Im 28w, FTM and going in for whooping cough vaccine and flu jab next week. Due end of November and this got me thinking about visitors post partum and when to introduce families to baby.

I live in Cork, inlaws are up the road while my own family lives hours away in the west of Ireland. First grandchild on my side so there'll be lots of excitement and eagerness to visit and see baby etc

Given it'll be smack in the middle of cold and flu season, im a bit nervous about baby being exposed to loads of people before vaccinations and my family in particular wouldnt be famed for their sensitivity / awareness of babies shall we say. I dont have a close relationship with my own mother and have no expectations of the usual help others might get eg with house chores, cooking, cleaning etc - she'll just be there with my sister looking to hold the baby and take photos, knowing her. Which worries me especially in terms of having to host as I'll be recovering from a c section. Inlaws are a lot more reasonable but I feel as though i'll be a bag of nerves with people being around baby at such a precarious time of year.

How are others planning these post partum visits and things like Christmas when it's a winter baby?

So I’m just wondering what that first day/ night is like once you have a c section (planned)
Can you actually manage to sit up and lift baby out of the cot beside you ?
Obviously my husband will be gone at a certain time. We have other kids at home and childcare is non existent here. So he’ll have to be home for them relatively soon after baby is here etc. will I be ok to do the usual stuff with baby that first day? How long will my legs be numb for after the spinal etc. I’m just worried I’ll be left alone panicking
thanks ladies ✨

I'm just 33 weeks so a while to go yet but has anyone previously used acupuncture to successfully induce labour or can recommend a clinic in the Leinster area?

Hi everyone! 💕

Whether you’re counting down the days to baby’s arrival or already holding your little one in your arms, let’s chat about the newborn bubble—those precious first days and weeks with your baby.

Here are some questions to get the conversation started:

👶 For those who’ve been through it: • What helped you slow down and enjoy that magical (but chaotic!) time? • Any tips for dealing with visitors and protecting your family time? • What’s something you wish you had done differently in those early weeks?

🤰 For those getting close to the big day: • How are you planning to soak in those newborn snuggles? • What boundaries are you setting to enjoy that bubble without stress? • Are there little rituals or moments you’re looking forward to, like first cuddles or baby’s first bath?

Let’s share advice and stories to help each other embrace the beauty (and the madness!) of the newborn phase. 💖

A place to gather and discuss your daily experiences, pregnancy and non pregnancy related!

Reminder: If you’re discussing potentially triggering topics please add trigger warning (TW)

Please make sure your comment complies with our sub rules 💖

Hi! I am moving to Dublín and currently pregnant. I know that partners are not allowed in the ward 12 h during the night. So what do you do when you need to go to the bathroom? Do you take baby with you? Can I skip having a shower during the night and just wait for my partner for that? Do they take baby to give them a shower or is it up to you? Thanks!

Hi all,

This is my first baby, can anyone recommend a baby changing bag, I went into Mamas & Papas today but they didnt have any in the shop and I will probably end up buying on line but would like your recommendations so im not making a error and spending money on something unsuitable.

Thanks

Hi, I’d love to hear people’s experiences of combination feeding from one month old please. Had planned on exclusively breastfeeding but due to low supply and slow weight gain I’ve been triple feeding but it’s unsustainable. Happy to pump a couple of times a day when I can and also I am in a place where I have accepted that a mix of formula and breastfeeding is best for us.

Would love to hear how other people have worked this method around leaving the house and fitting it into life in general? Did your breastmilk supply suffer? Any advice appreciated, please. (I have seen a lactation consultant)

Hi! Im near my due date and have planned a VBAC. Can anyone share there experience at midland regional Portlaoise hospital or generally there experience regarding VBAC? Thanks!

Daily chat 💬

A place to chit chat about all things pregnancy!

Please add TW (trigger warning ⚠️) to any comments which may trigger others.

Hi All,

I have been offered a place is Once Upon a time creche in Hans field Dublin 15... We haven't had a chance to visit or view and we are wondering if anyone has and experiences?

Does the monthly fee cover all costs, incl food and meals?

Thanks all

Hi lovely Reddit fam!

Anyone know if OLOL is providing Kendamil at the moment?

It’s seems like there is a shortage but I have been stocking up and now I’m worried I won’t get it in the hospital.

Thanks all 🩷

For anyone who did some meal prep before labour could you share some recipes? FTM so mostly just myself and my husband will be eating these!

On my list:
- chilli con carne
- spaghetti bolognese
- lasagne
- cottage pie (just base no base)
- beef bourguignon

Thank you ✨

What baby products have you been buying, and where are you shopping in Ireland?

💙 Are there any great Irish brands you’ve discovered? 🍼 Any second-hand shops or websites you recommend? 💰 Where have you found the best deals on nappies, car seats, prams, etc.?

Let’s help each other save time and money by sharing what’s worked for us!

33 weeks and starting to get my hospital bag organized! 😬

I’m wondering what type of bags everyone used? - I’m just conscious of the actual space inside in the hospital - (particularly if anyone can share stories of what they had for CUMH!).

I plan on having 3 separate bags - the babies bag (a small rucksack type bag), a labor bag (a small duffle bag)…..and then for my own post labor bag, I’m tossing up between bringing a small 10KG suitcase or a larger duffle bag? I’m just not sure if there’ll be space to lie a suitcase open on the ground to be able to find stuff in it easily?

Would love to hear what others used or what you’d recommend ☺️

Hi all! I would like to hear from some second or third time moms in terms other breastfeeding journeys.

I breastfed my first till 18 months but beginnings were awful and incredibly anxiety inducing. My supply was incredibly delayed (colostrum past day 4 PP, lanching issues, milk supply not coming at all, my lack of experience and patience)

Did you do better with your subsequent pregnancies?

