Oct/Nov babies - finally earthside! ❤

[MyGrassIsBrowner]

Welcome earthside little ones! 🌍

@mooloop Oh hopefully not long now, any signs? But yeah it is intimidating especially asa FTM as you panic if they are eating enough. She seems to have turned a corner though touch wood

@NW2021 did your pains and show come to anything?

@mrssunshinexxx No google episiotomy (diagrams only) and it will show you. That is how they make the incision specifically so it does not tear you to your bum or front as then it becomes complicated.

@Juicytoot287 I've been having on and off period type pains for honestly about a week 😂 it's so frustrating as it just amounts to nothing every day. I've been feeling/being sick occasionally too but it just never seems to progress into anything!

I'm a FTM too and feel a bit anxious about navigating feeds/sleep etc. Great that baby has turned a corner now though bless her

Thanks @Juicytoot287 the consultant confirmed this this morning so feeling better about that she was reassuring me they will be better once the weight of baby not in there which I'm taking as a pinch of salt !

I’m expecting my third, a GIRL!

I am due 15th but having a planned section next Monday.

Good luck to all expectant ladies x

Baby girl arrived last night!! Quick birth considering first time mum, contracting all day then waters broke, got to hospital and was gutted as only 3cm, 3 hours later I was 8cm then baby arrived 15mins later!
Only had some codine as I was in the triage from 3-8cm then wasn’t enough time so few puffs on the gas and air and she popped out 😂
Honestly those contractions are just the devils work!! Everything I had planned went out the window but she’s here now and she’s amazing! Pure euphoria 🤍

@mooloop hope you’re not to far off!

@mooloop I get that must be frustrating. I was feeling that and then all of a sudden rushed in for induction and baby born within 28 hours of being sat in my bed. But it is overwhelming and they just hand you a baby in the hospital and leave you to it! All i can say is use the support whilst there. Baby was born so late that my partner had 2 hours on the ward and then left for the evening due to visiting hours so I was left to my own devices and it was terrifying tryinf to know how to feed, how often etc. Just press the button and ask for help and advice as much as you need whilst you are there! They are happy to help but they won't assume you need it which is where it gets tricky.

Oh and! Babies can have mucus on their chest when born which makes them really struggle to get it out. I thought she was dying at like 2am and ran out crying with her in my arms, turns out it is really normal lol. So defo ask all questions no matter how silly whilst there - makes you feel better having their advice on things like swaddling and feeds. Then now i am home I feel much more confident (like a driving test you really learn once you are left to it).

Wow @NW2021 that was quick, congratulations hope you are feeling ok as poss x

@mrssunshinexxx I got mine after birth from pushing with the epidural and they were really bad but they are starting to heal themselves now so time after birth without a baby pushing on everything does help. It won't be an immediate fix as I am 10 day PP and its just starting to feel better.

Are you expecting to be cut btw, seems odd they are discussing that this early on as I thought it was as and when type of procedure

@nw2021 YAY welcome baby girl! I am glad it went quickly and they didn't send you home at 3cm at least as they are so busy. Shame about pain relief but at least you progressed quickly and all safe, hopefully home soon for you to start your new chapter xx

Aww congratulations @NW2021! Amazing how quick it went for you

@Juicytoot287 no desperately hoping to not be cut or tear but probs pretty naive. It was just a worry I had re tearing from front to back ! X

Just realised that this thread existed! Congratulations to all the new arrivals. Xx

@NW2021 eeeek congratulations! Similar labour time to me with my first.. it's a bit overwhelming isn't it?! Hope you and bubs are well ❤

@mrssunshinexxx dont get too in your head about it hun. There are also lots of ways you can minimise the risk of tearing as well. Things like the position you birth in and pain relief. Epidural will mean you end up on your back which can lead to higher chance of tearing or intervention and needing an episiotomy whereas giving birth on all fours can greatly reduce the risk as gravity will do more of the work. Discuss all of these worries/concerns with your MW though and maybe ask for coached pushing? Dont let the worry of this overwhelm you though, you'll be more focused on those contractions!

@mooloop you still hanging on in there girl? Hope you're not suffering too much love bet you want that baby out now!

