Due January 2024 🎉 PART 3

[Lilothblos]

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@Hummusanddipdip sorry its so tough. The flat without garden will be OK though. A few of my friends had flats without gardens with babies. We had a small house but the garden was full of stones. In reality you go to the park and playgroups and others houses. Even now we have a lovely grassy garden we're never in it. And our babies are born in winter so we'll play inside anyway.

@Hummusanddipdip sorry that was for @Mushroo wheres my brain!

Sorry its so expensive with wrap around care too. I realised it was more expensive than I thought. People do make it work though don't they
And because no one has disposable income everyone will propose cheap activities at least. Last time I wasted money on stuff I didn't need but now I'm more careful. Costs should stop rising soon... fingers crossed. I just introduced my child to strawberries and he's obsessed
Rod for my own back 🤣😱

Thank you ladies 🥰
@Mushroo we don’t have a garden either which makes me feel a bit sad but will take baby to the local parks a lot. We will all make it work! ❤️

I could be wrong and it also may not help but I think from Sept 2024 everyone gets 15 free hours free childcare xx

With regards to costs-whilst it’s worrying I think it’s one of those things you just adapt too.
we earn around double what we did when my first was born, we don’t have much more to show for it though!
I think you naturally adjust, and (certainly for us!) funds we used to spend on meals out/dates/hobbies etc dried up which helped the additional expense of nursery.

I remember when DS2 started nursery we were scared to death how we were going to afford the 8/9 months we had of full fees for two to pay at over double our mortgage whilst we awaited the 30 funded hours, but somehow you make it work. They don’t need loads-contrary to how everything is marketed.

it’s certainly concerning, but it usually all works out in the end.

As far as I’m aware this is correct 😊
whether all childcare providers will accept it is another thing, and they can charge “extras” ontop such as food, and if it takes after the 3 year funding it’ll be 15 hours term time only (38/39 weeks not 52)
but even if it reduces fees by a day it’s a help.
then from Sept 2025 its 30 hours free (again assumed term time only, with added food etc) from 9months.

@1992h knew I'd seen something..lots of ifs n buts though like u say. Fingers crossed it makes a difference 😀

fingers crossed!

the summary is here of what changes when

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2023/03/16/budget-2023-everything-you-need-to-know-about-childcare-support/

I would recommend those wanting nursery/childminder places get looking asap though, our nursery is already swamped with enquiries relating to the new funded places and long wait lists.

Thsts right so it's better.

Everyone please do get your fetuses down for nursery if you want it from age one. I don't wish to scare you but many areas have such a place shortage. List them on more than one.

Don't be alarmed though if a Nursery says we have no places until Sept 2025. As I told a nursery that said this, about half or more of the parents on your waiting list will probably choose another nursery so add me anyway.

Echo this! My friend warned me and I went to see a nursery today which seemed mad, but they said it was the right thing to do and I’ve got my name day down with a full choice of which days I want.

Worth calling to check the situation where you are.

Hi everyone, I’m expecting in January 2024 too!

iv gone through IVF, and am 11weeks tomorrow
I need to jump straight in for advice! The midwife at the booking put in my EDD wrong - I’m due 18th jan and she entered 10 Feb! So now my 12 weeks scan is at 15 weeks- and I can’t make it any sooner!
I know this means I can’t have the combined testing! Has anyone else been in this position?! Don’t know where to turn Iv tried calling everyone

Warning-TMI incoming!

Is anyone struggling with bile or stomach acid? I don't have any heartburn but I've felt absolutely rotten all afternoon/night and I've just spent 5 minutes over the toilet convinced I was going to vom to only bring up bile/stomach acid. This is happened a few times now and at first I just presumed it was normal but I'm a bit concerned now!

@FirstT1meMum yes this has happened me on a couple of occasions, weirdly I felt more nauseous earlier in my pregnancy bit from about 9-11 weeks Iv had this on a few occasions.

Also I know I’m really jumping the gun here but I’m just wondering has anyone any experience with breastfeeding with inverted nipples. I’d like to breastfeed but I have inverted nipples so im unsure if this will be possible for me. I seem to get mixed answers online

@Niam4 thank you, glad to know I'm not alone!

Sorry, I seem to be turning into a serial poster recently! However, today is scan day! 🫣 Not sure if it's normal but I'm a nervous wreck! My rational brain is saying my body has given me no reason to be worried and everything 4 and half weeks ago was fine but the other part of my brain won't shut up! I hope it's normal to feel this scared! Been up since half 5 unsure of what to do with myself so about to get ready for the day and head out to work before the appointment this morning.

Sorry for the ramble, I just wasn't sure where else to turn ❤️

@FirstT1meMum good luck! It's a horribly nervous time! I'm having the exact same feelings and mine isn't for another week!! I had a dream I was at the scan last night and the NT was a bit high, honestly our brains 🙈 can't wait to hear a positive update from you later on! X

@FirstT1meMum i felt the exact same, always catastrophising. You’ll be fine! I felt a bit better the actual day of the scan - keeping fingers crossed all goes well for you

@Ksangha that's ridiculous and esp if they can't do anything to fix it! Have you tried directly calling the scanning dept maybe they can put you on a list for cancellations?

You can still have the quad test which only tests for t21 but also if there's likely anything else up they'll be able to see signs on the scan by 15 weeks so I don't think it should be too much of an issue, and hopefully all will be well anyway , also I know a few private places will do the NT measurements for you if you wanted that?

I'd be completely p'd off about that though!

On another note one of my pals was going to her 12 week scan but got there and was actually 20 weeks pregnant! So couldn't do anything about testing etc but baby was totally fine! 🤞🤞

@FirstT1meMum I think pregnancy hormones make all our worries exaggerated, so it's normal. I had a pain a few weeks ago and I was so convinced it was a problem, they scanned and it was fine. I think its odd when you havent had a scan. However, try to remember most scans turn out fine chance is on your side. And if you're OK right now ie no bleeding etc there isn't a cause for concern.

@Ksangha my friend was told her due date was a week later than they thought and sure enough she had the baby on what she thought was her due date!

Do you know why they said this, why its so different. Have you explained you want the tests when you do and it's making you anxious?

@FirstT1meMum when I vomit it’s only ever bile… like this morning.

I’ve got my combined bloods this morning if I can get out of work.

good luck for scans today

@suz2285 @Mushroo @CarnelianArtist thank you so much - this is why I love this forum. The support is incredible and you've all calmed me down ❤️

@Mummyme87 thank you! So reassuring knowing its not unusual

Good luck today @FirstT1meMum We had a scan 3 days ago and last night I suddenly started worrying about the 12 week scan next week, I'm blaming hormones too! 🙈

@Niam4 I had inverted/flat nipples before I had my first child. I do remember having to kind of press either side to push it out before a feed initially but not for long and by the time he'd finish bfing (around 12 months) they were no longer flat/inverted and have never gone back 😆

About inverted nipples. IME it can be challenging but you can manipulate them during pregnancy to get them to change shape. Maybe get in touch with a lactation consultant

Flat nipple club here too, my DD reallt struggled to latch. I did express for 6 weeks but tbh wouldn't do that again as it was such hardwork, that being said feel like my nipples are much firmer this time round think that's due to trying to feed last time.