April 2016 Moms

Postpartum Thread

Now that April '16 babies are being born, I was thinking a PP thread is a good idea where we can ask PP related questions.
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Re: Postpartum Thread

  • My first question (because I'm sure I'll have a lot, lol) is showering after birth. I haven't showered yet, but II'm going home in the morning. My bleeding has tapered off tremendously since Quinn was born, and I've been using a Peri bottle to rinse off after I pee. The blood smell is a bit overpowering still, and I'm wondering how do I clean down there other than rinsing with warm water? I have stitches too so I'm guessing no soap for awhile? What are you other moms doing?
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  • @loveymay I'm not a mom yet, but my mother and mil swear by witch hazel!! 
  • @loveymay midwives told me a quick rinse with the shower nozzle in that area with no soap should suffice. It's also important to pat dry using paper towels or cloth. No tissues or toilet paper cause little bits can get stuck. 
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  • @loveymay when I had DD showers and a sitz bath were encouraged.  They were also much appreciated.  I didn't shower while I was at the hospital with my first but it is something I plan on doing this time around.
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  • Anybody having issues emptying their bladder? Things are sore, but I cannot feel when my bladder is full at all, I have no urge to pee, and when I sit down to go, the muscles, etc. don't seem to work like I'm used to. Docs and nurses seemed to think it was normal and would return in a few days, but it's freaking me out a little bit.
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  • @brenlo42 I haven't had that problem, but the first 2 times I peed after birth, I had to concentrate on peeing and it seemed like I would never stop, I guess it was from the IV fluids. I didn't really feel an urge to go until I was sitting down those first 2 times either. Hope it gets better for you!
  • brenlo42 said:
    Anybody having issues emptying their bladder? Things are sore, but I cannot feel when my bladder is full at all, I have no urge to pee, and when I sit down to go, the muscles, etc. don't seem to work like I'm used to. Docs and nurses seemed to think it was normal and would return in a few days, but it's freaking me out a little bit.
    Are you still at the hospital? I wasn't allowed to leave until I proved I could pee. My only suggestion is to keep trying... just go in and don't think about it too much. It's one of those things that will happen when it happens. ☺
  • brenlo42 said:
    Anybody having issues emptying their bladder? Things are sore, but I cannot feel when my bladder is full at all, I have no urge to pee, and when I sit down to go, the muscles, etc. don't seem to work like I'm used to. Docs and nurses seemed to think it was normal and would return in a few days, but it's freaking me out a little bit.
    Try changing the angle of your body (lean forward/back) while you're sitting there. I didn't feel the urge but that helped to get it all going the first day. 
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  • That happened to me after my first due to the catheter, I think. Leaning forward did help and it got better after a few days. 
  • Question for those who are nursing:
    My son has been having really weird eating/sleeping habits since he was born (3 days). He eats and eats and eats- mainly because he falls asleep while eating so I have to keep waking him up and switching sides- and then sleeps for 5/6 hours. So basically he'll eat for a couple hours off and on, and then sleep for forever. If I try to wake him at the 2-3 hr mark, he won't wake up enough to eat. His pees and poops have still been good. Thoughts? 
  • In terms of keeping it clean down there with the stitches, my doc recommended lots of sitz baths and I took them a couple times a day. Just a shallow bath, as hot as you can tolerate, and soak for a little while :-)
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  • ashdawn24 said:
    Question for those who are nursing:
    My son has been having really weird eating/sleeping habits since he was born (3 days). He eats and eats and eats- mainly because he falls asleep while eating so I have to keep waking him up and switching sides- and then sleeps for 5/6 hours. So basically he'll eat for a couple hours off and on, and then sleep for forever. If I try to wake him at the 2-3 hr mark, he won't wake up enough to eat. His pees and poops have still been good. Thoughts? 
    I had this issue with mine for the first few days. He is a HEAVY sleeper! To the point where the nurses at the hospital teased me about it because he was so hard headed about it. What helped me keep him awake was stripping him down to his diaper, and not using a cover j til he was eating heavily. He would still start to nod off after a couple minutes, but rubbing his head like you would a cat (be a little rougher than you think you should be) helped keep him awake, but stop every time he starts sucking again, otherwise he thinks it's a game and just ignores it for sleep.

