Due April/May 2016

Seems the new babies are keeping their mommies quite busy!

@ ninies, the babies are named, a sheep is sacrificed (the meat given as charity) and the hair is shaven on the 7th day. There is also a more "scientific" benefit for shaving the hair, I just can't seem to remember what it is.
But the next growth is thicker!
I agree about the motherly instinct!! We are still figuring out times, so we kinda go with the flow with bath time. Do you bath him everyday? I have been doing it every 2nd day but the spit up has increased and is getting into her neck rolls!!

I know I asked about UIF before, but what has everyone done? And if you go through an agency, what's the average charge?

@Monei - congratulations dear on the birth of your baby. You guys makes natural delivery look so super easy I am jealous I never had the opportunity to try. With my first born I had myoma's in my womb and that ruled natural birth out, so even if I wanted to I could not.

@Maj - May I ask why you have to shave the hair within 1 week? That is probably the reason why you guys have such beautiful hair.
I am glad your daughter is not jealous. See that is the difference between boys and girls. I also think girls have that motherly instinct so they naturally want to care. It is so cute and awesome.

I bath him between 2pm and 3pm in the afternoons. I suppose it could have an effect on sleep....He is usually lights out after the bath.

Yes can you believe - almost 6 weeks. We do vaccinations. And you? I know alot of people prefer the homeopathic way...

@Lolabunny - good luck for the last stretch.

Looks like we only have 3 more babies to be born in this group.

@monei congratulations!! Am glad they let you be even though your water broke and there was no progress!
My experience was similar with going into theatre and the transfusion, etc.
don't let your nipples get worse with the breastfeeding- sort it out now!!

Thanks ninies and lolabunny for the advice on the nipple cream. I have bepanthen, use very little as bum cream- though MIL goes to town and almost covers the legs with it- lol!!
I have started to use it on the nipples and things are improving!

My older daughter- she isn't playing up in terms of jealousy, etc. she adores her sister- wants to kiss her all day! And her sister must come and drop her off at school, see her while she is in the bath, etc etc. she loves changing nappies, taking out clothes, helping with the bath. it's more the attention thing: I must put her to bed, she won't eat unless I'm sitting with her, etc. I am trying to find the balance in attention, but it's a bit difficult while I am breastfeeding.
Last night though, my mum gave her a bath, and her dad put her to bed, so I guess she is adjusting.

The baby is one week old! I still at times cannot believe she is here!! And that she was in my tummy not so long ago! It's amazing!! For religious reasons we shave the hair at 1 week, so now I have a baldy-lol!

@ninies it's 6 weeks soon-wow!
I'm curious, is everyone pro-vaccination? Don't wanna create an argument about it though.
I have been bathing her in the mornings (about 11 o clock) though my mum reckons we should change to the afternoons so that she sleeps better at night.
Naseeha is not burping after every feed, then struggles to sleep, but wants to feed for comfort so that she can sleep, and the cycle continues!

@lolabunny- how's things going? BH still continuing? Why are you against a c-sec for all the wrong reasons?!?
Everyone also gasped and oohed and aahed when I went to the shops, etc. but I could not spend my entire day in the house watching the clock! And anyway groceries etc still need to be bought!

sorry for abrupt end. no power all day. laptop about to die.

Will catch up better next time.

Hope you are all good! Sending you love and light, esp LolaB-hang in there!

ladies, i had typed a novel of my birth story then connection disappeared and i lost it all. im almost in tears.

summary:

