Okay so after a whirlwind experience, I have several questions, some of which I have either no or conflicting answers!
1. What do I do about hiccups?
Originally, I was trying to burp them out of her. They have been going away on their own after five minutes. My doctor told me at my baby's first doctors visit (4 days after her birth), that hiccups are normal and there is nothing you can do about them. She also said they are going to get worse! Just like her poopy diapers!
2. Since I didn't have a vaginal delivery, why do I have to still use pads?
Well I found this answer online and basically the forums say that tampons will give you infections because they can irritate the uterus wall.
3. How frequent should I breastfeed?
The nurses in the hospital all said, "Feed her whenever she wants. You can't feed her too much, or like the myth, spoil her if you feed her too often." At my baby's doctor visit, that point was again reiterated to me. But basically she said you need to be feeding your newborn every 2-3 hours, but the average is 1 1/2 hours. Surprisingly babies loose weight within the first two days of life, so you have to make sure that you feed them so their weight goes back up. But don't freak out, because your milk won't come in for like three days so in the beginning you have colostrum. That is really what the baby is drinking in the beginning. Of course my mother says, "Now don't feed her too much, she is going to think that she can get it all the time."
4. My baby falls asleep while I breast feed, what do I do?
The doctor said that I need to take off her blanket, in order to keep her awake. Don't worry, she won't get cold and her temperature won't drop drastically. Also, change her diaper before you feed her because then after she feeds, she will be able to just go to sleep.
5. My body is aching and I feel like I need to workout. When can I be active?
In my case, as far as a C-section goes, they say to wait 6 weeks before working out and doing any strenuous activities. But my "After care for c-sections" pamphlet that the hospital gave me, says to get up and walk every day. I think I am going to make some kind of a compromise. Today I am going to attempt to go to the gym, (I only have an hour till I have to get back to the baby-ha ha), and walk easily on the treadmill. I won't do any weight lifting or any abdominal workout-OF COURSE, but I do need to get my legs moving. I was basically unable to get out of bed for two days. Right now I am sore where my incision was, but I have been up and moving around for 3 days now. My doctor at the hospital kept saying, "Use common sense", as an answer to most of my questions.
6. If I move the wrong way, will I rip my stitches out?
The doctor who performed my C-section gave me a call yesterday and he said, "No, that is HIGHLY unlikely, your abdomen is stitched from the inside." The worst that could happen is that your skin could tear. FYI, I had my staples removed when I left the hospital, and they put these band aid type "steri-strips" on me to hold my skin together. Allegedly, my skin is supposed to miraculously heal back together-weird huh?
7. Can I use my breast pump, my breasts feel so full of milk like they are going to pop.
Well I didn't even wait to ask anyone on this question, I just started using it. It was great except for pumping hurt more than breastfeeding! At my baby's doctor visit, the doctor told me to stop pumping because it will imbalance the flow of my milk. I think I might just half way listen to her, and pump once a day. BTW-make sure you use something to keep your nipples from drying. The hospital gave me a sample of "Lansinoh", and I started using it right away. It has been a lifesaver. No dry nipples-so far!
