Hi ladies forgive me for not updating you lot, currently 17 weeks pregnant. Spoke to my consultant on Monday who’s kind encouraged me to go for a natural birth. At first not going to lie the thought of it scared me. However I’ve been using The positive birth digital package , I think I might just go for it . Unfortunately with my first yes it was traumatic as labour was 2 days then ended up having a c-section wouldn’t want that to happen again. So far things have been different within this pregnancy 🤰🏽 I mean I even want to try breast feeding this time round considering I’m not on high dosage of medication. Anywho let me know you’re thoughts
Peace x
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Butterfly93
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Good to hear your update ..... weeks are flying by! I won’t be as helpful as many here as my PP episodes were so long ago and times have changed. I’d had an emergency c-section with my first son as after waiting 24 hours he was in distress. So in my case six years later I was booked in for an elective c-section and don’t think I was given an option. So at least I knew what to expect and was awake second time round
There will be other mums here to share their experiences with you. It’s good that you might try breastfeeding but don’t put pressure on yourself. I didn’t manage it although the midwives always said “Breast is best” but my ‘boys’ are healthy and happy so that’s all that matters to me
I think you were given the link to the PP Guide on second pregnancies In an earlier thread? Very exciting times for you ..... take care and stay safe. x
Lovely to hear from you. Sorry you had such a traumatic birth with your first. I would be quided by your gynaecologist. As long as there is a mutal understanding that a prolonged birth could be a trigger for PP so to be avoided. It is a hard one as every birth is said to be different. Although saying that all 3 of my labours followed the exact same pattern and length of time. So much so that when my waters broke in the morning with my 3rd I was in no hurry to go to hospital. I had previously arranged lunch with a friend so when she arrived I was like "yeah labour has started, my waters have broken but come on we are going for lunch!' I don't recommend it but I was so convinced that my labour was going to predictably be like the first 2 and it turns out it was.
As for breast feeding, again its a very personal choice. No wrongs or rights. I breastfed all of mine and loved it. It is exhausting in the early weeks though. I have head many say they felt breastfeeding (or more likely the lack of sleep due to breastfeeding) contributed as a trigger to their PP. However on the other hand I have read that the release of hormone oxytocin is great for lowering stress, and helping promote sleep for the mother. My problems actually started when I stopped breasfeeding after 9months. Stopping breastfeeding causes a big shift in hormones so its worth being aware of this if you do breastfeed and then at somepoint reduce it. I have a couple of friends who very early days chose to introduce a bottle of formula alongside breastfeeding just to give them some freedom, a break or a sleep (allowing their partner to do a.night time feed). If you were to keep to one bottle of formula a day but at the same time of day each time then this gives the boobs chance to work out what is happening and have milk available at the right time haha 😆. Also my friends were discouraged from introducing formula early on in case of confusing baby. It worked for them though. I think it just shows how different every pregnancy, birth and baby is.
There is one thing for sure Butterfly93. This time around, no matter what you choose to do, you will find yourself much more self assured and more confident because everything will be all familiar, a bit like second nature
Thank for your response I appreciate that, I’ll definitely take my time and talk to my mental health midwife and see what she thinks about delivery.
As for breastfeeding, I’ve decided I think bottle may be best after talking to my husband , cause then he can help out and others around me . Plus I didn’t know breast feeding can shift hormones that’s good to know .
I had a natural birth with both my boys. I didn’t have a traumatic birth first time around and didn’t have PP immediately afterwards, it was about 3 weeks later, so I was happy to plan for a midwife-led birth. It’s different for everyone and how you feel about your experience first time around - what you’re comfortable with and what’s likely to cause you stress and anxiety. For me, lack of sleep and a fixation on breastfeeding (likely linked) felt to be my main triggers so we planned to reduce stress around those things - bottle feeding and prioritising sleep and rest. I also took a low dose of medication after the birth for 6 months. Of course we don’t know what the full causes of PP are and can’t control everything but we tried to put in plans to reduce additional stress where we could. (I fortunately didn’t get PP second time.)
My second birth was much quicker and easier (21 hours from first contraction to birth first time and 5.5 hours second time!) and physical recovery was much quicker too, hopefully whatever you decide you will have a much better experience this time as well. Definitely talk it through with your midwife/doctor and see what you feel comfortable with
I’m feeling about meh today but that’s because I didn’t sleep well last night unfortunately. Nevertheless I’ll catch up later and have a nap when the hubby and daughter go out.
Wow you was lucky ! I would love to have a natural birth but because my first ended in c-section after 48 hours in labour I’m worried the same thing but happen again.
