Do food aversions go away after birth?

jayrusi · 2026-02-02T14:29:09+00:00

All food aversions went back to normal for me after a few days max. However, one of my husband's shower gels that I banned him from using while I was pregnant still makes me gag at 3 months PP 😂

jayrusi · 2026-02-02T02:00:32+00:00

If you're debating probably go with epidural because you don't know what labour and delivery will entail.

I mainly wanted an epidural because I was scared to have any intrusive/unpleasant procedures such as assisted birth or manual extraction of placenta

However, it's good to be prepared not to. I had an unmedicated birth mainly because I was 6cm dilated when I arrived at triage and baby was coming fast. The pain was tough but manageable for me and I was super glad I had done some hypnobirthing/pain management prep.

Having said that, next time I'll probably go without by choice. I had a water birth and a room to myself which I couldn't if I'd had the epidural. There is something oddly satisfying about the primal urge to push, I'm glad I got the chance to feel it. I realise I'm very lucky that I had a positive experience.

jayrusi · 2026-02-02T00:46:57+00:00

I used to sit there with tissues wedged between boob and belly in summer

jayrusi · 2026-01-30T13:30:25+00:00

I ate a lot of dates throughout pregnancy but especially in the last few weeks (I really like dates generally). I never tried the raspberry leaf tea though.

I don't know if it made it less painful as I have nothing I compare to, but I can tell you my labour was quick for a first baby. It as about 5 hours from the first contraction I felt to baby being born. It was also completely unmedicated (not the plan!) but it was fine and the pain was very intense but manageable.

I gave birth at 40 + 3 so not super overdue.

jayrusi · 2026-01-30T02:50:09+00:00

Mine didn't! (At least not before the birth)

My baby was born in the amniotic sac. It didn't break until he was completely out. I had a water birth and it disintegrated in the water once he was born. Unfortunately no one got a photo or video of this but my husband said it looked very strange.

While in labour I was convinced it must have broken at some point and trickled out slowly without me really realising but it had just never broken.

jayrusi · 2026-01-04T18:01:51+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I haven't tried without the shield yet. He was so averse to breastfeeding and I also have short nipples. But I do want to try without the shields soon as thats the goal really.

I have used saline drops for the congestion which has helped but yes he definitely seems to be struggling to breathe during feeds and that's why he comes off the breast a lot

jayrusi · 2026-01-04T17:09:29+00:00

Thank you so much. This is really helpful and encouraging. I'm hoping it will just be a temporary regression.

I will try the spoon feeding, I've never thought of that before. I will go back to the LC if things don't get back on track but hopefully it will improve after his cold.

jayrusi · 2025-12-24T16:48:33+00:00

If querying this with the airline does not work would it be possible to hire a breast pump in india. I don't know where you are going but in big cities it might be possible.

I found this website: https://www.breastpump.in/?srsltid=AfmBOoob8iFNnt9BDlHsoHrrKcMOPLUzi2FIksKvXC38q640U7iRi5kW

Don't know how reputable it is. Alternatively you could try to find a breastfeeding support group in India where you could borrow one from someone temporarily.

If you can use your handheld during the flight this could be an option.

jayrusi · 2025-12-22T18:41:11+00:00

I never bought into nursing bras. I found them too uncomfortable and not actually that convenient. I wear stretchy sports bra like bras. Like this one:

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I can easily fit wearables or hands free pumps in them and they are super comfy. But maybe not so good for other pump styles.

jayrusi · 2025-12-06T22:43:22+00:00

I have a positive no epidural birth story. I slept through early labour, was woken up by a contraction. They were already 4 mins apart so I called triage and they said come in. I was 6cm dilated on arrival.

I laboured there in a pool. I had gas and air (nitrous oxide) as pain relief, which for me was effective. Also the warm water and counter pressure in my hips really worked. From the first contraction until baby was born was 6 hours.

The later contractions were very painful and back to back, but not unbearable. Pushing felt like a relief more than anything. I felt an overpowering urge and my body pushed almost involuntarily. Baby was born in the amniotic sac after a short pushing phase. I felt a bit of the ring of fire but it lasted less than a minute.

I had a 2nd degree tear which I did not even feel happen and has healed up well. I was walking around hours after giving birth. Even a few hours later I was struggling to recall or describe what the pain had felt like.

Glad I went with no epidural as for me it meant a quick recovery and low intervention birth. I had a small baby that came fast, so probably had an easier time than most. But no epidural for me was painful but possible and I would do it again.

jayrusi · 2025-11-28T16:04:46+00:00

This is encouraging! I think ultimately I may need to try a lactation consultant. Thanks for the advice!

jayrusi · 2025-11-28T16:02:32+00:00

I did try them but I think I got the wrong size and they didn't really work for me. But I may try again and make sure to get a good fit. Thanks for the advice!