    It also helped for getting him on a schedule to make a routine out of it. He had jaundice so I HAD to feed him at the three hour mark period, or they would either give him formula, or an IV. I would get up, go to the bathroom, change his diaper/strip him, then feed him on one side for ten minutes, burp, and feed him on the other side for at least five minutes. The first couple days of doing this were hard, but routine makes things easier, usually.
  • @loveymay Showering made me feel like a person again after labor! I just used water down there until a few days ago, but I'm using so much witch hazel, I doubt I really need soap for cleansing purposes atm. I have stitches as well...

    I don't remember who told me to do this, between the app and the FB group, but someone suggested lining a pad with tucks pads for comfort and it has been a game changer! Just make sure they are name brand tucks pads, and not store brand, because they tend to have alcohol in them and that burns like holy hell fire! (I can assure you from experience...)

    @brenlo42 Try running water while you go, and rocking your pelvis forward like others have suggested. The nurses wouldn't let me leave the delivery room until after I peed, so I'm surprised they are more lax where you are. I had to have the water running, and went through two peri bottles spraying on myself to make it happen, but it made a huge difference.
  • Thanks everybody, leaning at different angles and rocking back and forth have helped, but I still don't really have a steady stream like normal, and the only way I can tell I need to go is from pain and physically feeling my swollen bladder. It's pretty weird. The hospital let me come home yesterday, so I am hoping things get more normal soon. 
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  • brenlo42 said:
    Thanks everybody, leaning at different angles and rocking back and forth have helped, but I still don't really have a steady stream like normal, and the only way I can tell I need to go is from pain and physically feeling my swollen bladder. It's pretty weird. The hospital let me come home yesterday, so I am hoping things get more normal soon. 
    It's been 3 yrs since I had DS and I still don't have the normal feeling of needing to pee. He really messed me up down below with 3+hrs of continuous pushing, vacuum extraction, and 2nd degree tear. I can tell that I have to go because the area surrounding my bladder gets sore. 
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  • brenlo42 said:
    Thanks everybody, leaning at different angles and rocking back and forth have helped, but I still don't really have a steady stream like normal, and the only way I can tell I need to go is from pain and physically feeling my swollen bladder. It's pretty weird. The hospital let me come home yesterday, so I am hoping things get more normal soon. 
    It's been 3 yrs since I had DS and I still don't have the normal feeling of needing to pee. He really messed me up down below with 3+hrs of continuous pushing, vacuum extraction, and 2nd degree tear. I can tell that I have to go because the area surrounding my bladder gets sore. 
    Wow, thanks for letting me know this is a possibility. 
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  • ashdawn24 said:
    Question for those who are nursing:
    My son has been having really weird eating/sleeping habits since he was born (3 days). He eats and eats and eats- mainly because he falls asleep while eating so I have to keep waking him up and switching sides- and then sleeps for 5/6 hours. So basically he'll eat for a couple hours off and on, and then sleep for forever. If I try to wake him at the 2-3 hr mark, he won't wake up enough to eat. His pees and poops have still been good. Thoughts? 
    DS did this too. Actually he just started doing better today and is now eating ever hour since he's woken up. Probably making up his lack of feeding. However my LO was doing it because he was extremely gassy, so he didn't want to eat and "fill up" even more. Once I got the gas out of him he would start eating again about every 2 hours until he was gassy again and then would sleep and fart for 5 or so hours. 

