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 💗💙

@InkyPaper that is a clever idea, I wouldn’t have thought of it. Crackers with cheese has become my new life’s purpose, so that’ll definitely work. I’m obsessed with them. So glad that you’re getting lots of excitement. I totally get the jinxing it, but I’m trying really hard to enjoy this bit. I know I’ll regret it if I don’t.

@Minster2012 what on Earth is that consultant talking about. As if you want to be driving 1.5 hours in labour? And change everything so late. How ridiculous. At least you have a date to aim for. How is the pain now? Also, I’m loving that DS wants to match. You’ll have the cutest photos.

@bez91 I feel like that does explain DH’s gardening yesterday a bit better! Excellent looking programme, please let us know how it is.

@DKDK123 awww! Your aunt! How lovely and kind. The hats are absolutely off the scale adorable.

@larrythelizard whooo! 24 weeks! That’s a huge milestone!

@paintfairy definitely good news that you have a new joiner coming. The other is so useless from the sounds of it. I am loving (and empathising) with your baby stresses, I feel the same. I’m hoping for a list of Do and don’ts in simple terms! You’ll be fine though- there is so much conflicting advice, but I’m planning to follow the bus advice here!

I’m 11 weeks today and I think, now we have the scan date, I’m feeling a bit excited! Only 8 days to go. The nausea is a lot better today- I’ve been snacking! That may have solved it, so thank you for the advice ladies.

@2020mission I'll have 2 waterproof sheets plus 4 normal sheets for the snuzpod (night) and then I've also got a shnuggle moses basket for daytime use for downstairs with 3 waterproof sheets and 4 normal sheets. I was hoping that'll be enough. If not I'll buy more but they'll be cheap supermarket ones. 🤣
I think the hiccups i just didn't expect them to be so close together! Its so hard when you have no idea what you are meant to be feeling for. And I'm hoping gas and air will be enough for me also! Wondering if to get a TENS machine too. I would like to use a pool if that was an option but I won't bank on it.
@larrythelizard yeah the hospital bag list certainly seems large. Anyone would think you were going for 2 months. But I'm not sure I trust leaving dh to sort anything. Having said that my mum is useful and would so I can ask her to get stuff to give to dh to bring. My hospital physio was online- so no sticking fingers anywhere! 🤣
@BellatrixK it took ages to feel real for me. Still seems surreal even now. Even though I can feel her clumping about inside. 🤣

Hello! I have changed my username so I'm less of a catfish 😂🙈 when I started on MN I didn't think I'd be around for very long (on MN, not in life lol) or that I'd get that involved with strangers on the internet so I didn't think it would matter! But anyway 🙈

Omg @DKDK123 those cardis ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Eeep wishing you all the luck @Minster2012 body count now stands at 5... 💪🏻 H is convinced it's because we take vitamin D... don't think it's quite that simple otherwise I feel the NHS would have noticed by now 😂

RE hospital bags @paintfairy a good tip I had was to pack 2... one with bare essentials in for a quick visit, a second with top ups in case you end up staying in for a couple of days. Might be easier?

@paintfairy I had a TENS machine I bought from boots for early labour. I can't say if it helped but certainly gave me something to do to distract me as I was alone for the first hours due to covid. I left hospital without it and only realised later... I think they removed it when I went to theatre and I never saw it again but given they saved my life with the transfusions I wasn't bothered enough to ask for it back. I actually have vitality health care with work so I was able to claim £250 a night for my hospital stay so it more than covered the losses 😅

@Soph0105 what was your username before?

