Thank you so much Cricket, Arcadia and HotI HotI, I am sorry that your babymoon was not as you had hoped it would be.

The LC that I saw on Thursday told me to apply an anti-fungal like Canestan or Daktarin gel and to wash my nipples in bi carb and water. I have just been using Canestan frequently and doing bicarb wash twice a day.

Last night, I was in so much pain - when feeding and when not feeding. I was worried that the shooting pains were mastitis coming back. I decided to google. I actually went straight to the page you mentioned Arcadia! After reading that I realised that I probably wasn't given a good enough treatment plan by the LC. The pain is in my breast not just nipple. I do not feel that a topical ointment alone can knock it over. Thanks for the advice Arcadia, I really appreciate it. I am going to try and get in to my GP ASAP. I am also considering going on anti-candida diet.

Ok back on track! PZ, I wanted to comment about your posts. I had planned a HB for my 1st preg. My situation is a bit different- I didn't transfer per se, rather it became apparent over the course of 3 days that I would have to go to hosp. I had premature rupture of membranes at 36+4, and I didn't go in to labour. My MW's monitored me at home for 72 hours. When I went to hosp, the OB advised an induction. I talked it over with DH and MW's. My MW's were worried about my energy levels. I had barely slept in 3 days- 40+ degree weather and scattered contractions ensured restless nights. The OB said I would have to come back each day for monitoring. He aso let it be known that he would have induced me after 48 hours. And I was taking AB's too. In the end, I agreed to the induction. I'd had 3 days to gradually get used to the fact that I may not have my HB. Once I knew that I would be having bub in hospital, I set a new 'goal' - no epidural. I think I had a good hosp birth because my HB MW's were there. The hosp staff left us alone until it was time to push.my bub out.
I have often thought back over the situation. Should I have said 'no' to the induction and gone in each day for monitoring? Would I have gone in to spontaneous labour on my own, eventually? Could I have had my HB? Did I give in too soon? I know that my MW's think I made the right decision. I thought I had at the time- and I guess that is all we can do. Make the decision that we think is right with the knowledge we have at the time. I know that I used my hosp birth to empower me to HB- if I could withstand an induced labour, strapped to a monitor, without pain relief, I could definitely HB!