Postpartum issue thread

[Vegan Princess]

I tought it might be helpful to start a thread on postpartum issues - especially for us 1st time mommas.

My baby is 4 days old today. I'm feeling pretty good but pretty crampy, even with advil. Yesterday and the night before I had some good cries over nothing. I am also sore down there despite not tearing - I really feel for those who did or who had an epesiotomy. I think I need a hemmoroid pillow to sit on.

My nipples are very sore but at least not getting worse. I think my milk is partially here? Yesterday baby alternated eating and crying for about 5 hours. She was eating non stop. Wouldn't stay asleep or even just let us hold her. Thankfully I finally got her full and she slept all night with only 2 feedings (of almost an hour each). I'm wondering if she is eating so much bc she is a little early and small or perhaps bc my milk isn't fully here? I am going to see a lactation consultant today just for piece of mind.

Baby also won't sleep in the pack and play. We ended up having to get a snuggle nest to co-sleep with her. I don't think I want her in our bed for the long haul but it is nice for now to be able to open my eyes and see that she is ok. She can be sound asleep and as soon as she goes in the pack and play she wakes up and cries.

Anyone else having any issues?

[JesiLynne]

:LOL I was just coming to start this thread.

[JesiLynne]

You crying is totally normal

Do you have hemorrhoids ? Or just still sore from birth. Are you still swollen ?

[JosieAK]

I have a question about PP. About how many pads should I have on hand (and what kind) for the first week after birth (and after)? I bought a pack of heavy overnight pads, but I don't know how fast I'll go through 24 of them. I'd be nice to not have to send my DH out for more!

Also, I read that lochia eventually is clear or whitish? That seems really odd. Is that true in your experiences?

[Larissa]

I have had 3 babies and still can't answer to how many pads you would need. Everyone is different, and I don't even remember how many I went through. And it was a little different for me each time. I dont' remember about color and how it changed after baby was born.

[tomsTXmom]

Re: emotions and PP

Just a thought for 1st timers. You can feel lots of emotions, and still be okay. When my son (now 6 YO) was 3 days old, I had a VERY strong urge to violently splatter him against the wall. I just had the feeling once, and I knew I wouldn't do that, but geesh, it was visceral! DS was hungry for milk, my DH was very sick, the dogs were needing attention, I was hungry, thirsty, tired and felt all ALONE!

If you think you might hurt your baby, put it down immediately, and call for help. It's okay to ask for help!

If you have bad feelings, which you know are just feelings, nothing you would act on, these can be normal. Talk to someone trusted or professional about them. I remember freaking out because I never heard anyone I considered "normal" to say anything about that type of feeling, but once I started talking about it, more and more women confessed!

Tracy

[Everrgreen]

I'm so happy we have enough new mamas now to have one of these threads!! I've been patiently waiting

Royce and I are doing very well. We've finally figured out nursing (although I would love to wean him off the nipple shield - that's our next big project ). He's eating quite often and sometimes for long periods of time. As of last Thursday he was only 2oz away from birthweight, so I'm assuming he's there now, but I don't know for sure.

I never had any cramping - I'm not sure if that's because I had a manual removal of the placenta? Although the cramping is the uterus returning to normal size right? I guess mine did that cramp free.

As for how many pads, I think it depends on the person. I'm still bleeding at16 days pp, but not too much. I'm only wearing very thin pads now.

I was sore 'down there' for a while but it's a lot better now. I had an episiotomy which still hurts once in a while but most of the time I don't even notice. A nice hot bath feels really good, so I've been doing that as much as I can!

As for sleep, Royce is bedsharing with us. He sleeps so much better on his side which makes me a little nervous that he'll roll onto his stomach. But I'm right there so I would notice. Sometimes we both fall asleep with him nursing (laying down). I hope this isn't a bad thing. We are planning on sidecarring the crib and I would like to have him sleep there at least part of the night - I miss cuddling with dh!

I'm doing well emotionally as well. Most of my sad moments are just me having a pity party because I'm tired! I did have a couple of moments in the first week with Royce crying and me not being able to feed him which were hard (especially when he was having the phototherapy - that was so hard). But now that I can breastfeed it seems to be the cure-all for everything

Sorry that was so long - I'm just so excited to be able to talk about baby stuff!!