    I was told as long as his pees/poops are still good then I don't need to worry. They also said 5/6 hours of sleep is fine but try not to go over that. 
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  • brenlo42 said:
    brenlo42 said:
    Thanks everybody, leaning at different angles and rocking back and forth have helped, but I still don't really have a steady stream like normal, and the only way I can tell I need to go is from pain and physically feeling my swollen bladder. It's pretty weird. The hospital let me come home yesterday, so I am hoping things get more normal soon. 
    It's been 3 yrs since I had DS and I still don't have the normal feeling of needing to pee. He really messed me up down below with 3+hrs of continuous pushing, vacuum extraction, and 2nd degree tear. I can tell that I have to go because the area surrounding my bladder gets sore. 
    Wow, thanks for letting me know this is a possibility. 
    They actually have PT for nerve damage done during l&d. I wish I had done it, but figured, What's the point when I'm going to have more babies in the near future?
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  • brenlo42 said:
    brenlo42 said:
    Thanks everybody, leaning at different angles and rocking back and forth have helped, but I still don't really have a steady stream like normal, and the only way I can tell I need to go is from pain and physically feeling my swollen bladder. It's pretty weird. The hospital let me come home yesterday, so I am hoping things get more normal soon. 
    It's been 3 yrs since I had DS and I still don't have the normal feeling of needing to pee. He really messed me up down below with 3+hrs of continuous pushing, vacuum extraction, and 2nd degree tear. I can tell that I have to go because the area surrounding my bladder gets sore. 
    Wow, thanks for letting me know this is a possibility. 
    They actually have PT for nerve damage done during l&d. I wish I had done it, but figured, What's the point when I'm going to have more babies in the near future?
    Pelvic floor therapy is actually really beneficial and makes a huge difference. I've been doing it in conjunction with other PT for my SPD and it has made the biggest difference with my kegals/bladder control. The point is that it can teach you strategies to implement before/during/after your next pregnancy to make things easier in the long run. As a therapist going to therapy, I'd totally recommend it! 
  • Had a c-section in Thursday afternoon and got sent home from the hospital yesterday afternoon. I'm on Percocet and Ibuorofen for pain and Zofran to control nausea from pain medication. I can only take the Zofran every 8 hours but the Percocet is every 4 hours.

    I haven't been taking the max dose of Percocet but I do absolutely need it. (Tried being a hero and not taking it and omg thought I was dying) but I'm having a hard time controlling my nausea still. My appetite is pretty poor as well. Anyone ever have this issue/have any tips? I'm nursing (well milk still hasn't come but baby seems content with the colostrum output so far) so I know I have to keep my calorie intake up but it's really difficult. 
  • I'm not breastfeeding, but my milk came in overnight. My boobs are giant hard rocks now, quite uncomfortable. The only thing I remember the hospital nurse telling me was not to let water in the shower hit my chest and that cabbage leaves can help with discomfort. Do any FF moms have any suggestions how to relieve the discomfort? Also about how long does it take for the milk to dry up? Im 5 days post partum.
  • @loveymayI'm a FTM but I read massaging your boobs really helps.
    Massaging your boobs in circular motions, almost nipple squeezes (don't actually squeeze em, just around em), and leaning forward to shake your boobs too. Postpartum doulas/masseuses can help with this. They say your boobs will hurt a lot if you leave them as is when the milk comes in.
  • kimey1 said:
    @loveymayI'm a FTM but I read massaging your boobs really helps.
    Massaging your boobs in circular motions, almost nipple squeezes (don't actually squeeze em, just around em), and leaning forward to shake your boobs too. Postpartum doulas/masseuses can help with this. They say your boobs will hurt a lot if you leave them as is when the milk comes in.
    this all sounds really painful. lol
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  • So I'm now dealing with oversupply thanks to having to pump per hospital instructions, on top of trying to wean off of the nipple shield. Feeding LO is not pleasant atm... He is only nursing on side per session, half of which is with the nipple shield, and the other half without. (Which doesn't sound like a huge deal, but it is severe progress from three days ago!)

    I found out it's an over supply issue because his poop went from being mustard yellow to lime green which is either caused by a hind/fore milk imbalance, dairy sensitivity, or a virus. I figured I'd start trouble shooting with the first one and go from there. Two days of feeding like this and his poop is back to an acceptable color. It's just annoying because the side I don't nurse on feels engorged, and leaks >.< Hopefully my boobs chill out soon, because this feeling sucks.

