Weekly Mamas Medical Thread

HoosOnFirst · July 2015

For our symptoms, post-partum appointment discussions, and all things medical, since we don't have a daily symptoms thread anymore (probably not necessary?)

Today was my 6 week p-p appt. Everything looks as it should! We discussed birth control and I'm just gonna stick with the pill (versus Mirena IUD). He said if we plan on another kid within 2 years it's less effort to start and stop the pill versus IUD.

Doc referenced my birth experience and recovery as an 8 out of 10 on the trauma scale, which made me feel both worse and better at the same time! As in I feel less guilty at how miserable and lazy I was for the first 2 weeks post partum. And if we have another kid, it's likely to be less crappy. So hooray?

One vent though: at both my pediatric visit and my OB visit they had me fill out a form to check for post-partum depression. In both cases no one discussed the forms with me despite me listing some symptoms. I had to proactively ask my doc today if he could recommend someone to speak with.

How's everyone else doing, medically-speaking?

JessHeppell · July 2015

well some of my stitches are becoming infected, caught it yesterday in the early stages, and overall they're itchy as hell. my nipple isnt scabbed anymore as well so breastfeeding is less painful. no more overwhelming feeling like im gonna cry but who knows.
things are looking up so far.

rweaver8611 · July 2015

Mastitis round two. Fever spiked at 105.8. Cold sweats, shaking like a leaf, and dry mouth. This sucks.

(

magono20 · July 2015

4 weeks PP, finally feeling a little better and more like me! BF has become easier and nipples have toughened up. I still have a horrible hemroid, will it go away already?! I'm sorry we all don't feel awesome but I'm happy it's not just me. Sometimes I feel like the only one who doesn't feel well. Thanks for the post!

HoosOnFirst · July 2015

magono20 said:
4 weeks PP, finally feeling a little better and more like me! BF has become easier and nipples have toughened up. I still have a horrible hemroid, will it go away already?! I'm sorry we all don't feel awesome but I'm happy it's not just me. Sometimes I feel like the only one who doesn't feel well. Thanks for the post!

Did your doc give you anything for the hemorrhoid?

aj1327 · July 2015

I'll be 6 weeks pp on Monday. Feeling good, but I am feeling like I want to cry easily. Lack of sleep or hormones? Any insight from anyone?

magono20 · July 2015

No she basically kind of said its one of those things. I used preparation h and it didn't do much. I just got the new mama bottom balm and that has given me some relief, so hopefully it will be gone soon!

rweaver8611 · July 2015

rweaver8611 said:
Mastitis round two. Fever spiked at 105.8. Cold sweats, shaking like a leaf, and dry mouth. This sucks. (

And now I am going to ER...spiked to 106.8. Please keep me in your thoughts/prayers/whatever.

katyertl · July 2015

106.8? Seriously? How are you even able to
post without being delusional?

krystleshel · July 2015

Over 106 can cause a coma. Please get to the hospital ASAP.

rweaver8611 · July 2015

Am am staying on my phone to keep me awake until DH comes home. Should be only a minute or two....my head feels like it is t attached to my body anymore...floating around. Hopefully there isn't a long wait. :-S

HoosOnFirst · July 2015

Be safe @rweaver8611 !

dancegurl1118 · July 2015

Oh my god @rweaver8611 keeping you in my prayers.

AlwaysSunny1012 · July 2015

2 weeks pp and catheter gave me a pretty awful uti. I didn't catch it early since I thought it was just pain from delivery. I have a history of chronic bladder infections so I am worried this is going to start them up again. Antibiotics they put me on are not working. It's so hard to take care of my LO when I'm in so much pain. It makes me so frustrated since I want to be bonding and enjoying this time but the pain is making it so difficult. Anyone else with a similar situation?

klkonwi · July 2015

@hoodoll82 the sad part is if you harmed yourself or your baby in any way people would shout from the rooftops ... " why didn't she ask for help ? Or get medication? "

When I asked my nurse/coworker to have my doc call in Zoloft for me when being discharged she asked me twice if I was "SURE" I needed it.
Yes. I'm sure. I've had depression for years. Imagine the insecurity of a new mom who wanted something and might of backed out had she been judged and asked twice about it.

I'm on a soapbox here but it's ridiculous the stigma that comes with ANY depression.... Esp since postpartum depression is so prevalent.........
Ugh.

klkonwi · July 2015

Also @rweaver8611 hang in there! You poor thing !

carajeanp37 · July 2015

Oh god @rweaver8611 - thinking of you, update when you can!

