Omg post natal hell

[vacay]

I haven't slept more than 30 mins in two days. Starting to hallucinate at this point. The curtains have little birds on the railings. I saw my cat slink past too!!

My new baby is very fussy, doesn't want to be alone in her crib, so she's fine if you're holding her on your chest but I can't do that as I will fall asleep.
The baby behind the next curtain is seriously bunged up and loud. Their mum plays loud tv shows on the phone, talks to people on loudspeaker, shines her torch through our curtain disturbing my baby.
The baby opposite is just a screamer lol and their dad is a massive snorer!!!
I can't cope.
One baby will start and then the rest start.
It's the adults more than anything though, just talking without even attempting to be quiet considering it's the middle of the night. My baby has just gone off in her crib, and been woken up by the neighbours having a loud debate.

Hi @vacay
Congratulations on your new squishy little baby!
Co-sleeping causes great debate is of course not officially "recommended" but I haven't yet met a brand new out of the packet baby who will just go to sleep in a Moses basket or cot! Follow the safety guidelines, IMO is much better to plan it than to fall asleep and to not haven't managed the risks, it will help you feel so much better even to just get a couple of hours sleep that you so desperately need.

www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/your-childs-development/0-3-months/co-sleeping-or-bed-sharing-your-baby-risks-and-benefits

If you don't feel comfortable with that, do you have someone you can tag team with? X

Well, I lay her on the bed with me, sides up, no pillows or blankets and I was woken up after 5 mins by the midwife saying she can't let me. So I did try lol. We now have another new neighbour, they're being quiet tbf it's the couple opposite with the snoring man, just having a full blown massive conversation with no regards for anyone trying to sleep !!

Oh crikey... you're still on a ward you poor love!
Any news on when you can go home?
Is there a lovely Midwife Support Worker (MSW) who might take little one for an hour so you can get some shut eye!
X

Ps. Why is there a man in a post natal ward?!!
Ring you bell and complain!! X

congrats on the baby!

can you go home?

Id have lost my ever loving mind if I’d had to deal with multiple mothers/dads/babies all a curtain away when I had a newborn.

So this trust allow men to stay !! I double checked earlier too with a midwife, they are properly allowed to stay over on the post natal ward.
But my dh got sent home last night while I was in labour?! Madness !!

Do they do that these days, take your baby so you can sleep ?

I'm hoping I can get through tonight and be allowed home after midday tomorrow because it'd have been 24 hours then 🤞

Well... when I had my last baby (he's the big 4! now) they definitely did, only for an hour or so between feeds, but it was a total lifesaver and I've never forgotten how special they were x

Partners can stay overnight on my PNW.

@vacay how is feeding going? Can you ask Mw/Maternity support worker to have a word with the woman with her phone on speaker.

Sleep deprivation is a form of torture and postnatal wards are hell. I honestly don’t know why that carry on is allowed but they are midwives, not bouncers.

Can you pay for a private room, are there any available?

Can you not go home yet? I spent only one night in as I’d given birth at 7pm and need surgery. couldn’t wait to get home the next day.

Just seen your message. Just to say you’re ‘allowed’ to go home whenever you want, you’re not a prisoner. Though they will space checks on baby out over the time you are in so might need to wait on those

I’m sorry you’re having a difficult time. If it helps at all, my son was exactly the same on the postnatal ward. He would cry anytime the other babies made noise and didn’t let me sleep at all. However when I got him home I discovered he was actually a great sleeper for a newborn, he just needed some peace and quiet to settle. I was having to wake him up every 4-5 hours in the night otherwise he’d sleep straight through without a feed. Hopefully your baby will also sleep a lot better at home and you can get some rest then.

I'm sure it's 24 hours after the surgery, I thought that was standard now? Could be wrong though.
Every time I close my eyes it starts again, seriously struggling. Dd has stayed in her crib for about 45 mins now and doing well but she is due a feed shortly, typical !!

Hang in there, you'll be home soon. You'll realise that us women are superhuman and you will get used to being sleep deprived and you'll be able to function.

I say that as I sit here feeding my 8 week old while my husband sleeps beside me. 2nd baby but he's a rubbish sleeper, and I honestly can't believe how little sleep I'm managing to operate on and I'm just used to it now. There's no way men could do this job!!!

You got this mama.

@vacay How are things? Really hope you are home now 🥰