Stupid Questions December

gowenc

@slartybartfast He had his first appointment yesterday. She said he should be at 5-6 diapers a day and recommended we supplement with formula or pumped milk. That said, he looked great at his appointment--hasn't lost too much weight and all his vitals look good. That said, I got the pump out last night to get the parts all sanitized and will try to pump what I can today, both to see if I'm producing what I think I am (one side seems to be doing pretty well, the other not so much), and so DH will have something to give him so I can take a break and sleep. I'll also make an appointment with a lactation consultant to see if he's not latching well.

And as to your question, I had taken a unisom the night I went into labor. My water broke maybe 2 hours later when I rolled over, and it was pretty hard to miss. I wasn't able to get back to sleep because of adrenaline, and that lack of sleep definitely impacted my ability to have the birth experience I originally wanted. So, I'd say go ahead and take the unisom. You need your rest! You'll know if you go into labor.

jennbaylor12

@gowenc - in the hospital they told me 1 pee and 1 poo diaper per day they are old for the first 7 days (day 1=1pee/1poo, day 2=2pee/2poo and so forth) and then maintain or increase add needed from there. 
Ditto @slartybartfast - I'd call the pedi to touch base

temmetime

I've been told that insurance usually covers a hospital stay for 2 nights for vaginal delivery and 3 for RCS. Does this start once baby is born? I'm wondering if I went in at 10 pm and labored for 30 hours, I would stay at least two nights from birth, yeah? 
The things I think about at 4am..

SmashJam

@gowenc I am glad to hear the unisom didn't prevent in your case...I was worried when @slartybartfast mentioned it that that could hurt my chances...although honestly 12 extra days didn't help me last time I don't know why I think not taking unisom would, lol.

princesslockness

temmetime said:

I've been told that insurance usually covers a hospital stay for 2 nights for vaginal delivery and 3 for RCS. Does this start once baby is born? I'm wondering if I went in at 10 pm and labored for 30 hours, I would stay at least two nights from birth, yeah? 
The things I think about at 4am..

It starts from birth. However, most docs/hospitals will try to get it down to 1 night for a vaginal, 2 CS.

Lisa3379

@temmetime since baby was born at 1:48 on Sunday morning, our hospital wanted us to stay until Tuesday. If he had been born, let's say, 11:30 Saturday night, we probably would've been discharged Monday. Kinda weird. But if we wanted to, we could've left Monday, but luckily a private room opened up and we did stay until Tuesday. 

penelope4612

@slartybartfast - I have no advice but am in the same boat.  I had contractions all day yesterday.  I tried walking for a while and they seemed to pick up (every 5 mins, but never strong enough that I felt I needed to call the doctor).  Then I went to bed and they seemed to be less frequent overnight and this morning.  I have sort of given up on encouraging labor at this point as I'm not convinced all my efforts are doing much.  

@temmetime - I think it depends a lot on your hospital.  We were told that the clock starts when we are transferred from labor and delivery to postpartum (so, 2 nights from when you hit the floor in postpartum, which isn't for at least 2 hours, and sometimes longer, from when the baby is born).  They also obviously won't discharge you in the middle of the night.  We were also told 4 nights for a C-section, which seems really long.

askelton27

Can we talk about back labor? I have had fairly constant contractions since last Wednesday with NO progression in regards to dilating. This morning I was woken up by the worst lower back cramping that wraps around my belly and down the front of the tops of my thighs. Is this back labor? I don't know that it's timeable as it literally hasn't stopped since 4am. I have had a few contractions but nothing significant. Thoughts?

sourlemon

@DiFazette yes the RCS experience itself was "great"...for major surgery and all. Still scary for me. I was so nervous I was dripping sweat when they were doing the spinal. But I was just scared. The experience was calm and I got to see and touch the baby. I couldn't hold her because I had tell shakes AND my carpel tunnel was so bad I had no feeling in my hands. But so so different! 

My doc was a bit surprised that my pain level is still high on discharge. I was still taking everything allowed for ibuprofen and percoset. He said usually the second one isn't as bad because there isn't all that labor before. Moving is easier to me cuz I know how to brace better and stuff, but the actual pain has been way worse. But it's getting a little better. 

