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We all have heard the mantra “Breast is Best”, and the many comparisons of breast vs bottle feeding.  In in the end, breastfeeding seems like an easy win! Well no one really talks about how hard breastfeeding is.  By hard, I mean DEMANDING OF  YOUR TIME!!!!  Every moment of your day consists of planing around feeding your baby.  For example, if you want to go to the store, you are on a time limit, for you will have to feed or pump.  If you want to get a babysitter or have dad care for baby so you can rest, you will still have to wake up at night to pump, to keep your supply up, and if you want to avoid a mastitis (like I developed), you have to pump to avoid engorgement or a blocked duct!

So in a nutshell, even if you have a backup supply of milk for bottle feedings when away….well that milks in your breast still has to go somewhere!

Engorgement from working all day, and not pumping! (Seriously was not the point of the picture, was simply trying to take selfies!)

I have been missing for a bit of a while since the delivery of my Duke, but tonight is the first night he has been out of my care and I have to thank a little condition called Mastits (inflammation of the breast).  I don’t remember my labor being as bad as this Mastitis!

It’s Supper Time!

While I was finally getting the hang of things, cooking, cleaning, rearing children, washing clothes etc, it just hit me like a 18 wheeler-truck….chills, body aches, headache, fever, fatigue, just pure MISERY!!!!!

THANKFULLY, my postpartum visit was the next morning, and yes I was diagnosed with Mastitis, which I would have sworn was the flu.  My doctor sent me home with some antibiotics, nystatin (root cause was my son’s thrush) and told me  I’d feel better in 24 hours.  Well here it is 48 hours and I have every symptom except my fever is not as high.  So here are some tips for signs and symptoms on this woe of motherhood.

Signs/Symptoms

• Pain in the breasts (one or both)
• Redness or streak of red in the breasts (one or both)
• Fever greater than 101F or higher
• Flu like symptoms (chills, body ache, fatigue….basically CRAP)
• Sometimes pus or blood in breast milk (thankfully didn’t have this)

Treatment

•  If you suspect you are suffering from a Mastits seek medical attention
• Typically you are given antibiotics 
• Told to take Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen
• Use warm compresses to the breast
• Rest

For first-time moms to veteran moms, it is a known fact that EVERY PREGNANCY IS DIFFERENT.  This means from start to finish!  At some point, whether out of excitement, pain, annoyance with pregnancy, expectant mothers are ready for D-Day (Delivery Day).  However, some, especially first time mums can be a bit unclear as to the signs and symptoms leading up to this day and moment.

It’s soooo much information circulating in regards to breastfeeding, honestly, I don’t know where to start!  I figure I’ll go off  of with some simple do’s and don’ts and go from there.

Zander at the breast nursing…didn’t want to show too much!

MY EXPERIENCE: First off, I did not breastfeed (bf) all of my children.  My first, I made a last attempt effort to nurse him, but by then my milk was just about gone, and I was too young to really care and he was bottle fed.  My second child was born at 31 weeks and had to be tube fed.  However, I did pump milk for him him, so much so, the hospital told me to stop bringing milk for he had too much there!  When he did develop a sucking reflex and was able to be put to the breast, he just would not latch on thus he too was bottle fed.  Although, he had an awesome supply of milk to last him for a couple months before switching to formula.  My princess, was exclusively bf for 11 months, and I just delivered my 3rd prince (8/17/13) and he too is being exclusively bf.

DO’S

• Place baby to breast as soon as possible after delivery
• Use a Boppy Pillow or bedroom pillow for supporting the baby while nursing to save your back
• Drink Plenty of Fluids before, during, and after nursing
• Alternate Breast, use a rubber band or bracelet to keep track; Similac offers an Awesome App to help keep track of this and sooo much more
• Pay attention to your baby cues for hunger (rooting, sucking, hands to mouth, clenched body); while he/she may be new, this little one know best when he or she is hungry or NOT!
• Invest in a good breast pump (most insurance providers will provide a Medela or Ameda) if you plan on returning to work, or having family members assist with feedings
• Pump excess milk (after feedings especially in early days) for storage to use with bottles
• Invest in breast pads (only if you leak, I never needed these)
• Invest in nursing bras, covers, and tops for public nursing (if you’re comfortable) I hear this can be taboo
• Invest in bottles similar to breast or pacifier in case of emergency for supplemental feedings, you never know what life will throw you
• Remain relaxed and calm during feedings; baby can pick up on anxiety and stress and can make feeding times difficult
• ENJOY this time to bond with your newborn, talk to him, caress his face, play in her hair, hold his hand, sing a song; these moments will be gone before you know it
• Eat a balanced diet, consisting of 2200 calories
• Get plenty of rest; nap when baby naps 
• Keep napkins or a diaper cloth nearby for leaks from the other breast while feeding

