Newly pregnant and bleeding...help!

[Charliejo83]

Wow that is seriously crazy!! she certainly knows how to make an entrance doesn't she!! I bet it was awful when you first heard all of that but rest assured even if you don't make it until the 19th she is now sufficiently baked to have no problems!!

I hope the check up today goes well - def keep me informed - I can't wait for her to make her grand entrance so I can see a photo!!

All is quite quiet this end actually (touch wood) I'm now off work for 10 days which will be amazing! My feet have been swelling which is causing my midwife concern but she has just told me to keep them up as much as poss or she will be putting me on bed rest! I've also developed a strange rash under my left boob but I'm thinking it might just be a sweat rash as my boobs are ridculously big at the minute!

Big good luck for the next few days - can't wait to hear the next update!!

 

[akblaze]

Well I am so happy to say that Scarlett Marie Irene was born July 14 at 9:44 am! 5lb 14oz and 19inches long. The most gorgeous little girl I've ever seen!

I woke up at 3 am with contractions and pushed her out in 6 pushes!!
DH didn't get to cut the cord and I didn't get to hold her for quite a while because they had to check her out since she's early. The first little while she was doing ok, super mellow though.. Then we noticed that her temperature kept dropping and she wasn't waking up to eat because she had no energy... So when she was about 27 hours old they put her in the NICU..
She's now in the isolet to help regulate her temp.. Which they've actually begun turning it down so she's working on regulating it on her own! I'm pumping (still waiting for my supply to really come in) and were working on breast feeding when she has the energy. But mainly shes getting formula through a tube.
We get to feed and hold her every three hours. It's so hard not being able to just snuggle her all day!!!
I was discharged from the hospital Monday but they are letting me stay another night free of charge to be close to her.. It's so hard to go home as much as I want to.. I just don't want to leave her!!
I'm praying she doesn't have to stay long... They say to expect her to come home on her due date but they tell all NICU families that... She's a strong little girl! I still can't believe she's here sometimes!!!

When I do go home and have a chance I'll get some pictures on here!! and my official birth story!

How have you been?? Are you enjoying your days off work?
That's not good about the swelling!! You better take it easy!!
Oh and I totally feel ur pain with the boob rash.. Mine are huge and getting bigger with the milk and, especially at night, they sweat a lot!!!! I hate it!!!
I hope your taking it easy and keeping ur feet up to avoid bed rest!! You and your little bub take care!!!

 

[Charliejo83]

Eeeeeek too many emotions to put down!! Congratulations - what a totally beautiful name!! Wow it is crazy to think that after virtually meeting all those months ago to discuss bleeding stresses you are now officially a mummy!! I am soooooo happy for you and she certainly sounds like a strong-willed little girl already!!

I bet leaving her in the hospital was hard but at least you know she is in the best place and when she does come home she will be fighting fit and keeping you on your toes!

I am honestly just so happy for you - this is the most amazing news ever! I sometimes have to remind myself that I am actually going to have a little baby at the end of all of this - pregnancy has been that stressful I seem to have just been focusing on that - sometimes I forget I am not actually going to be pregnant forever!

Yes get some pics up - I def want to hear your birth story - 6 pushes is pretty amazing! Did you have any drugs?

I'm doing well thanks - trouble-free week or so now helped by a trip to the spa and my feet haven't swelled properly since so fingers crossed!!

Once again all I can say is

 

[akblaze]

Hey! I'm so sorry it's taken SO long to respond!! It has been crazy since she has been home, really I'm just so exhausted!!!

Well we spent 15 days in the NICU working on her feeding and regulating her temp. She had the tube in to feed her for the majority of the 15 days but once it was able to stay out she was home in a matter of days.

We had her first doctor visit and her pediatrician (one of the docs we saw while in the nicu) said she's officially a healthy full term newborn!! She would've been 37 weeks that week. at her visit (on the 1st) she weighed 7lb 4oz and now we think she is over 8 lbs!!! we have to take her in tomorrow for a weight check to make sure everything is still on track, which we know it is since she's a little piggy!!!

I still haven't written her birth story yet, this is my first time getting on here since I last responded to you! I'm just sooo mentally tired to sit down and do it. lol. Since DH works I don't make him get up at night to help feed her so I'm up every 2-3 hours by myself and let me just say, it's tiring! lol but I love getting to snuggle her so much!!!

