April & May 2008

[Vlada]

Hello Ladies,
My little girl Tesa Victoria was born on April 23rd ar 7 53 am, 6.5 pounds and 18.5 inches long!!!!!
The c section was very very quick, epidural didn't hurt at all, and i came back home this afternoon.
Tesa is doing well, however, she lost 7% of her birth weight and developed a little jundice ( sp?). My milk has not come in yet, so she is eating a lot of colostrum and a little bit of formula. Hopefully my milk will come in over the weekend.
I love her to death, she is the cutest thing, looks like my mom and has the longest lashes!!!!
Vlada

[Vlada]

BabyB,
CONGRATS ON YOUR BOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great names by the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vlada

[woodcliff]

Vlada...gorgeous name and girl! Congratulations!

Baby B: Oh, your boys are here! CONGRATULATIONS...best to you all

[Mandy J]

Vlada, congratulations, enjoy your little girl, its good to hear you had a nice birth, I'm sure the little one will put all the weight back on very quickly.



Mandy
x

[woodcliff]

Vlada, my little girl went from 5 lbs 10 oz down to 5 lbs 3 oz the first week...she only gained 1 oz when we 'tried' to get her to gain.

At her 3 week weigh in?
She was almost 7 pounds!

Tesa Victoria, gorgeous name, will regain her weight
Oh, and our girl had jaundice as well...she is fine now...it's so common!

ENJOY
PS: My milk never came in fully, so I quit pumping, but I put the babies to my breast a couple of times a day to 'calm' them...milk comes in for their sucking, but they still live on formula!
Yours will come in...I am so happy for you!

[Babyb]

Vlada: Congrats on your baby girl! I agree -- BEAUTIFUL NAME!

I too am awaiting my milk. As I write this, I am sitting in my hospital bed with the medela pump to my breast. I produced a respectable amount of collostrum (sp?) this morning, but last 2-3 pumps I can barely get a thing out. A bit worried as I must start producing for my twins. Both started eating for the first time today and both are little piglets already.

My twins couldn't have more different personalities. Halen is so curious -- eyes always very wide open looking around at absolutely everything. Asher has barely opened his eyes at all and is an avid sleeper. So funny to see the differences this early on.

Mandy, thanks for following my progress. You should be due any minute now, right? Can't wait to hear about your delivery.

Kipatte: How are you doing? Are you still swollen? Surprisingly, after my C-Section, my legs are MUCH MORE SWOLLEN than they were with the pre-eclampsia. Did this happen to you WC, Cocoa, Vlada, Rebecca, Robinsonpr, etc? Apparently, this is very common. My OB says that the water that is typically trapped in your uterus during pregnancy escapes to the extremities after birth. It is a very temporary condition lasting a week or two, but it sure is bizarre to me.

Haven't had much sleep. I've been up since 2:30 am and now it is 4:30 am. Totally exhausted and frustrated by my lack of milk (I know, I need to be patient). A bit scatter-brained right now so I'm going to close my eyes and grab a quick snooze while my boobs get tugged on by the medela symphony -- LOL

[woodcliff]

Baby B: so happy for you!

YES, I was MORE swollen with water...it was hideous.
BUT it went away after around 10 days or so...with the pain from the c-section (do NOT try to be 'brave' and go without the percocet, and when you want/need to get off of it, WEAN yourself off by taking 1-2 tablets toward the end and eating 1/4 to 1/2 of the tablet...it'll help you deal with the pain).

The good news is that I lost 50 pounds in 2 weeks...all water weight, I imagine...now I just have another oh, 35 to go??? (20 to get to where I started, and the other 15 as an additional.)

Wow...good for you re: the BFeeding...while I still feed to calm my babies, i never pumped a respectable amount so quit doing it...milk is there, but my babies DO live on formula.
BEST TO YOU AND YOUR BOYS. I love my boy...he is a total mommy's boy...my little girl is sooooooooooo sweet, less demanding, actually.... he is ALL BOY and just wants to eat eat eat and cuddle.