    @loveymay I can only imagine your pain with both at the same time, and no relief :cry: 

  • this is so much information all in one post. I feel like I have no idea what I am in for. Did you read this before hand or troubleshoot or what is happening?? Am I supposed to know all of this already?
    I feel you on that! I want to be ready for every possibility as is in my nature to be prepared but I don't think it's possible!
  • yodiggity said:
    So I'm now dealing with oversupply thanks to having to pump per hospital instructions, on top of trying to wean off of the nipple shield. Feeding LO is not pleasant atm... He is only nursing on side per session, half of which is with the nipple shield, and the other half without. (Which doesn't sound like a huge deal, but it is severe progress from three days ago!)

    I found out it's an over supply issue because his poop went from being mustard yellow to lime green which is either caused by a hind/fore milk imbalance, dairy sensitivity, or a virus. I figured I'd start trouble shooting with the first one and go from there. Two days of feeding like this and his poop is back to an acceptable color. It's just annoying because the side I don't nurse on feels engorged, and leaks >.< Hopefully my boobs chill out soon, because this feeling sucks.

    @loveymay I can only imagine your pain with both at the same time, and no relief :cry: 
    this is so much information all in one post. I feel like I have no idea what I am in for. Did you read this before hand or troubleshoot or what is happening?? Am I supposed to know all of this already?
    No. I didn't do any research what so ever before birth or breastfeeding, and when it came to being in the hospital I was so exhausted I just went with whatever the person in front of me was telling me. I had some latch issues, and instead of trouble shooting with me and helping me figure it out for more than five minutes they brought me a nipple shield. At first I thought it was a Godsend! But after a week and a half of him refusing to eat without it... If I had spent more time with a lactation consultant, and been more relaxed about BFing being perfect from jump street I probably would t have needed it to begin with. (Or you know, read about how to get a proper latch, etc)

    My baby also had jaundice so I had to pump and feed him with a bottle under the lights and that is what started the whole problem. I felt like I needed to keep pumping when I got home and my milk came in so it tricked my body into thinking I needed double the amount of milk. Which is great in theory of you're planning on pumping and freezing, but I wasn't. I thought it was still colostrum and my mom told me it definitely wasn't and pulled up comparison pictures online to show me. (I felt really dumb)

    As far as the diapers go, I had always been told EBF poop is a yellow mustardy color with white seedy looking things in it, so when he started pooping green I had a mini heart attack. I just googled green breastfed poop and it pulled up a few pages about the fore/hind milk imbalance, and how to correct over supply. Nothing to go crazy over. Just frustrated that things didn't go as smoothly as I'd anticipated from the beginning. :wink: 
  • yodiggity said:
    So I'm now dealing with oversupply thanks to having to pump per hospital instructions, on top of trying to wean off of the nipple shield. Feeding LO is not pleasant atm... He is only nursing on side per session, half of which is with the nipple shield, and the other half without. (Which doesn't sound like a huge deal, but it is severe progress from three days ago!)

    I found out it's an over supply issue because his poop went from being mustard yellow to lime green which is either caused by a hind/fore milk imbalance, dairy sensitivity, or a virus. I figured I'd start trouble shooting with the first one and go from there. Two days of feeding like this and his poop is back to an acceptable color. It's just annoying because the side I don't nurse on feels engorged, and leaks >.< Hopefully my boobs chill out soon, because this feeling sucks.

