Due March 2023 - thread 4

[TeddyBeans]

Thread 4 for the chatty bunch!

23/2 - botleybump 💓
24/2 -
25/2 -
26/2 - TeddyBeans 💓
27/2 -
28/2 - BabyNumber3OnTheWay
1/3 -
2/3 - BethBeef 💙
3/3 - LittleAcorn20 💛, LaForza101 💙, SammyJay5
4/3 - EastyBaby19 💙, Cdoc 💙
5/3 - Babynum2 💙
6/3 -
7/3 - GreenIsle 💓, Noodle20, Pickles23 💛
8/3 - Splashh, June628
9/3 - Penelope_2023
10/3 - iratepirate 💛
11/3 -
12/3 - Katlouise24 💓
13/3 - ToffeeEl, Franklin321 💓

14/3 - beatingheartbaby
15/3 - Hrf1503 💓
16/3 -
17/3 - Room4onemore 💛
18/3 - XjustagirlX 💛
19/3 - Dreamingof3 💓, alotoftutus, AK93 💙
20/3 -
21/3 - FirstTimeTryer93

22/3 -
23/3 -
24/3 - whydotheyallhaverubbishwheels
25/3 -
26/3 -
27/3 - Cats23, firstlittleone, dmb91 💛, AGirlsNameIsAryaStark 💛, hol92, Amy1303 💛, bobduncan 💛
28/3 -
29/3 - Perexi 💛
30/3 - ChristmasJumpers
31/3 -

Let me know if you need adding/updating and I'll pop you on my list for the next thread OP!

I haven't even considered packing a bag yet! Except from saving a few tiktok videos as they randomly pop up. I definitely need to get organised and at least make a spreadsheet!

Another question - did anyone use a tens machine last time? Would you recommend it? I was looking into them as an option for early labour but not sure if I'd get on with one

@TeddyBeans my sister used a tens machine and said it was great. She had originally planned on getting in a pool but changed her mind as it would have meant taking the tens off.

If anyone does end up making a hospital bag list and doesn't mind sharing on the thread, I would highly appreciate it 😊 I feel very clueless with this sort of thing!

@teddy beans. I have made a bit of a start. Have some things left over from the last one like maternity pads and stuff so have put them in the bag for me. I have the baby bag packed just because o washed everything and when putting it away I decided what o would take with me. But still need to get my own pjs and going home outfit which I will probably do after Christmas. I like to be very organised. 😂

@hol92 so sorry for your loss. Fellow cat owner over here and the grief of losing a pet is so hard. I think baby should be absolutely fine though, just try and make sure you're looking after yourself well, eating and sleeping as best you can even though you feel overwhelmed and sad. Try not to neglect those two things if it can be helped. You will stay stronger the more you can keep up eating and sleeping well.

@havanamama I wore a vest top and pants/nothing on lower half by end.
She was a summer baby though and it was a heatwave. But it does tend to be kept very warm on the wards at all times.
I'd be interested from any non-ftm's who had winter babies how the temp was on antenatal/delivery/postnatal?? Outside it was 30 degrees when I had my girl and indoors was like a SAUNA because they won't put air con or fans on around the babies 🫠
Will birth at home with any luck this time but plan for all eventualities so I'd like to know what to expect temp wise on the wards in winter for hospital bag 🤷‍♀️

I have a full hospital bag list from last time somewhere I'll share if I can dig it out but my best thing which I saw somewhere and took was one of those handbag size orange squash bottles. The water in hospital was warm and tasted vile. I dont even drink squash normally, water all the way and lots of it usually. But I couldn't cope with how gross the water tasted in hospital and was in for a few nights so my squeezy squash made it more palatable! Also, obviously the food is crap so I had lots of high energy snacks - bits from the health food shop like fruit and nut bars and protein bars and stuff. I was grateful of them when hungry after labour and starting breastfeeding. They gave me a good energy boost which the hospital food would have never done 🤦‍♀️
Aloe Vera gel from Holland and barrat is also lovely and cooling for bits if you put a bit onto a maternity pad and they sell arnica tablets which helps heal bruising and swelling (internal and external)

@Bobduncan my list from last time.
In hindsight I have no idea what toilet roll and hairdryer are all about lol. I obviously read them somewhere and thought they'd be useful 🤷‍♀️ can't remember taking either.
Where it says "sleepy lotion" I just really like the 'Sleepy' moisturiser from Lush and it is lavender and oatmeal scent so nice and soothing. It was a nice relaxing smell for me in early labour personally. But that's very personal. Realistically just pop in a familiar/favourite scented cream for a bit of home comforts in a strange environment 😊

