Due December 27th with baby #7
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December 2016 Moms
maamawaabangi
member
Due December 27th with baby #7
PP Healing & Wellness 12.12
maamawaabangi
member
How many weeks PP are you? How are you doing this week?
What does your support network look like (if you have one)? Do you feel supported?
Have you asked for help? What did that look like for you? Were people willing to help you?
If you haven't asked for help, why not?
As always, feel free to ask questions or talk about what is immediate to you and your postpartum healing… nursing, stitches, postpartum emotions, sleep…
Reading on topic … https://bearmamamedicine.com/blog/the-art-of-asking-for-help
Due December 27th with baby #7
Re: PP Healing & Wellness 12.12
My mom took this week off of work to help out. Honestly I love her and want her here, but I don't. I just want to veg out and hang out with my LO.
Our families are very helpful. I honestly don't know what I would have done if MIL hadn't stayed with us these past 11 days. She was incredibly supportive and helpful. Now I have to figure out how to be a wife AND mother.
My question is do any of you cosleep? Even if it's just for a little bit each night? LO will go down in her crib just fine but going back to sleep in the middle of the night is nearly impossible unless I'm laying right next to her..
Me:27 H:30
Till death do us part: 7.2.2011
Trying to conceive since 01.2014
Low AFC and azoospermia
IVF #1 03.2016 - BFP 03.28.2016
Due: 12.05.2016
My Mom stated with us for the first two weeks which was great. She was super helpful with laundry, cooking etc and it was just nice to have someone who knows what they're doing. Now that she's back home (12 hour drive away) our support is lacking a bit. But that's really just due to sickness, we've had a few friends back out of bringing meals due to colds, which is fine by me!
I haven't really felt the need to ask for help yet. I think DH and I are working well as a team. I handle most of the baby stuff (but he does do diapers and general holding etc when he's home) and he does household things (cooking and cleaning). Since I'm EBF at the moment this works well. DS is sleeping for 3-4 hour stretches at night so I don't mind being the only one waking up for that. I'm super happy that DH is doing all cleaning with no asking or prompting, it's a huge help!
The other thing I do is put a twin bed in the nursery and after I transition them at about 4 months to their own room/crib I nurse them at night there and about half the time end up sleeping there for bits of time in the night.
Due December 27th with baby #7
How many weeks PP are you? How are you doing this week?
1 week today. Physically still struggling through c section pain. Emotionally I think some moments with dd1 are getting better but I still get upset easily with her behaving poorly.
What does your support network look like (if you have one)? Do you feel supported?
My mom is here and is helpful but wasn't able to take time off work at all. She did take dd1 almost all weekend and that was huge. Mil is back (went away for the weekend). She's not super helpful though she says things like leave the dishes and laundry...but then doesn't do them. Well, she folded laundry today but not dishes (just bottles) so I did them. I also have to go to the other room to pump when she's here so that's annoying. I have to be away from both the kids just because she's here.
Have you asked for help? What did that look like for you? Were people willing to help you?
I asked my mom to take my 2.5 for a few hours both weekend days. That's the biggest help cuz we are all struggling to adapt.
If you haven't asked for help, why not?
How many weeks PP are you? How are you doing this week? 4 weeks. I'm hanging in there...
What does your support network look like (if you have one)? Do you feel supported? Guys, my husband is just the best. He is so hands on and genuinely believes that when he is home childcare and household duties should be split 50/50. I think this is how it's supposed to be, but I know many friends that aren't fortunate in this way in the husband department. He's my rock, and really the only person I lean on since depending on others isn't my comfort zone.
Have you asked for help? What did that look like for you? Were people willing to help you?
I told him yesterday I felt like all the hurdles/roadblocks of nursing and pumping was putting me on the edge of PPD/PPA. It became consuming both emotionally and time - we've had 5 appts about thrush/mastitis in 12 days and I'm emotionally drained that the hits keep coming.... he said he supports whatever will make me happier since I'm the literal wheels on this family wagon to keep it moving. Today we decided to move towards FF. I'm already relieved. Sad I never got my chance to nurse a baby, but the decreased stress and more time this decision gives me is worth much more (especially to DS1) than anything else. It's not a failure, it's a different plan than I imagined.... and with a preschooler and newborn twins I imagine there's a lot more of that to come!
