May 2013: 5 in the thread and the little one said, roll over - there's lots more on the way!

[Rhienne]

Running out of space over here so a new thread for all our fabulous birth stories!

I have cankles .. they are only going to get worse aren't they?

terracotta I'd forgotten about the squidgy thighs, oh the thighs! I was focusing on the chubby cheeks can't wait to kiss them!!

I didn't have any after pains, or rock hard boobs with milk coming in. Maybe with DC2 this time?

But yes to still looking pg after the birth, I looked at a woman on the post natal ward and thought "well she must have had the baby if she's here " and then looked at my own tummy and thought mine's the same! And it stayed the same for quite a while! But after going to a lovely post natal physio group, my tummy went back quite quickly.

I'm really looking forward to post natal yoga/Pushy Mums buggy exercise/post natal physio groups, I'm looking forward to a bit of exercise. Wish I liked swimming, I'd go now, but all I can think is beached whale doing the doggy paddle, and being overtaken by old ladies in the slow lane - it's not appealing.

Terra, I had pretty enormous boobs before, they didn't go rock hard and didn't notice.

Also looking forward to having energy and being able to walk for longer than 15 minutes before waddling.

Crikey I was in agony with milk coming in, but I was expressing not BFing which probably makes a big difference. After pains I had second time round but not first as is usual like terra said. I took paracetamol for the first 2-3 days but they were manageable after that.

The bleeding only lasted a couple of weeks with DS and was really heavy for the entire first week. With DD the really heavy bleeding only lasted a couple of days but it was 6 weeks before the very light bleeding stopped completely. I had the injection to speed up delivery of the placenta with DD but not DS as they forgot to give it to me, not sure if that's what made the difference.

I was expressing too Seven, just didn't feel any different.

Starting to assemble my hospital stuff now. I still have most things from DS but treated myself to a new camera and a big can of Evian water mist.

Can't believe I'm asking this but is anyone doing perineal massage? Has anyone done this before? Did it help? Can you manage it on your own, I don't think I could bear to ask DH for help with that.

I have been contemplating perineal massage, I think I did give it a go last time. Not sure if it helped. The midwife said I should have listened when she said "PANT!", I thought she said push! I think listening to the midwife would have been more use!

I did perineal massage with DS and (like so, so many other things!) keep meaning t get round to it this time. I did it by myself once a day for the last six weeks or so, with mama balm from Neals Yard. I have no idea if it made a difference, super easy birth with a tiny graze but not sure if that was luck or preparation! I do think it made the feeling of the baby crowning less weird, but not sure it actually changed anything...

mammabrussels
I thought about it, but am finding my arms are too short. I bought an epi-no. Am hoping that it will do the trick. Need to start soon. Will report back.

I did perineal massage first time round but only got to 4cm so that was a waste of legs in the air time. I had my pre ops today and turned into quite an event. Firstly I found out I could be sterilised after delivery, I never want anymore children and we have been talking about a vasectomy so sounds like a good idea, if not a bit daunting.i signed the forms but can change my mind at any point.
Secondly when I mentioned I was sick yesterday with upper tummy cramps she sent me to triage who proceeded to monitor baby for an hour. Noticed I was having v noticeable tightenings. They got the doc who said I appeared to be slightly dilated & decided to do a full vaginal - she said it was ok but if the contractions got more regular or more severe to Cw straight back. So I finally got home at 6pm after a 2pm appointment 15mins away. I was v freaked out as I hadn't organised anything for the boys and as it was I was rushing home for childminders etc, to top it all off - DH has decided he has my bug from yesterday & is 'dying'.

On a separate note, I was v sore the couple of days after milk comes in , I have small boobs normally but always have tons of milk. Cold cabbage leaves from fridge is the only thing that helped.. Seriously. That and hand expressing a bit before starting a feed.

Blimey bood hope you're ok and not worrying too much. When is your CS booked for?

What on earth is an epi no? mermaid pls enlighten me, sounds scary!

Thanks Seven worrying about my husband who is not looking like someone who could spring into action anytime soon. My section
Is Thursday so hopefully we can stick to that plan.

Epi-no is sort of like a balloon which you insert and can then pump up. There are exercises to train your pelvic floor muscles, to stetch your perineum.

www.epi-no.co.uk/

Just tried it for the first time and have say it seems quite effective. Will be interesting to monitor progress.

