Once Upon A Time, Fraser Was Born

I write these words to remember the moments most dear. These are the Tales Of My Boys.

Fraser is 10 weeks old today and it’s been a whirlwind. So many stories to tell as and when I can write them down. Expect to see some long and some short, not necessarily in order but all important. So there’s only one logical place to start…..

I had picked my sister up from the train station that afternoon, done some shopping and we pootled home. 10pm my waters broke. An hour later Rob drove me to St James’ and while I ignored the midwives trying to find his heartbeat (mainly because her jabbing at my belly with the monitor was the most painful part of the whole experience) and subsequently panic when they finally realised he was crowning. I had tightenings and slight backache but never at the same time so I suspect they were convinced he was back to back and take a while to arrive, which he wasn’t, and to be honest it was not the most painful experience of my life (sorry, but true). 1.31am he was born. I got my VBAC! His birth left me on a high for weeks.

I must admit the hospital stay wasn’t fantastic. For starters I’ve had better school dinners than the food they served and you are made to feel that you can’t take your baby off the ward to go buy some decent nosh. He passed all the various examinations they do with flying colours but wasn’t latching. The paed who carried out his newborn check mentioned he had a slight tongue tie but that it wouldn’t affect him at all **cue alarm bells starteing to ring, quietly**. Eventually they let me express and syringe feed him. Later on they tried to cup feed him for me but he was having none of it.

On day two I noticed his tongue was growing in a heart shape and I had two choices. I could scream and shout to release the rage building within me at that momen or I could cry. I went with amateur dramatics and within 20 minutes I had a cup of tea from the staff room (no tea available apart from mealtime argh!!), a breastfeeding support worker to help get him latched (and good on her she did) and a referral to ENT at Leeds General Infirmary to have him assessed the following Tuesday. Again the paed told me the tie would not affect him. At all. In any way. **cough cough BULLSHIT cough**

We came home and Rob stayed up the whole night syringe feeding him every hour or two while I got to catch up on some sleep. He got the Daddy of the decade award for that one.

Can anyone ever manage to sleep in a hospital? Certainly not on post-natal that’s for sure. I had spent most of the night pacing up and down the corridor rather than lie on the most uncomfortable bed in the work that left me with backache for days.

Once at home Fraser managed to latch but bloody hell it was painful. Now I must say that breastfeeding support in Leeds seems to have dramatically improved since Duncan was born. On the Saturday I received a call from the support team and had the wonderful Suzanne Tobin visit later that afternoon. A few pointers here and there and a huge confidence boost but there was still pain. I started to refer to Tuesday as Magic Day. It was my light at the end of the tunnel and couldn’t come quick enough.

Magic Day arrived and we made our way into Leeds for Fraser’s ENT appointment. Rob and Duncan disappeared off into town on their adventures. No point having them waiting about bored. The consultant confirmed the tongue tie and asked if I would like it to be divided.. Obviously I said yes. She called a nurse in to help keep his head still, I held him close and SNIP! He gave a little yelp and went back to sleep. Back into the Moby he went and we crossed City Square to the museum to meet Rob and Duncan.

Magic Day +1 – our first pain free feed.

Tongue tie wouldn’t be a problem my arse.