Septermber 07 poppers.....please meet here!

[dal21]

Hi ladies - cannot see a thread for the sept ladies who have popped. Thought I would start one (hope I havent been totally blind and missed one already set up)

we can share our trials and tribulations of our LO's here!

Thanks dal. Aren't they funny with their growth spurts. Kiddies this age seem to know just how much intake to have. If only I could blame my pigouts on a growth spurt! Don't suppose you happened to see if that program is being repeated, I started to watch, but fell asleep very quickly. Obviously not as captivating as I'd thought it would be, or maybe I'm just knackered.

Hopey, your step mum sounds lovely, shame she had to go home now. I hope you can still be in touch with her by phone, email etc. You're doing good speaking of how you are feeling. Even if you can't talk at home, please continue to type away here. One of us is always here. I know each time is different, but can you remember how long you felt flat with ds1&2? Was there anything that helped you through it before? Over the months we've got to know you, I think we'd all agree what a tower of strength you have been to your family this last year. And even the best of towers need some tempory scaffolding from time to time. Thinking of you and wishing you well. xx

Hi Kinki - no idea if it is being repeated, I sky plus all my tv progs now and watch them another time so that i can fast forward through the ridiculous amounts of ads. If I do see it come up on the listings, will post and let you know. It is very interesting though, so do watch it next week if you get a chance.

Thanks kinki and dal. DH is off for 2 weeks from today. He's a real sweetheart and has been giving me lots of hugs. Can't quite believe how deflated I feel right now. Kinki, that was a very sweet thing you said. I guess that the hardest/most confusing bit, the fact that I am normally strong, and I feel like I have no strength in me at all at the moment. Have left a message for my health visitor. I've known her for years, she is lovely.

Hopey - that should defo help. get lots of rest. look after you. and please dont be so hard on yourself. it is ok to feel down, i did - this is incredibly hard work. you know where i am if you need to talk.

Thank goodness! I was wondering where we'd settle after having lo's!? Lovely to see all the usual gang and welcome to new faces too!

Hopey, I'm so sorry to hear you're having a tough time of it, I wish I could say something to magic it all away and make it better. (((hugs))) I echo what kinki said! I know how hard it can be to suddenly not be the strong one because you feel like you're falling apart inside. I honestly feel so fragile emotionally - if somebody was to poke me I'd fall into little pieces! I'm always the one who is really positive and I seem to have overcome so much in my life but just lately I feel so weak and negative. Don't get me wrong, I'm madly in love with Cerys and I am so happy but its all tainted now with everything thats going on . Hope you find something that helps you get through this - I'm sure you'll look back in years to come and it will be a faint memory...

Its so refreshing to hear that I'm not the only one who has been struggling with feeding! I almost gave up bf'ing about a week ago but tried topping up with a bottle. It turns out its a good job I stuck to both as the surgical team prefer the idea of bf'ing where possible as its easier on the stoma and doesn't have as much waste; whereas the cardiologists have said that had she not put on any weight, she would have had to have treatment for her heart condition. I did initially put myself under pressure to make a decision to go either way but I think we've settled into a good routine with both and Cerys likes both too so we're going to stick with what we're doing for now. Thankfully, she doesn't seem too confused about nipple to teat (as well as a dummy!). I have to say, I've found that the TommeeTippee teats are great - anybody else found any good ones?

We spent yesterday up at Southampton hospital seeing the surgical nurse and the cardiologists. They've finally explained in detail what is wrong with her heart and they're keeping an eye on her - we're back next Monday for a checkup as well as her investigations (putting dye into her bowels and urinary tract etc). I have to say that yesterday was a really long day and it has really taken it out of her so I'm dreading next week even more! Her big op to build her a bottom will be six weeks after that and I feel much better having an idea of when it will be.

In the meantime, Cerys is going anything from 2 hours to 5 hours for a feed - I think yesterday has thrown her out of sync!

Does anybody else hate going out of the house? I just want to stay at home nice and snuggly-buggly and avoid going anywhere for the forseeable future!

My oedema took a good couple of weeks to go down so there is hope! Also, I have to keep reminding myself that this time a month ago I couldn't walk or move or sleep without absolute agony but now I can walk even faster than before I was pg!

