June 2019 - Part 8

[coastergirl]

I couldn't see a new thread so started one, hope that's OK.

Massive congratulations @swiftfox. So exciting to have our first baby!

I've started having contractions at 7pm last night, they eased up around 9pm and I went to bed. Now been up since 1am and they're quite regular every 10-15 minutes, but don't seem to get much stronger (they're uncomfortable but not too painful).
Wondering how long this can go on for or if it's actually the start of labour at all?
Seems too long and frequent to be braxton hicks only, but also not strong and regular enough to be early labour... keeping me up though and no way I can sleep.
Also wondering whether my husband should go to work in 2 hours or rather stay here with me... so confusing

Hi @annihall, am I remembering right that this is your first? And how many weeks are you? My first labour started off similarly I think - contractions started about 8pm on my due date but about 10mins or more apart. On and off through the night and I didn't really sleep past midnight (if at all). I think they started do get more regular about mid morning and we went to the hospital before lunchtime, they were about 5mins apart by then (What felt like "real" labour kicked in by late afternoon and DD was born at 2am the next day).
Does your DH work far from home? And can he work at home at all? I'd be tempted to have him home stay home with you if it would be difficult for him to get back later or if you would prefer to have him there with you for support, but there's really no way or knowing how long it could be from here!

I'm so sorry to hear about those of you having a rough time with feeding - I remember the desperation a few days in (hand expressing, feeding with a 1ml syringe and then a teaspoon...) and then I tried nipple shields and luckily for us they changed everything (though I know it's not that simple for everyone) and I went on to BF for 19 months (exclusively to 10 months and then mix fed after I went back to work). I would DEFINITELY agree with those who say it's not worth sacrificing your mental health to exclusively BF - one of my friends who mix fed almost from the start is still BF her daughter at 3 and I think is inspiring, she wasn't hung about it or making a big deal of using formula (as I did in my own head) she just did what worked for her and her daughter and stuck with it.
Just remember that although it's theoretically the must natural thing in the world (yeah right!) so is getting pregnant and giving birth and look how feckin difficult most of us find those things! So please please don't think you're the only one finding it hard - EVERYBODY does.

@toomanyflatwhites I'm 39+1 and it's my first. They're still not getting stronger or more frequent, so I guess DH will just go to work... He can't work from home but is only 20 minutes away. I'm so confused by these contractions as they seem not to be the real thing but a bit much for BH.
Think I'll give the midwife a call in a bit if they continue like this

@annihall good idea to give them a call - and if your husband can be home easily enough maybe see how you go (it's not usual for things to ramp up so quickly that he wouldn't be able to get home!). The midwife gave me totally different guidelines for second labour than first - with first they want to encourage you to stay at home as long as possible whereas with the second they want to hear from you much sooner - though of course some people have quick first labours too!!

@annihall I've been having the same thing since last night, fingers crossed it goes somewhere!

My due date came and went yesterday, starting to get really frustrated with the amount of calls and texts from people asking if there's any sign.

@kescilly

Push for a thing known as a “Billy Lamp”.

Basically it accelerates the livers processing of bilirubin which casts jaundice. Yes it means that baby isn’t doing the “work” and that it’s by artificial means but it knocked my baby’s jaundice right on the head.
To manage your expectations it would mean an overnight as they put them under the lamp for 12h, check bilirubin, then 6hrs, check bilirubin, then a further 6hrs without the lamp and then all going well discharge.

This is DD at 5 days old - as long as she was under the lamp we could feed and hold her.

I pressed for a Billy lamp as I didn’t want to go through what you’re going through and have to fuck about coming and going after a CS.

Jaundice makes for lazy feeders which means that you’re struggling to get enough stuff in plus breastfeeding doesn’t shift it as quick as formula allegedly. Marvellous, eh?

Good luck. You sound like you’re having a hard time. I’ve been there, DM me for more if you need x

@toomanyflatwhites didn't know the guidelines are so different for first and second babies. I do want to stay at home as long as possible though, it's just so hard to tell when I should actually leave. Having said that - it basically stopped now. 5 hours of regular contractions and now nothing... very odd and somehow frustrating. Poor husband didn't get much sleep either and is at work now.

@fee1234 oh how exciting. I hope things are moving forward for you soon!

This could be a very stupid question but it's something I've been wondering. If you have a C-section you obviously have a catheter in for a while so I'm assuming you can't wear underwear? But I'm also assuming there's a need for maternity pads due to bleeding? How does it work? It's pickling my head!

@weebean yep they will have you on a big inco pad on the bed which will absorb anything and they will change it as needed. I didn’t bleed a huge amount right away after my c section. Once you get the catheter out you can freshen up and get into your (super size granny) pants and a pad.

