Due February 2024 Thread 7!!🤰🩷💙

[AllAboardTootToot]

Cannot believe we are on the 7th iteration and the babies are starting to arrive 😭❤️

A massive congratulations to all the lovely babies that have been born 🥰

Anyone know if extreme tiredness/exhaustion is a sign labour may be imminent. I am so so tired today despite having a good nights sleep! It's like being in the first trimester again. I have had mild period type cramps for the past few days but baby is no where near engaged and still doing somersaults! Those that have had their babies do you recall this being a thing, I can't stand the thought of being this tired for another couple of weeks

This is what I'm hoping! I literally googled this question myself this afternoon 😂 40+2 today, no signs really (had 2 stretch&sweeps so far) which have resulted in zilch, midwife coming back tomorrow don't know whether to even bother having another 1 as it feels like they don't work! Booked in for an induction on Monday if she isn't here by then(will be 41 weeks) still can decline she said as tbh don't want an induction either!.. over last week & half been making sure house is organised & ready for baby suppose you could call it nesting, feel like I have had loads of energy of these last few days (also stopped for sofa breaks in between so wasn't over doing it) but my god today I feel wiped out & hardly done a thing tbf so I'm hoping it could be a sign 🤞 apart from exhaustion do you just feel normal in yourself? x

@undercoverhero74 I was really tired and weepy but that might have been the 3 months of crap sleep in the run up due to bad SPD tbf!

Also word of warning for the pineapple eaters, my mouth is still sore a week later, think eating a kilo's worth was probs a bit overboard even if it did deliver after the 3 days of eating it 😅

Word of warning to those breastfeeding, be careful with lansinoh, I was smothering my nipples in it and was really smug that the feeds were painless but realised that my baby wasn't latching as strongly as should be and absolutely knackered himself and me out with a near 6 hour cluster feeding session last night before it clicked. Wiping it off the areola now first and feeding much better.

Also had to use my pump today as was so engorged it was interfering with latch, did 10 mins and latching well again, so this might be an issue to look out for too. Reverse compressions just weren't cutting it. Rugby hold good for engorgement too.

I'm starting to see all the times I went wrong with my first and why it didn't work out, so hopefully the above might help other first timers. I think the tongue tie cut has made the most difference though.

@MummyTo4BoysXXXX I'm glad it's not just me! I'm not quite as far along as you and still have a week and a bit left but the tiredness has just hit me out of nowhere. Apart from that I feel great, few cramps in my lower abdomen but otherwise pretty good.
I had 3 sweeps with my first and I don't think they had any impact what so ever. They were just unnecessary and uncomfortable for me so I have politely declined this time round.
Eek Monday isn't far away! At least you know the end is in sight 😊 we are so so ready for baby to arrive now I'm just really impatient! I'm similar to yourself in that I have had so much energy the past few days and have organised literally everything so the sudden exhaustion has hit me like a truck.

Ugh we didn't know what we were doing the first day and baby lost weight, we're still playing catch-up on day five. Being forced to supplement with formula to get him to gain even though I have proper milk spraying out everywhere.

Same thing happened to me :( Baby was dehydrated/lethargic by day 4, hosp advised formula top ups. Took until day 14 to have baby back to birth weight.

Breastfeeding, expressing and topping up with formula - safe to say I am exhausted!

Milk supply doesn't seem to be coming in fully which is really upsetting. I don't know if it's possible to revert back to EBF as I'm scared that reducing the top ups will make weight drop/cause dehydration again.

@Cheetocat didn't they give you a choice with the formula? :( it seems a shame if you've got a good supply. How much weight had he lost at your day 5?

I've got a midwife appointment tomorrow (he'll be 17 days) so slightly nervous about the weighing in case he hasn't gained enough.

Yesterday I had bloody show, and contractions every 3/4 mins consistently for hours. Called triage and they said everything is progressing well and to continue at home and call back when contractions become more intense or are every 2 mins. Has the worse night sleep with cramping and contractions till 4am and then finally managed to get some sleep. Today it feels like I’ve gone a few steps back, contractions are still going but less intense and irregular with some 3 mins apart and some every 5 mins and no more blood or signs of waters breaking.

I’m just really exhausted at this point and would do anything for some sleep or sign that things are actually progressing rather than stop starting. I feel like I’ve been moaning for weeks too because my body doesn’t know what’s happening.

Midwife suggested induction next week and I’m doing all I can to try and not think about it because it’s the last thing I want. Exactly 41 weeks today 🥺

Is anyone else overdue and exhausted and please can you tell me what you’re doing to try and get through it?

