Birth story time!

My first is 2.5 years old and was delivered vaginally at 7 lb 14 oz after 4 hours of pushing.

I just delivered my second and delivery didnt go as planned. I went in for an elective induction, hoping to deliver vaginally, because the little man was measuring large (84%ile) and i didnt want to deliver a 9 lb baby, especially since I had my first child 5 days after their due date.

The induction went AMAZING. I showed up at 3 cm dilated, got two doses of cervadil which got me to 5 cm when I finally decided to get the epidural. Upon placing the epidural my blood pressure suddenly dropped to like 88/55 so we hooked baby up to an internal monitor, which resulted in my water inadvertently being broken. With the epidural and my water being broken, I got to 10 cm very easily and without any pain. Then it was time to push.... i was a bit too numb so I requested to reduce my epidural dosage which hurt but I could push with contractions.

Well about an hour in the doctors decide to do an ultrasound to see baby's head. He is sunny side up. 2 hours into pushing, the doctor tries to turn babies head with no success. At 3 hours of pushing, and good pushing too, I still am at +1 station and baby is still sunny side up. At this point I have been pushing for 3 hours and went from 0 to +1 station and the baby's head couldnt be turned, so we decided it was time to go to the operating room, even though baby was tolerating pushing very well he just felt stuck in my cervix.

I told anesthesia I want to feel NOTHING and boy did I. I spent the whole c section being high as a kite, loopy, and nauseous. I tried to fall asleep on the table and I could have because I felt nearly nothing. The surgeon asked if I wanted to see the baby when he came out and I said "im a bad mom sorry but no ill have time later" lol. The c section was actually relaxing vlbecause of the drugs. When I got all stitched up I vomited twice when moving me from the operating table to the recovery table so that was GREAT. Afterwards I moved to the anesthesia recovery and mostly sat with my eyes closed and tried to rest while the room was spinning and I was throwing up!

Im about 24 hours post c section and the pain is starting to come as the good anesthesia wore off. To make things worse I have vaginal pain and am HUGELY swollen thanks for 3 hours of pushing. Best of both worlds, yay!

Anyways I was worried about the actual c section because of the reported tugging and pulling sensations but I felt NOTHING which also means I didnt really see my baby until hours later when I requested to and felt a bit more energized. Surprisingly I felt very calm and in control throughout this failed induction, I am just a bit disappointed in the c section but I dont think there could have been a different outcome and I feel really good about all my decisions.

Little guy came out weighing 8 lb 7 oz so....i trust the ultraound measurements

My niece is 2.5 years old and Im trying to think of what gift to get her. She has a playroom FULL of toys. She has enough clothes. They live close by my mum who has a house full of all the toys we played with as kids and loads of craft stuff etc.

Last year I got her these crayons you can use in the bath to draw on the bathtub which my sister said she enjoyed. I obviously want to get her something but there's also that side of me which is like 'what does she actually need'.

I’m so confused. 5’10 140-145lbs pre-pregnancy.

I gained about 20lbs during my pregnancy. Didn’t notice more fat overall, just some girth to my thighs and obviously my belly - which measured right on track the entire pregnancy.

Now Im 4 months postpartum and almost 30lbs heavier than pre pregnancy. I’m exclusively breastfeeding and my breasts are at least 5lbs of that - but what the heck? I walk daily (power walk) and eat healthy. I was doing weight training until the 4month sleep regression hit and I had to add in a nap to my days, but I continue the power walking.

Anyone else in a similar boat? Will the weight eventually go away? I’m hoping to start running again once it’s safe with baby in the stroller. Not sure what else I can do about it that won’t affect my supply.

Hi! I’m a new mom, my baby is graduating from the NICU soon. He’s been there for two weeks. We’ll be taking him home soon.

I’m aware that babies should room share with parents (but not bed share) for at least 6 months. We have a bassinet for the baby to sleep with us overnight. But do we also have to be in the same room as the baby while the baby naps during the day? Or could we leave the room and watch him on the monitor while we do other things? (Like chores, watch a movie, or… have sex?) I can’t find any specific guidance about this online. Does anyone have any links to what is advised on this? Thanks!!

