Nov 2007..... Once we pop, we will not stop!!!

[sparklygothkat]

I can finally start this, as someone else has had her baby.. woohooo!

SparklyGothKat - 25 Sep (8 Nov) BOY - Callum Eden
KaylaBMummy ? South Wales - 18 Oct (8 Nov) GIRL - Katie

[RGPargy]

Nor me!!!

It's lies!! All lies, i tell thee!!!!

[sparklygothkat]

we are having a rough time atm we just are struggling with conflicting advice.

[littleoldme]

Sparkly - Read your thread. Blimey they are putting you through it. I'm in no position to offer any advice but did want to send lots of love.

[littleoldme]

BTW Rg and Jarm - you are the most chattery boxes I know and I think it's great

[RGPargy]

No advice either Sparkly, but big hugs.

LOM - I'm such a net junkie. My morning routine is:

Kettle? CHECK
Laptop? CHECK
Bagel? CHECK
TV? CHECK

I dont know whether to or

[iris66]

RGPargy - just .

Sparkly - I had a quick look at your thread as well. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. All I can say is that I'm thinking of you too(hug)

[littleoldme]

Rg - Whatever helps get us through - that's what I say.

[iris66]

morning all How's everyone doing?Think I've got a blocked milk duct (would it make your nipple sore too?) My right nipple feels really bruised like it's been badly chomped and I thought I may have just had a badly latched feed but now I've got a hard patch on my boob too. I've been trying to get Elliot in different positions and massaged it too but no relief as yet. Any tips gratefully received.

[AnnainNZ]

Iris - I think a hot flannel on the lump can help - and when you're feeding, massage the lump towards the nipple to encourage it to "unblock". I've found an ice pack on lumps can help too.

[ChocolateHobnob]

No advice on blocked milk ducts I'm afraid Iris but what a PITA. I think I read that massaging the area lightly when feeding would help? or my What to Expect when you're breastfeeding book suggests a change of baby position?

How are you doing Anna? Hugs to you.

Here all is well... I was bf with nipple shields for a bit cos Rebecca suddenly wouldnt latch, then I kept trying her without them, usually halfway through a feed, and she remembered how to latch and we've been shield-free for five days now! The shields had no effect on my milk supply IMO as the little gannet has managed to put on a stonking 14 oz since she was born 12 days ago.
I haven't bf in front of anyone yet apart from DH and my mum though - my technique is less than discreet - I need practice!
Any bfeeding mums out there - when did your babies start to feed regularly/routinely? Rebecca sometimes goes four hours and sometimes one hour... difficult to plan... but am feeding on demand.

Rebecca was very good yesterday and overnight. We took her to her grandparents and lots of their friends turned up and feted her and even someone I'd never met who seemed to know all about me (this baby thing is weird!). Rebecca got lots more presents (cue me having to buy even more packs of thank you cards and write more letters - I'm not ungrateful but I can't keep up with it!) - still people want to celebrate a baby being born and that's nice. Today it's our first just us day (believe it or not - we have had people EVERY DAY since Rebecca was born) which will be a nice change.

Waiting for the chatterboxes to give birth!!!

[iris66]

thanks for the advice I had a hot shower earlier and massaged loads which helped. I've dosed myself up with paracetamol for the mo as I keep going hot & cold and feel really fluey .MIL & DSS have just arrived for lunch so I'll try again later.

[littleoldme]

Choc - Great to hear that Rebecca is doing so well. She ceratinly sounds like she's piling on the weight

Iris - Hope the soreness is getting better.

Haven't heard from Easy for a while. Hope she's ok.

[RGPargy]

Iris - hope you got your duct sorted out. Sounds painful!

Glad to hear that everyone else seems to be doing really well.

Cannot wait to be a full time participant of this thread! Not long to go now!!

[fiona76]

Hi I'm so pleased to be able to post here now as a nov mum!!! Baby Anabel Ruth was born on Thursday 22nd Nov at 2.17am, 6 pound. She is the most beautiful girl. I haven't had a chance to catch up on all the posts its amazing how time just disappears!!! She had a very busy night keeping us all awake but has been an angel again today. Hoping for a better night tonight. I am feeding well My mum is here looking after me from NZ for 2 weeks Anabel arrived into the world 4 hours before mum arrived in heathrow so couldn't have timed it better if we had planned it.
Will post photos on my profile and write birth story soon.

[RGPargy]

Hi Fiona

You sound very happy and extremely loved up!!! Congrats again to you! Perfect timing for your mum coming over - i bet she is thrilled!!

[AnnainNZ]

Fiona - congrats - you sound over tne moon wiht your new arrival

Chochobnob - I'm good thanks, we're doing really well as a family and are loving being parents despite the sad circumstances. It's still such a mixture of emotions - total delight in Amelia, she's a fab baby - but also sad feelings too. But we're getting there.

[silkcushion]

Congratulations Fiona

Iris - are you sure you haven't got mastitis? I thought the symptoms included a funny patch on yr breast and fluey like temperature. You'll need to go to dr if you have.

Anna - what's Amelia like?

Oh and does anyone have any idea why Megan might refuse to go back to sleep after her 5am feed? She seems wide awake and alert. Doesn't scream and cry but make lots of noise which keeps DH awake too.