My stupid question: does instant oatmeal help with milk production or only regular? We have tons of instant packets so I'm hoping that will help. My baby is currently 90% formula fed but I want to pump when my to get that number down some when my milk comes in. I never produced anything I think dd1 so this is all new to me.

tinattt23

@sourlemon Instant oatmeal should be the same. The quick oats are just regular oats cut up finer to cook faster. 

Edited for spelling. 

acreight13

@sourlemon Try this list. Oatmeal is the first food item listed. If you aren't into eating oatmeal (I'm not because of the texture) then you can try some lactation cookies with oatmeal and other things added. 

 https://www.justmommies.com/babies/top-ten-lactogenic-foods-foods-that-improve-your-milk-supply

sourlemon

Thanks! 

zubenescamali

@sourlemon I only ate instant oats when I was breastfeeding (not steel cut) and I noticed small gains. it's only a small part of the picture though, a well balanced diet with enough fats and proteins are what will help, in addition to the whole supply/demand issue.

I hope your pain comes down soon!

wynterwaddell

Did anyone get like super Hungry right before going into labor?

Lisa3379

@wynterwaddell YES. Luckily we were able to order food in our room before things progressed to the point where I got the epidural. I was starving! 

Christinaruth74

A friend of mine tried Ovaltine for milk production and she said it boosted her supply like crazy. I've started eating oatmeal now hoping that I'm being proactive... is that even possible? But I plan on stocking up on some chocolatey breakfast beverages soon as well. 


But seriously, is it possible to be proactive about milk production before baby arrives? 

AbriannaO

@wynterwaddell, I haven't gone into labor yet, but the amount of food I've been eating lately is ridiculous. During December many of our customers will cater us in lunch, so today I had:
2 slices of pizza, an italian grinder sandwich, a giant salad (on it's own plate, filled up), a large chicken tender. After eating quite a few baklava throughout the morning because I was starving and ate my breakfast too early.
And I am already looking forward to the quesadillas my DH is making for dinner tonight.
FEED ME!!!

AbriannaO

@Christinaruth74 that's what I've been wondering too. I bought some Fenugreek already, but am waiting until my next appointment before starting to take it to get the "okay."

slartybartfast

@Christinaruth74 - oh man that takes me back - "MORE OVALTINE PLEASE!"

Christinaruth74

@slartybartfast I know! When she told me I was like wait, like Ovaltine??

I think it's hysterical and I want to be all about that Ovaltine lyfe. 

princesslockness

Christinaruth74 said:

@slartybartfast I know! When she told me I was like wait, like Ovaltine??

I think it's hysterical and I want to be all about that Ovaltine lyfe. 

It has a wonderful mixture of electrolytes-high quality carbs-protein. That's why it's a lactogenic.

jennbaylor12

Kate08Young said:

Christinaruth74 said:

@slartybartfast I know! When she told me I was like wait, like Ovaltine??

I think it's hysterical and I want to be all about that Ovaltine lyfe. 

It has a wonderful mixture of electrolytes-high quality carbs-protein. That's why it's a lactogenic.

This is true?? Like can use as a breakfast supplement for oatmeal? I get tired of eating oatmeal

princesslockness

jennbaylor12 said:

Kate08Young said:

Christinaruth74 said:

@slartybartfast I know! When she told me I was like wait, like Ovaltine??

I think it's hysterical and I want to be all about that Ovaltine lyfe. 

It has a wonderful mixture of electrolytes-high quality carbs-protein. That's why it's a lactogenic.

This is true?? Like can use as a breakfast supplement for oatmeal? I get tired of eating oatmeal

I personally wouldn't substitute for a meal, but would for a snack. Or a morning 'hot chocolate'.

Do you like Malto meal or cream of wheat? They are also supposed to help. Or you could do lactattion cookie balls for breakfast.

fauxpa-2

Speaking of lactation cookies/balls does anyone have a good recipe that they actually like?

sourlemon

Love the idea of ovaltine...adding that to DH's list for tomorrow!  