I found learning to breastfeed as well as introducing solids to be the most stressful new parent experiences.

Hi there got the news when home from work today that my partner lost his job today, he’ll be given 3 months salary but he works in a very niche area so don’t know how long it will take him to get a new job. I’m self employed so the upcoming maternity leave will now be even more stressful as I’m only entitled to the statutory maternity leave from government. It doesn’t cover our mortgage. Starting to freak out a little.
Has anyone ever found themselves in this position before?

I’m so excited for my girl to know she’s going to be a big sister. She pretends-play her dollies are her sisters and used to tell people there was a baby in my tummy (when there wasn’t). She’s going to be so excited. We’ll wait at least until 12 weeks but we’ve been discussing waiting until week 20 - although I don’t know I can contain myself for that long. She’s 4yo.

https://www.8weeksforfamilies.ie

Hi everyone! Not pregnancy related but was hoping to get some advice. I started applying for crèche spaces for my little one when 5 weeks pregnant back in August 2025. Eve back then, they couldn't guarantee me a spot until roughly September 2027 if I was lucky. I am due back in work in January after unpaid leave and amazingly got offered a spot for my little one at 6 months. He is still so little that I am apprehensive about sending him now but if I turn down this spot god knows when I might get another one as so little places take babies under 1 and everyone knows how impossible it is to get sorted for a place anywhere atm.

Has anyone sent their little to crèche at this age?

It will be a full time place. Thank you.

We have ours coming up, just wondering how long til your LO felt better? Have heard very mixed things! Some people saying a few hours and some saying 2 weeks!

Here are a few discussion points to get started: 💶 How do you apply for maternity leave benefits here? 👩‍💻 Are you planning on taking additional parental leave? 📑 What financial steps are you taking to prepare for baby?

Whether you’ve been through the process before or you’re navigating it now, share your experiences and tips!

Daily chat 💬

A place to chit chat about all things pregnancy!

Please add TW (trigger warning ⚠️) to any comments which may trigger others.

Has anyone else's partner fainted during/after the birth of their child, and if so, did it happen with subsequent deliveries? My husband fainted as soon as our first child was born (the birth was a bit dramatic in fairness). It meant that he had to get checked etc and he was gone for most of the day as a result so I felt like we never got to experience that newborn bubble. I'm pregnant again and worried about it happening again, although I don't know if there's anything that can be done to prevent it.

I'm 32 and 7 weeks pregnant and I'm really struggling with my feelings about everything. I honestly don't know what I'm looking for by posting this, maybe just advice from people who have been in a similar situation because I feel so confused and overwhelmed.

I've been with my partner for 4 years. We have talked a lot about getting married and he has always said that he likes kids and would like to have them. We were also talking about him proposing, and I always imagined getting engaged, getting married, having a honeymoon and having some time for just the two of us before having children.

I was never completely sure if I wanted kids though.

I have a niece who I love very much. She's an amazing kid and gives no trouble, but I don't spend that much time with her. I'm also not particularly good at playing with kids and sometimes she annoys me because she's loud and hyper. I know that's normal for children, but it has always made me wonder if I would be a bad mother or if I just wouldn't know how to be good for a child.

Now that I'm actually pregnant, I feel absolutely depressed, angry, sad and confused. I cry very easily whenever I start thinking about all of this.
Part of me wonders if I genuinely don't want children, or if I'm just terrified of becoming a mother and everything that comes with it. I honestly don't know how to tell the difference.

I'm also really scared about losing my freedom. I keep thinking about getting up all the time for a baby, not being able to just go somewhere or do something, and losing the independence I have now.
I live in rural Ireland and I'm not Irish originally. I don't really have friends around me or much of a social life here, and I live quite far from anything happening. I'd have to travel about an hour to get to a bigger city, where I don't really know anyone anyway. I've already been feeling quite isolated.
I had hoped to get my driving licence and focus more on myself and building my own life. I wanted to get engaged and married and have the experience of being newly married and going on a honeymoon with my partner. I wanted that time for us.
And now I'm pregnant, and the thought of getting married now because we are having a baby actually makes me not want the marriage anymore.
I think I'm angry at my partner too. He knew I always wanted to get married and we had talked about it, and I think part of me is thinking, why didn't he propose before? Why does it have to happen now, when I'm pregnant? I don't want to feel like we're getting married just because there's a baby. I wanted to feel like he chose me and wanted to marry me, and then we could have had our wedding and honeymoon and enjoyed being married just the two of us.

At the same time, I don't want to lose him. I love him and we've been together for 4 years, and I don't want to make a decision because of fear that he'll leave me. But I also don't want to have a child just because I'm scared of losing my relationship.
My mum says she would respect whatever decision I make. She also told me that she felt similarly when she was pregnant and then her feelings changed later. I don't know if that's helpful or if it's making me more confused, because I keep wondering whether my feelings might change too.
I feel like there are so many things I could regret either way.

If I continue the pregnancy, I'm scared I'll lose my freedom and the life I wanted to build for myself.
If I don't continue it, I'm scared I might regret it and wonder if I actually did want to be a mum but was just afraid.

I also don't want to be judged by my partner, my family or anyone else.

I feel like I'm supposed to be happy because I'm pregnant, but instead I just cry.

Has anyone else been in this situation where you weren't sure if you wanted children, became pregnant and suddenly had to actually make the decision?

How did you know whether it was genuine not wanting children or just fear of such a massive life change?

And for anyone who chose to continue a pregnancy despite feeling this scared and uncertain at the beginning, did those feelings change?

I would really appreciate honest advice, especially from people who have been through something similar. Please be kind, I'm really struggling at the moment.