April 2021 - The Last Stretch

[drumst1ck]

Made a new thread for us as we were coming to the end of the previous one!

I'm 38+5 tomorrow! And have a midwife appointment too, wondering if she will offer me a sweep? Or whether I should request one? What would you do? X

@Flappityflippers1

Thanks all! ❤️

I’m exclusively pumping this time so if anyone has any questions I’m more than happy to try and help. I have the spectra S1 pump. Did also buy a bellababy as it has rave reviews, but not used it yet. Absolutely love the spectra though. I pump with pumping bras (also spectra) and currently doing 8 times a day, around 20 mins both boobs and finding it more manageable than expected. In a few weeks I’ll drop down to 6 pumps a day.

Also used a bit of formula to top up with him being so tiny but he’s been fully breastmilk for the last day or two. He also had a few direct feeds on the first day so bit of an all rounder!

@FlappityFlippers1 I also rate the bella baby as epic. I used it whilst at work for 8 months and it done a really good job as I hated the medela I had.

@LifeIsBusy what were the reasons for not getting on with the medala? The medala seems to crop up on all my searches so I was led towards that so be good to understand the 'cons' of it.

@Flappityflippers1 so you've started breast pumping straight away and getting on well by the sounds of it. That's good to know. A friend of mine bought a breast pump upon leaving the hospital (she waited until then so she knew she could bf) so I presume she also started pumping straight away but then I've heard some others wait a while. Tbh I would quite like to start pumping sooner rather then later so I can get used to it all when I have the support of DP at home on paternity leave.

[quote 1sttimemumtobe2021]@LifeIsBusy what were the reasons for not getting on with the medala? The medala seems to crop up on all my searches so I was led towards that so be good to understand the 'cons' of it.

@Flappityflippers1 so you've started breast pumping straight away and getting on well by the sounds of it. That's good to know. A friend of mine bought a breast pump upon leaving the hospital (she waited until then so she knew she could bf) so I presume she also started pumping straight away but then I've heard some others wait a while. Tbh I would quite like to start pumping sooner rather then later so I can get used to it all when I have the support of DP at home on paternity leave. [/quote]
@1sttimemumtobe2021 I think it comes up in your searches as it's the most popular brand in the UK but I literally never used to get anything out with mine and boy did I try! I ended up joining an American fb group for people who returned to work and were pumping (wasn't really a UK equivalent due to the maternity policies we get here) but it's really common to do in the states as they often return to work super early. They also often get a pump on their insurance which is a bonus but the most popular by far we're the spectra then a bella baby as a backup. As I'd already paid for my medela I didn't really want to spend a huge amount on another pump so I got the bella baby and instantly it was soo much better but I think the spectra would have been a good purchase...

It really does depend on why you want/need to pump really. If it's for the odd feed here and there then a hakka and bella baby will get you through. If you're looking to exclusively pump or pump a lot then you might wanna look into a spectra as it's hospital grade and can get you through the early stages when you need to increase supply ect.

@LifeIsBusy really helpful thanks as I'd not heard of the spectra. I'd be looking into pumping quite a bit really. Personally although your boobs are always there, I'd just find it so much more flexible to be able to breast pump and be able to have a supply in the freezer for example.

I have a wedding that I've been invited to... with any luck all restrictions would have lifted... and to be able to have a supply of milk ready to go would help. I also want to get DP involved with feeding for bonding and convenience!

I will see how I get on. I'm not pressuring myself. I'm a FF child as I wouldn't take to the boob and I was quite a small child and lost weight (as most babies too but still worrying!). I'm measuring small so I am conscious of how baby will take to feeding so would be great to be able to monitor the feeds he will get too.

@LifeIsBusy I went a searching for weight thread it was a bit interesting.
@1sttimemumtobe2021 I’m a ffer purely as I didn’t have a choice as with 1st was in icu in medical coma, and 2nd I was so scared it would go wrong again that I just prepped to ff so do could do it although I’m sure now a days they could probably make it work somehow lol. A little part of me would like to maybe try to bf as this is last baby, however I’m all set to ff again as kept everything just in case and I find it easy where as I don’t know if I will find bf easy lol.
@TheViewOutsideMyWindow I’ve never heard of expressing colostrum maybe cause I’ve always said I want to ff. can I be nosy and basically say info please lol.

