Pregnancy post mc: Totally Grads Part 11!

[digitalgirl]

Welcoming all those pregnant after miscarriage who need hand-holding, a place to moan, share happy news or just lurk.

It will happen for us this time.

link to part 10

doo I had pre-labour on 3 occasions starting 3 weeks before I actually had her. I had contractions which gradually got stronger and closer together til about 5 mins apart and 40s long then they'd just stop!

Hi all. Just popping in to say absolutely nothing is happening here! Aaargh only 4 days over and very fed up already. Been eating curry and pineapple and bouncing on the ball but nothing doing. Mw tried to do a sweep yesterday but couldn't find the cervix as baby's head was in front of it. Really want it over now!

doo I've had period type pains when I've been lying in bed- am hoping it may be something was a while ago though.

blackkat hope you're doing ok

Good to see a few more freak out faces peeping in - time to get the stapler out I think x

Hoping I was going to come and see news from blackkat and minnie . I really hope it's happening now and I'm rooting for you.

I hope it's not too insensitive to post now but the pains that i described yest were contractions and I eventually delivered our baby girl yest eve at 11.30pm. Will post the story another time but DH has been sent home and I'm struggling a bit (well a lot feeding her). Feel v lonely on this ward, they told me I've got rubbish nipples and I should have mentioned to someone before that I had one which is partially inverted. I just want to provide for my little bundle who tolerated so much during the birth. Anyway, sure I'm just sleep deprived and overwhelmed with everything and I know it will take time to establish.

Love & thanks to you all for helping me through the most challenging time of my life xx

Congratulations doo what lovely news . So pleased your little one is here xx
hope your night went a bit better and dd managed to get some sustenance. Having read other ladies posts perhaps shields might help? Really hope the team in the ward can offer you some good advice. Sure one of the other mums will be along soon to offer better advice.

milkys so good to hear from you, serious nesting going on with you! X

yrmotb sorry to have missed celebrating your termness earlier this week x

Minnie sorry to hear you're having a tough time. Being overdue is not much fun is it! Hoping to hear good news from you or harassed soon.

No news here, 40+12 today and just want baby to arrive. Had 3 sweeps, all ok with baby back to hospital today for further routine monitoring, then induction (trying my best to be positive about that) on Monday.

to everyone else

Yay doo congratulations! That first night on the ward is awful, it gets much better when you get home! I hope you are getting help with bf, if not make sure you call lll or something similar when you get home

Congrats Doo what lovely news.

Hope you find more bf support - don't let them make you feel you've done anything wrong!! And as others have said its v lonely on the ward (and it seems as if you haven't had a sympathetic mw to help with the feeding?). I'm sure you'll feel better when you have DH back and can maybe get done more specialist feeding help if necessary. Can't remember who suggested but you could try La Leche League, or see if the NCT has a bf counsellor in your area. I think the nct has (had?) a bf helpline too? Your mw / hv should be able to help with finding support.

But I know with ds, bf was very much a team event for me and DH at the start - weird as that sounds (obv only my boobs were involved - we weren't doing it that wrong! ). But I needed him there all the time just to support me and try to help as much as poss.

Hope you're enjoying lots of newborn snuggles anyway xx

And don't listen to them if they say silly things like 'you should have told us about your nipples in advance' - what exactly would they have done to prepare if they'd known sooner? Had the SAS on stand by?

Bah - get some rest first and foremost if you can - don't underestimate what you went through yesterday. And hope you get someone more helpful today.

Sorry - this is turning into a 'banging on about bf' post and I don't mean it to - it just reminds me a lot of my first night what you said. So if you'll indulge me I'll wang on about it a but more?

I had to be taken straight off to surgery after delivering, so didn't get my 'straight-away' skin to skin time. DH did it while I was being put back together. This sounds totally ridiculous now in the cold light of day but it never occurred to me to try more skin to skin time later. I thought you had to do it straight away. As I say, maybe silly when you think of it (?) but in my totally knackered state I couldn't really think of anything and with everything else going on I just didn't get it. Anyhooooo, we ended up in hospital for a week, at least a few days of which were because we couldn't establish feeding, and no one ever suggested trying more skin to skin time. I wish someone had.

