July 2017 #6 - labour here we come

[nat2311]

I think this is how you make one?

Side note I just had an attack of the baby blues. Every midwife appointment I've had to trek half way across the city, pay to park etc and they've asked to come back again on Thursday about a jaundiced tinge in her eye (I'm convinced this is her birthmark as her other whites are practically blue)

Also had my niece and fiancé round this morning and dh's aunt and friend this afternoon. Equally chilled visits but all added together with a hospital visit etc it got a bit much and I've ended up sobbing this afternoon. Also down there ramped back up again suggesting I've done too much. I can't get the balance right though. I try and relax and they drag us half way across the city to weigh her. Why can't they come to us like the rest of the country

Though baby glitters is now a chunky 9lbs 12oz! So feeling dead chuffed about that lol

glitters making you go to them is s bit crap! I'm not surprised you're feeling a bit overwhelmed.

DS is a dinky 6lb10 birthweight - slightly smaller than DD was. Think we'll get use out of our newborn clothes again.

Ohh he's so dinky! ❤️

Thanks @Spindelina it's silly really but I think with birth and appointments I've spent about £30 on parking in the last 9 days as well. I know it's because I'm deemed "low risk" and I should be grateful but I'm knackered and having to sort out dd1/childcare etc and dh will have to take time off if there's any more (I've not driven in a year after a near accident where a van wasn't looking where they were going).

I just want to stay indoors and hibernate for a week or so 🙈

@glitterglitters just tell them yiu cant make it. If they were concerned about weight theyd send someone to you im sure. Ds was ever so slightly jaundice and i just got told it was common with breastfed babies and just to feed him lots.

@butterflyfree cycle his legs or try rubbing his tummy in a clockwise direction. They both help with constipation usually. And plenty of breastfeeding if thats how youre feeding

Spin Congratulations! Looks like you were prepared for what was to come. I agree the latent stage was shit. I wasn't prepared for it at all and I was taken by surprise as to how uncomfortable I was. I thought it was the real thing only to be sent back home twice as I wasn't in Labour yet.

Butterfly Yes Glitters advice is great. Breastfeed as much as baby Z demands it.

Glitters hope you are feeling better and more positive. It is rubbish thsy they dont come to you.
At least you have recognised that it's the baby blues. That is another thing that I had undestitmated. I have cried almost every other day for the last 3 wks. Last time was earlier this afternoon when Lil Notyet couldn't stop crying due to a rumbly belly. I carried her to my chest, walked and rocked her while tears streamed out of my eyes. She was inconsolable and I couldn't comfort her.

Lil Notyet has got a rash on her cheeks, ears and chin. It was on one side of her face yesterday but spread to the rest now. Going by the photos on the NHS website it looks like newborn acne but we are still worried it could be something else. If it's still looking angry tomorrow I think we shall call 111 and see what they advise.

@notyetthere baby crying always used to set me off too. Combination of blues and probbaly just maternal instinct or something.
My ds has baby acne quite a bit. I think its due to hormone changes in your breastmilk usually and is pretty common but it can look quite bad until it settles. If lil not yet is otherwise fine its prob just that but 111 will prob book you a gp appointment. If you have number for health visitor they can sometimes come out and check amor you could call at a local clinic if you dont want to waste time with gp appt.

Thank you @glitterglitters @mynameisntLinda @Notyetthere

Bicycling his legs and rubbing his tummy clockwise seem to be helping to calm him down when he's having a tough time pushing, so thanks for that handy hint ❤️

I'm feeding on demand but obviously my milk hasn't come in yet and I can't see how much colostrum he's actually getting... it must be enough as he's wetting and dirtying the right amount of nappies so far, but I just feel like he barely takes anything at each feed! I know colostrum is very strong so only a few drops are required really, but psychologically it's playing on my mind that he might not be getting enough. The community midwife is due to visit tomorrow before 3pm so I'll talk it all through with her and hopefully she'll be able to reassure me.

@ButterflyFree remember that at a really little age, their stomachs are only the size of a marble. They won't take a lot because they can't fit a lot in.

