@Beort12 So lovely to hear from you! I’m so glad baby is happy and healthy!
Yay that he has finally agreed to sleeping in his bassinet! To be fair, it must be such a massive adjustment for them - the outside world must be a shock when you’ve always been snug and warm and fed with no effort on the inside! I’m glad your family is being supportive and letting you get rest when needed.
Thank you for your tips and tricks. I had to google silverettes, as I’d never heard of them! Are his nappies the wrong size maybe? Seems odd that it’s leaking constantly… It’s funny that you mentioned having multiple sleepers because I was having this conversation with hubby on the weekend and he’s convinced “one or two” is enough, but I’m thinking he is underestimating how quickly they’ll end up in the washing machine haha. We do have plenty of swaddles though.
I’ve not heard of vit D drops for babies… I’ll have to look into that!
I’m so glad that you are able to feel like you had a good labour experience, even though it was long and hard. It’s always refreshing to hear that hard doesn’t equal terrible.
[name_f]My[/name_f] appointment went well today, and my blood pressure has actually improved slightly. I got a bloodwork order (which I wasn’t expecting, as no one had previously mentioned it) that’s for a full blood count, iron levels, and my GBS swab. So I’ll do that sometime this week, so they have the results back by my next check up on the 23rd. I was also told to stop taking asprin, if I haven’t already (which I had actually).
We went through induction process and risks with the doctor, and I signed the consent forms for both the induction itself and for receiving blood products in an emergency situation. The doctor confirmed that we’ll probably get a date or at least an estimated date once they have reviewed my scan results from [name_m]Friday[/name_m].
[name_f]My[/name_f] GD is being super stubborn, so my diabetic educator increased my overnight insulin units from 46 to 60, which is the biggest increase I’ve ever had! I’m going to put a snack on my bedside table in case my levels drop too low overnight because it’s a big change! I guess we’ll see how this goes…
@_thelittlefairywren I don’t think the diapers are the wrong size (he is still in NB), he is just a long and skinny baby and no matter what they aren’t quite tight enough! At his last appointment a few days ago they said he is in the 21st percentile for weight and the 78th percentile for height! And he had only lost 3% of his birth weight, this is just how he is built. He also a voracious eater and that translates into some powerful streams of pee, it seems!
Eli@s has probably 6 “good” sleepers (ie hand mits and two way zippers) and another 5ish other sleepers and he runs through essentially all of them in less than 48 hours! I knew there would be a lot of laundry with a baby but wasn’t expecting quite this much.
In the US at least it is standard to give exclusively breastfed babies vitamin d supplements, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if this isn’t a global recommendation!
And so exciting to know your induction date soon!! I so hope it goes smoothly for you.
Oh I forgot I was going to talk about his name - it did come down to just about the last second in the end! Right after he was born we chatted with the labor and delivery nurses about the options, which continued to be Eli@s, Emilio/Emiliano, or [name_m]Diego[/name_m]. We all agreed right away he wasn’t a [name_m]Diego[/name_m], but it wasn’t until about midday the next day before we really sat down and talked about it. I felt like he could have been an [name_m]Emilio[/name_m] or an Eli@s, so I sort of left that up to my husband. He seemed to be leaning towards Eli@s, and then right at the last second I suggested we add Abr@m as a middle name. Abr@m has always, always been my husband’s favorite name, and I know he would have named him that in a second if I had let him (and I know even after he was born was hoping I would change my mind on that). He also always called the baby Abr@m while I was pregnant, so it felt sweet to me to have that really be a part of his name, even though I don’t really love the name itself. The funny part is my husband had always been opposed to him having a middle name at all, and then at the last second jumped on board. And has totally loved him having this middle name! He has either been calling him Eli@s Abr@m or just Abr@m a lot. His mom had been pushing for his full name to be Eli@s [name_m]Emiliano[/name_m], and while that was cute too I would like to save Emilio/Emiliano in case we have another boy in the future (although I don’t love two E names - but maybe if there was another baby in the middle, especially if it was a girl, that would be fine because 3 is definitely our absolute max number of kids).
In the end I am really happy with his name being Eli@s - he looks just like my husband, and so I tried to picture the name on my husband at different ages and I think it works really well. It feels pretty similar to my husband’s name in terms of style and popularity/familiarity, and I have always thought that my husband’s name is perfect for him.
@Beort12 Ahh, I see! One of my neices was like that - long and skinny with tiny hips, and nothing quite fit her right. She’s still like that and she’s 6 now. Maybe he’s destined to be tall and fine! Hopefully he puts on enough weight in the next few weeks to stop the leaking!
Sounds like maybe I should do some shopping and work on a “at least one a day” theory with sleepers.
