June 2021 - part 6 - the final push!

[swiftt]

We’re coming to the end of our last thread so here is, hopefully, the final instalment of our journeys. I’m going to compile a list of due dates and births from the last thread and I’ll post them below.

Hopefully we’ll have lots more baby announcements on the way! How is everyone doing?

@AlRRRR my husband called them when I was having a break down. Just for extra support.

@Sitchervice Amazing, that’s what they’re there for! So glad you’re sorting it! ❤️❤️

It's so interesting to see what's to come 😣 I've got a hakka-type pump and some breast pads, no other gear at the moment. FTM, wanting to breastfeed, hoping for the best, preparing for the worst. There's a local group I'm planning to join, they sound friendly and they have a very active WhatsApp group too. 40+3 today, anyone else still pregnant or is it just me left??

@Sitchervice really glad you asked for some help!
Sophia was a really lazy latcher, she literally couldn't be bothered to work for it, so we switched to combi feeding and honestly it was the best decision for us. I feel more in control, I can see what she's eating, OH can help and there is way less frustration from sophs. All good things.

@MelissaAnn92 I had one.

First few days were ROUGH and the injections were awful. My hospital sent us home with nothing and struggled on just paracetamol. DH had to help me on and off the loo as I just couldn't bend and cried in pain until day 4. By D5 it was all so much better. I could start bending and went on our first walk into the village etc. I'm now week 4 and we walked round the zoo all day which was exhausting but lovely!
Only thing I'm struggling with now is jeans that don't rub on the stiches!

@Waitingforbabypage Is combi feeding where you breast and bottle feed? Is there ia certain way to do it? Just curious to have options open :)

@PurpleishDahlia You aren’t the only one, there are a few others although can’t remember who right now!

You have the right outlook for breastfeeding, you must be looking at this thread and thinking yikes!! It’s different for everyone and you may have a totally different experience! My baby is day 5 now and it seems to be going okay, I started expressing today to start a freezer supply in the case I need to go out or something OR just start giving it into a bottle haha

[quote AlRRRR]@Waitingforbabypage Is combi feeding where you breast and bottle feed? Is there ia certain way to do it? Just curious to have options open :)[/quote]
For me combi feeding is bottle feeding both formula and breast milk. I pump and she guzzles!

@AIRRRR it's basically any combo of more than one way of feeding. So for me it's breastfeeding and formula, others it's breastfeeding and expressed milk in a bottle etc etc. There's a very good Facebook group if anyone's interested - UK Formula, bottle and combination feeding support. Answered a lot of my questions because I didn't find it that easy to find info on it.

@MelissaAnn92 congratulations. Recovery is tough but it does get better quickly. I had an emergency c section after a prolonged induction and failure to progress. I was mobile a couple of hours after surgery but the pain didn’t really kick in for me until day 2 when the drugs from the spinal had worn off. I was discharged after 24 hours, took paracetamol, ibuprofen and dihydrocodeine regularly for the first week or so. I’m day 11 now, haven’t needed painkillers for a couple of days and have been able to get out and about, up and down the stairs etc, and can finally get out of bed fairly easily. But yeah, that first week especially is really tough going. Keep as active as you can, but equally make sure you take it easy and don’t do anything strenuous as you don’t want to hinder your recovery. Oh, and I definitely recommend taking some lactulose for a few days post section - that first poo was absolutely terrifying! 🙈

@Waitingforbabypage and @Lovethatjourneyforme Ah okay! Thanks for that, just wondered!

Are you both doing it due to feeding issues ir is it preference?

For people who are breastfeeding, do you have any boob ache when milk came in, mine came in yday and boobs throb and ache, ( nipples are sensitive anyway due to feeding) x

Sorry to read of the struggles that some of you are having, especially around feeding.
We’re now day 16 and breastfeeding was extremely painful due to poor latch and trauma to my nipples as a result of this. I used the nipple cream after every feed and as much in between as I could too. And at one point had to resort to nipple shields because it felt like my nipples were about to fall off! It was about day 10 that the pinching and toe curling pain settled and it’s been much better ever since. It’s hard work but definitely keep going if it’s what you want to do/ if you feel you can. As others have said on here happy mum = happy baby, so whether that’s bottle fed with formula or expressed milk, or breast fed. Be kind to yourselves, these early days are bloody tough! Just wanted to come on to say that it doesn’t hurt forever and that end is in sight.

@AIRRRR I had such painful boobs for a few days after my milk came in, I had to express a bit to relieve the discomfort.

