July 1st anyone else in July2013

[JulieBoggs]

Feeling much better!!! On track to leave tomorrow afternoon. I hope these pictures load. Hope everyone is doing well.

 

[dove830]

Awwwww.....look at all that hair....what a sweetheart

 

[Libbysmum]

So happy for little Emersons safe arrival Beachgal. He does sound like he is a good baby just ideal how wonderful your birth story is! Makes me jealous!
Myra glad you got home with your gorgeous boy. How is Connor adapting to home life?
Libby is coping okay here with her new brother. She seems quite the little mother and likes to hold him and kiss him and worries when she hears him crying. She has had a couple of talking to's about being too rough. A few tantrums but I think that is because she is having broken sleep like the rest of us with Ethan crying in the night.
Ethan is difficult to feed as he is such a big boy I suppose he has a big appetite and my poor breasts are finding it hard to keep up the demand.
I can hardly believe he is already 1 week old!!!!!

 

[Shanoa]

Aww Julie he is adorable! I love his hair colour and he just looks like it would be hard to stop cuddling him! Great that you will be home soon.

Libby I had always registered the effect of a big baby during labour but I had never thought of the knock on effect on breastfeeding. Are you experiencing pain or is it in milk supply?

I'm really hoping to breastfeed my LO but you hear so many failure stories. Do you have any words of advice for a newbie?

I'm so pleased for you all with your little ones. I really can't wait to join the July baby club now. I have to try to be patient!

 

[dove830]

I know what you mean, Libby about the baby eating often, lol, my "little guy" was 11 lbs 6 oz. If you think about it though, babies breastfeed to about 6 months without anything else, so I'm sure it'll all settle itself.

Shanoa, the absolute best pieces of advice I can give (this is my 3rd exclusively breastfed baby, and I was so confused with my first), is to find a good support system, like La Leche League, for when you have problems (and you likely will, until you both figure it out), get a few tubes of Lansinoh cream, and the first 2 weeks are really hard. After that, it's so much easier, because your nipples adjust, you know what to expect, and baby is figuring it out.

 

[Shanoa]

11'6!!! Omg, Dove you must be superwoman!

Thanks very much for your breastfeeding advice. 2 weeks will be a good initial time frame to keep in my head so I know to keep persevering and not give up on it. I really, REALLY want to breastfeed. All the rest of it I'm happy to go with the flow but breastfeeding is the one thing I feel really strongly about.

There is a breastfeeding clinic once a week in my area but then we attended NCT classes which spent a bit of time talking about breastfeeding theory and the instructor said we could call or visit her at any reasonable hour which is reassuring.

I will buy some of that Lansinoh cream too. Thanks for the pointer. I will pack some in my hospital bag just in case.

I hope everyone is feeling well and enjoying time with your little ones.

 

[Libbysmum]

I heard pawpaw ointment is also good. I hope they settle down in the next week or so. So painful. Dove that sure is a good sized little baby...I hope he is doing well. My little guy has lost a few grams since birth but I am sure with all his guzzling he will soon put it back on. Went to the pharmacy today to get something for constipation as the iron tablets they have me on are blocking me up. Other news...my brother and two of his kids are flying up to see us and the baby. They will arrive tomorrow and I have no energy to fix up beds or anything for them so they're just going to have to make do and fit in for the next few days. It is my DD's birthday Thursday so it will be nice for her to have her big cousins here for it. DH said not to worry they are not here to see the messy house but here to see the baby. I asked if he could run the vacuum over the living area at least before they arrive. He said he would so we shall see.

 

[Shanoa]

Wow,Libbysmum, house guests already. You're doing so well. I'm sure they can help make up beds for themselves if needed. They will know how much you have on with recovering, the LO and Bday celebrations.

I will google pawpaw ointment to see where I can get some. Thanks for the recommendation.