Does anyone have experience with a retained placenta? I'm 6 weeks pp and they have finally figured out why I haven't even really started recovering.. Apparently part of my placenta grew into the uterine wall, and drugs haven't worked getting it out so now it looks like the next options are a little risky, and would involve anesthesia and drugs which would mean I couldn't breastfeed for a few days.. I go back to the doctor on Tuesday, but I'm a bit stressed about it. The doctors say it "happens occasionally" and don't seem too concerned, but I'm hoping someone has some experience or advice.

47923ang · July 2015

Had my 6 week appt today. Most things went well, but I have 2 lingering problems. My blood pressure is still high, so my bp med dosage has been increased. Doc says it has nothing to do with the pregnancy at this point, I probably just have high blood pressure.

The 2nd thing, which worries me a little more--doc said I have an enlarged thyroid on my right side, so I have to have lab work (no big deal) and a thyroid ultrasound (this one freaks me out. Not the ultrasound part, but what they may be looking for). Anyone have any insight/experience with this?

I've long suspected I have undiagnosed hypothyroid, as my weight has always been stuck at the same spot regardless of my exercise and diet. I also have a low body temp, typically ranging in the 96s.

rweaver8611 · July 2015

Thanks for the words of encouragement! I got 2 shots in my butt and a new prescription she said is much stronger than penicillin so I can feel better quicker. Hopefully it all kicks in and I start to feel better!

hgilmore11 · July 2015

@rweaver8611 I'm so sorry to hear this! Hope you feel better soon!!

For those worried about getting it and asking if there's anything you can do to avoid it: I had mastitis at 1.5 weeks PP. My fever peaked at 104.3 and was also shaking hard. The dr said the #1 cause is fatigue and I had pushed myself too hard with social engagements and cleaning house. Seriously, REST is key. Then the LC I saw after Dr prescribed something called Poke Root. This can be used if u feel mastitis coming on to stop it from progressing, or during along with antibiotics if it's already diagnosed.

HoosOnFirst · July 2015

carajeanp37 said:
Oh god @rweaver8611 - thinking of you, update when you can!

Does anyone have experience with a retained placenta? I'm 6 weeks pp and they have finally figured out why I haven't even really started recovering.. Apparently part of my placenta grew into the uterine wall, and drugs haven't worked getting it out so now it looks like the next options are a little risky, and would involve anesthesia and drugs which would mean I couldn't breastfeed for a few days.. I go back to the doctor on Tuesday, but I'm a bit stressed about it. The doctors say it "happens occasionally" and don't seem too concerned, but I'm hoping someone has some experience or advice.

I had this happen, sorry it took so long for them to find it with you! I had to have a dilation and extraction procedure 10 days post-partum to get the placenta pieces out. It took about 30 minutes but it was an OR procedure and I was put under. Felt scary at the time but in retrospect I found out it's not uncommon.

My neighbor also had this happen and only found out at 8 weeks.

I don't think I was given any drugs that affected breastfeeding - just oxycodone, Tylenol and Advil.

I just saw my doc today at 6.5 weeks and they are checking my blood and iron levels to make sure I'm all clear.

Good luck, you will be fine! I had my procedure done on a Tuesday and by Thursday I felt like a new person! I couldn't believe how much it had been affecting my energy levels without me knowing.

KarasTwin · July 2015

@rweaver8611 hope your meds kick in soon and you feel better soon.

I'll be 4 weeks PP next Monday (c section) and I have had diarrhea almost every day for the past 2 weeks and headaches every day for the past week. I think the headaches are hormonal, but I'm about to lose my mind from it. Anyone else having either of those issues?

carajeanp37 · July 2015

@hoodoll82 thank you! That makes me feel much better, I thought they were maybe being over dramatic and you feeling like a new person gives me hope that this isn't just how I'm supposed to feel for the rest of my life!

HoosOnFirst · July 2015

carajeanp37 said:

@hoodoll82 thank you! That makes me feel much better, I thought they were maybe being over dramatic and you feeling like a new person gives me hope that this isn't just how I'm supposed to feel for the rest of my life!

I think as a FTM I just chalked my tiredness up to "well this is how it's supposed to be, right?" Turns out yeah, I should have been tired, but not that tired! But there was nothing to compare it against. It's so hard, with all this parenting and labor stuff, to know what's normal and what's not. I wish there was a manual!

HoosOnFirst · July 2015

klkonwi said:

@hoodoll82 the sad part is if you harmed yourself or your baby in any way people would shout from the rooftops ... " why didn't she ask for help ? Or get medication? " When I asked my nurse/coworker to have my doc call in Zoloft for me when being discharged she asked me twice if I was "SURE" I needed it. Yes. I'm sure. I've had depression for years. Imagine the insecurity of a new mom who wanted something and might of backed out had she been judged and asked twice about it. I'm on a soapbox here but it's ridiculous the stigma that comes with ANY depression.... Esp since postpartum depression is so prevalent......... Ugh.