It wasn't until about 6 months in when I was talking to a bf counsellor at a bf cafe thing that she said 'oh well you could have tried s2s at anytime - it might have helped'

I don't know whether it would have helped, but I wish I'd tried it sooner just in case it had done something.

Long story, short piece of advice!

Good luck and look forward to hearing more when you've got more time xx

Yay doo what a lovely early Christmas present.

doo congratulations on the safe arrival of your little girl!
That first night alone is terrifying and I found all night time post-natal staff to be quite rude and patronising. Hopefully everything will look brighter this morning. But second the advice about lots of skin to skin. Snuggle up with your naked but for a nappy baby under your nightshirt/dressing gown. Call for the resident bf specialist - if there isn't one then post on the bf boards here. Also kellimom is a good site. Get hold of the number of your local bf specialist in your area (most boroughs have at least one). She may be able to come visit you at home on Monday. I have the numbers of various bf helplines (could never get through to lll), which I'll dig out. And if you're too emotional to speak to anyone without bursting into tears (as I was) get dh to make the calls/badger the staff. Your job is to feed baby, dh's job is to help you achieve this. If that's running out to get nipple shields or sterilise a breast pump or food and drink then that's what he needs to do. And if you find the whole experience far too stressful then as long as you and dd are well you can be discharged on promises to top up with ff while you get to grips with bf at home where you'll be far more relaxed.

Congrats Doo Hope everything is looking better this morning and DH is back supporting you...that midwife sounds awful so don't take to heart her comments, I'm sure you're both doing amazing

Wow doo you stopped work at a good time! I have to admit, when I read your post yesterday, it sounded to me like you were describing labour, but having never been through the process myself, I couldn't really say!

I'm sorry that you are feeling lonely and without support. I hope that the situation has improved this morning and you are breast feeding your daughter. The MWs should have been much kinder and more supportive to you.

blackkat I hope that baby comes before the induction, but not long to go now until you meet your baby.

thinking of you too minnie

milky so glad to get an update from you. I'd been thinking about you and hoped that all was well.

I've updated the list to account for doo's daughter and took the liberty of putting Lady onto it after her post with all of the details. If I'm out of order, Lady , give me a slap for being too forward!

