Baby January 2023!

[TTC24]

Anyone else due January 2023?! Found out yesterday I'm pregnant with baby #2. If my dates are right, I'm 3+6, due 27th January! My daughters a Jan baby, but was due feb (she was 3 weeks early). May just must be a very fertile month for us! We fell pregnant last May too, but never met them😢.

@Kerryw93 hi Kerry 😊 how far along are you? I'll be 33 weeks on Friday, I've honestly felt better these past 3 weeks then I did from about 27-30 weeks so I'm so relieved for that. I was so anxious constantly for no reason and having a lot of stomach problems, I hated the thought that I might have to deal with that for the next 10 weeks or so. Think it may have been hormonal. I was tested for gestational diabetes because of those symptoms combined with having a bit extra amnotic fluid that's gone back to normal since my 32 growth scan (first was small so they're checking up more on this one). As far as I'm aware they don't test you for diabetes at all unless you have risk factors or symptoms.

As far as hospital bags go I've done a bit, got most of the baby's stuff but I still need to get my clothes for the hospital together and make a little sleepover bag for my toddler when she goes to stay with family when I go into labour. Honestly I keep putting my hopsital bag off because everytime I start it starts to feel more real and I start thinking about labour and getting nervous 🙈 you're so lucky to have a 4d scan I bet that was so amazing to see them!

@PopsicleHustler wow 5lbs!! Mine at my 32 week growth scan was 3.6 😳 and after having a small first I thought that was huge lol! You must be so tired carrying the extra weight around. For cottons balls/wipes I've wondered the same myself. I used cotton for my first as the midwife suggested but it was a lot more of a faff than wipes are. I'm not sure if there's a reason why cotton is better or if using wipes from the get go is fine? I hope wipes are fine because it'd be so much easier, obviously not the fragranced ones though

Morning all. Hope you are all well!

Im due 28th jan so have a bit longer to wait but it doesn’t seem long at all. I also had a 4D scan last week but the baby seems to hold the cord above his head which is apparently a comfort thing feeling the pulse etc I had no idea that was even a thing?!

What are you all planning on taking for hospital bags? I was thinking a small cabin suitcase for me, things like maternity pads look like they will take a lot of room though and a towel! Then a small hold-all for baby and a carrier type bag for snacks/drinks etc but worried I will look excessive 😂

Also have cotton pads but water wipes too and if I am honest will just use the wipes as seems so much easier!
xx

@Razputini oh my goodness, I have lost weight and it feels like our little man is eating everything that I eat. I am so exhausted and I have a hernia and a horrendous back problem as well. A lot of pressure on top of my thighs and period pain and the midwife told me on Monday thats because he is already down low in the pelvis, which is a good thing but yes, it is very tiring. Just cant wait to have him now.

I am actually considering not bothering with the whole cotton wool and top and tail bowls, and just going with water wipes or non fragrance wipes. It is a total hoo-ha.

Morning everyone.
I had a growth scan at 28 weeks and baby was weighing 2lb8, I'm hoping he stays small like my DD was 🤣
I have a huge holdall/duffel bag thing that extends which I used when I had my DD last July and it fit everything in for me and her, then I just took an extra bag for snacks and drinks.
This time I'm hoping for a home birth but still need to pack a bag just incase.

Regarding wipes/cotton balls, I took both and actually just used wipes from the start. We've always used the huggies ones as they aren't too wet if that makes any sense. I found other water wipes are just way too wet.

I'm not due until end of January but visiting family for Xmas when I'll be 35 weeks and they live 5/6 hours away so that's going to be fun. Atleast they are closer to a hospital than we are so if it all kicks off then it won't take long to get there

Morning everyone!
I feel so behind compared to you guys. I really need to start getting a hospital bag together. I'm still trying to get my house rearranged to make room for her, and with my body falling apart at the seams and with Christmas coming up it just seems to be pushed back further and further. Hope I'm not going to go into labour any time soon because I'm definitely not ready 😆

People have been asking if I'm nervous for labour but I seem to be okay for now. This is my 2nd (and last, my body literally cannot do this again) time and I feel I have a bit more knowledge this time around. I think it's because I know that feeling of "this was all worth it" when she's in my arms. And knowing it'll all be forgotten within a couple of weeks. Not looking forward to it, but I feel I'll be able to handle it much better this time if it all goes naturally.
What about you guys? Nervous?

