March 2016 babies! The (hopefully) graduation thread!

[hayleycookie]

We reached 999 posts without making a new thread - woops!

Park your bums and continue the newborn chitter, and due date whinges

Congrats time she's gorgeous. Really happy to hear you're in a much better place mentally after your horrible time during pregnancy.

That's really crap of the midwife me, sorry you've had to cancel your bf appointment as well - hope you manage to get another one. I know it's easy enough to say but try not to stress or focus on feeding as the problem - unfortunately babies who have to come out using forceps can be a bit more unsettled due to the process involved (admittedly this is just anecdotal evidence) so it could be nothing you are doing wrong. Wish I could give some more constructive advice other than 'you're doing fine' but you honestly are. The newborn phase is a minefield but you'll get the hang of it. Unfortunately some babies do take a while to get the hang of feeding, and some babies are unsettled when they come out due to the transition to the outside world (try googling 'fourth trimester'). I know it's really difficult but try not to focus on it being something you're doing wrong as it's likely not.

Time Great to have you back! Calais sounds just a lovely as she looks! You are doing a great job. Glad it's all worked out so well for you :)

Place marking, will come back and catch up a bit later...on the way to ikea to try and get something to store Zach's clothes as they are currently spread around our bedroom!!

time I completely missed your post! Gorgeous photos!!

Ah time lovely to hear from you, you are making me envious, I want to not be pregnant now too! Well done you and Calais, sounds like you're very well suited to all this.

me be kind to yourself. That's teally crappy of the midwives. Sounds like BFing is tough, but what you describe is still 'normal'. I would suggest don't try to over analyse the timings etc - just feed when baby/you want/need to feed. Obviously the weight and assessment by the MW will hopefully reassure you today, and also hopefully you can still get to somewhere this afternoon for specific BF support. You're doing great, even though it might not feel like it.

So for the first time today I feel like I really don't want to be pregnant anymore, and actually well enough that if I went into labour I could manage it. Also a bit nesty which is unlike me. Not holding my breath though, will almost certainly be waiting another 2-3 weeks. AND I don't have a leg to stand on when there are actual overdue people on here...so I'll shut up now!!

Great to gear from you time, seems your little lady is doing really well.

Cassidy seems to be feeding better but it refusing most of her top ups, I'm hoping that's a sign she is getting enough and it will actually translate into weight gain.

The midwife called to say the blood lab had rejected her 5 day heel prick tests as they were done on day 4. They were definitely done on day 5 so they must have put the wrong date on. They've got to come today to do them again which is annoying.

Me that is bad form of your midwife, but hopefully they will be able to give you some good advice today. I think your doing amazingly well. I had a very similar night to you where Jacob would only take tiny feeds and then cat nap to the next one. Plus we had a quite spectacular vomit. I think they are just adjusting to their digestive systems. Can you catch up on sleep during the day? If you go into the night not expecting too much sleep - with flask, biscuits, remote etc to hand - then anything you do get is a bonus. I find this makes me feel more relaxed about the night shift and less focused on how little sleep I'm getting.

Time beautiful photos and a really lovely update. Am so pleased to hear you over your pregnancy woes and enjoying being a great mum.

MrsE that's so annoying re heal prick test!

I'm 6 days post section now and feeling so much better. Can't wait to get outside for a walk but might have to wait to the weekend. Have to keep reminding myself not to do too much as I've only just attempted climbing the stairs. Have also looked at the scar for the first time after midwife took the dressing off yesterday and am surprised and impressed with how it looks. Just a simple line. Our nhs are brilliant!

Thanks everyone.
Mrsells - that is annoying. I would think if cassidy is refusing formula she's probably full. I still believe we know our babies better and they will take what they need. It's so annoying as every midwife in the hospital came up with a different feeding schedule for calais and the one that made her gain weight is my own guided by what my baby told me.
As long as she's alert plenty of wet and dirty nappies she'll be fine.
Calais had a lot or blood taken as she was jaundiced and when first born they where checking her blood sugar ad she's preemie. It's not nice to see is it.

