posted
You'll be in my prayers, divaesefani. Can't wait to see pictures.
SO, I am so sorry. The loss of emotional control is really hard for me to deal with, so I can relate. Can you nap during the day? That helps me a lot.
Posts: 3037 | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Everyone loves being pregnant. There's something special about carrying that little life around and feeling them kick, etc. Everyone hates being pregnant, the annoyances are too numerous to mention!
It's a long journey but it's worth it... and it's even better when you have friends to share it with (and gripe to )
Luckily I mostly remember the good bits once it's over.
Posts: 251 | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
My dr. appt. today went well. Baby's heartbeat is good and I'm measuring right where I should be. The only downfalls were the fact that I have a small separation of my upper abdominal muscles (doc said it was fine, especially since it's above my belly button versus below) and the fact that I'm anemic. So, it's back on the disgusting icky iron supplements. I hate them. I stopped taking them because there are so many restrictions and I started eating meat, but the dr. just said to ignore the restrictions and take them. Her point was that some days I might not absorb all of the iron, but either way I'd be absorbing *some* rather than none. Makes sense I suppose.
Mrs. M., I can nap during the day, but I try not to. If I nap during the day then I sleep even worse at night. But I will continue to empathise with you regarding the emotional control. I know that fatigue makes it worse; it's such a vicious cycle!
*waits excitedly for pictures/news from divaesefani*
I had seperation of my abs a previous pregnancy. You can do some special excercises to help with that during pregnancy. They are like crunches (of course sit ups are out past 5 months! ) where you support your abs with your arms crossed over your tummy. I wish I could find a good web reference for you to look at but every hit I got was about newborns.
From your description I had a worse seperation than you but continuing the supported crunches post partum until the "bulge" was gone and following up with sit ups every day corrected it nicely. No sign of diastasis this time but I have been doing the crunches all through this pregnancy. I'm sure yours will resolve nicely too!
posted
Thanks Miriya! It's reassuring to hear that the muscles will get back to normal. One of my books said to do "leg slides" and I also plan on being more careful to use my hands/arms to help me lie down and get back up instead of straining my abdominal muscles.
I forgot to add in my earlier post that I began having braxton hicks contractions this week. It feels very odd because I barely had any, if any, with my older children. I've been having at least 3 a day this week. Pregnancy reminds me of raising more than one child - you kind of know what's going to go on during it, but it's always different each time.
posted
SO, ask your doctor if you can take extra B-12 supplements. I'm very anemic most of the time, to the point where the Red Cross turned me away 7 weeks in a row as a donor. I was taking multivitamins and extra iron the whole time.
Then one of the nurses suggested that I try B-12. She said it helps your body absorb iron better. Guess what? Within 3 days my iron was up, I had more energy, and I was sleeping better too.
The last time I donated blood I was in the middle of a menstrual cycle, and my iron was fine. I don't take extra iron anymore, just my multi and B-12.
IP: Logged |
posted
so this is kind of off-topic, but i thought of this when i read the first post from this topic.
when i broke my arm several years ago, i got sick of everyone asking me "what happened" or "how did you break your arm!?" so i wrote "i was playing football and my (huge) friend fell on me" on the cast and would just hold it up everytime someone asked me.
Posts: 217 | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks for all the well wishes. We made it through!
After stopping for a quick check at my midwives, we headed to the hospital and got all checked in and such. I used the jacuzzi tub (wonderful!) and then later got a low dose epidural for the pain.
After almost 20 hours of labor, and being 9 1/2 cm dilated, my midwife had me bearing down, trying to get baby's head to press more against my cervix to finish dilation. Each time I did, baby's heart rate would drop, but then recover. One time, it dropped below 60, and wasn't recovering, so they rushed me into an OR for an emergency c section. Luckily, I already had an epidural put in, so they just gave me more drugs, and didn't have to knock me out. Which was excellent, because I really wanted my husband in the room, and if I was knocked out, he wouldn't have been able to be there. Anyways, it turns out that the cord was crowned on top of his head, and then wrapped around his neck, so that whenever I pushed, it would cut of the cord. So it's good we could get in for a c section so fast.
Tyler was born August 10th at 7:25 pm. He is a healthy 8 lb 14 oz baby boy. Baby is doing great and Mom is trying to recover! But we are all happy and plugging through each day an hour (or a nap) at a time!
On a side note, any words of comfort for my milk still not being in 5 days after birth? We're having to supplement formula through a syringe right now, otherwise he'd starve, since he's so big. But I really want to breastfeed, and I'm beginning to wonder if my milk will ever come in! He still latches on every feeding and has excellent suck, and I've done some pumping, so I have plenty of stimulation. Any advice?
