SMEP success buddies

[smiley330]

Morning!

Hoping - So glad the scan went well, it's such an amazing feeling isn't it!! Oh I hope you can get a pic of the scan up! You know we love to see pictures!

Steph - how are you getting on? It sounds like Oliver is starting to fall into a little pattern, and is definitely nice that you get the longest stretches between feeds at night time!

Certain - Ahh, it's amazing how you change your mind on things (like co-sleeping) to get some sleep!! Just do whatever you need to and try not to worry. She is so little and just obviously likes it best with you both! You can tackle the sleeping in her bassinet when you're a bit more rested for it. We just muddled through the first 6 weeks, then once DS1 had started getting into a proper routine we tackled getting him to sleep in his crib. We tried a million things, and in the end mastered a technique where we put his to sleep on his side with a softie rolled up by his tummy (so he still felt snuggled) then a blanket wrapped around him.... Sounds fiddly but he just wanted to feel secure! Then it was a case of leaving my hand on him for a few mins and voila!

AFM - well we came home last night, we were debating whether to stay in for the night but was so nice to come home in the end. Oscar is a bit confused between night and day - he slept alllllll day yesterday and decided he wanted to be wide awake for most of last night. I'm putting that down to the time he was born!! So going to try to wake him up more often today and feed him more!

Still trying to work out this breastfeeding thing, he will only feed for about 10 mins then seems to be done but he's defo not sucking the whole time, so i'm not sure he can be getting enough. So got to try to get him to feed more often I think.

DS1 loves him, he keeps kissing him and passing him his softies etc. It's so cute!

Just typing up a birth story as well so will copy and paste it for you guys shortly! x x x x

 

[steph1505]

Hey smiley

Aaaw i seen ur pictures on facebook! Oscar is absolutely beautiful! And the pictures of ur DS with him are just the cutest!!!

Thats fab uz are home!! Aaw u cant blame Oscar for bein confused...hes brand new!! Oliver was confused at first too!! I love that ur DS is being great with him...it sounds like weve both been really lucky with these big brothers!!

How has the feeding gone today? He was prob jst a bit sleepy he first day!! Has it been a bit better today?

So how was ur labour? I cant wait to hear all about it!

Certain - i wouldnt worry too much about the crib thing! It will all come in time! Enjoy the cuddles while ur gettin them

Hoping - i have nooo idea how to upload pics from my phone! Il need to bluetooth mine over to my laptop and then upload them! Il do it tonite once Brandons in bed!

AFM - well we registered Oliver today so he is now officially a person! He was a bit unsettled thru the night, he seemed really windy! He wasnt cryin or anythin, but just not sleepin like he has been!!

Hes been a lot more awake today too! I dont kno if hes jst gonna be a wee sleep fighter or what (i hope not) but hes hardly slept since we all got up!!

Will upload pics tonight!.

Xxxxxx

 

[steph1505]

Here is some pics More to follow...

xxxxxx

 

[steph1505]

And here is some more pictures

I think hes changed a lot over his ten days! Definitely less swolen!

Im gonna do some comparison pictures between Brandon and Oliver!

People either think Oliver is Brandons spitting image...or he looks nothing like him! I want your opinions! xxxxxxx

 

[steph1505]

Here some wee pictures I made on Photobucket comparing Brandon and Oliver!

What do u ladies think? I dont think they look similar! xxxxxxxx

 

[Beauty2]

Steph - Hahahaha! Those boys look just alike!! Especially the last two pics. They are both so adorable!!! Congratulations again!!!! I'm jealous!!

 

[Hopingitwill]

Def a similarity between Brandon and Oliver. That photo of Brandon holding Oliver is gorgeous. You luck thing- twobeautiful boys!!!

Still can't figure how to upload from phone. Can you explain how certain? Computer nit working at min so can't transfer over.

Smiley- how are you and Oscar doing. Photos at some point please!!!!!

Afm starting to feel more real know. We have told family and closest friends now which is a weight off in itself. Will be 13 weeks on sat so that will be into second tri- is that correct. Got meeting with consultant next week as liver blood tests high. They have done some more at scan so suppose will find out fir def next we'd if am goingvto be consultant led or not. Midwife mentioned concerns about obstetric cholectisus so might need monitoring. Apart from being cold ( getting warm in bed at min cause weather horrible) am fine. Hope you are all getting your sleep xxx

 

[steph1505]

Hey everyone!!

