July 2016 (10) - the final thread for bumps!

[foobio]

New thread for the rapidly diminishing number of July bumps!

Link to postnatal thread for when we graduate... July 2016 Postnatal

Link to a copy of Beaut's stats list which I think I've made editable... Editable Stats

We have a Facebook group, "MN 07/16" - this is set to secret, so just post on here if you'd like to join.

Have been struggling to keep up with both threads and life with 3 children (4 if you include DH ) but had a quick read through
bluebell firstly massive congrats on the birth of Rubén (I'm keeping the accent :) I'm very sorry) and sorry you had a crappy time of it . I don't have much to add different to others but echo there always great advice. I second that it's really most likely BF related. Fab news on the support from the Gp. My boobs have been so lumpy over the past two weeks I would have found it hopeless checking them even if I knew what I was checking for! Talk talk and talk some more missy! With us, DH, midwives, friends, HV, GPs, Samaritians (my mum is a volunteer so I think they are fantastic :) ) whoever! It's such a crazy journey for anyone, never mind if you have a history of anxiety. I have been treated for depression in pregnancy before and I was so silly to think I couldn't ever mention it or tAlk about it. You are a very strong lady and an equally fantastic mummy. be very kind to yourself

julfinb- wow that is quite a delivery. It is beyond frustrating when clinicians won't listen to you when you clearly know what is happening with your body. Pleased it all worked out well and even more pleased that your OH is stepping up and bonding well.
pupli, tams, Goingloopy - fingers crossed something happens soon.

Still haven't managed to sit down and type up those individual responses to you amazing ladies, but I do intend to do so as soon as I get myself together.

tams I totally get the feeling of frustration as all those around you pop out their babies. I was always last in my NCT group but the girl closest to me in due date - a week earlier than me - had hers three weeks early!!!

julfin I have felt much better the last couple of days, thank you. Working really hard on enjoying my little Ruben because this is precious time that I'll never get back. And actually if the lump was worst case scenario, it would be even more important to have spent this time drinking in my little man. I'm really glad your DH is stepping up to his new role as daddy, by the way. What a relief!

Cookies, thank you. I did actually ring the Samaritans on Monday night when it got really bad, and the lady I spoke to was lovely. Good on your mum for volunteering; what s fab thing to do. I will definitely keep talking - vital for wrestling things into perspective.

For me at the moment the priority is sleep, as the more tired I get the less able I am to turn off my brain. Ruben is being a poppet and giving me about 2 hours' sleep time between feeds overnight. I am basically doing nothing else though! I can't quite work out how you ladies with other children are managing! I am crashing from one feed to the next, occasionally managing to clean my teeth in between! DH is doing all tidying, washing and cooking - I am crapping myself about when he goes back to work next week! Thank god he is only part time! My hair hasn't seen a brush in days, and today I elected to order a load of nursing clothes online instead of using the time slot to have a shower. I keep looking at the clock and wondering where on earth the day went!

Also finding the disappearance of the bump really odd. I can't quite remember what it felt like to have one! My tummy has deflated massively over the last week, but it's so squishy and droopy! Also, very weird to watch the belly button slowly going back in...

Morning everyone. Congratulations to all that have had their babies! I'm loving all the photos on Facebook.

I've woken up with some "period pains". I doubt much will come of it as I'm not due for another 4 days and early babies aren't common in my family. Can't deny I am a little bit excited that it might not be too much longer.

Hope all you other preggers ladies are doing well!

We're home finally!!! So excited to be out of hospital. Maurice didn't give us much sleep but it is amazing to be in my own bed and have DH support overnight.

Bluebell sorry I didn't see your post sooner. As you and dats have said, the ladies on here are amazing and such wonderful advice already given. Just to add, I know exactly the anxiety about breast cancer - my mum died when she was 47 (I was 18) and the thought of me getting it and leaving Maurice without a mum is probably my greatest fear. The things that I calm my thoughts with are that treatment is so much better now, and survival rate is really good. Did you know you're at a very low when pregnant and breastfeeding? Also don't feel bad for not checking - my boobs are unrecognisable from one day to the next since getting pregnant and now breast feeding it's a world of lumpiness and leaks so it's impossible! I guess I'm saying being kind to yourself. You will check far more regularly than other women because if your mum and you are at a much lower risk at the moment. Always better to check of course. Great that your GP is being supportive and as the others have said your well being is so important so great that you're being looked after too. Lots of love to you xx

I'm so sorry if I've missed lots - I'm faintly delirious after no sleep in hospital and losing my sanity! Congratulations dats , mascara and to everyone else that has welcomed new arrivals. Again apologies if Ive missed people it's been a helluva week and I barely know my own name.

