Blood Pressure

[Gemini]

My DD, had her second baby 2 days ago. Some of you know that she suffered with pre eclampsia during the first pregnancy. This is the reason for the 6 and a half year gap between the 2 children, she was so afraid of it happening again. She was in and out of hospital for the second half of the pregnancy, had high doses of BP drugs and GD had to be induced at 38 weeks,
This time all was well, no problems during the pregnancy, very quick straightforward delivery, with no stitches, despite 3rd degree tear last time! Baby fit and healthy, all wonderful. However, the midwife yesterday said DDs blood pressure was high, and today it still is. There is a rare condition called post partum pre eclampsia, so they are on the look out for that. She has to take the baby to the hospital clinic for his 3 day check up and weighing tomorrow (surely at 3 days they should come to her?!) so she will be checked again then. Today she was told it isn't bad enough to have to go into hospital, so fingers crossed she doesn't have to.

On an unrelated topic, we wonder if OHs arm soreness is shingles, as she now has some red spots in the area. She spoke to the GP today who agrees it could, be but can't say without seeing her. She advised if they change to fluid filled blisters to go to the walk in clinic, where they can give her a drug which may help, if started right away.

I will keep you posted.

[Daisy]

Gem, I think it's terrible that she has to travel into the baby clinic so soon after giving birth. I hope the journey itself doesn't affect her BP and that it will have gone down.

I'm not sure, but I think the pain of shingles can come before any sign of a rash, but if your OH isn't feeling well an early trip to the GP will either put your minds at rest or enable her to get treatment.

[Oma]

Gem I hope its not Shingles , I know Brian,s is a extreme case and due to his platelets and chemo it bled under the skin but he had pain before the rash too , I truly think new Mums are expected to be up and about far too early these days and the midwife should be coming to the home , But I suppose its all done different from our days only I still think they need rest and a bit pampering after giving birth , maybe I'm just old fashioned

[Plantaholic]

I think it is really too much to expect mothers of recent childbirth to travel to clinics, I don't think we care for them enough. Hope the BP will not give cause for concern

[Nanto2girls]

3 days isn't long after giving birth. Things have changed so much over the years.Hope DD is ok.

Hope OH doesn't have shingles.

[Gemini]

To be honest, horrible as it is, shingles is preferable to a recurrence of breast cancer which we fear, so we wouldn't be too upset. Still no change in the spots though, so maybe its not. Jean, OH had pain before the rash, and still does, which is why we thought of shingles .

I agree with you all that asking a new mum and baby to attend a clinic is unreasonable. She has a car and good support, and her child is 6. Surely mums with no transport and toddlers in tow can't be expected to do this?

[Gemini]

Latest news.....

DDs BP is down to within normal limits this morning, so huge a sigh of relief

[Daisy]

Gemini - that's such good news - you must be very relieved.

On the subject of care after childbirth, my MIL had 5 children and each time she had 2 weeks following the birth in a maternity home, doing nothing but caring for herself and her baby, resting and recuperating. She was horrified that I 'only' had 10 days in hospital following DS1's arrival, and 36 hours with DS2. Now, even if a new mum stays in more than a few hours post delivery it doesn't sound like a restful place for baby or mum. Labour is the hardest work any of us will ever have to do and the body needs time to recover, deal with the tsunami of hormones and get the milk bar into production. I agree with Plant - new mums need more care and pampering.

[Gemini]

It's a huge job Daisy, and there should be far more rest and pampering in the post natal period.
DD says it isn't restful staying in hospital now, as everyone has their baby with them, so babies are crying at different times through the night, and apparently there is no time for midwives to help mothers with feeding problems etc. She stayed on the labour ward and didn't even go onto the wards.
I think she is resting a fair amount, as SIL is very good, and GD isn't a toddler needing constant attention. You are bound to do more when you are at home though, if you feel up to it, then feel tired later!

[Daisy]

I can imagine there's very little chance to sleep, and especially if you've delivered during the night you need that rest even more. I'm sure in 'our' day the babies were taken out of the ward at night.

[Gemini]

Daisy, DDs 1 and 2 were taken to a nursery overnight. By the time I had DD3 in 1988 things had changed and we had our babies with us all the time.

[Nana]

My DD1 had a C-section recently & she was allowed to stay two nights as our lovely baby GS was quite jaundiced. I was kept in 2wks after my first C-section & told not to do anything 'heavy' for 6mths. The new mums aren't given enough time to gain their strength before they're discharged now. My daughter did say that it wasn't restful tho' as there were babies crying all hours. I do feel for them.

[Gemini]

I have started a new topic to continue our discussions on childbirth and post natal issues!

http://gransrus.com/forum/health-wel...s-have-changed

I have copied some relevant posts from here to the new thread, but the originals remain here.

[Glammanana]

I think it is totally unreasonable for a new mum to have to travel like this to a clinic for something so important but glad to read that your DDs BP was getting back to normal,when I had my three the shortest time was 3 days in hospital (DS1) I am a firm believer in new mums having as much rest as possible and have always been mortified at this culture of giving birth and going home as soon as 3 hrs after surely this is the reason many mums now are affected with "post baby" health problems than we ever heard of when we gave birth,I know it was around then but not as common as it is now I'm sure,I have seen a new mum come into the school yard when DGCs went to junior school with her new baby the day after delivery which is totally unacceptable as the poor woman had no back up care for her other children it is frightening to say the least, it ended up with DD arranging to collect her children and take them to school for 2 weeks whilst she got back on her feet.
I'm so glad you DD has had a good result Gemini you enjoy those cuddles with your new DGS I am off to see my new GGD later in the week and can't wait (must go and do a baby shop trip)