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!

We just had a night away and packed my maternity notes but that was it, not organised myself yet to think of a hospital bag but now feeling like I should probably get that sorted 😅

My maternity notes live in my car cause otherwise baby brain i forget to take them to appointments.

I do need to get in to gear though! Only 5 weeks to go which really isn’t that long at all!

think I’ll write a list tonight, make me feel like I’m making progress 😂

4 years since I last give birth and I really have forgot how painful it was, I just keep thinking I’ve done it once I’ll be fine 2nd time round, I’m delusional aren’t I? 😂

I also haven’t prepared yet! I was equally relaxed about baby prep the first time around though, as I wanted to enjoy my final weeks of freedom without baby stuff everywhere. 😂 I’m sure the last minute rush to “nest” will kick in soon (it’s my last week at work hurray!)

Do you remember much about your first birth? I had a very positive homebirth 3 years ago but I do recall it being hard work towards the end (I mean it is literally called labour). My biggest concern is making sure my little one is out the house when I’m labouring as no way would I cope with all her questions. 😅

I went on Amazon & John Lewis last night and did an online order so got some stuff coming this week 🙌🏻 you forget (well I did) about all the changing mats & baby towels etc I needed. Thank god for online shopping!

Very jealous of you finishing this week! I’ve got 3 weeks to go. I keep thinking about bringing it forward by a week but I can work from home so think I’ll just do that and get paid for it instead!

Yeah remember it all, mine was pretty positive to be honest as well. Quite quick for the first (waters went at 6pm she arrived by 11pm) I didn’t have any pain relief (not by choice!) until the last 20mins I got the gas and air. I did have a tens machine which really helped! (Adds to list to order! 🤣). Yeah those last hour or so felt like my bones were cracking! Hoping to get in the pool this time round. You hoping for home birth again?

the day before with my first I was having on off pains and then lost my mucus plug, I stayed in bed just sleeping like my body was getting ready so I’m hoping if it’s similar and I start with the pains I can send my little one to my mums so I can get in the zone.

Had my 32 week growth scan a few days ago. Baby is measuring on the 97th percentile weighing 5lb6oz.

I've now finished work. I have 4 weeks of annual leave before I'm officially on maternity. Time to get baby's stuff sorted because I think she's going to come early. I'm going visiting my sister in London at 34 weeks then a night away in Scarborough with the hubby at 35 weeks. Think I need to take my hospital bag on both trips just in case!

I’ve just been away for the weekend at 35 weeks and never again 😂 weekend with a 4 year old, none stop, 12,000 steps a day I’m shattered!! I think cause I feel ok & pregnancy so far has been fine, I forget how tiring this stage of pregnancy is. Body is aching & tired.
I’m done now 😂 apart from work & few more day plans I’m officially going in to ‘nesting & hibernation’ for the last 5 weeks! (Well going to try to)

36 weeks last couple days at work now. But I feel like a sudden return of first trimester symptoms . Starving hungry at random times and nausea on and off.

Update from here - been admitted into hospital today at 36 weeks due to concerns about some membranes and blood vessels around the bottom of my uterus and delivery has been brought forward to Monday! Feeling very much in shock and trying to wrap my head around things. We only came for a routine growth scan this morning so it feels mad that I'm suddenly not going to be home again without baby.

Good Luck! Enjoy the pregnant feeling whilst it lasts and keep us updated. Cant believe we are all at this point already. Iv just had my 34 week midwife appoinment and it hit that i only have a couple more appointments before baby is here!

Ahhhh good luck @McNicola ! Hope all goes well, make sure you take time to ask plenty of questions! It’s what they are there for.

The first baby of the group! Good luck 🤍🍀

I’ve felt exactly the same this week! 36 weeks on Sat and yesterday couldn’t stop eating whereas today felt sick from the morning and not finished my breakfast or dinner!
and still feeling slightly sick.
can’t remember this feeling from last time?! 4 years ago was such a blur! 😂

Thanks ladies, still trying to wrap my head around it all and come to terms with it! Mostly missing our 4 year old and not being able to give him a cuddle goodnight but I am looking forward to a few mornings of not having to wake up to MUUUUUM I BROUGHT YOU A DINOSAUR 😂

Glad I’m not alone! I woke up starving at 4am and it felt like if I didn’t eat I was going to be sick.

Does anyone else have a small child at home? I have a toddler at home and am struggling so much physically looking after him. I’ve looked after him solo all weekend and I can barely walk today - he wants to be picked up a lot, and then there’s the bending, getting on the floor, general tidying and washing etc that goes with a little DC. Finding it so much harder than my last pregnancy and I’m only 34 weeks!

