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 💓

@Perexi pleaaed I'm not the only one thinking combination.

Had a pedicure today! Hoping it'll last me through to birth because I can't reach my feet to do my toes anymore 🤣 had to go for pink, everyone needs to know she's a girl, right? My feet haven't swollen half as much as they had by this point with DS. I'm taking this as a good sign.

On the feeding discussion - I'm exclusively formula feeding. It worked really well for DS and I liked being able to see how much he'd taken. Plus it meant everyone else could feed him as well which just made everyone happier. My midwife hasn't pressured me at all about feeding which is lovely but I think that's because I made it very clear from the start that that's what my preferences were

Does anyone have any online anti natal class recommendations?

The midwife said they'd book that stuff at my 31 week appointment (next week) but the poster in the waiting room said it's Monday evenings which doesn't work for me or my partner due to our shift patterns.
We would much prefer online classes anyway!

I’m planning to combi feed like I did with DD. Best of both worlds! Remember if you’re bfing and no formula, babies need a vitamin D supplement as breastmilk doesn’t contain enough.

@Cuppasoupmonster oooh I'd love yo hear more about combination feeding. I'm a FTM

@dmb91 we did Baby Academy courses online

@TeddyBeans did you go for normal polish or gel/shellac?
I really want nice nails for around birth as I know I'll likely not feel best in my body, so having nice mani and pedi would be nice, but I'm confused if it's allowed or not 😄

My midwife has referred me to a BF specialist that apparently will come to my house on week 36, tell me all about BF and give a kit so I can collect colostrum.

I did say I'm willing to try but I'm in two minds, so also bringing the ready to drink formula to the hospital.

Well it’s not the MN accepted doctrine but I found it really easy! DD was a 37 weeker and small/sleepy so didn’t have the energy to breastfeed. I expressed colostrum into syringes and gave her that along with some formula, then when my milk came in I started pumping. Kept putting her to the breast now and then and after a few weeks she was strong enough to bf. From then on we just switched between the 2 as I liked - usually a bottle of formula in the evening so I could get a stretch of sleep after DH home from work, breastfeed overnight (too lazy for night time bottles), then either breastfeed or expressed breast milk during the day according to if we were going out, whether DH was watching her for a bit etc.

It was fantastic, no ‘nipple confusion’ or supply issues. If anything I think a good stretch of sleep helped my milk supply - I noticed it would go a bit low when I was tired/thirsty, but a long kip and glass of water and I was like a dairy cow the next day lol. I also think mentally knowing she would be fed no matter what helped me to relax and get those milk hormones flowing 😆

Bottle wise I have bought Tommee Tippee glass bottles from Boots, to use with their steriliser and the Nuby bottle warmer (to warm expressed milk taken from the fridge). I’ll buy a little stash of premade cartons for the first few weeks, and powder for after that. DD had SMA so thinking we will just use that again.

Just an update as I know a lot of people are stressing about bump size & scan measurements.
I was referred for an emergency scan within 24 hours as my bump was small and hadn’t grown for 3/4 weeks. Turns out now they think baby is huge and tummy measurements were off the scale...not even within a percentile as was measuring way above the top percentile 😂

im not sure what to believe now..never trusted them being able to tell babies weight as my first baby was predicted IUGR 5lb but he was 8lb at birth 39 weeks. Yes

So all I’m saying is let your bumps and babies grow as they want and don’t take the measurements too seriously as long as you and baby are healthy..it’s deffo not an exact science.

im going for a GTT now at 32 weeks due to the babies big belly. My pre pregnancy BMI was 18 and I didn’t get a glucose test at 28 weeks as I didnt have any risk factors. Will keep updated but I’ll be shocked if I have it.

Im convinced their measurements are way off 😂

@havanamama just normal polish but I haven't hand my fingers done anyway so shouldn't be too much of an issue. Maybe ask them to leave one?

*had

I can't stand this much longer, I can't sleep because I feel like I've swallowed bleach or something. I'm so tired but the acid reflux is unreal tonight. My insides are on fire 😩 9 weeks to go and it seems like an eternity! Anyone else suffering and fed up tonight?

@alotoftutus hugs we women really are amazing!!!

I think I'd like to combi feed but leaning towards BF also. Should I look to buy a pump now or wait till I see if I am able to breastfeed before investing. Anyone have reccomendations on which pump? Priority is whatever is quickest and least painful/hassle.

@Choc2022 I just had a go at my husband because he can't get pregnant - then I heard myself ........ but I still stand by it lol he's now sleeping next to me and I actually hate him for being so comfortable

@alotoftutus im the same!! Esp when I have insomnia and he's there snoring away and I can't sleep, can't roll over, cant eat (GD). But I'm told it'll all be worth it lol

@alotoftutus yup my PGP has gotten much worse this trimester and struggling to sleep - bump is so much bigger and now I understand why people say they can't wait to get the baby out!

@Choc2022iI know someone who uses the momcozy as its hands free and much cheaper than something like Elvie. I've got a similar pump from Pipetta which I saw at the babyshow but obv am yet to use it.

Thanks I'll look into that.

What should I be purchasing exactly?
E.g. should I get the following

1. Breast pump - single or double?
2. Breast milk bags (for storage)?
3. Milk collector?
4. Baby bottles

Anything I'm missing?

I have an Elvie (bought last time around in case bc didn’t work out but barely used) and tbh I didn’t find it as great as people say.

@Cuppasoupmonster thanks for sharing your positive combi experience! I’d really like to do the same this time but there’s so little guidance out there other than about nipple confusion 🙄

Im 34 weeks tomorrow and feeling so heavy and uncomfortable now. More so than I did at any point with my first. Was out all day yesterday and was walking at a snail’s pace by the time we got home 😞 6 weeks suddenly feels like a really long time!

33 weeks today I just can't believe I could potentially go another 7+ weeks. Trying to sleep is horrible, walking is horrible. Bending down is non existent. My 4 YO is really testing my patience lately aswell I feel so bad because I'm just miserable and snappy.

@Ubbee no problem, yes it’s mad - countries with very high bf rates are much more relaxed about combi feeding, and I’m convinced I wouldn’t have bf DD for 8 months had every single feed been down to me.

I can really recommend Medela’s hand pump, electric is probably better if exclusively pumping but for the odd top up I found a hand pump to be fine! Used to quite enjoy my pumpkins sessions while sat watching Eastenders or whatever 😆

Bouncers - has anyone bought theirs yet? I got a second hand one off Facebook for the bathroom, but want a new one for the living room. They’re all so expensive and beige 🙄

@Blondewave thank you for the update! And glad to hear baby is doing okay and growing well.
I have my scan on Thursday as similar to yours baby size and abdomen in particular off the scale! But was never offered a GTT due to 22 BMI at booking.
Think you are right, the measurements don’t necessarily mean anything we just have to hope our babies are growing as they should 😊

I’ve been doing my nails as normal, I do my own gel. Not every 3 weeks as normal but I’ve done them a couple of times since getting pregnant. Same with fake tan, a couple of times when I’ve felt especially grotty and need a lift! Planning to do it all before going into hospital - I look a total minger in my pics with DD because I went in earlier than expected so no time for treatments 😆

My baby’s tummy is off the scale, but I am diabetic - didn’t have this with DD though her tummy already tracked a few centiles above everything else. Blood sugars have been the same as last time so think he’s just constitutionally bigger.

@Cuppasoupmonster out of curiosity, have you asked your midwife if you can have gel on in labour?

I always get my nails done so not having it would only be if it's actually true that you're not allowed.
I'll ask my midwife next time