NOV 09 - once the lights are out and the last baby has arrived safe and fine, see you here on cloud nine!

[Broodzilla]

I've just realized we're now under the "being a parent" header. I've got stage freight!

sorry re spelling--baby in one arm.

I get all shaky when I see food now. bit embarrassing.

Ladies

For anyone who is interested, the number for the NCT breastfeeding line is 0300 300 0771. I called yesterday and they were so helpful. You get to speak to a trained counsellor and they will answer any questions and give you lots of advice.
There's also a lot of info on www.kellymom.co.uk which actually gives info on the science behind it which I found really helpful and informative.
They cleared up the one side or two question for me, and also talked me all through what I was doing, how he was feeding etc. all with the emphasis that I am the best judge of what is best for my son.

Getting dishcharged from the midwife today, Ioan is 10 days old. Feel as though I'm starting to come out of the newborn fug and be ready to get back to the real world. DH is off for the rest of this week and then we need to work out if he's taking any leave on top of paternity. Am a bit nervous of him going back as then will have to do the nursery run in the afternoon and get out and about so that DS1 doesn't start climbing the walls!
Am sure once I've done it all will be fine!!

scarlotti, what a "relief" that even an experienced mum like you is nervous... it helps me not to feel alone with that problem. (sorry for you though and I'm sure you'll find it just normal and easy)
I really like getting out with Paula. It annoys me when the weather isn't good enough. I should just getter in my time management. A hungrily crying child in the pram is not fun.
Thanks for the NCT info. That sounds really good. I don't really have issues with feeding. She definitely gets enough it's more about the management. It's either too much in one go or little sips every couple of minutes for hours with sleeping inbetween my soft belly and the bf cushion but definitely waking up when putting her into the moses basket. So I'm considering to talk about it with some councellors. Just to see what they would think about it.
Time for moaning (sorry, you can all stop reading now):
Inlaws are coming today and expect husband to meet them in the city after work. They will arrive quite late but do not seem to worry that I have to stay at home alone while they don't have to take the tube by themselves. They are even not stressed at all, want to meet my husband in the pub they already know instead of at least calling from the train when leaving the airport to make sure we won't loose too much time. And of course they want to see Paula after having checked into the hotel which, I guess, will be around 10pm or even later(usual Ryanair delay included)
Did I actually mention that they had gone to China around the due date? First they called every day asking for pictures, couldn't get the ones from the mobile phone, and when we finally managed to send one by email they didn't even bother to call or text to say something about their first grand child. (and a couple of weeks ago they sent us a picture of the very.... unpretty baby of my husbands cousin saying that it was the cutest baby they have ever seen!!!!
And I have to stay 2 days with them while my husband is at work.
And they have finally decided to bring some food. It's a dish which is rather time consuming and they usually keep saying troughout the whole meal how good it is and how long it took to prepare it! I hate that! And I honestly can not say Thank you or It's really delicious (like a child being forced to say Thank you)
If I am cooking something complicate I'd rather say that it was not a big deal and a pleasure.
End of moan, feel much better now, thanks for listening

Yikes Ursi, pretentious ils! Though, go ahead and give them their stupid compliment, they might fall for it and be less annoying if they feel appreciated. :-P

Ursigurke all my sympathies with the il problems. Mine arrived when the baby was 2 days old to "help out" and they did absolutly nothing!! I thought they'd do the cooking (or at least defroast all the food i'd cooked) and entertain ds1 whilst me and dP tried to remember how you take care of a newborn!!But no, it ended up being dp and me cooking and entertaining them, whilst they sat around moaning about ds1 (too noisy, too messy...) They finally went yesterday after 8days and MIL had the cheek to say would i cope without her...well yes!