If you haven't asked for help, why not? I'm not good at asking for help. I'm very independent and operate on a 'figure it out' mindset so me expressing that was a big move.
As always, feel free to ask questions or talk about what is immediate to you and your postpartum healing… nursing, stitches, postpartum emotions, sleep…
A friend told me today to not let myself become a martyr about feeding. It wasn't a mean spirited comment - she meant that I don't need to suffer to convince myself I'm doing what's best... what's best is what works for my family and my 3 year old has struggled the past few weeks with having so little of me. I needed that kick in the pants to change the way I thought about all of this. A suffering mommy helps NOBODY.
How many weeks PP are you? How are you doing this week?
4 weeks, doing so-so. Last night/early morning, I had another series of clots pass... it was pretty scary to be honest. I called the on-call doctor and she said to just keep an eye on it, and if I soak through 2 pads in 2 hours, to go to the emergency room. The first hour when the clots were passing I went through way more than 2 pads but for the next two hours it had slowed considerably. I think I'm still going to call the doctor tomorrow (later today) to see if they can advise me more on what to do now. I was already anemic... I'm sure this didn't help.
In general, we are still adjusting to life with a newborn. It's been really hard for my husband. He hasn't bonded with the baby at all, and he gets so frustrated when she cries and he isn't able to stop it. There have been times that he's yelled at her, which makes my mama bear instinct come out... which if it keeps happening, will probably not be too good for the marriage.
What does your support network look like (if you have one)? Do you feel supported?
Both my parents and DH's dad & step-mom live very close. I feel supported to an extent, but I don't know if their idea of "support" is "let me hold the baby so you can do X Y and Z around the house." I don't feel like that is the most supportive thing people can do at this point. They have all brought us food though, so that was nice. His mom offered to fly in from Florida to help us too... I politely declined because she tends to be a cause of stress rather than a reliever of it.
Have you asked for help? What did that look like for you? Were people willing to help you? If you haven't asked for help, why not?
I haven't really. I don't want to be a burden and I feel like unless something goes wrong, we can handle this phase. My parents did come over to watch the baby while we went out to dinner and ran a couple errands on Friday. She slept the whole time so they didn't really even do anything. Pretty annoying!
As always, feel free to ask questions or talk about what is immediate to you and your postpartum healing… nursing, stitches, postpartum emotions, sleep…
I'm doing better with BFing! She's learning how to latch and I'm getting more confident too. She's not quite emptying either breast yet (I pumped 4 oz after our most recent feeding), but I have some hope now that maybe our bottle days will eventually be behind us!
@DiFazette I'm so glad to hear you are feeling better - "a suffering mommy helps nobody" is something a lot of us need to keep in mind... myself included!
Due December 27th with baby #7
How many weeks PP are you? How are you doing this week? 2 Weeks 2 Days
What does your support network look like (if you have one)? Do you feel supported? Both of our parents have been helpful...my in laws (who live in town) brought food the first week, and my parents kept the older boys most of the first week and then again last weekend. Of course there is DH as well...he takes care of the older boys while I take care of DS3, and fortunately, he's been able to take off a decent amount as well. All in all, I feel pretty supported...they only thing that's starting to get to me is BFing at night. Having EP with our first two, I'm used to DH being able to take on some of the night feeds. Now he can't, and that starts to frustrate me a good bit towards the end of the night/early morning around 7:00 or so.
Have you asked for help? What did that look like for you? Were people willing to help you? Not really. I actually declined help from my parents last week. DH had to work long hours a couple of days, and they offered to come down. I refused because it would have actually been more work/more stressful for me for them to be down here (the older boys tend to get more wired/act out and its not restful).
If you haven't asked for help, why not? I haven't asked because my family has been really great about offering.
DH: 36⎹ Me: 36
How many weeks PP are you? How are you doing this week?