Saturday 17 December

Blackkat - baby#1 41+5 wks EDD 5 December
Minnie74 -baby#1 40+5 wks EDD 12 December
Harassedandherbug - baby #4 39+4 wks EDD 22 December
Youremindmeofthebabe - baby#2 37+4 wks EDD 5 January
Sunchild77 - baby#3 37+3 wks EDD 6 Jan - Elcs at 39 wks
Freezingmyarseoff - baby#2 37+0 wks EDD 7 January
Milkyways - baby#2 36+6 wks EDD 8 January
Laylasmummy - 35+0 wks EDD 21 January
Purpletoes - 32+3 weeks baby #1 EDD 8 February
Stitchinline - baby#1 29+3 wks EDD 29 February
Shellshock7 - baby#1 28+6 wks EDD 4 March
LAF77 - 26+3 wks EDD 21 March
LILI80 - 26+3 wks EDD 21 March
Biscuitsandtea - baby#2 25+4 wks EDD 27 March
KatAndKit - baby #1 26+3 wks EDD 11 April
Digitalgirl - baby#2 22+4 wks EDD 16 April
Lady Maybe - baby 2 20+2 weeks, EDD 3rd 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, 7lbs 10oz
Effilump with son Arlen born 16th October, 8lbs
Sarahlou8 with daughter Emily Isabella born 21st October, 7lb8oz
Unbuffy with son James Anthony born 3rd December, 6lb8oz
HappyGirl with daughter Ciara born 10th December, 8lb2oz
Malteser1981 with son Eli born 18 December, 8lb 6oz
Zayja with daughter Winona born 19 December, 7lbs 11oz
Sparklyrainbow with son Alex born 28th December, 9lb 7oz
GoodLuckBear with son James born 25th December, 8lb
BunnyBaby with son Daniel George born 5th January 2011, 10lb 1oz
AlbaDeTamble - with son born 10th Jan 2011, 8lbs 10oz
Gilda - with son Ren born 10th Jan 2011, 8lb 4oz
WestYorkshireGirl - with daughter Hester Rose born 14th Jan 2011, 6lb 4oz
Redheadgal - with daughter Cecily Anne born 13th Jan 2011, 8lbs 13oz
Toomuchteaching - with daughter Jemima born 17th Jan 2011, 8lb1/4oz
Dorcas111 - with daughter born 4th February 2011 8lbs 5oz
Clareanna - with son Tobias born 10th February 7lbs 10oz
Muser - with daughter born 15th February 6lbs 12oz
Ba8y1 ? with son born Tuesday 15th February, 8lbs 11oz
Lotta123 - with baby born Monday 21st February
Magic8ballhastheanswers - Identical twin girls, born 27th February 6lb8 & 5lb15
Northerngoldilocks - with son born Wednesday 16th March, 9lb 6oz
Stuffedmk - with son Thomas, born Wednesday 23rd March
Hopefully - with son, born 29th March 7lb 12oz
Lia - with daughter, born 1st April 8lb 11oz
PenguinsMummy - with daughter Clodagh
VivClicquot - with daughter, Phoebe, born Thursday 28 April, 7lb 5oz
Ivysedai - with son, born Tuesday May 2nd 3.83KG
Loopymumsy - with daughter, born Thursday 12th May, 7lb 15oz
Caribou - with son, Caleb, born Saturday 28 May, 9lb 1oz
LittleMiss - with son- born Wednesday 1st June 7lb 1oz
appleblossoms - with son Malachi, born Wednesday 15th June, 9lb 4oz
crochetcircle - with daughter born Sunday 26th June, 8lb 4oz.
urbanlolly - with daughter born Tuesday 19th July, 8lb 3oz.
Nickster - with son Corey born Tuesday 2nd August
Tiggersreturn - with sons born Saturday 13th August, 5lb 2oz and 3lb 13oz
Owlbooty - With son Robin born 18th August 8lb 13oz
PrettyVacant - baby girl born Tuesday 23rd August
OrangeGloss ? with son, Huw born Thursday 1st September
Wombat - baby born Sunday 11th September
Emoo - baby girl born 13 September
PinkFondantFancy - with daughter Persephone Amelia, born 16 September
ALovelyBunchofCoconuts - with son Thomas James, born 22nd September 8lb 12 oz
MamaPower - with daughter, born 24th September
Daisybell - with daughter Philippa Alice, born 26th September
Velvetcu ? with daughter Eva Lily, born 18th October
Tunnocksteacake ? with daughter Esther Joy, born 19th October
Hotnspicyonions - with son Max Lewis, born 28th October
Hils74 with son Archie Dylan, born born 28th October
MummyAbroad - with son Max, born 1st November
IreneHeron - with son Joe, born 3rd November.
Katherine2008 - with son Teddy, born 5th November
CEP - with son Alexander George, born 10th November
Collie with son Isaac Thomas, born 21 November 8lb 7oz
LaraMi - details TBC
Wombatinwaiting - with son Jack Albert born 29th November 8lb 8oz
Izzy - with daughter Catherine Hope, born 4th December
Bigmacandhappymeal - with daughter, born 5th December 7lb 11ozs
Dooscooby - with daughter, born 16th December

In our thoughts and prayers:
Louise with daughter Georgie born asleep on 10th October
Dachs with her babies Alexander and Felicia who left the world asleep on 21st May
Magic8ballhastheanswers who leaves behind her beautiful little girl, spiderbabies and DH. Blessed are those of us that had the privilege of knowing you.

