CARE Fertility Bulletin Board

spacebadger · 12 May 2011

Well hi everybody - I am pleased to announce that I gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl on Tuesday morning at 7.14am Smile

Her name is Lucy Anne (with Anne being my Mother's name) and she weighed 7lb 9oz.

Was quite dramatic in the end: Twelve hours after sending the above post I had had a show and was having contractions, was sent home from hosp at 2am ish because I wasn't dilated at all, was told it could still be days, then ended up having her on my bed at home 5 hours later!!! DH was a star, I had to shout him from the bathroom because her head emerged and he delivered/caught her as the rest of her came out!! The first response paramedic arrived about a minute later & then an ambulance. All was fine but crikey, wasn't how I expected it to go and somehow I managed to survive without any pain relief at all!!

I won't go on too much but suffice to say we are absolutely delighted, have never been happier and little Lucy is gorgeous and very loved.

Any signs for you Lottie?

SB
Xx

Caz1234 · 02 Jun 2011

WOW!!
How fantastic.....I bet it was scary at the time, but you must feel proud now its all over?
Did you have to go to hospital afterwards?
So there is just lottie to go now?
xx

LottieH · 23 Mar 2009

Congratulations SB Very Happy

and welcome to the world Lucy Anne Very Happy

What a dramatic entrance that was, I thought you'd be early though and congrats to your DH for the catch of his life Smile

As for me - I spent Monday signing on (that was funny - "When's the baby due?" "Wednesday" "Please don't come in next time as we've got enough problems here Smile

" ) and swimming, then Tuesday received a letter from HMRC saying they're going after the Liquidators of the company I used to work for for my SMP so Wednesday we bought a new printer and I spent yesterday printing bank statements and form filling so it's a good job baby's not come yet as I've still not got my maternity pay sorted!
I have the date for my sweep and probable induction - I really don't expect this baby to come out without some help! For now I'm keeping busy getting the house straight and all the reuasble nappies have arrived as have most of the things from ebay - I'm not bidding on anything else for now just in case.

I'm just getting bugged by eveyone asking if I've had it yet now .... I know they're only excited but the constant texts are annoying.

Time to go do some chores,
Take care all you new mummies Very Happy

Lx

LottieH · 23 Mar 2009

Lottie - 8-2-12 - Going for a surprise
Spacebadger - Lucy Anne born 7/02/12
Caz1234 - Charlie Edward born 10/12/11
Anniejohn - Ethan James born 23/01/12
CGW1972 - Amber born at 30wk+6

Helagba - 21-1-12 - It's a girl
Blueberry - 8-2-12
Crisi - 3-2-12

CGW1972 · 27 Jan 2009

OMG!!

I am so out of date and so sorry I've not been on the BB, life has been hectic!!!

Huge huge congrats to Annie and space badger, I am so pleased for you both.
I am "lol" ing at SB's delivery.....a bit dramatic, following in Caz and and I's footsteps in not doing it the easy way...I wonder what's in store for you Lottie!!!!

Can't stay on, I promise to sign on yo the laptop very soon so I can read the back posts and do more personals.

Love to all
C x

spacebadger · 12 May 2011

Hi all,

Thanks for all the welcomes for Lucy, she is settling into life well. In fact, she's been fast asleep since 6.30 so this is her longest stretch of continuous sleep yet! Previous best was about an hour and a half so this is good progress!!

Caz - yeah I went to the hospital to deliver the placenta. I could have done that at home but the midwife on duty was travelling over from the other side of the city and it was icy so she was going to take a while & they decided it would be quicker to go to the hospital. It was all mad at the time but in retrospect I am really proud that I did it with no pain relief and that her Daddy got to deliver her Smile

CGW - that's exactly what I said to my DH "well, I'm only trying to keep up with the drama of the other ladies on the thread!".

You must be fed up of people asking if you've had any signs Lottie, I was already getting annoyed with all the texts etc & I hadn't even reached my due date!! Speaking of which, it's my due date today which is a funny feeling with my gorgeous daughter sleeping away next to me (not in the bed though!).

Take care all and can't wait to hear about your LO's arrival when it happens Lottie.

SB
xx

LottieH · 23 Mar 2009

Just a quick news update from me - still no baby!

Went to have the sweep done but due to my cervix being right at the back the midwife couldn't do it so induction is planned for the weekend if nothing's happened before then. And once I go into hospital I'm not allowed out until the baby's born so I'm not looking forward to an extended stay Rolling Eyes

As I missed one of the antenatal classes I'm going there this afternoon to break up my day a bit so I'd best go get ready.

