December 2011: We've got big bumps and we cannot lie (down comfortably)

[LittleMissFlustered]

:o

Shake those bumps ladies.

And squeeeeeeeze

Hi ladies, wow it's getting exciting! Good luck to everyone!

I had some bf questions I was going to ask msbuggy but as it seems she may be occupied I'll post and if anyone can help it'll be a bonus.

My milk came in last night and my boobs are engorged and bloody painful, yet I'm expressing hardly anything, is this normal, and how long will it take before I get a decent supply going?

If I was happy to combine EBF and FF would I still need to be expressing every 3 hours at the moment to build up enough of a supply as ive barely slept since Sunday?

Eva is doing really well, MW happy but she won't be weighed until Day 5 (Saturday). GP is coming tomorrow. Hoping Eva will soon have some thread buddies!

Morning all...no sleep again here hope you all had a good night.

seven sorry I can't help with your BF question but sure someone will be along soon who can. Hope you and Eva settling in at home now and there will be some more thread babies soon to keep you company - sounds like a distinct possibility this weekend!

BTW, did you notice you just made the 777th post on this thread?! X

Know how you feel pulley Had three hours sleep. What's this late pregnancy insomnia all about? Surely it's not biologically useful?

Morning ladies

For the first time in a while I slept well doubt it will last tho!

Seven I can't help on the BF issue but wil watch with interest as am planning to combi feed myself.

MsBuggy fingers crossed Miranda stays put over the weekend

darcies you have a beautiful bump!
cheep hows the contractions going? has baby arrived???

Basically DH said I was making DD ill by: taking her on long dog walks (Dr said fresh air is good for children, even if they are under the weather), letting her socialise with other children with colds i.e her cousin and playgroup (dr said children need to socialise for normal development and healthy toddlers can get up to 15 colds a year), letting her touch our dogs and give them cuddles (dr said children pick up dirt and you can't stop it), not washing her hands enough (dr said children of this age don't have good hygiene as they don't understand it yet), being underweight and wasting away (dr weighed her and she is on 50th centile), she is not as big as her cousin who is younger than her (her cousin is on about 80th centile and DSIL & DB are much taller than both of us). So I ended up confronting DH about it all last night and he said the dr only agreed with me as he was trying to stop arguments and if I hadn't been there he would have agreed with DH, and the dr also didn't understand the extent of the things I was doing (like dog walks for 1h30min). In the end he chose to sleep in the spare room. I seriously cannot be bothered with this.

Personally I think the dr was just extremely embarrassed to be in the room with the both of us and he probably thinks I'm some kind of abused wife now (DH is normally very kind to me).

anyway, enough of that, bring on the new baby announcements!!!!

seven im no expert and hopefully msbuggy can help but i expressed while ds was in scbu and have to say that i didnt have any problems expressing even when engorged, but i had a hospital pump which was very effective to the point that it could be quite painful. If i used my own aventi pump i got much less out. Also, having a hot shower really helped my milk flow when i was engorged so maybe you could try expressing atpfter a shower or try splashing warm water over boobs first?

And sorry to say i do think you need to keep going every 3 hrs to keep up supply, and this should also help with engorgement abd help them settle down.

Sorry ds just woken up and shouting for me so have to go!

The spare room was too good. You should've put him in the garden!
Sorry, I'm sure he's usually v good, nice, supportive etc and I shouldn't judge, but I totally support you in giving your child a healthy outside/walking/dog cuddling lifestyle! Sounds ideal to me!! Vitamin D, exposure, fresh air and activity! Keep up the good work!! X

Hi Bee, what Oi just said!
Sure it won't help to say to your DH that the women on your online ante natal group support you, but we do. So there!
I wonder what the hell has brought this on? Could it be due to his anxieties about another wee one in the family? Men tend to react to stress in strange ways. Anyway, have faith in your path, sounds like the right one to me!
Another rubbish nights sleep with EXTREME itching out of nowhere. I shall attempt to do nothing today. I'm held hostage by a John Lewis order in any event.
Would live to get all the Xmas cards written but I can't sign for the baby yet, so will have to write and address most and go back to it later....
What is everyone else up to today?

Morning

I'm still at home, contractions every 5 mins but only last for a few seconds. Water not gone, no blood, had one or two more painfull contractions but then they return to cramp pain level.

I'm feed up i just want to get it over with as its so unconfortable.

Any ideas on how to get things going more?

