Due December 2025

[HariboFantastics]

Hi!

Just thought i’d start a thread as I know a few of us have found out we are expecting! Would love to hear everyone’s stories to start us off as I know December feels soooo far away yet!

I’ll go first, I already have one child, he is 6 years old Totally did not plan to have anymore once me and his dad split, I was one and done. However, years on met my current other half and I just knew straight away I had a change of heart. We started trying 18 months ago with negatives every month, later finding out there was infertility on both our sides. We moved in together January this year after deciding we would give IVF a try once we were settled in new GPs etc, only to find out we were pregnant! This came to an abrupt end 3 days later where we had what’s known as a chemical pregnancy. Absolutely heartbroken I had half given up, what were the chances we would fall pregnant again so soon after so long of nothing?

Well, here we are, after only 1 cycle later, pregnant again! Hopefully this time is different for us, it definetly feels different!

@IcyLimeSwanI'm also starting mat leave at the end of this week and looking for recommendations, currently got a rewatch of Downton Abbey lined up and Schitts Creek. 😊

Finally had an appointment with my GD team today, 3 weeks after diagnosis. Didn't realise I had already seen one of the doctors whilst I was an inpatient (just show how unwell I felt as I'm usually good at keeping track of who is who).
Had a scan last week and they were happy with that. Happy with fasting readings but advised to change my breakfast as seeing spikes afterwards. I'm not sure what I can eat. It has to be low fat because of gallstones, I can't stomach eggs since getting pregnant and have been told today not to have 0% fat yogurts but the full fat ones set off gallstone pain. I'm currently having 25-30g of porridge oats made with water & skimmed milk with fruit. I've found peaches make me spike, bananas do sometimes as well but two spoons of tinned fruit don't!
I got some turkey bacon to see if I can stomach that in the morning, I think pork bacon would be too fatty.

Blood pressure was 120 which is high for me but good as I had been struggling with it being low. Urine showed ketones +1 as well as leukocytes and blood. I've just finished a course of antibiotics so think it may be thrush rather than an infection and seeing the GP tomorrow.

No plans for medications yet and team are happy to push me to 39 weeks at the moment which seems like a lifetime away.

@CheeryPombearglad there's good news there, sorry there's some struggles too :( fingers crossed for you that things start getting better x

33+4 today & very jealous of you ladies nearly finishing work! I’m so ready to relax and chill now before baby, but trying to hold out for as long as possible to have longer maternity next year. Don’t officially finish till 38 weeks 😫 but hoping to do a lot more wfh days so I can rest!

Just becoming uncomfortable now and energy is getting zapped! Feeling it 2nd time round there’s no resting at all 😂

Baby room is all painted and cleaned but still need to get everything out from loft and clean and put it together! Job for next week I’m hoping. Started to buy some stuff for my hospital bag but again still not bought enough nappies etc 🙈 really feel under prepared this time round!

Just out of curiosity those that aren’t having there 1st when did you give birth with your others? I was 40+4 with my daughter I’m hoping and praying I don’t go over again but I’ve got that feeling I will

@Mama09876also 2nd time round here, my 4YO does not understand the concept of "please can mummy just hide under the blankets and sleep" 🤣 he came at 40+10 but we're having a planned caesarian this time so we actually have our date which feels bizarre! It's been confirmed via text and I can't help but think it's like one of those "your order will be delivered on this date" messages 😂

By text! 😂 like a parcel being delivered 😂 it must be nice though knowing the exact date and you can count down.

Right now I’m just trying to get to maternity leave hoping they don’t come early so I can have 2 weeks rest, but wouldn’t be upset if I go a week early! Although husband works away and doesn’t officially come back home till 2 days before due date 🙈 so everyone’s on stand by for babysitting/birthing partner if he’s not back!
i keep thinking I’ll go early but then I think I’m just wishing and I bet I go over again!

Honestly I'm half expecting a text on the day along the lines of "your order is due for delivery today" 😂
Oof that's cutting it close to the due date! Fingers crossed he/she stays put!!

@Mama09876 Also a second timer and actually hoping baby stays in until due date as I’d like a few weeks off from work first to prep! My daughter came at 40+2 which was ideal. Really want a home birth again, although this pregnancy is so much harder and I haven’t been able to get in the zone for birth. Anyone else got terrible acid reflux? I feel like a fire breathing dragon. 😂

I’m having a planned csection too but I have been told it won’t be confirmed until 37 weeks, has anyone else had that? I’m due on 31st but my consultant said they like to do the csection at 39 weeks which would be Christmas Eve, I would like to avoid that!

My first baby was born at 39+3 so I guess there’s always a chance I’ll go before that anyway.

@Pinkstuffs I think it depends on each trust, but my midwife see the date in her system long before I got actual confirmation of it so worth asking your midwife if she can see anything!

