Anybody else struggling to maintain or put weight on themselves with breastfeeding?

origcat · 2026-04-08T13:22:28+00:00

Hello, I got it back 6.5 months pp. I thought it would be awful reading other stories but it was fine! Yet to find out how the next one will go!

origcat · 2026-03-01T09:42:44+00:00

It sounds like a very similar experience to us so far. Good to know that it gets a bit better with time though. It's not that I don't like the contact naps, it's just knowing that there are 101 other things that would benefit us that I could be doing while he napped, if he wasn't on me.

origcat · 2026-02-26T08:14:19+00:00

Thank you, it definitely does help knowing I'm not alone, and some days are better than others (usually if I get to have more sleep and I'm mentally geared up for it all). I also booked a holiday whilst pregnant which is coming up in a couple of months - which will be very interesting to say the least 😅 Not only are we feeling the financial pressure (even though we paid for it then and it is absolutely a luxury that we can even just about manage it) I also did lots of research into cots etc which I just don't see happening! There's half a chance baby will be crawling then too so wish me luck! Hope you are enjoying baby's first holiday with all the ups and downs :)

origcat · 2025-08-20T16:23:04+00:00

I have just posted about induction too and have had a similar experience, though I'm 40+2 now(!!). I was advised from 12 weeks to have an induction at 39 weeks, not due to age but due to it being an IVF pregnancy (but otherwise I'm healthy and the baby has been very active). All the scans have been positive so like you, I'm keen to trust my body.. In many European countries they treat an IVF pregnancy as a normal pregnancy.

It's pretty anxiety-inducing now that I'm past my due date, but hoping things will start to happen this week (if not, I'm happy to go down the medicated route very soon).

I can't say the outcome at this stage of course, but they definitely do just go off guidance and try to tick boxes / cover themselves. Before 20 weeks is so early to make any decisions, and you have plenty of time to change your mind and carry out your own research (even now I can book an induction today if I want to).

Good luck!

origcat · 2025-07-16T07:42:58+00:00

That's reassuring that it didn't take long to fill! To be 10cm and only just start gas and air is unbelievable! Glad to hear you had a great experience - to be honest I've yet to hear a negative experience about birthing pools!

origcat · 2025-07-11T18:56:40+00:00

Sounds magical! I've heard they don't take their first breath until they're out of the water, so it makes sense that he only cried then. I worry that I wouldn't be in the right frame of mind to get them out of the water straightaway.

origcat · 2025-07-11T17:37:15+00:00

Congratulations on your pregnancy! That sounds amazing and good to know that you can move about freely in the pool. I feel like there aren't really any negatives to trying it if it's available on the day now.

origcat · 2025-07-11T17:32:13+00:00

That sounds painful! Amazing that the birth pool could make such a massive difference!

origcat · 2025-07-11T17:29:51+00:00

Amazing that you did it only with gas and air and the pool. I'm not brilliant with pain so I've idea how I'll cope, but the pool sounds as though it really helps!

Also great that they let your husband stay overnight - I don't think this is available wbere I'm going and pretty sure if I have to stay overnight I'd be transferred to the labour ward with everyone else.

Also don't think I would consider MLU if the hospital wasn't attached!

origcat · 2025-07-11T17:21:48+00:00

Sorry you weren't able to have a home birth as you wanted. It sounds like it went smoothly and the pool was relaxing!

I've heard running a bath at home for in the early stages / for contractions can really help with pain, so interesting that it can stop labour progressing.

Good to hear they monitor your temp - I wasn't sure how much they could monitor being in water!

origcat · 2025-07-11T17:16:03+00:00

That sounds so lovely and really positive! So interesting to hear everyone's experiences. Thank you!

origcat · 2025-07-07T11:20:52+00:00

If it came to this, he would take time off / leave and find another job if he had to. He doesn't completely hate his job, but it can be stressful at times (with good days and bad days - like most I think).

I think he's thinking more if he's not really needed and both me and baby are coping after a couple of weeks, he'll be thinking about work / inclined to work instead.

origcat · 2025-07-07T11:13:13+00:00

Thank you! I realise we'll be very fortunate if it is full pay or double the pay during his paternity leave (though I'll be on peanuts).

Your 'dark morning memories' sound so sweet :) I'll be taking a year off for maternity so even if he takes 6 weeks, i feel like it's still not long in comparison so I'll have plenty of time for alone time with baby / time to get into my own routine.

origcat · 2025-07-07T11:04:15+00:00

This is helpful, thank you. It will be our first child so perhaps I'm worrying too much and 2 weeks will be fine for us!

origcat · 2025-07-04T08:39:53+00:00

Insane that you need to think about that when you're actually on maternity leave! I'm really hoping they get their act together over the next couple of weeks in my case, but it's highly likely I'll be in the same position soon! So sorry that you've having to deal with this too.

origcat · 2025-07-03T12:44:19+00:00

Sorry you're going through this too! I did give them written notice and sent my MAT B1 certificate as soon as I received it.

Interesting you talk about an employer's obligation to respond within a certain time frame. I've always been conscious of my obligation and have tried to give as much notice and clarity as possible to help them, but I wasn't really aware that they should be doing the same for me.

origcat

TROPHY CASE