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Baby arrived! There was family drama :(

(87 Posts)
muffinthemoo Sat 15-Sept-18 14:43:00

First of all for those following my adventures at home - my boy arrived at the weekend. He is fine but the delivery was lengthy and difficult and eventually emergency section was needed. It was a bit touch and go for me but they managed to stop the bleeding eventually and save the uterus. (I was okay with the hysterectomy if needed although to be fair if needed, there wouldn’t exactly have been an option). We had to stay in most of the week so I could have blood transfusions and other things since I left seven pints on the theatre floor and went into shock sad. Rough affair all round and tbh DH was pretty frightened by the whole thing. Definitely definitely the last baby for us. I had some cardiac trouble that was put down to the blood loss but I am getting that further checked out in a bit.

Thanks to all the grans who sent their best wishes, I needed those in the end!

Feeling really rough but I’m home with my wee ones now and am just trying to rest and take it easy until I can get back on my feet more.

Drama - he arrived very early Sunday morning. Around mid morning MIL told (now I have seen the texts, so I say this advisedly, it was phrased as a statement of fact) DH that she would be coming to the early afternoon visiting. DH explained I was still in the recovery room getting blood and fluids as I was in shock and no one was coming anywhere since I was probably going to the High Dependency Unit rather than the postnatal ward.

She told him that she was coming to the visiting for the baby, not me, and surely if I was in HDU there was still visiting for the newborn?

Yeah, okay, thanks. DH was pretty upset by this time and he said some fairly rough things to her. I was pretty out of it so I wasn’t really aware of this happening until afterwards. I did end up in HDU. No one came up that day because I didn’t want the wee ones to be frightened so I needed my parents to stay with them. I called them on the phone when I was bit more compos mentis.

The next day comes, I ask to go to the postnatal ward if possible because I really want to see my girls as soon as I don’t look too scary. So I get down there in time for afternoon visiting amd see my wee ones and my parents come along. My parents were super upset but putting a face on it. (Mum has actually been... really good the whole time. Dad says she got a big shock and has decided to ‘try harder’. She’s my mum, I’ll take it)

DH is not speaking to his parents ar this point after the events of the previous morning but after the wee ones have a nice visit with me and new brother, I have a talk with him and say I think his mum and dad should come up that night to meet the new boy. I would rather he was there to help with the visit because I’m not allowed out of bed yet and have drips everywhere and a catheter in. Honestly I can’t even reach myself a drink. But I say, the other GPs have been up, let them come and see him.

You guys. The ILs appear and MIL doesn’t speak a word to me. She takes the one chair next to me and folds her arms and glowers at DH.

I ask her nicely if she wants to hold baby, and she rips out “No. I don’t agree with this passing babies around. Put him down.” It’s.... er, his own dad and her son who’s holding baby at this point so I think, welp not getting involved in this one.

I honestly just don’t feel well enough for drama so I just lie there and make a little conversation with FIL who seems embarrassed by the whole affair. Mercifully our brothers turn up with my SIL and I have a normal chat with them. DH offers the brothers and SIL a wee cuddle and they do indeed “pass the baby around”. Baby is cool with this, everyone washed hands when they arrive, this is fine. I open some lovely gifts from bros and chat away.

DH offers FIL a hold of the first and (almost certainly) only grandson. FIL moves his arms to accept before MIL grinds out “NOOOOO” and FIL just folds his arms back down.

The bros and SIL check this out and stampede for the door. If I could move I would also bail, smart move. But I have to keep lying there.

DH gets quite obviously emotional and asks his mum does she really not care about holding her grandson. She looks at him - he’s obviously tearful - and sneers “Too little, too late.”

FIL more or less grabs her and hustles her off the ward.

DH sits crying with me for a while. I feel really bad but all I can really do is hold his hand and try and comfort him.

We’ve not heard from her since and I haven’t brought it up. Neither has DH. I feel like I should try and find out how he’s feeling about this but, urgh, baby and I are barely back in the house. I don’t have the energy for drama at this point.

