August Due Date Crew (Thread 9)

[DesertSnow]

Thread 9! I wonder if this will be the one most babies are born in - can't wait to hear all the happy announcements 😁

I'm really sorry if I've missed anyone, I've done my best. Do give me a shout if I've missed you or have your info wrong (apologies if so!), and I'll make a note.

Delivered! 👶

June 20th - @Miraclesdohappen88 💙

Due Dates 💥

July

26th - @MidnightSunshine12 💛
27th - @Spiralout 💙
29th - @DesertSnow 💖, @Mulner88 💖, @Porcupette 💛, @Loudmouth1 💛, @overwork 💛
31st - @BusyBushBaby 💖, @jjeanii 💖

August

1st - @CityKity 💛, @SnowL2021 💛
2nd - @sprollie11 💛, @ChloeN 💛
3rd - @PumpkinEverything 💙, @Chl0o 💙, @LS88 💛
4th - @BMK 💖, @Alpacabag22 💖, @Amme18 💛, @DomesticElf 💙
5th - @LBF2020 💛, @Desperatelyboredhousewife 💛, @BoodifulGoose 💖
6th - @buttercupbee 💛, @somuchtolearnabout 💛, @Rowanandremy 💙, @TattyTil 💛
7th - @marleyandme 💛
8th - @RGxo13 💙, @JT2021 💙, @Wineismybestfriend 💛
10th - @VickiGo 💙, @Sjw30 💛, @AlexM7 💛
11th - @tax19 💛, @nadsc 💛, @Rose05 💛, @sally16 💙
13th - @newmummie 💙, @Fizzmatizz 💛
14th - @Babykingincoming 💛
15th - @Gizzyanne 💛
16th - @Recoba 💛
17th - @Narwhal88 💖, @jollydollyirl 💛, @cococat88 💛
18th - @sommeliermama 💖, @EsmeSusanOgg 💛
19th - @Firsttimemomma1 💛, @P1pk 💛, @Marmaladebear 💖, @Stuwe 💛, @MartaEly 💛
20th - @BB1993 💖
21st - @BCxx 💖, @Justdancinginthedark 💛, @honeymirabella 💖, @allgoodthings84 💖
23rd - @MinnieFirstTimeMum 💙, @Owlgirl14 💖
24th - @Daisy155 💛
25th - @unluckyinlife 💛
26th - @MummaYoung2023 💛, @Wife2b 💛, @HRSC 💖
27th - @ropo34 💛
28th - @Shinea 💛
31st - @chickpea1982 💖

September

1st - @froglou 💛

Was this just trial and error or did you see how to do it in a video somewhere? I really don’t think my technique was working very well last time!

Since you started, how long did it take to start getting a decent amount? A few days or were you having to do it every day over a week before you got something worth saving?

Thanks, I did suspect that might be the case because I haven’t really heard of anyone I know taking any of these things but because I never really intended to breastfeed last time I didn’t look into any of that before. It’s probably the same as some of these ‘protein’ snacks that have a tiny bit of protein powder in them but are actually just the same as any other cookie or bar of chocolate!

Sorry @BCxx I thought I had posted a link 🤦🏻‍♀️

The first day I tried it I got one syringe but it took ages, probably like 50mins.

But today, so 6 days after I started I got a full syringe took 20 mins. I have been doing it every other day.

Hope that helps x

@MinnieFirstTimeMum thanks! will watch that! I don’t want to start too long before my csection just in case it starts anything off but thinking if I start a week before I could maybe get a couple of syringes

@BCxx I was determined to try harvesting colostrum 4 years ago even though it was a bit of a mental roadblock for me but I’m glad I did back then and glad I managed this time too - I know being able to get colostrum isn’t guaranteed and both times I’ve had different experiences with ease (or lack of) and the amount I’ve managed to get. I always knew I didn’t want/couldn’t breastfeed and did a lot of research into the benefits of it which is how I came across colostrum harvesting in the first place. I really beat myself up about harvesting for dd because I didn’t get a lot and then she wasn’t keen on it which was devastating for me at the time so I also know it’s not for everyone and that’s perfectly ok just as breastfeeding/pumping isn’t for everyone - I don’t think it means that your baby isn’t getting everything that they need. I completely get what you mean, I couldn’t attempt the pumping in front of my wife either or the colostrum harvesting. I honestly have the greatest admiration for anyone who does breastfeed and especially for doing so in public. I feel like I’m rambling a bit 😂 it’s just we all know what we want and what we hope will work for us and if we’re very lucky it works out as planned but sometimes it doesn’t - in my case I’m perfectly alright with that because I tried and I don’t have to wonder now if it would have worked out for me and I’m at ease with my decision.

