December 2007 - Santa's come early for some of us...

[Housemum]

Thought I'd start off the new thread as I've never started one before - congratulations to those of you who are on here now - hope I'll be joing you in the not-too-distant future!

Apart from the expressing, not having a good day. Have had a bad headache all day, and ds hasn't settled in his Moses basket all day, he falls asleep on either me or DH but wakes up screaming the minute we put him down.
Making it very hard to get anything done.
Had a lie down earlier, but it hasn't done anything for my headache.

I also have a headache.

ok day 12 tomorrow post section baby lovely and BF well but often...may try and get out with friend tomorrow just for wander and some lunch at M+S but am terrified at the thought of having to BF in public (more than likely) anyone done it yet???

macdoodle - don't worry about it, I've bf both of mine in public and have only ever had good comments from people - I think the key is to find a quiet corner and the vast majority of people won't even notice, the tricky bit is getting them latched on discretely, after that you just look like you're giving them a cuddle - last week I bf ds2 in church (I figured it was preferable to him screaming) and the oldies didn't even bat an eyelid, in fact one elderly man said how lovely it was to see someone nursing if it helps go with someone the first time you do it (I was with dh with ds1 and I felt like I had some support)

hope headaches go soon cazzy and bouncing

buzzy - I thought EBM could only be kept in fridge for 24 hours? hope bleeding gets better soon, sounds horrible x

fifi - thats lovely that dp has booked holiday - I'm also feeling pleased as dh booked 2 weeks eurocamping in france today in June

just put ds2 to sleep on his front (3 wks old) not sure about it but he sleeps so well like that... did it with ds1 from 7 wks but have been checking on ds2 every few mins, might have to flip him over at some point... feel like a really bad mum as I know its against the advice...

right its past my bed time (good luck with tonight everyone!)

Pictures on my profile finally am so proud of my girls

Insy/buzzy in SCBU they kept EBM in the fridge for 48 hours, once out of the fridge it kept for 4 hours.
Know what you mean about feeling like bad mother, DS has slept on his side since birth as was like that in SCBU for first 2 days then when we came home I did the same and then we were 10 nights in hossie so was same again.

Also had a headache today and had to take 2 paracetomol, glad I did as took pain away from CS as well (cazzy we prob feel the same about our CS's - feel free to vent/discuss!)

Did first public BF today and it was fine. shame DS then threw it all back up when I changed his nappy 20 mins later.

Lovely pictures everyone, your little ones are gorgeous. Need to sort some out for my profile too.

Need to get some thankyou notes and start writing them out, so many small things like that need taking care of!

Anyone got any idea about the driving after a CS? I know we need to wait 6 wks but who gives the go ahead? The Dr at your 6wk post natal check or can you just jump in the car literally 6 wks after the CS?

Hi Everyone, sorry have just quickly scanned last couple of pages, so hard to keep up. My man goes back to work on Monday, not sure how I will ever shower or get dressed again!!

Bf going well now, though still have a very powerful left boob!!

Going to register Kaesha tomorrow - how exciting!

Loving seeing all the pics on everyones profiles, amazing how they are all so different and such little characters.

Kaesha has no kind of set routine at all, some days she feeds and feeds and is really wakeful other days she just seems to want small snacks and sleeps loads, I'm guessing that some days she's having more of a growing spurt?

She hates sleeping flat on her back and much prefers it when she's slightly propped up on your knees or next to you, so some nights it's really hard to get her to settle in her crib. It's been great these last 3 weeks as me and my partner have taken it in turns to care/sleep kind of like a relay race! but when he goes back to work we won't be able to do that and that scares me!!

Re EBM: 48 hours in fridge sounds like a good guideline to me. I read 1 week in a book but must admit I wouldn't use week old EBM unless it had been frozen!! Don't think I've given her anything more than 24 hours old so far but as am starting to get more and more (up to 220ml now) will have to start freezing soon - will buy some of those sterile freezer bags today I think.

Driving: a friend who had a Cs told me 6 wks was a guideline interpreted to loosely mean that when you feel you could safely stamp on the brakes in an emergency without hesitation then you were ok to drive. Everyone's pain threshold is a bit diff also rate of healing etc. I think she started driving after about 3 weeks but her baby was in neo-natal ward for at least that long as 5 weeks premmie.

Lizzer - how did you get on with the kidney scan?

ABs seem to have kicked in now so bleeding less TG. Off for blood test shortly tho.