I just wanted to say me that the feeding/sleeping pattern sounds very normal for some newborns. The baby is building up your supply and does so by constant feeding! My DD was very similar. It is incredibly tough, so don't feel guilty about the odd bottle! I had DDs latch checked etc and all was fine, it was just how she fed and she just loved being on the boob! The feeds did eventually spread out and co sleeping meant I got some sleep.

Sorry to hear about crap midwives, not turning up or labelling their tests right!

I must be in the minority in that I'm perfectly happy with the baby staying put until his due date! It is very uncomfortable but I'm loving having some time to myself whilst DD is at her childminder's, the opportunity to nap and even getting the odd job done around the house. I think life has been so busy over the last year, with childcare work and a long commute, I'm really enjoying the change in pace plus I'm shit scared of labour

time Calais is just gorgeous and looks so alert already!

Hello all, I'm hoping that I'm on my way back to the land of the living.

I posted on the last thread to say that bump had arrived.

Edward James arrived on Friday at 16.37, 2 hours after ariving in hospital and according to the monitoring I was on 1 hour 48 mins of regular contrations and 19 minutes of pushing! It was our second trip of the day to the unit as I'd been up that morning and been booked in for an induction for today. Managed early labour with tens machien which just became irritating when I tried gas an air, which I used right up until I felt like pushing and was begging for drugs, as the midwife said I would when I refused her earlier offer. Strangely the pain was no where as bad as I'd imagened, despite wanting drugs at the end I was still waiting for it to hurt more. So pleased I got my vbac.

I did end up in theater with a spinal as had a 3rd degree tear. But it appears the surgon did a fantastic job at repairing it as every midwife that's checked it, and it's been checked lots as I've been pariond about it post poos, can't believe how good it looks.

Midwife has visited for day 5 weigh in, his only lost 51gs for birth weight of 4031g. Amazed as with dd it was exactly 10% and was real battle to get it back on. Both ebf!

Congratulations, Dobby! Can I just say that Edward is an excellent name 😀.

Sounds like a good labour. Slightly envious of your VBAC!

Wow dobby that sounds like a lot to go through, glad you are both found well now!

Just got back from mw, she tried a second sweep but she said it felt as though baby wooden had moved back up, so she didn't think this sweep would make any difference. Induction is booked for 15th, the day dh has his really important job he can't miss which lasts all week. Dh is devastated, he's taken this week off to help me and spend some quality time with ds1. I'm trying to get hold of my reflexologist friend to see if she can pop round tomorrow, I'll try anything to get him moving now!!

Can I ask how often are you ladies managing to get out with your new borns? On top of feeding,housework,meal times,cleaning bottles etc I have only made it out for a 20 minute today to the shop and back with baby. Yesterday we didn't go out at all. I feel guilty keeping her in all day though.
Sorry to everyone who is not getting much sleep/struggling with feeding. Remember it will get better it's just a phase.
Confused by my baby as she will be layed down awake and manage to drift her self off. Everything I've read about newborns suggests they Like being held and mine doesn't really like cuddles. Quite happy in her bouncy chair or her swinging chair as long as she is wrapped or has blankets around her so she doesn't get annoyed with her arms flying everywhere. I'm sure it'll change but is this normal ?

Ooh but on the plus side wooden, that's the ides of March! You could have a tiny Julius or Brutus

time I'd say that's normal for some baby's, not common though! My nephew was like that, perfectly content to be set down, soothed himself to sleep easily. Maybe you've got an easy infant as a little payback for all you suffered in pregnancy! Also you're doing fine with the getting out - it's hard to manage but it'll get better, just keep making the attempt every day! The spring sunshine will really help keep you and Calais happy.

time wrapping her may well be helping with that. Edward gets disterbed by his startled relfex but likes to move his hands around and suck his fingers so gets cross when I tried to swaddle him. Don't push yourself to get out, I did in the early days with dd and just made it harder on myself. This time I'm just focusing on what's best for the 4 of us, I've steped out of the house a couple of times breifly, in 5 days, once literally walking around the block for some air, and today to get the bins in and stand like a mad woman across the road from our house in pjs trying to work out if a slate has come off our roof or next doors... If you're happy inside she will be too, getting out is more about you than her at this stage. I think you're awear enough of your feelings to know what you need.

mrsben Edward is a fantastic name. His Ed or Eddy or Eddy Bear (such a loud baby he sounds like a little bear). It's suprised me as I loved the name as it could be shortened to Ted or Teddy originally, which is what you call your Edward?

