April 2011-kicking back drinking lactulose cocktails and riding the maternity surfboards

[Petalouda]

Post-natal thread for all the antenatal April 2011 Family!

Share the birth stories, the baby blues and everything else.

[NotAnotherNewNappy]

Hi Jen, welcome to the PN thread! What paibkillers are you on? I dosed up on cocodemol (codeine & paracetamol) and the MW said I could take ibuprofen for the swelling at the same time. Also second lactulose and lavender oil. And chocolate

I'm with Beetle on the baby blues today

[NotAnotherNewNappy]

Hi Jen, welcome to the PN thread! What paibkillers are you on? I dosed up on cocodemol (codeine & paracetamol) and the MW said I could take ibuprofen for the swelling at the same time. Also second lactulose and lavender oil. And chocolate

I'm with Beetle on the baby blues today

[Cyclebump]

Ooh Jen, I could barely sit because of piles and stitches at first.

My list of things for a happy first poo (most was recommended by others):
Hot baths with tea tree oil to help healing and keep stitches clean.
Eat loads of dried apricots and drink lots of water so poo is soft!
Moist toilet tissue (wipes shouldn't be flushed but these can be).
I held a moist loo tissue soaked with warm water against my stitches the first couple of times I had a poo and it really helped (sorry if TMI).
Keep a bowl/small jug in the bathroom sink. Poor warm water over stitches as you wee to mitigate stinging.

Hope this helps.

Health visitor and mw just visited. H back to birthweight at last

[Petalouda]

Talking of stitches...

I was dead impressed with how quickly and thoroughly I was tidied up. And I remember feeling really lucky that we have the NHS, and that culturally I am able to access such fantastic care.

I know there are places and cultures in the world where a woman in my position would have had to live with that kind of injury, for various reasons. (I'm thinking, perhaps incorrectly, of Afghanistan, amongst other places).

Does anyone know of a charity that works to help women access maternity care? I'm not sure if I can give money just yet, but hopefully one day...

[chillikat]

I'll keep the stitches theme going - I decided to be brave and look at my c-section scar over the weekend - using mirrors as there's too much belly in the way to see otherwise. I think it's healing ok but a couple of pink patches seem to be weapy - should I be doing anything other than carefully splashing it with water in the shower to keep it clean? I wasn't really told anything by the hospital and I've never had any stitches before. It has also been a bit tender over the last few days but I think that might be due to the excessive feeding and using my bottom half to wriggle out of bed lots whilst holding baby in arms.

Definitely recommend lactulose for first poo if it becomes an issue

Right, I'm going to risk being told off by DH for going up a ladder as the smoke alarm is chirping that the battery is low and it's really annoying me, though not waking M up yet...

[Alibabaandthe80nappies]

chilli - if you have weepy patches then you need to look after it a bit.

What you need is some Dermol 500 cream, which is an antimicrobial. Use that to wash the area across and around your scar when you are in the shower, and then pat it dry with some kitchen roll when you come out. You can also go over it with a cool hairdryer to get it really dry. I was washing it again with dermol and getting it really dry before bed as well, but mine has healed up completely now so i'm just doing it once per day.
Wear loose cotton clothing as much as you can, and if you get a chance to lie down during the day when M is sleeping, then lie on your back and pull your knicks down to let the air get at your scar for 15 mins or so.
This comes recommended by a consultant dermatologist (my Dad!), and has prevented me from getting an infection this time. Just wish I had asked his advice after I had DS1!!

If it gets worse, more weeping, or gets pinker or starts to smell funny then call your GP asap because you could have an infection and you'll need a dose of fairly strong ABs to knock it on the head. I took 4 courses after DS1 before my scar healed up properly, it was horrid. I've no idea why the hospital don't give people more info about scar care, it would solve a lot of problems.

[Alibabaandthe80nappies]

P.S - you can get the dermol from amazon or loads of other places online rather than waiting to see your GP and getting a prescription.