    @loveymay I can only imagine your pain with both at the same time, and no relief :cry: 
    this is so much information all in one post. I feel like I have no idea what I am in for. Did you read this before hand or troubleshoot or what is happening?? Am I supposed to know all of this already?
    I'm not really a wealth of knowledge other than what I know from my medical experience (primarily with adults), but I did take a breastfeeding class and found the videos of babies correctly latching to be extremely informative. Strange, but helpful - and not at all what I had expected. 
  • I'm wondering if it's a bad idea to be reading this thread while I'm still pre-partum....
    I am a third time mom to be and I'm still nervous. You just have to go with the flow once LO is here, but I don't think it hurts to hear about other's experiences ahead of time. Just my 2 cents :)
  • Also, can we talk about how badly the cord stinks? Yuck. I've been putting my son in really thick sleepers so I don't smell it as much!
  • kimey1kimey1 member
    edited April 2016
    @runningwild thanks for this. It's helpful to know it's a new experience each time!
  • @loveymay I've been using the periwash, lightly dabbing with toilet paper and using a dermal spray that eases pain and using a lot of tucks pads to line my pads. I have stitches too and have just been rinsing with warm water down there when I shower, it feels good to "clean out" down there after all the trauma! 
  • erind228erind228 member
    edited April 2016
    brenlo42 said:
    ashdawn24 said:
    Also, can we talk about how badly the cord stinks? Yuck. I've been putting my son in really thick sleepers so I don't smell it as much!
    Huh, I haven't noticed DD's cord having any smell at all. She herself smells like what I can only assume is pheremones and heaven
    My third baby's cord smelled terribly. My first two didn't have the funky smell to their cords. This one is too new to be smelly yet, but I'm really hoping for another non smelly cord.
  • Qerind228 said:
    brenlo42 said:
    ashdawn24 said:
    Also, can we talk about how badly the cord stinks? Yuck. I've been putting my son in really thick sleepers so I don't smell it as much!
    Huh, I haven't noticed DD's cord having any smell at all. She herself smells like what I can only assume is pheremones and heaven
    My third baby's cord smelled terribly. My first two didn't have the funky smell to their cords. This one is too new to be smelly yet, but I'm really hoping for another non smelly cord.
    My daughter didn't seem to have a stinky cord, but his smells TERRIBLE. It's almost off though, thank goodness!
  • WiseUsagi said:
    Had a c-section in Thursday afternoon and got sent home from the hospital yesterday afternoon. I'm on Percocet and Ibuorofen for pain and Zofran to control nausea from pain medication. I can only take the Zofran every 8 hours but the Percocet is every 4 hours.

    I haven't been taking the max dose of Percocet but I do absolutely need it. (Tried being a hero and not taking it and omg thought I was dying) but I'm having a hard time controlling my nausea still. My appetite is pretty poor as well. Anyone ever have this issue/have any tips? I'm nursing (well milk still hasn't come but baby seems content with the colostrum output so far) so I know I have to keep my calorie intake up but it's really difficult. 
    My biggest concern with these issues for you is you may end up with SEVERE constipation.  Please please take your stool softener every day
  • MamaRoni said:
    WiseUsagi said:
    Had a c-section in Thursday afternoon and got sent home from the hospital yesterday afternoon. I'm on Percocet and Ibuorofen for pain and Zofran to control nausea from pain medication. I can only take the Zofran every 8 hours but the Percocet is every 4 hours.

    I haven't been taking the max dose of Percocet but I do absolutely need it. (Tried being a hero and not taking it and omg thought I was dying) but I'm having a hard time controlling my nausea still. My appetite is pretty poor as well. Anyone ever have this issue/have any tips? I'm nursing (well milk still hasn't come but baby seems content with the colostrum output so far) so I know I have to keep my calorie intake up but it's really difficult. 
    My biggest concern with these issues for you is you may end up with SEVERE constipation.  Please please take your stool softener every day
    I've been religious with my stool softener but I think I may have to send DH out for some prune juice and miralax since I have not had a BM since Wednesday and my tummy is starting to be REALLY uncomfortable :( 
  • Can we talk about these babies sleeping at night? How are you getting sleep? My LO tends to spit up and it scares me to put her down and then me go to sleep while she does. I have seen her spit up a few times on her back and it looks like she is going to gag herself. But mama needs sleep, desperately!
  • crichb said:
    Can we talk about these babies sleeping at night? How are you getting sleep? My LO tends to spit up and it scares me to put her down and then me go to sleep while she does. I have seen her spit up a few times on her back and it looks like she is going to gag herself. But mama needs sleep, desperately!
    As a newborn, E slept on my chest a lot, it's the only way I could relax.. or in the rnp. We had severe reflux and it was stressful. Hang in there!
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