Hopefully I'll have some good news for you all soon and can join in with news about the little bundles of joy Very Happy

Lx

EM.J · 30 Jul 2009

Hi Lottie

sorry to jump in ladies.

Ive been on everyday to find out if your little one had arrived!!!! those last few days go sooooooo slowly, i do feel for you. Make the most of these last quiet days because when that beautiful little bundle of yours arrives you will be rushed of your feet Very Happy

Im so excited for you. good luck.xxxxxx
Emma.xxxx

LottieH · 23 Mar 2009

Thanks Em, I'll post on FB as soon as I'm back with photos Smile

I'm making the most of lie-ins though!

spacebadger · 12 May 2011

Good luck with the induction Lottie! Thinking of you, hope all goes well and that you get to welcome your little bundle into the world very soon. Take care, SB xx

anniejohn · 29 May 2007

A quick post from me ....

Good luck to Lottie for your induction, hope it goes well & you don't end up staying in for too long !

hope everyone else and the little ones are doing okay, will try to post again soon as lots going on here & don't know where the time goes

Love Anne xx

spacebadger · 12 May 2011

Hope all has gone well Lottie! Looking forward to your next post Smile

Agreed Anne, I have no idea where the days are going!! Just managing to get washed and dressed is an achievement at the moment Wink

Loving motherhood though, Lucy is a little star. Will post a pic at some point. How's everyone getting on? I'm finding breastfeeding more difficult than I imagined but I'm persevering.

Love to all Mummies and babies Smile

SB
Xx

Caz1234 · 02 Jun 2011

Hi everyone
Just realised that I hadnt been on for ages.......Any news from Lottie?
The days go by Charlie is 11 weeks old now.....it has flown, he is a little monkey, still doesnt sleep throu the night, wakes up at leat once for a feed, I am breastfeeding, some days I find it harder than others, but trying to keep going for as long as possible.....How is everyone else doing?
xx

LottieH · 23 Mar 2009

Hello Ladies!
We finally got out of hospital at 8.30pm last night having been there for over a week! Gotta be quick with this so here goes....

Induction booked for Sat 18th (term +10) as you know - delivery suite full and not priority so decided to come home at 4pm and go back on the Sunday (term +11) . It's not a huge hospital so before they give you a pessary to induce you they check with delivery suite that there's a midwife and room for you to go to - this is why it all took so blinkin' long! They gave me one pessary to start induction Sunday morning, then 9 hours later (should have been 6-8hrs) I finally got the next one ... it started working but nothing major ... a midwife set me up monitoring baby before 3rd pessary at 7pm and at 11pm when baby had finally calmed down enough for me to be given the 3rd pessary delivery suite was full with emergencies so monitoring stopped at 11.30pm. Contractions then tailed off through the night. The following morning (term +12) the midwife who's set me off monitoring came and gave the the pessary she had wanted to give me the night before - she said that although they''d said at 6am they could go ahead she wasn't going to check with delivery suite and just get on with it Smile

That had meant it was 36hrs roughly between #2 & #3 pessary and they normally make you wait 24hrs between #3 & #4 so I had thought I'd just get the 4th the same day. Anyway I finally got a show and the contractions started and kept going though the day and into the night. But again Delivery suite got busy, they had to wait on my Consultant to prescribe pessary #4 and by the time he did that they decided I should wait until the following day (term +14!!!) The hospital just goes for it at Term + 14 but by this time we were really nervey having known too many people that have been let go too far past term and lost their babies. Anyway Wednesday 22nd I'm Term + 14 and given my 4th and final pessary which I respond to ... At 6.30pm I'm taken up to delivery suite in established labour to have my waters broken when the fun really starts ... Mercomium both old and new is found in waters which raises some concerns but I carry on contracting so all's good ... Gas and Air doesn't cut it and I opt for an epidural but that cant be given as baby heart beat drops so they do blood anyalysis from head - on the 3rd attempt they get the results, meanwhile anaethatists is bleeped but busy. It's decided I'm not responding quick enough and I need the drip to speed up contractions and eventually I get the epidural which sends my left leg numb but not my foot??? At 4am I'm 6cm dilated, then at 8am on Thrusday 23rd at Term +15 I'm still 6cm so they opt for emergency c-section and out she comes! Isobel May was born weighing 8lbs and now wants a feed so I'd best be off! LOve to you all. Lx

Em n Rick · 14 Sep 2009

Hey just wanted to say congratulations to lottie, we cycled together few years ago Smile

xxxx

anniejohn · 29 May 2007

Congratulations to Lottie & welcome isobel Smile

but what a shambles your whole experience was you poor thing ending in a section too. Hope you are feeling okay about it all, an emergency section is not usually the best experience in the world as I well know from my first time but at least you have your little baby in your arms now Smile

