Sept 2024 - Thread 9!

[SpicyMoth]

Continuation from the previous thread before it fills up - we're getting so close ladies, ahhhhh!!!

Previous thread here; https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/pregnancy/5094920-september-2024-thread-8?page=39&reply=136855271

Girls what have you all bought for babies to sleep in? I don’t mean cot, I mean.. are you planning on swaddling? Grobag/love to dream bag? Nothing?

@Xur I didn't have to do a sample but both times have had to collect it so they can measure output amount. X

@HRP1990 I have no idea! It’s becoming a bit of a mental block for me - I feel like I have so much else sorted, but everything I read online contradicts everything else I read online about what’s best, and all the real life mums I know did something different 😭

@HRP1990 so far I have a couple of Love to Dream swaddle up that I got on Vinted. I like that they come in newborn size too which lots of the bags don't quite (or only if baby is over 8lb). I might get a couple of different shaped bags as well just in case he doesn't like those. And then see how we go once he's here, probably

@HRP1990
what I have observed from people around me and advice I’ve heard is that babies can be moody af and each have their own preferences.
One friend had a constant struggle with pacifiers, she bought all the pacifiers in the world until she came up ones that baby liked.
another one had an issue with formulas, she had a rough time finding a formula here baby liked and wasn’t allergic to.
So what I’ve done is I’ve arranged for some crochet throws (I have 3), I have one polyester throw, 3 large cotton muslins that are for swaddling and 1 sleeping bag that is a mixture of cotton and velour.
I will just see what he likes best, then plan is to learn what he prefers. If he is anything like me or his father then he will be the king of moodiness.

Seen a lot of people asking about spritz for bitz. If you don’t fancy spending £20 or whatever a bottle then some simple witch hazel pads do the job nicely and sold lots of places relatively cheap.

@FuppinNora i had an emergency c section 6 years ago and was told on the day that I’d have a 70% chance of a successful VBAC in the future. Of course it depends on situation and per person. However I have opted for an elective this time anyway.

@WinsandSam i have opted for an elective this time. It was all booked in at my consultant appointment last week. Happy to answer any questions you might have if I can.

@HRP1990 my eldest was born over 8lb and so we used a blanket for like a week then he went straight into normal sleeping bags with no issues. I’ve still got all the sleeping bags up to 18months old in every tog 😂 and because this child is also going to born in September and bigger they should all work for the correct weather 😂
however my sister has given me some newborn tommee tippee swaddling things if I need them as she had my nephew last year.

@HRP1990 I’ve got some love to dreams I used with DD1 (she loved them), and one cross-over Velcro one that crosses their arms in case this baby doesn’t like her arms up in the love to dream. I think it’s a bit trial and error with what they like but you can pick up almost anything like that in shops/overnight so I wouldn’t panic about stockpiling.

@Xur it seems like you have so many friends with babies all giving you so much differing advice. Hopefully it’s not too overwhelming for you, it’s great to hear past experiences but one person’s experience of one or two babies (and births) likely serves as zero prediction of how your own experience will be. With all the will in the world, I think the whole thing is just a law unto itself 😂

@tryingfortwo2 yeh I got no clue what I’m doing so I’m like a sponge, I take on information based on logical reasoning and will see what goes best 😂 the thing is all my friends had babies recently so all the info is fresh 😂 they also learn as they go and I’m sort of learning from my friends struggles.

Yes I’m hoping to have one! My community midwife has been supportive, but I need to speak to the consultant midwife for full “approval”. Waiting to get the appointment through for that!

@WinsandSam I’ve had my c-section booked in since 16 weeks. I think that’s probably helped me on the medical side as I developed a real fear of medical environments and procedures after a previous surgery. But I felt the c-section offered me better control (and would be easier on some scar tissue, which puts me at a higher risk of tearing). Knowing it’s booked has probably kept me a bit calmer as there is less fear of the unknown!

I feel like I’ve come a long way over pregnancy. I used to be petrified of needles. Even in the EPU at 7/8 weeks, I was crying when I had to have a blood test! But now I am fine with them on the whole. I think it’s because I keep thinking how much bigger they’ll be in the c-section itself! I’m actually most nervous for the cannula as I feel most squeamish for that. And I hated the sensation and restriction of it being in my hand when I had surgery before. Really annoyed me that I couldn’t use my hand as much or wash my hands properly. I’m also nervous about removal of the catheter afterwards - I don’t want it to hurt! I’m still nervous about throwing up either in surgery or afterwards as I have a phobia of vomiting, so I’m hoping I can get an appointment with the anesthetist to chat about that. Did you have to request yours specifically? Taking omeprazole for heartburn has slightly reduced that worry though as I’ve realised how it basically gets rid of your stomach acid, so I guess if I was sick it probably wouldn’t burn my nose and throat?! And there won’t really be anything in my stomach with an ELCS to bring up anyway?!

Have you seen the C Section UK courses? I’m going to start them in August. They might help you feel a bit more reassured on the medical procedure side as they talk you through everything that happens. They also have a recovery course.

I'm not starting maternity leave until the week before my due date (though will switch to wfh at some point!) - I'm using A/L to reduce my hours and today is my first day off and I've only just woken up 😅 So impressed with other people juggling toddlers during third trimester!

