Things I Wish I'd Been Told

When I was pregnant with Zeke I read a lot of books about pregnancy and birth. (Not so much on parenting, I've always known I would intuitively do that) However I've found there are a number of things that are not mentioned in any book... and only found them out by experience or word of mouth.

• Breastfeeding in the early days (or whenever your milk supply is on a sudden spike) makes you sweat like a pig. Not sure why this is precisely, but as soon as your little one is latched on and your milk starts flowing, so do your armpits! Between the other breast inevitably leaking as well, and sweating you are one moist mama!


• While I'm still on the topic of leaking; the majority of breast pads are utterly pointless unless you are going out, and even then it is only for asthetics. A cloth nappy folded in 4 longways and then half again tucked across the front of your bra is far more effective, it doesn't bunch up, fall out or otherwise become redundant within five minutes of inserting it. I also found that nursing pads quickly became soaked through overnight, and smelled of sour milk if it had been warm. A nappy lasts all night, and didn't seem to smell as bad.


• Singlets on a baby any older than about 3 months are pointless. Once that gorgeous, kissable pot belly develops singlets develop a roller blind habit. That is to say they roll up over that chubby belly and bunch in the babies' armpits, making their belly cold. A thin, short-sleeved onesie becomes just as, if not more effective as your baby grows, as the crotch fastenings hold the top in place, ensuring your baby's tummy and back actually stay warm!


• Baby socks can and will dissapear before your child has learned to kick them off. They go to the same place pens, hairties, and potato peelers go. I have yet to find this mysterious destination. They are however essential to keep those little toes warm, so invest in lots of socks or footie pants.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing isn't it? I hope you can learn from these, and save yourself some trouble or money in the future!

WHAT?

4 posts in a row and no photos! That's abysmal, better rectify that pronto.

Zeke loves his Jolly Jumper!



He can also stand up by himself, when he's holding onto something :)



He's also an aspiring photographer.

MRI Results

So we had an appointment with the neurologist today to discuss the results of Zeke's MRI which we had last week. There's good news and less-than-awesome-but-it's-for-the-best news.

The good (Great!) news is that physically Zeke's brain is fine. There's no pressure, lesions, or anything else that shouldn't be there. His major blood supply to his brain is exactly where it should be and doing what it should - I had never realised this could have been an issue, so I can't tell you HOW relieved I am to hear that as well.

The neuro also said that Zeke is on target or ahead of all his developmental & physical milestones for his age - so other than watching him there's not much we need to do other than keep playing, singing and generally having fun!

The less awesome news is because of how far back on his head the Neuro believes the plastic surgeons will need to operate is that she's going to reccomend that they perform two separate surgeries. One with him lying on his stomach to access the back of his head, and one with him on his back to access the top/front of his head.

This is because the major blood supply to the brain is located at the back of the head, and she feels that to safely reach the areas on Zeke's skull they want to reconstruct, if they perform the whole surgery with him on his back, it won't allow them to a) reach all of the skull they need and b) have a clear view of the veins/arteries which supply blood to his brain, which could pose a whole lot of potentially life-threatening problems if they shift/damage/otherwise mess with the blood supply.

She's going to discuss the options with the Cranio-Facial Unit and they will be discussing the final decisions with me, but two surgeries is her reccommendation.

And you know what? I am fine with that. I would rather worry myself sick for two lots of surgery than have my baby potentially at risk by only having one.

I haven't got another appointment with the surgeon lined up just yet, but they will notify me when that is and I'll let you know!

VBAC poem

Among wonderful my message board friends, there's been a lot of discussions regarding VBACs (Vaginal Birth After Caesarian) lately, who wants one, who's had one, and whether or not they're safe.

Anyhow, this inspired me last night, to write a poem about VBACs. As you probably gathered I am very much of the belief that a woman has the right to choose the way she wants to give birth, and have now dubbed pro-VBAC ladies "VBAC Warriors."

So, all you VBAC hopefuls, successes and advocates this is for you!

We are the VBAC Warriors,
We fight for women's rights.
Doulas, midwifes, mums-to-be
Our heads are screwed on tight.

You won't scare us with all your stats,
Nor bring us down with books.
It's our right to choose the way
We birth the babe we cooked.

A birthing woman is not insane,
Incompetent or ill,
If you won't support my VBAC hopes,
I'll find someone who will!

