Any other expectant Dads?
Discussion
Blown2CV said:
you can use ibuprofen, anbesol and calpol together as they don't interact. Anbesol is good for instant relief when the other painkillers take a bit of time to kick in. Only use a few drops though as otherwise it sends them a bit too happy!
You can indeed layer ibuprofen, anbesol and calpol. Anbesol is seconds/minutes. Calpol good for 2-4 hours and ~20mins effectiveness. Ibuprofen more of a slowburn for our kids. Up to an hour to be effective but more effective hours.Kids drugs are very conservative in dosage given the variance in body mass for age, etc - so according to a GP friend, you are generally ok (assuming no other underlying issues)
I hate sleep regressions they are a bloody pain. At the 9 months one and been at it for 2 hours to get her down. Went to sleep fine as usual, asleep by 7 then an hour later just up crying. Tried the stay and support snd self sooth but nothing. Ended up being rocked to sleep and put down.
BTW expectant dads this might sound heartless but I would buy some ear plugs. I've found both the Mrs and I get so stressed and wound up by the crying but if we tackle it with ear plugs in we come out much calmer which must then go down to the baby.
Also bought a portable ac unit and my God is it s god send for naps! A quick 1 hour blast before a nap and she's down for the full amount with no issues. Best £309 I have spent!
BTW expectant dads this might sound heartless but I would buy some ear plugs. I've found both the Mrs and I get so stressed and wound up by the crying but if we tackle it with ear plugs in we come out much calmer which must then go down to the baby.
Also bought a portable ac unit and my God is it s god send for naps! A quick 1 hour blast before a nap and she's down for the full amount with no issues. Best £309 I have spent!
Thanks for the tips everyone, I'd been back through the thread a few pages as i'd seen some tips before, but you've confirmed it for me.
Poor girl seems to be having 'Leap 6' and teething trouble all at once. This has meant no proper sleep for days. The night before last Mrs GPM reckons she was awake roughly every half hour crying. I was semi-asleep in between 12 hour shifts. We decided co-sleeping Mini GPM and Mrs GPM again was probably the best shot at everyone getting some sort of sleep and it worked wonders last night. Might carry that on for a few days and let everyone catch up a bit, then carry on with the cot routine. Mini GPM is very clingy at the moment - apparently she would only sleep with one hand touching mum, otherwise it was hysterical crying. Hopefully she'll be a bit better with some decent pain relief rather than just Calpol.
On the plus side, Mini GPM has been sleeping perfectly well in the cot before this episode. We'd been getting between 9 and 10pm until around 5am without a peep, and the early morning wake up was settled with a quick cuddle and a sip of milk before being put straight back in the cot and sound asleep until 7:30 when we'd wake her up and start the day. Getting her to sleep seemed reasonably easy too, but she'd wake up a couple of times between bed time at 7 and 9-10pm. Hopefully we'll be back to the routine fairly soon.
Poor girl seems to be having 'Leap 6' and teething trouble all at once. This has meant no proper sleep for days. The night before last Mrs GPM reckons she was awake roughly every half hour crying. I was semi-asleep in between 12 hour shifts. We decided co-sleeping Mini GPM and Mrs GPM again was probably the best shot at everyone getting some sort of sleep and it worked wonders last night. Might carry that on for a few days and let everyone catch up a bit, then carry on with the cot routine. Mini GPM is very clingy at the moment - apparently she would only sleep with one hand touching mum, otherwise it was hysterical crying. Hopefully she'll be a bit better with some decent pain relief rather than just Calpol.
On the plus side, Mini GPM has been sleeping perfectly well in the cot before this episode. We'd been getting between 9 and 10pm until around 5am without a peep, and the early morning wake up was settled with a quick cuddle and a sip of milk before being put straight back in the cot and sound asleep until 7:30 when we'd wake her up and start the day. Getting her to sleep seemed reasonably easy too, but she'd wake up a couple of times between bed time at 7 and 9-10pm. Hopefully we'll be back to the routine fairly soon.
richatnort said:
I hate sleep regressions they are a bloody pain. At the 9 months one and been at it for 2 hours to get her down. Went to sleep fine as usual, asleep by 7 then an hour later just up crying. Tried the stay and support snd self sooth but nothing. Ended up being rocked to sleep and put down.
