Minster's 8th Side Car - Best not let the men see our post-partum bodies eh?!

[larrythelizard]

2022 Bumps

DKDK123 10 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 💛
Inkypaper 28 October 💛
BellatrixK 15 November 💛

Sidecar Babies 👶👶👶

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

@paintfairy I saw a video the other day where you could see the baby SIT UP in the tummy and the giant head poking massively out - really creepy but I'd def not considered how much they could push out before. Love the tomato less spag bol OH had planned ha.

@larrythelizard Sorry if you're not getting the VBAC you had envisioned but how amazing to have a ELCS birth planned at this point so you know when baba arrives. Mine is transverse too atm!

@Minster2012 oof bleeding csection wound at this stage sounds not ideal! If only sedatives for children weren't so frowned upon... would be handy for the next jab lol. Boo on the shower dying already!

@Lexber I'm gonna echo the others and say you need to be firm in making OH step up (although super frustrating you're having to take that responsibility in the first place) - sounds like he needs a good telling off by us all!

@Soph0105 sounds like my husband... there would be no food in the house if I didn't ask explicit questions about what's left as he always claims there's nothing to add to the list. But then you go, what about milk - you were wfh yday so it must be running low by now? "Oh yeah..." rinse and repeat for every household item. I'm loving your plan of moving to the family farm btw!

It's mental how much money we're dumping into our dump of a house - the build started last Thurs and we're already 40k down. Just what you want before going on mat leave :)

Did I mention I had my 28 week appointment on Wed? (although I'm 29 weeks now - woop). So underwhelming. BP taken, blood test, standard wee sample and got to listen to the heartbeat. I guess I was excited about the prospect of my bump being measured but turns out my trust doesn't do it so hey ho. Got my next appointment on the 22nd.

Started antenatal classes on Tuesday and it was brilliant. All the couples are roughly our age, local and similar to ourselves in a way. OH learnt lots and there was a lot of focus on raising oxytocin levels in early labour so I think he gets what his role will be for that at home labouring part now, instead of thinking I'm being crazy/precious when I ask for things to be a certain way on the day lol. Always helpful to hear it from the professionals.

@2under2in2022 you're swattempting right? How are you holding up and is there a delivery date yet for June?

@Juno231 @larrythelizard it's the foof bleeding that's started up again, not much though & none more today so I'm hoping it was just knocking loose stuff from inside??? @paintfairy has truly scared me on what horrors are inside now 😆the wound is ok but red and sore again, omg if sedatives could be used that would make life so much easier (in so many ways!) sitting up in the womb!! God yeah you don't think!!

@Juno231 is that £40k the expected costs do far though, like are you in budget?? Think of the results...it won't be a dump anymore! I never had my bump measured either, but it's really good on the antenatal classes, how's the yoga btw? Mum friends???

Need to stop procrastinating & eat my lunch as she's not sleeping great so won't have a chance soon I bet 🙄

Realised I never did a shot of the finished baby's room so will do that later and put on Insta (though the changing unit & nursing chair are in our room)

Ps @whatwonder how you feeling?? Due date is just around the corner, it's squeaky bum time 😂

@Minster2012 ooh internal - definitely hold off on sex then 😅. 40k is still very much on track luckily but crazy how quickly it disappeared from our accounts Vs how long it took to save it 😂 can't wait to see the nursery pics!

I seem to be the only one that gets the proper crazy ones @Minster2012 - apparently my children have a 50% chance of getting them which makes me upset. Oh it's annoying when you've created a clever child!

We've just started looking at a loft conversion @Juno231 and it's scary numbers, preferable to moving though! I was probably leaning towards an ELCS anyway so no drama whether baby remains transverse or not. Although I would like to look less square! Antenatal class sounds great, good to find some baby friends and for OH to get his eyes opened wide as to what's coming!

Hmm maybe @Minster2012 if it continues you should probably call for advice from someone though?