Love to all xxx

Hopey-I had to answer your post as I have just got through feeling exactly how you describe in your post. Or at least I think/hope I am over it. On day 3 I started to just feel really overwhelmed by everything and just, well, flat. How you describe. I would burst into tears for apparently no reason and then gradually started to feel very overly anxious about the baby and her health. She projectile vomited twice and that was just a really big deal to me-to the point where I convinced myself she was going to die. Some of that is actually still with me but it is a bit more manageable now.

Today and yesterday were the first days that I have felt vaguely normal.

The mw hasn't discharged me yet because of my mood and she was talking at one point about tablets but for me I think it was the baby blues rather than post natal depression.

I really hope you feel better soon as I do know what it is like-I so know what you mean when you said you feel scared of your baby, I actually still feel some of that.

I felt worse when in a room full of visitors all gushing over the baby. I would think 'I could just walk out now and never come back'. It was really odd.

Thinking of you xx

Hi there! Have started an October thread - I know ds2 was born in September, but want to stick with the ladies from the October antenatal thread - no offence! Anyway, just thought I'd let you guys know in case you wanted to join me. Otherwise, I'll be all on my lonesome for a few days yet...

Edie, I can completely empathise with worrying about the vomiting thing! We didn't know about Cerys's illness in her first few days when she wouldn't feed and she vomited a few times. Now, if she is sick, I'm overwhelmed with worry and it brings back all sorts of memories and it takes me ages to get over it.

I'm afraid my milk came in on the day that Cerys was rushed to Southmpton so I cried for two days solid - I was already crying that morning before it all kicked off!! I'm worried that all the emotions I'm going through with everything might throw me into post-natal depression so I'm trying to fight it as hard as I can. Its so hard to figure out if its normal for me to be feeling this way or if theres something wrong with me!? I guess we'll see in time...

Well, we're off to bed for Cerys's last feed and to see how long she goes through in the night. I have to say she is a very good girl in that she generally settles back to sleep quite quickly on her night feeds so we're only up for an hour (so far anyway!).

((hugs))

morning everyone-edie/plp - hope that you both feel better.
plp - cerys sounds as though she is doing so well and edie, glad your mw and team are looking after you.

hopey - how are you feeling today my love?

hurrah, a home from home. I am exhausted and overwhlemed by this being a mother thing. Hopey - you poor thing, i totally understand what you are goin through, i have been knocked for six by being a mother.

The two words which keep springing to mind are terror and responsibility. I literally live in almost semi-paralysed permanent fear that something will go v v v wrong, and i am totally freaked by the responsbility of keeping him alive.

Going out terrifies me - we have to drive to London tomorrow to see Mum and i am dreading it.

But from what all the midwives/health visitors etc tell me, it is all totally normal and will pass as each day gets a little bit easier - although Linus has just learnt how to really scream so i think those easier days are a way off yet.

Lots of love to everyone and hang on in there - it will get easier.

s
xx

Hiya ladies, finally made it back online. there's no way i can possibly catch up with the other thread so maybe i'll manage to skim this one, although it hasn't happened yet. will post again once i have but in the meantime congratulations everyone, i've missed you all

LLL xx

Well I suppose to be fair to him, dh did wait 4 wks and 3 days before he asked it. Today was the day he asked the immortal question when he came in from work:
"so what have you done all day?"

Eeerrrr, well, after you left the house at 7, I got your 3 dc up washed, fed, watered and dressed. Remember ds3 has been having diarrhea, well I had to give him a bath too. I managed to get all ds1's school things ready and we did the mad dash to school. On the way back I had to go shopping because the cupboards are bare. Not easy with ds1&2 in tow. Got home and gave ds2 attention, remember how he's been feeling a bit left out lately. In between, did 3 loads of washing, and sorted the washing I did on Monday. Cooked ds2 lunch, then took him to pre-school. Then took ds3 to the surgery to be weighed and an appointment with the hv to discuss his raised temperature and diarrhea. Just enough time to go get ds1 from school, then off to the pre-school to collect ds2. Came home. Managed to get ds1 to do his reading and learn his 24 spellings. Then I made their tea, and got ds1 ready for his football practice. When I was cleaning the kitchen, that was when you came home. Oh don't forget I've also done 9 nappy changes between ds2&3 and spent, I reckon, in excess of 3 hours with ds3 swinging off one tit or the other. That sandwich I made myself as you were leaving for football was the first thing I've eaten today. And incidentally I've been meaning to have a crap all day but haven't got round to it yet because I've been so busy. That's what I've been doing all feckin' day.