3 weeks and 1 day. I am doing good, just tired. My bleeding has pretty much stopped and now just a yellow discharge most of the day. I am overwhelmed just being at home with DS, but have come to realize this is how it will be for another month and some. This FTM stuff is no joke... I have had my moments in tears when I just don't know what to do when he starts crying and every option it could be has been checked off... and know they could just cry just cos - no reason.
What does your support network look like (if you have one)? Do you feel supported?
DH has been good, but sometimes I don't think he understands how tough it is to be home all day (minus his lunch visits) and how little time I have for anything BUT DS. He probably understands it more than I think, but doesn't show it. He takes the early shift for sleep ad I get up around 2:30-3 so he can get some sleep before he goes off to work. So, it's something. He's been a good FTD, but feel he could do more. I don't know what more, but something.
Have you asked for help? What did that look like for you? Were people willing to help you?
Not directly, but my parents are here (live in the same city) to help when we need it, like to watch him to run errands or something now that it's bitterly cold so we (I) don't have to go out with him. They have offered to watch him whenever we need it, which is nice. They have offered before I have asked. And surprisingly, my IL's have been good too, which I thought we wouldn't get much help from since they have 4 other nephews and help my SIL and BIL whenever they need it; and we'd get no time. So, it's there.
TTC Since: November 2015
BFP: March 31, 2016
DS: November 21, 2016
How many weeks PP are you? How are you doing this week? 4 weeks + 4 days. I'm doing a lot better physically. I have no more discomfort from my incision or belly, which is nice. My C-shelf has gone down dramatically and will probably be gone in another month. I can fit in my pre-pregnancy clothes and that's a nice confidence boost.
Emotionally I am getting better, especially with the medicine for anxiety, but I have days still where I get weirded out. I am trying to find a balance between taking my Xanax or not at night. When I take it, I don't have nightmares. But it relaxes me so much that I'm afraid of not waking when Ashton needs me. Then in turn, I have nightmares. It's frustrating.
What does your support network look like (if you have one)? Do you feel supported?
DH is honestly my biggest support and he has been awesome. Amazing. He is on a month-long break from school which is wonderful because these early weeks are when I need the most help. He's eager to help and to let me sleep.
My birthday is on Thursday, but DH made some special plans for us on Friday and he asked my parents if they could watch Ashton for a few hours. They said yes. It will be nice to not be constantly breastfeeding for a little bit, and for us to go on a real date since Ash was born, but there are feelings of uneasiness and guilt. I have no doubt they will treat Ashton fine, but my relationship with them makes it hard for me to ask for help since they seem to disappoint me a lot and I didn't have the best childhood. DH thinks we should take advantage of the help while we can (until we move in 2018), and I know he's right...just emotions.
Have you asked for help? What did that look like for you? Were people willing to help you?
We have asked friends and didn't get much of a response except from one friend. We asked my parents and they are pretty much just interested in Ashton and blew my health off and did a bunch of "Well as long as Ashton is safe nothing else matters" stuff, although they are watching him on Friday.
Really disappointed in my FIL and Step-MIL right now because they said they were going to come visit to help, but they haven't talked to us or reached out since (last month) despite me sending baby pictures via text. They had mentioned wanting to visit on the 18th...less than a week away. They are great people so I'm just confused as to what happened.
We asked in specifics too, like for meals, help with chores, etc...but whatever, I guess.
If you haven't asked for help, why not?
The irony for me is that I prefer to do things on my own and I don't ask for help often because whenever I do ask for help, I end up disappointed. Then I feel guilty for being disappointed. This situation just reminded me of why I like to be alone.
How many weeks PP are you? How are you doing this week?
I'll be 2 weeks tomorrow. Starting the last couple days I've been doing much better. I developed mastitis last Friday and that was terrible. I also had a much more painful recovery from this c-section than from the last and that really caught me off guard. However, I've been off all pain meds for 3 days or so now so I feel better about that
What does your support network look like (if you have one)? Do you feel supported?
I have a great support network. First and foremost is DH - he is truly amazing. He took a month off for paternity leave and is splitting everything with me 50/50. The first week he was pulling way more than his 50% while I was recovering more
Have you asked for help? What did that look like for you? Were people willing to help you?
