Postpartum Check-In 8/31

[unicornsparkles]

Sorry I'm so late on posting this, ladies. This week has been just exhausting.

How are the mamas doing?

How long since you gave birth?
How are you feeling mentally/physically/emotionally?
Is your support system helping meet your needs?
What's one personal victory this week?

[jexxa]

How are the mamas going? Doing fairly well!

How long since you gave birth? 2.5 weeks

How are you feeling mentally/physically/emotionally? Emotionally/mentally good, lack of sleep aside. Physically good for the most part. I still have random aches & pains in my abdomen and vagina. My bleeding has slowed significantly and even stops sometimes but then starts up again 😒

Is your support system helping meet your needs? My H is a saint. Like I feel like he deserves an award.

What's one personal victory this week? I've only been spit up on once this week so far! It was a doozy though 😆

[Deleted]

jexxa, I'm 3.5 weeks and still bleeding. I'm so over it.


How are the mamas doing? I'm insanely exhausted.

How long since you gave birth? 27 days

How are you feeling mentally/physically/emotionally? Physically I'm recovering well. Trying to keep it together emotionally and mentally.

Is your support system helping meet your needs? I need my husband home now. 2 1/2 weeks is too long.

What's one personal victory this week? We went to a museum yesterday. Felt good to get out of the house.

I need more than a 2 2/2 hour stretch of sleep before I lose my mind.

[happyfeet9]

How are the mamas going?

How long since you gave birth? 3 weeks and 2 days

How are you feeling mentally/physically/emotionally? Physically feeling good other than the sleep deprivation. Mentally and emotionally I'm struggling with DS1 having a hard time since the babies came home. He's great with them, but I haven't spent much time with him, can't carry him, and he's having a lot of separation anxiety.

Is your support system helping meet your needs? As best as they can. 3 under 3 is tough and I still find myself getting the least amount of sleep and rest. We are also still looking for part time help which has been a frustrating process.

What's one personal victory this week? My c section incision is almost fully healed (had complications) so soon I can stop my weekly OB visits and visiting nurse checks.

[unicornsparkles]

How long since you gave birth? Two weeks and a day

How are you feeling mentally/physically/emotionally? Mentally/emotionally- some days are better than others. Still dealing with baby blues kind of stuff. I'll be seeing a therapist (not sure if frequency yet) for a bit while I adjust to this new normal. Physically- my doctor said my incision looks beautiful. I am still a bit sore, especially internal pains where my incision is. I can also feel when I start to drag due to exhaustion. I just have to remember to let myself rest when I can.

Is your support system helping meet your needs? I didn't have as much help this week which I suppose is good to wear me in for being alone with the kids. Today is my first day solo parenting and it's almost noon and we are all still alive! MH is trying to help as much as he can but he is totally swamped with work which is a good problem but we are both running on empty.

What's one personal victory this week? I have managed to shower almost every day since we've been home!

[bsouls]

How long since you gave birth? 18 days

How are you feeling mentally/physically/emotionally? Meh. I'm tired. I got more sleep last night, but because it was broken up I don't feel rested. Physically I feel pretty OK and the c-section recovery has been better this time around.

Is your support system helping meet your needs? H went back to work this week - he works like 4-5pm to 11pm. R pretty much fusses around dinner time until she gets another bottle early, then she sleeps good for 4/5 hours - unfortunately, I can't take advantage of that since I have a toddler.

What's one personal victory this week? I started walking a mile a day.


And, I'm still bleeding, but I bled until my six week postpartum check up last time and then I had the Paragard IUD inserted. I proceeded to spot for months until it was removed. Then the Mirena was inserted and I spotted for months until that was removed. So, this time I think I'll probably have to start birth controls pills to regulate my cycle since I have irregular heavy periods, but I don't do well with hormonal birth control.

[elliecat17]

How long since you gave birth? 9 days!

How are you feeling mentally/physically/emotionally? Mentally and emotionally still in absolute shock that after 7 losses I broth home number 8. It makes me cry every time I think about it. Actually looking at her makes me cry tears of joy a lot. Lol
Physically I think I'm doing ok. I know I am doing too much as evidenced by the fact that my bleeding is still pretty heavy at times.