We share the pain and and mourn the loss with:
Jollster, Cheepz, BarrenBrook, MsJL, BatteryHen, Waterplate, and Boodleboot

Huge congratulations doo lovely to hear your little girl is here

Sorry you had such a tough first night, it's so overwhelming, and I hope you're feeling a bit better this morning. Sounds like you had a rubbish and unsympathetic mw please ignore her comments.

I hesitate to post about bf-ing because I'm not a roaring success story - the complete opposite in fact - but thought it might help to know you're not alone. Both my nipples are "severely inverted", completely rubbish, and I struggled and failed to bf DS 8 years ago. When DD1 was born 3 years later I didn't even try. This time around I thought I would have another go and in fact I did speak to my MW about it beforehand but they didn't really have any advice or suggestions as to anything I could do, so I agree that telling them beforehand wouldn't make any difference. FWIW, when I was pg with DS I researched on the Internet and found some things that might help bring nipples out (Avent niplette, lansinoh latch assist) and tried them and it made no difference whatsoever. So don't worry about not saying anything beforehand.

Amazingly, I did get DD2 to latch ok this time round and for about a week was really pleased with how things were going. Then one nipple (the "worst" one) got really sore and started bleeding so I tried nipple shields. I do think they made it easier to latch but DD2 struggled to get much milk out. I was able to give up the shield after a few days and she latched ok and without too much pain but by then my supply had reduced on that side and she had lost too much weight. The MW did tbf encourage me to continue bf and put us on a strict feeding regime but I had completely lost confidence by then (not helped by MWs ringing up to check I was feeding her - wtf?! As if I was going to let her go hungry!). We spent 24 hours both crying then the following day she refused to latch on at all and, aware I needed to feed her up before the next weigh in, we cracked open the formula

I am disappointed but ok with switching - DD2 is settled and putting on weight. I have managed to express a few feeds - pumping can sometimes pull out difficult nipples so might be worth a try for you (unfortunately while it works for one of mine the only result is I can see how cracked and sore/bleeding it is - ouch!). I did actually bf her directly again last night because it felt like a nice thing to do but I know she's not getting much milk from it now.

I suspect that comes across as a negative story but it isn't meant that way - first off, if I could latch her on with my complete rubbish nipples then hopefully with the right support you should be ok with one that's partially inverted. Secondly, nipple shields really help with pain and latch but just beware they may affect supply (maybe I should have tried pumping from that side too). Thirdly, pumping can help draw out the nipple. Fourthly and most importantly, get some proper support and do not let the MWs bash your confidence - I'm actually quite cross about this. You are doing the best for your baby. Believe in yourself. Finally, last but not least, if it doesn't work for you long term, or you end up topping up/mixed feeding/switching to ff, it really is not the end of the world. You just need to make the best decision you can for you and your baby and have some faith in yourself that you're doing the right thing.

Sorry - that ended up being a mammoth post but as you can see it's a subject that's close to my heart atm!! Big (((hugs))) and good luck with today xxx

doo tonnes of congratulations- so pleased for you. Looking forward to more details later. Try not to stress about the bf- the mw sounds crap to be honest- like Izzy said you make the best decision for you and your baby. I know so many people who've felt bullied with the bf and it just made them miserable. Better to have a happy mummy I think (and will keep reminding myself once I'm in that position) xxx

milky glad you're feeling ok. I sympathise with the heartburn- mine has just got progressively worse. I'm on ranitidine and gaviscon advance and it still makes me sick every night! I'm wondering where I missed the blooming bit of pregnancy!

Bit period painy here this morning so am hoping it means something, especially after doo's post the other day. It comes and goes with no real pattern though so not feeling too confident but who knows. It's a gorgeous day so might drag dp out for a walk and see if that has any effect!