We've had a bit of that recently too. Put it down to suddenly hitting 'Leap 6' at around 8 months, plus teething as above.After a long and hard labour my first was born yesterday via C section..
He was in an akward position and had the cord around his neck.and was rather large compared to his parents.
Im glad that my partner finally managed to get a bed in the maternity ward, despite the constant 'stay at home until you have contractions every 2 minutes' had a few decent midwives who tried to push us through natural labour and monitored things closely to identify that something wasnt right and my partner opted for a c section. She has had so many drugs over the last few days and no sleep and i am super proud of her.
I am waiting to bring them home and unfortunately cannot visit which leads me to my only gripe with how the NHS have handled this, a lady who also had a baby over the last few days, who does not speak english 'allegedly,' is allowed her partner with her on the maternity ward - in a room with lots of newborn babies whos dads cant be there to support their partners most of whom are numb from the waist down. Now that doesnt sit right with me, as a UK citizen who has paid tax since i was 18. I think that is totally wrong. Surely he can translate through a phone.. his wife is receiving free healthcare that costs thousands of pounds that she probably would not receive back home.
Maybe i am just pissed off i cant spend time with my son for a few more days but maybe i have a point and if i am restricted due to coronavirus he most certainly should be aswell
The widwives are amazing at what they i am thankful to all of them at East Surrey Hospital for the help and support they provided to my partner and I.
Good Luck and best wishes to everyone expecting it truly is an emotional rollercoaster and a once in a life time experience and i think i will keep it that way - no more for me.. Im sure i will continue to post on this thread as it is has been a great help to me and to hear everyones stories. Now let the fun begin in working out how to be a Dad !
He was in an akward position and had the cord around his neck.and was rather large compared to his parents.
Im glad that my partner finally managed to get a bed in the maternity ward, despite the constant 'stay at home until you have contractions every 2 minutes' had a few decent midwives who tried to push us through natural labour and monitored things closely to identify that something wasnt right and my partner opted for a c section. She has had so many drugs over the last few days and no sleep and i am super proud of her.
I am waiting to bring them home and unfortunately cannot visit which leads me to my only gripe with how the NHS have handled this, a lady who also had a baby over the last few days, who does not speak english 'allegedly,' is allowed her partner with her on the maternity ward - in a room with lots of newborn babies whos dads cant be there to support their partners most of whom are numb from the waist down. Now that doesnt sit right with me, as a UK citizen who has paid tax since i was 18. I think that is totally wrong. Surely he can translate through a phone.. his wife is receiving free healthcare that costs thousands of pounds that she probably would not receive back home.
Maybe i am just pissed off i cant spend time with my son for a few more days but maybe i have a point and if i am restricted due to coronavirus he most certainly should be aswell
The widwives are amazing at what they i am thankful to all of them at East Surrey Hospital for the help and support they provided to my partner and I.
Good Luck and best wishes to everyone expecting it truly is an emotional rollercoaster and a once in a life time experience and i think i will keep it that way - no more for me.. Im sure i will continue to post on this thread as it is has been a great help to me and to hear everyones stories. Now let the fun begin in working out how to be a Dad !
Edited by Jcwjosh on Wednesday 27th May 21:56
Congratulations!
At this stage, if I were you, I'd get some sleep and prepare meals etc so far as you can. It'll pay off in the first week or two.
When mine was was born poor Mrs GPM had an induction, a long labour which didn't work properly and then a spell on the operating table while baby was persuaded out with forceps. It looked like they were all ready for emergency C section but luckily it didn't come to that. Once everything had calmed down and mum and baby were safe I realised I'd been awake for about 28 hours and really needed to sleep. I was allowed home and one of our friends cooked me some dinner once I woke up in the late afternoon. I went to theirs, ate food quickly and went straight back to the hospital as mum and baby had to stay in for a few days. On the plus side, you've got some free time to rest and prepare the house and some meals. You're going to need them
At this stage, if I were you, I'd get some sleep and prepare meals etc so far as you can. It'll pay off in the first week or two.
