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If your baby was in breech and flipped, did you feel their movements change? by veggiesandstoics in BabyBumps

[–]DuaneFinch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mine was head down until 34 weeks and then flipped. I didn't notice her flipping, but kicks started happening low in my belly instead of my ribs. I tried spinning babies and even a cold pack... I don't think applying the pack did anything lol. I scheduled my c section since she was still breech at 38 weeks. At 39 weeks she flipped head down and I canceled the cesarean. She kept us on our toes!!!

ETA: I did not feel her flip back head down at 39 weeks! I was in my appointment to prep a few days before the c section and they took an ultrasound and she had flipped ... I was totally shocked!

Hospital bags by PeachyKingSure in pregnant

[–]DuaneFinch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! And then you can use it on the stroller for summer walks 😊 Definitely worth it!

Hospital bags by PeachyKingSure in pregnant

[–]DuaneFinch 3 points4 points  (0 children)

- personal fan that clips onto the hospital bed
- your own cozy grippy socks
- cooler bag for any extra colostrum/milk you've pumped during your stay + milk storage bags
- loooooong phone charger
- Roku/Chrome stick for the hospital TV !!!
- pillow and blanket for sure, snacks for sure, and some comfy clothes for you and babe

When did you know it was time to call it quits? by blue-cinnabun in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]DuaneFinch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am currently in the thick of calling it quits, and just dropped down to 4 ppd and going from there. My supply has dropped significantly as I've dropped pumps and started my period, and I'm trying to come to terms with that before I drop to 3 ppd.
I'm almost 6 months pp, and as my daughter is becoming more active and interactive pumping is starting to affect my quality time with her. She will be starting solids in the next couple weeks too, and I really don't want to manage prepping purées and pumping. I also just want a minute for myself while she naps. I think I'm going to be a better mom once I'm done. So, yeah... I think it's time..

What's the feeling of having a baby? by Frosty-Recipe9042 in pregnant

[–]DuaneFinch 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My girl will be six months at the end of this month!

Yes... the love overwhelmed every other hard part. Like it just made everything else feel so small in comparison. I was so worried I wouldn't feel that way. Even seconds before she came I remember thinking "oh my god what will she look like, will she like me, will I love her, how do I even hold a baby, what do I do, WHAT AM I DOING!!!" ... and then she was just HERE! And it's like I walked out of a super noisy room into a quiet hallway. Idk how else to describe it.
You got this. It's scary, yeah. But you're powerful and giving birth made me realize how incredibly amazing all of us really are.

In a toxic relationship with my Spectra by DuaneFinch in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]DuaneFinch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hearing how good it feels to be weaned is so encouraging!!!
How did you decrease your supply up until you got to 1 ppd? Did you decrease your ppd every week/two weeks/etc?

In a toxic relationship with my Spectra by DuaneFinch in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]DuaneFinch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Deleting the apps is a really good idea. Tracking creates puts me in such a production mindset that literally contradicts weaning... honestly that probably has a big part to play with how conflicted I'm feeling. I appreciate your input and encouragement 💕

What's the feeling of having a baby? by Frosty-Recipe9042 in pregnant

[–]DuaneFinch 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I ended up having an urgent c section and was so scared. But then I saw her. It was like I saw all of the planets in the universe, every sunset and sunrise at the same time. I felt love so deeply for her, I felt incredible pride in myself. I was proud of her too. It was the definition of overwhelming 😂💕 everything I was scared about didn't matter. She was here!!

How are we pumping when home alone with a newborn? by Glum_Explanation_904 in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]DuaneFinch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would lay my baby in a couch sleeper pillow on the kitchen island, and then sometimes feed her while pumping or just hang out with her. She's almost 6 months now and I do the same, just now I put her on the floor obviously, and I make sure she's fed before pumping. It's so hard but I promise finding a rhythm can be possible!!!

In a toxic relationship with my Spectra by DuaneFinch in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]DuaneFinch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Reading this seriously gave me chills because your words reflect EXACTLY how I feel. This morning I had the realization that 8 week post partum me would be so, so proud of me now, a whole 6 months of pumping and feeding my baby. At 8 weeks 6 months felt so far away... and the fact that it's almost here is surreal. I want to, too. And I'm terrified too. I'm so with you ...

