Postpartum Healing - Page 3 « Back to Group Discussions

[IwannaBanRN]

Originally Posted by TalkToMeNow 

I'm so glad I get to go to the bathroom alone these days. I do not miss bathroom conversations with my dds!
I ordered some of that Earth Mama bottom stuff last night. I wish it was already here as I seriously need it. Hopefully it won't take too long to arrive!

lol I haven't been alone in the bathroom for 3 years.

[Krystal323]

YEP--cheap gerber prefolds make the best mama pads!  Those and spare diaper doublers 

I'm 3 weeks pp tomorrow.  I *think* I've stopped bleeding...it's been over a day since it quit--tho my body does pp so weirdly, I don't wanna jinx it, lol.  I'm feeling pretty great, except for when I forget to drink enough, then I feel like death warned over!  

boobs--no new stretch marks, but man, do they have to be lopsided??  One of my nipples doesnt' seem to have as many ducts as the other, which translates to lots of vigilance needed to avoid plugged ducts there, and apparently baby is preferring the other side more.  Even right after he's nursed on the bigger side, it's still bigger than the "broken" one.  

stretch marks--mine are no longer, uh, colorful...but there are a lot more than ever before and the skin is just so squishy and slack.  Some of my pp jeans fit, but o man do i have muffin-top!  

I used to spend $$ on these fancy creams for after-pregnancy skin healing--but now?  I'm lucky if I can remember to put oil on my skin after a shower.  FTR Clarins Body Shaping and Firming creams are excellent, if you're into that stuff.  

We also tend to hate the 6-week wait, heh.  Actually it is usually 4-5 weeks for us!  However, my tubal is scheduled for next week (at the 4-week-pp mark), so I figure I'll need some healing time from that as well.  I am sooooooo looking forward to sex without worrying, tho!    I also have a history of getting my period back quite early--yes, even a week after pp bleeding had stopped.  It was that way for three of my four prior pregnancies!  

[musicmama08]

Have you tried lambskin condoms?  Much thinner and have more feeling for both people than the regular ones, but they are more expensive.  They're sold in packs of 3 if you want to just buy a few to try.  We use those and NFP  - they have always worked for us.
 

Originally Posted by IwannaBanRN 

DH and I had to stop ourselves last week from doing anything. lol Kissing got a bit hot and heavy.  Hey, at least I know he's interested. I wish the damn wait wasn't 6 weeks. That's how long I bleed usually, and DH won't go near it until it's done bleeding. Also, we need to figure out what to do about birth control. He wants a vasectomy, but doesn't want to trust just anybody with his junk and we don't know what to do for birth control until the vasectomy takes full effect. I can't do the IUD(complications in the past) I can't do the pill because I won't remember it everyday, I can't do the patch because that's how I wound up pregnant in the first place, the depo shot makes me gain weight and I want to LOSE weight, and neither of us find sex with a condom enjoyable at all. Pretty much rules out everything except me getting my tubes tied.  Oh and I don't trust the natural family planning since I'm so fertile.

[musicmama08]

So, the midwives said no sex until after the bleeding has completely stopped.  Is that accurate.  I'm only a week PP, and not needing to have it now, but everything mostly feels normal.  Does bleeding have to completely stop in your experiences?

And, like many of the responses, I too feel so disjointed in my hips/pelvic area.  My pubic bone actually feels like it is being pushed out, and if I "push" it in, it feels so much better.  If only I could make something to push on it for me?!    I do have a belly band, but that doesn't go down to the pubic bone area.

My biggest pain (wrong thread of course!) is the boob pain.  She latched pretty shallow the first 2 days creating some nipple damage which hurts like fire!  Can't wait for that to heal up so I can focus on other things - (like cloth diapers!).

[Abraisme]

My midwives also suggest the same thing..  However, after my last pregnancy we didn't wait that long.  I tend to bleed for a full 6w, but we started to dtd again around 3w pp.  I felt good, everything was healed up and it was all perfectly fine.  They did tell me that the 6 week 'suggestion' is totally arbitrary and based on how long it takes your uterus to shrink back to a normal size.  Bleeding is supposed to be a more accurate way to telling that you're all healed up, but really, if you're ready I think it's fine. 
 

Originally Posted by musicmama08 

So, the midwives said no sex until after the bleeding has completely stopped.  Is that accurate.  I'm only a week PP, and not needing to have it now, but everything mostly feels normal.  Does bleeding have to completely stop in your experiences?

[musicmama08]

Sweet! 

By the way, how are your hips feeling?  We are the same number of days PP, so just checking in...

Originally Posted by Abraisme 

My midwives also suggest the same thing..  However, after my last pregnancy we didn't wait that long.  I tend to bleed for a full 6w, but we started to dtd again around 3w pp.  I felt good, everything was healed up and it was all perfectly fine.  They did tell me that the 6 week 'suggestion' is totally arbitrary and based on how long it takes your uterus to shrink back to a normal size.  Bleeding is supposed to be a more accurate way to telling that you're all healed up, but really, if you're ready I think it's fine. 
 