My parents as well as my FIL came into town over the first 9 days PP for a few days each and were all very helpful cooking, cleaning, helping with our 2yo.... I put more pressure on myself than I needed to but I'm just like that when there are visitors in my home. I wish I'd rested more but it was hard
If you haven't asked for help, why not?
Last go around I really didn't; this time I had no choice, I was literally hijacked by the pain at times
As always, feel free to ask questions or talk about what is immediate to you and your postpartum healing… nursing, stitches, postpartum emotions, sleep…
Now that it is just DH and I we're trying to find our new normal. The mastitis has eased, trying to decide whether to keep exclusively pumping or give breastfeeding another go. My 2wk PP appt today was Great! Dr said I look fantastic and was impressed at my healing. We discussed my recovery and pain this time, although that's really a non-issue now. Got cleared to drive. No need to go back at 6wks, just for my next annual exam, which isn't until May! No exercise, etc, until 6wks, as expected. Now I'm just trying to figure out me....
How many weeks PP are you? How are you doing this week?
Two weeks and two days PP. I'm doing okay. Physically, my healing is going really well. Bleeding has mostly stopped; I might have had the world's easiest C-section recovery too. I kept expecting the suffering/difficulties to happen but they never really did. I was off pain meds after a week. My main physical gripe is my BP is still up and I'm having to take BP medication that makes my vision SO blurry.
What does your support network look like (if you have one)? Do you feel supported?
I live in Alabama and all our family is in Georgia so there's not really any support to reach out for unfortunately. DH is back at work and thus it's mostly me running this show. I've been trying to do the "sleep when baby sleeps" as much as possible. He was deeply unhappy after dinner until after midnight last night so we slept in the living room so DH could get some rest for work.
DH is still getting the hang of the dad thing (I mean so am I with the FTM situation as well, I'm on no high horse here). He's doing so great and purposing to be as supportive as he can. He would take every shift regardless of having to go to work if I asked, but I am trying to shoulder the bulk so he's able to do his job. Last night, while I was having a power nap, baby wouldn't stop crying though and he got really frustrated and angry at the baby so we're going to have to work on that. Kind of sucks because he's my main support system, but I need to trust him to keep his head even when the baby is being difficult.
Have you asked for help? What did that look like for you? Were people willing to help you?
Honestly, I would love for some help but I don't know how to/who to ask. My in laws are coming next week, and I'm hoping they will help, but step-MIL got weird at the hospital when baby was taken to the NICU and insisted they go home early. FIL told my SIL that she was mad about something and made up plans she didn't have to insist they go home. So with that in mind, I have no idea how this visit is going to go. I'm thinking it might just be a pass the baby visit and I'm already dreading having to get the house ready for guests. I'd love to ask them for help but step-MIL has this unusual type of personality that I can't read at all - I literally cannot gauge any emotion from her, it's like a iron wall/blank face situation. She doesn't like our dogs and the cats hiss at her too, so it's entirely possible they might be packing up to leave prematurely again, I don't know.
If you haven't asked for help, why not?
I'm not really comfortable asking for help, and honestly I'm afraid of getting my feelings hurt if I reach out and nothing happens. I've thought about asking my younger sister if she wants to come help while she's off from school, but I'd have to navigate around her social life, her parents' joint custody holiday plans agreement, etc. etc. Also when she held Eaton for the first time in the NICU was the first time she'd held a baby so there's also that.
As always, feel free to ask questions or talk about what is immediate to you and your postpartum healing… nursing, stitches, postpartum emotions, sleep…
I'm just tired, honestly. Not depressed or anxious or hurting, just kind of burnt out today. Baby has been sleeping all day again which is what he did before he went full-kraken last night, so I'm kind of one-eyeing him in fear I might have another night like last night. I miss snuggling with DH and sleeping longer than two hours at a time. I feel like my day is just a constant repetition of activities - pump, make formula, combine, change baby, feed, burp, get him back to sleep, wash bottles/pump parts, dry bottles/pump parts, repeat. I wasn't 100% sure if today was even Wednesday or Thursday, I had to check. Any advice on how to thrive again? I know my situation is a good one, and my blessings are great, I'm just having a hard time powering through to the happy place right now.
