Postpartum thread Aug 17-23

[~Megan~]

Thought I'd start this for those that have had their babies. And for those that haven't, it will be soon!

I'm just wondering how we are all feeling and healing.

I am 3 days pp right now and am feeling pretty good. The only thing that really is bothering me is peeing. It stings a lot. I had my 3 day check up and asked my midwife to look to see what was going on.
I apparently have some splits inside my vagina, one small and one large. She also said it looks really swollen and blue. She's going to bring me a sitz bath later. I'm looking forward to that as it sounds like it will provide a lot of comfort.

Baby is waking a lot at night. He seems to reserve night time for his fussy and super hungry time. My milk is in now (and with a venegance!) so I'm hoping he can get full faster and we will all get more sleep. He will not nurse side lying, he seems to be uncomfortable with it. That makes getting sleep more difficult for sure. I'm hoping it something he will grow into as it was such a blessing with dd.

[henhao]

I haven't had the baby yet. However, I wanted to come in and see what this place looked like, get the feel for it, ya know?

You've done good with the place -- nice paint colors, nice rugs and chairs.

See you back here soon...
henhao

[chiro_kristin]

*stifles laughter*
Sorry to intrude PP mamas, but Deborah is too funny
(we need every distraction we can get)

[QueenMommy]

Three days pp here too I'm feeling pretty good. Haven't pooped yet though, which I find a bit odd. My little one isn't comfortable with side feeding yet either. Hoping he will grow into it so I can sleep more! Other than that, we're doing well!

[ktmama]

Thirteen days pp here. Feeling great as baby is waking only once each night. Please, please, please goddess, let it last! : Annabelle is a yummy four hour baby and I'm getting lots done. Still bleeding a bit - want that to end soon - ready to DTD with dh! I think my placenta meds are really helping a lot too. I feel pretty calm and in control, not anxious or overwhelmed. Having my friends bring food for the past two weeks has helped tremendously. No pressure to cook, which is good since that is Annabelle's alert time each day. Glad to be in touch with you again. Yes, the room looks great....

[LeeshaLynn]

I haven't had the baby yet. However, I wanted to come in and see what this place looked like, get the feel for it, ya know?

You've done good with the place -- nice paint colors, nice rugs and chairs.

See you back here soon...
henhao

:LOL

[AugustLia23]

Checking in. I can't talk as baby is sucking on my arm trying to find a nipple...but will write more later.

[heldt123]

We'll be three weeks this Friday! : Already....sniff, sniff. Little monkey is growing soo fast I can't believe it...he had already gained over a pound in 12 days. He is starting to get really fussy, especially at night. I'm lucky to get 2-3 hours sleep a night. We had our first chiro adjustment today and it was soo cute--Johnathan just slept right through it, all limp(now if he would just do that at night! ).

Recovery was sooooo much better this time, but I over did it the first week and ended up having a rougher 2nd week. So---everyone take it easy!

[heldt123]

Originally Posted by AugustLia23

Checking in. I can't talk as baby is sucking on my arm trying to find a nipple...but will write more later.

:LOL I haven't quite mastered the art of one-handed typing while attempting latch-on either. One time I wasn't quite paying attention to his aim and he got a perfect latch right NEXT to my nipple!! OOOoooh, can I say *ouch*!

[henhao]

Originally Posted by AugustLia23

Checking in. I can't talk as baby is sucking on my arm trying to find a nipple...but will write more later.

:LOL I see what I can look forward to!!

[AugustLia23]

LOL, yeah. I've been able to be on, but since I've always got babe, unless he's sleeping, I usually can't type much at all. He's awake now, but happily fed and looking around on my lap. Last night we actually managed a whole(10 minute) feed laying down, yay!! It's so much easier when I don't have to get up. DW is still using the glider, so I just sit on the bed, but my eyes are so tired I spend the whole time nursing trying to blink them awake.

I am feeling really good, and everyone is telling me that I look good, so I'm happy about that, the bleeding is very light 1 week PP. Before baby came, I was planning on eating some of the placenmta if needed, but so far I haven't needed to, so I haven't. DS was born late at night after a long labour, so I sort of forgot that night, and now it's in the freezer, so if I wanted to, I'd have to thaw it...but that is too much work for me to think about now. Besides, no PPD to even think of, thank goodness.

The belly is getting smaller and smaller every day and I can't wait until I can work out, but I am going to wait the obligatory 6 weeks, since I don't want to over tired myself.

[Maggi315]

2 days pp and feeling very good, much better than last time when I had a rectal prolapse that had to heal! I think being in the water made a difference too. I feel much better now that I am not pregnant.

Nipples sore, baby is a chewer. Milk should come in today or tomorrow, usually I feel worse for awhile when that happens, afterpains really pick up.

Some hints for sore perineum and sore peeing: Are you using a peri-bottle when you pee? It really helps to fill with warm water and run over area while you are peeing, cuts out the sting. Also, using witch hazel pads and dermaplast help that. You can use the sitz bath, but I like my clients to just sit in a shallow bath for 10-20 minutes several times per day. Much more comfortable than hanging behind in sitz bath. Also, you can use some herbs in the bath, not sure what the mixture is off the top of my postpartum head.