I got spritz for bitz as a present, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered. We've spent so much money on everything over the last week- feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of things in the house now! I think I'm going to get some storage boxes and try to be ruthless about only having stuff for the immediate size and stage of baby out at any given time (best laid plans...)

Today's plans are to pack what I can of the hospital bag, clear the freezer in preparation for some future batch cooking and to maybe build the pram or cot? Though first on the agenda is definitely telly and a cup of tea because rest is important too 😂

Anyone else who's not had any extra scans or appointments getting a bit nervous about not having any clue about what's going on in there? Just having to trust that so long as blood pressure remains fine and baby keeps wriggling that it's all on track. I'm not able to feel so many big strong kicks this week but can see lots of wriggling. Apparently that's normal as they get more squished- and I think kicks are now at the back so feeling more gentle to me. I have to keep reassuring myself by getting my belly out to watch so basically just walking around home with it out all the time now 😂

@Lillers there is a lot of information out there! I don’t think there’s any harm in having a few things to hand to see what works, as all babies will prefer different things.

@SC126 my daughter was over 8 pound too, so we skipped most newborn sizes lol. I’ve gone straight for a love to dream in a small which is 8-13 pounds I think? I’m having a boy this time and I’m sure I’ve been told they’re usually bigger.

@tryingfortwo2 I might pick up a second hand cross over one actually in case we find the same thing!

@Xur I think from memory they suggest a cellular blanket if any? So you might want to look into those too.

Any mums on here who have previously formula fed?

I plan to formula feed again - I used the prep machine last time and it was my favourite gadget.
I had a MW appt yesterday and she said they don't advise prep machines anymore.

1. Due to people not changing the filters (never an issue for me I changed it without fail every time)
2. They said the hot shot doesn't heat up to the correct temperature and doesn't kill all the bacteria

Its really put me off now. Anyone else got any thoughts on them? I'm kinda gutted cus I loved the machine. I never had any problems with DS. He was a sicky baby at first but I think that was just normal newborn?!

@RosiePH also most nervous for the cannula 😂 however getting it removed last time was fine. Didn’t feel it at all but I also didn’t watch as I don’t like needles either. For the sickness during theatre, you have an anaesthetist sat behind your head and when I started feeling nauseous, he instantly administered anti sickness via my cannula so don’t be afraid to speak up. He was honestly my fave person in theatre. So kind and helpful and he had tissues ready for when I cried seeing my boy.

@BeautyAndTheBump1 im ignoring midwives and I’ve bought another prep machine this time perhaps controversially. I always changed filters and descaled etc with my last and had no issues with hotshot. We also live in an area where we don’t have hard water or anything. I loved my prep machine last time 😂

@HRP1990 yes! The three crochet blankets I have they are cellular, that is also my personal preference based on the fact that everyone in my family has had crochet swaddles on them as babies. I didn’t even know that was the recommendation! Thank you!

@SC126 yeah! I'm gonna get my prep machine out in a few weeks and check the temperature of the hot shot. I just read on the NHS website they say you should only stop using them if the hot shot isn't 70c or above. If they reach above they're fine to use. So gonna check mine when I get it out of storage!

@WinsandSam i am also having a c-section. I haven’t had mine booked in yet, I was told this will be booked when I see my consultant next at 37 weeks.

I’m the same as @tryingfortwo2 - I have two arms up LTD swaddles (although size S not NB) and I got a 3 pack of Velcro arms down swaddles in Dunnes this week. I’ve a few cellular blankets and normal blankets too. Yet it’s a September baby and who knows we could have a heatwave haha
We coslept with my daughter from birth (till now, truth be told, she’s 2!) and want the new baba in their own sleep space. Our house is so damp and cold I’m really worried they’ll be warm enough/not too warm. Won’t sleep a wink for the first while I’m sure 😂

Absolutely gutted, went for my midwife appointment this morning and bp was raised, it was 150/100 at one point. Now in triage with more high bp. Hoping this isn’t the start of pre eclampsia, feet are mega swollen but was hoping it was the heat. At least we made it slightly further than last time without developing issues

My daughter hated being swaddled, she wanted to sleep with her arms up behind her head like she's sunbathing (still does this now!). On day 5 we gave up on swaddles and switched to arms out sleep sacks. Made such a difference as I spent 5 days worrying she'd suffocate in the night undoing the swaddle (she could get out of them from the day she was born - even the ones the midwives did!)

Baby transverse … and on my placenta which is still low 😮‍💨 makes sense for lots of pain and discomfort in my belly,
but they’ve called me to come back for 36 weeks rather than make a plan urghhh I just want to know now either way! But I guess not much I can do but plod along, thankfully my midwife must have messed up my belly measure as she is totally plotting bang on 50th and growing as normal. She told me last week she’d jumped to 89th!?

Either way that was a relief so another month of waiting 🤞🏻

@Emmaev oh no you’re in the right place hopefully you’ll know soon 🤞🏻 x

Oh no @Emmaev !!!
I will be crossing my fingers and toes for you! 💜 I know it’s literally impossible to not worry, but maybe try to meditate while you wait? Stress will likely keep the pressure up!