Agggh didn't attach my photo...
Baby brain 🤦‍♀️

There's a useful guide for hospital bags being promoted on mn at the moment, I'll see if I can link to it. I've opted for 3 bags, labour, post delivery and baby bag to stay in the car so we're not lumping loads of stuff around between labour ward and delivery suite and back again. I like my things to be easily accessible and having it all smushed into one bag is not that for me

www.mumsnet.com/articles/hospital-bag

Here’s the list the hospital gave us last time which was good. We just didn’t take enough babygrows and had to get some more dropped off! Will definitely take a whole pack this time as you just don’t know.
@LittleAcorn20 it was winter and I too was boiling, didn’t bother wearing the nighty and had husband fanning me for hours 😅

Hospital bag
For baby

• [ ] Newborn nappies
• [ ] Baby grows
• [ ] Vests
• [ ] Scratch mittens (if not on babygrows)
• [ ] Cotton wool balls
• [ ] Cellular blanket
• [ ] Hat
• [ ] Car seat

For me

• [ ] Maternity notes
• [ ] Drinks (isotonic suggested but these made me sick after labour so won’t do that again)
• [ ] Hair band/tie
• [ ] Loose nighty for labour
• [ ] 2x loose nighties for post labour
• [ ] Thin dressing gown
• [ ] Warm socks
• [ ] Bath towel and flannel
• [ ] Slippers/flip flops
• [ ] Wireless breast feeding bras
• [ ] Breast pads
• [ ] Tissues
• [ ] Maternity sanitary towels
• [ ] Disposable pants (size up)
• [ ] Snacks (for partner too)
• [ ] Toiletries bag
• [ ] Lip balm
• [ ] Phone charger
• [ ] Comfy going home clothes
• [ ] Headphones

glad to find the list but won’t be packing my bag until after Christmas

Thank you @LittleAcorn20 @TeddyBeans and @Ubbee ❤so useful!

I like the idea of three bags with option to bring them in from the car @TeddyBeans I'll remember that one. The rummaging in a giant disorganised bag is stressful.
I had DD in first lockdown so I had no real choice but to over pack one giant bag as husband was only allowed in for the 4 hours while I was in established labour, and 2 hours to "meet" baby. Then he was kicked out and didnt see us for another 36 hours 😭
On antenatal and postnatal I wasn't allowed anyone in even to drop stuff off. Just too sad, horrible time 😭
Glad it isn't like that this time! I like the idea of him going to fetch me maccies or dominos if I have any sort of hospital stay 😂 maccies wasn't even allowed to be open last time!! And if I get my homebirth, the pizza delivery guy can be our first visitor 😂

Good list @Ubbee !

First time mum's, don't forget or ignore the lipbalm. Gas and air makes you need to drown your lips in it.

And take a water bottle with a straw, far easier to drink from or have someone keep putting to your mouth during labour. Hubby had the gas and air nozzle in one hand and my straw water bottle in the other and I'd just point to them interchangeably for him to help me drink/breath from.
The isotonic sports cap drinks are often on the lists and I had them with me but didn't drink til after as the sports cap seemed harder to navigate/be fed!

@LittleAcorn20 I had an autumn baby with my first and the ward was also sweltering! I wore shorts on the postnatal ward and was still too hot.

My favourite more niche items from my hospital bag list were a portable battery pack because the plug sockets are miles behind the bed and not easy if you're recovering from birth, straws/reusable straw to make taking sips of Lucozade during labour a bit easier, and a mini/handheld rechargeable fan.

Did anyone take their own paracetamol/dihydrocodeine with them and take in early labour (during induction, for example)? I remember waiting ages for a midwife to be free to bring me some pain relief, and it seemed a bit ridiculous given it was all over the counter stuff.

Oh lip balm. I overlooked this the first time round and definitely won't be making the same mistake twice! I found a nearly new vaseline under my bed while having a clear out the other morning and did a little dance of joy! It's gone straight in my labour bag 🤣

@LittleAcorn20 I couldn't imagine not seeing DP for 36 hours after baby was born!? That must have been awful, you poor thing. I'm so glad I've had my babies either side of the pandemic and not slap bang in the middle.

