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Success after IF
epphd
member
I am a runner, knitter, scientist, DE-IVF veteran, and stage III colon cancer survivor.
engorgement = worse than labor
epphd
member
Sam was a grumpy gus last night and up a good part of the night - kept popping on and off the breast and was just generally frustrated. I've been pumping to keep my supply up to keep him fed (trying to feed out the jaundice) and he does great with bottles. I figured that he was getting "lazy" at the breast so I nursed him whenever he fussed and avoided bottles.
DH got up with him this morning so I could sleep. I was feeling fine, but was awoken to the most intense breast pain - engorgement. Within 15 minutes I spiked a fever, became nauseated, had shaking chills and general pain all over. I was reduced to tears and it was all I could do to get into the shower, where I sobbed for 30 minutes in pain and discomfort.
We had gone for a long walk yesterday and even out to lunch, and my lochia REALLY picked up - I thought I had over done it. But this morning I was terrified that I was having pre-E/HELLP recurrance, so I called the doc. She was really sweet and asked me a bunch of questions.
Nope - it was ALL due to engorgement. With a hot hot heading pad, lots of ibuprofen, and pumping like a mad woman, I feel much better. Sam has still been fussing all day but I am more or less keeping him on the breast whenever he wimpers. He is down now and I pumped - after 20 minutes I got a scarce ounce so I guess he cleaned me out!!
Anyway - I was just stunned that it was so painful. I didn't cry or even make a noise during labor, and I was in active labor for 15 hours and was at 7cm before I had pain meds. I would take labor again in a heartbeat compared to the discomfort of this morning.
Ahhh the things we learn. Good times.
I am a runner, knitter, scientist, DE-IVF veteran, and stage III colon cancer survivor.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: engorgement = worse than labor
Married 8.13.2005, M/C 12/8/06- 5 weeks, M/C 2/27/07- 7 weeks, M/C w/ D&C 8/10/09-6.5 weeks *Charles Lawrence born 5/2/08 @ 3:14am, 7lb 8oz, 20.5 inches. Clomid, Crinone and baby aspirin. *Alexandra Claire born 9/14/10 @ 9:52am 6lb 14oz, 20.5 inches. Femara, Crinone and baby aspirin.
the only time I ever felt that way was when I had mastitis - my fever was 101.3 and i felt like I had the worst case of the flu. don't get me wrong, engorgement sucks and I feel like my boobs are going to explode, but nothing as bad as you are describing.
just be careful about pumping too much, or else you will have over supply issues. I started pumping too much when I became engorged during those early days and then had over supply issues... milk was squirting out my boobs and choking DD...and i had to feed her more frequently to avoid engorgement...not fun, esp when you want to try to get longer stretches of sleep and get woken up b/c your boobs hurt. the engorgement gets better down the road as your supply regulates but the first few weeks kind of suck.
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats
TTC since Jan 07. Dx with PCOS Jan 08
I agree with pp, that sounds more like mastitis, I never had a fever or chills or breasts hot to the touch with engorgement, although that was pretty painful they were just sore, no other symptoms. I bet you pumped/nursed through it since that is the best way to fix mastitis. Be careful if those symptoms come back, you may need to call again!
Glad it's feeling better!
Erin
***Twin fraternal girls born at 35w6d in 12/2008***