Ladies-just a quick one to say thanks so much for all your help and advice re bf-ing, you're help is invaluable. Still not got her on the 'inverted' boob but I keep trying. Tried expressing but didn't get anything out, although mw said it was a bit early for that. She's fed today off the good boob, but that one is now bleeding & v painful, so not sure how much longer I'll be able to go with that. When I get home I will read through the tips more carefully and try alm of your suggestions, your moral support is wonderful though x

I'm still on the postnatal ward and desperate to get home-baby is supposed to be on 2hrly obs due to the amount of meconium she swallowed, but they haven't checked her since 6am! It's boiling hot and noisy, so I can't sleep either. But, I shouldn't moan as we've been blessed with a beautiful daughter who I'm completely in love with-boy did I not believe that I'd ever see my name move to the bottom of that list!

Sending the biggest easy labour vibes to blackat and minnie - you certainly both deserve an easy time after all the waiting and I truly can't wait to see your news. Hoping harassed is getting on ok too and is all set for the home birth I think she plumped for? Xx

Another big ((hug)) doo. You're doing really well. Remember feeding is such a small part of looking after and bringing up your baby, so try not to let any stress over that stop you enjoying being with her xxx

Well said Izzy

And another hug for Doo - hope you're home soon if not already xx

Oh congratulations doo am looking forward to hearing how your daughter came into the world. Just do what you need to to get through these early days - you can use a little pill cup with formula to get the meconium moving and get home without harming her chances at latching if you want. Totally agree with Izzy's advice too - wise words there.
LAF thanks for putting me on the list, nice to see!
blackkat with a bit of luck you'll be ready to go on Monday and will just need a bit of a boost, you're nearly there - how exciting to be meeting your LO soon! You must be feeling as full as an egg right now
I'm getting lots of lovely squirms and wiggles at the moment, which I love, have been holding on for regular movement and just feel a whole lot happier that it's here.
I picked up a copy of Birth Skills book the other day and started looking at it yesterday - it's great, really practical and straightforward active labour techniques. It's by Juju Sundin, absolutely recommend it if you can find it.

For doo and anyone else who finds themselves struggling the breastfeeding:
Breastfeeding Supportlines

National Breastfeeding Helpline 0844 20 909 20

Association of Breastfeeding Mothers helpline 08444 122 949

Breastfeeding Network Supporterline: 0844 412 4664

Breastfeeding Network Drugline: 0844 412 4665

La Leche League Telephone Helpline: 0845 120 2918

National Childbirth Trust Breastfeeding line: 0870 444 8708

I cut and paste these numbers from a post on mn when I was pg with ds 3 yrs ago, so hopefully they're still the same.

Hello. I had a mc in July and am now nearly sixteen weeks pregnant again. Due June fifth. The mc was horrendous and started with a bleed. I had a scare at about ten weeks with terrible pain bleed but scan shoes ok. Morning sickness was starting at about three pm and has gradually got better but don't feel sick at all tint for the first time so now I am worrying even though I hardly had sickness with my little boy who is two yrs eight mtgs. Just wondering shod I worry, just made me fee reassured being sick!

Welcome ginga All the people here are lovely, so you've come to the right place :) xxx

Morning people - I know I've been quiet and in hiding, but since I'm 21 weeks today and officially therefore more pg than I've ever been before (lost the twins at 20+3) I think I'm ready to join the list! :)

I'm not brave enough to attempt to update the list myself, in case i mess it up, but here are my stats (for today)

Dachs - baby 1 21+0 weeks, EDD 30th April

Hi dachs I had been thinking about you and thought that you must be past 20 weeks, and here you are!

Welcome ginga Symptoms come and go in pg. It is so hard to cope with after you have had a mc because you do tend to panic and think the worst. However, at 16 weeks, many of the early symptoms, like sickness have vanished.

Thinking of blackkat minnie and harrassed who are at the top of the list!

I had been eating like a horse for the last month. My appetite wasn't so strong up until 20 weeks, although I wasn't sick very much. However, I feel like my appetite has vanished again. I'm still eating, but food doesn't have the same appeal to me. I think that the baby must be exerting upward pressure on my stomach. I'm due to go to my 3D scan tonight, so I'm really excited and hoping for a good photo. DH doesn't agree with the 3D scans, but he's out of town. My plan is that I'll have a good photo and can make a surprise Christmas card for him with the picture. We aren't doing Christmas presents this year as we are buying so many things for the baby. I know that I am getting a lot of extra scans in my pg, but I don't think I could ever have too many.

