Fab Feb Thread: 22 on show........33 to go.......!!!!

[spottyshoes]

Ooo I feel all important now.

That really was an epic saga, PT. It must have been petrifying. I'm so happy you're all home together now.

dinkystinky exactly the same wind issues here with Indy (or should that be Windy Indy?). There's something very specific about that high pitched cry, knees and legs being brought up. We've tried keeping her upright for about an hour after each feed, lots of patting etc. I've also tipped her crib and moses basket slightly (you know towel or blanket under head end to give slight tilt). Everyone likes to give dietary advice. I haven't got a bloody clue which is right - there seems to be a lot of old wives tales (my MIL keeps telling me not to eat onions, but I always eat onions in things!). Midwife said to me just after birth to keep diet very similar to that which I ate during pregnancy because baby's already used to it through the taste of the fluid. That sounded quite sensible and realistic to me. Worst evening we had (which was really really awful - she was gagging and very sick) was the day I had stuffed myself with stilton, roquefort, chorizo and serrano ham - obviously nothing I ate during pregnancy so maybe was midwife was right. Have moderated my intake since and it seems to be settling.

pempe on your behalf about them giving formula.

thankfully scbu were fantastic, they suggested formula but said if i wanted to exclusively bf then that's what would happen without question.

the quickest way to dirch the bottles in your situation would be to either brave it out and brace yourself for a day to 2 days of constant feeding while he builds up your supply or if you don't fancy that pump as much as you bottle feed or more to boost your supply and be giving him the expressed milk at the next feed.

believe in your body, you'd be amazed how quickly you can build up supply if you're brave abut it!

[wonders if there's a reverse treatment as boobs are so engorged from pumping constantly they may in fact burst]

PT I think you did brilliantly. Mama Tiger.

PT Wow. Don't really know what to say, sounds like it was awfully frightening for a while there. Glad he's ok and at home with you and family now. Sounds like you managed to stay a hell of a lot calmer than I would have managed, so well done on that.
Reading through everyone's birth stories, it's quite shocking just how traumatic child birth can be.
What prat said this was the most natural thing in the world to do?........

One of our neighbours who I've only said hello to in passing a few times, apoart from one day last week when she saw the baby in pushchair and said she didn't even realise I was pregnant, knocked on our door earlier with a present for Luke and also one for ds1!! Ds1 got one of those vtech animals with the roller on the belly that you spin and it sings (any1 seen them?) and Luke got a pack of vests and a soft comforter teddy. How nice is that? I'm really touched. I inveited her and her son in, but they said no they were just popping up to give pressies quickly, but that really brightened my day, it was so unexpected. It's nice isn't it? Especially when you haven't even had a proper conversation, suppose some people are just genuinely nice

(((((PT))))).... had me in tears when I read about you driving away without your new born.. you did amazingly well throughout the whole labour..

Evening all! And Happy Valentine's Day to you!

PT I just wanted to apologise for my announcement post - I'm afraid I hadn't read your post and didn't realise that Aaron was in SCBU. I'm so sorry I posted that I was home with Merry . Thrilled to bits that he's home with you now.

LBB That's so sweet. How thoughtful of your neighbour. Are you going to update to littleboysblue?! Dinky what a fab birth story. I'll do mine in a moment, but it will rival PT's. How funny that we were both due end of Feb and anticipating straying into March and here we are on Valentine's Day with our little bundles!

mumoverseas We both forgot Valentine's Day today! But as neither of us have left the house since bringing Merry home, so just 'cheersed' our OJ's this morning.

Congratulations to GTDAHB and Pempe.

PT you sound like a very strong lady. Hang on in there and glad you and your little boy are safely back home.

dinky - I too have a windy one here (DS was windy so have been there before) - it escalated at about 4 - 9 weeks. I know you're bfeeding and I'm formula feeding so not sure of the diet situation but in short I do the following:-

Infacol before each feed - it lines the tummy and you need to use it each time. When he gets to 4 weeks you can also use gripe water which I found good to bring up a big burp and ease the pain.

Keep upright after feeding (if you're bfeeding you presumably can't keep upright for the feed itself) for as long as poss. I use a chair to pop her in for a while after I've done my bit and it seems to calm her.

I also find that laying her on my legs on her back with her head away from me but looking at me and back lined up with the gap between my legs then pushing her legs up towards her tummy with a bit of "cycling" really calms her down and often brings out bottom wind effectively.

