Episiotomy/No milk :'(

Re: Episiotomy/No milk :'(

• TiffanyTheMom member

  February 2011

  awww, k... i'm so sorry. i haven/t ever had one, but i've heard they're awful. the only thing i can tell you is try to stay on your side as much as you can to stay off your bottom. sit in a warm, bubble-less bath, and take some motrin.you need to poop or else you'll explode. if you want, do an enema. it'll liquefy your poo and make it eons easier to pass. the mineral oil enemas are natural and safe enough to use daily. you can do this until your sore bottom stops hurting. i had no tears but my bottom is terribly sore still too, it's not fun at all.
  

  with the breastfeeding... it can take up to a week for milk to come in. try to keep putting your lo on the boob every time he wants it. milk supply is a supply and demand deal, the more it's demanded the more you'll supply. if that doesn't work... then you did your best, chica. don't feel bad about formula feeding. you have to do what's best for you're lo and you. if ff makes you less stressed, then that's what you gotta do.
  

  
  

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• divakotka

  February 2011

  Yikes, so sorry about the episiotomy. I had a 2nd degree tear with DS and was miserable. Also didn't have a BM for 5 days and it was a pretty rough experience. Make sure you drink tons of water, which incidentally will also help with the milk production.

  There's a wonderful website called www.kellymom.com that has tons of awesome information on all things related to breastfeeding. 

  Also, I agree with Tiffany on putting the baby on your breast as much as possible, but even if you're not actively trying to nurse, make sure you get lots and lots of skin-to-skin with LO. That will encourage your hormones to get going and it's extremely beneficial for LO as well. 

  In fact, just make yourself a nest in your bed. Strip down yourself and your LO and just cuddle and bond with your new baby without worrying about the house or anything else. Have DH or someone else bring you food and water. And definitely keep up on your pain meds to help with the sore bottom.

  Finally, maybe consult a lactation consultant as well. They can give you advice on what tea or herbs to take to encourage milk production. For ex. Fenugreek.
  

  GL! 
  

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• mtnbride1

  February 2011

  Definitely call a lactation consultant if you're at all concerned - there should be one at your hospital!  There are a few herbs that can help with milk production - fenugreek is one of them - that are safe for you and baby.  And take a stool softener as often as you can - it will help things come out easier.  Please don't feel guilty about feeding your baby however it's working - he is hungry and needs a happy mama! 

  

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• MrsB0701

  February 2011

  Two thoughts here:

  -In regards to bowel movements, this may sound odd but it really helps. Take a plastic grocery bag and double bag it...sit it on the bathroom floor and squat to use the bathroom. You may need assistance but it will definitely be easier.

  -I completely agree with the strip down and stay in bed with baby all day. They call it the 24 hour cure. Don't focus on anything but you and baby. Make sure that you're drinking lots of water and eating plenty of calories too!

  

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• thatsmary

  February 2011

  1ht/did not read other replies.

  I had 2nd degree tear on Wed and didn't  poo til Sat.  TMI - I had DH hold my hand like when I was in labor. It hurt because it was so hard but after that first time it's been fine. I'd been and still am taking colace 2-3x/dy. 

  Nursing more frequently for longer and pumping in between can help.
  

  

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• LisaMarisa

  February 2011

  I had a 3rd degree episiotomy (dont read what the different degrees are, it will just make you clench your butt cheeks and make you stick to your stomach).  It was a tough recovery but it does get better, it just takes time.  Line your pads with tucks pads and do the sitz baths.  Besides that you really just have to wait.  As for pooping, make sure you're taking colace, it will make it a little easier.  Also, hold a warm wash cloth to your stitches while you're going (at least the first time), the counter pressure will help.  Your stitches arent going to rip out but it seems like they might!

  As for your milk, all I can suggest is putting the baby to nurse as often as possible, she is the one that is going to get your milk to come in.  Even if you are supplementing, maybe you can try to put her to the breast first and then supplement after?  Also, make sure you are eating and drinking enough - you should be drinking water like you did when you were pregnant.

  Recovering from delivery and trying to figure out how to take care of your baby is tough.  You are both new to this, give yourself a break.  You'll both be old pro's soon enough!

  
  
  
  
  
  
  -----Lisa-----

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• boggs507 member

  February 2011

  I am 8 days PP and also had a 3rd degree tear.  My doc also kept telling me "she's trying to put me back the way she found me" after delivery.  Definitely don't google what the tear degrees mean - I wish I hadn't.  As for having a BM, I had my first 4 days PP and it hurt worse than giving birth.  I now take my colace 2x a day plus a bulk fiber supplement and have had no issues since.  The bulk fiber can be something like metamucil or a pill form which basically just contains the active ingredient from metamucil - they are both safe for nursing moms.

  It took 5 days for my milk to even start coming in and when it didn't it wasn't a lot.  Per the instruction of my lactation consultant at the hospital, I pumped after every "feeding" for 15 minutes until my milk really came in.  It really helped and just a few days later...I have no problems.

  

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• sarag0116 member

  February 2011

  I had a c-section too and so "pushing" a BM is not a fun thought.  It still scares me.  I'm taking stool softeners and have had 2 BMs in 1 week.  I hope it gets better b/c I don't want to have to continue taking the stool softeners.
  

  
  

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• chelsanne member

  February 2011

  I could have practically written this post myself! I also had an episiotomy and about 7-8 days post partum I was able to sit down without having to lean to the side. It will get better! Keep using the peri bottle and doing sitz baths.  I was able to have a BM about 3 days pp, but I took 2-3 colace a day and a fiber pill twice a day. The first one hurt, but I just breathed through it like I did with the contractions and it helped. My baby was born about 4 weeks early and did not have a strong enough suck so I am not producing enough breast milk for all of her feedings. I rented a hospital grade pump and I pump every 3 hours and I am able to get about 12 oz a day, which is enough for about 1/2 of her feedings each day. I saw a lactation consultant a few times and am on a prescription med and herbal supplements, which took me from producing 2 oz  a day to the 12. I felt very guilty at first about not being able to supply enough milk, but despite all my best efforts I couldn't. If you can't, don't look at it like a failure. No matter what you have a beautiful baby to love!

  

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