June 2016 #10 - the one where it's a pre and post natal thread

[iamdivergent]

Since we only have about 15 posts remaining I thought I'd make up the new one.

Lots of babies have arrived already but still plenty of us pregnant too. Here's to our June 2016 babies

Thanks for all the lovely wishes! Early days but getting there. Feeding going well up to now and the pain if the initial latch has all come flooding back! Hope all are well xxx

Wow. Lovely new squishy babies. Congratulations all.

Grubby, mine is still an outie and the rest of my stomach horribly floppy and misshapen. Is this normal? Will my skin ever go back to normal?

dolly - yes! Toe-curlingly painful! It only lasted a day or so for me though, hopefully yours will pass soon if they haven't already xx

neha I was told by my mw that it takes 9mths to make it that way so expect 9mths for it all to go back to normal. Stopped me worrying did not stop me tucking into biscuits though and I still had a semblance of a mum tum before getting pg this time

Yes, neha my belly button is in again- but my belly is definitely out!!!
9 months on 9 months off was true for me last time...

Grubby - my DS (4yrs) yesterday pointed to my tummy and asked if I had another baby in there!

Congrats on all the new births sorry taken so long I only pop in and out of this thread

Congrats ILovePies Pleased you got your VBAC. How happy/proud your children look with new baby

Laughing, Neha, Iam - I still have my dark line and tummy is very wobbly and big. Last time it took a while to go back.

Dolly - the first few days of latching where poor nipples get used to constantly have a baby suck on them

Hello all,. Congratulations on all the latest births and babies. I hope you're all thriving.

It's been boiling hot here in France the last couple of days -35 degrees according to the car yesterday. Not fun for either of us, especially as I can't go swimmin. Matilda wanted to feed non stop yesterday which made it worse as we just made each more hot and sticky. She's been sleeping for the past 3hours which has given me a glorious break, but means I will have to break the most basic rule of "never wake a sleeping baby" to make sure she doesn't get dehydrated. Ah well.

Unfortunately she's not gaining much weight, despite what is most days non stop feeding. The midwife came this morning and prescribed me the rental of a double breast pump to pump once she's fed to try and stimulate supply. Trouble is some days she doesn't stop feeding so I dont know when I'll do it. And I would have thought if she is constantly sucking on my breast that should be plenty of stimulation? Feeling a bit fed up, as now wonder if I'll ever get out of my chair or even get any sleep. But if that doesn't work, formula top up has been mentioned, which seems to defeat the object of breastfeeding and all the benefits of it. Obviously I will do what is necessary though.

Hope everyone's settling into their routines and good luck to those yet to give birth. Can't be much longer now! Please make the the most of drinking hot tea, swimming pools, freedom of movement and dinners out while you can. :)

Ooh geneva so hot!!! I'm a tiny bit jealous, but I know I'd hate it really.
Long feeds and low weight gain can indicate latch issues- but tricky ones to diagnose if it's not sore. I'm sure you know how important it is to drink loads and loads water too!
Can you pump from the breast she isn't feeding on whilst she's at it? You'd have the advantage of kicking off let down on both sides, so she might get a bit more too? Hopefully it will all sort itself out very soon!

neha how's your feeding going?
I hope everyone's sore nips are getting more comfortable!

Thanks all Angus has adjusted to life outside pretty well. I on the other hand am really struggling I'm still very sore, not sure if it's normal to struggle walking this much! Got home today so should have a visit from the community midwives tomorrow who I'm sure will keep me right.

Congratulations to all whose babies have arrived and good luck to those still waiting. I'm sure it won't be long now!!

Hi Geneva
Sounds like a latch issue. Has tongue tie been mentioned at all? Constant nursing but little weight gain should be a big red klaxon to your care team - it's possible baby is not stimulating supply & / or not transferring milk very efficiently .
Sadly in the uk the NHS is ill equipped to deal with such problems but I don't know what France is like.
I had a very similar problem 4 years ago in London. We did do formula / breast milk top ups from around week. 2. We finger fed (tube taped to finger), cup fed and eventually bottle fed. I also used a supplemental nursing system (tubes taped to boobs so you can top up with bm/ff whilst also receiving baby stimulation for your milk supply). I also pumped up to 8 times a day. I had a lot of support privately. When he was 4wo an ibclc trained private MW came to the house & snipped his TT. (Took seconds - such a simple procedure I was blown away with indignation & anger that it had not been done sooner). Eventually BF was properly established (by week 8) & I stopped pumping & topping up.

Would be worth asking your MW to put you in touch with your local la leche league leader &/or an ibclc (who can visit you at home to watch a feed and review the latch / tongue etc). In the meantime you could call one of the British helplines to talk about what's going on with a trained breastfeeding support who might be able to do offer some insights & tips??

Phone numbers at this link here:
www.thebabycafe.org/breastfeeding-help/2-helpline-numbers.html

Useful info on getting support
kellymom.com/bf/concerns/bfhelp-find/

Couple articles of interest, incl : cup feeding a new born & formula top ups breastfeeding.support/

Ducky how are you doing today? How long since your section? Emergency was much harder recovery for me. Was still shuffling at day 6 and needed assisting with everything. Not only have you had major surgery, the uterus was also knackered from a full labour. What did your midwife say xxx chin up it does get easier I promise xxxx

Hi ducky
How you doing now? Fwiw last time I really struggled with walking for well over a week and I had a vaginal birth!!! In fact my friends who had CS seemed to recover quicker than I did.
At the end of the day having a child can be pretty hard on the body. So please be patient. Keep talking to your MW/GP team and lean on all the support you can find at home. Growing a baby and then birthing a baby, by whatever method, is hard work and not to be under estimated.
I could not walk 200 yards within 2 weeks of birth last time. I really struggled with simple tasks when my DH returned to work too. It was truly awful. I thought i was falling apart. I also felt discombobulated.... Like my head and my body were not connected. It was a very surreal experience.
However know this - given time and space and support you will recover!
Let yourself be taken care of. In fact DEMAND you are taken care of (I didn't change a nappy for the first 3 weeks when I had DS 4 years ago!!)