Also foofoo is sore and my cervix hurts but no more plug - i think its all come out!

How annoying Bee :( maybe as jomouse said it's a manifestation of anxieties about impending newborn? Sounds like you are doing all the right things to me! If your daughter wasn't happy with the length of the walks, she'd soon let you know I'm sure :)

good lulck cheep

Away for weekend, final weekend away just the two of us before baby arrival. I bet a) there'll be at least one baby and b) a new thread by time I'm back, so what name are we thinking of so I can find it again?

"dr only agreed with me as he was trying to stop arguments and if I hadn't been there he would have agreed with DH, and the dr also didn't understand the extent of the things I was doing (like dog walks for 1h30min)."

In that case, surely your DH will be raising a complaint against the doctor? Let him put his money where his mouth is (attack the irresponsible doctor, give up work and be the SAHP himself as he doesn't trust you - see how ridiculous this is?). Or doesn't he care? Otherwise he can shut the hell up.

What nonsense, really! He's a double idiot, to have escalated it like this. How does he expect to get out of this without losing face now? Because he is wrong, you know.

Hi cheep, have you been able to get any sleep yet?
Sorry, I have no experience but didn't want to leave you unanswered. I'm guessing you have tried gravity (walking stairs, birth ball etc) and stimulation (nipple, colostrum). I really don't know what else to suggest.
Good luck!

Seven, engorgement at this stage is very common and should be relatively short-lived, some suggestions for you:

Try using a different pump if you can: I got great results with my little avent hand pump but couldnt get on with an electric version. My mate swore by medela pump (electric) but I felt like Daisy the Cow plugged into it!

You could try putting Eva back on the beast every few hours just tosee what she can do:sometimes baby is a lot more efficient at getting milk out than a pump and it may de-bung you nicely.

Thirdly some anectote (nuts but effective!) if your boobs are sore then get Dp to nip to the shops for a Savoy Cabbage (whole, not chopped!!) and put a leaf into each bra cup. Sounds nuts but it acts like a cool pack and is v soothing!

Lastly I'd suggest ringing the NCT breastfeeding advice line: it links to an advisor local to you: they are there for all new mums including ones who are planning expressing/mixed feeding, and for a thing like engorgement they are usually v experienced and helpful. You don't have to be a member and they usually ring back v quickly. My local NCT bf advice peraon was lovely.

Nct Info below:

Breastfeeding Line
0300 330 0771
8am?10pm, every day of the year including Bank Holidays
Call to talk to a qualified breastfeeding counsellor about feeding your baby. Most mums want to breastfeed and we are experts in helping you carry out your wish. ALso here if you decide to use a little, some, mostly or all formula. We can help when the time comes to start your baby on solids or if you want to switch between breastfeeding and formula.

Morning! No more contractions for me overnight! However, I did wake up in agony with heart burn and DP had forgotten to buy Gaviscon, so he did a 3am trip to Tescos! Tired now...

seven Yes, you will need to express every 3 hours (well, between 8 and 12 times in 24 hrs including overnight) to get your supply established at first. Some women find expressing more difficult than others, but you might find hiring a hospital grade pump helps (google pump agents for your area) or some find hand expressing more effective than pumps (it can be to do with the skin contact!) We usually talk about supply settling down between 6 and 8 weeks, but we aren't trained in mixed feeding so it is difficult for me to say how long it might take for you to find the balance you are happy with.

bee maybe put him in the shed tonight?! I totally agree with Oi, nothing you have said sounds in any way like a problem!

cheep Oh the joy of a long latent stage! I've had it twice, so here are my suggestions.

Ignore it. Pretend it isn't happening and do something else, preferably something quite physical...have you got something you can sand and paint?

When that stops working, long fast walk, where you can walk with one leg on the pavement and one on the road. Then switch legs on the way home. Something about the unbalanced walking is great for baby positioning and it takes concentration so it will keep your mind off contractions.

Walk up and down the stairs sideways...as above!

Read a book while doing circles and figure of 8s on a birth ball.

Go shopping for all of the things you want to eat after birth!

If you get to the end of that list, I'll work on another!

Cheep, it's anecdotal and sounds a bit mad but I'd suggest gently sweeping/cleaning the kitchen floor (cos the on all fours with bum in air is great for babys positioning and gentle exercise such as walking/cleaning can often encourage things along: also if you're not by yourself a walk can help (maybe to the corner shop, not too far...)
Two paracetamol may help the fanjo also!

