Discovery Home & Health

hi all.

haven't been on because I had Luis JR on the 13th. here's my birth story....

well....on the 12th in the night i started feeling like i had a cold or something. felt very achy and kept shivering. had those "braxton hicks" cramps. nothing out of the ordinary. around 4 am they started getting stronger but i kept telling myself i would be over due and it was nothing. then they started to come back to back like 1 minute in between each one and i didnt know what was going on since i thought they would be 5-20 min apart if they were contractions. start to see pink blood first when i wipe, then on my pad. call the hospital tell them what's going on she sounds like its nothing but tells me to come in anyway.

anyway since luis didnt have a license and my mom was at her boyfriends and wasnt picking up her phone, i knew i had to drive myself( about 6 am). wow that was SO HARD! i was talking to myself telling myself to calm down luis was telling me to breathe but i was like shut the f UP!! i didnt wanna hear it (poor guy). anyway he kept telling me to pull over but that made me go faster because i knew if i pulled over id never get there. meanwhile these pains are really intense they wont go away. i dont get a break! i dont know whats going on because i never had the contractions that were 5-20 min apart these just kept going! so im still thinking im not in labor yet.
well i somehow manage to get to the hospital. they take me right in because at that point im crying. they attached me to the monitor (6:30 am) and guess what these are REAL! the doctor checks me and tells me im 7-8 cm in active labor. OMG!! i was so surprised! its like i skipped the 1st part!! i felt like i was losing it at that point i dont know how to explain it but i really dont know how i got through each contraction. anyway they kept getting longer and closer together so i got the epidural because i felt like i was losing it. they were SO intense and when luis just tried to help me i screamed at him!! so yeah got the epidural omg what a LIFESAVER! i couldnt have personally done it without it. anyway so like an hour after i get there they tell me ill have the baby by noon which surprised me because hes my first baby and it was so quick! i only started having pains at like 4 am. well then i have the epidural and by then im fully dialated. they tell me to push blah blash blah. his heart rate appartnely went really low as they were telling me i had to get him out now. i later found out they vacuumed him out (i was too distracted). was only pushing for 15 min and hes out. i have him at 11 10 am. no tearing or stitches or episitomy!! boy was i surprised!! the nurse kept telling the doctor to cut me and he kept saying no shes almost there (IM SO HAPPY HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT!) he was 7 lb 10 ounces. luis cut the cord. i guess they had to observe him because they didnt let me hold him for 5 min. i think it was because of his heart rate. anyway it happened SO fast. didnt feel real at 1st. he is so perfect! he latches on the only thing is my nipples are SO sore! my milk just came in this morning. he kept eating ALL the time i felt like he wasnt getting any. he actually does eat for at least an hour i dont know if thats normal? feel like im always feeding him.
question: does any of your babies cry when you put them down? (i.e. crib ?) or change them? whenever i put luis down he cries i feel so bad am i bad if i let him cry because i dont want him picking up bad habits?? i dont want him to think im neglecting him either.
anyway will try to put up pics if im still a member of that msn group. will write more later.

Wow - congratulations Ualreadykno on the birth of Luis Jr! TBH I am amazed he held on in there so long, you were having all those signs weeks ago and we've not heard from you since so I assumed he must've been born ages ago! Good on him for staying put and getting to such a great weight. Your birth story is really mad, I'm soooo glad I won't have to drive myself anywhere!

Man, we are rocketing through our 'due on' list. Scary.

Hi Paula, how are you adjusting to being off work? Hope things are going well for you. I heard (but need an experienced mum to confirm) that if you are 1/5th engaged, they write 4/5ths in your notes (as in, the MW could feel 4/5ths of the head). I checked my notes and it also says 4/5ths and the MW DEFO told me I was only 1/5 engaged. So don't panic about an imminent birth - unless I'm wrong of course! Hope your swelling's gone down now. What are your mat leave plans then?

Kate, so glad you are sleeping a bit better and it sounds like someone's doing a bit of nesting to me, getting all that stuff sorted!! What does clary sage do then, should I give it a try? So glad too that Ben has settled into his new big boy's room, bless him, that'll be easier when the baby arrives.

Angel, wow, another dramatic birth story, man you poor thing with the blood loss and how mad are you sorting the house, washing and kids out??!! I did give a bit of an 'eek' at the turning at the last minute comment,as my tinker's back to back too....

Amy, lol at you and your comments as usual - doppler on the fanny bone made me LMFAO!! Am now on 1/2 a pineapple a day on your recommendation. Sorry bout the BF hun, but Ciaran's gotta be fed hasn't he? Your boobs will go down soon hun. Good news about your tummy, am greeeeeeen with envy!