Monday 19th December

Blackkat - baby#1 42+0 wks EDD 5 December
Minnie74 -baby#1 41+0 wks EDD 12 December
Harassedandherbug - baby #4 39+6 wks EDD 22 December
Youremindmeofthebabe - baby#2 37+6 wks EDD 5 January
Sunchild77 - baby#3 37+5 wks EDD 6 Jan - Elcs at 39 wks
Freezingmyarseoff - baby#2 37+2 wks EDD 7 January
Milkyways - baby#2 37+1 wks EDD 8 January
Laylasmummy - 35+2 wks EDD 21 January
Purpletoes - 32+5 weeks baby #1 EDD 8 February
Stitchinline - baby#1 29+5 wks EDD 29 February
Shellshock7 - baby#1 29+1 wks EDD 4 March
LAF77 - 26+5 wks EDD 21 March
LILI80 - 26+5 wks EDD 21 March
Biscuitsandtea - baby#2 25+6 wks EDD 27 March
KatAndKit - baby #1 23+5 wks EDD 11 April
Digitalgirl - baby#2 22+6 wks EDD 16 April
Dachs - baby 1 21+0 weeks, EDD 30th April
Lady Maybe - baby 2 20+4 weeks, EDD 3rd 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, 7lbs 10oz
Effilump with son Arlen born 16th October, 8lbs
Sarahlou8 with daughter Emily Isabella born 21st October, 7lb8oz
Unbuffy with son James Anthony born 3rd December, 6lb8oz
HappyGirl with daughter Ciara born 10th December, 8lb2oz
Malteser1981 with son Eli born 18 December, 8lb 6oz
Zayja with daughter Winona born 19 December, 7lbs 11oz
Sparklyrainbow with son Alex born 28th December, 9lb 7oz
GoodLuckBear with son James born 25th December, 8lb
BunnyBaby with son Daniel George born 5th January 2011, 10lb 1oz
AlbaDeTamble - with son born 10th Jan 2011, 8lbs 10oz
Gilda - with son Ren born 10th Jan 2011, 8lb 4oz
WestYorkshireGirl - with daughter Hester Rose born 14th Jan 2011, 6lb 4oz
Redheadgal - with daughter Cecily Anne born 13th Jan 2011, 8lbs 13oz
Toomuchteaching - with daughter Jemima born 17th Jan 2011, 8lb1/4oz
Dorcas111 - with daughter born 4th February 2011 8lbs 5oz
Clareanna - with son Tobias born 10th February 7lbs 10oz
Muser - with daughter born 15th February 6lbs 12oz
Ba8y1 ? with son born Tuesday 15th February, 8lbs 11oz
Lotta123 - with baby born Monday 21st February
Magic8ballhastheanswers - Identical twin girls, born 27th February 6lb8 & 5lb15
Northerngoldilocks - with son born Wednesday 16th March, 9lb 6oz
Stuffedmk - with son Thomas, born Wednesday 23rd March
Hopefully - with son, born 29th March 7lb 12oz
Lia - with daughter, born 1st April 8lb 11oz
PenguinsMummy - with daughter Clodagh
VivClicquot - with daughter, Phoebe, born Thursday 28 April, 7lb 5oz
Ivysedai - with son, born Tuesday May 2nd 3.83KG
Loopymumsy - with daughter, born Thursday 12th May, 7lb 15oz
Caribou - with son, Caleb, born Saturday 28 May, 9lb 1oz
LittleMiss - with son- born Wednesday 1st June 7lb 1oz
appleblossoms - with son Malachi, born Wednesday 15th June, 9lb 4oz
crochetcircle - with daughter born Sunday 26th June, 8lb 4oz.
urbanlolly - with daughter born Tuesday 19th July, 8lb 3oz.
Nickster - with son Corey born Tuesday 2nd August
Tiggersreturn - with sons born Saturday 13th August, 5lb 2oz and 3lb 13oz
Owlbooty - With son Robin born 18th August 8lb 13oz
PrettyVacant - baby girl born Tuesday 23rd August
OrangeGloss ? with son, Huw born Thursday 1st September
Wombat - baby born Sunday 11th September
Emoo - baby girl born 13 September
PinkFondantFancy - with daughter Persephone Amelia, born 16 September
ALovelyBunchofCoconuts - with son Thomas James, born 22nd September 8lb 12 oz
MamaPower - with daughter, born 24th September
Daisybell - with daughter Philippa Alice, born 26th September
Velvetcu ? with daughter Eva Lily, born 18th October
Tunnocksteacake ? with daughter Esther Joy, born 19th October
Hotnspicyonions - with son Max Lewis, born 28th October
Hils74 with son Archie Dylan, born born 28th October
MummyAbroad - with son Max, born 1st November
IreneHeron - with son Joe, born 3rd November.
Katherine2008 - with son Teddy, born 5th November
CEP - with son Alexander George, born 10th November
Collie with son Isaac Thomas, born 21 November 8lb 7oz
LaraMi - details TBC
Wombatinwaiting - with son Jack Albert born 29th November 8lb 8oz
Izzy - with daughter Catherine Hope, born 4th December
Bigmacandhappymeal - with daughter, born 5th December 7lb 11ozs
Dooscooby - with daughter, born 16th December