@paintfairy let me know what you think to the reunion episode what you'll watch tonight, I was shocked with Olivia once again and her crocodile tears
@minster2012 I hope you enjoyed newborn cuddles because it’s soon going to be your turn with your little girl nearly at her eviction notice 🥹❤️
@dkdk123 how gorgeous are those cardigans! I absolutely love babies in knitted goodies just for the sentimental value too of how much effort and love went into each piece!
@larrythelizard happy viability sweetheart! Such a beautiful milestone to hit, saw your cute bump pic this morning 😍❤️🤰
@bellatrixK I can’t believe how fast your pregnancy seems to be going! I bet you cannot wait for your scan to see how much your little bubs has grown because the difference is huge

I cannot load the rest of the posts because MN hates me, for 2 days I’ve not been able to log on and when I try and reload past todays posts it says error, wish they’d pull up their socks and sort it out as it's so annoying to try and keep track as and when I can check in I’m absolutely exhausted I finished nights this morning and I’m so happy I don’t have any more for like over 11 month, im on hour 30 of being awake (last slept at like just before 1 yesterday afternoon) and I’m experiencing abit of reflux for last two days but I genuinely think it’s linked to eating at such strange hours 😞 had 3 lots of rough shifts too with the patients I cared for which is also tough… on a lighter note I’ve put my face on and got a little bit of scrubbed up for a late evening catch up tonight with some of the team I used to work with as one of them are leaving & tomorrow my niece turns one 😍 so got her first birthday party to attend but most exciting but my 24 Week midwife appointment tomorrow too which I’ll be excited to listen to bubs heartbeat 🥺❤️ hope everyone’s okay

@DKDK123 the group is called class of 22 crafters, very supportive and most people have arthritis themselves so lots of tips about managing the pain too, I’ll catch up later, we got kfc!

@DKDK123 those cardigans and hats are lovely! Your aunt is really talented 😊

@larrythelizard wooooooooooooooop! 24 weeks! 🎉 Oh god, you're really going through the wars with these stomach bugs! Hope DS recovers quickly

@paintfairy I can't believe the wardrobe saga you're having to go through, absolute madness! Haha you'll have to tell me when you find out where you go when it's birth time! With the photos, no one actually checked we'd paid, I just got handed them. Technically we should've paid over £10 for the 4 photos, so it's not too bad I suppose

@2020mission I find that description of labour very reassuring! I've got IBS, so it's good to know it's not too far off that 😄

@BellatrixK oh yeah, I'm definitely trying to enjoy the experience (definitely enjoying more now the nausea is easing off!) It's just those little anxieties that creep in now and again. Hurray for a scan date 😄🙌 Hope the morning crackers help!

@kaylsd hurray for finishing nights! Hope you can rest up now ❤️

@2020mission I was Kate105!

Woohoo to finishing nights @kaylsd I would never manage shift work so hats off to you!

Wow lots going on today, including the putting of catfish Kate 😂 @Soph0105

God can you imagine how nice it would be to Labour & then eat fresh warm homemade bread 🍞 that's my heaven there 🥰

@bez91 god Scarlett fever?? There was hand foot & mouth rampant last year & we avoided that

@paintfairy im packing my bags for wales as we speak! I just laughed out loud at someone on the July group got fingered by a midwife??? What??? I've not been fingered (without me asking to anyway) and I won't be! Tbh I just said to my friend "this was a whole lot easier when we outsourced the whole birthing bit!" 😂 I think actually on the safe sleeping advice leaflet in my folder it says no swaddling but yeah the bath thing is just until the cord stump has come off so it's cotton wool & water til then. It's no issue though don't stress. Same about hospital bag, mines only just finished packing & mine is a weekend mini suitcase & a hold-all for baby, you can use anything (the baby's changing bag & a plastic bag of snacks for instance). I also have a plastic bag here with back up stuff like @Soph0105 says as I don't trust my DH to find stuff for me
Oooo scan for you tomorrow!

@BellatrixK alllll about the snacking! So pleased you are starting to feel excited 😊. The pain is much better today I had one painkiller mid morning & one around 4pm & it's helped massively. I'm going to try & not have the morning one & just have one in the afternoon instead.

@kaylsd night shifts ✅ done! Yessssssss I think your pregnancy is going so quickly! If you keep getting heartburn I wholeheartedly recommend omeprazole

@2020mission wow you get £250 a night for being in hospital?! I think you need a recovery stay in hospital 😂

I don't have that many waterproof sheets @paintfairy @2020mission 😂

So DS & I didn't the afternoon at my friends, was so lovely, her baby is now 5lb 12 so yeah still very small & they don't paint a very easy picture of life with 2 & a dog & her DH is still off until next week when it'll be 4 weeks of being off. It was really nice having snuggles & weird too thinking god it's not long now!

