October 2014 // thread 15 // hooray, here come the babies!

[sazzlehopes]

Going through these fast at the minute!

Goats if you really don't want to do it then don't, and don't beat yourself up about it, they're your boobs so your choice I say! You're willing to feed colostrum which is more than a lot of women would be willing to do as well. Maybe DP and his mum will be narky about it at first but if it wasn't that then I'm sure they'd be narking just about something else! Being miserable bf'ing wouldn't be good for you or baby, go with what you want to do I say :)

Thanks re thoughts on breathing. Goats I hope lots of steam in your lovely new bathroom helps a little bit with the cough/breathing.

Oh yes Magic I started blubbing the other day cos I couldn't get comfy on the sofa

Good luck for all sweeps happening this week x

When we've talked about it I've always said Christmas MAX. Which isn't even 3 months. I'm going back to work at 8 months, and don't want to spend that whole time as a milking machine/not really being able to have boyfriend and others feed it - it's going to have to get used to others.

I've seen so many friends have their first few weeks as a mother completely ruined by the breastfeeding problems too - way too much crying going on (from baby and mum!) over something that could be fixed with a bit of formula. It feels to me that the first few months go really quickly, and I don't want to look back on them with annoyance. My body will be in a bad enough state without extra bleeding and soreness!!

Marking my place

Spent the entire weekend packing up the house as we found out on Friday that we exchanged...move all set for tomorrow, I'm completely shattered as I am the DIYer in our house so have taken everything apart and done most of the boxing up

I'm 36 weeks now and last night my squish literally went ballistic in there!! I counted 47 separate kicks in under a minute....that's not right is is?? She kicks much more when I lay on my left hand side - I'm not squashing her or anything am I?

Goats honestly you'll get so little pressure from HCPs - I got asked once "how are you planning to feed?" then that was that. Remember most HCPs are shift workers who will have, at some point used FF themselves. As you say just try and see - giving the colostrum is a great way to do that, it trains baby to feed, gives much of the good stuff, helps your body to recover and is only a 3 day period - then see how you feel. I personally love the excuse to sit on the sofa, cuddling and bonding with Lilly and getting food and drink brought to me, and recovering from the birth but you have to have a partner you can rely upon to do that in the first few days otherwise it would lead to resentment. Keep an open mind its a mental game - don't persuade yourself its horrific before you try.

I think breastfeeding is such a tricky topic to get to grips with, people can feel so strongly one way or the other.

With DS I just assumed I would bf him but he was born with severe tongue tie which didn't get snipped till 4 weeks in, on top of that, he had jaundice so had to have formula from day one for hydration and I had a bad infection that needed strong antibiotics so my milk couldn't be used for him. By the time he was able to latch on, my milk had dried up and he was accustomed to bottles. It took me by surprise but meant we "failed" to bf and ff from the first. I felt sad at the missed opportunity but not guilty as there really was nothing I could have done to change things.

I'm a bit apprehensive about this time round: will the baby be tongue tied again? Will she take to bf easily or will it be a struggle? Will it hurt? How will I feel being constantly on call for cluster feeds? Will I cope with night feeds? Etc etc.

I found ff so easy. Yes, you have to wash the bottles. Yes, you have to buy the formula. But that's nothing compared to the fact that you can take it in turns to feed the baby, MIL loves feeding the baby! I loved being able to sleep for 6 hours straight because DH would do the middle of the night shift.

All of these things are going round in my head and although I'm willing and keen to give bf a chance, I'm not sure if I'll have the determination to see it through if I struggle as I know how easy ff can be. The jury's out.

Arrivals

Takingchances Baby Girl Sept 26th?
Slide Baby Boy Sept?
Buggerlugs Baby girl 5lb 6oz 27th Sept
Yellowwellies Baby girl Lillemor 6lb 14 25th Sept
Porcito Baby girl Anna Lucia 5lb 5oz 25th Sept
Gunwalloe Baby Girl Baby girl 6lb 14 23rd Sept
CaptainMcgraw Baby boy Rowan 7lbs 6oz 23rd Sept
MrsCaptainReyolds, Baby boy 7lbs 3oz 21st Sept
Bumpforme2014 Baby Girl 19th Sept
ExcitedCJ DC2 Baby boy 8lb 6oz 19th Sept
Fedupofrainydays Baby Boy Rory 16th September
Slidein Baby boy Alexander 15th September
Troubleandfyfe Baby Girl Lumen born 31st August 8lb 5oz
Vicky123uk Baby girl Edith born sleeping

