Postpartum...No one told me this!

So if you don't like knowing the gross, unmentionable things of postpartum recovery...don't read this one. That means, you family. You don't need to know these things. Friends in real life...you probably don't want to know this as well.


I really won't be graphic. But let's be real.

I had both kinds of delivery, as you know. So that may make my recovery a little unique but I think my advice could be useful.

Vaginal Delivery

I never had pain with the episiotomy really. I know lots of my friends have told me about the soreness and pain "down there" but I think I was in so much pain with the C-section incision that I hardly noticed what was going on in the nether regions.

Although I didn't feel pain, I religiously used the spray they gave me in the hospital. It was a spray for cuts and burns. I used it mainly because they told me to but I didn't want to know what that pain felt like. I also used Tucks pads. I HIGHLY recommend a stool softener and Miralax. I had bad hemorrhoids before delivery and they were only going to get worse if I didn't take control of the digestive area.

Thanks to some Dulcolax in the hospital from my favorite nurse Katie...I had my first movement in the hospital. I didn't suffer like many other women do. When you are pregnant (because you WILL be, I know it!), ask for a suppository in the hospital. It made my life SO much better.

I just love the "sexy" underwear they gave me in the hospital. So comfy! I wore those fancies for a couple of weeks because I stole hoarded borrowed them. (I found that if supplies went away whether it was for baby or me, they were restocked the next day. I made sure supplies disappeared every night!)

I unfortunately had postpartum bleeding for 5 weeks! I thought for sure it would have been shorter since I also had C-section but nope! I was able to gradually get off of those diaper sized pads though.

C-Section Info

I think the Dulcolax made my life amazing in the hospital because of the gas relief. I had no idea that the worst pains of delivery could be the intense gas pains from the C-section. I mean we are talking pain that brings moans out and tears to my eyes. All from gas! In fact, my first night in the hospital, I swore babies were still in my stomach. I was feeling movement and pain just like before they were born. Luckily, just some trapped air...ha!

I didn't have staples or visible sutures from surgery. Everything was on the inside and dissoluble. I hear this is preferred for a quick recovery! I had my bandage taken off the evening after delivery. It seemed way too early but they wanted my incision to breathe. Why don't they make surgical tape that doesn't feel like skin is being ripped off?! Seriously.

I was forced to get out of bed right a way too. My catheter was taken out that next morning and I was made to get out of bed. Not nice! It hurt so bad to even move. They walked me into the bathroom and got me dressed in my new sexy undies and diaper pads. The gas pain that I referred to was awful and supposedly walking helps this. How could I walk when it feels like my guts could come spilling out any moment? But they were right. Walking helped. By the time we left three nights later, I was walking quite a few laps of the maternity ward each day.

My incision now is nearly numb to touch. It is like I have lost feeling. The doctor assures me that I will regain feeling. Numbness is way better than the pain though! For a few weeks, it was difficult to sit down, get up, roll over, pick up babies, etc. Now, it is just hard to wear clothing that hits at the incision spot. Maternity pants are great and comfy for this issue. I can luckily fit into my regular jeans but they are still scratchy against the scar.

Stretch marks are still there. I hate to look at my saggy, marked skin in the mirror. But they are my badge of honor. I wouldn't wish them away for anything. However, I will use Mederma Stretch Mark Therapy every day, twice a day. I am honored to have them but would like them to fade as much as possible too!

Now...here is what I never knew...

You lose control of your bladder!!!!

I didn't realize this fact until we were on a family outing to Sam's Club. I knew I had to pee...but not enough to make a run to the restroom. Stupid!

We were in the checkout line. My hubby is funny and cracks me up. Sleep deprivation make him even funnier! Well, one of his wisecracks had me bending over the stroller laughing uncontrollably. When all of a sudden I realized I was going to pee my pants and I couldn't stop it. I stopped laughing and looked at Jeremy in panic. I am not sure if I shouted this without realizing I was in public or discreetly whispered to him, "I just peed my pants, you jerk!"

I looked at him in a desperate, what-the-heck-do-I-do look. I quickly whipped around and put the twins stroller behind my pee-soaked butt and marched out of the store in shame. Wouldn't you know that I was stopped 3-4 times leaving the store. (Twins are quite the spectacle, you know.) I bet those people were wondering why I had a distraught look on my face and why the heck I was pulling the beautiful babies behind my large, wet hiney.

WORST DAY EVER!! Oh wait...there's more!

Jeremy had me laughing on a neighborhood stroll with the babes. The end result is peeing myself in the driveway of a neighbor's house. Yep! That happened and thanks to a thoughtful husband...we have proof.