@Rowanandremy I think that’s the best way to be 😊 it’s the same with everything once you have kids though, there are things that some parents would hate (like a baby sleeping on them for every nap) whereas others want that to be the case so it’s such extremes and you’ve just got to do it the way you want to and the way that suits your life best

@newmummie 2 weeks ago I was scanned and they said baby around 6,11 but when she was born she was only 6lb,6 oz so it definitely isn't accurate

@BCxx I am also having a c-section and I was worried about this. But my MW said it would be fine from 36 weeks.

She said that if I start to feel period like cramps whilst doing it then to stop and start again slowly the following day.

Is being really irritable with one's DH a sign of impending labour? 😅 Poor man can't do anything right today.

Fed is best. Be it breast or formula. Also happy mummy means happy baby.
I think we have a lot of pressure on ourselves now as mothers to be perfect all the time and do everything everyone tells us.
Just nod and do what yo7 jeed to do to keep yourself and baby fed and healthy and happy.

Also @DomesticElf lol your comment made me laugh. I find i get really irritatable with my other half when im really tired. Hopefully a nights rest will make things a bit better. Either that or should i be saying congrats if next time your online you had infact been in labour and have had your baby?

@BCxx i 100% agree with you there. Everyones preferences and habits are different

Good to know we collect8vely find badger notes a bit irritating lol.

Hope everyone's last few weeks are going alright and you're not feeling too uncomfortable.
Can't believe my little one is 12 days old already! Time is both going fast but the days go slowly. We've had so many midwife and health visitor visits now I'm getting exhausted with it all, especially as the midwives don't give you a time, just a day so I get up early expecting them to come from 9am and then they sometimes don't arrive til the afternoon.
We're having visits every 2 days as my little girl is still very tiny and lost 12% of her birth weight. When she gets back up to 8% lost they said they'll change to weekly appointments.
We've got a tongue tie specialist coming out tomorrow to see if that's an issue and potentially fix it there and then too.
I've been struggling with feeding, initially the latch was bad and then since I started using nipple shields she's been doing great but I'm also having to express and top her up with that in a bottle after each feed if she'll take it, it really is exhausting. I'm hoping that the tongue tie person can help and if she keeps gaining a bit of weight and the midwives back off we might be able to get into a better routine. I really don't want to stop breastfeeding but I am worried that with the amount of bottles she's taking its going to be difficult soon.
Despite all this, she had her first bath last night and my DH has been playing guitar and singing to her. The highs are some of the highest ones I've ever experienced and although the lows are challenging, I keep thinking how it's not always going to be like this and I'll miss her tiny little snuggles one day. Motherhood is the most unpredictable journey but I never knew I could love someone this much 🥰

@marleyandme so glad you’re loving it (the good bits) 🥰 I can’t speak for the breastfeeding aspect of it by that point but my clearest memory from last time was at some point in week 2 just thinking am I just going to change a nappy and feed him on repeat.. it literally felt like I’d done nothing else. I was tired, my arms hurt and full upper body hurt from suddenly having to hold this little person all the time and felt like I just wasnt getting a break. I think within just a few short weeks it starts to improve though and you get a little routine going. Going out with the pram when I was recovered enough really helped and I think as their tiny insides get a bit bigger it just stops a lot of the issues they have in the very early days.
Hopefully the tongue tie specialist is able to help and makes your life a good bit easier 🤞🏻 any amount of days is a great achievement though so well done getting to here! Don’t put too much pressure on yourself

@Marmaladebear the stats are appalling regarding the risk of poor outcomes in women and babies from ethnic minorities. I hope you are listened to more this time around. Women are listened to less than men by doctors and other hcps and black women least of all. It's really shocking.

Hi Everyone, just catching up on all the messages. Congratulations to those who have already had their babies! Makes me think I should be more prepared - I'm only 34 weeks, but you never know!

@Paintandpots and @overwork I have also had to do the finger prick test for gestational diabetes, and unfortunately it looks like I have it. I find it really difficult to understand though - by normal diabetic standards my blood sugars are fine. Even for GD they are mostly quite marginal. And I don't really understand exactly why it is such a problem, other than being more likely to have a large baby - no one has explained it to me, though I've been reading up on it online. And even having a big baby doesn't seem like it's really serious. It does explain why my baby is measuring so big - she's around 75th-95th percentile for all measurements on every growth scan, and her abdominal circumference is off the chart!!!