I feel you! 36+2 here and really struggling the past week with doing everything. Partner works away so solo parenting all week & still working but help at weekend.
The picking up is such an issue! She 4 so doesn’t need picking up but wants cuddles and just generally clingy sometimes going to nursery.
I swear the reason I’m carrying this baby so low is cause of the amount of lifting and caring of the toddler!

hopefully you have some help to take the little one of your hands for a few hours 🤞🏻 give you time to rest.

Anyone colostrum harvesting? I didn’t with my first and breast feed for 3 months but hoping to express & go longer this time. Went to a class today and they gave us some syringes so thought I’d try tonight, managed to get a full syringe!! So was very impressed 😂

@McNicola hope everything went well yesterday! @Mama09876and @Pinkstuffs you’re amazing being able to being a Mum to toddlers while heavily pregnant. You’re doing great! Definitely looking up to mums like yourselves. No idea how you do it. Few months ago I said to my mum who has 3 kids that how did she do it. While I was so tired and could not imagine being pregnant and looking after a toddler or two.

Thank you! Baby Charlotte was born yesterday and is doing really well, she was 5lb 7oz so pretty good for 36+4! Expecting to be in hospital until Thursday and then can go home 😊 my son is coming in after school today to meet her and I can't wait!

I’m so glad to hear! Happy Birthday to Baby Charlotte! 🎉 first baby of our group. Have a great recovery and enjoy your baby girl 🥰

Congratulations 💐glad everything went well! & a good weight for the term 🤍 hope you recover well xx

Congratulations!!! Enjoy after school how lovely xxx

Congratulations @McNicola ❤️

I've not long spent another week in hospital with my bloody gallstones causing havoc. This time the pain triggered contractions at 34 weeks so it was very scary but thankfully baby Pombear didn't want to come and he remains nice and snug.
Saw my Consultant yesterday, they're happy with my GD, if anything they think I'm being too strict on myself with food but I tried to explain it's because of the gallbladder that everything I seem to eat triggers it. They want me to have more carbs so had some crackers before bed and then spent an hour plus vomiting and in pain. Woke up with blood glucose of 3.8 and feeling sick again so can't win.

They agreed to induce at 38 weeks and if I have another flare up, my bloods from yesterday go wonky or my BP keeps increasing (diastolic was 87 yesterday which it's never been that high) they will pull me in at 37 weeks. His estimated weight has also started dropping, he was on 80th centile and now on 50th but still in normal ranges. Estimated weight 5lb 12!

Now waiting for the hospital to ring me and give me a set date. Overall we are looking at between 14-20 days until baby arrives.

I'm absolutely terrified! I'm not going to lie. It's been such a journey and I am so worried that I'll either look at him and feel nothing or I will have made him sick by being so unwell myself. I know it can't be helped but the guilt is huge. I'm also scared of childbirth, the idea of pushing him out is scary and so is a C section, I'm especially wary of needles in spines - I know a spinal tap and bits are different to what they do but I've seen so many missed or gone wrong in my career that it's put me off a bit. I'd much rather have a general and be asleep!

Hope you are all getting along ok, sending love to everyone. I never managed to get back into the WhatsApp groups but it would be lovely if we could arrange some meet ups when babies have all arrived..

@CheeryPombear
aww gosh you’ve really been through it! Emotions and hormones will be high right now. Just think you get to meet him very soon! 🤍 I doubt you’ll have made him poorly? Is this with the gallbladder? My friend had GD and her baby was absolutely fine, no issues she’s now a healthy 11 year old!

I was going to say would you not just ask for an elective C section if they’re talking about you giving birth 37/38 weeks? Rather than the pain of induction? Can you not asked to be put to sleep? I appreciate that might not be how you want it but if it makes you feel less stressed.
i completely get the epidural, no way ill be having one because a bit like you the thought if it in my back & just the loss of control is not for me. But I has a very quick birth 1st time round I imagine if, like some of my friends who laboured for 3 days I’d probably be screaming for that epidural! 😂

Has anyone packed there bags yet? I’m still washing baby clothes 🤦🏼‍♀️ I didn’t realise how much stuff I had from my first! 4th wash has gone on today!
seen the midwife this week and she said always have the bag packed by 37 weeks so start thinking about getting it done! So that’s in my list for this week.
time just seems to have come round very quickly in Nov! Only 3 weeks to go 😱

How is everyone who is still working dealing with feeling not needed. My work is being amazing where they don’t really let me do much anymore. They mean well but mentally I’m struggling as I feel useless ☹️ today seems to be particularly hard. I didn’t sleep well and it shows. So been pushed to do very simple stuff so i feel very not needed and it’s something I struggle with. Especially I’m a very hands on employee. Sorry about the rant but no one at work understands and Mr just said enjoy it. 🙃