Every day brings something new!

Imogen is changing and developing all the time and it's amazing to see what's new each day. She's been smiling since she was about 3 weeks old, but now she'll smile spontaneously, rather than just in response to someone else's. Her head control is improving, and she quite likes her "tummy time" - as long as there's something interesting to look at. She's recently found her hands - it started with her spending time just staring at them, but she's now trying to use them for bashing her toys on the play arch and in the pushchair, and can now reliably put fist in mouth to suck on (but there's still work to do on straigtening thumb/finger). She's been watching us move round the room for a couple of weeks, and now doesn't always like being left in a room - she thinks you're never going to come back. In fact Dave had fun hiding behind the wardrobe door (when she cried) then popping out again (when she smiled)! Imogen is certainly an inquisative little girl and doesn't like to think she's missing anything - she's started wanting to be sat up a bit in the pushchair so she can see what's happening, although it tires her quickly.

It's fantastic spending time with Imogen and watching her changing every day.

First jabs

Yesterday Imogen had her first jabs. She was due to have them last week, but we decided to delay them when she wasn't very well. It wasn't too traumatic - I fed her while the nurse stabbed her, and after the initial scream she decided that milk was far more interesting than crying! (Thanks to the midwife for suggesting I fed her when she had the Guthrie test when she was tiny - it worked then, so it was worth a try again.)
She wasn't too bad for the 24hrs after either - she slept quite a lot yesterday afternoon/evening and we gave her a couple of doses of paracetamol because she was hot, but that's all. Luckily it didn't seem to affect last night's sleep much either - just the one feed at 4am, but a bit unsettled after that.

Bugs are great!?!

Imogen's not been well for the past few days. It started at the end of last week with a bit of a cough - C took her to the dr last Friday when it sounded a bit chesty, but all was OK. Over the weekend, the congestion and cough got worse and Sunday & Monday nights were a nightmare - we didn't get more than 1 1/2 hrs sleep at any point and most of the time it was only 30 minutes. At one point on Tuesday night we were all in tears - Imogen because she felt rough and couldn't sleep, C because she was getting ratty and then felt guilty about it, and me because I just didn't know what to do! On Wednesday night, I went to bed early with the idea that if she couldn't/wouldn't sleep, I'd take her shopping to Tesco, but we got a few more hours sleep that night, so we've still got no food in the fridge!
Imogen was due her first vaccinations yesterday, so we put that off until next week, not wanting to add more hassle to this week. Dr Nicola visited yesterday and pointed out that 5 bugs in the first year gives a reduced chance of developing asthma and eczema, so at least she's on target for that!
She's been better today, and has enjoyed church Sunrise group and a taster session at Gymboree, but was really tired from all the excitement, so C gave her an early bath and she's now sleeping like a little angel - hopefully tonight will be a good one!

Poorly Imogen

At the moment, we've got a grumpy girl caused by congestion, cough, and general bleurghness! It started mid-week, but really picked up yesterday. A quick trip to the Dr reassured us that there's nothing on her chest, so it's just a case of lots of cuddles and sleep, and making sure she keeps feeding. She's too young for Karvol/Vicks or similar, but we've propped the head of her cot up and are doing a bit of baby massage to try to help. Lets hope the snotty nose clears in time for photographs at Sunrise group on Thursday.

Staying Away

It was inevitable really - Imogen's first night away from home was on a Scouting event. We'd been to our group's St George's Day camp the previous weekend, but only visited for the day. Then, over May Day BH weekend, NW SAGGA were at Giants Seat, so we decided to go over from Saturday until Sunday. All went well: she slept OK in the travel cot and didn't keep everyone awake; the camp chair was OK for breastfeeding; George told Imogen about the idiosyncrasies of SAGGA so she's prepared for summer camp; and she had a bath in a crate in true camp style! We did stay in a building, so she hasn't had a night in a tent yet, but it won't be long.

We'd promised we'd take Imogen to see Dave's Nana as soon as we could, so last week in all that hot weather, we travelled down to near Reading. The trip down was a bit of a nightmare - Imogen was too hot and thirsty, and screamed a lot of the way, as Chris Evans announced to the whole of the country on Radio 2. Again, Imogen slept OK, and didn't keep anyone at the B&B awake. Nana was thrilled to meet Imogen, and had a cuddle with a smiley baby. We took Nana out to lunch, where Imogen charmed the pub staff, before coming home again - the trip was OK.

