Due October 2006 - part 4

[nowanearlyNicemum]

there we go - I did it.
just need for you all to find it now...

Poor Emzickle, missing out on her home birth. Hospital's the best place for pre-eclampsia though. Look forward to hearing the good news.

Clon, the Avent pump now comes with an electronic attachment so you can use it either way. I bought one, thinking I really want to give this my best shot. I think current recommendations are not to express for more than one feed a day (otherwise milk dries up, as Popsi says) and if you don't introduce the first bottle within a few weeks, the baby won't take it at all (experience of friends who fed from 9months to 2years without expressing!)

Pmoore, whether to bf or not is a personal decision and if you've made up your mind, it's no one else's business. Interestingly, we're damned if we do and damned if we don't. ie. we still don't have a legal right to bf in public and people have been asked to leave places before. (Although the bloke leching at page 3 wouldn't merit a second glance.) Equally I know people who've had filthy looks for bottle feeding a small baby. We just have to decide for ourselves and hope our hormones let us turn the other cheek.

Must dash - early dinner needed before antenatal class.

MSTG - I know I have to dash, but yes - when my TENS machine arrived at the weekend, I thought, shit I'm really going to have to do this. I've given dp the job of keeping me calm and reminding me that I can do it. And yesterday, my doctor said she could only feel 2/5 of the baby's head - that made it feel a bit more real too. Little sod had better wait till after next Thursday (hairdressers appointment.)

Emzikle - hope all goes well - an enforced putting your feet up should help!

Re expressing, i also was told not to even think about expressing until bf is well established and your milk supply is well and truly sorted - at least 3-4 weeks, otherwise it can cause problems with your milk supply - also the swapping between nipple and teat will confuse LO, although there are some more nipple like teats available. Although I intend to bf I have bought some bottles (larger sizes as they grow out of the small ones quite quickly) and at some point in time even if it is 6 months away it will be having a bottle, I have also borrowed a microwave steriliser, and have bought some cartons of ready made SMA gold, just in case the bf really doesn't work, then the LO won't starve!

2nd day of mat leave today - hair now sorted for all those mother and baby photos! now only bikini line and pedicure and I am ready to roll.

Saw a veery intesting article in Mother and Baby about establishing sleep routines very early on (can start at 2 weeks) to get LO to learn to settle themselves whithout the constant help of cuddling/boob/rocking - seems like a good plan and might give it a whirl as it will save a lot of aggro later on if the baby can settle itself - I suppose if that is all it knows from a very young age it will help everyone in the long run!

I haven't heard of not expressing too early. My dd was in NICU for 4 days and I was forced to start expressing in hospital before even trying breast-feeding. To start with it was a real struggle to get anything more than a few drops out, which is apparently as it should be, but had to face Drs laughing at my 'efforts' while in the tearful post-natal stage! . In the end the milk just comes in properly a couple of days later and it becomes easier. I only wish I'd introduced bottle earlier [apparently before 3 weeks and they just accept it] as my dd never accepted a bottle as it was bfing all the way. Having said that bfing was a wonderful experience and you do get a wonderful close relationship with your lo, and its very convenient!

I would recommend buying breast-shells. They are these plastic shell-like things you put on the other side when feeding and its amazing how much you can get without having to work at it, and otherwise that milk gets wasted on a breast-pad.

I hope all goes well for you, Emzickle.

re. the raspberry leaf tea - it def. seems to have an effect and produce period like pains. The trouble is, it makes me a bit scared to take it - I feel as if it has a label on it 'take me at your peril'!

In terms of the perineal massage, I was told to dip my thumb in olive oil and massage the perineal side of the vagina in a semi circular motion - that is up one side then back the other way and up the other. That way it stimulates the blood vessels and moisturises it / makes it pliable at the same time! Nice!

I have to say that I too am feeling v. tired now. Still get up to loads, but then I somehow need to pay for it with a long rest - I suppose now is a good time to take it as who knows how much we can rest after the big day?!

Emzickle: hope it all goes OK. Good that they picked up on the pre-eclampsia.

I'm torn between worrying about having the baby and wishing I could get it over with as I'm so big and uncomfy. Also stressing about the possibility of the baby being ill or abnormal - the perils of having too much time on my hands!

Haven't thought mcuh about expressing. Planning to bf and bought an Avent out and about pack with a couple of bottles and a hand pump. I should probably consider expressing sooner rather than later, as planning on going back to work.