[Cyclebump]

Have just been on my first big trip alone. Fed H to the gills, waited for the inevitable sugar crash that leads to a sleep then set off. A bus trip got us to Waitrose (it's a third off all baby care) and he was cooed at by an inebriated but well meaning stranger. We picked up our clingfilm, milk and nappies then DP rang to say he was round the corner so we went home together.

Lovely!

[Petalouda]

Well done cycle!

Glad it's not just me waiting for a full belly for a hassle free escape!

[chillikat]

Thanks for the advice Ali will also ask the midwife when she phones tomorrow - can she prescribe? Or may go and badger GP surgery as it's only down the road.

M & I have had 2 costume changes each this afternoon after she covered me in poo, and later wee - lovely. Well on the way to another full load of washing for tomorrow. She's also been wantign feeding since 3pm, just when I wanted a nap and then to make tea. Therefore we're on a late tea and I'm not cooking it.

[Alibabaandthe80nappies]

She should be able to prescribe you some Dermol chilli - my HV can and I think they have the same prescribing authority - or she could certainly get your GP to write to a script without you having to have an appointment, my midwife has done that with ABs and various other things when I had DS1.

Well done cycle!

My first attempt at a solo outing with both boys was somewhat disastrous. I only went to Sainsbury's to post my child benefit forms and pick up a prescription for DS2 - but the buggy board half fell off as we were waiting at the pharmacy and DS2 yelled the entire time while DS1 was trying to be Postman Pat and give pretend parcels to random people - thank God I had him on reins!!
I came straight home and ate a really big bit of cake!

[chillikat]

Back to another grim night here. After the constant feeding in the afternoon M appears to have become a princess and refuses to put her head on a cold sheet but we only came to this conclusion after trying everything else, including swaddling (thanks for the link). This resulted in DH lying on the crib mattress (not in the crib! :o) to warm it up while I fed her yet again - then she went to sleep.

[Alibabaandthe80nappies]

We had a bad night here too - DS2 was just wide awake at 1am and wouldn't go to sleep. He's been awake and grisly all morning, currently he's zonked out in his moses basket in the garden though so DS1 and I have got a bit of peace and quiet.

[JoEW]

PMSL at your DH lying on the matress Chilli - princess is right!

I had a reasonable night with Conor, he fed at 1am and 5am and went back to sleep quite easily both times. Feeling uber confident, I decided to text one of the girls I met in hospital, thinking I would suggest meeting up as the weather is so nice. Then all hell broke loose, Conor screaming the place down for food, then when I got a large bottle of formula down him he promptly threw the whole lot up all over me, the floor and the back of the sofa. Cue feelings of guilt about not being able to breastfeed followed by attempt to breastfeed (I'm still trying), then he fed for about 15 mins on my right boob, which is actually very exciting as first time there has been any sign of success, then got all flustered and screamed again. Gave him more milk, expressed this time, tried to put him down, he screamed..... etc..... two hours later DH asked if I could help him move something in the garden and I bit his head off as I hadn't had a cup of tea today! What a bitch.

Went to the Well Baby Clinic yesterday, another solo outing, and Conor is now 5lbs 12oz, almost proper baby size. It was my due date on Sunday too, so I can stop telling people 'he's not even supposed to be here yet', which is a shame as I've got quite fond of saying that now. At the clinic Conor did a massive wee on the scales and a little bit on the nurse. He seemed pleased, I was mortified. I've got to take him to the doctors tomorrow for his eight week baby review and immunisations. Appointment is at 9am, is it acceptable for me to go in PJs?

Congrats on the arrival of George,Jen, hope all your bits feel better soon. I do feel rather a cheat for missing out on the terrible fanjo dramas. I am quite grateful.