When mine was was born poor Mrs GPM had an induction, a long labour which didn't work properly and then a spell on the operating table while baby was persuaded out with forceps. It looked like they were all ready for emergency C section but luckily it didn't come to that. Once everything had calmed down and mum and baby were safe I realised I'd been awake for about 28 hours and really needed to sleep. I was allowed home and one of our friends cooked me some dinner once I woke up in the late afternoon. I went to theirs, ate food quickly and went straight back to the hospital as mum and baby had to stay in for a few days. On the plus side, you've got some free time to rest and prepare the house and some meals. You're going to need them
Congrats!
I know it is very frustrating, but if the care is anything like we got in Aberdeen your wife is in the best place - one hit of the button and they are there to move baby onto the breast, look after wife medically, change nappies etc.
And yes, I only started paying taxes here at about 27yrs old, so I shouldn't really speak!
Do not worry there are still plenty of nappies to changel
I know it is very frustrating, but if the care is anything like we got in Aberdeen your wife is in the best place - one hit of the button and they are there to move baby onto the breast, look after wife medically, change nappies etc.
And yes, I only started paying taxes here at about 27yrs old, so I shouldn't really speak!
Do not worry there are still plenty of nappies to changel
Congratulations!
Our baby was born a week ago by planned section and if it’s any reassurance the midwives will be giving her great care and helping with adding baby and getting baby changed
We had an accelerated discharge from hospital meaning that if certain criteria were met baby and mum could go home next day
Birth was at 1pm Wednesday and we were all back home by 2pm the next day
The criteria to meet was becoming mobile - standing up and walking shortly after catheter removed, passing decent urine and wind, and baby being healthy and passing newborn checks .
She needs to be coping with the pain on the standard pain relief they give her. If she is in too much pain and needs morphine they will keep her in for longer
Saying all that she may want to stay longer if she finds that the midwives are helpful with things like breastfeeding establishment.
But generally wards are noisy and hot and you’ll all be far better off home.
She’s been through quite and ordeal with the long labour and then ending in section so she will need lots of help when home with having baby passed to her and you’ll be bringing her drinks, snacks and meals for a while.
Get some valuable sleep, prepare the house so it’s lovely for her to return to, and stock up on her favourite snacks and drinks.
She may not have any appetite for some time after surgery like this but if she’s breastfeeding or even if she’s not, she will need to eat. You would be best to encourage eating as best you can. She might only fancy soft or liquid things for a little while.
Stock up on peppermint tea too
Our baby was born a week ago by planned section and if it’s any reassurance the midwives will be giving her great care and helping with adding baby and getting baby changed
We had an accelerated discharge from hospital meaning that if certain criteria were met baby and mum could go home next day
Birth was at 1pm Wednesday and we were all back home by 2pm the next day
The criteria to meet was becoming mobile - standing up and walking shortly after catheter removed, passing decent urine and wind, and baby being healthy and passing newborn checks .
She needs to be coping with the pain on the standard pain relief they give her. If she is in too much pain and needs morphine they will keep her in for longer
Saying all that she may want to stay longer if she finds that the midwives are helpful with things like breastfeeding establishment.
But generally wards are noisy and hot and you’ll all be far better off home.
She’s been through quite and ordeal with the long labour and then ending in section so she will need lots of help when home with having baby passed to her and you’ll be bringing her drinks, snacks and meals for a while.
Get some valuable sleep, prepare the house so it’s lovely for her to return to, and stock up on her favourite snacks and drinks.
She may not have any appetite for some time after surgery like this but if she’s breastfeeding or even if she’s not, she will need to eat. You would be best to encourage eating as best you can. She might only fancy soft or liquid things for a little while.
Stock up on peppermint tea too
Thank you everyone.
i have cleaned and prepared the house and will cook up a few meals today.. which completely slipped my mind.
