December 2017 babies club

shesty

Can't speak for the induction experience but unfortunately most else sounds familiar Milly.I think it's because they are so understaffed and also communication can be poor between nurses and doctors and other staff.Also advice on breastfeeding ranges from the suble to the ridiculous, I have heard many many varied pieces of advice from different midwives too.I would always tell people to speak up amd ask your question or voice your concern, and keep voicing it, no matter how stupid you feel or what reaction you get.It's your body at the end of the day and once you go into the hospital you kind of fall into the medical machinery of labour and birth, and while I do think they do a superb job, I also think they forget that at the end of the day they are (should be) bystanders to a certain degree....assisting but not trying to control it where possible.(I can't bear being touched during labour personally).

As for the breastfeeding, good advice to join a group.Also I meant when she seems to finish a feed are her hands relaxed....they do pump their hands when feeding to stimulate the milk flow from the breast.

If you do think you would like to breastfeed but use forumla too, I would suggest you pick a couple of feeds in a day to use formula (so say she'll have a bottle at 9pm for bedtime-in theory allowing you to get a stretch of sleep from 6-12, while OH does that feed), but in order to get your supply in (assuming you wamt that),you'll have to let her keep feeding....once you start using formula, your body will stop producing milk as there will be no demand for it.But it depends on what you want to do yourself.

Milly33

Best of luck justwhati think!! You will do great just remember though it is about ye and as Shesty it saying here do not be afraid to pipe up and ask you questions or say you want it this way or that way.. You can be demanding and have every right to be...

bee06

OK, I’m so over this now ... this baby needs to come out now! I’m so uncomfortable, the baby must have moved yesterday and is resting on a nerve so I’m in crazy pain on my left side and got about 3 and a half hours sleep last night. My poor husband made a lovely steak dinner last night and I couldn’t eat any of it because the pain was making me sick.

Induction on Friday can’t come soon enough!

lashes34

Wow figrolls that was lucky you went in! Congrats!

Glad its all over you Milly and welcome home!

Good luck bee, hopefully you go yourself before induction.

bee06

lashes34 wrote: »

Good luck bee, hopefully you go yourself before induction.

Thanks Lashes, nothing happening again today so this baby is getting evicted one way or the other tomorrow!

Milly33

Oh dear Bee best of luck tomorrow.. Oh it is just the best feeling in the world..

Ah jaysus it keeps going here, had the home nurse visit which was great but they rang and sad they would be here in an hour, I was like ahhh I need to dress... That went great mind the heal test is a real killer, send any dads out of the room haha as the scowl himself was given the nurse was very funny.. Ended up I still have high blood pressure so had to go back to the docs.. Another tablet to take.. Cant wait to finish with the tablets, I never take many and feel horrible using them while feeding..

I'm just over the experience in the hospital now, feel disappointed but having our little lady here given us so much love is magical...Had her first bath time tonight and we are just weak..

Yep the feeding would be maybe one formula feed plan. That's it.. The burse said her weight was grand so she is getting enough... Still waiting for the full milk to come in, day 7 tomorrow thinking ti should be here soon. And if not then sure tis onto the bottle....

shesty

My full milk came in 8 days after my first, so hopefully in the next day or so.Keep letting her feed away, it will help that but if you do need to supplement a bit, do.
Suddenly you will have milk going everywhere and you won't know what to do with yourself!!!Mine came in the night I was readmitted to hospital after having a post partum haemorrage just over a week after the birth......I vividly remember waking up in a hospital bed drenched with milk and having nothing to change into because I had come in in a rush through A&E the night before!!!!
It took 6/7 days after my second to come in and she had no formula in that time either.

bee06

Induced this morning and has a boy this afternoon! The induction happened super quick and was very intense so ended up with the epidural. I wouldn’t have been able to do it otherwise I think. Had about 1 hour of pushing but could only get so far as the baby was posterior so needed the vacuum and episiotomy for the final bit. He’s gorgeous though, so happy to have him here finally!

LittleBoBeep

Congrats bee delighted you finally have your little man. Enjoy every minute with him xx

Pocos

bee06 wrote: »

Induced this morning and has a boy this afternoon! The induction happened super quick and was very intense so ended up with the epidural. I wouldn’t have been able to do it otherwise I think. Had about 1 hour of pushing but could only get so far as the baby was posterior so needed the vacuum and episiotomy for the final bit. He’s gorgeous though, so happy to have him here finally!

Congrats bee06, that was quick morning and done by afternoon! Huge relief to be done and finally have your little boy here!

Pocos

In the December group how many are left to have their baby? I’m due in 2 days but nothing moving so it will be a January baby I’d say!!

LittleBoBeep

I think it’s only you pocos and justwhatithink left. Although justwhatithink was being induced so hopefully something has moved by now. The waiting is the worst you just reach a point where you want it over!

tea_and_cake

Congratulations bee

justwhatithink

Baby Boy arrived yesterday by section, 16days over. He was 9lb 12oz so maybe that's why he was slow to arrive, there was definitely no rush on him.

