| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Montrose Girl |
Posted - Jun 07 2011 : 07:00:11 AM
It's a funny thing to think about being pregnant and funnier or scarier when you realize you are. Being over 40 it had been a long time since my sister or mom had been pregnant so I turned a lot to my niece for the what's next, what's to expect type questions, not to mention THE book. Not that I am in my sixth month I look back at those early days and the reading and think, that was so out of order. I know every woman is different. I'm thankful because though I was naseaus on occasion I never got sick.
But there were so many things I was being told, like the achy breasts, the growing pains, the kicks, etc, that just didn't happen until so much later. Maybe it was me, but telling me I couldn't sleep on my back because of back pain that is just now starting made for as many uncomfortable nights as not. I can still manage to sleep on my back, but not as easily. It gives me another option since I am a belly sleeper.
So when did the "symptoms" happen for you? Did you show early or late? I'm not hiding it as easily these days. Was everyone full of advice that you wished they would just stop with or look at you funny and snarl their face when you mention cloth diapering.
Share away
Laurie
http://www.inntheorchardbnb.com/ |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| countrymommy85 |
Posted - Oct 20 2011 : 09:23:05 AM
I found out I was super sensitive to peppermint oil and it would drastically affect my milk supply. Go figure my favorite lip gloss/balm is that peppermint oil stuff from bath and body. So in preparation for the new baby I put away my peppermint stuff, used up my sage and didn't buy any more. I never thought my lip balm could wreck such havoc on my milk supply. Some women aren't as sensitive to it like I am but that is just me :) Good luck Laurie! I sure wish I had this forum when I had my first two!!!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
| KathleenL |
Posted - Oct 20 2011 : 08:31:50 AM
Laurie, Wow! You've been through a lot. I've been out of town with no computer access so just today read about all that's happened. I'm glad you are all home and healing now.
Love,
Kathy
Kathy |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Oct 19 2011 : 2:55:08 PM
This time I was so thirsty I wanted to drink drink drink. With DD2 I wasn't thirsty or hungry so it was harder! So I do understand.
before going in to have DS I went to Weight Watchers hoping to buy one of their big water mugs they used to sell but they said they no longer sold them. Funny enough when I got to the hospital the same exact mug that WW had, but it says the name of the hospital and says the baby hospital on it was being given to all the mommies at the hospital. I asked for a second one before leaving! However, hubby loves it so much he took over the extra....now I want to figure out how to get a third! So I can have one in the dishwasher while using the other! lol haha
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| Montrose Girl |
Posted - Oct 19 2011 : 09:06:23 AM
Thanks Heather. I have been taking the fenugreek with some luck on one side, not so much the other, but I've been bad about my water intake -- I know bad Laurie. Will get back on that now.
Laurie
http://www.inntheorchardbnb.com/ |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Oct 18 2011 : 1:59:00 PM
Good suggestions Megan, also lots and lots and lots of water. I've also heard oatmeal is good for production. I never was able to increase my milk by teas, oatmeal, etc etc. The only thing I ever noticed that helped was lots and lots of water. Also making sure to pump every three hours, and especially through out the night!
Also a few things I noticed in my EPing (exclusively pumping-not nursing) was that many things would give my production a hit though! A few things to watch out for and avoid-
Birth control-that really gave my supply the largest hit that I never was able to recover from.
mastitus-make sure the flanges are the right size, your bras are the right size, and again pump regularly-that's the most effective way to prevent it. Again couldn't regain full production after mastitus.
Caffine, especially soda, would give my supply a hit, usually only for that day though not forever. But, still I avoided it cause I needed all the milk I could get.
exercise-I believe it's the sweating and water thing here. You can exercise, but if you decide to, I found the best time to do so was directly after pumping that way you had the longest time before pumping again. If I exercised right before pumping forget about it, might as well skip it as I would only get drops! However if I was done at least 30 minutes to a hour before pumping and made sure to drink my water, it would be right back up by the time I needed to pump. So again I think it mainly had to do with hydration-drink drink drink!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Oct 18 2011 : 1:53:30 PM
Krystal renting in NYC was very expensive! Like 85 dollars a month and that was when I had DD1 5 years ago! I would go ahead and go to WIC, here you only have to go every 3 months. So if you are just waiting for tax time you could/may only need to go only twice. If you are like us, we usually put the taxes in asap (usually by Feb) so we usually have our return no later then April.
