Minster's 9th Side Car - who runs the world? Girls! (Where are all the boys?!)

[larrythelizard]

Babies Due: 👶👶👶

@feliznavidad2 5 July 💗(induction towards the end of June)
@paintfairy 24 July 💗
@Vil10 1 August 💛
@Juno231 11 August 💗
@kaylsd 15 August 💛
@larrythelizard 18 August 💛
@Inkypaper 28 October 💛
@BellatrixK 15 November 💙
@Somatronic 2 Jan ish (I think!) 💛

Babies who are earth side:

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 💗💙
Minster2012 29 April 💗
bez91 8 May 💙
DKDK123 10 May 💗
whatwonder 7 June 💗
2under2 10 June 💗

@bez91 I hope you get off lighter too! I can kinda see the light as the split night is better then feeding every 2hrs!! She's getting shorter at the wakes now so hoping a sleeping through is imminent! 🙏🏾
how's it all going your end?
@larrythelizard good to know the other regressions are not as bad as this one. Really praying that this is the worst! Putting me off having a second 😂
Bloods go ok?
@Minster2012 hope the headaches gone and you got to enjoy the beach a bit. Cute pic of B there. Hope your tanks ok!
@DKDK123 hope all goes well tonight and you have fun tomorrow 🤩
@Vil10 thank you 🙏🏾 shame about the unsuccessful sweep! Can you get another one for a few days time? I had my first one at 39+1 I think, flipping painful mind! Got me 1cm dilated and think I had 3 in the end 😵‍💫
@paintfairy this is why I couldn't come on here for the first 6 weeks or so, I was so overwhelmed! I'm less so now, but still struggle to find time for this.
@Juno231 I hope you get things sorted! Good to hear all is well with baby, you defo did the right thing ❤️

@BellatrixK yay for 24 weeks! Whizzing by now. Glad you enjoyed your trip 😊

@larrythelizard I take my parents as my measurement, they already think D's has too much say about his options, so I must be doing it right, I support whatever he wants to do, in terms of extra activities, but I don't force him to go to anything, apparently I am wrong, and I should just choose his hobbies

I have electrics and cabinets up ladies!

@Franklydear wow! I think your renovations seem too be going really well! Most jobs seem to be so so slow at the moment. They’re doing well!

@becarefuloutthere oh dear! The sleep regression sounds awful! But I’m really glad that she’s getting better with her sleep. One of My best friends had her second quickly after her first… she says that she’d rather get all of their terrible sleeping done at once! Although, it was very tough.

@BellatrixK I cant fathom the thought of two close in age tbh. Plus we have sub fertility so it'll be ivf again and you can't do that whilst breastfeeding so no2 is a while off yet, if at all!

@Franklydear whoop 🙌🏾 great progress!

As someone who had a failed sweep @Vil10 you dodged a bullet there! Very sore for no gain... I know it's disappointing but honestly it's for the best!

Ergh @bez91 sounds mega awks. Hope you can wriggle out of it!

Yay for 24 weeks @BellatrixK ! Glad you had fun up here 😊 it has its downsides but I do love it here most of the time 😂 cannot imagine having a small age gap, sounds horrific. Some of the mums from the mum and baby groups I have met are starting to think about number 2?! Argh. I've already stated publicly that I'm having a full year back at work before we even start to discuss round 2 😂

Whoop whoop @Franklydear good progress!

No news except J has one hell of a nappy rash 😫 no idea what has caused it but he is in a fair bit of pain... 😭 pray for me that the Calpol lasts him all night 😂🤞🏻

Rereading I now remember the usual turn of phrase is much pain for no gain 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Well if the intermittent fasting diets means "24hours between cake" then I'm in as honestly this "week" of doing stuff for X's birthday is hell for my waistline AND he might think this is the norm?? Errrrr nope!

@larrythelizard you resorted to eating pombears?? Seriously darling that's a sign it's nearly shopping day 😝(totally been known to eat the child's snacks)

@DKDK123 oh good yea a 5am "excited wake up call" is NOT the same as a baby waking at 5 😂hopefully your night "away" is still good (paw patrol included!)

