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!

BTW, didn't know Lost had started up again! Don't have Sky but my friend taped them all for me last series, wonder if she will again...?

loucee - we used to have sky (we have the box and dish still) but we got rid when saving money a couple of years ago and went to freeview - seeing as now we don't go out and watch loads more telly we could probably justify it again... maybe!
I also think feeling like you need something else other than babies to think about is completely understandable - I've started running again just to get out of house, me time is really important for you and for your babies. I feel like ds2 isn't getting any quality time with me, someone asked me if he was grasping at toys yet, I honestly don't know ds1 takes up all my time and they are both asleep now

had my 6 week check yesterday, gp seemed really unfased by the fact I'm still bleeding 7 wks after giving birth, said it might be a period and I doubt it, she said to go back next week if still bleeding, felt a bit fobbed off but guess I'll be back next week

So insy and beckle you think how I am feeling is natural and not to worry I have PND? I must sound like I am almost wanting PND but it's just scary to think people go undiagnosed and feel so unhappy for so long. I honestly can't remember how I felt after having DD because I would be out and about all the time and when I was in the house I was whizzing round and using webcams with friends and family etc and for some reason it didn't seem so baby focussed? I just sat and had a nice chat with DH whilst DD and DS are asleep and from that I reminded myself that my babies wont be babies for very long and DD will be starting pre-school next summer then school the following year. I think sometimes I lose perspective on what job I'm doing at the moment and perhaps it also stems back to the delivery as well, I sort of deny it and pretend it didn't happen.

I had no idea you're still bleeding Insy - does the running make it heavier? Is it tailing off now or have you had fresh blood or any clots? I hope it stops soon, it's such a long time post natal to still have that. I need to book my 6wk post natal check. New system in our area where DS wont get his 6wk check until a card has come through electronically - apparently it isn't working very well and most babies are getting the check at 12wks now! We have a follow up appointment at the hospital for DS on 19th Feb and I bet that comes sooner than his 6wk check! I'm just keen to keep getting him looked at to check everything is ok.

Help! [and TMI alert!]

LO did no poo for 36 hours then did a small green poo, quite solid. Anyone else had similar??? Up til now all poos have been the same - runny and yellow. I haven't changed my feeding, still about 75-80% EBM, rest formula. Is it possible for her to be constipated on this diet?? Is it something I've been eating? Why green??

Thanks!!

Buzzy green poo can sometimes indicate too much foremilk - have you noticed the consistency of your expressed milk look more watery than usual?

That's interesting loucee - I have been trying to increase BM production by expressing more often, could have something to do with it? By why so much more solid too? Really seems like she's constipated - no poo for 36 hours then just this little one?

Ambi & Beckle - your dds are gorgeous!
And ambi, don't feel guilty that your dd lets you have a good night sleep, I'm hopeful that ds will be the same! Actually my dm said I slept through early on but my dbs (twins) didn't for months! So maybe there is something in what you said?
Went to Bumps and Babes today and funnily enough there was a couple of people asking about spots! So I was able (with your help!) tell them why . Then went to Franky and Benny's for lunch, as able to feed him there no problems then to Tiny Treasures, an activity group for 0-1 year olds. Ds didn't do very much apart from cry, eat and sleep but he did get very interested in a rattle toy with mirror, could it have anything to do with the fact it was shaped like a turtle?

Loucee, I think that what you are feeling is normal, especially if you are finding yourself at home quite a lot. The fact you look forward to seeing friends at weekends would suggest to me that you are just feeling a little lonely in the week but if you are worried about PND then it is better to catch it early. If you are worried perhaps have a chat with your Health Visitor (have you got a nice one?), just talking about it might help?

Insy, I am also still bleeding which although DD is only 4 weeks I only bled for a couple of weeks with the DSs. Could you be anaemic? I am fairly sure I am, I was before DD was born and lost quite a lot during the birth (about a pint) so am guessing that is why it hasn't stopped yet. Is only very light though but does get heavier on days when I walk a long way or do a lot.

Thanks BT, I think she is gorgeous too! How are you getting on?

BTW, lovely lovely friend recorded Lost for me (without being asked) so am going to watch it in a min while I tackle huge ironing pile!

Loucee - can understand how you feel. Feel like my life is just swampped with running around after DD1 and DD2 and some days I really look forward to their afternoon nap. Been trying to get out and about every day, even if it a short walk and make sure I am not cooped (sp?) up at home. Please see your GP if you are feeling low; ever since I had DD2 I was crying on/off for the first four weeks and it's only when I went to my GP for mastitis that he diagnoise me with PND. It felt like such a relief to know why I was feeling so low and bett nower that I have a little more support.

I've just gone by Suey's method of expressing straight after a feed and got over 3oz out! Normally get 2oz if I'm very lucky.

Bouncing wow 3 oz after a feed? I am sure I'll get nothing but as soon as new pump arrives I'll try that one!

AMani - I had no idea you had PND, what extra support have they given you?

Buzzy - no idea about the hard poop, just I remember green poo cropping up in a bfing thread a while ago!

Beckle - the HV is ok but not someone I can talk to. I have just agreed a new schedule for DD to go to the CM 2 full days rather than 3 half days which means I'll get 2 whole days to go off wtih DS but get 3 whole days with DD and DS as the 3 mornings meant we couldn't really go anywhere far and always rushing back and think DD will like being chilled out and relaxed for an extra morning rather than rushed up and out the door with DH to the CM.
Thanks for listening girls, it helps!

