May 2017 #14 'A baby each day in the month of May?...'

[RasperryInAMelon]

Thread 14... I'll post the other page links below too!

(Waves at @ClaireSunflower but hoping you're back asleep)
I've been up since 2 am too but so far I'd resisted taking up my phone. Previous few nights have been quite good despite twisting my ankle on the stairs in @RasperryInAMelon style on Saturday!
I helped my lovely OH putting up the Pax wardrobe yesterday and all went well until the hinges appeared to be impossible to adjust until they're hanging flush. I'll need some guidance and one hinge replaced!
Also on Saturday (apart from photo shoot and twisted ankle) our kitchen tap broke so I'll have to stay in to get the plumber in. It has been quite the weekend!

I do feel for those whose due date is approaching fast or getting past it! I'm normally due 26 but will be induced 19 if the sweep on 16 doesn't do the trick. I clearly didn't want everyone to know why I'm being induced so most still think 26 may is d-day!

@WishIWasSleeping I don't really get the MIL! How have they not even suggested to come visit? Living 6 miles away they could easily think that there are things they could do to be helpful as well... and you bet they should be visiting you. I would not let DH take the baby to them, besides babyWish needs you very regularly I'd say at least for feeding!

@Tickyboovicki sorry to hear you've not had good support with the feeding. 3 ladies in our pregnancy club have recently given birth and 2 of them were emergency C sections due to failed inductions and meconium in the waters. Their milk had some delay coming in and they were both advised formula top up! I thought they didn't do that anymore for supply issues? One did but the other didn't as yet. I really hope I won't have those issues.
I hope you're all sleeping well as we speak. I just got back to bed from getting a paracetamol and a little midnight snack. My ankle is throbbing and my belly is partying! Great combination to help me rock to sleep again...

Waving at @beachsands

Hello middle-of-the-night ladies... I'm telling myself it matters much less since I don't have work in the morning any more!

ticky I have a medela swing and it worked well, i expressed daily for the milk bank with it. As said, though, it's not a closed system so if buying new I'd probably buy a closed system this time. If you're just occasionally expressing one boob at a time a single pump is fine, if you're at all thinking longer term pumping (eg if going back to work early ish) look into a double.

Just had a catch up as I woke at 5am! 😡😩

Firstly loving all the cute newborns 😍👶🏼 absolutely beautiful!

Congrats to anyone I haven't said congrats to yet ... apologies 🙈

Now I've forgot who said what so take what you can from the below ramblings 😊

Pool - yes we have a pool for homebirth. We did a trial run last weekend, without water. To make sure it fit in the room etc. We also took this opportunity to discuss the birth with bean & turnip. Explained that next time the pool is out it would mean that baby spud was on his way and that they need to use quiet voices and mummy wouldn't be able to attend to them. That there will be some extra people in the house etc. Was lovely and got both DH and I really excited for spuds arrival. However, still hoping to not give birth in this house as ideally we would like to move before spud arrives.

Braxtons - I am due 25th, I've been having braxtons since 20odd weeks (for ages) however in the past 48-72hours they have grown in intensity .. they're hurting and I have a dull back ache that won't go away. I also have aches really low down which feel much like period pain for me, although I haven't had a period in 2.5years so struggling to remember 😩
What I do remember is feeling like this for the weeks leading up to both bean & Turnip. I haven't lost any plug yet that I've noticed so I think these pains are just positioning and body beginning to get ready for spuds arrival 🥔👶🏼

Had the wedding this weekend which was lovely & tiring. My cousin went to see my grandad in hospital in her dress which was lovely. 👰🏼

Had an unexpected nightmare with Turnip last Friday as she has an allergy to suncream 😩 which we are aware of. However her skin has now decided it wants to be allergic to the prescribed suncream. She had a bad reaction on Friday so now we are waiting on a referral ...however do any of you have any suggestions in the meantime to allow her to play outside without protection?

I'd let her out with a hat and longer lightweight sleeves. What cream did she react to? Some creams are chemical sunscreens, which work by causing the skin to react somehow, others are barrier suncreams which use particles (usually titanium dioxide?) which reflect the sun away. Some also use 'nanoparticles' which are really tiny.

Medela swing worked fine for me tikki, it was on loan (another one who didn't know about open/closed systems at the time) so this time I have bought the double version as had a baby show bargain and it's a closed system so will be able to sell on. The single is down to £90 a lot of places which is a v good price.

Bean that's crap about the sunscreen allergy. I haven't got much experience so can't help, perhaps as savage says, outside with long light layers and a hat until you get sorted. Can't imagine skin that sensitive copes very well with the sun any way so doubt turnip will want to be out exposed in sun for too long anyway.

I've not had enough sleep 😴 Was upset at bedtime last night, crying on my husband for an hour and then woke at 5am when he went to the gym and couldn't get back to sleep.