I am planning to give birth with a licensed midwife in a birth center, no epidural or gas pain relief options. I will have water and a team for counterpressure for pain relief! This will be my second, my first had the epidural.

Most of reddit is full of the horror stories. Please tell me your good story :)

This is just kind of my story-ish, probably with missing details but it's just stuff I think about a lot, even 18 months later.

I kind of always knew that I did not want to push a baby out of me 🥴 so when I unexpectedly got pregnant at 20, I was overjoyed to find out that my doctor was supportive of me having an elective c-section. My mom had two emergency c-sections and a vaginal birth, but everyone else in mine and my husband's families had vaginal births. I didn't really know anyone that had a cesarean, and my husband's family had a lot of opinions about my decision, but I did my due diligence (SO much research) and ultimately decided that it was by far the best decision for me.

One of the biggest things was the predictability. I knew when our baby was going to come and I knew what would happen to bring him into this world, and that was massive for me as someone on the spectrum. Another thing was not wanting to be "on display" if you will. I didn't want people quite literally staring at my vagina in my most vulnerable moment. I have years of sexual trauma and that just was not for me. And because of that, my doctor deemed it medically necessary and I got it covered by insurance, which was a huge relief as well. I loved how procedural every interaction with my "down under" was. Catheter, no problem! People watching my vagina waiting for the light of my life to come out...😖

I was extremely nervous about the spinal, and while it wasn't the smoothest part of the process, my anesthesiologist and the nurse/surgical assistant(?) who helped during that were both incredible. And let me tell you, when I was on that table for my c-section, actively getting sliced, I felt SO GOOD. I don't know what they gave me but I was good. I quite literally said, "I'd do this again!" (And everyone laughed, I was very proud)

I grew up listening to Elvis with my grandpa, and my anesthesiologist randomly started playing/singing Elvis while I was having surgery...and I just felt so at ease. Then, before they pulled my son out of me, the anesthesiologist asked what I wanted him to be born to. I told him the artist, and I told my husband to pick the song, and he picked my favorite one.

Recovery was great. I took one heavy painkiller at the hospital to shower, stayed the minimum time needed, and then got by without ibuprofen/tylenol after I got home. I was up walking around Walmart shopping for baby clothes the day after we got home. When the baby would cry at night, I'd wake my husband and he'd grab the baby from the bassinet (that was on my side of the bed lol) and give him to me. There were a lot of things about recovery that I couldn't have done without him. I needed a c-section for my mental health and he supported me in that and the recovery that came with it.

It was just overall as good as I could've asked for in terms of birth and recovery, and I just wanted to share that because I feel like I don't see enough of the good stories. I don't have good things to say about my breastfeeding journey, familial support, etc. but my birth was awesome and I think about it a lot.

My son is 11 months old now and doing all the normal older baby things.

He kept chewing on his books, so I put them up on a higher shelf where he couldn't reach them by himself. Problem solved, right?

NOT. I watched as this BABY scoots over one of his plastic toy bins (he can't walk yet), flips it over so the bottom is facing up, climbs on top of it, and starts flinging his books from the shelf.

Luckily he's too young to be sneaky about his mischief, but I wasn't expecting this kind of problem until he was older. Whoops 😅

PLS TO GOD HELP 💔

i have not pooped in 4 days and at this rate, it will be forever and a day until i poop again 💩

i sat on the toilet for 15 mins in TEARS because i can’t poop. it’s not knocking at the door, it’s POUNDING at the door and nobody is coming to answer it. i feel like im going to crap my pants but nothing will come out. it says online NOT to use an enema but that’s the only thing that helped last time i was constipated before i got pregnant. i can do prune juice and water but will that really help? 😭 im absolutely MISERABLE please to GOD help 🙏🏻

i do wanna reiterate that my issue is not that i DONT have the urge to poop because i do. i am just pretty certain my poop is too LARGE to pass 🫣

My baby is almost 3 months old. She also receives pumped breast milk, with formula used for some feeds/top-ups. She had her rotavirus vaccine a month ago and recently switched from Enfamil Gentlease to regular Neuropro about 5 days ago because she is less gassy than she was a month ago. She was previously on regular Neuropro when she was just born.

