July 2013 - Holy Shit, this is IT!!

[dinkystinky]

New thread for us to natter away on as babies keep on arriving. 11 at last count already and not even in July yet.. Who will be next??

Congrats to marmite!

Cheese, it sounds like you're doing brilliantly on the feeding. It can be so hard at first. thank you to you and everyone else who have offered advice of the gbs. Yes, I've contacted my hypno midwife and she just thinks the hospital are overrating so I may just have to steel myself for that battle at some point today and see if I can change their minds...

Thanks WhiteDaffodil your comments about being old just put a smile on my face

Ooh cheese i feel like that with feedig/ sleep too. I move from feeling its all a disaster to everything is ok and i am coping beautifully.
Great news on beths weight gain totally
Thinking well done getting through child entertainment yesterday, hope the baby comes soon for you and all the other desperately hot and tired ladies on our thread

White daffodil - coconut water is great for reducing water retention. We drink it loads when in India so I'd recommend trying some. Also massage or reflexology would help your feet and hands feel better. All those thinking of a treatment in late pregnancy, do it. It feels so good to do something nice for your hard working body.

Cheese - hugs. It's hard when they seem unsettled and you can't figure out why. Do look into cranial osteopath for Juno if you can. If it helps Jackson fed non stop from 12.30 to 5 today - my uterus is literally half the size it was yesterday and the after pains last night and this morning are off the Richter scale. Ho hum. This phase shall soon pass.

Mcktastic - ouch re piles! Totally s advice is spot on - also avoid sitting on them if poss (sit on valley cushion or rolled up towel donut to keep pressure off that area).

So I'm looking at another day of diarrhoea and stomach cramps with occasional BH tightenings. Argh!

No new outies today? Maybe the innies are deciding its cooler to stay in at the moment?

Mktastic, big big sympathy, i wanted to scream every time i sat down after humphrey for about a week. Also you cant tell people , or at least feel like that, so suffering in silence is even worse. I found some herbal things like huge teabags that you put in bath when get in. Was on amazon website- for piles and post birth rverything- i think that combined with anusol and cold packs really calmed it down. Hope it gets better soon- also try to resist really hot baths- you probably worked that out

Runs, sounds like might be pre labour- v drawn out? Fingers crossed for you

Mightbe, I was continuously monitored but wasn't that bad and was quite active still I had the epidural. Bounced on ball, got on all fours etc. At one point midwife even said I could go in pool for bit if I wanted despite them saying beforehand this was not likely to be allowed. Monitor wasn't even on half the time til in the last few hours which surprised me.

Cheese, know the feeling re feeding. I was feeling quite confident about it til health visitor came yesterday and really knocked my confidence. When she left she said 'oh well you'll get more confident soon'. Errr I was til you came round thanks! Doesn't take much to make me doubt myself at the mo. Hope it improves for both of us soon!

Humphrey is constantly doubling up with tummy pain. It's not colic and it's different to his reflux. It's as if his gut is going into spasms, can last for hours and hours til he finally poos, crying/ screaming every 5 minutes. We think it's an after effect of the ventilator, morphine and antibiotics( even his testicles swelled up on ventilator). Has anyone else had any experience of this? I struggle to do the right thing- he sucks for comfort but i worry he's hungry so overfeed him and that makes the pain worse.
I am pumping after every feed as advised by lact mw to keep milk supply going as i ran out with dd and ds1- real faff what with sterilising- dh reckons its 2 hrs a day total. I now have to go to bathroom discount place btwn feeds because builders coming next week and we are decamping for whole summer to suffolk ( to do with dh's job but i'm not complaining) havent started packing but i know it's going to be more tricky than the crystal maze to get all kit and 2 cats etc in car
Sorry long whingerama

Morning ladies! I seem to have graduated the wide-awake-insominiac club & all I want to do now is sleep!

MummyKanny glad you're enjoying your maternity leave, very jealous of your massage lying on your front, I want nothing more right now than to lie on my belly!

Oh MightBe sending hugs! Nothing I can really say as not very knowledgable but have you discussed your concerns & thoughts with your midwife properly? Maybe you can find some middle ground to have the birth you'd like?

Dinky - what a lovely lovely birth story! I hope DS1 & DS2 enjoy their cuddles with their new little brother & you & DH are getting some rest!

Hehe at runs shedding eyelashes! I was going to go for an eyelash tint so I could scrap mascara for a few weeks but I keep forgetting to book it, maybe if I do book it it will make me go into labour because I have plans, agreeing with icing on the win:win situation!