I so can't believe she's going to be a MONTH old tomorrow!!!!!!!

How have you been?? I'm so excited ur about 30 weeks!!! It definitely is crazy to think you'll be a mommy at the end of all of this! It really didn't hit me until I saw her to be honest!! Even then it was hard to believe until she was actually home! I'm so excited for you!!!! After the STRESSES of pregnancy it comes to such a BEAUTIFUL end! or should I saw a beautiful beginning!!

I hope you are doing well!!!! I will definitely try to get on more and get her birth story put up!! I'll attach some pics though!!!

 

[proudMoM26]

Have a strong heart girls, stress is the last thing you need in this stage of your life..May god guide you and your little angel to safety. Goodluck!

 

[Charliejo83]

OMG Akblaze she is absolutely beautiful - what a seriously cute baby you have got on your hands!

So glad you are both doing well - and I can not believe that she is going to be a month old either! I've got 9 weeks left now how mad is that? I remember talking to you guys when I was 9 weeks pregnant counting down the days til that magic 12 week mark! I finish work 2 weeks today too - brought it forward as I have so much to still sort and I just don't have the energy while I am still working full-time - and the 2 hour commute has really been taking it out of me!

So how are you finiding motherhood - this past week I've started to stress about it a bit thinking about the fact that I know nothing! I am getting particularly stressed about sleeping and what he is supposed to wear / blankets etc. there is so much conflicting advise lol!

I've got my next scan a week on tues to see if my placenta has moved - fingers crossed - I actually ave a good feeling about it and think it is going to be good news! I can then start on my birth plan!

Yes when you get a spare half hour (who am I kidding haha) get your birth story up I would love to read it!!

Take care and enjoy every minute!!

P.S My fave pic is def the one of all you - I hope this wasn't taken straight after birth as you lopok amazing on it!! Put us all to shame!
x

 

[akblaze]

Charliejo,
Oh goodness I remember talking to you when you were 9 weeks pregnant too!!! I even remember joining this thread in the very very beginning talking to happenstance! WHO I MISS!!! I hope she is doing well!!!
It's crazy how when we are in the first trimester it was so stressful for all of us, I know I felt like I'd never get here!!!

and thank you!!! I just find her the cutest thing ever! I love getting pictures of her and seeing the changes! Motherhood is amazing! It is the hardest but best job in the whole world!! Completely exhausting though, because of lack of sleep! but SOOO worth it!
as far as things she wears and blankets.. we got in the habit of using the sleep/play suits at the hospital because of her temperature issues and well she still wears them a lot of the time. Every now and then we'll put her in actual outfits. and for blankets we use the Halo sleep sacks I LOVE THEM!!!! you can use them with their arms swaddled or not.. so it's nice having the option while still having her wrapped to keep her warm.
I have found with first babies it's a lot of trial and error. We have bought so much that I have found I don't like or she doesn't like!

I have also learned through all this that you can't rely 100% on your plan.. seriously EVERYTHING I had planned from labor to delivery...even things now.. are not going right! Starting with the whole preterm labor thing and now.. I will probably quit pumping and move to formula (I've been exclusively pumping and bottle feeding since she was in the NICU) after realizing that my boobs still are hurting excruciatingly bad I looked into it and I have all the symptoms for Raynaud's Phenomenon..basically I lose blood flow to my nipples and it causes them to turn white and blue and hurt soooo bad ALL the time! It makes me absolutely miserable. They have medication for it and I haven't talked to my OB yet (i will thursday for my 6 week check up) but one of the side effects is headaches...and I really don't need that with me going back to full time classes online tomorrow!!! I have a pretty decent back stock of milk right now so I would be able to still give her breast milk for another 2 weeks or so..but I'm so bummed that pumping is so difficult!

Oh gosh! I'm so excited for your scan!!!!! I am going to keep my fingers crossed that it has moved!!! I'm sure it has It's great that you are taking more time off to get things ready!!! Definitely enjoy your time to relax too!!! You won't be getting it for quite some time after your little one is here!
what are some things you want in your birth plan? I'm SOOOO excited for you!!!! It will be the BEST day of your life!

and thank you about the pics and no!! haha it was after I showered and got cleaned up.. I like to not post the ones of me right after!! I was a mess!!

anyways, I hope you continue to do wonderful!!!! let me know how your scan goes!!! and if you get pics of your LO feel free to post them!!!!