Thurs 12 may 4pm: water broke after lowest day of my pregnancy and a consoling soak in the bath
Carried on with evening, swimming class for daughter, walked around complex
Fri 13 May 4am, went to meet midwife at hospital for antibiotics(after 12 hours of broken waters to counter infection risk) and possible induction. Was 2 cm and postponed induction. Went home, slept.
later: prepped daughter for creche, slept. Walked to Mama Magic expo with intention of hubby picking me up en route. we went to buy the travel system at expo prices. Downloaded contraction timer on walk and they came rolling in
1pm, back at hospital for 2nd round of antibiotics (8hrs after first) and possible induction- coz membranes were lost. was 5cm so agreed no induction needed. Laboured well using hypnobirthing relaxation and breathing techniques. at 7cm i got overwhelmed by short time between surges(contractions) and wanted pain relief. Was encouraged to try the hot shower with the birthing ball and then we'll check progress coz i might just get the natural i wanted. did that for an hour. was checked and then still 7cm. No ways! GIVE ME the pethidine!!! got it and things accelerated real fast. in a matters of minutes i was 9cm then next thing i really needed to push. so they stopped the running water for the water birth coz i was too fast forward for the tap. lol.

at 17:57 on Fri 13 May Mzi was born weighing 3.9kg and 52cm tall. Thanks to my midwife's coaching at the birthing(pushing) stage, i didn't tear. i did lose alot of blood. was monitored overnight and went to theatre next morning to find source of this blood. there was left over placenta at the top of my womb so they scraped me. got a blood transfusion after. Now on iron treatment.

We are well. Breastfeeding is bloody sore. perineal area is fine-got first poop today and no pain

Hi ladies,

@Maj - Congratulations on your beautiful daughter. She is a big girl and so pretty. Lots of hair. I think you have the biggest baby on this group.

Sorry to hear that your daughter is also playing up. My son is much better now. But some days I catch him trying to force the dummy into his brothers mouth...but not that gentle as we would do it...you know.
So I have no doubt that your daughter will get better with time. It is a tough one having two kids in the house, especially if you are breastfeeding - not like you can hand baby to daddy and put your daughter in bed if you are in the middle of a feed.

Good luck with the cracked nipples. That must be very sore. Try the medela nipple cream - small yellow tube, that is expensive but works wonders.

@Jaybee - congrats on the birth of Rosalie. Please post a photo when you have time.

@LolaBunny - Good luck with the last stretch! I am sure you cant wait for her to be born.

AFM - Luke will be 5 weeks old tomorrow. He is getting cuter and cuter by the day. He just drinks alot. I formula feed him now and he seems to be hungry every two and a half hours. Formula feeds are supposed to last closer to 4 hours. So I think either I have a very hungry baby or the formula is not nutritious enough for him. I will have a chat to his doctor next week at his 6 week visit.

What time do you ladies bath your babies? I bath Luke at 15h00 in the afternoons. But the bad thing is that I have to fetch my older son from school at about 16h30. I dont have anyone at home to leave the baby with so I have to take him with everytime and it is starting to get cold now.

How are all the other new mommies doing?

@Maj - omg what a gorgeous girl! Nothing is happening - just annoying BH all day and alot at night >_< everytime I get a twinge, I imagine this will be the start...10 seconds later, all good again. I think this little girl will wait for us to decide on Thursday lol! I don't even mind what we choose anymore - dead set against c-section for all the wrong reasons. Now I just want her out safe and sound.

My best friend just had a little girl and they have a 5 year old daughter - first few days were alot of jealousy, but they recommend that I allow my older girl to help with changing - pass the nappy, wipes etc. Help with anything baby-related to help her feel part of the process. It's going very well for them, so I am definitely going to give it a try.

You have to get bepanthen - it is the BEST nipple cream you will ever use and baby can drink right away, no need to wipe it off. It was the only thing I used for my daughter, bit pricey, but you only need a small amount to rub on the nipples. Put it on after she drinks, and inbetween as well until they start to feel better. Nipple shields will help too - I have not used them, but I know a few ladies who have. Even with a nipple shield - try some bepanthen, even if you get a tiny tube to test out. I PROMISE you that it will start working right away.

Good luck! I'm off to the shops...yes, my M-I-L already told me not to go lol! And already told me i HAVE to phone her when I get home etc...I think she had a mini stroke when I told her I'll be about an hour or so