Boys 5 Girls 5

Overdue

Sazzlehopes DC2 (boy)EDD 27th Sept
Kirstipops DC1 (unknown) EDD 27th September
Mrsbadcrumble74 DC2 (boy) EDD 28th September
MundayCakes85 DC1 (unknown) EDD 28th September
ohthegoats DC1 (unknown) EDD 28th September

Week beginning 29th September

hefner DC2 (boy) EDD 29th September
mrsb87 dc1 EDD 29th September
Pinkfizzsparkles DC3 (girl) EDD 30th September
Annoyedbyalfiebear DC2 (girl) EDD 9th oct c-s booked 2nd oct
Bumpbangbump DC2 (girl) EDD 2nd October
Clops2000 DC1 (boy) EDD 2nd October - homebirth (fingers crossed!)
Badgerinbury DC1 (girl) EDD 4th October
Georgebythesea DC1 (boy) EDD 4th October
misskipper (unknown) EDD 4th Oct

Week beginning 6th October

CellyD DC2 (unknown) October 6th
Queensanti3 DC2 (unknown) October 6th
Flipfantasia DC3 (unknown) edd 7 October
Cabster DC2 (boy) EDD 8 October
Londonjen DC1 (unknown) EDD 8th October
SummerDreams13 DC1 (unknown - even to us!) EDD 9th Oct
Ldt87 DC3 (boy) EDD 9th October
HazzaB89 DC1 (unknown) EDD 9th October
Binkybunny DC1 (girl) EDD 10th October
Fatpony DC1 (boy) EDD 16 October, c-section booked 10 October
Littlewilliam (boy) EDD 10th Oct
Me23 DC3 (girl) EDD 11th October
Sweetpeapods DC2 (boy) edd 11th Oct.
Kittyvet DC1 (unknown) EDD 12th October
Madamweasel DC2 (girl) EDD 12th October

Week beginning 13th October

Pregnantagain7 DC4 (unknown) EDD 13th October
JellyBeans (team yellow) EDD 13th October, home birth
Mum2kiss dc2 edd 13th October
Happytimes31 DC1, surprise! EDD 15th October
Clairemiss79 DC4 girl EDD 15th October
Mamami DC1 (girl) EDD 15th of October
Mrsandpuppythedog DC1 (team green?) EDD 16th October
Grannyapple DC3 (boy) EDD 16th October
PunkyBubba DC2 (boy) EDD 16th October
Shirehobbit DC2 (unknown) EDD 17th October

Week beginning 20th October

Loulou888 DC3 (unknown) EDD 20th October
Pusscous (girl) edd 20 October
FrauEnglischLehrerinDC2 (boy) EDD 22nd October
BingoBango85 DC1 (unknown) EDD 23rd October
STIGZ dc2 (girl) EDD 23 october (likely c/section)
FatFlashingLazer DC1 (surprise) EDD 23rd October
Magichandles DC3 (girl) EDD 24th October (likely to be induced 10/11 Oct)
Weeonion DC2 (secret) EDD 25th Oct
Pinkie2103 DC2 (unknown) EDD 26th October (HBAC)

Week beginning 27th October

Lily31 DC1 (unknown) EDD 27th October
Lulu298 DC1 (surprise) EDD 27 October
Missus2ndwife DC1 Edd 28th October
Bumpandbaby2014 DC1 (unknown) EDD 29th October

Ok so hope these stats are right...taken me ages to go back through the old thread. I am missing stuff from slide and taking I think...anyone heard from them? I'm not on the FB page so not sure if they've updated there...

Can I ask where the FB page is? I assume it is private so not searchable?

I have been a lurker, the threads move so damn fast.

My EDD is 24th Oct.

PM'd you wine :)

Please can someone also give me details of the FB site- thanks!
Hope you all having a good day. Mainly lazing around here. 2 weeks to EDD seems an eternity!

Goats, I've been lurking on September/ October / pregnancy threads since my BFP in February. I've identified with you very much throughout (I'm a 44yo first time mum), so I've just signed up because I FINALLY have something to say that might help you.
I had my baby nine days early on Friday night, by CS (long story, but basically because he's a whopper). I wasn't prepared for the fact that I had midwives in my face immediately after the birth, asking how I was going to feed him, helping me to latch him on, bringing me syringes for expressing, etc. Like you, I was planning to feed colostrum for first few days, maybe try to BF for a few weeks, but ultimately bottle feed. And you know what? When I told them that, they actively tried to dissuade me and said I'd be better to do one or the other from the start because otherwise I'd be setting myself up for a hard time. And they genuinely didn't mind which I wanted to do. I plumped for the bottle, explained my reasons, and they were totally supportive. In fact they were the only ones who could get milk down him for the first 24 hours.

