Feb-May 2011 Mommies

wow Cath you just had a baby and you post TWO long posts!!! Well done!!

Have to say for the c-section mommies - (Cath I could have told you this actually!!) you are most likely going to stay in hospital gowns so you dont need to stress about pyjamas UNLESS you specifically want to change into your own pyjamas on day 2 post op.

Cath - as for the latching - remember, as new as it is to you, it is just as new to him! Although he has a sucking reflex, he also doesnt really know how much nipple to take it, how hard to suck etc etc etc. The first month of breastfeeding is really challenging. If you can stick it out for that first month, both of you will be pro's by then!

And as for his weight - ok yes he is on the smaller side but he isnt small for a newborn?! Average newborn weight at 40 weeks is anything from 2.5kg-3.5kg so what are those people on about???? Just ignore them. Some people are so rude and inconsiderate and really dont think before they open their stupid mouths!

Matthieu has been moving like crazy. But haven't had those pains again. I still not feel 100% though. Dunno what is going on or why...But I just feel 'funny'. Just dont feel myself. I think it's the lack of sleep. I am 200% exhausted. I really need a good night sleep which is obviously not going to happen. I am just so sore at night I could just cry and cry. There is no comfy position, I have tried sitting more upright, tried the left, the right, the back. I just cant win and it is really frustrating me.

Cath sorry about your experience of the c-section not being as expected! I think it doesnt matter how prepared you are (for natural or c-section) or how many times you have had either birth, something will always happen that is 'new' and 'unexpected'. But you're done now!!! And your precious baby is here And I am totally jealous. I really just need Matt to stay in until DH gets back from Germany and THEN I am going to be doing EVERYTHING to get this baby out before 40 weeks. I know it's terrible to wish away the last couple of weeks. And those weeks are when they grow and settle the most and prepare for the birth. But guys I'm lonely and I'm bored and I'm being selfish by wanting him out

So there is a gap in our gate that the cats could get through. So I bought a plank of wood and wedged it in there. Great. But it's not too steady. Well, Bling (of course) pawed the wood away and escaped! I heard the wood fall so I quickly went out and there was Bling roaming the streets, scared, tail all fluffed out and he was low to the ground, darting around. So I went ot get him and he disappeared into the neighbours garden. Luckily the wall is low so I went over and got him. But I really don't think I am going to win this battle of keeping my cats in the garden. In 1 week, Bling has found 2 ways of getting out...I'm really sad as if something happens to him or he gets lost, I'll be beside myself...

So now ladies hello again!

Kimika I just can't believe that re the medical aid, glad the one doc is cool about it but really as someone else said are we meant to sit outside til past midnight wtf?! It's really wrong and unfair and I hope you come right.

Joli, loving the pics of Callum him and William look about the same size although Callum may be a bit bigger. I am getting irritated with people remarking on how 'small' william is I mean really! The paed (quite rudely I thought, where do they get these people?!?!) said "Well! He is hardly a bouncing big 40 week baby" and I said quite correct!?!? He is not?!?!? How could he be when he was taken out between 38 and 39 weeks DUH!

Meags thanks again for posting my pics. How are you doing> Your pics of nursery are STUNNING!!! How is Matthieu is he still moving in that way? How are you?

Karin you sound so busy heavens, and you might be next how's it feeling like? Do you think it will be sooner than you think?

Jessica re the mother in law - trust me with my limited experience ONLY have the people you want there!!! Yesterday at hospitcal was such a pleasure and today too - my dh, my best friend ,my parents, sister and his brother and parents, the end! Next door this girl has people traipsing in left right and centre - some of tehm introducing themselves for the first time?!?!? Oh, I am such and such - and I'm like no thanks for me it's ONLY the special people I want around I dno't have the energy to be meeting with or chatting inanely to acquaintences!?

It's been a massive help obviously having the staff have william at night and bring to me when he needs feeding, etc etc and even so it's time consuming and quite exhausting learning everything shoo! Nappies, swaddling (still not got that, gonna buy the swaddling blankie!) cleaning breastfeeding, burping OMG it really is a full day - and that's WITH help LOL!

Scatsie, Fahaway< LUcy, Misty, Anje and all the moms a big hello! Dying to hear your news soon! Anje, I used the elizabeth anne but then also discovered recetnly the woolies liquid for delicates - just as good and cheaper.

Oh listen to this! In sandton clinic where I am - some staff great, some staff really awful - you really don' tneed to bring ANYTHING! SO much for my smart pyjamas I have not worn them once just the gown and my own silk type gown thing also they have provided ALL William's clothes and his blankets and toiletries hmmph, wish I'd known, that bag took me AGES to pack?!?!?!?!