[Vlada]

Thank you guys !!!!!!!!!
I was sooooooo swollen after my c section, that is because they put me on IV right before the surgery and after for 24 hours. So, there was alot of fluid in my body, but it went down quite a bit, i can tell by my legs and especially my face.
They didn' t measure my weight in the hospital, so i don't know how much i 've lost, i guess i will find out at my OB appointment. Very curious about the amount.
Babyb, don't worry , you will get your milk, keep pumping, it should definitely help.
my milk has come in today !!!!!!! I am so happy!!!! But my nipples are a mess, all cracked and bloody
Anyboby else with damaged nipples?
Well, gotta go,
Mandy, can't wait to hear your news!!!!
Vlada

[Vlada]

Thank you guys !!!!!!!!!
I was sooooooo swollen after my c section, that is because they put me on IV right before the surgery and after for 24 hours. So, there was alot of fluid in my body, but it went down quite a bit, i can tell by my legs and especially my face.
They didn' t measure my weight in the hospital, so i don't know how much i 've lost, i guess i will find out at my OB appointment. Very curious about the amount.
Babyb, don't worry , you will get your milk, keep pumping, it should definitely help.
my milk has come in today !!!!!!! I am so happy!!!! But my nipples are a mess, all cracked and bloody
Anyboby else with damaged nipples?
Well, gotta go,
Mandy, can't wait to hear your news!!!!
Vlada

[Babyb]

Well, today is day 3 post birth. I'm still as swollen as a beached whale. In fact, I think the swelling is still getting worse. I just took a nap and woke up with really, really puffy eyes. Arms and legs are still bloated too. I don't recall any of this with my first pregnancy. 50 lbs in 2 wks WC? Must feel like a completely different person -- light as air. Was this the water weight that came in after the delivery or is some of this the pregnancy weight too? I think I ultimately gained 40 lbs with my twins, lost about 17 lbs in baby, placenta, etc. BUT I feel like I probably have gained a good 10-20 in NEW water weight.

Milk started coming in today, but boobs are totally engorged. I have ice packs on them in hopes of loosening up the congestion. By the way, this pumping is making me VERY HUNGRY!!!!!!!!! Need to get back on a healthy diet so I can get my body back, but damn is it hard with this kind of appetite. Wasn't even this interested in food when I was prego.

The boys are doing well. Both have jaundice now so they are baking under the lights. Asher's hair is turning completely platinum blonde and Halen's hair is getting blonde highlights. I have very dark hair and although my DH was blonde as a boy, he is dark-haired now.

OK, back to the pump and then to the NICU to visit my precious babes.

COCOA: How is your health coming along? Anything from the cardiologist?

For those of you on the eve of delivery, thinking of all of you and wishing you the best.

[kipatte]

Hi Everyone:

We delivered our little girl by c-section Thursday morning as planned. She weighed 7 lbs 13 ounces and was breech! came out butt first. We were all surprised since the midwife said she had been engaged for 3 weeks. My husband watched the whole thing. (he loves this stuff (he is a scientist)

She is so beautiful with a full head of black hair and gorgoeous eyes and lips. I can't quit looking at her. I was in the hospital until Sunday afternoon and the recovery has been slow.

My milk did not come in and she would not suck on my nipples but getting very mad so we gave her some formula. I am pumping regulary but still only 1 ounce at each pump from both breasts combined. She is taking formula and I am giving her snacks through the bottle of my little breast milk. She does not want my boobs at all.... just cuddles but won't suck on them. I don't get it.

Vlada... could not believe you went home the same day as your c-section. You must be in incredible shape. I was not even close to going home until Sunday. Congratulations!

Baby B.... yes my legs are unusually swollen after c-section and they were not that way during preg. I could not believe it! It's been a slow recovery. Since stairs are not my thing right now.... I am just living on the 3rd floor and my husband is brining me everything I need. This is an England thing...... so many stairs.

I'll go back and read the posts and hope I did not forget anyone.

K

[Cocoa]

Hi Girls!!!

You guys are so BLESSED!!!! Congratulations to all of you! I have been so busy that this is the first chance ia have had to read and respond... I am sure you are all about to see (if you haven't already) how hectic life can get with a new baby (or babies!)...