I did some looking into Vitamin D and our state health system does have some information sheets available about it. It sounded like a reasonably common and sensible thing to do - even with all the sun down here, lots of people are still deficient. I feel like it’s odd that no one has mentioned it in any of the appointments… I’ll have to ask at my next appointment to be sure.
Thank you! I’ve had a few people recently tell me they had really good induction experiences, which is encouraging. I get a bit tired of the fact that everyone only wants to share their “horror” stories.
Thank you for sharing your naming story! I love reading how people get to the name. I love that you ended up including Abr@m despite not being sure about middle names - it sounds like it was a very meaningful choice in the end. I’ve always like Eli@s - I wish it got a bit more love and attention on naming charts. Congratulations again on your baby boy! 🩵 I’m so jealous haha (even if we’re literally around the corner from meeting our own baby).
Anyone want to throw a guess in the ring as to 🩵 or 🩷 ?? Hubby and I think it’s a girl, but I’ve had that feeling for so long that now I’m like “maybe it’s a boy to throw me off…” haha I was talking to my sister on the phone recently and she said she’s dreamt about baby a few times and it’s always a girl. [name_f]My[/name_f] best friend is also convinced it’s a girl. I guess we’ll see!! It’s funny because I always felt like I’d be better as a girl-mum than a boy-mum, but now that we have some boy names that I really love, I feel like I’d be sad if we never got a chance to use them!
I seperated all the new baby clthes, sheets, wash cloths, etc, last night ready to go through the wash today. I filled three laundry baskets! I can see why mums are always doing some kind of laundry!
I finally put away most of our baby shower gifts and have done about 85% of the packing for hospital. I am finally starting to feel like I am on top of things. Now just to catch up on cleaning the house as best I can!
I was just skimming through your board, and wanted to hop on and ask if you’ve tried different brands of diapers? (You might’ve already but its something I didnt give much thought with my first baby)
What we discovered is different brands are built for different body types. Pampers seemed to work better for our second baby who was thinner and didnt have much in the way of baby rolls, where as our first baby was more round and had more rolls and huggies fit her shape better!
I think we’re finally organised! I’ve done all the laundry, put the crib together, put all the clothes and linen away, finished packing bags for hospital (minus hubby’s toiletries). I have a few things I want to do around the house, but I think I’m finally happy with where we are on the baby front! I feel sorted! fist bump
The only annoying thing left to do is sort out paperwork for my maternity leave payments - I keep putting it off because I just know it’ll be complicated, but I really should get it done!
I am 36 weeks today, which just is a little mind-blowing! We’re so close now!
A friend from work said his prediction is that baby will be here at the end of next week Whilst part of me doesn’t want to go early, it would be nice to go into labour naturally. Guess we’ll see. I’ve noticed that my cervical mucus has changed in the last two days and the doctor said baby had started to drop at my check up on [name_f]Tuesday[/name_f], so maybe things are slowly starting to happen.
@LibelluleClaire we have! Well, from the brands we happen to have at home. I haven’t gone out and bought a sample of everything. Pampers seems to work best because they go up highest on him, at least of what we have tried. However, we have now actually gone almost a couple days without him getting all wet, so I don’t know if we have been putting the diapers on better, or getting lucky, or if he has filled out a tiny bit and there are less gaps.
Just hopping on here to say that I agree it’s odd that it’s like the great unknown to breast fed baby childcare but it is / has been pretty standard. My kids pediatrician is the same pediatrician my hubby had. So when our first was born and we were told to do vitamin d daily hubby started lamenting to his parents and they mentioned they were also given the same instructions.
If you want a brand recommendation I’ve used Zarbeez vitamin D without issue for all 4 kids. It’s flavorless, colorless and odorless. I just give them a dose during their first diaper change of the day.
Regarding Vitamin D, it’s definitely advice given in Northern climate’s because we get so very little sunlight, but I’m not surprised it’s not as prevalent and suggested as strong in Australia due to the difference in weather! [name_m]Daily[/name_m] sun exposure is the best source of vitamin D after all!
[name_f]Baby[/name_f] is still holding steady, due date is [name_f]Monday[/name_f] and no signs she’s making her way here anytime soon! I haven’t had any cervical checks and at my midwife appointment it appears she’s turned back into a more favourable position. I’m still doing the miles circuit to encourage her to stay there until she comes!
@_thelittlefairywren — I’ve been thinking you’ll be having a girl this entire time! No rhyme or reason to it, but I’m team girl for you!!
[name_f]My[/name_f] midwife has never suggested vitamin D as a newborn supplement, but she always makes sure I’m taking plenty during pregnancy and breastfeeding. I regularly take 10,000 iu per day, and my bloodwork shows my D levels are nice and high. We live in the northern US.