CAthmx

Meags

Aren't you a superstar, thanks SO MUCH for doing that!!!

Now, I want to do personals and then I'll update all you ladies on my experience to date!!!! High points AND low poitns! William is right here next to me as I type the little angel.

just one thing -must say regarding the latching. He is so tiny (2.67 kilos not 2.7 as I thought) and he was such a trooper yesterdasy first try latched immediately BUT I did have a LOVELY nurse who helped. Then last night another nurse came and she tsked at my breasts and said HUH you'll never get him latching with those flat nipples!!! So I was like well he already did and she was most sceptical and unhelpful. Today the nice nurse came back and on shift and we did some expressing (still just collustrum, maybe milk tomorrow) and then a few hours later went back and she helped me with William and he latched again and did such a great job - this tiny little boy with my humungous boobs lol really opening so wide and sucking like a champ TMI! Just wanted to mention that cause it wasn't as straight forward as him just 'latching' I did have help and I'm still a bit nervous it won't last but the nice nurse is pleased!

My dh spent most of day with me today which was wonderful just gone now and felt very sad maybe effect of hormones/procedure, etc Also didn't sleep at ALL last night was so excited and mind racing. Still can't beliece we have our little boy!!!

Oh and the paed this morning said she was 'worried' about his weight and that she had recommended both formula and breastfeeding which is fine but I felt v uncomfortable with her using the term 'very worried' honestly!!! He is hardly the smallest baby in the world and is really working so hard at it!! Hmmph!

I will still do proper birth story suffice to say i was SHOCKED with teh c-section (planned) at how uncomfortable it was, how SORE I found the lumbar (not done anaesthetic hello!!!) and tugging etc etc and nausea with the anaestheti etc! I was just totally unprepared I expected it to be nothing - I know don't ask as if I didn't have enough info that it's a hectic op!

On the upside, I had no pain after (slight discomfort) the proc was 20 mins so 20 mins of discomfort is better for me thatn 10+ hours of pain. This morning I got up to go shower and the pain was excrutiating...but the 2nd time I got up was better and the 3rd and 4th time really 'ok' Just feels like a cut that is healing as opposed to insides being whats the Afrik word - uitgemergel!>? SO I'll write in detail but just to update briefly for those wondering about my c-section exp. They were incredibly 'efficient' and also tried their best adn did a QUICK job but local anaesthetic just didn't agree wtih me (felt incredibly anxious and wanted to punch the woman swabbing my stomach LOL!) so they actually knocked me out for a few mins LOL!

Anyway! Enough about me want to catch up on all the news!

CAthm
x
Anyway let me post this and then I can start on the personals!

Oh Cath... he is so cute, gorgeous and perfect! And yes, you look absolutely lovely and so, so happy! How wonderful for you, so happy all went well.

Meags - LOL at being jealous of the others that has their angels already... Im joining you on that!
Soon... time flies... soon our turn too!

AFM: I'm completely nackered... Just now finished my updates and recons that I needed to finalise... what a nightmare it was, so many bloody problems. Anyways, its done now, Im really tired, have a headache and still need to go buy some last minute stuff for my eldest daughter, she's going on a camp tomorrow till Friday.
Will catch up with you guys again tomorrow!
Good luck to all that struggles to sleep... (sigh) it's just our fate for a while.
Have a lovely evening.
XXX
Oh... before I forget, I'm still missing some of you on FB ... my name is Karin Meyer there.

Thanks for the pics Meags!! I agree Cath looks like one very happy mommy in the pics! And William so cute!

Cath you look SO happy in these photos!!!!! It is so beautiful and wonderful xx

sure Cath I'll do that for you now

Thanks for all the comments on my photos!

MistyMom does your house still stink?
Gardener coming today finally cats can have some soil!!!

DH insisting cats should be allowed to be 'free' and wander the streets - I am not having any of it...even leaning towards locking the cat flap at night and keeping a litter box just for the evenings. they generally dont use it at night anyway so it'll just be an 'incase' thing.

I think next is Jessica, then Karin, then Tazzy

Kimika sorry about your medical aid - what a pain!!!!!

Karin I also counted my wee breaks last night...but only 5 for me. Awake every 90 minutes though with pain in my ribs. My sleeping days are long gone.
All I kept thinking the whole night was "I am so jealous of Kimika, Joli and Cath who no longer have rib pain" haha

ok going to do Cath's photos now...