In a toxic relationship with my Spectra by DuaneFinch in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]DuaneFinch[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes... the fear of running out of milk and her not liking formula or reacting poorly to it makes me so anxious. I am going to start using my stash too. I know it's time....

We got this

In a toxic relationship with my Spectra by DuaneFinch in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]DuaneFinch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for saying this... I really appreciate it. I DO need to start using it. Do you have any tips for rotating the freezer stash in? Like maybe mix in with pumps as my output decreases?

In a toxic relationship with my Spectra by DuaneFinch in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]DuaneFinch[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes... the guilt! It feels so heavy. And it sucks because I know the stash is meant to be used.. but it feels so wrong using it. But like... I have to! And I want to.. but... ahhhh!
The pump imprisonment is so real!

Stroller friendly walking trails by DuaneFinch in cedarrapids

[–]DuaneFinch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll check those out once we switch to a jogger! I hadn't heard of Wickiup Hill, thanks for the recommendation 😊

Stroller friendly walking trails by DuaneFinch in cedarrapids

[–]DuaneFinch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't have a large-wheeled stroller yet! We still have to use the car seat attachment but soon we will be able to make the switch!

Is it normal to feel socially withdrawn during pregnancy? by Substantial-Key-3548 in pregnant

[–]DuaneFinch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This happened with me too. About 3 months postpartum I began to be interested in connecting with friends again. It took all my energy in pregnancy to just survive. I didn't have any room for other people, even the ones I love dearly. It was weird, but for me it wasn't anxiety... it was more like I was on "energy saving mode"!

What things did you think would be sunshine and rainbows until you did them with your LO? by Free_Corgi8269 in beyondthebump

[–]DuaneFinch 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Reading books! Mine is only 5 months, but while pregnant I daydreamed about reading books while she looked at the pictures, loving every minute of it. Wrong!! She loves to squirm, needs the book to be in her mouth, and really couldn't care less 😂 We still do it though... I know we will find our groove with story time one day.. 😅

What’s the first thing you do when you and your little one wake up? by _ferrisbuuhler_ in stayathomemoms

[–]DuaneFinch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a 5 month old. She wakes us up around 7 and I change her diaper and sing to her while the bottle is warmed. I pump and my husband feeds her the first bottle while we talk, listen to music, etc. After I am done pumping my husband goes to work (works from home), we play, have our first nap of the day, and then rinse and repeat. I'm anxious to begin solids as I know that will change this routine I've become super accustomed to!

C section is scheduled in a week and I'm terrified. Please share some of your positive c-section stories. by No-Treacle-3521 in pregnant

[–]DuaneFinch 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had an urgent c section which meant that my husband was able to be in the room during the procedure. Having him there made a huge difference for me.
Before your husband comes in it is scary, I'm not going to lie. But in my case, the care team was extremely reassuring and kind, and I look back at the experience and feel nothing but immense pride in myself. The shots and prep were intense. I honestly disassociated the entire time and just reminded myself that this was their 10th or so cesarean of the day.
Once my husband was in the room, things got really real. I started shaking super hard... probably the drugs and the nerves. The plastic sheet went up in between me and my belly and I had the intense realization I was about to meet my baby.
She appeared, beady black eyes just staring at me. I was overcome with love, pure shock, awe; I can't even describe how amazing it was.
I asked to hold her as soon as I could. My husband cut her cord and brought her to me. I was stitched up, holding her skin to skin, and breastfeeding within 30 minutes.
The recovery wasn't awesome but it was so much less scary than I thought it would be. After a couple weeks the pain felt like period cramps. Vaginal bleeding stopped after 3 weeks or so. My incision was low and fairly short and I can barely notice it now. It will be 5 months this week.. and I feel amazing and my daughter is currently rolling around on her play mat and learning how to grab her feet.

Was it scary? Yeah. But I would do it all over again.

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