Postpartum check-in thread . . .

[Mamabeakley]

So those of you who are impatiently waiting can decide whether you want to hear about what it's like on the other side or not

My LO is 12 days old today and I am feeling pretty good . . . but aware that I'll feel better if I take it easy for a little longer. I had no tearing, and not much bleeding, which is a first for me (I had a pph w/DS1, and tore w/both DSs). My DH hasn't been working much because this is his slow season, so he's been able to spend lots of time with the boys. Yesterday I overdid it a little - we went to church AND the boys were totally haywire all afternoon (DH was napping) AND I took all 3 kids to my ILs for dinner (DH was feeling yucky). Today I am a dedicated couch potato, to let my body rest, after a morning trip to the chiropractor (1st visit since the birth.)

The only really uncomfortable part of this recovery for me has been engorgement, which I am thankful to be done with now. But I'm still HUGE chested I just ordered two Bravado bras which should actually fit (I hope).

DD is a pretty calm baby thus far. She's a good nurser, although for some reason once they go through engorgement with me, all my babies seem to think my nipples should be slurped like spagetti : Ah, well.

The only think that's irking me now logistically is that our family practice doctor, where I was planning to take DD for well-baby care apparently isn't very excited about seeing small babies and is giving me the run around. It's not that I think she needs medical attention - she's obviously healthy and we don't vax infants - I just want her to have a chart and be on their radar. Urgh. I'm not going to try to deal with that today, though.

My living room looks like a tornado hit it, despite DH's best (and fairly effective) efforts at keeping things tidy. It's so hot outside, and DS1 & DS2 seem to think the most fun way to play inside is to pull everything out and throw it around.

So, fellow pp mamas - how's your recovery going? How's baby? How're your other family members and your household?

[thepoet]

I am about 36 hours PP right now. I feel ok I guess. I was flying high yesterday but with no visitors today, I'm a little lonely and feeling very touched out by the older boys.

My daughter is nursing really well, making diapers, and my bleeding isn't so bad. My bottom is a little sore, and I over did it this morning, making breakfast, doing two loads of laundry and wearing Estella in a sling while doing so. After pains are a bit intense today.

I'm trying to get the boys to keep their toys off the floor so I don't accidentally step on them when I get up off the couch, this has lead to one incident of a curse word possibly being said while stepping on a lego.

Today is also my birthday and I really don't have any plans, cept for hopefully a shower later!

now my son just informed me that our water is turned off. lovely. must investigate.

[GenomicsGirl]

My turn!

Baby Griffin: is doing really well. He's 6 days old, is only 2 oz away from his birth weight (gained 6 oz over the weekend), is barely yellow, and doesn't need any more bili checks. All 3 of my other kids needed massive bili lights - 1st due to major bruising/bleeding on his scalp, 2nd due to a blood incompatibility, and 3rd because she was a premie. Griffin is nursing about every 2 hours around the clock with a couple of 3-4 hour chunks of time thrown in randomly. He seems pretty laid back thus far and I'm loving having a newborn again!

Me: My "bottom" is still pretty sore. Having never had a vaginal delivery, I didn't know what to expect, hadn't planned for it, hadn't mentally prepared AT ALL for it, and am quite taken aback by the *situation* down there. My butt is more sore than my vag. area. It's totally swollen and feels like I am always sitting on a golf ball. I had a 2nd degree tear, which was sewn up, but now things are starting to burn when I pee or even just randomly. Is that normal? My engorgement is gone - he's such a good nurser that he took care of any lumps that I had. I'm down 12 lb, including big morning boobs, so that leaves me a mere 11 lbs from my starting weight. Overall, I'm feeling pretty great, except for the golf-ball and the slight burning.

3 other kids: They are sick, or just geting over it. While in the hospital, they all developed fevers & coughs, so we have had a fairly strict rule of "Stay out of Mum's room" and keeping a 5-foot rule distance. the kids have been great only because my parents are visiting - and although the house is in shambles, the kids' schedules are messed up, and their dog keep chewing the sippy cups, they are fed, entertained, and well-cared-for. I've just been able to focus on the baby

Keep the updates coming, girls! It'll be nice to keep reading them

[Mamabeakley]

Poet -

Happy birthday!

Oooh, is your LO's name Estella? My middle name is Star, after my great-grandmother, who was named after her mother, Estella. And my SIL is Stella. I love "star" names, but DH & I have never been able to agree on one.

GenomicsGirl - I think what you're describing is pretty normal for a 2nd degree tear. It will get better.

[thorn]

We're also 6 days old/6 days pp here!

I am doing fine. 2nd degree tear but it really hasn't bothered me much. I'm doing epsom salt baths for healing and some swelling. Trying to take it easy. My FIL is here to help so I am trying to let him do as much as possible. I was super weepy on saturday, and still can cry at the drop of a hat but overall feeling very good. A little engorged but a nursing toddler helps with that a lot!

