*~*~* The Decemberists! *~*~*

[Pusscat]

Smawfl - i'm so happy to hear your news. It sounds like you did an amazing job. Looking forward to hearing about your experience of a water birth. Welcome to the world baby girl smawfl.

Seaweed - congratulations again! Hope you're getting on ok. Saw your photo on fb - he is absolutely stunning! Really handsome.

I am still meaning to write my birth story but want to do it properly when I have time to think properly. These first few days have been an extreme rollercoaster of emotions. We're doing well though, just tired and I'm finding breastfeeding so much more difficult than I was expecting. Can't believe something so natural takes so much practice. My nipples are so sore. Persevering for as long as I can though as it is so satisfying hearing her swallow my milk.

Are other new mummys breastfeeding? How are you finding it? Please say it gets better!

 

[gaiagirl]

Pusscat, obviously I cannot say from personal experience but I have MANY friends who have gone through it. Almost every single one says that it takes 6-8 weeks to finally be 'easy'. You can do it, just think of the amazing benefits and advantages you are giving to her! I think so many women expect it to be easy and that's why the 'drop-out' rate is so high! But in reality, it's a learned skill more than an instinct and you'll get it down in no time!

Hope everyone is doing well with their little bundles! I'm so jealous...but 3 WORK DAYS LEFT! So that really helps

 

[minimoocow]

Just checking in on holiday - seems i go away for a few days and you all have babies!!!!

Massive congrats to seaweed and smawfl hope you are enjoying you new mummyhood! Did we sort out the issues with posting pics? If so let me know auntie mini needs to coo over the new arrivals!

Pusscat - as Gaia says I hear it takes a few weeks to settle down so stick with it if you can - and if you can't don't beat yourself up about it

Anneliese - the results sound good. Have u got anything else lined up test wise?

If I have missed someone apologies I will update better when I get back

Mini Xxxx

 

[seaweed eater]

Sending lots of to you Pusscat. I can totally identify with the rollercoaster of emotions. I think Munchkin is actually BFing as well as could be expected for now -- he has enough diapers and normal weight loss, etc -- but we decided to start supplementing with formula since his glucose wasn't improving. I felt guilty and disappointed about it but I know it is the right thing for him, and everyone has been encouraging about how it's only temporary and things will be different once my milk comes in. Anyway, the point of this story is just to say that I hope you are not feeling too badly about how your girl is doing. I think so many babies just have one temporary issue or another, and because we're tired and hormonal and all of this is so new, it's impossible not to get very worried about things, but really they are just temporary issues that will get better soon, and our babies will be just fine.

I don't know what you're doing for your nipples but have you tried olive oil? I got some bruises and cracks on the first day and a nurse told me to put olive oil on them. I rub some on after every time I pump (which is after every time I feed) and let them air dry, and I think it has really helped. Of course, I still have colostrum and am on a pretty regular feeding pattern due to Munchkin being in the ICN so your situation may be substantially more challenging. In any case, sending good thoughts.

 

[FeelSoBlessed]

Smawfl - i'm so happy to hear your news. It sounds like you did an amazing job. Looking forward to hearing about your experience of a water birth. Welcome to the world baby girl smawfl.

Seaweed - congratulations again! Hope you're getting on ok. Saw your photo on fb - he is absolutely stunning! Really handsome.

I am still meaning to write my birth story but want to do it properly when I have time to think properly. These first few days have been an extreme rollercoaster of emotions. We're doing well though, just tired and I'm finding breastfeeding so much more difficult than I was expecting. Can't believe something so natural takes so much practice. My nipples are so sore. Persevering for as long as I can though as it is so satisfying hearing her swallow my milk.

Are other new mummys breastfeeding? How are you finding it? Please say it gets better!

Hey Pusscat! I hear you on wanting to write a 'proper' birth story! I do too! Especially as mine was quite eventful despite te worlds smoothest pregnancy... Put it this way, the first time I vomited throughout my entire pregnancy was during labour... Aaarrrhhh!!

I completely empathise with your feelings of an emotional rollercoaster! Wish I was more informed about how tough BFing is! DEFINITELY worth persevering! I think when LO was 4 days old, we needed to top-up/supplement. This broke my heart completely! I felt so awful and like a failure as I just wasn't producing enough to fulfil his (huge) appetite!! I was also petrified that it would reduce my milk flow further! However, I'd be BFing ALL day literally and he just wasn't getting enough. In addition my nipples were cracked, bleeding, scabbed over - and each time he'd latch on (he has one almighty pull) it brought tears to my eyes!