@larrythelizard yeah unfortunately my dad had bad migraines & both my brother & I suffer from them too 😬if it continues I will do don't worry

@Juno231 oh god yeah, the saving time vs spending time is 😬I do not look forward to that. Mind you we've spent thousands & haven't broken ground or moved a brick yet ffs 🤦🏼‍♀️

Ps do we think I can have a bath whilst she naps later??? 🤞🏻

I met my deadlines! And am also now off work for a week and feel like I can breathe again 😌 had the dentist today and apparently I have mild pregnancy-related gingivitis, which is just delightful. Pregnancy is such fun 🤣

@BellatrixK I did ring the midwife about it, because I was worried about the baby but she said because it's a me problem not a baby problem I needed to speak to my GP. But I'll be honest, I didn't bother 🙈 not entirely sure what triggered it but just keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't happen again! Hurray for the new car! 🙌

@Juno231 that nursery fee was terrifying! That's more than my take home pay 🙈 the baby sat up in the womb?! That must've looked terrifying

@Lexber Massive hugs for you ❤️ I appreciate that your DH is probably working very hard at his day job, but it's worth reminding him that your job right now is 24/7 with no breaks. And the "co-workers" you have to do everything for need help constantly. You're not being a lady of leisure at home, you're doing hard, exhausting work and he needs to get off his arse and help you!!!

@Minster2012 oh no!! Your poor stomach, I hope the kick hasn't caused any damage 🤗 boooo to the broken water pump

@Soph0105 genuinely impressed that your H did not end up under the patio 😂

@whatwonder impressive batch cooking! You've all inspired me to do the same nearer the time, such a great idea.

@larrythelizard did the midwife suggest anything that might help with the migraines? It's good they're not worried but doesn't help when you're suffering through them!

@paintfairy yes near the end I was getting the odd sharp pain around the belly button from Matthew pushing from inside. Although I was excessively big due to the extra fluid so that probably didn't help!

@Minster2012 we had boiler trouble when Matthew was 5 weeks old and I had to shower in cold water for 2 nights 😭 it was awful. You don't realise how good a nice warm shower is and especially postpartum! Is Bronte liking her baths?

@InkyPaper Yesss deadline done! I had that too!! The pregnancy gingivitis that is, yep chalk up another non glamorous thing, we've had some of my batch cooked stew tonight & I had lasagne yesterday so I didn't have to cook!

@2020mission yes she is! We've had 3 kinds of baths so far...her in her schnuggle bath (she enjoys less), in the bath with both Xander & I (she thought this was ok!) turn last night I had my arm underneath her so it was her & xander in the bath & she loved that, being fully "in" so to speak, so I'm thinking she might like swimming too which would be good 🤔. I realised too late after last night's bath that there's a4th option too in that we have an angel bath seat thing, which would've saved my arms 😂🤦🏼‍♀️

Indeed indeed I am!

We have a date yes - but if we make it there or not is another matter all together.

We aren't consistently meeting the CTG's. Had a second opinion from Southampton hospital and now they're going for a third at Oxford so 🤷🏻‍♀️

But if we make it to section date at 36 weeks it's less than 30 days now!

How are you?! How you getting on?! Xx

@minster2012 I just can't walk, look where I'm going, watch the dog, read and type. 🤣 I remember once texting on my phone and walking into a massive mound of stone and falling over. 🤦‍♀️ I suppose I could not use fabric softener on our clothes- I've never tried it! I might start trying to use it later if the baby seems OK with it but I did read (scarily!) that any fire resistant clothes/fabrics are no longer that way if you use fabric softener?! 😱 But I was more thinking about skin sensitivity in the early days.
And yes it's definitely like alien! 👽 I completely see where they got that idea from. TMI but any orgasms will cause your womb to contract and push any stuff out that's in there? So it could be that? Not ideal but it'll sort itself eventually. If you give it time. I've got a shnuggle bath- so not good to hear Bronte isn't keen. So picky these babies. I did buy it 2nd hand though so I guess I can get another if I need to.
@larrythelizard transverse club over here too. Well, she's slightly diagonal now with head lower at least. But I suppose that's better than bum down? Loads of time to move yet though anyway.
@juno231 baby sitting up? Makes me think of that terrible picture of that book with the baby and its legs down in mums legs. 🤣 But I'm not surprised. Mine pushes out at all sorts of odd angles. Annoyingly it's mostly at night but I'll film it if its ever day time.
@Inkypaper if you do need a GP for anything- just call and mention you are pregnant. Usually results in you actually getting sorted and it is irrelevant whether it's actually pregnancy related. And those nursery fees were more than my take home pay as well!
@2020mission omg no shower?! Like you didn't have enough issues. 🙈

I forgot to say I had a leaky nipple in the night. Had wet on me and was like, what's that? 🤔 The joys. 🤣 Its not enough to matter yet though.

