AUGUST 2022 (Thread 4)

[Beth262]

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@CoalCraft aw congrats that’s lovely, and especially that you and your bro’s kids will be so near in age :) my bro and sil are trying as well so I’m hoping ours will be not super far apart too!

@ToCaden @CoalCraft - I can imagine that’s going to feel like the longest 4 weeks ever waiting for your leave to start. It helped me to count down the work days rather than the weeks as it seemed shorter that way 😂🤦🏽‍♀️ definitely feeling you with the back aches and period pains though, they’re a daily occurrence here now.

@CoalCraft congratulations on welcoming your nephew! 36 weeks sounds like a good point to aim for with setting things up, thank you. Will make a start at the weekend, how exciting.

@PopGoesBangit’s so nice to be in our last week of work now, I’m the same and just can’t focus on anything! Also really looking forward to be able to just faff around and get things done without the time constraints of work. DIY projects are now also banned in this household! We’ve finally just tidied up the house from all the decorating we’ve done over the last few months, and it’s going to stay that way 😂

@Unknown6 really glad to hear you’re doing well and will also be finishing work soon! I had terrible back pains yesterday too, it did cross my mind if this could be slow labour starting up. Feeling better today so far thankfully, although I am so ready for him to make an appearance. Hope you’re feeling ok today. I’ve got my hospital bags mostly packed now, just the things like chargers/glasses etc to go in on the day. Also have the all important snack bag packed too 😂

@squatternutbosh12love your rocking Moses basket, that’s so cute! 🥰

I did have a strange day symptom-wise yesterday, wondered if anyone has had similar? Excuse the TMI but I had a terrible stomach yesterday, diarrhoea all day which is unlike me 😳 this was accompanied by really strong cramps in my cervix on and off all day, and bad backache. I had a look on mumsnet and found a mixed bag of answers, some people saying they had the same and then went into labour a few days later, others having the same and labour was still a few weeks off. Will be interesting to see which category I’ll fit into!

@SantiagoSister Glad I'm not the only one with a diy ban! I swear I'm still finding dust in the most random places from floors being ripped up and the various jobs that have been done.
Roll on being able to faff at leisure!

@SantiagoSister had a dodgy stomach randomly the past couple days. I put it down to him being so big now he's pressing on things he shouldn't. Had it before when he was unusually low down for that stage.

Bump is also just generally uncomfortable. Aches and feels like bump is stretching with most movements instead of just the extreme ones.

@CoalCraft me too! My sister is due today (though no sign of baby yet as far as I know). So around 5/6 weeks between due dates.

Placenta check this afternoon at hospital so will hopefully know if that's moved or not, and whether c section needed.

@squatternutbosh12 , @SantiagoSister, I had a routine midwife appointment today. I explained my back pain symptoms too her, she said that I need to get my hospital bag packed today! Eep, but my pains were really strong, and bump went hard at the same time as well as squeezing pains. If I get them again she wants me to phone the hospital. No sign of UTI either. Properly made me wake up and think arrrgh, bubba likely to arrive soon....

Who mentioned cheese on here, I have had to eat loads since I read it lol.

Hi everyone!

I've been silently lurking this thread but it's been so good to see some familiar names from the conception threads! Glad everyone is doing well and you all seem in such good spirits! Not too long now until our babies start making an appearance! So exciting!

I'm 36+1 today, and the due date is Aug 1! It's literally less than 4 weeks now (although truth be told I am trying hard not to fixate on the due date as this is my first and I have heard they like to be fashionably late 😄).

I'm a tiny bit worried because I had my MW appointment yesterday and she measured the bump and it was 2.5 cm less than what we'd like so now referred to my first growth scan on Thu. Very excited to see my little girl again but just hoping all is well in there! I keep telling myself that either everything would be perfect and the MW would have measured funny (she was new-to-me); or if something is off, we just might get to meet our baby earlier!

Hello! Lovely to meet you. I had to jump on your post as this is my first time too and I am due Aug 2! How mad is that?

I have heard that different midwives can give different readings for growth, so I wouldn’t worry too much. Additionally, at my first measuring my boy was too big (I was tested for GD), then the next time too small (went for a growth scan) and he’s honestly fine now :) hopefully it will be the same for you!

Hello newbies and welcome!

I'm feeling grumpy again today. Every now and then I just find myself really chafing against all the restrictions and whatnot. One of the worst / most annoying parts of pregnancy for me.

On the other hand, little one is being crazy active today and it's amazing watching my tummy wobble all over the place!

@Danani The bump measuring thing is really inexact so I'm sure your baby is fine. I was measuring small two weeks ago but today I'm measuring bang on average apparently. I've still got a growth scan tomorrow.

