August 2011 Whatever Ladies Having Babies - Page 11

[MovingMomma]

Piper Elizabeth is here!  Thurs at 2:32pm, 8lbs 3oz, 21in.  I called the mw & dh around 11am, but still thought it would be a while.  It really wasn't very intense...at each new stage I was like, "am I really here already?"  I went potty at 1:42pm & got in the tub after that.  My water broke w/the 1st ctx in the tub & I started really pushing after a couple more ctx.  I didn't have any back labor at all, & I think she actually swung around to the L, not the R like I was anticipating.  I did tear again in spite of  a very controlled delivery of her head while supported & in the water...I actually wonder if I tore w/her shoulders.  It's just 2nd degree & 3 stitches.  I'm staying in bed trying to keep pressure off the stitches as there's a good bit of swelling.  My mw was a bit concerned about how it looked yesterday but I think it's way better than it's been w/the other girls.  The girls came & watched after I was in the tub & are so sweet w/their new sister!   

[MarineWife]

Congratulations, Shannon! You sure do go fast, huh? Will you post pics for us?

I tore every time with all of my vag births regardless of my position, perineal support and being in water. With Kellen I was told I didn't tear until his shoulders because they were so big. I only needed one stitch that time and this time, though, so maybe it was better than with Ethan in the hospital. I don't really know how many stitches I had then. I just remember swelling up like a grapefruit and the nurse I saw for my 6 week PP check saying, "Oh my! What did they do to you?!" Not the greatest thing to hear at such a time.

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by MarineWife 

are they anti-homebirth? do they not understand that you are both being seen by the midwife quite often right now?

They sure are seeming that way.

It seems like they just want numbers.  They want his bili number, some sort of number for his coombs test (??) his blood type, how many vessels his cord was.  Insane stupid stuff.  I'm officially looking for a new ped or family doctor.

Originally Posted by MovingMomma 

Piper Elizabeth is here!  Thurs at 2:32pm, 8lbs 3oz, 21in.  I called the mw & dh around 11am, but still thought it would be a while.  It really wasn't very intense...at each new stage I was like, "am I really here already?"  I went potty at 1:42pm & got in the tub after that.  My water broke w/the 1st ctx in the tub & I started really pushing after a couple more ctx.  I didn't have any back labor at all, & I think she actually swung around to the L, not the R like I was anticipating.  I did tear again in spite of  a very controlled delivery of her head while supported & in the water...I actually wonder if I tore w/her shoulders.  It's just 2nd degree & 3 stitches.  I'm staying in bed trying to keep pressure off the stitches as there's a good bit of swelling.  My mw was a bit concerned about how it looked yesterday but I think it's way better than it's been w/the other girls.  The girls came & watched after I was in the tub & are so sweet w/their new sister!   

 I love her name!!!  Congrats and what a fast labor!!  Rest and enjoy her!!!

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes 

They sure are seeming that way.

It seems like they just want numbers.  They want his bili number, some sort of number for his coombs test (??) his blood type, how many vessels his cord was.  Insane stupid stuff.  I'm officially looking for a new ped or family doctor.

hm...i wonder why they want all of that. i have never been asked for any of that.

[AnnieA]

Congrats MM! Love her name! Enjoy your snuggly new one!

Baby_Cakes, sorry you're having so much trouble with your ped's office. Your DS does not even look yellow in the pics you have posted. My DD looked a lot more yellow than that and her bili level was only 10 at it's highest. The NICU doc said he wouldn't do anything to treat it unless it got up around 15 since she was a healthy weight and a term baby.

I know we all love our babies but I'm just SO in love with my DD! And she has become a total mama's girl. She will look up at me with this look of adoration and then grin and it just melts my heart! Good thing she's cute because she hardly sleeps so I'm not getting much done! Today I rocked her for two hours because she would fuss if I tried to do anything else! Still not able to get her to nurse but I offer her the breast every day. I have hope that she'll latch on one day.

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by AnnieA 

Today I rocked her for two hours because she would fuss if I tried to do anything else! Still not able to get her to nurse but I offer her the breast every day. I have hope that she'll latch on one day.

have you tried a sling or wrap of some sort? whenever i'm having a hard time getting things done, i put baby in my wrap and we're good to go. i can do jst about any housework with him in that.

also, what about one of those nursing tube things you wear with the tubes at your nipples for baby to simulate nursing. why can't i remember the name of that thing? anyway, that might get her to associate food with your breast and you could slowly get rid of the tube thingie.

[Kindermama]

Congratulations, Shannon! Welcome to the world, Piper! We need pictures.....I'm in major baby lust right now after seeing my boy on the ultrasound. 

Carrie- that's such crap! Man oh man. My 3 had jaundice and we just did sunlight. I didn't realize docs/nurses make such a big deal of it....I thought it was very common 

MW- okay, that made me laugh! That is definitely something I could see myself doing. Now you have me interested in those contraptions. I'm putting them on my list! 