While I absolutely love my OB Dr. Vanguri, I just as much HATE her inconsideration of my time with my SCHEDULED appointments!  Something about waiting in a doctor’s office for 45 minutes or more with no update, no knowledge of the wait time when checking, and the chronic offenses that just boils my blood!  I feel it is absurd for a physician to be able to charge me late fees, or cancel my appointments if I’m 15 minutes late, but then have the audacity to have me wait with no compensation.  Picture me walking in 1 hour late and offer up an, “I’m sorry I’m late”, and see them reschedule me faster than my head can spin.

I have 3 children who go to Orthopedics, Allergist, ENT, Audiology, Opthamalogy, Behavioral Health, Developmental Medicine, Dentist, and Primary Care Appointments, and I NEVER experience this inconsideration, not even with my own PCP and specialist I have to see!

Well today, I wrote my OB a very nice letter about my feelings about her tardiness, and even included some suggestions to better serve her clients from other offices I’ve visited.  I also did some researched and learned that some patients have even billed their doctors office with some success of payment for the tardiness.  In my research, I learned individuals have developed software and phone apps to allow patients to check in to see what the wait time is before even heading out.

Enough of my rant, I do have some tips for avoiding what seems to be my fate of the waiting game

1. Schedule the first appointment in the morning, or the first appointment after lunch
2. Call ahead before leaving the house and check to see if the doctor is on time
3. Before checking-in ask if the doctor is on schedule or running behind and a time frame to be seen
4. Write a letter expressing your dissatisfaction as well as offer ways of improvement
5. Reschedule your appointment with another doctor if it’s a practice
6. Try billing your doctor for your wages as they do you
7. Change your doctor if the situation persist

If anyone has any other suggestions please feel free to comment!

Has anyone seen this sign????

As mentioned somewhere along the lines, ALL of my pregnancies are considered high risk due to ALL being pre-term (before 37 weeks). My oldest was a 33 weeker, my second was a 31 weeker, and my thrid was a 36 weaker (with a cerclage and progesterone shots).  My fourth (who is still baking), is currently a 35 weeker (with cerclage and progesterone shots).

Let’s get one thing straight, I absolutely DETEST, these shots, they hurt like the dickens, make me lazy, sleepy, acne, gained a TREMENDOUS amount of weight, brought on nausea in my second trimester, and cost $3600 (thank GOD for insurance…co-pay $40).  What drives me even crazier, is the fact, no one can tell me exactly HOW this shot is suppose to benefit me, just that it does.  I’ve heard the it “quiets” the uterus, didn’t know it was loud.  Medically speaking I know they’re referring to contractions, but I still have them just the same if not more.  I’ve been told research proves it works with making woman to term.  Which, again  is HOW??

Well little do my OB, and MFM (maternal fetal medicine) doctor know, I did some research of my own (for school), and learned about this shot on my own.  No I did not use “google” I did scholarly searches using college search engines for reputable reliable sources.

What I learned on my own, confirmed exactly what a thought.  A meta-analysis done revealed that these shots can prolong pregnancies, but can not prevent contractions which triggers cervical changes, hence labor, followed by delivery if not stopped (none of my labors could be stopped once started).  The analysis also concluded that researchers really do not know how it works, and it does not work for everyone.  What’s a girl to do?  Take the darn shots like I’ve been doing, despite still having a “loud” uterus, and I’m very curious to see how much longer I hold out for, it’s not looking good right now!

As I sit here at 2 in the morning short of breath unable to sleep, I am DESPERATELY counting down these last 6 weeks as if I’m getting out of prison.  I swear my body was not meant to carry children, but yet here I am on baby #4.  Everyday I wake up I feel every ounce this baby has gained in every part of my body.  Just getting in and out of bed is a chore and often requires the assist of two.  Bathing, is hilarious, I don’t know what I would do without my daughter because she washes my feet for me (the SO, conveniently is never around at bath time).  Walking, well that’s a joke! I was in 5 Below and had these slippery sandals on where I didn’t have to lift my feet, I could just slide throughout the store thought I died and went to heaven!  I swear I did not want to leave due to having to lift my legs to walk.  My kids are hanging in there being as patient as they can be with me being practically worthless, but I’m sure they secretly have a calendar counting down just the same as I.  I see woman twice my size just strolling down the street as if they are not even pregnant, and I on the other hand can barely walk 50 yards without needing to sit down due to agonizing back pain and pelvic pressure. I think the acronyms EDD or EDC should be changed to EDF (estimated date of freedom)!

