Minster's 8th Side Car - Best not let the men see our post-partum bodies eh?!

[larrythelizard]

2022 Bumps

DKDK123 10 May💗
bez91 14 May 💛
Minster2012 22 May 💗 (C-section the week before)
whatwonder 5 June 💛
feliznavidad2 5 July 💗
SWAttempting 23 July (will be delivered in June) 💗
paintfairy 24 July 💗
Vil10 1 August 💛
Juno231 11 August 💗
kaylsd 15 August 💛
larrythelizard 18 August 💛
Inkypaper 28 October 💛
BellatrixK 15 November 💛

Sidecar Babies 👶👶👶

Kirky658 11 August 2021 💗
Kate105 14 October 2021 💙
Justanothercyster 10 November 2021 💗
2020Mission 27 December 2021 💙
blackcurrantqueen 17 January 2022 💗
Crazydoglady123 29 January 2022 💗
Haiyaa 1 February 2022 💙
becarefuloutthere 26 February 2022 💗
Lexber 14 April 2022 💗💙

@Minster2012 you've dtd already?? Has it been 6 weeks yet 😅 remember the issue is infection of the placenta attachment site if it hasn't healed since the birth, not C-section scar specifically.

But damn I'm adding that shawarma, savoury scones and cheese twists to the list! They sound delicious. @whatwonder I have never made stock in my life so I applaud you. The other I'm thinking of adding is some kind of nutty breakfast muffin. I've also got my mum's pork stew on the list and a Ghanaian peanut butter chicken stew I love.

@Lexber Jeepers that's not a lot of sleep! I'm amazed you have the brain capacity to plan ahead and pack bags in case you get sent to the hospital. Fingers crossed Elsie doesn't need it 🤞

@paintfairy we've spoken about the pain elsewhere but lol at the egg adventures! Were you hands warm enough for the blood draw? I sometimes can't squeeze enough out either and have been called a vampire or undead in the past 😅

Thank you for the overall advice ladies, I do feel a lot better since being sick but have been drinking lots of fluids and do need to chill a bit more. I'm so tired and it's been reflected in my resting heart rate this week - it's been 87bpm!

We're home via the shop (3bags due to lack of sleep and hunger meaning I bought so much crap I didn't need haha) so grabbing food while they are asleep still in car seats (bad mummy...) I will move them as soon as they stir...
And on that note Elsie stirred 🤣🤣 so is now in her rocking chair...

Thankfully her chest is clear (mucus her heart murmur) and the dr was more than happy with her just to keep an eye on her and if she continues to reduce feeds offer smaller more often (which I have been anyway)

@Juno231 not 6 weeks no, 3 weeks, what's this about placenta infection? Sounds like something I don't want so might need to stay away from him 😬your food ideas sound gorgeous!! We might need some recipes please! A nutty muffin sounds good, I wonder if flapjack type things (or multi seed things) freeze?

@Lexber that's good for Elsie, really pleased. God I need to do shopping too, maybe after tongue tie appointment tomorrow I've just found out about 🤔

@Minster2012 as in they say no sex for the first 6-8 weeks. That's not just for the vag/c section scar to heal - it's because the placenta leaves behind a big wound on the uterine wall where it was attached, that is basically ripe for infection 😬. Lol at the last minute tongue tie notification! Didn't realise Bronte had tongue tie, or is this just a check for it regardless?

@Lexber fantastic news! Elsie is such a trooper 😁

So yesterday I freaked out a bit and decided to contact 2 nurseries and 7 childminders. The nursery that got back to me is 1820/month - eye watering! And the bastards won't tell me if they have availability unless we register with them first - which is £50 😂

Who was it that asked me if the building works have started? Cause they have! On Thurs last week and scaffolding went up today. I've attached a pic showing the current state of the master bedroom and some of the lovely fireplaces they have uncovered!

Oh ok @Juno231 maybe not then 😬didn't realise that, just thought it was ok once the bleeding had stopped (would be nice if they told you such things). When she had her hospital checks they said it looked like she had a posterior slight tongue tie & that might be why she wasn't latching well but we've been chasing referral ever since, would you still not consider your work one? Or do you get to stay WFH & so is pointless? LOVING those fireplaces

@Minster2012 tbf if all the bleeding has stopped you might be in a decent position anyway! Just something to be mindful of I guess. The nursery at work (god your memory is frightening 😂) is much cheaper but I wfh 3 days a week so doesn't really work. Also I can't imagine schlepping a baby/toddler on the tube during rush hour twice a day 😱

Can't believe it's taken them 3 weeks to check in on Bronte's tongue in that case! Tbh I've picked a local doctor for potential tongue tie as I've heard NHS takes so long to sort it and it "only" costs £250 to have it done privately.