On a completely non-pg topic, I collected lots of conkers in the park this afternoon- any ideas on what to do with them? I can't resist collecting them, then they end up in piles all over the flat .

Baby baths: DH thinks we need one, I'm not sure. Do we?

Oh, and I'm trying the perineal massage but no idea whether it's working. May try and find some more detailed instructions...

Message withdrawn

Thanks Milliee: yes, I was doing it wrong! Will give it another go tomorrow. If I can manage without falling over

I have managed to make it to my hairdresser appointment without giving birth - now have no roots and no more grey hairs showing (god knows when I'll find the time to get it done again afterwards, though)

I didnt get on with the avent breast pump the last time - think I only got it to work once so needless to say it got binned. Only managed to breastfeed for a couple of weeks last time too but I will try again this time - some babies take to it easier than others (my sisters third lo just used to latch himself on and away he went - she never got sore at all even though she had an awful time with her second and gave it up pretty quickly)

I also wouldnt use avent bottles again as the teats are rock hard and the milk used to spill out of dd's mouth whatever flow rate I used - ended up with tommee tippee teats on avent bottles to solve the problem. I have got prepared this time with bottles/steriliser/breast pump but have chosen Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature ones this time (they had all the above items at half price in Tesco so they were bargains really - dont know if the offer is still on though)

Gemmitygem, if you want guidelines to breastfeeding handling/storage as well as other breastfeeding issues there is a great wealth of info to be found on the Kellymom website - Breastmilk Handling and Storage . It says that breastmilk kept in a suitably cold part of the fridge (0-4 degrees)can be kept for up to 8 days.

miliee, don't worry re ambivalence. my mum was in exactly the same situation as you (and only 21 at the time). she was really worried especially as i was a girl and she didn't know how she'd cope given what she'd been through. anyway, she was a very loving and cosy mum without having to work at it.
catgirl, i've almost declined a seat and then realised the error of my ways.
useful q's on the expressing gemitygem, i hadn't thought about the warming up or freezer bit.
emzickle i hope you're doing better now you're at the hospital, although, if you are there, you probably won't be reading this.
i wonder how whiffy is?
the mw told me that the feeds that stimulate milk production the most are the ones in the middle of the night so best to get dh to do the 10pm one-rats! they also said that they recomend expressing either by hand or with electric pump if your breasts get so huge when the milk comes in that the baby can't get a hold . mine are already approaching zeppelin proportions so god knows what's going to happen.
by the way it's worth knowing that if you are producing more milk than the EU then premature baby units are crying out for it (the other day when i was working at barnet hospital they had to spend 2 hours desperately ringing other hospitals to get hold of more supplies)
tell you what does scare the bijesus out of me - watching supernanny. i keep thinking what if mine is that out of control.

have finally managed to find a gym ball and am straddling it as I type I'm amazed at how comfy it is to be honest, I was getting sooooo uncomfortable on the sofa and on normal chairs. maybe I'll keep it after the birth

hope the itching has abated marthahm - sounds grim
baby shower sounds lovely girlygale - don't think they're really into them over here

gemmity, if you want to go the routine route I don't think there's anything wrong with gf - as long as you adapt it to yours and your baby's needs. having said that, I haven't done much research into the matter and I'm sure there are plenty of other options out there too. whatever you follow, have the confidence in you and in your baby to know when the suggested 'routine' isn't the right one. easier said than done, I know

started taking raspberry leaf tea yesterday - can't say I've noticed much difference as I was getting contractions before hand... can't do any harm at this stage though.

welcome lisamarv - hope you get the birth you're hoping for

clon, I used the Medela electric pump and don't think you're being naive in your thoughts at all. I have a friend who had the same plan (also used same pump) and it worked a treat. Didn't work like that for me - I think some people manage to express better than others and I managed to get such a small amount each time I'd have spent all day expressing to get a feed for the evening!! on the same subject, I really admire your determination pmoore - hope you're one of the 'efficient' expressors!! totally agree with popsi's comments.
majormoo, your experience with your dd and bottles is exactly the same as mine - am determined not to let it happen this time round... watch this space

gingeme, you can keep breastmilk for up to 24 hours in the fridge, 3 days in the freeze compartment of the fridge and 3 months in a proper freezer. Once it's defrosted (or if it hasn't been frozen) you can heat it up in the microwave.

emzickle, sorry to hear about the pre-eclampsia. fingers crossed you don't have to stay in for too long and that we soon have another birth announcement to add to our list ...

at your birth ball NNNM: DH burst mine and I haven't got round to buying a replacement. This may excuse the inordinate amount of time I spend in bed!

