Due February 2024 Thread 7!!🤰🩷💙

[AllAboardTootToot]

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

@LavenderSweetPea hospital grade pumps are so worth it! I’ve also got a spectra - because they are designed to be rented/shared they are safe to buy second hand and it’s easy (via spectra or Amazon) to purchase the tubes and flanges new if you want to!

Mines been used for 4 years, 3 kids and a lot of in the middle lending out to mums locally and is still going strong. It’s not wearable - looks like a bowling ball and you sit attached to it, but it’s gentle but powerful and efficient.

There are loads of pumping bra hacks on you tube if you don’t want to buy new (I twist the straps on a normal feeding bra and find it hold my pump so I can text/have coffee!).

Only thing I’d add to Hanks message is that I also have a Hakka type silicone pump that I sometimes use on the breast I’m not feeding on (once milk is established) and collect from there. It’s not a pump (more like hand expressing) that you would use as a “sole pump” but Can be handy for topping up an “emergency bottle” in the fridge (and usually ranges from £5-10).

Thank you for the useful advice about feeding.
My little man is combi feeding, but more formula than breastmilk as we've struggled to establish my supply since our time apart whilst he was in the special care unit (he got used to bottle feeding after his tube was removed).
I'm happy he is putting on weight and seems contented and happy in himself, but I do find myself getting a bit emotional about not being able to breastfeed very well. The bottle seems to be easier for him and he gets upset/impatient about trying to breastfeed when he is hungry.
I've borrowed a wee electric handpump to see if that helps.

I’m here at hospital for induction appointment. I’m 39 weeks, but having doubts, so I’m waiting for midwife so I’ll ask for more checks CTG monitoring and a cervical check for a sweep if it’s possible, I really want to give baby a chance to come when she’s ready, as long as there’s no medical reason for induction, just my age 42 which is not enough.

I’m also in hospital. 39w3d and been monitored for preeclampsia as last few tests have shown protein in my urine. Today’s tests show it’s now quite elevated so they want to admit me and induce. I really dont want induction but feel like I should put that aside to get baby out now. All blood tests and blood pressure are fine it’s just the urine that is causing all the concern. Hoping to be able to speak to consultant tomorrow about options and have scan as I haven’t had anything since 20w! That may then steer the decision. My plan of home birth with no interventions seems to be completely out the window now which I’m gutted about.

@Gardenfingers23 i went to eou at the weekend with reduced movements and they picked up protein in my urine but totally dismissed the idea of pre eclampsia because my blood pressure was fine! Maybe they are being over cautious and my hospital was being under cautious 😐 ive been taking my blood pressure every day at home after them mentioning the protein x

Ladies…. Can we talk mucus plug?
I had what I’m pretty sure was a show of mucus plug this morning when I got up (looked like a glob of phlegm with some old blood in it….🤔) but it’s completely stopped now.
is it just because of the cervical examination yesterday, will it do that and then stop? Or when it starts is that it and it’ll carry on?? 🤔🤔

I only had one blob of mucus plug, I then started spotting but only a tiny bit

There'll be more of it, especially towards the end of labour.

@Gardenfingers23 Sorry about your plans changing, please speak to your consultant and see your options and a scan, especially if BP is fine. My protein is raised a bit and everything else is fine. But by 40-weeks I need to be induced they’re saying, I guess induction will work better at 40-weeks too, but I’ll try for a sweep today and hope bubba comes on her own in the next 5 days💖

I'm in the same boat! Struggling to reduce formula top ups as she just guzzled it all and I don't want her to be hungry!!

She latches for around 30 mins total every 2.5h or so but then still gulps down 50-60mL formula too.

I'm trying the madela swing pump - I will admit I can't seem to manage pumping 8x day as advised - it's just insane! I can't feed every 2.5h, give expressed milk, then give formula AND pump too.

Really struggling as I'd love to EBF to make the nights easier but don't know if I'll get there. Attended local classes / had a visit from BF counsellor who has just advised getting her to latch as often as possible to increase my supply. Still not helpful in terms of how to reduce formula without her being hungry/getting dehydrated or lethargic.

At day 16 now and feeling really blue about it all :(

I'm horrified but not surprised by the numbers of you being told to top your breastfed babies up with formula.

That has always been the best way to ensure that women lose confidence in their ability to feed their babies themselves.

Sigh. When will midwives realise that breastfed babies put on weight at a different rate from formula fed babies?

This obsession with not losing more than 10% of the birthweight is really problematic.

This isn't my business, and I only started reading this thread because I found it so interesting and supportive, so tell me to go away If you like - but have any of you who want to breastfeed had support to do so?

How many of you are giving formula as well as the breast?

@Kelb79 I had bit of a show on Monday but nothing since. Did look gloopy so thought it was mucus but stopped. Was having some contractions about 10-15 mins apart but all died off.