Ah yeah @Juno231 you said it was quite a trek to work which might not work (unless it's nap time & they can snooze most of the way in a carrier?!) but yeah not the easiest. Yeah I'm frustrated it's taken this long but I don't think it would have solved her feeding problems or the loss of weight as I think that was more being early, they said it was only slight but better to get it sorted. She's latching better now & we are still combi feeding which is working well. Tbh the 🍆would only be a weekend thing so we'll see but I think it should be ok.

Passport application ✅
Folder of "paperwork" for Bronte ✅
Finished jubilee wreath ✅
Dogs walked ✅
Cleaned 🧹 ✅

Booooooommmmmm

Well today has been GREAT because PTSD did not cry at swimming 🙌🏻 even the instructor commented 😂🤦🏼‍♀️

Aaaaaand even bigger news (just about haha) is that we're putting our house on the market! Eek! We're going to buy the farmhouse H's grandma used to live in and actually live a proper farmer life 😬😬😬😬😬 scary times! Especially because the house will need gutting so if we sell ours quickly then looks like we'll be moving in with the in laws for a few months 😭

@whatwonder how about some pasta sauces for your batch cooking? And maybe a good old fashioned stew? Happy mat leave!

@Minster2012 impressive on the DTD so soon! I do think you're right about the night weaning... PTSD was up partying from 4-5am last night so if this shit continues we will definitely be night weaning ASAP because fuck that

Oh don't @Juno231 organising childcare is the worst 🙄 you have my sympathies!

Sounds like you're bossing it @Lexber hope Elsie is on the mend soon

I think he would after a few nights def @Soph0105 then FREEDOM!! That's very exciting on the house front, you are gonna be a proper farming widow!

Well done for getting yourself off to the dr @Franklydear, hopefully they're more useful this time.

Waah that's serious amounts of spilt milk @DKDK123! How lovely of your friend to throw you and Emily a little party, deffo worth the travel! Stupidly I don't think I'd thought about the fact you still get periods when you've had your tubes tied but now I think about it, doh, of course you do!

@whatwonder it's exciting not terrifying, you get to meet the little person that's been occupying your body all this time! Impressive work on batch cooking!

Oh bad times on the vomit @Juno231 hopefully that's your one for the rest of pregnancy, hormones are nasty little fuckers! My resting (and gym) heart rate have been comically high since BFP! Wow 1820, I thought 1200 was bad enough! LOVE the fireplaces!

Pre-pregnancy jeans already @bez91?! You hero!

Oh god @2020mission what on earth do you do with that?! What possessed them to think that was a good present?! My parents have form for buying us random nick-nack type items (despite us having none of them round the house) but thankfully all relatively small.

Stressful morning @paintfairy, hope your day improved! I'm with @Juno231 and the key is warm hands. Hope consultant was not a knob today.

Jeez @Lexber you're sounding remarkably functional given your lack of sleep! Can anyone come and help in the day so you can catch up a bit? Pleased to see they didn't keep you in.

Love the passport snaps @Minster2012 - DS looks like a potato in his, no idea how they'll let him into Majorca next month as he doesn't look like that anymore 🤣 my 6 weeks check was pretty much 'are you OK' and then a check of DS so I wouldn't expect much, definitely no formal signing off for driving. Sounds like whirlwind @Minster2012 is back in action, has your infection cleared now?

Ooh exciting @Soph0105! My mum grew up on a farm (so lots of farming family), apparently when my gran got married in the late 1940s she had all her teeth removed...apparently quite common amongst local farmers, wtf?!

I'm still quite wiped out and lightheaded which I assume is the after effects of last week's migraine as I've had my BP checked a couple of times and all OK. Annoying but trying to take it easy.

Finally conceded defeat and sorted out maternity clothes from the lost and made room in my wardrobe yesterday!

