2014 April Rainbows

[vietmamsie]

Karina- wow! that sounds great for the first few days! I wasnt ever able to wake lucy in those first few days so just fed her when she woke up on her own. i think the longest stretch was 5 hours.

Kasey- hope you get some good news!!

 

[Kasey84]

Still no sign of baby coming OB checked cervix again today. No change from last week. Still just 1 cm dilated. I thought I would go on the list for induction after today, but apparently they wait until you've gone 1 week over EDD before putting your name on the list to be called for induction. Sooo I'll be seeing the OB again on the 23rd, having an ultrasound to check baby/size of baby and getting name on induction list. I'm hoping labor starts naturally before that, but not feeling optimistic! I have one stubborn little baby! I seriously feel like I've been pregnant FOREVER!

 

[vietmamsie]

Kaysey - I know how you feel, those last few weeks dragged for me... I remember the sense of relief when they told me the whole 'plan' at 39 weeks, 5 days (the plan being two days of induction and a c-section if nothing worked). I was just thinking that depending on where we were, I might actually STILL be pregnant. Just thinking about it makes me cringe!

 

[Karinama98]

Amber had her first pediatrician visit today. Mostly all is well, but she's lost some additional weight on top of her weight loss while in the hospital. She went from 6 lbs 15 oz at birth down to 6 lbs 3 oz. The physician is slightly concerned about it, so she's having me come back in with her tomorrow for a weight check. It's been interesting in terms of how many people have given me their thoughts on how much/often/etc to feed her between the nurses/lactation specialists/pediatrician. I think with how my post-pregnancy brain is right now I'm having a hard time comprehending everything that's being thrown at me. So now I'm readjusting her feeding schedule/amounts per the pediatrician and hope that'll work.

Since DH was home today I decided to try to get out of the house for a little bit on my own and bought her some little things. Told DH I shouldn't drive though in the later part of the afternoons for a while. I really have foggy concentration and couldn't focus. And now in retrospect, it's probably too soon for me to be doing that as I'm thinking everything is catching up to me. The next time I do have to drive any where is tomorrow to her pediatrician visit since DH will be doing a half day of work.

The one positive thing about last night was that Amber slept all night except for feedings. DH was afraid something happened to her in the middle of the night and kept checking her.

 

[vietmamsie]

Sounds like your doing great! We are doing the whole feeding on demand thing over here with Lucy... it was pretty intense today and I didn't get a single nap in from her until now... LONG day! I really need to just let go of this whole 'getting things done' thing and just give in to doing nothing but feeding and cuddling.

 

[Brieanna]

It has been crazy here (as you can imagine!) and I will write more later but I wanted to show you ladies a picture. This was him in his going home outfit (we brought 2 to the hospital, one for boy and one for girl!) but otherwise he is in a babybag, onesies or just a diaper for skin to skin.

 

[Kasey84]

Adorable Brieanna! Glad to hear all is well!

 

[KLMenke]

Well. No progress here either. 39 week appt today showed no dilation, 75% effaced, and -3 station. Arghhhhh. So discouraging! I really think this kiddo is going to stay put until she gets induced!

 

[Lisa85]

KLmenke, it will be your turn soon!! Baby must be comfy in there.

Brieanna, What a cutie in that outfit!! I always try to put Elena in cute outfits but its so awkward when they are so little i usually just end up in zip up suits.

Vietmamsie, Sounds like she loves her mummy!! Elena is only just starting to need mummy cuddles... she used to prefer to just sleep in her bassinet. She had some wind pains yesterday and need mummy cuddles to get through it.
Have you been out and about with Lucy yet?

Kasey, hoping bubs comes soon and you don't have to wait to much longer.

Karina, don't know if it helps at all but my midwives told me to wake Elena every 4 hours to feed because she wouldn't wake on her one.
Took me a while to feel ok driving. I was very foggy for a few weeks after birth. Don't push yourself to much it takes time.