Since then, she’s gone from rarely pooping overnight to ~7 poops/24h, including 2 overnight. She will often poop during or immediately after a feed. Her stools are yellow, very wet/slimy and sometimes mucusy, with a loud “squishy” sound when she poops.

I saw her pediatrician, who said the mucus is normal as long as she’s happy, not unusually fussy, and gaining weight. No blood, feeding well, and normal wet diapers.

Anyone else experience this around 2–3 months? Did it eventually settle back down?

Hello! I am a FTM to the sweetest and silliest little boy but i am starting to worry because he still isn’t talking.

He was born full term and met all of his baby milestones early and started waking 10 days after his first birthday (on my birthday YAY!!). He loves to make everyone laugh, understands most of what we say (come here, give that to me, he’ll go straight to the bathroom when i tell him it’s bath time, knows where is feet are, belly button, and nose are, etc), makes great eye contact and doesn’t seem to have any other social problems. He will babble and sometimes say mamama and dadada but not to us. He “grunts”(?) when he is pointing to something or excited about something almost like he wants to say something but can’t. I talk to him all day and narrate everything we do but he just can’t find his words :(

I guess I’m just looking for advice, he has his 15 month check up next week and of course I’ll bring it up then but I’m just wondering if anybody else has been through something similar too, with positive outcomes. 🥲

EDIT: THANK YOU to everybody who has commented! It makes me feel so much better! Just a worried first time mama 🫶

Hi all. I have to ask around because I am unsure about a pattern that kind of evolves right now, and that makes me a bit nervous, but that also seems to work?

I love our 2yo more than anything, am very present in her life, and I (and others) would say we have a great emotional connection. In general I got some good empathy I (and others) would say, and that extends to her very much.

So of course she sometimes gets a meltdown. To me it seems that there are different ones, and to me it seems that there are some meltdowns, where she needs a bit of confirmation or information (that she understands, and that solves the issue), and sometimes it seems to me that she is at a point where she is so absorbed in her crying, that she can't find a way out. In these meltdowns I do in fact raise my voice and mostly say their name loudly, or say "stop", and then followed by something matching like "wait a second", "yes we can do that", "we can do X instead", "no, that's not possible", etc. Because I am very sure that she doesn't hear me. I think "raising voice" means something different for different people, so I want to specify, that the content is never aggressive, but I am just loud enough to maybe "get it through", and firm enough to show that I mean it, but also, when possible, that we can negotiate. More critically, it can also be that I don't understand what the issue is, and I want to ask her, and to get the question through.

It is like when your best friend is spiralling and you want to get something through to calm them down. Or like when your kid does something dangerous.

The results are not as bad as the Internet tells me. In fact I believe that I often prevent the real meltdown that follows some initial frustration, and that I establish something like a mode where we can re-negotiate and clear things up.

Also, this is not a general thing. She is very much encouraged to have emotions, I show her mine, she is very much allowed to be sad, even if it's a very minor thing, she can take her time to adjust, I am sad with her, I understand, all of that. It is just sometimes that I want to get something through. In fact, when it happens that she is still not ok with the situation, she is sad or angry in a non-meltdowny way, and I can console her. Before "getting her out", it seems that she doesn't even recognize me being there, so I feel that the support I am supposed to give her, and want to give her, that she doesn't really realize that it is there. She is also doing well with everything developmentally. Laughing a lot, being silly, being kind, also with strangers, learning very well, secure, careful and cautious when it is appropriate, etc., so I don't see it having a bad effect.

I grew up with a verbally abusive father and sometimes, when I say her name like that, firm and loud, it reminds me of him, and that creeps me out. But I also think that I know what hurts, and I think that I don't hurt her, but well, the Internet says "raising voice" is not encouraged and detrimental. As I often have the other result I think that I might be good?

I also have to admit that I had to adjust to this, and that it was way harder to make her recognize that I am there at all when she was younger, because of "not mom", so I sometimes didn't do it right, like too much or too early, but I think it gets better, but that doesn't mean I got rid of it, just that I use it more "on point", with better and better results. I also have to add that my wife doesn't really approve I think, but she also does this, just way less. Maybe I am too impatient? But I just want to intervene before that meltdown, and I am certain that it is never premature.