I was induced by Propess pessary on Wed which unfortunately, after 24 hours, hadn't taken any effect (to thin or move the cervix) so it remained unfavourable. The next attempt was the gel on Thursday. After a few hours it had made a little difference but not significant enough. The lack of progress combined with pure anxiety driven tension that had set in meant the Dr still couldn't break the waters. At that point I'd started to crack with being overdue and nothing working (naturally or through intervention), no sleep etc. We'd talked about a section before the gel, if the gel didn't work, so at this stage I asked for it to be booked in for yesterday rather than wait around any longer. The Dr said no problem but I don't feel like she meant it, I know it's not their preference to do sections but sometimes it's for the best and I feel it was the right call and at the right time rather than adding another day of no progress to the situation. I'm very glad I stood my ground and kept control (somewhat) of the situation myself, despite having some pain to now manage but we can get past that.

Have to say all the staff in Holles St have been exceptionally caring and empathetic and gave me loads of time to talk stuff through etc, when I needed it. It's a bit disjointed between the various clinics and services but when you're in the actual hospital they couldn't have been better. They go paperless soon so hopefully that'll improve communication between the services, semi-private clinic, pain clinics etc.

Milly33

Congratulations Bee and justwhatithink.. So happy for ye, delighted yer babies are here..

Hope they give ye lots of lovely cuddles.. Haha I could cry now for ye laughing at the tears, I cried the day I was leaving the hospital as I was just so happy to be coming home, cried after the first shower at home as it was so nice to be back, cried at my brother and sister in laws help.. Little tears everywhere but good tears..

The healing process will start soon with the section, it isn't as bad as it seems just remember to take care, no heavy lifting and mind the stairs only go up and down when needed.. A week and a bit now since my own, the nurse told me to take the dressing off which I was a little scared to do, but tis off and looks fine.. Have a few little twinges but healing well me thinks...You can do it justwhatithink, after what you have done so far..

The breast feeding seems to be going well now, I think we are nearly settling into a routine.. There are so many do's and donts ye are all right just go with what works.. Currently I'm trying out the feed every 3 hours, be it a few mins she feeds for or 40mins.. Seems she feeds for long spells in the evening and short little spells during the day. Naps then between two and fours hours.. So not going to bad.. Thanks for the encouragement, it is really difficult when you hear people say well I wouldn't to this or that...

Pocos

Congratulations justwhatithink you are absolutely right to take control. Your body and so many days over due. I’m not surprised you were frustrated.

I’m only 40 weeks tomorrow so I can’t complain but if I am still pregnant in 14 days I’ll def be uncomfortable and not happy.

Delighted it’s over for everyone and all healthy babies! So so lucky! Best of luck to everyone over the first few weeks.

Milly33

wise words Pocos!! Your body your call don't let anyone take that away... Hopefully you will budge soon Pacos!! Wont be long now...

spottybananas

Milly did someone advise you to feed every 3 hours? Usually with breastfeeding it's done on demand whenever baby wants, definitely in the early weeks anyway. Breast milk is much easier to digest than formula so is digested quicker meaning babies need little amounts more often, formula is usually done in the 3-4 hour routine as it keeps baby full longer as it's a much larger volume given.

lashes34

Congrats guys and good luck pocos!

Anyone else struggling with it all? Baby seems to have silent reflux and feeding has been torture last few days. Im exausted and hubby is working, gone 15-17 hours last few days as he got caught doing overtime. Hes gone to work again now and Im dreading the next feed. Feel really ****ty thinking that but cant help it right now.

Aveen

lashes34 wrote: »

Congrats guys and good luck pocos!

Anyone else struggling with it all? Baby seems to have silent reflux and feeding has been torture last few days. Im exausted and hubby is working, gone 15-17 hours last few days as he got caught doing overtime. Hes gone to work again now and Im dreading the next feed. Feel really ****ty thinking that but cant help it right now.

Not in this group but know you’re pain. There’s a fb Page great for help re reflux. Go back to GP & PHN until you’re happy that reflux is under control. Mine turn out to have cmpi, which fuel his reflux big time, he was different baby after this was diagnosis. Please ask for help, a crying baby is hard work, I struggled so much and only seen how much after he became settled. Stay strong you’re doing amazing job

LittleBoBeep

I’ve had some bad days lashes...to so overwhelming at times but the key isn’t to talk about it rather than let it get in on you. I know there is a local chiropractor here who seemingly can “cure” reflux in a baby, I know loads of people swear by him. I haven’t had to use him myself but he maintains sometimes babies can be misaligned when they are born. Might be worth looking into?

I can’t swear by it myself but I’ve heard good reports?!

lashes34

Thanks girls, will go to GP Tuesday.

shesty

lashes34 wrote: »

Congrats guys and good luck pocos!

