Due February 2024 Thread 7!!🤰🩷💙

[AllAboardTootToot]

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

@Kelb79 these last weeks are the toughest I find! My due date is Monday too same as @undercoverhero74
I'm actually booked in for induction on my due date but hoping it won't be needed!
I hope your sweep goes "well" if that's the correct word 🙈 I've just kept active after mine today and have had some pains but I'll be shocked if anything progresses from it tbh
Do you both know what you're having? I'm having another boy and I always think they are lazier 🤣

@anony1111 im having a surprise! But I’m convinced it’s a boy! Definitely fitting with the lazy theory right now, they are in no rush whatsoever 🤣🤣 they took their sweet time to turn aswell, breech until just before 36 weeks 🙄 I’d be so surprised if this is a girl 🤣 were you at all dilated for your sweep? I wasn’t at all! Really hoping to be tomorrow 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

@Kelb79 😂😂 oh it's got to be a boy surely! Talk about keeping you on your toes and not turning until 36 weeks 🙈 I was only 1cm dilated but she did say she could feel baby's head and my waters bulging. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you for yours 🤞🏼let us know how you get on

Congrats to all the new arrivals, so lovely to see! I’m now overdue 😔 have had 2 sweeps but cervix is apparently super posterior and very shut so I won’t be having her as planned vaginally. I have been in and out of hospital for the last 5 days straight with preeclampsia symptoms and so we’re having an ECS tomorrow, the doctors were keen to make it emergency but I managed to drag it out a few more days in the hope she might turn up. Feeling a bit gutted it’s come to this so any words of wisdom to make me feel more positive about the section would be appreciated, I’m feeling pretty anxious despite having had loads of operations in the past.

@Gardenfingers23 I've posted about it a few times on this thread since having my section on 5 Feb but for me it was a really calm and positive experience. I had my first child vaginally with induction, ventouse and episiotomy so maybe it's not surprising that the section was more positive!
Even though mine had to be brought forward (it was originally booked for today but my waters went) it was still an ELCS and I think this makes a big difference.
The staff were all relaxed and cheerful, everyone came in one by one to introduce themselves and explain what was going to happen.
I thought recovery would be worse, I'm on day 15 now and feeling OK even though I obviously need to be careful with my wound. The pain is easier to deal with than the pelvic girdle pain I had in pregnancy.
If you've got any questions I might be able to answer having just gone through it, let me know

@Gardenfingers23 im having an elcs tomorrow too! Was suppose to be today but was called this morning not to come in as it didnt look likely that they would get round to me but said i would be priority tomorrow🤞🏼

@Gardenfingers23 I had an emergency c section due to concerns for baby after my waters broke, and I still feel it was a positive birth experience.
The emergency team gathered quickly and explained everything that I needed to know. I was very accepting as it was the safest option for my baby at that point.
In terms of what happens, there is a cold spray that they put on your back before doing the spinal block, and then the actual operation was more of a feeling of being gently jiggled around.
I was glad to have some big disposable Frida underwear and large maternity pads, and my husband got me some more compression socks so I could change / wash them as you're supposed to keep wearing them for quite a while!
It felt like it took a while for the sensation to return to my legs, but the ward staff helped me shower and they also monitor and check you manage to pee ok after the catheter is removed.
Let people help you as much as possible, I'm 2 weeks along now and still building up a day at a time (going for slightly longer walks etc).

@msp2023 and @redxlondon I relate to your feeding experiences and have had a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions about this myself.
Following emergency c section and baby being whisked away to special care, he started life being tube and then bottle fed.
We managed to introduce the breast after his first week and I was so happy, but I suffered with painful cracked and bleeding nipples and took a break with formula and attempting to express (I couldn't get much out).
Now baby is struggling to latch to my nipples and has a bottle preference, which I suspect is because he is used to the ease and volume of formula that he can get.
I've spoken to midwives for advice. One has suggested a Haakaa which is helping a bit, so there is still some milk in there! But baby still won't latch so I think I'm fighting a losing battle at this point too.
I'm telling myself that at least he is fed and content, and that I'm doing my best in difficult circumstances.
I can't keep beating myself up and wasting what should be a happy time with my new love, especially since we were separated in special care for so much of his first week and I'm just grateful he is well.
You're all doing great. It is very hard.