Posts: 161 | Registered: Jul 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Congrats!! He's absolutely beautiful, and I'm glad you both made it through the birth okay. Have you contacted your local La Leche group? They will have tons of great information on breastfeeding for you. You might also post a shout-out to Ela here on the board. Good luck, and don't give up! I'm afraid I don't have any first-hand info to offer as I never had any problems with milk coming in, but I'm sure it will come in eventually. Enjoy your boy.
posted
Yay diva! Your story gives me pause about my strong desire to go natural. If your situation happened to me, I might have to have general anesthesia. I guess you never know.
quote:Any advice?
Herbs. They may not help every case, but I can attest to the fact that they do have an effect. When you look at the different kinds of herbal teas that they sell in most average grocery stores and certainly in health food stores, there is usually one called "Mother's Milk" or something to that effect. The herbs help stimulate milk production.
Every time my daughter hit a growth spurt and needed more milk than I could keep up with, this really helped. I imagine it could also help in a woman who's supply had slowly creeped too low (as happened to me with my second baby--but I didn't know about the herb yet!)
As you search the web, you may find even more info.
Unfortunately, what works for some doesn't work for others. And there are women who for whatever reason cannot breastfeed--even though they would like to. I do hope that your milk comes in and that everything goes as you hope. Either way, enjoy your new son!
Posts: 7050 | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
Please find a La Leche League Leader local to your area and discuss your milk supply problems with her. She will be able to discuss exactly what is happening and give you information to help you. It may also be helpful to have a La Leche League Leader or Lactation Consultant observe you breastfeeding to make sure the baby is latching on and sucking effectively. You can find a Leader close to you by searching here:
A La Leche League Leader will be able to refer you to a Lactation Consultant if she thinks that would be beneficial to you.
Also, check out these articles on the "early weeks" of breastfeeding. They have information that will help you understand how to increase your supply and how supply and demand works, especially the first four topics under "The Early Weeks."
Just as a general overview, the more often your baby is on the breast, the quicker your milk supply comes in. A normal newborn nurses every 2-3 hours, at least 8-12 feedings per 24 hours. You should not time your baby at the breast - allow the baby to finish on one side before switching to the other side - but do make sure the baby is actively sucking and swallowing, not sleeping at the breast. Baby’s swallowing sounds should be audible as the baby is breastfeeding. The length of a feeding may be 10 to 20 minutes per breast or longer. Also, make sure the baby is getting a big mouthful of breast, covering as much of the areola (the darker area around the nipple), as possible - hold the baby in very close, belly to belly with you (assuming the cradle hold), so that the baby's nose and chin are lightly touching your breast.
A word about supply and demand: The body gets a message about how much milk to make when the baby sucks effectively on the breast. That's why frequent nursing makes the milk supply come in and get established earlier. If you give supplemental bottles of formula because you think you don't have enough, it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, because the baby sucks less at the breast and your body gets a message to make less milk.
You can tell the baby is getting enough by looking for the following: The baby should have a least 5-6 wet disposable diapers (6-8 cloth) and 2-5 bowel movements per 24 hour period. The baby should gain at least 4-7 ounces per week after the fourth day of life. The baby will be alert and active, appear healthy, have good color, firm skin, and will be growing in length and head circumference.
Feel free to email me or IM me with your questions. I am a board certified lactation consultant and a mother-baby nurse. Email and AIM in profile.
Hope the breastfeeding will work out well for you.
Posts: 5771 | Registered: Nov 2000
| IP: Logged |
Boon
unregistered
posted
I have in my possession a mostly full box of Mother's Milk tea that I'd be happy to send you if you'll send me your address.
IP: Logged |
posted
Thank you for this thread title! I remembered it today when my girls in class were comparing bellies and I heard "you're so small" or "you're HUGE!" too many times. I told them that everyone was just the right size for their baby and from now on we'd tell each other that. Some of those who had been constantly reminded of how huge/small they were breathed a sigh of relief.
Posts: 862 | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks everyone for the advice. My milk production has gone up in the last few days, enough that we are able to wean off the syringe supplement (which was only 5 cc's anyway). I saw my doctor today, and Tyler's weight gain is fine. I had a consultation with a lactation specialist today, and I'm starting to attend a breast feeding support group on Thursday. So everything is going better! I appreciate everyones advice so much. It really has been helpful in making me more comfortable and confident with this whole breast feeding thing.