Re: painkillers. I didn't take my own but am considering this time. The wait was ridiculous. But I'm also umming and ahhing about using a tens machine for pain relief though I don't have any experience with them

With my last baby she was a very sicky baby so I must have changed her baby grow at least 4 times a day so I’ll pack quite a few just incase lol, she was a December baby and the wards were warm, they have to be set at a constant temperature.
mom respect of bleeding after I recommend always discreet boutique pants. Great that I could just change them when I needed too. Also take a little shot glass or something as it can sting going for a wee after birth so just fill it with water and use it to dilute it so it doesn’t sting as much

thank you so much ❤️ I always knew it would be so hard but always prayed it wouldn’t be so soon, we doted on him like our baby and it just feels such a big loss to our little family, and I feel guilty that I just don’t feel attached and super happy about this pregnancy like I did a few days ago, I know it’s the grief and it will get easier I am trying to keep up with eating and sleeping the best I can I always loose my appetite in hard situations x

@TeddyBeans it was quite drawn out waiting but I felt busy enough with DD. It was my poor husband at home I felt sorry for, he was climbing the walls waiting for us to be discharged so he could get to cuddle her again. Literally 2 hours with his brand new baby girl and then forced to leave not knowing when he would get to see her next 😭 I just felt sad and frustrated for him the entire time really, felt very unfair.

@hol92 I also lose my appetite in hard situations. So I know easier said than done. Eat what you fancy and snack if that's easier to keep up a few more calories

@hol92 eat little bits when you can to start off with, when I lost my baby at 21 weeks I didn’t eat for a week and lost nearly 2 stone, little bits to start off with is best xx

Anyone with experience of Gestational Diabetes some advice please.
Midwife came today and has detected ++ for glucose in my urine, so referred for GTT.
I think it may be more just what I'd eaten before doing the sample personally.
But whether the test comes back positive or negative it's made me realise my sugary diet isn't healthy and I need to try better.
I can't eat big meal portions, whether pregnant or not, so I rely on snacks loads. Always have been a snacking sort of person. My meals are healthy and balanced and mostly home cooked from scratch as I love to cook.
But my snacks are not.
Question is, ideas for low sugar snacks please. Especially if they still feel like a treat.
Beyond nuts and fresh fruit and plain yoghurt... 😭

Midwife asked me to go through what I'd eaten in the day (was 4pm) and when I told her she told me it was far too much sugar. Pain au Chocolat, cereal bar, scone with jam, cheese and tomato sarnie, crisps, chocolate raisins and a mince pie. Felt like I was being very told off.

I just had cheese and crackers this evening instead of what I'd usually do which would be biscuits or cake or some sort of dessert. I was thinking salted popcorn too maybe?! 🤷‍♀️ Need inspiration!

Help!! Any advice... had sickness up until week 18 then it went, am now 21+4 and tonight can't even keep water down, not sure if it's pregnancy or a bug.

Any recommendations? Not sure if need to call triage or just wait and see how the night goes x

@LittleAcorn20 no experience with GD myself but I had two creme eggs the day before a mw appt last time round and the sugar was still in my wee the following morning when I did my sample. I don't really have any suggestions though, I've never had to worry about what I'm eating 😬

@Amy1303 sounds like it could be a bug, give it 24 hours and then call triage I think. I've been sick since 16 weeks but not to the point where I can't keep water down!

I had diabetes last pregnancy but I was clear at my 28 week GTT( I have to have them cause my 2nd was 9lb 15ozs), I was having growth scans and they referred me to have a blood test, it came back positive for diabetes, but it was only 4 days before my due date. But I was told a good thing to eat before bed was a geek style yoghurt. This time I had an early GTT at 18 weeks and my first blood test was 4.9 which they said was ok but my blood test after the 2 hours was 2.8, they rang me and said it low and asked if I’d been having any hypos, I said no and she told me to get a packet of jelly babies just incase lol, I have another booked in for 28 weeks so I’ll see how that one goes. I don’t generally have small babies anyway, these were my babies weights
#1 8lb
#2 9lb 15
#3 8lb 12
#4 7lb 14
#5 6lb 3 but born at 36+3
#6 9lb 5
#8 9lb
number 7 is my angel baby

Hello ladies, I'm being discharges today on strict bed rest again! The leaking has stopped so they think it has sealed itself back up (never knew this could even happen). Looking forward to being back home I haven't seen my kids the whole time I told DP to not bring them up I didn't want them worrying.

Going to have a look at any black Friday offers today. Don't forget to share any If you find anything good.