I will take any advice you might offer on how I should handle this from here.

Luckygirl Sat 15-Sept-18 14:50:39

Congratulations on surviving this traumatic drama and on the safe arrival of your son - what a lot you had to go through!

Honestly, just ignore MIL - she does not deserve this lovely wee man. Just see as little as possible of her and spare a thought for her poor OH who is no doubt getting it in the neck non-stop - it is very sad that she is like this, and she too is missing out - silly lady.

The important things at the moment are you getting your strength back and being able to enjoy the mew arrival. Nothing else really matters. flowers

Luckygirl Sat 15-Sept-18 14:51:34

Mew!!?? - was it a kitten ?grin

I did of course mean new!

Eglantine21 Sat 15-Sept-18 14:55:56

Emigrate?

Seriously muffin, I’m very relieved to hear you and new arrival are ok and now at home.

Best wishes to your little family

???

MawBroon Sat 15-Sept-18 14:59:33

First of all congratulations and may I say how relieved I am on your behalf - poor you , poor DH and your poor parents!
TG all is now well.
As to your MIL I would say let her stew.
Are you old enough to know of Andy Capp? Well your MIL sounds like his missus. I’ll try to find a pic or link.
Do not allow any dramas to impinge on your precious time with your baby. If your DH can talk to his father that may help him but the MIL needs to be kept at arm’s length -no visits or backing down (although I don’t know what you could be backing down from)
She clearly has no conception of how serious things were but you do and for your own health you need to move forward.
Warmest wishes to you and your little family - may there be many happy days ahead!

MawBroon Sat 15-Sept-18 15:02:53

No disrespect intended to your FIL but every disrespect to your MIL grin

gillybob Sat 15-Sept-18 15:04:45

I echo what Maw says Muffin Huge congratulations on your new baby boy. What a traumatic entrance into the world he has had, poor little mite and poor you.... hope you are recovering well and being spoiled a bit too. flowers

gillybob Sat 15-Sept-18 15:05:13

I love it Maw grin

Craicon Sat 15-Sept-18 15:06:45

Congratulations on your little boy and ignore MIL for a few weeks at least, would be my advice.
She’s clearly got a few screws loose to be making it all about her after what you’d just been through. Hopefully, your DH will realise he can’t change her and he’s not responsible for her dreadful behaviour and to go very low contact with her from now on.
Enjoy your new baby. flowers

Cherrytree59 Sat 15-Sept-18 15:08:29

Congratulations and well done you!?flowers

I agree with the good advice given by other GN posters.

I'm afraid your mother in law was trying to make it all about her. sad

Greyduster Sat 15-Sept-18 15:17:59

Congratulations to you and your DH, Muffin! Hope you’re starting to feel more yourself. I’m with those who say give it some time and see if things settle down. I’m afraid, with regard to your father in law, the phrase “grow a pair” was the first thing that came into my head. If he’s got any sense he’ll ignore his wife and come and revel in his new grandson toot sweet!

kittylester Sat 15-Sept-18 15:18:59

Congratulations and well done on how you handled things. flowers

Brilliant Maw!

Baggs Sat 15-Sept-18 15:46:28

I've just read your post, muffin. All I can say right now is Good Grief!

I'll now go and read the other posts.

Meanwhile, well done you and your husband, well done the hospital, well done your parents.

Nanabilly Sat 15-Sept-18 15:46:31

Congratulations on the arrival of your son and hope you recover well and quickly.
As for the mil... Just ignore her as much as you can because while she is upsetting you she is getting exactly what she wants for some very strange reason . She sounds the most awful woman.I
Well done to your husband for giving her some food for thought but for her to behave like that on the visit is just so bad. I really feel for his dad who must have to put up with this every single day.
Now you just rest as much as you can and let people run round after you while you get used to your new little man .

muffinthemoo Sat 15-Sept-18 16:21:52

I honestly felt really bad for DH afterwards (there was a lot of lying in the ward with only my thoughts this week, haha) because I know he was really upset by all the delivery drama. And I was not in any state to tell him everything would be fine, because obviously I was Not Fine At All and also I was not fully conscious.