On a final note, it's raining here - hooray! It's been so unbearably hot over the last few days and more so on the baby unit Ive got a heat rash all over me - basically where I've been sitting in a sweaty chair with a nursing pillow constantly feeding as Maurice never stops. It's so itchy!!!!! Sore nips and maddenly itchy all over. Currently say in my pants slathered in sudocrem. Now that's a lovely image for you all on a Friday morning.

Meant to say, great BF advice beaut - at mo Maurice is feeding so much I daren't express as I'm scared I won't have any for him. Having said that boobs are pretty painful so maybe I'll try a bit.

Happy Friday ladies!

Lula - mine started out as period pains, and Jasper appeared the following morning. 4 days is negligible. Good luck!

Bluebell - you are absolutely right to prioritise sleep. Is there anyone else who can help out when DH goes back to work? If not, perhaps he can make up some sandwiches etc for you to tuck into every day, so you don't go hungry if you're not getting time for anything other than feeding and sleeping? It will get easier in time, I'm told

P.s. On BF, is it normal for feeding times to be really erratic. He averages about 20 mins on each breast and then will have a top up later but last night he fed for nearly 2 hours pretty much solidly until I caved as nips were so sore and gave him 20ml of formula. This morning he's had a 15 min feed and that's it , now back to sleep. Totally unpredictable. Is this ok do we think at this stage? He's 9 days but we're a bit behind on BF as he was nil by mouth for 2 days and my milk took a bit of time to come in because of our shaky start.

Ooo exciting lulabell!

Still no big progress here. Some tightening/period cramps on and off, but not regular. I can feel the baby pushing down, so he's definitely moving in the right direction. I think I'm still a few days away from active labour.

40+1

Ummmm, how big is the mucus plug? Because I might have been wrong in thinking I just missed its passing before. TMI ahead: whilst pushing out a truly delightful poop, I felt something move down the vagina (like when you have a big clot during your period). I start wiping and it's a decent amount of mucusy membraney tinged with pinkish blood. I thought my waters had gone. But no, just a massive mucus cork.

Fingers crossed lulabells!

I'm curious to know this too pulpi. My waters went this morning and I've had a show but how do you know if it's just a bit of the plug or all of it? How much is there? No contractions here though so we'll see how things go.

It's all happening!!!!

Come on babies lula, pulpi and tams!

That does sound like a plug, or some of it pulpi

tams did I miss an earlier post or did you just drop in casually about your waters?! Exciting!

tams I had a quick chat with my sister (a nurse in Canada) and she's pretty sure it was the plug. In her words, the waters gush and there's no missing it. I can't imagine there's much plug left now, if at all! But your waters have gone?! Are you getting contractions??

Go pulpi! Good luck x

Just dropped it in casually dats. Must have been the thought of simultaneously walking and having sex.

It was definitely waters pulpi. That's just my opinion but don't see what else it could be. Still planning on going to the midwife appointment this afternoon. Contractions are really mild and irregular at the moment. How are you feeling?

tams I haven't had any contractions since losing the plug, but the ones I had before were so mild that I might not even notice them at the moment. Too busy with laundry, I think. Good luck with the midwife this afternoon!

I suggested to DH that we DTD after I had lost the plug. He looked thoroughly disgusted at the thought. I think he's worried about more mucus plug coming out, or just getting showered with breaking waters. Fair enough, really.

DH is getting pretty excited about how much closer we are to this baby arriving. He's playing the "Final Countdown" song.

DH is dead to me.

Definite grounds for divorce!!!

dats I know, right? He's the worst.

I love that he's excited though!!

He's fussing like a mother hen. It's really sweet.

My mucus plug came out in bits over a couple of days, if that helps? Usually when I wiped after going to the loo. (Niiiiiiice.)

Jeez Louise it is hot. I am sweating just with my little snuggle bug lying next to me. Lord alone knows how you pregnant lovelies are managing. Dr Bluebell prescribes ice lollies and plenty of them xx

Oh and pulpi, one of my NCT friends dtd after losing their plug. And the waters did indeed break mid-bonk. Kind of a mood killer, apparently...

Mr Freeze ice pops, like £1 for about 20 in Tesco - got some for labour but didn't really get a chance. But loving the nostalgia-factor! I ate a pain au chocolat while breastfeeding earlier #skillz

Bluebell we'll err on the side of caution, then! if only to save myself more laundry!