A bit jealous of everyone as you all seem to hava had quite natural deliveries. Anyway afer hours of monitornig baby was allways sleeping and the MW were getting worried so at 11.30am they induced me with a big dose of syncontin (sp)As the MW wanted baby out quickly i had an epidural; had to push a couple of times as he would move down and ended up with forceps , but after 2 pushes he popped out screaming his head of. This time around the epidural went well maybe too well as I couldn't feel anything! I remember lying there afterwards saying to dp "that wasn't bad maybe we could try for dc3" Lived to regret that , as the episio has been absolute agony for the last week! Anyway 4 hours from begining to end, not v natural but better than the emcs last time, and I have a lovely baby who is perfectly fine so all the worry throughout the pregnancy andbirth was worth it!

A bf question is anyone using expressed breastmilk in a bottle? I want to start early (ashad loads of problems last time round) but I don't really no when to express or have to keep it chilled etc??

usi I think I'm just enjoying feeling like I'm coping as I'm home and have nothing much else to do other than take care of Ioan. The outside world will bring other things for me to have to think about!! Am starting to think it might be nice though
Sorry to hear about your il's.

maman the NCT bf counsellor told me that you can express at anytime, it makes no difference. She said don't think about how much milk you're expressing but to sit comfortably, relax, eat chocolate and just pump away. You can store it in the fridge for 24 hours or in the freezer for 3 months.

Great to see the post natal thread underway and to read all the birth stories. Sounds like most people are happy with the way things went even though it wasn't always how they'd hoped. Broodzilla I can't believe your midwife didn't think you were in labour!! and Lemontop at midwife who was so grumpy when you'd been through so much. It must have been horrid being parted from Isaac after the birth. It's great to hear he's doing well now.

Here's my birth story

My labour took me rather by surprise. My eldest goes diving on a Saturday so we got up early to give daddy his birthday presents and at 7.20am I set off for the pool with DS. I got half way there and had a huge contraction so I turned the car round and took DS to mums house gave him to my brother who answered the door and said you take him diving the baby's on it's way. I had several more contractions as I was driving home so I dumped the car on the road outside our house and ran in the house and shouted at my DH to call the Midwife and get someone to take the kids. By now it was 8 o'clock and I was doubling up in pain. By the time a friend arrived 10mins later the contractions were back to back so the kids left and DH was back on the phone to the hospital asking if a midwife was on her way they said she was running to her car. I think they could hear me shouting in the background, I was beginning to panic as it was all happening so fast so they called a local midwife and sent her round. She arrived at 8.35am and by the time she'd got the gas and air working and examined me I was ready to push. After 6 mins of pushing Bluebell arrived. 5 mins later the midwife from the hospital arrived! I think I was a bit in shock afterwards as I was shaking really badly. But once they'd delivered the placenta and tucked me up on the sofa with blankets and hot waterbottles the shakes wore off and I was able to have my first cuddle with Bluebell. I was really happy that I'd had the homebirth I'd planned especially as She is going to be our last baby. My DH was disappointed though as the midwife cut the cord before he'd had chance to say he wanted to do it. At 9lb 7oz she was my biggest baby but she still managed to arrive without causing any damage.

If you'd asked me at 7am that morning if I thought she would arrive that day I would have said not a chance. We'd even arranged to go out to dinner with friends that evening as it was DH's Birthday so we had to cancel that but I don't think DH minded, despite his comments about loosing his birthday you could tell he was a bit chuffed she'd chosen that day to arrive. His parents were the most surprised they popped in in the afternoon to sat happy birthday to him and nearly fainted when he opened the door with a baby in his arms. (He hadn't been able to tell them she'd arrived as they live on the Isle of Wight and they'd left home early in the morning and as usual had their mobiles switched off!)

Can't wait to hear more birth stories as those babies continue to arrive and the new mummies recover

Wow, what an exciting birth barnowl! Glad you got to have your homebirth and how lovely for your dh to share his birthday. The best birthday present ever!

