Due December 2024 - thread 2

[CatCaretaker]

Follow on from the first thread here:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/pregnancy/5032929-due-december-2024?page=40

I think I’ve done my first bit of nesting! We had all our newborn bits dropped off from the in laws this week and I’ve just spent time in between meetings putting up the snuzpod and sorting out the other bits and bobs.

Just need to organise our spare bedroom to make it into the nursery, get a chest of drawers and start washing all the newborn clothes!

Plus think about our hospital bags, but I keep thinking we have time but I’m 34 weeks on Saturday, so should get our skates on.

@Firsttimetrier I'm the same, 34 weeks, and have done some bits but haven't washed the clothes yet or set up the co-sleeper (in my defence, I don't have it yet, friend dropping it to me on Saturday hopefully).

I've convinced myself that I still have 6 weeks ...

@CatCaretaker I’m the same, feel like we have at least 3 months to go 😂.
I have two friends who gave birth at 35 weeks and they keep reminding me that would be me next week, but hasn’t spurred me on 😂

@GammaTheGecko I'm really glad he's taken it okay, although I'm sorry you've both been put in a position where you both were made to feel any kind of way about it. It's really not fair. I spoke to my husband about it last night too, his circumstance was different, as he was never in care as such, he was 16 and homeless (ran away from home due to abuse) and was put in a living facility where he had a support worker who helped him find employment or go to college etc. but he was only in it for about a year then moved into a flat outside of that. He doesn't seem concerned. So will see if it comes up..

@HelterSkelter224 how are you feeling about your ELCS? I'm finding as it's creeping closer I'm starting to get extremely anxious about it. I should get the phone call next week to book in for my pre op appointment and get my date! All becoming very real now... based off my conversation with the consultant on Monday, I'm 3 weeks away from meeting my little man today!!

@Firsttimetrier I've done a little more nesting today! I'm pretty much done now, everything washed and set up, just set up the prep machine etc in our bedroom today, although I plan to breastfeed we got one second hand just incase it doesn't go to plan. Clothes all washed, nursery all done. Pram and car seat are being delivered on Saturday! Then just have to fit the car seats.

Slightly stupid question for any mums with kids ....
in regards to breast milk. If I've pumped and frozen breast milk, or stored it in the fridge. Do I heat this up before giving it to baby? And if so, how do you heat up breast milk. Or do you just take it out and leave it to defrost/reach room temp. Or is cold milk fine?

@Lunamoon23 we used to plunge the breast milk bag in a jug of hot water for some time. Although, mine never accepted a bottle until 10ish months, so I’m probably not best to advise 😂

@Lunamoon23 I had my call with the psychologist today to do my birth plan. Honestly the surgery itself doesn't worry me too much, I recovered ok last time (although I was younger, MUCH fitter with no toddler wanting lifted all the time 😬😬😬) but worried about the experience in hospital. But it's a different hospital this time, my birth plan WILL be looked at and for the first time in 10 years of fertility treatments, loss and general fertility / pregnancy/ birth / post-partum trauma I'm taking control and making this birth about me so I actually feel quite positive. But yes it'll be 3 weeks-ish for me too!!! Don't have a date yet but it will be at some point during 39w!

Definitely getting real now!

Can't wait to meet all your babies now 🥰

@Firsttimetrier that makes sense! Thank you.

@HelterSkelter224 aw okay, this isn't your first c section then? I've never had surgery before, I've never even had a filling. So I'm petrified. It's all the unknown and being so vunerable, plus being so aware of what's happening. Keep getting waves of intense anxiety where I feel sick and hot thinking about it.
I've also got a birth plan, done by PNMHT. As I have such server health anxiety, due to traumatic experiences as a minor with my father. I'm really distrusting of medical professionals which I feel awful saying, and being in hospitals is such a trigger for me. I feel better knowing I've got a plan but I don't feel overly confident in it being followed. One thing I've learnt about health care is they very rarely read your notes.. I've prepped my husband in knowing he'll have to be my advocate. Which he has no issue being, he can be quite firm when needed.
I'm so glad you're getting the support you feel you need though, I really hope that it helps you. Are there any specifics you've asked for? Xxxxx

@Firsttimetrier someone said the same to me during the week about going at 35 weeks and it scared the crap out of me! I'm not ready at all! I'm going to start washing clothes tomorrow.

@CatCaretaker I only washed the clothes etc at the weekend (newborn), and the things like sheets and fabrics from the bouncer we got given 2nd hand. I'm hoping to do all the 0-3 clothes as well in the next couple of weeks. But I was feeling very behind as well (I'm 35 weeks this week). Now I know I have clothes clean I feel much better even though nothing is put away and organised. We haven't put up the next to me or fitted the car seat yet but I think worst comes to worst my husband can do the car seat and we have a moses basket as well which doesn't require assembly! My main goal for this weekend is to pack the baby's hospital bag (I did mine last week). My husband is going to paint the ceiling in the baby's room this week, so we can put all the baby stuff in there on Sunday as well and then it will feel a lot more sorted!

