Hellobee Boards

@ShootingStar: Oh, the Lansinoh bags would be awesome! You should try it and just stick it in the freezer like @FarmWifeGina: detailed! It can't hurt!

Y'all are busy today! I'll catch up later tonight because right now I'm about to fall asleep, but I've been reading!

Today was my last day of work until mid-Jan and I'm exhausted! I knew it was going to be one of those days when 3 kids spilled their milk at breakfast at the EXACT same time (all sitting at diff tables). Whew! It was awesome knowing about my "surprise" shower and watching everyone try to keep me from finding out haha. It was very sweet though. I got tons of stuff from my coworkers and the kids/their parents. All the kids gave me huge hugs today which made me a *little* sad about it being my last day. I would share some pics, but they all have my kiddos in them!

@Ash: sweet, thanks for the link.

Totally haven't read anything, I suck, sorry all! Just a quick feeding update (copying abd pasting a lot from a message I sent a friend, I'm on my phone):
Breast feeding is a huge struggle. The first day was fine, painful but tolerable. Yesterday got progressively worse, to the point of crying from pain. Every single nurse said her latch looked fine, she just wanted to eat constantly, put her to the breast, etc.

So today I couldn't do it. I had bruising/blisters so I insisted in seeing the LC. The pain was/is unbearable. Like, I was full on sobbing uncontrollably in pain when she latched. They managed to find me an appointment with her. Long story short, Harper has "one of the strongest sucks" the LC had seen, when latched, she NOT ONCE had a "feeding" sucking pattern, just a "calming/pacifying" sucking pattern, she couldn't believe the stTe of my nipples, etc.

SO We're now taking a "breast feeding holiday" with directions from the lactation consultant: I exclusively pump for 24 hours, feed her whatever I pump (so far, not even a DROP of anything, like, nothing even appearing on my nipples)), we try to get my nipples to heal, meanwhile finger/syringe feed formula. We've done two feeds so far, she's like a whole different baby. It's crazy. She's all quiet and grunty and pink and happy...the last two days she's been nonstop fussy and making hunger cues literally the entire time she's been awake--which even then I thought she was so good (and thought/think was normal, just held her and tried to feed her), but the change is SO drastic. The LC watched her suck during the finger feeds (mimicking breastfeeding) and was amazed at the difference in her sucking. Blaaah. So now I feel like everything is up in the air again. So confused. I was so set on BFing, but today has thrown me for a total loop...

We're supposed to be discharged tomorrow and honestly I don't see much being different... I'm going through with the pumping and stuff until then because I want to know I've done everything possible, but have ultimately come back to "happy momma, happy baby." I would (and have) SO much rather give her formula and have her thriving and me not miserable, resentful if feelings, etc. than try to spend the next days/weeks getting through this (because honestly, I don't think I can handle the physical pain, mental confusion/wondering if it's right 24/7, and Harper doing everything she can to eat, and not getting what she needs). Sigh. Sorry that got long, it's been a long day! My nipples are now pot, not touching anything, and just THROBBING/BURNING. Hahhhaa, hope you all are doing well!!!

@ms.janedoe: Oh goodness, I'm so sorry you're in pain! You're doing a great job and doing everything you can for you and baby! I hope things get easier for you.

@ms.janedoe: get some lanolin and know that it can get better. You decide what is best for y'all, but I know that my LO has a strong suck. We did great in the hospital, but had the worst night ever when we were sent home. We saw our lc and the next day and night changed our breastfeeding relationship and path. I can wall you more details. We had to finger feed LO some.

@ms.janedoe: Oh no! Were they able/willing to make it for you then or do you have to find your own apothecary/compounding pharmacy? If you were able to get some had it helped?! I hope so! Hang in there mama...it does get easier and they will heal....

Mine were cracked and bled some but we nursed through it. I would wince at every nursing for a few days, but it only lasted a short period of time and after that it was smooth sailing. It also sounds like your milk hasn't come in yet (with not being able to pump any) which may be part of the issue you are having with her feeding. You can also request a consult with another LC if you were not that satisfied with the one you saw (I know I have heard from several people some of the ones at our hospital suck and they got better advice from another consult). In the end I'm sure whatever you decide it will be the right decision for you and baby Harper!

Ugh! I'm 38 weeks and DH just asked what we are using for a middle name...ummm my middle name, which has been the first-middle name combo we were going to use for the last 5 years! Well he tells me he assumed we would be using my first not my middle and he doesn't know if my middle goes well, but "it doesn't matter and is up to you"...now I'm torn if we should change it because he rarely has an opinion on things or do we keep what I (we) were always going to us? We used DH's first for DS's middle, but that is because we didn't like DH's middle, so I don't know if that is where this is coming from?!