We had a shnuggle bath with DS @paintfairy and DS loved it - more proof they all come out different!

@2under2in2022 Eek 30 days or less to go, exciting! Sounds like they're taking really good care of you even if it also seems like you're having to go all over the country?!

@InkyPaper I take your mild gingivitis and I raise you the start of varicose veins!! Hoping it doesn't develop to a proper bulging one!

I was always worried about holding a sloppy naked baby in the bath @Minster2012 and dropping them!

Shit night's sleep here, awake at 4 feeling awful and then neighbour went out at 5.50 on his motorbike and woke us up, DS then been up since 6 although did stay in his room until about 6.45. Yesterday evening I felt like I had trimester 1 levels of tiredness again so could have done with a good sleep, roll on lie in day tomorrow!

@Minster2012 batch cooking for the win!

@paintfairy this is true, I'll give the GP a ring if it happens again. I hope nurseries aren't that much near me 🙈 I really need to start looking for one properly, or a childminder I guess, but I'm not entirely sure what the benefit of one is over the other

@larrythelizard noooo!! Keeping everything crossed that varicose vein doesn't properly appear! Ffs we were woken up by a neighbour gunning his motorbike at 8am, if it was at 5:50 though I think I'd have cried 🙈 I don't object to him having and using a motorbike, I object to him sitting there for 15-20 minutes with the engine on not doing anything

Another one for the pregnancy gingivitis 🙋🏼‍♀️ but have been back to the dentist PP and all fine again!

Urgh @larrythelizard that's another candidate for the patio right there. This patio is getting very large 😂😂😂

Gutted. It's a gorgeous day here, plans to go out tonight, and PTSD is definitely not well. Very clingy and sad. Dosed him up with calpol and put him back to bed, so pray for me he sleeps it off and Mama gets her sorry ass out tonight! Did have a fabulous walk in the lakes yesterday so feel like I can't complain about staying home today, but I want out tonight!

@paintfairy it's not that she didn't like the schnuggle, she did, but just that because they sit on the seat but you have to splash them with the water to keep them warm & I think she preferred being wholly in the water. Different babies will be different! No idea on the fabric softener I'm afraid Ive never used it. I also said to DH that I'd read some babies in the womb like orgasms & have a party fatter some don't! That freaked him out a bit!

@larrythelizard the fear of dropping a slippery baby is real!! Plus I was having to make sure X didn't pour water over her so was on hyper alert! Who goes biking at 5.50??? Mind you the bay survey ppl were meant to be coming to ours at 2.45 to 4.30 and I didn't think to look out the window when Bronte decided not to sleep to see if they were there!

@Soph0105 praying he sleeps it off, could double dose calpol & nurofen alternate every 4 hours?? 🤞🏻your walk looked fab, X hated being in one of those carriers so long walks were a thing of the past ages ago

@Soph0105 praying he sleeps it off, could double dose calpol & nurofen alternate every 4 hours?? 🤞🏻your walk looked fab, X hated being in one of those carriers so long walks were a thing of the past ages ago

Bloody mn saying it can't post
Ffs

To be fair he just drove down the road past our house @InkyPaper I'd have gone nuts if was just say their gunning it! He's the one good neighbour on our road (actually the retired couple next door are also nice) as well as two annoying ones!

Grr @Soph0105 how annoy

Try again

Grr @Soph0105 hope he wakes up feeling much better!

I'm pretty sure we've never used anything other than normal laundry detergent and fabric conditioner @paintfairy - don't remember buying anything different for DS.

