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😢.

@lilroo87
Not just me then. My son has been upgraded to a proper child's bed so we can make the cotbed a cot again - luckily he loves it so it's gone well. He has a new wardrobe too so it's a case of getting the cotbed in the bedroom and putting all the baby stuff in the wardrobe then it's done. She'll be in a Moses Basket in our room for a while so it's not the end of the world if it's not ready but it'd be nice if it was. Still got lots of washing to do to make sure it's all disinfected 😆

@Somatronic
Let me know what they say, I'm seeing my midwife this afternoon for my 36wk checkup so I'll see what she says too. I can't even raise my hands above my hips without them flaring up and hurting.

@TokenGinger
Hope you feel better soon!

Doesn't help my son and fiance brought a headcold home, they took days to get over it but when I got it it's taking weeks to shift! Thought it was over but yesterday and today I been bunged up again. Headaches, hearing loss, the whole thing. Like I've been re-infected despite everyone else being well. Nightmare.

@VixenAndKits I got sent down to the physio and she gave me arm splints which she said will help. It's carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands. I assumed that was more of a wrist thing but she said it affects the hands too. Hopefully it'll help.

Thank you for the well wishes, ladies ❤️

@VixenAndKits those pains sound awful. I hope you get some relief soon xx

I can't remember what I did for the swelling with DS. I remember the midwife telling me to bathe plenty with Epsom salts and keep my legs up, but I don't remember much else.

Is anybody trying to express colostrum before baby arrives? I'm really keen to see if I can breastfeed this time around, and it says from 36 weeks you can try. The midwife was supposed to take me through how to do it today but now my appointment is cancelled (and they won't see me until the new year), I'm just trying to research online what is best to do.

Do we think we'll have anymore pre-Christmas babies join us before Sunday?! Xx

@Somatronic
My midwife said mine looks like the usual swelling, but did mention hot baths and putting my feet up. Didn't mention carpal tunnel to me but might borrow my fiance's wrist guards to see if that helps.

@TokenGinger
I tried to express with my first and this one and it's a no-go. I tried all sorts that I read online too. But I couldn't breastfeed last time because I produced practically nothing, and it looks like it may go the same way here. Dry as a bone so far. Already got some formula ready to go. Got judged so harshly last time despite not being able to BF, so preparing myself for it this time around too. I hope your attempts work out though! Same for anyone who wants to BF! Wish I was able to at least combo.

Got a rushed appointment for a blood test tomorrow because they think I may have cholestasis... Appointments today, 20th, 21st, finally have a break then it's 3rd Jan and two appointments on the 9th. I'm due the 16th.
Oh, but "rest in bed as much as you can...but also exercise and put yourself through agony to attend all these appointments"
Anyone else baffled by the irony? 😆 Was hoping to rest this week to prep for the weekend.

@VixenAndKits I was told you harvest from 37 weeks and stimulation can make baby come early. My baby came at 35 weeks last Sunday and when he was delivered I was able to hand express colostrum they give you sterile syringes that you can collect the colostrum and this can be stored in the fridge the breastfeeding
Network is really good for advice and support xx

@PoppyHenry
Yeah I remember going through all that the first time and nothing happened. Think we got a few drops over the 3 days I was in hospital so was told just to keep to formula and see if the full-milk comes in with hand expression/pumping at home. It never did. So I was dropped from lactation appointments and left to formula feed.
Trying again this time and nothing so far. My BFing friends were always soaked by this stage so think I'm just unlucky. I'll keep trying but I'm not holding out much hope. Not the end of the world for me though if it doesn't happen. As long as baby is fed I don't mind how it's done.

Congrats on your little one though! Hope you're both doing well.

@VixenAndKits i think that’s the right frame of mind to have as long as baby is feeding that’s all that matters doesn’t matter how. It took a while for me to express something and like you there wasn’t a lot but so pleased like you I tried. Don’t put any added pressure on yourself your doing an incredible job and growing a baby how amazing is that :)
he’s doing well thank you we are at home now which is amazing xx

Afternoon all,

@TokenGingerhope your feeling better?! Covid is just awful, I feel like people either have a cold/virus right now of Covid again!

@VixenAndKitssorry to hear your in pain. I have no clue or advice on the topic I’m afraid other than saying hope it eases up a bit for you and you can get a break/rest!

I was given some syringes at my last midwife appointment, she said I can start from 36 weeks but I have read it can bring on labour and I ideally want to get as far past Xmas as I can.

A few people have mentioned to me I don’t look like I am due a baby in 6 weeks as my bump isn’t that big but the midwife’s haven’t said anything like im measuring small etc.

