Due October 2023 Thread 8

[Chanteuse]

New thread for our October group - third trimester time!!

@Saturnsmoon my husband found it really useful too! I think honestly it’s more for meeting the other parents than the content itself, having that WhatsApp group will be so useful when we’re panicking hopefully

@peonygirl I had a section before and we were in for 5 days due to my little boy having jaundice. I took either up to 1 month for baby or 0-3 and they were pretty big on him and he weighed 7lb 7ozs. This time I’m buying some first size bits (even just vinted bargains to save some money as I know they will outgrow them quickly).

I think before you said you were single, (sorry if I’ve got that wrong) but do you have someone that could bring a few more bits in for you if you find yourself being in more than a couple of nights? This time round I’m going to pack a main hospital bag (for say 2 nights) and an “extended stay bag” ready for someone to grab and bring in for me if I need it.

Also with some clean pjs for me if needed…nobody told me about the night sweats first time round!

@peonygirl I plan to bring with me 3 outfits newborn size, 3 outfits 0-1 months or 0-3 and the go home outfit. I'll make sure that my husband knows where the clothes are to bring more if needed! Do you have someone to bring you extra clothes if you need them?

@peonygirl i was induced last time but ended up with an emergency section - I went in on the Monday lunch time and came home on the Wednesday afternoon. It was a whirlwind though so I don’t actually remember much about getting myself changed until about 24 hours after she was born when I was desperate for a shower and to go home! I think I just had a couple of pairs of button up pjs and then comfies for going home.

For baby, I think I’ll just take ‘upto one month’ stuff this time as my first never fit in newborn but still didn’t need 0-3 months for a good few weeks. I’ll probably take about 5-6 vests and sleepsuits and hope that’s more than enough! I will have extra stuff left out for my partner to bring more though if needed, our hospital isn’t too far away

Finally went for my 28w midwife appt yesterday- all is well. Bump measuring bang on as it should… nice strong heartbeat…. 🩷🩵

the bit that blew me away is that the midwife was able to tell me the position my baby was in, head down … and she showed me how to feel the bum and head through my belly. I didn’t even know this was possible, isn’t it just magical 🥹 …

4d scan on Sunday 🥰 I’m terrified of seeing my baby look like an alien 👽 I’ve been told they kind of do? 😂😂😂😂😂

@NSx that sounds like such a lovely experience! She measured my bump too, however when I asked my midwife how she knows where his head/bum is etc, instead of explaining she just scoffed and said “uhhhm practice?” 🙄 Regarding the 4D scan, I had mine last week at 27+2 and I think you will be very pleasantly surprised, he didn’t look alien-like at all. He looked like a proper baby with his daddy’s mouth and nose!! It will magical and an experience I will never forget. You won’t regret it, enjoy lovely xxx

@Summer022 ahh that’s so disappointing, I’m sorry your midwife wasn’t as forthcoming as mine, mine has truly been wonderful ✨ …. Hopefully at your next appt your midwife is a bit more helpful 🤍

ahhh that’s so lovely, that’s really reassured me, I will be 28+4 and we don’t know the sex so it will be nice to see what they look like and know a bit more about them 🥰 …
when’s your due date? X x

We have our baby shower today and are telling people baby’s sex so I can finally give those of you counting our tally mark for boy ✨

When I hear about everyone packing their bags - are they bags or can I take a medium sized suitcase with both of our stuff in? I don't want to look silly rocking up with a suitcase if nobody takes that but, I like everything in one place rather than multiple bags/small cases. I have bought packing cubes too so I can keep mine and baby's things separate.

@Onethingiwantfor23 I'm planning on taking a medium Tripp suitcase with us. 4 wheel job! Everything in one place which may not work for some but I would prefer to have it all together. Easy for hubby to transport from the car etc too

@NSx It was such a beautiful experience, you’ll absolutely love it 🥹 I felt like I got to know him a little bit and they sent the entire scan recording to my phone so can go back and experience it whenever which is amazing! ❤️ My due date is 26th October 🥰 So excited xx

@Summer022 you’ve got me so excited for tomorrow now 🥰 … can’t wait to see them.
That’s so lovely they give you a recording, lovely thing to be able to keep

ahhhh I’m a day before you at 25th ✨ ..

@Onethingiwantfor23
I’m hoping to have a water birth on a midwife led birthing unit inside the hospital, so all being well they let you go home after 6 hours.
So I’m taking a hold-all for me with labour stuff and post partum stuff for up to 12 hours, and a changing bag for baby with stuff for up for 12 hours.
Then plan to have a suitcase in the car with extra stuff in should we require a longer hospital stay. Don’t want to have to carry it all if it’s not necessary.

