September 2021 - Thread 4

[Poppins2016]

Ta da, thread number 4 so that we can keep up the chatting!

Previous thread

We're also not doing a nursery this year.. We're going to use a small bed side cot thing initially and then decorate the bedroom next spring time. I just want to concentrate on me and the baby getting here safely. So will just have the essentials to start with. Pregnancy clothes.... I live in leggings but I definitely want to get a couple of nice dresses. But think summer ended yesterday here in the Midlands lol.
I've started looking at breast pumps... Is the evie one worth it do you think? Its electric and fits in your bra.

Yay @Hopefulmummie! Glad you got to hear it ❤

Has anyone experienced round ligament pains? Do they feel like a sudden sharp pain or like your inside is being twisted. Lasts a couple of seconds but always in the same spot. I never had this other two pregnancies so not sure what is meant to feel like but reading online says it’s usually lower down by groin but mine is about an inch or two to the left of my belly button.

@Mamabearwhere I’ve started getting stretchy/straining type pains if I twist and step or something. Few seconds Long like you describe. Only way I could describe it is it’s where my ovary was. That sort of area. I don’t know if that is RLP 🤷🏽‍♀️

@Mamabearwhere
I am sure I have it. It feels like a dull ache sometimes both sides or on right. It's lowee belly just above public area and it feels like a pulling pain. Can get it on the sides. I had it loads week 12. Then it went and now I get it some days. X

@Sillysocks998 to be honest, having breastfed for 2.5 years (and still not quite stopped!) I'd say that the Elvie pump is only worth it if you plan to pump exclusively.

I only pumped out of necessity to boost my supply in the first few weeks (and that was only really necessary due to tongue tie) or to provide a bottle of breast milk if I was going to be out for a while (rare but occasionally possible)!

I used a basic single Phillips Avent pump (actually given to me for free by a friend - perfectly hygienic as you sterilise the parts!) and plan to use it again this time around, I don't feel I need to change it given how little I used it last time!

Another thing to bear in mind is that not every pump will suit every woman... loads of people rave about the Medela but I hated the one I used in hospital (to the point that I'll be packing my own this time in case we have to stay in and I need one) and found it really uncomfortable! You can actually hire breast pumps and I'd really recommend doing that if you're planning to rely on pumping a lot, so that you can find a pump you get on with.

@Poppins2016
Thank you appreciate those points. I feel like I don't know if I am meant to pump more? Or feed more. Lol 😂. I assume I'll be a milking machine but would like the baby to take it from me and then when I need to, just pump. Considering things go well with breast feeding. That's a whole new thing too. I feel like I've got so much to read, going to need so much help. So maybe a hand held one would be better for me because I don't want to pump all the time. I'd like to have that bond with baby. Thank you for helping me with that. I'm a FTM. And it shows lol x

@mamabearwhere I had the pains around my belly button and asked my midwife this morning, she said stretching pain around belly button is most likely your bowels, I remember I was constipated at the time! X

@Sillysocks998 I actually forgot to mention that many women don't bother buying a pump at all! The emphasis should definitely be on direct feeding rather than pumping. Babies are (usually, with some exceptions such as tongue tie) much more efficient than a pump at removing milk from the breast. Breast pumps didn't even exist a century ago!

Try not to feel too daunted, I found the midwives and feeding assistants really helpful when I had issues feeding DS and there is help out there if you struggle, but it's more likely that it'll be straightforward and you'll have it figured out quite quickly!

I do recommend doing a breastfeeding class if you can (I attended one at my local hospital for free), as it is helpful to have someone talk through the basics and demonstrate positioning.

One thing worth mentioning (because I found it a bit of a shock) is that although it's "natural", breastfeeding can be very hard work at first (you and baby are both learning!) and it can be painful, but there is a massive pay off once established.

@Sillysocks998 I'll just clarify my last point... "painful at first" (not painful the whole time - otherwise I would have stopped breastfeeding a long time ago 🤣)!