Hope you’re all excited for Xmas… not long to go now!

@VixenAndKits Oh gosh! You poor thing. I hope the results come back okay for the cholestasis. I was the same with DS, I didn't produce anything although my boobs did leak at a few days old so I'm hoping there's something there but if not, I'm not going to get hung up on it as DS was exclusively formula fed and he's a healthy young chap so it's certainly done him no harm. To be honest, my main reason for wanting to do it is down to the sheer cost, rather than anything else. Of course there's the benefits but I really do not like this pushed agenda of shaming mums who haven't been able to do it. It's just awful.

I'm due 16th, too!

@PoppyHenry I'm so glad you're home now in time for Christmas! That's amazing news xx

@H44123 Thank you for asking ❤️ Thankfully I'm not feeling too terrible with it. It's my first time with Covid so I wasn't sure what to expect but I think I've been lucky in that it's not too severe and I'm still able to work.

@TokenGinger glad to hear it’s not too bad. You have done well too only getting it now. I caught it last summer and my god I was bed bound for a week. I have never been as poorly in my life and after every vaccine I have been poorly too. At least you can still enjoy Xmas too!

I agree with you re feeding… I told my midwife I will try breastfeeding but if I can’t or it doesn’t work out I am more than happy to formula feed. To be honest, I don’t really think breastfeeding is and will be for me but I’m happy to try. If I can at all, I suspect I won’t be doing it for long maybe a few weeks if that. I won’t take too kindly if it is pushed on me in the hospital though!

@PoppyHenry lovely to hear your both doing well and are at home now. Enjoy this special time!

Sorry forgot to add/ask, I have just had delivered the 2 packs of pre made formula I ordered which are the cow and gate ones which come in the starter pack of little bottles and teats. I was planning on taking one into hospital with me and keep the other in the car incase needed.

the boxes look tiny so I’m guessing the milk bottles are too. Is 1 pack enough to take into hospital with me incase I struggle breastfeeding? I have powder formula at home too just in case.

I have no idea how much a newborn drinks, how long would those bottles normally last? Do they normally drink a full bottle at once?

Due January 21st,

Baby could be coming earlyish due to measuring bigger at my 32 week scan, have a scan this Friday so will find out what they want to do. This is my second baby and since the start of the second trimester I have been NERVOUS & ANXIOUS about baby no2. I keep thinking and wondering will I love this baby as much as my first born?! I know this is common by the sounds of it, just looking for reassurance please 🙏🏻 how did it work for everyone else. It’s just fear if the unknown and adjusting to life as a family of 4. I know everything will fall into place it just seems so daunting right now.

Due January 21st,

Baby could be coming earlyish due to measuring bigger at my 32 week scan, have a scan this Friday so will find out what they want to do. This is my second baby and since the start of the second trimester I have been NERVOUS & ANXIOUS about baby no2. I keep thinking and wondering will I love this baby as much as my first born?! I know this is common by the sounds of it, just looking for reassurance please 🙏🏻 how did it work for everyone else. It’s just fear if the unknown and adjusting to life as a family of 4. I know everything will fall into place it just seems so daunting right now.

Congratulations @icecreamgirl94 !!! That's fantastic news! How are you feeling? How's baby doing?

How is everyone else. Sorry to hear about covid !! I think lots of going around ATM!

How is everyone doing? Feeling more real.

Is anyone else having a breech baby ATM? I'm 34+3, been told baby is breech (has been for 8 weeks now) I don't know weather I want to accept a ECV (cant remember what it is called) or an early C- section. I'll have another check up in 2 weeks I'll be 37 weeks by then. But she hasn't moved and I can feel her still breech. If she hasn't moved ill have a scan and then I can discuss my options however I've heard lots of bad things about turning a breech baby. Apparently it's painful too. I am so stuck on what to do !!! I've tried spinning babies etc and it just isn't working. . I have been bouncing on my ball etc. . . I live in a flat with NO lift with a German shepherd dog and my other 2 children. My partner is fantastic but obviouslyhe will still have to go to work. So if I was to have a C section I will only have 2 weeks of help. Then it's up to me to walk the dog (he's not great woth strangers/other dogs) ill have a newborn, pushchair and car seat etc to lug up and down the stairs to the flat. . . I know it's a couple weeks away yet but I am a worrier and I can't help but over think.

Any experiences of breech or being turned? x

@H44123 I completely agree, I won't take kindly to any pressure either. I totally get the benefits of breastfeeding but it's so hard for women. It's utterly exhausting and means women do all of the night feeds. In the first few weeks with DS, having DP do half of the night and me do the other half was such a huge help.