And wait wtf @paintfairy someone paid £2k over vinted??? What???????

@Minster2012 I didn't realise until weeks later I would be eligible because it was a stay for the PPH and blood transfusions. If I knew at the time it would have cheered me up a bit 😅 might have stayed an extra night too! Haha not really I couldn't wait good to get home. I also got an extra £100 for their childbirth cash benefit so totalled over a grand! Can't believe you're only weeks away now

@Soph0105 I think that's even more confusing to be honest! 🤣 It would be better if you just changed your name by deed poll to Kate? 🤭🤣
@2020mission you can hire TENS machines online but it wouldn't be useful if the hospital lost it! God. And yeah I think it's just a good distraction.
@kaylsd omg. MAFSA. Yeah I still want to punch her in the face. And how anyone thinks she's a nice person on any level i have no idea. I have just read she lost her job though as a result of it. Shame. 😆 I don't know how you work nights either. Certainly not when pregnant. Hope your MW appointment goes OK.
@Minster2012 Christ knows why you would buy anything for 2k on vinted. 🤷‍♀️ I wouldn't. And no I won't be fingered randomly either. I'm so done with all of that. I'll hazard a guess thanks. And I'm beginning to wish I had outsourced. 🤔 Wales? Ah maybe I was right and you will be having a baby there. 🤣

Trip to aldi tonight. Got my pointless free pack of nappies via a netmums voucher. Turned out to be worth 75p. 🙄 Not much interesting in the baby sale. Went to sainsburys and did find some cute pooh booties with 50% off and a bath towel that was also half price. So thought why not. Pics on insta. Baby had hiccups again tonight- dunno how often is normal or why its suddenly happening? I've also had bad trapped wind and bloody heartburn which hasn't happened in ages. 🤬 Go away! Might have to reach for the deflatine......

Even more confusing that someone from MN called Katie followed me on Instagram the other day and I just assumed it was Kate105 😆

@paintfairy I used a TENs, I think it did help if anything to distract. It's weird because I didn't know how bad the pain would get so I only went up to setting 6/10 before she was here 🙈 I'll probably use it again this time. You have a lot of sheets, I hope I have enough 🤦🏼‍♀️ starting to feel less prepared

@2020mission ditto on the other Katie on IG, I'm now confused . Can the real Kate please make herself known 😂

I'm also yet to be fingered by a midwife pre labour. Last day of work today, I don't have a lot to do now as people have stopped contacting me. Definitely timed it right as struggling with basic stuff like getting up and downstairs now. The shooting pains I can't work out if they're sciatica or braxton hicks or a mixture of both. How are you getting on with the sciatica the last few days @Minster2012

@paintfairy she lost her job!! Pahhhhhhaaaahhhaaa are they still together?

And I love the Pooh stuff, I was wearing my Aldi leggings yesterday, the 8/10 were ok for me (small size 10 previously) they are very comfy but def not thick 😂not ones too wear with a short top but they will be good for this last bit and over the c section scars.

My friend has sworn by her tens machine it's been lent out to everyone, she offered it to me & I said I was having a section so she left it with her sister in London which was then when we realised it would've prob helped with the evening sciatica pain 🙄

@2020mission im loving that you cashed out on the birth, silver linings for the slightly traumatic nature I guess!

@bez91 last day! Yesssss thanks the sciatica pain has got a bit better so I can walk more freely during the day with less stabbing pains then it's harder in the evening. I got stuck on the floor last night lighting the fire. Got down & literally couldn't get up I had to crawl caterpillar style to a sideboard to then pull me up 😂

I was meant to be having a lie in this morning, with DH getting DS ready & heading to preschool with me snoozing in the spare room. So of course DS ignored him saying "don't wake mummy up" & bounded in at 6. I am sleeping so much better in the spare room though 😂

Oh an my baby gets hiccups every night when I drink my tonic water 💦 (to try stop cramps)

Guys, I’m the real Katie!

