Due July 2024 - part 4

[Oatmilktea]

The other thread was filling up so thought I would set up a new one!

@Sophie3003
@ceruleansky
@Amberellaella
@wannabe123
@glasshalffull0
@Morningcoffeeaddict
@missmoosh
@Jess725
@AnonymousXXIX
@Busyhedgehog
@Nocoffeenotalkie
@justanotherlaura
@Honeymint
@Savvy21
@hopingfor23
@chilliflakesmum
@ExpectantEs
@AimeeLou84
@Welshgal85
@TooHappyToday
@Bali200

I’ve tagged people from the last few pages of the previous thread, hopefully everyone makes there way over here when the other one fills up!

@ceruleansky I’d say my experience is similar to @Morningcoffeeaddict in that we are very definitely a family now and not a couple. Things like how we spend our holidays have completely changed! Like @AnonymousXXIX we do have plenty of time just the two of us day to day because we have the same job at the same place and often wfh, but it’s definitely less about the nights out together and more about the lunchtimes. He’s still my favourite person (after DD 😂).

Our main issue has always been that DH works more than I’d like, and that didn’t change when we had DD - it’s just part of who he is. It has meant that we’ve had to find solutions to accommodate me doing the majority of the childcare, including getting a cleaner in once a week and me going part time at work so I get some me time while DD is at nursery. Every family just figures out what works for them!

@Oatmilktea good luck tomorrow and enjoy your last night in your own bed. Hopefully you’ll have a private room in the hospital since you’ll be there long term?

Thanks for your well wishes! @MixedCouple I have placenta previa and vasa praevia and the guidelines are to be hospitalised at 32 weeks until delivery at ideally 36 weeks. It’ll be a long four weeks but know I’ll be in the best place for baby. I’ll miss my dog terribly though 😭 @Amberellaella I’ll get my own room at some point (fingers crossed straight away though!!).

It’s been helpful to read how becoming parents affected your relationships. DP has been great during my pregnancy, very supportive and hands on as I’ve more or less been on bed rest for about 6 weeks. Hopefully this continues!

@Oatmilktea awwww I didn't realise sorry I missed that. Hopefully they can visit you often. You will be allowed for small walks maybe they have some nice seating and a little garden you can see dog and DP. Time will fly by and you will be so comfortable in your new home.

@Savvy21
sorry you’ve had itchy hands and feet, did you tell your midwife? I think I read later you had liver checks? I’m a bit behind checking the thread and slight baby brain, lollll
I had bloods done for my liver due to this :) all ok so hopefully nothing for you to worry about either as it’s super rare :)

@bali200my bestie had a similar thing and her bubba turned so try all the things to get her to turn, you got this, I bet she will play ball :)
Same to others in similar position! Keep us all updated! I guess it could be any of us at this point eh

@Oatmilktea
Hope you’re doing ok still ❤️

oh gosh ladies I just came over all funny and had to cancel all my meetings (self employed) just sat here with crisps and my pup, feeling a bit better ☺️

@wannabe123
First 3 months are so difficult but it's reassuring to hear things go back to normal or better.

@Savvy21
That's understandable.. hope you get to rest more on weekends! Glad the blood test came back normal.
Yeah, I have heard that communication is key, but the way we communicate when we're sleep deprived and irritable is a whole other thing!

@Morningcoffeeaddict
Yeah that sounds about right, what I was expecting to happen. I appreciate your honesty about how the relationship changes, and yes it's true you can't be as spontaneous as you were, which is where I think my fear comes from. Aww nice to hear you feel that he's a great dad!

@MixedCouple
Wow, that sounds like you're super organized and on top of things. I guess it takes time, communication and patience to get to that point where you just know what has to be done like clockwork, and know who does what and also what is left to do. That's my dream tbh. I don't like having a mental load on what has to be done I kinda expect him to notice things too. My mum and his mum are going to live with us pp so I think we will have a few extra hands, but I really need him to take the reins!

@AnonymousXXIX
Hmm that's also really a realistic scenario.. thanks for your honesty. I really resonate with the mental load thing. DH does whatever I ask him to but I hate asking him to do things since we've been living in the same space for a while.

I've noticed baby is getting hiccups almost every day, twice a day. It's just feels like rhythmic kicks but they're so frequent. Has anyone else noticed this? Is it a cause for concern?

@Oatmilktea
Sorry that you have to stay at the hospital, hope you get all the care you need!