[JesiLynne]

Gillian, take a receiving blanket, roll it up, and place it in front of baby next to tummy. That way he can't roll over.

[JesiLynne]

Originally Posted by JosieAK

I have a question about PP. About how many pads should I have on hand (and what kind) for the first week after birth (and after)? I bought a pack of heavy overnight pads, but I don't know how fast I'll go through 24 of them. I'd be nice to not have to send my DH out for more!

Also, I read that lochia eventually is clear or whitish? That seems really odd. Is that true in your experiences?

Are they the ones in the purple wrappers, I LOVE THOSE!!!!! Yeah they seem like a diaper, but if you want to make sure nothing leaks through

I have some of those, and I seem to remember the really heavy bleeding stopped after a week, and then it was just like a normal period. But longer

[JesiLynne]

Originally Posted by tomsTXmom

Re: emotions and PP

Just a thought for 1st timers. You can feel lots of emotions, and still be okay. When my son (now 6 YO) was 3 days old, I had a VERY strong urge to violently splatter him against the wall. I just had the feeling once, and I knew I wouldn't do that, but geesh, it was visceral! DS was hungry for milk, my DH was very sick, the dogs were needing attention, I was hungry, thirsty, tired and felt all ALONE!

If you think you might hurt your baby, put it down immediately, and call for help. It's okay to ask for help!

If you have bad feelings, which you know are just feelings, nothing you would act on, these can be normal. Talk to someone trusted or professional about them. I remember freaking out because I never heard anyone I considered "normal" to say anything about that type of feeling, but once I started talking about it, more and more women confessed!

Tracy

: Great post.


Mamas ( especially you first timers ) I can not say this enough. Put your pj's on and stay in your room /bed for the first week. Call someone if need be to take care of you. Hire a PP doula, something. Your only job is to nurse baby, change baby, be with baby , bond with baby and heal.

Just like having a good birth can help with not developing PPD, so can having a good babymoon. Especially bfeeding. I just sit there with a book, a movie, something and keep baby attached as long as possible.

[Larissa]

Definitely first timers can do that. But there's no way that I could do that with 3 other children running around. (although it would defnitely be nice to spend the entire first week just caring for new baby!!!)

Oh, and the belly thing . . . all 3 of my boys were belly sleepers from almost the beginning. I wouldn't worry too much about baby sleeping on the belly. I worried about that alot with my first, but finally realized that he just slept better that way.

[Mamato2]

I just wanted to chime in on the emotional issues too. I was told the weepiness and feeling overemotional usually peaks arounds day 3, similar timing to when your milk comes in. After my last two I bawled about everything for a couple of days. Often for no good reason and then things evened out but that first week your hormones are shifting so much it really affects you.

Little sitz baths (even a few inches of hot water in the bottom of the tub with epsom salts) feels AMAZING! And definitely a peri bottle.

Hmmm, that's all that jumps out at me now but I have to get dd to school. Good luck new mamas! Its so exciting to have your babies here!

[JesiLynne]

You can with more kids, it just takes a lot of planning a head of time.

[Vegan Princess]

Yesterday I had a lactation consultant come over. She was horrible! I am so mad that I spent the money on her. I wanted some reassurance that I was doing things right but instead I got a woman who stressed me out that she hadn't pooped (she did later), said my pediatrician was too lax bc he doesnt want to see her back for a month, gave me nipple shields instead of working on my latch and had a whole slew of other advice that didn't sit right with me. She made me doubt myself so much more than before she came!! Now I am stressed. And my mom (who is leaving today) keeps talking about how she supplemented with formula when she fed me to make sure I got enough. No one is really all out supportive except my husband. Now I am afraid I'm starving my daughter!

I used the pump while that woman was here and again this morning and fed the baby with a syringe while she sucked on a finger. How much should I expect to be able to pump in 10-15 minutes on days 2 of my milk coming in? I really didn't get much.

Gillian: Do you mind if I ask why you are using nipple shields?

Cindy

[nighten]

Cindy, was the LC part of the local LLL group, or someone from the hospital? I'd report her, honestly. That is horrid.

Letting baby nurse will stimulate milk flow much more than pumping. I'd let baby be on the breast nonstop if you can stand it. And aiming her nose at your nipple, instead of her mouth, then waiting until she opens her mouth fully before pulling her onto the breast can help with latch.