@bez91 don't tell me that about the repeat spend on pumps?! So we currently have a shared old septic tank with next door which we were told when buying the house needed replacing & to get one of our own so pumps needing to be repaired or replaced is not what I wanna hear 😂I came back this evening to be told we basically have to dig up a really established hedge & arch in our lawn to accommodate it so I'm not pleased. YeH see the issue with SIL, so would you leave DD there with dad & her? In which case have you specifically said "look it's basically pointless me & Z being there SO YOU HAVE TO TAKE DD YOURSELF" thanks dad, I owe ya. Type thing?? Like that explicit??

@larrythelizard a 40 back? Bloody hell you look amazing now! I've got some nursing bras which @blackcurrantqueen sent me I can send on & you can see what they are like? They were good for me & did me for the relatively short time I was feeding cos I was the same as you wanted to see how feeding was. Need to find them though 😂any ELCS tips, my friend told me a certain liquorice helped her poo I need to find the type! But I def lived in loose fitting clothes over the scar for weeks cos of the infection but honestly I can't think of much else? An insulated drinks container with straw really helped me in the hospital rather than their pathetic small glasses I could get a coffee in it & a cold drink & the straw was easy for me to drink from

@BellatrixK 24 weeks!! Fantastic! 💓
yes luckily DH was back to sort the septic tank guy when I got back, honestly Nyx (the pointer) was 8 months old when we had X & we nearly pulled out getting her when we realised the baby was coming but she's amazing with him & we just made sure all was ok for instance because we had a long open plan barn as our last house with porcelain floor tiles she skidded a lot especially excited so we put the Moses basket INSIDE a playpen in the kitchen just in case she accidentally skidded into it & made it go flying onto the stone floor (and also the basket was her height so to protect him) and we got a pram where the carrycot sits higher up as a lot sit quite low & she could reach inside that (but also DH is 6'6" so a higher is better for him) but honestly she is amazing with him & my friend has an ESP & despite her having no kids he's great with children. I have a lovely picture of Nyx & xander on the floor & he rolled over & she rolled over next to him copying him, it was lovely to watch
I wasn't so impressed when she tried out the carrycot & I found her curled up in it 😝🤦🏼‍♀️

@becarefuloutthere never knew that about the ivf & breastfeeding! Learning everyday. We did our egg collection without me ever having a period just by the scans cos of my break in chemo so it can be done but that would be in extreme circumstances not ideal def I guess

@Soph0105 @BellatrixK @becarefuloutthere
I gotta say I have a range of friends & family with all the different age gaps & there is no "easy way" I think a lot depends on your kids & you. 2 of my friends had hers same gap as X & B purposefully because they had bad sleepers and/or awful pregnancies/births first time round so it took time to work their way back up to being ready to do it again...one of my SIL had 3 under 3 but they are v mild tempered children compared to my boy who is "spirited" as we said 😂so trying to control 2 or 3 of "that personality" is my idea of hell, where it goes sone way that he has now got through major tantrum stage & into vaguely sensible /easily bribed/understands right from wrong territory. That being said we started TTC when X was 1 as we knew it would be difficult so you cope with whatever right?!

@Soph0105 nappy rash from cloth I thought was basically unknown?! Back to water & cotton wool on bottom, that cleared B up really quick

I'm tentatively wondering if it might be teething related @Minster2012 because up until now the cloth bum has been miraculous! Don't even use cream most of the time... but he's 9m now and still a toothless wonder so I guess we'll find out if this is his time 😂🙈 either that or it's a bug because we've had spectacular shits today! Ahhhhh domestic bliss

Toothless wonder @Soph0105 brilliant!! X cut his first tooth at 4 months, I put that dish to fact I let him chew on actual keys not plastic ones, but yeah could def be that? Or Blake a leap?? Always blame a leap if in doubt 😂

blame a leap even

Whoop @BellatrixK 24 weeks is a great milestone! Pleased you had a good holiday

Haha you'd have to be mad to be think about no 2 already @becarefuloutthere!!