Anyone else struggling with it all? Baby seems to have silent reflux and feeding has been torture last few days. Im exausted and hubby is working, gone 15-17 hours last few days as he got caught doing overtime. Hes gone to work again now and Im dreading the next feed. Feel really ****ty thinking that but cant help it right now.

Had it with my first. Out of interest - was it you whose baby was given antibiotics after the birth due to waters breaking and strep B? Similar situation here......

Keep going back to the GP. My first visit was 5 weeks. I know they probably thought I was crazy first time mother, but I didn't care. Three visits later, I basically impressed on my GP exactly how hard I was finding all the crying (she used to cry for hours every evening, exactly on schedule) and the fact that she was not sleeping during the day because she kept gulping herself awake every time I laid her flat. We eventually got a prescription for Zantac which helped - we did try Gaviscon etc too, just ended with Zantac working for us. They were reluctant to diagnose anything before 6 weeks, especially if he's feeding and putting on weight, and they are taking your word for it, although if it's bad enough, video it and take it along to show them.

Prop up the head of the crib/basket, don't lay him down/put him in a carseat after a feed for at least 20 mins and try to feed in small amounts with lots of winding. If you feel something isn't right, then you are probably right, but don't suffer in silence with it.

LittleBoBeep

Have you family who can help out lashes? It’s amazing what a few hours of sleep/me time can do.

I’ve had plenty of tears and needed to step out of the room. It can be so overwhelming sometimes.

lashes34

Glad its not just me! Hubby working tonight and then off til Friday so Im going to go to my mams for those three days to get some help. Shes nearly 2hours away so wary of driving that far on my own but maybe hubby can drop us down on Thursday.

Thanks girls, ye've made me feel better. Just finishing a feed then we're both going to bed if I can settle her. Shes taking less bottle now so def need to go to the doctor with her Tuesday.

shesty

Do and you aren't crazy.Your intuition is something you learn to trust with time, but if you feel something is off, then keep telling them that.
Being left alone with a newborn for a working day is very, very hard no matter what so if you can get yourself out, it's great.I got myself a drive thru take away coffee in McDs when my first was about 5weeks old, felt like the biggest achievement ever.(we had a rough few first weeks)Baby steps.I read somewhere it takes about 12 weeks to make a mother and that's not wrong.It will come together eventually, but it takes time.

justwhatithink

Looking forward to hearing Pocos news. My advice to anyone going well overdue is Try not to despair too much, I know it's hard but see it as quality time to spend with your other half etc before bubs comes along. What I wish I'd done as being overdue became more & more evident, was to push to get a good clear understanding of what the plan is if you have to be induced, if that fails etc and then stipulate my wishes so that you I felt more in control of the situation. I do respect the experts and the human body but it annoys me now that even one of the Drs in theatre said he was never going to come out vaginally. I feel that should be screened for as an outcome once you're overdue and a suitable plan A & B then put in place rather than a lets see what happens approach that the consultant and Drs bluff you with. Anyhow, I'm grateful he's big and strong at the end of it all.

I can't help regarding reflux only to say it does seem to be common and as a result lots of support out there. Saw two close babies with it and it's tough going Lashes, I hope you'll get some relief from the GP and help that's out there.

So is there anyone else who is NOT a breastfeeer that could recommend a bra to wear over the next couple of weeks while things dry up? I don't care if it's expensive given the short term wear, I just want to be comfortable while I recover from section, manage back pain etc. I'm quite swollen now already (day 3) and going to start using cool packs in the morning but think I need a better bra that will hold & support the boobs better, help with turning in the bed etc but will not hinder the drying up process...all recommendations appreciated!

Had a lovely little NYE celebration with the nurses on nights tonight. Gave them a bottle of non-alcohol fizz and box of chocs earlier. Then got up to do a feed and change at 12am up at the nursery/nurses station and we had hugs all around and watched the fireworks on the Quays out the window together. Was nice to mark the occasion with them when they are so helpful and kind.

shesty

I find M&S maternity bras to be best myself.I do use the for BF but they are all round more comfy than anything else I've tried, and I have used them during the transition to bottles too.They are a bit pricier but worth it to me.

justwhatithink

shesty wrote: »

I find M&S maternity bras to be best myself.I do use the for BF but they are all round more comfy than anything else I've tried, and I have used them during the transition to bottles too.They are a bit pricier but worth it to me.

Thanks Shesty, appreciate that. I won't get out of hospital till Wed I'd say and timing is unfortunate with NY day but I'll head for M&S on Wed hopefully ... or else I'll havta send the husband in with some dodgy measurements

shesty

They do have post surgery bras and the like but I am not sure who exactly that is aimed at, but maybe if you get in yourself you could ask them.Don't expect to be able to walk too far though, take it easy on yourself.