Due August 2021 - Welcome to the World!

[PurplePansy05]

Welcome to the chattiest birth club on MN! Newcomers always welcome 💐

14 gorgeous new babies have joined us already, welcome to the world 💖💙🥳

@Smurf123 - Welcome to the world, baby Sophia 💖
@wimbler - Welcome to the world, baby boy 💙
@Jessicapebbles - Welcome to the world, baby Ebony💖
@Inmypjsagain - Welcome to the world, baby boy💙
@PurplePansy05 - Welcome to the world, baby Leo Alexander 💙
@WinterBabyof89 - Welcome to the world, baby Rosie 💖
@Winecoffeeteamum - Welcome to the world, baby Emily 💖
@Ready2020 - Welcome to the world, baby Rowan 💖
@Magik01 - Welcome to the world, baby Isaac 💙
@Hoares3 - Welcome to the world, baby Ellis 💙
@Daffodil21 - Welcome to the world, baby Elliot James 💙
@sarah13xx - Welcome to the world, baby Freddie 💙
@Biscuitcat - Welcome to the world, baby Rowan 💙
@Whatshouldbemyusername - Welcome to the world, baby Arya-Nyah 💖

Counting down until we welcome 20+ new arrivals:

@MrsB2019x - Induction w/c 9 August, Girl 💖
@Dia12 - EDD 8 August, Girl 💖
@Aaaaa1519 - EDD 13 August, Girl 💖
@Angelesque - C-section 16 August, surprise 💛
@lucyrp - EDD 16 August, surprise 💛
@livingwithbees - EDD 16 August, surprise 💛
@BertieBotts - EDD 16 August, Boy 💙
@WolfMother - EDD 17 August, Boy 💙
@Caz1226 - EDD 17 August, Boy 💙
@Millymay13 - C-section 17 August, surprise 💛
@RandomCatGenerator - C-section 19 August, surprise 💛
@Smallbean27 - EDD 19 August, surprise 💛
@Sheisfee - EDD 19 August, Girl 💖
@Alittlexmasmagic - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@LottSE20 - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛 @notinthestarsigns - EDD 23 August (but likely to be brought forward induction/C-section), surprise 💛
@Fran919 - EDD 25 August, surprise💛
@Ava50x - EDD 25 August, Boy 💙
@ame88 - EDD 28 August, Girl 💖
@HopefulB - EDD 29 August, surprise 💛

It's officially THE month! Watch this space! xx

@PurplePansy05 having a newborn is bloody hard work. Sounds like you’re doing a stellar job but it’s ok to have days where you feel overwhelmed and that you can’t do it all. Every single mother has been there before. Having a little person who is totally dependent on you for their every need is not something you are ever truly prepared for but I promise it gets easier. You’re still getting to know your son and your body is still recovering. Sorry the pump situation isn’t going as expected but as others have said, output can vary hugely. I find I get way more when I pump in the morning as typically that’s when your supply is better. I’ve seen lots of hacks online to turn a regular bra into a pumping bra so maybe you can sacrifice one of the ones you already have for that?

Hang in there, you’re doing amazingly.

@lucyrp glad your birthday ended well. Sounds like you had a lovely evening

@BertieBotts hope you had a good night. Fingers crossed baby doesn’t keep you waiting too long

@WolfMother326 oh no, sounds scary! So glad your little one arrived okay. Congratulations!

@Millymay13 congratulations 😊 glad you had a positive experience. Hope you’re feeling okay today. It was the following morning that my blood pressure dropped but it was very quickly sorted

@BertieBotts hope your little one is here soon if not already!

Oh @PurplePansy05 that sounds so difficult - you're doing amazingly and the reason you're finding it hard is because it IS hard, not because you're failing in any way. I think we've decided to mixed feed, with a bottle or two of expressed milk, or formula if I can't pump enough, so DH can help with the night feeds - I'm feeling so much more relaxed since deciding that - he'll still have at least 90% of his diet being breast milk, but I'll feel so much better rested, and DH has a wonderful chance to bond too. On pumping - I have the Lansinoh electric pump and also have to hold it in place. The midwife advised me to try only pumping after Rowan has fed to get the 'leftovers', as it's less likely to result in oversupply, and that's meant I'm getting a bit less than pumping between feeds, but will hopefully be good in the long run.