I’m glad you never developed PP second time round and things were in place hun. So far I’m linked with the perinatal team and also have a mental health midwife; so already that puts my mind at ease having that extra support.
I had a similar birth story 1st time and was worried about having a long delivery second time so thought about elective c section. My obstetrician was really positive about my chances of a natural delivery so i went for it, but the end of my pregnancy was very anxiety provoking waiting for it to happen! Fortunately the birth was straight forward the 2nd time and i didn't have a recurrence of PP.
I breastfed with both my babies and felt for me it really helped me feel connected with them and have a sense of purpose, but it has not been easy. There was 1 night where I'd been woken yet again and i told my husband i wasn't doing it and went back to bed!! He had to try to bottle feed our wee one who just screamed blue murder... that was the low point but there are high points every day and I'm still feeding him now 8 months on. I've been taking anti psychotics at alow level since just before delivery. Waiting until things calm with covid crisis plus we're trying to move house so not coming off meds for foreseeable.
Preparation has really helped me feel calmer throughout pregnancy and birth so it's great that you're thinking about everything already.
Wow well done to you & congratulations on your second baby! I’m so happy for you didn’t experience PP again. Glad all went well, I mean I would love a natural delivery but who knows . Will see what happens in the end
I swear you always message me at the right time. Tbh my mood has been up and down, I’ve had a few low days due to stress from work. So I’ve sat with my husband and decided that from 1st October I’m going on maternity leave I know I’ll only be 28 weeks but my mental health comes first xx
Sorry to hear you have had a few low days due to stress from work. It’s good that you talked it over with your husband and decided to go on maternity leave in October. I think that’s very true about our mental health coming first as stress can be very draining.
Try to make sure to take regular breaks at work and be safe. Thinking of you xx
It’s definitely cooler , tbh my mood is abut all over the place . I didn’t sleep well last night probably reason behind it plus half other got me upset xx
I think it’s understandable that your mood is all over the place if you haven’t slept well ..... hopefully you will be able to catch up with a nap later, on a much cooler day. Take care xx
I had one natural one cesarean after my post partum episode. The most important thing is to plan. I had a Planned epidural which helped immensely to reduce pain and stress. With this its ok having natural . And I stayed well after both. I took medication after with one. The other I was nervous about relspse and took medication last few weeks of pregnancy. Its fine for a lot of medications. Rest is very important. I took quetiapine to help relax sleep, you have to see what appropriate for you. I would recommend not breast feeding. For me I couldn't due to medication but also I needed to rest so partner bottle fed at night. They should give you a separate room at hospital in order to have more quiet time.
Your welcome. Sorry my response was a bit rushed. It was late. But i think I covered most if the important points. Also vitamins / omega 3 are good in pregnancy and after and a good massage if you get the chance lol
Awww bless you ! I’ve had a good weekend, been up in Liverpool for the weekend. About to start heading back home so long journey . Not too hot up in North. Hope your well wishing you a blessed week xx
It’s not been easy with the heat not even going to lie especially in the night, but thank thank good for a fan . Also I’m so grateful baby boy is developing so well xx
That must be a great relief for you I hope your daughter has settled into school and walking there and back is not too much as it has been quite hot today?
How lovely to read all your comments on how well you are doing. Especially the news on the normal result for gestational diabetes.
I think its great that you and your husband are thinking ahead and planning a nanny for extra support when you are tired.
Not knowing quite how 'big' you are getting but thinking maybe you could look into a back and belly support for pregnancy? I wasn't very big for my first or second but I wished someone had suggested the same for me with my third. I struggled on as I didn't realise there were such supports available.
I am glad everything else is well. I am not on the forum regularly at the moment but I do enjoy catching up on how you are doing.
Thank you Butterfly93 all is well thanks. A little busy with such a lot on at home but otherwise all good.
I'm glad you sound very tuned into your body and wellness and thus open to extra support. The last trimester gets tiring and you are already planning to ease this so thats really good.
Why thank you, I mean I’ve been through a lot in the past. So I’ve pretty much learnt how to become I tune with my mind and body and take the time to slow down when needed. I know my triggers and know who to go to for support so I’m really looking forward to having a positive experience hopefully this time round xx
Whilst preparing for every eventuality there is still no reason why you shouldn't have a good experience this time around. I did for both the 2nd and 3rd time. As have many other women despite a previous PP. My husband was constantly reassuring me that no matter what, I wouldnt have the same experience as last time because we would know what we were dealing with.
You have evertything in place so that you can enjoy just being a mum
Rest and accept help where it is offered is probably my biggest tip. Lol.
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When will this end?
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