October 2007 - the golden piglets have landed

[Mumpbump]

I couldn't find a postnatal thread - not sure if I am just missing it with post-childbirth brain! Anyone else around??

Hi All - I haven't had a chance to read any of this yet but just wanted to say hello and how happy I am to finally be on the post natal thread!

If anyone has any breastfeeding tips I'd be grateful - Jacob was only born yesterday but am already panicing a bit because he won't feed much...even when I do get him to latch on, he only sucks for about a minute tops then goes to sleep and I can't get him to show anymore interest! Am worried that this in turn will affect my milk coming in as I don't seem to be getting much at all..tried to express with hand pump today and only managed a couple of drops of colustrum...do you think that's normal at this stage?

Midwife coming to visit tomorrow so I guess I can pour out all my concerns then!

xx

colly, in my experience it's absolutely normal. They need such little amounts in the early days, which is why collostrum is so mega rich. Little and often will still get your milk in etc. He and you are just getting used to it - you wait, you'll be on here in a few weeks complaining about the feeding frenzy!!! If you're really worried, try stirring him when he falls asleep during a feed- I find doing circles on their cheek with your finger helps, or on their hands....

alic, glad you've made a decision on the feeding - that's the hardest bit isn't it? sure it'll all fall into place now and you'll feel less pulled in two directions!

j20 - hope the drops worked?? Turned out Madeleine had the lactose overload, but I've beenb horrible mummy, waking her right up mid feed to get her to stay on and we're thankfully back to yellow poo!

ejt and stefka - hope the feeding has got a bit better? hope you had a better night.

right, one handed typing is exhausting,so big hello to everyone else and have a good morning

Thanks for supportive comments nellie and stefka

colly would echo nellie that jacob's feeding sounds totally normal. your milk will come in just fine. one tip i was given to get adam to feed for longer was to strip him to his nappy for a feed. i did this for a while now i just change his nappy mid feed to keep him awake for longer

It's still up and down. Some good, some awful. The HV will be out at 2ish so I am hoping I can hold him off from feeding until then. He just had a feed so fingers crossed but he tends to need a lot of attention in the afternoon. He had a bad night because I had broccoli and he reacted really badly to it and was restless all night. He's sleeping now so hopefully one of us will get some rest.

Hi All!!!
not had time to catch up properly but CONGRATULATIONS to all the new borns..and well done Inzi!!!![ouch! emoticon]
....being back at work 3 days a week is really taking its toll and our weekends are utterly frenetic...last weekend was our bonfire/ dhs grandads birthday/ wet Alexs head (at last) party on the saturday and then our friends son Matthews christening on the sunday followed by singing as guest soloist at a charity concert and then cooking dinner for mum who is still suffering from the flu type virus we are all still recovering from...no wonder I'm permanently tired .
thanks for the calpol info alice, it really helped..I also got one of those nose unblocker tubes which helped Alex sleep a little better (though he hates having it done)...he is still very clingy and feeding little and often which means I have sore and over full boobs but at least he is gaining weight despite being so poorly (1 lb 9oz over the last two weeks! He's now 9lb 11oz at 5.5 wks...and still smaller than Inzis newborn!)...
incidentally while consulting my GP about Alexs cold ( with which she had every sympathy)I asked my her if there was anything I could do for his milk spots and her best suggestion was to put a paper bag over his head!!!!...oh the joy of a gp with a sense of humour!!!!
will try to catch up later... luv 'n stuff to all the los (and all of you too of course)

Hi all finally made it to postnatal

Well I now have my litle girl Edith Rose born last Tuesday 7lb13oz. Of course she is the most gorgeous thing in world okay birth story -warning long and not fun

I went into hospital to be induced on the Sunday evening had 2 lots of prostin on the Monday. Contractions started on Monday afternoon and I was told at 1am I was 3cm's dilated and taken to delivery room yay I thought after 14 days overdue was keen to get underway. 6 hours of very painful contractions later I was re-examined and was told I was only 1cm waters were then broken. I asked for epidural was given but was still in pain told midwife but they said was normal. 12ish on on the Tuesday was re-examined was 3cm but after this I was in excrutiating pain. Was begging for help for several hours before being re-examined 2 hours later had made no more progress and they found that epidural had fallen out!!!! was offered choice of synto drip or CS opted for CS as was exhausted and was told synto could take many hours more or to my mind more likely would try and not work. They later decided position of babes head may have been stoppping me dilating so although I am sad about having CS feel was right decision. Operation was actually really positive experience for me and DH and had lovely new midwife who helpd me breast feed lo while I was being sewn up. stayed in hospital for 3 nights and got lots of great help re: breastfeeding.

