July 2023 (Thread 2)!

[RandomCatGenerator]

Creating a new thread as we’re about to finish the first - just as we finish our first trimesters!

I was meant to have my GTT today but I'm still recovering from the flu so need to reschedule it. Also with moving I need to move my antenatal care so who knows when or even if I'll get one!

@Leezo I had a 4D scan on Tuesday at 27+1 and was estimated 2lb 5oz x

26+1 here! Does anyone not feel the baby giving very strong kicks? Don't get me wrong, I definitely feel kicks and movements every day, but they're not the very strong, almost painful kicks that women say they can feel.
Also, I've NEVER felt kicks anything higher than my bellybutton (for example, in the rids). I met another pregnant woman last week, who was about the same gestational age, and she was saying how she felt like a human punching ball and got some nice strong kicks in the ribs. Makes me wonder whether I shouldn' be feeling that too by now?

@Olegia I think it depends what position baby is in. If your baby is legs down and has their back facing your tummy then you won't feel such strong kicks. It sounds like the lady you spoke to probably had a baby that was head down and back to back. Also depends where your placenta is too.

Sometimes I feel strong-ish kicks (24 weeks here) and other times I can feel her moving but it sort of feels like it's deep inside me it that makes sense 😂 I think they still have a lot of movement room at that stage so it depends where they are.

I’m the same @Olegia and only a bit behind you (25 + 2) I think this baby is in a different position to ds.

I have an anterior placenta and the baby’s kicks have been so much more frequent and really, really strong this week! I’m 27 weeks tomorrow.

@Olegia it varies by pregnancy and by person! A friend of mine had a rib broken by her baby. With DS1 and with this pregnancy, I can feel lots of movement but never anyrhing even near painful. And DS1 is a healthy happy boy with strong arms and legs now!

if you’re worried, of course see your midwife, but the above is my experience. As long as you can feel movement, that’s the important thing.

Congratulations on the move, @AnxiousAnnie94!

For the list - I recommend googling ‘hospital bag list’ and ‘newborn baby must haves’. There’s so much advertising and shite out there but I found by looking at a number of different lists I was able to get good ideas. I also found some threads on here about ‘best baby purchase’ which I found helpful.

In terms of the best things I bought first time around, I’d suggest (in addition to the obvious like pram, cot):

• lansinoh nipple cream. Heals them fast and you don’t need to wipe it off before BFing, it’s baby safe
• nipple shields. I found these immensely helpful for trying to BF.
• nipple pads. I leaked everywhere. These were my only way to actually leave the house without looking like a wet t shirt contest within half an hour.
• shnuggle baby bath - I loved this for when they’re a little older, it sits them up.
• A good portable nappy changing mat. JoJo Maman Bebe do a really really good one, it’s navy and white striped and is a fold up mat with good space for nappies and wipes
• perfect prep machine. Godsend.
• metanium nappy cream. We just used Sudafed but lots of friends swore by this stuff especially for nappy rash.
• cheeky wipes. Much cheaper in the medium to long term than wet wipes, and great for summer when you can dry things outside more quickly.
• Hakaa manual breast pump. Good for putting onto the other boob when you’re BFing or pumping, so you don’t waste any milk.
• sleepyhead / dock a tot. A really nice thing to put the baby down in on the sofa or on a table or the floor. NOT for overnight sleep. A Moses basket would probably be fine too but we liked the sleepyhead.
• bouncy chair. Nice gentle stimulating place for the baby to go while you’re doing other stuff or just want your hands free.
• A sling. Baby wearing was the only way we could get DS1 to sleep sometimes.

Those are the biggies that spring to mind for now…

@RandomCatGenerator thank you so much, that's really helpful!

I was wondering about a sling actually. I've been wondering if they would be a good purchase or not or if they encouraged more 'clinginess' and anxiety when the baby was then put down, but I really like the idea of them. Are they safe from newborn? And does anyone have recommendations for the best ones they had?

Thanks again, such a good list!

@AnxiousAnnie94 we used the sling loads with DS, the stretchy wrap style are suitable from birth , we used the close caboo

Happy Easter everyone!

Yes happy Easter 🐣 ✝️🌺

Happy Easter everyone, I hope you all had a lovely day.

Getting the keys to our new house tomorrow and removal men coming Tuesday. I'm 28 weeks now and don't recommend trying to move if you're gonna be much further gone than this 🤣

Sciatica was so bad the other night that I had to get out of the bed and then back into it to switch sides!

@habiller how lovely to be starting maternity leave soon! I’m hanging on until 19 June, though my boss has said I can work from home in June. I do feel a bit brain dead already though, and I’m sleeping pretty well currently! 26 weeks today…

I’m guessing the 6 x mothers are naturally good at birthing and have fewer problems, so of course they’re more likely to go back for more.

My maternity starts on 26th June, 25th will be my last day. I'll be 35 weeks then. Having an elective C-section though so she should be born around 39 weeks. Currently waiting on an appointment with the joint clinic for them to decide which hospital I'll be having her at

Hi everyone, I'm a late joiner to this group! I'm due 17th July, not been feeling a lot of movement the past few days so ended up going to get checked and they said all seemed fine, anyone else getting reduced movement at 26 weeks?! I think I have a naughty one in there hiding away, they're cheeky at midwife scans too, they move away from the Doppler it seems 😆

I'm 24 weeks and she's not moved as much today. But I can tell by the movements that I am feeling that she's definitely changed positions. So worrying isn't it 🙈

@habiller awww due date twins!! Is it your first baby? It's my first so I am expecting to be late!

Had a hot chocolate last night and baby was VERY active afterwards 😆

@habiller That's exactly what I'm feeling too. Yesterday I was getting so many kicks around the cervix, kept making me jump. Then last night I felt a few kicks really high up.

I’m wondering when to stop for maternity leave…currently I’m stopping 2 weeks before c section…would 3 or 4 be reasonable? Really hating my job…