October 2013: Newborn snuggles and waddles to the finish line

[FeministInTraining]

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

mrsh I was so overwhelmed when we brought H home. I couldn't believe they just let me and dp loose with this tiny person!!
oddlife so glad baby has gained some weight for you!!

roofio I think Ailla is a bit trumpy too. She often tries to pull her knees up to her chest when feeding and I can only assume that that's what it is. Did I read that you were trying infacol or something? Thanks for the advice re aqueous cream as well, I will give that a go!

oddlife I am glad it is not just me, but sorry that you are also suffering with a hungry baby!

sanji thank you for the advice. I'm hoping I'll get away with a tiny bit of formula here and there, but know that Ailla might cotton on!

Pleased you're home horatio! I've got a good and a bad boob as well...

I think we're now starting on another evening of constant feeding...

yes rox we are trying infacol. definitley getting more burps up during feeding and he's drinking much more. still got a bit of an uncomfortable tummy but getting better. he has slept all day today, barely had any awake time so bit worried for tonight!

Hi. Just wanted to let anyone sc or sfw hanging out at the back of the bus that there may be hope......saw my midwife today who told me she was glad she wasn't working tomorrow night as its always v busy when there's a full moon! I thought she was taking the piss but she said that they definately noticed the difference. So fingers crossed that it might get some of us ( incl me!) going. She said head was completely engaged (1/5) which explains massive discomfort during my regular 3 mile walk for the last few days and extreme discomfort driving mini tractor today doing horses. So I for one will be out there doing some kind of moon dance tomorrow pm! I know I'm being impatient at 39 wks when some are over due but all the pics of babies on fb and terrible bh at night are making me want it to happen now!
Hope all those in labour are coming along nicely. Xx

OMG Ready, that would be amazing. I'm 39+1 today and thoroughly fed up.

Right I'm googling full moon dances to induce labour

Yuck, way TMI, but just passed a golf ball size clot... Rang midwife and she said probably fine as long as not too much fresh blood and no bits of placenta in it!! Think it came out because I have been on my feet a lot more today, but it was a bit scary and don't remember it happening with dd1..

Alexandra passed her hearing test today, but we had to wait about an hour until she fell asleep! She also saw the paediatrician about her hip- she thinks it's probably ok, but we are to see her again in 3 weeks to decide if we need to go to yorkhill for a scan.

All conspiring to make me feel like crying, even though I don't think it is anything serious. But then it is day 3 and my milk has come in, so expecting to feel a bit weepy- actually feeling like that quite a lot whilst at the same time feeling ridiculously happy and content with my little family!

Sounds familiar taking :)

Those of you a bit further on, can I ask about maternity pads? I've got the thick boots ones, but I'm not sure if they're right - the thickness might just be making everything more tender IYSWIM? Anyone moved onto something different in style?

Ditto here roofio, Ailla has been really sleepy all day, so I am not too hopeful for tonight! Have a duvet day planned tomorrow though so hopefully I can catch up on some rest. I am pleased the infacol is helping Hunter with his tummy. It's lovely when we're able to do something to make the little monkeys feel a bit better!

flyer Ailla is 2 weeks old now, and although I am not so paranoid, I do still dread night times. Part of the reason being that Ailla will only sleep on me, and so I worry that if something were to happen then I would only have myself to blame.

I'm not sure I enjoy the mental pressure that being a parent includes (even though it is only self induced).

tucking I passed a humongous clot on day 3 after the birth (it really hurt as it passed by my stitches too). I didn't realise at the time that I was meant to tell anyone though. I've not had any repercussions so hopefully it was ok!

ready I was just saying the same thing to DH earlier. Fingers crossed for all of you SC and especially those who are SFW that the moon will help you out!

I still can't believe that I have a baby, and I'll have had her for 2 weeks tomorrow!

MrsH I have been using the mothercare aloe vera pads with the wings. They're the only ones I have used so can't really compare, but they have done the job for me and aren't super thick, plus the wings are beneficial I think.

and to all, and congratulations to all new mums. Even Nat who deserted me- I hope you're feeling ok and DD is coming around. Probably won't be long before she's showing off about being a big sister to all her friends at pre-school!

Ready I think I love you just for that post! Sweep in the morning when I will be 40+4. It's funny how 4 days didn't seem like a long time until now... The thing keeping me going is looking at the births spreadsheet- all of you who went over but actually have real babies now!! It's reassuring to know I probably won't be pregnant forever!