I love this board. You ladies are the best!

wynterwaddell

@Lisa3379 I was wondering. I have had labor symptoms since last week and then suddenly feel like today could be the day and then I ate breakfast at 10:00 this morning and was hungry again by 12 lol. I'm hoping my feeling is right. I woke up hurting bad last night with back pains and sharp shooting pains and leg cramps and I've had all of that plus a headache and loose bm all day and nausea. 

ajstevenson

Fauxpa said:

Speaking of lactation cookies/balls does anyone have a good recipe that they actually like?

I do!! I made a batch two weekends ago and froze them for PP. But I tried one and they're delicious. https://pin.it/1bt54Kd also, just didn't have a chocolate bar so I just added extra chocolate chips. and I added a 1/2 tsp. cinnamon and 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg.

ETA to say that one batch made 30 cookies. also, I have an entire board for bf'ing and it's mostly lactation recipes. https://pin.it/WUr_cpT

princesslockness

@ajstevenson Me too!!!!! I have lots of smoothies to. I'll ETA a link when it on mobile.

ajstevenson

I have one girlfriend still BFing (the others have weaned their toddlers at this point). She does all sorts of variations with the cookies but also likes the smoothies and overnight oats.

jennbaylor12

sourlemon said:

Love the idea of ovaltine...adding that to DH's list for tomorrow!  

I love this board. You ladies are the best!

^This

gowenc

Does anyone else have a noticeable increase in bleeding after doing a sitz bath?

cgss11

When do dirty diapers taper off? We had been having around 8-9 a day, but only like 3 today. Plenty of wet though. I recall from nannying that bf babies don't necessarily go every day, but when does that start? She is 3 weeks old now. 

ea301

@cgss11 wondering the same... it seems like every diaper is dirty right now, also about 3 wks old. I would love to start seeing some wet-only! I'm glad she has a functioning digestive system but dang! So much poo!

PensiveCrayon

@Fauxpa Maybe not necessarily lactation cookies, but these oatcakes have oatmeal in them, and they're absolutely delicious. I made two batches for the postpartum hungries. They certainly can't hurt!

princesslockness

ea301 said:

@cgss11 wondering the same... it seems like every diaper is dirty right now, also about 3 wks old. I would love to start seeing some wet-only! I'm glad she has a functioning digestive system but dang! So much poo!

I think it's between 4-6 weeks. E only has about 3 dirties a day, but it's like a 1lb diaper by the time she finishes her 15-20 min potty break.

atcwag

tinattt23 said:

@penelope4612 This is pretty similar to the explaination we were given in class: https://boldturquoise.com/emotional-sign-posts-in-labor-the-alternative-to-vaginal-exams-day-19-of-bellies-birth-and-babies/

Basically moves from excited your in labor/still walking talking laughing to serious focus required/do not disturb to "I can't do this" to pushing.  My personal goal is to make it a ways into the serious focus stage before going to the hospital vs. going in just because contractions are x minutes apart. 

*Lurking from Nov '16*

I would agree with this. I was woken up at 2 AM with period-like cramps, but I was still able to walk/talk, etc. 
Throughout the day the got progressively more uncomfortable where I couldn't focus on anything else but getting through the contraction. 
Soon after I arrived @ the hospital, it was "no way in hell I can continue doing this without and epi"....didn't get one. From arrival @ hospital to birth, it was only about 3.5 hours. 

maamawaabangi

^^^ yes to this... I always hit a place when I'm usually doubting my ability to keep going... and without fail baby is born with in an hour.
That said... trusting yourself is important... both your body and your feelings. 

DiFazette

Last night I passed two large (golf ball) sized clots.  Very minor bleeding to follow through today - really only when I wipe.  I've read that the placenta scab comes off about now... any insight?  If that's the case it would make sense there was two.  Blood and clots were rust colored, I've not seen  anything that looks like new blood.  Hesitant to call the doc because I'm not sure I could emotionally cope with another 'problem' right now.  

jennbaylor12

Signs of mastitis? I never had it with DS. Today I got so cold I was shaking, under 3 blankets and 2 jackets and popped a temp. But my boobs are no more sore than they have been, no red steaks or anything..... IDK

maamawaabangi

@jennbaylor12 are you running a fever? If not I would chalk it up to hormone fluctuations... every time I've had mastitis it's been with a sudden onset fever (over 100) and sore breasts... I've never had streaking however.