Category Archives: post-pregnancy

Discharged too early?

My community midwife had mentioned that North Middlesex University Hospital were keen to discharge patients the day after the section if they and their baby were fine. She warned me that this could cause problems and not to leave if I wasn’t ready so I went into hospital with an open mind. I was surprised when my midwife suggested it to me but I felt fine, was on top of the pain and really wanted to be at home with Edward. We were back at home 32 hours after we walked into the Labour ward.

Our first night at home was strange but good. Edward was unsettled and I spent all night propped up in bed getting lots of cuddles with my new girl. The next day we received our first visit from the community midwife who unfortunately packed us off back to hospital with suspected jaundice as she was sleepy and not feeding well. I was not happy to be going back there so soon and wondered if we had been discharged too early? We had just missed the Paediatrician so a midwife checked her billirubin levels which were fine and once more we were back home again.

As I’ve been discharged so early I need to wait until my next midwife appointment for my suture to be removed, for baby weighing and the heel prick test!

I’ve been feeling really good but look a right state. I’d forgotten what sleepless nights do to your skin! I’m not ready to start searching botox prices just yet but found www.sknclinics.co.uk are offering 25% off their anti-aging treatments this Christmas season if you’re interested!

 

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Review: You and your bump

I was recently sent a copy of You and Your Bump to review. I had never heard of the author, Emma Cannon, but she is a leading complementary fertility specialist. You and Your Bump has been written as a companion for pre-conception, pregnancy and the postnatal period. It differs from other pregnancy guides as it blends the ancient wisdom of Chinese medicine with conventional Western medical practice. There is plenty of advice to help mums-to-be prepare for labour and post-birth and solutions to pregnancy-related conditions.

You and Your Bump gently takes you through each stage of your pregnancy with advice on:

* Your general health and lifestyle, good nutrition and the link between emotions and physical health

* Baby development and changes to your body

* Common pregnancy conditions and treatments, with both Eastern and Western approaches

* Preparing for labour and motherhood

* How dads can help at each stage

I really enjoyed reading this book, mainly due to the fusion of ideas it contains and introduces. Instead of focusing on one area in suggests many and offers different ways of thinking about pregnancy. It even has celebrity endorsement from  Sophie Dahl, who said ‘A brilliant book from a woman who knows what she’s talking about. I adore Emma Cannon’.

Although I’m on my second pregnancy I’ve read the book from cover to cover and will be re-reading the relevant sections during the rest of my pregnancy. It’s really refreshing to read a different type of pregnancy book that discusses physical and emotional well-being. I’ll definitely be trying some of the recipes too!

 

 

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Filed under baby, labour, post-pregnancy, pregnancy, reviews

Losing the baby weight

Edward is now 10 months old and I have arranged an interview with my employer to discuss flexible working. Today I went shopping to buy some new work clothes and I came away empty handed.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who is struggling to lose their baby weight. I wasn’t too worried about my weight while I was pregnant and happily bought lovely maternity clothes and lots of cake. My weight began to drop off after I gave birth and a couple of months after Edward was born I packed away my maternity clothes and slipped back into my favourite pre-pregnancy jeans.

However work clothes are a different matter. My lovely fitted shirts no longer button up over my tummy and work trousers don’t zip up. My hips seem to be their pre-pregnancy size but I have a real baby belly (without the baby). I don’t want to go back to work and have colleagues congratulate me on being pregnant again! Nor do I want to spend my days holding my stomach in.

I suppose I could just make sure I always carry a handbag in front of me, wear baggy clothes or sit at my desk all day. For now I’m going to give all my old work clothes to a charity shop and buy some new work clothes in a bigger size. I’ll have to address my weight at some point – I’ll just have another slice of cake first!

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Filed under flexible working, motherhood, post-pregnancy, pregnancy, weight