Now, I mainly struggle with getting a routine for BFing, expressing and FFing! However, BFing is now second nature and milk rolls out of LOs mouth when he gets milk drunk - so there's light at the end of the tunnel - I promise!! I highly recomend lansinoh - I got mine from amazon for about £8... worth every penny and doesn't need wiping off before BFing.

I was expressing half an oz week 1 (completely mortified and beating myself up again)... Now I express at least 5 oz. As I say, for me, it's just sussing when's best to do what but I feel so much more contented now - I know you will too... Hang in there... It gets MUcH better! DH gives a bottle of expressed milk or formula at night but occasionally I need to top up with formula during the day!! There's just no 'feeding manual' to help us out ey!!

I bet you're doing an amazing job - I think it's natural for our concerns, worry, anxiety, disappointment!! Yet we don't always realise how well we're doing. Crazy that I don't have this rational conversation with myself!! x

Just checking in on holiday - seems i go away for a few days and you all have babies!!!!

Massive congrats to seaweed and smawfl hope you are enjoying you new mummyhood! Did we sort out the issues with posting pics? If so let me know auntie mini needs to coo over the new arrivals!

Pusscat - as Gaia says I hear it takes a few weeks to settle down so stick with it if you can - and if you can't don't beat yourself up about it

Anneliese - the results sound good. Have u got anything else lined up test wise?

If I have missed someone apologies I will update better when I get back

Mini Xxxx

Hey mini - hope you're well... I'm also wondering whether there's any news on posting pics? Smawfl is usually the one to organise us but I think she'll be 'a little tied up' constantly staring at her princess for now!!

Sending lots of to you Pusscat. I can totally identify with the rollercoaster of emotions. I think Munchkin is actually BFing as well as could be expected for now -- he has enough diapers and normal weight loss, etc -- but we decided to start supplementing with formula since his glucose wasn't improving. I felt guilty and disappointed about it but I know it is the right thing for him, and everyone has been encouraging about how it's only temporary and things will be different once my milk comes in. Anyway, the point of this story is just to say that I hope you are not feeling too badly about how your girl is doing. I think so many babies just have one temporary issue or another, and because we're tired and hormonal and all of this is so new, it's impossible not to get very worried about things, but really they are just temporary issues that will get better soon, and our babies will be just fine.

I don't know what you're doing for your nipples but have you tried olive oil? I got some bruises and cracks on the first day and a nurse told me to put olive oil on them. I rub some on after every time I pump (which is after every time I feed) and let them air dry, and I think it has really helped. Of course, I still have colostrum and am on a pretty regular feeding pattern due to Munchkin being in the ICN so your situation may be substantially more challenging. In any case, sending good thoughts.

Hey seaweed - I think you took the words right out of my mouth!! I hope you and LO are doing well. I'm really sorry and not meaning to sound silly, what's ICN? Is LO okay? I hope so.

Sending all of you lots of love x

 

[gaiagirl]

I'm sure almost everyone is busy with babies now but I have to share --- it's my LAST DAY OF WORK! For over a year!!!!!! I cannot believe it!

 

[HanyouMama]

Gaia I bet you are so excited! I cant wait until I can go on leave too!


The control of diet and my sugar testing is going well Let's hope thats all I have to do and that I wont need any medication or insulin to control it. The supplies are pretty pricy as is and I dont know if I can afford medication too...

 

[seaweed eater]

Wondering how Shh is doing! Wasn't her section this week? Hope you are doing well, hon!

HM, glad things are going well so far with controlling your sugar. I hope you don't need medication to control it, too!

Gaiagirl, congratulations on finishing work I bet that feels amazing! Did you do anything to celebrate? How are you spending your time?

Well, Munchkin and I are finally home. FSB, I wouldn't have known what the ICN was before this week too, and I don't even know if it is the same term used in other hospitals...it is the intermediate care unit. Munchkin had some trouble with body temp, sugar, and platelets for his first few days. It doesn't seem like it was due to an infection or any sort of long term problem, and it may have had to do with the medication I take for my blood pressure (which I wish I had known could have this effect). However, he seems, as the doctor said, to have turned the corner, so today we finally took him home. It is so amazing to welcome him into our normal life and not have to deal with all the hospital protocols! It really feels like the start of our real lives together.

 

[Pusscat]

Thanks for all the words of support ladies, it really helps. I reached a low point yesterday when one of my nipples was unbelievably sore and was bleeding. I rang the midwife and she suggested trying some different holds. I also got some nipple shields. I'm currently sat with baby feeding in rugby ball hold and it's such a relief, feels so much better. I can happily feed in cross cradle hold on other boob so think this hold tricks baby into thinking this is her favourite boob!

