Moms of newborns: how is everyone doing?

[pookel]

Things are not good here. I've got serious PPD and major breastfeeding issues. I don't even want to go into the details again, I posted about it in breastfeeding earlier. But generally, things suck right now.

Honestly, I can't stand the newborn stage. They're cute and all, but they don't really interact. They just need you all day long and don't give anything back. I remember that my older son got a lot more fun to be around after 2 months or so, and I'm hoping that things are the same this time.

I hope I'm the only one here feeling like this, and that the rest of you are having an easier time.

[QueenOfThePride]

My baby's not here yet, but I just wanted to offer you some hugs and support. The newborn period can be very difficult, but is so short compared with all the stages to come.

[alisonsvw]

how we are doing.

things are good here..hardly any sleep tho. he is nursing well...this i can tell cause im getting peed on a lot!! Ive been ok emotionally, crying once each afternooon....im thinking that is the time when im most worn out. I am hoping that with some time, and sleep...I will be okay, and that time will come soon...
peace and love to all the mamas awaiting their babies arrival and to the moms holding their little ones already.
alison

[chlobo]

We're doing ok. He has started to have more "awake" periods now and generally seems content. My milk has come in and it appears that he hasnt had the dramatic weight loss my DD had when she was born, so that is good.

However, I have one nipple that is extremely sore. Hurts like the dickens when he nurses. I think its the result of poor latch early on. I think I am going to contact a LLL today and see if she can help. Other nipple is fine.

My other problem is some weirdness in post partum bleeding. There isn't an excessive amount of anything but I am getting some bigish clots. Also, some of the discharge is "stringy" rather than loose like period bleeding. The midwife thinks I'm trying to do too much - going up & down stairs, outing to the pediatrician, walking around theh block.

Just curious how much other people have been able to do 5 days post partum?

[dctexan]

pookel & alison
Sorry you are feeling emotional and weepy. Can I ask you two a personal question? I am someone who is a "high risk" for PDD (I have suffered from long term major depression in the past...currently I am med free and in remission), so I WILL be going on anti-Ds after the babe arrives. How long was it after birth before you started to feel "off" or more emotional? I am wondering if I should maybe start on my meds BEFORE the birth. My midwives are kinda blowing the whole issue off.

[4daughters]

I'v read on other posts that some women will save their placenta for PDD. Has anyone done this? I think they either make a tincture or swallow a piece after birth. Perhaps this is something to look into. I think good support from family would help as well! I think my PDD with my first was because I felt so overwhelmed. lost a lot of blood and my family drove me crazy.


Big hugs to you guys! Hope things get better soon. I know the first month is tough but you can do it!!

[birdiefu]

Originally Posted by dctexan

pookel & alison
Sorry you are feeling emotional and weepy. Can I ask you two a personal question? I am someone who is a "high risk" for PDD (I have suffered from long term major depression in the past...currently I am med free and in remission), so I WILL be going on anti-Ds after the babe arrives. How long was it after birth before you started to feel "off" or more emotional? I am wondering if I should maybe start on my meds BEFORE the birth. My midwives are kinda blowing the whole issue off.

Though this baby isn't quite here yet, just wanted to give you some input on my PPD with my 3 year old. I had severe PPD that verged on PPP (post-partum psychosis)- I was having auditory and visual hallucinations and OCD thoughts of harming myself/the baby. Anyhow, I never had the 'baby blues' the first few weeks- I was fine till about 6 weeks, then it peaked at about 3 months (almost hospitalized) before I got help. I also had a history of major depression though it was a few years in remission.

I will be starting zoloft (safest for BFing) immediately after the birth. I was on prozac for a bit in early-mid pregnancy since the hormones were making me a bit batty, but managed to wean off it at about 25 weeks. I preferred not to be on SSRIs at the end of pregnancy since it can give the baby withdrawal symptoms after birth (even if on the meds while BFing).

I will be saving and powdering the placenta in the hopes that it helps with PPD also. I think part of my problem last time was a bad birth experience and not having any support (DH deployed for 6 months- 3 days before the birth). It took me over a year to wean off of anti-depressents after DS's birth.

[mama2walden&luna]

Four days post partum here and doing well so far.

My placenta is in the freezer! My sister is going to help me dry and encapsulate it in case I need it. I don't have a history with depression, but it runs in my family, so I want to be safe. PPD is a scary thing and I want to be prepared just in case.

I've really been taking it easy. My sister has been here all week cooking, cleaning and playing with dd1. And dh has been doing some things around the house and picking up the slack for my sis. So, I've been resting a lot, napping in the afternoon. I'm not going out in the heat, no way. I've been indoors all this time. Luna is doing well, peeing and pooping and nursing a lot. She has a hematoma on her head caused by pressure coming through the birth canal. My midwife says it should dissolve in about a month and to expect her to be slightly jaundiced in the meantime as her body is filtering out all of the fluid buildup. Other than that, she's just perfect and I am totally in love with her and enjoying every second.