That being said, you could also join Freecycle. It is controversal but personally I don't see how you would get any diseases from a used pump, as long as you used new, or VERY well sterilized parts. I've seen them asked for a few times on my freecycle lists.
The other thing I have heard but when I have asked local LC's about it they look at me like I have three heads, but I have heard this from yahoo pump mom's groups, that you can have your pump tested, and cleaned. Since you can't use it any way in the condition it's in....may be worth at least a try. Take the face plate off, use a can of air, and then a clean cloth and wipe every thing down. Put the face plate back on and see what happens. I have heard SOME places actually have a tester where they can hook your pump up and test it's working power for you, like I said, I've heard after cleaning many have been able to get theirs back up to full working condition. But, again when I brought this up to LC's they just look at me like I'm a nut. However, same said LC's also told me I wouldn't be able to EP with out a hospital grade pump, and I did for 2 1/2 years with a PISA (not symphony/hospital grade!).
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| walkinwalkoutcattle |
Posted - Oct 18 2011 : 1:01:40 PM
Laurie, can I suggest nursing tea (mama tea) or fenugreek? Fenugreek will increase your production 72% on average in 24 hours! I usually find mine at Meijer. I also ordered it online. The tea I found at Meijer too, I think.
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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| countrymommy85 |
Posted - Oct 18 2011 : 08:56:31 AM
Yay! Congrats Laurie! Hope things continue to keep on the up and up for you and your family :D
My breast pump is worn out from my last two and I can't afford to get a better one and I heard you can rent them from the hospital? Do I just go in there and ask about renting one or are there other places to use a professional grade one? I used one from WIC for a while but I'm not on it anymore and hate the hassle of going to their appointments in the middle of winter with the kids so I'm trying to figure out how I can rent one at least for a few months until our tax returns come in and I can buy a decent one (not another cheapo). Thanks :)
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
| Rain K |
Posted - Oct 17 2011 : 10:27:09 AM
Laurie,
For some reason our henhouse is not accepting a reply, so I am posting it here...I have some food I would love to drop off to your family, just let me know if this would be helpful to you, and when. All tucked into freezer, so no pressure at all.
I am so happy for all of you that your family is finally at home!
Take care,
Rain
Farmgirl #3381
The Ninth Wave
Earth Meat farms |
| Montrose Girl |
Posted - Oct 17 2011 : 09:52:53 AM
Thanks all for your well wishes. It has been one heck of an experience. Being home is so great and yes, my milk flow is improving. Wyatt is acting like a normal baby, crying and all, and I am figuring out each little cue. Hubby has been great and I came home to lunch all ready. He's been checking on us a lot as he tries to harvest today and bought walkie talkies so I can reach him when he's down in the orchard.
I really appreciate all the words of advice and support through these pages and this whole pregnancy. I'm still learning, but you have all been wonderful.
Laurie
http://www.inntheorchardbnb.com/ |
| Penny Wise |
Posted - Oct 16 2011 : 06:19:21 AM
laurie i am so glad to read that wyatt is here and improving daily! today should be your going home day and it will be wonderful tiring and awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!! take care of you and enjoy every moment with wyatt ...prayers continue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Farmgirl # 2139
proud member of the Farmgirls of the Southwest Henhouse
~*~ counting my pennies and biding my time; my dreams are adding up!~*~ |
| coaloha |
Posted - Oct 16 2011 : 05:28:48 AM
Laurie,
Congratulations on your beautiful new son! What a joy to hear that your baby has arrived. I hear that your birth experience was intense and full of the unexpected. That can be hard to deal with. Please take things one day at a time, rest as much as you can, and enjoy your sweet baby.
Sending love and prayers.
Pam Barnes-Palty
Phoenix, AZ
Farmgirl #1075
Happy member of the Southwest Henhouse
Be distracted by joy |
| Rain K |
Posted - Oct 15 2011 : 10:18:10 PM
Laurie,
Congratulations on the arrival of Wyatt (finally!), and the news that tomorrow will be a homecoming for your family. My heartfelt compassion for all you have been through...I have helped with many, many births over 30 years and honestly I believe that Wyatt will recover and develop just fine. Thank God you had doctors that knew to respond appropriately to safeguard the health of you both. Don't worry about the epidural, or the C-section...there are easy ways to recover for you and the baby, just given some time and rest. I agree with all the advice to keep pumping even without a lot of milk production as being at home will likely bring on the flow, especially when you feel less uncomfortable and stressed. It is truly a blessing that your Mom and niece are local to help you with the details of life with a newborn! Many blessings and profound respect for your courage in the face of a hard road to bring your little one into the world.