 

[akblaze]

Finally did the birth story!!
https://babyandbump.momtastic.com/b...aby-scarletts-early-arrival.html#post20624197
warning: it's long!!!

 

[kellie_w]

Hi akblaze and Charlie jo, I just saw this thread again whilst looking at what I am subscribed to and thought I would just say hi! Huge congratulations on baby Scarlett, she is absolutely beautiful! I'm just about to read our birth story, it's very true about what you say about things not going to plan! Good luck on your scan Charlie jo, hope your placenta has moved!

I just want to thank you all for the support you gave me back in early pregnancy. I'm 27 weeks now, 20 weeks ago I never thought I would make it here but here I am I still have occasions of slight bleeding, it's always around every 4 weeks when my period would be due but I know now it's just one of those things! Take care xxx

 

[Charliejo83]

Oh Akblaze - I just had a little cry reading your birth story!! It is so beautiful and moving and I just can't believe your baby is here and you are a mother!! It is so amazing!

I miss Happenstance too - I keep hoping that she is going to re-surface soon, she must be getting close to her due date now - I think she was about 4 weeks ahead of me?

My birth plan - I ams till contemplating a water birth but going off that idea a little now for some reason? The main thing is I want to try and do on gas and air - so don;t want them offering me anything unless completely necessary or I ask for it - plus I do NOT want any forceps anywhere near me - unless of course it is absolutely necessary!

I'm off to an active birth class this weekend so will see what that has in store!

Hi Kellie - great to hear from you and so happy you have made it this far - it's amazing when you think back to all of our scared conversations in tri 1! Def keep us informed how you get on!

I will let you know the verdict on my pesky placenta after my scan next week - but I am definitely hopeful it will be good news!

Speak soon

 

[akblaze]

Kellie, thank you so much!!! She is such a blessing! It's so good hearing from you!!!! I'm sooo happy that you are now 27 weeks! It has been quite the nerve wrecking journey for all of us! Pregnancy would have been way more stressful if it wasn't for you ladies and your support! It is absolutely wonderful that the spotting you have is just that and nothing worse!! I will be staying around this thread keeping up with who ever is still here! I'm so excited for all of you and just can't wait for your birth stories!!!!

Charliejo, That's great that you are taking the birthing class!! We had a birthing class and breastfeeding class scheduled but she decided to make her entrance before the classes! I think it is completely normal to go back and forth on how you want your labor & delivery to go.. I know I changed my mind so many times! I guess in the end that didn't matter! I REALLY hope it goes the way you want!!!
And thank you!!! I felt like I wrote a novel with my birth story and as I was writing it I still couldn't believe it! haha! Even now, with my beautiful girl snoozing next to me, it's just unbelievable!!!! I'm so excited for you to experience this joy as well!!!
let us know how your birthing class goes!!! I hear that can really make some nervous!

If I have any advice when it comes to labor and delivery.. it would be one thing.. when it comes to pushing, FOCUS! The more you focus on the pushing the quicker you will get your LO out! A few times I started screaming during a push and I had to make myself stop because I knew that would waste energy! I thank the focus (and the fact that I used RRL tea) to me getting her out in 6 pushes!!!

so looking forward to your scan!!!!

 

[Charliejo83]

Well I had my scan and the placenta has moved!! Woo Hoo! I am so excited now I know I will be having a natural birth, I've started reading all my birthing books now as I am pretty determined that I want to do it without drugs - they all seem to have side affects on the baby and the way I see it I can go through the pain to give baby the best!

Wow 6 pushes - I will def be taking your advise and focusing, as my worse nightmare is forceps so I need to get him out before I get too tired and they start thinking about assistance!

How is your little princess getting on then? Is she sleeping at night? What are her feeding patterns like? I bet you have the best fun dressing her up!!

I had my first baby shower on Sunday too (I am having two - not my idea but as I am originally from a city nearly 2 hours away - my friends from there wanted to throw me something as well as my friends from where I live now - who am i to argue?) I got so much amazing stuff!

I also finish work on Friday and am starting on decorating the nursery next week - once all that is done i think it is all going to start hitting me!

