Due March 2023 - thread 5

[TeddyBeans]

Off we go again 😘

23/2 - botleybump 💓
24/2 -
25/2 -
26/2 - TeddyBeans 💓
27/2 - Ubbee 💙
28/2 - BabyNumber3OnTheWay 💙
1/3 -
2/3 - BethBeef 💙, Cams50 💙
3/3 - LittleAcorn20 💛, LaForza101 💙, SammyJay5 💓, pamplemousse19 💓, Lauren11x 💙
4/3 - EastyBaby19 💙, Cdoc 💙
5/3 - Babynum2 💙, hopingforarainbow27 💓
6/3 - allthingssparkly, Thirdtimesacharm3 💙
7/3 - GreenIsle 💓, Noodle20, Pickles23 💛
8/3 - Splashh, June628 💓, BabyLimey 💛
9/3 - Penelope_2023
10/3 - iratepirate 💛, PeonyPops 💓
11/3 -
12/3 - Katlouise24 💓
13/3 - ToffeeEl 💓, Franklin321 💓
14/3 - beatingheartbaby 💓
15/3 - Hrf1503 💓, TTC24 💙
16/3 -
17/3 - Room4onemore 💓
18/3 - XjustagirlX 💛, CristinaNov182 💓
19/3 - Dreamingof3 💓, alotoftutus 💙, AK93 💙, hellosunshineagainxxx 💙, Allthegirls3 💓
20/3 -
21/3 - FirstTimeTryer93, LifeOfRiley1 💛, Rose429 💓
22/3 -
23/3 - Choc2022 💛
24/3 - whydotheyallhaverubbishwheels, Charlothevet88 💛, Mrs2022 💛, Blocklynn 💛
25/3 - Whywhwhy, Missy95 💛
26/3 - purplerain555
27/3 - Cats23, firstlittleone 💓, dmb91 💛, AGirlsNameIsAryaStark 💛, hol92 💙, Amy1303 💛, Bobduncan 💛, OonMP 💛
28/3 -
29/3 - Perexi 💙
30/3 - ChristmasJumpers 💓
31/3 - Baby2iscooking 💛

@TeddyBeans oh no! Is the first bit a finger prick? I thought it was a blood test, I'm a bit clueless with it all.
I will really really struggle with my diet if I've got it, I have ARFID resulting in a limited diet, which usually does consist of sugary food or bread/potatoes. Basically a child's beige diet so it will be a shock to have to change my diet drastically.

@Baby2iscooking oh my god! I hope you're okay, have they got a plan to treat it?

@TeddyBeans @ChristmasJumpers I’m going to be on blood thinning injections twice a day. They did say the clots are small so they should just dissolve in to the blood stream. Just careful monitoring too

@ChristmasJumpers I've had a prick test and then a blood draw both times - appreciate that might not be how every area does it though. I'm sure they'll come up with a plan for you if you need it. My sister was on insulin injections but apparently there are tablets as well as diet and exercise that can help so lots of alternative solutions.

@Baby2iscooking it must have been awful and very worrying for you.

It sounds like they caught it before it became serious and it’s good you have the blood thinners now, I don’t think you’ll have anymore issues.

hope you’re taking lots of rest x

@ChristmasJumpers

My hospital didn't do the finger prick first, just went straight to the blood test! I don't think I appreciated how much variation there is between Trusts!

Does anyone know if we're at any higher risk with this strep a going around? Had a message that there's a suspected case of scarlet fever at my youngest pre school and to be on the lookout for symptoms 😅

A quick google from the NHS site, says that no evidence of risk to baby, but to try to avoid as you'll feel unwell (well duh?).

I have my whooping cough jab in half an hour, then home to wrap some more Christmas presents to try and get my bedroom back to some sort of normality

Financial question - what preparations are you doing or will do? (Especially if you work full time in private sector)

I will be on Mat leave for 1 year.

I am a first time mum and have given my MATB1 form to my employer for their maternity money policy and SMP.

I know I can apply for the 20£ of child benefits.

is there anything else I need or should do? Are there any discounts or anything for new parents on council tax or anything at all?

Not 20£ but 21.80£/week benefit

@havanamama
Not sure of your financial position, but with child benefit be careful if either you or your partner earn more than £50k. There are clawback rules, but the onus falls on the higher earner to repay and notify HMRC through a self assessment tax return.

No discounts for council tax that I'm aware of.

If you're looking at childcare when you go back to work there is a govt scheme which offers 20% top up for approved childcare. See;

www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/tax-free-childcare/

It's capped at £2,00, but better than nothing. I live in London so wont go far...

Thanks @Katdemar !

@havanamama good question! Interested to hear the answers. I thought my maternity policy was better than it actually is. Trying to buy all that we need from December's pay so can maximise savings from Jan onwards.

@Baby2iscooking so sorry, I had one with my first on my lung 9 years ago if you have any questions x

We have purchased a bed and travel system that will last for several years, as well as things ahead of time like for teething, any illnesses, etc., and got hand me down clothes for up to 9 months at least.

Got boxes and boxes of wipes, so nappies and anything feeding related will be the only expense really next year.

@havanamama you sound similar to us. We've bought all the big stuff (mostly at second hand sales and my mum bought the cot) and have bought/been given lots of hand me down clothes for up to 6 months. Just nappies, wipes and formula left now I think.
Oh and a big long list of things for immediately post birth like breast pads, sanitary pads etc. That I really resent buying 🙄

For postpartum I’ve got breast pads, nipple cream, big sanitary pads, and have added spritz for bits and perineal bottle to my Amazon wish list.

not sure if I need to buy special pants for postpartum or would any big black knickers do? Or do they need to be high waisted?

In regards to pp big black knickers - are you guessing tbe size? Ive got one box of wipes now tempted to buy more. Do you have a list you dont mind sharing (totally understand if you do).

@Baby2iscooking hugs sounds like they have diagnosed early enough for it to be managed. What symptoms did you have?

@havanamama nothing special needed.
Big black knickers are what I got last time round, just cheap supermarket ones.
@Choc2022 I think from memory I just bought my pre-pregnancy size and because they style was giant knickers anyway they fit fine.

Postpartum can totally recommend grabbing both Aloe Vera gel and Arnica tablets from Holland and Barrett. Aloe for sore bits/stitches and arnica helps to bring down bruising.

I just had some big black pants for after birth packed and then when I had a section sent husband out to buy high waisted ones 😅 I don’t think you’ll need high waisted unless you have a section. I went a size bigger than pregnancy to allow for extra room over the slightly deflated but still very much there bump!

Lots of maternity pads, breast pads, painkillers etc would definitely recommend Lansinoh nipple cream if breastfeeding!

The first few weeks post birth bring all sorts of delights 😆

Finally made it to 24 weeks, been very much waiting to tick this milestone off!

You guys are so organised we really haven't got much sorted yet, pram shopping this weekend though.

Morning all, had my whopping cough vaccine yesterday, arms a little sore but nothing major. I really need to get a shift on and sort somewhere for my baby things to go. I’ve bought nappies and wipes every time I’ve been to the supermarket so they are all in my car boot lol

@Baby2iscooking hope you are doing ok!

I am hoping to exclusively breastfeed. Aiming for 6 months at least if possible. I’m not sure if to buy in bottles/formula/steriliser just in case? First baby so no idea whats best to do 🤷‍♀️