@Cheetocat @msp2023
The same thing happened with my first baby, just want to say please don't beat yourself up! I know I did and it took a long time for me to be kind to myself that I didn't know what I was doing at the start.
I think there's a bit of an all or nothing narrative when it comes to formula vs breast milk but it might help to think of formula top ups as medicine your baby needs right now that will ultimately help your breastfeeding journey (if you do want to breastfeed).
Mixed Up is a fantastic book by a lactation consultant called Lucy Ruddle about combination feeding and building your supply. She's worth a follow on social media as well.

@Ebonythoughts this was kind of my story but I had ruptured membranes already for 4 days and I just wasn't progressing. Dihydrocodeine helped me sleep, they can give it to you at MAU.

I personally ended up being induced but beacause of the extreme exhaustion I told them I do nothing before an epidural. The epidural was absolutely incredible. I had 3 naps during the time I was induced, and no stress to baby happened even when contracting 6 in 10 (!).

Hope you get the birth that you wished for, whatever it may be 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

@Ihatewinding it's soooo great to read your post as I am in the same situation!

So engorged baby doesn't know how to latch anymore!!!

Lasinoh was a disaster for us. I wiped before feeding but baby would reject the boobie and all that comes with it

Forgot to say that instead of Lasinoh, the 100% silver cups worked like a charm!!

Meh! Went for a sweep today, baby was at 3/5 but cervix closed. She managed to “agitate” the cervix in the hope it might give it a nudge but not likely. Bled like crazy straight afterwards though!! OH had to bring me clean clothes 😳 kinda scary for a mo but luckily that stopped!
Now I’m booked for another sweep on Tuesday, scan Wednesday and induction Thursday if nothing happens.
I really dont want to be induced but being both IVF and 44yo I’m high risk (despite the pregnancy being textbook)
MW advised that our hospital policy is straight to delivery suite after 40+2 so it’s best to induce on due date with pessary and stand a chance of going into the birthing centre 🤷🏼‍♀️🙏🏼

Hi ladies just checking in to say me & bub are home now 🥰
Had to stay in 2 nights cos of my BP monitoring. Glad to be home and can hopefully have more than 3 hours sleep since Sunday 🙂 hospitals aren't easy to sleep and they wonder why your BP isn't the best when there 🤦🏻‍♀️

I hope we get to carry on this group once all had our babies cos I found it a great support whilst pregnant and I know it'll be the same now afterwards xx

Hi,

I’ve been reading this thread throughout pregnancy, just wanted to come on for solidarity with @Ebonythoughts I’m a couple of days behind you at 40+5 but I’m fed up with being pregnant but really don’t want induction either. I’ve told the midwife that I won’t consider one until 42 weeks so I’m now booked next week for 41+6 to discuss.

Was up until 3am with strong cramps and tightenings which just disappeared, then I was up at 6am with 2yo so I’m feeling pretty exhausted too 😫 this last bit is so hard! Hopefully all of us will have babies soon.

My boy had dropped 10% of birth weight on day 5, thought he’d been feeding well but 12% drop on day 7. We’re on feeding plan. I expressed 90mls of milk in 15 minutes when I pumped just now. I think that’s good? He seems to latch well but not getting milk, so thinking of just giving up breastfeeding.
I’m tired and in so much pain still from recovery…feeling lost.

@novamama and @Gruffalotea thank you. Last time I managed to get some sleep which my body clearly needed but woke up just upset with contractions becoming a dull ache and nothing more. Midwife has me booked in on Monday to discuss induction as I’ll be 41+5 and said if I refuse induction they’ll need to create a care plan to monitor me and baby. Praying baby is here before Monday 🙏🏿

Sending love and strength to all those patiently waiting too. We are almost there x

@redxlondon you're doing so well, 90ml is great and that means your supply is building.
If you haven't already, can you get support from local NHS feeding team or the breastfeeding network? (Assuming you're in the uk)
My first baby never latched, it was like I was torturing her with my boobs! After 6 weeks of that I couldn't stand it any more and gave up on the idea of nursing. There was no support around during the pandemic. But I exclusively expressed for 8 months, then combi fed with some formula for another 4 months. Pumping IS breastfeeding, you're doing it! Any breast milk you can give your baby is providing them the benefits. Of course if you choose to stop altogether and feed with formula that's also a positive choice, I hope you are feeling proud of how hard you're working to feed your baby.