You are definately right about the hot noisy ward she is on, she has had enough and needs the tranquility of our home. I am also struggling to sleep at the moment after being awake for over 100 hours.. i can only imagine what shes feeling.. i thought my festival days were over but seems i could still have a go !
i have cleaned and prepared the house and will cook up a few meals today.. which completely slipped my mind.
You are definately right about the hot noisy ward she is on, she has had enough and needs the tranquility of our home. I am also struggling to sleep at the moment after being awake for over 100 hours.. i can only imagine what shes feeling.. i thought my festival days were over but seems i could still have a go !
Jcwjosh said:
After a long and hard labour my first was born yesterday...and was rather large compared to his parents...
Congratulations to your partner and you, but I’m not surprised it was a long and hard labour if he’s bigger than you 
Oh, and I thought the same about ‘no more’ after the first... time is a funny healer, but best of luck whatever your partner and you decide
congratulations to both new parents. it’s an awesome experience and i’m only a few weeks ahead.
as for getting annoyed about the other dad getting to stay, try to put it completely out your mind. my daughter was born on new year’s eve, and I was sent home at 10pm. however the 17yr old in the bed opposite my wife ended up with the father of the child spending the night, ‘but it’s our first new year together’, they create so much hassle/ fuss that the nurses had to take the path of least resistance.
this was after him coming back to the ward stinking of weed, the whole family visiting and a nurse having to open the ward window because the room stank of so much smoke, the midwives doing the morning checks asking how the baby was and being told- eh i think he’s been sick..... which my wife heard twice in the night and assumed the new mum had cleaned it up- nope! the midwife asking- so when did he last feed and change- oh we must’ve done it at 10/11pm last night..... which the midwife realised they lay have them formula at 7pm and they hadn’t touched the baby since!!!
it’s hard at the time, but the hospitals make these calls judgements every day. your wife is in the best place to be looked after and you will all be home before you know it!
as for getting annoyed about the other dad getting to stay, try to put it completely out your mind. my daughter was born on new year’s eve, and I was sent home at 10pm. however the 17yr old in the bed opposite my wife ended up with the father of the child spending the night, ‘but it’s our first new year together’, they create so much hassle/ fuss that the nurses had to take the path of least resistance.
this was after him coming back to the ward stinking of weed, the whole family visiting and a nurse having to open the ward window because the room stank of so much smoke, the midwives doing the morning checks asking how the baby was and being told- eh i think he’s been sick..... which my wife heard twice in the night and assumed the new mum had cleaned it up- nope! the midwife asking- so when did he last feed and change- oh we must’ve done it at 10/11pm last night..... which the midwife realised they lay have them formula at 7pm and they hadn’t touched the baby since!!!
it’s hard at the time, but the hospitals make these calls judgements every day. your wife is in the best place to be looked after and you will all be home before you know it!
Congratulations!!
One C-section tip was they say for them to take paracetamol & Ibuprofen almost in tandem, what i did which you could do if you have time is just work out timings of either & put a schedule together to keep your wife drugged up to help with mobility & pain. I think it was like every 4 hours for paracetamol & 6 for ibuprofen so i just wrote it on a piece of paper & put alarms on so i knew when to pop her some more pills.
God i sound like a drug dealer but it really helped with her pain management!
One C-section tip was they say for them to take paracetamol & Ibuprofen almost in tandem, what i did which you could do if you have time is just work out timings of either & put a schedule together to keep your wife drugged up to help with mobility & pain. I think it was like every 4 hours for paracetamol & 6 for ibuprofen so i just wrote it on a piece of paper & put alarms on so i knew when to pop her some more pills.
God i sound like a drug dealer but it really helped with her pain management!
richatnort said:
One C-section tip was they say for them to take paracetamol & Ibuprofen almost in tandem, what i did which you could do if you have time is just work out timings of either & put a schedule together to keep your wife drugged up to help with mobility & pain. I think it was like every 4 hours for paracetamol & 6 for ibuprofen so i just wrote it on a piece of paper & put alarms on so i knew when to pop her some more pills.