Happy Bday for Thursday, Libby! x

 

[Barbi]

Hi ladies

Well it looks like I will b joining the July club for having my little one, as in a few hours time I will know whether I will b induced on Friday 12 July or not. I am only 30 weeks gestation this Friday, but due to pre-eclampsia complications and me being in hospital since 27 June, there is not much longer for me to go now b4 I will join the ranks of motherhood soon. Two days ago during an ultrasound that was checking fluid around the baby and also my kidneys and liver, they have found that there is reduced blood flow to the baby and PE is now affecting her. Later today they will do another US and decide for sure whether it's time for her to come out or we can wait a little longer. I had a tour of NICU, SCBU and the birthing suites and surprisingly feel really calm and ready to have her despite this being a premie birth. My gut feeling tells me she will b fine. Is it wrong of me to want to meet her? I feel like I should b concerned, but I am just not and I totally feel like things will b ok.

If induction is decided for Friday, I will go upstairs one floor and they will start the process late Friday afternoon/dinner period. I could b a mum by the end of the weekend.

I have skim read all your stories, beachgal I am envious of your quick birth, you are very lucky. Julie, I have bad reactions to penicillin and to generals as well, I was talking to the doc about them and telling her about your birth story, that if I got sick like you during labour it would only b an injection that would stop me from throwing up. My doc told me that once I am on iv drip for the drug which gets contractions going through that iv I can b given other drugs to make me better if I start being sick or nautious.

Ladies, I will update here again when I know more Olin a few hours. I can't believe I could b a mum in a few days.

 

[Shanoa]

Omg, good luck, Barbi. I hope you get some good info and advice today. Whatever is best for you and LO has to be the right choice. I will be thinking of you.x

 

[JulieBoggs]

Oh Barbi... It sounds like you are in good hands and they are prepared for your LO. You and baby are in my prayers. I can't wait to see your baby girl. Keep us posted.

Shanoa... Any signs???

We have been home since Monday afternoon. My staples were removed yesterday and my incision looks good. Still having some pain but it is bearable. They said it is from the tubal ligation. LO went to the pediatrician today, looking good. He is drinking 4 oz. Piggy. He is a good baby. I have had really no bleeding, I even asked. I was told my Dr suction a lot of it out. That was a plus. Wished my belly would go down faster, lol. I have elephant feet because of all the fluids I was given during my sick spell in surgery and after. Eventually it will go away. I just want to hold Stone all the time DH gets on me. Lol.

Emily... Happy Birthday Libby!!! How is Ethan?

Eileen... I keep looking for pics. Hope you and Emerson are home.

Barbi... How is the family? Has your pain went away?

 

[Shanoa]

Glad to hear you're recovering well, Julie. It sounds like Stone is settling in well too. Perfect.

No signs yet I'm drinking Raspberry Leaf Tea and have just ordered some clary sage oil. I have no idea if any of these things will work but I'm willing to give them a try!

I've started getting tired in the day so I'm napping for a few hours in the afternoon. It feels like an indulgence so I'm going with it while I still can!

Beachgal- how is everything with your new man?

 

[Barbi]

Today has been a huge roller coaster. First I got the news that we will wait, possibly till 32 week's. I sent messages out to all family and friends that no induction at this stage. Messages started rolling in that it's great news she will stay in for longer, when an obstetrics consultant whom I've never met comes to see me and says we are planning to induce you today, sooner rather than later, because my blood test results have come back at very high levels of creatinine indicating my kidney functions are severely compromised and she must come out now.

As such, I have been transferred upstairs immediately to b induced, but of course Maia won't behave on the CTG machine, so so far the gels have not been inserted and I have been on this machine for over 3 hours. If Maia doesn't behave, decisions will b made about getting her out by c section. I truly hope that they give me more time.

 

[Shanoa]

Oh Barbi. You are definitely on one heck of a rollercoaster! How are you? What was decided in the end?

Whatever has happened I hope you and your little one are doing well.

Please keep us posted.x

 

[beachgal]

Hi Ladies

Well it has been a crazy, fun, scary, overwhelming and exciting 5 days. Having little Emerson in my life has brought love like i've never imagined.

Ok so be prepared for a long post...lots to update!