Ugh is right. Even when I mentioned it to DH, he seemed surprised I thought I needed to talk to someone about PPD because I don't "seem" bad (he says I'm doing a great job). I think what's tough about it is that it's a hidden thing, so just because I'm outwardly seeming fine doesn't mean I feel that way. DH is very encouraging of me talking to him, friends and family, but it's not always comfortable to do so. I don't know that I have PPD, but I do know I don't feel in control of things in a way that is causing more anxiety than I am comfortable with.

But yeah, what makes me stabby is that everyone talks about how important it is to look for PPD warning signs (like, every dr I saw at the hospital during L&D gave me a list of symptoms and resources) but now that we are in the thick of it, these providers are dropping the ball and there are people out there who might be overlooked who really need help! I feel fortunate I have a decent sense of my own behaviors and feelings.

btm013 · July 2015

@rweaver8611 that stinks! Mastitis is no joke. I felt terrible when I had it! Take care of yourself. I hope you feel better soon

esampson1983 · July 2015

KarasTwin said:
@rweaver8611 hope your meds kick in soon and you feel better soon.

I'll be 4 weeks PP next Monday (c section) and I have had diarrhea almost every day for the past 2 weeks and headaches every day for the past week. I think the headaches are hormonal, but I'm about to lose my mind from it. Anyone else having either of those issues?

I had a c/s too and am 8 weeks pp. I had some headaches, but not as frequent as yours. But my headaches were caffeine related.

DolphinLover2002 · July 2015

KarasTwin said:
@rweaver8611 hope your meds kick in soon and you feel better soon.

I'll be 4 weeks PP next Monday (c section) and I have had diarrhea almost every day for the past 2 weeks and headaches every day for the past week. I think the headaches are hormonal, but I'm about to lose my mind from it. Anyone else having either of those issues?

I'm 6 weeks pp with my second c-section. About that time (4 weeks) I had really bad headaches too. Just kept taking Tylenol and pushed fluids and rest. After about 10 days I started feeling much better.

KarasTwin · July 2015

@esampson1983 and @DolphinLover2002 thanks, ladies. I have a lot if tension in my neck and my BIL who is a PT helped me some, but usually in the afternoon/evening my head starts hurting again. Since I gave up on BFing, I have been popping Excedrin migraine which works, but I just want the headaches to stop. I'm hopeful that once I go back on birth control the hormones will balance out and make a difference

LaurenS119 · July 2015

Ugh, 5 weeks PP and I think my period just started. I only stopped bleeding about a week ago, this sucks. I'm ebf, I thought that was supposed to keep my period away

( I am going to check with my midwife tomorrow to get her opinion.

rweaver8611 · July 2015

My pp bleeding would be on a week, off a week for a few weeks. I'm ebf and still haven't gotten my period. Pp bleeding ended at 4 weeks.

KaLikeAWind · July 2015

I have a weird 'symptom' that I can't tell if it is due to / because of baby or not. So you know when you have been running too hard for too long you get a stitch in your side? I get a feeling like that, but its not in my side like from running. It's at boob level, kinda where my side meets my back. And its not surface level, either, in that when I feel it if I press around that area I can't help or hinder the sensation. Its an 'in there' pain. I feel it most often when I nurse so I thought it was a posture problem, but I've also felt it when I've laid down and have been stretched out, so the argument for it being posture related is kinda shot. I also thought it might be due to being tense in my shoulders or holding them awkwardly when nursing, but again having it while lying down disproves that. Its really freaking annoying as its pretty sharp and makes me pretty uncomfortable, and it happens a lot thru the day. I can help it to go away by lifting my left arm over my head and leaning to the right in that stretch pose, but that's not always practical or doable. All I know is it didn't start until after baby, and its really really annoying and I hate it.

mypower610 · July 2015

LaurenS119 said:
Ugh, 5 weeks PP and I think my period just started. I only stopped bleeding about a week ago, this sucks. I'm ebf, I thought that was supposed to keep my period away ( I am going to check with my midwife tomorrow to get her opinion.

My OB told me that I would bleed and then stop for a few days or even two weeks and then start bleeding again. He did say that that second time you bleed is still part of postpartum it doesn't mean that you're on your period.

lovethatcolosun · July 2015

@mellymar it kinda sounds like you have a rib out of alignment. A trip to the chiropractor would probably be good advice for all of us since our bones moved around during pregnancy and delivery.

KaLikeAWind · July 2015

@lovethatcolosun yeah, I also was thinking it was something with a rib but didn't think about one being out of alignment. I mostly wondered if it was possible to crack a rib nursing and dismissed that idea as ridiculous and so came to the end of my ideas and got frustrated at not knowing what the hell was going on. You have an excellent idea and are probably close to the culprit. Makes sense. Thanks for thinking of it, I truly was dead-ended on ideas and just annoyed with the whole situation, but at the same time didn't want to go to the Dr (I've seen enough of drs for a while, thank you) for it

And an excellent suggestion as well. We are all beat up and bent out of shape, I'm sure we could all benefit from a visit to the chiro. And a massage. My, wouldn't THAT be lovely?

