26 weeks pregnant & just found out! Help!

[EMmyc822]

Hello everyone,
Last week I went to my obgyn for my annual and found out I am 26 weeks pregnant with a boy. I am confused, happy and scared at the same time because Seeing as how I have only 3 months to get things together I have no idea where to start! I want to make sure that I have everything that I need but I'm not sure what that everything is!? Money is very tight right now for me and my honey because I don't have a job (was on the search for one up until I found out I was pregnant; don't think anyone will hire me for just 3 months). Any advice on the essentials I need & ways to not spend a fortune would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Kyla]

Hi EMmyc822

Congratulations! Firstly, don't panic about only having three months left, a lot of ladies are only just getting started on purchasing items.

You're lucky that you know you're having a baby boy, you can have a look for clothes in charity/thrift shops as well as on eBay, usually getting bundles of almost new looking clothes for very little spend. You can also get a lot of baby toys this way too.

I have started adding things like nappies, wipes and baby toiletries to my weekly grocery shop, snapping up offers and bargains only. I'm not going to pay full price for anything.

Newborn babies don't need very much at all, a lot of things are nice to have, but not essential. I keep telling myself that mothers used to use drawers pulled out of furniture to keep babies in, and most of those generations turned out ok

Once news of your pregnancy gets out in the wider world, it's surprising how many other mums donate items to you. You'll probably need to start with:

Nappies, wipes and nappy sacks.
Somewhere to change the baby (this can be as simple as a baby changing mat on the floor).
6 Onesies or sleepsuits
6 vests
2 cardigans/sweaters
Pram or travel system
Car seat
Cot (inc mattress, sheets and blankets)
Bibs
2 hats for baby and mittens
Bottles, teats and bottle brush if not breastfeeding

Good luck

 

[cbass929]

Congrats on your bundle of joy!! Whew that's a shocker to go to a yearly check up and find out you are 26 weeks pregnant. How did you not know?? My little butter bean is so active .
If money is really tight a lot of things that people buy or get for the baby they don't really have to have but it might would be nice to have it. Buy the crib and stuff used, if it looks pretty good don't worry about it if it is used! I'm not sure were you are located but n the us we have criagslist where local people sale their used item they no longer need. I bought my cradle swing, travel swing, high chair, jumperoo, and bath tub all from craigslist. It saved me a lot of money!!
I got pregnant with my son at 17 so of course I had no money at all no job. And my parents struggled theirselves my now DH made about $300 a week we ended up living with his parents and my grandma for a year and a half until we could afford to get out on our own!! But I pretty much had with him was hand me downs and used items. I did end up having a baby shower which i got a lot of clothes diapers and wipes more so things that are must haves then nice to haves.
I would suggest try to look for used items and buy a little something each pay period. You will make it.
GL!!!

 

[chellesama]

I've got no advice on the baby stuff (aside from they need surprisingly little - not even half of what catalogs would have you believe!) but I did want to say that retail stores, like Target where I work, are starting their seasonal hiring now. They'll take someone for just a couple of months since that's about all it would be anyway. It wouldn't hurt to see what they say!

Good luck to you! Congrats on your boy!

 

[mrsc81]

Wow congrats!
I have to say i would love to have found out i only had 3 months of my pregnancy left when i found out, as i feel i am just waiting, and waiting and waiting!
I presume this wasnt a planned pregnancy so i guess it has come as a big shock to you and you would probably of liked more time to prepare!
As a previous poster has said, you dont need as much as you would think for a newborn, shop around for offers and look online for vouchers and discount codes, have you got any family or friends with children that might be able to help you out with some essentials?

 

[Warby]

Wow, what a surprise! I found out I was pregnant at a doctor's visit also, but I was only around 7 weeks along. I imagine it was quite a shock.

There is lots of "stuff" marketed to parents of new babies. When it comes down to it, though, baby needs something to sleep in, clothes to wear, diapers, and a way to be transported (carseat, stroller or carrier/wrap/sling). Breastfeeding is cheap and easy. There are lots of great second-hand places that have great quality merchandise.

 

[Mummy May]

Ebay is a gem, as are car boot sales (not sure what they're called in America), second hand stuff is perfectly fine. Because bubs won't use stuff for that long, you can pick up really cheap stuff that is almost like new Maybe have a baby shower? and ask people (if they are bringing gifts) to bring things like nappies, baby wipes, babygros and such! Ooh how exciting! Hope your time left goes well xx

 

[sethsmummy]

Congratulations on your little bundle hun!

Where are you from?

like a lot have said a newborn doesn't need much.

They will need somewhere to sleep so a cot OR a moses basket (cheaper than a cot but will only last around 3 months)
6 vests, 6 sleep suits, 3/4 pairs of mits, 1 hat and some socks to keep their feet warm.
A few blankets for traveling and bed time.
if your bottle feeding then at least 6 bottles, bottle brush and a way of sterilizing..... boiling water/cold water tablets or liquid/ electric/microwave sterilizer, And some stage 1 infant milk.
A Car seat (you wont be allowed out of hospital without one)
Nappies and wipes/cotton wool
some bum cream and toiletries are also a must for me as baby has very sensitive skin (Johnsons baby bath is great)
A way of travelling so either a pushchair or a sling/baby carrier.

