@telicious2 Agree -- those things are super helpful. I had no idea how sore my nips would be when I first started BFing so I didn't think I needed to buy them. But after just the first day or two I was already chapped and bleeding. They gave me the Medela ones in the hospital and they were a lifesaver for helping my nips heal the first week or two. The friction from your bra is soooo painful at first. I have them saved in case I need them again this time.
@terezakatarina I bought post-partum underwear last time that were amazing. I'm pretty sure they're pea in the pod brand. They have a compression band that goes up over your belly and keeps everything feeling 'pulled together'. I also had a belly band, but it was too uncomfortable and made me feel like I was wearing a corset, and I can't imagine wearing one in the August heat!
@Bookhousegirl you are so right! I completely forgot about this august heat and swelling how it will be. I will definitely look into some of the underwear you mentioned
I'm looking for some recommendations for compression panties &/or compression bands. I didn't have either one with DD but have heard such good things, I definitely want to try these with #2. I am pretty large in the booty & thighs area these days (and I know that isn't going to change anytime really soon) so I'm looking for something that will be tight enough to actually be of benefit but not something that is going to dig in & be super uncomfortable. Any recommendations?
Y'all remember my last HDBD pic of me eating chicken nuggets off my "bump table?" Well, just to make a point...I had a strong appetite right up to going into labor but right after that, it's like I don't really have to eat.
I'm pumping every 2-3 hrs during the day and 4 hrs during the night. I do get hungry but I can barely finish what I have and it's not even heavy!
In fact, I crave a lot of greens actually - my first meal postpartum was kale caesar salad from Panera.
I just didn't know how soon my appetite would change after giving birth. Maybe I'll get it back slowly but for now, I'm barely getting through 3 full meals. Thankfully I snack in between to get enough energy.
@AliKay20. The more you eat and drink the more milk you will make too. It's kind of a vicious cycle. I try to eat every two hours, it doesn't need to be a big meal in fact smaller meals are probably better. If you can get some protein in that's the best along with the veggies. I snack on string cheese, cottage cheese, protein granola bars and protein oatmeal and that definitely helps with the hunger and my supply!
I actually preferred the belly band I got at the hospital over the one I bought. The one from the hospital was much longer and went from hips to right below my chest. It went below my c-section incision which was great since pants were very irritating. I ended up returning the one I bought.
@AliKay20 I was the same way right after DS, I had to constantly be reminded to eat, and it definitely affected my supply. It wasn't until I started eating normally that I finally produced a decent amount of milk.
I had no appetite for the first week after giving birth. Now I'm ravenous and eating everything in sight. I was like this after DS1 too. BFing makes me way hungrier than being pregnant ever did. Thank goodness for milk-making burning extra calories! I was down to pre-wedding weight 9 months pp last time -- and then gained it all back (and then some) after I weaned!
I'm not sure this question belongs here but maybe you guys can answer. I had my 34 week appointment today and was just asking general procedures. Since I'm not delivering in the US I wanted to see what was different/same.
Anyways, my doctor brought up having an episiotomy and said its standard practice to perform one for every FTM. I always thought episiotomies were something that were done rarely and only if it was needed. She said they will do it automatically because it is easier to fix than tearing. She said it would only take about 7-10 days to heal.
What do you guys think? Should I be questioning this more or does it make sense?
@Hannah0726 episiotomies used to be standard practice in the states and may still be in some hospitals. However now the general consensus is to allow you to tear naturally because you actually heal better with a natural tear. It also depends on the size of the baby I believe!
@Hannah0726 I had an episiotomy with all 3 of my children so far. The first one they did because there was just a little tightness not allowing the baby to come out and I was not tearing. For the second and third, they had to cut the same spot as there was scar tissue that was not allowing it to stretch far enough. With the first I was pretty sore for a few days (used ice a lot and tylenol) but I didn't think it was horrible to heal from. With the other 2 kids, I didn't even notice that there were stitches except the itchiness when it was healing. The stitches dissolve so you don't have to go back to have anything removed. I guess I didn't even realize that a lot of doctor's don't do them anymore. I feel a straight little cut would be easier to deal with than a jagged tear.
My doc said they used to perform episiotomy as standard practice for every patient but not anymore! It's now recommended that they perform episiotomy on a need/case by case basis.
My doctor explained an episiotomy to me like ripping a pair of jeans. It's easiest to cut them, but they are pretty hard to tear and if they do the stitching isn't as nice as it is if you have a straight cut. He told me to take evening primrose oil to "prepare" and that massage can help as well, but DH assumes massage = sex, so I haven't done that.