Boon, thank you for you offer, but I haven't met a tea that I liked. I am now taking fenugreek on the recommendation of my doctor, so that should hopefully accomplish the same thing. I really do appreciate the thought and the offer, though.
I'll keep you all updated on how this saga plays out! Thanks again, everyone!
Posts: 161 | Registered: Jul 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Okay, question for those who have had babies before. I went to the dr today and he told me that I'm 1 cm dialated, so it won't be too long. I'll be 38 weeks tomorrow. My question is this: what does it mean that "it won't be too long?" Does it mean that I should expect to progress to active labor in the next 24-48 hours? Or that I have under 3 weeks until delivery? I know that labor is different for everyone, but I'm just curious about your experiences, as this is my first child. Also, I think I had some contractions last night, but I'm not sure. I mean I guess I've had contractions, because I've started dialating, but I don't know for sure. Anyway, any ideas anyone?
Posts: 77 | Registered: Feb 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
seespot, I'm sorry to tell you this, but there is *so* no way to judge when you will deliver based on dialation.
I was dialated to a 6 for a couple weeks before I gave birth, this last time. Of course, the birth went a lot faster that way. I figure, as much of the dialation as you can get out of the way ahead of time, the quicker/easier your birth will be! ^_^
Medical science still knows very little about why women go into labor when they do, but I think they have noted that the baby itself sends a chemical message of, "I'm ready!" that interplays with some other things in the mother. But if you are a first-time mother, early dialation may mean earlier labor/birth. I have heard (don't know if it is true) that effacement at this point is an even better indicator in first-time mom's of birth not far away.
I had the worst time trying to get my most recent (my third) to come on her own! (My midwife kept telling me I could go to the hospital any time I wanted, they wouldn't turn me away considering my dialation--but I didn't want it to be like that.) I tried everything. I think she was just so comfortable in there, she didn't want out.
Someday maybe medical science will be able to predict these things. But for now it is a mystery and expectant mothers get to be kept in the dark as to when.
Eh, at least we get ultrasounds. Posts: 7050 | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Congratulations divaesfani! Tyler is beautiful.
I hope you're having more success with nursing. I echo the recommendation to find a local La Leche league group. The support is very helpful. Good luck.
Posts: 251 | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Seespot: I wouldn't expect that a 1cm dilation meant that labour was at all imminent. Many women who have previously given birth vaginally are at 1 or 2 cm long before labour is coming. Even with a first baby it can take weeks to go from 1 to serious labour.
I second beverly in that I think effacement is also a better predicting factor. I started dilating well before true labour in previous pregnancies but I remember that my midwives were here to stay once I got to that elusive "almost paper thin" stage.
Posts: 251 | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
seespot, yes..what they said. Sorry. You're so close though!
diva, I'm glad the breastfeeding is working out!
Well, I woke up at 5:30 this morning burning up hot for no reason and with terrible heartburn. Looks like a nap will be in order later this afternoon!
I've started nesting in a major way. Mr. Opera has had to remind me that it's ok if I forget to buy something for the baby and promises he'll run right out and get whatever I forgot. I have a running list of things we still need, and the list is down to only about 5 things. I'm cleaning like crazy and trying to get everything ready, but every once in awhile I experience a feeling of unreality, like, "Are you *sure* we're having a real baby?"
posted
We had our u/s to verify the due date today. The doc actually changed the due date to 3/2 (from 3/8). He said he doesn't usually change it if it is within a week, but because my cycles had been short he went ahead and changed it. We will try to scan one of the pics and put it up at Foobonic soon.
Posts: 399 | Registered: Sep 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Okay, another question from first time mom-to-be.
If I don't have a big gush, how do I know if my water has broken? I think it might have, but I'm really not sure. If it has it's a VERY slow leak. I'm going to see the doc this afternoon. Can I wait until then?
Posts: 77 | Registered: Feb 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I would call your doctor immediately. If you think you are leaking amniotic fluid, I'm willing to believe you are. They can test the fluid pretty easily to know.
Posts: 7050 | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Agreed. Although if it's very slow (a few drops every so often) it may be able to wait until this afternoon, wouldn't it be better to check with your doctor by phone now? It's normal office hours now, neh?
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
There is a spotlet. . . my beautiful daughter Abby was born on August 30 at about 5 A.M. After several hours of labor and 2 hours of pushing, the dr decided that a C section was necessary. The baby hadn't made any progress down the birth canal in 2 hours and her head was swelling. She was face up instead of face down which was problematic. However, both mom and baby are now home and happy. We've been home for about 10 days and my mom just left today(very sad). I'm now adjusting to her eating and sleeping habits. My husband has been wondeful and as helpful has he can be.