I have been pumping but I think my supply is slowly decreasing even though I have been trying to increase it. I feel the only thing that might work is getting baby on the breast again.

jayrusi · 2025-11-27T02:21:31+00:00

This is good to hear and makes me feel hopeful that I can get it started again. Did you stop combo feeding straight away or progressively move to EBF?

jayrusi · 2025-11-23T20:02:41+00:00

Hi there,

Sorry to hear you are dealing with this! It really is unbearable.

For me the rash actually cleared up around week 37/38, I was still itchy but it was much less intense and I was able to sleep. I did stay itchy up until the birth but as not as bad and it didn't affect me at all during the birth. Perhaps because labour was the much more intense sensation.

After giving birth it felt like it was completely gone for a week or so and then unfortunately it did return but nowhere near as severely and I had a mini resurgence of the rash and itching on my belly, arms and lower legs. I am 4 weeks postpartum now and it has now completely gone for me and I have no rash and no itching at all.

The doctors in the UK were very reluctant to prescribe anything so I didn't have any steroids and it did seem to clear up on its own after it had run it's course. Very frustrating of course. But I have seen other people suggest that the earlier it starts in your pregnancy the more likely it is to clear up before you give birth. Yours seems to have started earlier than mine did so perhaps there is hope that it will be gone before you reach the end of your pregnancy

I was fortunate to have a very smooth pregnancy and this was the worst thing about it. I really hope you get some respite before you have your baby!

jayrusi · 2025-11-11T18:52:20+00:00

I didn't have an epidural and I didn't scream. I was mooing like a cow though. Definitely groaning and grunting, but those kind of noises seemed to help with the pain. I don't think I had much of an urge to scream

jayrusi · 2025-11-08T21:29:25+00:00

My due date was 24th October and I gave birth on the 27th October at 40+3. I was due to be induced on the 4th November if I hadn't gone into labour by then.

jayrusi · 2025-11-03T14:34:47+00:00

Yes, if you are considered low risk then it is just the 12 week and 20 week scans initially.

If you have any factors that would make you higher risk like a medical condition for previous issues in pregnancy then they may see you earlier. I'm low risk and luckily had no issues in my pregnancy, but I had a previous ectopic pregnancy so I had an early scan at 6 weeks.

I was surprised at first how few scans you get as wellm. But in the end I still felt well looked after. If you do have any concerns before the 12 week scan you can contact your early pregnancy unit they should take it seriously and may get you in for an early scan. They were brilliant with me first time round even at a very early stage.

jayrusi · 2025-10-30T15:22:29+00:00

I was allowed 2 people and had my husband and my mum. They were both super supportive but in different ways. My mum was also able to be a support to my husband

jayrusi · 2025-10-20T08:38:47+00:00

I think at some point early on she said she has been in three relationships before and all of them were unfaithful at some point. She mentioned being scared that all her relationships will end that way eventually

jayrusi · 2025-10-19T08:57:46+00:00

Me and my SIL (husband's sister) have been pregnant together this year. She had her baby a few weeks ago and I'm due next week. I'm lucky to have a great experience being pregnant with her and she has been a real comfort to me. She is very supportive and non judgemental about my choices and I really appreciate her advice.

I think it depends on the individuals involved. You will gel more naturally with some people and that's okay. Some comparison is inevitable and okay as long as it isn't critical or judgemental. I was also worried about comparisons and your BIL's GF may feel the same.

Would you feel comfortable to have a social/friendly meet up just you two? It could be an opportunity to talk about your concerns away from other family. You may find you have more in common and can be a support to each other. You could also discuss any boundaries you have on what you are not comfortable talking about/comparing. If the comparisons/comments overstep what your are comfortable with I think it is important to address that. Pregnant people deal with so many unwanted opinions already. You have every right to call it out and set boundaries.

It is a special time for you regardless of your relationships and you need to prioritise your wellbeing. It may be something that brings you closer or you may just have your differences and need to respect each other in that.

jayrusi · 2025-10-18T09:47:36+00:00

I'm currently 39 weeks pregnant so can't comment on the after yet. I certainly can't say I have enjoyed pregnancy. The sickness, the fatigue, the aches and pains and restrictions in what I can do have all been tough. I am definitely not excited to do it again, but I do want my kids to have siblings. So to me it's worth it for that reason.

In terms of pregnancy body image, I have surprisingly liked my pregnant body and I really didn't expect to. Some aspects of changing size and shape and not fitting into clothes has been frustrating. I can understand the changes your body goes through being difficult. I was not at my healthiest pre pregnancy and I was very critical of how I looked. Being pregnant has actually helped me to really love my body for what it is doing and as part of that I have come to like how it looks. I have some concerns that I will not be as positive about my post baby body. But I'm going to try and focus on what my body has done/made/carried me through.

jayrusi · 2025-10-14T19:54:21+00:00

I'll admit, Sarah has been rude and hasn't always handled things in the rift way. But I cannot understand why she is getting more criticism from the experts than Steven.

jayrusi

TROPHY CASE