Tick tock... Sending dilating vibes to all who want them.

feminist it's getting lonely at the back of the bus, isn't it? I've resorted to begging DH to dtd and taking extra raspberry leaf capsules.

I went to my first NHS antenatal class tonight. Most people in the room were due in December and when people said they were due in November the mw said, "wow that's soon!"

If you remember I got really stressed out in September trying to book these NHS classes only to be told they were full and nothing could be done for me. Today the mw leading the group said they had squeezed extra people into tonight's group at the last minute and that last month not everyone showed up. Made me feel great about the £150 I spent on NCT classes and the tears I shed over the stress of it all.

rox I can certainly see the benefit of the wings!

BTW: baby feeding update (sorry, I'll stop this soon ). I haven't had to express since we got home and C is bf again just now :)

That's great MrsH! Good for a bf confidence boost

Ana that must be so annoying! How did the NHS ones compare to NCT? We never did NCT but weren't very impressed with NHS ones- massive group and it was just like going to lectures of the stuff I've read in books/online.

Rox I think your Ailla and my S must be twins! Both born on 3/10 S also will only sleep curled up on my chest - the crib seems a waste of money now and I only sleep cos I cant keep my eyes open.

I'm wondering what colic looks like as S seems fine daytime but it's evening/ night time that is the problem.

Had first poo explosion today from. Mini gt. lol. Not bad going at 3 weeks old. All down his leg in the baby grow so glad staying at mums cos she washed it for me. I would have chucked it in the bin!

MrsHN. I use boots/tesco thick pads. I have found them good. And liked the padding. With Ds1 moved to slim pads when I got lighter bleeding however didn't like , as didn't realise how sore i still was. so switched back to thick.
This time I felt the same as you. The thickness was making it feel worse. But turns out I had an infection. And after a day of antibiotics it really improved. So maybe get MW to check your stitches...
Saying that I had mw check day 2 , dr check day 2. Mw check again day 5,8, 12 and only picked up I had infection day 16! Was in agony the whole time. So if the pain is not getting better keep getting it checked.

Odd my first had colic. 7-11pm would cry and scream. We would rock him and walk around for the weeks he had it. If you think he has it try infacol. It won't do him any harm. He doesn't digest it into his body. It just makes bubbles come up. And it's only 3/4£ so not expensive.

Thanks GT, MW checked today sk hopefully not infected but will keep an eye. My sister has recommended Arnica so despite my scepticism I will get some.

On feeding, he's taken both breasts at the last two feeds. Should I start where I left off each time so LR LR or do LR RL?

Omg the level of tiredness.

I reckon 5 Hong Kong flights one after the other would be easier than this.

Typing with one eye open one closed.

May speak to dp about getting an au pair joke btw

GT that's interesting - have just been watching S and she feeds in a completely different way to her day time feeds. Also seems to be in real pain that comes from nowhere. Until now I put her cries down to pure hunger but not so sure now. Will check out infacol and see if that helps. She also suffers from hiccups a lot too.

MrsH I would start where you left off each time.

Having a bad time definitely have pnd I am not coping with anything and I feel like she does not love me :( she seems happier around her dad
More than once I thought about packing my bags and running away I love her I really just wish I wasn't so useless at this
I almost freeze when she cries I was the same with ds :'(

Oh Falcon of course she loves you. You're her mummy :). It's just that she's a little bit too young to be able to show it. Don't forget that a change of scene/wrangler for a baby can be enough for them to settle, so try not to take it personally.

As for you, who can you talk to about how you're feeling? us, obviously :) but you need some RL support too. Would you be happy talking to the GP and getting some help there? They're vey used to dealing with the sorts of feelings you're having and the most important thing is that you've recognised them for what they are - its just a chemical imbalance making you feel wonky, not anything you're doing wrong.

Big hugs. It's very hard to get perspective at this time of night x

Aww falcon I am so sorry you are feeling so bad. I don't have wonderful words of wisdom I'm afraid,except to say that she loves you of course - you're her mummy & it's a cruel trick of your mind making you feel that she doesn't love you. You should be so proud of yourself that you tackled this head on as soon as you suspected pnd. You will get on top of it & beat it. You're not useless - you overcame this shit with your son & you will overcome it with your girl. Massive bolstering hugs to you. I wish I could do more.

In other news I had a third sweep this morning,sold my car this afternoon & am now SWIL. It has come on shockingly fast & strong. Am somewhat scared... Going to attempt a bit of sleep while listening to hypnobirthing cd. I don't think it's going to happen but I will try.