Due September 2022 (Thread 6!)

[IzzyLeigh]

Continuing on from thread 5!

@TotoAnnihiliation wow - that's actually pretty amazing. Whilst time seems to be going slowly in some respects it really does make September seem around the corner!

I'm dreading exam season this year - the only place we could find that would sit the children externally for their exams is 55miles away in Birmingham and so we have to make 10 separate trips to and from Birmingham alongside work and caring for the younger ones - happy days!! Will be so pleased once they are out of the way!

@stimpyyouidiot thank you! I feel a bit overwhelmed! My first thought was, I don't know how to raise a boy as I only have a DD, but as my mum said, before I had my DD I didn't know how to bring up a child at all 🤪 I'm very excited though!

@nearly8 yeah staying in hospital isn't fun! I was desperate to leave!

@IzzyLeigh thank you! It’s been a big relief. I definitely think you are feeling movements! Try to be as patient as you can (hahaha) as they may well come and go, so please don’t worry like I have! I think at this stage it’s just nice to have a hello from them but we don’t need to worry, like @nearly8 says.

@nearly8 what a lovely thing to say, thank you! It’s going to take some doing so I will need to be determined 💪🏻

@Carebear99 huge congratulations! What fab photos! So pleased for you that all is well ♥️🎉🥳

Sorry to hear you’re still feeling it @TotoAnnihiliation 😫 sending 💐 and 🍰 hope you are getting some rest xxx

Hello all, sorry been abit quiet for abit. And sorry to hear about some of you have been ill 🙁 loving the 20 week scans though 🥰

I'm now 17+3 so feel abit behind! 20 week scan isnt until 10th May which feels a long way off.

Just wondered if there are others on here who are planning (as best of any of us can!) for this to be their last baby? We planned for this to be our final one, number 3. We're both 36 (as of yesterday!) and must say I've had wierd feelings about it. I started the pregnancy emotional and telling myself to embrace every joy as I don't expect to go through it again. Morning sickness is obviously horrid so just tried to push through that bit! But now all I can think is I am desperate for this baby to arrive in September so I can NOT be pregnant again. I really can't wait for little one in but I am done. 100% done, I want my body back, for good. i'm not even particularly struggling physically (ATM). Maybe I'm just going through a phase and will be all mushy again by the end! Just curious if others feel same/different.

Place marking, been a busy weekend, so will catch up in a bit properly :)

@EverydayIsPJday

Hello all, sorry been abit quiet for abit. And sorry to hear about some of you have been ill 🙁 loving the 20 week scans though 🥰

I'm now 17+3 so feel abit behind! 20 week scan isnt until 10th May which feels a long way off.

Just wondered if there are others on here who are planning (as best of any of us can!) for this to be their last baby? We planned for this to be our final one, number 3. We're both 36 (as of yesterday!) and must say I've had wierd feelings about it. I started the pregnancy emotional and telling myself to embrace every joy as I don't expect to go through it again. Morning sickness is obviously horrid so just tried to push through that bit! But now all I can think is I am desperate for this baby to arrive in September so I can NOT be pregnant again. I really can't wait for little one in but I am done. 100% done, I want my body back, for good. i'm not even particularly struggling physically (ATM). Maybe I'm just going through a phase and will be all mushy again by the end! Just curious if others feel same/different.

I was having exactly these thoughts earlier! I never wish to be pregnant again after been completely out of actions for months this time. However, I feel sad because they are only tiny babies for such a short time!

@EverydayIsPJday No I haven't ever made plans for it to be 'the last' (probably quite evident given this is number 8!!) but again I am 35 now and DH is 43 and we have spoken a lot about how old we will be when the kids hit their 20s etc and whether it is fair on them if we continue much longer. I know that it is a personal decision and not everyone shares the same views but I think it is very commendable and sensible to have these conversations and thinking hard about it because you know then that you have made an informed decision. I would say though please try and enjoy your pregnancy. I know you want your body back but you will have it back once baba is born in September. Pregnancy always comes with it's ailments but you are doing an amazing thing growing a baby. I agree that you may become mushy in the end - I remember seeing an episode of one born every minute where a couple were having their 5th and last baby (DH was booked in for the snip soon after the birth) and she seemed to get really emotional in labour and once the baba was born. It didn't change their decision (well as far as the program showed) but she did seem very emotional and stayed in the hospital, despite not really needing to, to spend some extra time alone with the baby as she knew it would be her last. Either way, as I said I think it is the best thing that you have definitely spoken about and made an informed decision on this and I wish you all the luck in the world for this pregnancy HUGS

@TotoAnnihiliation yes I think this is my weakness too!! I absolutely love watching them grow and learn but there's something I just adore when they are tiny and snuggly!!