To top off a busy 10 days, we headed north to my cousins 18th birthday. There were plenty of people who Imogen hadn't met, including Godmother Tilly, so plenty of cuddles all round. Imogen went spottily dressed for the whole weekend, not just the mandatory party bit and had a little dance at the disco, before finally going to sleep. Again, she slept quite well that night, and the journey home was fine too. We were all krackered after all that travelling, so it's nice to have the next couple of weeks with not much planned.

It's a busy life

Imogen and I like to get out and about every day. The fresh air and recent sunshine are good for both of us (although Imogen's not too keen on the heat that goes with the sunshine). We're slowly discovering the secret world of baby activities - there's so much going on that I didn't know about before becoming a Mummy.

Mondays is Sunshine Hour at church - singing, a bible story and activities, as well as the obligatory drink and biscuits. Imogen's too young for it really, although she enjoys the songs, but it gets us out of the house.

There's a choice of several baby or toddler groups on Tuesdays, but this week we found one that was really lovely. It's in Hillsborough, so quite close, and is just for babies (basically until they can move about themselves). This week there were quite a lot of first time Mums with babies of only a few weeks old, so it was good to chat with people in a similar situation to me. There were loads of lovely toys for Imogen, and everyone was so friendly - the chocolate bars helped too!

On a Thursday its the Sunrise group at church - this is for babies and toddlers, and is more a fellowship/friendship thing than a bible teaching thing. It's nice to go there because there's people we know from church, but also other people from the village, so hopefully we can make more friends.

Once a month the local libraries have "Babytime" which we went to a couple of weeks ago. I thought that Imogen may be too young for it, but everyone was really nice and Imogen enjoyed the singing bits, and since then we've been looking at books together - she likes ones with black and white pictures, bright colours, or shiny reflective bits.

That's the regular things at the moment, but there's other stuff happening soon too. We're hoping to go swimming when Imogen's had her first vaccination, although I'm still trying to work out where to go for that. We're booked on a postnatal yoga & baby massage course for 6 weeks starting in June - run by Olivia who I did the maternity yoga with when I was pregnant. Gymboree is something we're looking at as well - we're going to a free taster session for the baby class next week, so more about that later.

And between all that we have to find time for shopping, washing, hair cuts etc etc. It's all go, and I am tired, but I'm loving it (or most of it!)

Breast-feeding

I would never have thought that something so natural could be so difficult. Even now, with Imogen seven weeks old, we still have some feeds that we struggle with. It's been shear stubbornness on my part, together with fantastic support from Dave and NCT breast-feeding
counsellors, that means I'm still carrying on. Oh, and the thought of the faff of sterilising & making up formula! It would have been so easy to give up on several occasions.

The antibiotics I had for a uterine infection left me prone to thrush, and sure enough it happened. It's difficult to describe the pain associated with thrush in the milk ducts, but the best I can do is that it feels like someone is sticking pins behind the nipple after a feed. Not pleasant at all! Luckily the BF counsellor and my midwife gave me some really good information (also available on the Breast feeding \network website) about what treatment was needed. So, after taking antifungal capsules, using cream on my nipples and gel for Imogen's mouth, I managed to clear it. But only for about 10days - yes, it came back last week, so we're back on all that treatment. This time my breasts are itchy as well, which just adds to the fun! Luckily Imogen hasn't caught it, so we haven't had to struggle with her having a sore mouth or horrible nappy rash as well.

The main thing about breast-feeding, or at least the bit we've struggled with, is positioning. At first it all seemed to be going OK, and I don't really know when things started to become difficult, but it has mainly been on the left side where the problems have been. We tried loads of things - feeding in the bath (really lovely at the beginning when she was only little and I needed baths to relax me), feeding in bed (still lovely and a good choice when we're having a bad night or when we don't have to get out of the house too early in the morning, 'cos I get extra sleep!) and "rugby-balling" (which is the current position of choice but might become more difficult as she
grows bigger.

But breast-feeding is back to being lovely now, rather than the tearful struggle it has been at times, and I'm enjoying it. Before she was born, I thought I'd want to express so D could share some of the night-time duties, but at the moment I'm quite happy, and don't want to do anything that might bring another complication to it.

