The final *JULY 2014* The one where we ALL move to post-natal

[justhayley]

Hiya so this will probably be our last ante natal thread Really hope that our postnatal thread is as busy.
You ladies have been a great support, and it's been fab going through pregnancy with you all. I honestly don't know how I would have got through the last 6 weeks of 4am wakings without you.

I'm not due till 24th and have no signs baby is still coming early so will probably be the last one one here - don't forget me!

Anyway will love you and leave you - actually will now pop back onto our regular thread for a chat

Happy birthing

Snow

Afterpains are the cramps of the uterus contracting down (shrinking back down). Especially at the beginning of each bf session it is more obvious - typically you will have a surge of blood coming out as well.
(It is wise to put in a fresh pad as you sit down to bf, it might be soaked in 10mins!)

I don't remember any of this after my first, but had episiotomy with him so loads of painkillers too.
A lot of people only have strong/er afterpains with 2nd or 3rd baby, not so much after the first.

Problem is, they get worse after each baby. With my 5th & 6th I was in agony in between doses diclofenac/co-codamol or if I didn't take them on time.
Toe-curling pain, like labour pain or bad PGP or both.

But I took Nurofen at 4pm, Co-codamol at 7pm and I will be taking them for at least a week because that's how long the worst bit is going to last. At least.
All the joys of having 7 children!

Hi all,
Big congratulations to Mummy, Ruth & Zing.

This heat is actually killing me, I'm so hot all the time I can not believe I am STILL pregnant. Spending loads of time just sitting on my ball In front of the fan but can't seem to cool myself down. I can't take too much longer now I just need her out. Just DTD - wasn't really in the mood - too hot but thought hey what the hell if it works and gets things moving I'll do it lol. Iv just totally used DP but don't think he was bothered lol. My legs feel really weak now though. Sex isn't easy at this stage of pregnancy and in this heat - it better bloody work lol.

Hi ladies!

Well my sweep mustve worked because baby violet was born at tea time today

Despite being a week late she is only 6lb 7oz. I literally went from no contractions to every 5mins then every 2mins in the space of half an hour so it was a mad dash for the hospital where I went from 4cm to 9cm in an hour and a half. Midwives didnt couldnt believe it - they had just told me theyd examine me again in 4hours when I started squealing like a stuck pig at every overlapping contraction, begging for an epidural (had only gas and air) and trying to push so they examined me again and her head was almost out.

Second degree tear - mostly on the inside and some stitches required - mainly as she was back to back and rotated on the way out during a hasty exit - tmi but piles are actually much more sore than stitches. Lovely midwife gave me some numbing gel for them though so I can sit down at least now.

Baby is a bit gunked up and snuffly still so she is currently sleeping on her side on my chest so she can breathe better. Dh is napping on the sofa bed (partners can stay over in the midwife led unit) as he held her for a bit so I could nap earlier - not that I can sleep as I cant stop looking at her! Managed to breastfeed for 2 short goes earlier and for 40mins this evening and latch looks ok so far so happy enough - gonna be exhausted come the morning but well worth all the pain and sleeplessness.

Sorry for the essay!

Yay congratulations ipsum.
Amazing labour well done you I love her name.

Have I now lost the 4am club? I think youv all had babies.
Bit annoyed iv woken up at 4am not in labour I mean I DTD tonight what more does this baby need my mum will most likely take DS to church in the morning - maybe I'll do it again ...... DP won't know what's hit him lol

Wow ipsum that was speedy! Congratulations

I'm here hayley but obviously not 4am for me!

Ipsum - wow, fantastic news about speedy arrival of baby Violet!
Wonderful, well done you!

Snow - they get worse because the more the uterus gets stretched the more hard work it is for it to shrink back down again. And it takes longer too.

I'm on top of that pain now.
nipples are very sore for the first few mins of every feed, but I can cope with that.
We will go to 8.30 church service this morning, taking 2 cars for the first time ever.
And I'm taking my bf pillow with me.
How we'll be ready on time is anybody's guess. But I insist on going.

Hayley

ipsum huge congratulations hope they sort your pain relief out quickly- I was exactly the same first night cuddling/feeding so no sleep. My mistake was then to not even try in the day the following day! 2 days no sleep then try and get used to feeding all night. ..no wonder was (still am) tired!

hayley I remember conversation with dh day before my waters broke saying we should dtd- he said I was using him to get baby out which I didn't deny! We didn't in the end. Then after waters went he was disappointed because he knows will be a long time now. Seriously if ever the way I'm feeling right now about down there!

zing I'm working out logistics for 10.30 church service let alone 8.30!!! Will be first outing - I've just got to seem like I haven't been up all night so dh will let us go...

