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

Just coming on for a moan hope nobody minds…

This pregnancy has been so stressful. Got diagnosed with hyperthyroidism at 9 weeks after a hospital stay. Felt awful for weeks and was on medication. Medication sent me too far in the other direction so was taken off those. Then came first growth scan at 28 weeks and baby was only measuring 6th centile (not a huge surprise as I had (and still have) virtually no bump). She is not a big mover. In the intervening 6 weeks I’ve had about 5 more scans (mix of Doppler and growth ones) and 3 trips to triage for reduced movements. Most recently baby was on the 12th centile. I’ve now had a resurgence of thyroid symptoms but rather than put me on thyroid medication they want me to have an Echo and ECG done in case I’ve got a heart problem.

Life is just constant appointments and fights to be taken seriously. I feel I can’t plan anything for my leave as everything is so unknown, every scan I go into dreading what might be said. I finish work on Friday due to having annual
leave to use and training my replacements has been awful.

Sorry for the rant but I can’t believe I’m 34 weeks and have 3 appointments lined up in the next 6 days, as well as the echo and ecg to be arranged, but am no further forward with a solution or answers. I’ll be so glad when she’s here and I can keep an eye on her as I’m just living in fear most of the time.

@MrsMoggy sorry that you’re having such a stressful time! Did you see an endocrinologist for your thyroid? I know from my own experience that GPs and midwives can be really rubbish at threatening a thyroid disease. I hope everything goes well for you!

Hi @Cinai thank you for your reply, yes I am under an endocrinologist but he has missed two appointments with me and keeps muddling up my notes! He also seems to be on annual leave most of the time. He can’t see me again until around 30th august which is 3 days before my due date so pointless really. My GP has had no involvement at all other than sending me to the hospital at 9 weeks and the community midwives I have hardly seen and when I do they just fob me back to the consultants, it’s been a different midwife and different obstetrics consultant that I’ve seen at each appointment so it’s like starting from scratch each time, there is no continuity of care, just a million appointments with no answers.

@MrsMoggy sounds like you're having a really rough time! It's so frustrating regarding miscommunication and no consistency of care. I have a thyroid problem and care has been pretty shit, never given blood results nor reviewed. Like you always see a different consultant.
I hope you get some answers in the next week so you can enjoy your leave and maternity leave ❤️‍🩹

@Xur I have the same issue as you with anaesthesia, but I feel like they just don't believe me when the subject's come up. I've had several consultant apps since my original booking appointment and the first (male) was incredibly patronising. I explained the several occasions where I've had local over the last 10 years where it just hasn't worked properly, including when I had my last implant removed (a Dr had to come in 3 times to approve up to saturation point and 2 hours later had to give in and let them tear it out in agony). But all he kept saying was 'well how have you responded to anaesthetic for dental work?'. Had to keep explaining I haven't had any for 10 years now. When he said 'and was it actually painful or could you just feel it?' I had to grit my teeth and explain that YES, I know the difference between pain and a fucking slight tugging sensation 🙄.

It ended with him breezily telling me that if I needed an EMCS or stitches then I'd just have a GA 'for ease' (?!) instead of planning in time to get an epidural line in.

I've been waiting for 'a phone call' for an anaesthetic review since week 9. Hope they're taking your concerns seriously and getting a plan in place for you? It seems to be more common than they make out!

I have a pram/car seat dilemma. It's the only major thing I have left to buy.

Get the whole travel system? This is what we are getting......
https://ukbabycentre.com//products/venicci-4-in-1-tinum-upline-pram-stone-beige?variant=41281487667336&currency=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google%2Bshopping&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw7s20BhBFEiwABVIMrdhWiGqJUZyNPuKD_hQIK9zC7VCPG-A2Ez9_CvG6OW4jsR7Bow5MyhoCl4gQAvD_BwE

I just feel the car seat is tiny and you'll have to be buying another one certainly but 12 months if not earlier? Is it better to just get the pram and adapters and then get one of these 360 degree turning car seats which last till they are like 2 years old!?

Oh! I think all of these compatible car seats are only really up to 12 months!? 🤔

@TripleESept24 I’d have a think about how often you think you’ll use the car seat on the pram. I hardly used it with my daughter so this time we’ve gone straight for a swivel car seat (different brand from the pram) that lasts up to 24 months

@HRP1990 @TripleESept24 This! I only used the car seat on the pram once the entire time - I just found mine too heavy to be lifting out and putting back in all the time - I'm not very strong 😂

@HRP1990 @TripleESept24 I'm of the opposite experience, we used the car seat and pram adapters loads in the first year. Our smallie wasn't ever comfortable on her back so for walks and shopping etc the car seat was the way to go. Since she turned maybe 9m we got the Joie 360 iSpin and it has been the best thing ever - will do her till she's about 4!

@TripleESept24 we went with a travel system with the thought being that we'd hold off and pay more money for a fancier car seat once they were a bit bigger- I've heard that the 360 spin function isn't really as useful until you've got a wilful toddler to wrangle! I was also getting choice paralysis and decided that an all in one bundle would cut some of the decision making down at least!

