April 2015 - thread 17. The babies are still coming thick and fast, waving Pom poms a plenty in support!

[PenguinPoser]

Felt we might need a new thread to get through the night feeds and labours!

Congrats Jetpack
RL you should not have to put up with any stress at this time. Can your OH deal with her? It's not fair on you otherwise. What's she doing ?

RL ((((((hugs)))))) can you not drop not very subtle at all more like being hit with a house brick sized hints to OH with not very thinly veiled threats that if he doesn't sort if you and your sleep deprived hormones will to rectify the situation? You need time to adjust. Hope it gets sorted soon.

Oh my jet that sounds all rather horrific! Glad you're ok! Congratulations though!

RL in the strongest terms you need time with your baby. And preferably OH, just the three of you.

When we had too many visitors on day 4 I went upstairs with baby, tea and my mum and had a little hide and a weep! Everyone understood.

Jetpack congratulations and well done on your positive attitude too! Do keep going with the BF, it's bloody lovely! As well as free, and better for them and more convenient etc. and it will make you thin and you can eat like a fiend

Squatting that's terrible, sending big hugs and . Why can be people just not be rubbish?

I would say two weeks they've toughed up quite a bit daholster but mine weren't anywhere near as painful this time as they were with ds1. With him and having thrush it took a while for the holes to heal so probably 6-7weeks.

Hmmmm pulling a dress up isn't ideal when out and about BrixtonBunny

Good to hear you got cord sorted SquattingNeville! Really sucks about gas man and your boiler. Funnily enough my boiler broke when I had ds2 and was fed of waiting in for plumber!

Sorry you're having a bad day FiRaffe, you WILL cope because you have to and

That's sucks RL20, time to have a chat with your dp.

Congratulations Jetpackplease!! Sorry you had such a tough labour. Sam had his head presenting on the top instead of crown and it was a long pushing stage!! Well done for getting through it

We've had a wonderful day! Gorgeous sunshine, lovely time together. Dh insisted as we planned a day out we were going! He hobbled round but said he's ok, he's looking tired now but then he didn't sleep well. He's convinced he hasn't done any serious damage just sore because he pulled all the ligaments and soft tissue where they don't belong! Looks like I'm doing the looking after for a bit.

In good news the Dr called today, she's had her weekly meeting with the dr's at the regional centre for paediatric care and they have said to cancel the blood test tomorrow and repeat it in 2 weeks as they're happy with all the levels, yay!!!

Mammoth post everyone as I haven't had chance yet to catch up at all!

(Continued from earlier rant/post!) We had been back half an hour, not unpacked anything, and she and her sister invited themselves round followed by OH's grandparents. I wouldn't have the guts to invite myself round to someone's house who had just had a baby and had just got back from hospital. When leaving, both parties said 'we'll go now because you'll want to settle in by yourself' well yes I did actually, 3 and a half hours ago! Grrrr. Instead of sitting down I made myself useful and unpacked babies clothes and put thins away etc. They all talk a mile a minute and ask a thousand questions so I tried to avoid that.

Anyway, just having my first postnatal bath, was so scared to get in! I did manage to have one shower at the hospital though.
Can't remember if I posted anything after my birth story or not, will make it quick!
Little one was born at 1.21am on Tuesday morning (I completely missed a day, not sure where that went, on Wednesday I thought it was Tuesday and was genuinely shocked and confused when OH said it was Wednesday). I thought he had been born Monday morning not Tuesday morning!
Had an epitosomy (however you spell it!) and also tore a muscle on the inside too . Lots of stitches taking around 25-30 mins and were painful even with local anaesthetic. Haven't had a look at them - and don't plan to either! Quite uncomfortable with them and they are still quite sore, I'm finding it hard to get up after sitting/lying down. Anyone else the same?? Midwife is out tomorrow so hopefully she will check them and that they are ok, although dreading it slightly . Also can't imagine having sex again, or is that just me?! Feel very violated down there with all of the poking and prodding now, and feel like of we were to DTD in the near future, I would just tear completely?!

