Things no one told me about a newborn... - Page 5

Calla_Lily1975 · 01-22-2006, 09:01 AM

If you want an epidural, get one. If you don't, don't. If you said you wouldn't get one, and you do, so what? You are not a failure if you need an epi. My mom shamed me for having one. I told her that she could go to hell because I was in pain and I wanted the epi. She shut up. It was great!

Stitches hurt! Take the pain meds they give you, even if you bf.

BF'ing is hard! If you can't, it's okay.

If you don't understand what the doc is telling you to do, ask questions! Ask why. Ask what the alternative treatments are.

It's okay to wear maternity pants for weeks and weeks after birth. My belly didn't go down for a long time.

naomi123 · 01-22-2006, 12:51 PM

Great thread!

jmosery · 01-22-2006, 04:36 PM

i don't have anything to add, but 1) i wanted to save this thread, its great

thanks for the person who started it

and 2) THANK YOU for all those who posted. such great information. its nice to hear the truth

and remember, everyone does it over and over again, so although it may seem bad, can't be that bad
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Indira · 01-22-2006, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calla_Lily1975

It's okay to wear maternity pants for weeks and weeks after birth. My belly didn't go down for a long time.

not just weeks...months too.

I still wear my maternity jeans, not the ones with the whole belly cut out but the ones with the thick elastic waist band. The elastic helps hold back my roll.

MaggieM · 01-22-2006, 08:49 PM

RE: Pain Medications during/after labor

This is a personal choice and different people will have different experiences... just wanted to share my choices & outcomes so you are aware of the possibilities...

Early Labor- told them at the hospital my pain was an 8 out of 10 so they wouldn't send me home (was 80% effaced only 1.5cm). Got a shot of Nubain in the morning worked great. Got another in the afternoon, worked great. Got the epidural late afternoon, worked great. They stopped my epidural 1/2 hour before delivering so I could push and I actually could feel the baby coming out. There was no pain, I could just feel it and it made the moment more special to me.

After Labor- took IB 800 around the clock, every 4 hours. Also took Percodan... major relief especially for that first shower. I took them both for the first week pp. If you are in pain, take something. It will be such a hard week and stress and pain DO NOT MIX!

My baby didn't have any excessive drowsiness from the pain meds, no problems latching, bf, etc. Now they did tell me Demerol is much more likely to cause these problems. Educate yourself on your pain medication options if you are choosing to use them. In fact educate yourself anyway because you cannot plan your labor & delivery... you NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'LL GO THROUGH - be aware of all possible situations.

Just some input for when you are considering your options.

wyatt9673 · 01-22-2006, 09:17 PM

This thread should become a sticky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bonnieboo · 01-22-2006, 10:05 PM

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Interesting article.

momo3 · 01-22-2006, 11:39 PM

For you:
1) Stool softeners are a god-send, especially if you've had a big tear or a c-section (I'm told.) I had a 4th degree tear w/my 1st & was on them for 6wks!! I never had any problems w/bm--no pain at all. The doc didn't offer w/my 2nd or 3rd, so I asked for them & he obliged. He said he just didn't think about it. I only took them for a few days the last 2 times, but, again, no pain in the bathroom.
2) If you're b/fing keep a big jug of water or whatever you like to drink near your favorite nursing chair. You'll be amazed how thirsty you get while your baby is nursing! And you definitely don't want to have to disturb a well-latched-on infant to get yourself a drink! Also, keep the phone, remote control, and/or a book nearby as well.
3) Your breasts might NOT leak, so hold off on buying breast pads 'til you need them. I still have a whole box unopened in my bathroom!
4) You will survive! There will be days that will pass in a blur and definitely times that you will feel overwhelmed with responsibility, but you'll make it. You've waited your whole life to love that little baby & you, your DH & he or she will make it through just fine.
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For baby:
1) Gowns are a wonderful thing; they make nighttime diaper changes soooo much easier and even little babies tend not to swim in them.
2) A binky likely won't hurt b/fing and might just save your sanity!
3) Babies prefer bottles to b/fing b/c the bottles flow faster & they don't have to work as hard to get their fill. If you're having to switch back & forth, try to find a bottle that makes them suck as hard as they do at the breast. Playtex worked well for us; I've heard Avent is good, too.