@HaresHoping don't even mention it - I'm really happy for you and wish you all the success in the world. You know you can even try testing trusting your instincts in very small ways too - such as making your favourite recipe without measuring and going by feeling and taste instead. (Although not with cakes/biscuits/pastry as I found out the hard way!!) Also even just keeping positive thoughts about the most mundane things can work wonders. I've had 'baby brain' now for the best part of 5 years lol but I always try to stay positive and trust myself with stupid things like 'yes i did lock the front door' 'no i didn't leave the car windows open' because the more you trust yourself with the smaller things it's almost like your brain and actions react and make sure you do these things. I don't know if I'm explaining myself very well (done 5 night shifts back to back forgive me) but just keep going and know that every step, however small, is a step in the right direction

Thanks @TotoAnnihiliation and @nearly8
Oh newborn babies are just something else. So squishy, and the way they cling onto you it absolutely melts your heart. I cannot wait to meet little one, and now I can feel them fluttering away occasionally it does cheer my heart. My eldest (4) has been incredible too, he's so looking forward to meeting the baby. I just think pregnancy is so tough, mentally and physically I just don't know I can do it again. I cannot tell you how much respect I have for women that cope so well with it. It's an unbelievable process when you think about it so no wonder it's so hard. I just look at my kids now and I love them so much for the little people they are. But It's also like the end of a chapter for us. I am hoping to have tubes tied during the c section but my god I can imagine now how hard it is going to be to agree on the day to have it done.

I think maybe while I'm in the gap between the two scans I'm dwelling on things too much! Hopefully I can busy myself once I know what were having, with planning and shopping

@EverydayIsPJday I would suggest (and I make a point that it is only a suggestion) that getting your tubes tied is such a final decision so if you're not 1000% sure maybe just doubling up on contraception for a few years would be better. I understand how you feel with pregnancy and it not being the easiest thing in the world (now that I'm that bit older I definitely feel it more) but if you feel even the slightest doubt about it being the last maybe just hold off on the tubes tied. My sister had my nephew at 18 and he is now nearly 21 (I can't believe it I still remember changing his nappies!) and she was sterilised about 4 years ago as she and her new DH definitely didn't want children. She made a definite decision and has watched me go on and have all these children without a stumble until I told her I was pregnant this time with a boy. She went all misty eyed and is now obsessed with my pregnancy lol. I don't think it's fully changed her decision as such (plus she is trialling separation with her DH lonnnngggg story) but I think she did falter slightly on her choice.

Well as I say it's only a suggestion and I'm just throwing in my two pence for what it's worth. As you can see I'm a bit chatty and love speaking about all things baby - feel free to tell me to shut up lol x

@EverydayIsPJday this baby will definitely be my last. I have a DD who's 5 and in between having her and this pregnancy I've lost 3 pregnancies and I'm now 41, so this is definitely it for us. I'm 17 weeks 4 days today and my 20 week scan is on 6th May, but I had a private scan today and I found out I'm having a boy 💙 I'm trying to enjoy this pregnancy as much as i can but morning sickness was pretty rough and I've been feeling anxious off and on throughout. I'm trying to make the most of this pregnancy but I am counting down the days until he arrives safely...

@SoOverThisCrap awww i'm sorry to hear about your losses in between and so happy for you and your family. I completely understand your feeling anxious - have you asked/been offered consultant help in your pregnancy to help ease this? I know it's easy to say but please try not to worry too much. As you have decided this is definitely your last try to celebrate all of the little milestones along the way and take it easy as and when you need to (which I'm sure you are doing anyway). Sending you lots of love and hugs and offering a listening ear if ever you need one x

Wow amazing news @SoOverThisCrap delighted for you.

