November 2023 babies - Thread 5

[Shaker21]

I couldn't find a new thread open as the old is now full.

Got a few of the usernames to tag, definitely missed people but hopefully they find the thread :)

@spareincoming @Pinkplantcase @leeanneD11 @LilmissCa @FlyingHighFlyingLow @Psqueak87 @spanglesj @BabyBabyBaby123 @Houseonthehills @GreenAventurine @reememberly @Cegbee @DollyGx @38andtrying @JD90 @travellingislife @mldn @sb86 @TMI2000

@Lillybobs86 I have a cabin case packed, managed to squeeze everything in but had forgotten snacks. Going to repack it today. Going to take baby changing bag and split stuff up so I've got the quick necessities in that like nappies, swaddle, snacks, Toiletries etc... Then put bulkier stuff in the carry on. I figure I'll be less mobile after birth so being able to pop the changing bag on the bed with everything in reach will be easier. 2 bags still isn't too many, it's only if you want a pillow and a blanket too it becomes bulky! 🙈

Good luck @GemmaJen

Thanks for the tips re colostrum. I didn't know the urine sample bottles were sterile, I'm in for a growth scan on Thursday so I'll ask if I can pick some up. Another thought is do you think I could sterilise a baby bottle and collect into there? And then syringe once I have some in there? My leaflet says that any collected colostrum can be stored in the fridge for a few days until there's enough to go into a syringe

I have packed my hospital bag really light. I have a Nike gym bag/hold-all type bag with enough things for me for an over night - fresh pjs, joggers and a hoodie to come home in and a fresh button down nightie. Toiletries, labour bits, post labour bits. Just need to add snacks. For baby I have packed x3 vests and Sleepsuits, coming home outfit including hat cardi and mits, nappies and cotton wool. If we need any more than that husband can nip home and get it as we only live 10 mins away. I have packed all of baby's things into his changing bag

Thank you, I think for me the after labour bits is taking up half the suitcase 🙈
I tried to cut it down but I'm down to bare Essentials and still doesn't fit 😬
So I'll probably just take hold-all for babies stuff :))

Anyone else put there seeing threads pop up with due dates of May/June 2024 and just feel completely blown away?! I know we're all nearing the end of our pregnancies but it just feels totally insane!

As for hospital bag(s) I've got 2 smaller duffle bags one for me and one for baby (though I've only packed babies at the moment) I should probably do mine today as I'm paranoid if I don't then tomorrow consultant will decide baby needs to come 🤣 tempting fate and all that.

I’ve got a cabin case for babies stuff & a weekend bag for mine. I’ve really narrowed everything down but there still seems a lot 🫢 just got to grab some comfy clothes for coming home and a sports drink for labour.
I also have a presentation scan booked for tomorrow as my last baby was breech so hopefully this one will be head down and stay put until arrival!

Bags packed here too! I have my labour ward bag with loose nighty/comfy socks and toiletries bag in it for me and for baby I have 2 vests/sleepsuits (newborn size and 0-3 size) couple of nappies and water wipes. Snacks also in this bag with water bottle and tens machine!

I bought these little travel bags in primark not so long ago (€6) and find them great and recommend them for keeping bits organised in the carry on case. (Pics just to give you an idea of what they are) I have one for baby and her clothes, blankets and other bits, one for me and my pjs, undies etc, and another for nappies/wipes etc

Himself will bring in going home clothes with he’s picking us up!
Cant believe we’re at this stage of pregnancy now!

On another note has anyone been suffering with pains in their legs at night 😩 it’s only my right leg that seems to be giving me grief and more so around the knee! Thankfully not every night but it’s just annoying!

@Lillybobs86 I’ve just got one weekend bag for me and baby, but I do go to the hospital light because I found on my first I didn’t need half the things I took (this is my third pregnancy). I’m also having an elective c-section.

