The wagon needs to make room for the imminent arrival....

[glaskham]

New thread ladies... lets hope its a good un!!

Births:
Kay - 12th December - 6:49pm - Dylan George - 10lbs 5ozs
Teuch- - - boy
Pop - 23rd December - twin boys, Hugo & Henry
Nat - 27th December - 8:36pm - Mikey Bradley - 6lb 10.5oz
Gin - 16th Jan- Girl - 7.25am- details tbc
Tink- 19th Jan - Girl - 1.51pm - Bracken Hope Willow - 8lbs 7oz
Astarte - 16th Feb - Girl - 8lb 12oz
Glask - 20th Feb - Girl - 7.47pm - Ruby Marie 4lb (8wks prem)
LardyBump - 21st Feb- Boy - 8lb 12oz
HappyNappies- 27th Feb- Boy - 12.01am 9lb13 Edward James Roy
Playing - 4th March - boy - 5 lb 12 oz - Edward Lewis Stainer
Starshinetiger - 15th March - girl - 7lb 1 oz - Charlotte Carys Rose
GYo - 22nd March 9.55am- girl - 10 lbs 12 oz -
Cosmo - 2nd April - girl - April Victoria - 8.51am - 6lb 9
Gruff - 15th April - boy - 8lb 2 oz - 6.02am Zachary John Graham
Ses - 9th May - boy - 8lb 9oz - 10.17am Owen Edward
MINM- .......

Weeks list:
Diege - 38 weeks, 2 left to go. Boy!!!!(21st June)
LBOT - 33 weeks, 7 left to go BOY! (24th July)
KookyKid - 26 weeks, 14 weeks to go (2nd Sept) BOY!
Idreamofbeanie - 24 weeks (due 27th Sept) GIRL!
Sparklytwinkletoes - 19 weeks (due 6th Oct)
BB - 18 weeks (EDD 30th oct)
Moosy - 14 weeks (EDD 6th Dec)
Claire236 - 5 weeks (EDD 7 Dec)

Girls = 8
Boys= 9 (3 more still insitu)
Surprise = 10
Unknowns (yet) = 3

Scan list:
STT - 20 week scan 21st May
BB - 20 week scan 11th june 09 (not finding out sex)
Moosy - 20 week scan 22nd July

MW apps list:
IDOB- 24 week apt 9th June
BB- 17th july MW, Antenatal clinic 15th june
LBOT - 36 week appointment, 25 June
Diege - 38 week appointment, 11th June.

Mat leave countdown:
Diege - Annual leave, proper mat leave starting 15th June.
LBOT - last day 17 July (I think!) 26 days to go
BB- AGES!!!
IDOB - 4th September, 13 weeks.

Babys Age
Kayz's Dylan - 26 weeks
Tinks Bracken - 20 weeks
Glaskham's Ruby - 16 weeks
Gyo's small giraffe - 10 weeks
Cosmo baby - 8 weeks
Ses's Owen - 3 weeks

Hi everyone,

Sorry catch up took longer than I thought as DD went for a nap (YAY!) so I got to do some cleaning [very sad I know]

Hi LBOT- your pregnancy has officially gone fastest of all of those on the wagon. I wonder if Sorky has a shiney badge for fastest pregnancy.

OOh enjoy washing and folding all your baby clothes. I kept unpacking and repacking my bags so I could fondle the dinky baby gros I cant believe you are a month away!!!

Ses- lovely about your dad.

Diege- hope you are ok today.

Bumps- sorry for bad night but great news on DD and the potty. How is DS now?

Kay- did the hangover go?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Nat!

Hi IDOB and everyone else.

Having good morning here.

DD has had two naps so far today and the second was in her cot for the first time. Am thrilled she settled in there no problem.

Ok- so with the nap thing, do you plan any outtings around your DCs naps or just fit the naps in where you can?

Am torn as I know DD needs naps during the middle part of the day when Im often out doing stuff. Do I adjust things so she can sleep ?

morning

we all had a gret day yest especially dd1 had a ball playing with all the chuldren
bracken wdidnt like all the new people kept crying blees ger

Hello everyone!

