Due November 2023 - chapter 6

[Spareincoming]

Definitely missed people but hopefully they find the post…
Please tag anyone else!

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

Thanks everyone, I ordered some small gifts last night and whenever I do something for the youngest, I always do the same for the eldest even when he thinks it’s silly. The gap is so big but I hate doing something for one and not the other so eldest often rolls his eyes as if to say oh Mum, but it makes me feel better knowing that deep down, he knows I’d never leave him out despite his embarrassments lol.

i just got them both some little cookies decorated saying ‘Best Big Brother’ then youngest I got a booked titled ‘I am a big brother’ and the eldest I bought a black string bracelet with a card attached about being the best brother, it will be very silly to him but I’m hoping he appreciates the sentiment. He likes those black string bracelets so it is something he will use.

@GemmaJen So pleased to hear you’re homeward bound!

@Psqueak87 I agree with doing something simple like cakes - as a wee thanks and acknowledgement -
store bought cupcakes would be fine!

@reememberly No changes in pain relief and I’m still in a lot of pain; this is the worst c-section recovery I’ve had by a long, long shot. I’ve hardly moved from bed, sofa, toilet in the last 48 hours, I can’t even get to kitchen for a drink. Midwife is coming tomorrow so I’ll discuss it all then. It’s also bothering me as no movement impacts my post partum bleeding too.

@Psqueak87 I think last time I ordered crispy creme donuts for the office, next Tuesday is my last day and will probably do similar 😊 I don’t think anyone would expect you to bake something or prepare it yourself.

Massive congratulations @Thack & @Spareincoming @Cegbee !!!

@JD90 @reememberly thank you! Afternoon tea is a great idea! Hopefully I can source some clotted cream somewhere 😀

@GemmaJen congrats on being able going home with baby! Enjoy! ❤️

@PinkPlantCase yeah, I think my backup plan will be to buy donuts from the nice donut shop in town. I will be 39 weeks at that stage so I’m not sure how long I’ll want to stand at the oven for! Although I managed to bake this pistachio cake last week and was feeling pretty proud!

@Psqueak87 I’m a cake maker and I only finished last week so it’s been a struggle 🫣 I’m still going to attempt my daughters birthday cake if I haven’t had baby by then. Her birthday is 19th, due date is 16th and I’m planning to make it on the 17th 🫢🤣. X

@Mrsrobinsonx oh my god, you’re braver than me, I plan on not lifting a finger from due date onwards 😜

That cake looks lovely @Psqueak87. And that’s impressive @Mrsrobinsonx! I made a kid’s birthday cake (not even very well I should confess…) at the end of July and it just about did for me then, no way I could do it now, I do have horrendous PGP though, so standing is a real issue.

So sorry to hear that @Spareincoming. I had a difficult recovery with my previous section and it really gets you down if it drags on - hoping the midwife can help you get you on a better path tomorrow.

@Psqueak87 that cake 😋.

Second official maternity leave day and I’m ALREADY bored. I’m literally just mooching around the house doing nothing. Oh and ds are off to the football this evening (while both panicking I’ll go into labour - I won’t! 🤣) . Just so bored!

Had a phone call from the hospital to say my bloods have come down a little so really pleased with that.

Thanks @reememberly and @GreenAventurine it’s actually a pretty easy recipe, and everyone goes wild for it. Here it is incase you ever feel the need:

https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/homemade-pistachio-pudding-cake/#wprm-recipe-container-35570

Hi.

So last night I was laying in bed and what felt like I could see shining from my vision , and again this evening like they are bright white shining , has anyone ever experienced this before and what was their outcome from it? Should I be worried is it a sign of something xx

Could it be an ocular migraine? I have these occasionally and it really freaked me out the first time (wondered if I was having a stroke!) but saw doctor & had tests and they concluded it was this. Have had a few times since, no discernable pattern, lasts about 15 mins and then over. No pain. Would see your GP to check.

@LeeanneD11 how has your blood pressure been? I always though seeing lights or flashes could be a sign of preeclampsia, I think you should be checked over.

On average 100/70 most of them but my last one was 125/70 . Now I'm not sure what's normal or what isn't . Xx

@Thack @Spareincoming @Cegbee Congrats on the new arrivals ladies!! 😍 hope you are all doing well. It’s all getting very real now! I am absolutely terrified for labour, wish I could enjoy this time a bit more but it’s all I think about atm 😬😅

@Psqueak87
That cake looks amazing!

I've come down with a stonking cold. Not ideal at 37+2 but hopefully it's gone by the time I go into labour.

I've been trying to get out for a walk each day (although my "walk" yesterday was an Ikea visit!), drink my raspberry tea and eat my dates. I'm finding the dates the hardest as they're so sweet I can't stomach them. My morning sickness has returned a bit this week, which isn't helping.