And if things continue and you're not sure, ring back the labour ward, they will be happy to talk to you again and can agree a plan with you.

Good luck!!

seven, I found that I never got on very well with expressing; I just couldn't get as much out as DS could. However, try gazing soppily at Eva while you express; the sight of the baby is meant to help stimulate you a bit!

How's it going, cheep?

Bee Thanks :) I certainly don't feel good lol.

Kri5ty It was normal reflexology, however, my reflexologist worked on the uterus & cervix areas so try and prep & trigger things. Booked in for next week too.

Cheep Sorry to see your still in pain and nowt is happening. Do try to do something else to take your mind off it. and you've got great advice from others on what to do.

Walking to do school run is starting to hurt :( but I know its a good thing.

I need to write my birth plan ready for my MW appt next week. What do points do I need to remember?

Contractions a bit more painful now.

DH home looking after son.

My back hurts and when sat on the floor with legs open i had two contractions with the urge to push but i think its just the baby is low down.

Pain is more noticable now.

Sounds stupid but i had a fairly quick labour with son. Pain started at 9pm so went in to hospital had blood show at 1pm was 3cm at 2am then had gas and air till 4am then ep and pushing at 12pm then forceps at 2.30pm when baby born.

I so do not want this to take days

I'm mumsnetting to take my mind off it

Cheep keeping my fingers crossed for you that it doesn't last days.

cheep that is good! Make sure you eat and drink lots, little and often if you don't much feel like it. Long latent stages aren't much fun, but I've had lovely short active labours after mine so it could work that way for you! Now go and scrub the kitchen floor woman!

Thanks for the advice. I'll try some of those suggestions and will get DH to buy me a cabbage! My sister has a medala electric pump which she said she'd lend me, although they're in the process of moving so I don't know when I'll get it.

Wow guys is everyone in labour now? Like buses is right! I can't even tally what is happening with whom but I wish everyone good luck. Tomorrow is my birthday so obviously an excellent day to be born .

seven I never really got on with expressing even though I had an oversupply problem. Would Eva take the breast directly? Otherwise, finding somewhere to rent a different type of pump might be the way forward.

Bee ((hugs)) I didn't want to write anything when you first mentioned your GP visit with DH as I know sometimes you just want to vent not hear other peoples opinion of your OH. I'm sure he is usually lovely but right now your DH is so far out of line it's ridiculous. I hope you laughed at him when he suggested GP would've agreed with him had you not been there...of course, he wouldn't think to just give his professional opinion would he I agree with Oi, the spare room is far to good for him & I'll leave it at that....I hope he apologises very soon & realises that at almost 40 wks no words should be leaving his lips unless they are loving & supportive!

cheep I think people have mentioned most of the methods I've been told increase contractions but have you tried Clary Sage? Btw, when is your EDD? I couldn't find you on the stats thread...did you have a name change? Sure you'll have your LO by the end of the day...stay strong & positive :)

I am having one of those stupid pregnancy brain mornings...cba to pull out the ironing board so I pressed something for DP this morning directly on the carpet what was I thinking & I burnt/melted the carpet ...old bedroom carpet I didn't like but we weren't planning on replacing. Peeled an egg for DP's lunchbox & threw teaspoon in the bin & eggshell in the kitchen sink. Took literally 5 minutes to get the foil top off of milk carton & then promptly poured milk on the floor. Pleeese tell me I get my brain back with my baby :( 39 wks today!

Btw...just checked HB thread & it looks like Mousey had her Baby Girl early hours of this morning :)

My latest fear is that it will last til Thursday and they will induce me! I want a MW to tell me what is going on!

I cant see the kitchen floor to scrub it

I did manage some sleep but wake up a few times with the pain and then went back to sleep!

I guess i could waste some time writing a birth plan

I plan on bf again and i'm sure the SW will not be happy lol. I'm still in shock that i got refered to Rotherham Social care for breastfeeding and co-sleeping with my 2yo, i just can't get over it. I'm sure its agenst my human rights to be told i can't do that by a social worker or even a family support worker from a Sure Start center. When i told the SW that my mum bf all her children till 3.5 and my brother co-sleeped till he was 7 years old and my sister bf her son till 3.5 and co-sleeped till he was 5 years old and that its just the done thing in my family she looked shocked

She also said that children do not have the ability to choice to stop breastfeeding or to chose to go in their own room and that attachment parenting does not work as children need to be guided controled.