In our thoughts and prayers:
Louise with daughter Georgie born asleep on 10th October
Dachs with her babies Alexander and Felicia who left the world asleep on 21st May
Magic8ballhastheanswers who leaves behind her beautiful little girl, spiderbabies and DH. Blessed are those of us that had the privilege of knowing you.

We share the pain and and mourn the loss with:
Jollster, Cheepz, BarrenBrook, MsJL, BatteryHen, Waterplate, and Boodleboot

Still lurking for news...

Will share birth story when I can but having a really tough time at the mo-the bf has gone from bad to worse. I seem to have blocked milk ducts and my boobs are now ridiculously engorged, even expressing barely gets much out and then they fill again. Mw that visited today was supportive but I could tell she doesn't think there's much hope with the current state of things. Tried the helpline, the shields etc but the flow out just isn't there. Had baby on good boob earlier, mum massaging that boob and DH helping me express on the other as the pressure in the boob is really that bad, however baby clearly isn't getting enough out, it's no fun at all as its so sore and a 3-handed job and I can't even move my arms to pick up baby without being in pain. Struggling with it all whilst hearing her cry and seeing her face and feeling completely unable to provide for her has made me cry most of the day.

I don't want to turn this into a bf forum so will toddle off over there for now but just wanted to say thanks for your help and I'll come back and be less me, me, me very soon hopefully x

Oh doo sorry things haven't got any easier, it really is hard. I hope you get some good advice on the feeding board but don't feel bad about moaning here. And definitely don't feel bad if it doesn't work out - you will be a great mum regardless of how you feed your baby. Be kind to yourself and please don't let this overshadow those first few weeks xx

Doo, come back sweetie, don't be upset alone!

I struggled to get missy latched on, and we tried the shields to no effect. Two things that helped us were one of those nipple enlarger things which helped missy latch, and hand expressing - I couldn't really pump much but could hand express into a bottle. If you just want to relieve some of the pressure, then I found hand expressing in the bath helped.

I have to be honest though, it didn't work out for us. I cried masses the night I had to give her a bottle, but it has worked out so well for our family.

The lady you need is Wombat33 - she has a truly inspirational story of expressing/combination feeding - I'm sure she'd share it.

Finally what pump do you have? I recommend contacting your hospital or nct to see if you can hire a decent electric pump from them - it might make all the difference.

Take care xxx

Ps woo hoo for dachs and ginga! Welcome to the mad house and most supportive forum on mumsnet!!!