OK, so who's tired? I am exhausted!!! It's A-OK with me though cause I have waited so long for my babies that I would put up with anything (regarding the babies that is )...

Well, I lost 80 of my 90 pounds! I do have a bit of a belly but nothing much and the swelling is so much better. I have my echo on Friday so I will update you about my heart then. I do feel better being on the meds - still weak though (breathing and talking can be difficult).

OK, gotta go cause I have company...

Love you all...

oxoxCocoa

[rebeccaj]

hello ladies! sorry for being absent - there are just not enough hours in the day or hands on my body!! Congrats to everyone - we did it!! it is so good to hear all the stsories of healthy babies. We're all doing well - my girls are two weeks old today and I couldn't be happier (or tired-er!).... our girls have such different personalities..our little one is so laid back and calm while our bigger lady is very head strong and impatient (probably like her mother!!). we have our two week paediatrician appointment this afternoon so I am excited to see whether they are back to their birth weights. They are both feeding well so I hope so.....

...so how is everyone's schedule? we are breast feeding every third hour, then supplementing with more of my milk and then I have to pump for the next round.... it is so tiring ....we have the routine down now to about an hour and 15 mins which means the spare hour and 45 minues is dedicated to bottle cleaning, cuddles and washing...then it all starts again!! I'm finding it hard at night and keep missing the schedule but the babies re quick to wake me up when they're hungry!

As for swelling and weight - I have been really lucky. I gained a total of 45 lbs and have already lost 30. I still can't get my wedding ring back on but my tummy is almost flat again (no twin skin...yeah!!!) and I can see my ankles!!! My recovery from the c section has also been quick and I quit the percoset after 2 days of being home ... it was blocking me up (sorry...TMI) and that was more painful than anything!

Cocoa, hope you are doing ok, let us know how you get on with your next appointment - you poor thing, you really have been through the works.

OK, must dash and get the baby bag packed for their appointment.

Love and congrats to all

[Vlada]

Kipatee,
I had my surgery on Wednesday, but went home on friday at noon. I was still in pain, but now i feel sooooo much better. I have not done the stairs or driving yet, but that is just because i want to be on the safe side and not to pull any muscles.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BEAUTIFUL BABY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, my little one is very fussy, she doesn't like to sleep alone in her bassinnet, screams like crazy, as soon as i pick her up she is fine.
I don't mind her sleeping in my arms a couple of times a day, but at night i am going to teach her to sleep in her bassinet, it will be hard, i will have to let her cry , but i am determined. So, we will see how it will go.
Also, she is eating like crazy and she is a pooping machine
Vlada

[Babyb]

It sounds as if most of you ladies are losing all of your weight in no time at all. I always thought it took literally MONTHS for women to lose their pregnancy weight, but all of these stories on this board are amazing:

Cocoa: lost 80 of 90 lbs in about 3 weeks
WC: As I recall, didn't you lose about 40 lbs plus in a week or so
Rebecca: Lost 35 lbs in 2 wks (only 5 lbs to go)

I look at myself in the mirror and I want to cry regarding my body. I am so swollen and big and my belly is still pooching. What kind of results did you ladies experience in the first 4 days or so? Is it that I'll just dramatically drop in the next week or two? I don't recall any of this swelling with my little girl, but I also remember that it took a while to lose my weight (in fact, I always held onto 5 lbs) given all the stress with my DD's illness.

My appetite is insane! Is anyone else hungry all the time? I know pumping makes you tired and hungry, but this is insane. I want to eat more now than I did while prego. I keep telling myself I need to get on a healthy low carb (kick the desserts) diet. Hard to do any of this when you are in the hospital and can't imagine it will be that easy at home while I am trying to get settled in with the kids.

I'm really wondering how I'll manage going back to work (although I have no option). This is really a full time gig (I feel like I'm rushing just to get a quick shower in). I'm either pumping, boobing my boys, cleaning pump equipment, changing diapers or taking temps. I get a little cuddle time in as well. Would be nice just to chill and get some sleep with my kids, though. WHAT AM I COMPLAINING ABOUT, RIGHT COCOA?! We have all fought so hard for this -- all quality problems.