Today is get baby ready day, highlights and waxing! Obviously this will mean baby stays put for another 4.5 weeks and I'll be hairy again 😂

Sorry for venting out in my last post, and thank you for the replies.
I'm just mega annoyed for DH. I couldn't give a rats ass if she actually turns up here or not, it's not like my DC are going to miss much!
Beach - No, she hardly ever visits anyway, claims we live too far away for her to drive. (Which is fine, as her husband drives all over the place - so don't get why he doesn't drive them over as the only place she'll drive without him is work {3miles}) But I really thought she would have made the effort for the baby. She visited both of my DH's brothers girlfriends and their babies in hospital on day one.... (approx 20 mile drive)
It's annoying DH more because she regularly goes and visits his younger brother and girlfriend and their 2 children. (With PIL driving the 2 mile distance)
I understand people have quirks and plans and routine, yesterday she chose to go shopping and buy a new bird table...
She used to look after DD on a Monday afternoon, (I worked) but regularly told us this was a favour, (wouldn't let us pay) could never do bank holidays as they were away in their motor home, and would always make excuses if she knew I had time off work for an appointment so that I had to take DD with me..... I just think she's weird!
Rustler - hope you feel better soon. Not like you need your ankle for walking or anything?!
Hope you ladies all have a not too stressful Monday! xxx

Thanks for all the pump feedback! Am I being exceptionally silly, but what is the difference between open and closed systems? And should I be looking to get a double or a single? Ideally I'd like to pump so my husband can give feeds as well, particularly at night.

@peasandquiet I got all my waxing etc done and had it planned to be done again in the two days after baby decided to arrive! Evidently my plan for him to be late was not passed onto him 😂

Ticky, Google will explain open and closed better than we can the short answer is open = single user and closed = fine for multiple users. Double only needed if you think you will be away from baby and need to pump both boobs or plan to replace one feed entirely (so husband gives bottle while you pump and only then if you want to do it in half the time) If you want to do one boob while baby feeds off other a single is just fine!

Ticky what a gorgeous photo thank you for the squishyness and sorry for 2 day old reply just downloaded the ap this is going to take some getting used to!! You're getting some good advice re pumps so hope things get on track for you.

Wish your mil is being crap, must be sooo frustrating.

Sanity big hugs and hope things improve

Bright and others, 40+5 today and busy fielding the questions!! I am attempting to bore everyone with lots of duckling spam in answer to where's the baby as frankly we are being fabulous parents to these little mites and the later the baby is, the more deluxe duck accommodation gets built!! Originally they were going to live on the farm pronto but we realised duckings need a lot of care and supervision and will be with us for a few more weeks

@Rustler74 smart move on not telling people the induction date! I have another week and a half before edd not had any messages yet.

Bump has been instructed to stay put until after this mornings appointment with new midwives, then they know I exist and I'm happy for baby to make an appearance, still think s/he will be late.

I do find it strange that people feel the need to constantly ask, it's not like you're going to have the baby and emigrate never to be seen again. I know they're just excited but it's back to being public property again 

@WishIWasSleeping MIL is officially odd, not surprised your DH is annoyed!

Had swollen feet yesterday for first time, think it was the heat too... put them up for an hour and they went away.

Did start getting lower back pain yesterday and have the same this morning don't think it's anything exciting though!

Due date today, don't feel like anything will be happening for a while though! Going to walk a couple of miles with the dog and then have a browse around some shops, see if that gets things moving!

wish your mil sounds like a bloody nightmare! People can just be so ODD!

Really helpful to read info on pumps - hoping to bf and do a bit of expressing later on, so this is all very useful.

Hope everyone is feeling OK.

Closed systems mean it is impossible for the milk to ever get into the pumping mechanism. Theoretically the milk can be sucked back into the pump in an open system, and you can't sterilise the internals of the pump. Having said that you'd spot if the milk did go up the tubes so imo it's a small risk.

@dreamofhungarianlanterns those little beauties have had such a lucky break. I had to babysit the class chicks last year and I loved it. Are they noisy yet?

Due date today! At least the end is in sight even if it's not today!

I had 2/3 hours of contractions 3-6 mins apart yesterday morning and nothing since!

Dd1 was born at 40+6 so guessing I have a few days left.

I have used a medala swing single when needed for both dds and it was great.

If you want it to express so dh can feed over night remember the night feeds at the start are important to establish supply as it's when supply is best stimulated.

Very true re night feeds mcbaby.
I'm also of the view that women who've just given birth are much more able to handle broken sleep than men are due to the hormones you have kicking about. I've started waking early again with no ill effects (and no coffee!) and for me this continues into the newborn phase. We were all better rested with me doing night feeds and letting hubby sleep.

