Weekly Postpartum Chit-Chat & Support 11/1-11/7 - Page 5

[Faerieshadow]

Carrie, I'm really sorry about Leeloo.

Amama... I'm sorry about your loss... what a difficult time to imagine traveling.

AAM: Thank God for no lines at my voting precinct! Four years ago ds was 2 months old on voting day, and I lived in a much busier city. I waited in line with him for hours. This time was so much easier, no line at all (much, much smaller town).

I definitely think Elina's problem is dairy related. The last post I made where she had such awful poo and was so miserable happened the day after I ate a really cheesy lasagna that SIL made. (I didn't even realize I was eating dairy until I was halfway done lol, I'm not used to avoiding it!) Elina's been tons better since that day, and that lasagna was the last thing I've eaten that had major dairy in it. So we'll see, I know I have to give it a couple weeks but I dont think it's coincidence that she got much worse right after I forgot and ate dairy.

On the feeling fat thing... oh, I'm so there. It's not a number thing, it's an "I don't come close to fitting into any of my pre-preg clothes" thing. It's seeing the tummy droop instead of the muscle tone I had prior to pregnancy. I'm too impatient to have my body look "normal" again, which is unrealistic because for the second half of pregnancy I wasn't getting enough exercise or eating healthy enough for things to bounce back immediately. I've been doing crunches again and can feel the burn and how much I'm going to have to work to get back to what I used to be able to do!

Oh, and on another note, I am SO SICK of wearing pads! I'm down to liners at this point but my bottom is so irritated by them that I actually put some A&D ointment on myself last night!

[HeddyBee]

Hi everyone After almost two weeks I'm finally able to type on my laptop; baby Helena is sleeping right next to me (and has been all afternoon!)
I should be napping, of course, but reading posts here is helping me stay connected with the "outside world" and I really wanted to participate again! I wish I could respond to everyone's posts and stories individually...I really do read them all and love to hear about everyone's experiences.

AAM: I'm struggling a bit with the new-mama gig. There are some complicating factors that have made the last week more challenging. Helena definitely has acid reflux, so she can't sleep on her back without lots of reflux and discomfort. We haven't found the ideal sleep situation for her yet, so she's in the car seat or her bouncy seat for naps and such, or she sleeps on me. She is awake most of the night, and sleeps most of the day. This has been very challenging as far as my getting sleep.

Also, she was born with two "club feet" which now need to be corrected. We had an appt today with the orthopedic specialist, and her legs are now in casts. We have to go back a couple times a week for the next several weeks to change out casts and get her in braces once the casts work their magic. After that, it's a matter of wearing leg/foot braces 20 hours a day, then cut back to nighttime braces at least until she's two.

I'm tired, really tired. How do you sleep if baby is awake & fussy all night? I am afraid of getting into a night schedule, because if I sleep during the day with the baby then I am missing all of the sunlight, and could easily get PPD or seasonal affective disorder. I'm already fragile mood-wise b/c of my panic disorder. Sigh. I empathize with all you mamas on the daily weepiness...

my partner is going back to work next Monday or Tuesday, so I'll be completely alone with a fussy, acidic baby with casts on her legs. I'm not sure what to do about the mixed up day/night schedule, other than wait until her circadian rhythms kick in, but until then I am getting 2-3 hours of sleep every 24 hours.

On the positive end, our friends have been wonderful to us, bringing us yummy stews and soups and helping clean & such. I feel blessed!

[neveryoumindthere]

Thank you Heddybee for that quote in your sig line. It gives me a new perspective on my labour/birth. My ND asked me about the labor/birth today and I couldn't hold back tears and couldn't talk about it. I thought I was getting past it, but I realize now it's because I'm just not thinking about it. That quote helps with healing though. Thank You..

and HUGS to you and your babe. That sounds tough. Hang in there s:

[Amber Lion]

to you Heddybee!! You are being such a strong Momma for your little one, you can do it!

Amama - I wouldn't go either. That just seems like too much too young.

Faerieshadow - glad to hear Elina is doing better! And I so hear you on the pads!! I'm even spending the bucks for the natural-no chemical ones and it's still irritating!