It's really hard seeing them suffer - DD will cry in pain sometimes as she's taking her bottle and cries on and off afterwards as she's getting her wind up. It can take a while. The period from 5pm onwards was always the hard one with DS and seems to be with DD too. I suppose it's a build up during the day. If she's really upset I will also give her a dummy to calm her down as I wonder if the sucking eases the pain (and she doesn't want any more feed).

Pempe Congratulations to you too.

Off to bed shortly so will check in tomorrow. Nunight !

So, all the contractions had been doing something and I was 3cm dilated when I went into the DAU. They took my blood pressure and were a bit concerned, so they said they would start inducing me the next morning! In the end, my blood pressure went up, so they admitted me and started me with the first Prostin on Monday night, which they did at 8:30pm.

I had strong contractions for an hour or so, but then they stopped so John headed home and I went back to the ward. Contractions started again at 11:30pm, so I didn't sleep much and by the morning was zoning out using gas and air, and my iPod. They were going to give me the second Prostin, but were happy with the progress I had made so left it. The contractions were pretty strong, but I wasn't aloud to use the birth pool, and they recommended I had an epidural, as they were going to break my waters. When they said at least I could sleep, I agreed! John arrived from work just as I had the epidural and tried to settle, but could still feel the contractions, and was still using gas and air. Stupid anaesthetist said he didn't think it worked right first time (but had helpfully not said anything...) They re-did the epidural, and second time round, it worked!

At 1:30pm they broke my waters, which was stained with old and fresh meconium, which obviously worried me. They hooked her up to a fetal scalp monitor, and her heart rate was decelerating with contractions, but picking up well. At 4:00pm, I was 4cm dilated, so they hooked me up to the syntocinon drip. Blimey - it worked! I could feel searing hot pain flood through my body and started shaking. Merry's heart rate completely dropped, and they ran to get the doctors. The consultant found her on the scan and they were just going to prep me for a crash section when the consultant examined me - I was 10cm, and she shouted to push.

God knows how, but despite the epidural I managed to push fairly well, but the consultant needed to give me an episiotomy. She was born at 5:05pm, with the cord round her neck three times. There were about 8 doctors plus 4 midwives in the room, and she was blue and took an age to start crying. I lost about 1.5 litres of blood, and needed 24 stitches, so John had a cuddle while I was sorted out and then I fed her. My sister had been in the room when they hooked up the drip and I asked her to go and get my mum as things got a bit intense, but then they obviously didn't let her in the room, so she was going through seven stages of hell.

Spent a couple of stressful days in the hospital when I felt quite calm and confident, but now I'm home, things have gone downhill a bit. I'm in the weepy stage (which I had anticipated) but can't stop worrying that I'm getting it all wrong. She's so precious and vulnerable, and totally reliant on us - I can't let myself sleep in case something happens, and just sit there all night with my hand on her chest making sure she's breathing. John's got a bit bossy and has her on his side of the bed so I can get a bit of kip.

I'm still really anaemic thanks to the blood loss, so I'm on iron supplements, and feel very sore (epidural site and down below) and my nipples farking kill. She's a dream during the day and feeds well then sleeps for a few hours, but last night I fed her on and off for two and a half hours. Think she's latching on ok, but she's quite windy which they say breastfed babies shouldn't be (but Dinky and herby have reassured me on that count).

Think I just need a few days to build my confidence a bit...

dinky What herb said is exactly what I had to do with ds1. What I'm also noticing, with both of mne the wind always seems to be trapped under left arm. It's taking a while to wind Luke too, so am doing all of the above (apart from infacol) and also sitting him on edge of knees facing me and tipping him back until his head is lower than his hips nd sitting him up slowly, doing this 2-3 times and then wind comes up after a few pats. I also find rubbing in just an upward direction, not in circles or up and down like some do (the back when winding)
MrsY I thought about whacking an s in nickname, probably should...part of me wants to completely change it but will do the s in a mo.

Oh, herby, just saw you are f-feeding. Think it might have been MamaGoose... Might try infracol, though.

Also, congrats to QuestionKid, didn't mean to forget you! Lovely name .

Neerly3 The name thing was an issue before she was born, but it really suits her and we use Merry as a nn, which is great.

MrsY I just typed out a really long message to you as x-posted, but just before I could hit the post button, the battery on my laptop died!