I am a first timer but I am enjoying the wisdom of the second timer chat 😂🥰 …I’m hoping mine remains a December baby and doesn’t do a pull forward into November - I am so hellbent on having 4 weeks to chill at home! Counting down the hours to Friday now, I can taste the sweet freedom 🤪🤣

My consultant is planning induction at 38 weeks. I’m 34 weeks today and had my appointment yesterday but nothing has been booked yet. I have another scan at 36+6 on 19th November and appointment after. We have been told they want to see how the baby is doing on the scan just in case they need to induce earlier but I’ll get my date induction at my next appointment

Does anyone have any tips on sciatica, I’m 34 weeks now and can barely walk. First baby still at work.

i had this after my first. Go to a chiropractor for maternity they will sort you out

I feel exactly the same! 😂 I said to my husband today god it’s only 6 weeks away and I’m not mentally prepared at all! I’m defo not in the zone yet 😂 hoping once work is done I think I’ll be better. Got my hypnobirthing book out with ever intention to start reading again and it’s gathering dust.
I just keep thinking I’ve done it once surly I’ll just remember everything again 😂
I had a really positive birth last time (give or take a few things) so that’s the only thing I’m really hoping is the same this time round! Hope me not being prepared this time has a negative effect!

Here’s a topic… postpartum food prep! Has anyone done much of this for previous pregnancies / plan to with their current? If so, what are you planning to cook - I’ve started a list to do some batch cooking of meals this week but would love to hear what’s worked for others / what your plans are!

@IcyLimeSwan I’m just planning an extra half of things when I cook from probably next week so I’ll just freeze the extra portions when I’m cooking normal meals. Easy enough to store portions of stew/bolognese/chicken casserole/savoury mince etc in flat bags. Will make sure I’ve got jacket spuds/burgers/kievs/meatballs frozen too so plenty of easy meals as last time it was actually quite nice to have those few minutes alone in the kitchen to pretend to cook lol

@IcyLimeSwanwe did a bit of batch cooking before our first child and doing the same this time, mostly lasagnes/mac and cheese/stews (essentially comfort food!) and frozen them in one person portions so that we could take them out as needed. Also batch made pasta sauces, chucked them into ice cube trays and froze those for a quick easy dinner! This time round I've also made some soups for if I feel like being healthy (unlikely) 😂

I had a growth scan today as my last baby had FGR and was born on the 2nd centile. Everyone keeps telling me I’m huge but baby is only on the 30th centile! Hoping he’s not going to drop off the chart like my DS.

I also had to chase up my 28 week bloods and I’m anemic, I’m 32 weeks now and no midwife had reviewed them so I could have been taking iron for 4 weeks now and been feeling much better. Very frustrating as I am SO tired.

@Pinkstuffssnap with the FGR and centiles - my son was supposed to be over the 99th centile according to fundal heights measurements but ended up being 2nd on the centile range! This one is now measuring at 30th centile too so exactly the same place as you. Hope you get some iron tablets soon and start feeling better, poor you - pregnancy is tiring enough let alone with anemia!

I didn’t last time round but will be this time! My friend ordered me a week of oven meals and it was a life saver! So I’ll be doing some easy freezer meals. Hoping start of Dec I’ll have time on maternity to make some food!

Been to my 34 weeks appointment today and measured thankfully not low! Last two times I’ve had to go for a growth scan but back on track. Baby is fully engaged now! Which makes sense as I can feel that pressure 😂 5 weeks and counting!

@IcyLimeSwan I was thinking about doing Gousto or one of those services before the gallstones arrived. I'm now existing off poached egg on dry toast, cooked chicken or ham with crackers and raw veg for lunch and chicken or fish and veg for tea these days. Sometime I have porridge made with water. Absolutely no point in trying to prep anything. I thought I had it all under control and since the weekend have flared up again with pain and vomiting so back to minimal intake.
I'm very lucky that before I was off my OH did most of the cooking and is very good at it. He will likely fend for himself.
Maybe once baby is out the gallbladder will feel a little better? 🤔

Hope everyone is doing well, 34 weeks on Friday and it's now feeling like it's dragging even more.

Has anyone packed their hospital bags yet? I’m going away this weekend (UK break) and thinking of chucking in a few size 1 nappies and newborn sleepsuits just in case…

@Pinkstuffs you’re making me think I’m far to relaxed 😂 I haven’t even got newborn sleep suits or nappies yet 🤦🏼‍♀️ I’m away this weekend to but the suitcase I’m using is my hospital one as well so bag will have to wait till I get back!

Anyone else just not prepared? still need to find the next to me cot & car seat from the loft! And wash everything/order some newborn stuff. As I keep saying… I’ll do it next weekend! 😂

It’s only because I went to triage the other day with reduced movements and started thinking, what if I have to deliver this baby now. Aside from that nothing is organised, I also need to get DS1s clothes from the loft, find the next to me etc etc