@Carebear99 I don't blame you either for booking the last minute scan, there's something to be said about the reassurance. Delighted for you too. Were the girl bits really obvious?? @SoOverThisCrap were the boy bits really obvious? We aren't finding out what sex we are having but I'll be keeping an eye on the scan on Wednesday 😂😂

@IzzyLeigh thanks for the thread.

@SoOverThisCrap and @Carebear99 such lovely news (and pics) congratulations to you both!!! Lovely Monday news to hear :)

@TotoAnnihiliation that is such a healthy weight for a premie. Mine was 34.5 weeks and was 4lbs 14 oz. When I hold other people's newborns now I can't believe ours was half the size. I literally don't remember it! I have a friend who was induced 10 days pre due date because the baby was growing so much. She is 5'1 and her husband is 6'7, so I think we all can guess the culprit! Fortunately the baby was only 6.5lbs. Those weight guessing measuring scans are so wildly inaccurate. They were expecting a 9lb first child based on theirs.

@nearly8 I remember being the same with my hospital stay. I was in for 48 hours for a very uncomplicated birth, NICU baby so she couldn't go home, but I wanted to be out of there so badly. It felt like the paperwork took days. I am already anxious about this time. I'd love to be in and home within 24 hours, largely due to my DD being at home and won't be allowed at the hospital at all (covid). I'd almost love what my sister had in Holland 7 years ago, 4 hours post pardum she was sent home. Now i'm concerned as we will be having a boy, and where we are circumcision is culturally the norm in my country. I'm going to have to search to see if the hospital does that, or if it will be his doctor, and if that extends the hospital stay, which I really hope it doesn't. DDs are easier in many ways it would seem :)

@EverydayIsPJday I really hope that this pregnancy goes to plan, and that this is our final one (2nd child). That is the plan anyway. We both come from families with accidental third children, so I think i'll be begging for them to put an IUD/the coil in me while taking out this child just to be done! A 10 year option would be nice :). I do not enjoy being pregnant, and i'm so relieved to be over half way now. Also very much looking forward to being done with pregnancy, breastfeeding, and having my body well and truly back to being mine, though that feels so far in the future sometimes.

@madeleine85 - your little one was a good weight too! I think DD intended on being a 10lber - my foof shivers in horror. DD arrived by EMCS, before the surgery the team told me to expect that she might have to go the intensive care unit as she was prem. I was fully prepared for this, then she surprised us coming out at a good weight and sounding like an angry cat.

@EverydayIsPJday this is my second and definitely the last! I am fully aware of my limits as a parent and this is definitely mine.

@madeleine85 Yes I had the same with DD4 (5th baby) she was placed on 3 day antibiotics and I refused to leave her but was literally in tears at not being able to see my other children apart from when I could get my parents to sit with baba. With my 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 7th I was out of there within 4/5 hours. My first they forced me to stay in overnight even though there was nothing wrong with either of us and I hated it. My 5th as I say was placed on antibiotics and my 6th was my emergency CSec. Here are my hints and tips to getting a swift exit from the hospital. If they give the all clear for you and baby (and I stress giving an all clear) then point blank refuse to be admitted to the ward. The midwives will huff and puff and say they want their delivery room back - my answer to this is always well discharge me and baby then - you've blantently said there is nothing wrong with either of us so I want to go home and convalesce in my own surroundings. If they argue it's too late at night too early in the morning etc put your foot down. My 4th was born 13/02 it had been snowing and she was born at 21:48 - by the time they had done my paperwork it was 02:30 and they were saying 'it's so cold it's too late' I was like she has a huge snuggly coat, and blanket and hat we are literally walking to the front door directly into the car and then will park outside our house and go straight inside. She will be fine. She's now 4 and guess what - she was fine! Insist you will have the newborn check done at your local GP surgery (I have done this will all of my babies where we didn't have to stay in hospital.) Do all the things they ask you to - eat something (yes I know the toast is cold and tastes like cardboard and the tea/coffee lukewarm just swallow it down) have the obligatory wee so they can measure it. Take your shower, get dressed - put your shoes on and pack your bags back up. Butter them up by clearing up a little and just keep telling them you want to go home. One midwife put a snotty note on my part 2 notes 'mum very keen to go home' but I took it on the chin - she wasn't exactly wrong! Me and HV laughed a lot about it lol

@TotoAnnihiliation I'm am literally PMSL at foof

@TotoAnnihiliation lol to your foof/angry cat comments.