Sorry I have been AWOL for a while. We didnt hav a very good week last week as GC had his injections but also I discovered why feeding had become an issue - GC has thrush! Unfortunately before I found this out feeding had gone from bad to worse and so my milk supply was very low due to him not feeding properly so cue lots of stress and crying and I gave up bf (except I couldnt so just kept trying and not getting anywhere except for night feeds).Then a few days later I realised he had thrush and took him to drs. But my milk supply in day was almost non existent. This along with his colic was just awful. He was still struggling with formula but it wass less stressful as I could see how much he had had.I tried to keep expressing so I could give him that but barely had the time as he just wasnt himself he was very demanding and I was so drained.

Now everything is a little better - I am still managing to keep BF up from 10pm feed til 7am (which is only 3 feeds) so all is not lost.He is feeding better and sleeping so much better (he had stopped sleeping in the day) I have given myself a bit of a tough time about BF especially when I almost gave up completely but now I think Im ok. We do seemed to have turned a corner and it seems to be working out. We had a weekend away and GC was an angel and slept from 11pm - 5pm on Fri and woke for a 10 min feed and then went down til 7am. Hasn't done it since but I am ever hopeful! He is also doing well with GF routine.

Sorry I didn't come on sooner but found it so difficult as obviously BF is a big topic on here and I just found it so hard. Not to mention that I had failed my son Anyway, things are looking up and its my birthday on Thurs

Right better catch up!

Oooh and a very belated congrats to Diege! Sounds like you had a tough time - I have been there and think I can sympathise. You get through it. I'm sure you will be ok. Oh and re recovery, GC is 10 weeks now and I ould say im completley healed

Hi everyone,

First things, Gruff, you certainly haven't failed your son, you numpty !! The talk on here about BF is only intended to give support to give people a shoulder to lean on, because sometimes it can be really hard to get support in RL, especially in the first few weeks.

I think the only thing that gets to me is when mum's are given duff information that leads them to make a decision they don't want to have to make.

However, when things like tongue-tie, failure to thrive, thrush, mastitis etc kick in, then I both believe and understand that if there is either no or little support from the medical profession, then formula can be the only (and sensible) option, and in the very best interests of both Mum and LO.

Also, it sounds like the routine you have in place for GC suits you both very well, good sleeping routine!

Diege - hope all is a little calmer with you.

Bumps - wish I could help, but I have to say I feel very useless. Are you waiting for an appt with someone re DS vomiting? or is it just a case of pursuing with the medicine for now...if so, when is he being reviewed. I think you've been coping amazingly and am also very, very impressed with your DD! Certainly seems like you've cracked it! DS isn't doing quite so well, we go through a spell of two or three good days, then a couple of disastrous days

NJ - chicken salad is good, but um, I'm a pit of a PITA with food allergies...I can only do stuff like basic tomato, lettuce, cucumber not pepper, carrots, radish, celery etc - just thought I'd mention as I'm allergic to them! DS will eat the same, he's pretty easy going (), but we'd both be happy with beans on toast or a ham sandwich! I'm used to travelling with a food bag of stuff for both of us so will have emergency supplies in place!

If you hadn't guessed, DS and I are going chez-NJ on Weds and I'm very quite over excited!

25 weeks tomorrow...I really need to have a chat with you guys about my mAdwife too...

Oh Gruff - sounds like you have had a really difficult few days/weeks. It's great that you have been able to continue some BF and I'm sure I read somewhere that 2-3 feeds a day are enough to keep up all that protection GC gets from your milk . You really shouldn't feel bad or down about struggling - that's what the wagon is for. My brother and I were both exclusively formula-fed (mum just hated being pushed/guilt-tripped into breast feeding and refused) and we have both been extremely healthy, happy kids/adults so I guess I see BF more as a choice. I do think it's a bit better for the LO but a stressed/tired mum isn't good either - please don't feel like you've let yourself or GC down! Sorry - I'll stop lecturing now.

Ses - It's lovely your dad asked to hold Owen, I'm really looking forward to my dad meeting beanie.

LB - sorry you are having such a rotten time, yah for DD though!

Diege - take it easy woman! Jacob is so gorgeous - just been looking at the pics.

LBOT - wow, can't believe you only have a month to go. I have bags of baby clothes from SIL to wash but nowhere to put them yet - all the baby stuff is in a huge pile in the hall. Must go and buy some drawers/a unit soon.