Is your support system helping meet your needs? MH is trying, but he's pretty exhausted sheet he gets home from work. No one else has offered us help, so I've been cleaning and doing laundry etc. Plus today is the beginning of my class for this semester so I've been making sure I have everything ready. My mom is the only one who asks how I'm doing. My MIL just texts every day asking how Una is. She's been by a few times and will just sit and hold her for 2 hours while I clean. Excuse me? I'm looking forward to my family visiting. My mom and sister have both promised to cook and help clean.

What's one personal victory this week? I have gotten dressed in real clothes and did laundry 3 out of the last 5 days!

[cwbh928]

How long since you gave birth? 1 month

How are you feeling mentally/physically/emotionally? Mentally, I am drained. The first 2 weeks I had anxiety and now it's back. The crappy part is that it's all about me. Everything with the baby is going fine. The BP issue and pre e scared me enough to cause me to worry again. Physically I am just tired and the meds I am on aren't helping. I had to up my BP meds last night becuase it was getting high again. My sinuses are killing me which is making my head feel like a 100lbs weight. Emotionally, I am okay mostly. I cry becuase I really can't wait for the 6 week mark. I feel bad for wanting to rush things, but I just can't wait!

Is your support system helping meet your needs? My mom is still here and she has been a huge help. She is helping with boys and the house which has been great!! My DH has been back at work for 2 weeks, but he still steps up. He is actually watching both boys after work tonight so my mom and I can go out to target. ( my happy place)

What's one personal victory this week? I actually got to spend a lot of time with DS1 this week. I have been feeling down that I have been neglecting him since I am constantly feeding baby. It was nice to spend time with him!

[thinkchocolate05]

How long since you gave birth? 2 weeks

How are you feeling
mentally/physically/emotionally? So tired but so glad I'm not in the hospital anymore. Thanks to everyone for well wishes and encouragement. It turned out in addition to the uterine infection, I had bacteria in my blood, but that should be all gone now. I pumped while I was there. Half of it went to waste bc they wouldn't give me a refrigerator and you can only keep it on ice 24 hrs, but I saved about 20 oz which we are using to top him off. He's growth spurting but I'm worried I'm not making enough, esp after being sick. I'll let him nurse for hours in hopes of building up my supply, but then I'll let dh give him a pumped bottle when he's still not satisfied. I'm still worried about my supply though. It's so frustrating



Is your support system helping meet your needs? My sister in law was amazing while I was in the hospital, watching ds1 and helping dh with the baby. Dh has been pretty good. He's not as concerned about breastfeeding as I am which can be frustrating (he'd rather use formula and me sleep more), but he's taken some extra time off work to help me. My mom rescheduled to come next week, which will help.

What's one personal victory this week? No more IV antibiotics!!! Yay

[yellowcat]

@easilyunamused I hope you get some sleep soon!

[yellowcat]

5 weeks and I am still bleeding. I am over this. I also still have soreness in my abdomen. But we are sleeping more so that is progress!

We don't have family nearby but did find someone to come help out a few hours a couple days a week when MH is working late.

I started back at work 2 days a week which has been good for me mentally. i am off from teaching but doing research and seeing adults!

[happyfeet9]

cwbh928 I'm sorry you're still not feeling well and the anxiety is back. Definitely talk to your OB about switching up your BP meds - there are more effective options out there.

[happyfeet9]

thinkchocolate05 glad you're out of the hospital!

[Deleted]

happyfeet9, having one newborn is tough. You're a rockstar with 3u3! Good luck finding extra help.

unicornsparkles, awesome job surviving your first day alone. I'm jealous of your daily shower. I'm averaging every other day. Sleep has been winning out.

bsouls, that's awesome you've been walking a mile a day. I can't wait to really start to exercise.

elliecat17, bummer that your MIL hasn't been more helpful. I wish she'd ask you what would you need. Glad your family will be in town soon!

cwbh928, so sorry you're dealing with postpartum pre-e. You think you're in the clear after labor and things just pop up out of nowhere. FX it stays under control.

thinkchocolate05, glad you were able to safe some milk. Sucks that they didn't have better options for you. Glad your all clear now! Try not to stress too much about your supply, just keep letting him nurse. And get some mothers milk tea!

yellowcat, that's great you're working and getting out of the house. I'm with you on the bleeding. So over it, especially since not dealing with that for over ten months!