Well, dh has gone back to work today leaving me to look after the 2 kids! I have already been wee'd on, pooed on and sicked on, oh the joys of motherhood! Going to take ds to messy play and then my parents are coming over so I have plenty to keep me busy! Hope everyone has a good day today with the new babies!

barnowl, wow and I wish I could have seen your Pil's faces!
helips, I'm with you on the being weed, pooed and sicked on. But to be fair, she is only pooing during nappy change when it's my husband doing it. She only pooed on my thigh right after birth and I suppose to even it out, she focusses on my husband now.

IL's have been rather nice yesterday. They didn't even mention how much work it had been to cook that meal. They even asked if they could come over today to take Paula out for a walk. They were really surprised that I said they could come the whole day but that I would definitely take a nap with Paula at lunch time. They replied they wouldn't stay for the whole day as they also want to visit something. So hopefully this weekend will pass better then expected and I'll get the space I need to breathe.

finally found this thread! couldnt find it yesterday!

Realised I posted my birth story on the other thread but should be on this one really.

seems a lot of people had the same experience as me, not being checked for ages and when they finally are checked are a lot further than expected to be.

scarlotti, I think you can store expressed milk for longer than 24 hours. I use this chart:

www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkstorage.html

I seem to take a hundred years leaving the house nowadays - by the time I load up the double buggy with the nappy bag and get Arthur in the cocoon with his hat on and lasso DS1 in order to put his boots and his hat and his coat and find my keys and phone and my coat and shoes, Arthur has woken up and wants to nurse. So I get him out and feed him and wind him, at which point DS1 is jumping up and down like a cross little Rumpelstiltskin because he wants to leave nooooooooooow, and by the time I've got Arthur settled again, DS has stripped off everything and disappeared. Arthur is a month old now, so you think I'd be better at it.

Revolting question: when is the lochia supposed to stop? I'm still bleeding, and I thought it was supposed to be winding down now.

Oooh more birth stories, I love reading them wow barnowl that was quick

Ursi glad things are going ok with the ils

Tamlin, sorry but that sounds funny although I guess it is not for you.
I think Lochia can take up to 6 weeks. and you can still start bleeding again occasionally, especially after breastfeeding. I didn't know that and started bleeding again after a couple of days of only lochia. what a shock but midwife reassured me it would be normal for a couple of more weeks

Tamlin thanks for that link, looks like the milk is ok for up to 8 days then in the fridge?! Longer than I'd have thought.
Ursi's right in that lochia can take up to 6 weeks although it should be getting much lighter. Bf will contract the uterus and so you can get a spurt then.

Another revolting question: I seem to be getting more sore downstairs - anyone else got anything like that going on? Not sure if it's the numbness going and leaving pain in it's wake or if something is up. Lay on my front in bed last night and got a sharp pain in my tummy - should I get it checked out or is this normal?

Will be heading out with the pram tomorrow and DS1 to go and register the birth - first major trip into town with all the baby paraphenalia - Tamlin wonder if I'll fare any better than an hour to get ready?

He's SMILING, people. Last night, I thought he was beaming properly rather than giving those fleeting windy smiles, so I yelled for DH to come into the bedroom. He picked Arthur up, bounced him on his knee... and sure enough, big curly gummy smiles which creased his cheeks into fat little apples. He even has dimples in the corners.

(This, of course, made me burst into tears and proceed to weep happily on and off for the next hour. Hormones are wonderful things.)

Oh Tamlin that's so adorable...

Tamlin hooray!!!!! Lovely payback for all those long nights. How old is Arthur now?

He's a month old.

After a month of that fathomless newborn stare in response to everything I say or do, I feel a bit like Sally Field receiving the Oscar: 'You LIKE me! You really LIKE me!'

Btw, maman, I'm also feeling a bit jealous of everyone's birth stories. It seems as if the only way I'll ever give birth is lying trapped under bright lights while a doctor slices me up and wrenches my baby out of me. I know that the healthy baby is the main thing - and given that various people have seen fit to tell me footling breech horror stories since Arthur's birth - I am very, very grateful, but I do, do wish that I could've pushed this baby out. Surely the one compensation for going through hell and back with DS1 should've been an easier vaginal delivery with DS2?! We're not planning on a third, but even if we were, we'll be in the US where the majority of hospitals won't let you VBAC, so it would be another caesarean. Bloody depressing.

