Thread 11. TTC #1 Grads, Babies Arriving Or 'Look At What I Made With My Genitals!'

[AudreyBradshaw]

Behold, the wonder of birth! Members from 6 weeks bfp to post-partum wonder Mamas! No question to grotty or minging.

We've come full circle from obsessing about cervical mucus to now obsessing if it's our vagina baby plug going! What larks!

Lots of talk about poo, ours and now babies too! Baby brain is REAL! This heat can kiss my arse. And who KNEW being so neurotic about which changing mat to buy could be so satisfying and addictive!

Roll up literally, in my case, cause I'm practically rotund! for TTC #1 Grads!

Omg, think I just lost some mucus plug... Was like clear jellyish... That's it right? No blood tinge though?? Eeek

Yes Pink, just before they served the evening food. The DJ equipment went up in flames. Fortunately they were able to put it out before too much damage was done and the band who had just packed up and we're leaving saved the day by setting back up again and playing out the evening. Party had to move from the marquee to another part of the grounds. Not sure if the evening food actually got served or not but the cake soon appeared.

Quick one on the boob squeezing, ladies - stop it! Apparently you're not meant to squeeze if you're leaking as it can encourage contractions. My midwife definitely advised against it.

Indi - glad you're feeling better about the soap, did make me laugh though! What on earth possesses someone to think soap is communal when balls are involved?! Gross.

Hope everyone is having a good day. I'm not yet dressed and sat watching crap daytime tv. Man I can't wait for maternity leave! Baby clothes are in the washing machine in part of my operation:get hospital bag ready. Very exciting!

Oh shit irregular I didn't think about nipple squeezing starting labour. No more squeezing promise! I just hope they don't start actually leaking through my clothes. I don't think I'm at that point yet though.
And yeah exactly! Who decides to use someone else's FACE soap on their bollocks ffs?! I'm still angry about it, we have an awkward relationship as it is so now I can't really look at him in the eye

What a horrendous thing to happen at a wedding Cosmo! The poor bride!! Glad it was OK in the end.

Danni how far along are you? Have you called the midwife or are you just seeing how it goes?

Canters amazing news about Singapore, I'm sure your mum will understand that it's best for your new little family. It'll always be a nice holiday destination for her too! Have a lovely day with your friends.

So dh just got a call from his boss. Apparently one of his colleagues won't be in work tomorrow as she had a surprise baby on Friday night.

Wtf?!

Cannot imagine the head fuck she is currently experiencing but how the shit do you not notice you're pregnant?!

Wait, Irregular, she didn't even KNOW she was pregnant? I thought at first you meant she'd had her baby early!

Shelb I hope you're curled up with your new baby now enjoying cuddles.

Dr yay firmed car

Miley hope your pain is better now and stays away.

Drink I swore by fig rolls.

Soda I'm on labetalol too but they've got me on 200mg 3 times a day seems to be working though so I shouldn't complain.
Glad you enjoyed the wedding.

Indi glad you enjoyed the shower. Soap fiasco made me laugh.

Pink have fun at the wedding. I'm sure your baby will make an appearance soon!

Well, my sister is already trying to get me involved in mum again. I've agreed to a three way call tomorrow. I suppose now my bp is under control I should deal with it but selfishly I just want a break

Lisa - nope, no idea apparently! Left work on Fri with back pain and feeling a bit funny. Went to the docs as she was concerned. Doc was like... yeah, you're in labour. Baby born that night!

Potato - if you don't feel up to it then don't. I know it must be so hard, but you're only just getting your bp under control and you're still a brand new Mum who doesn't need extra stress. If you're not completely up to dealing with your Mum then please put yourself first. It's not just you anymore, Arya needs you before anyone else does x

Thanks irregular sister has said mum is just crying all day and doesn't understand why I'm nc. I'm going to talk to her and see how it goes but Arya isn't going anywhere near her until I'm happy she's stable. Arya is the most important thing!

Fair enough Potato, I'm sure not being involved is stressful too so you can't really win. I hope it goes better than last time and you feel better for having spoken to her.

