How are we doing post-partum?

[leafwood]

For those of us with babies, how is the post-partum period starting off? Personally, I don't remember being this tired the first time around! It's the end of day 5 and nursing is getting better. The engorgement is clearing up and his latch is getting much better.

I still feel like I just want to be in bed all day....is that normal? I have ventured out a couple of times but get really tired and just feel wiped out in general. I've tried to start doing more as DH has to go back to work next week, but the thought of being alone with the baby all day is a lot for me right now!

So, this is just all due to hormones, sleep depravation, nursing, birthing, etc....right? My bleeding has slowed and I've been trying to eat really well, but without the sleep it's tough!

How is everyone else doing?

[DoulaLMT]

Well I'm only 1 day pp, but my midwife said my vagina/perineum was the most swollen she's seen in years, so that's my fun for now. (4 hours of pushing) I'm sitting on a boppy My nipples are sore but my mw checked latch and said it's fine...DS is getting craniosacral therapy tomorrow so that may help, but it's normal to be somewhat sore, right?

[organic-momma]

I'm doing MUCH better this time around than I was with my first. I didn't tear this time so that's been a big help. Feeling like business as usual around here...

[leafwood]

DoulaLMT....I think it's totally normal to be sore especially at the start, no matter how perfect the latch! It's such a process. I hope your boppy therapy helps soothe things for you. Gotta love the swelling!

Organic-momma....I noticed your LO arrived on the 24th....how long did it take you to feel like business as usual?

[zenma]

nak

leafwood, i'm 6 days postpartum and feel much the same as you. i'm as sleep deprived as i was when pregnant, so i think some of this exahaustion is due to hormones and breastfeeding perhaps? my head is in a fog. mil is here for a week and has been necessary for our sanity.

nursing is ok. lots of milk, lots of pooping and peeing, so i know the baby is nourished, but he is really against a deep latch and my nips are dying. every once in awhile i get him on really well and get a glimpse of what could be...

[matey]

I am 4 weeks pp tomorrow. I took my first long trip out of the house with just myself and baby today. I ended up feeding him twice in the mall, and then carrying him out to the car and pushing the empty stroller because he has some reflux issues and I didnt want him to lose all that milk. He refuses to settle in a hot sling or ring sling, I am waiting for my infant insert for the ergo.

Sleeping is better, with the exception of the bad reflux nights where he constantly wakes choking, gagging, and sputtering - then bursting out in tears.

I only want to year pajamas still. When does that stop? Ever? I feel like people wont let me get away with it for much longer. Also, my boobs have grown larger (prepregnancy I was wearing an I H cup) and so my regular clothes dont work right, so I just keep wearing my more fitted maternity shirts instead.

I started Weight Watchers last week. I feel really strteched out and floppy.

[rootzdawta]

It's very interesting this time around. Physically, I feel much better than I did after having my son. I had a peaceful birth at home, birthed in conducive positions and didn't tear at all. By 4 days postpartum, the perineal swelling was gone and now, almost 2 weeks pp, the bleeding is practically over too (I can wear liners). Nursing has been going fabulously well--I am yet to experience engorgement. DS eats like a champ and is steadily putting on weight. It has been tough dealing with my 2 year old. He really is taking it hard and acts out. It is challenging being patient with him all the time and I'm really tired of changing his diapers. I hope he learns to use the potty soon although I can see he's no where near interested. The other difficult thing is that emotionally, I'm a a wreck. I've been having headaches--pounding headaches that cripple me. Add to that the fact that my feet are still swollen so none of my shoes fit and it's just so annoying and depressing. I feel fat and slovenly a lot of the time. I'm still eating a lot too and I know it's because I'm nursing. The baby has a cool demeanor most of the time--tonight for some reason, he doesn't want to settle down so it's 4 AM and I'm hoping I don't get another headache. And I really just wish my mother would be there for me in real, tangible, non-judgmental ways. Still, I'm doing well and I'm joyous and happy and blessed--just trying to keep everything in perspective.