Wish you had a stronger support system nearby. This is such a rough job but I think on some level we moms are biologically equipped to be able to get through it for the little ones. Hang in there!
Re cosleeping: I have been sleeping on a comfortable recliner since coming home on Friday. I go to sleep around 10, and DH hangs out with Lucas until about midnight. Then he changes his diaper and delivers him to me. He has been sleeping on my chest. This is mostly because when he spits up, he has a little trouble clearing it out, but he is getting better at it and when it doesn't happen anymore we will go back to my room. Other than that, I do sleeping exactly as @maamawaamangi does it. I am hoping to get back to our normal but am worried about Lucas doing his spitup choke thing.
How many weeks PP are you? How are you doing this week?
I am 1 week pp as of yesterday. I wish I were doing a little better, I have had a big setback in my CS healing because my incision became infected. Also, I have mastitis. I have never experienced either of these, and this is my 3rd child. So I know where I should be healing-wise, but it feels like I am more like 2 days PP instead of 8. I started antibiotics on Tuesday evening, and as of last night I started getting little itchy bumps on my arms and back. I am allergic to Amoxicillin and Sulfa, and it looks like I am having an allergic reaction to this one as well. It would be nice if I could have 1 day where I really feel like I am making progress toward healing and recovering.
What does your support network look like (if you have one)? Do you feel supported?
My mom has been helping with my older children, bringing meals, and doing my dishes. She has been very helpful, and will be driving us to appointments next week as DH will be out of town. A couple of friends have brought us a meal, and a good friend came over to help DH give DS a bath, and also make some soup for my kids. My DDs (10 and 5) have been helping a lot more than they usually do, they have regular chores but have been stepping it up in dishes, laundry, making their own lunches and breakfasts. DH has been overall really great, unfortunately while he is supposed to be on paternity leave, he has been working from home all week. Which means that things like laundry, dishes, and the house have been suffering.I have been doing some chores, probably too many, but if I start to feel tired or in pain then I take a break. Overall, I feel supported, and DH is great about changing diapers, burping, and hanging out with Lucas. But DH can get a little grumpy during night time changes (especially because Lucas keeps peeing on him!), I told him I could do it without him and to get some rest last night. I can nap during the day, whereas he has to work and try to keep the house clean. Lucas only wakes about twice a night for feeding/changing anyway, so it is not bad at all. I feel supported, but wish my house were as clean as I normally keep it.
Have you asked for help? What did that look like for you? Were people willing to help you?
I have asked my mom for help with driving us to appointments while DH is out of town for work next week. My friends have offered food, and a few have offered help in other ways.
If you haven't asked for help, why not?
I plan on asking for help with taking my DDs out of the house next week, I have a couple of friends and my mom who are willing to take them just to get out of the house. I am not allowed to drive yet, and I know they need to get out.
As always, feel free to ask questions or talk about what is immediate to you and your postpartum healing… nursing, stitches, postpartum emotions, sleep…
Last night when I showered, I tried my best to clean my incision, but it is really depressing. Also, the doctor that did my c-section kind of did a hack job. My doctor is normally very reserved and positive but she was really upset at how he put me back together. I am trying to look on the up side of everything, but everyday has presented a new problem with my health since I gave birth last week.
Also... I know one of our best ways of getting help is for my husband to ask for it... often I'm hesitant to ask... sometimes out of pride (or really thinking "I should be able to do this on my own"). Then, I agree with some of you who stated that when you've shared people still dont' seem to get it and don't help. It's discouraging. But, when my husband asks or tells people about the reality of our situation it's like people take more pity or think "Oh gosh they must really need help." if the husband/dad is voicing it... and are more ready to offer it.
Also about daddy adjustments... maybe we should have that as a topic...
I know that it can be very frustrating for men/dads to not have ANY tools (boobs... instincts... connection) to use to fix a problem ... and some men struggle more with temper control due to their upbringing or physiology. I know I'm bordering on being sexist...