Mindful I mentioned to the feeding specialist in hospital that baby looked as though had tongue tie they vaguely agreed but said I would need to be discharged from hospital then referred back to hospital by my community midwife I would probably be seen in 10 days and the she would decide a course of action but the waiting list for treatment is up to 3 weeks. Considering how much they want to encourage BF that is not very helpful waiting up to a month for help. Going to pursue private treatment I think. Thanks for all the helpful links

40+7 today and had a sweep this morning; not pleasant but not the worst, it felt a bit bizarre as I could feel the membranes moving - freaky! Been having low level cramping since. I'm 3cm, cervix very soft and stretchy but not effaced but she said you can go from 0-100% in hours so it doesn't mean anything for subsequent births. Baby is head down, 3/5 engaged (I was 4/5 on Tuesday and she says he is further down) but he is on his side, she was able to perform the sweep very easily. I haven't had any bleeding etc since.

Second sweep booked for Tuesday afternoon and we'll discuss induction then, she said they'll likely get me booked in for the next available slot unless I want to wait until 40+14 - no thanks! 😂

Good luck divergent! I had a sweep at 11am and had given birth by 2am- fingers crossed yours kicks you off!!
dolly that's so shit!!! So much of the breastfeeding stuff from (some) health professionals is all talk and guilt trips - the actual help you need can be so hard to get! Going private sounds v wise, if you can

Hope everyone has a good week.

Good luck after your sweep divergent. Sounds like your body is ready to go into labour

I have a consultant appt early this morning which I'm nervous about. I have also been feeling very different since Friday. More emotional than ever, very lightheaded and having dizzy spells and just have a feeling I want to stay home (40+1 today).

My section was on Wednesday morning. Getting in and out of bed is agony and walking further than the couch to the toilet is impossible. I think the reason I'm struggling so much is because I recovered so quick last time, but that was a natural delivery.

I didn't realise how much I wanted the same again. I was happy to go with the flow but when it came to the section I just went into meltdown. I was really scared.

Thanks dolly and mindful. I'm saying I'm struggling pain wise but really think I'm just struggling with the fact I ended up in theatre. That and I feel like a failure because I can't do anything helpful at home. Poor OH has had to do everything. He's fine with it (more than fine, honestly he just will not let me do anything) but I'm so used to being the one to do everything and look after everyone and now OH even had to help me get into the shower I feel embarrassed and useless. Sorry for the rant. Must be these bloody hormones. I'll never get rid of them haha!

Magic sorry to hear you are feeling like that. I had a bit of that last time but concluded that though it wasn't perfect or ideal both I and the baby were ok (eventually, took me a while). You and your OH are a team and I'm sure if the role was reversed you wouldn't feel like he was a failure in your situation, just someone who has really been through it. I was really frustrated by the slow recovery the first time and was fed up in the house etc so can totally sympathise with what you are saying. Must be even worse if you had a quick recovery the first time. Know that it will definitely get better xx and as for hormones they are playing a huge role in this too as I had to remind myself when I had a big meltdown over feeding last night! Big hugs you are doing so well xxx

Ouf magic sorry to hear you are feeling so glum! Your hormones are probably at their absolute worst today, day 5 or thereabouts is baby blues day- so every day that passes should be better, and you will be healing too. But just no fun at all right now!! I'm glad your OH is forcibly looking after you though!
Also- can you ring the midwives to see if they can sort some better pain relief?
I know it doesn't feel like it, but you are actually doing amazing, busy work healing and recovering every second, getting your body back on form so you can spring into action again- so you are definitely pulling your weight!!

Thanks Grubby! I am feeling so cross about it. Hope to make some head way today with it xx

Oh magic that is crap. Can I suggest listening to some music? Something to help
You chill and accept what is happening. / happened? You can also meet with the supervisor of MWs to discuss what's happened - sometimes discussing it with a 3rd party can help process the emotions and help us move on to acceptance. I suspect I struggled first time because of similar feelings. However music and time really helped!
Get well soon. And remember you and your OH are a team and he is rooting for you and he has your back. Allow him this time. Allow him to take care of everything. You are not a failure. You grew and birthed a baby. That is pretty huge. You are awesome!!!!

Dolly
Hope you have the help you need. I had a torrid time first time round and the NHS was totally hopeless. Thank goodness for being able to afford private support. Best of luck. (& if you don't like the first ibclc then try another and then another - like any counsellors / help you don't have to click with them just because you are paying them.... We had one ibclc who just wasn't helpful. Luckily we went for a 2nd and 3rd opinion.

Iam Best of luck!!! I have everything crossed for you.

I am trying to get out the House with a 14 day old Pixie and she wants to feed and now needs her nappy change.... I will never make this LLL coffee morning at this rate!!!!! Wish me luck :)
Also hoping the MW will sign us off later.... Fx pixies weight gain has continued. After DS I am so paranoid........

Ooh homebody were you nesting? Are you now in labour? Hope the light headed stuff isn't BP related. Fx for you. Here's hoping for baby news soon!!

Baby boy born this morning at home 9lb 9.5oz. We had to go into hospital for some stitches as it was very fast but overall delighted with how it went, 44hrs since sweep. The only thing is that as he didn't breathe straight away DH didn't get to cut the cord but aside from that it went well.