Anyway, you had quite a day there didn't you?
I don't think there's any wrong or right way of doing things really. As long as Merry's fed, changed, clean, gets lots of hugs and is loved there's nothing else she'll want or need.
HAving a baby is a major life changing event no matter how much preparing you do for it, and it takes time to get used to caring for a baby and growing that confidence in knowing that you are making all the right decisions and doing everything as best you can.
I rememer with ds1, I was so nervous about everything, was he eating enough, was he eating too much, was he too hot, was he too cold, should I use nappy creams to prevent a rash or just when he gets a rash? Should I hold him while he's asleep? Is his jacket too thick for a summer's day?
It does get easier, but after a traumatic delivery I can imagine you just can't bear to not be right there every second.
I'm sure you'll be amazed at how quick that confidence comes in.
You'll all be just fine. Meredith will be fine.

mrsy, don't be daft! you don't need to apologise about being delighted to have merry home!

sorry the labour was rough, you must have been petrified, thank god you're both ok (although you must be feeling rotton with all those stitches)

as for windy breastfeders, all 3 of mine have had massive issues with wind, they just don't like bringing it up and resist burping with a vengance. i find you need to be very vigilant that they don't mistake wind for hunger and keep feeding when they need to burp or they end up hysterical and completely unable to bring it up. once i think aaron is getting quite full and can hear the windy noise in his chest (that odd gurgling sound they make) i keep him upright for as long as possible and don't let him go back on til i at least get a bit of wind up or he dozes off..... oddly when he wakes up he'll not be windy anymore and will feed calmly again. i still get it wrong sometimes and end up with him upset and the nurses last night made the same mistake according to his obs chart, under notes was written; WINDY!

DH and I have just chosen bubs name...I know she's not here yet but it felt like the only thing we hadn't done yet...She will be Niamh Lauren Anya...DH added the Lauren at the last minute as he pointed out she couldn't have the nickname gonad!!

Pinktulips - you are an amazingly strong lady; reading your birth story made me cry (mind you, have day 4 hormones rushing around). Am so glad Aaron is well and home with you now but god, what a traumatic experience for all of you...

MrsY - am so sorry you had such a scary experience. If its any consolation, I had a similarly traumatic birth experience with DS1 - and we all came through it, but it took time. Take each day as it comes; enjoy the little miracle that is Meredith; if sitting is painful, invest in a valley cushion for your underbits (try local NCT or otherwise there is a place in Bognor Regis that will hire you one for 2 weeks and express it to you to get it to you the next day - makes a world of difference being able to sit down semi comfortably) plus lavendar/sea salt baths and keep your stitches dry and clean and you'll heal quickly; and dial your expectations well down so you can just enjoy your baby moon in bed with your little girl and John.

Herb, LBB and MamaGoose - thanks for all the winding tips. Will try those out.

PT thanks for the advice about mistaking wind and hunger. I fed her for an hour earlier and she was still chewing her fist and rooting, but will try and keep her upright and let her sleep till she is really hungry.

Love the name chilled, and good thinking on the initials!

Am off to bed now - she is snoozing on daddy and will stay that way about midnight...

PT you really have been through a tough time but at least you are now out the other side...

MrsY I also hada very tough first labour... The stitches do heal very quickly, (I was cut both inside and out!!) And the staying awake all night to check on breathing is normal.... I promise... We nearly lost dd as she was stuck for so long and the trauma you feel is awful but as the days go by slowly that dissipates... There is no wrong or right way of doing things just your way....

DD had trouble bringing up wind but she also had bad reflux so we were not allowed to wind her after feeds, she used to scream sometimes...... I really hope this baby doesn't have reflux it was so nasty and stressful....

I got 6 cream eggs for Valentine?s Day.... yum yum... Had a lovely day with friends but hope I don?t go into labour tonight because dp is drunk... silly arse...

morning all
PT and MrsY what scary experiences you've had. I can't believe your mother PT, what did she do, crawl to your house on her hands and knees?
MrsY that must have been so scary for you, particularly as she was your first. So glad everything is ok now though.

DD1 arrived late last night from the UK and she has been amazing so far. I hadn't expected her to surface til this afternoon but she was up at 7am and cuddled Harrison whilst I got DD2 ready for nursery. DD2 was over the moon when DD1 arrived last night and was very excitable and kept waking and asking to see her. Funnily, Harrison slept well last night!
We have just made chocolate cakes and are going to ice them in a bit and walk down to DH's office so he can share them with the boys and show off Harrison (he has been dying to do the lion king thing and hold him out in front of him )

lardy lucky you with the creme eggs and second your husband being a silly arse! Hope you didn't go into labour until he sobered up.
some good news for you (hopefully!) think you were one of us girls that was suffering really badly with SPD. Well mine went as soon as Harrison arrived. Obviously, now replaced with other aches and pains but its fantastic to be able to walk properly now. Hope yours goes straight away too.