My husband took kids to hersheypark for the day today, so I am home alone with the baby. I have several people stopping by to check in on us throughout the day, but I hope to be able to rest, sleep, read, and get a break from the chaos. My kids love the new baby,but they are truly driving me crazy!!! Constant fighting over the baby, breakdowns from the 3 year old, etc. We now time everyone during their "holding time" and have to check off whose turn it is to change baby! They have been going to friends homes during the afternoons. What is everyone else doing to deal with that? My nerves just aren't up to all the arguing and whining right now!

[ktmama]

Barb, :LOL , between my dh and 8 year old dd, I NEVER get to hold my babe unless she's nursing. Even then they are both constantly in her face kissing her, touching her hands and feet, etc....My dd is super helpful and has good intentions, but I call her the "helicopter" (behind her back) - she does tend to hover.

She's had really big feelings since the birth about just loving her sis, but also feeling left out (dh is her stepdad) and I know how important it is, given our blended family, that she feel bonded to her sis. In addition, she's with her dad nearly half the time and missing her sis when she's gone. Hang in there with the kids, they'll grow tired of the novelty soon and the bond will become more ingrained. Enjoy the love!

[~Megan~]

barb, the peri bottle hurts as bad as the pee. I have some splits in my vagina, right near the outside. Being open like that anything hurts! The bath is fabulous though. My mw recommended comfrey tea and sea salt in the bath.

[chasmyn]

8 days PP - little man had his checkup with the MW today and is 9 pounds! He lost 4 ounces after birth and has now gained 14 ounces since my milk came in. Kiernen can nurse!!!

Also on my 8th day PP I spent the day in the ER - I have a uterine infection, apparently. And am on *ugh* antibiotics. Sigh... At least now I know why the second week the pain seemed to be getting worse instead of better.

I also have not mastered typing one-handed so am doing a lot more reading than responding on the computer these days. Right now he and DH are napping on the sofa so I'm stealing these monents when I ought to also be napping to check up on things and type with TWO hands...

And I am leaking - that boy needs to come over here and nurse already (the big day between the ER and the birth center really wore him out)

[heldt123]

Originally Posted by chasmyn

And I am leaking - that boy needs to come over here and nurse already (the big day between the ER and the birth center really wore him out)

Uh, yeah, me too.... Can I say milk factory?? Ok, milk factory with leaky faucets......where's the booby plummer when you need him?? I swear I need two babies--one for each side!

[Momsteader]

Hey all! Just checking in. I'll come and hang out once I get home today YAY!

Glad everyone is settling in well.

[hadleys_mom]

NAK so...

Quick question:
I'm 4 days pp and with each day my feet and legs are becoming more swollen. Anyone else still have swelling issues? Anyone know if it is sign of a problem or anything I can do to reduce it?

Thanks!

[anudi01]

How ya doing Mamas?

Hello, I hope everyone is doing well. We're doing great. Still haven't posted our birth story yet, but it's coming. We are having a couple of issues with breastfeeding. My milk is not in yet, and it is day #5. Well, it's sorta in, but not really in, IYKWIM. I'm not feeling the rock hard breasts yet, but I do hear Julia swallowing. Not feeling a "letdown" at all yet, but occassionally sessions will have her really swallowing, and others will have her just passively suckling. I'm a little paranoid about the milk not coming in. I think it was day 6 with my DS, but I thought it would be sooner with her, b/c he is still nursing (not a lot, but enough). Plus she is very gassy, and has been having stools on the greener side. I know it's probably a hindmilk foremilk problem, but I let her nurse LONG on one side before I offer the second. So long that I usually can't even arouse her to nurse on the second side. I know it is nothing in my diet, because I am on a very strict diet for my son with food allergies. There is just nothing in the diet that could be causing the gas. I eliminated the prenatals because I think they can tend to be too overpowering at first, so that's not it. Should I block nurse? I'm reluctant because the supply is just not established yet, and I don't want to sabotage that. So confused. Any advice? She's super fussy and I know its b/c of the gas. She will forcefully pass it and cry .

So how are you all doing?

[heldt123]

Originally Posted by anudi01

I know it is nothing in my diet, because I am on a very strict diet for my son with food allergies. There is just nothing in the diet that could be causing the gas. I eliminated the prenatals because I think they can tend to be too overpowering at first, so that's not it. Should I block nurse? I'm reluctant because the supply is just not established yet, and I don't want to sabotage that. So confused. Any advice? She's super fussy and I know its b/c of the gas. She will forcefully pass it and cry .

So how are you all doing?

Sorry you are having problems nursing. My little dude has lots of gas/burping problems as well, but it is mostly because he is a gulpy eater---I have to work extra hard to burp him, but I usually can't get it all. Could it be that because there isn't a lot of milk she is swallowing extra air?