We're still here! It feels like it's been over a month, but we're doing good.
The girls nurse constantly, much to my surprise I actually have a bit of an oversupply this time. It's been rough though, I won't lie. I have an overactive letdown, G can power through it (letting the excess dribble out her mouth) but we have started using a shield for J. J still struggles to latch, and after my milk came in she started struggling with my overactive letdown. I've read that I should express the excess off on a burp cloth, but my excess is like an ounce... so I either need to pump it off (which can exacerbate the issue, I've read) or I need to use this shield. So far we're doing well with the shield, although that does make nursing while out difficult since I can't really use it then... and she does not do well without it initially.
My day usually consists of changing a diaper, feeding them, burping, then changing yet another diaper, then topping them off with more nursing- this takes about an hour when all is said and done. Then they either nap, or they don't. Sometimes they trade off, one will stay up and the other sleeps, then the next session they switch and the other one stays up. It really drains me down when they do this at night. Anyway, then we do it all over again an hour or two later. They're actually getting ready to wake up again now.
My incision did get infected last week shortly after returning home. I had a bad fever, but we caught it very early and the antibiotics seem to have gotten it under control. I'm still very swollen, retaining a lot of water in my legs/feet, and my lower belly. My OB actually used dissolvable staples this time because my swelling was so bad in my lower belly. I lost 25lbs instantly in the hospital after having the girls, but still can't wear any of my pre-weight loss clothes. It's just as well, with the swelling and pitting from it, stretchy maternity clothes are the way to go.
A has another week of vacation, and I have to say he has been amazing. With the c-section I've been very limited in what I could do... but he's been wrangling V, helping me get the girls set up to tandem, waking at night to help me with them, doing all the cleaning, dishes, bringing me meals, laundry, you name it... man deserves a medal right now.
And G is now grunting and squirming... time for me to go! Another time.
4 comments:
Overactive letdown and over producing is actually common with PCOS, surprisingly, and I also had both with Zoey. I would pump before feeding to help relieve some of the pressure, but my goodness, I'd still drown her. Didn't help she was preemie and struggled so much with breathing in the beginning anyway. Made for a crappy breastfeeding relationship, but when I switched to 100% pumping, I'd get 10-12 oz every 3 hours. Intense. Painful! Logan over at withgreatexpectation.com has some great tips in a recent post on how to deal with overactive letdown, I'd go check that out if I were you! She posted it last week, I think. She has a brand new baby from IVF!
Sounds very busy but also sounds like everyone is thriving! Yay.
Welcome to the world...G and J.
I am glad that everyone is well, and I can see how much a sanity-saver A must be right now.
Hoping for more rest for you, and lots of hugs for the girls and V.
I am so excited for you,and so glad you even have time to post! I can rarely get to a laptop and posting from my phone sucks le balls.
Post a Comment