A long-overdue update

It's been so busy, that finding time for blogging is difficult, but I've finally found a bit of time, so here goes...
Imogen is doing really well. She's gaining weight and is now 9lb 9oz - it's not as rapid growth as Henry from NCT who's nearly doubled his birth weight already, but I love my little baby and don't want her to grow up!
She's developing her own little character now. Smiles came when she was about 3 weeks old, and now she won't even save them just for Mummy and Daddy - anyone who talks to her nicely gets one. She watches everything that goes on, and loves looking at picture books and brightly coloured toys. Mirrors and shiny surfaces are also a hit.
It's looking like she's going to be a morning girl - when she wakes up at 7-8am ish, she's a right little grump until we open the curtains and then she's all smiles, like she's saying that she just wants to be up and about getting on with the day.
People keep asking if we're in a routine yet, but I don't really think about it, other than getting her to bed. What happens during the day is very flexible and we just work it out as we go along. If we need to be somewhere I'll try and make sure she's fed before we go; if we don't have a target time then she gets fed when she asks. If she's awake, we play and talk etc; if she's tired she sleeps.
But I do like to know what's going on in the evening, so we're trying to get some routine into that. Feeding, then bath at about 7.30-8pm, then more feeding and cuddles until she's asleep, which is usually by about 9.30. Over night she usually goes about 4-5 hours before she first wakes up and then about 3 hours after that, so it's usually a couple of times that I'm up with her. Overnight feeds aren't usually too long and she settles well again after, so I'm normally only up with her for about 1/2 hour, which is good. And sometimes she's even happy to go back in the crib while she's still awake, and then put herself to sleep.
It looks like she might become a thumb sucker. She's always liked a finger (from Mummy or Daddy) to suck on when she's tired, and has recently managed to suck on her fist, but it's just not the same. Straightening her thumb is not natural at the moment, but on Saturday with a little help with that last little bit, she happily sucked and put herself to sleep. Hurrah! I know that some people would say "Give her a dummy to suck on" but I really don't like them.

Photographs

A slide show of photographs has now been added to the blog. They're photos of Imogen, a lot of them also with special people - Mummy, Daddy, grandparents, etc - and will be added to as she grows and develops. Keep watching!

Just the three of us

Sadly, Daisy lost her battle with illness on Friday. Her body had just had enough, and it wasn't fair for her. It was a peaceful end for her, and we'll always be grateful for the time we had with her - she was my original "baby".

The vets have been wonderful since her heart condition was diagnosed over a year ago. With their care and compassion, Daisy was able to fight the battle and in the words of one vet "everyone had got used to her being around forever". Several times we thought that we were going to lose her - in fact, last May we were told that she "may have a couple of weeks, but it's more likely she'll deteriorate over the weekend" - but her love of life kept her going.

But last week, things just got too much for her and we had to say our goodbyes. Thankfully, we had four weeks of my dream of human and doggy babies together - and we managed to get one photo which I'll always treasure.

Love you, Daisy x

Out and About

Imogen and I have been getting ourselves out and about this week. Dave has been doing some voluntary work at the Scout shop, so it's just been the two of us managing on our own. It's all been a bit random, with seemingly no routine (one day I didn't manage to get dressed until nearly lunchtime, but today we were out of the house just after 9am!), but at least we haven't spent the whole of every day at home. We've taken Daisy to the vet, been shopping at Tesco, walked round to see friends and been up to toddler group at church. I don't think we've done too badly; the next few days will probably be a bit quieter, but next week is getting booked up already!

She's official!

We went to the Register Office this morning, so Imogen now officially exists! When you think about it, it's a bit bizarre really. They didn't ask for any ID from either Dave or I, we didn't even both have to be there because we're married (although we didn't have to prove that either). Anyway, it's done now. Although £3.50 for a full copy of the certificate is a bit of a rip-off :- it's not even a nice
hand-written one, but merely one that was put through a bog standard printer.

First Two Weeks

Apologies for what is going to be a long post, before I've even wrote it.

What a roller-coaster!

Having to stay in hospital overnight was not really what we wanted, but necessary for both of us. Thankfully we were given a side room, so Dave could stay over night as well. Good job really - the inevitable tears came in the middle of the night and I don't think some stranger of a midwife offering support would have been the same.

When we did eventually leave the hospital, we were only about 5 minutes down the road when I felt the start of a migraine. My parents were going to come that day anyway, and picked up a key from friends in the village. They arrived before we did, which was lucky as Daisy had left a big smelly present for us. They had started to clear this up, as well as sort out the pool before we got home, so at least we didn't have to think about them.