Urgh I'm already regretting this @Minster2012 because I've realised that I'm going to go from having the house all to myself all the time in my blissful farming widowhood to H literally being at home all the fucking time. FFS! On the 6 week check, mine was just a perfunctory "you seem ok, have you got some contraception". RE the driving, check with your insurance. Mine (Admiral) just had some vague waffle about feeling ready to drive again. General consensus seems to be it's fine once you'd feel confident doing an emergency stop. I was back driving at about 4 weeks post section I think.

Do you know @larrythelizard I have heard this before! Apparently it was a standard wedding present for farmers' wives back in Ireland in ye olden days?!

Also enjoying B's passport photos. I'm amazed PTSD got his approved, I'm going to see if I can crop it and share it below. He's got some serious attitude going on in it 😂 mind you, am yet to test this at actual passport control so TBC whether he is allowed out of the country on it or not...

@Soph0105 oh god and in the mean time when you are on window time you'll be with in laws so def not alone time then 😂that's what I'm dreading about the prospect of living with in laws...never having actual "alone time" 😬. Our insurance is fleet insurance (as we have many vehicles in the company) so it just ambiguously says "whilst fit to drive". It's 4 weeks this weekend & so I think next week will be ok...my dads been driving me in my car to places (as we've got the 2 seats in it) & he's a "drive 45mph in a 60 zone" kinda guy & honestly I think I might commit murder if it continues further

I genuinely think they might let PTSD out the country but not back in as his look is pure evil genius plotting to take over the world!

Sorry, SAY WHAT?? It's a wedding present to have your teeth taken out?? A wedding present for the husbands maybe to get gummy blow jobs?? What the actual???

@larrythelizard infection healed but scar is still sore, it's itchy, swollen, still looks a bit angry. It feels like my foof is all swollen, awful!! You won't be wearing those clothes for long enough for the moths to find a new home 😊

Could it be mega thrush @Minster2012? Caught me out post C-section but it made sense when you consider the antibiotics they pump you full of as part of the op?

@Soph0105 rural Wales so probably a similar vibe to Ireland! Sadly she's not around anymore so can't ask wtaf! @Minster2012 I think a gummy BJ might have been a good idea, she had 10 kids over 20 years (and god knows how many MC she had in there too?)

Glad Elsie is ok @Lexber I always did the same and packed for a hospital visit. DD always had unexplained rashes so we spent lots of time on children ward 🙈

@2020mission you're not being unreasonable that would wind me off the clock. How self indulgent of them 😂 my MIL looks at our photos we have framed eveytime she comes and comments that she only features in one photo 🙄

@paintfairy im also crap at making eggs so you're not alone.I'm not a bad cook but I always leave eggs to DH as I always balls them up. Sounds like it could be braxton hicks though!

@Minster2012 on the 6 week check my MW said they usually now try and tie them together with 8 week injections for the baby round here post covid so may be more like an 8 week postnatal check. I think you'll be ok to drive, the clauses seem very subjective. Sounds like you had a productive day!

@Juno231 it was me re house reno. I love a house reno, those fire places are great, will you be keeping any? The cheek of that nursery! Even if it's refundable that's bloody cheeky! Exciting on the house front too for you @Soph0105

@larrythelizard the jeans lasted an hour, I think they'd have literally cut me if I kept them on any longer - too ambitious 😂 lol'd at your description of DS looking like a potato on his passport 😂 what? Having teeth removed? Were farmers wife's regarded as vampires or something?

TMI... Having a glamorous PP time, I've only just realised because I've not had them before but I've got haemorrhoids 🤦🏼‍♀️ , I didn't even know it was common PP but bloody ideal mixed in with the stitches down there. Need to dig out DDs rubber ring to sit on 😭