Mine are also surprised at how much choice DS has @Franklydear (literally weetabix or shreddies for breakfast, do you want sandwich or pasta for dinner etc...)

If the rash is still there today @Soph0105 metanium has been the thing that has always worked best for us - it can go everywhere though!

Thanks @Minster2012 there's a couple that will do, not the worlds best support but I'm ok with that. I love a Pombear but always wish the packs were bigger!

I'm having almost constant cramps, BH I think as they're annoying and irregular more than anything, do we think I can use a hot water bottle or will that cook the baby??

Clearly baby has moved down as piles are worse than ever and needed a wee all day yesterday - must be lots of pressure down there!

Just need this ELCS date on Monday then I know when it'll all be over 🤣

Cook the baby @larrythelizard 😂 seriously no idea

Bum is clear, J still a toothless wonder. Riddle me this! All I really care about is that he didn't wake me up last night so we're all good 😂

That reminds me of when I was complaining about the whole "don't have a hot bath while preggo" rule @larrythelizard from which followed a long discussion as to why this was. General consensus was that maybe you could boil the baby 😂 follow up discussion being would the baby be boiled or technically would it be poached??? Still pondering that one...

@paintfairy don’t worry about things lovely to hear from you darling and glad to hear your little girl is doing well! I hope your poochs visit to the vets went well?
@minster2012 I love the thought of having a beach so close by, the little cute picnics and things like that will be bliss! However it sounds like it’s not been a quiet one with you with all the little ones too! Hopefully your headache passed and glad to hear your tank got sorted out 👀 I guess someone has to do that job anyway, deffo wise choice for DH to deal with it 💩
@larrythelizard shall we start a petition for Pombears to do a share size bag like Doritos cause they are just lovely 😍? I hope you get your date too for ELCS on Monday fingers and toes crossed! I got some nursing bras from matalan if your struggling to find some what appear comfy? I’m with you with not over buying stuff just incase I can’t feed, I’ve got a hand pump n some storage bags but I don’t wanna buy too much incase it doesn’t pan out for me! Could your ELCS be similar timing around mine :D?
@dkdk123 thank you hunny just trying to fill up the days running with company to help pass time :’) hope your doing well?
@bez91 litterally the same when I’m seeing all the photos of the bus babies I’m like 🥹🥹🥹🥹 I actually got abit emotional yesterday about the first time I’m going to meet my baby of how they may look or any features they may have, just felt overwhelmed that I've always wondered what my baby will look like from being young and I'm going to soon find out🙈🥺
@bellatrixK happy 24 weeks! I feel like your pregnancy is flying girl, glad to hear you had a nice break away :) my mums pooch Bella goes home today which I think mable will be overjoyed with 🤣 the little old lady can go back to her own personal spaces at mums and live the high life without having to share treats or eating them too quick before mable hoovers them up for her 🤣

Happy Friday everyone! Have a lovely weekend 🥰 another rubbish nights sleep kinda getting used to them, although last nights was a little bit different took me about a hour to get comfy around 3 with back ache & period type cramps 🤔 soon settled though so maybe was remains of a food baby I ate yesterday evening 😍 literally cannot wait to eat all the foods I've not been able to in pregnancy especially cheese 😋

@Minster2012 I'm loving all your beach pics atm - X is such a lucky boy!

@larrythelizard haha never thought of using piles as a measuring stick for where baby could be 😅. How exciting to find out your date on Monday though!

@vil10 the midwife doesn't sound like warmest/nicest creature but from what I gather if your cervix isn't ready then it's really painful and won't work anyway so maybe you dodged a bullet like @Soph0105 said. Having said that, I would be disappointed too! I can't believe your baby will be here any day now!

@BellatrixK happy viability!! 24 weeks is a big one.