AAM: I've got a UTI at the very least, hoping it hasn't progressed farther than that. : I swear it's from the pads - I've been using a menstrual cup for 4 years and my body is NOT used to these pads! My midwives have got me drinking cranberry juice and emergenC and it's starting to feel a little better. This totally sucks though! I just keep telling myself - you just gave birth... you can deal with burning when urinating! But it BURNS!

[ibusymomto5]

Originally Posted by Amber Lion

AAM: I've got a UTI at the very least, hoping it hasn't progressed farther than that. : I swear it's from the pads - I've been using a menstrual cup for 4 years and my body is NOT used to these pads! My midwives have got me drinking cranberry juice and emergenC and it's starting to feel a little better. This totally sucks though! I just keep telling myself - you just gave birth... you can deal with burning when urinating! But it BURNS!

I had that last week, and I never even thought of the silly pads causing it. I upped my water intake, and it went away after a day or so. Incidentally I also quit wearing pads about that time too, so maybe that helped. Disposables pads are so icky. Hope you feel better soon!

[TaraRae82]

Emily, can you not take CranActin? It's always worked SO quickly for me, much better than just cran juice. I hope it gets better soon! UTI's are absolutely miserable because it hurts everytime you pee...totally not like having a baby!

HeddyBee, I'm so sorry to hear of Helena's foot issues. I can only imagine how much worse it'd be for DP to return to work when things are difficult.

AmamaAgain, I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your Grandfather. That's so hard. I know how close I was to mine and it was awful when we lost him to cancer. I hope whatever you've decided to do, you can find some peace with his passing.

[Baby_Cakes]

Heddy - Aw, poor Helena! You will get through this. It is just a season - it will be tough but you will make it through.

AAM - I really don't know what is wrong with me, but I'm running a fever. I feel achey all over. It started right after my postpartum checkup today with my midwife, I left, got in the car, and realized, wow, I really don't feel well. It was about an hour drive home (a very long hour feeling achey and dizzy) and when I got in I took my temp. 99.1. Normal for me is 97, maybe 97.5. So for me that's pretty high. I just feel like shit and it's so hard to care for Nora feeling so tired. I took my temp again about an hour ago, 99.2. Ugh. What on earth? Why me? On top of everything else this is just so not what I need.

[TaraRae82]

^Maybe the start of a breast infection? My doula gets one everytime she has a baby and hers always starts with a fever. I hope you feel better soon!! Up your vit C and lay low. At least Nora is still young enough that you could stay in bed and still care for her. I know Ally Rae and I just hang out in bed some days for half the day.

[birthdancedoula]

Carrie. It very well could be the start of a breast infection. Mastitis usually starts with aches and a low grade temp. It is an opportunistic infection and often gets us when we're stressed and doing too much. I have had it 3 times over the years and each time I was under stress of one kind or another. I agree w/ Tara~ take some vit. C and get in bed and just snuggle Nora. Push fluids and nurse as much as you can. If it is a breast infection it is important to keep the milk flowing. Do give your mw a call and let her know, too.

Feel better, mama.

[Baby_Cakes]

Thanks guys. I think my fever broke this morning. What a rough night. Chris took first shift and let me sleep until about 2 am, when he brought Nora to bed b/c he has to work this morning. I felt bad he was up that late with her but I could not function. So, after chugging lots of water all night, taking tylenol, nursing like a nutbar, and sleeping as best I could (my side of the bed is saturated, I was just sweating so much all night), my temp this morning is 97.6.

I hope if anything it is a breast infection. I was having scary thoughts of having a piece of placenta still stuck in my uterus and needing a d&c. Ugh, talk about the delusions of having a fever. As long as my temp stays down I think I'll be ok.

Thanks guys, I'll definitely keep you posted.

[AmamaAgain]

good morning everyone,

It's been a busy morning. I tried to do laundry in my apartment building basement and I always set the baby in a carseat on the floor while I do it. Well this morning on the floor was a....snake!

I think I'm gonna sell my washer & dryer and go to the laundromat!!!!!


I'm still trying to figure out about taking the baby on a plane but on a better note...