@Beort12 thank you so much for your updates and what you shared! I have a lot of family who are waiting until after baby is born to buy things (that is the older cultural norm), so maybe I should encourage some people who would be open to it to go in on silverettes.
@_thelittlefairywren I really have no idea. I might go boy just because there are so few blue hearts at the top of the page. I am glad your time off has been good so far.
@Kibby so glad baby is in a good position! Your EDD is so close now how exciting!
On my end baby seems to be in an ok position. The midwife I saw this week said she thinks the baby is tracking to be pretty average in size. I haven’t had any cervical checks and I might not pursue it until I get past my EDD. I went from sort of assuming I’d be a bit early due to family history to now assuming I’ll be pregnant until [name_f]May[/name_f]. It would be convenient for it to happen [name_f]Tuesday[/name_f] or [name_f]Wednesday[/name_f] of next week, but when do babies do what is convenient? Haha. I am trying to decide whether to sign up for prenatal yoga on the 28th. It seems risky but also it would be nice to go and say goodbyes. I won’t go this weekend because my parents are visiting and we are going to be doing Passover prep.
I picked up some vitamin D drops today, just in case. They’re pretty cheap, so I figured it was easy to have them on hand. Also got some other lotions and potions, as I have a really bad heat rash that won’t go away - the pharmacist gave me two different creams to try. Hopefully, it goes away!
We had our carseat installed yesterday and I am finalising my birth plan for printing at the moment (when my computer stops running updates). We are just playing the waiting game now!
@Kibby I can’t believe your due date is tomorrow!! You have been on such a long journey and it’s been so wonderful to share a due date group with you. Best of luck for delivery day! I am so excited for you to meet your little girl! 🩷
It’s so crazy but things are still holding steady. I’m trying to go for walks every day to coax her out. [name_f]My[/name_f] friend that’s pregnant with me is being induced [name_f]Wednesday[/name_f] on her due date because of her blood pressure. I’m hoping she goes naturally before then just to avoid the stress of inducing. I’m really worried that with how her OB has been that a medical induction will lead her to a epidural or CSection that she’s really hoping to avoid.
Knowing she’s got an end date for her pregnancy is making me a bit antsy to go into labour now, our girls will be very close in age regardless but I’ve been hoping within days of each other. I think I may request a cervical check and possibly a sweep on [name_m]Thursday[/name_m] if nothing happens by my appointment.
@Kibby so excited for you to be meeting your baby so soon, whenever that is!! Hoping she doesn’t make you wait too much longer. I did tons of walking the last few weeks of my pregnancy too, although I didn’t feel like it was making much of anything happen. I really didn’t feel like I had much of anything in terms of signs of labor until labor began.
Speaking of walks, we took Eli@s on his first real walk today which was so sweet. He is just the cutest little guy! He also outgrew his first newborn outfit. Some still fit him, but this brand must just be a little smaller and it is just not long enough for him. Crazy! He has his two week appointment on [name_f]Tuesday[/name_f], and I think he has definitely surpassed his birth weight.
36w5d check up went well - blood pressure has improved, no need to increase insulin dosage, iron levels have improved, GBS negative, full blood panel was all in the correct range, and baby’s growth rate has stabilised. [name_m]Just[/name_m] waiting on a call from maternity ward to confirm induction date. It’s all sounding really positive! [name_f]Baby[/name_f] is still not engaged, so I don’t think they’re planning on going anywhere soon of their own accord!
@MamaEnzi How are you going? Your due date was a couple of days ago, if I remember correctly!
@Kibby I hope everything goes well for your friend and she has a positive induction experience (if baby doesn’t come before then). Fingers crossed all your walking encourages baby girl to come along soon - how sweet it would be if both babies were so close! [name_f]My[/name_f] best friend and I always talked about having babies close; it hasn’t ended up that way, but it would be so lovely.
@Beort12 Aww so many sweet firsts! I’m so excited for the simple things like taking baby for a walk… probably sounds odd, but those are some of the things I really look forward to!
Had a call from Maternity [name_m]Ward[/name_m] today. [name_f]My[/name_f] induction will be between [name_f]May[/name_f] 2nd to 9th, depending on how busy they are and if they have a room available, etc. They will call me on the day to see if it suits us to go in and then will let us know a time, etc, from there. She apologised for not being able to give a specific day as it depends a bit on what else is going on, how many spontaneous labours they’re dealing with, etc. She did say they try to prioritise inductions, but there’s another three mums that need inductions in the same week, so it’s just going to be a bit of a juggle, depending on how everyone is going.