@inkypaper just slept for 12 hour straight feels amazing! Thank you lovely lady
@soph0105 thank you lovely lady! I don’t mind the long day hours it’s just the nocturnal life isn’t good for me and bubs as it’s given me reflux last 4 days from eating at like 2-3 in morning 🤨 may consider buying gaviscon today if it’s the start of little bubs playing heck with it
@minster2012 thank you lovely! I’ve got some in my cupboard from when I used to suffer with it a few year back but cleared up by diet changing :) so I’ve got my back ups if needed, how are you feeling about the gorgeous month of may ahead of you, do you feel set and prepared for your little girls arrival?
@paintfairy isit worth having a snoop in aldi? Was going to see today as I know they have a baby event on? Bugger off your trapped wind there’s nothing worse as the pressure is awful 😞

Midwife today this morning and my little nieces 1st birthday party 🥳🥳🥰 have a lovely day ladies! Can I just mention I seem to have a small obsession with chocolate digestive biscuits and dipping them in my decaf tea & also various cereal what I've not had in years? I've been going intentionally getting ones I've not had like golden nuggets, cookie crisp and latest boxed from yesterday chocolate shreddies🤣🤣🥹

Because DH is so into the gym we have something similar to a TENS machine that I use when I've tweaked myself in the gym. It was good for the early stages last time as it distracted me but not very much use once it all ramped up.

Echoing @Soph0105 @paintfairy and having a bag to leave in the boot in case of a longer stay is a good plan. My top tips for hospital bag are a super long charging wire as the plugs are never near the beds, peppermint tea bags and pants suitable for a C-Section just in case!

Ooh good shout @2020mission I will have to check health insurance to see if they'll pay me for having a baby!

They don't charge for photos here @InkyPaper. Last time I had all sorts of extra scans because I had a higher BMI, kind of weird to think I'm done now apart from 36w to see if my placenta has moved!

I think you're your own worse enemy @Minster2012 (and I should say it's absolutely something I'd do)...here's a painkiller regime that works, I'm going to try and take less...!! So not long to go at all 🥳🥳🥳

Probably just a growth spurt/hormone surge that has stopped fucked your digestive system again @paintfairy - little booties on insta were cute!

Biggest whoop for last day of work for you @bez91!!! Am I remembering right that fluid/baby sorted themselves out and you're now just waiting on spontaneous labour?

Pleased you've found a way to get some better sleep @Minster2012, it's cute that DS wants to see you but 6am?! We're the other way here, DS properly hates DH at the moment which is fairly tedious for both of us.

I had a nice time at the gym this morning, came back to an hour long tantrum that DS couldn't have an ice lolly for breakfast. They are only frozen yoghurt things but it's the principle of it! Now for a day of work whilst DS is here 😬😬😬

@kaylsd I kinda feel set but not? I think it's more a mental thing. I know I'm prepared with the stuff (tho couple of bits needs doing still) but it's more am I prepared for the actual change one to two? 12 hour sleep sounds AMAZING! Enjoy the party & the cereal, I'm craving fruit juice atm. Our Aldi had some lovely bits (the hooded towels in particular)

@larrythelizard on the painkillers it's because they said the baby might need a bit of extra monitoring when out cos of the painkillers making them a bit sleepy so it's a bit hmmm should I have loads??? We had breakfast battles today too

@BellatrixK it's these imposters that pose as other ppl I think we need to watch out for (looking firmly at @Soph0105 )

Oh bummer to no lie in @Minster2012 DH said to me this morning would I be more comfortable if he slept in the spare room so I can spread out. Well seeing as I can only sleep on my side no not really 😂 it would probably be better for him though as I'm up and down all night. Nice he wants to see you all the same but when you have a plan to get extra sleep

@BellatrixK ahhha yes @Minster2012 did msg me to say, thankyou 🥰

@2020mission @larrythelizard didn't even know it was a thing that might be covered on health insurance through work; just checked; looks like I can claim £50 🤦🏼‍♀️ barely worth the effort!