Oh tamlin Big hugs! Wished you wouldn't be sad about the csec, but I understand so well- I was terrified of having one. But you are the hero with the cheeky foot, arent you. At least you know that it wasn't possible any other way, so it's not like the doctors messed it up or there was any choice.

Way to go Arthur! Well done on the smiling!
I really enjoy the crazy newborn faces too, though. They are wild little things, newborns.

tamlin, wow, I guess that is a moment that deserves hormones and tears.
I can understand that you are sad about the CS but I really think, you had the most exciting birth story of all! You acted in a calm and clever way and saved Arthur's live. If that is not a good way of bonding what else? A little bit of pain in my vagina for a couple of hours sounds suddenly quite pathetic. And I'm sure Arthur will find it really "cool" in a couple of years (don't know if that helps you)

Hello guys! Just found this thread. Becky xxx

ahhh tamlin how rewarding to get that 1st smile

Can I ask a question, Henry is very sleepy today and I'm not sure if Im worrying unnecessarily or not.
He fed 3 times between 9am and 11am (about 5 mins each feed) than again at 12pm for 10 mins.
I then woke him at 4pm, changed his nappy and he fed for 10 mins only.
He is asleep now and has been since his feed, is this normal? (My other 2 both fed every 2 hours (at least) at this age)

tigger midwife told me they have 3 or 4 periods of half hour waking a day at first so don't worry. I was told to wake him if he didn't wake for a feed in 4 hours max for the first 2 weeks to make sure he doesn't get dehydrated. After that they tend to wake more and certainly wake for hunger. Hope that helps.

We went and registered Ioan today so he's now all official and I can send off for the child benefit. Was nice to get out and about, and I got to use my sling which is great! He's so comfy in it though that he sleeps all the time, so now I'm wondering whether he'll be awake all night!!
Will I ever get to the chilled out point where I'm not worrying about sleep/feeding?!! Thought you were supposed to be more relaxed the more you have?

Tamlin hope you don't get too dismayed that you didn't push out your babies. I would echo the others and say you've given them a much better birth story (esp. Arthur and the blue lighted cheeky foot story!) and you are amazing to have been able to remain so calm mentally in that situation. I think you should be very proud of bringing both boys into the world under circumstances that would be too much for many women.

Fwiw, I feel a bit of a failure for this birth - I went from 2 swift births that were textbook to a false alarm ridden, negative thought wussy birth where I just wanted the pain to stop and couldn't focus on my baby at all. I feel as though I didn't really do myself or Ioan proud and it was more the cajoling of the midwives that kept labour going.
I suspect we will all (or most of us) have bits of our births we wish we'd done differently.

tigger, the nurse told me that excessive sleepiness can indicate a problem in big babies that don't feed well.

Hi everyone! Finally found 5 minutes to pop over and find you all! Not had a chance to read and catch up yet, but hoping I will soon!

Just a couple of quick questions - I know I should remember this from last time, but roughly how long does the engorgement state last?! I feel like I have two massive watermelons stuck to my front at the moment! I did buy some gels packs which are good at relieving the pain but they are massive and can't wear them all the time!

Also, anyone that had stitches, did they get worse before they got better? Sorry if this is TMI, but it wasn't too painful at first, but the last few days it really hurts when I sit down, especially on the toilet. It doesn't actually hurt to go, but the sitting down is what hurts. Going to try and have a look myself to see if I can see if it has inflammed or something and will get the midwife to check it. I don't remember this from before either!

Leah is doing great though. She lost 6oz in her first days but I'm sure she will start putting it back on now! I am mainly bf'ing her, but have been using a couple of bottles at night so that I can get a bit more sleep. Last night she actually slept in the moses basket for the first time without me having to pick her up every 10 minutes or so as she screamed being in there. Feeling much more human today as had more sleep!