I DTD (and it's in caps for a reason) last night! Talk about fireworks!!!

[Baby_Cakes]

My fever's back up to 100 so I paged my midwife. She thinks it's mastitis so I'm off to get abx and monistat in a little bit. I feel like shit. :

AmamaAgain - brave soul for DTD! I'm still too scared, it's totally a mental thing. I was cleared to go ahead and do it, but eh. Like Nora would be quiet for the 10 minutes we need to get it done, anyways!

O/T - I cannot stand Rachael Ray. Daytime TV sucks regardless but this woman really gets under my skin. Ok, sorry, I just had to get that off my chest.

[farmerjess]

Originally Posted by Faerieshadow

I definitely think Elina's problem is dairy related. The last post I made where she had such awful poo and was so miserable happened the day after I ate a really cheesy lasagna that SIL made. (I didn't even realize I was eating dairy until I was halfway done lol, I'm not used to avoiding it!) Elina's been tons better since that day, and that lasagna was the last thing I've eaten that had major dairy in it. So we'll see, I know I have to give it a couple weeks but I dont think it's coincidence that she got much worse right after I forgot and ate dairy.

I am almost definitely facing dairy intolerance too. I had given it up for a few days, and by yesterday Davin was doing absolutely great...he actually didn't cry all day! We took him to the pediatrician for his 2 week visit, and I told her that I thought his very irritated, very persistent diaper rash was an allergy ring and so I had given up wheat and dairy, and she basically treated me like I was dumb and could be harming my baby for not getting full nutrition. So, I decided to experiment with some dairy--had a big bowl of yogurt yesterday. He woke up about 3am crying with painful gas and he hasn't been the same yet. He's only sleeping tiny bits and wanting to nurse constantly and has been really thrashing and pulling on my nipples (ouch.) and trying to push the gas out. He also has lots of little red bumps on his face that weren't there yesterday. I am exhausted.

It's quiet here today. I hope everyone's having a good one.

[mamanurse]

I'm not NAK for the first time in 12 days :

Originally Posted by AmamaAgain

I don't know how this will work out. My son is only 4 weeks old and as much as I feel I need to be at the funeral, I don't know how it works with traveling with a 4 week old. He's not supposed to get his shots until 2 months and I would have to fly from New York to Mississippi with the two boys.

What do I do? Please give me your honest inputs of what you would do if it were you.

Might be too late, but I'd go provided you have someone to help with your older ds while travelling. I'd just wash your/your ds's hands religiously while in the airport/plane and keep babe close to you like in a sling or something.

Originally Posted by neveryoumindthere

Thank you Heddybee for that quote in your sig line. It gives me a new perspective on my labour/birth. My ND asked me about the labor/birth today and I couldn't hold back tears and couldn't talk about it. I thought I was getting past it, but I realize now it's because I'm just not thinking about it. That quote helps with healing though. Thank You..

and HUGS to you and your babe. That sounds tough. Hang in there s:

Anytime someone asks about my birth or how postpartum is going, my face turns sour (think upside down smiley) and I immediately start crying. It's so embarassing to me and I wish I could calmly talk about my experience.

Originally Posted by HeddyBee

Also, she was born with two "club feet" which now need to be corrected. We had an appt today with the orthopedic specialist, and her legs are now in casts. We have to go back a couple times a week for the next several weeks to change out casts and get her in braces once the casts work their magic. After that, it's a matter of wearing leg/foot braces 20 hours a day, then cut back to nighttime braces at least until she's two.

My sister was born with club feet and underwent multiple surgeries to fix them. She's a happy well-adjusted adult. Although she doesn't wear flip-flops or run marathons, she does play sports and stay active. I hope it helps to hear my sister has had a fairly positive experience.

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes

I hope if anything it is a breast infection. I was having scary thoughts of having a piece of placenta still stuck in my uterus and needing a d&c. Ugh, talk about the delusions of having a fever. As long as my temp stays down I think I'll be ok.

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes

My fever's back up to 100 so I paged my midwife. She thinks it's mastitis so I'm off to get abx and monistat in a little bit. I feel like shit. :

Sorry to hear your fever's back. Given my experience, I of course thought infection or retained product. You would know if that was the case, though, because you would start bleeding. I hope your boobies feel better and the abx work. I'm sure you're already doing this, but probiotics always help me when taking abx.