Ok girlies, that's all who've posted since my last post so hi to everyone else. DH has just come in with tea so I'd better go. I've nothing to report anyway, I'm still here and am getting more tired by the day. Midwife tomorrow and I REALLY want her to say the baby's turned!

xx

hi everyone!

ualreadykno... congrats on your baby boy luis JR! what a fab birth story that was good going seeing as it was your 1st, i want one like yours!! when i read you drove yourself to hospital OMG and you were in active labour!! hope everything goes well for you great weight too!

sezzy... hows things going with you? been up to much? im lovin being off work! just the thought of not having to get up at 6:30am is bliss! need to make the most of that thou aye lol! i think your right about the baby being 1/5th wish they would explain these things!!! when i see the midwife in couple of weeks it is a new one so hopefully she will explain things a bit more better!
im taking 9months off work but haven't quite decided whether i will go bk to work part time or not at all. to be honest i think i will go bk to doing a few days a week...what are you planning on doing for mat etc? not long for you to go now is it how you been feeling? good luck wit ur midwife appointment 2moz xx

well i have just started to pack my hospital bag so getting there slowly lol and also took all tags etc of babys clothes all ready to get them washed up by the weekend.
popped out matalan today they got good sale on i bought a pretty bra and thong set of £2! and a nice black top £1.50 bargin lol and went trago mills bought some maple shelves to go in the nursery!
oh and just won a bidding on ebay for brand new tens machine got it for £26 think that particular one retails for about £50.

xxx

Hello girls!!..
How are we all today?

Ualreadykno.. Huge congratulations on the arrival of Luis JR!! How the hell you managed to drive at 8cm beats me!!
Crazy birth story!! glad it all went well for you and are enjoying him..
as for crying when they are put down, Mason does it for me! he would rather sleep in the bed with me.. and he screams when i change his nappy aswell, I am going to sit up with him on night feeds starting from tonight and put him straight back down in his moses basket.. i need to do something as i dont feel properly rested when he is in the bed with me.. its like i dont go into a proper deep sleep.
Dont feel guilty about leaving him to cry for a minute or 2, it wont hurt him and you aren't neglecting him either, mason doesn't have much choice, i have to let him sometimes as ive got the other 3 aswell, i'd never leave him screaming for more than a couple of mins though, i just cant do it!

Sezzy.. Hows it going? what did MW say today then? has bubs turned yet? I was eating whole pinapple by the end.. and downed a litre of juice.. maybe thats why he pooped??? nah! I bet he wont touch the stuff when he's older!! Holly hates the stuff too! the ther 2 love it..but then i never had it to kick start labour with them!

well, we are doing fine, Mason changes everyday now, its really sad and i feel like he's getting old already! i just want him to stay like this forever.. i get really upset sometimes coz i know he really is the last one. god i am soooo emotional its pathetic..
Other than that i feel fine, i weighed myself yesterday and ive lost 1st 8lb in 12 days which i am glad about. my belly is almost back to what it was pre-pregnancy but need physiotherapy for my stomach muscles.. they have completley left the building!

well, gotta dash, his lordship is crying for his mamma!!

back soon as..

Emma & Mason. xx

Hello lovely ladies, bumps and ickle babies

Sorry that ive been abit awol but I just hvaen't had five mins to post and even now Ive just sat down and Scarlett is now awake wanting another feed.....its never ending !!

SOOOO only have time now to say a quick congrats to Ualreadyknow, Kirsti and babyno5 on the birth of your bundles. I hope you are enjoying your new babies.

Hi there sezzy.....Hope you are making the most of your days off...Believe me sleep sleep sleep while you can LOL. Hope to catch up with you soon.

Amy...Glad you are doing well. I can totally understand about the breastfeeding, ive been having a really hard time with it the past week (was too quick to say how good it was going and jinxed myself) Ive had many a day sobbing with the nipple pain and Scarlett has also had some formula feeds to top up. DF ended up in Tescos at 4am the other morning to buy some just to settle her as I had been feeding for 3hrs!!!!! trouble is she likes to suckle even when she doesn't need feeding....i'm going to try and persevere for a little while longer in the hope it gets easier. Pictures are lovely, I had a peek on FB xx

Angel....another nipple sore lady hay??? I'm just finding that Scarlett wants to feed all the time. SHe was going every three hours but now its every two and she takes an hour to feed, how is Mason doing with feeding????? Its hard isn't it especially when you hvae other children.

right i'm sooo sorry but little miss S really is unhappy now so have to cut it there, hope to get back on to chit chat very soon.
Miss you guys...love to all Pobs xxx

Hi ladies, have only just got around to checking this thread out as have been off sick this past few weeks and you girls have been busy!!!