@paintfairy keep those pics coming on insta though, I can't get enough of baby J and her full head of hair 😍

@DKDK123 you're totally right and since I've been baby has returned to normal and it's nuts how big the difference is, it's definitely good I went to check her out.

@kaylsd good way of phrasing it - I'll definitely challenge the mw on the water birth decision just in case it works!

I had period like cramps last night for the first time this pregnancy - it's making me excited things might be moving in the right direction! I've also started lifting my tummy when going for a wee and omg it's been revolutionising - I def wee more in one go and as a result don't go as often! Only had to get up once last night for a wee and it was 2h later than my normal wee schedule lol

@kaylsd I'm with you on the food stuff - I can't wait to eat all the forbidden foods once this is over. I still can't get my head around not being allowed have my baileys and brandy at Christmas. Maybe it'll do me a favour and arrive early to facilitate my drinking 😉

@larrythelizard gah those symptoms do not sound pleasant. On the bright side you look amazing so there's always that.

This is probably a stupid question but what did you ladies do for bras whilst pregnant? Just keep buying bigger bras or are there special pregnancy ones that are adjustable?

Surely coz baby is in a sac (bag) it would be cooked sous vide?? @Soph0105 @larrythelizard @Franklydear that's for the middle class Pearl clutching MN baby right??

I had baths all the way through preggo & not tepid ones, she came out perfectly cooked & early which is what I can say NEVER for my cooking usually 😂😝jokes

Bit yesss for continued sleep @Soph0105

@larrythelizard I think your baby is close!! I had to wait ages for the c section date, I only got it halfway through week 36, so annoying!! Was that a no for the bras? Also thinking @kaylsd's bang preparing for eviction, when's your section @kaylsd?

Headaches went thank you @larrythelizard @kaylsd
@BellatrixK and it was lovely

No baby class today so I rearranged AB's second hand for nothing. 🤦🏼‍♀️Gotta do mammoth shopping for party urgh.
Interesting chat with MIL last night where she saw the DH of a friend of ours who had baby just after us & this DH was asking my MIL about B & proper grilling her..."how is she feeding, where does she sleep, how well does she sleep? What do I do with her?" Last time we saw him he was complaining about the lack of sleep. Turns out she's being all Earth mother & going to "baby stroking" homeopathy classes, an osteopath (just in case), she won't walk the baby with the dog (she stopped walking the dog during pregnancy "in case she slipped & fell") & they regularly have arguments over him hating the baby being in their room & of course her pulling out various SIDS/advice things on safe sleeping of course. She's perhaps a little precious but each to their own.
My MIL is not necessarily one to say "but that's fine if it's what she's comfortable with it really is down to each parent" oh no, her answer was "oh yes B got shipped out really young it's much better for the baby"
My DH is seeing this DH tonight & what's the betting he will be asked similar & answer about sleeping through? I'm not sure this is gonna be constructive

There's DH & mate then coming back late tonight so his mate will be sleeping in spare room PAST both kids' bedrooms. If he wakes them up he can deal with them I tell you

Normal wee schedule @Juno231 that's brilliant!! Ooooo see you are getting ready for eviction too! I do not miss getting up in the night for a wee, revolutionary 😂

@Somatronic I bought molke bras. And bought 2 different sizes during pregnancy both of which I can still wear now & whilst breastfeeding. They are like sports bra type so give room to grow, expensive but actually supportive too

Ooh sous vide yes I like it @Minster2012 - so nice and tender?!

I just am desperate for the heartburn to be gone and eat and drink anything I like (particularly coffee) without considering whether it'll be worth it @kaylsd! I was hoping it'd be the day after yours but now concerned the list will be full so am telling myself I'll have a whole extra weekend to get through first.

Ooh I will try that @Juno231! Deffo sounds like your body is starting to get ready

Molke bras get a good write up @Somatronic - I've always needed a sturdy underwire though so have just bought whatever was in the sale of the next size up.

Ah man never good to compare babies @Minster2012 that's just what your H needs to say (she sounds very anxious...is she OK?!)

