Birth story part 1

The perfect birth 

We'll for me the perfect birth would have been a relatively short natural labour with hardly any pain relief, but what we want and get are sometime worlds apart. 

So at 39+6 weeks pregnant I woke up with the usual alarm of builders arriving and my dad's voice booming into the house so got up and made tea for everyone and toast for me and grant. This was around 7.30am and whilst the kettle was boiling I could feel a tightening deep inside like a period cramp but carried on and ended up cleaning the newly grouted tiles in the bedroom. At around 10am the cramps had progressed slightly and I was starting to think could this be labour! Joking around with Grant I said you might want to pack a bag just in case today's the day, poor Grant was helping manhandle steels in the extension in heavy rain.

I decided to have a lay on the sofa to see if I could feel a pattern as I know lots of people who say you can have early labour symptoms for weeks and it never progresses so I just thought as the sensation was bearable I would carry on as normal and not stress until I needed to! 

At 11am my dad coming in saying the window guy was here to measure the windows and did I want to show him around I stood in the hallway and couldn't really speak through the contraction to which my dad then said I think your in labour.

I had a small panic about my unshaven legs and decided to shower and wash my hair and then blow dry it so it was nice and straight if nothing else it was taking my mind off the contractions which had started to settle into a pattern, at one point I was crouching over the bed breathing deeply through each contraction. I downloaded a contraction counter app and started timing. I then went downstairs and sat on my ball which made me realise the contractions were starting to hurt and the pain was also mildly in my back. So at this point they were 5mins apart lasting 30sec really not bad at all. 

Grant went out to pick some stuff up and by 1pm I thought it might be best to ring the hospital, after asking all the relative questions including have you felt baby move (I really wasn't sure as all my focus was on the contractions) they said to make my way in. Grant slightly panicking made his way home and picked me up to go to hospital. 

We arrived at Lister around 3.30pm and triage finally checked me at 5pm putting me on the monitor and reading 

each contraction, yes I was definitely having contractions! The midwife then sent me upstairs to be assessed. 

Mid contraction

Still at this point the pains were fine and an internal revealed I was 2cm dilated the midwife did a sweep and asked if I was ok to go home, grant went to get the car and I was left alone. Wow the sweep moved things on and after what felt like a lifetime of me in quite a lot of pain the midwife came back. At this point my building site of a home didn't seem so appealing and i asked if I could stay, grant re-parked the car and came back. I tried a bath but the back pain made it hard to get comfy so they moved me to a pool. 

The birthing pool was great it helped my pains and i could also focus better, using a flannel with lavender to relax and music to get into a zone. Unfortunately my body had other plans and started to involuntary push to which baby's heart rate rocketed sky high upto 180bpm and the decision to move me to the consultant ward was made. We were moved downstairs at 9pm (time goes so quickly when your in labour). The move and atmosphere changed my focus and I was begging for an epidural (this was the last thing I thought I would be asking for) and so the long haul was upon me..............

Breast or Bottle

{This post is my opinion and experience only, please don't shoot me if you feel differently}

Personally I think there is so much pressure on new mummies to breastfeed that it scares a lot of women off even trying, not to mention the thought of cracked sore nipples, mastitis and permanently having a small person hanging off your boobs! I was always of the mind set that I would give it a go and got some great advice from a friend who said to give myself little milestones of 3days, 3weeks, 3months and completing any of these would be beneficial for baby. I was also lucky to have the support of my mum who breastfeed myself and my two brothers for quite some time.

The moment Seve came into the world I had asked for him to be placed on my chest and to try feeding, because of the c-section this was a little delayed and in recovery my little man was showing all signs of wanting to feed so my midwife helped me get him latched on which was a success. 

The next day after being manhandled by another midwife my mum helped me and I found a great position with a pillow and breastfeeding was going great, I also added in a dummy (naughty mummy) but this really helped soothe him once asleep. I reached 3days and was really loving the bond it was creating between me and Seve, looking at the little person I had made and grown was a special feeling.

Over the next few weeks I had really established breastfeeding even feeding when out and about. I also started expressing and added in a bottle, we had been invited to a wedding where we couldn't take Seve and needed him to take a bottle for my parents to look after him. It was 3weeks and adding a bottle was successful, we are using MAM anti colic bottles and dummies and there was no nipple confusion at all, I chose to let Grant feed him the bottle at 7pm whilst I expressed for the following night. 