Originally Posted by farmerjess

I am almost definitely facing dairy intolerance too. I had given it up for a few days, and by yesterday Davin was doing absolutely great...he actually didn't cry all day! We took him to the pediatrician for his 2 week visit, and I told her that I thought his very irritated, very persistent diaper rash was an allergy ring and so I had given up wheat and dairy, and she basically treated me like I was dumb and could be harming my baby for not getting full nutrition. So, I decided to experiment with some dairy--had a big bowl of yogurt yesterday. He woke up about 3am crying with painful gas and he hasn't been the same yet. He's only sleeping tiny bits and wanting to nurse constantly and has been really thrashing and pulling on my nipples (ouch.) and trying to push the gas out. He also has lots of little red bumps on his face that weren't there yesterday. I am exhausted.

It's quiet here today. I hope everyone's having a good one.

Sorry to hear about the babe's problems. I hope cutting out dairy helps.

AAM- Oops. Hazel's awake. Will type later

[sonshine_rae]

Carrie are you also having pain in one of your breasts? What's the monistat for? Remember that UTI's (even silent ones without pain to you) can also cause nasty fevers and make you terribly ill.

farmerjess ..... ugh sometimes Pedi's just don't know anything... I'd go with what you feel is best.. you are NOT harming the babe by eliminating a couple of foods.

AAM: Samuel and I had a rough night he screamed from reflux a while then wouldn't stay asleep without being held. I'm soooooo tired..

[Changed]

We've got an appointment tomorrow to discuss reflux as well. All of my kids have had it- our second actually had to have it surgically repaired. I don't think his is bad like that but he's constantly gulping it back and vomiting forcefully. Wish me luck- I hope it helps.

[Baby_Cakes]

^^ Yes, I'm having tenderness/pain in my right breast. It wasn't evident yesterday, but overnight as my breasts got fuller from not nursing as often, I can definitely feel pain. And my right breast is hot. Really hot.

The monistat is b/c I always get a yeastie beastie from taking abx. My midwife recommended getting it and just having it on hand in case I get itchy. I'm also taking probiotics and will DH pick up some soy yogurt later.

It's so true that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I never would have imagined I would be able to handle all the terrible things that have happened to me over the past month. From the galactosemia and not being able to nurse, to my poor Leeloo passing away, and now mastitis...I so did not sign up for this.

[mamanurse]

Originally Posted by mamanurse

I'm not NAK for the first time in 12 days :

So much for that prospect

I'm going to a pp support group today. I went to the same one with my first until she was about a year old and am still buddies with two of the moms. I'm not even going to try and not cry when I tell my birth story.

My bleeding has let up quite a bit since the d&c, but I'm still taking the methergine and have cramping for hours after taking it. Advil seems to help a lot.

Hazel and I seriously need to learn how to nurse lying down. The cluster feeding in the middle of the night is wearing on me. We've tried a handful of times, but have been unsuccessful at latching well as of yet.

[sonshine_rae]

Carrie I'm sorry it is Mastitis ... I've BTDT with my first kid... it was really painful I couldn't stand to wear anything even just a bathrob brushing against the infected breast was extremely painful!! Hard as it may be.. try to 'nurse through it' and nurse often.. that will help empty and relieve your breast, and you'll heal much quicker. Also GO TO BED, you need to rest to heal and make it through this illness.. otherwise it will take much longer to get over it. (((((hugs))))))

Changed .. sorry you are having another reflux baby, it is so hard to see them in pain isn't it? ... I hope your doctor can help you all out!

AAM Well I've got my baby down for a nap, we'll see if it lasts, meanwhile I've got to try and fix some lunch. I wish my big kids would sleep so I can..... being Mama of three is much harder then 1 or 2 lol.. cause I almost never get to rest in the daytime !

[TaraRae82]

DH is out of town for business for the rest of this week. He left this morning. My MIL is coming to stay with Ally and me though to help out. I love that she has the ability to just pick up and leave town if she's needed.