Much love,
Rain
Farmgirl #3381
The Ninth Wave
Earth Meat farms |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Oct 15 2011 : 4:59:14 PM
Oh Laurie, I'm sorry for all the stress and unforseen things. But I'm sooooooooooo glad things are on the upswing. I have been wondering about you, baby and family.
I'll be praying for Wyatt and for you!!!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
From my Heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
From my Hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
through my lens - http://ceejayscamera.shutterfly.com/
from my Hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| buggysmum |
Posted - Oct 15 2011 : 4:45:41 PM
Sorry, Laurie, I don't know how I missed your post!
First of all, congratulations on your sweet baby boy. I was stunned to read about all the trauma and stress you have been through this week and I am praying for your baby's good health. Please keep us posted on how you all are doing when you are able.
Sending hugs. |
| Montrose Girl |
Posted - Oct 15 2011 : 10:43:28 AM
the hospital pumps here are medela and there are a variety of cup sizes, which has been an adventure to find one that was comfortable. I am taking fenugreek now and have had a bit better luck, but still hoping to really do good once we get home which should be tomorrow!!!! yipee!! I think whenever you have to deal with NICU your stress level increases. Here's to going home.
Shelly, I posted an update on page 6.
Laurie
http://www.inntheorchardbnb.com/ |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Oct 14 2011 : 9:33:31 PM
Yeah I have always heard that hospital grade is better, however, for myself I never responded well to them. I responded best to a medela pump using ameda shields/flanges. (I just plugged them into my medela double electric) I often wonder I would of done with a Ameda pump. But, at the time all the store sold by where I lived was Medela and I didn't know much about pumping. I received the Ameda shields from the hospital I had DD1 at. When I went to start using the Medela ones they had a seam in them that left me with blisters, they didn't seem to be as large as the Ameda ones either. So I just looked at the connectors and thought hmmm, I think this could work and that started me just doing that. Worked better for me. I was able to pump for 2 1/2 years for DD1. I pumped for 6 months for DD2 that's when I bottle broke her and only breast fed her. At first they said she was too premature and little to get enough suction to fully be breast fed only.
I think some of it was the hospital grade may of just been too strong for my personal body, and part of it was stress, and part of it was skin to skin. Once home with my babies I held them all the time. While in NICU I was limited to the amount of time they let me hold them, especially skin to skin. So I think once home with a less strong pump, with less stress, and with my baby on me all the time, my body responded much better. My husband was shocked with DD1 when we got home, I immediately pumped and got two full bottles. Meanwhile at the hospital doing every thing I could I was only getting droplets! At the hospital with DD2, my husband just kept saying don't worry when we get home every thing will be fine. I was thinking I'm not so sure, cause it's been almost a week and nothing, but nope husband was right as soon as we got home after a week of NICU and hospital pumps, I got home with a new medela PISA (I had worn out the old one after 2 1/2 years! lol However, I kept the motor cause I have a feeling it just needs a professional cleaning!). Again right away no problems pumping the milk! My husband blames the hospital pumps! lol I just think it was a mixture of all of the three things together. Not the pump for me, stress, and not enough skin to skin.
Again though if I had to buy a new pump I may try the ameda as I really like their parts.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| buggysmum |
Posted - Oct 14 2011 : 4:43:37 PM
Congratulations Heather! Enjoy that beautiful baby boy. You are a wealth of information on BFing. Interesting to know about the hospital pump...I always thought that might have been part of the problem for us. I rented a hospital grade one when I had DD.
Has anyone heard from Laurie? |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Oct 14 2011 : 10:08:04 AM
I am so so sorry Laurie. I have heard of that before, thankfully it is unusual.
I am glad he will be ok!
As for breastfeeding, keep on pumping as much as you possibly can, if you want to breastfeed.
I can tell you for DD1 she was in NICU for 3 days I barely got anything to come out with the hospital pump. However, I did it any way in hopes of stimulating it. When I got home the first pump session with a medela double electric it was like the flood gates opened and I had no problems from there on out. With DD2, she was in NICU for a week the whole time nothing with the hospital pump hardly at all (just drops) got home with her and again, flood gates opened. With DS he didn't have to go to nicu and got to stay with me the whole time no problems at all producing the milk. So it is for sure stress. Just drink plenty of water, and keep on pumping as much as you can. And when you get home with DS you will probably be fine! ;o) Try to nurse him as much as they will let you too. That will help him learn to nurse even if you are not producing enough for his entire meal. The more you nurse him the more milk you will get, and the more he will understand nursing.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| laurentany |
Posted - Oct 13 2011 : 6:15:31 PM
Prayer go out to you and your new little one Laurie. I can not imagine the stress that you have endured in the past week. Happy you are starting to develop a sense of normalcy- and praying that all continues well for both of you. Congratulations!!!!