@CherylLW I know they really should do it everywhere. I went in not knowing if they were going to so was nice bonus

@Kirky658 aww it was lovely to hear it wasn't it

I feel like I'm spamming the thread now, but I'll just leave this link to the Kelly Mom website here... it was recommended to me by a midwife and I've found it an incredibly useful breastfeeding resource (tbh it was my go to "breastfeeding bible" for troubleshooting). At this stage of pregnancy I'd probably just bookmark it and forget about it until you're about 36 weeks pregnant onwards, but I really recommend saving it if you're interested in breastfeeding when the time comes.

@Poppins2016
Thank you for thr link really appreciate your posts about breast feeding. You're right. We probably Dont need half the stuff companies make us think we need! I do want a simple fad free time when the baby is here. So will think more natural xx

@Sillysocks998 you’re so right with this a simple fad free time when baby is here

I recently switched from BF to FF and oh my god it’s such a nightmare in comparison🤦🏽‍♀️ I didn’t appreciate my titties enough😂.

That is really good advice @Poppins2016 thank you! I would like to breastfeed if possible, but would like to express to allow the OH/family to bottle feed eventually too, but I know that won't be for a couple of months at least so I probably won't rush in at first now!

On the breastfeeding chat I didn’t pump at all. I just got a manual pump to alleviate the fullness!

@AdventuresAwait hope your scan goes well 😁

Hi ya. I breast fed my last 2! My last 1 was breast fed till 2 1/2!
With both of mine I had difficulty with latching straight away I actually think my nipples are awquared tbh 😂. However found medela nipple shields my saviour! Used them for 3 months each time and then went with out them. It's not ideal but it's a great back up plan. I will get them again just in case lol

I also got a cheapie manual pump after not getting on with any of the electric ones. My boobs were very uncooperative though, they only really responded to DD but barely got any when I pumped! 🤷‍♀️ Still bf now but I’m hoping she’ll wean off soon as my nipples are super sensitive at the moment!

Hey 😁, another question. I use to make my own juice daily pre pregnancy. Cattor orange and ginger beetroot. Are we allowed to juice and drink because its not pasteurised? I would drink it within 30 mins of it being juiced. I miss it so much and havent had any since. 😭.

Is anyone else feeling really uncomfortable already at only 4 months? I’m very petite but have a HUGE bump, I’m always out of breath, my back hurts, always tired, turning in bed is a mission. How am I only 4 months and how much more uncomfortable is it going to be by the time I’m in third trimester?! I never felt like this with previous two pregnancies and probably only felt this uncomfortable in my 8th month.

@Skymum82 sorry if this is a daft question, but are the shields to help the baby latch on? I couldn't get my DD to latch at all and was instead just encouraged to bottle feed which I was a bit gutted about. Expressed for a while but struggled to keep up supply. I'd really like to try again this time but assumed the shields were just for the mum's comfort

@Mamabearwhere I just lay in bed and thought same! I'm very petite too. 50kg 5 foot 1. My bump is really getting big now. I've got bruising to the right side of belly button and all my tummy feels tender. Sharp pains or twinges in back, as I lay to the side in bed it feel like all my joints are adjusting, to the bed or from walking a total of 35 mins today! Honestly I feel abit scared about what's to come too. I've bought a ac unit, cannot feel like this in the peak of summer

@KHR1 yes, I wasn't sore but both mine struggled to latch at first but it made it so much easier and both times was able to get rid off them!
It's better to breast feed with out, but totally better than needing to express ever feed. They are really good shields too. I tried so many with my son (they either didn't stay on, were really thick etc. But the medela ones were fantastic. Never had a issue with supply either.

@Sillysocks998 (I promise I'm not stalking you! 🤣) If you make juice with fresh fruit at home and drink it immediately, that's fine. The issue is with juice bars and restaurants etc. because you have no control over their processes and it may not be particularly "fresh" (i.e. becomes a good breeding ground for bacteria etc. that you don't want to ingest while pregnant) after sitting out for a while.

I'm really loving fresh homemade juice/smoothies at the moment... I'm quite partial to apple, carrot and ginger!

@Squibble84 oh my goodness, the nipple sensitivity is quite something, isn't it?!
My 2.5 year old is almost weaned off the breast, but he'll still occasionally ask for a feed and I now wince every time he latches on, it can actually be quite sore... I can't believe the impact that hormones have!