Daddy feeding

Things changed for me when I was starting to get out and about due to my section healing, I like just going out and not relaxing wasn't helping my milk supply it also didn't help that Seve was wanting larger feeds. I made the decision to add a formula feed in at 11pm to help my supply have a rest and try to help Seve go longer through the night, it actually didn't change the length of time he slept but did mean by the next feed I had lots of milk. 

Having the two bottle feeds was making Seve lazy on the breast and I was contemplating making the switch to formula but spent the whole day in tears as I didn't feel ready. I went a spoke with a breastfeeding specialist and from that moment have been combination feeding. He is now having up to three formula feeds a day (sometimes more sometimes less) and breastfeeding the rest of the time which is a lot less hassle in my opinion. He has gained roughly 8oz a week and now weighs 10lb 1oz little piggy. 

I think breastfeeding is really convenient and really special but it's also a huge tie and when baby has a growth spurt it can be constant feeding. Bottle is good for other people to be able to feed baby and also to gauge how much food baby is having but it's more time consuming having to get the temperature right (Seve takes mainly room temperature bottles) and sterilising (the MAM bottles are so easy to sterilise). I think for me combination feeding has been the best thing for us and happy baby means happy mummy. 

I think I will continue with what I'm doing for a little while longer but I'm not going to pressurise myself if anything changes. My advice is to go with what feels best for you and your little one. X

I'm back!

I've been spending the past six weeks getting to know my little man and adjusting to becoming a mummy. I can't believe he is six weeks old already time has flown.

So in love x

I know I've been a terrible blogger but I didn't realise what a constant job looking after this small person would be and it's only know I've settled into my new role of mummy. I decided to look at Seve's first month as a fourth trimester and have spent lots of my time cuddling and comforting him and making him feel safe, it's not affected him in anyway and is quite happy self soothing at night when I put him in his Moses basket. My C-section has healed really well and I'm still happily breastfeeding which I will blog about this week. This time has allowed me to try all the things we have purchased so I can write about them truthfully. 

These six weeks have been full of smiling, crying, frustration, love and tiredness but I wouldn't change anything when I look at his little face all is forgotten. 

Xx

What I really used in hospital!

I packed my bag at 36+5 and went into labour at 36+6 spooky really did I have a sixth sense who knows! I thought it would be nice to do a follow up post on what I actually used and if there was anything I needed extra.

My bag: (the things I used)

• Maternity pads I definitely used and the Tesco ones I would highly recommend they had a sticky back and stayed put, the hospital ones were awful.
• The lansinoh nipple cream I used a couple of times.
• The food I was allowed to nibble on the Colin caterpillars but once I had the epidural wasn't allowed to eat anything, I did however eat the hobnobs after with a cup of tea. The lucozade also helped after having baby.
• Arnica is a must and I really think it helped my healing.
• Lavender oil I used on a wet mitt in early labour and found it very helpful to relax with.
• Makeup I did actually use the next day when I had visitors just to freshen up.
• Nursing bra was brilliant and the big comfy knickers I'm still wearing now as normal knickers rub on my scar.
• I only used one set of pyjamas but they came in handy.
• I used the toothpaste and face wipes.

What I didn't need:

• Breast pads it didn't use as my milk didn't come in until I got home.
• Didn't use the nursing top as was in pyjamas most of the time.
• I didn't use the socks but my mum did!

Baby's bag: what we used

• The nappies are a must we went through loads (still going through loads)
• Cotton wool (they make you use in hospital, not the easiest on the first poos) we also used wipes.
• Swaddle blanket we used as just a blanket to keep him warm.
• Dummies I used from day one even though I am breastfeeding, I did get told off from the midwife but it's my choice and it's not confused him.
• Vests and sleep suits we took in tiny baby were actually too big, I'm glad I only brought a few from Asda as they all needed to be rolled up.
• Hat we used a hat the whole time in hospital but all the hats we took didn't fit on his tiny head

What we didn't use:

• Muslins fortunately Seve isn't a sicky baby so I didn't use the Muslins but I would say pack some as you never know.
• Milk I didn't need to use the pre made bottles but I'm glad I took them.

What we needed more of: 

• Baby grows I think I only packed 3 and we had a wee and poo accident and then needed more! Grant did go out and get some blue ones as we only had white.