Hey all. Sorry I’ve been following but not posted for a bit. My wee man was born last week ELCS. Surgery took a bit longer than expected as I’d uterine complications and a PPH but got home within 24 hours and have felt oddly well considering I was hours in theatre. Hospital was amazing and I got to keep bubba with me; which I’m very grateful for.

He’s my third so I fed in theatre. Initially all went well but similar to others above, my milk came in early and being engorged interfered with latch and for a few days it hurt like hell. I’m now still EBF but hand expressing a bit first; have nipple shields for some feeds at home and silver cups which really help. I’ve also already been to some drop in midwife sessions at my local children’s centre and joined a La Leche league meeting which was fab for positioning advice (i kind of forgot how much new babies can’t move and need to be brought to the breast). So far feeling lucky.

I know reading other posts there’s a lot of worry about weight loss: I’m aware that I’m just a fellow mum, but, for those that want to feed and don’t want to formula top up. There’s a lot of research on how the weight loss indicators are only one indicator of baby health. C section babies lose more weight (suspected water weight) than Vb. Urine and nappy output (and sleepiness) also reliable indicators of baby health.

My own wee man has lost just under 10% but I’ve turned down subsequent monitoring. Instead I’ll attend self weighs and keep an eye - I find I do better without constant check ups (that make me feel like I’m failing/I find overwhelming). I know it’s a confidence that comes from having BF my older two till 1+ but…it’s also watching my baba in arms be strong, interact with the world, hold his head, and know he is feeding a lot (ie hourly ish), and his output is good. I’m better with the time at home to be with baba feeding and bonding then tracking to and fro hospitals for monitoring! (BUT I do use all of my local community resources instead. So just typing in case it helps anyone else). Most children’s centers have feeding support and baby weighing scales you can use. La Leche league and the NCt in my area also run free parental drop in’s for advice. NCT has a breastfeeding free helpline and Kelly mom is a good website too!

(Ps. NOT a fanatic. A fed baby is all that’s needed. Just know my own journeys with feeding - esp my NICU first - would have looked totally different without access to these spaces).

Thank you so much for this.
I really want to go to the breastfeeding clinics locally but just don’t feel mobile enough to go to one yet. Seeing GP later as think there may be a complication from my catheter and maybe not contributing to how I feel.

@redxlondon thats so hard. Glad you’re getting to the GP. It’s such a scary and stressful time. Really hope you work out a solution that feels ok for you. Personally,
I’ve used the NCT helpline and found them great (was in tears at the time and upset at how much I DIDnt want to feed my baby. Literally used the call to feel less guilty about that and to have space to think about options/space I needed for my own body to recover) but I know it can depend who answers the phone. Sometimes it’s just the space to talk to someone about it, rather than have a new solution/answer!

Congrats on all the new babies that have arrived! ❤️ Sorry for the feeding and weight loss struggles some are having. Agree with @Hankthehonk combi feeding is fine, pumping is breastfeeding (pumping to feed is hard work), and don't feel bad what choices you make. Formula is great also.

Had my little one via induction. Laboured to being almost ready to push, then unfortunately had to stop due to last min complications that meant for an emergency c section. Kind of worst of both, as went through hours of labour, just to get a c section anyway, and recovery is being a bit tough. And the spinal block was horrible for nausea afterwards. But just so grateful she's here safe. She was almost 9lb, so not even as big as they predicted thankfully.

@redxlondon 90ml is really good! I'm sure your little one will be back on track weight wise in no time. Sounds like you are doing an amazing job!

Pumping mamas, could you recommend me a pump? I've been using a little hand pump to collect some excess where I can to build a bit of a supply in case I'm sick and can't feed (or if I ever manage to go out without baby!) But I'm barely getting anything with it (like 20-30ml). I don't mind spending for something decent.

@LavenderSweetPea Spectra and Medela pumps are widely thought to be the best, I use a Spectra S1. Nuby pumps are also OK but they're not much cheaper.
I'd also highly recommend getting pumping bras which hold the pumps so you don't need to hold them in your hands.
Momcozy wearable pumps are an affordable and decent wearable option but they are not as powerful as big pumps and the advice is not to use wearables until your supply is established. After this though, they're a game changer for anyone who will be doing a significant amount of pumping.

I had my 38 week midwife appointment this morning. My midwife thinks baby is back to back so sent me straight down to hospital for a presentation scan, just waiting to be seen. He's been facing the right way all along until now the little monkey!