Yesterday was not a great start to the flying solo week. DD wouldn't waken up at all the night before for her feeds, because she still has a teeny bit of jaundice we need to make sure she isn't getting too sleepy and is feeding regularly but she didn't eat at all from 9pm -5am whereas she's normally every 2-3hours. So I was up all night trying to get her to feed and worrying we were going to end up back in hospital. Which meant our first day with DH back at work I was a shattered mess. Things started to perk up and she was eating again, put her down for a nap at 11 and I was just about to go for one too to catch up on the lost sleep when the doorbell went and she woke up screaming the place down 🙄 It was our new 'undesirable' neighbour that's moved into the street asking me to phone him a taxi, my sleep deprived mum rage kicked in and I lost it, he was told exactly where to go. Normally I would help out someone in need but he's not in need he's a scrounger and absolute creepy bastard that's came to our door 4times this week asking for something, DH was firm but polite the first 3 times, I was less than polite yesterday so hopefully he got the message and will not be back! Took me 3 hours to settle DD again, she just screamed constantly and couldn't be settled no matter what I tried and the more she screamed the more she was giving herself wind and reflux and the cycle kept going on, I was on my knees with exhaustion, and from all the walking around with her and moving around I managed to open up a small part of my wound which I hope isn't going to get infected now and the bleeding which had all but disappeared came back with a vengence so my inside clealry wasnt happy with the lack of resting either. It just felt like a shitter of a day but a little surprise gift from our lovely @Minster2012 changed a shitty day into one that made me remember how much good there is in the world. It literally came just at the right time I needed it.🥰 Here's hoping for a more successful day today 🤞

@2020mission when they ask why its not up just say there isn't the space for it in this place but we've kept it by for when we move to somewhere bigger......then if you ever do move it gets lost in the moving process 😂

@paintfairy just push for thr diabetes test if you want it. Just tell them that you'd feel far more reasurred and less anxious if you had it, surely it'd be worth their while doing it for your peace of mind. (Tho mine made me spew, it's not something I'd want to do voluntarily 😂 but if it gives you peace of mind go for it!)

@Lexber how on earth do you have the energy to DTD with twins to look after 😲, I was impressed @Minster2012 has the energy to do it with one newborn but you have 2 and one of them feeling poorly at that, that's impressive stuff!

@Juno231 that's crazy that the nursery won't tell you if they have space unless you register first! Fireplaces would look lovely all done up.

@Soph0105 great news on both the swimming and house move! Although not so good on the potentially moving in with the inlaws for a bit.....but think of the on tap babysitting potential 🤔

@bez91 I'm with you on the hemorrhoids 🙈 having never had them before I didnt realise just how painful they are! I've started using germaloid cream and it's definitely numbed a lot of the pain, I can actually sit down now without wincing so definitely get yourself some of that!

Good for you @DKDK123 on telling that arsehole where to go, but sorry for your shitter of a day. H is very English and polite and hates confrontation in case it's awkward whereas I am a hot blooded NI lass who knows that sometimes people need to be told that their fuckery is unacceptable 😂 possibly also a teacher thing too? How will people learn from their mistakes if they don't know about them?!

Ahhhhh @bez91 my commiserations 😭 I managed to survive pregnancy without them but then they arrived PP with a vengeance thanks to the iron tablets I had to take post section. Fuckers. Go easy!

Yes I think you're right @Minster2012 now next step is to get PTSD his Irish passport sorted but I can't face more picture taking 😂 also the waiting list is TWO YEARS thanks to Covid and brexit meaning that every other arsehole wants an Irish passport. Grrr. I've been holding off to see if the wait goes down, but no luck so far!

Actual lols at the gummy BJ chat... more research definitely required 😂🤔

Estate agents coming on Thursday. Let the panic cleaning commence! So far I have bleached the bathroom grouting. Definitely deserve a wine after that, right?!

Let's have a catch up then!

@larrythelizard I don't think it's thrush, it's not itchy inside, it's more the foof mound?? Like where the pubes are? It's kinda itchy then feels like brushing is coming out behind it so I think it's just coming to life a bit really. 10 kids too?? Omg 😳 I'm loving the DS passport potatohead picture! In fact I'm loving all the baby mugshots in general. Eek on the haemorrhoids, I think I got some small piles at the end but thankfully seem to have gone now

@bez91 yeah it's to tie in with the vaccinations here too & I also think it'll just be "how you feeling" like @Soph0105 says too

@DKDK123 that sounds stressful, we were having to strip DD down & change nappy each time to get her to wake up too so I feel you on that one. I def would've told that guy to F off, very loudly!! Totally with @Soph0105 you are doing him a favour telling him his behaviour is out of order & fingers crossed he learns (my DH also HATES confrontation)

So had the tongue tie appointment this morning, Bronte did a massive noisy & smelly poo as soon as we went in & then they started poking they said it's only slight & it was likely more the premature & sleepy nature of her rather than the tongue but they did it & so maybe it will be better. Not nice hearing a horrible cry but anyway it's done