And now....am recovering from op Edith is a fantastic feeder but terrible sleeper. Will mainly only sleep on me or DH so we are doing shifts at the mo. Will not settle in moses basket at all, will occasionally settle next to me in bed. Each day has its ups and downs really. Today managed first trip in buggy, first go in sling and first bath at home, have had lovely 2 hourly feeds all day. Last night was in tears as feeding constantly from mid-day to 2am she would not sleep at all and she was frantic with hunger and tiredness. I guess this is how it goes lows are terrible but the highs are so fantastic that I would not swap this for anything in the world

congrats to everyone else with new little ones. I will now read thread to catch up on all your news.

stefka hope you got help from hv.

floria good to see you honey - you sound mad busy! look after yourself. glad calpol info was helpful and glad alex has recovered.

kitti good to see you here finally! i know exactly what you mean about low lows and high highs! also have similar positive feelings about my first emergency cs - wasn't what i would have ideally have chosen but worth it ten times over for a healthy lo. i am 5 weeks down the line from an elective this time and feeling pretty muchg back to normal for the last week. good luck!

well today been a good day. adam seems happier with more formula so it feels like i made the right decision for us. obviously only 1 day in so lets see though!

anyway off to cook tea assuming i can get my sleeping son in the baby swing without waking him! might see you later....

Well baby news from me!

I had very uncomfortable day on sat and then finally started contracting early sun morning. Went in at 8.30 and was in established labour by 11.30am, got to 3-4cms. Had epidural, things went okay until Henry didn't start to come down the birth canal. Got to 10 cms dilated but still not coming down so was rushed into theatre for forceps/c-section and Henry Reuben was pulled out using forceps into this world at 2.24am on monday morning. I had 3rd degrees tears having ripped in between vagina/anus so had a while in theatre being stitched up.

Henry weighed in at 9lb 15 1/2 ozs (1/4 off 10lb!) so not really surprised he got stuck.

I am feeling okay about it all though is, although this sounds a little stupid, I did feel more listened to and consulted during the whole thing. I even demanded a ventouse as I was exhausted at pushing when he wasn't moving down. I did apologise to the consultant for being rude to him! (Dh said I was more forceful than rude!!) The strange this was when the change of shift hapened and the new midwife walked in mid contraction -the epidural only partially worked so was still on G & A, and I rather drunkardly said 'you delivered my 1st son!' which, as it turned out she had! So the same midwife delivered both my boys and she was fab....

Haven't read any of the messages for a while so will start to catch up x

have a look at him if you fancy...
here

Hi Everyone

Huge congratulations Kittiwake and Inzi and others with new arrivals.

I haven't had time to read the threads (ante or post natal). Who is still left in ante-natal? Is Muppetgirl with us here yet? Everyone should come over anyway, I reckon, it must be getting lonely over there.

We're having good and bad days, but generally not bad at all. I'm v well rested today - Huw slept from 1 to 4, then 5 to 8, then 9 to 12 last night and this morning, and I slept with him. Was just fantastic waking at midday feeling refreshed for the first time in four weeks! We've got a semblence of a routine going on in that the 11/12 to 4ish sleep is now pretty well every night, but beyond that it's all still up in the air.

Going to register him tomorrow.

I took him for a walk on my own yesterday - a feat I am proud of owing to the fact we live on the first floor and up til now the idea of getting the pram down the stairs and up again while in sole charge of baby had seemed impossible! Oh, the small triumphs!

Sorry I haven't had time to read up on how eveyrone is doing - hope you're all coping and loving it, despite the pain and other obstacles. Thinking of you all.

love A xxxx

Ooh, Congratulations Muppetgirl!!! Fantastic news!

xxxx

CONGRATULATIONS Muppet girl

inzi has texted me to let you all know she lost a lot of blood so is now on transfusion but apart from that her and Jane are doing good, she sounds really happy

i'm still struggling with various things, mainly exhaustion i think, still waiting till i have time and feel able to catch up properly!

oh god, she's screaming again, love to you all xx

CONGRATULATIONS Kitty and Muppet, wonderful news! Glad that both your cs s went well ...want to say more but my little lord and master calls..I'll be back

Hello everyone

Sorry I haven't been on here for ages and I haven't had a chance to read through everything so I don't know what's going (just noticed that Stefka and Kittiwake are on here though...big wave and congratulations ).

Just wondering, is anyone else feeling like they're cracking up?! I'm just so exhausted and I'm still struggling with the breastfeeding. I just feel like I'm doing this on my own as DP is doing a very full on course so isn't here much and when he is he's busy and I'm trying to keep DD out of his hair so he can get on with work. Last night and this morning she just cried so much for no apparent reason and I'm seriously feeling at the end of my tether. Actually starting to wonder if this is PND but I suspect it's how all new mums feel at 3 weeks .

