Pregnancy post mc: Totally's grads continued part 4...

[SamanthaB123]

Our shiny new thread - all welcome!

Sorry SAM realise that sounds horrible its not suppose to X

Sam - huge congrats! Can't believe you're already logged on! Welcome little Ruby. So glad she finally decided to make an appearance. I spent the early part of labour throwing up after every contraction - so know what you mean about feeling wiped out before the actual event starts. What do her big sisters think of her?

Louisesh - there was absolutely nothing horrible in your post. Just wish there was some magic wand we could waive to take away some of your pain xxx What was Georgie like? Did you get a chance to make a memory box (I saw on your webpage that you are planning to use some of the donations for that) or spend time with her after birth? I love Lia's comments about how much you already knew Georgie. No one else knows all those details about her and she would have known the sound of your voice, the sound of your heartbeat and the sound of your partner.

Sorry to not namecheck but good news re scans - sorry have baby sleeping on me at the moment and a sleep deprived memory.

And good luck to those with scans pending. I remember being terrified before my 12 week scan and convinced that it would be bad news. I found myself thinking of all the good luck vibes from ladies on here whilst in the waiting room!

Unbuffy - wait til you're top of the list (ha ha!)

Why does no-one tell you how hard breastfeeding is! Still having problems getting Charlie to latch and feed off the breast. But finding expressing really easy and he loves drinking from the bottle. So at one level, he's getting breastmilk and I find expressing easy. But I still worry that I'm missing out on some bonding experience - but what's bonding about sore nipples and a frustrated mum/baby! Any sage words anyone?

Have you got a breastfeeding counsellor to advise you fatlady? Not the midwife or health visitor, a proper breastfeeding counsellor. La Leche League or NCT ought to be able to help with that. I know they've really helped friends who've had problems.

Thanks Muser - yes, saw a lactation consultant who was great (advised to use nipple shields to help make the transition back to the breast). (Thanks for the earlier advice by the way meita - sorry just remembered you suggested this). Guess I'm just lacking in the patience needed as Charlie's latch has gone backwards yet he drinks from the bottle so happily. Guess I just need to try harder!

TFLS two words: NIPPLE SHIELDS

Bloody godsend! Also Lansinoh is fantastic stuff, really soothes the aching 'n' cracking. After dd was born (about 6 weeks after) I had dreadful agonising cracked nipples that made me cry every time she fed (which was a LOT) and we were snowed in and could not get to the shops at all. Managed to find some shields on t'internet and the van got through to deliver them where the car could not go! I nearly snogged the van driver, ripped open the parcel and cried and he drove off very very fast - think i scared him some!! It is hard work, they don't tell you that, but rewarding once you both settle - plus no bottles to wash etc! (lazyness is a wonderful thing)

Hi all, can't stick around too long, have just painted a wall and washed the floor and there are shelves to clean - dd in bed and dh at work so time to do stuff! 'Nesting' only seems to kick in at these times...

Had probably better eat something first mind

congratulations sam, well done!

tfls not wanting to jump the gun or anything, but has your LO been checked for a tongue tie? that can prevent easy latching.. DS has a tongue tie and I have to use a different latching technique, by actually holding my nipple between index and middle finger and bring it right to his face, rather than him to the breast. he also takes after his bloody lazy mother
the MLU I did my placement on have a lovely booklet about breastfeeding and different latching techniques for different people. it's brilliant. I know they have the whole mantra of tummy to tummy, nose to nipple and all that, but it's really about what works best for you and your bubba. hope that helps a bit. (I am in no way qualified to give breastfeeding advice, but have been bfing DS for 16 months).

found the NCT catalogue in a pile of stuff today, I want ALL those pillows. My bed is so bloody uncomfortable.
On a positive note, I managed to keep my dinner down, even if it was just more instant mash.

Yes TFLS we spent about 6 hours with Georgie after she was born till she went to the mortuary. We had a memory box from the ward, they 've only just started them ant the ward have to pay for them theirselves hence, why we re raising money for the ward for the same.The memory box has:a lock of Georgies hair,photos,blanket,her christening/blessing certificate,2 teddies [1 we bought her],baby bracelet and a poem.

Georgie was/is perfectly formed,gorgeous and BIG feet.In fact my sister,Kate, nicknamed her georgiebigfoot!!!! Which is odd as both me and dh only average height and feet.But my brother tall and big feet!!!!She is long limbed!!! Looked absolutely perfect,is absolutely perfect.I always called her my fighter after, 3 MCs ,her hb was always soo loud and strong.God, i miss her XXXX

Good luck TFLS with BF XX

Batteryhen - thanks for your message. Wishing you lots of luck for Friday too! It's so scary isn't it? No, I haven't had any blood tests at all yet and don't even have a midwife. When is all that supposed to be arranged? I guess I'll call the hospital
now to ask...

