Feb-May 2011 Mommies

Well that was possibly the worst experience so far! He totally refused the breast and after 2 hours ( yes...TWO full hours!) Of trying to get him onto the breat, switching to bottle etc etc then trying to do the feed by syringe, it was a disaster to say the least. Eventually gave into the fast flow teat. He was hysterical, I wanted to cry, DH went upstairs cos he was so sad to watch Matt and I struggling. It was awful and I thought "I can't do this..." So I called the la leche lady (LLL) to tell her what happened. Shame she was so nice and reinstalled some hope into me!
So next feed I am using the supplemental feeder taped to my finger (yes...my finger!) And trying to feed that way. So let's see how that goes down! She said if it doesn't work I must feed him in what ever way works to get through the night and she'll see me tomorrow if someone can watch her kids. I was so sad for Matt. He swallowed so much air from crying. I know some of u may read this and think its mean of me putting matt through all this. But part of me thinks a few days of torture is worth a year of breastfeeding?!

So DH was changing his nappy and realised there was poo up his back! So he was cleaning matt's back then trying to show me there was poo on the blanket and matt wee'd on him and everywhere. Hehe. I dunno how many times I've told him he needs to put the new nappy on asap and not just leave him lying naked.

Shame since my mom left DH has tried to be helpful (except when I was doing the BF attempt-he couldn't handle just sitting there watching matt cry and watching me struggle). He has learnt how to sterilise the bottles, give the reflux meds and prepare the milk for a feed. He also set up the table for dinner.

So I video'd my BF attempt to show the LLL. I will try post it here tomorrow so u can see just what a temper this little boy has! He is so strong willed. DH says he gets that from me!

BettyF nice u started maternity leave early!!l

Lucy how are the nipples?

PLEASE someone give me anje's number!!

Rakker, Claire- how are the new moms doing? Can't wait to see pics! You must be loving your bundlesxx

Schatsie - stunning pics! The blanket you made is very precious. Love it!

Mistymom- glad you have gotten a date. I got a very similar story on Wednesday, so I will probably get a date for either the 3rd or 5th May - if nothing happens naturally. Although I really am hoping that something happens naturally...

Meags, how are you coping without your Mom? Hope all goes well with la leche lady. Your pics are so beautiful. I am looking forward to my new born shoot- provisionally booked for 5 May
Never did one with my Matthew

AFM - had office breakfast yesterday, got spoilt a bit more by my work colleagues! So very nice!
Got told that our office will be closed on Tuesday! So I am officially on maternity leave.... I eventually made it
Never got to do any form of hand over and / clear out my office at all, but anyhow- nothing I can do about that now.

Meags- what precious pics. M is very photogenic. Well done on getting more milk down.

Misty - I would try natural if it happens before tues. But have c sec on tues if nothing. But good luck on deciding. Tessa is 3.8kg now and still fits new born size. The 0 to 3 months is way to big.

schatsie lovely photos

amy - I have emailed you

mistymom - I will be around! no public holidays here

newyum mum - please make sure you do weekly (if not twice weekly) appointments with your gynae to check fluid and placenta. I know you are saying you are 39 weeks, but rather be safe. after 41 weeks it becomes risky for the baby to stay in without being monitored.

AFM: mom left about 2 hours ago. she cried shame I feel sorry for her. she has been here since the birth, all day every day, night feeds etc. now she has just go back to having no baby around.
I called the La leche league lady. got strict instructions...
have to carry matt in sling for as much of the day as possible. he must only be in a nappy and i must be topless. I must pump until letdown then offer him the breast. if he refuses, offer him slow teat bottle. if he refuses, offer him breast. suppose to go backwards and forwards like that until he takes one of them problem is he is so stubborn and will fight that slow teat easily for an hour or more, exhaust himself and then go to sleep, missing a feed. I told her I am not prepared to do that since he needs to gain weight...
so if both fail, he must lie against the breast and I must drop milk into his mouth with a syringe. all these feeds must take place with him in the sling.
this seems like really hard work....but I'm willing to give it a try.
going to ask her about the night feed as DH is doing that for now and quite honestly, I dont want to spend 2 hours at 3am trying to fight with him...also wonder what I should do if we are out and he's due for a feed...not willing to sit there with him screaming in public non stop!!!