Any parenting or birthing tips you think of please send me way!

 

[akblaze]

YAY!!!!! I'm soooo happy that your placenta moved!!!!!!!! That's absolutely amazing news!! I'm so happy you'll get the med free birth you want now! I know you can do it!! I'm SO happy I did it drug free! Honestly, now, It's like I remember how it felt and the pain but I'd do it again in a heart beat!!!
I completely understand you not wanting an assisted delivery!! I think med free is the best way to avoid that. I don't like the fact that the meds can affect the baby either.

Scarlett is doing great!! We are actually transitioning to breastfeeding from exclusively pumping. She latched right on!!!! But... we found out that she's tongue tied so she can't stay latched on because her tongue can't stay over her bottom gums like they are supposed to. It's also causing my nipples to be wedge shaped which the lactation consultant said it can cause damage. So today were off to the pediatrician to be evaluated on whether she should get the tongue tie clipped or not. Poor girl!!! My heart just breaks every time we have another problem, but she's such a trooper through all of this. The lactation consultant insists that it's not too painful, having the frenulum (little flap under the tongue) clipped and only bleeds a tad bit.. I'm still so nervous for her though! But if it will help her breast feed and avoid speech and dental problems later then we'll do it... guess we'll see what the pediatrician says today!

As far as sleeping, she will sleep 4-5 hours at once during the night. since we're still mainly bottle feeding she eats 2-3.5 oz ever 2-4 hours, just depending on when she gets hungry! And I absolutely love how she looks in all her little outfits!!! To me she is getting so big!!! 9 lb 8.7oz and 20.5" long but everyone just says how tiny she is!!

My best advice when it comes to parenting is sleep when your LO sleeps!!!! I know people always say that, and at first I didn't do it and oh did I regret it! I was sooooo tired and a couple nights I just cried because I was soooo tired!! But now that I nap during the day with her, I feel WAY better!

That's so fun that you have two baby showers!!! It's such a fun experience and getting all the free baby stuff is a definite plus! It's crazy how expensive baby stuff is!!!
what is the nursery theme going to be? You'll have to take pictures when your done!!!!
We never got ours finished with the decorations since she was early, I still want to order some things for the wall!

I hope all continues to go well!!! I'm sooooo excited for you and can't wait for you to meet your LO!!!!


update: well we went to her appointment and the pediatrician recommended that we get it clipped. they did numb the area with some lidocaine which helped put me at ease a little.. but she started screaming as soon as they began holding her still. DH and I felt horrible!!! He was even tearing up!! But she pulled through like a trooper! Put her straight to the breast after and she latched right on! Still need to work on it though with the lactation consultant. This little girl is such a little rock star!!!

 

[Charliejo83]

So now is little baby Scarlett doing? Did you decide to get the tongue clipped in the end?

Just thought I would quickly check in and see how you're getting on with the mummy duty?

I'm just in the midst of getting everything finished - nursery should hopefully be done next week and I'm getting there with the clothes washing (can't believe how much stuff he has got already!)

4 weeks to go - starting to feel pretty real for me now! Eeeeek!

Anyway chat soon!

 

[akblaze]

Scarlett is doing wonderful! We did get her tongue clipped.. it was horrible! I think more for DH and myself! lol. She bled A LOT though!! She quit crying right when I put her to the breast though. It's amazing how much getting it clipped has helped breastfeeding!! she 100% breastfeeds now! It's amazing the bonding we get now! I found out that tongue ties are genetic and I knew mine wasn't so I looked at DH's tongue and his is!! So is his fathers!

She had her two month check up not too long ago and she weighed 11lb 5oz!!!! It's crazy how much and how quick she is growing!! her length is still on the short side in the 33% at 20.5" and her head is in the 1% at 15" so hopefully those will catch up! Her heart murmur is also still there but we are going to wait until four months to do another echo. The pediatrician is positive that it will go away though. *fingers crossed* and the past few days her reflux has gotten a bit worse again, she is spitting up sooo much but it should hopefully peak between 4-6months and then go away!

She is an absolutely joy to have around though! She has grown so much, not only physically but she's much more alert, pushes up with her legs, holds her head up better, and attempts to crawl. It's amazing

AHHHH! I'M SOOOO HAPPY YOUR FULL TERM!!!!!!!!!!!!
I bet you are just sooooo excited!!!! I can't wait to see pictures!!!!!!!!
How did your nursery turn out?? I bet it is gorgeous!!!!