Anyone who’s likely to have a 37-39 weeker and plans to breastfeed I listened to this midwives cauldron episode about early term breastfeeding. If anyone else would find it useful. There’s also some good links int he show notes with guidance from the academy of breastfeeding medicine.

https://spotify.link/OucOE47bYDb

@Katiec1 I have been getting such a bad pain in my knee joint when I wake up, it's generally on the side I sleep on, last night I tried to sleep with a pillow between my legs but it only helped a little bit, the only thing that has been helping it for me has been turning over which is my less comfortable side to sleep on.

35 weeks now and getting to the really uncomfortable stage where doing anything feels like a battle. How do women go on long walks this late in pregnancy! I waddle around at the best of times and am knackered after being out the house for an hour or two!

I have packed an overnight sort of bag and a changing bag for baby. Kept it very light with one pair of comfy pjs, a comfy nightie, going home outfit, comfy bras, big underwear, maternity pads, toiletries and then a couple of sleepsuits in newborn, a couple in 0-3, some nappies, some baby wipes, formula, coming home outfit and a blanket as well as a couple of hats. No socks or mittens as its all built in to the sleepsuits. Quite proud that we've managed to keep it quite light! 😂

Can't believe how close we are all getting now ladies! Just over a month until my due date now!

@TMI2000 yes this is me, it’s always the knee/side I sleep on too. I have tried a pillow but doesn’t seem to give it any relief.
We’re a month today for due date. Is it bad to say I’m fed up now and counting down the days 🙈😩

It's frightening just how close we are now! I had the baby's bag packed since 25 weeks in case she was prem, but now 10 weeks later need to update it and pack my own. Midwife said today that she's oblique and if this carries on past 36 weeks they'll need to make a plan 😔 got a scan on Friday, desperately trying to get baby back to head down! Don't want an unstable lie this late on, midwife did mention maybe needing to admit me, which considering my waters always go first I can understand.

After my bump jumping to over 97th centile last midwife appointment and a growth scan showing 90% baby, my fundal measurement 3 weeks later was somehow smaller, putting me back towards 10th centile again 😅 back for another growth scan! Same midwife measuring it too. I imagine the fact I've actually lost weight since last appointment probably has some impact (thank you returning morning sickness and a horrible virus). This is going to be a very well scanned baby!

34 weeks and I'll be honest, I've not packed anything. Car seat, base, pram, crib bought but still in boxes. Need to get sorting but I'm knackered and we're both busy with work and had lots of visitors and weekend trips recently. I can picture me frantically chucking stuff in a suitcase yelling at DH to put the car seat in the car while in labour 😅.

@FlyingHighFlyingLow we're only getting stuff out of boxes and putting up things today and he's arriving tomorrow 🙈 38 weeks and I can only do 10 or 15 minutes of things at a time, before I need a sit down! Blummin exhausting. Still trying to get the house cleaned too, I don't feel prepared at all!

@GemmaJen good luck for tomorrow.

37 and a half weeks now! Still no signs baby is ready to come. Had my OB appointment today and he said baby is still very high, not engaged at all. Probably why my ribs are giving me so much pain right now. I was almost in tears last night.

Ladies at work are throwing me a baby shower today, so grateful but massively dreading it. I’ve avoided having birthday parties / engagement parties etc my whole life. I’m so nervous. Do they have them back home in the Uk? I feel like it’s very American. I’ve not lived in the Uk since I was in my early twenties so I have no idea if they’re a thing now! I even mustered up the energy to apply a little fake tan last night, but I can’t quite reach everywhere like I used to be able to. lol.

@Psqueak87 I think in the last 5 years at least they’ve become more of a thing in the UK, especially the last couple of years where I would say they are quite big now. When I had my 12 year old, they weren’t a thing at all, I didn’t have one. Then my four year old, they were starting be known and my friends threw me one and they are throwing me one this time too, it’s this weekend.

Got hospital bag 3/4 packed. Packing light as I didn't stay over night with my 2nd & barely needed much. Altho I think I'll do a night this time, not rush back lol

What's everyone's snacks / drinks they are packing. I forgot about this.
Last time I was starving after, obvs got tea & toast but got the ward & had missed dinner they just offered more tea & toast. Think that was a reason why I thought let's go home lol

@JD90 the new pregnancy months have me blown away for months!! Each time I see one it's like omg another month has passed!