Congrats to Pobs, Babyno5, Angel, Kirsti and Amy on the births of your beautiful children... I had goosebumps reading your stories as I can't wait to hold my little beanie in my arms...

Lots of love and painfree labour dust to all those waiting to meet their little ones!!!

Lisa xox

omg I just lost my post . I'm so annoyed I'm not going to attempt it again and will come back later and also do stats.

But want to say congratulations to ualreadyknow on the arrival of Luis JR. Can't believe you made it to term, well done! and OMG at you driving in labour

Hi all, good to hear from our mums Pobs and Angel, glad you're keeping well. Pobs, LOL at Scarlett demanding her feed, doesn't she know you're posting???!!!! OMG at her needing feeding every 2 hours for an hour at a time. Seriously, how on earth do you cope? That means you only ever get an hour's sleep at any one time aaargh!

Angel, get you losing 1st 8 in 12 days, not surprised with four to run around after mind. hope getting Mason into a new routine of not sleeping with you is working. I bet you don't sleep when he's there, that doesn't surprise me at all, your subconscious must be making sure you don't roll over onto him.

Kate, GGRRRR at losing your post - this site is a nightmare isn't it?! Looking forwrad to seeing your news and also the stats.

Paula, fab bargains hun, specially the TENS machine. Hope we get some decent weather for you to dry the baby's things outside, they look so cute when they're out on a line!

Went to the MW yesterday and she thinks it'll be a while before this baby's born. S/he's still totally back-to-back unfortunately and only 2/5ths engaged. She also thinks s/he's about 8lb already but we all know they can be waaay off with their estimations so I'm not putting any faith in that. TBH, I'm not really having any signs, no show, not many BHs etc, so I really don't think Beanie's on the way either. But I want him/her to be. really badly! I'm going to go insane if I have to wait another 4 weeks (which would be the maximum)!!

Angel, you were right about how easy it is to get things going with other mums in the area BTW. I've only been on mat leave for 2 weeks and already I've started a coffee group with the girls from my antenatal yoga class. There's also an NCT coffee morning for my area which only started last Wednesday so I'll have been there from the start too. So all good really, all I need now is a baby LOL!!

Hope the rest of you are all okay

xx

STATS FOR FRIDAY 18TH JULY

BABIES DUE JULY/AUGUST 2008

++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++

Kirsten_p.. 42+1.. due 3rd July- GIRL

Pyjama girl.. 41+2 ..due 9th July - GIRL

Jessley2002..39+5 ..due 20th July - GIRL

Sezzywelshy..38+0 ..due 1st August - SURPRISE

Paula7...... 36+4 ..due 11th August - SURPRISE

Meadow..... 36+2 due date 13th August - GIRL

Katew1977.....36+0 ..due 15th August - GIRL

Emzieh.....34+3 ..due 28th August - BOY


++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++

Happy 38 weeks to Sezzy!!!
Happy 36 weeks to me!!!

BABIES BORN

POBBINS - SCARLETT DAISY, 8LB 3OZ, 2ND JULY

BABYNO.5 - ROMAN DEAN, 5LB 13OZ, 3RD JULY

ANGEL - MASON GEORGE, 10LB 10Z, 5TH JULY

KIRSTI - MASYN, 6LB 14OZ, 7TH JULY

AMY - CIARAN JACOB, 7LB 2OZ, 10TH JULY

UALREADYKNOW - LUIS JR, 7LB 10OZ, 13TH JULY

++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++

AMY'S PREDICTIONS

Pobs- 2nd July, 7lb4oz
Kirsten- 7th July, 7lb1oz
Angel- 9th July, 9lb2oz
Pyjamagirl- 15th July, 7lb8oz
Ualreadyknow- 19th July, 8lb1oz
Jessley- 21st July, 7lb9oz
Amy- 30th July, 8lb2oz
Kirsti- 15th July, 7lb2oz
Sezzy- 5th Aug, 8lb1oz
babyno5- 10th July, 7lb
Paula- 16th Aug, 8lb1oz
Meadow- 17th Aug, 7lb6oz
Kate- 19th Aug, 7lb5oz
Emzieh - ???

Hi ladies, I'll try again huh!

Sezzy, sorry bubs is still back to back and doesn't look like coming out soon. I can empathise with you i want my baby out as soon as I hit 37 weeks!!! glad you have made some friends, it really helps once the babies are born as you can share tips and experiences. I'm still in touch with a few ladies from my post natal group with Ben and really good friends with one of them.