Petal I am with you on NHS appreciation. I've been utterly blown away by the care we've received with Conor, and me. I have started getting really annoyed when people (mainly TV programme makers) have a pop. It's too easy to find fault with such as vast organisation and of course it's tough when people have bad experiences but it's astounding and it should be protected and praised an awful lot more. Right, off my soapbox.

Peace prevails here as Conor sleeps, so I am trying to write 'thankyou' cards. Naturally, MN has distracted me.

[JenAT]

hello. trying to perfect the one handed type whilst feeding.

I will join those who had a bad night. George pretty much fed and cried on andoff all night from 11:30 till 6am.i went into the spare room for 1hr whilst DH lay with him with his finger in his mouth to try and settle him. I've managed about 2 hrs snooze during today but finding it hard to sleep properly as i feel i can't relax as just waiting for Goerge to wake up again. Was or is anyone else like me?

He also seems quite a sicky baby and struggles to bring up wind. Despite very frequent feeding my milk doesn't seem to have come in yet. Is this normal for day 3?

Thanks for advice about stitches. definitely found that jug of warm water after weeing poured over v soothing. midwife coming to weigh him tomorrow but i really don't know why as he will definitely have lost weight. I'm glad she is coming though as we have only seen her once since discharge and we had a 6 hr discharge so didn't get much input from hosp midwives. When I had dd I'm sure i was visited pretty much daily for first 3-4 days.

You think you will remember everything from your previous early days with a newborn but I seem to have completely forgotten and feel like a first time Mum again, wierd,

Anyway off with dh to pick up dd from nursery now and it will be Georges first tripout!

I've been thinking about kitstwins has anyone heard from her??

[Petalouda]

Hi Jen, well done on the one-handed typing!

Re milk- I think mine came in on day 4, but didn't reach peak production for another few days. So don't despair yet!

F was quite sicky in the first few days, he seemed to have lots of mucus to bring up before he could start feeding properly. Then he was brilliant for a week or so, and now he guzzles so much so quickly he's prone to projectile vomiting. I now have to stop him every couple of minutes to burp him. This makes him really angry (he literally screams like he's being tortured). So I've taken to nipping out of the bedroom and taking him downstairs in the middle of the night. It's not so bad if I can watch something relatively normal on TV (as opposed to sitting in bed feeling so desperate to sleep!).

With the sleep thing - I was still wired on day 3! I can snooze now (if I don't end up running around hanging laundry, etc.), but it must be much harder if you've already got another LO.

Enjoy your trip out.

[Alibabaandthe80nappies]

Jen - my milk just started to come in towards the end of day 3, it was day 4 before it really got going.
And I am the same with sleeping, weirdly I don't remember being this bad with DS1!

I am jealous that you have a slot for snoozing when your DD is at nursery - DS1 starts preschool a week tomorrow and I cannot wait to have a couple of afternoons a week when I can catch up on some sleep!!

[Cyclebump]

My milk didn't really get going until about day 8 so don't worry Jen.

I too have to control the guzzling Petal. Mw reckons it's because H couldn't get enough at first so now he gorges just in case.

I always leave the bedroom to feed H, he takes so long and nearly always needs changing so I have water, Lansinoh, burp cloths and the TV remote all set up on the sofa.

[BeetleBaby]

Another day, another breast feeding clinic! Still no success, which when you compare my flat nipples to the ease of the bottle you can understand why S gets angry quickly. I did find the advisors today slightly less helpful than the others I've seen ("Well, I've done the course." by way of introduction didn't fill me with confidence!). At least one of the advisors did clarify that I shouldn't worry if I don't get a full feed from expressing and that most people can express feed to at least 4 months, not ideal as I'd much rather be breast feeding via boob but at least I know roughly how long I can aim for.

We also took S to the pub for the first time to meet some friends. After being grumpy all day (bad nights all round from the looks of things) he was full on adorable newborn while we showed him off, I guess S knows how to work an audience!

Jen I'm the same with napping. Even though I know that DH is perfectly able to give S a bottle/change a nappy/cuddle I still only doze at best.