Sorry I know there have already been discussions about what to pack in a hospital bag but not sure how far to scroll back to find them.

I'm nearly 35 weeks now so started to pack a bag yesterday. I know what to pack for myself but not sure what exactly baby will need.

For baby I have:

Aptamil first infant milk ready bottles. They come in a pack of 6, should I take them all or just a few?

Size 0 and size 1 nappies. Should I take a pack of them or maybe around 10 each?

1 x baby wipes
1 x small pack of cotton wool
2 x hats
2 x newborn soothers
1 x cellular blanket

Not sure how much clothes to take.
Maybe a few newborn sleepsuits and a few 0-3 sleepsuits with same amount of bodysuits for underneath?
A cardigan for leaving hospital

Should I take things like nappy creams etc?

Sorry lots of questions but I'm a bit clueless as to what I will need.

Does anyone walk and feel like there’s a short plank of wood at the top of their thighs keeping their hips apart? Terrible description but only way I can describe it. It’s becoming so difficult to walk 🙁 and having to keep a 4 and 2 year old alive and entertained (who haven’t been to nursery since March so it’s feeling v intense) is just killing me slowly

@TripleESept24 you might find that you change any baby car seats by 12 months. Just due to the fact that they become very heavy and hard to get baby into the seat. But obviously depends on the size and weight of your little one. We ended up getting 360 spin seat for our eldest when he was around 9 months old. Then when he was 4.5 years old he went into a high back booster so at least with the second seat you get quite a few years worth out of it. And we have kept this seat ready to use when this baby gets too heavy for the baby carrier car seat.

@Wanderlust86 I wouldn’t take nappy cream as shouldn’t need it at first. Actually best advice someone gave me last time was to only use it at signs of redness rather than every change and my dd barely got any nappy rash whereas if you use it all the time it’s like their bums need it more.

Some gentle baby moisturiser like aveeno or kokoso can be handy if they have some dry patches post birth but might not need till your home.

Honestly baby shouldn’t need much whilst your in hospital.

@TripleESept24 we've gone for a mamas and papas buggy system but got the 360 Cybex cloud T. This lasts up to about 18 months. Then we'll buy one that goes up to about 4/5years. Plus you can use the base again.

@Wanderlust86 i agree with @Cat2022 only use nappy cream when they have a rash. I barely used it. In fact you use it more when they are older and teething I found.

@TripleESept24 an infant carrier is the safest for as long as possible, some of those on that list have a long shell too so will last longer. The maxi cosi pebble 360 went on our pram wheels (bugaboo) and I used it loads as a wee tot for short pram trips like popping to a shop, then it essentially became an in-car swivel seat when she was too heavy to carry in it. Lasted her until she was 20 months (within height and weight limits), they definitely aren’t all outgrown by 12 months x

This is my list for baby. I’m taking a whole pack of nappies (when I had my daughter I was in for 3 days, so just going off that experience.) I plan on breast feeding so haven’t added any formula. You can buy ready made forumula in bottles that have sealed sterilised teats which might come in handy? I know kendamil do this. Otherwise you’d have to look at sterilising the bottles you bring it before you pop the formula in x

This time I'm upping my babygrows/vests to 10. I had 6 with #1 but she spewed so much I ran out in the first day. They take up no room or you can leave them out for your partner to bring in when needed if you wish.
Check with your hosp re: formula, mine supplies it

@TripleESept24 from the list of car seats that Avionaut Pixel 2.0 has a ISO car base that will fit the first and second size of car seats. We bought that one, it is also the lightest car seat out there. (Just 2,5kg) Here’s a picture of it.
Also the Venicci pushchairs, I was looking at them at the baby expo and I tried it on the track and I didn’t like it.
The frame is 12kg which is a bit heavy and it felt plasticky. The carry cot does look and feel nice but I was put off by the feel of the chassis.

My mum's tagged me in this on Facebook, I clicked but it looks a tad fishy - is this legit does anyone know? o.o
https://beamingbaby.co.uk/free-baby-samples/nappy/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Facebook&source=FB-APlus-ProductImage&fbclid=IwY2xjawEPgZNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQhbb_ZLMqG8Ar8HxRzgwYD5BPUd0Wt5gE5EL1IOY2rQrFNQBkSi94VQ1g_aem_HGIMAJcUxtMm-dGw87iWOQ

@SpicyMoth i personally wouldn’t trust it. Looks a tad dodgy.

Great, thanks for your replies.
I won't bother with nappy cream and the likes.
Thanks @HRP1990 , your list is useful. Forgot about some muslins.

I've been really well throughout pregnancy. Stayed active, kept my classes and walking up. But this last week I've been struggling with pain- in my bum cheeks and lower back. Initially thought sciatica but not sure. Feels bone related and fine at rest, only when moving walking. Some nipping but general pain when moving.
I'm scared it's going to be PGP or similar 😳 maybe I've been too luckily so far