Apart from that, the first few days went OK. The "Day Three tears" didn't really attack with any vengeance, they just seem to have been drip-feeding since then! It was around day 4 that we began to get into any sort of a routine, after suggestions from the MW. The idea was for me & Imogen to relax in the bath then have a good feed in bed in the hope that we would then get a few hours sleep before the next feed. This seemed to work for several days, and we do still try and do this, however, sometimes, other things seem to take over.

Not surprisingly, there has been plenty of visitors. It has been nice to see people, but sometimes it's just been a bit much, and we've wanted to say "enough now", but haven't felt able to (too polite for our own good sometimes! ;-). It's been mainly family so far, although 2-3 friends from the village have called round too. Today has been the first day since Imogen was born that we haven't got a big pile of cards falling through the letterbox, accompanied by the occasional
parcel. Everyone has been so kind with their cards and gifts, Thank you.

Imogen has generally been a little star - yes, she likes the cuddles, especially from Mummy; yes, she can be a mardy bum when she's hungry, or needs her nappy changing, but at least seems to behave when she's on show! A trip to Meadowhall at 4 days with only Daddy, a couple of church services, and a couple of lunches out have all been undertaken with no mega crises. Her weight has now picked up after the initial drop-off, and poos/wees are all signs that she's getting enough into her.

Shame I'm not doing quite so well. The ragged membranes at birth were an indication of things to come. A week later, doubled up in agony at 2am on Sat morning, we were back at the maternity hospital - diagnosis was a uterine infection, but the required scan couldn't be done at the weekend. To cut a long story short, the scan on Monday showed 'possible retained products' and as things had settled down with antibiotics, no trip to theatre for a D&C was needed - a relief in itself, but it would have been nice not to have been starved for 11 hours (not even a drink!) and if the Dr had had any bedside manner.

Having got all that sorted, I've now moved on to thrush in my breasts - very painful after feeding as if someone is sticking pins behind the nipple (luverly!). We have been to the GP today, so hopefully things will improve in the next couple of days. Until then, feeding will no doubt be a struggle, and Dave will get woken in the middle of the night for moral support (even if he did sleep through parts of it last night!)

We are now discharged from the MW (still have her phone no just in case), but have yet to get the red book from the health visitor. We have an appointment for the 8week check and jabs, but we are supposed to get a visit at 4-6 weeks, so we'll have to wait and see!

The last 2 weeks seem to have flown by, but at the same time, it feels like we've never been without our pooing, puking, screaming bundle of joy! In the middle of the night when it feels like it's never going to get to morning and I can't think straight, at least I know I love her - I guess that this is the most important thing.

Birth story

The combination of sweeps (on Monday and Friday), homeopathy from Monday, and acupuncture on Friday, finally got labour going. In hindsight, perhaps it was a bit too much stimulation, resulting in a rapid intense labour.

On Friday afternoon I wasn't really able to get my afternoon nap because the contractions seemed to be stronger than the Braxton Hicks I'd been having for several weeks. Over the next couple of hours contractions were pretty regular, but were only about 5-7 minutes apart and very manageable. Dave decided to cook some tea, and while he was doing that I decided I wanted a bath - so tea was eaten in the salubrious surroundings of the bathroom! When I got out of the bath, on went the tens machine and Dave decided to start inflating the pool.

At about 8pm we decided to phone Wendy to let her know what was happening (Dawn had been in a car accident after she'd visited me that morning, so we'd been told it would be Wendy rather than Dawn if anything happened over the weekend). At that stage things were still very manageable, and I was able to talk through contractions - kneeling on all fours on the sofa and hip swinging, with a boost from the tens, were all that was needed.

Wendy phoned us back again at 9.30pm to see how things were going before she retired for the night (Ha ha!). By now I was having to concentrate more on the contractions, using the ribbon breathing and still hip swinging, but didn't feel that things were strong enough for Wendy to come out just yet, but perhaps in another hour I would. By 10.30pm when I next spoke to Wendy, the contractions were more intense and I asked her to come out. She went via the Jessops to pick up the gas and air, and arrived just after 11:00pm. Contractions were now about every 3mins and I was really having to concentrate and disappear into my own little world. Between contractions things were fine.