My doc said they used to perform episiotomy as standard practice for every patient but not anymore! It's now recommended that they perform episiotomy on a need/case by case basis.
This is what my ob office has said as well.
I did not get one with DS and I tore naturally and minimally.
@Hannah0726 Episiotomies used to be standard, but new research shows that a tear heals stronger than a straight cut. (All the little jagged edges make a good place for scar tissues to weave back together.) So the new recommendations are to do an episiotomy only in certain cases, like to prevent a more severe tear. My hospital only does them if it looks like you're gonna have like a third degree tear straight through from your vagina to your anus, they would then do a small incision angled off to the side to prevent this.
With my first two kids who are now 10 and 6, after pushing for a while and getting exhausted and not pushing the baby out, both docs said if they didn't come out in a couple more pushes they were going to do an episiotomy. Both times it was just enough motivation to push harder and get them out! I did tear naturally both times, but both only required a couple stitches. More with my first than with the second. So even in the craziness of labor, they should still give you warning before they cut. In my experience they waited as long as they could, and for me, I was able to avoid it. I healed quickly from both tears. I honestly wouldn't have known if they hadn't told me.
Thanks everyone. She also gave me this lotion specifically to help prevent tearing and stretch out the tissue. Which doesn't really make sense to me if they plan to cut right away anyways? She said they cut at a 45 degree angle about 4cm. I think I'm going to ask her if it's possible to wait till the birth and make a decision during rather than doing it straight away. She was just so adamant about it when we discussed it. I'll see what she says next time I go in. Thanks again!
@Hannah0726 Uh yeah, I think she sounds a little snip happy to me. I mean, why not see if it's necessary and how much of a cut is actually needed at the time? Sounds crazy to me. But, that being said, I don't think there is a huge difference at the end of the day whether you tear naturally or get an episiotomy, so don't be scared. Also from what I've read, trying to stretch out the tissue before hand doesn't really help- the tissue is elastic, that's why you don't have a 12 inch wide vagina from then on after giving birth. Lol Some say it helps some if someone is doing it during labor though.
@Car0liiine@Hannah0726 my docs did the mesaging/stretching during labor for me, at least I clearly remember it with my 2nd. I think it would be pretty standard to do that too, they aren't really doing much between pushes lol. And I think it does help
All my face pimples/zits were gone with my pregnancy and now I have two on my forehead...
I got chest pimples. Not cute. I'm not sure whether it's the hormones or the postpartum sweats (which are also hormone-induced). I had totally forgotten about the postpartum sweats from last time. I feel like that's one of those things no one ever mentions!
So that's what it was. I realized I've been sweating so much even in A's room where it's nice and cool in there. I'm not overly hot like I was during pregnancy but the sweating is all new to me. @bananers
Also, I just realized I get those period like (very light) cramps only when baby A is latched on strongly vs. just pumping with machine. With pumping, I don't feel my uterus contracting very much but the stronger the latch from A, the greater my cramps. Interesting!
edited bc spelling* (tired is an understatement lol)
@AliKay20 after I has my second kid, when I first started nursing him after he learned to latch, I cried every time because the contractions were so bad I felt like I was in labor again. I was not prepared for that! This time I'm dreading it and plan on actually taking the pain pills they will offer.
@Hannah0726 I would go to the next OB appointment armed with some research. As others have said, the most recent research shows that tearing naturally is better. It is YOUR body and you absolutely can refuse consent for an episiotomy except in certain circumstances. An "everyone gets one" approach would have me switching OBs-- it seems to me that these type of medical procedures should be done on an as-needed basis!
@Hannah0726 I find the whole "4 cm at a 45 degree angle" this far out very concerning. I had 2 small snips (less than 1 cm each) for a baby who was stuck and had no problem pushing her out after that. 4 cm seems like a lot!
