OCTOBER 2024 BABIES - Thread 4

[CluelessInLondon]

Just getting another thread going as we are about to run out of space on the old one - hope nobody minds me taking the initiative on it!

Previous thread here: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/pregnancy/5028774-october-2024-babies-thread-3

I can wear regular leggings/anything with elasticated waist under my bump with long or maternity tops, or I can wear regular tops but then I need over bump maternity bottoms in that case. Otherwise when I move about/lift my arms slightly my belly pops out in my first pregnancy though I wasnt at this stage until I was like 20+ weeks. Personally I think it's worth just buying the maternity clothes, if you have a small collection and keep on top of frequent laundry it will last you the rest of your pregnancy and at least the first few weeks post-partum too. I have all my old stuff from my previous pregnancies, I bought most things reduced in sales or secondhand from a Facebook group. If I'd had Vinted then I would probably have mostly bought on Vinted.

@AppleTree16 Thank you! Not maternity, just a size up, from Tesco! My OH chose me the outfit because I hate wearing anything other than jeans so it's very much out of my comfort zone!

@LuxeBiscuit Thank you! X

I'm plus size so haven't really got a bump yet, wondering about maternity clothes. My tops are getting a little tight! Where the best place to get them on the high street?

@RobynC28 I'm the same, I've definitely got a bit of a bump but you wouldn't guess there was a baby in there, I just look like I've had a bit too much cake. 😂

@LuxeBiscuit The JoJo Maman Bebe bump bands are amazing for hiding trousers that won't do up - they have button holes so you can actually button your trousers into them and then they hide where the trousers aren't fastened. I can't fit into any of my work skirts or trousers anymore but I'm nowhere near big enough for maternity stuff so the bump bands are a godsend! I'm definitely sticking with non-maternity clothes for as long as I can.

@CluelessInLondon thank you. I didn't realise they had stand alone stores. I'll pop into one at the weekend.

I’ve been in maternity jeans since 8 weeks! My bump is huge compared to my first. Last time I bought maternity jeans and a couple of T-shirts. Everything else I managed with my normal wardrobe. We’ll be through the summer this time though so I think I’ll need some maternity shorts. I get everything on vinted (no new clothes in our household) but a lot of it is either brand new or barely worn.

Also (sorry, not sure who said it) but I don’t particularly enjoy being pregnant. I find the weight gain very hard mentally. I’m also very into fitness/ exercise and I hate how everything becomes harder and more uncomfortable. Last time I had to stop running really early as it was too painful. Having done it before though I know it all comes back. This is all very temporary and will be over before we know it!

Thank you so much @CluelessInLondon for your incredible thoughtful and very reasonable post about post loss anxiety. I had my first consultant appointment today and she was lovely but reassured me about the risks going down the further I go which rationally I understand!

In addition to everything else I have massive fibroids so my bump is a fibroid (fun) rather than anything baby related. But all my clothes still fit - I tend to wear slightly oversized things anyway so that gives me some wiggle room!

I don’t know if I can blame baby brain yet but I seem to have totally misplaced my house keys over the last few days and am now slightly worried someone’s taken them out the door if I left them in there. Ideal timing for my husband being away for a few days!

@RobynC28 @Bee49

I just wanted to say that you are not alone in struggling a little with the weight gain. As an ex-ballerina who's always been naturally slim, to suddenly go up a size feels very odd and unsettling, especially when it's not visibly a baby bump yet. I found out yesterday during my week 16 appointment that I have put on 4 kilos in total, which is shocking! I am currently stationed in Asia and the midwife's English wasn't very good, so she was saying "Ohhhh you are very fat. Too much fat!" which definitely did not help. 😅We have to remember that it's for a good cause... As long as our diet is healthy and we manage to do a bit of sports, the rest isn't up to us. At least that's what I've been telling myself!

@Melian I’m up 4kg too and that’s total normal ! Your body needs to put on the weight. I’m sorry you have to be weighed at every appointment. They don’t do that in the U.K. and you can go through your whole pregnancy blissfully unaware of how much weight you’ve gained. I lived in Singapore for a while and they’re definitely not shy to tell you if they think you’re fat! I’m not sure where you’re from originally but it’s quite shocking to hear that when you grew up in the U.K.!
It’s of course different for everyone but I found the weight just dropped off after I gave birth. Most of it gone with the birth process and then breastfeeding got rid of the rest. Try not to worry as you have no idea where you’ll be in a year. You could be completely back to pre pregnancy weight and size!

@Bee49

I am actually from Canada originally, where there is much less emphasis on weight gain during pregnancy, but my permanent home base has been France for the past 6 years. They are also brutal in France, they keep telling you that you shouldn't gain too much weight (I think in total I was quoted 9-12 kilos for a normal BMI?) and they weight you at least once a month to monitor. I cannot imagine how brutal this must be for people dealing with serious body dysmorphia or eating disorders...