Don't push the breast towards her mouth -- pull her to the breast. And if she's not latched on well (wide open mouth before latching) then gently break suction with your pinky and try again. Otherwise it will make your nipples really sore.

You might find some help here:

http://www.llli.org/nb.html

[JesiLynne]

I agree with Nighten, report her and relax. Pulling baby to you is key. Call the LLL. Don't listen to people who tell you to supplement. Your baby will be fine. Relax. You are not starving anyone. You and baby will get it, not all babies are born "nursers" some need some work. I pray someone will come to you who can help.

[RabbitDancer]

Originally Posted by JosieAK

I have a question about PP. About how many pads should I have on hand (and what kind) for the first week after birth (and after)? I bought a pack of heavy overnight pads, but I don't know how fast I'll go through 24 of them. I'd be nice to not have to send my DH out for more!

Also, I read that lochia eventually is clear or whitish? That seems really odd. Is that true in your experiences?

With my last birth and in preparation of this birth, I bought one pack of 42 overnight bladder control pads. They're more expensive than maxi pads (even if you buy store brands, which is what I did!), but they're longer, thicker, and made for sudden gushes. I usually use a Keeper and washable cloth pads for backup for my periods, and obviously those are out for postpartum! But the really heavy bleeding only lasts about a week, maybe two weeks, and after that it drags out enough to be annoying but isn't heavy, and I can use my cloth pads then. And by that point the big pack of diaper-like bladder control disposable pads are gone, anyway.

One other thing: if your bleeding slows for several days and then comes back heavier, you're likely doing too much and need to slow down.

And the lochia gradually does turn clear or whitish, like tinged discharge maybe, before stopping completely. My bleeding always lasted about 5-6 weeks total, but the last half of that was just light spotting that dragged out.

[k13]

It took me a month to get my first baby (who was 4 weeks early) to even latch on and nurse - I did the tube/syringe/finger feed thing and I was strapped to a breastpump what seemed like 24-7. It was rough. If your baby is latching on at all I would focus on that and not on supplementing or pumping so much. Like someone said - the baby is more efficient than the breastpump, it can be a lot of work to get enough milk to keep up and have them gaining weight.

I agree - LLL or someone else for lactation support. I have found that hospital employed "lactation consultants" are often not so great...

Good luck!

[RabbitDancer]

Originally Posted by JesiLynne

Mamas ( especially you first timers ) I can not say this enough. Put your pj's on and stay in your room /bed for the first week. Call someone if need be to take care of you. Hire a PP doula, something. Your only job is to nurse baby, change baby, be with baby , bond with baby and heal.

Just like having a good birth can help with not developing PPD, so can having a good babymoon. Especially bfeeding. I just sit there with a book, a movie, something and keep baby attached as long as possible.

This is wonderful advice!!

I'm making a short list of things (books, DVDs, snack foods, drinks) to stick in a basket and keep by my side in the bedroom for the first few days of baby-bonding. My husband, sister, mom, or postpartum doula can keep the older kids entertained while I just hunker down.

[cagnew]

Vegan: You probably don't need a nipple shield. That is usually (though not always) just someones way of "helping" when they are too lazy or uninformed to really help. With dd the nurse at the hospital gave me nipple shields b/c she said I was flat. That was not true AT ALL, but I didn't know any better. Those things were the beginning of the end for me and breastfeeding (it is possible to wean the baby off of them, but there wre other circumstances at the time that prevented that for me).

I highly recommend the dvd "Simply Breastfeeding." It's an entire course on dvd, and the midwife is awesome (I met her over Christmas). You can find it on www.birthboutique.com (and probably on amazon). She is available to do over-the-internet consultations and over the phone help as well. If you call the store they could probably rush deliver it.

Of course, if you have someone nearby that you trust that will help you, that should be good.

I can't believe that LC!!! That makes me mad. It's so heartbreaking when you give up... I felt like a terrible mom when I switched to formula at 2 months... I couldn't pump anymore.

This time, I WILL do it. The stuff I learned from the dvd is so different than what I learned at the class I took, and it makes so much sense. I can't wait to try again.

PS- I'm pretty sure the baby won't starve.
PS2- I am glad you have a supportive husband!