What actually happens once the baby is here then?

[SpringChicken]

Sorry - this is going to be such a thick thread - i can tell before i've even asked the questions

Basically, as i have never done this before i don't really know what to expect once the baby arrives - can anyone help out with these questions?

MIL said that once out of hospital i wont be allowed to go out with the baby for a few days as the midwives recommend you stay indoors - Is this right?

Health Visitors/Midwife - Who do i see when i am at home, is it the midwife for the first visit then the health visitor? How often do you see them?

Injections etc - When does the baby have all of their injections - we are going to Centre Parcs for the weekend - if the baby arrives on time will be 8 weeks old when we go - will i be able to take them swimming? Am i limited on the things they are able to do before having all of their injections?

Again, sorry if these things are obvious but having never done this before not really sure what to expect.

Thanks in Advance

Well I had a section so was in hosp for 5 days and then waited on hand and foot for weeks by hovvering dh, but from memory I did go out for short walks with baby in the buggy, felt better after a bit of fresh air.

Swimming 8 weeks after birth? ha ha ha ha ha ha ha hahahahahahahahahha, no WAY would you have got me in a cossie. I am sure you will look fanstastic however, being so springchicken like .

My mum said she was told to stay at home for 10 days after the baby was born. This was because the midwife came to visit each day, and they had to visit - if you were out they had to come back again later. And they didn't like the bother of making appointments. So they told all the mums that they shouldn't go out for 10 days!

But I have to say, if you've got dh at home to look after you, stick a big sign on the front door saying "bonding in progress, GO AWAY" and the three of you can cuddle up on the sofa for a week. The time when you have to go out every day (or go mental) comes soon enough!

With my first baby I had her on the Monday went home on the Friday and went out for the first time on the Sunday I think it was. Just a short walk to Tesco to buy more nappies and popped into work to show her off. We lived in town at the time so it wasn't a strenuous task. The midwife came round every other day until dd was 10 days old. I have a vague recollection of a HV coming and I filled in a questionaire and she gave us the birth to 5 book. Other than that I used to take dd to the clinic at the gp's surgery.

DD had her jags at 8,12 and 16 weeks and we took her swimming for the first time when she was about 5 months old.

Also remember that once the baby arrives and you've phoned everyone they will come visit you at the hospital/home with clothes. At least all my visitors did, we had loads of baby clothes to take home with us. I'm now overdue with my second and all we've bought are vests and sleep suits. I know that people will bring some clothes and I can then go out and buy some more when I feel up to it.

Best of luck and don't worry about asking questions it's what we're all here for to help each other.

Oh yes and don't listen to mother in law. Mine kept asking when dd was going to be given sugar water. I said she doesn't get sugar water she gets breastfed and thats it. Oh I used to give mine sugar water for a change she said. Never left her alone with the baby after that just in case. In her day though that was the norm.

I took dd swimming before her jabs had been completed. also did not keep to the exact schedule due to family circumstances and it never affected the jabs at all, 6 mths is the longest they can go between the jabs before they need to retake the one previous.
One note about swimming it is not advised to tkae babies in public waters up to 5 days after the polio sips as it is live vaccine... This is what I was told... small but tiny chance and who could live with that?

We went to centerparcs (penrith) when ds2 was about two months. The pool complex is set up basically like a beach resort - lots of sun loungers, cafes, and places to put a baby. There were people sitting there for hours just reading...! You will be able to go into the pool complex with the baby whether or not you take it into the pool - and at 8 weeks they won't really be interested anyway. We took it in turns to sit with ds2 while the other played with ds1 in the pool - but it being your first, you'll be able to take it in turns to have a proper swim!! lucky you!!

I came home from hospital a few hours after having ds, late evening, and we were sat outside in the garden the next day! I think it's just an old fashioned viewpoint; I was at the shops when ds was a few weeks old and had to suffer a couple of old women behind me having a 'private' conversation along the lines of, 'Well, we didn't take them out when they were that young, young women today...' etc, etc.

With dd (first child) though, I found it really difficult to get out of the house for the first few weeks.

Hope you have a lovely time!!

the swimming thing isn't really an issue wrt the jabs- my younger son (2 and a bit) hasn't been vaccinated at all and he goes swimming all the time. (the suppsed risk is if a newly vaccinated baby did a poo in the pool then polio could be cuaght- but its a bit of an old wives tale really - very unliukely anyway).

HOwever 8 weeks is quite young to take swimming as young babies get cold very quickly. If you do go should only be for a short time. My eldest son started swimming at 16 weeks but that was in a hydrotherapy pool (very warm).

And agree with everyone else- ignore the MIL. My third child will have to be out of the house also immediately as he/she will have brothers to get to school/nursery

I was out of hospital on day 3, and I think I went out for my first walk after 2 days, it was only half an hour but I got back knackered.

I think Pupuce's advice i very sound indeed.

Re; buying outfits for baby, you'll see that you'll get enough as presents and you may not need to but them at all!!

Alos, for the first few months sleepsuits are really the most comfortable and practical thing!

Good luck!

SpringChicken, did you resove the 'MIL as birth-partner' issue? was just wondering!

Blu - haven't resolved it as such - however, she is on holiday for the 2 weeks before baby is due so have been gulping raspberry tea and hoping and praying this baby arrives before then.

God, i feel so mean writing that.

Get loads of dungerees in! My ds lives in his sleepsuits, but when we are going out somewhere, I just pop a dungeree over the top of it, and he looks dead trendy! No messing with stupid little tops that ride up their backs, or trousers with buttons and socks that never, ever stay on!

Yes, the exhaustion is a factor - you may not feel like doing anything more strenuous than getting out of bed! Tend to agree with person re swimming. Two years later (nearly three) and I still refuse to wear a swimming costume. Horror!
You will bleed for quite a while after having your baby too, which might make you want to stay at home for a while - BUT - if you do feel good and want to sit in the garden or get your dh to take you for lunch somewhere, then do it!