[addymac]

How are the mamas doing? I am tired. I cried a few times this week I was so tired. Then I felt guilty for crying and being frustrated.

How long since you gave birth? 12 days

How are you feeling mentally/physically/emotionally?
M- tired. A little drained.
E- tired. Frustrated that BFing is a struggle now, I felt like we had been doing so well and it's going downhill now. Also sad that I wasn't able to do anything significant in remembrance of our loss baby during the loss dates because he was born and I was so tired and focused on him. And tired.

P- my hemmies pain has gone down significantly but I've had an upset tummy on and off so whenever I have it, they flare up for the day and that is not fun. My tear area is still very sore but I'm surviving. I think I have a UTI or some sort of bladder infection. I don't have the urgency to pee with a UTI but my god my urethra hurts when I have to pee and it makes me not want to pee. And even when I'm not peeing, I feel pain. I called my OB and am waiting for a call back because holy shit waiting til after the holiday weekend is not an option. If they don't call me back by 12 I'm going to have to go to urgent care because nope.

Is your support system helping meet your needs?
DH has been great even though he had to work this week. My parents are here so my moms taken care of food and cleaning which Nice but we've been having issues with boundaries, and DH and I have been arguing a little over how he deals with my mom's invasiveness vs his moms and how he has a double standard. Of course my parents are driving me crazy but also being helpful so I straddle the "OMG STAHHHP" and "yes please continue" line.

What's one personal victory this week? I went to the breastfeeding support group. I drove with him by myself even though he was screaming the whole time and didn't stop.

Also- any advice for the below?
I went to see an LC bc I was having such intense pain when he was eating on my right side and different positions weren't helping at all. But he's not latching correctly on the right side and the pain is so intense I started pumping on that side because I cannot handle him sucking on it. We also had to start doing suck training because he doesn't bring his tongue out over his gym to effective suck. Idk why it's not affecting his left side sucking ability, but he sucks at bringing his tongue out. I feel shitty.

So follow up Q- when I pump, at a certain point, milk stops. I do between 15-20min (per Kellymom) and my boob still feels harder in some spots and after I stop pumping I can still hand express milk- which means pumping isn't getting all my milk out- what am I doing wrong? My boob still hurts and feels hard. Is there supposed to be milk still left? Should I increase the length of time I'm pumping even if no milk is coming out? And how do I really know if I'm using the right size? DH and I looked at the pictures and think the size 24 that came with the pump is fine, but how do I know? And how should I hold it against my boob? Do I press it against it and create a suction? Do I tilt it downward so milk flows down easier?

I feel so lost and the LC was only a little helpful because she was so busy (like 15 moms there for one LC).

[jt2378]

addymac, so crazy you mention the UTI stuff, I feel like I'm having weird pain there too. No urgency but burning or just pain feeling and kind of itchy ugh. Wondering if yeast infection since I was in antibiotics but have been off them a week so 🤷🏻‍♀️

Have you tried a higher speed with the pump? You don't want it to hurt though. I don't think you want to pump more than 20 mins. As far as flange size, is your nipple comfortably pulling through and not pulling in more of your boob or causing pain? Hard to describe. Yes you want it to create suction but I find I still need to mess around with it through a pumping session because it comes loose and isn't suctioning well. Ugh pumping is such a PITA, hope it gets easier for you

[addymac]

Sept 1, 2017 7:51:53 GMT -6 jt2378 said:

addymac, so crazy you mention the UTI stuff, I feel like I'm having weird pain there too. No urgency but burning or just pain feeling and kind of itchy ugh. Wondering if yeast infection since I was in antibiotics but have been off them a week so 🤷🏻‍♀️

Have you tried a higher speed with the pump? You don't want it to hurt though. I don't think you want to pump more than 20 mins. As far as flange size, is your nipple comfortably pulling through and not pulling in more of your boob or causing pain? Hard to describe. Yes you want it to create suction but I find I still need to mess around with it through a pumping session because it comes loose and isn't suctioning well. Ugh pumping is such a PITA, hope it gets easier for you

Ahh I have that same feeling down there. When I was admitted to be induced the dr said I had a yeast infection but there was no point in treating it since I was going to be induced ? Now I wonder if that's it? And not a UTI??