I have a scan at 32 weeks, next Tues, to check my placenta position because it's super low. Not sure what I want to hear. If it's still too low I'll need to have a planned C-section - and as much as I wouldn't look forward to the recovery, at least I can arrange for a relative to look after my 3 year old. Going into natural labour I feel more worried because I may have to wait hours for someone, anyone, to come down to watch him so my fiance and I go to hospital.
For those who already had to arrange care for children before going to hospital - how did you get it sorted?

Hi everyone, I’m 30 weeks tomorrow, baby was 2lb5 at growth scan but feeling very heavy now, bump feels super tight and like it can’t stretch much more. Seems to have dropped considerably over the last couple of days and I feel like I’m carrying in my pelvis rather than my belly now! I packed my hospital bag last night just so it’s out of the way, I’m working until early January and I’m in retail so it’ll be non stop for the next 6 weeks, not sure how I’ll survive!

Bump getting ready for Christmas 🥰

Morning everyone, 34 weeks today! Hoorah

How are we all feeling??? Hospital bags sorted?
Hospital snack bag sorted? Birth plans?

I feel in the same camp as @VixenAndCub. I feel so unorganised compared to everybody else here. I haven't even given my hospital bag a thought yet 😂 I do have some newborn sleepsuits to pick up from Matalan this weekend so I think I'll get them washed and packed and begin pulling the bag together. I'm hoping if I use packing cubes with compression zips on, I can fit it all into one case.

I think there's some complacency having done it all before, I'm thinking ah I can pick that up if I need or, or throw that in the bag last minute. I think because I've not had to think about buying a car seat, pram, crib or anything, I just feel like I'm sorted and I'm most definitely not 😂

I also have the same worry re: my DS. My mum is on call to either come to hospital with me and leave DP with DS, or vice versa and she come to DS whilst DP comes with me but just the uncertainty of not knowing when it'll happen is a worry.

@icecreamgirl94 love the bump photo and dress!

Woohoo to 34 weeks! How are you feeling?

I am so, so underprepared 😂 Reading this thread has given me the kick up the bum to get my hospital bag sorted this weekend, I think. I definitely need to put more thoughts into my snack bag. I didn't take enough savoury snacks last time, mostly just chocolate, but I couldn't stomach anything sweet and just wanted crisps/crackers.

Are you all prepared?

I have my pram and crib booked in for steam cleaning next week to freshen it up after being stored away for a few years.

I also really need to buy a bed for our spare room. It was a dumping ground but I've spent the past 3-4 weekends clearing it all out and now have baby's clothes boxed up into sizes and have the space for a bed so that she and I can come into here in the night if we're having a bad night or if DS tries to get into our bed. My mum has also said she'll book two weeks off work when DP goes back after paternity leave so I want a bed for her in case she stays over with us.

Morning everyone.
I'll be 31 weeks this Saturday.
I haven't packed my bag yet or even thought about what I'm putting in it. It was only last year that I went through this with my DD but I definitely don't remember anything I packed then.
Just waiting to book my home visit with my midwife for week 34 so we can go through my home birth plan and make sure she's happy that we have enough room, good access etc.
Then crazily I'm travelling 5/6 hours to stay with family over Christmas when I'll be 35/36 weeks so I'm hoping he doesn't try and make a super early appearance!

Ohhh hats off to the travelling! I was going to say you're a braver woman than me, but it's not so much being far from the hospital I can't face, it's just because I'm too bloody lazy 😂😂

I'm the same with not remembering what I put into my bag with DS. I do remember not having enough stuff for myself, though. I only took two night dresses and 5 pairs of knickers and they all ended up soaked in blood. I had to double up on the maternity pads too so I went through those very quickly. I'll make sure I pack extra this time!