Buzzy glad the bleeding has lessened. Its a horrible thing after going through pregnancy and birth to then bleed for so long with possible infection etc.
I think the Doctor will give me ABs for my wound tomorrow, last time I =had them feeding DD I got thrush in my boobs - I hope I dont react in same way again. Been eating banana and bio yog for bf to try and prevent it.

I realise now that I had probably been bleeding more than I should have for several days but just thought it was one of those things I should put up with. Blood has gone from big dark red clots (sorry tmi!) to pale red no clots which is obviously more normal. Actually what prmpted me finally to ring MW was doing a search of MN talk threads about lochia and noting that what I had did seem unusual and one post in particular from someone who said she'd gone to GP at 10 days and turned out she had an infection. Go mumsnet!!!!

Hi guys - long time no write I know - sorry. Sounds like you are all far more organised that me and that's me on Number 2 so apparently more chilled out and sorted - NOT

Things are much better this time though although just flicking through some of your posts there's so much we all have in common. All the things we said we wouldn't do 2nd time around 0 letting her settle on us instead of getting used to being in moses basket, etc etc etc - nope - guess where her favorite sleeping position is! Same as her big sisters was - on her Daddy! Feeding has been easier without the CS and I do feel for those of you struggling here - from memory (which is absolutely buggered now!) things got better around 6 to 8 weeks. The only problem I've had this time is a bladder infection which needed antibiotics which promptly have given me thrush in my boobs - fab!! Getting back to normal now though hopefully.

Sorry for not being more personal but since DD2 has actually decided to crash after her morning feed without wanting me as a pillow I thought to write a quick hello was better than hours reading all the previous posts - sorry again - I must try harder to log on more often - just don't seem to have a spare minute as when I don't have DD2 I'm tending to spend time with DD1 which is great to be honest - so nice to be able to run around with her again etc - and at least the SPD has just about gone too!

Anyway - grumbling again so better go

best wishes to you all and here's hoping 2008 is a fab year for us all - lots of exciting new experiences to be had by all

morning everyone,

well things seem a bit more positive today - more sleep and less painful boobs all round

buzzy - i had increased bleeding and it was an infection - ABs cleared it up pretty fast though

clairey - we are using washables, or rather will be using them - have tried DS in them a few times but they just swamp him so we have been holding off until he gets a bit bigger - what nappies are you using and do they fit OK? I was thinking of using muslins at first as terries and shaped ones are too big

met a nice mum in a cafe yesterday who invited me to a new toddler group which follows the Steiner principles - anyone know anything about theses?

DS seems to be spacing out his feeds in the night now - 11pm, 3am and 6am-ish which is great (relatively speaking). have also stopped asking DH to chnge his nappy which makes him eternally grateful and extra nice to me!

anyone managed to have some post-partum sex yet? we thought about it last night but didn't quite manage to follow through.. but am impressed with myself that it has even crossed my mind - don't think it had at this stage with DD

oh dear can't remember who said what, will go back and reread.....

Hello all, not got much time as DS is waking up.

After all my bravado about not worrying about the catching the vomiting virus on Monday whilst visiting clinics, Monday afternoon, DS got sick. Then all night long I was having to sit on the loo whilst honking in to a bowl. Lovely! DH had to take yesterday off work to look after us. I'm sure we got it from my niece when my brother visited at the weekend.

Skid, I've been gagging on sex for weeks, but am still bleeding.

Wizz - sorry to hear you and ds are ill! Sounds very unpleasant . Hope you are better soon.

skidaddle i was going to ask that very question this morning - s-e-x that is!! It is the furthest thing from my mind at the moment, but was feeding this morning and milk was spashing everywhere as dd couldn' get on properly, and i thought - what happens boob-wise when you're doing the deed?!

fifi was last night better for you?

suey did you get to the supermarket?! not sure whether i am jealous or relieved that my dd is not awake for as long as yours!!

bouncing and cazzy i have had some major headaches too - not sure if just sleep deprivation, or if somehow bf related?

macdoodle - M&S was the scene for my 1st public BF too! just as everyone else said, no probs, lots of supportive smiles etc. my main issue is getting her latched no - we're not vg yet so felt like i had to "hide" a bit then...boob waving in the air, dd wailing etc!

re EBM the NCT book says 24hrs, as does the leaflet in the pump box, bfc said 5 days!?! I ordered freezer bags the other day, going to start stocking up! got a doidy cup too and also these cupsas bfc said that altho there is no set age for introducing a bottle it's best to wait till latch is good etc - i don't feel mine is yet.

wizz - nightmare, poor you!!

re the sickness that is, not the gagging for it!