@LilmissCa 4 finger kitkats are top of my snack list. They’re my favourite!

I am finally starting to put my hospital bag together, I’m 36 weeks today and c section is booked for 38 weeks, so I have 2 weeks …
I am feeling very unprepared, but I have started maternity leave now and am trying to balance having some time to myself before baby arrives with having the time to get all the jobs done that need doing.

Does anyone know what baby needs for in theatre while they’re closing me up once they’re born? I seem to remember taking a hat, nappies and maybe socks for DD, you think I’d remember because it wasn’t even 2 years ago, but my mind has gone completely blank!

Also has anyone got gifts for the older siblings from the baby? I got matching Steiff bears for my daughters when DD2 was born, so I don’t really want anything soft and cuddly this time because our house is already overrun by teddies.

@WriMum22 oh have fun at your shower! Mine was amazing, quite overwhelming that people who have only known me for a year put so much effort into the day.

@LilmissCa I have some mini chocolates, some dried mango, polos, granola bars and some dry roast peanuts, not healthy at all, but I’m a snack fiend. I didn’t pack any drinks though, just a water bottle! Wish we could get lucozade over here.

just got back from my baby shower, it was all very overwhelming, the fact I didn’t cry is a shocker. I have more clothes than I know what to do with now.

@BabyBabyBaby123 I havn’t had a c-section but if I need one I wouldn’t be taking anything for baby whilst in theatre. I would expect to have skin to skin with baby on my chest under a blanket/in my hospital gown the whole time they’re stitching me up. Or skin to skin with dad if I was unwell. Maybe take a hat Incase baby needs to be on dad but the smell of the top of babies head is really important hormonally for mum, it can really help to get hormones going for breastfeeding (if that’s something you want to do) so I would avoid the hat if possible.

@Psqueak87 looks like lots of fun 😁 I’m going to see the Taylor Swift concert in the cinema on Friday night with a meal before hand. It isn’t a baby shower but it certainly feels like it’ll be my last night out for a very long time!

Is it normal for your small to strink in size? I was massive yesterday and today I've woken up very small, could it be where his laying.? I've not felt him move as much , so trying all tips to see if anything works as I normally feel move around 7-7.30 . I never had any problems with reduced movement in my last pregnancies. Xx

Good luck for today @GemmaJen 🥰 how exciting!!

I've been very quiet on here lately, just been lurking in the background so to speak.

I get induced 2 weeks today at 39 weeks as the hospital need to make sure they have the relevant staff to hand for baby's op. I've just about packed our hospital bags, need to get snacks though. I've got a small suitcase for baby, a slightly larger one for me and then a canvas type bag for labour items. I will be in hospital for about a week they've said but then be moved to a parents building for the rest of the duration the baby will be in hospital. I'm excited to meet baby but scared at the same time as I'm not too sure what to expect 😕

Keep seeing our chosen baby names everywhere now and wondering if we should start rethinking 😅🙈

Anyway I hope everyone is well apart from the uncomfortable and nauseous feelings of course 🙄

Thanks @Sb86 , sat in delivery suite waiting our turn, we were first on the list but my bloods from Monday need re-doing, so twiddling our thumbs waiting it out. I'm staring at the bag of wotsits I packed, I'm so hungry! And the tea lady keeps offering my husband biscuits, it just feels so unfair! Hopefully we'll be in theatre before lunchtime.

@Sb86 a longer stay seems daunting, do you have a plan if something happens before 39 weeks?

We're still working on a middle name, it feels like such a commitment! Not sure whether to go Alexander or Elias, we keep going back and forth 🙈

Hope everyone is having a good Wednesday x

Hope it all goes well @GemmaJen and you soon have your little boy in your arms! Both names are really lovely, not sure i could choose either - just use both!