will meet with her soon too. she wants to check his mouth...see his tongue after the snip, see the shape of his palate etc. she is apparently the "last resort". people are only referred to her when the other consultants havent succeeded so I hope she has some tricks to help!

still havent called the midwife about the problem down there...Really need to. that wound should have healed by now. I am so worried something major is wrong in such a 'vital' area!!!

attaching a photo here. DH was teasing Matt and put the toy in his hand and obviously with the grasp reflex he wouldnt let go!! poor thing!

oh and also some pics of DH sleeping with Matt after an "exhausting night feed" and some newborn shoot photos

Evening all. Hope everyone is doing well.
Misty its great to see that you taking things positively and as they come. I agree that should nothing happen by Tuesday then maybe a planned c section would be better. But either way things always work out for the best. My thoughts are with you. its not the easiest decision when you wanted a natural llabour and there are positive and negative factors with both modes of delivery. But its great that you positive. And you right that at least you now have a end date. Yay!!! Good luck.

Have a super weekend all.
Gotta run

Cath and newyum mum - thank you for your kind words.....what I have decided is that if labour starts natrually before Tiesday then I will "try" labour for a few hours and see what happens (deep down I do know that this baby is big and with my previous fracture of pelvis i will probably have ahuge struggle) but will prob land up having an emergency c section.

If nothing by Tuesday then i will have a planned c section on Tuesday afternoon. The doc is not putting any presure on me...he has left the ball in my court and is quite happy for me to wait until next Friday (when i will be 41 weeks). One reason I od not want to wait until next Friday is that my sister is here from Dublin and leaves on 2 May and i would like her to have a few days with baby. ANouther reason is that i know 100% that tomorrow is 40 weeks and doc said that the baby is ready any time to come out (if i want).

Newyum mum - re my pelvis...nobody can say f0r 100% but it was shattered with hairline fractures 15 years ago and doc said that when it "meanded itself" (like ribs you cant put in cast etc) even if some fractures fused just a few mm out it can cause problems with baby. SO more than likely it is playing a role with baby not engaging.

Cath you are so right with been able tohave a positive c section like you and schatsie (and many others). I have spent the night reading birth stories and threads about them and feel well educated now (you just have to love mommie!!!!!). I am not scared and am embracing this new turn of events in a very positive way (YAY AT LEAST I HAVE A DEALDINE DATE!!!!!!).

lol...have just been in bursery again and repacked my bags (lol of cors everything there and nothing changed but just feel prepared doing it). Baby has also been moving around loads tonight...think he/she is also excited that the time is almost here! SHame poor little chipolata has probably been trying fo days to move further down my pelvis but is just to big! SO instaed is dancing from side to side.

Wow so anywhere from 3.7kg to 4kg. I have only got one newborn outfit (2.5 - 4.5kg) fro coming home from hospital in...all other clothes are 0-3 so think that was good planning! Whats exciting is I have a whole draw full of lovely nutral clothes and as soon as baby makes an appearance DH and family and friends are all looking foward to buying some blue or pink!...

SO if I go in on Tuesday it means I come out on Friday, so miss teh royal wedding. Yay for PVR

Presume the thread will be quite over the long weekend so can see myself talking to myslef here all weekend. Its strange, teh last few dasy pre my appointment today I could not concentrate on anything but now that I have all teh facts I do feel loads better and in control.

I am just going to chill this weekend. We have no plans besides family lunch on Sunday so am ghoing to try just get as much sleep as possible.

OOOH and the easter bunny already has made a little stop here (DH said he was having a practice run!).

Good night all