Had to stay in due to high blood pressure/high pulse reading/irregular heartbeat. Have always had irregular heartbeat for the past 7/8 years, outpatient at another hospital and all that jazz, but they wanted to keep me in again tonight to do an echo tomorrow (heart scan) but I refused - I needed fresh air, home, and OH, and so did baby. So they are sending me an appointment for it in the next 2 weeks.

After my emotional breakdown on the first night with baby on my own, I persevered the next night even though OH was texting me telling me to get rest and if I needed to, to leave him with midwives again. I felt so terrible from doing it the night before that I just couldn't bear it. It did cross my mind but I talked myself out of it and told myself I needed to learn how to settle him at some point by myself. Got around 3/4 hours broken sleep all together I think, but I just love him so much so just trying to see it as 'he won't be a newborn forever!' However hard it is!

Was a nervous wreck (tried not to show it though) when bringing him back in OH's car. Was constantly looking at baby, and staring angrily at cars that dared to beep their horn around us! . We were lucky that he slept all of the way back!
Oh and we were in OH's car because on the first night of me and baby on our own, OH drove my car back home from the hospital when we had to leave, and it broke down! It had been fine! Isofix and car seat were all ready in there! Just obviously grateful that it happened without us being in there as that would have been a nightmare. So it's currently hopefully being sorted now.

Trying to think of anything I have missed! I'm sure there is plenty but will posts again when I get the chance!
Really hope everyone is doing ok and feel bad that I haven't read back properly on posts - although I did read that someone also had an epitosomy, would like to know how you're getting on with the stitches if not too TMI for you!

Jetpack congrats! Very impressed at your positive outlook on the birth, sounds like a tough ride. Well done you.

Squatting that's a monstrous waste of a sunny day! Can your DP wait in tomorrow whilst you pop out for a bit of sun? So frustrating, I'd be utterly fuming

RL I echo everyone else - if you don't want your MIL around then she shouldn't be there. You need restful time to bond with your baby. Big hugs

We made it to Dulwich Picture Gallery, luckily DD seems to enjoy her car seat, and then we had her in the sling on her dad (who I must say looks very attractive wearing a tiny babe in a sling ). Had some tea and cake in the sunshine and then decided it was too sunny for art, so headed across the road into Dulwich Park for some alfresco boob feeding and nappy changing. Feel so much more human after doing "normal" things! Though feel a bit bad for spurning the culture for the sunshine... It's going to be rotten weather next week I think though so planning on doing more galleries then, esp. as she's so good in the sling. And my stitches feel fine! (Insert fist-bump icon here)

Thanks cinnamon. It's lovely having all the support from you all on here and Facebook.

Great news on the tests too - hope everything continues to go as it is for you all.

Cinnamon brilliant news re: tests!!

Sorry cross posted.

RL I had a second degree tear and stitches killed for a few days but so much better now on day 13. Keep getting confused on their counting!

Brixton - sounds a lovely day and great news on the stitches!

RL I have been too much of a wuss to look at my stitches, DP offered which I firmly declined! I don't want that image in his head, thanks very much. 11 days on and they are feeling better every day, the trick is to rest lots and to do pelvic floor exercises to encourage lots of blood to the area.

Your in-laws sound like a nightmare, glad they're gone!

(I also had a second-degree, not an episiotomy).

Can't decide if DD2 has a touch of jaundice or not. Her little chest looks a bit yellow to me but not sure if I'm just paranoid. Her cheeks and nose are pink but her forehead is a bit tinged too. She is feeding loads better and had at least 3 periods of being wide awake so it's just her colour really.

Jet pack- ur birth similar to mine- except I had to push 5 hours as team were in theatre (awful and no pain relief) and ende with emcs as baby too high for even forceps. Have to say though recovery from c sections not been bad and I think I'd have found uncomfortable fajo stitches worse to deal with!

