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]

awwww Jetgirl, your story and pictures are wonderful!

Cant wait for mine now!!

[AnnainNZ]

Many many congratulations Jetgirl - he is gorgeous and I am in total awe of you doing it without pain relief!

[choudru]

Oh my gosh Jetgirl - I am not worthy! As soon as they broke my waters for me, I found the contraction pain accelerated far too quickly for me to deal with. I don't regret having an epidural at all, but if I had managed without it, I'd be boasting about it for years!

Hope the stitches are healing well - mine healed up in about a week.

William is gorgeous and I don't blame you for crying - quite cute that Dh cried too - aww!

[silkcushion]

Congratulations Fiona and Jetgirl and hello to Anabel and William.

Iris - sorry to hear I might have been right about yr boob. I am impressed that you've fixed it without antibiotics. Btw Megan also has developed a pizza face. Are you treating Elliott with anything? Health visitor said put e45 cream on as it was dry and spotty but it made it worse.

Also a question for all - what does yr baby wear? Do you change them out of babygros and into real clothes for the day? I don't cos I think babygros look sweet and feel comfy but my Nct group all had them in outfits last friday when they came over. AM I being a Waynetta Slob? (I do dress myself though)

[RGPargy]

Morning ladies!!

Silk - i am totally not going to be putting LO in "outfits" when she's a new baby!! I really dont see the point! It'll be babygrows all the way for me. One for night time and one for day time and a change in between if she is sick on it or something. We can be Waynetta Slobs together (when LO finally decides to make an appearance!).

[ChocolateHobnob]

Hi all

Congrats Jetgirl - wow, no pain relief!!!

Silk, I've only put Rebecca in an 'outfit' twice - a little dress that someone bought her that was 'early baby' rather than newborn (she was 6 13 and 2 weeks late!!) so she needed to wear before she grew out of it, and trousers and top that we bought cos they were so cute. Otherwise she lives in sleepsuits to be honest - they are just sooo cute on babies and they MUST be more comfortable plus it's easier to change her nappy. Sooo... I may be Waynetta too but I'm with you!

We're seeing our NCT lot this w/e. They were a bit 'natural birth' and earth motherish, and they all recounted their births listing their lack of pain relief and Amazonian efforts. My emergency c-section inspired the reply that poor me, having to have that, whereas I feel lucky me, I've got my little girl. Hmm. I don't think I'm a born NCT person but the people were nice despite their earthmotheriness so I will go to the reunion.

OK, breakfast time for me while Little Miss sleeps miraculously - DH's last day at home with us and he's sad. I'm worried. Is it hard home alone with babies who don't sleep in the daytime much?

Have a good day all!

[choudru]

Silk - Sara has only worn proper outfits 2/3 times. I think newborn babies look absolutely delicious in babygros. Count me in as another Waynetta.

RG - I don't even change Sara for night-time - she wears a babygro for 24 hours unless she spits up on it!

Another question for debate - how often does everyone bathe their babies? All the MWs I have spoken to regarding Sara have suggested that once every 3 days is sufficient with a daily wipe down. I know some people bathe their babies daily. Was wondering what the general view was on here.

Choc - I wouldn't take your antenatal classes comments to heart. If no-one else has had an emergency CS, then they probably don't understand that it's just another way of giving birth. If you are happy with your experience then you should tell them as much.

Well I would he he.

Tried on my pre-preg jeans today. They looked so wrong! Need to do some tummy toning methinks.

[choudru]

Choc - it is hard being at home with kids - especially the first week after DH/DP goes back to work. But you will soon fall into a routine.

And there is no need to be alone. Find out when the local mother and baby groups are on and start going along regularly. Plus there are breastfeeding cafes (they welcome FF mums as well) and NCT coffee mornings to go to if that floats your boat.

Being a new mum is one of the few times it is socially acceptable to go out and be unapologetic about the fact that you need company!

[RGPargy]

Choc - i know what you mean about some people being earth motherish. When i was having a scan in early pg, the NCT were there promoting breast feeding and they were PROPER earth mothers. I felt really uncomfortable about them pressurising the ladies in the waiting room as i had only just decided to maybe give BF a go. If you can let it go over your head, you should go along to the reunion because their advice could be invaluable!

Choudru - lol i think i would probably be the same as long as LO didn't smell!

As for bathing, i think once every 3 days (if that) is fine to bathe a new baby. From what i remember, new babies absolutely HATE being bathed anyway so what's the point in making them make all that fuss when a top and tail will do for most days?

[silkcushion]

I bath Megan about once every 2/3 days - she does love it though.

I was lucky with my NCT group - no earth mothers - all a bit like me - wanted to make friends with people who were having children. Also all had ideas re perfect birth/bf etc. Now we are all a little more realistic - all 7 of us struggling with bf/ variety of different birth experiences and 7 little cutie babies.