Swizzler, I didnt get a baby bath this time - they are too bulky and get very heavy and you need somewhere to store them. I have bought a Bath Support instead to go in the big bath

Re: Breastmilk - you should NEVER microwave it as it changes the composition of the milk.

Ta Seona - that looks good. May kill 2 birds with one stone and get another gym ball as well

Good evening ladies. I breast and bottle fed my dd1 and he was happy as larry. I breast fed at night and more or less formula fed in the day. Though this wasnt till he was about 3 months old. My second ds was exclusively breast fed but then he was a totaly different baby and actualy had to be woken up every 3-4 hours to be fed. ds3 was breast fed till he was 5 weeks old and had to be formula fed as I had my appendix out and the doc advised against it because of the anesthetic.I was on a total guilt trip because of this and just sat crying the whole time because of the stigma about formula feeding. Hes fine though and doesnt seem any worse off for it. P erfectly happy and healthy little man
Oh Emzickle you pooer thing. Hope all goes well and they treat you well in the hospital.
I wish I had a gym ball its so uncomfy sitting on any of my chairs now. Bought some maternity pads today and they had an offer on Simple wet wipes 2 packs for £2 but wont be using them straight away. Got tonnes of cotton wool to get though first.
marthahm I just love Supernanny basicaly for the fact I sit and think'thank goodness my kids arent like that'.

swizzler, I'd definitely go with the bath support thing too. that way you have both hands free to bath your little one too.

seona - never heard that about not microwaving breastmilk. I did it 9 times out of 10 for dd

P.S Is anyone going to the Baby show at Earls Court on 20th-22nd Oct? I might if Im otherwise busy

Can I ask you all a personal question - firstly: is anyone out there still having sex? And secondly is it really painful for anyone? Sorry but I am really worried, dh an I decided to try (complete disaster with my belly ... but thats another story!) but as soon as we started I just couldn't find a position that wasn't incredibly painful for me.

I had an episiotomy with dd and after was left in a bit of a mess so had to go for some kind of radioative treatment to help the scarring heal which meant that our personal life started again and was bareable - but since I;ve been pg, Ive either had to abstain due to m/c risk or due to the fact taht I just don't want it ... now if anything 'goes there' (sorry tmi) I'm in agony.

Am so scared that I will suffer for months after the birth again. Crickey there is so much that we have to go through due to delivering a baby - c/s sounds far less hastle!

Sorry everyone - just feel a bit like I am the only one!

sorry girlygale, sounds like you're having a rough time.
certainly no pain for me but I haven't had a vaginal birth so perhaps am not the best person to reply. I'm sure someone will be along soon to reassure you.
whatever happens, I'd definitely talk to the midwife about it - if it's worrying you then it's an issue.

oh, and for what it's worth, I wouldn't say that a c/section is less hassle

sex wots that even when i do want it it to much effort and with the belly in the way i give up feel sorry for my dp, i cant help with the pain thing though as this is my first!!!!!

mornin every1,
Hope every1s ok, & hope all goes well with emzickle.
Girlygale, not sure bout the pain, but I've given up even tryin now! My belly is just 2 huge!
I'm quite confused bout breastfeeding now!
I really do wanna but I def wanted 2 express it most of the time in the day, I really dont fancy having my boob out all the time in public! But after reading all this it just sounds so much hassle! Dunno what to do now! Oh well I supose I'll just wait & c how I get on with it.
hope every1 has a good day! x

emzickle, sorry to hear about the pre eclampsia (sp?) i hope that alls ok xox

welcome to newcomers to the thread

well, ive been feeling rubbish these last 3 days...caught a nasty cold type thingy that dh caught in work. starting to get over it now though

babys room is finished!!!

Morning every1,

I am going to venture to Bluewater on the bus today, with only 6 days till due date, OH is pretty worried but it is near my hospital! (Darent Valley)
Bendyb- You and I sound about as confused as each other, I think we have the same ideas about the breast feeding thing-the plan just sounded easy from the start. Like you say probably just a case of wait and see. Nice to hear other peoples experiences.

The sex thing is just impossible now-big belly. Did try just to induce labour-disaster!

Have a good day all.