4 days post emergency csection and Noone told me how effing painful my incision/abd would be.... I knew it wouldn't be a cake walk but dang .it feels like my insides are burning and tearing when trying to stand up , super fun to get comfy to pump when ur abd is on fire <sarcasm>. 4 days of percoset prescribed ,I can hardly see how I'm gonna feel good enough to just take motrin in 4 days. .. I would opt for a vag birth any day of the week over this (and yes I've had 2 ,incl one drug free) Oh and the flabby jiggly belly.so not cute not to mention the insanely swollen legs /ankles/feet ,I feel like the marshmallow man. good thing she's so cute ;-)
4 days post emergency csection and Noone told me how effing painful my incision/abd would be.... I knew it wouldn't be a cake walk but dang .it feels like my insides are burning and tearing when trying to stand up , super fun to get comfy to pump when ur abd is on fire <sarcasm>. 4 days of percoset prescribed ,I can hardly see how I'm gonna feel good enough to just take motrin in 4 days. .. I would opt for a vag birth any day of the week over this (and yes I've had 2 ,incl one drug free) Oh and the flabby jiggly belly.so not cute not to mention the insanely swollen legs /ankles/feet ,I feel like the marshmallow man. good thing she's so cute ;-)
I didn't have burning, but I had a sharp shooting pain. Once I figured out how to get out of bed, it was better. For me that meant, I had to keep my legs bent at the knees, because if they were straight and I tried to turn to get out that's when I got the pain. I stopped taking the pain meds around 11 days and just did the extra strength prescription ibuprofen. I will be 4 weeks out on Thursday and I'd say I'm at about 90%. I still get stiff if I sit too long, but I can walk and bend and it doesn't hurt. Did you get a belly binder from the hospital? I wore that up until 3 weeks out. If you don't have one I'd suggest getting one.
Also, you might want to ask your doctor about the burning part. I think I read that can mean some other issues are happening inside.
What happens when your baby prefers one boob over the other? I try to pump after to release milk from the other one she hasn't really latched onto but I can't just pump on one boob...can I?
What happens when your baby prefers one boob over the other? I try to pump after to release milk from the other one she hasn't really latched onto but I can't just pump on one boob...can I?
I'd talk to the lactation consultant but I think for now keep offering the other boob and if she doesn't latch then pump. The first few weeks can be so rough with getting used to nursing (for both of you!) so it may work itself out soon.
What happens when your baby prefers one boob over the other? I try to pump after to release milk from the other one she hasn't really latched onto but I can't just pump on one boob...can I?
Do you notice the one she doesn't like lets down slower than the one she prefers? If so she may be getting frustrated with the slow one. Maybe try pumping or hand expressing beforehand to get let down going before putting her on? Otherwise I'd always offer the one she doesn't like first.
And, worst case scenario, you can just pump the one side. But you may find yourself with uneven boobs!
Thanks @bananers - speaking of let down, my goodness. Can we just pause for a moment and talk about how post shower let down game is SO STRONG?
Maybe it's the combo of water pressure and hot water for 15-20 mins but afterwards, it's like a ticking time bomb where I literally have less than 5 mins to get dressed and ready to pump my boobs out (roflz). Otherwise, it's like a trail of milk everywhere. AHHHH!!
If she continues to favor one side, the side she doesn't like will produce less and less. Always offer that side first and then pump that side too. My friend is just getting over this issue with her almost 4 month old. He favored one side from the day he was born.
What happens when your baby prefers one boob over the other? I try to pump after to release milk from the other one she hasn't really latched onto but I can't just pump on one boob...can I?
I'd talk to the lactation consultant but I think for now keep offering the other boob and if she doesn't latch then pump. The first few weeks can be so rough with getting used to nursing (for both of you!) so it may work itself out soon.
Offer that breast first before the one she prefers. With my older DD one always made more milk and she preferred that side, but starting with the other seemed to help it catch up a bit!! Good luck!
For stm who had a vaginal birth- how long was recovery? how long was sitting painful? I am in a wedding 1 week after my due date and I want to be prepared for how horrible it may be. After reading all the horrors of vaginal birth, my c-section recovery seems like nothing (although I've been told by many that csection was worse).
I'd be wary of an episiotomy as a standard practice doctor. I did end up having one, but that's because I needed forceps to assist getting my daughters giant head over my pelvic bone. Lol. Obviously, I have no basis for comparison on how different healing is for an episiotomy vs tearing, but I was pretty sore for a good 2 weeks (this could have also been attributed to minor internal bruising from the forceps themselves).
@Sekerambo That really depends on if/how badly you tear. If you don't tear (or not much), you may be fine after a week. I had 3rd degree tears and 21 stitches and I was sore for probably 3 weeks postpartum. Kind of hard to predict ahead of time.
For stm who had a vaginal birth- how long was recovery? how long was sitting painful? I am in a wedding 1 week after my due date and I want to be prepared for how horrible it may be. After reading all the horrors of vaginal birth, my c-section recovery seems like nothing (although I've been told by many that csection was worse).
I had an easy delivery with DS and while I had some of the usual pain in the days after my recovery wasn't bad. But I did sit on a donut pillow for a week or two. Especially on harder wood seats.
