Due May 2023 - Thread Three

[AlwaysTryingToHelp]

New thread as the other one was full!

I will try and tag everyone from the previous thread, sorry if I forget anyone 😊

Thank you to the people who answered my question about stain remover on the other thread! 😁

Also, my Oh has just told me his mum is coming to stay for three days next week. Brilliant. A woman I barely know and they don't get on when they're together. What a lovely stress free weekend that will be for me at 35 weeks pregnant 😭

Hey all, commenting to keep track of the thread but nothing much to update - 37 weeks today, but the little gremlin seems pretty comfy where they are so I think they'll stay put for a while yet...

I'm now on mat leave though so just concentrating on relaxing and getting the last bits together for whenever things kick off.

I feel so behind 😬

I'm 36+6 and not packed hospital bag (baby's hospital bag is sorted but done nothing for myself).

We have a tiny house so he doesn't get his own room (trying to move with no luck) but still waiting for the next2me crib to arrive.

Have so much sorting to do just not got round to it as I'm finding things super difficult now. My pelvic/groin ligaments are so painful.

Luckily for me my in laws are coming this weekend to help out so hopefully more hands means more can get done!

Got an ELCS at 39+5 due to breech baby so just under 3 weeks to get everything sorted.

Tell me I'm not the only one who feels behind?

I'm 37 weeks today and ECS in 2 weeks time, I'm fed up lol, to the point I have firmly said no more now and DH can get the snip. I feel sick and I can't bend anymore 🤣

Has anyone else not told people what they're having? We have found out but not told anyone with this baby and my MIL is on a mission.. she basically keeps saying she knows babies gender (it's not what she thinks) and is saying she's buying clothes and is absolutely certain it's "x" as she's had dreams ect. We didn't want to tell anyone but she's getting beyond.. like she's telling my other children what we're having (which is causing issue with the eldest as they are only wanting what she says we're having now) and it's irritating.

@wintersun21 - You are not alone. I have not packed either bag, sorted baby clothes or got the stuff down from the loft. Baby hasnt got its own room yet as both our spares are home offices atm - so need to rearrange our rooms to sort it all out.

My MIL is thankfully taking our pram, crib and car seat and washing them this weekend. Woman is a godsend!!

Aiming to get hospital bag done tonight while husband is out...

@AlwaysTryingToHelp Thanks for setting up! 😊 I’m 35+4 and packed all hospital bags at the weekend. The nursery is still my office until next week (I finish work on the 21st too!) so I won’t be moving anything around in there yet. Baby’s wardrobe is sorted and we have the pram, car seat and SnuzPod done. Feeling anxious now about the birth and when labour is going to start! 🫣 Sleeping next to an empty cot is a weird (but exciting) feeling.

@wintersun21 you're definitely not the only one. I've not packed hospital bags yet, not unboxed any of the big purchases, only bought basic (neutral) baby clothes, nursey is still my office and probably won't be done until after baby arrives.... I think we've bought most things we need but it's first baby, who knows! 😂

Oh @Appleby11 I feel for you! Hope it's not too stressful! Is there a purpose to the visit?

It's good to know I'm not the only one limping through to start mat leave around 37 weeks. Some coworkers who are also pregnant are going up to 39 weeks and I was starting to think I was wasting my leave. I just can't keep going much longer (due to finish work in two weeks, bang on 37 weeks). Not sleeping well so every day feels like a marathon.

@Jammiedodger12 you've reminded me we need to wash the pram covers (we got it second hand and I want to wash it all). Hopefully there'll be time when I do start mat leave.

I’ve got hospital bag for baby packed, just need to finish mine. Nursery is done, just needs a rug and changing matt. So everything is pretty much done for us! Due to baby coming early last time and still living with parents - I think that’s why I was so keen on being sorted this time.

I didn’t get to start my maternity leave last time either so I finished work 31st March, I’m due 4th May - but I could do with the extra rest.

I’m 37 weeks today - officially full term! An amazing achievement as I didn’t reach full term last time. I had a growth scan and appointment with my consultant today both went really well. My consultant is happy with everything this pregnancy and feels no need for intervention (unless something changes) which I’m over the moon about as I wanted things to run its course without any need for intervention. She said I could even go over my due date which is exciting to me! Feeling very positive about it all after today.

Hi all, I'm 35+3 or 36+1 depending on which calculation you subscribe to!

I had a growth scan today and baby is 84th centile already 😱 this is up from 70th at 31 weeks. I'm really disappointed because I've been eating a miserable diet of chicken, vegetables and wholemeal pasta for weeks and weeks now.

I have "diet-controlled" GDM and they want to induce me at 39 weeks, so first week in May. Is anyone else getting induced? They'll do the balloon first and if that doesn't work it'll be the drip. I've decided that I will only agree to the drip after they put in an epidural if the balloon fails.