99% of things can be bought second hand, it just depends on your prefference... BUT if you buy second hand make sure you wash everything thoroughly before putting anywhere near baby.

Good luck hun and i am sure once you tell people they will help you out with things. Happy and Healthy 3 months to you hun xxxx

 

[Chloe.E]

Congratulations. Must be great only having 3 months until you're due lol. I jist don't get how you didn't know?! I felt baby's kicks from 16 weeks.
Anyay, eBay is perfect for good quality baby stuff for cheap. Alot of it is new, that's pram/travel system, bottles (obviously you can get brand new ones on eBay) clothes, cots/moses baskets and sheets. I got some lovely sheets from eBay brand new ones, alot better than my ones from Mothercare and anything else you want if I'm honest! Only think you should have to buy new is a matress.
Not sure if you have a Primark? But they have great quality baby clothes/blankets&towels.
Good luck with everything x

 

[Gina91]

Oh my! I always wonder how people could not know, but I guess it really does happen!
People don't tend to start buying till around 24 weeks anyway as they like to know baby is viable so you're not too far behind!
You've come to the right place for advice, the ladies on here are amazing. Looks like they've already sorted you with the essentials!

 

[helena]

Wowee!congratulations! how did you not know if you don't mine me asking? My husbands cousin didn't know until 7 months, amazing!
As others say, second hand items are the way forward, once washed they are as good as new! Bby won't notice or care. Good luck xxxx

 

[Snow Owl]

Don't worry Hun we currently have:

Pram
Car Seat
Moses Basket
Bottles (we plan to breast feed but a friend offered a load)
Bedding for nursery (again don't need yet but got it cheap 2nd hand)
Steriliser
A few small outfits that we couldn't resist (like 3!)

You'll be fine

And congrats! What a surprise!!

 

[Snow Owl]

Oh forgot to say pram and car seat are the only things we've bought new! OH is making the cot so ill need to buy wood for that and a mattress but that's it so far

eBay, gumtree and friends who have older kids have been great!

 

[EMmyc822]

Thank you ladies so much for the advice and support! I do have some friends that have babies, mainly boys, and they have told me that they would gladly give their saved clothes and bedding to me so that is a huge help!
I am from TN in the US so I can't wait to raise this little boy in the mountains up here! I know it seems crazy that I did not know but I only skipped 1 monthly cycle which was last month and did take a home pregnancy test a few months ago that didn't show anything. The only reason I did that was because I had been on birth control for years (to regulate my very heavy cycle that would last up to a month and a half) and was used to my period coming like clock work for 5-7 days at the end of the month, but it had only been lasting 2 days since June. My Dr thought it was not a big concern seeing as how I had just lost 40lbs at the beginning of this year and was exercising a lot. I had planned on asking my Dr to do some tests to make sure I didn't have any intentional issues because the past few weeks I had been having some odd feelings & bubbles in my stomach, which later I found out was little boy moving around! It's been one crazy week to say the least!
I do have one more question for you ladies, I am in my friends wedding on October 20th and I want to try my best to make sure that my dress will fit. Thankfully it is an empire waste dress but I'm still scared that by then I'll be really showing and it won't fit. If I start walking every evening and keep my nutrition healthy do you think I have a shot at still fitting in the dress??

 

[lil lovey]

Have got no advice but congrads...I think we might have the same due date..

 

[Beccaboop]

Wow congratulations!!

Theres no way i couldnt of known i was pregnant!! I was sooo sick from 6 weeks to 18 weeks and now have all sorts of aches and pains and fainting spells!

I dont have much new advice except if you are still looking for work you could consider a christmas temp job! Ive just got a xmas temp job today starting this thurs until new years eve (hopefully if im feeling ok) its in a card shop so its not too strenuous!

Good luck with everything xxx

 

[sethsmummy]

hmmm i dont know hun... if you still fit in it now.. then there is a good chance you will fit in it then.. BUT if your bump just pops then theres nothing you can do about it. Is it a lace up back?? if not you can get a thing off ebay that you can stitch onto the dress to make it a lace up (giving more room) and then remove again if your friend wants to keep/resell the dress xx

 

[EMmyc822]

I picked it up Sunday, tried it on and it fit so I'm hoping for the best! It doesn't lace up the back, just zips and ties in a bow. I'll definitely have to take a look on ebay for a lace up attachment just incase! Thank you ladies so much! And I'm sure I'll have more questions down the line seeing as how this whole experience is new to me and there's not much time left! Eeek!!

 

[Chloe.E]

I wouldn't worry much about asking questions, we all get curious about little things from time to time! Especially me, near enough twice a week haha xx

 

[gingermango]

Wow, firstly congratulations Im 26 weeks gone with a little boy and Im huge!!! but I completely understand how people don't realise as I was 24 weeks gone when I found out with my dd.

Have any of your friends/family had little ones recently as they will probably have lots of stuff they can give or sell you? As other posters have said you dont really need much for a newborn and what you do need can be bought second hand or in sales. Im assuming your due in January so larger items can wait till the january sales Three months is plently of time so try and enjoy being pregnant rather than stressing over things.

Dont forget to look for the group on here of other ladies due at the same time as you too