I feel bad because he needed her support and she was... basically an arse? Also, it would have been polite to feign interest in my condition? I know she is indifferent to my welfare, but her son and her grandchildren clearly are not.

I’m honestly not personally offended by this, unlikely as that may sound, because I’m just beyond caring how she feels about me. But I don’t like that she hurt DH.

Urgh. I’m gonna try and keep out of this chapter though, because like you all say, I need to get well.

Also this is an adult of nearly seventy years old, she should know how to behave properly. It is not my responsibility to cajole her into doing so.

I will be totally hospitable if she shows up, but I’m not running around begging her to visit. I’m too old for that nonsense ?

mcem Sat 15-Sept-18 16:40:54

Hearty congratulations on your new arrival. Please look after yourself. My DD has had 4 sections although none so traumatic. It takes a lot of tlc and boy, do you deserve that!

I was really pleased to read that your DH made an excellent attempt to protect you from the worst of her attitude and hope, after all you've been through together, that your bond will be strengthened!

All your energies must be concentrated on you and your (now complete) family. She really doesn't deserve to have a place in your
lives and should be damned grateful if you allow her even minimal visiting rights.
?????

Maggiemaybe Sat 15-Sept-18 16:59:35

Many congratulations on the new arrival, muffin, and I hope you recover well. What a drama it all was! I really admire your philosophical approach to your MIL's nonsense, and I hope that she comes to realise just how daft her behaviour is. She's certainly old enough to know better! flowers

GrandmaMoira Sat 15-Sept-18 17:13:42

Congratulations on your new baby and I hope you recover your health soon. I would just ignore your MIL for the next few weeks whilst you get your health back and enjoy your baby.

Doodle Sat 15-Sept-18 19:59:41

Oh muffin many congratulations on your little boy. I have only sons and have always championed the MIL side but your seems to be totally unreasonable. Your poor DH must be so upset. Don't let her get to you. Thank goodness your DH has you.

M0nica Sat 15-Sept-18 20:15:33

Muffin, all good wishes, so glad you are now home. We hear so much from daughters who cut out parents/inlaws for little or nothing. It is wonderful to hear from someone like you who has every reason to do so but soldiers on.

Take your time recovering and just enjoying your newly extended family.

Willow500 Sat 15-Sept-18 20:33:13

Congratulations on your new baby son and well done for the dignified way you've handled your MIL's actions in such difficult circumstances. She sounds dreadful and I echo everyone else - just ignore her until you are fully recovered and in the meantime enjoy your newly extended family!

Bellanonna Sat 15-Sept-18 21:24:41

Many congratulations Muffin and wishing you much joy with your baby boy. Gosh what a traumatic event for you. Do rest and concentrate on getting yourself better which I hope will be soon. I can only echo others’ comments about the MIL!

SueDonim Sat 15-Sept-18 21:46:08

Many congratulations on your beautiful baby boy, Muffin! I'm sorry both he and you had a struggle to get him here safely but I wish you all the best from now on.

Wrt MIL, I agree with everyone else - just let her go hang for now. Concentrate on your own gorgeous little family and on you and your Dh supporting each other through these first days.

annodomini Sat 15-Sept-18 22:04:08

Congratulations, muffin. Glad you and your new son are well and getting over the trauma. It's not up to you to make the first move. Your MiL owes you a massive apology for the way she has behaved to you - not that you'll be holding your breath for that. I do feel sad for your downtrodden FiL! Meanwhile, enjoy your lovely family.

cornergran Sat 15-Sept-18 22:11:06

Congratulations muffin, delighted that your son arrived safely and you are also safe. I feel for you and your husband. As the mother of sons I admire your attempts to include your mother in law and am so sad that her behaviour makes life so difficult and does nothing fornthe reputation of mothers in law. All good wishes to you, your husband and your family, wishing you a happy future.