Love the name, if we'd had a girl our main name in contention was Isabella Mae, it was the only one we could agree on Wink

Lovely to hear from caz & sb & glad to hear that your little ones are doing well Smile

totally agree with sb in that getting dressed is an achievement in itself some days, especially with Lily to run around after too

Hope everyone is doing well and babies too Smile

Ethan is now 5 weeks old and that has flown by. We are having some unsettled periods with him at the moment - last night he decided it was time to get up at 3.00am & then didn't want to sleep again until 5.30am & then Lily woke at 6 :-/ - one tired mummy today with a baby and lively almost 4 yr old to look after :-/
Had a little set back myself in that an area of my section scar opened up so have been back and forwards to the doctors having that kept an eye on & its been v sore as you can imagine and put my recovery back a bit but other than that doing well apart from the tiredness of course Wink

Will be back on to catch up again soon

Love to you all & your babies Smile

Anne xx

LottieH · 23 Mar 2009

Thanks Em, fingers crossed it's your turn this time.

Anne - Am sorry to hear your scar's opened up, can't be nice. And I hope Ethan has settled back into a routine now. I told DH about the name choice you had for a girl - it's so odd that it was virtually the same.

Also wanted to say that you were right about getting out of hospital too quick - our stay was some what extended because after c-section I got out of bed with a cramp in my leg and told the midwives at 7.15am, at 3pm a Doctor appeared just as my Mum & Dad were visiting and asked if there was a family history of clots/dvt to which my Mum pipes up that she had a clot after her knee replacement.... so as you can imagine this was at 3 pm on a Friday and I was told I'd need a scan which would be on the Monday! Not happy as we'd already had the red book so knew we'd be out on the Saturday. The plus side of this was that DH's family got to visit us on the Saturday, DH got a bit more hands on with his little china doll and we had lots of breastfeeding support, the downside was Iz wouldn't sleep in her cot until I put a terry's nappy on top of the sheet so I has 7 hours sleep in 3 nights when I gave in and wheeled her out to the midwives at night which has meant that ever since we've been home any sleep has seemed like a real bonus Smile

I've copied my birth dramas and will add it to my scrapbook for Iz to read when she'd older....

How's everyone's DH's/DP's coping with the new arrivals? Mine seems to be struggling and seems to switch from being really loving and caring to completely irrational at a moments notice, this morning he was supposed to be refolding a muslin nappy as Iz is smaller than what I'd originally folded them, couldn't understand what I was saying so refused to do it! Then making me toast was too much too and I ended up in tears and had to explain why - now he's lovely again although sometimes I think it takes tears to make him realise he's upset me although I can't just turn them on when I need to. Sorry, just a little whinge Smile

Time to go upload some photos to Facebook I before the next feed,

Take care everyone,
Lx

LottieH · 23 Mar 2009

Lottie - Isobel May born 23/02/12
Spacebadger - Lucy Anne born 7/02/12
Caz1234 - Charlie Edward born 10/12/11
Anniejohn - Ethan James born 23/01/12
CGW1972 - Amber born at 30wk+6

Helagba - 21-1-12 - It's a girl
Blueberry - 8-2-12
Crisi - 3-2-12

spacebadger · 12 May 2011

Hi everyone

First and foremost - congratulations Lottie and welcome to the world Isobel May!! What a dramatic story though, there is definitely something in the air on this thread because none of us seem to have done this the easy way Wink

Can't believe how long it all took for you and that after all that you ended up having a c-section but the main thing is that everyone is happy and healthy so I'm delighted for you Smile

Hope everyone is still doing really well and loving being Mummies! I can't believe how quickly time has gone, little Lucy will be four weeks old tomorrow!! It has all been great but the only problem I've had was with breastfeeding - it really didn't work for us. She was not getting enough, was never satisfied and even though I sought advice from midwives and the service at the hospital they were not able to find anything I was doing wrong and it got me really upset because I so wanted to give her the best start which I believe is breastfeeding. I was so stressed out about it that I started to get a bit depressed and stopped properly enjoying her and in the end my midwife said that she thought the best thing to do was to switch to formula because Lucy is obviously just too hungry!! She has gained over 2lb since birth so she is doing fine, I have had to make my peace with formula feeding even though I'm still gutted and feeling a bit guilty. That is the only thing that has been difficult, everything else is just amazing - I can't believe how much I love her and how great it is being a Mum.