Glad to hear everyone seems more or less there prep wise. It has made me panic a little despite having most things from DS1 but just not having them organised.

Hospital bag for me has been packed since 29 weeks (thank you fetal fibronectin test) but baby's currently only contains a pack of nappies (Aldi ones. Though the price difference between newborn and size 6 makes me want to cry 😆).

I'm looking forward to joining those starting maternity leave soon. 2 more days this week, 2 days next, then hello relaxation!

@CoalCraft congratulations on your nephew! Hopefully a few weeks yet between him and your DD2.

@squatternutbosh12 Lovely moses basket 💕 reminded me to get mine back from my mums house so thank you!

@PopGoesBang Did you get the sharpie off your DDs face? 😬

Trip to the day assessment unit for me this morning for reduced movements. Of course, he started kicking about as soon as she tried to put the monitor me. Clearly a monkey already 🙈 But as it was over 2 weeks since my last growth scan they got me in for another so not a totally wasted morning. Measuring on the smaller side, just above 10th centile, but it's a steady line so they're content with him. He's estimated to be 5lb 1oz. Already weeping at the thought of pushing that out when DS1 was 3lb 😆

@Beth262 mine was measured at 5lb 1 today too! Been referred for a diabetes test and more growth scans because of size, funnily enough the comments about not worrying too much if he looks a bit big where less reassuring from people who don't have to push him out 😅

So good to hear everyone’s keeping on.

@Delight12 Maddison is beautiful. Thanks for sharing her with us. I bet you can’t wait to finally get her home.

just on the prep side, I’ve got most things and the nursery has been fully set up for weeks now (impatient DP lol), and I’ve dug out tons of clothes etc from DD1 - luckily we didn’t find out with her either, so all neutral, so able to reuse. The only thing I don’t feel prepared about is the feeding aspect. I’m wanting to breastfeed, although was t successful with DD1. What is everyone else doing in terms of preparing for feeding etc? Have you sorted sterilisers and bottles already?

for some reason that part is making me feel super unprepared and a bit panicky - silly I know. Just wondered what others were doing.

Thank you everyone for the lovely messages, Maddison is no longer on any monitors she's also had her feeding tube taken out today and they are planning her discharge for sometime next week so exciting and scary at the same time lol. Now to get things ready before she gets discharged.

@Isonthecase So funny that the same weight means different things for us at this point in time!

@Unsure1010 I intend to express. Have a sterisliser from DS1 and ordered some new bottles last night. But they won't be much use if I don't pull my finger out and look into the pumps @CoalCraft and @madeleine85 have mentioned 🙈

@Delight12 That's wonderful news they are looking to set a date for you to take her home next week! It's terrifying leaving the safety of SCBU but will be such a relief to just relax into being a family at home together ❤️

So glad everyone seems to be in a similar position now.
I had another growth scan today as baby was measuring 3cm out on bump but they've scan was fine, she is just squashed in there and more around the back instead of bump really.
Hospital bags have been packed for a while, only last minutes need going in now. 2 of the ladies on my NCT course gave birth to their firsts at 34 weeks which I'm 34 +4 today so had a slight panic about that!

Quick question, they said baby's head is engaged and really low, does this mean she's ready for an early appearance? Had a bit of a freak out at the scan because of it!

Back from appointment. Placenta is still low so it's looking like a c section for me.

@LiMc1 don't worry. They get into position weeks before delivery. It's difficult for them to turn around as they get bigger, so they do it while there's room to move unless they're on a go slow.

@LiMc1 Baby has been engaged and really low with me since 29 weeks. 35+1 now so nope, doesn't necessarily mean ready for an appearance!

@ToCaden That's really frustrating it hasn't moved. How are you feeling about the need for a section?

@Beth262 I think I'm ok with it. I was ok with the possibility before and there are pros to a section.

Just feeling totally worn out and unusually irritated by everything. I had to go straight from work to hospital and usually take a nap after work so hoping I'm just overtired. Going to sleep and hope I feel better in the morning.

@Delight12 Fantastic news!

Ladies who are planning to breastfeed, are you packing bottles in your hospital bag "just in case" or leaving them out? I haven't packed any so far but am wobbling about it a bit as obviously breastfeeding doesn't always work out...

@Unknown6 it was me that mentioned cheese! apologies! Hope it was yummy tho!!

@Beth262 sharpie scrubbed off and the pink tinge that was almost noticeable has faded with her day and another stern rub tonight. Quite glad, she has her class photo tomorrow! First one in 2 years, would have made a memorable photo if it hadn't of come off!! Honestly, you think you escape these things and then they manage to do something and it makes you question everything!