Gaia - congratulations on finishing work! Now let the waiting and cleaning commence!!

Mini -glad you're doing the job without insulin. I think we forget how lucky we are to have the NHS in the UK - pregnant ladies get all drugs free. We moan about it so much when we should be extremely thankful for it!

It's my birthday today. Hope baby behaves herself for her mummy! My mum's coming over with a nice big chocolate cake which she baked at 9 last night! Grandma knows what mummy needs!

 

[Pusscat]

Seaweed - great to hear munchkin is home. Enjoy your new family life

 

[smawfl]

Hi Ladies!

Hope everyone is well! Sorry I've been gone for a while, we are settling in to life with our new baby daughter and loving every minute!

Here is my birth story!!

Will catch up with everyone soon!

xxx


Well here goes, I’ve been wanting to get this down but have been overwhelmed by the amazing feeling of having a new baby daughter! Have to say we are both completely smitten, it’s such an amazing feeling!!

After the wedding on the Thursday, I was exhausted on Friday and slept and rested most of the day. I had had loads of Braxton Hicks throughout the last stage of my pregnancy but non that I was ever aware of until actually touching the bump but on Friday I noticed a small cramp low down with a handful of the BH but I dismissed it thinking I’d overdone it at the wedding.

Then on Saturday I had the tiniest amount of bloody show and some more BH cramping but nothing much else to report.

Then Sunday morning I had the full on bloody show so thought, right, things are definitely going in the right direction now! I had contractions which were pretty mild and irregular which I could deal with quite easily. They did get stronger during the night and I don’t think I slept much as I was aware that I wanted to time them on my app! Doh.

Monday 24th came and the contractions were a little stronger, but still irregular so I hooked up the TENS and used that to ease the pain a little. At 11 am we decided to go to the hospital. I was only 3cm so was sent home and I’m glad we did as I much preferred being in the comfort of my own home.

Contractions then became stronger through the day and at 10pm we called the hospital again as I decided the TENS was just not working as well, and I found the higher intensity setting very annoying! They said to come in and as soon as I put the phone down, my waters broke!! Was completely unexpected and very much felt like a gush! Luckily I had already put a pad on so didn’t make any mess in my living room carpet LOL.

After my waters broke, the contractions became MUCH stronger and at 11pm I was told I was 5cm. Yay, I wouldn’t have to go home again! I knew they wouldn’t send me home with my waters gone but it was still such a relief to hear I’d progressed passes the earlier 3cm!

My midwife asked whether I had a birth plan and I said I didn’t and I was happy to go along with what she suggested. She said how about trying the birthing pool to relax a little which I was definitely up for. I knew I wanted to try this, but didn’t really want to give birth in there but once I got in it was amazing, I immediately relaxed and felt so much more comfortable. The midwife also showed me how to use the gas and air which I absolutely LOVED too. DH found it amusing that I became very spaced out and kept saying the gas and air was amazing stuff!

Pretty quickly I felt the contractions get even closer together and soon felt the urge to push. I remember not being able to control what was happening and accepted that my body knew what it was doing and I just went with it. DH was amazing supplying me with alternate sips of water and gas & air.

I was still completely in the zone at this point, my eyes were closed and I didn’t make much sound at all. Once I felt the ‘ring of fire’ I knew we were almost there and couldn’t believe it when DH and the midwife kept commenting on how much hair they could see! At that point I felt down and touching my babies head as it crowned was amazing and really spurred me on! I kept pushing with each contraction and at the point my midwife told DH to press the midwife call button to get a second midwife in I knew we were almost there as they need two midwives at the delivery. That spurred me on again and with the last few pushes Alexia Anna was born at 1:23am on 25th September weighing 7lbs 2oz!

As she was put on my chest I finally opened my eyes and came back out of the zone and was there and now. I cried and sobbed with happiness! DH was the first to check and announced she was a girl! I cried even more

I have to say from being terrified of the thought of giving birth, my whole experience was extremely positive and looking back I think I was very lucky to have a speedy labour with just gas and air, and the environment and water birth really made it for me. We had skin to skin for a good three hours while I delivered the placenta and they stitched me up (2nd degree tear)

We are completely smitten, she’s such a good baby and we can’t remember life without her now!!

 

[gaiagirl]

Awwww, what an amazing and lovely story smawfl!