Everyone else well those who have laboured spontaneously previously, I’ve been getting nasty really painfully stabbing in my back to the side could it be baby jabbing an organ or something else, there is no rhythm or rhyme to it brought me to my knees last night and then warm bath it’s fine. this morning it’s back. Any help or advice greatly appreciated xx

@LuckygoLucy it was suggested I try to express colostrum as I'm having an ELCS and so there's alway a risk baby will end up in NICU or be too sleepy to latch, so having some in syringes will avoid the need for formula. Absolutely nothing against formula, it's each to their own. First time around my little one ended up in NICU and we did a bit of expressing and a bit of formula but bc she was too delicate to hold for the first few days my milk didn't come in until around day 5 or 6 and so our bf journey got off to a more rocky start. It would have been easier on me if I'd gone into hospital equipped with some colostrum already expressed, but when I tried nothing came out. The midwives were excellent at milking me though! I think expressing colostrum is also suggested if you have gestational diabetes and some other factors, but you'd have to ask the midwife.

If you're keen on breastfeeding this time around I'd definitely encourage you to have a look at some facebook groups and the like, just to get an idea of what's "normal". I loved it, but hadn't appreciated that it's normal for it to be very hard at first! Lots of tips and lactation expert advice on there too. It got a lot easier at 6 weeks when I could just pop her on the boob at night and go back to sleep. She was fussy in the day so I expressed as well and that worked for us. Ideally this time I'd like to just breastfeed as once I had the hang of it I found it easier than making bottles and washing bottles and pumping etc. As I say, each to their own, you have to find what works for you and baby.

Afraid I can't help with the pains, my labour started with my waters breaking and contractions only followed a couple of hours later. Worth a midwife call if you're worried.

@TheViewOutsideMyWindow thank you that was really informative and helpful, I’m defo going to be looking up groups for the bf. Same as me water went had a show went to hospital plus was 11 years ago. I’m not worried but still getting them so might try and make a note of them and call midwife if continues 😊

@LuckygoLucy , hope the midwife can set your mind at rest.

I also recommend Dr Jack Newman for all breastfeeding advice, he's done some great youtube videos and is a wealth of knowledge. The difficulty with the FB groups is that unless you know you're speaking with a lactation consultant some of the advice can be wrong, but nevertheless I find them useful as a reminder that you're not along in any struggles you may have!

@1sttimemumtobe2021 I had planned to exclusively pump this time around, and had actually had zero intention of offering the boob at all. I had a really awful bfing experience with my first, which ended up putting him in hospital (so listen to your gut instinct, not the internet telling you to “preservere!”) I ended up with PTS, severe PNA and PND- so understandably was frankly terrified of bfing again, despite all the therapy I’ve had to process it.

My first also ended up allergic to formula so had to go on prescription allergy milk. So that was another battle after the bfing issues.

So this time I knew:

1. I was absolutely bottle feeding
2. I was absolutely giving breastmilk (I’m dairy free)

So pumping was my answer

As it happened Ollie latched in recovery and I’m so pleased we got some direct feeds in- it was a lovely healing experience for me. After a few feeds he started fighting the breast and struggled to get him on, which was giving me a lot of stress and anxiety, then when he latched he’d have a tiny feed and fall asleep - this is exactly what my first did (also a tiny baby) so that’s why I have stopped offering boob.

I’m fairly confident this time around that if I could have a bfing consultant at home with me and proper support, the latching is something we could definitely work through, but I’m not bothered about direct nursing enough to put myself (or baby) through the stress.

Pumping is going really well, baby is feeding well - I’ve pumped 700ml today on day 5 pp!

Pumping is going to take a lot of work on my part and I know it isn’t easy as pumped for a few weeks with my first, but I’ve no doubt it’s worth it for us.

Also regarding the medela - I had a medela swing maxi with my first - a panic buy from Mothercare by my sleep deprived, shell shocked husband the morning after our first was admitted to hospital. I actually really loved it and got plenty out with it (I was using it to rebuild supply after severe mastitis killed it). I was tempted to get a medela this time but as exclusively pumping knew I needed hospital grade and didn’t fancy the medela one (well, didn’t fancy the price tag or rental!)

I’m getting on really well with the spectra - I’ve got new flanges coming tomorrow as how I measured before I had Ollie isnt right on my left boob now I’m actively pumping! But I’m enjoying it thus far - I find it extremely satisfying, and love that he’s getting my milk. It’s a silly little thing too, but the spectra has a built in night light and it’s bloody perfect! Just the right soft blue glow to see what I’m doing but not wake everyone!

Good luck whatever happens x

@flappityflippers1 it sounds like you are getting on really well!

@Flappityflippers1 I am glad things are going so well with the feeding, you are really selling that spectra! I think the nightlight clinches it

Thanks all - I’m on such a high, I never ever felt like this after my first, I just felt like a broken woman and not much of a mother, so to get this calm, lovely time is just amazing. My midwife is my cousin and she looked after me last time too and she can’t believe the difference either ❤️

@Inkpaperstars it used to drive me nuts having to put the lamp on with my first, it’d wake everyone up and take forever to get back to sleep - the nightlight on the pump is exactly what I’ve been looking for haha!

