Category Archives: postpartum

#Mamavation Monday: Two Weeks Postpartum

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Two Weeks Postpartum

It’s hard to believe that two weeks have passed since Baby Jo was born. In some ways, it seems like the time has flown by; but in others, it’s like she’s been with us forever.

Things are going quite well for me. In fact, I find that I need to remind myself that I’m recovering from a c-section and need to slow down. I’ve now lost 20 pounds, so I’m 2 pounds lighter than when I got pregnant! I’m thrilled with the weight loss thus far and I’m so eager for the weather to get a little warmer so that we can start going on family walks. I think the sunshine and fresh air will be helpful for my mood, and I know that C will really enjoy it, too.

What are you looking forward to this week?

This post is sponsored by Noelle Katai and Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway.

#Mamavation Monday: One Week Postpartum!

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I’m baaaack! ;) I haven’t posted a Mamavation Monday update in a few weeks, because there wasn’t much to report. I was very pregnant, very uncomfortable, and very sedentary. Baby Jo surprised us last Sunday when she decided to arrive early!

I have to admit, for the first time since September, I’m starting to feel like myself again. I am able to eat vegetables, things smell and taste normal again – no more sickness, no more pain. It’s fantastic. Plus, we have this sweet baby girl!

family of four

C was focused more on his snack than on picture taking. ;)

My recovery process is going so much better after this c-section compared to the one I had with C. I am on pain meds, but I’m feeling great. I gained 18 pounds with this pregnancy, and in one week I’ve lost 13 pounds. I’m wearing my pre-pregnancy jeans (unzipped, of course, due to c-section incision and loose skin). But I’m wearing them! It took me SIX MONTHS after I had C to get my pre-pregnancy jeans on. I guess this is the upside to being sick for my entire pregnancy.

one week postpartum

One week postpartum, I’m loving our new family of four and getting so excited for walks outside together. :)

This post is sponsored by Dr. Ken and Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway.

Preventing PPD The Second Time Around: Building a Routine

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I’m 25 weeks along in pregnancy number two and I’m starting to get a little nervous about history repeating itself.

I’m better prepared this time.  I will be setting up an appointment with my psychiatrist to start medication before delivering Baby Deuce, to prevent the major hormonal drop that I experienced last time.  I have established a therapist.  I know what to expect.

But, much like last time, I don’t have a local support system in place.  I’m not plugged in to my local community.  Besides Hubster, my support system lives at least two hours away.  Sure, it’s better than the six hours away they were last time, but it’s still not enough.  They have their lives and can’t jump in the car for two hours if I’m in crisis.

It seems like we’re never home on the weekends, because we’re always traveling to things.  When we have been home, it’s when Hubster is on duty and can’t go within 10 minutes of campus.  Our church is 20 minutes from campus.  We haven’t established ourselves at our local church by attending regularly like I wanted.

I’m saying that enough is enough.  I need to get into a regular routine.  I need to attend church every Sunday.  I need to get to know people.  I need to establish myself here.  Needs.

It’s time to pay attention to my own needs.  I need a routine that I can return to after Baby Deuce arrives.  I need local friends and the comfort that simply having a routine and being plugged in to my community can provide me.  I need connection.

I can’t fall down the rabbit hole this time.

My Post-Baby Indulgence Wish List

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Every once in a while, I get a craving for something that’s a big “no-no” during pregnancy.  I’ve added several things to my list during the holidays, when delicious food and beverages abound.

I look forward to hearing some of your post-pregnancy must-haves!  Here are mine:

  • spicy tuna roll
  • Philadelphia roll
  • moscato
  • Corona with lime
  • sangria
  • grande (CAFFEINATED!) mocha Frappuccino with a shot of raspberry
  • chocolate ice cream (currently an aversion)
  • a bacon and egg breakfast (also aversions)
  • SALAD!  (My favorite food that has been a major aversion.)

Twinges

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Ever watch those baby shows that follow the couple into the delivery room?  I used to be obsessed with them.  Now, I can’t watch the c-section ones because I know that it happened to me – and it will happen for my subsequent deliveries.  The thought of my flesh, muscles and uterus being sliced open and stretched back makes me very squeamish.