[MarineWife]

kinder ~ here you go http://www.mymilkies.com/milksaver so far i've collected 1-2 oz. each time.

[AnnieA]

Finally on a computer where I can post a pic of DD!

This was when she was still in the hospital but after her surgery.

[onetwoten]

oh Annie, she's absolutely gorgeous. 

[AnnieA]

OK here's another one...just found it on my camera!

[AnnieA]

Originally Posted by MarineWife 



have you tried a sling or wrap of some sort? whenever i'm having a hard time getting things done, i put baby in my wrap and we're good to go. i can do jst about any housework with him in that.

also, what about one of those nursing tube things you wear with the tubes at your nipples for baby to simulate nursing. why can't i remember the name of that thing? anyway, that might get her to associate food with your breast and you could slowly get rid of the tube thingie.

I need to get a ring sling but I do have a Moby. She tolerates that some but sometimes, she just wants to be rocked. She wasn't sleepy, she just wanted that motion and to be held. I'm trying to just stay in the moment and enjoy being with her and not think about all the stuff I'm not getting done!

I thought about an SNS but she does not want anything to do with my nipples at all so I'm not sure she would even latch on if I was using an SNS.
 

[AnnieA]

Originally Posted by jeninejessica 

oh Annie, she's absolutely gorgeous. 

Thanks!

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by AnnieA 

I need to get a ring sling but I do have a Moby. She tolerates that some but sometimes, she just wants to be rocked. She wasn't sleepy, she just wanted that motion and to be held. I'm trying to just stay in the moment and enjoy being with her and not think about all the stuff I'm not getting done!

I thought about an SNS but she does not want anything to do with my nipples at all so I'm not sure she would even latch on if I was using an SNS.
 

Too bad you can rent a SNS to try it out. I bet they are expensive.

I'm surprised she doesn't like being walked around in the Moby if she likes being rocked. D likes to be bounced and he goes right to sleep in my wrap and will stay asleep for hours. I've even been able to sit down and knit a little with him in it.

[Baby_Cakes]

OH Annie she is precious!!  

Do you guys have a swing?  I know you don't mind rocking her.  I LOVE holding Finn.  But mama does need to use the bathroom and/or just have some me time for sanity, and the swing is so handy for that.

AFM - I think we are thru the worst of engorgement!  That was tough.  I was so emo.  

I have to look into reflux, Finn spits up after every feeding (my letdown chokes him out, too) just a tiny bit.  I don't know if it's reflux or normal?  I also think when he has a gas bubble that won't come out, he looks to nurse and nurse, and then it just makes it worse.  If he empties both breasts and is still looking to nurse more, I just keep trying to burp him, and hold off til I'm sure his tummy has settled, otherwise, he just spits up.  It's a bit frustrating!  I've started using the paci when this happens b/c he's looking for comfort sucking, but when he does that on my bewb more milk comes and he's like, "Oh, hey, yeah! Sure I'll have more!' and then barf-o-rama ensues!    Figuring out the balance is tough.

Otherwise...nm going on here.  Just taking care of Finn and Chris is really taking care of Nora.  It's actually working out really well, things are good.  No issues (yet) LOL!

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes 

OH Annie she is precious!!  

Do you guys have a swing?  I know you don't mind rocking her.  I LOVE holding Finn.  But mama does need to use the bathroom and/or just have some me time for sanity, and the swing is so handy for that.

oh, i always forget about the swing. i have one but haven't gotten it out yet. i don't know where i'd put it now. D is more alert so i have to put him in the bedroom upstairs with the door shut or else E and K will wake him with their noise. i guess i could see if he'd be happy to swing it for a little while when he's awake while i make food or sweep the floor.

I have to look into reflux, Finn spits up after every feeding (my letdown chokes him out, too) just a tiny bit.  I don't know if it's reflux or normal?  I also think when he has a gas bubble that won't come out, he looks to nurse and nurse, and then it just makes it worse.  If he empties both breasts and is still looking to nurse more, I just keep trying to burp him, and hold off til I'm sure his tummy has settled, otherwise, he just spits up.  It's a bit frustrating!

D has lots of gas but has only spit up once. i'm amazed! i do have to burp him when he first pops off because my milk comes out or he'll keep nursing and the gas is worse.

more questions about collecting and storing milk. how long can milk stay out at room temp? how long does it need to be cooled before it can be added to already cooled milk? is it bad if the milk collector is not completely dry from being rinsed or washed before i need it again and still has water droplets in it?

i wish this milk saver came with more directions. apparently, you can attach a bag to it and it will hold more than 2 oz. at a time but i can't find any directions on how to do that.