Lottie - My DH has been really good but then he has 3 kids (well, the youngest is 16 now) already so he knew what he was letting himself in for!! I am still doing the vast majority of the night feeds even though it's bottles just because he has to get up for work and drive etc and so I'd rather he wasn't too tired. But honestly Lottie I think chronic tiredness has a lot to do with our reactions to stuff, plus men do suffer from hormonal changes a bit and their lives are turned upside down too. I know for me I sometimes expect my DH to think exactly the same way as me and to do things the way I think are best but then I realise I have never spoken to him about it and so I am expecting him to be a mindreader!! Not saying you do that, but just that I understand how you feel. I'm sure it'll all get better as you get used to things and establish a routine, try not to worry about it too much and just put it down to sleep deprivation and new parent anxiety!!

Anne - I have every admiration for you doing all this newborn care with a little girl to look after too! I don't know how you do it!!! Big pat on the back for you. Hope Ethan's sleeping has settled a little. Lucy seems to have one good night then one not so good night, she didn't like her moses basket at first but she sleeps in there every night now. She doesn't go longer than 3 hours between feeds at night but some nights she settles very quickly afterwards and sometimes she doesn't so the amount of sleep I get varies!!

Anyway, had better go - nappies and feeds await Wink

Love to all
SB
xx

LottieH · 23 Mar 2009

Hey everyone,
We went to our first Mum & Baby session today and Iz was the youngest - I still can't believe she'll be 3 weeks on Thursday. It was nice hearing the Mums of 11 & 16 week olds saying how their LO's slept from 7pm-7am ... there is hope for us yet! Wink

SB - I'm glad to hear you've made peace with yourself about the breastfeeding, the same happended to a lady on our ward in hospital only she ended up with a load of healthcare workers, midwives and doctors visiting her bed between 11pm and about 2am to help her crying baby out - Lucy certainly looks well on the photo so what ever you're doing is working! Smile

DH confessed he worries constantly about Iz and once that was out in the open things have been easier ... he's definitely not coping well with the sleep deprivation and no matter how many times I tell him my body's making it easier for me to fall into a deep sleep, he's sure he needs to sit up at night for hours so I can sleep instead of coming to bed. He's back to work next week so we'll get back into more of a routine then I hope.

Caz - Just reading back up the page I noticed you've said that BF is easier some days than others ... not sure if you have much bf support where you are but Briony who posts on the BB&B board swears by La Leche and recommended a book on my thread called 'Please could you recommend'. I must admit I'd've been lost without the support from the bf ladies on the Ward and their calls since we've been home, it makes such a difference knowing there are people who you can call about queries.

CGW - How goes motherhood? Have you recovered from your eclampsia now?

Right, time to go express some milk so DH can feed too!
Love to you all,
Lx

CGW1972 · 27 Jan 2009

Hi all!

Sorry its been ages since I was on, not sure where the time goes....I am keepimg myself busy which is good, but have very few days where I am home alone, and by the end of the day I am usually very glad when DP comes home for someone to talk to lol!!!

Lottie - congratulations...another lovely name...I am pleased you kept up tradition on the thread by not doing things the easy way lol!!!

Well......what about these 16 week olds that sleep through......Amber will be 16 weeks old on Saturday and she still gets up once in the night for a feed. We have had 3 nights (not consequetive) where she has slept for 6-7 hours but they were flukes I'm sure!!!

We are both well over her traumatic arrival although I'm not sure DP is......especially if we look at photos of Amber from that time, she was so scrawny.....at the time I just thought she was perfect, but now I can see looking back how poorly she looked. She is 8lbs 9oz now and starting to smile and stuff....which I know seems a bit behind for a 16 week old you have to think that real time she is only 5 weeks, so should only be doing 5 week old things. The previous 9 weeks she was just doing the growing she should have done in my belly!

I would love to upload a photo but I have no idea how....help please?

Sorry its a me post........Amber has just started to "fight" tiredness and I need to go stop the tears.

I am so pleased everyone...mums and babies are doing well. I am sure you are all enjoying your LO's as much as I am. I simply can't beleive how much I love her and just feel like I want another one........if only it were that simple eh!!!

big hugs

xxx

LottieH · 23 Mar 2009

Hey Everyone, I deleted what I wrote yesterday incase you're wondering where it went.

CGW - Glad to hear you've got over the birth trauma and that Amber is doing well. I bought 'What to Expect in the first year' so I have some idea of what Iz should be doing and when as I have no real previous knowledge. How long do you have to re-adjust her age for? Should it be evened out by the time she's a year or does it affect prem babes for longer? As for wanting another one - we're now both 100% set on adopting #2 after our birth drama, but I know what you mean about loving her so much.

