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 💛

@allthingssparkly I am! My smp1 form got sent really quickly, although they're going to have to re do it now as I'm bringing my mat leave forward 😂
As far as I can work out you need to send that, the mat allowance claim form, your matb1 and 13 weeks worth of pay slips to get it set up, there's also a section to request how often you want it paid (2 weekly, 4 weekly) and when it starts

Hi @Dreamingof3Yes thats right. have sent mine off already, with the smp1, matb1 and 13 payslips. I'm just anxious about the decision 😩 I got a text from them on Monday just gone to say they'd received my form and I should get an update within 4 weeks/20 working days.

You shouldn't have any issues as you only need to be earning £30 or more a week for 13 weeks of the 66 weeks before your baby is due x

Hopefully not @Dreamingof3 I will feel much better once I've received my decision letter, until then I'm constantly worrying 😩

My payslips sent to them, all have earnings over £30.

I was just fretting more because I get work through an agency so I'm employed through them but also classed as an agency worker. I'm currently off at the moment due to my mental health and can't see myself returning between now and when my baby is due 😟 but I'm trying to stay positive, it could just mean that the MA payments will start sooner than anticipated.

Hi everyone! Hope everyone’s doing ok. Currently on our delayed honeymoon/baby moon and thought I’d do a bit of baby shopping online, but wondered if you all had any thoughts of baby is a boy or girl?! We’re not finding out but I’m secretly so desperate to know and it’s making shopping a lot harder 😂 this was my 20 week scan, we think girl but interested to see what others think

@AGirlsNameIsAryaStark I don't think there's a way to tell from 20 week scans other than looking at their bits - do you have a 12 week scan you could post? I do love a guess at skull/nub theory

@TeddyBeans ah I thought so. I’ve done so much research I’m pretty sure when they measured the legs I saw the 3 lines everyone talks about for a girl but it was so quick! Our 12 week scans weren’t great photos, baby isn’t the most cooperative!

I want to say girl to.

@AGirlsNameIsAryaStark from the 12 week skull I'd be inclined to say a girl. If you saw 3 lines I think you've got a pretty safe bet. Boys are incredibly obvious at 20 weeks, you'd be hard pressed to miss it 😁

Yeah 3 lines on my scan and it’s a girl

@AGirlsNameIsAryaStark I'm rubbish at guessing, but I've had two surprises.
Brands that are great for gender neutral in my experience...
Matalan
Lindex
Frugi
I also am veeeerrrrry impatient to know now 😬 12 more weeks!

25weeks started getting braxton hicks help with advice on how to deal with it please also have SPD

Would you guys say a baby monitor is essential for newborn?

Also cant believe how quick time is going now, first trimester was slow and now whizzing past.

I've seen some deals on travel systems - buy now or wait until Boxing Day sales?

@Choc2022 i think it depends on your house layout (although this is my first so could be totally wrong!). We live in a maisonette so baby will always be on the same floor as us, so rather than a monitor we’ve gone for the owlet sock as we’ll always be able to hear baby but won’t necessarily be in the same room

I wouldn’t dwell too much on the growth scan it can be sooo wrong. As I’ve said mine predicted 5lb but he was 8lb. He did however wear tiny baby for the first week..he had really short l

Sorry sent too soon. He had really short legs and torso that meant to say. So he was chubby and chunky..huge head and chubby cheeks but guessing the leg measurements etc is why they predicted him being only 5lb x

Hospital bag Qs for already-mums:

Do I need to bring formula in case my milk doesn’t come in yet? Or does NHS provide it?

Do I need My Expert Midwife spritz for bits or just cooling pads?

@havanamama I took my own formula, got the little kits with the tiny bottles and sterile teats. Take 2 boxes minimum - just in case.

I didn't take or need anything for peeing or swelling, it was all very tame ime. I did have to press a wad of tissue against my stitches for my first few bowel movements though, it honestly feels like you're going to rip them open again 😬

@Choc2022 not essential, no. I didn't use one at all for the first 6 months as he was always with me. After that I used it at naptime to know when I needed to get him but at 10 months we moved from my parents house into a flat so it became obsolete again because I could hear him from any room in the flat

@Blondewave The growth scans I had in previous pregnancies were never exactly accurate, I've just got to have regular ones thus pregnancy up until my due date because of a medication I'm on 😊

28 weeks tomorrow & this week I've definitely started to get braxton hicks. Anyone else? Seems to be more when I'm at work I'm a spa therapist so on my feet and active most of the day. Forgot how uncomfortable they can be!

I didn't have a baby monitor until about 4 ish months with mine, because thats when we started putting them to bed a bit before us so would need to keep an eye. Also, if you plan to breastfeed you don't need to take formula as they'll provide it if necessary.

I have never used a monitor I let baby fall asleep in the room we was in in moses basket and carries it to bedroom and put inside the cot (to let them get used to the cot) but it's completely up to you.

I didn't use spritz for bits but let me tell you didn't my bits bloody hurt oh my! Not 1 person pre warned my nieve 18 year old self about the aftermath everyone just spoke about the labour. I was not prepared for my swollen vaj and the sting everytime I went for a wee I was in utter shock but I tore really bad with my first so think that's why because it didn't hurt to wee with my second and I didn't tear.

I would take your own formula get the bottles that are pre made they do say if you try to BF and you can't they will provide but I would just take some incase. They also provide pumps if you want to try that I pumped for a week in hosp with my second as he was in NICU.

I have never had braxton hicks that's how I know when I feel pain its the real thing! Try running a warm bath if you can x

@Eastybaby19 I didn't realise I was contracting last time and this was while on the monitor at 39 weeks waiting to be induced 😂 no sense no feeling in my case I think. I don't remember having any BH last time

I dont remember having them last time either!!! Or if I did I didn't feel them! But jeeze they are annoying it's mainly in work while I'm rushing to get to another client but chilling at home now and I've had a few my tummy just goes so hard they're uncomfortable but not sore 🤷‍♀️