Due March 2023 - Thread 6

[TeddyBeans]

The one where we might start meeting babies!?

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 💙, Whatsforpud 💛
4/3 - EastyBaby19 💙, Cdoc 💙, Katdemar 💙
5/3 - Babynum2 💙, hopingforarainbow27 💓
6/3 - allthingssparkly, Thirdtimesacharm3 💙
7/3 - GreenIsle 💓, Noodle20, Pickles23 💛
8/3 - Splashh, June628 💓, BabyLimey 💛
9/3 - Penelope_2023, 91mana
10/3 - iratepirate 💛, PeonyPops 💓
11/3 - Chloe1896
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 - mrshenny 💓
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 💙, SenecaFalls1848 💛
30/3 - ChristmasJumpers 💓, Moonlighting 💙
31/3 - Baby2iscooking 💛
1/4 - diamondbutterfly 💓

I think it's really interesting hearing other's view points.

I'm probably quite sympathetic towards students, as part of qualifying into my profession I had to learn on the job with supervision for two years. If no one had allowed me to observe I would not have learnt half of what I did, particularly the soft skills of the work place.

I had a student in my 25 week midwife appointment and enjoyed hearing the explanation being given. It also changed my view of my midwife, who whilst I didn't doubt was very competent at her job, had come across as nice, but scatty.

Perhaps I'll feel differently when in labour, who knows as a ftm! But generally my view has always been that knowledge is power. The whole thing of birth being so variable makes me feel anxious as I have no control.

There should be patient survey result for maternity units, which might be able to give you a heads up about strength and weakness of where you are attending. Some of them can be a bit out of date, mainly due to Covid.

^our local hospital publishes monthly infographics on their maternity Facebook page which was one of the main reasons not to go there!

Definitely agree about having an advocate not afraid to assert your wishes or if things are being suggested you don't want someone who can ask why? What are the alternatives and is it necessary etc? As you might not be able to.

My student midwife was great with bf support immediately afterwards. I went into the zone in the last hour and she and the qualified me stayed completely silent behind me, which was exactly what I needed to allow my body to do its thing.

Also, just to warn all the FTM getting cribs ready, most babies absolutely hate cribs and next to mes and just want to be held from their second night born (first night they're often stunned from delivery)! Kathryn Stagg and Sarah Ockwell Smith have loads of great advice about what's normal in the fourth trimester.

I don't disagree that it's hard to get them to sleep in a cot but it's not impossible. I was scared shitless by the idea of cosleeping, it was an absolute no go for me. So in order for any of us to get any sleep at night, DS needed to be in the cot. It took maybe a week to get him to reliably sleep in the cot. Naturally every child is different but DD will be in the cot from day 1 and I will try whatever is necessary to get her to feel comfortable there

By contrast, DS was a velcro baby during the day. His favourite place to be was right on my chest and that was my favourite place for him to be too. We'd sit there for hours just cuddling. Maybe by the time bed time came around he was all cuddled out, who knows 🤷‍♀️

Any recommendation for post-birth pads? How heavy duty are we talking about eg. adult diapers? Or night time pads? I don’t really know what to expect…

@Rose429 you can get specific maternity pads that are basically extra chunky period pads. I've opted for tena pants this time because I can't be arsed keep throwing ruined underwear away so just gonna throw the whole thing away instead 😁

Like this

Hopeful clicky link

@TeddyBeans Yes the link does work thank you! I have heard good things about Boots own maternity pad, but a bit worried that they don’t have wings? Surely wings help securing the pad to your pants?

The tena pants I’m not sure about size wise. I got bigger bum and thighs and just find it risky that they won’t fit haha

@Rose429 I'm sure you can get winged ones! I went for the tena pants plus XL. I'm a 20-22 at the moment and they fit like a glove (I tested one much to my partners amusement) they're not glamorous by any stretch of the imagination but they were comfy. Pretty sure they have size guides on them but totally get it if it's not your thing!

I had bought maternity pads, but now considering buying these Tena pants to avoid leakages.

Omg, I feel like there's something new to buy every day! Can't wait when it will be all done, bloody expensive haha

Get aldi maternity pads or incontinence pants (sena)

Very good and cheaper than tena

Homebirths… discuss. Anyone had one before or planning one this time? I’m seeing midwife on weds and on the fence about where to have the baby. We are far from the hospital and my second baby was born 3 mins after we got in the room last time. (Less than an hour after leaving the house). Both of my boys were intervention free water births - v straightforward with no complications…. I also know of two separate mums who recently had their thirds at home (not on purpose) as their labours were so quick.

