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’ve been waking up every morning with period cramps that ease by lunchtime - has probably been happening for four days now? No real other signs of labour being near, I’m 38 weeks today!

Thank you - I just had a look! Went to buy one but with next day delivery its £20 just for a nightie (not to sound cheap) but it doesn't seem worth it now with the vests I've brought and the fact I'll be covered on the bottom half until I can move around anyway xxxx

In 38 weeks tomorrow and I’ve been having the exact same feelings this afternoon/evening and was also wondering if things were starting!! 😬
I got induced first time around so haven’t experienced naturally going into labour at home but excited to see how things progresses… my first was late so I’m not holding out hope that it’s going to be soon soon but would be nice if this was the first stages!

If you’re able to get to an M&S they have some nighties in for around £12 if you did really want one xx

@Synergy94 yes I bought 2 of the boohoo button up nighties too. Haven't worn them, just washed and straight in hospital bag. Glad to hear they're comfortable.

Oh no, they were only £9 last weekend but must have been a Black Friday deal 😫

@Synergy94 oh that's a bummer. They're up to £14 now which is really reasonable, but next day delivery is £7. Which id need as I'm in on Thursday morning. Never mind! I'm sure I'll survive without one. It's not something I'd really wear again anyway, would have just been handy with the catheter. Xxx

@Synergy94 my morning cramps have me convinced my waters are about to burst every morning for the last week - but it turns out to be wind most of the time 😳

The wind has been pretty horrific in general this past week, feel like a balloon.

@OnNaturesCourse hopefully it is just wind, although it can be so painful. Have you tried any medication, like Windeze or Rennie deflatine?

On a different note, for anyone with an older child/children in school/nursery and who is expecting to give birth over the Christmas holidays... what are you planning to do with the older kids? My DP will be off work which is great, but I'm hoping she will be able to help me out especially at the beginning as I'm having a c-section, and also don't want her to miss out on all the newborn bits either. My DS is 5 and he is really excited about his baby sister arriving, but he is a very active child who also needs lots of time outdoors, and we're usually always out and about doing things. His sports classes also stop over the holidays. I'm worried if he is just in the house with us hovering over the baby all day, he will just be wild, and I don't want him to start resenting the baby!

We don't have family very nearby - closest are the in-laws about 1.5h away, who have offered to take them to their house for a few days, but I don't want him to feel pushed away, or that he is missing out on bonding with the baby. I would feel fine about them taking him out for the day but they struggle more with anything very physical as my FIL especially is not very mobile.

Anyone else in a similar situation?

I'd prefer it be contractions than wind at this point. I'm so ready to get this over with.

I have two older children and both have a tonne of Christmas activities over the next few weeks - I'm not due until 20th but there is a chance I am going to miss some of their activities if I go early. I have some friends and family on standby just in case. I have a electronic calendar that holds all the information including tickets, information sheets, requirements (clothes etc) so it should be easy enough for them to just pick up. As for over Christmas my DH will be home so it'll very much be a case of business as usual (as possible) with us all at home. All the children's school and classes will be off on holiday then anyway so they'd be be home regardless. I am lucky that my parents are close by so they can go there if they would like but we don't have plans to.

Lots of lazy days at home watching movies, doing drawings, PJ days, and DH will take them out to local parks etc. I'm actually looking forward to it being the chill Christmas this year.

I didn’t have a nightie for my last labour, just laboured in an oversized t-shirt but then wore pyjamas with boxer-style shorts on the postnatal ward, which worked well with the catheter. Don’t know if something similar would be possible to buy now it’s winter, but an alternative.

@whenthelevee

My daughter will be almost 4 when baby comes, she does go to preschool but they'll be closed until the 6th January

I'll be home establishing breastfeeding the baby and I expect my partner to take her out to do low key things like the park or library and walking the dog to get her out the house until I feel ready to do the same. I wouldn't dream of sending her off to a relatives to be honest. This will be the new normal and DP can spend time hugging/bonding with baby in the evenings and at night when there are a million nappy changes 😂

It's more important to me that breastfeeding gets off to the right start and that my older child feels secure. I don't think I'll be having the same experience with number 2 as I did with my first, in that I don't think it will be as easy to just sit and stare at her like I did with my daughter.

Similar situation to us, but with our 2 year old son.

I think we are going to divide and conquer a bit if baby arrives when nursery is closed for Christmas. So DH is planning soft play trips, swimming, walks nearby with a duck pond etc, so I can rest when the baby is sleeping.

If I don’t have a c-section, I’ll also try and do a few nearby park trips, take him on the scooter/balance bike to our local cafe with just DS and without the baby, so we can have some one on one time. Our local park and cafe are both less than a 10min walk away, so if baby does need a feed, DH can quickly pop over with the baby so me to feed.