@Dinomamasaurus thank you! Definitely going to pack an extra nightie in that case, and hope our families don't visit until after I can freshen up 😬

Midwife today, managed to get them to attempt a sweep (38+4) cervix not favourable apparently. Posterior and still 1cm. She gave it a massage and booked in for another next week. I’m miserable

@WeeBean yes I also had a giant pad under me until they took the catheter out. Bled a lot at first, but eventually settled down. I would definitely pack extra nighties because otherwise you can easily leak onto yours.

@PaulHollywoodsSexGut thank you so much! Our visit today was mixed. Her bilirubin levels have gone down, but her weight has as well. I had already told them I felt like she had lost weight and that I wanted to introduce formula, so they were supportive of that.

I feel so guilty about starving my baby but am relieved to know that she will be getting more food now. I’ll still try to feed her but then will top up with formula each time. Eventually we might switch entirely. Hoping tomorrow’s bill check goes in the right direction and that she will be gaining weight and looking plump in no time.

Our baby girl lost more weight and I’ve made the emotional decision to move to formula. I know I have the milk supply, I’ve been able to pump, I just can’t breastfeed effectively. And I know there are consultants and I’ve tried so many different people, but I don’t have time to mess around anymore. I just need her to gain weight.

It’s breaking my heart because I love the closeness with her and I don’t know what I’m going to do when I can’t soothe her in the same way.

@Kescilly please don't feel bad. It is hard. If you enjoy breast feeding then keep one feed (or as many or few feeds as you like) as your time with her. I combination fed my daughter and will likely combination feed this little one when it comes out. One reason being my DH enjoys having one feed where he has 1:1 time. Be kind to yourself.

@kescilly you can totally combination feed! You may only need to top up with formula for a brief time. A video of paced bottle feeding might help you formula feed in a way that helps avoid nipple confusion.

I’m all packed and ready for my section tomorrow. Can’t wait!

As far as feeding goes I’m planning on breastfeeding but told everyone from the start of it’s not working I’ll be going to bottle feeding. For what it’s worth I think there’s far too much pressure on us to breastfeed. To me most important is a content mother and baby that is putting on weight as it should. I had a friend who was basically bullied by family to breastfeed (or how could she call herself a mother?) and she expressed the whole time. She was either feeding or expressing.

I hope I can but I have a tub of formula in the kitchen if needed.

Hope there’s some more wee babas coming into the world soon! xxx

I'm all packed and ready for my section tomorrow too. Squee!

Hi all! How exciting, good luck to those having sections tomorrow.
I'm still waiting, 39 and 4 tomorrow. I was convinced he would be early as he's been so low down all pregnancy and I've been measuring quite big but hey ho.
Lots of movement tonight very low down. I don't know what anything means anymore! Just a waiting game I guess.
Love to all xx

Good luck to everyone with the sections booked tomorrow! Excited to hear about more babies.

@weebean yes after my c section I had catheter out, managed a quick shower and change just before visiting hours started which definitely helped. Try to drink plenty of water so they can see it’s all looking good and hopefully get the catheter out ASAP. I had to have one this time as well with my VBAC and was so dehydrated from fasting for the section and then sweating like pig pushing for two hours I needed to drink gallons.

@kescilly it is emotional it’s all the hormones but please don’t feel bad. No harm in doing a bit of combi feeding if you are comfortable with that - that way you still have the closeness and comfort. I had to combi feed my son because he was static weight without it and as much as is said about nipple confusion it wasn’t a problem. It might not feel like it because of the weight loss (and I know how upsetting that is having been there) but she has totally benefited from the BF you have done - getting the super colostrum and getting her microbiome going. I’m sure her weight will pick up fast with the formula and it will be so much better because then you can all relax and enjoy each other.

Morning- 5am starts are becoming the norm here! Anyone else struggling to sleep? I'm 38 weeks today and it doesn't feel like anything is imminent. Any one else thinking they've got a few more weeks?

Good luck with all the sections!

Good luck today @Bimbabo and @Fabuluce!

And yes @2countries1bump I have been waking anywhere between 4 and 5 for the last few weeks 🤪 and now I'm almost 39 weeks I also find I'm awake at least twice during the night, so all in all my sleep is crap! I think I was up for 5 wees between going to bed and waking this morning. ...
DD (who just turned 3) has also started having disturbed nights for the last week, I'm sure it's because she knows massive change is just around the corner!

@2countries1bump yeah sleep is rubbish here too. 4am, 5am, 6am. 7am and then I just feel like I've been hit by a bus all day because I'm so tired. Rubbish!

Oooh so many babies today! Good luck ladies!!

Oh @Kescilly you're doing the best thing for your wee girl, which makes you a great mum! I don't know an awful lot about BF but I hope you can take comfort from what others have said here about combi feeding and hopefully that works for you if it's something you want to do.

Thanks for the C-section info ladies! And massive good luck to those having sections today!

Good luck with the sections today!

I'm 40+2, got MW later today so going to beg for a sweep!