I have a Medela pump and I think it's ok but it's really loud so I never used it much apart from the start when I got engorged just to ease it abit. I'm planning on bf this one as well. I found it easier just feeding from the boob as mine have all been greedy so I never had enough time to build a supply for bottle feeding as well. Once they started solids I began the transition to formula so by 7/8 months they were both on formula and I could have abit of a break, hopefully this one will be the same but every baby is different so for all I know I might end up still bf when this one's one.

I'm 38+ 4 and getting backache and a few cramps round the front but it doesn't get into a pattern or stronger so probably just preparing rather than the real thing.

I'm the same, had a Medela and used it as my let down was too fast so needed to release before feeding. I did freeze my milk but son wouldn't take a bottle so it all just got thrown out. I think baby has turned from engaged head down to transverse as I'm just so uncomfortable and movements are across all of my bump.

@Flappityflippers1 that's such a wonderfully positive start! So pleased for you, both with the healing birth and the feeding going so well. 100% shows you have to do what's right for you and baby. There is so much judgment that comes with motherhood so it's lovely to hear when a mum is able to step back and say "I know best", which really, us mums usually do.

Hi all, thought I'd let you know my baby turned up 6 weeks early on 16th March (at 33w6 after my waters broke at 32w2). Little boy weighing 2.45kg. He's been in NICU since then but is doing super well and hopefully we'll go home very soon.

Labour took about 21 hours in total. Used my tens machine, hypnobirthing breathing techniques and gas and air. I think if you'd have asked me during labour, I'd have said I'll never do this again but as soon as baby was out and lying on me I felt fine to do it again!

My favourite things in my hospital bag: my tens machine, bottle with sucky straw, flannel (for my partner to mop my brow) and button up tops for skin to skin if you have to stay in hospital.

Good luck with the final stretch!

For those giving birth in the next couple of weeks, how many layers will the babies need to wear? I’m thinking a vest and babygro will be fine at home and was just planning on adding a blanket and hat outside but now thinking that might not be enough. We have been given a pack of jumpers which are cute but I imagine cardigans are easier - should I stock up? We don’t have any...

@ickli congrats! I hope you get to take him home soon!

@luckyflash I haven't got any cardigans I think blankets should be enough as long as they are wrapped up. I do have a small jacket which could be handy.

I thought I had reduced movements today/yesterday but think it's just baby having less room to move about in there! So frustrating as there is so much I need to do around the house but I feel like I can't do anything with this bump in my way!

I was in for reduced movements last night, although by the time I got there she was moving again. Ctg was ok but they are making noises about keeping me in so they can get me an earlier section. I have to go back in for monitoring today, and tomorrow, not sure every time I go in when I will come out and in what circs! I think maybe I am too paranoid about movements and then they have to be really cautious, but I don’t know!

I'm anxious about movements to I'll randomly stop throughout the day and think have I felt movement today and cuz I'm running around doing housework and looking after the other two kids I always have to give them a shake to see if they'll move

Congratulations @Ickli I hope he can come home soon ❤️

Ollie had vest, babygrow, blanket and hat - now we’re home we’ve ditched the hat.

He was weighed today (day 5), and has gained! Admittedly only 0.4% gain, but still a gain! The midwife was astonished, she said it never happens, so I’m feeling super proud of myself 😍

Always go in for reduced movements, they’d much rather see you than not x

That’s awesome about the gain @Flappityflippers1

I have taken them at their word about always going in for reduced movements. I think I have been in about 7 or 8 times! Yesterday they said they felt better about me going home because they knew I would come back in, I was like...what gives you that impression?

I will be going in again later for a ctg even though movements are fine at the moment, just because now they want to keep a close eye on things. I am 38 + 3 so they could deliver, but if movements have picked up, ctg is fine etc it’s whether to keep her cooking for a day or so more. That’s the decision about whether to stay in really, because they said yesterday keeping someone in isn’t necessarily about monitoring because you can go in for daily monitoring, it’s more than once they keep you in they can get you an inpatient c section slot whereas my one planned as an elective for Friday can’t be brought forward as the elective slots are all full.

Tempted if all looks fine tonight to come home and go back in for another ctg tomorrow. I can control the diabetes better at home and get a bit of sleep, be less at risk of Covid. But I am not going to wait till Friday, want to be a bit more cautious than that.

With all these trips into the hospital i have had some strange nighttime drives through lockdown London, it’s been really quiet but just the last few days I think it’s looking slightly busier. It’s strange roaming the deserted hospital on my way up to triage though. At least the lifts always come straight away at 2am.