Hi ladies, just popping into update the list hope you are all well :)

Wednesday?s List:

Effilump - Baby#5, 40+4 wks, due 16th Oct
Sarahlou8 - baby#3 (DD 11, DS 9) 39+4 wks, EDD 23rd October
Unbuffy - baby#2 (1 DD) - 34+4 wks EDD 27th November, scan 1st Nov
HappyGirl - baby#1, 33 weeks, EDD 8th December
Zayja - baby#1, 32+1 wks, EDD 11th December
Goodluckbear - baby#1, 31+4 wks, EDD 18th December
Malteser1981 - baby#1, 31+4 wks, EDD 18th December
Gilda - baby#1 - 30+4 wks, due 25th December
BunnyBaby - baby#3 - 30+4 wks, due 25th December
sparklyrainbow - baby#1 29+6 wks EDD 30th December
AlbaDeTamble - baby#2 (1DS, 3yrs) 29+2 wks EDD 3rd January
toomuchteaching - baby#1 29 wks EDD 5th January
Redheadgal - baby#1 28+5 wks EDD 6th January
diggingforvictory - baby#4 (DS 1) 27+4 wks EDD 15th January
WestYorkshireGirl - baby#1, 27+2 weeks EDD January 18th
Dorcas111 - baby#1, 25+5 weeks, EDD 28th January
Ba8y1 - baby#1, 24+5 weeks, EDD 4th February. Next scan 24th October
Clareanna - baby#2, one DS, 23+5 weeks ADD 3rd Feb 2011
Muser - baby#1, 21+3 weeks, EDD 27th Feb
Northerngoldilocks - baby#1 18+5 weeks EDD 18 March - next scan 12 November
Magic8ballhastheanswers - babies#3&4 18+1 weeks EDD 20th March - next Scan 26th October
Liahgen - baby#6 17+6 weeks EDD 23rd March
Hopefully - baby#2 16+4 weeks EDD 2nd April
stuffedmk - baby#2 16+2 weeks EDD 4th April
Ivysedai - baby#2 13+6 weeks EDD 21st April
PenguinsMummy - baby#3 13+6 weeks EDD 21st April
BatteryHen - baby#1 12+3 weeks EDD 1st May
VivClicquot - baby#1 12 weeks EDD of 4th May
Loopymumsy - baby#? 11+6 weeks EDD?
Tigerbear - baby #1 10+2 weeks EDD 14th May

The babies are arriving! Huge congratulations to:
Totally with daughter Faith Juliet, 9lb5oz born Tuesday 16th February 2010
Amyboo with son Matthew James, 4.714kg (10lb3oz) born Tuesday 30th March 2010
Hoops with son Benjamin Scott, 7lb4oz born Friday 2nd April 2010
Memorylapse with daughter Olivia, born Friday 16th April 2010
Jacanne with daughter Lotta Eliza, 8lbs 5oz born 20th April 2010
Becky78 with son Thomas Christopher born 22nd May - 9lb 1oz
Meita with son Ianto born 23 August - 7lbs 4
Boodleboot with daughter Alice Elizabeth born 10 Sep - 8lbs 2oz
LeeWT with son Andrew Anthony born 28th Sept 7lbs 14oz
TFLS with son Charlie born on 30th September, 6lbs 8oz
SamB with daughter Ruby Mae born 19th October

In our thoughts and prayers:
Louise with daughter Georgie born asleep on 10th October

We share the pain and mourn the loss with:
Jollster, Cheepz, Freezing, BarrenBrook, MsJL, LadyBee, Moofold and Banana87

Congratulations Sam! What a lovely name! Though I tended to be a bit jealous of everyone with straightforward labours and vaginal births, now, after what happened to Louise, I'm just grateful to have a healthy baby. Hope you settle in well. Take it nice and easy, ok? Just because labour was fast, doesn't mean you need to be up and about immediately...

TFLS We topped up by bottle and have now nearly weaned Ianto off the bottles. Only one bottle/day left. We did it slowly, step by step: From 6 bottles/day we went down to four, then a week later to 3, another week later to 2, ten days later to 1 and perhaps we'll lose that one some time soon too. Just be aware that every time you drop a bottle, baby will want to eat more often (as in, constantly).
On the other hand, if expressing and bottle feeding works for you, there is nothing wrong with that! Do you know the "expressyourselfmums" webpage?
Though I have to say, now that BF works well, I found it much less hassle than bottle feeding.
My lactation consultant said Ianto had a short tongue which made latching on harder. She said it would get better as he grew a little, and it did. :) So there is always hope things well get easier all by themselves.

Louise you're in my thoughts every day.

Best of luck and fingers crossed for all upcoming scans!

Sam congratulations - such lovely news

Good luck to those waiting for scans. I still have just over 3 weeks to go to wait for mine and it seems a long wait.

Sam- what lovely news! And what a lovely name.

Louise - my heart really goes out to you. Thinking about you lots.

Banana - so sorry to hear your news but don't lose hope. It can still happen! It's hard but try to stay positive, it's still more likely to be bad luck than anything else.