I can't believe that I had to take Iz to an emergency doctors appointment yesterday - felt like the worst Mum ever! I'd put the brake on the pram while I got something out of the car, only to hear a car go past, then a bump - when I turned to see what it had hit I reaslised the pram was missing and the bump was it turning over onto the road!!! I was a wreck! Rang the health visitor then the GP as advised and got her seen asap. Luckily she stayed in the carrycot which was well padded so nothing broken and she's fine but I'll double check the brake's fully on from now on! Didn't put her down all afternoon as felt so guilty.

How's everyone sleeping? We're managing to get bouts of 2-3 hours and she's getting to sleep earlier and is sleeping later so I'm feeling better when it's all going well that is! Very Happy

Talking to the other mothers at Mum & Baby classes has been a real help ... Has anyone else started classes yet???

Right, time to go iron some muslins for nappies ... only 2 more weeks until I can drive again Very Happy

Take care, Love to you all and your little ones,
Lx

CGW1972 · 27 Jan 2009

Hi There!!

Oh my word Lottie, don't feel bad, I had a similar brake malfunction episode myself...its easy done. I was looking after my 4 year old niece, we went to the park, and I thought I'd popped the brake on, looked around to do something with Niahm and turned to see the pram running away........down the path I hasten to add, but it still scared me!!!
I also dropped Amber in her car seat when I went to the hospital when I went over on my ankle....she was fine, just cried for a few seconds from shock....I was in a bad way with a sprained ankle however, which is still swollen 11 weeks later! I am wishing it better so that I can start jogging. I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight but am 2 stone overweight due to steadily putting on half a stone every IVF cycle (x 5 inlcuding the successful one)!

I have made a pact with DP to start eating healthy from Monday...I need him on board as he has an incredibly sweet tooth and I find sweet stuff hard to resist if he is indulging! No willpower......but if its not in the house then I can't be tempted!

As for Ambers progress....well, she should catch up properly size and development wise by 2 years old, maybe sooner.

I've not joined any groups yet.....2 reasons I am hesitant......firstly in my area there are a lot of young mums...when I went to the Dr's for Ambers immunisations I was at least double the age of every other parent there, and I am guessing groups will be the same. Plus, I think it will be hard not to compare Ambers progress with other babies her age and get a bit depressed not really understanding what stage she should be at.

I have been to coffee mornings held by the Neonatal ward every 4th week which is nice as I can talk to other mums who have been through what we have.
I am thinking I might go to baby massage and see what the mums are like there.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Take care

x

LottieH · 23 Mar 2009

Just a quicky on satisfying sweet tooths whilst eating healthily - mini meringue nests, l/f squirty cream & fresh fruit - you can't beat it!

spacebadger · 12 May 2011

Hi everyone,

This thread definitely needs a bump up! How's everyone doing?

Lucy is 7 weeks old now, I can't believe how quickly it has gone! She is so adorable, I sometimes can't stop staring at her little face especially now she is smiling and gurgling at me Smile

Sleepwise she is getting better, she will now sleep for 4 hours in a block. I'm really pleased that she can now settle herself a bit, if we put her down still awake but drowsy she will drop off which is good. I keep hearing other parents saying that their babies are sleeping through which I would love Lucy to do (obviously!) but firstly I think half of it is pot luck as to whether your child is a good sleeper and also there is a lot of variation about what 'sleeping through' actually constitutes eg to some people that is 7-7 but for others it'd be 12-5 or similar. Lucy wakes after her 4 hours and wants a feed but then will often only take about 1.5 oz then will fall back to sleep and this amount has come down from 3 so hopefully she is slowly phasing out the night feeds. She has been in a swaddle with a covering blanket so far (half swaddled for the last week or so) but looking at the grobag I think she might be OK to go in there now, her head seems like it might be big enough to stop it coming up over her head - will try it and see! How's everyone else getting on with sleeping?

Lottie - I can only imagine how you felt when you heard the bump and realised what it was but like CGW says it is so easily done. The pushchair nearly got away from me on the bus the other day even though I'd pressed the brake down, will have to really make sure each time in the future!

Lottie & CGW - As for classes there's not a mother and baby group as such (as far as I can tell) I've been to baby massage twice now and afterwards everyone meets and has a cup of tea and a chat with the SureStart people (health promotion officer and support worker) and that's really nice. Lucy fell fast asleep from baby massaging this week!!

Got the appointment for her first jabs next Wednesday and I'm fretting already!

Anyway, got to dash. Hope everyone is well and enjoying motherhood.
Love to all
SB
xx