Oh! Abby weighed 7 lbs 10 oz and was 21 1/2 inches long. She is absolutely beautiful. Once I get pictures posted somewhere I'll give you guys a link. That way you can see the princess, if your interested!
Thanks for everything, guys. I hope all of your pregnancies continue to go well!
Posts: 77 | Registered: Feb 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I just had my doctor appt. We finally got to hear the heart beat. It was between 145 and 150 (another boy according to the old wives tale). According to our home scale I have gained 3 lbs. According to the scale at the doctor's office I haven't gained anything. The doctor actually congratulated me! I guess since I weigh as much now as I weighed at the end of my first pregnancy he isn't concerned about me not gaining weight. He said we can have the next u/s in 8 weeks (I thought it would be 12 weeks). Woohoo! One less month to wait to find out the sex.
Posts: 399 | Registered: Sep 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Mama Squirrel, that's so exciting about the ultrasound!
I had an appointment on Friday; dr. says baby is doing great and probably about 5 pounds. All of my bedrest restrictions have been lifted, so that was really good news.
However, I still don't recommend preterm labor to anyone. It messes with your head too much. I was all content to wait another 7 weeks before I went into labor, and now the thought of waiting another 4 if I go full-term makes me very grumpy. It doesn't help that everyone is already on "baby watch" - which ususally doesn't happen till later. This morning we went to the bakery for doughnuts and the lady asked me when the baby was coming. I actually said, "Never. He is *never* going to be born." Luckily she understood and just laughed.
I did buy a really cute pair of baby shoes yesterday though. Retail therapy is always helpful.
I know what you mean about messing with your head. I never had real preterm labor, but with child #3 I was showing signs of going into labor at about 37 weeks.
Tricky child finally showed up at 42 weeks, literally less than 24 hours before my scheduled induction. FIVE weeks of "any day now!"
posted
They do have a way of doing that, don't they rivka? My labor with Superstation started exactly 12 hours before we were supposed to be at the hospital to be induced. I jokingly told the nurse she could cancel my induction for the morning sometime during my very short labor.
Posts: 399 | Registered: Sep 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ok, I was actually so upset about this that I couldn't post about it till now!
Sunday night I ended up back at the hospital. Contractions were 6 minutes apart when I went in, so they ran a bag of IV fluid just to see if hydrating me would make them stop. It didn't, and the dr.'s instructions were that the baby could go ahead and be born. Once we discover the contractions aren't stopping and I've been checked (effaced but only a fingertip dialated) the nurse tells me I'm going to have my baby the next day. They put me in a birthing room and reserve me a post-partum room. They also have me fill out birth certificate info and various other kinds of paperwork.
Overnight I continue to have contractions going down at one point to 3 minutes apart and reaching the top of the monitor. The dr. checks me in the morning....and there is almost NO cervical change. I didn't even know you could have contractions like that and not end up with a baby! So, of course, I was sent home (which I suppose is better than being given a pit drip!!). The dr.'s prediction is now that I could easily go this week. She said the baby's head is really far down in my pelvis, so any activity such as walking will help me progress. She said if I rested I might have another week.
Well, I've walked over a friggin' mile every day, the week is half over, and I honestly think my baby is trying to drive me insane. Now not only is he getting a spanking immediately after birth, he is also getting his little crib thingy turned to the corner for time-out. I'm reminding myself that he isn't even due for four more weeks and that the dr. has no idea when he's coming anyway.
posted
I sympathize. I was checked about 6 weeks early because we were planning a road trip. If any dialation or effacement was found, we wouldn't go.
Well, they found some. So while I wasn't put on bedrest, I was told to refrain from all strenuous activity and stay horizontal as much as possible. My dialation steadily increased, till I was about a 6 for 2 weeks. As my due date approached and labor kept coming and going, I began to dispair that she would never be born!
My sister was moving out of state in just days, and I really wanted the child to be born before she was gone. My family was in town and their time was limited as well.
It finally happened the day before the due date. But it sure felt late after all the anticipation!!
Best of luck to you. Posts: 7050 | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
Child #1 was induced. So with #2, I was somewhat concerned that I wouldn't be able to recognize real labor (especially since I tend toward fairly intense Braxton-Hicks). But a day after my due date, I was having contractions 5 minutes apart. Like clockwork. And they were really no fun (although not really painful, just a little). Called my doc and headed to the hospital.
When they checked me I was 2 cm dilated -- but that had been true three days before at the doctor's. They suggested that I walk.
I walked. And walked. And walked some more. Contractions the whole time, and some of them really did hurt. Two hours of walking (I still sometimes see Cedars' hallways in my dreams), and they checked me again.