I feel like I have been very behind in getting stuff organised compared to most people!

I wish my baby would come in 3 weeks 😭

I don't think they will though, if she comes the same time as my first daughter is have another 6 weeks to go, god help me

My belly button is completely flat now

I feel like I'm in limbo land with my due date.

I'm not ready for baby to arrive but I don't have the energy to get ready.

I'm 36 weeks today and all my babies have arrived before 38 weeks so I could be any day. I've lost my mucus plug three times, had braxton hicks that stop me in my tracks..but so far baby is very comfy. I very much feel like I'm "at the end" if that makes sense - this was how I felt in the last few days with my others but it's lasted about 10 days this time round.

Just praying I don't go over! And somehow find the energy to actually get ready.

@RedRobyn2021 my belly button's been flat for weeks, maybe months! I'm just waiting for it to pop the other way! Belly buttons freak me out too, it's so odd!

I'm the same, it feels really uncomfortable

When I was in my early 20's I got my belly button pierced, I've not had a bar in for about 8 years maybe, but the hole where it was feels sore

Same! My button has popped and the place where my bar was is really tender now.

@Lucylaughing I'm 37 weeks on Monday and I've only just finished, it's difficult to find the motivation when you're working full time and pregnant or looking after younger kids. And our pram and car seat isn't being delivered until Monday, so no car seat fitted until at least 38 weeks because DH doesn't get home until it's pitch black so will need to wait until the weekend. Were going to do the next to me crib this weekend, but I've only just ordered the sheets for it. You'll be fine, try not to stress xxxx

@OnNaturesCourse when I was pregnant with my first, I got a stretch mark across the hole but after a few months pp you couldn't see it anymore, but that same stretch mark is back. It looks like Harry Potter's lightning scar 🤣

@Lucylaughing

Don't worry too much honestly, we've done the car seat and that's it so far

I haven't done any batch cooking at all, no cot up, no cleaning of the clothes, no hospital bag (I am having her at home but need to pack one just incase) and I've done zero birth preparations either

I was feeling really behind then remembered I didn't start any of this stuff with number 1 until this same gestation (36 weeks on Saturday) and she ended up not coming for another 6 weeks so there really wasn't any panic 😂

I have started a hospital bag but I definitely will feel better once it's done! I just get home from work and don't have the motivation.

I try to remember, that women had babies in caves. In fact, women have babies all over the world with absolutely nothing. So if we aren't one hundred percent prepped that's okay... They just need warmth, shelter, milk and love.
Plus... Amazon prime... 😂

I'm 36 weeks Monday, and in my family, our babies cook for a long time so I'm not anticipating she will come early. Girl can dream though!!!

Hi all
I’ve had a sweep yesterday and just lost my mucus plug now.
this is my fourth baby and first time having a sweep done or losing the plug.
just wondering anyone’s past experience if this means labour is near?

@vanillaiceice oh that sounds promising! I didn’t have a sweep last time but lost my plug. My waters went the next evening so things were happening but I needed help with an induction as my contractions stopped (but that’s a rarity!).

@vanillaiceice I didn't have a sweep last time, but I was already having contractions when I lost my mucus plug, I was in the latent phase

@vanillaiceice I've lost my plug three times now. It can regenerate if your body doesn't start labour soon after (ie baby doesn't move down into it's place) sorry! I lost it twice in my last pregnancy too. How far along are you??

@Firsttimetrier @RedRobyn2021 @OnNaturesCourse thanks for your responses.
im 37+2
they want to induce me as I’ve got gestational diabetes and baby is measuring big.
but I pushed off the induction as wanted to try the sweep first and give my body a chance to go into natural labour. Had on and off contractions and then lost my plug. So far contractions have stopped so let’s see. If nothing happens till Sunday I go in for my induction.

@vanillaiceice - everything crossed that you go into labour by Sunday! But if not, so exciting that'll you'll have your baby soon!!

@vanillaiceice i had GD in my previous pregnancy and also this one. Last time, I accepted they would induce me early but then needed it due to PPROM rather than GD, but this time I’ve refused any intervention until 40+5 following the NICE guidelines.

If you don’t want an induction, you can push back and accept alternatives (additional monitoring and scans) but they don’t want to do that usually as it’s more expensive than inductions.
Some babies will naturally be bigger or the centile chart wouldn’t work, and scans can be off (mine overestimated my son’s weight by 1.5lbs). So do what is right for you as I feel like they love pushing inductions when baby might not be ready.