Anyway, sorry to rant on about me. I know we're all in pretty much the same boat.

Congratulations muppet! Fantastic news. And welcome to Henry.

J20 - hope all is going ok with you honey. Next time you text inzi can you let her know I'm thinking of her?

Missbumpy - I have certainly had days where I am royally fed up and feel like I can't cope. And I have lots of support as dh is off work a lot and when he hasn't been my parents have been here. I've also struggled with bf and have now stared the change to formula - Adam is on 50/50 at the mo and seems a lot more settled. Not necessarily a magic answer but if you're really struggling with it don't feel bad about switching or even adding in the odd formula feed so that you can have some help. Of course if the bf is very important to you you won't want to hear that - it does get easier given time so it will probably improve. I do remember though that I felt immense guilt with Sam (ds1) about considering giving up bf - just don't want you to feel like that if it would help you as a happy mum is more use to your lo than any amount of breast milk. Feeling low at times IS normal when you have a new baby - they turn your world upside down AND you're awash with hormones - not a winning combination. But why not call your health visitor - this is exactly what they are there for. They will be able to giuve you help and advice and if they are concerned that you are heading towards PND rather than simply feeling blue then they will be able to give you support there too.

Good luck honey - we're all here for you if you need to vent xxx

Hi all, congratulations to those with new lo's. Missbumpy - I really am sorry that you are feeling so low. I remember with my first baby that someone said to me at 3 weeks "it gets better at about 6 weeks" and I really wondered how I was going to cope with another 3 weeks with a baby, let alone the next months.(by the way, it does get better.) Totally agree with Alicet to call your HV. You are not alone in feeling like this - it is really tough going if your baby cries a lot. Have you anybody you know who can take the baby out for a walk, even just for half an hour, to give you a little bit of space? Also when it is feeling like too much, put the baby down, go into another room, make yourself a cup of tea and take 10 minutes. If your baby cries whether held/ fed or rocked ( as mine did) then you do need to care for yourself a bit too. As for the breastfeeding, there are great bf counsellors available through NCT and La Leche . Both have websites and you just phone up. I used one on Monday from La Leche and she was really helpful. Sometimes it just helps to talk out the situation with someone else and get their thoughts on it. I'm sure you are doing great - hang in there and try to find some people who can give you a little bit of support. Keep posting if it helps. Big hugs from one who's been there

Thanks Alicet and Katsh. HV just came over and was really horrible and made me cry

Once she'd seen I was crying she was a bit nicer to me and told me I was doing a good job etc. She's told me about a mother and baby group tomorrow at a local clinic so I might try to get to that.

Well done Alicet for making decision to do what's best for you and LOs. I'd like to try to carry on b/f (everyone keeps telling me it'll get easier) but we'll have to see how it goes.

oh poor you missbumpy.. what on earth did hv say?
you are probably very tired (stating the bl**ding obvious here!) and hormones are all over the place.
It does get better... but please don't feel worried about seeing the doctor sooner rather than later if it carries on...
PND (if that is what it is) is very common and nothing to be ashamed of.

Keep talking here though - we're all in similar boats!!

Hi to everyone else, hope we are all ok.

Missbump, just to repeat everyone else, i really does get easier and better but you do need to get some hands on help whilst you're getting there. Is there anyone at all who could take your LO out for a quick walk? I can't stress enough the benefits of a cup of tea, some chocolate and an empty house - it really does let you clear your head and regroup. Sorry, can't remember if this is your first baby - just that I know it's difficult to hand them over when they're so tiny, but it need only be to be walked round the block or something. I just say this cause I wish I'd done it more with my DS. And in my experience HV's can be as negative as they can be positive. If you still feel like you're struggling in a day or two just go straight to the Dr. And try the baby group if you can - and keep talking here. It's true, we're all in it together. And these mums are a fantastic support. I'm sure you're doing brilliantly - I think we often underestimate the huge change and transition process of these early months. take good care and let us know how you're doing.

hope everyone else is ok - will be back later.

Huge hugs missbumpy. Sorry your hv was a bitch. Is there another one at your surgery that you can ask to see instead if you didn't find her helpful? Or agree with whoever it was who said to get in touch with your GP if you don't feel any better (sorry baby brain means I can't remember!!!)

Mother and baby group definately a good idea - can seem daunting at first especially if you're feeling crap but making friends who are in the same situation as you are is the best thing I ever did with ds1 - they will all know EXACTLY how you are feeling and that can reassure you a lot I found.