@larrythelizard yes that's right, I do have another scan next week to make sure fluid is still ok but my tummy feels different from what it was before so I'm hopeful all ok, just going to get bouncing on a ball tonight! The DS tantrum 😆 the poor little things like it's the biggest deal in the world, Hopefully it's all forgotten about and you can get on with some work in peace🤞🏼
DD had a tantrum the other night, we were having rice and she wanted to "eat it with chopsticks like Mulan" - we have no chopsticks 🙄

@larrythelizard I'm completely unsurprised that the hospitals in my area charge. Annoying but there's not a great deal to do about it. Haha oh dear! Hopefully that's the last tantrum you have to deal with today

@bez91 wooooooooooooooop! I hope your last day at work goes quickly 😄

@kaylsd omg 12 hours of sleep sounds amazing 🤩

I'm 14 weeks today! Feels exciting 😂 think I need to buy some new clothes though, some of mine are getting a bit tight...🙈 I thought I'd be OK with putting on weight but it turns out that after like 25 years of either dieting or hating my weight, I am actually really not OK with it 🙈 finding it quite hard

Eek so excited, look 0.6ml of liquid gold after only 10mins 🥳 With DS even after he was born I was struggling to get 0.1ml to take to NICU my boobs just wouldnt give up anything, my body is ready to play ball this time round I actually cried with happiness 😁 Pretty sure I could have pushed on a bit longer and made it to the 1ml mark but didn't want to risk triggering contractions so thought I'd quit while I was ahead, but it's made me so happy to know things are working this time round!

@BellatrixK omg the name confusion. 😂I did see you on there but had no idea who you were. I have added you. I also have someone else (not Kate who isnt Kate) with sheep/lamb photos on mine and i've no idea who that is?!
@bez91 i think i'll get a TENS. Better to be prepared and if helps its a bonus. I dont have medical insurance so thats a shame but yeah £50 isnt amazing. DH has it through work but i am guessing it only covers him.
@Minster2012 The lie in would have annoyed me. And yes they are still together which also annoyed me. Smug cow. But then hes given up everything and moved to be with her so his life isnt exactly impacting on her is it? The TENS might have helped your back, yes. Tonic water hiccups seems odd. Maybe its the cold? Or do other cold drinks not do it?
@kaylsd i dont know - i didnt feel aldi was worth it. i got nappy bags, some reusable wipes, sensitive wipes that was it. The more expensive bits they had werent really cheaper than anywhere else. Good news on the sleep! And i bought my hooded towel from sainsburys. only because it was pooh and cute and half price. I had read they are pointless and to just use normal towels. But.......
@larrythelizard pointless booties likely but i thought cute. i got 3-6 months though as thought maybe definitely useless for the beginning and hot weather too.
@InkyPaper its a shame you missed the free photos. I was pleased not to pay as it seems outrageous. But you will only do it once. I am still getting lifts to the hospital though as i'm still not sure whats going on with the parking?!

I feel so unprepared its keeping me awake. Firstly with all the stuff i need to get and also the house. Have wardrobes and lists and all sorts spinning around my head at night! The good news is the deflatine helped in that respect. I keep sending my brother things to order through prime for me, and hes asked if i need a personal assistant. 😧I think i do......

@BellatrixK & @Soph0105 I'll need to go find you both on IG I don't think I have you added yet, if you get a request from a rainbow pic it's me.

@kaylsd 12hour sleep, you must be feeling amazing after that! Exciting day ahead for you today with your appointment and nieces party.

@larrythelizard @bez91 the things little people can have tantrums over are unreal aren't they 😂

@InkyPaper your head will hopefully soon get round to the idea of putting on weight and changing shape. It's a bit harder at the stage your at because you can see and feel you're getting bigger but it's not quite I can 100% pull it off as a baby bump to the outside world yet, people might just think I've over eaten stage. You'll get there and hopefully soon love your growing bump, its keeping your lovely little baby safe and helping it to grow 🥰