Re: the number of bottles, I took one box and DP had to pick up a second just in case but we got discharged before we had to open. The midwives were a bit militant about it, but I'll ignore it this time - they wanted me to throw the bottle away after he'd had one feed from it. He was literally taking 30ml of a 200ml bottle and they wanted me to throw it away as it was no longer sterile. I did throw the first two but after that, I realised he was going back to the bottle 30-60 minutes later and it was just a complete waste so I popped the lid back on and used it again. Once it was opened, I would throw it away after around 3 hours if not all used, but certainly now after just 1oz like the midwives asked me to do. They're so bloody expensive, too!

I feel exactly the same! Earlier up in this thread, a few of us who are second time mums discussed this and it gave us so much reassurance to realise we weren't alone in those feelings. Even now, I'm still really anxious. My DS is not happy about the idea of baby coming home with us at all, and that's adding another layer of anxiety. I remember how exhausted I was in those first few weeks with him, and I'm wondering how I'll cope with that, plus give him all of the love and affection he'll need to not feel pushed out, all the while meeting baby's needs too.

You're not alone in how you're feeling ❤️

Oh gosh, you poor thing! What a predicament 😩 I'm terrified at the thought of a Caesarian for the same reason as you in that I'd only have two weeks of support, but the dogs and the stairs etc make your situation so much more complicated. I think I'd be inclined to accept a c-section if baby hasn't moved by the next scan but I'd try and get as much support lined up as possible from family and friends xx

Also, is anybody based in Manchester or the North West? It might be nice to have a baby meet up whilst we're on maternity leave if any of us happen to live close to each other xx

@TokenGinger have you got a date for your section? (Sorry I fond it hard to keep up with everyone 🙈 as I don't come on here too often lol) 😅 I WILL get better haha!! How many wweeks are you now? It's creeping up SO fast!
How are you feeling about the birth?
I feel so worries about the recovery not the actual birth. I'd really like a vaginally birth again but I doubt I'm going to be able to. I can't see her spinning anytime soon 😫 xxx

I'm in Cambridge, so a little far from Manchester lol xx

@TokenGinger I'm in Cornwall so very far away from you but it's a lovely idea x

@TokenGinger I’m near Leeds so not too far, I would love to have a baby meet when in maternity leave so count me in! Thank you for giving me a clue re bottles… typical case of all the gear and no idea!

@Kerryw93 I really feel for you. I’m scared of a c-section, I have no idea position of baby, I was told my next appointment they will know and baby should move into final
position at 36 weeks 🤷🏻‍♀️ it’s more the recovery after that puts me off but you definitely have more to deal with than me. Like what has been said, can you line up some support for a few weeks at least to help you for the first bit?

@TokenGinger
I'm in South Wales - would have been such a nice idea though!

@Emilylwx
I'm on my 2nd baby too, my son is 3.5yrs and I'm so nervous I'm not going to feel anything. Doesn't help this time I'm having a girl, and all I've heard is negative things about daughters from IRL people. About how much harder to raise, chaotic and unaffectionate girls are. I'm used to my son being very loving and he's a very well behaved boy. So I'm worried I'm not going to cope if the rumours are true. People keep telling me "you've been there, done that, so you won't be so loving and excited about a second baby" which scares me so much. I'm glad I'm not the only one with second-baby-anxieties.

@H44123
I've bought just the one box of bottles and teats of SMA. They laughed at me last time when I bought 3 boxes - jokes on them I was stuck for 3 days and used them all. If you're in for a short time, one box should be enough. My SMA box has 8, and it should be enough for a standard stay. Every hospital should have both SMA and Cow and gate available, and should be able to provide if you run out of your own. Don't let the staff or other mums pressure you if BFing doesn't work out. I had hell from some nurses and other mums on the wards - but it worked out for the best with my son. I actually loved being a formula-parent in the end. Hence I'm not mad if it happens again this time.

I feel the same @Emilylwx and wondering if it is also hormone related? I have quite a huge age gap, 13 years!! But I am struggling to see how I could possibly love another like I do DD. I am told I will and it’s all natural but the fear is still there and our baby is IVF so we have waited many many years to get back to this position and yet I’m sat here petrified of a) doing it all again b) how I could love them the same. I suppose with my DD I had the ignorance is bliss thing going on, where now I know what a newborn is like, what a toddler is like etc.
just wanted to message to say you are not alone!!

Congratulations!! 😊 I’m sure everything will be absolutely fine, we have nothing to do but sit and worry and overthink everything whilst growing out bubbas. Why is it so different second time around?? I’m really shocked because I never imagined I’d feel like this! I feel like it’s hanging over my head and can’t wait until their here already! Xx