I have 2 weeks and one day left of work and I reeeeaallly regret not booking more time off. I've been working non stop for a decade and should really have treated myself to a little holiday before the baby comes 😅

What is everyone using for naps/sleeping? Just blankets or swaddles?!

I used the love to dream swaddle but not from newborn with my last baby.

I have no clue what I am doing so bought loads blankets, swaddle and sleepbags already waiting to try all out....

@TisforTucan I feel your pain. We're not telling anyone our name and my MIL is convinced we're naming our baby after her. Spoiler alert-we're not! But it is really annoying when people won't just accept your decision. Hang on in there, it won't be long until she can find out for herself.

@OptimusPrime31 We've had this as well, both our kids are apparently named after MIL in some way apparently, they're obscure connections.

I can understand that they want to be involved, but it's upsetting the eldest and he keeps bringing it up now 😭

Has anyone managed to successfully harvest colostrum yet? And how long did it take? Are there any resources you'd recommend?

I've heard everything from 20 minutes to 90! I'm getting a tiny bit of moisture but nothing near enough for a syringe and it's stressing me out a bit.

I feel mostly sorted for stuff - its my baby shower this weekend so will likely get a few more bits too!

@TheBeesKnee Haven't tried at all but even with a squeeze I only get the tiniest bit of moisture, so I doubt it would work for me! I am feeling so extremely overwhelmed at work and with the pressure of finishing and meeting peoples needs (I'm a mental health professional) and really wish I had stopped it earlier (working up to 37wks)/

@Jammiedodger12 Ive bought some love2dream's 2nd hand and also a sleeping bag. Will see what baby likes!

@TheBeesKnee I've sort of tried but it's a lot of work. Over three sessions in 24hrs, using a manual breast pump to get things moving then manually expressing the actual colostrum, I managed to get a syringe full. 🤷‍♀️ I haven't done more because I haven't had 24 hrs in the clear where I've felt confident I'd have enough time to get another syringe full.

Has anyone dropped yet? 37 and 3 today with 3rd and baby has definitely dropped as I can clean without nearly dying 🤣

It feels so weird like I do have more room to breath lol.

This is 3rd baby for me and I'm having a elcs, I can safely get 2ml a go but I've been leaking since 24 weeks. The first baby I could barely get a drop, not even half a syringe.

The advice I can give is don't stress, I typically try after a warm bath and when I'm relaxed. Massaging the boob helps me, if I start to worry or get anxious I won't get anything and other nights I'll get over 2ml so try stay relaxed and I use a pot to collect and then the syringes.

It also doesn't matter if it's small amount you can try atleast 3 times a day if you pop the syringe or pot in the fridge.

@TisforTucan mine definitely has - confirmed by the midwife who said it was 2/5 engaged at my 34 week appointment (34+5) last week. I checked what she meant by this as I know some say 5/5 is fully engaged and some say 0/5 is fully engaged, and she said she classes 0/5 as engaged so “baby is quite deep in there!”

Not sure if I’ve been having braxton hicks since last night, tummy is quite solid anyway (baby is LOA?) but even the sides go hard periodically. Also been feeling a little bit crampy and my vagina is really sore!

My sister in law is absolutely convinced I’m headed into pre term labour which I’ve been laughing along with but now I’m worrying she’s right!

Anyone else baby is still not head down? I have another scan tmw to see the position i am so stressed about this as really do not want a c section if can avoid it. Just now i feel the baby was kicking to my right side pretty sure she is still not head down....

@tiantian1005 same here! 36 weeks tomorrow and have a scan to see if baby is still breech. I think it is though! If it is, I will just plan a section. I don't want them to do the manual turn

I’m 37 weeks. Baby was head down at my 32-week scan and I think it still is, but it’s pressing something (backside I think) against the top of my bump!

I’ve been having what I assume is Braxton hicks today - just feeling uncomfortable in my lower back and abdomen, but without any other obvious cause (tried sitting in different positions, moving round etc).

I’ve got two weeks left at work, and hoping baby stays put!

I'll find out this week where mines at...I hope your little one moves soon. I know someone who had their baby moved round manually and it worked so hopefully even if they're still breech they could give that a go? Xx

@Awkwardusername I can't say with this one as it's 3rd baby and my 2nd broke my waters but didn't engage until last minute and then disappeared upwards lol..

When this one's head goes in it makes me really crampy and gives me Braxton Hicks but I've not had any shows or anything. I've just had period cramps and (tmi) it's felt like i needed to go number 2 quite a lot but I can never go. I can't stand for too long, it feels really heavy pressure right now.

Fingers cross baby stays in a bit longer for you, I'm elective section on the 27th so this baby can stay put lol.