Skid, Steiner principles I think say that the kids can choose what they learn, they don't have strict lessons. There was a steiner school where I grew up and all the steiner kids (had lots of friends from the steiner school) were very hippy dippy and none of them could do maths but they all could do rainbow paintings. Am a bit of a skeptic.

caz - Last night was great, Fed ethan and he fell asleep about 9.30, i went to bed and Ethan slept through until just after 3, had a feed and change then slept until 7.
I feel like a totally different person now ive had some sleep
skiddadle - I thought about sex too, bleeding has stopped but ive just been too tired, may try at the weekend when dp's off so i can rest more.

I think I must actually be the last person on here to pop.

Had my sweep yesterday and she said that my cervix was really high and completely closed and my baby boy is only partially engaged, so quite disapointed with that. Am booked for induction on Friday so one way or the other he will be arriving this weekend then can join the post natal thread for all the poo talk.

Am going to catch up now, hope everything is going well for all you ladies.

hi all have baby in arms and she is cranky so no capitals or much punctuation sorry.

she has had two nights of screaming up until about 11pm am worried is colic, but hoping not....

driving after c/section - i drove last week so three weeks after op. apparently it is just when you feel up to it and practise doing emergency stop first. i have felt fine after this section, and am lifting my toddler, shopping etc with no problems.

my dh would like sex but i am too tired and boobs too sore still. feel i owe it to him soon as he has been so good helping with dd1 and dd2.

amani - what is your new daughter's name i don' think it is on the list.

i have been puked on twice today - massive all down clothes pukes. it all comes up when she burps,. nice.

MM - good luck for Friday!

I still have headache, it maybe bfing related, perhaps we're not srinking enough fluids?

Fed ds around 11pm, he slept until 2.30am , then he woke up at 5am and 6am wanting feed. DH got up with him after the 6am feed and I got another hours sleep!
First visit from Health Visitor, she seemed really nice. Just left a load of info and asked a load of questions. Think it went ok.

Sex??? Can't even begin to contemplate dh going within 3 feet of my bits! Bleeding tailing off but still sore...

Skid-I'm currently using kissaluvs and bimbles 0s and sandys xs. They fit ds great but aren't absorbant enough so I have to boost them. At night I use terries or the bimbles super boosted-the terries come down to his knees but it means they last a bit longer!
Have bimbles in size 1, a couple of kissaluvs and little lambs and some modern baby nappies-used all of those for dd and they lasted at least 3 hours on her unboosted so we'll see if they do the same on ds. Think he may be a super weeer but as I never used the newborn size ones with dd I don't have anything to compare with! Really wanted to use them from birth though cos I found it hard to make the transition with dd and as I already have her in cloth and so have to wash nappies anyway it made sense to put him straight in them too.

DS has finally agreed to take the dummy sometimes which is great news for me. Means I can put him down awake sometimes instead of having to wait until he is in a deep sleep and pray!

Last night was much better too(after the 2 hours of broken sleep I had the night before)-he went to bed at 7.45ish and I followed at 8.30! He didn't wake until 11.45 so had a decent stretch then. I fed him and as dh was only just coming to bed I made him settle ds back down for me(much to dh's annoyance but as I told him a few more nights of 2 hours of sleep and he shouldn't trust me to look after his children!). DS was asleep by 12.15 and slept until 2.20 when he was awake until 4.30 and then slept until 6am. Bit unsettled from there on but didn't need to be walked up and down so was able to doze a bit.

Insy I mostly put DS on his front too now...he settles much better and sleeps for longer. Feel guilty cos he does sleep on his back or side sometimes, but not as well-with dd I had to put her on her tummy as she would scream if put on her back. Wish I was someone who could be blase about it and say "oh well it never did X any harm" but I'm all too aware that the guidelines have changed for a reason and would only blame myself if anything did happen. It's a tricky one...

Not really feeling like sex, am too much in mummy mode at the moment. Hopefully will come once I start getting some sleep! (That said I did have a rude dream this morning!)

