October 2013 - Calling October babies: come out, come out wherever you are!

[MrsHoratioNelson]

Stats sheet here

New arrivals here

Key:
SC - still cooking (pre EDD)
SFW - still f*ing waiting (post EDD)
OWT - on way to theatre (CS)
IP - induction in progress
SWIL - somewhere in labour
LIT -lost in transition

Right, whilst Ailla is feeding I may as well write up my birth story for those interested, so here goes:

Contractions mostly resonating in my back started at 8am on Friday and continued erratically throughout the day, at 6pm they were regular and painful enough that I called the hospital and was told to come in after I'd eaten something. By the time they got around to examining me I was unable to lie on my back for too long and was in agony both in the contractions and in between them too. They put it down to a historic back condition I have, and told me I should have an epidural because I was only 4cm dilated and wouldn't be checked for another 4 hours so should definitely take the pain relief.

They admitted me to the labour ward straight away at 8.55pm (on the walk to the labour ward I had to stop 3 times for contractions which had me on all fours on the corridor floor each time). They told me the anaesthetist and night time midwife would be with me shortly and gave me gas and air for the time being. 4 puffs of that and I decided that I couldn't handle the funny feeling it gave me and threw it on the floor. At 9.40 I still hadn't had an epidural and my contractions had me pushing (I had no choice in the matter!) The midwife checked me again and I was 10cm dilated and it was too late for an epidural now. With the next contraction my waters went. We had major panics when she had to call the head midwife in because she couldn't find a heartbeat (which she was trying to find in between the contractions). Having tried and failed with various technical products to find it, she eventually found it with the ear tube thing (which meant I didn't hear it and continued to worry).

I decided that lying on my side wouldn't help baby out, so decided to kneel up on the bed with my arms and head draped over the top of it and started pushing. Ailla was passed through my legs to me at 10.44. Yet again the head midwife was called in, this time due to the amount of blood that I had lost (the bed was completely red, as was I, but I wasn't really caring at that point as Ailla was so awake, looking around the room and I was loving it!) ... After a bit of skin to skin and the placenta removal, Ailla was handed to DH for skin to skin whilst I had a super quick bath to get rid of the blood.

Whilst I did tear and have to have some stitches on my inner labia, my perineum remained intact (which makes up for those dreadful perineal stretches).

Turns out that Ailla was back-to-back, so a combination of that, the history I have with my back, and the speed that my cervix dilated were all to blame for the excruciating pain I was in with my contractions in my back. The contraction pain gets much easier once you're allowed to push. It's almost like you can fight back!

The midwife passed comment that it was like something out of OBEM in that I went from 4cm to 10cm in about 45 minutes, and that I had then pushed a back to back baby out in under an hour with no pain relief.

DH was an absolute star from start to finish. Every contraction he counted through my breathing with me, and was incredibly supportive.

So glad I fretted over what to pack in my hospital bag... We left it in the car!

Ailla is now 3 days old, and she's such a little cutey. I can't quite believe that we have a 7lb 4oz baby because DH and I are so tall I thought we would have a big baby! She doesn't seem to want to stop feeding at night (hence why I am up now writing this), yet barely feeds in the day, and she point blank refuses to lie in the bedside cot for more than 2 minutes. DH sleeps while I feed, and then he cuddles her whilst I sleep. I think I've slept for about 5 hours total since the birth, so am expecting this 'day three depression' thing to really take full effect tomorrow; I will have to get some sleep during the day tomorrow I think!

I have managed to write all of this one handed whilst Ailla feeds. I might be on here to ask some feeding advice from those more experienced soon, but I think this post is long enough for now!

MoN I hope Eliana is doing well xx

I will try to catch up with the thread properly soon, but I need sleep first! Thinking of all those SFW, SC or SWIL. Your babies will be here soon! And congratulations to the other new mummies too.

Morning Rox joining the night owls club.

and all round, sounds like most of us are in need although, to be frank, would be more welcome. I decanted last year's batch of damson gin earlier and it was very tempting! I made it in time for last Christmas and then fell pregnant pretty much immediately, so DH has been on strict orders not to go sampling it!

Good morning everyone, amazing story Roxvox! These back to back babies can be so much trouble!

Well of course I've barely slept and poor DS has been very unsettled as well, waking and crying "mummy don't go", "mummy don't leave". He's been saying such things for a few weeks every few nights :(

Thank you Tarlia and Moon for your kind words last night. I'll try to focus on their (hopefully) good future relationship during any tough times ahead!