HTH

Well done Sazzle on the stats update.
Had my sweep this morning. Baby was 2/5th palpatable so engaged but not low down on the cervix. Cervix was posterior but soft and just open enough for her to attempt a sweep. Not looking favourable for an imminent birth so booked in for another sweep next week
It was quite uncomfortable- she had to "dig" a bit but mostly it was her free fingers pushing against my pelvic bone which was sore. Now home and going to spend afternoon bouncing on ball and walking up and down stairs

goats FF if it's what you want to do. I gave up trying to get my dd to latch on and the mw's gave her formula as she was hungry. I was recovering from a c section and no one made me feel bad about ff. Quite the opposite. The mw's took her away a few times and gave her a bottle allowing me to rest. It's so much easier to establish a routine.

I have 3 dd's and the one who was ff has had the least illnesses etc. Its more important to have a happy mother and baby :)

kirsti can you pm me the fb page please :)

Claire - done!

Goats I agree with all the advice on ff/bf - whatever works works. I would agree with yellow though that there's no point scaring yourself in advance or setting deadlines. Taking each day as it comes and remembering that it's all very different when baby is here (and they're no longer an intangible it/thing!). I found the thought of a baby sucking on me frankly repulsive before I gave birth to my son. But when it was him snuffling and snuggling in the recovery room it was a completely different story (and I had a traumatic birth/scary section with him!). It wasn't 'a baby using me as a milk machine' but this incredible little person who had come into the world! Also, pumping isn't that bad and my kids never had a problem with taking a bottle from DH (or anyone else) from 6 weeks or so. And by 6 months/introduction of solids, the need for milk changes (babies get more efficient). So it wouldn't be 8 months of constant feeding.

Plus, as my mother (ff her 6 kids) says, there is no fast way to feed a newborn. Everyone, regardless of boob or bottle, has to sit with the baby and just wait for s/he to have enough (and then want more before you know it!).

Don't know if it's mentioned enough but stock up on lansinoh ladies! Magic stuff that really helps with tender nipples. It was the first thing I bought for my hospital toiletry bag.

Also, a general thing now that birth stories/impending labours are upon us. My story is not your story and vice versa (this is actually more relevant for family and rl friends - who tend to force opinions/experiences/baggage on us often dressed up as well meaning advice!). Just because I found something great/shit doesn't mean you will/won't. I love sharing and hearing thoughts and experiences here and on Facebook but whatever happens for me and my baby will be right for us and our circumstances.

Ps Me are you out there? Does silence mean labour? I know your first two came around this gestation and mil is here so it could be a great time to have baby no 3

Ooh could i be messaged the FB page as well please?

A big congratulations to the newest mummies. I know I've missed a few! And good lick to pur labouring mummas. How many today, about 3?

Bf can be a beautiful experience but so can ff. Try to have an open mind goats if only because it sometimes feels difficult to change ones mind. If you like it then great, if you feel the same way as you do now then baby and you will feel better with a bottle.

My bf experience was very positive. Good latch, milk came in nicely and my ds loved it, as did I. I will do some things differently as he was a bottle refused but by expressing from a few days in and offering one bottle per day, of bm, I hope to have the bes of both worlds.

I have my 40wk appointment on Wednesday, didn't make it that far last time, so interesting to hear about sweeps. I'm hoping to be offered one but will need a wax tomorrow in preparation! My "lady garden" is more of a forest/jungle!!!!!

Thanks for the sweep update munday! Glad it wasn't too bad...I'll see what mine is like wednesday. See what mrsb's was like!

And yes i was wondering about me23 too...very quiet.
And bump? At the end of the last thread she was off to hospital?

Thanks for your inputs about BF/FF. I flip back and forth - every time I read a bit of Food of Love I think that ooh it sounds great, then I go back to nope. We'll see. Just having a moment about expectations etc I think.

I've gone so downhill in my ability to move much over the last week. Probably just walked half a mile and just needed to sit down.. looking at shops about 50 yards away as just too far to walk to. Who are these people doing 5 mile walks the day before labour? Swimming is all fine, but the extra pelvic weight is just debilitating in terms of posture and ability to actually swing my legs!

me23 has some quiet periods... unless there is something anyone else knows!!

Urgh late and very behind on posts but just marking spot. Hope everyone & beautiful babas are OK.

Another one looking for the Facebook page please If someone could message me?