Lol this threads a lot quiter than it used to be!!

Hoping - ooh uv told people is everyone over the moon for uz? Eek!! Why is the midwife concerned abt OC? R u showing signs of it? Hope ur enjoying the 2nd trimester!! Eek!

Beauty - How u doin hun? Aww dnt be jealous...ul have ur baby very soon!! R u all organised?

Certain - hows u and Eleanor? I seen on ur fbook she had a wee cluster feedin day...do u think shes havin a wee growth spurt?

Smiley - how r u and little Oscar gettin on? Hope uz have managed to all settle in now! Hows the breastfeeding coming along? Hope its all goin well? Btw, have u taken the pram out yet? I absolutely love it! Such a good pram!!!

AFM - thats Oliver 2 weeks old now! Scary! Hes still a wee bit all over the place regarding a routine! He has a wee 'unsettled' period between abt 8 and 10pm where we need to pace the floor with him! Its def trapped wind tho tht causes it! So weve bought dentinox drops and last nite wasnt *as* bad! A lot less crying, just gurning! So hopefully tonight will be better again! He is sleepin great thru the night tho, he actually had two nights where he slept 11hours! But overall, im feelin a lot better with him! Ive realised that its not the end of the world if he needs fed before 4hours lol!

Hope ur all doin well i miss our daily banter! Xxxxx

 

[smiley330]

Morning!!

I was just about the say the same thing about this thread

Hoping - Yay - 2nd Tri - enjoy it!!! Have you worked out how to get a picture up? Do you have a date for your 20 week scan through? It's so exciting when you start telling people isn't it - definitely makes it more real!

Certain - How are you getting on? Hows the breastfeeding going?

Steph - Ah Oliver sounds like such a good boy!! Definitely try not to worry that he's not following a routine or set number of hours for feeding. If he's going that long through the night he needs to make up for it in the day so I imagine he'll just need feeding as and when! he'll soon settle into a more predictable pattern.

AFM - I am getting on really well. Oscar is being very good and breastfeeding is going well. I wasn't sure at first if he was feeding right as he wasn't doing enough wee nappies, but he is definitely doing them now. He hasn't a set feeding time, but it's roughly every 4 hours - if we get a good feed in him. Sorry to hear about the trapped wind, it's hard when you can see they're in pain and there's not a lot you can do, I hope it passes soon!

He's quite a windy baby though, this threw me for a loop at first as I just assumed bf babies don't need winding!! I could ot work out what was wrong with him and he was really fussy when feeding. But now i've cracked the "wind him often" thing he feeds much better.

I had a bit of a moment the other night, just started feeling really guilty and worried about DS1. He has been so good and absolutely loves his little brother, but i'm just worried that he's not feeling as loved or something...I don't know. I feel better now, but it's difficult, especially as i'm bf - and I worry it looks like i'm spending too much time with Oscar.

Anyway, sorry for the hormonal ramble! I hope everyone is well!

x x x x x

 

[smiley330]

Oh Steph - No haven't taken the pram out yet!! In fact I haven't been out the house at all yet... that is penciled in for 2mrw I can't wait to use it! x

 

[steph1505]

Aww im so glad to hear the breastfeedings goin great!! I didnt realise a breastfed baby would need winded either!! I suppose, they r still suckin in air so why not! I just never realised! Its definitely hard seeing them strain with the wind! I love the instant relief tho when they do a massive burp!!

Ooh where r uz goin tomorro? I totally rushed the 'goin out' and ended up feeling awful so the past week has been very relaxin & just taking it easy!

Aww and i have been thru the exact same!! Its really hard all of a sudden not being able to give 100% attention to the big brothers! My guilt comes becos when Olivers havin his unsettled time, its over Brandons bedtime so only one of us have been reading him his story and puttin him to bed while the other is pacing the floor with Oliver! It really breaks my heart if i dont get to do proper night night with him! But im sure they are fine!

Ur DS1 seems like Brandon, takes everythin in his stride, quite easy going? So im sure they will adjust! Its certainly hard on the heart tho!! And hormones sure dont help!

Big hugs to you xxxxxxx

 

[steph1505]

Hey ladies!

I have to share some of these pics with u! OHs mums friend is a photographer and she took some pics of Brandon and Oliver last week! She does a lot of newborn shoots but Olivers the youngest shes even photographed!

