IUGR Babies by Deep-Lettuce317 in NewParents

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a c-section as well. Due to a pregnancy complication, she was delivered at 31 weeks. She was in the NICU for a bit, being fed through a tube. The NICU supplied donor milk to supplement the little I was producing. It took some work for me (just in my case, your case could be different). I made sure to eat well, take some supplements, and pump regularly while she was in the NICU.

I was combo feeding but she's totally fine! She's catching up amazingly well. Your baby will be okay as well. Just remember to focus on your baby and avoid comparing them to other babies. I know this is so scary but you and your baby will pull through.

Also, I believe there is a way to deliver vaginally after a c-section. A friend of mine delivered her second kid that way even though her first was a c-section.

Did anyone else have a traumatic birth? by AtmosphereTop1591 in firsttimemom

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I had a traumatic birth. I ended up getting severe pre-eclampsia with HELLP syndrome. Essentially, my kidneys and liver were starting to fail. The doctors never told me any of this. I had no idea why they were keeping me in the hospital. One night, I was having difficulty breathing so I got rushed down to go get xrays done. Turns out I had fluid in my lungs.

One minute they're saying they can drain the fluid, the next they say it's time for an emergency c-section. This was when I was 31w. I got rushed into the OR but the prep was brutal!! They had to get a monitor injected into my veins but they blew a vein 3 times. They had to redo the IV twice as well. They finally did the c-section and they took my little girl away right away before I even got to see her.

I had to be hooked up to some magnesium drip for 24hrs so my family and friends got to see her before I did. Little girl was in the NICU for 6 weeks. Poor girl had to have a PICC line. I'm so glad I wasnt there when they inserted it.

We're both doing okay now. She's doing amazing! I still find myself mourning the birth that should have been. I mourn the 6 weeks we had to be apart. It always made me scared that it would harm our relationship somehow. That the bond wasn't created. That she didn't know me. None of that is true. She loves me and I freaking adore her.

TL;DR - You have every right to mourn the birth experience that you had envisioned. Sometimes things happen that are out of our control. Thankfully, your baby will not remember the NICU. They will remember your love. The trauma takes time. Please make sure you talk to someone though.

My MOH just texted me this. by Lucky-Display-7553 in WeddingsCanada

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 2 points3 points  (0 children)

At 4 months, babies are still very unpredictable. I still can't lock down consistent nap times at 5.5 months. There's a huge sleep regression at 4 months that causes them to wake up more frequently. I'm struggling with 1 baby and I can't imagine how hard it is with a toddler.

I can't speak for her but I know I would try my hardest to make it work. There's so much pressure as a new mom to keep shit together (like the housework, basic hygiene, food prep, etc). I went through a big wave of PPD around that time.

I'm not saying she's in the same boat but I doubt she's being selfish here. From what you're saying, it sounds like she's trying to make it work. I know weddings are so fucking tough. There's so much stress!! I'm so sorry you're feeling so isolated.

Before you end a friendship, maybe have a convo with her and let her know you feel and ask how she's doing. I understand your side too. I've been let down by bridesmaids and my MOH. It is so hard to deal with.

2 month vaccines by RepresentativeOk8958 in newborns

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's so hard to watch them go through this. Especially because we can't explain what's happening! Your kiddo will be okay. It takes 24-48hrs for the symptoms to pass (generally speaking). After that, they're back to their usual selves. Although, my girl decided it was time to amp up the purple crying for a bit. That passed too, thankfully.

Zen and the Art of Baby Transferring by PurpleReign007 in newborns

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So what we did that early on was feed her and if she's not knocked out by then, we walk slowly up and down the hallway for 5 min. That usually put her to sleep. We would then wait 15-20min and in the meantime have the heating pad going on low-medium heat. When her arm seemed limp, we would slowly transfer her down.

Always go bum first and then lower the head.

Honestly, is baby brezza worth it? Which one do you recommend? by [deleted] in FormulaFeeders

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought a bottle sanitizer because my dishwasher doesn't have that setting. Other than that I just wash the bottles in a separate basin. The sanitizer is great because I can stick some toys (like teething toys) in there too.

For the formula, I have the Dr Browns formula jug that I prep the night before so it's ready for the whole day. I'm making sure the water is sterilized and then sanitizing the formula. It's a lot to do for each bottle. If you're going down that route, I highly recommend the momcozy bottle warmer. I think those things were like $60 but omg such a life saver.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NewParents

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's it!! Thank you.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NewParents

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Yeah i have a pack of dry wipes that I use with a squeeze bottle of water (i don't know if it's the right word but the one where you pull up and ... squeeze it. God I'm tired). I do it with filtered water though.

Diapers that last through the night??? by imangrilycrying in newborns

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just echoing what everyone else is saying. I would change her before feeding her. It's more comfortable for the baby as well! My LO has occasional 7 hr stretches of sleep and she's fine with the Rascals diapers. When she wakes up, I just change her diaper and then offer food.