Edited, paragraphing

JessHeppell · July 2015

11 days PP
im still having bathroom troubles.. ive gone 3 times since leaving the hospital. stool softeners arent helping.
if i didnt have all these damn stitches it would just be the normal struggles. i can like feel the stitches pulling. im just like.. waiting for them to heal already so i can go.

i also haven't showered in like 3 days.
but i cant get the chance lately as SOMEONE is waking up every 10-20 minutes to feed -_- i wanna take an epsom salts bath but i cant.
also.. this discharge is gross. i want it to be done already.

ETA: also my tailbone is starting to hurt from being glued to the same spot for the past 2 days because of LO waking up constantly.

HayesRN13 · July 2015

mellymar said:
I have a weird 'symptom' that I can't tell if it is due to / because of baby or not. So you know when you have been running too hard for too long you get a stitch in your side? I get a feeling like that, but its not in my side like from running. It's at boob level, kinda where my side meets my back. And its not surface level, either, in that when I feel it if I press around that area I can't help or hinder the sensation. Its an 'in there' pain. I feel it most often when I nurse so I thought it was a posture problem, but I've also felt it when I've laid down and have been stretched out, so the argument for it being posture related is kinda shot. I also thought it might be due to being tense in my shoulders or holding them awkwardly when nursing, but again having it while lying down disproves that. Its really freaking annoying as its pretty sharp and makes me pretty uncomfortable, and it happens a lot thru the day. I can help it to go away by lifting my left arm over my head and leaning to the right in that stretch pose, but that's not always practical or doable. All I know is it didn't start until after baby, and its really really annoying and I hate it.

I get this too! And I have no answer, except for sure it's breast feeding related

KaLikeAWind · July 2015

HayesRN13 said:

mellymar said:
I have a weird 'symptom' that I can't tell if it is due to / because of baby or not. So you know when you have been running too hard for too long you get a stitch in your side? I get a feeling like that, but its not in my side like from running. It's at boob level, kinda where my side meets my back. And its not surface level, either, in that when I feel it if I press around that area I can't help or hinder the sensation. Its an 'in there' pain. I feel it most often when I nurse so I thought it was a posture problem, but I've also felt it when I've laid down and have been stretched out, so the argument for it being posture related is kinda shot. I also thought it might be due to being tense in my shoulders or holding them awkwardly when nursing, but again having it while lying down disproves that. Its really freaking annoying as its pretty sharp and makes me pretty uncomfortable, and it happens a lot thru the day. I can help it to go away by lifting my left arm over my head and leaning to the right in that stretch pose, but that's not always practical or doable. All I know is it didn't start until after baby, and its really really annoying and I hate it.
I get this too! And I have no answer, except for sure it's breast feeding related

I'm sorry you have this, but at the same time I'm glad that you do! Now I don't feel like such a freak. (As I stretch my left arm over my head and lean to the right again) It definitely happens most often when nursing, for sure. And every now and then I get a twinge on the other side, too, but usually I don't have to stretch that side out. Maybe its a rib thing like colosun says... Once I have funds for a chiro I'll go and find out

esampson1983 · July 2015

LaurenS119 said:
Ugh, 5 weeks PP and I think my period just started. I only stopped bleeding about a week ago, this sucks. I'm ebf, I thought that was supposed to keep my period away ( I am going to check with my midwife tomorrow to get her opinion.

My PA mentioned at my 6 week visit that if I overdo anything the pp bleeding may start again...

HayesRN13 · July 2015

Totally common, I also will wake up with shooting pain in one breast or the other, and pain relative in location in the back ... So painful!

bwow615 · July 2015

JessHeppell said:
11 days PP
im still having bathroom troubles.. ive gone 3 times since leaving the hospital. stool softeners arent helping.
if i didnt have all these damn stitches it would just be the normal struggles. i can like feel the stitches pulling. im just like.. waiting for them to heal already so i can go.

i also haven't showered in like 3 days.
but i cant get the chance lately as SOMEONE is waking up every 10-20 minutes to feed -_- i wanna take an epsom salts bath but i cant.
also.. this discharge is gross. i want it to be done already.

ETA: also my tailbone is starting to hurt from being glued to the same spot for the past 2 days because of LO waking up constantly.

It took about 4.5 weeks for me to have somewhat normal movements. Stool softener was absolutely no help. Prune juice and apple juice ended up being the key. Also it seems like these damn stitches are never going to be gone. 5 weeks pp tomorrow and I still have a few.

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