Those who give bottles how much does your LO take? Had a blocked duct this morning so had to express and decided to try ds with his first bottle his eve. Got about 3.5 oz but could have got more if persevered. He drank the lot but not sure if was enough/too much. He had a total meltdown not long after which has made me even less sure!

clairey - we give ds 4oz of expressed milk when he has bottle - seems to be enough sometimes he finishes it sometimes he doesn't

loucee - if you're not sure speak to someone from gp or hv team that you feel comfortable with, they will chat it through with you and it might just help you put everything in order and work out what you'd like to do to make it easier - I had PND before and this time round I have an anal plan for each day (including a weekly meal plan ) it makes sure we got out to a toddler group or something and speak to someone everyday - ds1 is in the CM 2 days a week and it works really well for us so think its worth a try, I think you're right that it gives you a chance to do something with your day and not be rushing, keeping chatting to us in the meantime tho x

re my bleeding: running didn't make it worse but its all stopped today so I'm very very confused and to admit that maybe gp was right - scarey that it could be a period like she said, beckle I thought anmemia made you feel very tired? I'm not feeling too bad, does that mean I'm ok?

Loucee- I agree with insywinsyspider and if you don't feel comfortable speaking with your hv, then speak to your doctor. I haven't had PND but I've suffered from depression and panic disorder from I was 16 and it's always better to nip these things in the bud and seek help. tbh i think a lot of new mothers feel isolated, myself included. Just keep talking ..

Insy I also have a weekly meal plan! I have needed one ever since DD weaned really otherwise I get caught out without food in the house to make a decent meal. Thanks for your advice, I'll try and speak to someone soon although I am feeling much better now that DD seems to be accepting her new Brother and daft things like DH was late home tonight so I bathed and put both of them to bed single handed and there weren't any tears!

clairey I'd say 4oz would be enough in a bottle to start with, I tried DS with a bottle the other night but didn't him soon enough and it all came back up (that was 3oz)

Oh my goodness just heard on the news about that poor new mother dying after having an epidural injected into her arm

Thanks Beachbunni, I have really enjoyed being part of this antenatal and now post natal thread as it's been good to read of everyone going through similar things and knowing it's not just a matter of me not coping but that it's natural to feel isolated etc etc. I will speak to someone because i feel that a lot of this doubting myself stems from DS's birth/needing to be re-admitted with infection etc. I feel a bit inadequate.

You are far from inadequate you are doing the hardest job in the world and doing bloody well at that

Ah thanks Macdoodle, your words are really kind and lovely and I think that is true of everyone in this thread we are all doing a great job.

There's a couple of threads in the childbirth section about organisations to help with postb birth trauma etc which are really helpful.

night everyone x

Sorry before I go can I just apologise for being so "needy" and pathetic, I wont speak of it again, sorry to bring the thread down.

Loucee - if you can't moan and be miserable on here where can you be...

either we will all be sympathetic and you will feel better with the MN vibes or we will ignore you and you will feel better becuase you have come on here and got it off your chest (win win ) so please (and I think I speak for all of us) please keep posting how you are feeling! Joking adside honselty please keep talkign how you are feeling - for me it is much easuer on here than to a friend in real life.

I such a tit - today I drove to pick up dd1 from school (and I hate driving, I always aviod it if I can) but dd2 had a doctors appoitment and I had to go the supermarket for pancake stuff...anyway I got dd1 from school got back to the car and could I turn the key in the ignition...thus followed a few tears and much swearing (oh bloody hell mummy dd1 siad helpful (whoops!))...so I gave up anbd we got the bus home (missing the doctors) in the rain and hail (we got soaked) and do you know what was the matter - the stearing lock full thus jamming the key and if I had wiggled the stearing wheel it would have been fine....see I am meant to get the bus. But while waiting for the bus in a downpour a car stopped and gave me an umberalla. Dh is dispearing...on sun I drove to Waitrose starting shopping and realsied I have left my credit card at home!

And dd3 is soooo sick - all the time. it is driving me mad I am always covered in baby sick - any advice people.

clairey, I give my DD about 6oz of EBM each time but she is fully bottle fed. I'd try 4oz to start and see how you go.

BTW though, if you are going to give EBM as a "proper" feed (i.e. as substitute for e BF) make sure you do empty your breast when expressing otherwise you won't get to the hind milk.

Thanks to loucee, now think this was the cause of the green poo (still green today BTW, but more runny) - I have been trying to do quick expresses on the go before running out the door thinking "oh well 6oz is enough for 1 feed, I'll stop now" when I should have given myself more time and extracted that last ounce of precious hind milk.

and agree with cazzybabs - vent away here loucee!

cazzy - no idea bout dd being sick, are you bf or ff?

loucee - vent away (I've said some really stupid things on here to try and make sense of it all - like cazzy said we can all ignore you if we want ) and it is the hardest job to do so much rests on getting it right! (no pressure ) hope you're having a good day today - did you sort out CM? ds1 at CM today, he loves it, I sent him in pants tho I hope CM has an ok day with him!

she is breat feed....i smell slighty of cottage cheese. nice!

just done my 1st online food shop...what have i forgotton?

just put evie in real nappies...she is slighty too small around the thighs (clearly not my daughter) so we have had a slight leak!

Loucee - The extra support is to see HV once a week for a chat, see GP every fortnight, numbers of support group and also anti-depressants. I can say that now, I am feeling much better than I was feeling around week 2/3. Didn't really mention I has PND, because in all honesty I felt a little embarassed, because I felt like I might have been failing as a mother (i.e not being completely in love with DD2 in the earlier weeks, crying all the time and not being motivated to do anything).