Morning Horatio!

Is regular night time feeding normal then?! She doesn't seem to eat much during the day!

rox No idea I'm afraid, I'm still fucking waiting to find out :(

morning ladies!! how are we all? my lo seems to have turned into a milk monster over night, 30 ml one feed, 80 the next! I tried bf again earlier and he still latched but it was agony and I felt rubbish so we didn't stick it out for long!!
rox your birth story is similar to mine with the super fast dilating, was total agony, but your right that the pain gets so much better when you can push! (until he started crowning anyway!!) I tore badly and wish I could have been more active, I wanted to give birth on all fours but needed constant monitoring of baby's heartbeat in the end so couldn't!
mon so glad you got a room, hope you get some better supplies in tomorrow.

I'm having terrible after birth cramps tonight, not fun!!

Rox it is normal, don't worry. As she gets even a few days older she should start to realise what day time is!

Sorry Horatio! In that case then, fingers crossed for you that it isn't too normal!

Of course I know though that she has a tiny tummy that empties quickly but takes ages to fill with the amount of 'milk' that I am producing. I'm not going to lie, last night was utter hell. I was shattered and under the illusion that she would feed then sleep, then a few hours later the same throughout the night. Not the constant feeding it turned out to be. At least tonight I am more mentally prepared for it, have managed 3 hours sleep during the day, and I think my milk might be starting to come through so I feel less like the boob pain and sleep disruption is for nothing!

roofio sorry to hear you had such painful tears. How are they now? I agree that the crowning hurt! In a completely different way to the contraction pain. By that point though I knew the end was in sight, and having been somehow exceeding my pain-I-can-handle-before-passing-out threshold for the few hours prior to crowning I didn't really give it too much thought!

I am not having any cramps, but I am feeling quite weak and achey around my stomach today. I can't believe how much my tummy disappeared straight after the birth! There's hardly anything there but excessive skin. It may be related to the huge blood loss at the birth I suppose.

Today Ailla has worked out how to roll from her back onto her side. Surely that should be possible for a 2 day old?! She can also lift her head for short periods of time. Again, that's something I thought wouldn't happen for weeks yet?!

Wow, I am super chatty at 5am. I never realised before. Apologies for my ramblings!

Ah, thanks pseudo! Fingers crossed

roxvox you're a stronger lady than me for persevering with the bfeeding. I thought I'd be tougher with it, but with the hormones and lack of sleep I gave up!!
Hunter can also lift his head up for short periods, and I swear seems much stronger than I expected. I won't leave him anywhere he could roll off (I know you shouldn't anyway but at 2 days you'd think you could! !)

DS had great head control as a newborn, I think it's quite common. However, rolling is amazing! They are born with lots of survival reflexes though so you may find that things they can do now, they lose for a whole before regaining them again.

roofio I can't get over how strong their hands and arms are either. Ailla likes to put her hands in the way when latching on which is helpful and they are very difficult to pull away!

To be honest, if we had any formula in the house last night then I would've succumbed! And if it wasn't a Sunday then DH would have no doubt been down at the shops at 5am as we were both shattered and worried that she wasn't getting enough to keep her happy.

that's what happened here, except I felt awful as I had to wait till 10 30 when asda opened and so left hunter for so long without a feed as I couldn't bare to do one more. he seems more awake now though so think his blood sugars are definitley coming up. keep going though, definitely if you can get through the first few weeks it will get better. I just got beaten in the first 48 hours!!!

also, baby's belly button/cord is a bit stinky. I expect this is normal, but somone reassure me please!!?!

Hi tarlia we made it home! Feeling ok though only on paracetamol as dh told me we had ibuprofen at home, turns out he took it to work grr. Scar a bit sore now. Feeding constantly too so nipples starting to get a bit sore now. We're all madly in love :)

Good luck with CS tomorrow pseudo and moon.

pseudo it is hard going from 1 to 2. I'm not an only child but I still was (still am) so worried about ds. He has been great although he cried when dh told him I wasn't coming home straight away. He s very gentle with his sister. He has climbed over me a bit and wanted me to carry him. tarlia's suggestions were great, must try them. As the others said you're giving your ds the best present!

Sorry will have to come back and post later.