God i sound like a drug dealer but it really helped with her pain management!
yep, and if you get into a decent routine and suddenly your wife says- hmmm i don’t feel sore, maybe i don’t need them just now...... tell her to take them anyway (in the early days at least). my wife managed to drop the strong pain killers (dihydrocodeine?) quote quickly and managed on ibuprofen and paracetamol after a few days. maybe one day she walked too far and popped a good ‘in to take the edge off. but they are pretty strong drugs they give you home!God i sound like a drug dealer but it really helped with her pain management!
and good luck doing the 10days of blood thinning injections. my wife still brings it up!
Gary29 said:
Congratulations to all the new parents! Feels like yesterday I was posting in here absolutely papping myself like a deer in the headlights of an oncoming car, but here I am 19 months down the line feeling like a seasoned veteran!
Good luck to all those still awaiting arrivals.
It's funny how time flies, Ruby's just coming up to 20 months!! Hope all is well with you Gary!!Good luck to all those still awaiting arrivals.
We're now listening to Ruby singing 'What am i gonna do' from the Molly and Mack song, but she say can only really say 'what' and 'do' and then a load of jibberish in between. Oh, and she can say back pack really well, because when she' sees her back pack/reins thing hanging up she says it over and over again constantly until you put it on her and take her out for a walk.
malks222 said:
congratulations to both new parents. it’s an awesome experience and i’m only a few weeks ahead.
as for getting annoyed about the other dad getting to stay, try to put it completely out your mind. my daughter was born on new year’s eve, and I was sent home at 10pm. however the 17yr old in the bed opposite my wife ended up with the father of the child spending the night, ‘but it’s our first new year together’, they create so much hassle/ fuss that the nurses had to take the path of least resistance.
this was after him coming back to the ward stinking of weed, the whole family visiting and a nurse having to open the ward window because the room stank of so much smoke, the midwives doing the morning checks asking how the baby was and being told- eh i think he’s been sick..... which my wife heard twice in the night and assumed the new mum had cleaned it up- nope! the midwife asking- so when did he last feed and change- oh we must’ve done it at 10/11pm last night..... which the midwife realised they lay have them formula at 7pm and they hadn’t touched the baby since!!!
it’s hard at the time, but the hospitals make these calls judgements every day. your wife is in the best place to be looked after and you will all be home before you know it!
Its madness, as you mention if you make a nuisance of yourself you will be allowed to do as you wish.. nice guys finish last. I was in two minds whether to mention it to someone but thought i would save my partner the embaressment.as for getting annoyed about the other dad getting to stay, try to put it completely out your mind. my daughter was born on new year’s eve, and I was sent home at 10pm. however the 17yr old in the bed opposite my wife ended up with the father of the child spending the night, ‘but it’s our first new year together’, they create so much hassle/ fuss that the nurses had to take the path of least resistance.
this was after him coming back to the ward stinking of weed, the whole family visiting and a nurse having to open the ward window because the room stank of so much smoke, the midwives doing the morning checks asking how the baby was and being told- eh i think he’s been sick..... which my wife heard twice in the night and assumed the new mum had cleaned it up- nope! the midwife asking- so when did he last feed and change- oh we must’ve done it at 10/11pm last night..... which the midwife realised they lay have them formula at 7pm and they hadn’t touched the baby since!!!
it’s hard at the time, but the hospitals make these calls judgements every day. your wife is in the best place to be looked after and you will all be home before you know it!
have calmed down a bit now and you are right at least she is in the best place to monitor the last few bits before coming home.
The other thing that is frustrating is that she has chosen to bottle feed so our littlen is feeding well and sleeping, content and full. However every other child on the ward is attempting to breast feed and they are not doing so successfully. This means they all cry loudly nonstop and my partner and baby cannot sleep. I think in times like this women should be given 24 hours to successfully breastfeed, if no joy bottle will be given.. why should you have 7 or 8 mums in hospital for days on end trying to breastfeed when they could be bottled and sent home sooner, thus taking the strain off the ward protecting lives and saving the nhs.They should have a seperate ward for people who choose breast over bottle
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