@ms.janedoe: Oh, I'm so sorry, that sounds dreadful! I hope something helps SOON!

@Ash: @DigAPony: Not to sound like a dorky know-it-all, but the acupressure points are also very helpful for getting a contraction pattern established, teehee. At least, they worked with my first labor.

@DigAPony: @Mrs. J: Thinking of you ladies! Hoping labor comes soon for you both!

My dad has arrived and predicted baby in two days, haha. It's almost easier to be patient now that my due date is passed because I don't have that deadline feeling! I'm curious to talk to my doctor on Tuesday and see how that potential due date change affects any induction plans though.

Less than 4 days until baby and I'm starting to get extra anxious Not about the c-section, just crazy, irrational anxiety about something bad happening in the next few days. I'm trying to stay calm, but last night at 4am, I had to bring out the doppler because I couldn't remember feeling him move for hours.

I'm just ready for Thursday morning!!!!

@lilteacherbee: Same thing! Movement has changed and I'm freaking out. I think it's normal to feel this way or at least that's what I'm telling myself.

ETA: I highly doubt it will happen, but I keep thinking my OB will send me to L&D tomorrow because something is wrong (not that I'm in labor) so I should do all my schoolwork and finish the nursery tonight.

@lilteacherbee: @anbanan15: @ChitownRo: Movement has changed here too. I used to feel like I felt him ALL DAY, and now it's less frequent. Luckily he's moving around a bunch now.

I have another NST and my 38 week appt tomorrow. I like my usual midwife a lot, but I'm kind of hoping I get someone else at the practice tomorrow because I think she's least likely to let me move my induction up. She's much more go with the flow than some of the others have been.

I did try the manual pump thing, and it's hard to tell if it's done anything in terms of contractions. I've continued to have a few today and they seem to be getting stronger, but I'm not sure if the nipple stimulation had anything to do with that. As I mentioned earlier, baby boy's moving a LOT right now, which did start during the pumping.

This is totally dorky, but here's what I was able to produce, about half an ounce I guess, between yesterday and today. I still need to dump it into a freezer bag.

@anbanan15: @ChitownRo: @ShootingStar: @MrsDragon: Ok, good to know its normal for the movements to change! Makes sense because there's less room, but it still totally freaks me out. I've been a hot mess this whole pregnancy with anxiety, so it's nice to know I'm not crazy I've used the doppler more in the past week than I have in the last 2 months combined.

@MrsDragon: Yes I have heard this too and it does makes sense. Movement has just been SO different than with DS...with him I basically felt no movement at all my entire pregnancy so I never really stressed about it, since it was something I never really felt. This little girl has been crazy crazy active with big movements that I never experienced before with DS. So strange and different and a really weird feeling when they suddenly stop

@ms.janedoe: Thinking of you! I'm sure that once you're on the other side, wearing your motherhood cap, there's a whole new set of challenges. You're doing your best - and I'm sure little Harper will benefit from a happy mom.

@lilteacherbee: Thursday morning will be here before you know it! I hope you're able to clear your head and think happy thoughts until then.

@ShootingStar: I hope you get someone else at your practice tomorrow and that you're able to meet your baby super soon! Can't believe you made MILK!

@shellio: So is VBAC off the table altogether? I'm super excited for you for Tuesday! But I know you mentioned wanting to have more children and hoping for a VBAC.

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So no one had their baby on 11/9? I don't get to share my birthday with any of your babies? I had a great birthday...felt like a million bucks on Saturday. It's like my body gave me a birthday gift! I indulged in an amazing brunch, received a beautiful necklace from my husband, and then he also cooked me dinner! Best day...

@shellio: Tuesday is so close!

@sweetooth: Glad you had a good birthday! I wonder if any of our lo's will share mine

@MrsDragon: No not really. I have been feeling her mostly early morning though. I think she turned so that her rump is towards my back. I was getting her butt constantly poking out directly under my boobs but not so much the last 2 days.

@sweetooth: Glad you had a happy birthday! I could still try to VBAC if I go into labor. I could really wait another week for the C/S (a week late is about all they would be ok with at my OB office) and see if I go into labor in the next week. But the risks increase if I go post dates, and I suspect this baby will be big and getting bigger, so I might be less likely to have a successful VBAC. My number one priority, of course, is a healthy baby and healthy mama so we can achieve that with a C section and I'm ok with that!

@ms.janedoe: ADORABLE!!!!!