Due January 2024 - Part 8

[PartRadish]

Couldn't see a new one yet :)

I still haven't seen a MW and am really rather hungry too. Do you think I can leave to find food here? Does anyone know Addenbrookes well?

Bless you @Kalodin no I'm afraid not, but is there a desk you can go to and ask what's the latest on when you might be seen, if there's food available and if so where. Recently at the hospital I told the reception that I'd gone to find food so they knew I was still inside the hosp and hadn't just hotfooted it home!

I did venture out but tbh it's very confusing here and everyone looks very busy @WitcheryDivine Hoping someone comes at handover.

Drs did see me at 3pm and their plan is to admit me to the Antenatal Ward for at least 2 nights stay for proper assessment and seeing their specialist preterm doctors. Not sure when that's happening though.

I just feel so in the way and awkward and I never know how to behave in these settings. I'm such a people pleaser too. Sorry for the rant. I'm feeling stupidly emotional

Aw @Kalodin that sounds absolutely crap! I’d ring the buzzer and just explain how long you’ve been there and if there’s a plan.

Definitely ask about food as well! I got given a pity sandwich when I was in over lunch a couple of weeks ago so they should absolutely make sure you’re eating!

I did get lunch @Mushroo But that was a right faff... someone came in and offered me a lost of sandwiches, I asked which would cater for my dairy allergy and I was told none and usually they'd need at least 24hrs notice of dietary requirements (how do we plan to know when we are coming in?). She did manage to track down some options from another ward so I did have a very filling vegan stew. But I'm fearing my options for dinner tonight. I know we aren't here to be treated like we are in some luxury hotel ofc. Maybe I'll order some food to the ward? Can I do that?

Don't feel awkward! People who work in hospitals are (mostly) lovely and they won't want you starving, if they've overlooked you they'll want to make sure that it's sorted so you can have tea. Sorry you're being admitted though! Have you got your stuff with you?

I have an overnight bag that can do me for 3 days. Luckily had that packed up at the weekend, DH dropped that up to me but forgot my biscuit and oat milk supplies 😂

How many days before Due date are you all planning to finish work?

People keep asking me and I'm shrugging a bit. I'm lucky to be able to wfh when I need to, work isn't especially taxing or stressful so I'm planning to leave it as late as possible to maximise paid time with the baby. Am I nuts?

@Whataretheodds I’m the same in that I can work from home and I’m finishing at 38 weeks.

Thats mainly because that’s when I’d finish for Xmas anyway, otherwise I might have gone later! I’m really trying to maximise time on the other side.

Obviously if she comes early Mat leave will trigger l, but there’s not much I can do about that!

Most of the stuff is done and I think I’d get a bit bored with extra time off just waiting around (as much as I’m so bored of work too 😂)

Not nuts at all! I've asked if I can keep working right up until I deliver, work have agreed that as long as I have a weekly handover meeting with my Director and Consultantswho will be handling my projects in my absence then they're happy for that.

@Kalodin sounds naff for you, I feel for you!

@Whataretheodds planning on working until 36 weeks. (Last day 15th December) I just have a bit of a stressful job, house renovations, PGP and a three year old and feel like I need a few weeks to sort of my life out before baby arrives.

@Kalodin it's a human and decent thing to feel bad but don't, you need your answers it's anxious enough for you. Don't feel you on the way, go get answers and ask about food. Few years ago i was in maternity ward in Ireland with my ectopic, was brought in from a&e and got a list what i would like for lunches and dinners. Im pescatarian and luckily they had options.
Yes she said its good weight.

@Hummusanddipdip yes im 28+3. Yours is good weight aswell. I've my next scan in 3 weeks.

@Whataretheodds I'm working until 39 weeks which means I'll be back for 1 week after the Christmas break but I can work from home if needed so hoping not to do much that week back. 😂 would rather have the paid time with baby to be honest! Got time off over Xmas to get things sorted and washed and stuff (I hope!).

@Whataretheodds I’m finishing at 37 weeks, partly because like others I wanted to be off for the Christmas period then anyway and didn’t make sense to just come back for a few days after.

@Kalodin that sounds rubbish, I would probably go on the hunt for food. Hope you've had some dinner now!

@Whataretheodds I'm planning on working until 38 weeks at the moment for money reasons, but already thinking about bringing it forward to 37 weeks as I'm knackered and less motivated. I'll probably just work from home nearer the time as well. Could definitely do with extra time to sort everything for baby, very disorganised!

It is a good weight @LittleAlien24 i was told the same 🤣 its nice to see a very similar weight at near same gestation.

Although I suspect this one will tail off and not gain as expected. Ds wasnt monitored as bump measured as expected, he came at 37+6 by hospital dates and 37 weeks exactly by mine and was 5lbs 10oz so about 2500g, he was 7th percentile, which to be honest even with aspirin, I'm expecting this one to be below 20th.

It's not based on science, just family experience. I was 6lb 4oz and dh was 6lb 10oz both of us over 40 weeks (how our mums retain that knowledge 30 years later I don't know, I had to dig out my notes for ds). I'm only 5ft and he's 5ft 8, so we're not tall people by any standards, poor ds is 4 but is still in anything from 18months to 3 years, so I'm not expecting to have a big one again. now watch me have an above average 10lber 🤣

@Whataretheodds I'm intending to work until 37+5 as that's when school closes for Christmas. There will be lots of Christmas crafts on the run up that I can manage from my chair 🤣

£40 lighter but I got my fit to fly! Had to ring around a lot and there seems to be no body in our trust that will do them and the midwives were so lovely and said they have constant battles with GPs as they are categorically told they can't do them but GPs refuse so they had lots of sympathy and said it's so frustrating for them too! But all sorted now ready for our last holiday as a two!

@Whataretheodds i’m working until 37 weeks 😊

I’m working until 35weeks, it’s such a struggle already. Can’t physically do it. Today has been shitter than shit, totally broken. Off for a week now

Sorry you've had such a terrible day @Mummyme87, are you doing anything nice with your week off? Really hope you can get some rest!

@FirstT1meMum hooray for the fit to fly note! Enjoy your holiday ☺️

Does anyone have a list of clothing they would recommend for a newborn? I've looked at the NHS list but interested to hear based on others experiences. Thanks!

@Bims2019 have scan tomorrow, then Driving to Northumberland Thursday for a few days to see family and my grandmas 90th party.

@Kalodin addenbrookes have a Costa coffee in the hospital and an m and s where you can buy food. There is great food at the Frank Lee gym restaurant as well - used to have a chicken salad there and the chicken was hot and fresh. I think there is also a food hall in the hospital too

@Bims2019 the main thing is quantity! Newborns create an ungodly amount of mess for such tiny little things. I’ve just washed all my DD’s stuff and have the following

10 x newborn/first size sleepsuits (double check the weight for each size as brands vary).
10 x long sleeved vests
couple of hats
a few cardigans
muslins (some people never need them, others like me have about 50 because baby has bad reflux!)
I used sleeping bags rather than blankets as I coslept but double check the weight limit. Most have to be something like 7.5 lbs before you can use them.

Then I had the same as above but in a selection of sizes from different brands, H&M do 0-2 months for example.

Thank you @xLJ1990x I will have a wander tomorrow to find!

@Mummyme87 so sorry you've had a shitter of a day, doesn't wound like you'll get much rest on your week off either with a car journey and party?

@Bims2019 consider how frequently you inagine you'll be able to wash the clothes, that should help you with quantity. My babies usually needed about 2-3 outfit changes a day plus a few muslins.