I wasn't planning on staying in longer than a night but obviously once I had the c section I didn't have a choice, I think I packed well and I hope this helps other first time mummies as it was one stress I had when thinking of going into hospital. Also I received a bounty pack which had some pampers nappies and wipes, Asda nappies, teeny sudocream  which all came in handy. 

40 weeks due date

My Due Date.

So to not break tradition in our house hold of being late our little person decided to come into the world exactly on time. 

Myself and Grant welcomed into the world a baby boy (yes I said boy was so convinced it was a girl!) on Saturday 12th July 2014 5.30pm weighing 6lb 8.5oz. He was delivered by emergency c section and we have named him Seve Vincent Nalder. 

Our perfect little dude.

I will update my birth story in a couple of weeks, even though it wasn't the natural labour I was hoping for it was still perfect. It's amazing after the long journey to get to this point now we have Seve both of us are totally smitten with him and I honestly couldn't imagine life without him in it. Xx

Hospital bags

I'm 39+5 weeks pregnant and I've finally packed my hospital bags! I know I'm crazy but I think part of me had come to the realisation that once I'm packed there will be a baby coming home too. The midwife kept saying "you are having a baby soon". So they are now done.

Being a first time mum I scoured the internet and then asked lots of friend for advice and finally packed what I thought necessary. I mean packing for a holiday has always been a doddle packing for hospital with a small person in tow considerably harder.

Things in my case

1. Maternity pads (tesco), Lansinoh breast pads x 2 pairs, Lansinoh nipple cream
2. Food which includes Collin caterpillars (m&s), energy gel, lucozade, robinsons fruit boost & Hobnobs for a cup of tea after. Also in that area is Arnica, lavender oil and balm.
3. Makeup this includes concealer, lip balm, mascara, bronzer & urban decay naked palette (I probably won't get time to use any of them but it makes me feel better)
4. Nursing bra and big comfy knickers both from m&s
5. Two pairs of pyjamas (1 m&s 1 primark) & some warm socks from primary
6. Post pregnancy vest top with nursing straps (mothercare)
7. Toiletries which include face wipes, teeth wash, hand sanitiser, shampoo/conditioner (other toiletries will be packed when leaving)

I have also packed a towel which can be thrown and Havanas for walking around hospital.

Baby's case

1.  Pack of newborn size one pampers nappies 24
2. Muslins 
3. Cotton wool and travel size wipes
4. HIPP starter bottles x 6 (I am going to try breastfeeding but you never know)
5. Cellular blanket & swaddle blanket
6. Sterilised dummies
7. Coming home outfit
8. Vests, sleep suits in various sizes

Baby has more than me! I found the clothing part quite daunting as I wasn't 100% what size to buy so have gone for some tiny baby upto 7.5lbs and some newborn. We also brought a cardigan today as the weather in the uk has turned chilly but it wasn't in the picture. 

I will put an updated link to a post of what I actually needed once in labour. Can't believe my due date is this sat. Come on munchkin mummy wants to meet you xxx

My update link What I really used

My Baby Shower x

On Sunday I was lucky enough to be thrown a baby shower by my friend Tammy at a little guest house in Hertford Rigsby's they put on a really nice afternoon tea with bubbles. It was lovely to have all my friends there and I felt very lucky after our journey that I was finally having my very own baby shower.

We had a selection of sandwiches, scones, brownies and cupcakes which seemed to go down well as there wasn't much left.

We played some baby shower games including pin the sperm on the womb which was funny and guess the size of my bump, everyone guessed so big with my mum almost doubling the size!

Baby and me were very spoilt with gifts I felt a little overwhelmed at everyone's kindness. The gifts were really thoughtful and I know I will use them all. 

Our gifts included

• Ewan the sheep
• Jelly cat bunny
• Gro egg
• Little white company hooded towel 
• A teething bangle
• John Lewis baby grow/bib
• Cuddly teddy & Next baby's grows 
• Neals yard mummy kitt
• Origins relaxing bath and body cream
• Mother care voucher
• £30 Abel & Cole vouchers (yummy) 
• Milestone cards 
• Converse shoes which were customised with sparkles (can be brought through Boutini)

It was so lovely to be spoilt for the afternoon and spend time with all my friends would highly recommend a baby shower for every mummy to be. I've now only got two more days of work before I start my maternity yay count down to due date xxx