@TokenGinger we'll actually be closer to a hospital visiting family than we are at home but I'd still rather not have him there.
We're really doing it so that our DD can see family. She doesn't see them that often and it'll be the last time before she's a sister so I thought it would be nice for her. She's only 16 months so doesn't really have any idea what is about to happen!

Oh no, definitely pack loads. I'm pretty sure I packed 14 pairs of big black pants and 2 packs of maternity pads haha. I wasn't expecting to stay in and I was in for 1 night so had plenty.
This time I'll have a bag just incase we have to go to the hospital but hopefully a home birth goes to plan

@lilroo87 I am 31 weeks tomorrow too so we must have the same due date.

Nope not packed either, planning on in the next 2 weeks I think. Just ordered some nighties today to take. What are people in terms of clothes taking to the hospital? I have seen so many people say hospitals are very hot so I won’t be taking warm pjs etc more lighter things? No dressing gown either but purely because I won’t have any space in
my bag I don’t think. I’m such an overpacker normally so this will be a struggle, I like to have things just in case.

I have bought those always disposable knicker things that come high up too, hoping for a natural birth but trying to think in case of c-section as you just don’t know what will happen!

Hope you all have a nice weekend!

34 weeks today also, im started to get quite excited for labour now which is a good, better than being all nerves about it like I have been the last few weeks. Just reminding myself that I can do this, I've done it once before and I'm going to feel so good once its over and I have my body back! Im hoping all the Christmas buzz makes time fly

My biggest fear right now is how I'm going to cope with my 2 year old AND newborn 😵‍💫 those who already have multiple children or know people with more, please please give me your wisdom!! My 2 year old already wakes constantly during the night, often 5+ times and I can't imagine how tired, snappy and fustrated I'm going to get with a newborn on top. This pregnancy was accidental, if it was planned I would have waited a few more years until my daughter was easier to handle, in regular daycare and slept better :( Planning to breastfeed again, but I want to do combi feeding so my partner/family can handle some nights and I get some rest. I'm sure it will all be okay, I seem to forget that I won't be pregnant still by that point and I should be feeling more capable and able bodied to handle it by that time. But still even writing about it and thinking about it is making me very nervous

Well guess what, there are exactly 2 years between our 2nd, 3rd,4th,5th and this new baby. Our eldest is almost 15 Haha and there is a big gap between him and number 6. And I was concerned about the fact they are still so young, just at two years old, and a newborn, hownwill I cope, how will i sleep, but you just adapt. And also they adapt too. Right now my youngest is only 22 months and I still see her as a little baby eventhough she is so independent now, but she still loves cuddles and being on my lap and I worry too, will she be ok when the new baby comes. But you know kids do adapt. I just got on with it. And they are so happy to be involved also. Dont worry so much, ypucwill see when the time comes. And maybe talk to your health visitor about your child's sleeping patterns, ie waking up to 5 times. You will be knackered also waking up to a newborn a few times in the night on top. Wish you all the best

@H44123 yeah we must have the same due date.
The hospital was pretty hot when I was there last time. I didn't pack a dressing gown. Had slippers, 2 nighties, 2 pairs of pj's. Then took leggings and big tops for going home in. It was summer last time though.
I had some of those disposable knickers. I got the biggest size but I must have messed up somewhere because I couldn't even get a leg in them at the hospital haha. So just stuck with oversized black knickers (definitely black cause of bleeding) and maternity pads.
I got a huge duffel bag on Amazon that unzipped extra on the sides and got everything in for me and baby apart from snacks which was a separate bag. My DP also had a small bag for him with a spare pair of clothes in.

@Razputini I am worried about how I'll cope with 2 of them aswell. My DD will be 18 months and her sleep fluctuates. Most nights she sleeps through but she's teething so wakes a lot for cuddles at the minute and spends so much time in bed with me. I'm so uncomfortable cause I just can't seem to lay right now I'm pregnant with her there. It is going to be a huge change but I'm sure we'll all muddle through

@lilroo87 we are also planning a home birth in the first week of Jan - very excited to hear you are, too! We were meant to have our birth planning chat with the midwives at our 34 week visit but had it pushed back to 6th Dec at 36 weeks. If you have any sage advice for a FTM in that process, it's very welcomed!

