What you want to read in Mum & Baby and how to make pregnancy more comfortable
Hi beauties,
I hope you’re all really well!
I’m sorry I haven’t been in the forums much recently. I am going to try and jump in more again. It has been a bit of a busy period lately which brings me to…
I am looking after all things Mum & Baby on site now! And I really wanted to jump in here to find out what YOU want to read in the Mum & Baby section. Need to learn something specific about pregnancy? Got a burning question about your bub? Let me know so I can create content for you that you’ll actually want to see!
And secondly:
I am planning an article on making pregnancy more comfortable and I don’t think there is anything quite like hearing from mums who have been there and done that before. So if you had a secret that helped with the aches and pains, the swollen feet or the heat, OR if you have any advice that you’d give to pregnant beauties dealing with discomfort, please comment below so we can share the love.
Kindest,
Ellie xx
Replies
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
Can I also suggest an article to promote pre-pregnancy planning?
Lots of family GP don’t do this enough.
Pregnancy should be planned!Talk to your GP when you are thinking of getting pregnant.
Find out if any of your regular medications need to be changed.
Some as needed medications, e.g. ibuprofen/voltaren are contraindicated in pregnancy as well.
Lots of doctors promote improving weight, diabetes, or blood pressure prior pregnancy.Things should start before you find out you are pregnant 🙂
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
I had two babies in the 70’s and was not able to feed either of them, because of complications at the birth but my son was also a very big baby 9lb 10oz and I had no milk and they tried to make me feed him but what I did have was just not enough for him and in the end the specialist came in and said look give him formula, my daughter had to be bottle fed as I was too ill to feed her either, However I have two large happy and great kids son 6.ft 2. and daughter 6ft 1ins.It never did them any harm and I’m sure that formula now days is far better then then. So do not listen to others, do what is best for both you and the baby.
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
This isn’t related to the actual pregnancy but the feeding is where I came undone – it’s many, many years ago but I can still relate. I was unable to feed either of my babies as my milk supply simply didn’t eventuate and as soon as I started to do “normal things” I didn’t have enough milk to satisfy so had an absolute nightmare with the first but a super sensible Nurse with the 2nd had him on formula early and baby and Mum thrived.
It is just so important for the Mum to not be judged and/or made feel guilty for something out of her control. I had every intention of breast feeding my babies but it couldn’t happen.
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
Totally agree!
My situation was slightly different with my first the nurses made me express and bottle feed as she was a little as bub and had trouble latching on and that made her start to refuse my breast but I kept trying and trying… I felt so horrible and rejected and didn`t want to be judged because I wanted to breastfeed cos of all the “”breast is best”” so I started expressing so she could still have breast milk but didn`t always have enough and then I thought why torture myself it was so exhausting!! Once I gave her formula in a bottle she was much happier and so was I !!
I think people are too judgemental and as women we try to do what others want to keep them quiet in situations so we don`t get judged but no-one knows what you`re going through. I was not breastfed as a baby as my mum had no milk either so had formula- nothing happened to me!
I think you know yourself what is best for your baby and if you can`t breastfeed and need to bottle feed then so be it – none of anyone`s business and you shouldn`t be made to feel horrible because of it as long as baby eats & gets nutrition one way or another that`s what`s important!
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
I had zero milk myself trish and for the first 24 hours of my sons life I was milked like a cow, hooked up to machines, manually pumped by nurses etc etc and still not a single drop.
Obviously my baby wasn’t fed.At 36 hours I had a screaming fight with a nurse about giving him formula – I wanted him fed and she refused. Finally after about 20 minuets of arguing she gave me a bottle of formula and he was finally fed.
My milk never came in and I was shamed by so many people about formula feeding and not breast. Isn’t fed bettter than dead?
People shouldn’t be shamed for feeding their child. Ellie maybe you can add into your article about how good formula is now etc and that it’s ok to not breastfeed.
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
I couldn`t agree more with this.
I tried breastfeeding 2 out of my 3 children and it didn`t work out. I was completely okay with using formula but i was made to feel awful by midwives ..I`m now pregnant with my 4th and plan on using formula from the start but i dread my stay at the hospital fearing i will be judged and made to feel guilty again.
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
Every possible good wish for you with your 4th baby, katrina176. It is beyond belief in this day and age that more empathy isn`t shown to new Mums. There are people who simply don`t produce enough milk and they should be supported, not judged.
Don`t let yourself feel guilty and know you`re doing the best for your baby and you. It isn`t an easy time and shouldn`t be made more difficult in any way. I do hope all goes beautifully for you and that you have the support you deserve without any stress involved. Take care and please let us know how everything goes. We`re a good support network here!!!!