Blueberry yes they are extremely opinionated!! And the phrase 'dirty duck' is pretty accurate, they have very active digestive systems and are fairly indiscriminate. But they are sooo funny and have totally demonstrated that I am very PFB about babies in my care

Dream, they are adorable! Please can we have lots of duckling spam pics to keep us going until our babies arrive 😍
Have you had any feelings of anything yet? BH have ramped up massively in the last few days, but that's it really for me. Got my 2nd stretch and sweep tomorrow afternoon, which if my cervix is still too high, I'll get induction date sorted.

Which is a whole new confusion in itself! Do I wait as long as possible (42 weeks) for baby to have a chance to show up by itself, or do I get it done sooner rather than later (thinking 41+2/3) so I can finally have baby here and relax about spontaneous birth. Any advice would be massively appreciated!

I have been out for a day and now struggling to catch up. Lots of gardening/ planting done over the weekend to do as much as I can before the baby's arrival.

@dreamofhungarianlanterns ducklings grown up so much! You must have taken care of them well.

@Rustler74 lovely photo session!

Thank you to all the mums sharing (good and bad) breastfeeding experience - I am learning a lot from you as a first -time expecting mum.

@CoxsOrangePippin One of a good things of being on mat leave is having an opportunity of a nap during the day. Priceless!

My parents want to fly over to meet LO but luckily they are sensible enough to wait until the baby is here and we are established a bit as a family of five (incl. two cats). I may change my mind in case of complications and ask my mum to come earlier (hope it won't be necessary).

@MrsJW15 I'm due on Friday too (39+3 today).

@RasperryInAMelon Contractions are gone but I feel the pressure of baby's head on my bladder and pelvis. DH assembled the cotbed yesterday and the baby's arrival is getting more and more real. On one hand I've got enough of being tired, immobile and having a belly in front of me (I understand you @ClaireSunflower so well) but on the other hand the motherhood is getting so close and making me feel anxious.

bright any medical reason for induction? Presuming not if you're considering going to 42w?

Morning.

@1004Rise thank you for the tip about the hypnobirthing track, I downloaded it and listened to it last night.  I think her voice is lovely, she could probably read a shopping list and I'd find it relaxing. But very good positive affirmations about breastfeeding.

No babies yet today?  It's seriously annoying isn't it? Like you'd have had a baby and not told anyone.  My mum worries a lot and so I have always been quite vague about things. Including when I was getting induced, DH would message and say nothing was happening yet or I was sleeping, I didn't want anyone having a blow by blow account!

@WishIWasSleeping You have my sympathies re MIL. My ILs took 10 days to come and visit despite living only 12 miles away. It's a very formal relationship and not unpleasant but FFS I wish they'd show some interest!

@Tickyboovicki How are things today? Glad you've had some help with feeding. I feel lucky in that I've not had any cracks or complications just an initial shallow latch which we've fixed I think. I don't even mind the lack of sleep! But the cluster feeding and fussing is our current big issue and it's quite emotionally draining if not physically.

Also don't see the point in DH being up in the night and not in a martyr ish way. But all I'm doing is feeding which he can't do and then changing a nappy there is not point in waking him for that. It would be different if we were having to pace the floor for hours.

I don't want to piss on anyone's chips but I know only a couple of people who've managed to express enough for their DH to give at night. In the early days if you were to express you'd probably only get minuscule amounts like half an ounce. It would take me a week to express enough. Frequent night feedings is what builds up your supply. Later when feeds were spaced a bit more I could express a bit. I mainly used a pump to maintain my supply when I went back to work. On the other hand you might be one of the lucky ones with masses of spare milk!

@dreamofhungarianlanterns Very cute!

Morning all. Two NCT babies came over the weekend, both early, so I'm very jealous. Our NCT group have all had boys so far! I've now decided that I'm unlikely to have the baby this week, so I just need to find ways to keep myself entertained. DH finishes work on Friday so at least next week we will be together.

newbie I'm definitely feeling more pressure on my bladder! Particularly when I stand after sitting or lying for a while - it's a bit of a surprise! And I've got a great waddle going.

Bright do they let you choose? The impression I got from our hospital was that they induce you at 40+10 to make sure baby is there by 42 weeks.

@Brightsmoke unless you need to be induced for a medical reason like pre-eclampsia it might be better to wait. I've never gone into labour myself but I get the feeling that when I've been induced I wasn't quite ready and it felt like a bit of an uphill battle at times! I'm guessing if you go into labour naturally stuff is happening for days before hand, prepping your body properly whereas with induction it's all a bit forced. Just my opinion as a veteran of 4 inductions but they were all done because of a medical concern and the babies needed to get out so it does depend on the situation.

mrsjw no one can induce you at any time! You have to consent! Sorry but this makes me very very cross. And expectant management should also be offered.