Post-partum: Two Month Review

First of all, I admire my ambition in my last post -- after two months, I finally have some time to put my thoughts together and post. Many ups and downs, mostly good times and only some sleepless nights. 

Number one tip: routine! Find yours, and stick to it. The NICU definitely helped, the twins feed every three hours (24 hours a day) and sleep the rest of the time. I know when they will wake up, when they will be hungry, when I need to pump, and can plan my day around it.

Of course, nothing is rainbows and butterflies, there are off-days.. And nights!
Days when both cry uncontrollably.
Days when both do not want to eat a full bottle, throwing off the rest of the day. 
Days when both are amazing and cry-free, only to be awake all night.
Remember: each day complete, good or bad, is another day they grew, matured and became a little more independent. And one less day of changing poopy diapers.

Even with all of that, the number one thing I hate the most is pumping. It's inconvenient to be attached to a pump every two hours for about 10 minutes. I have a portable pump, and I am still annoyed. Better than having to have a baby attached to your boob for 20-30 minutes, but not as good as feeding formula which takes 10 seconds to make. 

My doctor advised the most important time to breastfeed is within the first two months, if possible. Not sure how much longer I will go, hopefully I can make it to six months. Right now my supply is okay, nothing spectacular, but each baby does have some mixed in with their formula at most feeds. My milk also came in late, one week after giving birth. It is my fault for not keeping up with the pumping as much as I could, or maybe my body creates a low milk supply. Either way, there is no need for lactation cookies, teas or bars. Think about women in countries with far less resources than us and they are able to exclusively breastfeed their children well into toddlerhood. Everyone is different. Period. 

Another fun fact, c-sections are not fun. Every single move you make engages your core in some way, and I don’t have one. Also, there is a huge incision across my midsection that pulls and feels like it will split open. During delivery, my doctor had to “severely stretch” my transverse abdominis on the left side to scoop one of the twins out. He did not need to cut it, and it was not torn beyond repair. But, I can feel it. It still hurts now. I could hardly walk and did not run for almost a month; June 1st was my first attempt at 3 miles (and I did not feel great afterwards).

And belly bands. I started using one the day after giving birth. The nurse helped me strap it on as tight as possible -- it hurt, alot. I would wake up in the middle of the night because of the pain. I am sure most of it was due to going through delivery 24 hours prior, however the added pressure of the bands did not help. I asked every doctor I was in contact with (and there were at least four different ones a day) about if the pain was worth it.. all but one told me the bands do help bring your uterus, hips and waist back together. 

Details about my birthing experience up next.. 

1. Running: five days a week, five to six miles, eight minute miles 
2. Weight: 123 lbs (pre-pregnancy weight, after I was told to gain the extra 5lbs), nowhere near as tight as I was before
3. Nutrition: as much water as I can drink/ remember to drink, food back to my regular eating habits of a seven year old
4. Symptoms: goopy, flubby, puffy. Depression is a strong word, and I wouldn’t even say sad. Maybe frustrated at times, with myself because I cannot figure out how to make the babes stop crying and with my body because it doesn’t look the same as before (summertime doesn’t help) 
5. Book:The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel (neuroscientist)

cbxo