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

yes fingers crossed you'll be nicely healed by then - my booking form was put in at my 16 week appointment (when I was almost 18 weeks) so they knew in plenty of time I'm due in that week - think if they stick to week 39 I'll either be in 24th, 27th or 30th for my section but I'm slightly hopeful they go with 23rd as that would be a lot easier to handle - and a nicer birthday for baby 😂

Hopefully you get your date soon! So sorry to hear you had a previous traumatic birth.
I've opted for ELCS due to my anxiety around the possibility of not being listened to/having a traumatic birth even though this is my first baby - as soon as the consultant agreed to the ELCS I was so much calmer and been much better for me during pregnancy knowing that it was all agreed

My midwife told me no raspberry leaf tea until 37 weeks... Anyone else?

If my 3yo daughter wakes me up in middle of the night (most nights) half the time I will be awake for about 3 hours and end up being exhausted. Very unlike me, normally I have no problem, it's definitely the pregnancy

@OnNaturesCourse yes, I wake most nights, just woke awake for no reason. Sometimes I get back to sleep, other times not.

I've just realised that I have no mosesbaskwt sheets, and that I had completely forgotten about them. I have a l8st of things to get, but they're just not on it at all! Are there any other obvious things that people have forgotten (or maybe I don't need moses basket sheets?? I'm new to this 😂).

@CatCaretaker I’d definitely get some, handy if little one if sick as you can whip that off and then change.

@xx11x you're hosting Christmas??!! It's my turn to host but I told everyone no bloody chance lol, we're getting a Chinese 😂

Maybe share what's on the list and we can help if we spot anything you've forgotten 🙂

I'm a first timer too! But I think I've got everything now but will also be handy to see if there's anything I haven't for comparison! X

@CatCaretaker second time for me and I just realised last night that I'll need practical things like little socks 😂 totally forgot. Feeling very unprepared!!!!

My baby box arrived today though from the Scottish government. An exciting day ☺️

*Moses basket, list

Oh cool, you guys get a box? What's in there?

@Lunamoon23 thanks! That's a long list, I'd be at risk of boring people!

In terms of things that are absolutely necessary, somewhere to sleep (incl. mattress, blankets and sheets!), clothes incl. sleepsuits and pramsuits, nappies, bottles, car seat, bath, cotton balls.

We have lots more besides, but those are the absolute must haves right?

@CatCaretaker yeah that's the must haves I'd say. Also a steriliser or Milton tablets for sterilising bottles? Feeding pillow? More so for your comfort and ease. But otherwise, yeah nailed it. Xxxxx

@CatCaretaker it's a box of essentials for the first few months (e.g. clothes, thermometers, muslins etc.) but the box itself also has a mattress and sheets so can be used as a safe place to sleep, it's an amazing initiative. I think they pinched the idea from Finland.

I'd invest in one of the in-ear thermometers if you can - trying to get an underarm temp from a wriggly crying baby is a total stress. Also a room thermometer but it doesn't have to be a fancy gro egg or anything. Other than that, lots of vests and baby gros, large muslins, socks, mittens, wee hats and if you have a gran / aunt / neighbour who is dying to force lots of knitted cardies on you - take them! They're a godsend for winter babies.

@CatCaretaker muslins were an absolute must with my first. We brought loads and would go through them.

Other things I found as absolute musts were white noise machine, night light for feeding at night, sleeping sacks/swaddles (swore by the Love2Dream arm up ones as he was a thumb sucker from being in the womb).

How is everyone getting on with hospital bags?

I went out to get a few bits today and have come home, thrown it all in the bag as safe keeping and I'm now having a panic that there just isn't much there. Feel like I'm forgetting things.

I have :
Nightie
Button down PJ set
Lounge set for going home
Slippers
Flip flops
2 packets of large knickers
Socks
Wash bag - shower gel, body wipes, face wipes, toothpaste, tooth brush, nipple cream, breast pads

To be added is : dressing gown, face cloths, hairbrush, maternity pads, towel, snacks, battery pack, charger, lotion

Baby has :
3 x newborn vests
3 x newborn sleepsuits
3 x 0-3 vests
3 x 0-3 sleepsuits
Nappies
Snow suit (need to walk to car then remove as carseat is fitted)
Carseat blanket suit
Blanket
Wipes

To be added : premade formula bottles, going home outfit, hat, muslin squares.

DH has :
2 x Lounge set
2 x boxers
Socks
2 x t-shirt
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Tooth brush

To be added : charger, medications, glasses, change (car parks)

As for the at home essentials, I thought I was organised but now I'm panicking as I don't seem to have as much as I thought. I have the crib, swing, car seat etc. Bottle maker, steriliser. 12 bottles. A drawer full of newborn clothing and a drawer full of 0-3 months. Nappies. Wipes. Blankets. Will be ordering muslins, a baby monitor ASAP..

I have been thinking "ah they dont need much to start with" but I've gone 360 on myself and need it all sorted now. Total freak out tonight.

@OnNaturesCourse get some of the Freida disposable pants! Absolute game changer and I lived in them for the first week then went for the big Bridget Jones style knickers for the next month.

For the baby, bring a hat if you have one. We had to put one on him as soon as he was born, so we just used one of those cotton ones which come in an outfit set.

One thing my husband wish he took was a pillow. We were in hospital for 2 nights (one night of labour, one night recovering) and the chair he was in was so uncomfortable, so he slept on the floor with a pillow lol.

Ladies I've seen some of you recommend a night light. I've been looking at the tomme tippe growegg light, but was wondering if anyone had one, does the light stay on constantly? Or is it a touch light type thing? Is this handy for night feeds and nappy changes?

I've never used the grolight so can't comment, always just used the lamp with a low watt blub or (probably wrong advice) the TV with the brightness turned down and volume low or connected to headphones.

Has anyone given thought to midwife visits after birth? I've had them as standard before but this time round I'm wondering if I can refuse the home visits and schedule clinic visits instead. Where I am they don't give times for the visits it's more of a "see you in AM / PM of X date" and it's frustrating being stuck waiting around all day not wanting to pop in a shower or go for a nap etc. Plus I'm think I'll likely be spending a lot of my time at my parents after birth for additional support with other DCs.

Bulb...

I slept well last night 🙄 so tired lol.

The Groegg gave me anxiety more than ever being helpful, so we quickly stopped using it.

We then got this and still use it after 2 years (hopefully the link works as it’s from Amazon)

amzn.eu/d/fwsjxQb

I looked online and it says you can switch the light on and off

I think I might get this actually as I need a nightlight and we need to get a new thermometer anyway and this conveniently does both, I've seen there's some on Vinted for a fiver too!

@OnNaturesCourse I don't see why not, everything is optional. Just tell your midwife what you've told us.

I want to decline the HV visits this time round, I found the HV annoying with my daughter

@HelterSkelter224 the in ear thermometers aren't as accurate apparently, that's what a paediatrician told me a few years ago when I was in hospital with my daughter