Theo woke up 10 mins ago thought we would give lying down feeding a go now he is fast asleep on bed next to me... dh wouldn't approve but cosleeping right now so tempting! Only me and ds in bed, no douvet, ds can't go anywhere. ..

Congratulations ipsum

hayley hope DTD helps! although also hope it's not a necessary procedure as DH could not be less interested right now. He's also been freaked out by a friend who has warned him about "things that once seen can't be unseen" so he has resolved to stay well clear of the business end during birth, doesn't want to cut the cord etc. Am kind of annoyed with him but on the other hand if I ever want to DTD again may be for best!

Plate

Curiosity and excitement will make him want to look.

Tell him MrZing says he will want to see the head crowning and baby appearing and not miss something that can not be repeated!

So best to keep an open mind. It's ok if he feels now that he should not look.
But it is also more than ok for him to change his mind on the spot!
So many people do and seldom regret it!

Big hugs to both of you, whatever happens I'm sure he will support you the best he can.
X

It's so lovely being home! DS is such a content little baby - so different from his sister at that age! - and DD has so far been brilliant with him. Last night she kept telling him she loved him, and this morning when she came in to bed they snuggled up on either side of me to feed and she gently stroked his head throughout.

So in love with them both!

zing how do you have time to post when you have two car loads of kids to get to church? #wonderwoman

I wonder how I would feel if the tables were turned? Hard to imagine!

I have single-handedly built the cot-bed this morning while DH has slept and nursery is now taking shape!

Aw ruth that's lovely! How old is DD?

plate DH delivered DD (under midwife supervision of course!) and cut her cord. He was so thrilled to do it. Definitely tell him to keep an open mind.

It's 12.50am and I'm awake with literally a pain in the bum. Left bum cheek really hurts and I can't get comfortable on either side. Sciatica I guess :(.

DD is two and a half. I was worried about how she would take to having to share "her" milk, but so far she just seems to be enjoying the increased supply!

ipsum huge congrats!

Ruth I'm also tandem feeding :) DS 25.5months and also enjoying revived milk supply!!

zing 8.30am service-that's impressive! Like ickle we're also aiming for 10.30 one! DD fed every couple of hours last night and refused to sleep except on me so I'm pretty shattered this morning. Got DHs bro sil and kids visiting this afternoon too (I may go and hide sleep at some point)

plate good work on the cot!

kiwi how are you getting on?

Hayley so sorry you're still waiting and in the heat too! Not fun! Impressed at your DTD activities!

Right now to see if DD will let me put her down and to get DS dressed- he's watched far too much Peter Rabbit and RaaRaa this morning!!

Plate - I only posted because I was lying in bed, feeding!

I got really irritated with the kids moaning about being tired. I told them that they have no concept of being truly tired so I don't want to hear that word again...I think the pg hormones withdrawal is kicking in.
I have warned MrZing that the emotional shitstorm of days 3-5 are definitely coming.

The thing about church is that there's only Holy Communion at the 8.30 service, which is very important to us.
So we decided to suck it up and just get on with it.
We are going back for 11.00 sung matines as it is DS1's last day as a chorister and it is also very important we support him.
So tough morning, but there's nothing we can do about it.
MrZing's paternity leave starts tomorrow, then kids break up on Wednesday and we can slow down and chill out.

Congrats Ipsum and Violet! (what a lovely name - I liked Viola but it got vetoed by my husband)

Hayley tee hee!

Re DTD - our NCT teacher seemed much more concerned about the dads than the mums in a lot of ways - she claimed BJs were more effective than rumpy-pumpy at kick-starting labour. Haven't looked for a scientific study to prove it, so ignoring (for the time being) as it seems so unfair!

Plate "can't unsee the seen" - what a scary thought! I can't imagine I'll be asking for a mirror to be held up to my nether regions during labour, but I blithely wrote up the birth plan assuming that my husband would be delighted to act as midwife!

Congratulations ipsum. Sweet name for your DD, and wow, what a quick labour! Was that a real shock?

Ruth: So glad you were able to go home with your DS and enjoy being a family. Your DD sounds so gorgeous too!

Definitely in awe of all of you getting to church with very new ones. I think it took me well over a week before I was comfortable enough to go along with tiny human and sit on uncomfortable pews.

Went into the birthing centre last night as was pretty sure it was time - contractions were regular and ramping up when I called. But of course it all stopped again. Internal check showed that cervix hadn't even softened, despite all the show I was having. MW was so great, told us to hang about for a couple of hours to see if it picked up, but as it didn't we went home again to get some sleep. And they want me to come back as soon as I think it's happening again, even if it stops, because of how quickly it could go. MW thinks that I am in early labour but my body's finding it hard to get going properly and I probably need to get some good rest to help it. I have possibly overdone it a bit over the past few days so I'm going to take her advice and have a quiet day and only make up the spare room as MIL is coming up on Wednesday.