@Sekerambo I had an easy delivery as well, but I was very swollen for a week or two after delivery (maybe bc of the pitocin? I had zero swelling during pregnancy, so it was a total surprise). I had a first degree tear that only required one stitch. I continued with the pain meds for several days after coming home, and I think that really helped with feeling good. I would recommend being off your feet as much as you can for the wedding; it won't be a walk in the park, but I doubt it'll be excruciating either.
Re: All Things Postpartum!
https://bellybandit.com/belly-wraps/mother-tucker-corset
-a heart at peace gives life to the body-
I'm pumping every 2-3 hrs during the day and 4 hrs during the night. I do get hungry but I can barely finish what I have and it's not even heavy!
In fact, I crave a lot of greens actually - my first meal postpartum was kale caesar salad from Panera.
I just didn't know how soon my appetite would change after giving birth. Maybe I'll get it back slowly but for now, I'm barely getting through 3 full meals. Thankfully I snack in between to get enough energy.
BFP #2 8/22/12 | EDD 5/5/13 | DS1 born 5/9/13
BFP #3 4/25/15 | EDD 1/7/16 | MMC 7/2/15 @ 13w1d | D&E 7/8/15
BFP #4 12/9/15 | EDD 8/22/16 | DS2 born 5/18/16 at 26w2d
Just keep swimming.
Anyways, my doctor brought up having an episiotomy and said its standard practice to perform one for every FTM. I always thought episiotomies were something that were done rarely and only if it was needed. She said they will do it automatically because it is easier to fix than tearing. She said it would only take about 7-10 days to heal.
What do you guys think? Should I be questioning this more or does it make sense?
I did not get one with DS and I tore naturally and minimally.
Episiotomies used to be standard, but new research shows that a tear heals stronger than a straight cut. (All the little jagged edges make a good place for scar tissues to weave back together.) So the new recommendations are to do an episiotomy only in certain cases, like to prevent a more severe tear. My hospital only does them if it looks like you're gonna have like a third degree tear straight through from your vagina to your anus, they would then do a small incision angled off to the side to prevent this.
All my face pimples/zits were gone with my pregnancy and now I have two on my forehead...
Also from what I've read, trying to stretch out the tissue before hand doesn't really help- the tissue is elastic, that's why you don't have a 12 inch wide vagina from then on after giving birth. Lol Some say it helps some if someone is doing it during labor though.
BFP #2 8/22/12 | EDD 5/5/13 | DS1 born 5/9/13
BFP #3 4/25/15 | EDD 1/7/16 | MMC 7/2/15 @ 13w1d | D&E 7/8/15
BFP #4 12/9/15 | EDD 8/22/16 | DS2 born 5/18/16 at 26w2d
Just keep swimming.
Also, I just realized I get those period like (very light) cramps only when baby A is latched on strongly vs. just pumping with machine. With pumping, I don't feel my uterus contracting very much but the stronger the latch from A, the greater my cramps. Interesting!
edited bc spelling* (tired is an understatement lol)
I found this link useful: https://www.mclaren.org/main/birth-center-health-information/419.aspx
BFP #1: 08/17/2012 DD1 born 05/01/2013
BFP #2: 07/31/2015 M/C 09/23/2015 (11.5 weeks)
Oh and the flabby jiggly belly.so not cute not to mention the insanely swollen legs /ankles/feet ,I feel like the marshmallow man.
good thing she's so cute ;-)
I didn't have burning, but I had a sharp shooting pain. Once I figured out how to get out of bed, it was better. For me that meant, I had to keep my legs bent at the knees, because if they were straight and I tried to turn to get out that's when I got the pain. I stopped taking the pain meds around 11 days and just did the extra strength prescription ibuprofen. I will be 4 weeks out on Thursday and I'd say I'm at about 90%. I still get stiff if I sit too long, but I can walk and bend and it doesn't hurt. Did you get a belly binder from the hospital? I wore that up until 3 weeks out. If you don't have one I'd suggest getting one.
Also, you might want to ask your doctor about the burning part. I think I read that can mean some other issues are happening inside.
It gets easier, I promise!
And, worst case scenario, you can just pump the one side. But you may find yourself with uneven boobs!
BFP #2 8/22/12 | EDD 5/5/13 | DS1 born 5/9/13
BFP #3 4/25/15 | EDD 1/7/16 | MMC 7/2/15 @ 13w1d | D&E 7/8/15
BFP #4 12/9/15 | EDD 8/22/16 | DS2 born 5/18/16 at 26w2d
Just keep swimming.
Maybe it's the combo of water pressure and hot water for 15-20 mins but afterwards, it's like a ticking time bomb where I literally have less than 5 mins to get dressed and ready to pump my boobs out (roflz). Otherwise, it's like a trail of milk everywhere. AHHHH!!