[Baby_Cakes]

Preferably, human milk should be refrigerated or chilled right after it is expressed. Acceptable guidelines for storing human milk are as follows. Store milk:

• at room temperature (66-78°F, 19-26°C) for 4 hours (ideal), up to 6 hours (acceptable) (Some sources use 8 hours)
• in a refrigerator (<39°F, <4°C) for 72 hours (ideal); up to 8 days (acceptable)
• in a freezer (-0.4 to -4°F, -18 to -20°C) for 6 months (ideal) up to 12 months (acceptable)

http://www.llli.org/faq/milkstorage.html

I'd let it cool long enough, maybe 4 hours, before adding it to already cold milk.  And it has to be a smaller amount than what is already cooled/frozen.  Does that make sense?

I don't think a few drops of water on the collector would bother me, I might make sure anything that's going to be pressed against my skin was dry to prevent yeast but other than that I wouldn't worry.  Sometimes the bottles I use are still wet on the inside before I put milk in them to feed the baby with, and that's the same thing, right?

[MarineWife]

Thanks, Carrie. Guess I could have looked that up myself. What I was wondering is if I could keep the milk saver on for the full 2 hours of one block feed to collect as much as possible. I wasn't sure if that was good for the milk. I guess it might be ok but not ideal. It's getting a bit annoying emptying it after every feeding and only having a little bit in there. I did not realize you weren't supposed to add more milk than was already stored, not that that is likely to happen anyway, but good to know.

I am able to wipe off the outside of the thing before I put it in my bra but can't really reach the inside. I'm wet all the time, though, so that doesn't really concern me. The plastic sticks when it's wet and that can hurt when I try to take it out.

I'm really upset right now. I've pretty much asked my dad to leave. I wasn't angry or mean about it but now I can't stop crying about it. He's not really being helpful and having him here is stressing me out. I'm too worried about my boys bothering him. He's not mean, per se, but he can be harsh and he's stingy. He doesn't understand kids being kids and thinks just about everything is bad behavior. He doesn't try to discipline my kids but I can see the disapproval on his face. I'm having a hard enough time dealing with my boys right now. I don't need another person around who might be making them feel bad, too.

This is the first time today I've been able to put D down for any length of time. Either E or K wakes him up because they are so noisy or his gas does. K is being a holy terror. He has completely regressed wrt using the toilet. I've had to go back to Pull Ups full time with him because he was even pooping in his pants and underwear. He had finally been using the toilet all the time right before D was born so I'm sure it's because of the new baby. He also has no understanding of being quiet or how the things he does wake the baby or that I'm not really able to do anything unless D is asleep and I can put him down. I've been losing my temper a lot over that.

[AnnieA]

Hugs MW. Sorry you're having such a tough time w/your dad. I can't handle grownups that don't understand typical kid behavior either.

DD has issues w/the Moby sometimes because she doesn't like her body being put in a position she doesn't want to be in. Not sure if that's a result of her hospital stay or if that's just what her temperament is. Also she tends to get hot if I leave her in there for a while. I guess because I'm hot?

She just slept (which means I just slept!) for almost 5 hours straight! I feel like I got a whole night's sleep! My breasts were killing me though!

[akind1]

Congrats Shannon on the birth of Piper Elizabeth! lovely name and fast birth! Hope your family is adjusting well.

JJ: Tomorrow is the big day! hooray! can't wait -

Annie - Ava is gorgeous - some babies are hot natured and may not want to be held as closely or as much. Kind of a bummer for those of us who love to cuddle babies! I have no words of wisdom re: getting her to latch, other than to keep offering. An SNS or Lact-Aid may help, don't know if either is rentable or not. and hooray on 5 hours of sleep!

MW: Sorry having your dad there is so frustrating. How long is he slotted to stay? if it is too long (more than a week?) maybe you should say, we've enjoyed your visit, but really, we'd be better off on our own? or something. Not surprised K fell back a little potty-wise; I think that's one reason I'm waiting until after the baby to go whole hog with DS. I hope he snaps out of it sooner than later. I know now why quite a few of my friends put their LO's that are 3 or so in pre-school for part of the day when a new baby arrives; gives you at least part of the day with just the newborn.

AFU: busy weekend. yardsaling, baby shower, shopping . . .got things I do need and want so that is great. MIL's family said they DO want to throw a shower (HA, I thought they would, she was just being weird) just have to pick a date. We've only got a little more than a month left (unless she's late), so hurry up people! so that's exciting. and I have a work shower coming up next Thurs. we need to get the washer and dryer switched out here with ours so I can prep diapers and wash some of the baby clothes.

Saw a friend of mine that just had her baby, and I think she does actually have some low supply issues, she's decided to FF instead of try to do both (it doesn't bother me as much when I know people have honestly tried to BF and switch to FF, then people who don't really try or stop for silly reasons) - so I got some more breast pump parts that she didn't and won't use. I like having extras. 

Baby girl is moving lots, but not really kicks, I have no idea what she's doing, but she switches from L or R often. hope she's burrowing down good.