Pookel, I'm so sorry to hear you are having a rough time. My friend went through the same thing you are describing with her first child. She said the same thing about the baby taking all the time and not giving back. I don't know what it's like to feel that way. I feel like just my baby being alive and healthy is her giving back. And other little things like, when she turns her head to the sound of my voice gazes into my eyes, those things feel like giving back for me. I hope you can find some ways that feel the same for you so you can really enjoy your newborn baby. I'm sending you some good vibes and thinking of you in hopes that you will find a good mindset, a "happy place," so to speak.

chlobo, I have the stringy stuff too. It's ok as long as you aren't passing huge clots, larger than your hand, or bleeding bright red after the pink/brown stuff.

Good thoughts and sweet baby energy for all the new mamas!!

[ShabbyChic]

I am sorry Pookel, you are not feeling well. I hope things get better soon.

I am 5 days post partum. Things are going well. The answer for me is to do NOTHING. I mean nothing. I sit in my recliner or lay in bed and that is it. I plan to remain like this for the next 6 weeks at least. I think when you push yourself, you get into trouble.

Take it easy Mamas.

[edenluna]

8 days post birth and things are better. at first i was TOTALLY overwhelmed with attempting to breastfeed. i had no milk, so Ruby lost alot of weight and this stressed me out. it was on day 3 that i almost broke down and sent dh out for some formula. luckily my midwife talked me through it and things are better now. latch is getting better too, and i am getting more used to getting into the right position. i have also been pumping milk to help up my flow and that helped out. ruby is gaining the lost weight back slowly but surely and that helps take the stress out of my days.

she feeds all the time, and sometimes i barely have time to do anything other than feed and pump (hence i haven't been on here very much), and at first i kept getting visitors turning up all the time, but luckily between my dh and my mom (who is here until the end of Aug helping out) they have been turned away.

i don't think i could have made it through these past 8 days without my mom here to help clean, cook and just hold the baby when she fusses so i can take a shower or something else as mundane as that. she freaking rocks!

[Cujobunny]

2 days post birth here She's doing great, so am I, very very tired tho. dh has been great and ds too. new dd is breastfeeding well and i think my milk is starting to come in. I like the newborn period.

peaceful vibes to the waiting mamas and hugs to the ones having difficulty.

[wendyland]

Everything is going well for us. I can't believe my baby will be two weeks old tomorrow. Breastfeeding is going great, but it takes so much out of me. She nurses for an hour to an hour and a half sometimes. I'll be glad when she starts eating faster. I think she's just comfort sucking during the end.

she's still a pretty sleepy baby. Most of her awake time is spent eating. She's really cute, but I'll be so happy when the newborn stage is over. I love it when they start interacting more.

The good news is that I've lost all buy 5 lbs of my 35 lb weight gain. I think 20lbs of it was probably water. I hope the weight loss continues. I can use it.

[MamaRabbit]

Twins are now 3 weeks old. Considering it's two newborns instead of one, I think I'm staying sane.

I had PPD after my 2nd baby. I'm trying to head it off this time. We've hired some help and last minute decided to send my DD off to kindergarten instead of homeschooling her. Hard decision, but my mental health is more important.

Breastfeeding is actually going well. The smaller twin has some suck issues which makes her need to eat more often so it's hard to get them on the same eating and sleeping schedule. But it's not too bad.

[sagira]

I'm sorry you feel that way, pookel s

We're doing great. I do really like the newborn period, as she's so innocent and smells wonderful.. her needs are so basic right now. But I can understand how someone else may not feel the same way. I'm also taking my placenta pills (dried and encapsulated for me by my birth center).

Dh has been awesome and my stitches are healing quite nicely (dd is 11 days old today).

She was born at 7 lbs. 13 oz. and at yesterday's check-up she weighed
8 lbs. 6oz.! My first was slower to gain, and weighed 6 lbs. 15 oz. when he was born.

I actually told dh four days ago that I wish the newborn period lasted six months.. :

This is almost certainly my last baby, so maybe that's why I'm already nostalgic and conscious of how quickly time flies. My ds is a constant reminder of how quickly children grow up.

[mamamoo]

Originally Posted by 4daughters

I'v read on other posts that some women will save their placenta for PDD. Has anyone done this? I think they either make a tincture or swallow a piece after birth. Perhaps this is something to look into. I think good support from family would help as well! I think my PDD with my first was because I felt so overwhelmed. lost a lot of blood and my family drove me crazy.


Big hugs to you guys! Hope things get better soon. I know the first month is tough but you can do it!!

