Due August 2021 - The Final Countdown continues...

[Daffodil21]

Continuing the previous thread!

I'll let @PurplePansy05 post the updated list

@lucyrp cross post! Odd how yours dipped and mine peaked at ovulation!

@Daffodil21 yeah I'll attach mine now! I had a big dip and then a dip again at what I presume is implantation! 28th nov is my ovulation date

@lucyrp it's so funny isn't it! This is one of mine (not the one we conceived on though). I think it's pretty clear when ovulation was 😂

@Daffodil21 the good thing about Fitbit is you can select certain months, apple you just have a continuous chart 🙄🤣 that's funny! Can definitely see that peak!

@lucyrp obviously that was August last year, not this year 😂

Hope everyone is feeling well this morning 🥰 we're still finding feeding a bit tricky here so depending on how today goes I'm going to either go home today, or stay another night in hospital so I can have as much help as possible with my latch from the midwives! Last night we had to top Rowan up with a little formula as he was so hungry that he just wasn't taking the breast, and then this morning he had a 45 minute feed so I'm hoping that really helped him.

And can I ask - I stupidly didn't prepare myself for the possibility of a section so don't have any appropriate underwear for when I stop using the disposable pants (which are a godsend!). Lots of people mentioned M&S ones, could you remind me which ones specifically you'd recommend? And what size compared to normal size?

@biscuitcat good going with the feeding!! Sounds like brilliant progress. I didn't go for the m&s ones. I bought some silk type high waisted ones in primark. Usually a size 14 for knickers and I bought some L and some XL. Both sizes are comfortable x

Also had a phone call from my closest friend last night to say her OH has got Covid so now she won't be able to have cuddles with baby ASAP if they're born soon and I wanted her to be one of my first visitors 😩

@biscuitcat I have these and they are perfect:
www.marksandspencer.com/5pk-cotton-lycra-high-rise-full-briefs/p/clp60499081?color=ROSEQUARTZ#intid=prodColourId-60499076

Obvs pick a darker colour for the first few days.

I bought 2 sizes up from my usual size for the first few days and a couple of packs 1 size up - I am now in the latter but tbh 2 sizes up were so comfy, you might as well buy more of them for the first few weeks or forever 😊 xx

Thank you @Daffodil21 and @PurplePansy05! That's so helpful xx

@biscuitcat I also had the M&S full briefs in black. I’m usually a size 10 and went for 14 when I had my section. I then also had the midi style in a 12 for when I had deflated a bit. I used them this time around as well. I actually wore them over a pair of smaller ones at night too for extra security.

Well done everyone, seems like you’re all doing a marvellous job with your babies

Hi all, any others who are still pregnant experiencing intense cramping in pelvis/low back? It's been coming and going since Sunday but today is particularly bad. Had to go back to bed. No other signs of labour so far.

DS2 had hiccups so much. He was born with a lot of fluid in his lungs.

Be careful reclining the next to me. Make sure you check the instructions for any maximum tilt advice. There used to be another bedside cot called bednest and unfortunately that one was implicated in a tragic accident with a baby because the parents didn't realise there was a maximum on the possible recline. It meant the little "wall" between the parents bed and baby bed was too low at one point and the baby got stuck with their neck resting on it. They were recalled and redesigned with a warning label but I think it wasn't clear why you were supposed to stick to a maximum recline level. I'm sure it's rare but would never want anyone's baby to be in danger.

@WolfMother326

Hi all, any others who are still pregnant experiencing intense cramping in pelvis/low back? It's been coming and going since Sunday but today is particularly bad. Had to go back to bed. No other signs of labour so far.

Sounds horrible, I’m sorry. I had extremely painful cramps and it was a gastric issue - walking after each meal really helped. Ten minutes walk after I eat literally anything (even just a piece of fruit!) is now a necessity. Long shot but just in case that helps you too.