@WolfMother326 and @Millymay13 congratulations!!! Well done to both of you, and so glad both little ones are safe and well 🥰

Also if anyone fancies an update on my ridiculous SIL... we went for our first outing yesterday, for a little walk in and lunch at our local national trust place, and DH sent pictures round. In the picture is the pram we bought, rather than the one she gave us (that we're not using as the mechanism was just so stiff and it takes a good couple of minutes to put up and take down). She has thrown the most colossal strop, sending DH utterly horrid messages in their family WhatsApp, calling me a liar for saying I'd figure out how to use it, saying he's not the brother she's ever known, etc. Honestly - she's almost 40 and has the emotional regulation skills of an overtired toddler. They're meant to be coming to us on Saturday for a bbq (long story involving red list countries as to why they're only coming very briefly, but I'm relieved!) - I just don't want her in my house or anywhere near my child, especially as everyone will just act like it never happened.

Congratulations @WolfMother326 @Millymay13 ❤️

@PurplePansy05 would you consider formula as well? Elliot sleeps so much better after formula. We give him both breast (pumped because he still can't work out how to latch and it was just taking forever for him to get a little bit from me, so pumping is much more efficient. We just make sure we do skin to skin because he's not getting that closeness during a feed). It really takes the load off me and means I can sleep as well. Also means DH can do the later feed/earlier feed when he goes back to work. There's no way if be able to keep up with our hungry little monster with just breast.

@WolfMother326 @Millymay13 congratulations! So many babies here already...

@PurplePansy05 sorry to hear you are struggling with the pumping. In my experience, pumping is a skill you need to learn- almost like breastfeeding!! It takes practice, so don't be disheartened that you didn't manage on your first attempt. I find it helps to look at/think of baby whilst pumping, or to smell something they've worn- anything to get the oxytocin flowing.

FWIW, I tried the Medela and hated it. It really pinched my nipples and didn't get much out. Now I have the Philips Avent- both manual and electric and love them both. Keep at it, but if it doesn't work for you there is always the formula option if you need it!

Hope you'll feel better this morning- I hope you managed to get some sleep. The early days are tough, just be kind to yourself. I'm consoling myself that by the time I am at this not coping stage, you will long be past it already!

I had my 39 week midwife appointment yesterday. Baby is just starting to engage. No signs of labour whatsoever, I am truly wondering if I will be pregnant forever!!

@PurplePansy05 also it might be worth giving the pump another go? After the first couple of times on the pump I managed to get the same amount in 20 mins as I had been in 40 minutes. It takes me two sittings to get enough for one feed but at least he's getting something from me. The shields gave him something but far too slow so I'm definitely finding that pumping and formula keeps us all happy. Nothing wrong with going fully over to formula either. I would have done that if pumping wasn't working x

Also @Ready2020 sorry I've been meaning to reply to your other post - hopefully it is just hormonal but if you're ever worried it could be something more please do reach out to us on here and someone IRL x

(Sorry for triple post!)

@Ava50x I feel the same
I had my appointment today at 40weeks plus 1 and my boy is engaged and right down
The midwife tried to do a sweep but the cervix isn’t soft yet but said I could still go into labour at any time given where he is
I’m praying it’s this week! Xx

@Caz1226 I'm noted as 1/5th engaged and head right down and I'm 40+2 today! Weird thinking it could happen at any time but also feeling like it won't. Have a sweep hooked in for next Monday and then we will discuss induction for 40+12 x

@Caz1226 same here, hoping it'll happen any day now... and just feeling like it never will!!

@lucyrp hopefully by date of sweep you will long have had your baby and will be enjoying cuddles!!

Still very much pregnant here 39+5, got a growth scan as bump hasn't grown since last appt.
Nice to see all the new arrivals, hope everyone is doing well!

@Ava50x @lucyrp
I’m back there on Friday for another sweep 🤞

Sorry for tmi, those of you that have your babies how is your bleeding now? Mine had nearly stopped but today 10 days post partum it's ramped up again, not sure if thats normal??

@Hoares3 I'm still going and still still be going for a while yet. I think it can last weeks. Mine comes and goes.

I'm pretty bloody tired today and got such a headache. Rowan wasn't settling at all after about 5 feeds so OH took her out in the pram where apparently she fell right asleep so he took her to the local garden centre cafe (only 15 walk away) with his mum and step dad who had come to visit. For some reason that has really annoyed me. I'm here feeling like shit after dealing with her all day and they are swanning off with an asleep baby having a lovely time.

@Hoares3 I think it's normal mine did the same and is still going and it's been 3.5 weeks! It eases off for a day then seems to come back again

@Hoares3 I’m 3 weeks pp and mine is now brown and quite thin but mucousy if that makes sense. It comes and goes too and is more if I’ve had an active day. Last time it was on and off for 5 Ish weeks I think

@Ready2020 I’d be annoyed too. Would be nice to go and sit and have a coffee i’d imagine. As mums I definitely think we take the brunt of the harder stuff. Used to annoy me so much when DD was a terror all day then an absolute angel and all smiles as soon as daddy got home from work. Maybe try and see it that now you know a method of settling her when it seems like nothing else is working. He can go and walk her in the pram at 3am??!!