@Amberellaella
Hmm I get that, I suppose you're right, every family has their own dynamic and way of figuring things out! Work is always a pain, I keep thinking about how we will manage and haven't come up with a plan yet. We work in different cities and my work has been kind enough to let me wfh throughout pregnancy, and I can wfh until the baby turns 1. After that I hope we can move to the same city and figure it out!

@ceruleansky The hiccups are usually nothing to worry about. DS used to have them all the time and this continued after he was born as well. Eventually stopped but I cannot remember when.
DD is having them every so often now and they tend to be really low down for me. Weird, considering she's breech.

@ceruleansky I’ve been noticing what I think are hiccups too! Such a strange sensation.

That’s me admitted now, seen the consultant earlier who said they’ll deliver baby at 35 weeks which is 14th of June!!! Feels quite surreal that he will be here so soon!

@Jess725 actually super common to get ICP. Last pregnancy at the hospital they said it was their Bread and Butter in antenatal clinic! I was surprised as the national stats are a lot lower.
If itching continues beat to have regular blood work to check.

I have been having those light headed dizzy spells more last week and this week. I find rest and some food helps.

@ceruleansky oh it took a good 6/7 months to get sorted. Before that is was like living day to day and surviving!
No idea what it will be like with the 2nd baby.
We got large cheat freezer for the garage and I started to put some meals in already.
I made 5 big Lasagnes and a 6 batches of chill I con carni so far.
I hope my Mum will come for the first 4/5 weeks just while I recover to help with DS1 take him out to the park and be a bit more hands on with him while I adjust.

Yeap hiccups-vil over here to. A few times a day. I never felt them with DS1 due to anterior placenta.
But from what I read it is normal for them to happen often..... I have a Midwife apt tomorrow so well ask then.
https://www.babycentre.co.uk/x1049157/is-it-normal-for-my-baby-to-get-hiccups-in-the-womb

@Busyhedgehog
Oh good, as a ftm, everything is unknown/scary/weird/amusing. Google is probably tired of my searches. 🤣

@Oatmilktea
Isn't it strange? It goes away when I walk around or drink something. If I don't do anything about it, the baby hiccups 50+ times.
So excited for you to meet your little one.

@MixedCouple2
I understand, my brother in law's baby just turned 1 yesterday and I saw them struggle so much, she was colic too. Now, they can read her so well and know exactly what she wants.
Good that you're so prepared, though! How far along are you?
Yup, that would take some strain off of you. One advice I've gotten is to never deny help!

@Oatmilktea aw bless. Not long left at all. It will fly by and I am sure you have lots of entertainment with you.

@ceruleansky my DS had Silent reflux for 4 months it was awful weeks 4 - 13 and then it started to settl we introduced solids earlier and that made a massive difference. We are prepared this time if it happens again. We found a cranial osteopathic helped lots so we would see one much much sooner. And qe will be prepared in terms of stocking up on meals and have a better support system.

OK I did some digging and found our due date list.

@CB2805 - due 19th July twins (not passing 37w - 28th June) 🩵🩷
@user491 - due 22nd July twins (likely not passing 37w - 1st July) 💛
@glasshalffull0Due 1st July 🩷
@yummum19 - Due 3rd July 🩵
@chilliflakesmum - Due 4th July 💛
@Bluebonnet3 - due 4th July 💛
@Amberellaella - Due 11th July (not passing 39w - 4th July) 🩵
@BananaHammock23 - due 5th July
@Lisao86 - due 6th July 💗
@ExpectantEs - due 6th July 💓
@bringmearainbow - due 6th July 💛
@Savvy21 - due 6th July 🩵
@CMRC17 - due 7th July 🩵
@wannabe123 - due 8th July 🩵
@Jess725 - Due 8th July 💓
@Bali200 - Due 8th July🩷
@plantlover34 - due 9th July 🩵
@Julymumtobe- Due 13th July 💛
@Cattattack - due 15th July 💛
@Surprisedbuthappy- due 15th July 🩵
@Nocoffeenotalkie due date 22nd July (but not allowed past 39 weeks - 15th July) 🩷
@Samszie - due 16th July 🩵
@Morningcoffeeaddict due 23rd July (also not passing 39w - 16th July) 💛
@Oatmilktea - due 19th July 🩵
@busyhedgehog - due 20th July 💖
@BeautifulDaffodil - Due 21st July 💛
@AnonymousXXIX - Due 24th July 💛
@macccc - Due 24th July 💛
@missmoosh - due 27th July 🩷
@HereAtlonglast - due 30th July 🩷
@ceruleansky - due 31st July 💛

@ceruleansky I am 32 weeka today due 22nd July - 60-80% ot is a boy but should get it confirmed tomorrow.