Smiles,
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
| Acelady02 |
Posted - Oct 13 2011 : 5:03:52 PM
Laurie, you and your sweet little boy are in my prayers....I wish I was close enough to come help you...at least sit with you...
(((((Hugs All)))))Penny
Farmgirl Sister #3343
God gives Miracles to those who Believe, Courage to those with Faith, Hope to those who Dream, Love to those who Accept, & Forgiveness to those who Ask... |
| Montrose Girl |
Posted - Oct 13 2011 : 3:58:09 PM
Like Heather it has been a whirlwind of a week. This is the first time I've had an hour to just sit. It started on the first when I ruptured, but didn't know it. By the time I got to the doctors for my appt on Tuesday, the doctor sent me straight to the hospital (My due date). Unfortunately I was not in labor and the doctor was concerned with infections since it had been so long since the rupture so they induced me at noon on Tuesday. This labor turned into everything I was hoping to avoid.
16 hours later and not dialating past 6 cm, I opted for the epideral (#2 I didn't want), but the pain had just become too much and I was just exhausted. It took the rest of the day for me to reach 10 cm, but I finally did and started to push. 5 hours later he was not coming out and the doctor was becoming highly concerned. C-section (#3 of not wanting). They discovered he was stuck on my pelvis. So Thursday morning my little one was born - a boy.
Unfortunately, things did not go well from there. That afternoon he started having random seizures. Through the night his oxygen level kept dropping. The next morning we got transferred to NICU in Grand Junction, where we are still at. The diagnosis - he had a stroke in utero. To say the least I was a bit shocked and had never heard of such a thing. Not common, but the doctors here had seen it and have been really good. They also consulted with the neo nurologist in Denver. After a week we are now in the pediatric ward, he is seizure free, eating well, and doing all the baby things expected. They are waiting to have him be off the main seizure med for a few days before sending us home, which looks like Sunday at this point.
Overall, the doctors think this should not effect him in the long term. He may need some occupational therapy, but everything they have seen indicates infants bounce back because they have not formed the brain pathways adults have. So the relief has increased as he moves around, cries, poops, and demands more and more food. Emotionally wrung, we spent our first night together since his birth in a very normal way, he was fussy because of the new formula (stress has kept me from producing enough for him him yet) and I was up all night. It was hard, but good because I know he's ok.
My mom and niece have been around full time so I've had good support as hubby handles work.
Exhausted, but happy first time mom,
Laurie
http://www.inntheorchardbnb.com/ |
| countrymommy85 |
Posted - Oct 07 2011 : 09:20:43 AM
Can't wait to hear updates on when you ladies finally got to meet your little ones! I'm so excited because time is flying by and I know I can't wait to meet little baby #3!!!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Sep 29 2011 : 03:04:20 AM
Thanks gals. And yes the guessing is hilarious Laurie! I asked my dr approx how big he thought RJ was, he laughed and said between 6 and 12 lbs and then said, I am rarely wrong! hahahaha ok. lol haha
I'm usually pretty good at pinpointing exactly when I conceived though. I seem to always know like almost right away. I always have this butterfly fluttery feeling almost instantly, and usually know with in a day or two (even before a test would show it).
This is the first time though I am ready for it to be over. lol I can barely do anything any more. This is the biggest I have EVER been! I can't even put on my own shoes-first time ever! With DD1 I was so not wanting to have her yet and I was 38 weeks, and 40 lbs less then what I am! lol I gained 4 lbs just this week alone! I didn't gain this whole pregnancy and the last few weeks have been gaining like crazy! UHG, I feel huge and can barely move. OTOH, I worry about having a baby so soon......I feel bad about getting pregnant too soon after having DD2, I wanted her to be a baby longer. and I don't know how she will react to another baby. I feel bad about it. So on that hand I wish I could keep him in there another year! lol haha
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| buggysmum |
Posted - Sep 28 2011 : 4:33:20 PM
Best of luck Laurie and Heather! We can't wait to hear the happy news!!! |
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