Oh, Potato, I'm so sorry. What a horrible situation. As you say, Arya is the most important thing. I hope the call is productive and your sister is being helpful.

Question for people about baby monitors.... 1) when do I need on? Are they necessary from day one, or is it more of a later thing? I guess I'm confused about when you'll be away from the baby at first, and what you need to listen out for.

2. what kinds are people buying? What features do I need and any recommended brands?

I think we're pretty much there with our buying now, but this is really confusing me! (Plus it all seems very expensive!)

drink family history, also ask your mum if she had any issues giving birth. ( my mum doesn't know yet, so it is fine to give this info later.)

Also make sure you are fully hydrated. Part of the reason they couldn't take my bloods successfully was I a bit dehydrated.

The midwife really wanted to sell home birth to us!! We said we would think about it!

So my latest failure to follow the rules is to only remember that I should wear gloves whilst gardening after I finished... Oops! Hands are well scrubbed.

Received a letter on Friday asking for more bloods from me this week. "Insufficient sample" and iron levels....

Well, of they keep sticking needles in me, I'm sure they'll be insufficient blood! Ah well.

canters that's so exciting! I think you'd definitely regret not doing it, it'll be an amazing experience.

Danni sounds like it! Hopefully this is the start of things

irregular oh my Christ! I can't imagine how much of a complete headfuck that would be!!! I can't imagine not knowing I was pregnant.

potato I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time this is supposed to be all about you and your new daughter and it sucks that it's being tainted by this

lisa I think we're getting a Motorola one (on offer on asda at the moment) but we won't be using it until baby is in the nursery I don't think! I'm a bit overwhelmed by it all - it's all so new.

Home from our shopping trip - nothing for me but lots for baby. How cute is this little hat and bootie set

Hello! Checking in late again. One day ill get the hang of this mum thing and manage to catch up and keep up!

New, 29, with a 13 day old little boy called Jacob.

Welcome newbies and congratulations

Omg Shelb how exciting!

lisa we don't have a monitor yet. We don't really leave him except to go to the loo

Potato sorry to hear about your mum. But good news the blood pressure is getting better.

For those wanting baby to hurry up, we DTD the day before my waters went and went for a walk.

Jacob is being a little sod today. He won't settle anywhere except on me. I really want a nap!

indi I'm 38+1, so will just wait it out I guess. Really want him to hold out till sept, but who knows

We have the Motorola 36s I think it's called, but yeah no urgent need for it just yet

lisa I haven't used our monitor yet as I can't bring myself to be that far from Arya but the motion and breathing sensor has been a must! I have a Motorola 36s video monitor and a baby sense motion detector.

Miley yup, really not enjoying the added complications when I should be recovering in my little nest bubble.
Very cute hat and bootie set

New snap! Arya is refusing to sleep anywhere but on me and I didn't get to bed early enough yesterday so I'm shattered!!!

So, Arya's aunt and uncle (OHs DB) popped round yesterday with some lovely little outfits for Arya and the knitted cardigan from OHExW mother and a little stuffed toy too. I actually let everyone have a cuddle and I don't think I hovered too much

And in other news, I have a massive pile and it hurts to sit down

miley that's so cute!

Hope all the new mums are continuing to recover

Ah, lost my post....

Potato, can you explain about the breathing/ motion sensor? What do they do and when/ how should you use?

Just woke from a nap to period pains so went to the bathroom to check I had tampons. Baby brain or what?!

potato oh dear! That sounds very unpleasant. Yay for the nice gifts though are you OK with people holding Arya? I don't think I'll want people to hold my baby (I obviously will let people) I think I'll want to keep them all to myself and OH

Lisa the sensor has a pad that goes under the cot or basket mattes, it then connects to an alarm. When the baby is sleeping you turn it on and it can sense her breath and movements. If it doesn't sense anything for a certain amount of time an alarm sounds to warn you. It just gives you piece of mind when your asleep or out of the room, that the baby is ok.

Miley I have to make a conscious effort to let others cuddle Arya. I'm getting better at it but I still have to push myself not to snatch her back... I find telling people she needs a nappy change usually results in her being returned pretty quickly

Thanks miley!