I'm also sitting on my yoga ball and bouncing about randomly. No idea if that's a good idea or not!

Is anyone else doing anything in the final run up? I'm still aiming for a VBAC but we shall see...

@LeeanneD11 get that checked first thing. As BabyBabyBaby said it is one of the warning flags for pre-eclampsia,l. They mentioned it as one to look out for during my discharge from hospital.

@DollyGx try and have a think about what terrifies you about labour (I get it's scary in itself!). If you can reflect on what the components are then you can prepare yourself.
On DC1 I had fear of the unknown, which can't be changed. I also realised that I was scared of losing control. That there would be that moment where I'd need someone else to look after me, which is not how I roll. I tried to mentally accept that I'd need to trust DH and the midwife, that the loss of control is not a 'real' problem as they'd be there for me.

Expectation is always worse than reality.
Drugs are available 😆

Does anyone have any strong views on reading about post-partum 'fun'?
I'm conscious that the later babies here are maybe 7 odd weeks away. I don't want to add pressure or impatience.
(I was due in just over 2 weeks and induced, those due end Nov who run late have a long wait!)

We're on day 3, it's been all change.

@Alloveragain3 thank you!

I’m eating dates, I have a sweet tooth so I don’t mind the sweetness, but getting 6+ a day is a struggle. I’ve been putting them into my smoothies. 5 dates, some Greek yog, frozen fruit and water.

also eating lots of pineapple! No struggle there as I love it.

red raspberry leaf tea. Although I don’t LOVE it. I’ve been chilling it and adding a dash of blackcurrant squash.

I heard bouncing on the ball isn’t very helpful, but to sway back and forth on it, whilst really tucking the back of the bum in when you sway forward (I’m no expert though). I’ve been doing both TBH.

my midwife friend says having some sexy time will help, but I’ve been working midnights up until yday while my partner is working days so we’ve barely seen each other.

attempting to express colostrum is also supposed to help, but haven’t had a chance to try past the first time a few nights ago (unsuccessfully).

one more thing I’m doing is taking one evening primrose tablet by mouth, and one internally up as close to the cervix as I can get it at night.

all this might be old wives tales. But I’m willing to try anything now. 38+3 and convinced I’ll go to 41, when my doc wants to induce me, but I really don’t want to be induced!

How do those with older DC plan on introducing them to the baby?
DD2 was born during covid, which meant no hospital visitors, so DD1 didn’t meet her until we were home from hospital.
I think I have some rose tinted specs on and I am imagining DD1 & 2 (12 and 1) coming into hospital to meet their new baby brother as some magical experience.
But my mum has said that she thinks DD2 will be very upset seeing me with a new baby and having to leave without me, which I would find very difficult.
I have seen the advice to not be holding the baby when they enter the room (DD2 really, I don’t think DD1 would mind) but now I’m doubting whether I want them to come and visit, even just a short and sweet visit if it is going to upset us both.
Any thoughts or ideas are welcome!

@Thack thank you, that’s sensible advice! Tbh my fears are the same as yours were - the unknown and being out of control. My body also does not handle adrenaline well - I’m a fainter! Which you’d think after all these years I’d be used to it but it really knocks me for six! I’m practicing my hypnobirthing in a hope that it might help come the big day. And yes, I’m not opposed to drugs at all if need be! 😬

A few mentions of dates on here - if anyone likes porridge I’ve been chopping up 3 or 4.of them and adding them in before I heat it up, really yummy!

Please go and get checked as PP said it could be a sign of pre eclampsia.

@BabyBabyBaby123 DC1 is 2.5yo and came to the hospital. I was in the night before (waiting for a space on labour ward) and had been told we were in overnight with baby.

I put DC2 down before DC1 saw me. I gave them a huge hug and asked about their day, my focus was on them first of all. We did say 'oh look here's baby' but it was about them as much as possible.
Kids exchanged gifts and DC1 had a (supervised) hold.

It went well. No breathtaking, fairytale meet but we did catch some beautiful pictures and DC1 came away happy about new baby and not too upset about mum being away.

On the negative side, DC1 did get restless. DH told them 'no' a lot, he went very protective of baby where I let biggie try a little more. I ended up going for a walk down the corridor with them. The ward was so hot, it was approaching dinner time too - took some managing. Hard work for me, I was disappointed that DH and his mum didn't spot what DC1 was getting mardy over.

So today's the day we find out if DD2 is joining us early... so obviously I had almost zero sleep last night. My appointment isn't until 4pm so I've got all day to wait too, plus I can't even just totally relax in bed and try and sleep as I've got a bloody house inspection this morning between 9 and 12. Despite knowing they will be in and out in about ten minutes with no issue they always make me feel unreasonably stressed out. I am just so exhausted and on edge, urgh not what I needed right now...

How's everyone else doing today?