Jo Yes, PJs are perfectly acceptable for 9am appointments, or at least slippers

Nann come join me on the baby blues sofa, have a and a (that's a biscuit not a sore nipple just to clarify!) there should be plenty of tissues round here somewhere. Hope you're feeling better today and don't need the baby blues sofa though.

[JoEW]

It's 08.18, I am showered and dressed (I even had lipgloss on), I am drinking tea and eating toast. Conor is fed and asleep in the buggy, so I can take him straight out to the doctors. I have packed his bag. I am ON IT. I don't need to leave the house for another half an hour. It's all going to have fallen apart by then, isn't it?!

[Petalouda]

Well done Jo!

It's now 9.22, i'm still in bed with a sleeping Felix on my chest waiting for his mid-feed change. DH is on day off and apparently can sleep thru both screaming baby AND jackhammer!

I'm not sure we'll make it to the 12.30 breast feeding group...!

[Alibabaandthe80nappies]

Jo - well done! I hope you got there and that Conor didn't decide to do a monster poo nappy and then be hungry again 5 minutes before you needed to head out the door!!

We are doing ok today - I even got 10 mins to epilate my legs earlier!!

[Cyclebump]

Wow Jo, I'm aiming for an afternoon outing as H was fairly unsettled last night. His cycles keep moving so it was 12.30am til 4am then 4am and fuss fuss fuss until DP got up at 6.30 then he fell asleep til 8am. Fed til 9 and should be due a screamfest any minute now!

He's asleep now so I shaved my legs for the first time post-birth and am in a skirt! Shocking. Have also done some washing. Am attempting to use the reusable nappies as much as poss so am trying to keep on top of the washing.

Beetle, what kind of pump do you have? My Medela has really pulled my nipples into shape and they're noticeably less flat and more pointy. I have to really squeeze the boob into the breast shield but it seems to have done the trick!

[chillikat]

Blimey everyone! I was awake having a brew with DH at 8.15, after having moved to the sofa with M when she wouldn't settle after 6am feed, but it still took until 10.30 before M & I were both up washed, dressed and had breakfast of course she's now asleep again.

I'm having my first solo trip out today - off to the doctors so the nurse can check my scar is healing ok. It's feeling much better than a couple of days ago :) I might also make an appointment for a pedicure as I'm don't want to put any more pressure on my scar by bending to cut my toenails do I ? :o

[JenAT]

Jo I am well impressed. Lip gloss too!

Thanks for advice about milk coming in, and pretty much overnight mine has, although not as dramatic as with dd as I have been feeding George constantly all night.

I think the baby blues have set in here too. I have cried on and off all night and this morning, just can't seem to stop it. DH doesn't know quite what to do! I think it is exacerbated by sheer and utter exhaustion as I had a sum total of 1hr sleep since 12 last night. All George wants to do at night is suck and suck. Dh has bought some dummies but I just don't want to use them as worried it will affect my breast feeding. I did use a dummy with dd but only after about 2 weeks and it did not affect my supply at all. Of course George is fast asleep now and guess what I can't sleep!!!

Beetle sorry to hear of your struggle with breast feeding. My nipples are feeling pretty shredded but I think it will settle. I don't have any advice re expressing as I tried with dd just so Dh may be able to give her a bottle but it made me even more sore. In the end I gave up. So well done to you. (god hope that didn't seem patronising!)

Midwife is meant to be coming this morning, and I suspect I will burst into tears on her. I am currently in my milk stained nightie in bed, looking like a total zombie. DH has taken dd out to buy ingredients to make Easter cakes. He is trying to keep her occupied and feel included in things around the house, whereas i just don't even have the energy to do anything with her at all.

Petal my DH can sleep through anything too. He told my Mum we had a good night with George the other day and I couldn't believe my ears. He meant he had a good night. i had been up all night!!

Ali glad you are having a good day too.

Sorry again for epic, moany post.