October 2013: The Fourth Trimester - the bit no one warns you about!

[roxvox]

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

ladies, a couple of questions - has anyone found any good bf tops? i am struggling with things to wear that i can feed in. i have some vest tops that go under other tops but could do with some long sleeve ones for this weather.

also is anyone driving after cs and at what point are you allowed - i've heard 4 or 6 weeks. i feel fine now at 3.5 weeks but don't know if i'd be insured yet?

re contraception, i need to find something long term as this is our last baby and i haven't used anything hormonal since before conceiving DD1, over 6 years ago. But, am also bf so need to find something compatible. (Probably abstinence most of the time!!!) Def not ready to dtd again yet, far too tired...

oh and to dontworry

Not long sleeve but I like the tee shirts from H and M. 19.99 for 2 and there are 4 different colours. I wear with a cardigan on top. They also have some 3/4 length sleeve ones. I have one put prefer the others as they're stretchier.

Apperley I'm 3 weeks post c section and started driving last week. I felt fine and it was doing my head in not being able to get in the car. I called my insurance company who told me they have nothing in place for c sections so I was insured (that was esure)

ooh thats interesting flyer thanks - i'll get on the phone to them, that will be great, doing my head in too!

thanks doobee i'll check them out

Apperley i started driving exactly 2 weeks after my section. My insurance said it was dependent on if i felt i could do an emergency stop safely and that they dont actually have a policy. It was the midwife that told me 6 weeks.

Someone mentioned getting the implant - its probably all hormonal contraception but i went on it a year or two ago, my arm was super painful for about a week after and i just retained so much weight. I looked puffy. Had it for a year and after i came off felt so much better!! My sister had it as well and she was misdiagnosed with fertility problems because her levels were so low which apparently the implant is not meant to affect. She was devastated but when she had it removed everything returned to normal. Obviously this is rare but just be aware!

Happy to hear that everyone is starting to settle into their babies. I feel a bit like im getting used to the less sleep and getting into a sort of routine and i actually did some housework and pre made dinner today while baby napped in the moses basket. Felt a bit normal ha which i haven't since he was born. We may be coming out of the fog (whispers!). Im sure the next challenge is just round the corner!

hayle thanks. I will keep going then.

Cinema was good - recommend it if you have something similar near you. Epic poo towards the end and he screamed all the way home, but he's happy now he's feeding... Again...

I nearly forgot - the MN babies app has a white noise thingy on it, so no need to use you tube all the time.

apperley, if you have a Uniqlo near you they have great quality long sleeved cotton t-shirts with buttons going halfway down the front like this (although there are more colours available in store). Reasonably thick and stretchy. I've found them to be more comfortable then any of the special bf tops I bought.

Tesco shoppers - you might be aware, but you can double value of your vouchers up to end of year by using the club card boost thing they are doing at the mo (you need to do this online but can print vouchers off yourself to spend instore or get evouchers for online shopping). You also need to say what you'll spend them on I.e. baby and toddler, but given the cost of nappies etc. it's quite easy to know you'll be able to spend them in that part of the store. I don't work for Tesco, I've just saved a significant bit of cash so far doing this myself so wanted to share

MrsH we have a baby cinema thing here in Liverpool.

It's at the fact Roofio, have you heard any reviews on it ?

Also wanted to ask if any of you can recommend any nice baby keepsakes or things to do in the early weeks. Foot/hand prints, photo shoots, that sort of thing. It's so mad at the moment but don't want to get to 6 months and wish I had done something to treasure the newborn memories! I've already started a memory box with his hospital bands etc.

MrsO we did these inkless hand and footprints

these contraception choices are so hard and so personal. I loved my implant but hated the mini pill even though they're so similar. flyer not heard about the fact baby cinema but I love the fact in general. we should go one time, its a nice meet in the middle for us and me and H are getting to be old pros on the bus now!!

Hmm - just seen MW. I should have been booked in fir induction today! No chance now - no room at the inn! I have to phone tomorrow lunchtime to find out if they can squeeze me in. I had S & S tho in the hope things kick off over night - I am 2cm dilated so my fingers are crossed. DH has decided take away curry is called for - I have no faith in curry having any effect but it beats cooking Finally, I feel tons better. Come on baby!

Fingers crossed for you Dontworry

Best of luck dontworry. My induction wasn't too bad, and baby was back to back too. I didn't have an epidural.

Good luck dont worry I hope they have space for u tommorow if things don't kick off if their own accord tonight xxx

Good luck dontworry!

thanks mnippy i'll have a look next time i'm near one

who was it that announced their baby on fb this morning? I still can't match up real names and mn names!!

fx for you dontworry xx

Fergus is 50 g over his birth weight on day 8 and I've had my stitches out. All good chez Imp :-)

Quick check in here.

Congrats on the safe arrival of baby C clapham. Your birth story was impressive. Sorry you are still in pain from position of baby. Hope you're better soon xx

Congrats to smitten and notyomamma too xx

Good luck dontworry you'll have your baby with you very soon xx

Well done imp and Fergus on wt gain!

M is one month old today!! She feeds well, loads of nappies and is putting on weight (nb clothes getting small). I think she's quite sleepy though?? Still a bit hard to get her to sleep in cot after the middle of the night feed. I often have to change pooey nappy which means doesn't settle again for at least another hr. I guess she's still only little.

Re dtd still bleeding so going to wait till it stops. Not sure what to do about contraception. Prob condoms initially.i went off it for months after ds and then became a bit of an issue getting going again. Hopefully not this time.

Feeling a bit spaced out, cabin fever but also don't want to go out........will try again tomorrow.

Glad some of the feeding issues seem to be better.

Glad Eliana is doing well mon. So sorry to hear about your friends son.

Sorry if I've forgotten anyone

17 days old and LO is 3.5oz under his birth weight still - does anyone know what the recommended weight gain should be for breastfeeding?

Midwives haven't been able to discharge yet and are cknjng back Friday to re-weigh. Just wondering what the next steps will be if he hasn't gained enough by then?

Good luck for tomorrow don't worry.
Untitled there is still lots of time to reach birth weight by Friday. Hope it goes well.
Tom and I survived our first day without daddy. Hoping for a quick snooze now.

untitled they may advise limiting the time on the breasts and then giving formula/expressed milk top up after every feed. They did for us (albeit at day 5).

Go dontworry go!!

MrsO, we used this - moe expensive thN the ink less ones but we wanted to take multiple prints for grandparents etc. We're v pleased - it works well and cleans off easily with baby wipes.