I am so happy for you and so glad that you had such an incredible experience! Sounds like you did an amazing job

Also, love her name! Beautiful!

 

[smawfl]

Thanks Gaia!

Just updated our first page, hope this is all accurate!


Decemberists Births!
BERDC99 - Olivia - Born 5th July 2012
Bambi1985 - Ellie - Born 11th August 2012
Spiceeb - Layla - Born 14th August 2012
FeelSoBlessed - ?? - Born 31st August 2012 (8lbs 1oz)
DS0910 - ?? - Born 6th September (8lbs 8oz)
Pusscat - ?? - Born 21st September 2012
Seaweed Eater - ?? - Born 24th September 2012
Smawfl - Alexia - Born 25th September 2012 (7lbs 2oz)


I wonder how Shh is getting on??

 

[gaiagirl]

Lots of names to fill in! And yes, Shhh must have some news by now

 

[seaweed eater]

Loved reading your birth story, Smawfl you did amazingly well!! And I love her name!

Gaiagirl, happy 35 weeks! You are getting so close...I'm so excited for you

Munchkin was 7 lb 6 oz at birth. I don't want his name posted on here so he can stay ??...or you can list him as "Munchkin."

How is everyone feeling? Today has been a little challenging...the baby has been quasi cluster feeding and has barely slept since morning, and the weather is very warm, which is good for keeping him warm but very uncomfortable for me as I am living with a mini furnace on my chest most of the day! We are not supposed to open the windows but we just gave in and did, because I'm sweating buckets and don't want to get dehydrated. I figure if I am this warm he can probably handle it!

 

[Pusscat]

Smawfl - I'm so happy for you that you had such an amazing birth experience and thank you for sharing it with us, you told the story very well! Beautiful name too.

Baby pusscat was 7lb 8.5oz at birth. Can't decide whether to use her name on here. Have a feeling it will just slip out sooner or later!

Baby was weighed today and she is now 7lb 11oz - very good to know!

Seaweed - I feel for you with the cluster feeding, Emilia does it most evenings.Must be even worse with the heat as well.

Things are still challenging here. Got mastitis on Sunday so on antibiotics for that. But health visitor said today it might be pointless taking them as it's probably just a blockage and not an infection. I'm still taking them but will stop as soon as it's cleared up. And then there's the complication of the thrush baby has in her mouth. The antibiotics won't be helping that get better. And the health visitor thinks I probably have thrush in my breasts which means we're just passing it back and forth, with the antibiotics preventing any chance of it clearing. It's all a bit too much!!! At least my nipples have healed and the main thing is baby is well and gaining weight. Been struggling to stay positive though.

Hope all mummys and mummy's to be are doing well, sorry to bring the mood down!

 

[minimoocow]

Pusscat . . . it didn't take long for that to slip out . . . like the next paragraph! Beautiful name though - its on DHs wish list if we ever have a girl!
As for the rest - sounds really painful hope it all clears up soon. Have you tried any BF groups? I think there are loads around here and some ladies think they are great for sharing tips to eliviate the pain.

Smawfl - lovely story. Sounds like a really peaceful experience (if thats possible?!)

AFM I think I OV yesterday, I've started temping again and we are back to actively trying so hope to join you ladies soon!

 

[Pusscat]

Oh dear Well there you go, that's solved that one then!! I'm planning on going to some bf groups once dh returns to work. Quite a few around here so hopefully will find one I like.

Good luck with this cycle. You will have a lot of experienced advice on here to call upon once you get that bfp and the resulting baby!

 

[smawfl]

Hi Ladies

Hope everyone is well! I'm feeling good here. Getting used to life with our baby and loving every minute.

Seaweed - we went through a cluster feeding phase here too, was difficult but Baby Smawfl has now settled into feeding every 3.5/4hrs which gives us some rest throughout the night. How's the heat?

Pusscat - gorgeous name! Well done on the weight gain! At the last weigh in Baby Smawfl was back up to birth weight after dropping 9% which we're really pleased about.
Sorry about the mastitis and thrush! Try to stay positive, definitely sounds like you're doing a fab job if she's putting on weight

Mini - yep the birth was very peaceful I really couldn't have hoped for a better experience
Yay for OV, and I'll be stalking your chart if that's ok Good luck for this cycle.

How is everyone else doing?

 

[minimoocow]

I'll be stalking your chart if that's ok Good luck for this cycle.

All stalkers welcome! Its going to be really nice having so many friends to ask questions (and when I do finally get a lo you'll all have been through the tough times and will be able to guide me so its all wins from here!!!)