[name_m]Long[/name_m] story short, we will be meeting baby at some point in the next two weeks… it’s a bit overwhelming to process now that we have a ball-park time range. It’s probably just hormones, but my brain and emotions are like “Omg what are we doing! Why did we think this was a good idea!” Am I excited? Yes. Am I also kind of terrified? Also yes.
@Beort12 - How did his two week appointment go?? It seems crazy that he’s already two weeks old! How have you been doing these first two weeks?
@_thelittlefairywren - So great to hear your tests are coming back with good results! And so exciting to have a range of dates for induction if baby doesn’t make an appearance of their own accord first! [name_f]My[/name_f] friend said the induction date made everything so much more real for her, gave a real “end point” for pregnancy and meeting her girl!
[name_f]My[/name_f] friend is at the hospital as we speak, they were still deciding the method of induction last I heard a couple hours ago, but I hope she’s well on her way to meeting baby L@uren M@rth@!!
I just spent some time bouncing on my yoga ball and pacing around the yard with my dogs, it’s not a small yard (acreage) so I’m hoping it’s helping baby decide to make her appearance. I’ve been mildly crampy and feeling overtired/off today so I’m hoping the signs are there. I didn’t sleep well at all last night, was up from 1-4am, overheated and just read a book in bed. [name_f]My[/name_f] partner started his new job this week and they’ve been warned I’m VERY pregnant and could go at any time now.
I’m very undecided about asking for a cervical check and sweep at my appointment tomorrow, I’m eager to be done but I don’t want to force baby if she’s not ready either.
@_thelittlefairywren I am glad things are looking good. At this point you could have your baby before I do! I am considering scheduling an induction the week of the 6th if baby hasn’t made an appearance by the.
@Kibby oh man I feel you! You are probably even more impatient than I am, of course. It sounds like you are at least having some very early signs. I also hope your friend gets to meet her baby very soon!
I have been having mostly my usual symptoms plus inner hip/hip crease pain in addition to my left outer hip hurting, but nothing that indicates baby is getting ready to come. I elected to have a cervical check today in part because I know it might help me to get used to them when I am calm, since I have a history of a lot of discomfort with pelvic exams. The exam was uncomfortable but not bad, but my cervix is closed. She said it does seem to be softening but there is no way to tell if I have weeks more to go. I think I want to to a membrane sweep next week despite my anxiety about the pain of baby still hasn’t shown up. I might also ask to start on castor oil. As much as still feel anxious about how much life is going to change, I am ready to stop anticipating and start adjusting to the change.
@Kibby it went well! He was up 12.5 oz from his birth weight (and nearly a pound from his last check at 4 days old, because of course he lost a little bit right after birth). The doctor said this was a fantastic weight gain (over an oz a day!) and that he is doing perfectly. She also commented on how very blue his eyes are. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband’s eyes are a very dark brown and mine are hazel so I am sure they will change, but the doctor did say she thinks it would be genetically possible for him to keep the blue eyes, although I think it is highly unlikely. He has had a couple pretty fussy days now which is harder. He is a pretty calm baby, except when his stomach hurts. And everything says that literally 100% of newborns have digestive issues because of how immature their digestive systems are, so there is only so much we can do. All in all things are going well, although it is just incredible how very hard it is to get anything done with a little one!
@_thelittlefairywren so nice to have a sense of when your induction will be! I know just having that end date in mind really helped me the last few days.
@NameSearchAccount I am glad the check wasn’t too uncomfortable at least! And your cervix can change so quickly at any time, at least.
It’s funny that you mentioned having multiple sleepers because I was having this conversation with hubby on the weekend and he’s convinced “one or two” is enough, but I’m thinking he is underestimating how quickly they’ll end up in the washing machine haha. We do have plenty of swaddles though.
I love reading how people get to the name. I love that you ended up including Abr@m despite not being sure about middle names - it sounds like it was a very meaningful choice in the end. I’ve always like Eli@s - I wish it got a bit more love and attention on naming charts. Congratulations again on your baby boy! 
I was talking to my sister on the phone recently and she said she’s dreamt about baby a few times and it’s always a girl. [name_f]My[/name_f] best friend is also convinced it’s a girl. I guess we’ll see!! 
It’s funny because I always felt like I’d be better as a girl-mum than a boy-mum, but now that we have some boy names that I really love, I feel like I’d be sad if we never got a chance to use them!
I’ve done all the laundry, put the crib together, put all the clothes and linen away, finished packing bags for hospital (minus hubby’s toiletries). I have a few things I want to do around the house, but I think I’m finally happy with where we are on the baby front! I feel sorted! fist bump 
how exciting!
[name_f]Baby[/name_f] is still not engaged, so I don’t think they’re planning on going anywhere soon of their own accord!
Am I excited? Yes. Am I also kind of terrified? Also yes.