@Thirdtimesacharm3 -
I'm classed as 'high risk' , 1st baby born v prem- planned csect, The last 3xdc no complications all vbac.
Dc 3 was born within an hour , we live 1hr 15 from hospital- I had my waters broken though. Dc 2 was 3.5hrs ,no intervention , Dc 4 was 10hrs induction..
BUT I would still always opt for hospital, I like there is a Dr near by for any complications and this is why I also wouldnt use our local (10mins away) MLU, no Drs.
There is an MLU also at the hospital 1hr 15 away but I cant use anyway as classed as high risk.
A friend of mine just had a home birth, all 5dc born at home- Amazing!

I’d love a home birth but my mw this week was quite honest about the fact that given how things are at the moment, it’s unlikely they’d have the staffing levels to allow it when the time comes.
I’m not sure I want to take the risk so am probably going to opt for hospital birth. 😔

I have had a student do my 20 week scan, that I actually felt was helpful as she talked through what the student was doing and I got a much better understanding than at my 12 week scan where the sonographer was silent.
Also a student midwife at one of my appointments who was lovely.
However I’m planning on having the least intervention/people in the room as possible when I’m giving birth so wouldn’t want any extra than people who have to be there.

The suggestion was made that I could have a home birth if I wanted one because my pregnancy had been uncomplicated before the discussion took place. I wasn't comfortable with the idea in case anything went wrong even though I knew for a fact that it took between 5-10 minutes to be blue lighted to the hospital from my old flat. That's stil 5-10 minutes too long imo. Luckily (not really but you know) I got preeclampsia so home birth was no longer an option.

Given the growth scans and stuff I'm having now, a hospital birth is probably going to be my only option this time too. The nearest MLU is 40 minutes away and attached to the next nearest hospital to me so unless my closest hospital is full, there's no reason for me to travel that far. Nearest one is 10 minutes drive from our new flat and is on the bus route so I literally have a door to door service if DP is at work (I don't drive)

@havanamama I also don't want student in the room. I had one with my first and it was her first time seeing a real natural birth and she cried and it was very off putting.

@TeddyBeans I put both of mine in moses basket inside the cot to get them used to it from day 1 at home. I'm using a next to me this time for first ever time but I have a moses downstairs just incase for backup.

I’d go for it 100% you’ve had great previous births. No reason why this one would be too much different...may be the best one yet if you’re nice and relaxed at home. Ive heard amazing things from home births. Plus much better care from midwife as they are in your home and it’s just you..they aren’t being pulled from pillar to post on labour ward. If you’re low risk go for it! I’m jealous 😂! I would have loved a home birth but need a c section due to prev shoulder dystocia x

Omg 😱

Morning!

I've got a physio tomorrow for PGP and 32 week midwife appointment, and next growth scan in a week! It all feels like "go time" already, although still 5 weeks till full term and 2 months till due date.

We have a babymoon at the end of January, so our goal is to have everything finished in January, then babymoon, and loads of date nights and relaxing in February.

Is anyone else doing a babymoon or something special before they become mums? 😊🐣

Thanks for sharing this! I have been looking at them but was worried about them fitting!

@havanamama we had ours at the end of October to Cyprus before the big rush of both kids birthdays and Xmas (so glad it's all over now). We have booked to go to Devon for a week in a Chalet in May because my nan lives there so she will get to see baby when he's still small.

@havanamama can I ask what does your PGP feel like? I told my midwife I had pain at the very top of my thighs and that it spreads down them and is painful to walk & put on shoes. She said she thought nerve pain because of babies position but I know baby has turned since then as I had a private scan. The pain is only getting worse and I'm sure it fits the bill for PGP

I've just had an exciting delivery....big knickers 😂 and some joggers and oversized t shirts in a size up for the few days/weeks after the baby is born when I can't be bothered to get properly dressed but want to wear more than PJ's 👍

Mine is literally between my legs and where legs connect to the body. It feels like if I had done the splits and overstretched it.
It hurts when I get out of the car, bed, try to roll over, basically anything that involves spreading legs and engaging muscles at the same time.