Pobs, sorry the breastfeeding isn't going as well. Have you tried using a dummy between feeds, worked a treat with Ben as he was a very sucky baby. It did take a while to get him in to a 3 hourly routine but once I did it bacame a pleasure and I promise the nipple pain wont last long. Can you HV advise on positioning?

Angel, I wonder how I'll feel when I've had the baby as I'm not planning on any more after this. Well done on losing the baby weight so quick, I'm dead jealous your tummy is almost back to normal. Mine never quite recovered from Ben lol! Hope Mason settles into sleeping in his moses basket soon.

Paula, its excitong once you start packing the hospital bags and washing the baby clothes. I keep going in the nursery and gazing into the wardrobe, I can't help myself!!! its so strange seeing pink clothes too.

Amy, hope you and Ciaran are well x

Well I think thats everyone who's been on lately. Hi to everyone I've not mentioned. Maybe we'll get some girlies born soon, can't get over how its been mostly boys so far!

Well I'm ok, doing lots of tidying up but having to take it a bit easy. Ended up on the assessment unit again last night. Went to the loo and my wee was red , so phoned the hospital and they said to go straight in. DH was on the golf course but was home within 10 mins (pretty impressive!) but we had to take Ben as there was no time to wait for mil as had to be at the unit by 7.30. Anyway did another sample when I got there that was normal looking but apparently it was still showing ++blood so its gone to the lab. Baby fine on trace but I had 4 BH so they wanted me to see a dr. Waited for ages and they had to close the unit and transfer us all up to the DU as there were no dr's available. By this time its 9pm and Ben was getting ratty so I had no choice but to discharge myself as we are a 30 mile drive away. Anyway I'm fine, baby moving fine, its possible a bladder or kidney infection although I have no other symptoms. Will find out on Tues. Anyway the midwife called today to say she'd spoken to a dr who was ahppy for me to just stay home and keep an eye so I don't feel so bad discharging myself now. God I just can't wait to have this baby now lol

Well that was a ramble well done if you got this far. Better go sory Ben's tea and make myself a cup of RLT, I forgot yesterday with all the drama.

K x

Hey everyone,
Gotta make this quick as Mason is stirring now..

Sezzy.. How disappointing for you that bubs not arriving anytime soon..but you never know!! These babies have all got plans of their own and can take us by surprise! So glad that you have got the ball rolling with making new friends! thats great!!
Cant say that i put the weight loss down to running around after the kids.. I can just about walk!! I will say its the good old breast feeding lol!

Kate.. SOunds like you need to rest up now! easier said than done with a lil one i know, I also had ++blood towards the end whhen i was pg with holly.. they never found out why..??

Amy.. How is life with you? Hope you are enjoying feeding time better now! How are the boobs? Have they settled any yet?

Pobs..Ahhhh, my nipples are finally recovered now, but i am getting so tired of constantly being the milk maid.. As soon as i put him down he wants another feed and i feel like i am getting nothing done, i wish i could just sit there all day and feed him but i have had to run about with school runs etc, hopefully now schools finished i will be able to take things a bit more slowly.. As for night feeds i have been having him in bed with me but i need my sleep so made the decision last night to sit up and feed him and put him back to bed as soon as he finished..
So i went to bed at 10.00pm, swaddled him put him in basket although he was already asleep after a feed, and i have never done that he usually is in the bed then i fall asleep and wake up when he drops off the boob, put him in the basket then..
so anyway, lastnight he slept til 3.30am!! i sat up in bed and fed him for 20 mins, winded and swaddled him again put him bk in basket and he slept til 6.20am!! I was soooo shocked that he did it. but i dont feel refreshed or like ive had a proper sleep, i kept waking on and off even though he was asleep, dont know why..
so i will see if he can do it again tonight..
IKWYM about the suckling, mason does it aswell, and i think thats why he wanted to be in the bed with me..
I pull him off and then see if he will go bk on, if he is still feeding but just slowed down he goes back on, if not he just pulls a face!!
well, i wont bore you anymore! could go on forever.

well, he has settled down again now, so off to do the 3 monsters some ice cream that they have patiently waited an hour for,
None for me though,, it upsets masons tum..

Night everyone,
Emma & Mason. xx

Hi girls.
I can't believe where the time is going and Ciaran is already 8 days old.
He is fast asleep now and is due a feed soon so i expect he will stir very soon.
He is such a good baby though a feed and a nappy change and he will be back to sleep afterwards.
He is so chilled out!
The bottle feeding is going great guns i am so glad i stopped breastfeeding he loves the sma and dh can feed him too.
He won't settle easily until about 12ish but then he is fed and changed and he sleeps for 3 hours feed and change and sleeps for about 3 hours again.
So we are getting a reasonable amount of sleep.
My boobs are so much better now as well the implant look has gone and my nipples are returning to normal instead of bleeding seeping ones!
This is the 4th day and they already are loads better.
Anyway personals!