This is a weird thing to say but I have no faith my body knows how to give birth to a baby @Minster2012 (based on MMC and DS' delivery) so I am in no way expecting baby to pop out of its own accord. Just may have another 2.5/3 weeks of feeling heavy and sore and crampy!

@Minster2012 thanks for the tip. I've stopped ordering goods from Britain since Brexit because of the customs charges but I'll do a bit of research and see what the story is with Molke.

@Franklydear oh absolutely, the baby will definitely not be left alone with the cats! DH is looking into a cat net for the cot as another way to make sure they don't try and crawl in there

@paintfairy I'm with the others, all you need to worry about us looking after the baby, we'll still be here once you're through the newborn whirlwind

@larrythelizard I would definitely leave the tip runs to your DH! Also, Pom-Bears are absolutely the superior crisp - I love them! They're far too Morrish 😂

@BellatrixK congrats on 24 weeks! Felt like such a milestone to me too 😄 glad you had a good holiday, always nice to get away

I'm absolutely with you guys @Somatronic @kaylsd I've already given DH a list of foods I expect him to turn up with once the baby arrives 😂

@Somatronicso the Molke bras that @Minster2012 suggested are great but I grew out of mine super quick 🙈 also I'm really long in the body, so it was ever so slightly too short in the body for me which didn't help with the growing out of it. I went for the Nova wireless bra from Bravissimo in the end, went up a cup size from normal and that seems to have worked so far. Well, I've worn it to death, so I've definitely had my money's worth out of it 😂

27 weeks now! Only a week left till third trimester, which is exciting 😄 trying to sort out mat leave stuff at work and honestly it is like pulling teeth. I've still got annual leave to use, so I chatted with my boss about essentially using those days to go down to a 4-day week in the run up to my leave and he was quite against it 🙈 he's so so so worried about me not having enough of a handover with my maternity cover even though she's coming in a month before I leave. It's super frustrating. I was also wondering about holidays next year as I know you accrue holiday while on mat leave and he was completely flummoxed by it all. Teammate reckons it's fine that he knows nothing about maternity stuff because he's a man but I'm thinking if you manage someone who's going on maternity you should at least read the damn policy for it!! HR dept at work are not great at replying to anything either unless you're manager level so I have questions that I can't seem to get answers to 🙈

Thanks for the bra tips.

I've just gotten a prescription from my endocrinologist in the post and it's set me off into a bit of a tailspin. She gave me my usual thyroid meds and took me off others, but she included the 5mg folic acid and said to take it every day. I stopped 5mg folic acid at 12 weeks! I moved on to pregnacare which has 400thingimybobs a day, but as an autoimmune thyroid patient I have issues with absorption so now I'm shitting it that I've made a big mistake.

DH is telling me I'm fine because I am still taking the lower dose in my multivitamin (obviously I went back to the high dose today after my freak out) and that I'm worrying over nothing but I feel so stupid now. Why didn't I just keep taking them? I read online that I could stop at 12 weeks so I just did.

Someone tell me it's going to be fine!

@Somatronic you take folic acid to prevent neural tube defects and those close up nicely before 12 weeks so anything you take after that is just a bonus! I stopped taking folic acid after 12 weeks (and was told to by the midwife) as I was worried about the link to asthma they're now researching into.

On the bra front - I've just used the H&M nursing bras - both the stretchy sports top kind and their regular ones. But I will say I started off as a measly B cup and although they grew quickly to a D they've stayed like that all pregnancy so I haven't had a need to carry on getting bigger ones. The stretchy types will last you ages but if you have a big chest might not provide you with enough support?

@Minster2012 oh dear yeah that dude shouldn't be comparing - that's a recipe for disaster!

@Juno231 thanks on both counts. I was following the advice of the HSE (our health service) when I stopped taking it. I double checked their website and they said the same as you so I know it's probably fine. I'm starting to calm down a little now.

I'll try H&M - didn't see bras there last time I was in there but they might be online. I started out a C cup so hopefully they will be manageable by the end of the pregnancy!