AFM - Feeling gross!! I lost 10 kilos in the first week after birth and haven't lost anything since then. Its finally time my OH and i can BD in like 5 months and I'm struggling with the aftermath of baby and feeling like how could he be attracted to me now after all the changes and everything he's seen in the last few months. None of my clothes fit... so its hard to feel like i look nice for him. Time to start the diet... were are you motivation i need to like 15kg which is a scary thought from someone who has always been the skinny one amongst my friends!!

 

[vietmamsie]

Lisa - I know how you feel about the weight loss... I didn't even check my weight before we left... thought it would be too depressing. i was 85.5 the morning i had lucy. that means i had to lose 27.5 kilos to get back to a comfortable weight. hoping to see a 12 kilo or more weight loss at my 1 month appointment in may. after that i plan to start a diet.

We have been out twice... but just to go to appointments, no fun outings. there is a MASSIVE measles outbreak in vietnam right now - over 8000 infected, 111 babies have died. So were are staying home and being very picky about who comes over. dont mind being house bound for now.

 

[Kasey84]

KLMenke- Hopefully our time comes very soon!

Lisa- I can relate to "feeling gross". I know I haven't even had baby yet, but I already know I'm going to struggle with the changes to my body postpartum. I'm totally devastated and obsessing about the stretch marks that sadly decided to make an appearance on my belly these past few weeks I know I shouldn't care so much, but I can't help it . OH says he'll alway find me attractive, but I can't imagine how he will with a flabby, marked up tummy. Even if he does, I'm afraid I'll struggle to accept my "new" self.

Vietmamsie- Sounds scary about the measles outbreak! Glad your sticking close to home!

 

[KLMenke]

Kasey, have you been experiencing any lower back pain? Mine randomly started yesterday and progressively got worse throughout the day, and a lot of people are convinced it's the start of back labor... :/ I plan to do a lot of walking today despite the pain and hope they are right!

 

[vietmamsie]

Kasey- know how you feel... got tons of stretch marks at the end there. i have a full on flap that hangs down. trying not to get too upset about it, but my middle is destroyed. i look about 7 months pregnant still. I hope it goes away someday.

 

[Kasey84]

Kasey, have you been experiencing any lower back pain? Mine randomly started yesterday and progressively got worse throughout the day, and a lot of people are convinced it's the start of back labor... :/ I plan to do a lot of walking today despite the pain and hope they are right!

Yesterday I was having irregular pain in lower back/bum area. It kept up all day and night, but nothing so far today. I was hoping it was the start of something! Fingers crossed for you!

 

[IcePrincess]

Hey ladies.
First off Congrats everyone! It took me a while to catch up a
On all the posts.
AFM...

It's a girl!
Born Sunday april 13th at 8:15pm
At home via water birth!
It was perfect. Just as planned. Apparently I was made to have babies. 10 minutes of pushing. 10hours of labour total.

9 lbs 15 oz
22 1/2 inches long (she's a long one!)

She was nameless until Tuesday night. My DH couldnt agree with anything I wanted.
We finally settled on
Caroline Christian Anne

Christian after my DH's brother who passed away in jan.


Bf is a different story. Feeding on demand every hour but my nipples are to big for her little mouth. Fighting to keep up supply while waiting for her to grow. She's a "nipple kisser" as my husband calls it...and I don't get enought stimulation. Having to supplement via tube once or twice daily. Had to do it with ds so I'm unfortunately a pro. It's stressful especially when older women keep telling me just to bottle feed. But like I said I did it 4 years ago for 11 months so I can do it again.
Also while in labour we bought a new house! It happened so fast. We had been looking for 6 years and a private sale came up that we couldn't refuse. Guess I'm moving during my 6 months off of work.
I will try to post a pic later. Time to feed the boobie vampire.

 

[Lisa85]

Ice, Congratulation on little Caroline! Im so happy the water birth went to plan for you. Im glad someone could have the birth they wanted.
Also congratulations on the house! Thats so funny you bought a house while in labour!!
BF is so much harder than i ever thought it would be. I just assumed it would work a lot easier considering its such a natural process.