Jack is good. Eating well, peeing/pooping well, sleeping pretty well. He loves to cosleep and doesn't seem to have any day/night confusion. He is awake a lot and looks at me with these super big eyes, like "wow, you are my mommy!"

The girls are doing VERY well, I am surprised at how little of an adjustment it has seemed to be for them. However, daddy and pop pop have been paying constant attention to them, so I am half expecting for there to be a crash when it's back to just mommy and a new baby in the mix.

[NaturalMindedMomma]

Hey PP MAMAS!!!

Annalise is 6 days old and doing great. We had our first WIC appt and she gained a ton of weight already. She sleeps pretty well and nurses really well. We are using a nipple shield though. She does have a pretty bad diaper rash, we are using sposies for a bit until her stump comes off. She is so beautiful. I NIPed for the first time in Walmart the other day which was rough since I had to whip out my entire boob to put on the nipple shield, but whatever.

I am feeling ok. I have a blocked milk gland/duct undermy armpit and the engorgement is still rough. I had no tearing at all and no pain really. I am not bleeding anymore either. I have been pretty regular with my routine, but I have been napping when the girls nap or when my mom is here for Abrielle.

Today I went to the courthouse and filed my papers against Jose for child support. He has not made any effort to see her or call really. Not even an email. Not sweating it though. I am enjoying Anna so much. She is a blessing.

Abrielle is loving being a big sister. She really loves Annalise so much. She wants to help with everything. She tried to breastfeed her yesterday .
She is having a hard time with things like listening which is not like her, but I know it's normal for a huge change like this.

I am building up a huge supply of BM in the freezer. I figure I will have enough for if and when I return to work and possibly for donation to a particular baby in September.

Glad everyone else is doing ok. Take it as easy as possible ladies and enjoy your babymoon.

[NaturalMindedMomma]

Originally Posted by thorn

We're also 6 days old/6 days pp here!

I am doing fine. 2nd degree tear but it really hasn't bothered me much. I'm doing epsom salt baths for healing and some swelling. Trying to take it easy. My FIL is here to help so I am trying to let him do as much as possible. I was super weepy on saturday, and still can cry at the drop of a hat but overall feeling very good. A little engorged but a nursing toddler helps with that a lot!

Jack is good. Eating well, peeing/pooping well, sleeping pretty well. He loves to cosleep and doesn't seem to have any day/night confusion. He is awake a lot and looks at me with these super big eyes, like "wow, you are my mommy!"

The girls are doing VERY well, I am surprised at how little of an adjustment it has seemed to be for them. However, daddy and pop pop have been paying constant attention to them, so I am half expecting for there to be a crash when it's back to just mommy and a new baby in the mix.

Annalise totally does this and I completely melt!

[Amanda Williams]

How does it feel to wear "normal" clothes again, mamas?
I got a few new shirts at Old Navy today and cannot wait to wear a regular size large again!

[thorn]

i was actually wearing mostly "normal" clothes at the end anyway, a bunch of cheap Target tees in XL. they were so comfy.

so last night I was at target just meandering around with a latte for some quiet time, and I found an evenflo triumph advance DX marked on clearance for $70! they are normally $130 and are our favorite convertible seat. I couldn't pass it up...

I should have asked for help, but I didn't even think and hoisted it right up into my cart. I'm pretty sure I pulled at least one ab muscle that's the only problem with vaginal birth you feel so damn good afterwards! I forgot that my body was still recovering.

[Mamabeakley]

I'd probably like it better if I had some regular clothes. For some reason, most of my pp clothes seem to be winterish (maybe I wore out the summer ones from last time?) and my bras don't fit. I ordered some Bravado bras yesterday - I know my other bras will fit in a couple of months, but right now I am like a 38G or something! Yikes!

[NaturalMindedMomma]

Not in my regular stuff yet I am still wearing a pair of compression panties for my belly, which feels really weak. I would like to start working out, but not sure how I am going to manage that. Walking would be nice, but that means 2 year old in stroller and wearing babe. Not sure I am strong enough for that yet.

I put on a total of 28 lbs and have lost 14 of it. I actually need to lose 18 more though to be at my goal weight. My jeans are all size 0 and 1 and I almost got a pair on yesterday, but I am only 7 days PP so I guess I need to be easy on myself.

Baby slept better last night I figured it was the coke I was drinking (I had 1 can the last two days in a row). I really LOVE coke. That and cranberry juice, which I think the acid in it is contributing to babies diaper rash, so I cut that out too.

Anyway. I am bored. LOL. I am doing laundry and vacuuming for the first time in a few weeks. I have to jsut clean Abrielle's room and then put the bed together. Is anyone else drowning in a SEA of breastmilk at night? I am not used to that yet. HAHAHA

[Mamabeakley]

This time I only leaked as long as I was engorged - but, boy, did I leak! After a while I started sitting a little bowl under the breast she wasn't nursing to catch it - I've got a full baby bottle in the freezer from only like 2 days of doing that during the day. We just got pretty wet at night, though.