Hi all! So glad I found you again! Dropped off the radar while I was back home in the U.K.. But the trip is done and dusted and I can categorically confirm I'm not stepping foot on a plane again during the pregnancy. Long haul at 15weeks with a toddler in tow is no joke.

I had the pleasure of experiencing NHS maternity care while I was back. (If you can call it that!) Had a very small bleed after a particularly stressful and physical day. Went to A&E at 7pm and only saw a dr at 1am. Basically told nothing they can do and to come back if I'm gushing blood. I was amazed they didn't offer a Doppler check or anything. Booked myself a private scan to put my mind at ease. No way I was getting on a 12hr flight without someone telling me my baby was okay. Thankfully we're both fine and I've since seen my dr and she's given me a full check over.

Hope everyone is doing well. Had a skim of the thread and lovely to see so many beautiful little baby scans. Xx

@CluelessInLondon So lovely that you have a babymoon booked, where are you going? I would really like to go away for a week somewhere but haven't booked anything yet. We do have a short break in Helsinki next month but no time for relaxing on a city break 😆

I feel the same about buying things but also feel like I have to start somewhere at some point, I find out the gender on Sunday so may get something small in way of a celebration.

@Bee49 I have been weighed at both of my appointments so far! I was assuming that I will get weighed again at my 16 week midwife check and 20 week scan. Little embarrassing really but I thought it was normal/standard procedure for Nhs 🙈

@GingerJ I've only been weighed once so far, & with my 1st 2 years ago I was only weighed at booking appointment - it must vary depending on trust / midwife

@Mitsky You're welcome and I'm glad that my message helped you. ❤️

@Oct24 Sorry to hear that you had some bleeding and a bad experience at A&E - glad to hear that you and baby are okay though.

@GingerJ We are off to Mauritius for two weeks for our babymoon - figured it would be the last chance for a few years to go anywhere long haul so we are splashing out on some luxury! We went for our honeymoon 8 years ago and loved it so I'm looking forward to going back.
That's exciting that you're finding out the sex on Sunday - how far along will you be then?

I had my 16 week appointment over the phone and was glad I hadn't made the trip for it because it was basically pointless! Although with my first baby they listened in to the heartbeat in the 16 week appointment and it was very reassuring.

I'm 18 weeks exactly today and feeling lots of strong kicks! Crazy because with baby number 1 I didn't feel any movement at all until 21 week... mad how each pregnancy can be so different!

Looking forward to the 20 week scan just around the corner and its the half way mark and starts to all feel very real after that!

Does anyone else have a toddler whilst pregnant? I have a 2 year old and we haven't told him about the baby yet... wondering when is a good time/how to go about it.

@JemRose I also had my 16 week appointment, was done within 15 mins. Just took my vital signs and explained bloods etc not much else!

My 16 week appt has been put back to nearly 18! But I think it's a pretty cursory check of BP; urine etc, not much else

@JemRose i had my 16 week appointment today and she listened to the heartbeat. I can understand why they choose not to do it most places but it was really reassuring!
my son has just turned 2 and we’ve told him there’s a baby and asked if he’d like a brother or sister but I thinks he’s too young to understand the concept.

I heard the heartbeat at my appointment which was reassuring but the wait to the 20wk scan is dragging! I'm 18 wks, I thought I felt movement , but now not really so that's worrying me but know I was later with my first so it's hard to say! My son has just turned 2, we've said there's a baby in mummys tummy but I don't think he's taken much notice! My pregnant friend has a daughter the same age & she now thinks everyone has a baby in their tummy!!

@JemRose I have a 22 month old. We told her after the 12 week scan. She keeps asking to look at my tummy and cuddling my bump/baby. The best part is she says baby out now!

I agree with you all about the 16 week appointment. I had mine yesterday. 2 hours in total to get there, wait 50 minutes to be seen and be told what was already discussed at the booking appointment.

I wish it had been a telephone appointment.

Also dropped off the last thread!

Can anyone recommend a nursing chair? Tempted by the Cuddle Co Boucle version but not the cheapest!https://www.cuddleco.co.uk/products/etta-nursing-chair-boucle-off-white?variant=43843981345003&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9tP-irLuhQMVwplQBh2cfQVgEAQYASABEgLC2_D_BwE

Also has anyone used the Tommee Tippee handsfree breast pump? It’s a copy of the Elvie and half the price!

@Sunandsea13

I loved my nursing chair last time it was unbranded but did have a stool which was useful.

Last time I borrowed the hospital medela pump then when I had to give back I bought a spectra 2 which was the cheap equivalent. It wasn't hands free though so was very tieing. This time I would like a hands free but have been looking at the pipetta

aww lots of fellow second time baby mamas in the group it sounds like :) really looking forward to going from 1 to 2 babes but I have heard horror stories! My just-turned 2 year old will start going to a nursary setting for the first time 1 month before my due date... just a couple of mornings a week but I'm hoping it will give me a bit of breathing room to chill with the newborn!