Not long after Wendy arrived my waters broke. The fore-waters were clearish, but when Wendy did an examination, there was meconium in the hind waters. Although I wasn't in established labour yet, we knew this meant we'd have to transfer to Jessops. I was surprisingly calm about
it - yes, disappointed and upset, but I knew in my heart what was the right thing for the baby. Dave emptied the pool (over the lounge wall when the pipe popped off the pump!) while Wendy sorted me out. We decided we didn't need an ambulance as I wasn't using the gas and air
yet. Thankfully, Wendy was happy to come in with us and stay, at least until we'd got settled.

By the time we got to hospital, and settled in the room, at about 1am, I was 4cm dilated, and things were really started to hot up. I was still using the TENS and hip swinging/circling while leaning over the bed, but Wendy suggested I try entonox - one of the best suggestions she made! From here, things are a bit of a confused jumble - probably the effects of an intense labour and the entonox!

I don't think I was the calmest of labouring women. Although hip moving, TENS and entonox helped, I still needed to take my anger/frustrations out on a beanbag pillow and Wendy says she hasn't been sworn at like that for years! My feelings towards Dave swung between "I hate you" and "I love you". Having said that, I knew that both Dave & Wendy were 100% supportive of me and that I could trust them to make decisions, as I wasn't really in a fit state to. For instance I can remember saying that I couldn't do it any longer, but they knew that I really wouldn't have wanted an epidural, and encouraged me through the worst parts.

Once I was in established labour 1st stage was 1hr55, and 2nd stage 54min after that. I don't remember being frightened or scared at any time, and certainly during second stage my body took over and there was not much I could do about anything.

At some point, Dave and Wendy helped me from the floor up onto the bed, so I was leaning over the head bit which had been raised - Dave said I asked why I hadn't done it earlier! (While I had been on the floor I'd thought I'd been quite comfy, but knees had been slipping and I think Dave had found it difficult to support me.) On the bed, I kept moving across towards Dave - and away from Wendy - I'd evidently nearly fallen off at least once, and I do remember Wendy telling me
that I'd have to move back towards her even if I didn't like her!

When it came to second stage, although I said my body took over, it was still hard work and I can remember being relieved when Wendy asked Dave to press the button to call for a second midwife, as I knew it wouldn't be too much longer. For several contractions I was aware that
Wendy was encouraging me to keep pushing, as the baby's head kept going back to where it had been, rather than not quite so far (if that makes sense). This certainly spurred me into action, as I knew I didn't want ventouse/forceps (although Dave says there was never any indication from Wendy to him that this might have to happen). They also took the entonox off me (not a popular decision with me, but it helped as I was far more aware and able to co-operate!) Things still
didn't quite move as we wanted, so Wendy suggested another change of position - this time onto my back. Although this was against what is usually recommended it seemed to do the trick and it was only another 3/4 contractions before she was born. Evidently Wendy was telling me to slow down towards the end, but I don't remember that at all - and I didn't take much notice, so unfortunately I tore fairly badly.

Imogen's cord was short, so was cut once it had stopped pulsing, but I still delivered the placenta naturally (21min). The membranes were ragged, and I lost a fair amount of blood, so still ended up with Syntocinon, as Wendy was worried about how things were. As it turns out I lost more blood once I'd got to the ward, my blood pressure dropped, and I ended up on a drip for a few hours to try to contract the uterus more, and a course of antibiotics because of a risk of infection with retained products.

Imogen had skin to skin contact with me for 1 1/2 hours, which was lovely. Unfortunately, she turned blue and went floppy with her first feed (just under an hour after she was born) and needed oxygen and suction, which was scary for Dave and I. Even if I'd been OK, this meant we had to stay in hospital for 24 hours to allow monitoring of her. The worry was that she'd inhaled meconium, but when the paediatrician saw her later and heard her screaming it was clear her lungs were fine!

I'll just finish by saying that, although it wasn't the home water birth we'd been hoping for, I'm still happy with everything and understand that things didn't happen because of anything I did wrong. Wendy and Dawn have been great over the last few weeks, and I think that having healthcare professionals on your side helps an awful lot - you can focus on the important things, rather than having to battle with them.

Baby News

Imogen Kate Pinney finally made her appearance at 3:49am on Sat 22nd March weighing 8lb 8oz (3.8kg) after a very fast labour. It wasn't the home birth we had been hoping for, but still a natural birth with a fantastic result.

We are both doing OK now at home, after some initial problems, and a night in hospital

More details and some photos soon, when we get chance!