It's difficult to trust your body but @TinklingTheIvories is right. They'll feed for an hour, unlatch and then 5 minutes later hungry again because nothing gets wasted. It gets used up super fast. Nappies and output are best indicators and remember most babies (bf and ff) lose weight initially. You're doing great .

And also thanks everybody. Feeling s lot better now. I think it must have just been a spike or dip In hormones. Was starting to worry as I've been ok this far and my hv sounded suspicious on the phone about how happy I was feeling.

Tbf probably just been to busy to get the chance so far these kids run you ragged!

Yeah what they said ^
He may just be an efficient feeder so doesnt need to be on for long. Nappies are your best indicator and it sounds like hes doing great.

Ive defo lost some of my plug this evening. Dh is back home now from his evening with friends so if things were to start id be ok although i really dont think theyre going to its nice to know my cervix is up to something lol
Maybe that 1 dtd did the trick

Thanks @TinklingTheIvories @glitterglitters @mynameisntLinda

A lovely community midwife came to visit this morning and she was very pleased with how Baby Z and I are doing, so that was reassuring. He's developed a tiny bit of jaundice overnight but she said on a scale of 1-10 he's only a 2 so it's nothing to worry about.

She gave me some good BF support and helped us to try out a new feeding position, which both of us were instantly more comfortable with, so that's certainly boosted my confidence. She'll be back again on Tuesday to weigh him, do the blood spot test and check on my BF progress again.

And I've been sent back to the ward! Just for DS's newborn check - they don't have any staff who can come out to my house today, and it needs to be done before 72 hours. Why they couldn't do it while we were patients here yesterday I'm not entirely sure, but that's £20 in taxi fares and a chunk of napping time I'm going to miss! Got midwife coming to my house this afternoon too, and all three grandparents visiting.

They did that with us too @Seahawk80 the NIPE check. Then my midwife appointment was a phone call rather than a visit.

Hopefully they won't drag you in again!

Also talking about napping time. Although baby glitter has been sleeping well (for now) dh woke me up in the middle of the night unable to sleep.

I've just said I could use 40 winks and toddler glitter is with her grandad for an hour (emotional blackmail that she "miss gandad" so I've been sent up to nap.... with the baby

I can't really complain as he's been brilliant but she's wide awake.

I've been for a walk, had lunch and just vomited. And then google "vomit sign of labour." As you can see, I'm really enjoying being overdue!

I googled everything @Lallypopstick

Some gems including

"Funny taste in mouth labour?"
"Hot flushes first sign of labour"
"When are braxton Hicks not braxton Hicks?"

@Lallypopstick @glitterglitters I'm a serial Googler 😂😂😂 if anyone looked at my search history they'd think I was mad as a box of frogs. I've Googled every tiny little thing throughout pregnancy, labour, and now postpartum 😅

Glitters: what did it say for the BH one? Would love to know as that's what I'm counting on to know if I've gone into labour in case my waters don't go as early or I have no show this time

Glitters I have always wondered that about Braxton hicks. I dont think I had any.

Oh Lally maybe it is a sign. Hope your contractions come on soon.

This is the rash on baby's face. We still haven't put anything on it. It's looking quite angry but she is not displaying any other ill symptoms. I think I will ask the health visitor team to pay us a visit just for reassurance if possible

I can't remember who I've said congrats to as I'm seriously losing the plot so congratulations to all you new Mummies! I hope it's going well for you all.

3 days til due date... I've been losing lots of plug these last few days. I've had some really strong BH and potentially some actual contractions as they were painful! But I'm not sure. I feel like one of those plums who won't know when they're in labour

A lady stopped me in a shop yesterday to say 'what a big bump!' I just looked at her and didn't say a word haha 🙊 all my politeness has gone.

@Notyetthere that looks like baby acne to me.

And basically the braxton Hicks question just said to get in the bath.

We're in the midst of witching hour right
now 😣😣😣😣

Glitters witching hour here too. She latched on, feeds for 3mins, falls asleep, wakes in 5mins and starts again. This could go on for 2hrs😣

We're not even feeding. We're rooting. attempting to latch. Latching then deciding nope. Then screaming. She's just fallen asleep on my lap though.

I know my supply is fine. I know she's feeding enough etc etc. I can understand why people panic though!