Not exactly a relaxing bath @Minster2012 🤣

Gym this morning nearly finished me off this morning and now tidying the house ready for friends to come over with their new baby, am looking forward to baby cuddles!

@InkyPaper I'm afraid that's the ballpark fee for most nurseries near me! Childminders are between 1300-1450 here so at least I'll save a few hundred quid a month if I go for one of them. Nurseries are dirt cheap in Sweden so this is definitely one of the cons of living in the UK - no wonder so many women here pretty much have to be SAHMs due to the costs.

@larrythelizard sorry for the bad night's sleep - but then I see you went to the gym you nutter lol. Can't believe you're managing to keep that up!

@2020mission I forgot to say that I would be pretty cheesed off with the photo gift from your MIL too, def YANBU. Not sure I have any helpful comments though. I think I just wouldn't hang it up and every time they asked about it just say you haven't gotten round to it yet - in the hopes that one day they'd forget/stop asking lol

@2under2in2022 Christ I'm just glad you're still ok! Let us know how the Oxford visit goes.

Update from me:

• Bought some bed mats and nipple cream from Boots today - feeling so sexy.


• Picked up more baby clothes from FB marketplace, plus went to Lidl, Co-op, tk maxx and Boots - done 14k steps already but still need to go to Sainsburys


• Also had two drops of bright red blood when I wiped today... Always a bit disconcerting but if that was it then I'm not gonna bother MAU about it. Perhaps co-related to being active today?


• MIL got in touch to double check when baby is due so she can plan when to get here in August. I understand that she wants to see her first grandchild but her flying in from Saudi puts a lot of pressure on us at a time when we might just want to be the three of us getting to grips with things? I don't want her to come all the way here and therefore feel entitled to seeing the baby as much as she wants whilst I just want some peace and quiet. So I told her if she comes not to have high expectations as I can't guarantee I'll feel hospitable if I've had a tough labour/recovery or am struggling to breastfeed etc...

Oh and I've never used fabric softener in my life... I don't get the point of them?

@Juno231 it's super galling when you're paying out those amounts when you've saved for so long 😭 especially when you can't see how it's been spent yet as well! Will all be worth it! Glad the antenatal classes are going well, hopefully some mum friends for Mat leave too

@InkyPaper yayy enjoy your well deserved week off, you can relax knowing you smashed the deadlines now

@paintfairy we have a Shnugle bath too, DD was ok with it and baby seems to love it. They are quite easy I find. The angelcare ones look good too

@larrythelizard enjoy the new baby snugs. Not surprised the gym nearly finished you off if you're struggling with sleeping and the migraines constantly. Really hope they wear off soon!

@Juno231 definitely wise to set boundaries with MIL at this stage. Time as a three is really important, how will she take it - is she understanding?

DH is doing my head in. I know I am being unreasonable and he's being helpful but for all the wrong reasons ie he's cleaning upstairs (not at all necessary) so I'm juggling baby bawling, making DDs lunch, tidying, putting washing out (which he said he'd do) alternating fussy baby between pram, bouncer, sling all while DD is demanding I do X,Y and Z with her which I can't so she's unhappy. Also, he’s in the spare room to deal with DD on a night. She’ll wake up once and sometimes have to get in with him then she’ll sleep through. I’ll have a couple of hours broken sleep then come 6am he'll tell her to get in with me, bounce into my bedroom, likely wake Z up whilst he has an hour to himself asleep in peace🤦🏼‍♀️ I'm going out for a walk with DD as we've not had any time just us two since Z was born so he can sort him and the house although I'm sure it'll just be cuddles and watching the football 🙄 sorry for the rant! Why do men get the better deal of everything 🙃

Jesus @Juno231 that's a busy day today 😆and on the blood I feel you would tell anyone of us it's better to get checked out 🤔. Is MIL hoping to stay with you? I feel that might be very claustrophobic for you, but maybe if you could just try to set expectations for her for not everyday or anything then try go with the flow?!

My friend & her family just came over, so nice but weird her daughter is about to turn into a teenager & mine's just arrived 😂