If the bf is important to you I agree with katsch that those helpline numbers are invaluable - I used the NCT one with ds1 (Sam) - you don't need to be a member or to have attended their antenatal classes to use their help. It definately does get easier though with time - in a couple of weeks you will probably be wondering how you ever found it hard!

Echo everyone that we are all here for you for support whenever you need xxxx

Hello too to everyone else - hope you are doing OK. I am just excited that I am actually posting 2 handed!!!!! Adam is asleep in his pram. ff is really working for us. ds1 was the same - bf never settled him as well as the formula (he had one or 2 bottles a day from a similar time but mainly bf until 5 and a half months). Think a lot of this was me finding it really hard to trust he wasn't hungry f he cried. Anyway - this works for me but I know its not for everyone! If you are lucky enough to have a baby who settles well on bf or the time to feed continually (as I did with Sam) then go for it! When it works I think the bonding experience is amazing.

oh missbumpy ... I am at your hv - how dare she make you cry? Do you want me to come round and sort her out?

I got to this stage with ds - I seemed to be permanently in tears, and didn't know which way was up - I then decided I couldn't wait until he found his own routine (he was an inveterate snacker, and a very sucky baby), so out him into a routine (loosely based on GF) - I remember dh coming home from work the first day we really tried it, and for the first time in ages, we were both sat there with neither of us in tears ... this time around has been difficult - but for different reasons - I shudder when I think of how awful the first 4 - 6 weeks were with ds!

Congratulations muppetgirl - I am so pleased for you - and very proud of you too!

Alice - I'm glad you've found something that works for you and your boys ... there's no medals given out for sticking at something that's just not working for you!

Well, I went to see the HV today - to get Mairwen weighed (more for curiosity's sake than anything) - and she weighs 10lb 1oz ! - she's put on 3lb 5oz in 5 weeks ... and she'd had the world's most enormous poo just before we went too! HV said to me (somewhat wryly) "So, no problems with bf then now, I take it?"

Am waving at everybody else ... baby brain mush means I can't remember what else has been said

Night all ...

Hey Miss B you are not alone. I am also finding things really hard and have had some very low moments. I can't leave the house or have visitors. I had no idea it would be so tough. My DH is also doing a course and working and so I really am on my own. Hang in there - I have no doubt that you are doing an amazing job. Thinking of you.

Hey everyone, I made it! Dylan arrived 30th oct. doing well, had terrible pain with bf but getting better all the time so not minding feeds too much now, sleeping quite well so far too (touch wood) seems to wak about 3 times during the night, around 3,5 and 7 depending on when we go to bed. Had a 3rd degree tear and finally finished my antobiotics today so feel better to be off them, read on here they might have affected lo although i haven't really noticed him being unsettled . Mostly am happy apart from the odd hormonal moment, was feeling really down and panicky the other day and had a cha with dh about it after bursting in to tears, felt better just from talking about it and feel better now, occasionally worried about how i'll cope once he goes back to work cause he does 12 hour shifts, 3 on 3 off, so the 3 days on will be tough but guess the 3 off will be bliss, he's desperately trying to find a 9-5 job closer to here as his current job is a hours commute each way . Anyway i'm totally in love with dylan and just hoping he carries on being so well behaved . Hope everyone else is doing ok.

Hello! Just popping in - no sign of my lo yet but missing you all!

Muppet - congratulations!!! Well done. Odd to think they warned you about Henry's size and he still wasn't as big as Inzi's Jane!

Hi everyone else, interesting to read the highs and lows of baby life from the other side! It's hard to imagine from a waiting position.

Anyway hugs and hopefully see you all here soon...!

Thanks everyone. It makes me feel much better having the support of people who are going through the same thing.

I had a total meltdown last night so at least now my DP is beginning to comprehend how low I'm feeling. I am a bit worried about PND. I don't like my GP though (been meaning to change for ages but haven't got round to it) so I need to find a more sympathetic GP first. Thanks Ejt for the offer of coming and sorting out my HV. I might take you up on that

DD seems to be feeding more often at the moment which is really draining (especially with sore boobs). The main thing that's been doing my head in (apart from the exhaustion, lonliness, sore boobs, constant feeding etc ) is that DD refuses to sleep in her cot. She's decided that the only place to sleep is on one of our chests and she's sleeping in the bed with us which means I sleep really badly because I'm always half awake checking that I don't roll over and squash her. I've been reading the Baby Whisperer and trying to follow the advice on getting babies used to sleeping in their own beds. It's easier said than done though.

Sod's law: having tried to no avail for a few days now (DD screaming like mad the second we put her down) she's nodded off on her own in her cot for the first time ever just now and I need to wake her up to go the baby clinic before noon!! Typical!

Anyway, I hope you all had a reasonably good night's sleep. Let's hope today's a better day!

xx