Madly the birth was worth it for a baby- and that's y people have more than one.

Lauren all babies do get some jaundice- because they break down all their baby heamoglobin and replace it and the heamoglobin breakdown cause jaundice. As long as baby is eating well and jaundice fades it's fine. Putting them in a (not to hot) sunny window or outside helps as well.

Firaffe u are doing great- the knackeredness from not sleeping makes u weepy by itself let alone all the hormones kicking in.

Squatting- I'd be pissed with boiler issue- we trust these people to keep outpr house safe so not doing the tests s awful- can u complain about the guy from last ur that lied?

RL - families can be a bloody nightmare- my. Um kept barging into my room without knocking day and night- even when DH. Getting out the shower. She called milk jungle juice yesterday- weird !!!

Lauren me and baby had been in hospital since Tuesday morning when he was born, so he had a full 2 days in there, had all of his checks including paediatrician checking him over etc. and I get back home and OH's grandma comments before she lives 'oh I think he might have a touch of jaundice, which is common for babies you know but he looks a little bit jaundice'. Well thanks for that informative comment right before you leave. Now I'm worrying about it, he has olivey colour skin with rosey cheeks etc but his dad is olive skinned. Nothing has been mentioned in the time we were in hospital, so I'll just mention it to the midwife when she comes round tomorrow. So I know how you feel.

Thanks all will try some pelvic floor muscles. Glad to hear it gets better (hopefully!). I suppose it had only been 2/3 days after all. Just feel swollen .
My OH also offered to look! I also declined the offer! He already sneakily watched the birth, and I mean head emerging and the rest! E was stood at the side of me with my mum behind me, and she gasped to him that she could see the head (obviously peered over, thanks mum!) and so OH thought he'd take a look and so witnessed the actual birth.
I didn't want him to see it so graphic beforehand but afterwards I felt a bit like, 'well, at least he knows what I actually went through!'.

Anyone else not been sleeping when they get the chance?! I can't unwind! OH is in the bath and I'm on the settee, DS is in his Moses basket next to the settee, currently asleep but I feel like I've got a million things to do (like post on mumsnet!) and have lots of leaflets etc to read through, I want to fill out baby's details in the baby record book I've got, I want to look in his little red book, etc etc!
Hope I get some sleep tonight. I'm estimating that since my waters broke on Saturday night, I've probably had between 12 and 16 hours sleep I think. Wide estimate I know but my brain feels frazzled!

Another thing, anyone who's had the stitches, have you been for a poo yet?! I only go about once or twice a week generally, three at a push (literally!) so not unusual that I haven't yet, but I'm dreading it!
Have been given iron tablets but not taking them as I don't want to get constipated whilst I have the stitches in!

Congratulations jetpack

Great news about Sams blood test Cinnamon

RL I had an episiotomy and I'm on day 12 today and everything feels back to normal with no pain. I had a look today and it all looks ok as well. I had to have 5 days of antibiotics which I finished yesterday because one bit had not healed as good as the midwife would have liked. I was also on paracetamol and diclofenac but I havnt needed anything for a few days.
In regards to having a poo it took me 5 days to start going normally again and that was after taking lactulose prescribed from the midwife, as its coming up to the weekend see if your midwife can prescribe you something tomorrow. I also didn't take the iron tablets until I had been to the toilet on the advice of my midwife.

We have the first health visitor appointment and hopefully the last midwife appointment tomorrow plus some friends are visiting tomorrow morning so a busy day.

For pooing, I'd advise making a pad out of some toilet roll and just holding it on your stitches so they don't bulge while you're going. I've never had an episiotomy but tore with all 3. Ds1 was worse as it was small and wasn't stitched. Had second degree with other two and healed fine, sometimes find if dh gets a funny angle with dtd it hurts (pre this birth haven't done it since) but not sure if I was like that before ds1 and just don't remember, he is 8 on Monday they really do grow so fast!!!!!!!!!