HV came yesterday and was actually very nice and normal. DS now weighs 9lbs 3 oz so all the feeding is obviously doing something! Told her about his screaming after feeds then fed him while she was there-he gave a fine performance! She said I am coping very well with it but she wouldn't be surprised if I cracked so to ask for help at the first signs of feeling down. She said colief will have a better effect than infacol so will get out my pump. Do you think that if I pump and then store it in the fridge just taking out a spoonful each feed to mix with the colief that will be ok? There is no way I am going to express in the middle of the night! Also is it right can be kept at room temp for 4 hours? If I put it by my bed for the night feeds that will make life easier too.

Off to hospital now for ds' hearing screen. Is a 30 min bus journey and only 50% of our buses are buggy friendly so am debating whether to battle with dd walking or to take buggy and risk having to battle with getting both dd and buggy (and ds in sling)onto a non buggy friendly bus... wish me luck!

Thingamagig ? glad matilda is getting better that must have been so worrying for you.

Amani ? you seem to be making a real go of BF, I remember you had a similar time to me last time. Hope I am as lucky and can persevere as much.

Clairey ? the buggy situation is scary isn?t it. Lo hasn?t arrived yet, but have decided that since we walk a lot I will need a buggy (although up until now I have sworn not to buy one). Going to get a side by side Mclaren I think tho, but not until baby finally arrives and use the sling in the meantime. How do you find the sling, do you find the extra weight difficult whilst pushing the buggy?

Mad4girlsplusone ? just wanted to say sorry to hear about the rough time you have had. Hope things are looking up.

Caz10 ? here here for the taking 9 months to lose the weight, couldn?t agree more.

Hey all, hmm sex? Its like i've forgotten what to do! I'm sure there'll be a right time and placein the not too distant future. Had a good feel of my bits (sorry if tmi) and stitches healed well so at least in fully working order, phew!

Buzzy, thanks for asking about scan, well typical of the glorious healthcare here we have been neglected and have had no follow up apt sent through, I was so naffed off with the awful sonographer for not even telling us if the kidney was still dilated but thought someone would've been in touch by now, annoyingly I don't even know which hosp. dept. to get in touch with but I'll track it down no doubt. The HV was a bit shocked too but reassured me if it was urgent they'd have been in touch. So did you say your dd just needs a follow up scan and no AB's? My ds was prescribed ongoing ab's from birth but 2 x midwife advised me (carefully) that it was up to me wether I gave them as it was preventative and ds was weeing really well and looking healthy so I didn't give them...

DP's in ikea atm (its a million miles away and he's in his van so I didn't go) He keeps phoning me while I'm on their website going " Its the kvartie hutulberger with the kvinsk vartal" and other such swedish gibberish! its making me giggle, and can the man make a desicion on a lamp shade??! Not a chance. I'm sure he has soft furnishings phobia

I'm converted on the wrap sling folks (Macdoodle, I had to laugh when you said you coudn't b/feed discretely in the bright pink babasling! What a nightmare. You could send it back and swap the colour though?) Took ds out in it (the tricot slen from bigmamaslings) y'day and he loved it much more than his (bloody expensive) bugaboo. Its so snuggly for him and didn't get too many odd looks at the school gates when picking dd up (its a bit of a northern backwater town so baby wearing hasn't quite caught on yet!)

Sorry to hearabout illness wizz

fifi at your holiday too. We usually go to italy in the summer but lack of funds is glaringly obvious after rennovating our new house in Nov.. Keep thinking I should raise some money by ebaying..hmm maybe next week

Lol Beanster, ds is a velcro baby too, but this time I keep thinking about how short a time they are baby's for so it doesn't seem like a 'problem' like it did with dd. And 2nd time round I'm much more chilled about everything, and feel completely fine about sitting here in my pj's at 1.30!

headaches- mine were sorted by feeding lying down- all that looking down when sitting feeding was what did for me. Still get them if i have fed sitting up repeatedly.

Loucee/ cazzybabs sorry you feel disappointed by your CS. I am delighted - have had no problems at all with the scar etc. And although i have been avoiding too much lifting, i have been scampering around pretty much as normal- klutziness with buggy permitting. Did go to waitrose yesterday- a bit awkward- definitely will only be going for small amounts.

Driving- i drove 10 days after CS- after checking i was covered my insurance. No probs at all.

tried babybjorn and sling today- millie hates the sling- a bit big! but loves the bjorn.

fifi- i am surprised your DP doesn't do feeds. My dh loves it! Certainly more fun than nappy changing. Good on him for the holiday.

Sex- really fancy it, but have started bleeding again and have just finished the antibiotics i took for my UTI. Maybe next week! but we were naughty at the weekend without going the whole hog. Bleurgh- the thought of condoms, though