September 2024 - Thread 7! 🐣🧡💛❤️

[BeautyAndTheBump1]

As requested a new thread for us all! 🥰 can't believe its thread 7 already!

Then hopefully by thread 14 we'll all have our babies in our arms talking all things post partum!

@MudandMoet It is hard when you choose to use a family name from one side and not the other. I’m using my mum’s name as a middle, which was actually DH’s suggestion because he knew it would mean a lot to me and it is a great middle name. But this was before we knew we were having a girl and the caveat was that if it was a boy, he’d have DH’s grandfather’s name as a middle name. I agreed, but did think my family might be a bit funny about it because the name means a lot to DH, he was close to his grandad and he died a couple of years ago - but on my side, my dad is no longer with us either and I know my family would find it strange to use DH’s granddad’s name but not my dad’s name. Luckily it’s a girl so we don’t have to navigate that one, but it was something that was worrying me a little for a while.

Anyone else feeling a bit rubbish these days (around 23-24 weeks)? The past couple weeks were a constant circle of being breathless/low level nausea/mild cramping/heartburn/constipation….and often a combination of all of these. None of the symptoms is severe, but I feel it starts to wear me down, after I’ve been quite lucky so far and didn’t feel particularly pregnant until now.

@CinaiIm just riding a wave of low energy :( and focus, I find it more difficult to focus up.

My son has my dads name as a middle name, and we are using my mums name as middle name for our girl, kids (& me) have husbands surname so that's why we went with my family names, if we'd had a 2nd boy though we would've used husbands dads name for middle name. We've still not decided on a first name for our girl but gradually whittling down the list!!

Ordering a car seat as it’s preorder due in July! 🫣
ekkkkkk feels real. Also had a pedi today and she said oh so you’ll probably squeeze 2/3 more in before baby comes

and THAT felt real 😂

@longingtobe23@longingtobe23 we are ordering our car seat as its pre order as well.

Has anyone found any good deals on steriliser or breast pumps at all?

Can't wait to get started on babies room now.

Xx

@MrsM89 did you go for Cybex?

I have heard good things about the vital baby UV one! And it’s online at Costco (guess only helpful if you’re a member)

Boots online have 15% off when you spend £40 on baby - I’ve taken advantage of that a few times already for some bits and the Elvie Catch cups - I won’t be pumping from the start as with my son I had mega supply 🫣😂 so much milk… so far I’ve stuck to catch cups and Hakka for getting spare milk from the other side! But if it that changes this time round I’ll probably invest and heard good things re Elvie if you’ve modest bust (my friend with big boobs said it wasn’t as good for her and she did Medela)

@longingtobe23 no we went for a avionaut Pixel pro but new base coming out that was cheaper so have ordered that.

I'd seen uv ones, had steam with my last 2 and wondered if uv would be better. Hakka was all I used last time. But I pumped with my first. However in 9 years so much has. Changed the new pumps are so less restrictive by the looks of it.

Xx

@Lillers ahh same here, I don't have my dad either and I just know that had we'd been having a boy my family would have been a bit miffed if I'd not had his name at least as middle. It's a minefield!

@Cinai If it makes you feel any better I was just sat here thinking it was around the 23/24 week mark I started to feel 'normal' no tiredness or any nausea and just more like me again. It should lift soon for you 🤞🏼

@MrsM89 ohhh I heard amazing things! I was simply swayed by design on the Cybex. Exciting times though essentially with that she can arrive and I’m ready! Nursery isn’t at all ready but next to me and car seat are big ticks

I know they are much improved these pumps I’m sure … my son was 2015! So it’s been a long time for me too, but I still only used one once and got so engorged and mastitis and it scared the life out of me 🫣

I can’t say I know much on either way for steriliser either! But I liked the idea of the UV one and it looks smart 🤞🏻

@MrsM89 we also bought the Pixel pro 2. It’s super light isn’t it!

@Xur i have read it is which is somthing I struggled with previous seats. Also great is baby happens to be prem - which with our kidney problem we arebt sure yet so I felt best to be prepared incase. What colour did you go for? X

@MrsM89 for sterilisers I used electric steam last time but I just don't have the space this time for one on my kitchen. I've done some decent reading and I'm going for cold water Milton this time. Seems super easy to do. I've also got mam bottles which will microwave if needed. I read online that the uv sterilisers turn the bottles etc yellow over time.

Morning ladies! Just waiting for a scan appointment, baby is having a party this morning and moving constantly so good luck to them trying to get any measurements 😂

On names, we’re lucky that we have a family name in common so that will be baby’s middle - and then most likely first and possibly a second middle name from my side of the family. As someone else mentioned, baby is getting DHs surname so seems fair!