Angel- How weird my midwife told me about the cabbage leaves to sooth the swelling! What is the crack with that!
Have you had Mason weighed in again?
Ciaran is being weighed on Sunday and i hope he is just bigger than his birth weight but i think he is his face looks chubbier to me and he is enjoying his food now.
And wow what a birth story.
You lost about twice as much blood as me!
Contractions similar though mine were never more than about 5 mins apart and it seemed to happen quite quick at the end.
Weird feeling the head coming out but the feet hurt me the most as i thought he was all out and tensed right up!

Kate- I was on such a high after the birth it was painful but an amazing experience i didn't really get tired until the next day then it hit me big time.
These boys are coming thick and fast now it seems to be we are waiting on the girlies to arrive!

Paula- I totally recommend a warm bath every night for the first couple if days i am practically back to normal down there.
It is only a bit sensitive when i pee but not painful.
My boobs have stopped hurting in the last day or so and today they are loads better so it doesn't take long for me this is my 5th day.
The midwife told me not to touch them as much as poss and i smothered them in that Lansinoh cream and put cushioned breast pads on.
Also i had the midwife the day before i went into labour and i was only 3/5 engaged so you never know!

Ualreadyknow- Congratulations. Nice birth story!
Ciaran cries if we put him in his moses basket straight away at night we have to hold him for quite a long time and get him into a deep sleep.
He won't go in to his crib at all though i think it is a bit to open for him thank god for the moses basket.
We weren't even going to get one but we treated ourselves and it is the best buy of all.
Ciaran also cries when he is naked at bath or change time.
Some babies are just fussy.
I wouldn't worry about picking him up when he cries i am not going to leave mine there crying and getting himself all worked up.
It is too hard to teach a newborn that you won't pick them up if they cry i'll worry about it in a couple of weeks.

Sezzy- Def get that pineapple juice down you it can't hurt can it.
I bought my raspberry leaf tablets the day before i went into labour and never even opened them they were that good!
How you enjoying the being off work still?
I found it really weird to begin with and now i don't want to go back.
Anyway i had ages to worry about that.
And like i said to Paula i was 3/5 engaged the day before my waters broke you can never tell what will happen!

Pobs- Have you been slightly tempted to try a dummy?
We did the one time when my nips were at there worst as i just couldn't do it but i really don't want to go down that road.

Anyway ladies i hope everyone else is well and not getting too fed up.
It will happen soon you go from wishing the time away too wanting it too slow down.

It's my birthday tomorrow and i have bought Ciaran a nice birthday outfit for my day how silly is that!
I can't believe i'll be 28!
Catch you all later.
Lots of love Amy and Ciaran. xxxxxxx

Sorry to crash your thred girls, well done to you all ESP AMY, babe I am so sorry I did not know you had given birth to your beautiful boy, well done you. I hope it all went well, I have not been about things not good here.

Love Lorraine. xx

Where is everyone??
This thread is crazy one minute then nothing at all!!! cant win!!

Amy.. I dunno what it is with the cabbage leaves but apparently they work!! Ive not ever had to use them myself but my friend has and she said they worked for her lol! I'm lovin' my b00bies at the mo..! Would be quite happy to have engorged chest forever but unfortunatley it dont last lol!
I had Mason weighed yesterday by my naff HV, he is now 10lb 7 and a quarter, which i am happy with as he went down to 9lb 13 after he was born so he has regained his birth weight+ 6oz.
How on earth can you say the feet hurt more than a head!! The body just slithers out! What did Ciaran's head measure? mason's was/is 38cm and he was 57 cm long, on the chart for his height and weight etc he is still off the scale lol! looks like he's gonna be a big lad- but he will always be my lil man!

ok, he's just started screaming..gotta go

I'm here Angel! (((((waves)))))) Still here, still pregnant, beanie still not showing any signs of coming out :-\ Mason's really thriving isn't he, what a big man!! Glad you got a few hours uninterrupted kip last night, good for you

Happy birthday Amy!!! Have you had a fab day? It's my best friend's birthday today too but she's travelling the world at the mo so I'm missing her, she's in Fiji at teh mo I think, nice huh?! Glad your bóóbies are getting better hun.

Kate, what a worry about the blood again, and what a nightmare with the hospital. Hope things have calmed down for you now.

HI to everyone else, don't think anyone else has posted since my last post? Hope you are all keeping well, any other babies on the way?

xxx