I don't have any quick fixes for that other than to keep affirming them as a father and also help them find their own set of tools... our 1st was a crazy, fussy, easy over-stimulated baby... if she got the least bit over-stimulated her first 4 months it was too far gone and she would have crying jags for hours. My dh learned that if he put her on her tummy (along his forearm and bounced her or walked with her) she would quiet down and relax ... she wouldn't for me if I tried that same thing... maybe it was his broader arm or something?
Additionally, I tried to always be gracious if he was "at the end of his rope" and not make it about "us" (or shame or act upset with him)... so he felt ok saying he'd had enough and being honest with each other about our own limits... or even just having "that" between us. I figure if I was in that "place" I'd just want my partner to say "I know babe, it's hard, let me take her for awhile... you did good."
Lastly, make sure he knows that its ALWAYS ok to put a baby down in a crib, walk out, close the door and let them cry. While you probably don't want to make that a habit (CIO) it is the best way to deal with a fussy baby when you or your spouse can't handle it and have tried everything (sometimes it ends up being the solution even) ... no shame in walking away and taking a moment (take a shower or drink some tea). And it's a FAR better tactic than screaming at a baby, that never helps ... or doing something far worse!
Due December 27th with baby #7
Usually for me it went ...
"Ok, if she "goes kraken" I'll try all the main things (feed, change, burp, rock)... but if that doesn't help I'll hold her calmly in the rocking chair or walk around with her for an hour. After an hour if she's still crying I'll give myself a break and lay her down in her crib while I take a shower for 15 min... (or rest or whatever would help you most). Then I'll get her again, if she's still crying and try feeding her again. Then we will try a bath. Then I'll put her down again for 15 min..." That way I felt like I wasn't a victim to a squalling dictator or had a plan for self-care while dealing with my baby lovingly. I would also change my thoughts to being negative ... Like: "I've been at this for 2 hours... I'm so tired... I just want to sleep... I didn't sign up for this...) to thinking things like: "Poor baby. He is really struggling. I know I can't fix this, but at least I can be present for them while they struggle... It's my job to do what I know and then just let them learn to work it out... or pray or sing over them.)
Also... at least with my "fusser" the issue wasn't solved by all the regular recommended things... bouncing, white noise/shushing and anything stimulating (lights, TV, music) That would make it 100x worse... she needed me to anticipate her need for sleep, and get her to sleep before she "went kraken" because most of the normal baby techniques only further stimulated her further. Swaddling, putting her in a ring sling and walking her (or very mildly rocking in a chair) in a dark/quiet room was about the only thing that worked... basically trying to douplicate an external womb... but with less stimulation. If you see your little one with WIDE eyes or if they repeatedly have cycles of crash (sleep for like 15-30 min), fuss, crash, fuss... to me that indicates a baby who doesn't do well with stimulation or know how to "shut down" on their own.
Due December 27th with baby #7
Our DD was also easily over stimulated, we had to put a blanket over her esp in public to get her to get/stay calm- worked great!
@Toller that's comforting. Sometimes having an end in sight or an improvement in sight helps with perspective. Just taking it one step at a time.
Anyway, I feel like there is something hanging out just inside my vagina - not all the time but I've noticed it here and there. Is this normal? It almost feels like there is a clot that i am holding inside with a kegel even though im not holding anything in. Also I'm still bleeding similar to a period, which i figure is expected. Just wondering if anyone else has exprienced the weird feeling of something just inside there, and if i should bother calling my doc again. She wasnt concerned with my 4th week clot incident so... i dunno. Sorry if this doesn't make much sense. Mommy brain is in full effect today.
Definitely talk to your Ob, and ask if there is massaging that you should be doing. And of course about the size/frequency of the clots. I know I felt bloated and crampy 2hrs pp when they discovered that my clots weren't coming out. They had to do a 3 person press/massage, including my Ob's hand in me stretching my cervix and helping them out. It wasn't pretty.
You can never be too cautious when it comes to pregnancy and pp, don't hesitate to call your Ob.