Oh I wanted help. But we live far from family and people were still worried about COVID so we were very isolated.

For people in the UK stocking up on freezer meals, Cook do some sort of discount for the first year after you’ve had a baby. Not a cheap option even with the discount but handy as a back up in the freezer. I’ve been using them a bit when too tired to cook the last few weeks and they are nice.

@ceruleansky - also getting the hiccups quite a bit too and didn’t last time around. Does give DH an opportunity to feel some sort of movement though as with kicks I only get one or two at a time and it’s over before I can demand attention while hiccups last for ages it seems

@Morningcoffeeaddict glad to hear you recommend the cook meals. We've asked for vouchers for them instead of stuff for anyone who has asked what we want as we have everything we need clothes and gadgets wise from our first child.

@wannabe123 - I didn’t particularly like their “meals for one” microwave range when I tried them when DH was away for work but their main range especially things like the chilli / cottage pie / curry type options are genuinely good frozen options. Vouchers are a great idea. I’ve heard people suggest Just Eat vouchers as well but we live in the middle of nowhere so can’t get deliveries anyway

@ceruleansky I had loads of hiccups last time but none this time! I think it is like humans- some get them lots and some barely get them! I can't remember the last time I had them.

Also my due date is 25th July ☺️.

I have been sorting the raspberry leaf tea, looking at guidance for dates and been looking at the hynobirthing course. Am determined to give a water birth a good go! Just need to get through the 32 week appointment with the consultant then possibly MLBU to get it sorted.

I haven't batch cooked yet but not a bad shout alternatively my husband will have to cook every night 🤣. Have never heard of Cook but will take a look.

@MixedCouple2
Oh nice! You and one of my very close friends share a due date. Have you had your growth scan? Hmm yeah, better safe than sorry!

@Morningcoffeeaddict
I see! Good to know it's normal! I thought I was feeling my own heartbeat or the baby's.

@Sophie3003
That's interesting! Honestly I can't remember the last time I had them either, and I'm grateful for that because I can't handle hiccups with rib aches..

On another note, does anyone talk to the baby? I feel like I should do it because I've heard it helps them develop auditory senses but I just find it strange to talk to the baby. I usually just tap my tummy when it kicks. DH talks to the baby every day after work and I'm convinced baby recognizes his voice because it seems to kick each time.

@ceruleansky - I wondered if it was my pulse at first as well but as baby has got bigger I’ve realised it must be hiccups.

I don’t speak to baby particularly - but feel like he hears my voice all day anyway as I’m either on work calls, talking to his dad, talking to DS or probably singing to myself so I think he hears enough of me without me making an effort particularly 😂

My last baby had hiccups alllll the time from very early on in pregnancy.. This one, I think I only felt it for the first time this week? Kicks also feel different this time. Wonder if it's because placenta was at the back last time and front this time. Baby definitely still doing somersaults as well, not in one position yet. Very curious about my (delayed) 32 week scan this week and what they'll say!

I purchased some loose raspberry leaf tea from a business in Mid Wales it is organic. Got 1kg 😂 last time I was having 4 cups a day so will be needed. I preferred it as a ice tea so brewed a massive batch each day and had that throughout the day.

The Poaitive Birth Company is amazing for their courses. They have parts of induction and C section to. I used them last time and felt so prepared.
Bridget Teylar on Youtube has some fab videos and also "care about Little ones".

I followed the instructions on Perinium Massage (care about little ones) and it worked as I had no tears just a "graze". I assume it was that. But I was in a very warm birth pool for 5 hours 😂

@ceruleansky yes had one at 28weeks not able to see babies bits 😂 so try again tomorrow. Measuring same as DS1 15th centile and he was on the 9th at birth. I guess I have petitie babies. DS was 6lbs at birth so still average size. My Mum was the same we were all between 6-7lbs. I was the last and heaviest 😂

@Morningcoffeeaddict snap. I don't shut up all day because of DS. And DS 2.5yrs old loves to shout and scream and sing so I am sure the baby is sick of us 😂

I'm also an advocate for perineal massage, my first came out with his hand beside his head superman-style and I only had a small tear inside that needed 2 stitches. My midwife was amazed he didn't do more damage.

I have a scan and my appointment with the obstetrician to discuss booking in my section on Thursday, she was lovely last time but I still feel like I have to justify my choice so I'll be glad when it's booked in.

Do you think 32 weeks is a good time to start perineal massage? I tried it with the last baby but found it SUPER uncomfortable, and in the end it was a forceps delivery and episiotomy anyway.