Health visitors just been and DD is now up to a nice chunky 8lb 8 💪She still has jaundice so we still need to wake for feeds if she's too sleepy but HV isn't too concerned given her great weight just now. What did surprise me tho was we were talking about my combi feeding and expressing after every formula feed so ive got enough for a breast feed bottle inbetween formula feeds and the HV said it must be exhausting, just do it for one more week and if she still won't properly breast feed by then it's probably best you just switch to formula so you're not wearing yourself out. I thought they were supposed to encourage you to keep going with BF 🤔 I was so confused, I don't think I was looking particularly tired, I didnt complain or say I was tired I know its not a long term solution but I'm happy to keep going longer surely her getting some breast milk is still beneficial 🤷‍♀️

@DKDK123 that's strange as Matthew is and has remained at the bottom of the WHO chart although always gaining, just slowly. I kept expecting them to tell me to switch to formula as it's not ideal but they always said keep doing what you're doing with breastfeeding. I can't wait to get some food in him next month to get some more calories in 😆 he is quite slim. Your neighbour sounds really annoying we have a doorbell but thankfully everyone who knows we have a baby always knock instead incase he's sleeping.

@Minster2012 sadly can't change the photos in the huge frame it's is a single photo in a frame they've just had a collage of them printed 😂 glad they sorted Bronte's tongue tie I was given the same "there is one but it's not bad enough by the looks of it" with Matthew so he never had it done. Definitely had an issue though as after a few months he suddenly started latching well on his own and guzzling bottles that used to take him ages to drink. Think it resolved on its own with time but it's not nice to just wait it out!

Husband already suggested the huge photo will be damaged in transit when we do move 😅

I've not shared any Matthew photos for a while so thought I would

Try some canestan cream on it @Minster2012 it sounds similar to how I was after DS. And it won't hurt (even if it won't heal if you see what I mean?)

Lucky PTSD having the option of an Irish passport @Soph0105 even if there is a silly waiting list!

Things can only get better right @DKDK123?! Sounds like a sensible HV, breast milk is the gold standard but if it's at the expense of your mental health there's a balance to be had in there somewhere. Excellent work you and Emily on 8lb 8!

Gorgeous smiley boy @2020mission!!

Migrainey today, just a normal one but ergh. So annoying. Can't wait to take some decent meds!!

@larrythelizard I might do that thanks, I have a super annoying stitch poking out it's really annoying me & I'm trying really hard not to pick it!!

@DKDK123 tbh my HV & midwife are quite similar to that, & I've been really fortunate they don't really push one over the other & they've really listened to me. Expressing is really hard & I've cut that out but I'm still offering boob first of all if I'm in a place suitable to do so, so I understand the expressing bit. You've done amazing though so stick to whatever it is you want

@2020mission god the slow feeding omg yes, especially as I'm doing boob then formula most times too. Def "break" that picture in the future. Look at him he's do gorgeous and Smiley!

Bronte having a very unsettled day, not feeding great today and not napping well so tonight will be interesting 🤔

Sorry for being shit at the minute. I've been reading everything but super struggling to find a second to respond. It's all been a bit manic, ended up having a panic attack last week, followed by guests coming for the weekend (couldn't put them off as they were coming a long way), and some super intense deadlines at work. In short, I'm knackered. I will try and catch up properly at some point, loving all the baby photos, hope everyone's OK ❤️

Hello
day off thank god, I am just about coping at work, I must look poorly cos yesterday bossboy sent me to sit in the office for half hour to rest, he’s a lot more sympathetic and useful but I did tell the union rep he wasn’t helping me so maybe he’s pulled his ear, no dr appointment yet, I had a ton of life admin to catch up on, next week I’ll chase, promise, I love how you all hold me to account, it really helps
i kinda catch up but haven’t read everything, I need more energy

Ooooo bold is back too!!

@Franklydear make sure you relax as much as possible

@InkyPaper don't worry about it, we all struggle to keep up at some points you make sure you look after yourself too a panic attack doesn't sound good

A very unsettled night here with weeing from xander too which doesn't help! We are still trying to figure out some sort of routine for last bottle /night wakings

Just done big dog walk. Silent witness you say??? Don't mind if I do!