Due February 2024 Thread 6!!🤰🩷💙

[AllAboardTootToot]

Last thread just got full so starting a new one for us to keep chatting :)

So many of us get heartburn though, @CheeseAndCrackersx so you weren't to know even if it was.

it sounds like they've caught it early regardless and will get it under control/come up with a plan. X

You're right @amyg1985. Honestly not a symptom I thought was odd.
I'll still mention it even if it's not connected.
Yeah hopefully be ok now going to be monitored more closely and I'm glad it's only happening nearer the end.

There was a few ladies in the hospital today for high blood pressure, must've been a day for it

Yes - I think we've hit that stage when bp can start to climb. You're in safe hands! Let us know how everything goes x

I've actually been feeling really weak after standing up today, not exactly dizzy but my whole body goes weak. I keep forgetting to check my blood pressure. They checked it at my appointment yesterday and it was perfect though.

May be your iron levels, did you have bloods done?

Yeah, I've had two blood tests recently and everything was perfect thank goodness x

@CheeseAndCrackersx mention it but I don’t think it’d be anything too much to worry about I’m making my way through gaviscon rapidly 😅 my midwife said severe headache, visual disturbances, severe onset swelling and chest pain is what needs looking out for. When you going back to see someone? X

@amyg1985 @A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 got out this evening thank god, bloods clear so that’s great. Long day in there

Ladies, I'm worried I've underpacked now. Can you please detail what you packed for baby? I have three outfits (a sleep suit and short sleeve body), two cellular blankets to swaddle and a warmer blanket for car seat, two pairs of socks and 2 hats. I can wrap them to absolute nothing. They barely take any space. Am I missing things? My hospital said no nappies and no formula as they have it all.

And for yourselves? The postpartum stuff with pads takes most room - about half a small gym bag; but all my stuff is basically in a 30L rucksack 👀 I feel like I must be missing plenty of things. But I do have a towel packed, no robe.

Help?

@novamama I've packed:

Baby

• 3 x sleep suits (newborn and 0-3)
• 3 x vests (newborn and 0-3)
• Nappies / wipes / cream etc
• 2 x hats
• 1 x cellular blanket
• 4 muslins (1 x large swaddle)

Me

• Nightie to birth in
• 2 x button lounge sets
• 1 x thin robe
• Spare tshirt
• Pads / disposable pants
• Biiiig pants, socks
• 1 x nursing bra
• Nipple pads and cream
• Peri bottle, spray
• Snacks
• Basic toiletries
• Charger

I plan to just wear the outfit I walk into the hosp with back home again to save space!

Hope this helps :)

Forgot to add cardigan and thicker blanket for baby when leaving hosp.

Towel and slippers for myself too.

Just thought I’d share in case anyone else is debating about calling in over less movements like I have been. I was getting stressed overnight / this morning because while baby was moving he wasn’t doing his usual party moves in the night.

Logically I was half sure he was fine - I have an anterior placenta and sometimes it muffles the feelings, but I realised this morning I was getting stressed about it because it felt like he hadn’t partied in awhile, I’d had some crampy pains the last two nights and I just had this overwhelming feeling something was wrong so I called my midwife if only to get some reassurance that all was well.

She got me in, had a student with her and because she was explaining everything to the student I ended up finding out so much extra information and it really calmed me down. Baby is absolutely fine although he’s moved from having his head stuck in my pelvis ready to go - to lying over my right hip and bladder. He’s now also side on with his feet rammed under my rib cage. Explains the heartburn! I am so much calmer though for having checked with her as I now know for sure he’s fine and healthy now and it was definitely great having the student there due to the extra explanation. Midwife was also able to tell me some of my results that hadn’t been added to Badger Notes by the hospital (I’ve just been prescribed iron tablets and I was curious what my result actually was - 107 so not too low). So glad I called in just for that reassurance.

Easier said than done but try not to stress, you’ll be brilliant but just be kind to yourself!

I’ve been getting more intense Braxton hicks and they’re closer together as well as back pain, pressure below and loose stools (tmi sorry) so I called triage and went in. They put me on a monitor for a while to check baby’s heartbeat and contractions and agreed that they were pretty intense and close together but that I wasn’t yet in active labour so to go home and let it continue because it could take hours, days or even weeks.

