Question for the mothers of AH

[MrsDeathlynx]

The midwife/doctor clinic I'm going to seems to have great support for the whole breastfeeding thing, they are advocates for it and even have classes they run for it. I also have everyone around me to help support me for it, not pressuring me but definitely in support for it. The clinic is all for the natural way to do things, but they also realize that some women just can't do it. The support shouldn't be an issue, they even have classes after the baby is born and part of the midwife's job is to help the mother get used to breastfeeding and helping her through it.

 

[deathlynx]

PARENT - Job Description


POSITION :
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION :

Long term, team players needed, for challenging, permanent work in an
often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities!

Travel expenses not reimbursed.
Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.

Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.

Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :

None.
Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :

None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :

Get this! You pay them!
Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :

While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.


Forward this on to all the PARENTS you know, in appreciation for everything they do on a daily basis, letting them know they are appreciated for the fabulous job they do...or forward with love to anyone thinking of applying for the job.

** AND A FOOTNOTE "THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!! **

 

[Chantilyvamp]

*giggles* that was cute.

 

[starrkers]

Methinks DL is just beginning to realise the enormity of the job in front

 

[deathlynx]

Methinks DL is just beginning to realise the enormity of the job in front

Oh, I certainly know the enormity of it all But I thought what better place than here for that...came from my mom when she found out...

 

[SensualCealy]

Did you find a pump yet? There was one on the sale rack at the grocery store today for $20, a Gerber pump, not sure what all it had in it, if you would like I can check it out and get back to you.

I agree with Lizzy, Yoga! Never done it before in my life until a lady suggested it to me because of my back while pregnant. Get on all fours, I know, I know, hard to do with a mound hanging off the front of you, but just do it! Arch your back up into the 'cat' pose I think its called, then slowly lower it and curve your back the opposite direction. Do this for about 20 minutes. When you get up sit kind of curved in a C shape to let your back work opposite of what its been doing as your baby pulls the spine to the front.

I had back labour with my son, no its not fun, but so worth it in the end. I would wear your brace all the time, if it helps do it!

Cant wait for 'our' baby to be born! lol
C
ps do we know the sex yet?

 

[MrsDeathlynx]

Did you find a pump yet? There was one on the sale rack at the grocery store today for $20, a Gerber pump, not sure what all it had in it, if you would like I can check it out and get back to you.

I agree with Lizzy, Yoga! Never done it before in my life until a lady suggested it to me because of my back while pregnant. Get on all fours, I know, I know, hard to do with a mound hanging off the front of you, but just do it! Arch your back up into the 'cat' pose I think its called, then slowly lower it and curve your back the opposite direction. Do this for about 20 minutes. When you get up sit kind of curved in a C shape to let your back work opposite of what its been doing as your baby pulls the spine to the front.

I had back labour with my son, no its not fun, but so worth it in the end. I would wear your brace all the time, if it helps do it!

Cant wait for 'our' baby to be born! lol
C
ps do we know the sex yet?

Don't have the pump yet, I will probably end up going with the one that everyone reccomended, or nearly everyone. But as for the stretch I already have to do that for physical therapy, so I'm ahead of the game there, lol. I only take the brace off occasionally and while I sleep, but for the most part I wear it all the time.

Yes we know what baby is going to be, just not telling anyone right now. Want to stay gender neutral for clothes and such so we don't do the traditional pink or blue. Only our parents know, not even telling other family.

 

[SensualCealy]

Now how are we to buy stuff for the baby shower if we dont know what colours to buy? hmmm not fair, sitting and pouting!

 

[MrsDeathlynx]

Now how are we to buy stuff for the baby shower if we dont know what colours to buy? hmmm not fair, sitting and pouting!

That's the point.
Greens and purples and yellows and black and white and beige... would work well, well unless it's lavender which most people see as more girly. Also Winnie the Pooh stuff, that's what most of the sheets and blankets are going to be and that kind of thing.

 

[starrkers]

Don't know if you have this mob Bright Bots over there (they're Australian, so their current catelogue is summer oriented), but they do bright colours in EVERYTHING. Sadly they were only just kicking off when my youngest was a baby, so I didn't get a chance to take full advantage.

 

[MrsDeathlynx]

I've been having sleep issues lately, then again having insomnia doesn't seem to help. But I just can't seem to get comfortable or find a position that doesn't make me nauseated. Any suggestions?

I have a body pillow and have been laying on my left side, that isn't working as well any more. Recently I tried putting a bunch of pillows behind me and ending up in a half sitting up position...Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[tickledkitty]

I wish I had something helpful to suggest. *hugs*

 

[MaeveoSliabh]

I had to sleep literally sitting up for the entire last trimester of all three of my pregnancies, due to not being able to breathe laying down. The kids were all too big, and would squish things to the point it made breathing impossible. The couch became my best friend.

3 or 4 pillows behind your back, one behind your head, leaning up against the arm of the couch and spread out along the length was the only way I could catch any sleep at all. Sometimes it was more comfortable to turn slightly to one side and prop the belly up on cushions or big body pillows or something, depending on how the baby was sitting at the time.

You may also want to try getting some pure lavender essential oil - not the fake chemically composed shit they try to pass off as the real stuff - and putting just a drop or two on the pillow directly under your head if it doesn't make you nauseous. The scent both calms your stomach (normally) and causes your brain to produce minute amounts of the chemical that helps you to sleep.

 

[MrsDeathlynx]

I had to sleep literally sitting up for the entire last trimester of all three of my pregnancies, due to not being able to breathe laying down. The kids were all too big, and would squish things to the point it made breathing impossible. The couch became my best friend.