Hi everyone! I haven't posted since my little boy Marley was born 3 weeks ago but I have been keeping up with the new arrivals and newborn struggles!
I'm currently breast and formula feeding (not really sure which I like best this time around as there are pros and cons for both!). Marley is fitting in with the family. His brother and sister adore him and generally he is a fairly content baby especially compared with my other little chap who was very hard work with everything (and still is 4 years later bless him!).

Although we get a half decent amount of sleep, the madness has started to set in! Last night I'm not sure what I'm dreamt and what was real! It is all one big blur! He woke up for a feed about 2am and needed a quick nappy change first. I was trying to keep him quiet whilst battling him kicking his legs, getting poo on me as well as getting too many nappy sacks out which then started flying around the room because the fan was on. All whilst my partner slept next to me . Then when I got up this morning I realised I had put a breast pad in the wrong way and carefully had to unstick it from my nipple!

Anyway, sending best wishes to you all and good luck to those to still waiting to meet their babies.

@Jinglebells87 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣that made me laugh!!!!!

@Humpty11 Ah ok, my nipples are constantly hard 🤣🤣🤣 i’ve bought some silverette cups as someone suggested them so I hope it’ll cover them and stop them being so hard!!!!

There’s this dull ache, burning sensation most of the time, I’ll ask MW tomorrow about it though, she was only born Wed at 2am bless her x

[quote swiftt]@MelissaAnn92 congratulations. Recovery is tough but it does get better quickly. I had an emergency c section after a prolonged induction and failure to progress. I was mobile a couple of hours after surgery but the pain didn’t really kick in for me until day 2 when the drugs from the spinal had worn off. I was discharged after 24 hours, took paracetamol, ibuprofen and dihydrocodeine regularly for the first week or so. I’m day 11 now, haven’t needed painkillers for a couple of days and have been able to get out and about, up and down the stairs etc, and can finally get out of bed fairly easily. But yeah, that first week especially is really tough going. Keep as active as you can, but equally make sure you take it easy and don’t do anything strenuous as you don’t want to hinder your recovery. Oh, and I definitely recommend taking some lactulose for a few days post section - that first poo was absolutely terrifying! 🙈[/quote]
it's literally awful but I know all for our perfect babies.
I've managed with paracetamol and brufen but tonight had to have some oromoprh, felt like everything was throbbing and my sofas must be quite low it's absolutely awful.
My partner is being amazing and helping do everything but I feel useless.

When/ what day did you remove your dressing?
It's waterproof and still in place perfectly.
I have home visit off MW tomorrow but I'm sure hospital said it was fine to come off from sat evening
Tbh I want it on forever I'm scared to see what's underneath psychologically it feels protective although I'm worried me keeping it on risks infection xx

@MelissaAnn92 congratulations! I had a c-sec with my first. Keep up with the painkillers and take it easy. Really easy. It's good to move about but don't attempt too much too soon. I remember walking from our house to the corner of my street on day 3 of being home (so I think day 6 post-op) and knew that was all I should do and could manage. Fresh chicken soup and blueberries to help the healing. I'm impressed they let you home after 1 night. Things should feel better in a few days. It's still so early. You've had major surgery remember!

@MelissaAnn92 glad your partner is helping! Make sure to keep taking your painkillers even if you feel like you could maybe skip a dose. I learned the hard way a couple of days in, I thought I could skip a dose as I felt okay - was in bloody agony later!

My dressing was removed 48 hours later. I asked my mum to do it! But to be honest, I’ve managed to get a look at my wound and it’s barely even noticeable. I expected this huge horrible gash but it’s totally not!

How’s everyone today? :)

@MelissaAnn92 they took my dressing off in hospital before discharge- the day after my section! As part of a new protocol apparently.

Doing much better today. But seems if we have a good day we have a screamy night and vice versa. 4 weeks in, I feel knackred, I'm terrified of the fact weeks 6-8 are meant to be worse.

@Fishingforhappiness How are the nights for you? Do you find he cries just to cry or is he crying for feeding? Are you Bfeeding or formula?

My friends who are formula feeding tell me their babies wake once or twice and I’m like 😩😩😩 whaaaat

I'm amazed with the short time c sections stay in for! I was in hospital from Sunday after the birth to Tuesday evening with a v birth! (because I gained a temperature giving birth on the hottest day of the year 🙄)

@AlRRRR I swear my little one has spent more time feeding today than he hasn’t 😴😴

He’s getting more alert with more eye open time but he’s also getting clinger to me. People without boobs just don’t cut it at the moment.

He’s also stopped screaming his head off for every nappy change - progress!!