Breastfeeding & Pain
My colostrum came in before Sasha was born, so she got that. It helped her meconium start passing right away. My breastmilk came in within 48 hours. Textbooks say it can take about 4 days. Within 24 hours or so of that, I was engorged and swearing that I had enough milk to feed a third world country. I still get engorged, but it has calmed down a bit. I swear my breasts had tripled in size, overnight! Sasha is a real pro at breastfeeding and is having plenty of wet and dirty diapers so we know she is getting what she needs.
When I left the hospital, I got my discharge instructions (and Sasha's). They gave me 2 prescriptions. One for 800 mg Ibuprofen and the other for Percoset. I remember wondering why I would need percoset. Besides, you all know my stance on drugs. I made it through my pregnancy and birth without drugs, why would I start taking them now... while I'm breastfeeding?
As for the why, though... Well, it has almost stopped now, but I get cramps all through my abdomen and back when I nurse. It is my body working its way back into place. It really hurts! In the hospital, I had them bringing me warm blankets for my back and belly while I nursed. I never even unfolded them. Once I was done nursing and they weren't warm - I didn't need them anymore.
I was just dealing for a while at home, but I finally had Elmo get my corn bag. He heated it and put it on my back for me. That helped. The cramps are pretty mild now, so I've been doing fine with them.
Then there is my hip / top of my right leg. This is the reason I was unable to sleep in bed for the last month or two of my pregnancy. When we set a date to induce labor, I was excited that I only had one night left sleeping downstairs. Then I didn't even sleep, I went into labor.
Now I've come home and I still can't sleep in bed. I can manage it for an hour or two, but I can hardly get out of bed on my own when I do. My hip hurts SO much to move! I slept in bed for an hour or two in the night and when I woke, I had to push myself out of bed with my hands, I couldn't pick myself up at the hips. As if that wasn't bad enough, I decided to nap on my side today. I had to get Elmo to help me up when I woke. I was in tears. It hurts and it is frustrating. It hadn't even occurred to me that it might not go away after birth. I think the nap may have jacked me up for the day. I'm extra stiff and having a hard time getting up and down. I usually change diapers in the floor, so that sucks!
So, long story short, I'm having a rough day. Sasha is still absolutely beautiful and perfect. I washed her hair again today. She just looked around while I held her like a football over the sink. I swear I could just sit and watch her all day, even while she sleeps. She serves as my reminder that the pain is/was worth it. It will go away and then just her perfect little self will remain. I sure would like to get past this pain, though!
I didn't have any protein with breakfast and I forgot to take my vitamin, so now I've had a protein-rich lunch with my vitamin. I'm hoping this will help my attitude.
When I left the hospital, I got my discharge instructions (and Sasha's). They gave me 2 prescriptions. One for 800 mg Ibuprofen and the other for Percoset. I remember wondering why I would need percoset. Besides, you all know my stance on drugs. I made it through my pregnancy and birth without drugs, why would I start taking them now... while I'm breastfeeding?
As for the why, though... Well, it has almost stopped now, but I get cramps all through my abdomen and back when I nurse. It is my body working its way back into place. It really hurts! In the hospital, I had them bringing me warm blankets for my back and belly while I nursed. I never even unfolded them. Once I was done nursing and they weren't warm - I didn't need them anymore.
I was just dealing for a while at home, but I finally had Elmo get my corn bag. He heated it and put it on my back for me. That helped. The cramps are pretty mild now, so I've been doing fine with them.
Then there is my hip / top of my right leg. This is the reason I was unable to sleep in bed for the last month or two of my pregnancy. When we set a date to induce labor, I was excited that I only had one night left sleeping downstairs. Then I didn't even sleep, I went into labor.
Now I've come home and I still can't sleep in bed. I can manage it for an hour or two, but I can hardly get out of bed on my own when I do. My hip hurts SO much to move! I slept in bed for an hour or two in the night and when I woke, I had to push myself out of bed with my hands, I couldn't pick myself up at the hips. As if that wasn't bad enough, I decided to nap on my side today. I had to get Elmo to help me up when I woke. I was in tears. It hurts and it is frustrating. It hadn't even occurred to me that it might not go away after birth. I think the nap may have jacked me up for the day. I'm extra stiff and having a hard time getting up and down. I usually change diapers in the floor, so that sucks!
So, long story short, I'm having a rough day. Sasha is still absolutely beautiful and perfect. I washed her hair again today. She just looked around while I held her like a football over the sink. I swear I could just sit and watch her all day, even while she sleeps. She serves as my reminder that the pain is/was worth it. It will go away and then just her perfect little self will remain. I sure would like to get past this pain, though!
I didn't have any protein with breakfast and I forgot to take my vitamin, so now I've had a protein-rich lunch with my vitamin. I'm hoping this will help my attitude.