Today I have an incredible tightening around stomach so don’t know what is happening. Just need to be patient which is not coming easy 😂

@TheShellBeach I'm feeling really well supported to breastfeed, in my trust each breastfeeding mum is assigned a peer supporter from the Breastfeeding Network and they've been great. I went to a free antenatal breastfeeding group which now has a whatsapp chat moderated by BfN, and will soon start going to a breastfeeding group in my village. Midwives have also been excellent, a much better experience than I had with my first. That was in a different city and trust,during covid.
However, even though this time around I'm not topping up with formula, I am not "horrified" as you put it by the idea. Quite the opposite, I think it can often be the case that small amounts of formula when needed to support baby's health needs OR to support the mother's wellbeing can actually save some breastfeeding journeys. If I had been completely all or nothing about breastfeeding with my first I'm sure that my daughter would not have recovered from being poorly so quickly and I'm also sure I would have stopped at 8 months instead of making it to a year. That's anecdotal but I have heard plenty of other stories like it.
I think it's important not to cause our fellow mums to feel shame about any method of feeding - I'm sure you didn't mean to do this but I'm worried your comments might have done.
I agree with you that breastfeeding support needs to be consistently better everywhere and I feel very lucky to get the support I'm getting this time around.

Just reading some of the comments regarding formula top ups and wanted to share a tale of support for any new mums regarding feeding;

The militant 'breast and ONLY breast at all costs' saw my newborn nephew's weightless dismissed- my sister wanted to supplement with formula just while her supply built up but was pushed away from this idea. Poor little man ended up in hospital at 10 days old, dehydrated and was starving.

Formula allowed him to quickly build up his weight again quickly while milk came in and BF was established. It then supported him at 3 weeks and again at 5 weeks old when my sister was admitted to hospital with septic mastitis.

He's now 9 months and EBF (now eating lots of solids) and a big chunky boy. Formula saved him and has not impacted breastfeeding at all.

The PP who said about considering formula like a medicine made a great point- some babies need a little extra support from formula and new mums shouldn't be pressured, shamed or judged for ensuring their baby is fed. These sneery attitudes can delay action being taken where it's needed.

And even if it DID mean BF never took off- surely better that than the alternative of leaving them starving?

However you're feeding your new baby- you're doing an awesome job. Congrats all.

I had been EBF until midwife came on day 3 and said he had dropped 12% which immediately made me feel crap! Advised to pump and top up with formula to get back to birth weight as well as BF. It felt like forever until my milk “came in” as everytime id pump I’d get such a little amount and my nipples have been so bloody sore as well as it’s been pretty constant! Baby weighed day 5 and put on a bit so I’ve only been pumping a couple times since. He was weighed again today (day 7) and he’s very nearly back at birth weight which has cheered me up as I finally feel like my boobs are working! One of the midwives did make a point that he was a large baby and my placenta was feeding him 24/7 so not to be too hard on myself that he had dropped but I think that’s easier said than done. She also said she used to work at a different trust - good few hundred miles away & they were no where near as obsessed with weighing / weight loss as what this trust is which is strange as I thought it would be the same across the board.

So now I know by boobs are working for him I just need to heal my poor nipples because when he first latches on my god it takes me breath away!

Morning ladies, still just been mostly a lurker on these threads during the last couple of weeks :) hope you’re all doing well. I have my elective csection today, have barely slept with anticipation/nerves to meet our first baby. Hoping all goes smoothly and will be a mama by lunchtime.

@CalFairy how exciting! Good luck for your section and meeting your baby!

I have 6 days to go til my due date and I am trying not to drive myself crazy interpreting every little pain or cramp as things kicking off. I'm really impatient to meet my little one now.

In terms of breast feeding they are really supportive of that in my area I had a breast feeding class at my hospital with the midwives and they really try to support you with it in the hospital before you go home so going into breast feeding feeling supported.

Hey all! I had traces of protein in urine at the start of the week but as my bp was fine, they didnt do further testing to check for preeclampsia.

i have an underactive thyroid so i get my bloods done every 6 weeks and was in at nurse this morning getting them done. I asked her could she do my bp while i was there as my hands were so swollen and numb and it was 138/98.

she said that was creeping up but still not technically high but asked me did i want to do a urine sample so she could check if there was still protein there so im just waiting for a call back in the next few hours.

if there is a trace, should i be calling eou or will they not see me as my bp isnt high high?

Well if it’s anything like mine, the increased protein in urine has sent them into a panic despite my bp still being on the low to normal side. I’ve refused the induction and have instead agreed to bringing the elective c section forward to closer to due date (mon/tues). I’m having a sweep today to see if that results in any natural progress before then But I’m not holding out much hope hearing everyone’s stories. Really disappointed that this will be our birth story now but guess it doesn’t really matter how she arrives, just as long as she gets here safely.

@Gardenfingers23 I’ve also refused an induction today, how are you feeling? Are you getting any signs of progression?

@Gardenfingers23 hopefully i get a call soon about my urine as im overthinking it all! I have an elcs booked for Tuesday so they probably wont take me earlier anyway but id rather just know if there is still traces or if its increased!

@Thewildthingsarewithme its amazing how much induction seems to be the default suggestion by all docs and they’re shocked when you refuse!
I feel fine in myself, definitely having lots of tightenings which have shown up on all the CGTs and a fair bit of lightning crotch so hoping that’s all good signs. Just about to have the sweep so just hoping that’s not too awful and may trigger something. I now have to go back to hospital on Sunday and Monday for follow up tests and then c section booked for Weds. I do hope things progress without needing this but I think given everything this is unrealistic now.

Did you get anywhere with your urine tests @PeeBeee ??

@Gardenfingers23 nurse called me back to say it was just a trace still but that the doc wanted me in at 3.30pm to recheck blood pressure and if it hasn’t come down they are going to ring maternity to see if they want to see me or not so patiently waiting! Glad they are checking it again as it saves me the 50mins to the hospital instead of the 2 mins to my docs surgery!