a fan at all. I found a bag of frozen peas very helpful indeed at least until I got used to it! Hope it isn’t too bad for you. X

Hope everyone is keeping well! Has anyone seen a good check list for a hospital bag? Starting to think about organising this over the next few weeks!

@squatternutbosh12 thank you - been delayed as apparently it's not been received by the pharmacy despite me having confirmation it had been sent to them. So back to them in a bit to collect. Then I'll get it started, I hear they can bruise and sting a lot.

Had my 28 week growth scan today, baby is estimated at 2lb11oz which is apparently bang in the middle of average - considering everything to be told something is currently average I'm pretty chuffed with!

@Gem2811 very organised with thinking about the hospital bag, very sensible too. Haven't got a list, but will start packing soon. Remember snacks. Quite possibly the most important thing. I found last time I took lots but apart from baby outfit I didn't really use much.

@PopGoesBang I literally have no idea what I'm doing with any of this but I at least try to be organised 😂😂 I will defo remember the snacks I'm so used to taking them everywhere with me already 😂

@Gem2811 we're all winging it to some degree don't worry!
-phone charger

• hair bobbles
• lip balm (my lips got stupid dry last time)
• lots say a hand held fan
• baby outfit
• nappies
• couple of nighties/T-shirts for you to give birth in (or what ever you'll wear if a water birth)
• maternity pads
• big knickers (black)
• towels (dark colours again useful)
• comfy outfit for coming home

-snacks

• toiletries in case you shower
• no idea if formula for baby, I believe this was at the hospital if needed last time
• car seat

I'm sure others can add/change the list. I'd possibly have a smaller bag in the car with an extra outfit for both of you just in case you are in longer. I know if I asked Dp to pop home and pick up extra he'd panic and we'd end up looking like a jumble sale.

@PopGoesBang ah that’s annoying about the pharmacy. Weirdly I found they did sting the first few times and then much less so as I went along- could well have been a technique thing until I found a good knack! I have faith that you’ll be a pro from the get-go!

For the hospital bag, can recommend a long (6ft) phone charger cable - often a standard length one doesn’t reach you from the sockets behind the beds and a long cable means not having to move much to have your phone near you!

@PopGoesBang @squatternutbosh12 thank you for the advice! I feel like sometimes you are just expected to know all this stuff 🙈

@squatternutbosh12 just waddled over to boots and Altho they now have the prescription they have no stock. Back tomorrow.
@Gem2811 There does always seem an element of guess work involved. I'd be impressed if anyone packs exactly what they need and uses all of it. I think it's always hard to know, especially depending on if you stay in, or if your home again super quick.

I was thinking of packing a hospital bag this weekend. Seems so ridiculous at just 26 weeks but then I didn't get round to it at all last time and was caught out at 33 weeks so DH had to scramble!

Am going to keep it pretty simple -

Bag 1

• pants x5
• socks x3
• nursing bras x3
• shirts x3
• maternity trousers x3
• pyjama sets x3
• cardy x1
• breast pads
• heavy duty sanitary towels
• toothbrush & toothpaste
• hairbrush
• deodorant
• towels x2
• chocolate covered oreos
• phone charger

Bag 2

• pack of newborn nappies
• wet wipes
• cotton wool balls
• vests and onesies
• • 0-1 size x5 each
• • 0-3 size x3 each
• muslins x5
• bibs x5
• baby blankets x2

I've had a hospital bag in progress for about the last month just in case!

Thanks for sharing the realistic lists, very useful for a first timer!

@CoalCraft I love the chocolate covered oreos... very specific :).

To anyone packing a charger for a phone make sure it is extra long. The outlets aren't usually within 6 ft of a hospital bed. I remember taking a remote power pack for travelling too in case I couldn't move, or the power outlet wasn't working. I'd also pack my breast pump as I know i'll be using that, so nursing bra, hands free bra pump attachment and pump would go to my list. Also to the newbies for labour snacks which are very bland are good as you might barf, and what you can stomach in the first trimester is usually better, and some drinks with electrolytes in case you shouldn't eat snacks, but need energy.

Also some loose clothing to come home in. Not sure how Kate Middleton does it and looks so dignified! I had some older leggings with me the last time, but wish I had brought something that wasnt clinging to me when I was effectively wearing an adult sized nappy! It was not what I'd call comfortable.

Your best bet for hospital bags is having several options.
A simple overnight bag with a change of pants, socks, clothes, and your hypoallergenic maternity pads plus wet wipes for you, paracetamol, arnica, and ibuprofen. Flip flops are a must for staggering to the sad soggy toast station. Phone, charger, book/magazine. Backpack if possible.
A longer stay one with the same as above but more. Extra PJ's because those hospital beds are sweaty. Bigger bag.
Baby bag with nappies, wipes, and changes of clothes individually packaged in big zip lock bags for ease. A pack of pre mixed bottled formulas. Probably another backpack.
The snack bag. Personally I like a mix of sweet and savoury options although lucozade is also a good option. Breakfast bars are nice too. If you're feeling really fancy you can get a nice thermos or a proper coolbox for the post baby champagne and brie (joke but you might want cold coke, etc.).

You might need to get in quite quickly so portable is key. The longer term bags can be heavier and less portable. It is hard to get through doors and up stairs if you are in labour and carrying your birthing ball, pregnancy pillow, and more suitcases than Kim K takes on holiday.

Basically remember hospitals are incredibly hot and sweaty, the food is awful, and they may not provide formula as they generally want to encourage breastfeeding.