Gyo - yah for DD sleeping in cot.

Moosy - good to hear you can enjoy your food again, it all tastes so much better after a few weeks of ms doesn't it.

Nat - you sound like a whirlwind of organisation. Just reading your posts makes me want to go for a nap. Do you want to have a go at our place when you are done ? We have decided that, until DP gets a job up here, he is going to rent a small flat near his office and work in the office 3 days a week then work from here (at home IYSWIM) 2 days as well as weekends. It means he should be here 4-5 nights a week and the flat/office is only a 2 hour drive away (just now he lives 1 hour from the office but in opposite direction to here). We will then rent out our place in Cambridge so we have loads of work to do to get it ready for viewings. It'll be great to have DP here more but I am dreading sorting the house and garden out.

Hi everyone else .

Oh and Diege, been meaning to slap your legs about something...

You're supposed to rest AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, whilst maintaining a degree of mobility, for TWO WEEKS following a c-section to allow healing. You've been though a MAJOR OPERATION!

Slow down woman!

I felt ready to go at about 5 weeks, and by 6 was back to 'normal', in terms of CS recovery at least!

Lesson over

Gruff, ignore my post, read IDOB's, its far better put! x

Hi STT - x-posted. Have a lovely time at NJs and hooray for 25 weeks (do you feel it dragging or am I the only impatient one?). What is up with your midwife???

STT/IDOB thanks for supportive words - it wasn't that I didnt want to come on before because of wagon but because I was finding it hard to come to terms with I didnt want to write about it but at same time I didn't want to come on and make out everything was ok iyswim? and reading about BF was a reminder that I was struggling. anyway - all is better now and completely agree that just because GC is now predominantly BF doesn't make him any less healthy. I was BF for 14 mths and am always blinkin ill!

I mean predominantly ff obv! LOL

Lol, x posted again!

Well, I first 'met' her at my 16 week appt, where she insisted that to find the heartbeat, she needed to bury the doppler into my pelvis, which a) hurt and b) wasn't where the baby was, I told her it was up near my belly button but she said I was wrong so I shut up. An hour later I was sent to hospital (and a bit tearful) because she couldn't find it at all and wanted me to have a scan.

We get to the hospital, nurse says that she'll just have a quick check with the doppler, and I said I'd heard it two days prior on my own doppler - she asked where, I pointed to the LH side of my belly button and she puts the doppler on and finds the heartbeat straight away. Please note, that was the nurse, the midwife hadn't even arrived at this point. There was some raised eyebrows between the hospital MW and nurse as to why I'd been sent in and I was allowed to go home.

I had my 20 week appt at the hospital with my consultant (a whole other topic!) and have just had my 24 week appt last Thursday with my MADWIFE again.

She listened to the heartbeat (she found it this time!) but didn't really have a feel around and didn't measure me, I asked her about measuring and she said it wasn't necessary. I didn't think anything of it.

She asked me how I was feeling and I said in some respects, really good - no MS! no heartburn yet and by this point in my pg with DS, both of those were really bad a this stage. But I'm aching lots and sometimes have really bad cramps in my lower tummy (which I'd been waiting to talk to her about), its so bad sometimes I can't stand up, never mind walk. She said it was normal stretching pains.

I also said I'd been having a lot of braxton hicks, started getting some symptoms of carpel tunnel in my LH and extreme tiredness. So in many ways, the pg was just totally different to the first. As I said about the Braxton Hicks, i put my hand on the top of my uterus, (above my belly button, below my boobs) and she smiled and said, that's not your uterus, it only comes up to your belly button at the moment. So what the heck is in my tummy at the moment, making it jump about . Stupid, stupid woman!!!

So, she couldn't find my baby at 16 weeks and clearly has no idea of its position at 24 weeks (she didn't feel for it at all).

So, should I believe her that this terrible cramps are normal?

Should I believe her that when I'm so horribly tired (after not doing very much at all, as I'm not working and DS is still 'seeing out his notice' at nursery) that I 'can't possibly be anaemic'?

I just seem to end up with such dipsticks 'caring' for me....!