[Paigekitten]

Of course dtd at 3 weeks doesn't work if baby won't let you put her down for two seconds

[Abraisme]

My hips and lower abdomen are still pretty sore.  My right hip feels like it's out of place, blah.  I am starting to feel a bit better every day though, I just have to remember to keep taking it easy and let things heal.  I plan on seeing my chiro next week for a pp adjustment.  My bottom is feeling pretty much healed now though, which is nice.   How are you feeling?
 

Originally Posted by musicmama08 

Sweet! 

By the way, how are your hips feeling?  We are the same number of days PP, so just checking in...

It's true!  Have you tried swaddling?  Olivine would only  sleep on her own if she was tightly swaddled (until 7mo).  Coralie doesn't seem to need to be swaddled yet.  I tried once and it just seemed to make her uncomfortable.  I have an extra Miracle Blanket if you think that you'll use it.

Originally Posted by Paigekitten 

Of course dtd at 3 weeks doesn't work if baby won't let you put her down for two seconds

[Paigekitten]

I haven't tried the miracle blanket, but being swaddled seems to just make her mad.  I haven't tried it for about a week, maybe I will again.

[MrsKatie]

Originally Posted by Paigekitten 

I haven't tried the miracle blanket, but being swaddled seems to just make her mad.  I haven't tried it for about a week, maybe I will again.

KJ hates being swaddled, too!  I'm in shock!  I have cared for SO many babies and swaddling was my magic go-to soother for almost all of them.  And now my own babe HATES it.

We successfully DTD (after many, many false starts) at 3.5 weeks PP, and only worked it out with KJ sleeping propped up on a nursing pillow like a foot away from us on the bed (we invested in a king-sized mattress right before she was born).  Good luck getting some action, mama!

[Abraisme]

The Miracle Blanket is by far my fav for a baby that needs to be swaddled.  I have several from Olivine, but don't seem to need them this time.  We'll see though as she's only 8 days old...
 

Originally Posted by Paigekitten 

I haven't tried the miracle blanket, but being swaddled seems to just make her mad.  I haven't tried it for about a week, maybe I will again.

[IwannaBanRN]

Originally Posted by Paigekitten 

Of course dtd at 3 weeks doesn't work if baby won't let you put her down for two seconds

I wannnaaaaa!!! DH and I are chomping at the bit and my bleeding is only barely pink spotting but he won't come near me until it's COMPLETELY finished. Grrr. Maybe I'll fib.  I'm 3 weeks PP now and this is the earliest we'd be doing anything regarding post partum. We waited 6-7 weeks with the other two.

[musicmama08]

Lol,  we're one week out and DH is chomping at the bit!  It's going to be a long 2 weeks ahead of us!

Fib, fib! 

Originally Posted by IwannaBanRN 

I wannnaaaaa!!! DH and I are chomping at the bit and my bleeding is only barely pink spotting but he won't come near me until it's COMPLETELY finished. Grrr. Maybe I'll fib.  I'm 3 weeks PP now and this is the earliest we'd be doing anything regarding post partum. We waited 6-7 weeks with the other two.

[Abraisme]

Ha ha, yeah, my dh is totally getting impatient too (in his own, non-pressuring kind of way).  He wasn't really interested in end-of-pregnancy dtd, but as soon as the baby came out he was ready again..  I suspect that I'll be ready to go by 3w this time..  It will also be about the time that my MIL leaves and our spare bedroom opens up again..
 

Originally Posted by musicmama08 

Lol,  we're one week out and DH is chomping at the bit!  It's going to be a long 2 weeks ahead of us!

Fib, fib! 

[TalkToMeNow]

I told my dh we could dtd this weekend- I'm 4 weeks pp today and bleeding was almost completely gone this week. Then, last night I started having really bad cramping and my bleeding started again. WTH?! Have no clue why that happened. Maybe it will stop again today...

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by Paigekitten 

This recovery has been very different then my first two births.  ...my abs are practically non-existent.  It hurts my stomach muscles just to walk, and the more I do, the worse it feels. 

I was hobbling around like an 80 year old for the first two days, all hunched over b/c my core literally couldn't hold me upright.  I'm still walking with a waddle b/c my whole pelvic area just feels weak.

Originally Posted by dashley111 

This time my recovery feels much much slower, and I can feel every joint aching and my pelvis and back adjusting (so so so so slowly) back to normal.  Im not even 30, but I am kind of wondering how much of this is an age thing since I had my first 2 so young.

Yes, I am wondering how much age has to do with it, too.  I'm 32- not old, but still, things take longer to heal at this point.

Originally Posted by jbk21 

He LOVES the girls now, OMG.  I have been pregnant or nursing for the past 3.5 years but there was a brief (month long?) time right after I weaned and right as we got pregnant where I got a glimpse of what the twins will look like after I'm done breastfeeding.... It's not pretty.  I used to have cute perky little things- 34C- and now they have stretch marks and when not nursing are just sad and floppy.  Someone please tell me that maybe if I work out I can get some of that perkiness back????  Otherwise DH says he wants me to be a wet nurse forever LOL!