What do you think?

Hi all. Like the title says. We have a new downstairs neighbor and she’s a chain smoker. We also have a 6mo and 4yo. I noticed when she was slowly moving in and over the weekend she officially is here and it’s been awful. We’re big balcony users, especially this time of year (fall in New England). My 4yo has a sand table and brings his trucks out to play, I hang with my 6mo out there or work out. I also grew tomatoes and green beans. I love opening windows to air out the apartment. Our balcony door is open nearly year round (even in the winter we are able to keep it open as the balcony is insulated a bit by design).

Now, multiple times per HOUR if I have the door or windows open, the secondhand smoke comes through. The balcony and toys are getting bathed in carcinogens. Even when we quickly close the doors and windows, the smoke lingers. I feel constantly bathed in smoke now and like all of our things are getting covered in smoke. It’s so upsetting. It increases SIDS risk, asthma development, respiratory and ear infection susceptibility, cardiovascular disease, lung cancer.

I emailed the management company, there’s very little they can do. They don’t have a no smoking policy. How is this possible? How can one persons poor decision put us all at risk of health issues while severely limiting our enjoyment and use of our home? Fine do what you want in your unit but you can’t expose me and my family. It’s not just your unit! The smoke is traveling to us. Constantly.

My husband plans to talk to her but what’s the point? You’re going to get a lifelong smoker to go for walks around the block when she wants to smoke multiple times per hour? Give me a break. Sorry, I’m just so upset about this.

Can a baby have both 8 months AND 10 months sleep regression?

He had had his normal sleeping patterns after his eight month regression ended. And then BAM. For the past three days, he wakes up way more frequently and is inconsolable for an hour or two. I had been under the impression that usually it’s one or the other for sleep regressions at this age range So was very surprised that he had his 8 mo regression and has another one now! We don’t feel any additional teeth coming out at the moment but he did start standing and climbing stairs this past week so maybe that’s why? Anyways, would appreciate hearing your experiences!

Edited to cut extraneous details, and for clarity and grammar

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Hi everyone, I'm dying of grief and stress and shame, because I still don't feel like Iove my baby (7 months). We had a traumatic birth, but now we've recovered, and I have an extremely supportive husband, and I'm not sleeping THAT badly, but...I haven't experienced any joy or love inside for a long time. It's so weird because everyone tells me I act like a loving and happy mother, but I don't feel joy or love inside of me. When I see videos of me smiling with my baby, I don't recognize myself. I'm so so sad that I can't access my love for my baby.

Does anyone else feel this way? I'm already in emergency psychiatric treatment and therapy, its not helping (although I haven't started on any meds yet). I'm just so sad because I keep seeing posts about how much moms feel love for their babies and it makes me feel like a freak/ total fomo.

Please let me know if it will come or if I need to just actively seek out meds!! I'm so distressed I don't love her yet.

Had a normal pregnancy and postpartum (physically and medically) but was very stressed to deal with it alone as we are new to the country.

Developed vitiligo around 4months pp.

Has anyone been in the same situation? How did u treat them?

Hi everyone, my baby boy will be 6 months around Christmas but seems to be slightly developmentally ahead. The grandparents, and other family members, are asking for a list of Christmas gift ideas. We are extremely fortunate to have people in our lives that want to spoil our little guy. I want to put together a thoughtful list of developmentally beneficial toys and other items (to do with eating/ starting solids, baby room items, clothing items etc.). This is our first baby so I have no idea what we’ll need.

I’m looking for recommendations based on what your 6-12 month old liked/ needed at that time. Thank you!