I'd love to be in and out in 6 hours but I can't go to a midwife led centre as I'm 40. My hospital does have a midwife led suite though so hoping I can use that. Baby is measuring off the scale at 28 week growth scan though so not sure if they'll offer me a C - section. I think I'll just go with the suitcase as planned and have it all with me just incase.
Good luck with yours

Great idea for the "extended stay" bag @BeaKind

For my first I was in for 4 nights as baby was small and cold so needed to warm up. I was really grateful for all the breastfeeding help while I was there, I'm not sure how I would have got on if I had come straight home.

For my second I came home very quickly the same day, I wanted to and it was lovely to not have to leave my older daughter but looking back it was intense and life back to normal very quickly!

Hi, I’m a bit worried about being discharged too quick, my hospitals website says a minimum of 2hrs?!, in a way I think I’d want to stay in at least one night even if labour/birth goes smoothly! It’s my first baby and I’ve never been a patient in a hospital so maybe that’s why.
Also anyone got any good tips/places to find a name? We are having a boy, me and my partner can’t find a boys name anywhere that we both agree on! We’ve gone through 1000s I swear! Even tried the baby name swipe app!

@HVHT I’m the opposite of you, my hospital (not in the UK) keep you in for a minimum of 2 nights / 3 days and I am desperate to leave sooner (mainly because husbands get evicted 90 minutes after birth and are only allowed to visit for an hour a day after that) so trying to figure out if I can discharge myself earlier (as long as all is well of course).

re: names, we’re the same (although don’t know the sex so looking for boy and girl names) we’ve had most luck with getting inspiration while doing other things (watching tv/films, reading etc.) also my friends threw me a baby shower and as part of the day all put guesses in for names, one of our current favourites came from them so perhaps asking people around you for ideas or for what names they think you would go for - you might be surprised! Having said that we still haven’t settled on any, but do have a list of potentials.

@Saturnsmoon really! That seems such a long time if everything okay! If your happy to go home, I’d ask to self discharge, they will probably just ask you to sign a form or something.
I wouldn’t want to stay for that long but I think at 2hrs I don’t think I’d feel ready and I already know my first night home with baby I don’t think I’ll sleep a wink! The other local hospital is currently having building work, so the hospital I’m at is having all maternity, so I imagine will be a squeeze for beds/quick discharges.
that’s a good idea, my friends are organising a baby shower so maybe I’ll ask them for name suggestions.

@Saturnsmoon I'm in the same situation, also not UK and 2 days the norm here. I'm in 2 minds as I was discharged after 2 nights with my first (in the UK) and definitely wasn't medically ready but also wanted to get home. This time I want to take my time to recover properly but know being away from my husband and eldest will be really hard.

@HVHT Our current name front runner came from a text book 🤣. It was a name from an example and just instantly liked it. And on being discharged, I would just recommend being honest and speaking up if you feel you'd like to stay and they're looking at discharge - see how you feel at the time. Perhaps give your birthing partner a heads up so they can also be ready to help by asking for you or reinforcing your request could be useful.

When I had my first I moved from the hospital to the local stand alone maternity unit for a couple of nights, unfortunately they have stopped offering this in my area now but maybe it's still possible in some areas?

I think I've overthought names! Keep coming back to one favourite that my DH seems to like too but I think we will wait until she's born to decide. For inspiration the baby name threads on here are quite good, I also like looking at birth announcements (British baby names website js good) and Baby Name Envy on instagram/YouTube is good if you're looking for something more unusual.

@HVHT I know how you feel, but at the same time you probably don't want to be in a ward with 5 more women with newborns and birthing partners visiting. Unless there is a medical reason my hospital puts women in wards with 6 beds. During the first days you will have a visit from the health visitor so things can be picked up, you can discuss your concerns. I had to stay 7 nights with my first one, but I was in my own room and still was busy. I wouldn't mind staying 1-2 nights now instead of going home to get a break from my loud 5 year old, despite how much I'll miss her, but I wouldn't want to share room.

We haven't decided on a name either... I need ideas too!

@NSx how did your scan go? I had my 4d yesterday too ☺️

@ttcttc how did yours go? My baby didn’t play ball and I had to try everything to get a pic 😴😂 they had their hands on their face the majority of the time 😂😂 it was so lovely to see their wee face though x

@NSx exactly the same! Took a while to get it to move. Went well though, they're quite clear. Still can't decide if I think boy or girl.

@ttcttc awwww so cute. I’m in exactly the same boat as you. I have loads of pics some clearer than others but can get an idea. But don’t know if girl or boy either 🥹 …. Baby was starting to smile too 🥹