I noticed Boots has 15% off various baby/postnatal stuff - for those who’ve given birth before, what essentials would you stock up on now?!

@MrsM89 green 💚
we bought the set with the pushchair from TFK, it matches. It’s the pixel pro seat but they’ve teamed with TFK and have sets available. I also liked the idea that the base for it can be used for next level car seats.

@Xur that looks lovely!! We've gone for the new base which is only for the baby seat as I know I'll be going erf so up to 25kg seat after which don't fit the base. - saying that my near 9 year old would still fit in the erf seats but we didn't have them then. He was rear facing to 5 in an 18kg seat but we are a short family.

@mrsbgb good luck for the scan.
I'd stock up on mat pads, breast pads, I used the maternity like sheet things that go on the bed to same my sheets. If planning to breast feed get some nipple cream. Sure I have a list somewhere.

Xx

Sorry for the whining post but I need to rant to people who may understand, I'm 26 weeks tomorrow and for the past few days I've felt nauseous to the point I just don't want to eat or drink much, I've had horrible heartburn which I've been taking Gavisgon for but that seems to have made me constipated and I feel like my insides are like one of those long balloons they use to make animals and stuff. I just feel so bloated and gassy and it's painful and uncomfortable and making me feel even more nauseous 😫 it's half term but DH still at work so im trying to keep 3 other kids alive when I just want to lay down and rock to and fro. Plus add in my 1.30am-4am insomnia and I just don't feel like I can survive the day. Sorry I just needed a rant 😢

@SantasRubiksCube rant away it's what we're all here for... it sounds like a tough time for you just now... don't feel guilty if you need to just take time out and let your children have screen time with tablets or tv, anything to give you some peace so you can just have a sofa day and chill. I guess on days like today as long as they're fed and safe minimal effort is allowed until you feel a little better. Hopefully you will soon xx

@mrsbgb Agree with @MrsM89 Definitely the Boots brand maternity pads - not the slim ones, the big fat bulky ones! They were great for me last time. I liked the Lansinoh nipple cream for breastfeeding as it doesn't have to be removed to feed baby. Around the house I used mainly reusable bamboo breast pads, but still got some of the disposable ones for out and about as they were less bulky.

Other things might be good to get:
Nappy Rash cream - we found Metanium really worked well for bad bouts with DS
Baby Bath/Moisturiser - big fan of Childs Farm
Bottle Brush
Hand Cream & Washing Up Gloves - I did so much washing up in the newborn days that my hands became really sore and cracked!
Muslins - can never have too many. DS wasn't a particularly sicky baby, but always had one on hand for winding, covering during breastfeeding, catching spills and dribbles etc. Also bigger ones worked well as a makeshift sheet for pram!
Changing mats - get a couple so you don't have to move them about. We stored one under sofa downstairs and had one upstairs in DS room.
Nappy Caddies - again, a couple of these so you don't have to move them about.

There's probably loads I've forgotten. And now I'm thinking I really need to get my bum into gear and start making some lists. I really wish I'd kept the ones I did for DS!

Although the new car seat is arriving today, so that's one thing done I guess!

@SantasRubiksCube I can empathise, sometimes I get stomach acid coming up my throat when I exercise at the gym and also I am farting for England. Partner came home yesterday from work and said I’ve ruined the air in the house 🥲
If I am in public and have to hold back my abdomen starts hurting. 😓

my friend had massive issues with acid in pregnancy, there were days she had to go home from work, was vomiting all day long and couldn’t eat. Nothing helped for her, no meds. But it came and went in waves. One week she had it, then two weeks nothing..and then again.

I just had my 25 week midwife appointment and all is well - got my MATB and a fit to fly note for tomorrow. The midwife also felt baby and thinks he’s breech, but what made me laugh is what I can imagine he looks like visually. So head up, feet down, facing out.. almost like how a baby is carried in a carrier😂

It tickled me - he’s nosey already.

Thank you @MrsM89 @cd24x, I've got a healthy looking basket now!

Scan went well and also had my 25 week midwife appointment today (a few days early) - it was lovely to hear baby's heartbeat and get to ask the long list of questions I had!

At which appointment are they supposed to ask us about our birth plan? I thought I was gonna have that conversation yesterday, but no!

@Xur I’ve read a lot of different people’s experiences with this - the standard seems to be around 36 weeks, which is so late! Lots of people have also said they never had that conversation at all. Some had it earlier. I don’t know if it’s one of those things that varies by NHS trust, or by midwife, but it seems really variable!

Personally I think I’ll do my own research, probably with no decisions being made until after I’ve done all my antenatal classes at 30ish weeks.

@mrsbgb@mrsbgb@mrsbgb glad scan went well. When's your next one?

I don't have a 25 w appointment. Xx