Wow two weeks and you’re going for walks. I feel like my recovery is taking so long. I’m 2 weeks tomorrow. How far are you walking?

@HopeAndStrength I'm so sorry you're struggling with BF too :(
I know fed is best but I just can't help feeling so gutted about that the fact that it's very unlikely I'll be able to EBF.
Asides from breast milk nutrition and the bonding aspect; the convenience of just whipping out a boob to feed is a big factor of my disappointment.

I just know this will make days out, holidays etc more complicated/require more effort which makes me sad when I envisioned an easier ride (my own mistake for not realising that it may not work).

I'm still plodding on with triple feeding for now but wondering if I should love to just expressing; giving as much of that as possible and then topping up with formula.
It seems pointless to have her on the breast for half an hour at every feed when she has a shallow latch so barely gets much milk / falls asleep at the breast. Would give me more time to sleep if we just went the bottle route - but this seems harder to give up than I think :(

Thank you so much for the kind words, we are home now ❤️ good luck to all the mamas who are still waiting, you’re almost there! @msp2023 you can definitely come back from triple feeding, it took three months with my first but we then exclusively breast fed for two years. It was really really hard going but I did feel it was worth it in the end, feel free to message me anytime I know how difficult it is! Xxx

@redxlondon @msp2023 @HopeAndStrength so sorry you're all having tough feeding journeys. You're doing amazingly well. It IS possible to build your supply but only you can decide what's possible and right for your family and for your own sanity as well.
With my first, we did the triple feeding at first then pumping and trying to nurse for 6 weeks but she wasn't feeding at the breast, it was like I was torturing her every time. At the 6 week mark I decided I couldn't take it anymore and switched to exclusive pumping, which we did for a year. If this is a route you want to go down it can be a positive choice and I feel proud of myself now for doing it. There are great websites and Facebook groups out there for exclusive pumpers.
I'll caveat this by saying I didnt have milk supply issues so I know that exclusive pumping might have been easier for me than others.
Keep reaching for whatever support is available, including lactation consultants if you can afford it.
Once again you're all doing so well. Breastfeeding can be so tough at the start, I really wish I'd understood beforehand how tough but not sure anything would have prepared me

@msp2023 for baby falling asleep at the breast have you tried breast compressions? I do breast compressions to try get baby to stay more awake on boob as gets more milk flowing, then do a nappy change before switching breasts so he's more awake to feed on the second breast. You might already know this but I found it helps get a better feed.

@Hankthehonk exclusively pumping for a year is so impressive! And agree whatever anyone decides, they need to prioritise their own sanity. I was similar with my first in being completely unprepared. I think they should educate women better antenatally about what to expect if the NHS truly wants to improve breastfeeding rates and not just give women PND after not being properly supported to breastfeed.

@redxlondon don't worry I'm not walking very far yet, just around the block with the dog and slowly building it up a day at a time. I only have a little dog so there's no risk of him pulling or hurting me by accident.

@Ihatewinding thank you! We introduced some formula at 8 months because I was back at work but she still had majority breast milk until her 1st birthday. I actually wish I'd introduced some formula a bit sooner, maybe 6 months, and not been quite so harsh on myself.
It was probably impacted by the pandemic but I felt really unsupported last time. As well as not having anywhere to turn for breastfeeding help, I also had a lot of health professionals saying exclusively pumping wasn't a valid choice and I'd never be able to keep it up. My gp said I was being "ridiculous and should just give her formula".
I'm in a different trust now and my experience has been totally different this time, couldn't feel more supported. I wish it wasn't such a postcode lottery.