[RGPargy]

Silk - that sounds like an idea situation!

[choudru]

RG - LOL - your standards are slipping already and your LO isn't even born yet

I think once every 3 days is adequate as well. Sara cried her head off the first 2 baths she had but the 2 she has had since then, she has been very chilled out indeed.

She still has a lot of flaking dry skin so I am putting olive oil on her after her baths.

Community MW has just been for a visit. Sara weighed in at a pound heavier than her birthweight MW said she is doing very well because it would be normal for baby to only just be regaining birthweight at this point (she is 19 days old).

What a contrast to DS - he was so slow at gaining weight that I stopped getting him weighed because it was stressing me out so much!

Am mega chuffed because it proves that I am producing enough milk for her. Breastfeeding did NOT go well with DS and I almost decided to not bother trying with this baby because I remembered getting so stressed about the whole thing.

But now I am so glad I decided to try it out. It's so much easier than FF and a lot cheaper! Am grateful that I haven't had to deal with sore nipples or mastitis or anything like that. Probably would have given up by now if that had been the case.

I was getting a little worried that I wasn't producing enough milk because Sara likes to go on marathon feeding sessions most evenings when she she is almost constantly feeding, burping and then feeding again until about 1am. She then sleeps through for 5-6 hours. Read it up on the internet and apparently it's called cluster feeding, where some babies tank up for the night and then sleep for a long period.

So now you know (if you didn't already!)

[choudru]

Silk - you're lucky to have such a down to earth group. From what I can tell, my group is similar. The mums all seem pretty 'normal'. A mixture of natural births, sections, FF and BF so no worries about becoming an earth mother mini-cult.

[sparklygothkat]

hi all Callum is doing ok, not gaining as much weigh as the SCBU nurse would like but he is gaining now. Still topping up regularly. Had my repeat GTT today to see if the diabetics has gone.

Have added a new pic of Callum in the bath onto my profile

[ChocolateHobnob]

Good for Callum Sparkly - he's doing great and so are you.

Lucky you all with the down to earth mothers around you. I will go to the reunion - I am feeling fat at the moment though because my babe was late and so theirs are all at least 2 weeks older than mine, and noone else had a C-section so they've all been exercising. I look like a blimp!!! Oh well. Rebecca is gorgeous anyway.

I bought a Hugabub and tried Rebecca in it today. She howled the place down. I hope this is just an initial rejection - it will be a pain if she continues to refuse it!

DH back to work tomorrow so I have to learn to manage alone. I will be a proud mummy tomorrow night if I've coped!

Bathing, I'm bathing Rebecca every three days or so. She's not mad keen on it yet... hopefully that will pass. Actually I say I am but in fact DH is - I struggle to bend over the bath(C-section).

Baby is crying so off to help. Have a good evening!

[fiona76]

My birth story- I started feeling mild contractions on Saturday and through Sunday but was able to carry on as normal. They were fairly spaced and not to strong but it was enough to get me excited. By Monday night I was feeling they were getting stronger so rang the hospital and they said it was probably pre labour but I could come down and be assessed.
We got the hospital bag and birthing ball and bundled into the car and set off after watching Americas next top model (hehe).
At the hospital they make you wait in the waiting room and then you go into the Triage for assessment. We had to wait 45 mins and DH was getting quite stressed and went and complained and they took us through. The midwife said I was in the latent phase and just needed to go home relax and wait for things to get more intense. Have a bath try and sleep etc. She performed a sweep to get things going for me.
We went and got some food, went home I had a bath and then managed to sleep for a bit but woke again with contractions coming closer together. By 10am I was really feeling I couldn?t cope for much longer so we went back to the hospital. I was no further along and cried and thought if this isn?t even active labour how will I cope. Everything calmed down a bit and I managed to get a bit of rest. We went for lunch and had a walk around. All night I had strong contractions and couldn?t sleep I had 2 baths, went for a walk around the block at 2am. After yet another bath I woke DH at 7 and said that I thought I was getting closer probably not in active stage yet but I wanted to be assessed again just to know where I was at.
The hospital were lovely and said I was 1cm dilated and it wouldn?t be long now I felt better and calmer. I had a doctors appointment so DH took me and then we went home and went for a walk to the park. The contractions were getting stronger and staying 5 mins apart consistently. Only 4 hours after the hospital visit I was ready to go back in and I knew something was different and it was real this time. I made DH promise me he wouldn?t let them send me home again. We had to wait an hour in the waiting room which was completely horrendous but when they saw me I was 4 cm I nearly kissed the midwife. I was put in the delivery room at 4.30pm and DH went down to pick up the bags from the car. Things got much stronger and I was sick and making lots of noise.
They showed me how to use the Gas and air and I was able to relax again and enjoy the effects. They monitored me and then I got in the bath and really relaxed and was able to breathe and focus through the contractions.
At 9pm I was assessed again and they broke my waters. After that things got crazy I went back to the bath and the contractions were coming on top of each other and were so strong. I wasn?t able to focus and I wasn?t coping. I asked for an epidural so went back to the delivery suite. By the time the epidural was in I wanted to push. I was 9cm so the midwife helped push the last bit of cervics behind the babies head. The epidural didn?t take the pain away apparently it happens to some woman but it did help to make the contractions more manageable again.
I pushed for about 10 contractions and Anabel Ruth was born at 2.17 am. I delivered on my knees looking over the back of the bed but turned when she was out and saw her, she was tiny and gorgeous- 6 pounds. There was maconium in the waters which wasn?t seen before so a few people rushed in and worked on her for a while. Then DH bought her over to me and I had my first cuddle with my beautiful daughter.