 Me just plain miserable 😦

First, let me clear one thing up, exercise is not my thing.  I took yoga as an elective college course (thinking it would be easy).  Also, I signed up for this before finding out I was expecting and it was too late to drop the class.  Nevertheless, I wanted to share my experience, because I truly got more out of it than I expected.

This was a 7 week course and it was a form of “warm” yoga (hot and warm really is not recommended during pregnancy), but like I said already signed up and I figured I’d at least give it a try.  My instructor was OBSESSED with yoga, almost in a border line overboard kind of way, but all-in-all, she turned out to be a great instructor.

What I got out of this class was a holistic cleansing after leaving every class.  We would do journaling daily which helped us cleanse our spirits and minds (very therapeutic).  I craved healthier foods, and WATER (I hate drinking water with a passion fyi).  I even lost weight (I was gaining at a very unhealthy weight due to my progesterone shots).  The positions were very relaxing and helped stretch my body making me really relaxed at the end of class.  Now caution their are certain positions not recommended during pregnancy, my  instructor being as experienced as she was knew and gave me modifications.  Although there are yoga classes designed specifically for expectant moms.  I think the most important position I learned was the cat position, for it really gets the baby off your back and alleviates back pain instantly, and if you get your SO to rub your back while in the position, I  promise you’ll fall asleep or be immensely relaxed and pain free when rolling over to your side.

I really wish my schedule would’ve allowed for me to attend the prenatal classes I attempted to sign up for after my class ended.  I truly believe I wouldn’t feel as bad as I do now, but who knows, everything goes downhill after 30!  Anyway, if you are looking for a way to stay in shape, fit, and holistically sane while pregnant and your body is up to it, I would definitely recommend trying a prenatal yoga class!

My yoga set-up!

While I’m loooooong over this phase (thank GOD!) I wanted to give some personal advice for those who may be just beginning the new journey of pregnancy.  I’ll go over the non-medicinal and the medicinal to cover everyone and what combinations worked best for me.

Non-Medicinal
1. Ginger
2. Crackers or Toast before getting out of bed
3. Mints
4. Vitamin B6
5. Bland Foods, Fruits Veggies
6. Small Meals, Water
7. Salty Foods (Chips, Green Olives worked best for me)

Medicinal
1. Tums
2. Pepcid
3. Zantac
4. Phanergan
5. Zofran
6. Prilosec or Nexium

Now by no means are these suggestions the ONE’S, but they are the most common and most used with relief.  My regimen began with the crackers and toast, bland foods, and olives.  As mentioned the olives worked best initially.  Then around 8 weeks the nausea and vomiting started winning the battle and I had to go to the hospital due to dehydration and weight loss.  At this time my OB has prescribed Phenergan, which did not work, next Zofran, which did not work, and when I went to the ED for hydration they gave me Pepcid.  Then being the nurse I am, I came up with MY own cocktail that worked miracles for ME (I emphasize me because this may not work for others, and was approved for me by me OB).  Instead of taking the Zofran and Phenergan seperately, I took them both 4mg of Zofran and 25mg of Phenergan for they will knock you out cold, and added Zantac 300mg because the OTC Pepcid did not work.  This nightly concoction would carry me into the mid-afternoon with relief before I needed to dose myself again which was around 8-9pm at the latest.   After that I was no good to anyone.  Thankfully my SO stepped up and helped out in the best manner he could considering this is his first baby!

Once I reached my 2nd trimester I weaned myself off everything except the Zantac, and now I am taking prilosec for heartburn for the Zantac no longer works

Hope this helps someone!

My medicine cabinet that got me through the storm carried in my purse like my license.

Here are the two reasons I chose to go my separate way with cable companies

My kids adapted quickly and became very innovative in getting to their “shows” without the price of TV on the weekends.  During the week there is absolutely no TV or video games in my house.  My children do homework, read, play sports, chores and or go OUTSIDE (that thing we did before cable and video games) and play with their friends.