I seem to remember a good indicator of jaundice is the eyeballs being yellow too but could be wrong. All dr's were very impressed with Sams colour as they said almost all little babies that go into paediatric ward are there because they're jaundiced.

Keep an eye on struggling to sleep RL20, that's one of the things midwife was concerned about when she came to see us each time. I can fall asleep instantly anywhere at the moment!!!!!

You ladies and your DHs make me laugh. DH said he doesn't want to see mine again after what he saw. (We were laughing about how married we are now he has been inches from my nether regions while giving birth.) i keep thinking I should get the mirror out and have a gander at the damage myself but just putting it off for now.

RL I feel the same about sleeping when baby does like now she is asleep on my chest and I really should go up to bed as my eyes are dropping but I'm too busy playing games on my ipad and my brain takes so long to switch off that DD2 will be awake again by the time I actually drop off. Have you tried watching a documentary? Seems odd but that bit of background noise helps my brain let go and documentaries are narrated by soothing voices and no loud bits. I'm going to dig around on iplayer to find something for me now I think about it.

Dh said he's never seen anything as brutal as me giving birth this time and was amazed how much bulged out of me doesn't make a good image!!!!

RL I had an episiotomy too. It is healing ok now but I was really uncomfortable for at least the first 2 weeks before it started to improve. Sitting hurt and walking felt like loads of pressure on it. It is slowly improving now though so hang in there. I echo what cinnamon said about going to the toilet - make a pad of toilet roll and hold it firmly against perineum when you're trying to go. It helps a lot. I'm on iron too it's not constipating me which I was surprised about. They started me on it the day after delivery and I went to the toilet after 3-4 days and been quite regular since. Re sex - I'm getting to the stage where physically I can see it happening again at some point! But don't know when we will have time to try!

I thought jaundice quite normal provided it goes within 2-3 wks? DD didn't have it but this one does, comm mw seemed unconcerned provided he's feeding well, producing plenty of wet and pooey nappies etc. she said it would take longer to go in him as he is EBF, can't remember why.

Right so the blue cord peg clamp thing just came off along with its shrivelled little thing of skin. I have kept it in case comm mw needs to see it but is this a normal timeframe to lose it? He's a week old.

Smogs DD is a week and lost hers on day 4! Midwife checked her on day 5 and said keep it clean and dry and will be fine!

Hello. Hope you guys are ok and settling with your new babies.

It's my due date tomorrow so obviously the baby can't possibly come on it's due date, right? Earlier me and DH were saying Sunday would be nice, because the weather forecast is crap and we don't have anything better to do. However, this evening I have had lower back ache, and stronger "tightenings/BH/whatever" than usual, about 8 mins apart. Totally expecting it all to disappear when I go to bed. At least this makes me feel it won't be forever, like I probably won't still be waiting 2 weeks from now.

Going to go to bed with my Kindle and see what happens.

RL, another episiotomy here! I had a small muscle tear inside too. I think I only had one external stitch and today noticed a stitch on the paper when I wiped. This seems v early to me as was told 10-14 days til they dissolve and it's only day 4. But DH had a look and said it all looked intact. He actually said it all looks normal, which seems unlikely to me! I'm not brave enough to look yet. I should add that DH is a healthcare professional and so is not squeamish about these things. He had a full view of the birth (along with the 7 of 8 medics in the room - no dignity) and somehow seems to be able to separate the horror of that from, you know, his usual opinion of my bits. Though I think it will be a while before any DTD, thanks all the same.

I'm also another one on laxatives to help with the stitches. I'm taking laxido as I was before birth due to terrible constipation in final trimester - I have problems with this anyway due to IBS. It helps with moving things through the bowel and softening, whereas lactulose is more about softening. See what you think you need - both are available over the counter if you want to try something.