[AnnainNZ]

Fiona - congratulations, glad you got there in the end despite the slow start! Eeeek at having to wait an hour in waiting room while having contractions - all sounds a bit public. But all good in the end.

I'm another one for baths every 2/3 days and keeping Amelia in same sleepsuit for 24 hours! She isn't sicky at all so unless her nappy leaks I just change her clothes once a day, she seems quite happy! I do have a few little tops and trousers that were presents that I have put her in occasionally just so she gets some wear out of them - but usually it's babygros all the way.

ChocHobnob - like you, I don't feel "oh poor me I had an emergency c/s" - I think "Lucky me, I got my fab baby" - that's all that matters. The whole experience was really positive for me (though I could have done without the wound infection that I'm still on antibiotics for!). Also people saying "Oh you got to 8cm then had to have a c/s, what a shame" - I don't mind that I was in labour, I feel proud I got to 8 cm and I now know I can handle labour (with the help of the drugs!). I honestly feel really happy about the birth and don't understand when people assume I must be upset/pissed off about it.

[silkcushion]

Choc what is a hugabub?

and what on earth are yr group doing exercising already?????????? OMG should I be exercising? Megan is 3 weeks tomorrow and I've walked a bit (with the pram) and done some pelvic floors but nothing else!!!!

Hmmm perhaps that's why my tummy looks like it does

[jetgirl]

Exercise!!!! The advice I've been given is to wait until the bleeding has stopped completely, and I shall follow that advice to the letter!! I did the same last time and managed to regain my figure.

We use babygrows and trousers and tops, though we only have 3 sets of outfits so it's mainly babygrows. They're only young enough to dress like that for a relatively short while, and look just as adorable I think.

Off to bed now, am hopimg William has come to the end of this evening's feeding frenzy now and will sleep for several hours! And excitingly for us his cord stump fell off today - yay - no more icky stump to clean!

[RGPargy]

Silk - No exercise for at least six weeks, or longer if you've had a c-section!!!

Jet - Hope you had a good night's sleep!

[iris66]

silkcushion - re the milk spots - I'm just bathing Elliots face with boiled water. It seems to help and I'm not exercising yet either (and Elliot's 5 weeks!).He's still in babygros 99% of the time and has only had a proper bath every 4/5 days as his skin's quite dry (our water's really hard and very drying)He does get top & tailed every day though

feeling a bit low today - mum's due to visit at the weekend and I know I'm going to get a whole raft of undermining comments (meant well, of course) and a reminder of what a wonderful mother my (childless and perfect)sister would have been (ie much better than me) if only she could have had children (she chose not to) Can you get a second bout of baby blues?

[RGPargy]

Iris - I hope you're letting the water cool down first!!!

Try not to let your mum's comments get you down. I do know how you feel tho because my sister has always been one to make negative comments - like the time she asked if i was still pregnant (i was about 28 weeks and deffo showing!) and the time i was talking to her and i laughed and she said "eeewww haven't you got alot of wrinkles when you laugh!". Family can be so very bloody rude and think they can get away with it! How long is she visiting for? Just let any comments go over your head or say stuff like "well this is MY baby and i'm doing it THIS way" (in the nicest possible way of course!).

[ChocolateHobnob]

Hi all

Proud mummy here! First day home alone with DD since she was born - DH back at work - and I've managed to get her to go into a Hugabub sling I ordered on the advice of the October pn thread and she's sleeping happily in it while I've managed to have lunch and can write on here. Feel proud

Good idea re boiled water, Iris - I need that too as DD has milk spots as well.

RG, any signs of action from you?

Family... mine are okay in general but they can say annoying things anyway. And my inlaws can be terrible! Good luck Iris.

[iris66]

RG - damn, knew there was something

blast of fresh air collecting DS1 and I feel brighter (note to self - get out more )
thanks for the support