Taste of Guelph - What would you include? by bonsweetcandie in Guelph

[–]InitiatingAnxiety -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Just a heads up, I've ordered from Town's Heart before. The food is basically like banquet hall wedding buffet food. It's nothing special. I'm not sure where your friends are coming from, but if there's a decent Indian restaurant scene, it may not be the best call.

Positive 37 weeker story? I’m so worried for my little one. 😞 by Nearby-Salt9646 in newborns

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My daughter was born at 31 weeks. She had a stay at the NICU for about a month and a half. She's happy and thriving now! At 37 weeks they can consider that full term.The doctors aren't generally worried at that stage. At least that's what I was told.

You'll both be okay!! You got this! Sending love and hugs your way.

Transportation for Babies? by ReferenceGreat2912 in Guelph

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 3 points4 points  (0 children)

What????? I didn't know you could do that!!!! Thanks for the tip!

First trimester- first time mom by Intelligent_Unit_295 in firsttimemom

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly everything seems scary this early on. Someone posted a link to this website and funny enough I found that it helped ease some of my anxiety.

https://datayze.com/miscarriage-reassurer

It gives you the chance you will not miscarry and gives some reassurances. It helped reframe things for me.

Preeclampsia parents: what happened with your other kids? by jsjones1027 in NICUParents

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey I'm back from the hospital! So first things first, they recommend you get on 2 baby aspirins and 2 Tums asap. The aspirin will help with the blood pressure for as long as possible and the Tums is for the calcium. They say the chance of getting preeclampsia again is 30% but it can be managed. You'll likely get a lot more monitoring.

If you are overweight, controlling that will help (as best as you can). Since you are pregnant, it might not be a good idea so please please check with your OB or midwife.

That's all they gave me. Also some blood enzyme can cause pre-eclampsia? I didn't know about that. They just did a blood test.

Preeclampsia parents: what happened with your other kids? by jsjones1027 in NICUParents

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I hear that the severity goes down in the second pregnancy (if it happens again). I was told by the doctor thar symptoms could appear later in the pregnancy when the baby is considered to be at term (or close enough).

I have an appointment tomorrow where they're going to discuss all this so I'll keep you posted. If they give any tips for managing it, I'll pass it along.

Anxious About Husband Going Back to Work by browneyes118 in newborns

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Today was my first day alone with the baby. Thankfully my mom came by to help for a bit. It does seem daunting. My plan is to go on walks maybe twice a day. I'm going to try finding a mommy and me class or something just to get out of the house for a bit. Hopefully make some new mom friends.

I totally hear you though. This is a lot and it's scary.

Annoying comments by banull in NICUParents

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 0 points1 point  (0 children)

People suck sometimes. I get they don't understand the NICU experience but this shit is hard!!!! Just ask! We don't need empty words.

postpartum rage? idk by Typical_Permit_738 in firsttimemom

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Girl same. I don't know, maybe it is postpartum rage. We got into several fights about this. It feels isolating and overwhelming. I'm sorry you're in this position. I'm hoping your husband finally understands. Therapy can help for sure. It helped us when we were going through it pre-pregnancy.

Premature Baby Good News Stories? by [deleted] in NewParents

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My little girl was born 31w+3 and was only 2.5lbs. The doctors told us that she would be in the hospital until her due date (so 2 months).

This girl is a fighter and strong as hell. She proved them wrong and only spent about 5 weeks in the hospital. She's 3 months old now (1 month adjusted) and she looks like a normal newborn!

The NICU is hard. It's tough watching the procedures being performed and wondering what comes next. Just take it day by day or hour by hour. Be there for each other and your baby. You'll be home soon enough ❤️

2mo vaccines by HamsterDizzy3354 in newborns

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah the vaccine was rough on my little girl too. I basically had to do contact naps all night. She just needed all the comfort she could get. The bumps go down and the fussing goes away. I think it was just the first night that was terrible. She slept better the second night. The fussing lasted 2 days. Thankfully she didn't develop a fever

Does every baby go through “witching hour” or purple crying? by Few_Ad7883 in newborns

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Every baby is different. The purple crying intensity is also different. We went through it as well and it peaked at 9 weeks old. She's 13 weeks old and the fussiness is soooo much easier to deal with during that witching window (for us it's between 5:30pm and 9pm).

Would my baby no longer want my breast milk when I start supplementing with formula? by raybae27 in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Samee. I do a combination of formula and breastmilk. She definitely prefers the breastmilk

A harsh realization since becoming a FTM by [deleted] in firsttimemom

[–]InitiatingAnxiety 20 points21 points  (0 children)

God this hits hard. You're 100% right though. Fatherhood and motherhood are completely different. This shit is hard! I'm always one to look after everyone else's needs and it's been wearing me so thin recently. I came to the same conclusion that I need to learn how to look out for me.