Ever ask me that again and I will kick you so hard up the arse you will feel my toes on your tonsils. Got that?

Ladies, you are life savers. Without you as my sounding board there would be a homicide. So thank you. (Not because he's worth saving, but because I don't like porridge).

Kinki you are hilarious

And thanks for all the help re BFing xxxxxxxxxxxx

LoL - loving that diatribe kinki, just read it out to dh, he laughed

Hi, am from the nov. thread, but delivered our son on tuesday 25th, at 7:35pm, 6 1/2 weeks early. Ds2 (Callum) weighs 4lb 8oz and he is SCBU atm. He arrived after a 5 hour labour.

have you all seen this?

Giant Baby

What a whopper.

Hello all!

Well, we made it to 3am last night so not too bad! Cerys is due around midnight tonight so I'm hoping she'll go right through as she has done before but we'll see! She vomited this evening while DS was watching her in her chair - I managed to cope without panicking too much though! Looks like this is going to be my time to catch up each day...

sophus - hope all goes well tomorrow with travelling to see your mum. I bet she will enjoy seeing Linus and having a cuddle with him! Are you spending the whole day with her? I'm sure you are treasuring every moment so it'll be worth the journey...

kinki - you are absolutely hilarious bless you! The scary thing is that you're talking about real life and it probably wasn't half as funny at the time (if at all!). Hope DS's diahorrea clears up soon. You sound like Superwoman!!!!

Welcome sparklygotkat and congratulations! Hope all goes well with Callum - they really are lovely nurses in these neonatal units! Are you well enough to spend time in there with him? I found that I could only hold Cery's hand through the incubator so I used to sit and sing songs to her through one of the holes - I swear it made a difference! Also, I would stroke her or even let her suck on my little finger - I'm convinced she could smell me and knew it was me (even with all that stuff you rub on your hands!). Thinking of you...xx

Hello to everybody else

We're going to be frantically doing the house tomorrow as DH's mum and family are all visiting on Saturday! I'm actually looking forward to seeing them but at the same time, I'd prefer to spend the day in bed!!

PLP xxx

As far as the big baby goes, all I can say is OUCH!!! even if it was a c-section, my eyes are watering at the thought of carrying that around - I could barely walk and Cerys was only 8lbs!!

Hi Everyone and welcome to sparklygothkat (love to your DS in scbu). Don't seem to get the time to post but am reading posts and thinking of you all especially HIWBB - take care of your self and little Niamh xx. Also PLP thinking of you and Cerys - don't overdo the cleaning !! I am staying at home too as still can't drive and friends doing school run for me . It will be a shock when I have to do it myself !!

Hope you all have lovely weekend !
xx

Hi everyone.

Please excuse my hormonal outburst yesterday. Dh rattled my cage a little. PLP, me superwoman? Nah. I'm just a mum getting by. Like all of us.

You're welcome Edie. How's Millie doing?

Welcome to Sept Sparkly. Sending some special love to little Callum in SCBU. I hope he's getting stronger by the day.

Sophus, sounds like you are doing great with Linus. Things do get easier. Or maybe we get better are dealing with situations. I don't know which. But before long life will become more straight forward again.

Gotta go, Liam's just waking. But a big hello to everyone else. Especially hopey, thinking of you.

Hi all, read through all messages, kinki you're so funny, I too read your post to DH!

Edie, I do hope you're through your baby blues, it really does suck.

PLP big hugs to you and Cerys, I do hope she continues to do well, you're amazing.