I'm feeling really weepy, which sucks. It's hard when you feel like the time has come and then it doesn't go anywhere. MW thinks it will be in the next 48 hours, but I don't feel like baby is coming soon anymore. Contractions have started up again. They're irregular, but possibly stronger than they were yesterday afternoon and in my back more. So it's fingers crossed again, but I'm trying not to get too invested.

DD stayed with a friend overnight and I really miss her; first night without her. DH is going to pick her up soon and I can't wait for cuddles.

Hoping that my mood will get happy soon. Don't want to be a wimpy crier all day.

Sorry that was so long; feels good to get it off my chest.

Well funny you should say that plate dh stayed very much head end- a few hours post birth I felt a gush and asked him to check if was blood as was worried. He looked as if I'd asked him to do something truly terrifying! He obviously didn't want to so I didn't push it.

zing you rest post all the services. We made it I sat other than to get communion but glad I went!

Ruth glad you are home!

kiwi fingers crossed not long to go!

Right time to nap...

Hi everyone been catching up on the thread so lovely to hear all your news congratulations on all the arrivals . . I am a week overdue today . Managed to move house last week and now we are all sorted and ready for baby to come but he's not ready yet it seems ! I have midwife tomorrow where I will be offered a sweep which I think I will accept . Im not particularly uncomfortable and have had a lovely pregnancy so am in no hurry to get him out but would rather he would come naturally than be induced. Am feeling really quite nervous about the birth and how I'm going to cope with the pain so I'm hoping that's not holding things up . I just want the labour over and done with .

dolly can you send me some of your patience please?

I am still 9 days from my due date and even though the pregnancy has been pretty easy, these last few days have been dreadful. Can't bear the thought of another 25 days. I was full of happy juice but now it's turned to sad and bitter lemon, and I can't stop crying.

Sorry ladies, I've abandoned Mumsnet for the past week since my quick announcement when my little girl was born last week. Great to see lots more July babies arriving safely and sounds like we have many more than are imminent, exciting!

DD arrived quite dramatically in the end. I went from 2 in 10 minute to 4/5 in 10 minute contactions within 45 minutes so headed to hospital. On arrival I was finding the contractions tough and so disappointed to learn I was just 2cm.

They debated sending me home but luckily decided to see what happened as within 20 mins my waters went with tonnes of meconium. That made them concerned DD was breech (all appointments, 3 x sweeps by 3 different midwives and 2 x internals had been noted as head down), so had another check which confirmed their suspicion and also showed I was 8cm. We were rushed to theatre for a C Section under general anaesthetic, but fortunately the consultant decided in the end that there was enough time for a spinal instead. Not the natural birth I had hoped for - but in the end it just didn't matter, we are both really well and that's the important thing.

We stayed in for three nights and because feeding was tricky, apparently fairly common with C Section babies as they have a lot of mucus (not squeezed out like a vaginal birth). With hindsight it was brilliant staying in as I could call for a midwife/health care assistant to watch each feed. Back home and we're still working out feeding, but she seems to be thriving and we have plenty of diary nappies... My nipples range between very to moderately painful though so the latch still needs work.

We've been out for a few walks and little visits over the last couple of days and today I managed a breastfeed in public - albeit with my husband helping to cover me up and on a tucked away bench. It's something I really want to get cracked so I'm not housebound. At the moment I have to flash most of my tummy as well as the boob to get her latched on though!

mrsa2 so glad all is well after a dramatic birth experience! Try getting some bump bands and wear these under your normal top to cover up your tummy when you lift your too to feed. Not ideal having extra layers in thus heat but once it's a bit cooler it works well. Or I tend to layer vest tops and pull straps of underneath one down to feed, leaving the top one intact so lower one covers tummy and top one covers too of me.

mupperoon I was exactly as impatient as you and it's nit uncommon! made worse by the uncomfortableness of this heat I'm sure!!

zing and ickle well done for making it out to church, we also made it. Was nice to see everyone and I had a very useful conversation with a friend there who is a breastfeeding counsellor- she confirmed dd does have tongue ute and gave me some good ideas for alternative feeding positions which would make life easier whilst we await our referral to get it snipped.

I can feel the start of baby blues today, just exhausted from all the nighttime feeds and not had chance to nap yesterday or today so feeling exhausted and struggling whenever DD cries or DS or DH needs me which I then find difficult that I'm struggling. The constant feeding and pain from sore nipples and over full breasts is taking its toll on me!