The flange size seems to be right then- it's just my nipple and it's uncomfortable but not painful. I mess around with the suction but as long as it doesn't hurt it doesn't seem to change when the milk stops. I'll keep my pumping to 20m max. I didn't think more time was the answer, I just feel like a part of my boob never stops being hard, whereas when he eats, the whole boob softens. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[thinkchocolate05]

addymac Pumping is annoying. I've found that firmly massaging the hard parts of my breasts in circles and towards the nipple helps drain it even though it hurts at the time. When I was in the hospital pumping, looking at a picture of my baby (and crying, lol) helped my milk let down. Also, I find the more I tense up and think about milk volume, the less I get. If I relax and watch a funny show I get more. It depends on which pump you have, but in general, the fast speed is supposed to simulate the baby sucking quickly to trigger a let down. I have both the Medela pump in style and the Ameda purely yours. For the Ameda, you manually control the speed, turning it up all the way to trigger a let down and then turning the speed down to draw the milk out once it's coming down. The Medela automatically cycles between fast and slow but there is a let down button you can push. I've found I can only bear about half the total suction for either pump and more suction doesn't give me more milk, but that would vary by person. One more tip, regarding the breast not draining is taking a hot shower right before you pump or putting a hot compress on the hard part. Sorry this is so long and I hope it helps!! You are doing awesome, though. Breastfeeding and pumping is hard.

[addymac]

@starzia you're doing great! Also re: tummy time, I wa told even laying them on your chest is tummy time if they're lifting their head. And one trick is when you go to change their diaper, lay them on their belly while you get situated and then flip them over, so those few seconds are tummy time too. I haven't placed him on a flat surface for tummy time yet either. I feel badly that I haven't played music as much except for his rnp music.

[jexxa]

@starzia I usually just do tummy time on my tummy/chest. I didn't start doing it on her playmat until a few days ago. So don't feel bad!

[jexxa]

addymac the pump will never be as efficient as baby, so it's normal to still feel like there's milk left after pumping. I agree with massaging the breast towards the nipple while pumping, that usually helps clear them up. I've also heard that using an electric toothbrush or even a vibrator (lol, basically anything that vibrates) on the lump will help break it up.

[unicornsparkles]

@starzia don't be hard on yourself, mama. The only music my kid has listened to so far is Red Hot Chili Peppers and Cage the Elephant. Tummy time isn't that important yet. They're still figuring this whole eating/sleeping/living thing 😊 Just enjoy the snuggles and not having to chase them down for diaper changes yet

[jt2378]

Oh I have not broken the playmat out yet, tummy time has been on my chest only and a couple mins here and there whoops. Her neck does seem like it's getting stronger though.

[jt2378]

How are the mamas doing? Good days and bad days. I'll spare you more details on the ass chronicles but I'm still dealing with it and so frustrating. I'm facing surgery again in the coming months so it's just overall so discouraging. Csection wise I'm feeling great

How long since you gave birth? Will be 3 weeks on Monday

How are you feeling mentally/physically/emotionally? Mentioned above but it's just the ass stuff really. I'm so angry because I would be feeling so much better if it wasn't for this. Addymac mentioned about vag pain and feeling that too which seems weird since csection here so I don't know if it's UTI, yeast infection, just normal or what ugh

Is your support system helping meet your needs? MH continues to rock. DD1 has been sick and now I have a sore throat so hoping I'm not catching it. Can't I catch a break 😩

What's one personal victory this week? Have been out and about to target and just grabbed a sandwich out somewhere. All with MH though not solo.

Bleeding really slowed down and hoping that continues

[addymac]

jt2378 oh girl I'm sorry the butt stuff isn't getting a lot better ☹️ I hope the next surgery really fixes it once and for all..

[jt2378]

Sept 1, 2017 15:06:20 GMT -6 addymac said:

jt2378 oh girl I'm sorry the butt stuff isn't getting a lot better ☹️ I hope the next surgery really fixes it once and for all..