Saturday - Wake up at 530am, go garage sale hunting with my mom and uncle (a usual Saturday tradition lol) (side note - uncle is doing well!)
lots of people ask when i'm due and I joke and say a couple of days ago, and say he seems pretty comfy in there. LOL...
It was a super hot day and by noon I was done and ready to go home and rest. I was feeling tired and yucky.
Come home, have a little lunch and decide to lay down around 130pm. I woke up at 315pm with cramping as if I have to go to the bathroom. I ended up having a couple of bowel movements and still feel yucky. Decide to have a shower and notice that i'm still having some cramping. Sit with my parents and decide not to say anything so I don't freak them out. Secretly time the contractions on my phone and joke about what day they think the baby is coming. Haha... Contractions start to come about every 6 mins, and I decide to tell them we are going to the hospital. Their faces were priceless.
Fast forward to it's now after 6pm and we are leaving, arrive and check into the assessment room at 7pm. Contractions are coming much stronger and so damn painful (Dr said later it was bc of the fibroids). The nurse said the Dr. was busy in a C section and would be around in 45 mins - 1hour and said I could go walk around or lay in bed, whichever is more comfy for me. I opt to move around hoping it would help with the pain and distract me. Well, I made it to the bathroom beside my room and went from the toilet (passing large blood clots) and back to the sink where i would stand and hold on for dear life. I was so scared bc the pain was so intense and the blood clots kept coming. I told my mom she had to get the nurse bc I thought I was going to pass out.
It was now after 8pm and the nurse brings me back to bed, and I keep bleeding. From this point onwards until Emerson was born, I think I opened my eyes a total of 5 times, no joke. At this point I was begging for drugs, C section, anything. I thought I was going to die, and I was so worried for Emerson bc of the bleeding and how much pain I was in. The Dr. came in and she was also very concerned. She said the blood was worrying her bc of the fibroids and the intense contractions and me now being dilated at 7cm. (3cm when I arrived at 7) Dr. says she is going to get the person to prepare the epideral and prepare the birthing room. Nurse gets me into the wheelchair and wheels me to the room. One of the machines didn't work in the first room so they take me to the next room. It is now 8:45pm. Oh and I'm still wearing my dress, bra, etc at this point LOL. Once wheeled in the room, they ask me to take my dress and bra off and I literally take it off and throw them on the floor, naked and still have my eyes closed...haha I was so ready to get this baby out.
I get into bed and they check me and I'm now 10cm. The nurse was still putting the IV into my arm (they were thinking they were going to have to to a C section) and told me no time for drugs. My water still hadn't broken, so they were about to break my water when I screamed that I had to push. I felt the baby wanting to come out (wow, what a crazy feeling that is) and also felt weird relief the minute I felt that. It was now 9:07pm. My first push broke my water with a massive spray/gush. I had 3 giant pushes (with the last one being the pushing where you start/stop, etc...and in my mind i'm going WTF! I just want to push and not stop!), and at 9:17 he was born.
He went poop inside me so they had to bring the Pediatric Dr in right away to check him, and thankfully all was ok. He was being looked over for about 5 mins while I delivered the placenta. I had 3 nurses, 2 Drs (3 incl Ped. Dr), 2 medical residents. It was a wild ride, and I was definitely in shock for some time afterwards. It all happened so fast, and so strong that I didn't really have time to comprehend what was going on.
The Dr's couldn't believe how fast everything went and were thankful that surgery didn't have to happen (fibroids would have made it more complicated).
I can't believe I didn't tear... I guess he just wanted out and my body was ready.
That night I was on a euphoric high. I just couldn't stop staring at him. It was amazing! I felt great physically and emotionally.
The next day was nice with a couple of visitors and of course little sleep!
We were due to be released on Monday morning, but Sunday night/Monday morning they said his jaundice was too high, and he had dropped 9% of birthweight. He needed photo/UV treatment in the incubator from Monday night until Tuesday at 4pm. That absolutely broke my heart. They also said I needed to up my breast milk production or else suppliment with formula. I was hell bent on using only breast milk so I spent all night expressing into little cups and feeding that to him along with him on the breast. I was suppose to take him out of the incubator every 3 hours, but I couldn't deal with seeing him cry in there, so I made the decision every hour to feed, or every 2 if he was content. I spent all night expressing and crying. It was horrible. I was scared and felt so alone.
Tuesday at 5pm I got the good news that he could come out of the incubator and his levels were enough to not be concerned. They wanted to retest at 6am Wed. morning, so it was another night in the hospital for us.
His weight also jumped up and the nurses were impressed that he made such strong gains...I told them I was determined! I felt guilty thinking it was my fault he dropped so much bc I wasn't breastfeeding correctly. I know I was only doing my best, but guilt was bound to come in.
Wed. morning the test was good, and we were thankfully discharged at 9am. What a wonderful feeling to finally come home!
Since being home it has been nice adjusting to the comforts of my bed, shower, etc. My parents have been so helpful with letting me have a nap while they cuddle him. I'm so thankful to not be alone in this journey.
Well Emerson is crying to be fed, so I must go. Thanks for all of the well wishes....You ladies have been wonderful to share this journey with
I will post pics after feeding time!