2 cm. I was ready to cry. They sent me home. (Which I agree, is way better than a pitocin drip, which I utterly loathe.) When we got home -- to tell my brother, who was babysitting, no baby yet -- it was almost time for #1 (who was a toddler) to wake up. We did manage to catch about an hour of sleep . . . and while I was sleeping, the contractions finally stopped.
When they started again five days later, I took quite some convincing to believe they were the real thing.
Moral of the story: if my contractions are regular, stay home. When they get irregular, it might be the real thing.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ladies, we have progress! I'm not too excited over it (since I know it could still be weeks) but it's nice to have something besides just contractions! Dr. said I'm almost at 2 cm., which she said was "a lot" of change in just 4 days.
One stressor taken care of is we were able to compromise on the hospital's policy of taking the baby on their first day for observation at the nursery for 3 hours. An order is now written up and placed in the nursery that Baby X is to have his hearing test, blood pressure check, assessment, and be returned immediately to Mom...an hour at most.
posted
The hospital that I delivered my babies in let the baby stay in the room with you for as long as you wanted. They only took the baby for the hearing test and I think there was another one but can't remember what it was now. They would also take the baby to the nursery if you wanted them to.
Posts: 747 | Registered: Aug 2004
| IP: Logged |
At my hospital, we had LDRP rooms, so they do all the initial tests right in your room. The hearing test doesn't even get done until the next day, so that's the first time your baby leaves. But I had the emergency c-section, so I got to kiss Tyler, and then not see him for an hour while I recovered. I wanted to hold him before they took him, but no such luck. Brian went with Tyler for that time, so at least he wasn't alone.
Question for ladies with kids: Did you miss being pregnant when you were done? I didn't think I would miss it, because I was so miserable at the end. Tyler is 6 weeks old now and I keep seeing pregnant women everywhere and it makes me miss it. Is that normal?
Posts: 161 | Registered: Jul 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Yep, that's normal. I looked at my husband while the baby was asleep the day after she was born, sighed in my hospital bed, and said, "I want another baby!" (Meaning, I wanted to have a baby moving around kicking me in the guts again.) I missed it. It's so hard to have them be part of you and then all of a sudden they're this seperate little person all their own! It gets better after a while. (And then it gets worse again. )
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
"One stressor taken care of is we were able to compromise on the hospital's policy of taking the baby on their first day for observation at the nursery for 3 hours"
Wait, why is that a big stressor? Posts: 1014 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Some women don't like to be separated from their newborn babies at all.
(Personally, I found it a nice break. I had them keep Ems while I had breakfast and a shower, and felt much better afterwards! But some women hear that and condemn me for it. I don't condemn them for not wanting to be separated, even though it's different feelings than I have. I wish they wouldn't me... Sorry for the tangent there.)
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I didn't miss being pregnant at all. It was even an easy pregnancy, up to the very end, but still not something I pine over.
My hospital also encouraged having the babies room with their mothers. They also had a strict policy that the baby was not to be left alone. So I took Cerra to the nursery when I took a shower. I also took her to the nursery at night, because I had had an emergency c-section and I was not capable of getting out of bed very easily. This way, they just brought her to me when she was hungry, and I called the nurses to take her away when she was done nursing. I should also mention that the hospital also had a very strict "no co-sleeping" rule, so there really wasn't any other option for me.
*shrug* Different people want different levels of contact. There's no need to condemn those who are different.
posted
Theca, kq is correct. I just don't want to be separated from the baby for a long period, particularly on the first day while we're working hard to establish breastfeeding. I think part of the stress was being *told* that my baby would be gone for 3 hours, not being *asked* if that was acceptable.
But, I totally understand people needing different levels of care and contact in the hospital. Heck, I sent Operaetta to the nursery in the middle of the night for a few hours because she wouldn't stop fussing and let me rest. The nurse came in and promised they'd take excellant care of her, and that I really needed some sleep. Good call, since I was going home with a newborn with an active 3-year-old to take care of!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Group Hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
It's a long journey but it's worth it... and it's even better when you have friends to share it with (and gripe to ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
)![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
) where you support your abs with your arms crossed over your tummy. I wish I could find a good web reference for you to look at but every hit I got was about newborns. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
You're so close though!![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
I'm cleaning like crazy and trying to get everything ready, but every once in awhile I experience a feeling of unreality, like, "Are you *sure* we're having a real baby?"![[The Wave]](graemlins/thewave.gif)
![[Wall Bash]](graemlins/wallbash.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Confused]](confused.gif)