Using my placenta last time was a lifesaver. I am doing it again this time. There is a gal here in my town who dries and enapsulates it for a donation of $50....sooo worth the money!

My ppd with my third baby was debilitating, and it was an amazingly perfect home waterbirth(my first), but I have a long history of depression, and had ppd with my second. I suffered no depression, at all, had tons of energy, I felt so good after my fourth baby and the placenta pills.

[jandj+1]

Pookel Are you seeing a lactation consultant? That can be a real lifesaver when breastfeeding is difficult. If I hadn't gone to one with my older daughter I'd have stopped breastfeeding around 6 weeks.

I'm feeling a bit blue because I figured I'd have no breastfeeding problems this time after nursing through pregnancy. But that was me counting on no NICU stay this time. Alas, after a rough transition Charlotte got to spend a few days there, too. And I walked in to find a nurse giving her a bottle of formula Friday although the chart clearly instructed exclusively breastfed and I had just gotten off the phone with the doctor who I told I was on my way. And that has caused problems, though I did insist at that point that they begin the discharge process. Further stress ensued because they have a of a pediatrician calling my house to check on us who actually told me yesterday that 'breastfeeding is insufficient for the first few days.' That's a direct quote, too. :

If I don't catch this new little one before she even makes a whimper she starts screaming inconsolably, arching, flailing her arms and absolutely refusing to latch on. Maybe it's not the bottle causing this, maybe it's her personality. It still sucks. She nurses great otherwise, though, and I have an appointment with an LC for tomorrow morning.

I had a crying jag last night because I miss my older daughter. I mean, obviously I see her since she's in the same house. But I'm always nursing Charlotte and can't play with Claire. I feel like I've lost something precious and I'll never get it back :

Ugh, all the negative stuff is coming out. There are positives, too, of course. Maybe I will be able to focus on them when we sort out our nursing troubles.

[josybear]

wow, lots of hugs for you mamas. i'm sorry to hear that so many of you hare having troubles. may they subside without a struggle.

eli is a lovely baby. he's great. unfortunately his big brother is being unlovely. he's started hitting and kicking and tantruming almost nonstop. i've been giving him extra attention and hugs but nothing seems to help. i miss my sweet little guy with his kisses and snuggles... hopefully his old self comes back soon, i can't take too much more of being home alone with this hellion.

oh, and eli has a deformed head because of a mass of blood between his scalp and skull. it's not dangerous at this point, but we need to watch it. it looks awful and scares me.

chlobo, i get stringy, dark red/ brown discharge. it's normal. i also get the occasional gush of bright red, but my mw isn't concerned unless it's prolonged. actually, i'd stopped bleeding completley around a week but then my mom came to visit and it started up again with a vengeance. it was the visit from hell and my mw says it will take my body a while to wind back down from the stress of it.

i hope things improve for you mamas soon!

[Cujobunny]

Originally Posted by jandj+1

I had a crying jag last night because I miss my older daughter. I mean, obviously I see her since she's in the same house. But I'm always nursing Charlotte and can't play with Claire. I feel like I've lost something precious and I'll never get it back :

Jenn, I feel the same way. It's really hard for me to have to sit in one spot while ds is asking me to come do something with him. Add to that my INCREDIBLY sore and swollen perineum, I'm basically confined to sitting with my feet up anyway

I have incredibly guilty feelings whenever ds gets sad or starts to cry because he wants me to play with, or care for him the way I did before. Fortunately my mom is staying with us and takes him out for "adventures" every day and dh is home to spend time with him too. It's still hard tho, with all the hormones and emotions running rampant post partum.

I do know that it will pass tho, it will get easier, and ds won't hold this period of time against me. And I owe it to my new baby to bond with her and take good care of her too and I need to heal to be able to take care of anyone.

(btw, our girls were born on the same day )

[mama2walden&luna]

[QUOTE=jandj+1;8878300the first few days.' That's a direct quote, too. :
I had a crying jag last night because I miss my older daughter. I mean, obviously I see her since she's in the same house. But I'm always nursing Charlotte and can't play with Claire. I feel like I've lost something precious and I'll never get it back :[/QUOTE]

I could have written that. I feel exactly the same way about Walden. It's only been a week, and she already has adapted to other people (dh, my sister) taking care of her. I guess it's good for her to learn to let someone other than mommy do things for her, but it's sad for me. She used to NEED me when she woke up from a nap or in the morning, now she's ok with whoever goes in and gets her. She's grown up so much in such a short amount of time. I got all weepy about it too.

[mama2walden&luna]

Originally Posted by josybear

oh, and eli has a deformed head because of a mass of blood between his scalp and skull. it's not dangerous at this point, but we need to watch it. it looks awful and scares me.

Luna has that, like a goose egg on the right side top of her head. My midwife called it a something hematoma and said it should resolve itself in about a month. It does look weird.