 

[Shanoa]

Wow beachgal. What a rollercoaster ride you've been on! I'm still amazed it all happened so quickly and so were the docs/nurses by the sound of things. It's just so great to hear how well everything turned out. No c-section, no tearing. Brilliant.

It must have been so tough seeing your little man in the incubator, but well done on preserving and mastering the breastfeeding. I hope I can do the same when my time comes.

So do they think the blood clots were because of the fibroids? That would have been frightening to see.

Excellent that you're home and able to rest up. I'm looking forward to seeing the pics.

Thanks for a great update. It was lovely to share your journey!x

 

[JulieBoggs]

I enjoyed your birthing story Eileen. You handled it so well. I can't wait to see pics of little Emerson. I am glad all is well and you both are settling in at home.

Barbi has your little princess arrived???

Shanoa... Any signs???

 

[Libbysmum]

Shanoa when is your baby coming? We are so keen to know! Advice for bfeeding...start asap...get that early collostrum into the baby it is called liquid gold for a reason. Skin to skin contact helps and sometimes you can get medication if your supply is low. Ask at the hospital...Do they have a lactation consultant? My hospital had a bfeeding workshop that was free for mothers to attend. It was useful to see different holds and to know the difference btwn suckling and nibbling. Trust me the nibbling hurts like crazy!
There are few good youtubes one is called "Latch on-ameda" which is helpful.

 

[Shanoa]

Ugh my baby just isn't budging, Julie & Libby. I am sooo ready now. I feel like a whale and am struggling in this heat. But I shouldn't complain. Decent weather is such a rarity here I should try to enjoy it more.

Thanks for the pointers on breastfeeding, Libby. I will check out that you tube video. I didn't know about medication for low supply!

I went for a last minute tour of the birthing centre I will hopefully be delivering in and the midwife said they could all help with breastfeeding but that they also had a breastfeeding specialist if we needed more one-on-one support which was so great to hear.

I'm trying to be patient but I'm not sure it's working. I really REALLY want to join you all in the July baby (not bump) club!

 

[beachgal]

Hi Ladies

Finally got around to uploading a few pics on here. My photos were too large so I had to download a program to resize them! the one pic is when i first get to hold him. I cant believe how blue/purple my mouth is!

Shanoa - Looking back on the first couple of days in the hospital, I wish I would have asked for the nurses help more with breastfeeding. All the nurses are trained in breastfeeding and more than willing to help. I just assumed I was doing it right (which I really wasn't LOL).
They also have a breastfeeding clinic there where I had a follow up appt to check my breastfeeding and a check up of Emerson. It was so helpful because the nurse took the time to explain little things that made a big difference. I have a follow up appt next week again and I already have questions that I'll ask.
So, i'm hoping you have resources like that available to you!
Emerson seems to be more fussy at night...last night he was feeding every hour for a short time. Whew, exhausting. During the day, he's pretty good and will sleep 2 hours at a time usually.
I give credit to you ladies with toddlers in the home! I have my hands full with one!

today was Emerson's first bath I took him in the bathtub with me and he was such a good boy! No tears, and seemed to like the wash down. Let's hope this keeps up!

Hows everyone doing?