Xxx

roo can you smell it from normal level when changing him or only if you get your nose close to tummy?

rox sounds like A has night and day a bit muddled, but it will change over the next days. DS1 was awake what felt like all night long for about 3 days, then got it. Keep lights low and quiet at night, daytimes don't black out the room, keep it light and let her hear a buzz of activity. Do not be afraid to wake ever 3 hours if she isn't waking herself to breast feed.

chickie so glad you got home ok. Hope DH can get to a chemist soon to get you some decent ibuprofen preferably 400mg (or you can take 2x200mg). I was taking both ibuprofen and paracetamol 4x per day.

Sorry you've all had a restless night in your house, badger. I hope DS is ok when you leave today if he is around.

Both my boys have had amazing head control.

Hooray, I can sleep on my tummy!! I was a bit dad as last time after giving birth I could and obviously couldn't this time until last night.

I was a bit *sad not dad haha

tarlia I have to be fairly close, but did think he might have a dirty nappy today when I smelt round there but he didn't, thats when I noticed it was his cord. mw saw him today and didnt mention it. will see what its like tomorrow.

roo that sounds pretty normal. The reason I asked as if it smelt so strongly when you were at full hight it may need to be looked at, but sounds fine as it is rotting flesh after all. Blerg. Just keep it dry and fold down the nappy so air can get to it. Ours dropped off at day 7 I think so hopefully Hunters will drop off soon too. You've had a mw visit already this morning?? Urg!! Hope you are feeling better now your made the formula decision. Being a mummy is tough enough without making it harder on ourselves

not this morning, yesterday (as in sunday, I've lost all sense of days and times!!). yes feeling better here, and baby seems much happier and not so sleepy from being under fed so I'm much happier about that!!

Hi, checking in and SW at 38+3. I've been keeping up on fb but finding it hard to keep up with the thread, I've been cleaning and tidying so much over the last week I've hardly sat down. My very lovely SIL came round yesterday and helped DH move the rest of the furniture so I can finally relax about that. I love her!

Congratulations to all the new mums, your babies are beautiful! I'm with whoever mentioned it earlier, I've never seen such lovely pics after birth, you must all have fabulous genes the babies are gorgeous, it's making me want mine ASAP

Roo don't beat yourself up about bf, your mental health is more important for the baby.

MoN glad you got a room to be near Eliana, thinking of you both x

chickie hope you get painkillers ASAP!

No Percy pigs here bridget infact I haven't even packed one single snack. Perhaps ill do that today while dd is at pre school and buy myself something delicious for lunch
With regards to the sweep, perhaps even if u don't want a sweep u could agree to a vaginal examination which will just give u an idea of if your cervix is favourable etc?

pseudo hope u are feeling less teary this morning and looking forward to meeting your gorgeous new bundle :-D I have no advice as i am in the same situation as u and panicking just the same except I'm panicking I won't have enough time when I go into labour that today is the day the baby is coming out if my tummy. Sending u virtual hugs and xxx

Good luck too all those SWIL and OWT (I've been keeping up but not able to check back for names as on my phone) xxxx

P.s

SC@ 39 weeks!! Come on baby !!!

Has anyone heard from falcon cx

Morning and big congratulations to all those with new arrivals over the weekend.
Great that you're able to be close to little Eliana MON.
So I think I started to leak some waters yesterday pm accompanied by some mild cramping. (Just dripping out before getting into shower,lovely! Don't think it could have been anything else, have never leaked urine before etc). But all stopped now. Am wondering do you know if you always visibly lose the mucous plug? I have had nothing like this. I'm hoping either something proper happens soon or that it all can just seal back up and not be in between for ages. Guess I should call midwife and see where things stand re swimming and sex....
So sc at 37+4 and not jumping queue which would be very rude of a new comer i know. Very best of luck to all those having sections or in labour getting to meet babies today. X

Congratulations Carcassone.

Thanks for sharing Rox. strengthened my resolve to kneel on all fours a bit more to spin my back to back baby.

Good luck to those OWT and SWIL.
Glad you are feeling a bit better roofio.

SC at 38+1 here and Im celebrating not going to work today by eating chocolate cake for breakfast which is sending the baby loopy. (I have lactase tablets to eat milk as an occasional treat. Yum yum yum).

DH and I went to bed at 6.30 last night as we were both exhausted and after a cuddle had a long sleep. Yay! This time before the baby comes seems particularly precious as there will probably never be time for 12 hours in bed again!