I've been VERY up and VERY down today. Niamh was brilliant last night, I got lots of sleep, but I woke up feeling v anxious so got up and made coffee, unloaded the dishwasher etc. Kids brilliant, came down did their own breakfast. I went with DH on school run and it was great to get out of house, but as soon as we got home I hit rock bottom again, just felt so so depressed. We then took a drive out to Toysrus to buy some cellular blankets and a pressie for the boys, then went to Tesco. We were out for a good few hours and I felt normal/positive. But the nearer we got to the house the dark feelings seemed to build up again. I can't wait for the day I wake up and I feel completely normal. Sorry to be worrying you all, it's just good to talk to you guys.

afternoon all.

I have added pics ofjasmine to my profile now. She is a very chilled baby, im very lucky.
My spd has hit hard today, its been so much better since the birth but getting up from breast feeding last night all i heard was a huge crack so today is very painful. Cant get to see physio till 12th, so have to hope it gets better.

I got to hold callum yesterday he is very sweet, would have been broody if didnt have one already made 4 days before. Cant wait for him to be out so me and sis can enjoy our babies together.

I watched that bringing up baby last night on replay and OMG, I wanted to jump into tv and punch the 1950s woman. Why are those mums pputting themselve though it? Im all for routines but putting a baby outside for hours is madness and just cruel.
Anyone else watch it?
lisa

Hey everyone

Hopey - hang in there, that morning will come! and if Niamh is allowing you a decents nights sleep once in a while; then that is great!

My DH goes back to work on Monday, so will be life as normal for me from then - just me and Ryan! He has been more unsettled both day and night recently - don't have any idea why - am just sticking to the basics of winding, checking nappy and trying not to assume that he is hungry all the time. But he has gone from a baby that settled well after feeds to one who is grizzly and not so good at settling. Am sure it will sort itself out - but it amazing how their bodies and temperaments change from day to day/ week to week.

Aside from that, BFeeding is going well - have sore nipples, especially when he initially latches on - boy, the initial pain is enough to make me wince! went for a quick check up today but nothing is wrong - so just need to stick with it and am sure my nipples will toughen up eventually!

that is all my news, hope everyone else is well.

Lisa - yup i watched it, I didnt think any of the experts were good.

Very strict scottish lady - cannot say anything about her, but it says more about some modern day parents - her techniques have to work for her to be in such demand, and she is only in demand because some new parents obv. want those kind of routines. Sad i think - for both mother and baby.

The one who follows dr. spock - I thought she was quite good until i saw her views on Bfeeding in public; then she went down hugely in my estimation.

And the one who follows the tribal method - she actually made me the angriest when I saw her trying to get that poor mum bfeeding! She basically totally slated the care that had been given to the baby in the hospital ref bottle feeding etc. Women like her are the reason that I was so upset when they insisted on topping ryan up with formula before my milk came in. I was devastated that it would impact my Bfeeding and time and time again, the midwifes all had to reassure me that it wouldnt. and you know what? they were right. So to sit there and tell a woman whose child needed medical care after delivery that bfeeding was not going well was because of that - well i think it was fairly ridiculous!

rant over. I am interested to see what the outcome will be but the one thing i am taking from the programme is that no one method is the right method and the most important thing in the first couple of months is to enjoy your baby. I cannot believe that Ryan is already 3 weeks old, this period will pass before we know it and although tiring as it may be feeding on demand, there are some magical magical moments that come out of the blue, when I am at my most tired that make it all worthwhile.

That was a monster post, apologies!

ow ow ow - i have had a immune reaction to the drugs from the c-section and basically my hands are covered in red blisters and at times they feel like they are in a bucket of red hot coals. It gets so bad at times that i cannot hold the baby - got sent to dermatologist yesterday who basically said that whilst i was bf there was nothing i could do except sit it out. But at times it just hurts so much, and i cannot bend my fingers much and i have creams for it, but i have to wait until i have fed or changed Linus then put the cream on then remember to wash it all off before i feed or change him again.

I really could do without this - Linus is really good at sleeping - going for up to 5 hours at a time at night except i am still awake all night with my hands in bowls of iced water trying to soothe them.

And it could take up to 4 weeks for it to go.

Saw Mum today - it was great - drive was fine - Linus slept the whole journey. Mum was upset that she wasn't well enough to hold him but was over the moon to meet him. We didn't stay long as she gets so tired after a while, but i am really glad we got out and did it.

Apart from the horrible hands i am feeling much more positive today, and as if i might be able to keep this little one going until adulthood.

xx