@Hoares3 I’m on day 9 and raised it with the midwife yesterday that bleeding has picked up again the past few days, she said it’s totally normal and can vary in quantity.

Had my first day on my own with Ella today as DH has gone to a funeral a few hours away. It’s been really tough going, had a doctor’s appt this morning and I have an infection behind my section scar 😢 so doing all the care for Ella solo has been quite difficult today because it’s quite sore. Have had no chance for a nap today either so think that’s probably making me feel worse. Hoping tomorrow is a better day 🤞

Thank you all for the reassurance... this new baby thing is such a blessing but boy is it tough, keep strong ladies 🙂 it's so nice to have you all x

Congratulations on all the new arrivals!!! How exciting, really getting through the list now. Hope all is going well with Bertie too!

@Hoares3 I asked the midwife about bleeding and she said it can come and go, get heavier and lighter and it’s all normal. She told me to expect it to go and then come back a week or so later. Like wimbler, mine is mucusy and gets heavier if I walk a lot etc.

I am exhausted, this week has been tough and I have felt like the walking dead. The last 2 days have been better but I’m really missing a long sleep- 2 hour chunks doesnt quite cut it! He’s such a noisy sleeper as well!!!

Pumping- I have medala single pump and it seems quite good but you have to hold it, if you sit at a relaxed angle the milk collects in the rim
So when you take it off it leaks. Sounds like no pump is perfect.

Those of you who have your babies, how is your stomach looking? I want mine To go down more, I’m getting so impatient!

All those still waiting for their babies, hope you’re all doing okay! Nearly there!!!

@Inmypjsagain oh boy do I miss sleep. I love sleeping. Love it. I would sleep 10 hours a night before pregnancy and still want more. I knew the sleep deprivation would be my biggest challenge. It makes me feel sick and have slight hallucinations.

I'm 11 days in and my tummy is still obvious. But I'm presuming it'll take weeks to go back to normal ish.

Trying to remember that babies grow fast and she'll not be this small for long. Even though it feels like this is never ending.

I’ve borrowed my sister in laws elvie pump and it’s a bit of a game changer. I was sceptical about it as I’ve heard mixed reviews but when you have a toddler it’s great. It’s great to be able to pump hands free and the output is good actually. I’ve found a second hand one that I’ve bought as she wants hers back.

My tummy has mostly gone back and I’m three weeks now. I was the same last time though. I think a lot of it is genetics to be honest. I do recommend the sweaty Betty power leggings though. I treated myself to a pair the other day and they are wonderful. They hold everything in but are super comfy and flattering. Got a pair on my birthday list for next month too 😂

@Inmypjsagain I'm 9 days in and still look about 5 months pregnant! No idea if it'll shift a bit more on it's own or if I have to put some effort in. I haven't started with the effort yet 😂

Yes we are good thank you! Been trying to post periodically but my mobile signal is crap.

Alexander was born at 7:15am local time after a marathon labour! Not too big, only 7lb 10oz but long, 54cm!

He loves breastfeeding and pooping but hasn't done a wee yet. There seem to be two sets of concerns around this. One is the usual dehydration worry and they may give some formula tomorrow just in case this is the issue. But the other problem is he was born with a slight deformity in his penis which could be causing him physical issues weeing. If no luck by tomorrow I think they're going to do a scan to look at this in more detail. They are hoping it's just cosmetic though which means it can be corrected later.

Congratulations @BertieBotts ! Hope the peeing issue sorts itself soon and is nothing to worry about x

@Ready2020 I was the same, could easily spend 12 hours in bed! I’ve been reading the thread backwards and sounds like you’ve had a knackering time! Hope you manage to squeeze in more sleep. It’s just so hard to try and get a routine, I feel that would really help! Wish men could breast feed, even pumping is so time consuming. But lack of sleep is torture… the Hallucinations sound scary though!!

@wimbler mine’s gone down a lot and I’m 2 weeks in but I think it’s more expectation management, my stomach was pretty flat and now it’s round… I guess Itll probably be that way now and I need to work on it, or has yours gone back to pre pregnancy shape? Will definitely look at those leggings, I’m currently in lulu lemons!

@Daffodil21 I think 9 days in it’s fair not to have made any effort!!! Plus c section recovery on top of it. I just miss my old clothes so much! I would also like my boobs to go down but can’t see that happening soon?

So we’re in the witching hour, inconsolable crying and generally not settling. Any tips or do I just invest in some ear plugs and ride it out?!