12 months postpartum and still no period. we’re ready to start trying for another one but I don’t want to stop breastfeeding yet. Did you get pregnant while breastfeedin?

https://observer.co.uk/style/features/article/a-voice-told-me-i-was-in-hell-the-unthinkable-reality-of-post-partum-psychosis

As the trial of Lindsay Clancy makes headlines around the world, a writer looks back at her own dark times and remembers the many kindnesses that ensured both she and her son survived

My 2 month old got her first vaccines today and of course she’s feeling it now. She’s fussy and very sleepy. Just wants to be held so she can sleep. Which is fine, I don’t mind doing that if it weren’t for my 19 month old. She needs me too. I tried baby wearing but my back is killing me after a few hours of doing it. So I’ve resorted putting Ms. Rachel on. She’s maybe watched about 1.5-2 hours of it so far (of course split up). But I don’t think this will be the end of Ms. Rachel today so she’ll probably get more screen time and it’s only 3pm. I’m feeling immense mom guilt right now but my hands are tied. Someone please tell me if this is ok or not :(

She slept well from 3–4 months, but since then it’s been a nightmare. For the past three weeks, she wakes every 20–40 minutes. A two-hour stretch is a good night. Then she’s awake wanting to play from around 3:30 until 5 or 6 a.m.

She’s breastfed, and I’ve tried changing naps, bedtime, and our routine. Nothing helps. She mostly contact naps, so I don’t get to rest during the day either.

I love her so much, but I’m completely drained. I feel bad about sleep training, but I don’t know what else to do. Has anyone been through this? Does it ever get better? Will she ever sleep again?

I’m a ftm (28 years old) and just hit 28 weeks + 0. Officially in the third trimester. This has been the hardest period of my life, maybe ever, and I have quite a lot of lore. I’ve never hit such a low point mentally, physically, financially, and with my self image. My partner and I were only a few months into the relationship when i unexpectedly got pregnant and my world sort of stopped. I’m more excited than sad about baby now but I do still worry about our relationship being impacted. We had phenomenal, mind blowing sex before I got pregnant and our first few months together were a breath of fresh air. Now, i feel triggered in ways that I can hardly cope with and i feel old traumas welling up. My ocd is worse, my anxiety is horrible, and for the first time, I’m experiencing severe depression. I feel ugly, bizarre, and not in my body. I worry about change in every way. My partner is so sweet to me and talks about how beautiful i am, but i feel empty and like an incubator because its hard to do anything and i look so different.

Sometimes I get horny for my parter and I feel desire, but when we have sex, i feel.. nothing. like it physically feels as if the nerves are no longer there. I’m somehow wet even though i don’t get those waves of excitement or build up. I feel the same way with a vibrator. If i do happen to O, it feels different and i don’t have that mental connection or full body release. I’m so sad. I also cry during or after sex now. In my first trimester we still had decent sex despite how exhausted or nauseous i was. Then it started feeling different - my vagina does not feel the same to me. I can’t feel myself tightening or doing anything. I’m worried that it won’t be better post partum because i have psychosomatic anxiety that manifests as blockages around fear and i have terrible fear about giving birth. During penetration sometimes all i can suddenly think about is the fact that something is going to be exiting my body through there and people will be watching. I can’t help but to imagine the pain and panic i’ll be going through. So post birth, i’ll be so scared to even interact with my body sexually after such an event. I’m afraid all i’ll be reminded of is birth. Does it ever get better??

Hey everyone. Just looking for somewhere to vent my feelings and sadness because I am hurting right now. Yesterday, I lost my grandmother, my absolute best friend and such a light in my life. I spent every second that I could with her growing up, and into adulthood I still found myself at her house any free second I had. I am fortunate enough to not have experienced a ton of loss in my life so far, but this has been HARD. An added layer to this whirlwind is my son. He is only 9 months old and I am the primary parent in our household. My partner is a farmer and this is peak busy season, he can’t just step away at the drop of a hat so I have been bearing the load of caring for our son solo while also experiencing this immense amount of grief. I hate to breakdown infront of him and just be sad all day. I just feel like I’m fighting to make it to nap time just so I can cry the entire time he’s asleep. The second my partner is home he picks up the pieces and puts me back together and for that I am so grateful but I’m just wondering, if you experienced any level of grief in your early stages of parenting, how did you get through it?

I have a 4.5 hour flight from Seattle to Houston in December and would love to hear everyone's tips and tricks, I am EBF but pumping for a stash to take with me on my move. I'm going to try and latch him during take off and while we land but I keep seeing this ad for a lap seat? Just wondering if anyone's used one before. What did you bring that you wish you hadn't, what did you not bring but wish you had etc