@MrsUSAinUK how exciting! It's a shame they pushed your visit back. I remember looking at birth plan forms online last time cause I wanted to be really prepared for the chat with my midwife.
I didn't have a home birth last time but this time it will just be easier as we have no-one to look after our little girl.
Have you been doing any antenatal classes? My midwife team run free sessions which was brilliant last time as it gave me so much more info and knowledge about the process that I hadn't even thought of.
I was quite adamant of how I wanted the birth to go and c-sections, forceps etc. were always an absolute last resort.
Make sure your birth partner knows exactly what you want aswell as you may not be able to speak for yourself at times.
Hopefully the birth goes smoothly for you :)

Made a start on my hospital bag - well, I haven't packed it yet but got some bits and pieces in. Got the clothes ready for her, I'll have to go through my wardrobe for some old comfy clothes. Got a pack of ready made formula since I had an attitude last time (despite my midwife saying they should provide it for me, but wasn't surprised when we told her the attitude we had last time). Also got some breast pads ready to go. My Mum has offered to grab some other bits and bobs too so it's just a case of putting it together.

Hoping by next week we'll have the kids/our room ready to go now the furniture we need is finally all here and ready to put together.

Though of course there's been another hiccup...my friends kid has damaged our TV and now we need to try and find the money for a new one instead of saving up for the baby... I don't know how to deal with it to be honest. I'm angry but also scared of confronting them. They're the type to think their child can do no wrong unfortunately. I'm scared to have the kid over when the new TV is eventually in place. Great. More stress. Just when I was hoping I can relax for the last month of this pregnancy.

That's so frustrating! Have they offered anything towards it? I'd be furious!

I tried to make a start on my hospital bag then realised I have 3 first size sleepsuits and 4 0-3 and 5 vests in each size 😂 So I have placed an order online today to collect from Asda.

We're doing the same with getting bedrooms sorted. It'll be such a relief when the house is in order x

@TokenGinger
I really don't know how to handle the situation. I can't let it go, but I don't know how to confront people without sounding entitled. Spoken to my fiance about how this is plaguing me, stressing me out and he said he'll control the conversation next time we see them because less likely they'll snap at a man than at a 'Karen'. Hoping to put the idea out there and they can jump in and offer compensation - I've tried to seek compensation for damaged goods before and it ended in arguments and losing friends. Neither of which I want so far in the pregnancy.
What would you/you guys say to try and get a point across without sounding entitled?

In terms of the house, I will breathe such a sigh of relief too when it's all done. Can't wait for all the big stuff to be done so I can just do the usual nesting after Christmas 😆

I'd just be straight up and say hiya, 'Adam' really damaged our TV and we sre going to have tocbuy a new one. As you are a dear friend of mine, I am sure you understand I would do the same for you by helping us towards buying a new one, as majority of our money is going towards the baby and I don't want to be left short for the babies needs.

Thats really it.

They should have offered in the first place, if they were real good friends.
I'd be so upset and would say straight up, politely you need to pay for a new one or if they are struggling financially then contribute somehow.

@PopsicleHustler
My Fiance and I have agreed that we will mention it, mostly because we don't want it to happen to the new TV when that comes in - but won't expect money at this point. Lesson learned, going to put more babyproofing in place (would be useful for upcoming baby too, to be fair) and asking them to keep a closer eye on their kid for the future.
I made the mistake of putting a separate thread here asking what I should do about it and I got absolutely slated - basically it's my fault and I - a 32wk pregnant woman - should have been sitting on the floor and stopping/telling off/MANHANDLING their child to deter him from touching the TV 😆Yeah because that's appropriate. Not the parents, or even my fiance - but only me. Got accused of trying to get money from them when I specified I wasn't looking for compensation but moreso how to tell them to basically watch their kid more and be more respectful of my house. So......yeah that was fun. Loads of comments basically calling me an idiot/money-grabber/horrible friend because the kid could have been hurt in my house and I should have watched him more...

Ah well. Lesson learned. Hopefully nothing else goes wrong before baby arrives! Cant take much more stress.