So glad I’ve made it to 37 weeks and really wouldn’t mind when she comes now. I’m absolutely exhausted 😩

@novamama defo take flip flops for easy to slip on shoes to go to bathroom, etc. As the floors can be a bit wet and potentially dirty/bloody depending on other users and when last cleaned!

@msp2023 ngl I would recommend taking spare joggers or something along those lines, as the ones I wore to hospital ended up soaked in meconium waters so defo not wearable for going home in. My waters had actually gone but were the gift that kept on giving and I wasn't expecting it, thankfully the pad I had put on lasted the car journey at least 🙈

If you see water or blood anywhere in hospital please, everyone, insist it is cleaned before you use the facilities. That is horrific!!

My dad had a simple operation and contracted MRSA. All because hospital staff were not on top of basic hygiene. Anyone working on a ward where toilets get that dirty should be retrained and monitored!! Sorry, extreme view but it’s a hospital!!

@msp2023 @Ihatewinding thank you ladies! Reassuring to read!

Being pregnant is a blessing when it's freezing outside cos if anything I'm burning up not cold 🤣
Normally in winter I'm very wrapped up, cosy fluffy pjs the lot. Not right now, I'm stripped off mostly 🫢

Me too @CheeseAndCrackersx - I've not felt cold in ages! All that blood flow keeps us warm.

How are you feeling today?

@novamama I've packed 2 cabin size suitcases, I haven't asked what they allow but they haven't advised me of any restrictions. I may well have over packed but I'd feel very stressed if I felt I didn't have everything I need.

For me-
Toiletries
Maternity pads
Breast pads
Black towel and flannel
Hair brush and bobbles
Several pairs of black underwear
2x maternity bras
1 nightie
1 pair of button up pyjamas
Dressing gown
Socks
Slippers
Cheap flip flops
Clothes to go home in
Will add before leaving: phone charger, iPad, air pods, maternity notes

For baby-
3 X vests
3 X sleep suits
1 x nice outfit for photos/going home
Hats
Mittens and socks (the clothes all have these built in but if she's too warm and only wants a vest I thought I might need these)
4x bibs
4x muslins
1x pram suit
Starter pack of formula with treats
2x dummies (will sterilise)
Nappies
Wipes
Nappy cream
Nappy bags

Seeing it all written out it certainly looks a lot! But fits comfortably in the 2 bags and I feel confident knowing I'm prepared.

@novamama
3x sleep suits newborn
3x vests new born

3x sleep suits 0-3
3x vests 0-3
1x cardy
1x blanket

4x Muslins
2x hats
2x hand mits

Milk, nappies, nappy bags, cotton wool, cream and dummies

2x PJs
1x nighty
6x knickers
1x bra
Socks
Slippers
Dressing gown
Bag of mini toiletries
Breast pads
Maternity pads
Charger

• also coming home in clothes I wear to go in with. Stripping off once in.

Seems a lot but I still do have space in cases

For those taking baby wipes it’s recommended to use Cotten wool to start with x

@redxlondon I agree re blood and fluids, but in reality several of us mentioned it and it was still there hours later. Flip flops or slides definitely good just in case!

The staff were too busy even to bring jugs of water to c section patients, so if their partners weren't there at the time, I went and filled their jugs. Ditto food - you had to walk and get the food so if people couldn't manage, another patient or partner could bring the food back to them

Good morning all.
I've had some slight period type cramps in my lower belly / back accompanied with hard bump. Not regular, not really measurable in length of time either.

This morning I had some bright yellow watery discharge. Never had this before so not sure if it could be a trickle of waters? I've put a pad down and will keep an eye on it but wondered if anybody has experienced this before.

I'm Not too bad thank you @amyg1985 but these meds make me feel a bit nauseous and I have to watch standing up quick. Hopefully will settle in a couple of days though 😊

Eeeekk!! I can’t believe we’re actually all on labour watch now 😳😳
my due date isn’t until 22nd so I’m still a bit more relaxed but to see the tone of the group change is so exciting!! (And terrifying!! 🤣🫣)
I finally got my bag packed and got it all
into one cabin bag and a mini backpack for last minute snacks 👌🏼😁
A good little tip that came from my antenatal classes was to take your own big water bottle with a straw so that you can easily drink from it even when on all fours or other funky birthing positions 👌🏼 she also suggested lip balm close to hand 😁