Vbac is an very welcome bonus, I wanted to try but mentaly was convinced it wasn't happening. If it's any constilation recovery initially hurt way more than section ever did. But so nice to be able to move freely now! Hope you're recovering well.

time with DD I didn't leave the house for three weeks other than hospital appointments I had to go to for her jaundice! And I then only went out once to the park with my sister. Didn't properly start leaving the house until she was 4 weeks old. Go easy on yourself! Baby will not care about leaving the house - all they want at this age is to eat, sleep and snuggle of course if you are getting cabin fever then go out, but if you can't muster up the effort, definitely don't worry about it.

Hope me is going ok and got some reassurance from the MW today.

Sorry to hear there's no progress wooden and for the induction stress. But remember you don't have to accept induction - you can ask to be monitored/risk assessed on the day instead and postpone it for a day or two if that works better for you.

time so lovely to hear from you and see your gorgeous photos

Soooooo done with being pregnant now, sick of heartburn and looking like a great fat pudding!

maybe I'm having to take iorn tablets, so still have bit of heart burn!

Oh lord, there was me thinking I'd escape it after pregnancy!!!

Aargh, just lost the post I'd started...

Sympathies, Me.

Brilliant to hear things are going well, Time!

Thanks for another excellent link, Sher!

That's frustrating MrsE (but they need to be sure babies have been feeding for a few days to avoid misdiagnosis).

I'm so tired of work. I cried in the shower this morning . My colleagues are being amazing and I've had a lot of "you're doing so well" comments. Which is embarrassing but nice! I am, however, seriously behind/overloaded with marking. We were trying to come up with ways of catching up before I deliver, but without putting any more pressure on my colleagues (who are all overloaded themselves). Nature appears to have helped though; I seem to be coming down with DSs cold so I'll take a day or two to rest-up/catch-up.

maybe with dd is dissapeared the moment she was born. Annoyingly I had low red blood count thanks to blood loss so have to take iron tablets, which unfortantly mean it's continuing for the next week or two, very glad I still have rennies left! Hopefully you won't need them or if you do you won't react to them, it's not that common apparently.

Evening all, I am making the conscious effort to keep posting now, I appreciated the advice yesterday and all seems to be back to normal in the toilet dept now!! What a 'relief'!!

I'm terrible remembering who mentioned what but with regards to going out, we really haven't taken DS anywhere for days. Born Friday, came home late Sat night, visited mothers and a toy shop with Dd on Sunday and have been housebound since. Mainly due to such rubbish weather but also to try and get home feeling comfortable for us before we decide to take on the chaos of the big wide world.

Plus we have been tied to having so many visitors it's almost like a conveyor belt of comings and goings do we hadn't realised. I'm getting a bit ungracious if I'm honest at the moment. It's lovely so many want to meet the new addition, and we are allowing close friends/family to come, these I have no problem with...it's the 'friends' we haven't heard from in years wanting to come round ASAP that I'm finding irritating. I'm still establishing bf and a new 'routine' for DD4 and DS and they come first before others curiosity this time. Feel mean saying it 'out loud' but feel good to be able to get it off my chest!!

Midwife called today, DS seems to be behaving, lost a bit of weight but nothing too concerning. The biggest issue I have at present is the stink from his belly button, it really is grim but apparently normal

We still don't have a name, working on it but just can't decide?! Thinking of going with Albert (Bertie) Harry?! Were trailing it tomorrow to see if it suits him it not?!

Well thanks for letting me offload, time to put DS delicately back in the Moses basket...he's not massively fond of basket during nighttime hours...and keep everything crossed I can get some sleep before the next feed/nappy is required!!

Good luck to all of you waiting to meet your babies, sending lots of labour vibes out there!!

Night feed check-in! Just feeding Ted, so popped in to see if we had any more babies!

I haven't left the house much since my section a week ago. Have walked DD to/from school a few times (only 5 minutes away) but that's it. Hoping to do a longer walk round a country park on Sunday. Most pain has gone, just the stitches on the side where they were fastened off are a bit tight.