Glad to hear about B's weight gain Vinegar, hope it continues to improve & your nipples feel better soon!

Congratulations to MarmiteMad!

Great to hear the glamour continues after pregnancy McKTastic hehe, hoping your bottom stops giving you trouble soon!

Glad to hear after some sleep you feel a bit better Cheese, I guess the first few weeks are the most difficult but there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

Joining you on the swollen feet whitedaffodil mine look horrific at the moment, elephant feet spring to mind!

Princessllama no advice really but just sending hugs! Try to keep up with the pumping if you can as at least your milk supply will stay. Hopefully your summer in Suffolk will make things feel a little easier once you're settled in!

Well the glamour continues ladies, (TMI ALERT) I had very explosive diarrhoea last night before bed even to the point where I was crying at OH on the other side of the bathroom door, bless him for checking I was okay though, & again this morning but just not as bad as last night. My mum seems to think it's my "body having a clear out" but I just think it may be something I've eaten.
Another day today of waiting in for parcels to be delivered, I had no problem though yesterday as I spent the day in the garden sunning myself & bump! Whilst my dad is home this morning however, OH & I may go to Frankie & Benny's for breakfast! Yummy!!

Hope everyone has a nice day, hoping some babies get a shifty on with moving out & the ones already out settle well in the heat!

38+3

Princess - ds1 was a bit like that. Warm baths seemed to help with the pain (and getting poos out) - we also used a dummy for a couple of weeks as the sucking seemed to settle him without over feeding (even though i was sure i wouldnt use dummies beforehand). It did pass eventually. Wow cant imagine havimg to pack up a whole household and new baby for the summer - good luck! At least Suffolk will be lovely in this weather! How did sports day go?

Bb01 - use my mantra, ignore the silly hv. You are doing a great job - having a new baby is a huge learning curve!

Runs - sounds like you may be next up! Good luck!

Waiting for sleeping beauty to wake up so i can go to a bf drop in today - typically now hes having a huge snooze!!

princess and cheese - my best advice for unsettled newborns is slings and movement... seems to work for wind, overtiredness, and overstimulation. Often helps get a poo moving too!

Especially good if worn by daddy so they can't smell milk! It's basically the only other weapon in my parenting arsenal other than getting my boobs out, so when that doesn't work she goes to Daddy for a walk round the block/bounce on birth ball in front of TV in the sling.

We spent many hours walking up and down the stairs with DS1 too... Sharing a warm bath with DS1 also calmed him down when nothing else would. Oh and the old classic of white noise - B loves the sound of the bath running!

Sorry for all those still struggling through the glamours of late pregnancy. Unfortunately I'm all out of constructive advice and can only reiterate the 'this too shall pass' mantra.

Glad you're getting some sleep now Phie

I'm getting used to being covered in milk constantly. If its not pouring out if my boobs all over the place when Naomi latches on, she makes sure to break off when it's gushing out. Failing that she likes to end a feed by bringing up a load of milk all over me/my hair/the surroundings. (particularly if I've just put a load of washing on.)

Made the mistake of changing a nappy on the bed in the middle of the night last night. Cue big wee all over the duvet.

Wow another hot day here!
Seem to be possible progress with runs and phie good luck with that.

mcktastic sympathies re the piles hope some of the suggestions up thread are helping

dinky things sound nice and chilled in your household! We are having something with coconut milk for tea tonight so maybe that will help my sausage toes and cankles!

princess have you tried bicycling Humphrey's legs after feeds? Maybe would help his bowels shift the wind along? Packing up for the summer sounds tricky, hope you have loads of help with this

totally better too much milk than too little? Your supply will settle down in a few weeks (probably) and there should be less excess. Strangely enough I've never ever had too much problem with leaking boobs (never even really needed breast pads) but could be different this tme I suppose

Well I took the boys down to the beach quite early this morning to get a good spot, was there before 10 and only one other family there, also with 3 kids so the 6 of them played happily for ages, and I didn't need to move once!! It was really lovely (till ds3's tantrum when we left which meant I had to carry him plus all the stuff back to the car) Then discovered we'd left the spades so I drove back, parked on double yellows,jumped down off slipway, grabbed spades and ran back to car before I caused a traffic jam. I think I may have looked like a lunatic but I wanted those bloody spades back

Will definitely go back again this week if baby decides to hold on a bit longer. On that front everything seems much more settled again today. Bh's have settled again and no more show....ho hum

41 weeks

Blimey - out all day and lots of chat to catch up on.