Hmmm STT - I'm obviously not an expert but even if your midwife does know what she is talking about (and to be honest she doesn't seem to) she is clearly not inspiring confidence or making you feel your concerns are being properly handled. For that reason alone I'd try to change midwife - you surely need to trust her, especially as you had quite a difficult labour last time iirc so you really don't need to feel stressed or worried in the last few weeks of your pregnancy. That's just my personal opinion I think but you should feel totally confident about your healthcare.

How easy is it for you to change?

I don't know TBH, I changed last time though and am feeling like someone who's just never happy...

Hi! Struggling to get on MN properly today as DS just isn't settling unless he's feeding. He did fall asleep at one point this morning and I put him in the sling but within 15 mins he did an exploding wee that I felt come through the sling! Not sure how/why it happened. His whole nappy was soaked but it didn't feel that wet inside his nappy! Can you get faulty nappies???!

Had friend over this morning with her two DC. Her DS is 3mo. Her DD was over tired and wouldn't sleep but instead kept throwing tantrums (she's 2.6yo) and when they went home I felt my friend was really upset but didn't want to let it all get to her. I casually said "You ok?" and she gave me a half-hearted smile and said she was. She has since texted me though to say they're both asleep now so hopefully she'll get chance to recharge herself too.

DH isn't due home til late this evening and the way DS is I may phone out for pizza which won't be a good start to weight loss. Am I just being particularly soft though? Should I just let O cry whilst I cook?
I could phone my mum and ask her to pop over but I really think I should be able to manage myself.

Right, DS is still asleep on my shoulder so I'll try and catch up...

STT, could you see your GP about the cramps if they're worrying you and perhaps mention to him/her about your lack of confidence in the MW? I agree it does make a huge difference who you have, my MW with DD1 was awful but with DD2 I had a different one who was lovely and it was a totally more relaxed pg.

Ses, can you cook with him in the sling or would you risk cooking his toes?

Gruff, don't feel bad about FF, you did what you felt was necessary, besides, the night feeds are the ones which keep your supply going so you've got it the right way round!

Oh ses! Tough call, nothing wrong with pizza, its a bit soon for worrying about weight loss, particularly when you need lots of energy for breastmilk, night wakings etc. And if you get one with veggies on it still counts towards your five a day! OTOH, I did lots of cooking with DS in a sling, just turned to the side to avoid singed toes!!

And, of course, he won't come to any harm if you put him down and let him cry for a bit - sometimes they need that too - but IMO only if its a 'whingy' cry. I was never very good a letting him cry, but I had a portable swing which was a godsend!

Moosy - I did consider going to see the doc and seeing what he says... I'm entitled to get my health in pregnancy grant forms this week too, so could do that at the same time perhaps.

I can't really compare to last time as I saw a different one at every appt. I feel like I should be grateful that I've seen the same one twice!

Uoh! He's awake again!
Moos - he's not settling enough to go in his sling atm. When he does get sleepy, he slips off me and as soon as I move him he wakes up again!
He's feeding again now so I'll try again when he's finished and goes off to sleep again.

Gruff - I will add to the stern lectures. With everything you've had to contend with, you're doing really well. I'm a firm believer in each mum and baby being individuals and doing what is right in each circumstance. Sounds to me like you've considered GC's needs and have come up with a great solution

STT - at your midwife madwife. Moosy's suggestion of talking to GP is a good one.

Hi to everyone else and sorry if I've missed anything...