So best piece of advice: Kegels! I didn't believe them in the magazines or in child birth class. They are no joke. Do them and do them often. You do not want this to happen to you. Ha!

I am sure I am leaving out postpartum drama and issues and if you ever have questions about my experiences, I am glad to share them with you...even the gross stuff!

-Lisa-

Max & Harper's Birth Story Part 2

If you missed Part 1 of this crazy story you can read about it here.

I left off as I was wheeled into the OR. I had the epidural and it was making me a little hazy at this point. I knew what was going on but people and things were moving around so quickly. I moved to a really uncomfortable bed. I remember I was more concerned with messing up the epidural cord that I knew was in my back.

It was around 11am by the time I was moved and re-hooked up to the machines. Dr. Driskoll did something "down there" and asked if I could feel it. I could so they asked me to press the epidural button to administer more pain meds. I was really not in pain at all, which was fabulous!!

I am not exaggerating when I say that there were probably 25 people in the delivery room with me. I had two anaesthesiologists, my three nurses, the doctor, and each baby had their staff of 4 nurses too. It felt like there was a party for their arrival. Jeremy was right by my head so I could see him, talk to him and look at him. He said I even made jokes with him throughout the delivery.

I thought the delivery was going to be like the movies. You push a couple times and it is over. (However, I now realize I had it very easy!) That is not the case. Multiple times through the pushing process I declared to the room that I couldn't do it anymore. They kept telling me he was "right there". Well, he seemed to be right there the whole time and I think they were just telling me that to bait me into not giving up! One nurse, Cindy, was in my face and ear the whole time. She was a great coach. She kept my eye on the prize of seeing my babies. On my seemingly short breaks of pushing, Jeremy would soothe me and rub my shoulder. I pushed through contractions for about 25 minutes before my beautiful baby boy, Maxwell, made his arrival into this world. It was the most glorious moment of my life up until that point. He was perfect in every way!

Maxwell Salvatore Marc was born at 11:31am weighing 6 pounds 10 ounces and 19 inches long. He looked right at me and melted my heart. Then he was whisked away with his nurse team.

Then, I realized that I had to do this again with my baby girl!

However, the doctors and nurses were busy talking with each other and using the ultrasound machine. As I looked back at Jeremy, I knew something was wrong.

My baby girl quickly slid into place and tried to come out hand first. Dr. Driskoll explained that I may need a C-section. If I delivered Harper the way she was presenting, I could bruise her arm but she would be okay. I did not want a C-section by any means so agreed to push her out.

They had to screw in a heart rate monitor to the top of her head so they could closely monitor her. Dr. Driskoll said she would allow me to push through three contractions. This scared me because I pushed through more than 10 with Max. I tried. I pushed with every ounce of energy I had left. After three contractions, Harper's heart rate dropped severely.

The room started bustling and I didn't know what was happening. Dr. Driskoll left her post to come up to talk to me. She said that we had to get her out now. We didn't have time to dose up the epidural for a regular C-section. We were in an emergency situation and I would be knocked out. I cried and pretty sure screamed out. I kept saying "No" over and over again. Jeremy was in shock as well. This isn't what we had planned.

Jeremy had to leave the OR and be with Maxwell. I was left to try and fight the anesthesalogist. I literally batted away the gas mask multiple times. My arms had to be restrained before I drifted off into dreamland.

I missed Harper's birth. So did Jeremy. It makes me sad but I know it was best for her and that's all that matters.

Harper Evelynn Rose was born at 11:42am weighting 5 pounds 9 ounces and was 18.5 inches long.


Harper had to stay hooked up the monitors for a few hours but nurses made sure to bring both of my babies to me as soon as I was out of recovery. Harper came to me still hooked to monitors but I was in love right away! She was released to join Max and us around 7pm that night.

We were able to come home Sunday, July 14.

 

Unfortunately, when we got home we had to lose a member of our family. Our cat, Lola, showed what we expected from her--she would not be a good fit with babies. She is a jealous cat and reared that jealousy towards our babies. I have had her for 8 years and I cried for days when we got rid of her. She loved me and that was really it. I needed to make that difficult choice to keep my babies safe. I hope the shelter we put her in finds her an awesome home.

 

 

We have had lots of visitors and LOTS of help! Seriously, my family and friends have been amazing. My mom, sister, and mother in law have spent time with me during the day. My mom and sister cleaned my house. Multiple people have brought us meals. We are truly blessed by all of the help and love we have had from others.

 

-Lisa-