I can definitely understand why first timers are reluctant to hear about the less pleasant aspects of the birth. I was the same way.
Here are some positive thoughts: whatever happens you will be fine. Just have faith in yourself and know that women have been doing this for thousands of years and they did it without the teams of educated professionals and access to pain meds!! You will be fine and that squishy little baby is more than worth it!
Not trying to preach but those thoughts helped me:)

TMI
I did the perianal massage a few times last time and only had a small tear (stitches were optional) and very few after pains. I had no idea that after pains were worse with the second birth!! I'm glad to be prepared. What helped other than medication? I'd rather not take anything.

I only bled for a week or so. I was given a squirt bottle that I filled with warm water to cleanse after going to the washroom (didn't have to use any paper). I definitely recommend this!! Also I made 'Popsicle pads' last time. You basically put water on a maxi pad and freeze it. Then it can go right in the in your underpants like an ice pack! Freeze it in a shallow bowl so it is u shaped:) Very nice in the first few days!

If anyone has any other tips I'd love to here them.

Hi everyone, haven't posted for a very long time, but still here.
Wanted to say how important this thread is, especially now, approaching the birth of our amazing babies. It's understandable that we all have our different thoughts and needs re birth support. I think it's easier for those who have experienced birth before to forget what it's like to be a newbie mum and 'too much info' is such a personal thing, we all have different levels of tolerance.
Anyway, I can't work out what food I might like. It was yoghurt last time, but I remember not drinking or eating enough and don't think that helped really.
Also after pains were really painful for me and carried on whilst breast feeding. Hope they're better this time.
Nearly there ladies!!

Goldmaple I put witchazel on my mat pads and in my squirty bottle. I found it very soothing.

Should add that it was diluted not neat *witch hazel.

mamma how dilute does the witch hazel need to be when you use on pads (and when you add to the water bottle for that matter)? I read a book that just said to sprinkle a bit on the pads, was all set to buy some and then saw on the bottle it said not to use on broken skin!

Thanks for all the tips, ladies, much appreciated!

popsicle pads genius genius!

Also don't forget to pack some comfy breastfeeding sleeping bras, especially if you are staying in hospiral a few days. I couldn't go without the support once my milk came in.

I have the mother of all colds, including a horrible cough and a sore throat. ELCS is booked for next Monday. I am worries that they will delay it if I am still sick

Tmi: it hurt a lot for a few days afterwards when I had to pee, although I had a catheter put in during labour which may have caused all the pain afterwards. What I found helpful was bringing a cup to the bathroom and filling it with warm water then pouring it over me while I pee. If anyone has any other tips I'd be glad to hear them, I thought this was the worst part of post-labour and dreaded everytime I had to go to the toilet.

I found putting my hands in the floor while I pee'd on the loo helped direct the flow and avoid stinging.

Possible TMI
My dsis was in so much pain the first time that the mw suggested running a shallow bath to pee in to. It helped her a lot and was the only thing that helped ease the pain.

Beautiful sunny day here today
Only 4 more days of work after today. Woo hoo!

I used the warm water at the same time as passing urine trick with my first (episiotomy), managed without for the 2. Definitely recommend it though. Also making sure drink a lot as it will dilute your urine and make it a bit less stingy.

So the toddler has just gone for his nap and I've broken out the tub of Ben and Jerry's chocolate fudge brownie. Not too early for ice cream is it? :o

38 weeks today!

terra I had a craving for ice cream last night, I ended up eating a whole tub of Haagen daz to myself , I've never done that before but couldn't stop making my way through it. Break out the ben&jerrys, it's never to early for ice cream.

Definitely drink plenty to help stop your wee stinging as much. I also found leaning forwards really helped. It only stings for the first couple of days if you haven't had stitches, but the first one is worst. My tip is putting a few drops of lavender oil in the bath to help with healing. Another non-pain related tip is buy a travel mug if you don't already have one. Once baby arrives you'll soon get fed up of pouring cold tea down the sink because you didnt get time to drink it!

terra I highly recommend Green & Blacks chocolate ice cream!

Any tightenings today bood?

I've just ordered the Moses basket mattress from John Lewis, plus a new changing mat for the changing unit in her bedroom. The almost identical mattress in mothercare is half the price but its been out of stock for ages, I daren't leave it any longer! I'm now 8/9 days away from when I had the other two, eek! Not sure what to do with myself if I go to full-term, I suspect I'll be very fed up of waiting!

34+4