Those with upcoming scans - GOOD LUCK! Keeping my fingers crossed for you all.

Sam Congratulations!

I actually bought a few little bits today...I must be feeling more confident. I actually want to buy loads but don't want to get too much before the 20 week scan as am hoping to find out the sex (have a strange gut feeling it's a girl, dunno why)
Am currently trying to decide whether to have the flu jab or not, I worry about everything so much that neither option fills me with confidence. What are you ladies all doing?

hello everyone.

Just a quick sad post from me. I had a bit of a bleed today at work - was seen and scanned at the epau, and the baby has died :( looks like it got to 9 weeks ( a day or two after my early scan) I am having another scan tomorrow but then booked for an erpc on friday. Its crap timing - friday would have been my 12 week scan but would also have been my due date from my first pregnancy.

i am so sad and can't stop crying. DP is away and is devastated too.

Will check in from time to time, best wishes and love to you all xxx

Aaaagh, Stuffed, you've just reminded me I meant to ask the midwife when I saw her on Monday re flu jab... Still, she's due to call me re iron levels later in the week so will try to quiz her then, if she tells me anything useful I'll let you know.

Fingers tightly crossed for all with scans later this week, I feel for you all with the exhausting anticipation. I had a growth scan on Saturday, all fine, but I was utterly drained afterwards... Had obviously been getting more anxious about it than I'd admitted to myself. Worry, worry, worry... I thought scan worries were supposed to dissipate after 12 weeks, but it seems not. Time to book some nice relaxing reflexology I think. It's supposed to help make sure you don't go overdue... But I think even if that doesn't work the relaxing part of it will do me and bump lots of good. Anyone else tried it?

Louise you and Georgie very much in my thoughts. Thanks for telling us about her, and go ahead and rant away, I think you're being rather restrained all things considered.

Effi, I hope all is going well with you at the top of the list, also Sarahlou

TFLS, it's so easy to feel bad if feeding doesn't go as you planned. For all my good intentions and determination with DS I ended up switching to formula at just 8 days. I felt incredible guilt and went through endless if onlies... But he's fine and fit and healthy, touch wood, in fact so far fewer bugs and illnesses than many of his peers and is incredibly cuddly and affectionate, if anything, bottles meant he could bond more with his dad as well as me from an early age... So to be quite honest, if you're still managing to BF, albeit by expressing, all power to you. If it works, go with it. And just try to enjoy your beautiful little boy.

Though if you can make it work the convenience is a big draw... As Meita said. Meita, I'm totally in awe of what you've managed! I'm seeing a lactation consultant early this time to give it my absolute best shot (as you're doing), and have found two fabulous doulas (in a very roundabout way from Sam's recommendation, I found our very own lia! MN meets RL happy coincidence...) to help me with it too...

Glad the nesting's kicking in, unbuffy, gosh, time is starting to fly....

Now, what's the chances I'll lose all this after very slow phone typing on the train...?? [hhmm]

waves to all

battery, crossed posts. I'm so, so sorry. How awful for you. Hugs ((())) and I do hope your DH can come home to help you both through this

BATTERy Soo sorry xxx

Thanks for all your kind thoughts and wishes.Very sad day been organising Georgie's service its monday 1st Nov at our local crematoruim.Funeral directors are lovely and helped a lot.I m not old enough to be organising my child's funeral only just got used to being a parent.Georgies going to the funeral palour tomorrow all being well i m going to see her with mu MIL to change her clothes.Need to write a letter to place with her and family photos.This is soo hard.We 'd only just got used to being parents and now....... my DH said he just wants us to be pg asap[thats a good thing Georgie has done]

Good luck to all,especially those with scans coming up.XX

oh battery I'm so sorry you're going through this again. I hope DP can be with you soon, and that you've got lots of RL support? we are all here for you

louise you and georgie were in my thoguhts today as I was at a funeral for my old boss who sadly passed away aged 51. It was a very moving service with some wonderful music and I hope your service for georgie is also a wonderful celebration of your short time together in this life. x

thoughts

Battery I am so sorry, thinking of you xx

Louise Big hugs to you, I can totally empathise with you about arranging the funeral, you are so brave. x

Louise thinking of you and all your family as you make these important arrangements for Georgie.

Oh battery so very very sorry. Life is so bloody unfair sometimes. What an over-emotional week for you. I do hope your DP can get home to you soon and that you get the support you need in the meantime. Don't go through it alone, come rant here for as long as you need to, and definitely until your RL hugs are where you really need them.

Banana still thinking of you too. And Louise as ever.

I'm so sorry battery, thinking of you.

every time I pop back to the thread at the moment and read your posts Louise, I cry and at the same time am blown away by your composure and strength... thinking of you as I know everyone is.

battery am so sad to read your news; seems extra unfair after an early scan, I know there are never any guarantees (louise's experience reminds us so sadly of that) but that early reassurance is so cruel when things don't work out.

hi to everyone else x