I know I dont look my best in these pics but hey...Id had a baby a week before it haha!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Beauty2]

Steph - what beautiful pics!!!! And oh, please!!! You look gorgeous! Very beautiful family!

 

[steph1505]

Thanks Beauty

I absolutely love the ones of Brandon and oliver! Xxxxxx

 

[smiley330]

Steph - those photos are absolutely beautiful!! What a gorgeous little family you are Love them!!!

Yeah, bed times are being particularly hard with DS1 - he's used to us both going up with him and I don't think he likes that Oscar is still up with us downstairs when he has to go to bed so he's been calling us back a few times - which is heartbreaking as he just shouts "Mummy cuddle" "Daddy cuddle"

I'm sure it'll sort itself out, it's just tough!!

Well i'm due a visit from the HV today to check how Oscar is getting on. I'm really interested to see how his weight has gone. Steph / Certain, had your babies lost much in the first week? I know it's normal to lose some, but DS1 didn't lose any weight (in fact gained a little bit!) and I'm worrying about the bf!

OH is off out to do a big food shop this morning for us, we are seriously running low on food supplies!! Then we're going to venture out for a walk to town - test out the new buggy properly

Hoping / Beauty - If you guys want to see some pics of Oscar PM me your FB's (if you're on it) I'm still debating whether to put pics on BnB just yet. (I don't really know why...)

x x x x

 

[smiley330]

Birth Story - Ok, gotten round to writing it. It is quite long... but I have no idea why, the birth was quick! So i've just rambled a lot

Monday 2.30am woke to what I thought were my waters breaking. Couldn't be too sure as there wasn't a huge amount, but it was more than just the usual. Within 5 mins started getting pains that were regular 10 mins apart and getting stronger. At 6 they were about 4 mins apart and strong so called the hospital and they said to come in. We got there at 7am where I was checked and told I was 2cm. I knew the contractions had started to slow down and she said we could either hang around or go home and see how things progressed. I immediately said to go home!

Once home things pretty much stopped, was still getting the odd pain but nothing regular. I bounced on my ball, went on about 5 walks with OH but nothing was happening. I was getting so much pressure in my bum though and still losing my show. By the evening I was exhausted so told OH I was taking a hot bath and having an early night. As soon as I got into bed at 8pm the contractions started up again - typical!!!

I left OH in bed and came downstairs where I just monitored how often they were coming. They were only coming every 10-12 mins so figured I was in for a long night. By 12pm they were coming every 3 mins and I was just about able to breathe through them. So woke OH and told him we should head back up to the hospital.

Tuesday - Got to the hospital at 1.30am where I was examined and she said I was still only 3cm, 4 at a push. You have to be 4 to be able to be admitted properly so after a bit of convincing she said they'd take me. I wanted so badly to go up to the midwife led unit (not the actual hospital) and that night there was only 1 midwife up there so they could only take 1 person.... Luckily, that was me!!!! I was so pleased I could get up there and also get in the pool!

The woman said she wound let me up there but advised I didn't get into the pool until I'd progressed a bit more as it could slow things down - I said ok and went in my merry way.

Once upstairs it was like entering a different world. So calm, so quiet, so relaxing! The midwife met us and showed us into the pool room - it was so lovely. Such a big room with nice dim lights and big windows looking out.

Anyway I told her that the other woman has told me not to get in the pool yet so we negotiated on half an hour. But within about 5 mins I was in a lot more pain and told her I needed to get in so she filled it up and I was in at about 2.15am.

From there things progressed really quickly. I totally forgot how much this giving birth thing hurts! before I knew it I was telling her that I felt like I needed to push - she was really calm and just said to try and breathe through it unless it was uncontrollable.

I breathed through a few more contractions, but it wasn't long before there was no break in the contractions. I remember she told me to try and relax once I got a break and I was in so much pain saying "there is no break" I saw her then push the button for the other midwife (there has to be 2 for the actual delivery) and within a few pushes Oscar was out.

Half way through the birth I had taken my glasses off, I am absolutely blind without them, but once Oscar was out the mw said "he's there, pick him up" - I couldn't see a thing so was squinting and feeling around. I finally saw him just laying on the bottom of the pool in the fetal and I scooped him up!!

When I bought him out the water he was so calm, he was wide awake looking up and moving about, not crying at all tho - I just really wanted to hear him cry so I said "should he be crying?" and the mw said no he's fine, but I will make him cry if u want. I said yes, so she took a towel and just brushed it against his face. Instantly he spread his arms wide and let out the loudest scream - the mw laughed and said, 'wow, you should call him Oscar after that performance!'