@Unsure1010 I plan on breastfeeding but once settled will express some so dp/dd etc. can do bottles if they wish.
I've got another cold water steriliser, found that much easier with dd. Dummies, bottles, pump bits etc can all just go in and it's good to go.

Up until my 34 week midwife appt no one had measured my bump because I'd been having growth scans and baby is following a curve and everyone was happy. Midwife I saw at the appt measured my bump and now that curve has a peak in it! I see her again on Friday so assuming she'll measure again. Have my last growth scan booked for Tuesday next week so I'll focus more on that, but still a little annoyed my nice curve isn't there anymore!

@CoalCraft no I'm not packing bottles. What I learned at NCT classes was that it's always best to say you want to breastfeed when you go in as if you decide against and bottle feed, they literally give you everything! Formula, bottles, etc. I originally had packed some bottles and formula just in case but turns out, you don't need it!

@ToCaden @Beth262 ah thank you. I had a minor panic, so I'm glad it probably doesn't mean anything! Good to know she's in the right position though!

@Unknown6 that is so cheap for nappies. I miss the UK! It is $50 for 100 or about that. Daylight robbery! Just started charging my power pack for my hospital bag as reached the 32 week mark. With my DD I ended up in for a few nights at this stage without a phone charger or kindle and it was misery!

@CoalCraft congratulations on the nephew, that is such lovely news. Also huuuuge congratulations on passing your last pregnancy milestone, that is just the best!

@squatternutbosh12 1 month!!!! So exciting :)

@PopGoesBang your DD story made me laugh, thank you!

@SantiagoSister that was generally what happened to me when i went into labour with my DD, but my plug was the first thing to come out, then all the cramps, then waters. Keep up posted!

@ToCaden sorry that the placenta hasn't moved enough, but glad that you know what your plan is now. Will they induce at a certain week number to avoid the risk of you going into labour?

@Danani welcome! I have a scan Friday for the 32 week growth, and i'm both really wanting it, to know what is going on, and dreading it, as i've had a few comments on fundal measurement being small, I know I don't look like i'm due next month, and I feel like every pregnancy, my growth just stops in the third trimester and i'm now really frustrated. It doesn't help when strangers tell me that, or when my DH gets worried and tries to feed me up, as I really don't want big meals right now with a compressed stomach! Please let us know how the growth scan goes, fingers crossed for you.@Cakecakecheese also good luck for yours!!

@Beth262 so nice to hear your second one is already around 5lbs, not 3lbs, but totally agree, that as someone with a premie birth experience, it is a little nervewracking to think about birthing a full size baby! 4 more days till mat leave sounds amazing!

@LiMc1 my DD was "engaged and low" at 28 weeks last time and kept her in till 34.5 so I don't think it means that much. I've head that the first tends to drop a few weeks earlier, the second drops during or right before birth (at least per google).

@Delight12 that is simply the best feeling, i'm over the moon for you. I still remember going to visit my DD, doing a double take getting there, as they took out all the tubes as a surprise, and she handled it. I think I actually cried! What a fighter of a baby you have, and I am so relieved for you that you're all going home so soon!! It is such a weird feeling getting out of the hospital and being like "I was allowed to leave?! with this?!". Such a huge step for you all!

@Unknown6 ahh that’s really exciting that your midwife hinted baby might be coming soon with the symptoms you were having! How have you been feeling now? My pains eased a lot yesterday in comparison to the day before, so I’m wondering if like @ToCadensaid maybe it was baby pressing on things inside and setting it off.

Thank you for letting me know about your signs of labour @madeleine85! I did get my hopes up a little bit when I experienced the same (except I haven’t lost my plug as far as I’m aware), but I think it might’ve been a false alarm as things were a lot calmer yesterday pain wise, although I did still have the upset stomach. I will definitely keep you updated though 😊

Hi @Danani, so lovely to see you on the thread! It is nice to see the names from the conception boards as you say 😊 glad things are going well with you and I hope you can have your mind put at ease when you have your scan soon.

I think I’ve now got Carpal tunnel starting, I’ve woke up the last few nights with both hands really tingling and feeling numb at the same time. Apparently it’s common in pregnancy due to the swelling, and boy do I have a lot of that 😅 my calves and ankles are unrecognisable at the moment, and I haven’t been able to make my hands into a fist in weeks 😂 going to try and drink more and get out for a few more walks to help - anyone know any good tips to try and reduce pregnancy swelling?

@CoalCraft I'm not packing bottles either. My midwife said no need to if planning to breastfeed, if there's any issue they'll have stuff at the hospital that can be given. Maybe worth checking though as I'm sure it varies trust to trust?

@Delight12 that is such good news, so happy to hear that!