I’ve healed quite well after my emergency cesarean in late April, but last night I had some uncomfortable twinges around my incision.  I’ve been told that it’s normal to experience some twinges now and then as nerve endings heal.  But OUCH.  That was uncomfortable and strange.  :-p

The Return of a Frenemy

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I went to the doctor last week to make sure I didn’t have bronchitis (I was sick for 2 weeks and have had a cough for 3), and had quite an interesting visit.  During the preliminary questions, she asked when my last menstrual period was.  When I told her that I hadn’t gotten it back yet after having C, she looked up from my file with big eyes and said, “You’re not pregnant, are you?”  I mirrored those big eyes when I said, “No!”

But ever since that, I’ve had these fears in the back of my mind.  OMG, what if…?!  I know it can’t be, but what if I was!  It’s now been 5 weeks since I stopped breastfeeding.  OMG, what’s wrong with me.  I over-analyzed every little craving and feeling of disgust (ew, I don’t want to eat a tuna sandwich.  Ahhhh, what if that means I’m pregnant?!).  When I couldn’t sleep at night, my mind would wander.  How would I tell people that I was pregnant AGAIN?  They would think Hubster and I were animals who couldn’t control ourselves!  My children would be less than a year apart!  WHERE WOULD I PUT A SECOND BABY IN A ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT?!

The horror!

Alas, tonight my dear frenemy (Aunt Flo, as some call her), has returned to vanquish my fears.  I never thought I’d be happy to have her return.

Postpartum Hair Loss

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I had heard of the postpartum hair loss phenomenon, but I didn’t think it would happen to me.  When I had made it two months without it rearing its ugly head, I thought I was safe.  Perhaps it was when I stopped breastfeeding, or perhaps it just took that long for my hormones to start regulating…regardless, I’m now experiencing hair loss.

My hair doesn’t fall out in clumps, but I do find myself picking hair off of my shirt all day long.  I lose an alarming amount of hair in the shower.  In fact, if I didn’t know about this ahead of time I would have thought something was seriously wrong.  Apparently, when you’re pregnant you create a higher level of a hormone that controls the natural loss of hair that we all experience.  You lose less hair when you’re pregnant…but then you make up for it later.  I hope this doesn’t last too long!  I don’t want to clog our shower drain :-/

 

The Postpartum Clothing Void

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I was really hoping that by now I’d be able to comfortably fit into my pre-pregnancy pants.  I can button them!  I just can’t breathe.

I’ve been working out once/day (sometimes twice!) for the past few weeks and have lost inches…but not enough off of my waist.

This waiting period between wearing maternity clothes and being able to wear pre-pregnancy clothes is getting really frustrating.  In some ways, I still feel small considering I was carrying around a ginormous belly during the last few months of pregnancy.  In other ways, the fact that I can’t yet wear my regular pants is depressing.  I purchased a pair of jeans about a month ago to tie me over, but now that the heat of summer is really setting in I think I need to suck it up and invest in some “in-between” pants.  Yoga pants and that one pair of jeans just won’t cut it anymore.

*sigh*

I keep reminding myself that it’s only been 3 weeks since the doctor gave me the clearance to workout after my c-section.  Perhaps one of these days it’ll sink in so I can stop being hard on myself. :-p

Postpartum Body

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Ugh…I didn’t want it to get warm so quickly.  I don’t have anything to wear!

I’m in this “in-between” phase for clothing options and it is not fun!  I have a pair of maternity jeans from early in my pregnancy that I’ve been wearing, but they tend to fall down easily since I don’t have the belly to hold them up.  I have sweatpants.  Other than that…I need to lose another 2-3 inches in my waist before I can comfortably button my pre-pregnancy pants.  Boo!!

This would be less of an issue if the seasons hadn’t changed drastically between my pregnancy and post-partum attire needs.  I was pregnant in the height of winter, so all I have are warm clothes to wear right now!

Can’t wait for my 6-week checkup when I can get the OB’s “ok” to start working out.  I have a feeling that, if I didn’t have a c-section, I would fit into all my pre-pregnancy clothes by now.  But since I can’t do anything to workout my abs, it’s a bit difficult.

How long did it take you to get back into your pre-pregnancy clothes?  What did you wear in your “in-between” phase?