My mom was worrying about whether DD was gaining weight (since she hasn't been to the dr to get weighed ) and I'm like - um, unless you think she's getting less milk by nursing than is leaking out I think she's probably okay!

We weighed her at my ILs over the weekend and she's gained about a pound over her birth weight, so I think I'm right. But seriously, my mom needs to keep her anxiety to herself. I've got enough hormonally induced anxiety myself!

[maddymama]

Hi PP Mamas,
Happy Birthday, thepoet! Take it easy and have a wonderful day.
Ummm...GeonomicsGirl... remember that after a bit (first 24-48 hours of cold) warmth helps heal the "bottom" area quickly. I did a few warm sitz baths and then did a few warm pads down there, and have healed very quickly. Oh, and I love my mamapads.
Me and my DD2: We are 11 days pp... and doing much better than I expected. I'm getting over engorgement, and my "bottom" area is healing nicely. I haven't lost a ton of weight, but my body shape is readjusting quite well. Physically I feel so much better than I did pp with DD1, but I think that is bc DD2 lets me sleep, which helps soooo much!
DD2: She is a sleeper and is very calm. I love it! I hope it doesn't change too much when she hits her EDD next week. :-) She is so calm when awake, I don't know what to do.
My MIL was here entertaining DD1 last week, my mom is here this week, and my dad will be here next week to help. I'm loving all the hellp, and I'm loving the fact that they are running DD1 ragged so I don't have to.
Hope you are all doing well,
~maddymama

[thepoet]

My milk came in today. I'm almost weepy, and craving Root Beer. GOOD root beer too, not like A&W canned crap! lol

Had a placenta smoothie again toady, I think its combating the emotion of my milk coming in. Got the car seat in the car, so now I'm mobile. I'm thinking about going to Kmart to buy baby socks and a spray bottle. I'm insane I know. But I think I need to get out of the house.

[Koalamom]

I love hearing about PP mamas.

My babe is doing well. We decided on a name yesterday- Julius Black Eagle. Jules for short.
He is so tiny but luckily the umbilici cord fell off and he can wear diapers a bit better. We are doing disposables at night and cloth during the day. No more black poo.:
I was so engorged this time, and he was so sleepy all the time that I had a hard time relieving the milk. But he is a great nurser. I was so worried at him lack of nursing, but after day 3, he was already 1 oz from birth weight. I guess he is nursing fine.
I was so engorged that I asked my 2 yr old to nurse. I weaned her a few months into the pregnancy and she has asked me everyday to nurse, and when I finally asked her, she was so happy. But what do you know, she has forgotten how to latch, and turned to me and said, "Eve doesn't want milk, for baby." And she hasn't asked ever since!

I am loving my pp body. The stretch marks that looked so bad are hardly noticeable now that there isn't a baby there.
I did get that pain in the butt feeling too but is is gone now. I am almost done bleeding too. I am feeling really great, full of energy, and all of a sudden, I want to clean and cook more than ever. I am way more motivated now that a few weeks ago.

Baby is still very jaundice. Is that normal? He is 8 days old. I put him in the sun, but I haven't seen a difference.

And why don't I remember my dd peeing all over the place and leaking through everything when she was a baby? I am doing so much laundry. Between my leaking boobs, and the leaking diapers, we are a drenched mess almost every morning.

Now we are just dealing with what to do about me and my baby. I was positive for lyme disease a few months ago, and my baby's blood work came back positive too. I am a totally natural mama and prefer to not use antibiotics, so I am still trying to figure out what I am going to do. I feel terrible that my baby has lyme and I passed it onto him.

[Koalamom]

Now I have got to share some pics:
http://s380.photobucket.com/albums/o...8.jpg&newest=1

My dd loves the new baby:
http://s380.photobucket.com/albums/o...dlekids011.jpg
http://s380.photobucket.com/albums/o...dlekids007.jpg

I love seeing other baby pics! (hint, hint)

[Mamabeakley]

Bluebird - you don't remember your DD peeing all over stuff because she didn't have a hose to pee with! My first 2 are boys and it's totally different! DD pees with her diaper off, but mostly it just runs down into the diaper I'm in the process of taking off. DS1 & 2 - when they peed it went all over everything!

I don't know enough about Lyme to know, but . . . is the test an antibody test? If that's so, your baby could test "positive" without actually having the disease. That's how breastmilk acts as part of the baby's immune system - by giving the baby passive immunity (i.e., antibodies) to whatever mama has active immunity to. IDK, though.

[thepoet]

Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1

I love seeing other baby pics! (hint, hint)

ask and you shall receive!

These are from today
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._3625164_n.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...187_656069.jpg


I love kissing her on the lips. Her breath smells so sweet, like breastmilk.

[NaturalMindedMomma]

I SOOOO want to put my wool on the little one. It is JUST TOO HOT HERE. Although I have her in a sleep sack now, so maybe I could try.

Her cord stump is still on. UGH.. Wish it would fall off. I want to use my cloth!

[Koalamom]

Poet, I love the wool!! And the chubby cheeks too. I could see how kisses are irresistible!