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
Thank you for your kind words and such a supportive message Trish_D that really was beautiful and much appreciated…made my day xx
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
With my experience I think It is hard work pushing the baby out amidst the pain. You have to have the strength and stamina.
I remember getting really tired and loosing my breath during my labour.
I think building your activity levels and stamina during your pregnancy would help. Walking daily or swimming would be a good exercise to do during your pregnancy. -
5 yrs, 7 mths ago
Really and truly, I had the easiest of pregnancies so there’s not much to contribute.
I had my first and only child at 42 (from choice) and my doctors were quite surprised that everything went so smoothly. I didn’t have one day of morning sickness but I put that down to the one or two mandarins I ate every day. Perhaps it was the acidity that settled my tummy. So there’s a tip – eat citrus fruits.
I also bought a foot spa and used that regularly because my work required me to be on my feet most of the day running around with preschoolers. Feet can take a bashing during pregnancy so the foot spas helped to keep the swelling to a minimum.
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
That is amazing, onlyoni! So nice to know that some pregnancies are on the easy side. Thank you for the suggestions – foot spa idea is fantastic. xx
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
I also suffered from a condition called SPD, which means I had an intense pain between my legs, mostly when I was sitting upright. This condition should affect only a fraction of the population but when I talked to my friends about it I found that it is not uncommon.
https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a546492/pelvic-pain-in-pregnancy-spd
I could not work (sit) or commute on a train in the last few weeks of my pregnancy. The only way was to work from home lying on a couch. My work was quite understanding in that it allowed me to do 3 days from home a week, but it probably did not realise how painful I was during the other 2 days.
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
I`m sorry to hear, skincare junkie. That sounds really tough. I had never heard of SPD before but thank you for sharing. It would be great to have more awareness about it. x
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
I had severe back pain starting second trimester. I found swimming daily and also having a good massage therapist helped.
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
Thank you ThisIsMe. I have only recently lost all my post pregnancy weight. I find it challenging to keep it off though!
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
Hi Ellie, i have a topic related to motherhood which may be of interest. I have a few friends who are now carrying their second child. They are now in great anxiety about their previously only child getting jeolous of the new baby. It may be good if some mothers can share their experience on this.
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
Hi jillian206,
That`s a great idea. I`m sure a lot of mums would love to hear about what others did to prevent that jealousy.
Thanks for the suggestion! xx
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
Hi jillian206,
I think the key thing when having another baby is making sure to communicate with baby #1 Even if they are young. I`ve got 2 years difference between my 2 daughters and luckily I didn`t have this issue.
In saying that we spoke about the baby, we included her when we did things & still spent time together. I think some of the issues due to this happening is baby #1 gets “”forgotten”” about and that`s where the jealousy comes in because all the focus is on the baby and no-one pays attention to the existing child.
I would suggest for your friend once the baby is born let baby #1 sit with her when feeding/changing get them to help by bringing you something like a tissue or holding something etc little things that still involve them.
Then in between when you have some spare time if baby is sleeping and mummy isn`t just sit and read to them or watch a kids show etc so you still have time together. Go for a walk to the park with baby in stroller etc. Hope that helps!
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
My “trick” to coping with the sibling jealousy is to have bubs so close together they don’t question another baby coming into the household!
My sister and I are less than 12 mths apart (I recently heard it called Irish twins!) and when you’re 11 months old, you accept another person being brought into the house (we were and still are very close – more like twins than siblings – not to say we didn’t have plenty of fights and arguments growing up and sharing a room!).
As for my 3 children – there is a 20 month gap between the first two and 26mths between child 2 and 3
I found child 1 and 2 would run off and play/destroy together and leave me to enjoy no. 3. And child 1 (at almost 4 yrs) was a wonderful helper if I needed her to get something for me.
I know it’s not practical having them close in age but i was running out of time back then – although 32-35 years of age is not considered old now , it was 25 yrs ago – and imagine my mum having a surprise baby at age 36 some 44 years ago!
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
Hi ThisIsMe, thank you for your advice. That`s what i told them too. But the comment is weak coming from me given that i don`t have any children. Great to hear that it works for your children 🙂
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
Oh no! I’m so sorry everyone! I believe it should all be resolved now. Are things working again for all of you? They look good from this end. xx
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
If I go to All brands there are only about 20 brands listed
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
Yes I went to look up Biore and discovered most brands have disappeared
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5 yrs, 7 mths ago
Hi Shop A Everyday,
I had a look at this and it seems to be working for me. Are you still having issues seeing brands?
xx
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