[iris66]

Fiona - congratulations on the arrival of Annabel

silkcushion - I think you were right about the mastitis. (The kellymom website had some good info on it)I couldn't move yesterday afternoon & felt really rough with a temp & all my joints were really painful. My boob was all red and engorged too. Much massage/hot flannels/feeding rugby ball style/expressing/paracetamol and homeopathic remedies later and I'm much better thanks. Still a bit of a reddish patch but it's going thankfully. I was going to ring the doc if I didn't improve as apparently it can be really nasty (phew! I was lucky!)

Megan sounds like she's sorting out her night & day. Luckily Elliot's starts at around 8 as he just goes back to sleep after the 5ish slot. The only thing I can suggest is to keep evreything dark/quiet until 8ish and keep everything light/noisy later in the evening (though you're probably doing this already )

Anyone elses LO got bad milk spots btw? Elliot has a face like a pizza it's awful (though thankfully not infected - apparently that's quite common)

[fiona76]

Photos are on profile

Breast feeding is going realy well my boobs are massive and hard today so hopefully she will want to feed lots. I have G cups and Anabel is only 6 pounds and has a tiny face so it looks at bit weird but she is coping well bless her.

[RGPargy]

awww Fiona!!! Annabel looks lovely!!!!

[ChocolateHobnob]

Ooooooh Fiona she's so cute! And I know what you mean about little head/big breasts - I am the same with Rebecca - I think it doesn't make it harder for lo but it will make being discreet a lot harder!!!

Iris well done avoiding mastitis. My friend has had it for ages and it's been a nightmare. I think Rebecca has milk spots - well she's got some little spots anyway.

Rebecca is soooo spoilt - she has got just so many presents it isn't true. A lovely designer wardrobe that puts scruffy mummy to shame!

Next round of visitors coming now! it's a merry-go-round!

[choudru]

Congratulations Fiona - another cutie to add to our growing brood. Am I biased or are the November thread babies particularly attractive?

Anna - what a shock You sound so together - I would be a mess if that happened to me right now. My mum has been a star throughout my pregnancy and since Sara was born. I would be lost without her. My sympathies honey. If you were a believer in destiny, you would almost think that Amelia had been sent to you to ease your grief.

Sara is doing well - today was my first day of coping with the kids without DH or my mum so a major milestone. So far we are doing ok. Having said that, I've only just had a shower and have just changed from one pair of pyjamas into another one, rather than bother putting daytime clothes on for a couple of hours he he.

Choc - my boobs have gone right down in size over the past week. Still bigger than pre-pregnancy but not crazy proportions as they were 2 weeks ago!

Iris - awful to hear about your boobs playing up. One of the mums from my antenatal class had mastitis and she said she felt like she had a bad flu. It's hard enough dealing with new motherhood without extra physical discomfort. Hope things improve for you!

Found out my double buggy has finally arrived at the shop I ordered it from so I shall pick it up this week. Can't wait - it will mean I get my freedom back and can take the munchkins out for some fresh air every day.

I'm off to watch Mr Maker with DS.

[iris66]

welcome back choudru (and yes, the Nov babies are certainly exceptionally gorgeous )That first day on your own's a bit of a shock isn't it (I wondered what on earth I used to do before littlies!)

fiona - lol at the little head/big boob combo. I can remember actually noticing when DS1's head finally becaame larger than my boobs and feeling it was a real milestone

Still expressing loads here to keep the lumpiness down but (touch wood) the redness has gone and my armpits no longer feel like they've got marbles in them

[jetgirl]

I'm so excited to be here at last! William Robert arrived on 20th November, weighing 8lbs 1oz - this was a big shock as my DD was 5lbs 8oz at birth, and even more overdue than William!

My birth story is a happy one. I went to bed on Monday evening, then started having regular contractions at midnight, then I had a show - I was extremely excited as I didn't have this until late in labour last time round. By 2am I was convinced I was in labour, so phoned my mum to come and look after DD. DH and I went to hospital at 4am when contractions were 5 mins apart. I had my first internal at 6am - 3cm dilated. I thought I was much further along, but the MW was fairly convinced I'd progress quite quickly. AT 10:30 I had another internal - 5cm!!!

At 3pm I had another internal, 8cms dilated, and I was getting really tired as I hadn't had any sleep, so I asked my MW to break my waters. That certainly got things going! However, because there was meconium present I was moved down to the delivery rooms, instead of being allowed to stay in the birthing centre (which is a more homely environment). So suddenly faced with very strong contractions, which were making me make some very odd noises I was wheeled down the corridor to the lifts then past the front doors on the way to delivery!! Not one of my most dignified moments!

Once in the delivery room I didn't have long to wait before I could start pushing, and after just 16 minutes of pushing William was born. I should have been quicker, but because I had suffered a 3rd degree tear previously I was just to afraid, and it took so much willpower to overcome that fear. My favourite part of the whole process was seeing him emerge - I'd had my eyes closed for a long time trying to channel the pain, but had to see the birth, as I didn't get the chance with my DD. At this point I realised I'd done the whole thing without any pain relief, so felt like superwoman! I couldn't have done it without the encouragement of my DH (whose hand I almost broke with each painful contraction), my brilliant MW and the 2 student midwives who stayed on after their shifts had finished to see me through!

I only had a 2nd degree tear, but because my skin tears so easily the stitching took 1 1/2. I hit the gas and air for that! William took to the breast straightaway, and DH and I both cried at the birth. So despite the slight dramatics at the end, it was still an amazing experience.

We are all totally in love with our little boy, and DD is besotted. You can see that on the pics.

And yes - all November babies are beautiful - we have a gorgeous group on this thread!