@nearly8 love this, and you are an experienced mama. I'd agree that once you are in that ward they want to keep you in. I had DD pre covid (just), and I remember by day 2 just dying to be in my own bed. I know i'll be the same this time, plus with the added stress of wanting to be around my daughter. Last time, my back was aching from labour and I just wanted a hot water bottle and my own pillows/space. Added complication with being in the US and they love the excuse to charge insurance for it all. I paid $100 last time for 2 nights in hospital and the birth "experience" and they charged my insurance about $8000 I think. Last time I had great coverage, so my portion was very small, which unfortunately isn't the case this time, so I am doubly keen to get out of there ASAP as my portion could be up to $7.5k which is slighytly terrifying. NHS all is forgiven, I miss you! My doctor is dutch so I am hoping that I can tug on her european heartstrings and plead for an early release all being well.

How is everyone doing?? I am still trying to decide when to start shopping I started easy with my first as I could tell 100% he was a boy my second son I had everything from my first and they have told me at 16weeks 5 days that this one is a girl they gave me some clear pictures of between the legs but i am worried incase she grows a penis by 20 weeks 😂 anyone want to take a look lol I am 18 weeks today having a private scan on Wednesday as I have an anterior placenta so worry about movement etc I had it with my boys too so didn't get any movement until 24 weeks but due to my losses I can't relax xx

@Sweetbabydust1989 I think now that we have gone through the 20 week scan I am finally giving myself the ok to buy the pieces that we got rid of from DD/find a place for her to sleep. Basically now I am waiting for things to pop up cheap on sale and when they do i'll buy them. Not getting any clothes really as no idea how big he will be. We have some cousin hand me downs, and my DD's initial clothes were very unisex. Fortuntately not much at all to get really for early baby days this time around!

@madeleine85 i am keeping my eye out for sale items to pop back up unfortunately I have a massive age gap with this one so starting from scratch again I have a 11 and 9 year old I actually feel like a first time mum again lol. I think once my 20 week scan is over I can finally relax I am lucky my partner has agreed to do private scans in between my routine ones I have to have growth scans as I seem to have tiny babies my first was only 4lb 7oz due to placenta issues which weren't picked up until 37 weeks x

@madeleine85 omg those costs are EYEWATERING!! Can't you get a cheeky flight back to UK before dropping baby? Failing that you'll have to jailbreak! But in all seriousness I'm rooting even more so for a safe and quick delivery for you and baba and a lovely rest at home.

@Sweetbabydust1989 as I have said to others please try not to worry about lack of movements - as you said you have had anterior placenta before so you know the drill. I know it doesn't make it easier and with your previous losses you are bound to be more anxious but try to stay positive and enjoy your pregnancy. I've had 6 girls and they never got it wrong with me. If you can't hold off shopping (i don't bother until about 35 weeks) then maybe go for neutrals/white for vests/sleepsuits etc if you're a bit worried they may have got it wrong. I threw out pretty much all of my newborn/ up to 6 month baby clothes for my last 4 daughters (2018,2019,2020,2021) then found out I was pregnant 3 weeks later!! It's boy this time around though so I'm not too annoyed!! Stay positive, keep smiling hugs

@nearly8 thanks lovely yes I no the drill on this and I am dreading another back to back pregnancy especially with labour it was chronic pain until they helped turn him. I am just annoyed my sickness hasn't gone been fine for 3 days then bam it comes back after eating 3 chocolate biscuits 🙈😂 my boys are like mum's being sick again lol to be fair I probs won't bother buying until the 30 week mark both mine came 2 weeks early. Wow 6 girls that's amazing bet you're happy for a boy this time. Yeah I am anxious as I had 2 ectopics last year was the worst thing I have ever been through and we will never no what caused them I had surgery to check everything 6 months after the second one and it was all clear even my tubes. It's all fun and games do you mind if I tag you into my scan picture xx