MASSIVE congratulations SJ!!! what lovely news! What a pain in the bum (or nipple to be exact!) about the BF issues. I wonder if the very quick entry has something to do with it? I know that my DD2 was a shocker with attachment and in the end an osteo really helped. my second stage with her was roughly 6 minutes and she came out well and awesome but a bit scrunched.

Oz: are you thinking of popping placenta pills? If so, then i guess find someone (if you havent already!) now I also picked up a pack of over the counter voltaren for the afterpains. It worked a treat. I also swear by my calendula tincture for any swelling grazing etc that might happen in the perineum area etc. You can get those from your local health shop or naturopath. if you are up for it, also ask a naturopath about a postnatal pack. I was always a bit worried about developing PND as i had it really bad after DD1 (birth trauma in hossy unfortunately), so she got me together a whizz bang pack of disgusting tasting herbs to take after bubs was born. it was fantastic and i HIGHLY recommend doing it as the burst of energy that those things gave was fabulous.

SJ: no PND for either of my HB babies! BUT, the high that i got from DD2 (which lasted almost 2 years lol) didnt happen this last time. i had a really rough start though with hospital admission 5 weeks PP due to a PPH and my energy was just shot to pieces. but even so, and even with a kid that had some neurological issues and all the stress related, i managed to avoid the PND bullet. which i am thankful for as it is truly the toughest gig to get through. even the memory of it all these years later still can stop me in my tracks and gives me cold chills. it is just so awful.

You guys are right! where are all the March and April babies to fill our calendar?! quiet year...maybe Abbott becoming minister for women and PM turned us all off