We'll labour long, through day and night
Although it might be hard,
We've managed fine the last nine months,
Why not the whole nine yards?

We'll turn away your pitocin
Your prostaglandins too,
And as for knives and epidurals,
Why not try them on you?

And when at last we hold our babe,
And we've forgotten all the pain,
You clutch your books and clear your throat
"But you can't do it again."

You can't deny the triumph
In a VBAC mothers' eyes,
And in case you didn't notice
VBAC babes are on the rise

So listen up all you OB's
There's something you should know,
It's MY right, and it's MY choice,
VBAC Warriors - go!

Copyright - Miranda Beattie 2009

She's finally here!

My little step-neice-in-law (yeah, go work that one out!) arrived on Wednesday night!



Welcome to this wonderful world

Eliza Jane W...

7 Jan 2008

8.20pm

7lbs 3oz

I haven't gone to see them yet, Billi only got home yesterday, but I will definitely go soon!

I'm so excited, Zeke has a cousin!

MRI is done!

Phew! All that anxiety for nothing... it's all over and done with, and not a single issue!

I was absolutely s**t-scared yesterday. I was all worked up over the thought of having to wake him (and he is FINALLY more or less STTN) at 3am for his last feed, again at 6 for his last big drink and then having him wake for the day, and not be able to eat, then having him have a general anaesthetic to have this done... argh!

Turns out all that worry was for nothing... Zeke went to bed very nicely, he woke me a little before 3 for a snuggle, so I gave him a feed then, he didn't take as much as I would have liked, but better than nothing. He woke again at 6 and because I was sleeping w/out a shirt immediately latched on when I picked him up and cried so sadly when I detatched him... the poor baby has never been detatched in his life! Seriously I've never needed to make him let go, he's never bitten me so he's always been able to finish nursing at his leisure... so he was understandably really upset when I had to do this He drank 2oz (about 60ml) of Pedialyte before going back to sleep, and stayed in bed with Ryan till almost the very last minute, when he woke up all smiles, he didn't even seem to notice our morning routine of cuddle-feed-play didn't happen, although I could tell he was hungry.

He only cried a tiny bit in the car, and it was just for the last few minutes of the drive. We got there and we were called straight in, he totally charmed the nurses and aneasthetist. I was able to go in with him and lay him on the bed and help hold the mask on to get him to sleep. It felt like forever till his eyes closed, but Ryan says I was gone less than a minute. He even started his funny little snoring noise right away!

The nurses told us to have a coffee and come back in 20 minutes or so - which we did though I don't think I tasted the coffee at all. Truthfully the half hour or so we were there was a bit of a haze... I just wanted to have Zeke back! Ryan said I had 'that look' on my face - I assume the one where I'm trying not to cry.

We went back up to Recovery to wait and were called in, Zeke had woken up just as they paged us, and the nurse was holding him, but as soon as he heard my voice he started to grizzle and fight with her to come to me. He didn't even LOOK at Ryan, I was the only person he wanted for a BIG nurse. He took both sides and 120ml of formula!

We watched him a little longer, got him changed (because he was massively poop-covered!) and were sent home. He's been absolutely fine ever since. A little sleepy and cranky, but he really seems to be doing great, no sore throat, no nausea - it really is as if nothing whatsoever happened this morning!

We will meet with the neurologist and the cranio-facial surgery unit in early Feb (they are mostly on Chrissie hols atm) in order to discuss the results and what type of surgery will need to be done, as well as discussing any problem areas developmentally in his brain that may have been spotted in the MRI. I will naturally keep you all updated!

I am totally relieved that this is all over and done with for the time being. It's a first I really didn't plan on, but now that it's done I am so grateful and relieved!

Need sleep... quick post!

Zeke's first Christmas came and went in a blur of presents, food and visiting 5 different houses! On Christmas day he also surprised us all by learning to commando crawl across the dining table, and developing a teething blister... which became a proper tooth on Dec 30!

He can clap his hands now, is working on full-on crawling, has developed a serious babble "awhahwahahwah" and has a Happy Dance! It is the cutest thing... he wobbles his head like a bobble toy, sticks his tongue out and rolls his eyes.

Here he is mid-dance on Christmas morning!

Anyway... off to bed now! Just a quick post to let you know we're all alive and well.

Miranda xoxox