OH and I just looked at each other, she has no idea that was one of our name choices! So we knew that was his name (someone must have sent us that sign!)

Well afterwards I got out the pool, mw checked all my bits - no tears so no stitches - not even a graze, hooray!! She just kept saying what an amazing birth it was - which it was, I was so lucky with it all. I had no time for even gas and air so did it all just by being in the water. I would definitely recommend a water birth to anyone!

So, Oscar Alexander arrived at 4.17am - not even 3 hours after arriving and being only 3/4cm. He was 8lbs 4oz and perfect in every way.

x x x x

 

[steph1505]

Morning!!

Do u kno, Oliver wasnt weighed again til he was 10 days old! By then, he was 60g off his birthweight! The HV is comin out tomorro so it'll be interesting to see if hes put on more weight! He certainly seems bigger! Let us kno wot the HV says! Why r u worrying abt the bf? Im sure all is good

I just read ur birthstory... It sounds great! So glad u got to use the pool!! And i totally welled up at the bit where the midwife said uz should call him Oscar! Thats amazing! Theres no way uz could have called him Jasper after that!! Defo a sign from above that he was a wee Oscar! Amazing!!

I havent typed up my birthstory yet! Really should do it!

Well...Oliver slept thru the night again!! I dont know if im silly to be concerned! Hes really young to be sleepin thru! Im worried he wont b eating enough! Il say to HV tomorrow! Altho, if hes puting weight on well then i guess i dont have anythin to worry about!

Aww Smiley, thats EXACTLY wot Brandon does too!! Thats really strange! Shouts us in for cuddles! It must be hard for them tho if they can hear u awake with baby and yet they've been put in bed!

Beauty/hoping...if uz do have facebook...add me too!!

Smiley, can i ask u a bit of TMI question...? How is ur bleeding? Im still bleeding and dnt kno if this is normal? I didnt bleed much with Brandon but obv havin vaginal delivery this time, i expected more bleeding! But dnt kno if 15 days is a bit excessive?

Xxxxxxxx

 

[steph1505]

U need to change ur ticker too!! Ur not 40 weeks and 5 days pregnant!!

Xxxxxx

 

[CertainTurton]

Smiley - what a lovely story! and sounds like an ideal birth, well done you!! and I love that you had a sign with the name glad to hear bf is going ok and you arent having too many problems - its amazing how much wind they get! When the mw came the day after we came out of hosp Eleanor had lost 6lb but by the 3rd day visit she had put 3 back on again and has been increasing since then. They are happy as long as its not more than 10% but if he is having wet nappies and is not jaundice im sure he will be fine. Eleanor was slightly jandice so i had to wake her every 3hrs for a bit - it cleared up within a day. It is so hard knowing how much they are getting isnt it!? but 4hrs is great for you - im sooo jealous!! Have a nice trip out, take it easy though!

Steph - those pics are just so so gorgeous - your sons look so much like your OH you look lovely, esp being a week post birth - i looked awful, still do a bit! beautiful family! glad to hear all is well with you too and im also jealous of your sleep but im sure you need it with a toddler as well.

AFM - things are good. Eleanor is now feeding pretty much every 2.5-3hrs in the day and 3.5-4hrs at night we did have one night where she went almost 5 hrs, but typically I was awake from4hrs coz my boobs were killing me waiting for her to feed!! I was almost tempted to wake her by 4.5hrs oh well. she is still hating sleeping anywhere other than with us but we are kind of resigned now, we still try every night but its ok, I just dont sleep as well when she is next to me, although I do love the cuddles and she likes to hold on to my top so cute! Im starting to get out and about a bit more now - lots of my NCT ladies have had their babies too so were meeting up a fair bit - its great to have some more mummy friends. Also my parents are coming to stay for 3 days tomorrow so thats nice, will prob get out and about more with them. I need to practice feeding in public! scary stuff!

 

[CertainTurton]

Steph - def ask about the sleeping through as my friends newborn slept through and she was told to wake him once for a feed (called a dreamfeed) but as you say if hes putting on weight it may be ok (green eyes). I think they can be worried about low blood sugars tho.
re bleeding, i know i had a c sec but im still bleeding a bit, i was told it could be up to 6 weeks!!