3 or 4 pillows behind your back, one behind your head, leaning up against the arm of the couch and spread out along the length was the only way I could catch any sleep at all. Sometimes it was more comfortable to turn slightly to one side and prop the belly up on cushions or big body pillows or something, depending on how the baby was sitting at the time.

You may also want to try getting some pure lavender essential oil - not the fake chemically composed shit they try to pass off as the real stuff - and putting just a drop or two on the pillow directly under your head if it doesn't make you nauseous. The scent both calms your stomach (normally) and causes your brain to produce minute amounts of the chemical that helps you to sleep.

Thanks for all the tips. I have some lavendar essential oil, got it from an herbal shop that makes it themselves so it's the real deal. Except I put a drop under my nose like one would do with vic's since I move my head around so much.

 

[MrsDeathlynx]

Oh and this is the pump that I went with, did it because it was much less expensive than the 2 breast pump but still the same brand.

Breast Pump

I still have the receipt and plan on not opening it until I know I have the milk to breast feed.

 

[NorCalGirl]

I had to sleep literally sitting up for the entire last trimester of all three of my pregnancies, due to not being able to breathe laying down. The kids were all too big, and would squish things to the point it made breathing impossible. The couch became my best friend.

I can't resist adding my two cents here, even though I'm not an author on this site. But the subject matter is so interesting and you've gotten some wonderful advice throughout. I don't have much to add about the breast feeding, except that I hope the labor and delivery unit of the hospital where you have your baby is one that encourages mother-baby bonding from the start, breast feeding, and so forth. I had my son at a Kaiser facility in Northern California and they were very pro-active in this way. Mother and baby are together from birth, unless the baby needs special care. My son did not leave my sight from the moment he was born until we were discharged, and they had a lactation specialist come and talk me through the first couple nursings.

As to growing ever more uncomfortable, I too ended up sleeping propped upright on the couch near the end of my term. I had two main problems, low back pain and horrible heartburn. To help me sleep, I found that playing a CD of the sounds of rain storms was extremely soothing. I also had another acoustic CD of the sounds of the ocean. But the rain storm one was my favorite and I played it every night, and onto after my son was born.

Breast feeding - it hurt like hell every single time my son latched on, for about 20 or 30 seconds. Then it was fine. I just had to grit my teeth and bear it. If your nipples become sore and chapped, I was told to rub them with some of your own breast milk, apparently it has enzymes in it that are very soothing. I was told to avoid lotions, because that could possible contribute to a clogged milk duct.

Feeding my son, first by breast and then when he went to a bottle, were some of the most peaceful, blessed and happy moments I've ever had.

As to a Lamaze class - Kaiser provided a class to all expectant parents, and I did find it fairly helpful. Nothing will totally prepare you for labor and delivery, but the more you read, or learn, I think it makes you less anxious, which is always a good thing.

Okay, I exceeded my two cents as usual. I wish you all the best!

 

[Selena_Kitt]

horrible heartburn

A great substitute for Tums is papaya enzymes. You can find them in most health food stores (or places like Whole Foods). They taste great, too

 

[Daniellekitten]

I was a coach for my friend at one time. She had 36 hours of labor and I was there for every minute. I couldn't be there for her if we hadn't taken the classes. It was an experience unlike anything else I ever have been through. I got to hold the baby after they cleaned him up and I'm his godmother. Do it, it helps, it helped me to know what was going to happen and it helped her in being prepared as well.

 

[DesertPirate]

Oh, I certainly know the enormity of it all But I thought what better place than here for that...came from my mom when she found out...

Yes they will always ask you questions
Once they pass that stage from 15 to 25, where they are smart and you are a moron
Then they are surprised at how much you learned over the last 10 years

Now starting over with grandkids

 

[sxcascinn]

Yes they will always ask you questions
Once they pass that stage from 15 to 25, where they are smart and you are a moron
Then they are surprised at how much you learned over the last 10 years

Now starting over with grandkids

Gosh they start younger these days my 11 year old thinks I am a moron...

Mrs DL have you tried peppermint tea before you go to bed... Chamomile is supposed to be good too. I can't stand the taste so I wouldn't know lol.
A virtual hug for you hope you are sleeping better

Cinn

 

[glynndah]

I read someplace to go braless as much as possible to "toughen up the nipples" for lack of a better phrase, so they weren't so sensitive while nursing. It worked for me.

 

[MrsDeathlynx]

Gosh they start younger these days my 11 year old thinks I am a moron...

Mrs DL have you tried peppermint tea before you go to bed... Chamomile is supposed to be good too. I can't stand the taste so I wouldn't know lol.
A virtual hug for you hope you are sleeping better

Cinn

Problem is I always forget to make tea, lol. I actually have a special herbal blend that is designed for pregnant women and mothers to be, I just forget to do it. Some nights I sleep better than others, I know my sinus issues aren't helping any. But thanks for the advice, I'll try to remember. Probably a good idea in combination with a bath before I go to bed.

 

[SlickTony]

Want to stay gender neutral for clothes and such so we don't do the traditional pink or blue. Only our parents know, not even telling other family

Way to get your kid a sage green wardrobe. Hey, I saw it happen.

A good standard nipple salve is a Godsend. Just remember to rinse it off before giving the breast or it will put the kid off.

 

[MrsDeathlynx]

Don't wory, nothing is going on or happening but I have a question...

At what point in labor did your water break?

 

[English Lady]

Mine were broken for me 'cos I weas induced due to high blood pressure