 

[Charliejo83]

Wow she certainly has grown! So glad you've managed to breast feed as I know you were determined to! I'm really hoping I can breast feed too but trying to not put too much pressure on myself just in case I can't for whatever reason! So many people I know intended to bf but for a variety of reasons just couldn't!

Omg the nursery is better than I could have dreamed of - as soon as I get my phone fixed I will get some pics up but it is seriously everything I wanted and more!

I can't believe I've only got 2 weeks left! I've had a bit of stress this week as have started itching like crazy so was worried it might be my liver but had some bloods taken a d m assuming the fact I've not had any results back is a good thing!

Been getting loads of bh and everyone keeps telling me they think I will be early rather than late - which I can't help but think means I will prob end up induced haha!

I will be sure to keep you informed anyway - big hugs to baby Scarlett - its crazy how resilient babies actually are I can imagine that was hard for you to experience but nothing for her!

 

[akblaze]

She has!! I'm so amazed at how she is changing too!! It was weird having to call and schedule her "4 month check up" even though its over a month away right now, it's still like..where is the time going!?
I will say that at first it was painful, but pumping I think was more painful for me.. transitioning hurt like hell but after a couple weeks all my pain was gone! Now, breastfeeding is 100% pain free! I think I was just soooo determined after everything to get breastfeeding down because absolutely nothing else had gone the way I had hoped.. so this was the last thing I felt I could do for myself and Scarlett. But for whatever reason, if you can't, definitely don't feel bad or be mad at yourself!!! I'm not one to preach about how BF'ing is better than formula because I think moms will do what they find best for them and their LO! If bf'ing just stresses someone out then it's not going to benefit them or baby!!! So definitely do what's right for you and your LO

I can't wait to see pictures of your nursery!!!!!!! I bet it is just gorgeous!!!!!!!

Oh goodness, TWO WEEKS TO GO!!!!!!! Have you gotten your lab results back? I hope everything is okay!!! I think it is good if they haven't gotten back to you just yet!! Have you dropped yet? DH and I would go to the gas station every morning before we ran errands so he could get his energy drink and I'd get a tea.. and the same cashier had told me one day that I had dropped.. she was like "wow you must be due any day now, you've dropped" and I told her I wasn't due for another 7 weeks.. sure enough she was right..shortly after I dropped I went into labor!!! I don't know if it's true for everyone but if you've dropped it might be soooooon!!!!

I can't wait to see your THIS IS IT post!!!!

 

[akblaze]

I was just thinking about you!!!! How is everything!? Has your LO come yet!? HURRY UPPPP LITTLE ONNNEEEE!!!!!!

 

[Charliejo83]

Well I posted you a big reply the other day - just come on to check and realised it never posted how annoying!

Well Noah Christopher todd put in an appearance on 21st october 2 days after his due date! After having contractions for 3 days I finally went into established labour on the Saturday might and he was born Sunday afternoon - birth was a little traumatic as he had his cord round his neck - so everytime I had a contraction his heartbeat was dipping really low- I was all prepped for a cesarean due to this when they realised I was 10 cm and decided forceps would be a quicker and safer way - which was pretty awful.

He weighed 7.4lb and is absolutely perfect! He is such a good little boy - he's started to struggle with terrible wind the past couple of days which has seen him cry a little but before that he literally never cried!

I breast fed for a week and then I'm afraid I had to give up - he just wanted to be on the boob 24/7 and after 3 nights of no sleep at all I decided that the cons of breast feeding far outweighed the cons for me as I was just not having time to enjoy my baby due to being so deliriously tired!

I'm going to my parents for the weekend next week so will use their computer to get some photos up!

Hope you and scarlett are well!

 

[whigfield]

Hey ladies, am I too late to join?! I realize most of you have had your babies (or are having) them right now but it was SO reassuring to read back most of this thread and see that you all went on to have healthy pregnancies!

I too am having spotting and am bricking it. There's no cramps and it never leaves a stain - just when I wipe - and it varies between pink, brown and red. Did you ladies have this too? When did it tail off? Is there light at the end of the tunnel?!