A new Downer

[The Saucepan Man]

Haven't been around much lately - family, work, other interests etc - so I have only just seen this.

Many congratulations to both - all three - of you. I am really happy for you. I remember when our first was born - nearly 10 years ago now - and what a wonderful moment it was. As for those who tell you to make the most of every moment, well they've got it just about right. The years just seem to whizz by.

I am impressed that you sound so calm, Lal, after what you have been through. My recollection of the first few weeks is utter panic, although that was largely because Mrs S had some complications (severe back pain from a botched volley of epidurals), and I had to learn the basics of babycare pdq. Still, it sounds like you are coping well, and I'm glad that you have got davem doing his fair share.

And bear in mind that things are always much easier second time round.

All the best.

~Sauce~

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Congratulations.

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

a botched volley of epidurals

Poor Mrs Sauce.... few phrases not concerning actual loss of life have filled me with more horror than those five words ...


Other interests? Don't tell me you have seen the light and have taken up watching rugby?

[Lalwendë]

I was told right away that an epidural was the sensible choice as it was going to hurt more than normal otherwise so I took it gladly - I was scared but the brisk and sarcastic manner of the anaesthetist made me laugh and thankfully she did a good job. The other anaesthetist who took over in the evening was similar and let me hang onto her hand and talk mind-diverting drivel to her all through the op. I asked one if she had a thing about needles considering her specialism and the other I accused of being a sadist.

I'm calm because I have to be, but I have had some screaming fits over the inability to get the steriliser into the microwave and thinking I'd given the tyke nappy rash (it was his antibiotics which did this)

And davem has taken to it all like a duck to water.

[Mithalwen]

vaguely conscious during major surgery and if the pain was going to be bad enough to make having a ruddy great needle shoved in my spine seem like a good option, I'd rather be knocked out and woken when it was all over .....

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

vaguely conscious during major surgery and if the pain was going to be bad enough to make having a ruddy great needle shoved in my spine seem like a good option, I'd rather be knocked out and woken when it was all over .....

Well you know that whatever happens, something has got to come out in some way, and if there is the option of doing this relatively painlessly then you snatch it up. I kept thinking that if Frodo had been offered a Tardis to take him to the Cracks of Doom then he'd have been mad not to take it

It's all frightening at the time, but afterwards you really do put it out of your mind, possibly as you are soooo tired...

I did wonder what agonies poor Miriel went through having Feanor though, to make her react like that? Wonder how heavy he was?

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Well you know that whatever happens, something has got to come out in some way, and if there is the option of doing this relatively painlessly then you snatch it up. I kept thinking that if Frodo had been offered a Tardis to take him to the Cracks of Doom then he'd have been mad not to take it

I did wonder what agonies poor Miriel went through having Feanor though, to make her react like that? Wonder how heavy he was?

Oh I fully admit I am a wimp ...and too many friends have told me more than you should tell someone who hasn't gone through it... and size isn't everything - my godson was a froglike 4 llbs and still did enough damage to necessitate transfusions and emergency surgery. Another friend produced ninepounders with no epi, no stitches and was back in size ten jeans within a couple of weeks. If she weren't my dearest friend I'd have to kill her....

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Congratulations and best wishes to everyone involved (but particularly to the new mother who, let's face it, had the biggest and most important job).

Free Advice From a Parent: ignore all the advice you are about to get (except this of course).

(Now the real question: when, several years from now, davem reads The Hobbit aloud to the child, will the tra-la-la-la-lalee singing Elves be left in the story or summarily excised as not belonging in the legendarium?)

[alatar]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

I was told right away that an epidural was the sensible choice as it was going to hurt more than normal otherwise so I took it gladly - I was scared but the brisk and sarcastic manner of the anaesthetist made me laugh and thankfully she did a good job.

I think that the reason we have four is so that my wife could finally experience childbirth with an epidural...

• Child 1 - How bad can the pain be?

• Child 2 - Preeclampsia complicated labor and birth, and so the anesthesiologist said no, after putting the needle in my wife's back.

• Child 3 - We rushed to the hospital - Ms. alatar suggesting I run every light and signal as the baby was about to be born in the car - so when we get to the hospital, we tell the nurses that the baby is about to be born. Experts that they are, knowing that we were just another couple of clueless parents, figured that we could wait in one of the pre-labor rooms. We also stressed that, being aware of the epidural 'window,' that we were keen on getting one immediately. This was met with a yawn. So after a few minutes in the pre-room, I went out and asked a nurse for some gloves and some scissors. She asked why, and I said, "Well, I don't want to contaminate the baby when I cut the cord (the baby hadn't come yet, but it was close)". Suddenly we were rushed to the birthing room amidst apologies and after a few minutes - Ms. alatar try as she might to 'hold it' - we had child #3, missing yet again the epidural. Note that Ms. alatar gave birth a mere 45 minutes upon me dropping her off at the hospital door, and that's due to her trying to hold out for the epidural.

• Child 4 - We got to the hospital a little earlier this time, and, after explaining to the nurses our prior experiences, got an epidural shortly after arriving.

After experiencing four such events, I can't see Tinúviel or Arwen going through the same ordeal.

[Nimrodel_9]

Yay! Congrats to you both!
Have you decided on a name yet?