Good luck & best wishes on happy healthy babies!!!!
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Lynnz · 01-23-2006, 01:09 AM

Couple things -
You know you will bleed after giving birth - you just don't know how MUCH you'll bleed (yikes- why oh why didn't anyone tell me about the volume???)

Don't follow the books you read to a "t" - every baby is different - some are happy, some cranky, some sensitive, some not sensitive, some hate baths, some love them from day 1. Just go with what you feel is right.

Someday you will sleep again - I promise (I'm not sure exactly when you get to "sleep in" but you will sleep!) LOL

jsr72 · 01-23-2006, 01:45 AM

Unfortunately, I have nothing to add since I'm expecting my first. This thread has been GREAT!!!!! Such helpful info. What amazes me is that so many of you wrote about the pure, unconditional love for your babies! Thank you for sharing your stories.

DIZZYLUV1012 · 01-23-2006, 02:30 AM

This Is Really A Great Thread I Can't Wait To Read More! I Will Soon Be Needing All This Advise.

Christa01 · 01-23-2006, 02:35 AM

Babies are great little people and you will love them so much AND you will NOT forget them in the car, in the buggie at the store, in the house or anywhere else...all you will do is make sure they are ok so don't listen to the horror stories about people who forgot the baby somewhere.

Babies are also very durable, they won't break! You will be amazed at how the hospital staff will flip them around and flop them around. It will scare you and you will want to protect them from those evil nurses and doctors but I guess they know what they are doing and have never hurt one of my little ones or anyone's that I know of.

If you baby needs a heel stick to take blood for a bili level or blood sugar level then ask them to take them to somewhere that you can't see or hear they cry, it is awful to see your little one getting their heel poked for those things...they will give a little stick and then squeeze and squeeze their little feet until they are purple.

Christa

MaggieM · 01-23-2006, 02:49 AM

Something positive...

When your baby smiles at you for the first time you will melt into a million little pieces... you will forget everything else in the world for that moment.
That alone makes all those sleepless nights worth it!

kwannabee · 01-23-2006, 03:47 AM

Where was this thread 6 months ago??!!

i just thought id add a few things...

if you take shoes to the hospital they might not fit...those feet and ankles balloon up to the size of treetrunks and last about 2 weeks...so take open toed or larger sizes...

...nailclippers
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i've found that no matter how close i trim his nails he always scratches himself with those invisible little picky corners...often drawing blood! So now after i feed him and he's dopey
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i chew on the corner of his nails with my teeth...its the only way i can keep him from scarring himself during his sleeptime! and i keep a pair of socks on his hands too otherwise he wakes himself from scratching and hurting himself...

the best thing i ever bought was from
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a nursing pillow that was unbelievable!!! The boppy was a pain in the butt...it never stayed in place and i was fighting with it ALLLL the time...ticked me off!!

i dealt with the two hour feeding schedule much better when i read how it is actually mother natures way of baby not sucumbing to SIDS...its the bodys natural way of taking care of itself cuz food is digested so quickly and waking up is cuz they have to refuel...so when he woke up i told myself WHEW...finally!!! I just kept telling myself he's waking up cuz he's supposed to...so deal with it. For me...it made it easier to handle...
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and breastfeeding...if you have a nurse who sees you struggling and is willing and overly 'touchy' with you...let her!!! Before i saw it coming my nurse Violet grabbed my boob and pushed Logan on and because of her i had him latched on within minutes...to heck with personal space...take advantage of those nurses...bond with ONE of them and she will treat you like GOLD!!!!
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lilpeanut · 01-23-2006, 05:53 AM

There is nothing more comforting than letting your sweet little angel sleep on your chest so that you can hold him/her close and feel your entire body just SMILE....