I’m just expecting it to be total chaos for the first few months, until we find our new normal.

@Firsttimetrier I expect I'll be in a hospital gown for the vast majority anyway, as I'm having a cesarean. Once I'm back from the recovery ward I'll likely put on one of my nursing vests with my long sleep button up Pj top anyway, don't need to worry to much about the bottom half as I won't be up and about for a far while after anyway. Then I've got the frida mom disposable briefs which are very similar to boxer short type underwear, and my long sleeve pj top is very over sized as I brought 2 sizes up from my normal for the bottoms to fit over bump so if quiet long, so I guess quiet similar to a oversized T-shirt. Xxxx

@Lunamoon23 I had an emergency section last time and I think they made me walk about it 5 hours after. I was quite shocked but I definitely remember having a shower that night, which thinking back is quite wild after such a big operation 😂

So I’d maybe take something as a back up, in case your trust also encourage you to walk around the ward as I think the gowns had an open back, but it’s all a blur tbh!

@whenthelevee I don't have any other kids to contend with as this will be my first. But could you not book a couple actives for your DP to do with your older child for a couple of hours a few days a week? Few trips to the park? Feeding the ducks? Soft play/cinema trip? So in those moments you have time to rest and bond with baby, And then also include some home activities so DP can still be present with you and baby? Like crafts? Could even make it so it's about baby, so making a Christmas card for baby? Or a Christmassy photo frame from paper and arts and crafts which you could then get a picture of baby printed and glue inside as a keepsake? Things that keep them busy but also involved with baby so they don't feel left out. Frame things like watching their favourite Christmas film and make it like they're introducing baby to it, with hot chocolates etc...

@Firsttimetrier I think with my trust it very much just depends on when the spinal has worn off and you feel safe enough to move around without much assistance safely. So I guess can very much vary, I know they do encourage it though. Which I'm okay with, as I'm wanting the catheter out as soon as possible so there's no chance of having to stay longer or be recatheterised before leaving 😂 they give me the ick.
but I believe I'm having a side room as DH is staying overnight and they don't allow that on the open wards. So I'll have a little privacy at least. And the nurses/midwife's I'm sure have seen it all and more. 😂

Thanks @Firsttimetrier @RedRobyn2021 @OnNaturesCourse @Lunamoon23 , lots of good tips!

I think I have been hesitant to book activities until I know at least what week my c-section will be (should find out next week), although I like the suggestion of having all the tickets etc ready to share if needed, or organising a few things with other parents. I may just keep things very local and low-key, as some of you suggest. Think I am a bit nervous about going into labour early and DP not being around, as I have some complications which mean if I do go into labour I need to get to the hospital asap, as well as drop off my DS with one of our emergency contacts. I would think these things tend to move slowly but will quiz my doctor at my next appointment to see what kind of time margin we are talking.

Good reminders as well to just expect chaos for the first few weeks, and that that is OK. I think I am so used to our lives being really organised these days, the newborn chaos of 5 years ago feels very far away! My recollection of that period is that neither of us was getting any sleep, and we barely knew whether it was day or night, never mind what day it was. Hopefully we will manage to keep some semblance of normality this time...

Girls who else is over. it.

Feeling very grumpy and uncomfortable now 😩

I'm only 38+4 and I went to almost 42 with my first. I don't remember being this miserable and uncomfortable last time 😭
I just want to be snuggled in bed with a newborn rewatching satc or Gilmore girls is that too much to ask 😭😭😭😭😭😭

@HelterSkelter224 not over it yet, only 37 weeks today though, and really enjoying my time off to relax before baby comes.

I am 24/7 uncomfortable though so it will probably get old pretty fast 😂.

@CatCaretaker I think I made the mistake of working too long, I didn't leave myself time to relax before baby! I plan to do nothing but relax from now on!

@HelterSkelter224 I'm right there with you... ❤️but also finding it crazy how close I am now.
Two more full days... feels like those last 10 days have flown by in a blink. The nerves are well and truly settling in! 😳
You've not got long now though right? 7 more days?? They'll fly by! And find comfort in knowing you won't go that long overdue this time! Xxx

Hiya ladies 💖

I'm having a dull ache in my back and lower tummy... Anyone else experiencing these too?
I'm not having any other symptoms. Not sure if it's normal for 38 weeks!!

And yes I'm very over being pregnant!

@LilyJessie yes, I've had that for a couple of weeks on and off, feel like period type pains, dull and achy. They really ramped up the other night, so much so I took paracetamol but by the next morning they'd eased significantly, still have it slightly on and off in my back but to be expected as I'm 39 weeks today. Xxx

@Lunamoon23
It's confusing! I am trying to work out if it's "signs" of labour approaching or just pregnancy symptoms.
Not long for you now!!