I'm sure you'll look beautiful pink!
Oh my god on the fire co5mo glad you had your flats.

Thanks Elle only saw 1 today. Also I'm SO sorry forgot to get the list today will set a reminder for tomorrow! Stupid baby brain.

Yeah leaky nips here indi! Very very small amount and not all the time. Apparently it can happen from 14 weeks . I've not done any squeezing Lisa just noticed a bit of leakage on my top in the morning sometimes .

Oh my god irregular! Can't believe a surprise baby!!

Oh my goodness ladies! I've had a poo! AND I didn't even need to strain.

potato I think I'll be very similar, will take that top tip on board haha! Speaking of nappy changes, are you still using cotton wool and water or are you allowed to use wipes yet?

Evening all.

Well I've been back to the hospital and seen the nicest dr. Started off my telling me off when me and the midwife were joking about letting everyone even the local football team look at my froo without batting an eyelid "I'm not having that, this is your dignity we're talking about". Bless him that's gone! Anyhoo, infection still slightly present but no need for any more antibiotics- THANK FOOK they really upset Atticus' tummy, and I'm healing nicely. Back in 2 weeks if I feel the need. Woohoo.

I've missed so much, so will struggle to catch up with everyone.

Shelb thinking of you and hoping you're enjoying squishy cuddles.

Leonie how are you and gorgeous Theodore today?

Potato sounds like you've done the whole instant fall in love with Arya, and who can blame you. I'm utterly fine handing Atticus over for cuddles but to be fair it's only been grandparents so far. Glad your meds are working.

We're not using our monitor at all at the mo as Atticus sleeps between us in his sleepyhead. He snores louder than the dog so I know he's breathing when next to me.

My DH has poured me the most gorgeous bath, the room is filled with candles and my bath is lovely and tea treey for my nethers. It's weird being alone for the first time but I keep getting visits from the dog and my mum. Parents have been here the last two days which has been lovely.
*
Miley* huzzah on the poo! I know how you feel, I still find pooing terrifying and every time I manage to go I feel I should get a standing ovation.

Annoyingly I'm feeling much better- almost normal but I have no stamina for activity. Doing anything other than laying down for more than half an hour near kills me be it sore wound or the anemia. I'm still pissed they didn't give me a transfusion. I get a blood test tomorrow to see if I'm absorbing the iron tablets. I know some improvement has been made as I no longer feel like I'll faint after a shower or have my heart racing at any activity.

Hope everyone is doing well. Sorry for not replying to everyone. Here's an Atticus shot for those who don't see my IG updates.

Sorry for the lack of updates. We are still in hospital. Theo came back to me at 4 pm yesterday and we are getting support to breastfeed. I am expressing lots of milk for him as well. DH has been giving this to him in a bottle after we have tried him on the breast. They take using bottles very seriously and you have to give consent to it if you plan to breastfeed! We are happy to do anything to avoid tube feeds.

If any of you end up having to hand express, it is so difficult and you will feel like you are putting in a lot of effort just to get one or two ml into a syringe, and you will feel disheartened, but it is so worth it when your milk comes in. I'm really engorged if I don't express now and expressing more each time. I just need to get Theo to take more - he falls asleep.

I have cried more than I have ever done before and I have shown my boobs to everyone - I don't even care now (so unlike me). The staff are all very kind. I'm on a ward for babies who need a bit of extra help in the first few days of life.

Theodore's jaundice levels had risen this morning so he is having another test at 10 pm. We will see how he does then - he might need phototherapy but that can be done with me. I'm hoping we've cracked it and the blood sugar issue now. Please cross your fingers.

I've been exhausted all day and can't wait to go home now to my own bed. DH has looked after Theo for me all day between feeds but it's not easy to sleep here. The midwives have offered to give Theo my expressed breast milk in the night if it's all too much for me to do another feed - so it's so lovely having that back up. I didn't sleep at all last night.

Theodore is asleep now and absolutely wonderful.

Waiting to have my caesarean dressing off tonight.

Hope you are all well. Looking forward to an update, shelb.

I meant to say that his tube was taken out this morning! 🎉🎉🎉 Just this potential jaundice issue to crack...