Thanks girl! Did you hear back from your OB?

[addymac]

Sept 1, 2017 15:17:00 GMT -6 jt2378 said:

Sept 1, 2017 15:06:20 GMT -6 addymac said:

jt2378 oh girl I'm sorry the butt stuff isn't getting a lot better ☹️ I hope the next surgery really fixes it once and for all..

Thanks girl! Did you hear back from your OB?

Yeah they gave me meds for a UTI and yeast infection and said if I still have symptoms come Tuesday, then call to go in and be seen, but since it's the holiday weekend they didn't want me to suffer all weekend. So at least....

[king26]

How are the mamas doing? Tired and stressed but loving my little boy. I also have a horrible belly rash and it's driving me crazy.

How long since you gave birth? 1 week
How are you feeling mentally/physically/emotionally? I'm tired and drained. I'm trying my best but breastfeeding is starting to get to me.
Is your support system helping meet your needs? DH has been great. He gets up with me in the night when I feed J, he's been making all of our meals and making me eat, and he changes diapers and hangs out with J.
What's one personal victory this week? I've showered every day and we've had homemade meals the last 3 nights.

[muscari]

How are the mamas doing?
Tbh I am no sure.. I think I am good but have been feeling sort of blank and neutral and it puzzles me. I think I am just still adjusting to our new normal and recovering from giving birth.

How long since you gave birth? 11 days

How are you feeling mentally/physically/emotionally?
Physically I am starting to feel much better..the first week after the CS was tough! But i am finally getting my mobility back and can make most all movements without pain again which is awesome. Still on some painmeds (tylenol and diclofenac) but weaning off the diclo now. The first week I ran on very very little sleep and somehow managed just fine but now these past days I am starting to feel it. I usually sleep an hour orso in the evening which gets me thru her fussy hours in the MOTN then sleep 3 sometimes 4h once she settles.. I try to get a nap in during the day but that just isn't happening.
Emotionally I feel sort of blank. People ask me about the baby blues and whether I had random crying but I haven't really. Except for maybe once or twice.. I love D to pieces but at the same time feel that MH is showing much more love and emotions then I am. I mostly just go thru the motions atm I guess and it just doesn't leave me much oppertunity to be emotional and all. I usually process my emotions by writing but I don't get the time for that. Maybe I should make time cause I also worry about losing details of memories if I wait too long. Plus I d like to unlock my feelings..

Is your support system helping meet your needs?
Yes and no. MH has been and is great but I can tell exhaustion is getting to him. Especially in the MOTN when D is fussy and crying this can make things a little tense. He is really supportive of me BFing but gets supplement-happy at those moments..but I have vented on that in the randoms thread already. He''s been running on fumes for too long so I try to let him have some extra sleep in the MOTN and morning by taking care of D solo, or alone-time (which he spends gardening or behind the pc - i wish he d take a nap more often cause I honestly think that would help him most). But that does mean I get extra tired myself at times. And sometimes I am envious cause I long for some proper me time too. And I worry about how on earth is he going to manage going back to work next week with such broken nights? Now we can sleep once she settles down which usually is around 3.30-4am and I let him sleep thru her next change and feed. But once work starts again he simply has to be up at 7am sleep or no sleep. 😲🙄

For the first days we had a PP caregiver at home each afternoon who helped with the baby and some household chores etc. It was nice to not have to worry about laundry or such - tho I have to admit I am glad to now be able to follow our own rythm again.

Mostly I just wish my mum was doing better so I could ask her to come and help me out here and there. Now we do invite her to come as often as she wants but she s only allowed to cuddle D. It just isn't how i pictured things to be as we had planned for her to be around those first days.

What's one personal victory this week?
I was able to take a proper shower today rather then just freshen up at the sink rushed in between babythings! I also sat outside reading for 30 minutes today and have cooked most meals this week (some from the freezer stash, some fresh). Have to admit yesterdays dinner was the best all week as MH cooked dinner while I nursed D.
I hope to get a bit more me time soon and work on finalizing our birth announcement cards so I can order them wnd get them out in the mail. Would have liked to have mailed them out before the weekend but yeah....

[muscari]

Sorry... i just never seem to be able to be concise but always end up with walls of text!