I've been nursing or pregnant for the last 6ish years.  Right now my breasts are ginormous for me.  I have actual cleavage and I sort of look like I might topple over.  It's crazy.  Dh is most impressed and wants to play, but they are still often engorged- hard, throbbing, painful.  So that's a no go.  I only have one bra that fits b/c I've never been this big before!  My other two nursing bras look like I'm trying to model for a Victoria Secret catalog with my breasts spilling out of a bra 2 sizes too small.  I know everything will shrink soon enough.  I'm generally much smaller by 6-8 weeks and then keep shrinking from there as I get back in shape. 

I'm one week pp right now and my bleeding is very light, though I have the occasional gush when I sit in a way I shouldn't or walk a little too much (like going to the ped yesterday).  My nipples are surprisingly not that sore at all- I'm quite pleased with that!  I'm most worried about the minor tear I had and did not get stitched b/c it's been really hard to limit going up and down our stairs.  I managed to only do it once a day for the first two days, but after that life gets in the way and I had to do it several times a day.  I can't rely on dh to do everything upstairs.  So the other day when I heard ds1 fall and start crying I had to rush up the stairs carrying the baby.  I think I undid a few days of healing with that one.  Sigh...

[jbk21]

Ha yeah my core was so weak for at least ten days.  Yikes.  

RE: boobs, mine are MUCH bigger than they were last time.  32F/DDD.  OMG.  DH is in heaven but I am NOT.  I feel like everyone I talk to is staring at them- like, friends, neighbors- not strangers.  It's a little weird but I'm sure they're all just as shocked at their size as I am.  Oye vey.

Originally Posted by Jaimee 

I was hobbling around like an 80 year old for the first two days, all hunched over b/c my core literally couldn't hold me upright.  I'm still walking with a waddle b/c my whole pelvic area just feels weak.

Yes, I am wondering how much age has to do with it, too.  I'm 32- not old, but still, things take longer to heal at this point.

I've been nursing or pregnant for the last 6ish years.  Right now my breasts are ginormous for me.  I have actual cleavage and I sort of look like I might topple over.  It's crazy.  Dh is most impressed and wants to play, but they are still often engorged- hard, throbbing, painful.  So that's a no go.  I only have one bra that fits b/c I've never been this big before!  My other two nursing bras look like I'm trying to model for a Victoria Secret catalog with my breasts spilling out of a bra 2 sizes too small.  I know everything will shrink soon enough.  I'm generally much smaller by 6-8 weeks and then keep shrinking from there as I get back in shape. 

I'm one week pp right now and my bleeding is very light, though I have the occasional gush when I sit in a way I shouldn't or walk a little too much (like going to the ped yesterday).  My nipples are surprisingly not that sore at all- I'm quite pleased with that!  I'm most worried about the minor tear I had and did not get stitched b/c it's been really hard to limit going up and down our stairs.  I managed to only do it once a day for the first two days, but after that life gets in the way and I had to do it several times a day.  I can't rely on dh to do everything upstairs.  So the other day when I heard ds1 fall and start crying I had to rush up the stairs carrying the baby.  I think I undid a few days of healing with that one.  Sigh...

[IwannaBanRN]

Originally Posted by Jaimee 

I was hobbling around like an 80 year old for the first two days, all hunched over b/c my core literally couldn't hold me upright.  I'm still walking with a waddle b/c my whole pelvic area just feels weak.

Yes, I am wondering how much age has to do with it, too.  I'm 32- not old, but still, things take longer to heal at this point.

I've been nursing or pregnant for the last 6ish years.  Right now my breasts are ginormous for me.  I have actual cleavage and I sort of look like I might topple over.  It's crazy.  Dh is most impressed and wants to play, but they are still often engorged- hard, throbbing, painful.  So that's a no go.  I only have one bra that fits b/c I've never been this big before!  My other two nursing bras look like I'm trying to model for a Victoria Secret catalog with my breasts spilling out of a bra 2 sizes too small.  I know everything will shrink soon enough.  I'm generally much smaller by 6-8 weeks and then keep shrinking from there as I get back in shape. 

It has nothing to do with age. I'm only 22. lol I do think that it gets worse with every child you have, though.
 

[Abraisme]

Yeah, I think it has to do with the # of pregnancies more than age.  My hips are taking longer to straighten themselves out this time too..  That, and I still feel pretty dizzy if I walk around too much. 
 

Originally Posted by IwannaBanRN 

It has nothing to do with age. I'm only 22. lol I do think that it gets worse with every child you have, though.
 

Edited by Abraisme - 12/10/11 at 1:38pm

[jbk21]

Agreed.  I am only 26 but my hip is KILLING ME!

Originally Posted by Abraisme 

Yeah, I think it has to do with the # of pregnancies more than age.  My hips are taking longer to straighten themselves out this time too..  That I still feel pretty dizzy if I walk around too much.