@redxlondon I was 2 weeks post section yesterday, I've gone for tiny walks the past 3 days. Just 20 minutes pushing the pram slowly, it's felt good to get fresh air. But everyone's recovery is different so don't push yourself if it feels too soon!
Physio at hospital encouraged me to take small walks as soon as I felt able and to build it up gradually.

Thank you for sharing your experiences @Hankthehonk and @Ihatewinding - I admit I have been caught by surprise as a first time mum, I definitely assumed I'd be able to breastfeed and didn't realise some of the potential pitfalls (like trying to let my sore nipples recover and not realising baby might then struggle to latch after a break).
I think you are doing a great job @msp2023 but agree about the importance of looking after your mental health too. I think baby will be happy as long as they are fed, and more so for having a happy mummy too. That's what I'm telling myself at least.

Feeding is such a minefield. My boy is three weeks yesterday, and we've exclusively breast fed so far but I'm concerned he's not gaining enough weight. We were discharged at day ten from midwives as he'd gained back his birth weight which they were happy with but I'm just not sure he's getting enough food, he's always seeming hungry.

Today I gave him a bottle of expressed breast milk and he finally seemed full and content. I wonder if he's not getting enough at a feed. I've bought one of the pumps you ladies recommend and I'm debating with myself what to do now. I love breastfeeding, I don't want to switch exclusively to pumping, but I worry if I give him the bottle too often he won't want to breastfeed any more at all. But if I just keep breastfeeding alone I'm not convinced he's getting enough milk.

@LavenderSweetPea I'm having some of the same worries, being used to exclusive pumping it's hard for me to adjust to nursing and not being sure how much he's getting.
I've had great help from the Breastfeeding Network, they said that if he's gaining weight and is doing enough wet and dry nappies then it's good. A Peer Supporter came out to the house already and she's coming again later this week, I'm going to ask her whether his latch is good enough.
My boy is feeding a lot but he also seems happy and he's gaining weight with lots of wet and dry nappies. So very likely it's just normal cluster feeding.
He also guzzles a bottle of breastmilk when my dh gives them a couple of times a day, it hasn't put him off the boob at all but I know they're all different in this.
If Breastfeeding Network or similar support is available where you are maybe you could get in touch?

Thank you everyone for your kind messages!
I've booked a private appt with an IBCLC so I'm hoping this helps.
I'm trying to be strict and make sure I pump at least 10 times a day with one being a power pump session.
I'm offering the boob without nipple shields at every feed just to see if it takes.

I'm giving it my best shot - at least I can say I tried everything (for my own satisfaction!)

Wishing everyone well on their own feeding journeys ❤️ Wish I'd realised that this part would be harder than the labour part!

@Kelb79 @anony1111 any progress ladies? Despite constant period like cramps for the past few days I have had nothing further 😒

Is anyone else struggling with anxiety? I really felt like I was doing well this time but my midwife has just been round with a (inactive) cold sore and now I’m an absolute wreck

@undercoverhero74 and @anony1111 sooooo I went in for my sweep yesterday, great sweep - 1cm dilated, she felt babies head and could do a really good go at it. But I got sent straight in to triage as my BP (which is normally low!) was at 150!! 🙄 so I got induced last night, and I’m still here waiting for it all to kick off 😐 had some periods of regular tightenings but nothing that’s lasted! Meh!!! Definitely a lazy boy I reckon 🤣
how are you both getting on?

@Kelb79 eek that's exciting! Baby boy is well on his way then! Hopefully things speed up for you, you are on the final stretch and baby will in your arms soon.
I'm feeling really good, just no signs what so ever of baby wanting to make an appearance.

@undercoverhero74 still very much pregnant here too! After my sweep Monday I have had constant backache and period type pains alongside looser bowels but nothing much else happening.

Ohhh @Kelb79 I hope everything goes well! What have they done since you went in? I know it's hard in hospital but try rest before everything gets going if you can. Won't be long before your baby is in your arms hopefully 🥰 so exciting!