Anyway, I'm trying not to eat sugary things to see if that stabilises my levels. If it doesn't, they want me to start taking some kind of medication.

Still counting down the days. 4 weeks left of work now. 6 weeks until due date. I have good days and bad days, but it's a real struggle to do anything that involves walking or standing as I have such a bad back. It's been the same for both of my other pregnancies, so I know I just have to wait and get through it. My poor garden is overrun with weeds! Hoping I will have some time on maternity leave to get back out there and get it under control.

Hope you are all doing well. x

@chickpea1982 my garden is the same- it’s surprising how quickly the weeds take over. I have bad heartburn so can’t even bend over to do some weeding. My husband has been doing it but asking me if each ‘plant’ is a weed 🤣🙈

I’m hoping as soon as baby comes I will have no heartburn and the puffy feet and water retention etc. will all magically disappear! Here’s hoping! 🤞🏻🤣

@chickpea1982 hopefully you'll have a meeting with someone from the GDM team soon. There are some downsides for both us and baby, but there's not really a lot we can do about it other than controlling the blood sugars.
Sounds like you're controlling yours through diet alone! Mine is high now after having wheetabix for breakfast, which was fine for me to have yesterday...
I'm already 39 weeks so I've no idea what they'll do with me, I'll call them Monday and see what they say. Baby has measured on the 50th centile in total but the abdo measurement has been creeping up

Sorry team - I shared something about a family member that I realised after wasn’t mine to share so I’ve removed the post for their privacy.

I have terrible sudden back pain and cramps down since a week which I thought is Braxton hicks, I will be 35 weeks tomorrow and I have routine checkup.

Should I keep eye on pain and cramps and get checked tomorrow as scheduled or should I go now?

I have polyhydroaminos and baby is being at 90th centile my C section is scheduled at 38 weeks!

@Shinea theres no harm in calling triage to ask them! I'm sure they'd rather you did and it be nothing to worry about than ignored it and wished you hadn't left it. It's probably all fine though but I'd ring them anyway 😊

@Shinea would definitely ring triage just for advice!

I woke up this morning thinking this is it, I'm in labour! I had the most intense pain across my abdomen and the only way I could describe it is, as if someone had their hand in there and was squeezing everything and as if I'd been holding a plank for 10 minutes. But then pain just completely disappeared. Now I'm extremely nauseous and boked twice. Get this baby out of me 😫

@newmummie you just wrote what I feel.. it's almost like I m in labor kind of pain, I already have 2.5 years old toddler and I remember I was all fine until 38 weeks but for now I m already knocked out!!
@marleyandme yes I have ringed them, they said if my pain persists and uncomfortable to visit them but I feel it's getting better after I took a walk!

So after having a few days of dull period back ache that seems to have gone now. I had a really busy day in town all day yesterday and now have the achiest ‘down there’ ever! Hard to describe but just a real ache down below and every step makes me want to pee!
I feel like every day I wake up and the bump is bigger, so I feel like it’s just more and more pressure on my bladder/pelvic floor that’s causing this. I wanted to go for a long walk today but couldn’t quite face it. Despite bump measuring small, I really feel massive and I think by next week (39w) I’ll be ready to evacuate this guest!

@CityKity im a couple of weeks behind you and feel like this now. I think she must be making her way further and further down. I had the leaking issue straight after going for a pee in the morning but now it feels like all the pressure at random times (when I can’t even possibly need to pee) is going to make me wet myself 🙄 had a few random feelings today while walking and had to stop til it went away.. so over this now!

Got period pain today at 36+1 so they asked me come into triage for monitoring and it confirmed that they're contractions on their machine thing. They wanted me to stay over night but the contractions are soooo mild I've asked if I can go home. The doctor has said I can go home after one last round of monitoring so I'm on their machine thing again - fingers crossed the contractions are mild enough to let me go home. I've been in labour before and reaaaally don't feel like I'm in labour right now. Maybe I'm in denial but I only came in because they asked me to, otherwise I would have just gone about my day 😂 and I only rang triage because my husband insisted 😅

that's the home birth down the pan though since even if I don't go into labour tonight it looks quite likely soon. On the up side my mum has travelled down to London now so she's on hand for childcare when I do go into labour which was the main point of the home birth anyway!