Dinky - great birth story. Does your doula charge by the minute ;-) must have been a bargain if so! Glad that you got in and out before the DOC caused widespread pandemonium though.

Much sympathy for all those experiencing the glamour of late pregnancy in full force. I have trotters for feet now, and my hands are so stiff and sore in the mornings...

Lancslass and Silver - I feel your pain with the 'is the baby out yet' texts. Mine are coming thick and fast now. I have decided to text my dad every morning to stop him from making me want to physically hurt him texting me every day to ask if there is any news. His response yesterday was that he is sure that the Duchess of Cambridge will deliver before me, and that even Zara Phillips will beat me at this rate. I assume that she isn't actually pregnant thus adding to the unbelievable hilarity of his "joke".

I've been to antenatal clinic today for a growth scan (current estimated weight = 9lb ) and to see the consultant. She tried to do a sweep which was blooming painful, but my cervix was too closed to get through , so I have no hopes that this baby will arrive anytime soon. I may have to knock the wide-a-bake club on the head as I certainly don't want it to be any bigger!

39+5

Thanks Dinky, I will try my best!

Love all the suggestions on calming babies. Keep em coming please!

I am furiously bouncing on my birthing ball, I don't think this child is taking the hint grrrrr!!!

i really like reading all the updates from all those who have popped already - sorry i can't provide any advice but it's good to read of the joyful moments you've had has newer/larger families and i hope some of the less delightful stuff soothes shortly. Breastfeeding sounds like it must be a real art.

slouching due date buddy - if you can't find a fair exchange for your husband would you consider coming as a single unit? My husband would rather enjoy a hareem and your baking sounds amazing :) Did you ask for a sweep? My next appointment is on the 17th - and i'm wondering if they might let me come in sooner as, like you, I don't really fancy giving birth to something the size of a Christmas turkey.

thinking glad you had such a good time at the beach and getting there early paid off. Even if you had caused a traffic jam i'm sure the side of a heavily pregnant lady running and wielding spades would be enough to deter any traffic wardens :) How close in age will your four children be. I think a big family sounds amazing - and admirable!

Oh my it's so hot - i think maternity leave has turned me into a naturist. I made the mistake of only buying 3 items of maternity wear. I need to walk to the shops - i know Tesco has a 'no PJs' policy in store- where do you think they would stand on considering pants and a nursing bra on suitable shopping attire?

Phie hope the ball gives you a good return on investment soon. Did your parcels arrive? Buy anything exciting?

Thanks for the coconut water tip dinky. Will definitely have to try it.

slouching I'm getting a bit worried about how big this one will be as well- my last 2 were 8 12 and 8 11 at term plus 3, and I'm now a week over....if its another boy it's bound to be 9lb plus
My dad is driving me mad with daily phone calls too...

phie I'm on my ball every night now for an hour or more, doesn't seem to be having the right effect, but at least it's quite comfy to sit on

Evening all - spent all day at the bf clinic - Jackson has posterior tongue tie and ended up having it snipped late this afternoon. Fx getting it snipped before my milk comes in helps.

Dinky, that sounds like very prompt treatment. Fingers crossed it does the trick.

Thinking - glad you had a lovely chilled (well mostly till the end) day at the beach today. Sounds great.

Cheek - lol at you streaking through Tesco!

Slouching - bet dh grumbles about the demise of the wide a bake club!

So tired can't remember any more personals - going to eat my dinner and retire to bed with Jackson asap I think.

Well done dinky on getting it seen to so quickly...is rare for that to happen. Yup should help loads in time for milk coming in.

Had 38wk mw appt today...no change from last appt 2 wks ago (still head down, 2/5ths engaged)...mw thinks this is how she'll stay til delivery...am fully expecting to be late again now...not such a bad thing as feel like I still have loads to sort/tidy in house.

38 + 4

Thinking, I too am chortling at a heavily pregnant woman brandishing spades!

Cheek I didn't specifically ask for a sweep but the consultant suggested at 36 weeks she'd do it at my 40 week appt which I was more than happy with. I think in my trust it's common practice to do at term for first timers. Not sure it was worth the bother as she couldn't really get through to do it properly.

Met a friend for lunch afterward who reminded me that scan weights have a 20% margin of error so a 4kg prediced baby could be as little as 3.2kg. Took me until the end of lunch to cotton on that it could equally be 4.8kg .

1am club anyone?

3 dirty nappies, 3 feeds , 1 hay fever ridden snoring dh and a 10am appointment at the renal clinic. This could get messy.