Have a good sunday everyone. can't believe Harrison is a week old today!

Morning all, am trying to catch up, congrats to everyone with new babies!

PT and MRSY sorry you both had such scary experiences, so glad you're both home now.

MrsY I had a similar first birth experience only mine ended in the section as I was only about 2cm dilated after the prostin and the drip, it took me about a year to recover and i would strongly recommend that you get some counselling if you don't start to feel better in a week or so.
Have a look here.
Re the feeding, the kellymom website is invaluable and has excellent advice on what to expect in the early days. Freya had a 5 hour feed last night from 5pm-10pm and i was pretty wrecked by the end of that. The plaster casts also mena that she can't draw up her knees to help with wind so i am trying to give her lots of time upright after feeds.
She then slept for 8 hours though so cluster feeding does have its rewards!

PT i can't believe they made you go home when you live so far away! It much be such a relief to be back now.

My mum and stepdad are coming today so hopefully i'll have a clean kitchen by this time tomorrow. Off to scoff a bacon sarnie!

Dinky and Pempe congratulations!! will look for birth stories now.

Mumoverseas and PinkTulips, the formula thing is seemingly a really controversial thing - everybody is giving me different advice on how to lower the formula intake and eventually cut it out completely. I am sitting with him feeding for aaaaages at the breast, in the hope that he will be so full he doesn't want the bottle, but he still gulps it down, the piggy.

And wow I was expecting advice to come from all directions (in-laws, friends etc) but it's incredible isn't it? The big thing out here is "don't do that, it's habit forming" for everything from holding him in my arms, rocking him gently, feeding him on demand, etc etc. Hopefully no in-laws will come upstairs in the next half an hour and find me sitting not only with my baby strapped to me in a baby carrier, but also rocking my office chair back and forth........

Also, thanks for everyone from me too for all the wind advice, will definitely be trying some of these.

At the risk of sounding soppy (and hormonal?) this forum is keeping me sane, thank you so so much. This is my first baby and I am petrified I am doing it all wrong.

Pempe- I was only saying to DH last night, my pregnancy and birth would have been a whole lot harder had I not had you lot here to talk to.

I love you all!

pempe and MrsY* its terrifying when you have your first baby, I remember thinking I had NO idea how I was supposed to look after DD1 in the 'right' way and desperately trying to read millions of parenting books while bfing.

In the end you should just follow your instincts and not necessarily the well-meaning advice of in-laws etc. My MIL never did get her head around demand feeding (still hasn't). Oh, and she was always moaning that my babies weren't wrapped in enough blankets and trying to put hats on them when I put them to bed!

Morning all.

MrsY - so sorry you had such a traumatic experience first time round. Please don't be hard on yourself - you have been through a lot and sometimes when you sit and think about it all afterwards it all feels quite overwhelming. You can get counselling through your local hospital in the sense of talking through what happened with a qualified person. I didn't do that with DS (emergency DS) and I found when I went to see the consultant this time round and I was asked to talk through my previous experience I got all choked up and tearful.

As for first time nerves - it's very normal. You just want to keep them safe and alive. I was always checking DS to make sure he was breathing and if it's any consolation do it now with DD. She sleeps so peacefully that I'll poke her to make sure she's fine !

Just keep posting if you need to about anything at least you can get it off your chest - don't keep it to yourself !

Must dash - DH has just made toasties...

Chilled - lovely names! Definitely good thinking on the initials front.

IDBI - yes, I love those long sleeps you get after cluster feeding (DS1 used to cluster feed every night until around 3 months)! Leaves you feeling almost human (after feeling like a milk machine for hours that is). Sorry Freya is suffering from wind too.

Pempe - it drove me crazy with DS1 being told what to do (which were often contradictory instructions/suggestions) by the world and its dog; in the end we muddled through it and I decided just to listen to the people that seemed to be talking sense to me and ignore the others on the basis it is my baby, my way of bringing him up. People will accept it in the end. And I second you and Markstretch in saying that all the ladies on this thread are wonderful and have been a brilliant group of friends offering fantastic support and advice - feel very lucky indeed to be a Fab Febber!