Thanks @MyGrassIsBrowner I really
Want to
Avoid epidural as it failed in my last birth my legs were numb but could still feel
Contractions was hideous as then stuck on bed. Plan to lean over back of bed but who knows what's going to happen have asked firmly in birth plan for a compress to be held on the perineum when crowning x

@MyGrassIsBrowner I can't wait to get him out now, but trying not to dwell on it and just accept that he'll come when he's ready. I'm 40+3 today and induction is booked for 41+5, obviously I hope he comes naturally before then but I'm just focusing on at least knowing that next week I'll be in hospital at least starting things off if not bringing him home hope you and both your girls are doing well!

@mrssunshinexxx Thats what happened with my Epidural! Although that only happened at the end so the last hour or so. Meant i couldnt feel to push but still felt the pain of contractions - so bizarre haha. I agree with @MyGrassIsBrowner about trying not tos tress. I didn't want an epidural and was terrified of cuts and assisted birth but ended up with all 3 and safely say would make the same choices next time too as it was best for my baby girl to get here quickly and safely. The bonus of my epidural meant I didnt feel my stitches and beside the nuisances of not being able to use soap down their yet, I am healing really well and imagine I wiuld have felt as battered had she come out by herself haha The cut really wasn't the worst bit for me, infact it was hardly anything at all on the day and is simply just a nuisance waiting to heal now which I deal with. Just buy a donut pillow if you do to soothe how you sit for the first few days. I would rather the cut than a tear for sure in my eyes!

You will be fine though and you will do whatever you need to to get baby here safely and then it really won't matter x

@mooloop this is it, baby will dictate when they're ready haha!! Got everything crossed for you that baby doesn't keep you waiting much longer now 🤞
We're doing well thanks, well my children are, I am sort of floating through life atm.. the sleep deprivation is real now! 😭 we're going to change Macys formula to something more gentle than cow & gate as she's really unhappy after her feeds, it's so deflating. My first born was a breeze as a baby but Macy has thrown me, massively.

@Juicytoot287
I absolutely agree. At the time you'll do what is needed for baby to arrive as quickly and safely as possible! I'll be honest my first birth without pain relief was horrific. My section with that lovely spinal was magical! Dont try and be a marytr! X

@MyGrassIsBrowner we use SMA which has good alternatives like lactose free and colic relief formulas to try if it doesnt settle with them. Could be worth a shot? We actuslly only use it as its what the hospital gave us as formula was thrown on us but it seems to be ok. We were advised to go with a major brand for the sake of a quid or so so we can always find it in a shop should the pandemic or lorry or whatever else happens occur haha

@Juicytoot287 see I've read conflicting things about SMA but I keep being told Hipp organic is worth a shot as it's a much lighter more gentle formula. Thing is these tubs of formula are so blood expensive so if they dont work it's £10 down the pan which could have been two bottles of wine for mummy 😆
That's actually really good advice though regarding potential shortages, never thought of it like that!!

@MyGrassIsBrowner I thought the same but didnt want to upset her tummy after 4 days of it in hospital to change it. Its just so expensive lol!

Thanks @Juicytoot287 you are right x
I have a donut cushion ordered should be here tomorrow will hopefully help with the piles too ! Oh the glamour x

@Juicytoot287 you do right! How are you settling into mamahood? Does she sleep much?

Careful with the donut cushion @mrssunshinexxx if your bum sort of sinks down the bloody flow to the piles can increase which can make them worse. I know it’s hard because it might relieve the pressure but the last thing you want is to inadvertently make them worse. Once you have the baby and your bloody volume gets back to normal and your intestine function a bit more quickly and efficiently you should feel some relief. I had them when pregnant with one of mine and they’re a bugger!
I’ve never used formula but the nursery nurses at work all said if you look at the ingredients on the tub they’re all much of a muchness so you might as well think practically and go for cheapest or as someone mentioned most available/ less likely to be effected by logistics/supply issues.
We went to our first baby singing/sensory thing today (HartBeeps….don’t know if it’s a national franchise or just local to us) Orla loved it but I find the group singing/yummy mummy scene a bit uncomfortable!!
Lovely to hear how everyone is getting one. Big love x

Blood flow!!! Not bloody flow! I really should proof read!