Hello! Been difficult to get on today, but wanted to sat hello
Good to hear from your GRUFF, and you do whatever you feel best re: feeding!!! I've done both breast and full formula feeding, and there are ups and downs to both. If you're happy to keep up mixed feeding, I've read that 3 feeds a day maintains the antibody role, but even if you fully ff now you've done really well and given GC a great start
SES, pizza sounds good, but at the same time putting him down, even if he cries, is ok too. I remember being really worried about the crying with dd1, not even going out unless I was sure she was deeply asleep, but I must say that by no.4 I'm ok about 10 minutes screaming in the cot while I have a shower! Oh and I am very familiar with that wet/dry nappy thing; has always mystified me! Have heard huggies nappies are particularly likely to do this, esp with boys
STT, thanks for the advice. I know, I must take it easy, and am maybe trying to get back to doing things that I'd be doing by now after labours. Think it's hard in that way having a section after 3 normal deliveries I expect to feel sore, but not like I've been hit by a bus! Had a short walk up and down the road today with the pram, and felt very 'tight' around scar, so glad I limited it to that. Re: your 'midwife', she does sound a bit of a nutter ; I wouldn;t worry about her not measuring etc at this point (think mine start all that at 28 weeks or so, and the tape measure thing isn;t done everywhere, rightly so I think for the worry it causes!)but if you're not happy with any aspect of your opinion you need to let the supervisor of midwives know. Easier to say than do though I know!
Well rang supervisor of midwives at hospital to arrange a meeting to go over my notes, and of course she hasn;t rung back yet (said she would before 12 to set up meeting). No doubt will have to ring back tomorrow. A small thing, but just one thing I'd have liked to tick off the list!
Milk supply is pretty much dwindled too - have been trying to feed and express as much as possible, but it's really not happening, and if I'm honest I can't give it the time or the attention needed to get things going. Am sure it's down to the section/GA, as have always had loads of milk in the past. Also never had any after pains (SORKY can you beleive that!) other than a few in the hospital, so don't think my body has totally taken on board what has happended! So looking like fully ff here, which I'm actually fine about.

NAT, is it your birthday today?? Have I just made that up??!! If so, congrats, if not, .
TINKS, glad ceremony went well and dd1 enjoyed herself. It's hard when babies cry in situations like that, though easy to see how they get overwhelmed!

Hopefully can get on again a bit later xx

Ooh their ears must have been burning at the hospital as one of the supervisors has just rung and is coming to my house to discuss my notes with me on Thursday! . God I know I'm going to cry all over her and get that awful high squeeky voice you get before you dissolve into tears!! Better to have her here than me go there though I suppose?? Have I done the right thing??

Yes Diege you have

Cannot possibly catch up, you're all far too chatty.

Hope everyone's ok? Bumpy I'm trying desperately to catch you up of a night but have been uber-busy recently. Will do better and chat tonight, promise!

Diege: Absolutely you have done the right thing! It certainly won't do any harm. And I think its really good that you'll be on your own 'turf' too. It generally gives you more strength and confidence than having to go in to the hospital environment. Now, have you written down your birth story? And if so, have you then written down all the questions that arise from it?

If so, it might be a good thing to give her to read while you make a couple of cups of tea, then that way the 'scene' will be set for her to address the various issues without you having to say it all. I always find that the telling of my story is what sets me off, but once I start talking about the individual matters, I'm ok.

I'd also recommend having DH there or a friend, if possible. If you can't have anyone there, have a pen and paper handy to write notes, and if she talks too fast, don't be afraid to say, "hold on, I just want to make a note of what we've just talked about so I can tell DH later".

Finally, remember that this one appt. doesn't have to be a one and only, so don't get stressed in advance trying to think of every single question. Some will arise naturally out of the information she gives you, and she may have to take some questions away to ask other people about and give you answers after.

It might be useful to make a note to ask if you can have her number so that you can call her to discuss anything or clarify anything with her if you think of it after she's gone.

hi

gruff - sounds you have had a time of it glad things r sorting out and it is not you fault!!

diege - good luck with appmnt

ses - sounds like you are having a hard time too

had appmnt about implant going on the combined pill to to stop the bleeding

Hi Jules!
Looks like Bracken's naming day went really well. That cake is fantastic!!!

Well I've finally managed to get myself some lunch. I've made myself a cheese sandwich and grabbed a bag of crisps and a chocolate mousse.

I think I do just need to learn to be more comfortable letting him cry for 15 mins or we won't get anywhere!

Thanks for everyone's support!

Diege - re feeding at least you tried. fwiw I had to get BF going myself and only got it going expressing every 3 hours - it was so tough. Don't think I could have done it with 4 children to look after - it was difficult enough with 1! I didnt have any after pains either - mind you it took a while before i got back any feeling in my belly and I still have a part that is completely numb!

also - think the apt with supervisor sounds like just waht you need. when I was in hosp after my emcs the consultant came to see my and spoke to me about what had happened. It gives 'closure' I feel.

STT - I would change if I wasn't happy with mw. You need to be able to trust these people so you are comfortable with whats happening.

Ses - could just be the growth spurt Ses, although I am by no means an expert! when GC won't settle its usually wind though so could try that?
Hi Moosy, Sorky anyone else lurking!