MSE Pregnancy Club 24

Amymo

MrsManda wrote: »

Quick Query for those who've already given birth
(I'll post on the newborn thread as well but thought I'd get some ideas from here).

What was the most useful/nicest present you received after the birth of your baby?

I want to get something for my friends but my OH has warned me against buying baby clothes, teddy bears and flowers because he thinks they'll get loads from everyone else.

We were thinking of perhaps getting something for the new mummy and daddy as most things seem to be centred on baby and daddy especially seems to get left out.

Any thoughts would be gratefully received

In terms of useful, we asked a good friend what she'd like and she couldn't think of anything at all until pressed as I said I wanted to get something useful, she said they didn't have a monitor so we got one for them.

For another friend more recently once I'd cottoned onto the fact that other friend was mainly eating crisps and muller rice inbetween feeds (nothing wrong with that, except she was crying out for something decent to eat!) we did a food hamper with a couple of casseroles for the freezer, homemade flapjacks, good coffee and the stinky goats cheese I knew she'd been missing! It went down really well!

dizziblonde

We seem to have dodged the phototherapy jaundice bullet for a little while longer at least - her levels dropped ever so slightly overnight, and since she's now 7 days old, the curve with the acceptable boundary line keeps moving up - so the gap's widened a bit at least! She's much more lively today as well - so hopefully turning a corner - we also switched to bottle feeding a mix of breast and formula (I'm still having supply issues - didn't even produce colostrum after the birth until a LOT of work with a pump) - and she started feeding like a champ last night... and boy oh boy did I sob - if it means I have to abandon breastfeeding long term - then it's what I've got to do because I think a mum with some sanity left and her being at home is going to be better for her long term health in the long run really.

As for the present thing - we've got tonnes of beautiful 0-3 clothes... totally pointless and will be out of season by the time she gets into them - the things we've appreciated were clothes in the actual sizes we needed (which of course you don't know until they turn up) - and the greatest gift of all... a large roll of Andrex since some sadist put school-sandpaper-loo-roll in the toilets here - which is an act of supreme evil where stitches are concerned!

Other than that - it's been the little hampery type things of sudocreme, lanisoh and things - just showing that level of thought and practicality that have really touched more than any number of "wow it's a baby" balloons that I've seen wander into the ward and then wander home (although I DO kind of want a girl balloon for in the front window when I finally get home).

As for mothers at the birth - I was adamant I didn't want my mum or my MIL there... just happened my mum was staying nearby that Easter weekend doing a pre-grandchild visit, so she did a visit into the labour suite before heading up the motorway when we were still just thinking it was PPROM territory, and then my MIL started heading down to visit us as it became clear it was more than just that - and rolled into the delivery suite when I was 8cm dilated - I did kick her out when it all got too much and things started going OBEM-epic level though! I also didn't want hubby down the business end at all - and when I got taken into surgery - the only place they had for him to stand was witnessing it all in full glory - and then they carried the waste bucket full of shredded placenta (because of course that coming out in one go to be marvelled at like they advised in the ante-natal classes would have been something going to plan and that was NOT allowed), swabs and general goo straight past him on the way out as well!

Doubt we're going to get any joyous paternity leave time left with Erin at home - hubby's now onto week 2 of his two-week batch - he's got a week of holiday booked and moved to run after paternity leave - but spending it all in the hospital and washing yer wife's knickers each evening (at least he's finally found out how to work the washing machine I guess) isn't the bonding as a new family experience we planned... he did get to feed her "properly" (rather than tube feeding her) today for the first time though with a bottle which was a tear jerking moment.

dizziblonde

Oh and if you want weights - Erin was a smidge under 5lb when she was born (think it was like 4.9999 or something when I worked it out on my phone - they only ever told me the weight in kg, not proper money) on the 9th April (just - she snuk in at 10.41pm!)... so she's 1 week old today.

2522laura

Oh my goodness Dizzy!! I cant believe how unsupportive and obstructive your hospital are, that is terrible.

So pleased Erin arrived safely and is doing well, hope you are managing to get the support you need/deserve now.

Take care of yourself xx

Dashikii

OMG Dizzi, I'm soo furious for you. :mad: Its absolutely shocking the way you were treated, I can't believe it. I'm really glad you are now having mummy cuddles and hopefully can put it all behind you.

Dashikii

Asda Baby and Toddler Event 23rd April.

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/baby-toddler-event-starts-monday-23rd-april-asda-1194921

little_miss_moneysaver_3

Amymo wrote: »

Oh and whilst we're talking about other visitors, we have a lot of friends/close family, would I be mad to suggest that we have a bit of an 'open house' say 1-3 on one of the earlier days for closer family and friends to pop in, sort of like hospital visiting hours, was thinking MIL could be on hand to help with teas and coffees? I would have to weigh up overstimulating the baby but it could be a good way of getting people through the door!

I know it's a long way off for me, but I was thinking of something similar. I don't think we could put people off for a couple of weeks, but this way people could come and fuss bubba. I'd just make a tray of butties and buy a few cakes. Would get the visitors to make tea though. The only worry would be trying to get rid of people at the end of it. And how some people probably think they're "special people" and that "home time" wouldn't apply to them.

Dizzi glad your hubby has got to feed Erin too. Paternity leave must be going so quick though for you and OH. Two weeks is really not a lot of time especially when you're still both in the hospital. Big hugs to Team Awesome xx

janninew

I know its to late for Dizzi and others but an idea for others in the future who have babies early or have babies that are poorly in hospital.
When I had my baby at 28 weeks, we obviously knew she would be in hospital for a long stay (turned out to be 13 weeks!) so my husband decided to save his paternity leave for when we came home together. He was able to get compassionate leave for a week and after that he saw his Doctor who signed him of work for another fortnight. The reason was stress, and as you can imagine having a baby that Doctors don't think will live is a very stressful time. The Doctor said he would have been willing to extend my husbands sick note, but after the initial 3 weeks were up and Poppy was out of real danger, he returned to work and then had his 2 weeks paternity leave in February when we all came home together.
I can't imagine many Doctors wouldn't be willing to sign you off work with stress in these type of conditions.

jem2

same here, my husband got signed off sick for the 7 weeks we were stuck in hosp last time, then had another 2 wks off after we got home. make sure you check it out dizzie. my mum jus went to our gp and sorted it for him x

jovichick123

Awww Dizzi, sorry you have had such a bad time of it - your hospital sounds shocking. Very pleased little Erin (gorgeous name BTW) is feeding now and you are getting mummy and daddy cuddles

Has been a hectic day here, DS is off school due to an inset day - he's back in tomorrow though so have been running round getting kit ready for PE, uniform ready etc - still have to pin him down for a bath yet though :rotfl:

Just wondered what type of cot mobile you guys have all bought? I really want something bright and colourful and am struggling to find one I like thought you might be able to give me some inspiration!

Thanks for the heads up on the baby event Dashikii, I was due to be buying the bottles this week for baby but am going to hang on now as they are the list to be reduced

Hope all ok

Jovi x