After barely bleeding since being home from the hospital I just started bleeding and passing clots.
It can feel strange in that region for months... that said, given your experiences I wouldn't hesitate to demand to see someone... and remember that increased bleeding usually indicates you're needing to heal more and take it easier. Hugs!
Due December 27th with baby #7
How many weeks PP are you? How are you doing this week?
11 days. I'm doing pretty good. DH went back to work this week, but his office is letting him work from home for the next few weeks so he's around even if he's not able to help out as much as he did the first week we were home. I am tired more than anything else, and trying to figure out how to make sure I'm getting enough sleep and also doing something more than just serving as a milk factory. It's a delicate balance. The days when he sleeps well are definitely better and I feel pretty human. Last night he was pretty fussy and wanted to nurse more frequently, and today I'm just dragging. Physically I am healing well - my bleeding stopped after about a week. I do have some soreness that I think is related to the catheter they put in. Has anyone else experienced this? It's like the muscles around my urethra are sore. I don't have any pain while peeing so I'm 99% sure it's not a UTI - I've suffered through enough of those to spot the symptoms.
What does your support network look like (if you have one)? Do you feel supported?
Right now it's mainly DH and friends we have in the area. So far a couple of people have brought food by, and one of my close friends is organizing a meal drop off for a couple times a week for us. Both of our sets of parents will be here over Christmas - mine are arriving next week and leaving right after Christmas, and DH's mom will be here the following week through the new year. My sister will be here in January - one of my nephews is having some medical issues or else she would have come up sooner. It will be nice to have the extra help. We're doing okay well feeding ourselves but the house is pretty much a disaster.
Have you asked for help? What did that look like for you? Were people willing to help you? If you haven't asked for help, why not?
We haven't asked for additional help other than what has been offered. Our friends mostly have small kids so they know how hard it can be and they have been great. I am more concerned about help when DH goes back to the office full time - that will be tough. But, we actually found out we got into our top choice for day care. They only have 6 infant slots and they prioritize federal employees, so we thought LO would be a toddler before we got a spot there. The downside is that the spot is open 6 weeks before we need it, and we have to pay for it. But, the silver lining will be that we can take time to get him acclimated before he has to be there full time. I'll be able to drop him off for an hour or so here and there if I need to run errands or if I just need a little time for myself. Of course I say this now, but I'm sure when it comes time I won't want to leave him at all!
@ajstevenson @yellingbanana @maamawaabangi thanks for the feedback! I left a voicemail with my OB but figure i wont hear anything back until Monday unless I call the on-call line. Til then, I rest!
I hemoraged quite a bit after having my 3rd... blood was literally running out of me while I sat on the toilet. Luckily it stopped with some pitocin and having some fluids, but I looked like a ghost for months (so pale!) and my healing time (PP bleeding) was doubled. I dealt with some severe PPD after that birth too and always wonder if how i was physically effected me emotionally/mentally.
Due December 27th with baby #7
So... i just felt a bulge protruding slightly from my vagina (felt it when wiping after using the restroom) and after googling I am pretty sure i have a prolapse of some sort. Anyone have experience with this or suggestions on what I can do to calm down until i hear back from the doc? Im more than a little nervous.
Due December 27th with baby #7
I spoke with my OB this morning (he actually gave me his cell phone # which made me happy) and he wants me to come in on Monday for a look. In the meantime, I should do some Keges and try not to worry. I found this article to be encouraging and not as "doom and gloom" as some others out there: https://www.todaysparent.com/pregnancy/the-truth-about-pelvic-prolapse/
Sharing in case anyone else is dealing with this too!
I also have the weird sensation when I pee, and it is totally from the catheter. This was my 3rd c-section, and it's happened with all 3. It's a little painful I think because the muscles got messed with and now they're trying to adjust back to normal. It should go away by 1 month or so pp. but like I always add, I'm no doctor so don't be scared to ask yours
@ea301 don't worry about taking over a thread, that's what we, and the threads, are for: community communication and support. Besides, I totally took over the Monday BF and feel no shame.
Thanks to all you ladies for being so supportive, seriously!!