[quote PurplePansy05]@biscuitcat I have these and they are perfect:
www.marksandspencer.com/5pk-cotton-lycra-high-rise-full-briefs/p/clp60499081?color=ROSEQUARTZ#intid=prodColourId-60499076

Obvs pick a darker colour for the first few days.

I bought 2 sizes up from my usual size for the first few days and a couple of packs 1 size up - I am now in the latter but tbh 2 sizes up were so comfy, you might as well buy more of them for the first few weeks or forever 😊 xx[/quote]
I would endorse this - those pants are so soft and two sizes up from normal has been perfect.

I have these marks and Spencer's one for post partum, the lace made them a little better for me 😂

I have been browsing at M&S and found this: https://www.marksandspencer.com/5-pack-cotton-rich-lace-trim-full-briefs/p/clp60437456?intid=mobileappppdpshare

I just pumped with my electric pump so I can give my poor nipples a break and OH a go at feeding. It was always our plan to pump and bottle feed but I wanted to wait a month so Rowan doesn't get too confused between boob and bottle but my nips hurt so much that a few feeds away from them will be great.

Got 60ml from first boob but keeping other boob for a feed soon. Milk replenishes pretty quick I think yeah.

I'm trying to find help re the latching to stop the cracked nipples but it doesn't appear to be something that'll happen soon as groups are on Mondays and 1 to 1 online bookings are booked up until 25th! The midwife did show me how to latch on again but in the meantime I'll need to feed through the pain until they heal. I know what the problem is but getting her to open her mouth wide enough is frustrating.

@Ready2020 has she been check for lip/ tongue tie? Just in case it could be stopped her opening wide enough.
Could you try lelecheleague online? They might have some online support. The breastfeeding support groups here are online or by phone online due to covid atm.
Hopefully will take the bottle to give you a wee break. My ds would happily feed breast or bottle fed from he was a week old so it won't necessarily confuse her, though I'm sure it depends on the baby. Ultimately fed is best and happy mum = happy baby.. hopefully they heal up quickly! Have you got the lanolin cream?

@Ready2020, you may have already seen them, but the videos from Lucy Webber on you tube are good 👍
m.youtube.com/watch?v=fDups1DWoI4

Just a few links/leads for online support in case one of them is more available (downloaded image was posted up on the 8th Aug):

www.sarah-ibclc.com/services

lucyruddle.co.uk/services/breastfeeding-support/

Also for mixed feeding support anyone on FB can join this group which was created to support the book launch:
www.facebook.com/groups/992032454537530

Since online support can come from anywhere in the country it's well worth joining a few breastfeeding groups on FB and putting a call out to see if any IBCLCs have availability.

@Smurf123 oh that's a good point. I'll ask the midwife. Got lots of lanolin thanks. Good stuff.

Hospital bag question! How many bags did you all take? I've always managed to fit everything into one small hand-luggage in the past, but somehow this time its not big enough. Not sure why!! Anyway I am a minimalist and hate lugging lots of bags. Wondering how many others had?
I imagine a hand luggage and small carry-on bag should be fine, but I'm cringing at the thought of walking into hospital like that..

@Ava50x I packed a cabin baggage bag for me and the changing bag for baby, and DH brought a rucksack for himself too. I've not needed half of what I brought as I've worn a hospital gown most of the past few days!

@Ava50x I have an overnight bag for myself and just the baby's changing bag for them🤷🏼‍♀️

@Ava50x I had a weekend bag for me, a rucksack for him which I also had a few bits in, and a canvas bag full of snacks. I didn't use much either but I had packed to stay in for 3 days (only stayed in one night), and also had them packed ready for a spontaneous quick dash to the hospital which wasn't needed in the end (phew!).

The things I found really useful were the disposable period pants, my eye mask was also really useful so I could leave the little side light on so I could still see him at night (mw said his sight wasn't good enough to mind the light being on or not) without sleeping in the light myself, and the snacks!!

I mostly used their gown as well. Actually tbh I spent most of the time just sat in my knickers with a think sheet because it was so hot and we were doing lots of skin to skin