Vietmamsie, sounds like we have put on the same amount of weight. The over hang does get a little better but i still have a bit of a belly. I still look like about 20 weeks pregnant. I got so upset yesterday when we went out with one of my OH friends that the hasn't seen for ages. He told me a week or so ago to get my hair done so i could look nice for the day (he likes to show my off!!) and my hairdresser wasn't free. I haven't had my hair coloured in months coz i couldn't get there while i was pregnant. I have one top that covers the belly well and i decided to do the dishes after i got ready and splashed food on it!!! I just cried... i feel so fat and ugly and its only getting worse.
I also still have the full line all the way up my belly and stretch marks all across my bottom and down the sides of my thighs and neither have started to clear at all.
Of course its all worth it for her but any girl would be lying if they didn't get upset about the changes.

Kasey, Im very lucky i didn't get any stretch marks on my belly but the are all across my bottom and down the sides of my thighs. I wonder how long they will take to fade. Have you put on much weight? Hopefully BF works out for you and the weight will drop off.
Im waiting for my physio appointment for my stomach muscle separation to see if I'm allowed to exercise yet. I don't think its got much better yet so i don't think ill be allowed o do much for a while. My appointment isn't for another 2 weeks.
Hoping labour starts soon for you!

KLmenke, hope you don't get back labour... thats the bad one isn't it!!

AFM - Elena is starting to get more fussy. She's much more alert and wakes up to noises more. She started crying when the dogs barked yesterday.
She started really being able to look at us now and i swear she smiled on purpose a few days ago when i was making noises and faces at her. It was so sweet i started crying!!! Being a mum is the best!

 

[Kasey84]

Ice- Congrats on your little girls arrival. What a beautiful and meaningful name! So glad your birth experience went as planned! Look forward to seeing some pics

Lisa- I've gained about 25 pounds. I'm all belly and I guess it just stretched beyond its limit! I think your absolutely right in saying the changes would upset any girl...even through we know our little ones are worth it! I have the line all the way up my belly too, but I've been told that it fades with time, along with the stretch marks. I'm holding onto this! lol. I'm looking forward to the time when I can exercise again and hoping that helps me lose weight and feel better about myself! I'm thinking all the hormonal changes postpartum doesn't help with the self image/emotions either!

Hopefully it won't be long before you get the go ahead to exercise!

 

[KLMenke]

So, I went for a 30 minute walk this morning despite my back pain and nausea (woke up with nausea, so that was fun). Once I got home, I noticed I was very, wet, down there... enough where there was a spot bigger than a dollar coin on my underwear. It wasn't like my usual discharge.. it was white and very watery. So I ended up calling the on call Dr just in case. Turns out it could just be "cervical change", because if it were my water breaking, he said id feel it run down my legs or have to keep changing my underwear. He said I'm doing everything right as far as managing the pain. He mentioned all of these symptoms are good and it shouldn't be long now. I really hope hes right!

 

[Kasey84]

So, I went for a 30 minute walk this morning despite my back pain and nausea (woke up with nausea, so that was fun). Once I got home, I noticed I was very, wet, down there... enough where there was a spot bigger than a dollar coin on my underwear. It wasn't like my usual discharge.. it was white and very watery. So I ended up calling the on call Dr just in case. Turns out it could just be "cervical change", because if it were my water breaking, he said id feel it run down my legs or have to keep changing my underwear. He said I'm doing everything right as far as managing the pain. He mentioned all of these symptoms are good and it shouldn't be long now. I really hope hes right!

I've noticed increased discharge too. So much that I keep checking to see if my water has broke! Hopefully these are good signs for us! I'm doing everything I can think of...getting a little frustrated now! I REALLY want to avoid induction.

 

[KLMenke]

I hear ya there! I definitely dont want to be induced either. When is the due date for u?