3 Days Post C-section and Retaining Water & Engorged!!!! AGH!!!

Hang in there K.. I also live in the Atl area and have been here for 2 yrs. we moved when my 2nd was 6 mo. old (older brother is 3 yrs older). that is when she stopped sleeping and we went thru some rough patches. Sorry about your Mom; I also lost mine about 18 mo ago. Each day will get better as your body adjusts to the changes it is going through. The stress on you will also get better. use your resources that you have right now and remember crying is good for you!! Laughing is also the best medicine.

M. L

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Hello,
Boy this message sounds like me last week. I too had my 2nd baby on 2/1 via c-section. I had terrible incision pain along with breast engorgement and swelling. My doctor did not recommend any water pills for my swelling and suggested I try to move around more. The breast pain was intense, so I was bottle-feeding and breast feeding for baby comfort at night which really helped get rid of the pain. Hang in there! It gets better as the days go on. I was given pain meds for my incision pain which did help.
You can always wrap your breast tightly with something binding to help with the pain.
Take Care,
K.

K., Please accept my sincerest regret that you have recently lost your mom. Congratulations on your new addition! Please contact your physician about your current emotional and physical stress... they are the best folks to help in situations like this. In the meantime, I recommend a warm compress for the lactation and a breast pump. Laughter (stand up comedians work pretty well) and assistance from friends to get the rest and recuperation necessary so daily functions will not be a hassle.

Please check out some of the mom networks like atlanta area mommies or Mocha Moms to get some company and interaction. Keeping to yourself is never a good idea when you are going through changes. Feel free to contact me if you want to talk. ____@____.com

God Bless you sweetie.

N.

Speaking as an Ob/gyn MD, it's probably just fluid shifting postpartum (especially with all the IV fluid you get with a C/S) but you should DEFINITELY call your doctor's office and tell them about the swelling-- it can rarely be a sign of postpartum toxemia/preeclampsia, which can be very dangerous. Let them know what's going on, since they know your prenatal history.
As far as the breasts, strap them down tight with a tight jog bra or even a big ACE wrap 24/7 (sleep in it, too), use cold packs (frozen peas work well), and generally do not stimulate them at all-- stand with your back to the shower, touch them as little as possible, etc.

Same thing happened to me... you have to get up and walk walk walk... and don't sit in a low or too folded position... With the boobs... I was just pumping as much as I could between feedings and wearing a good supportive nursing bra with pads...

You need to see your doctor, urgently honey--it sounds as if you might well have an infection. Please insist on an appointment. Be sure you're not eating ANY salt in the meantime.
If you're not nursing I thought there was a shot to stop lactation.
Cold helps.
God bless--apply for public assistance, please. I'm so sorry about your mother.
M.A.

Oh my goodness you poor dear soul...listen if you are not breast feeding then not much you can do about the boobs warm showers helped me I pumped and slowly of and on when I stop breast feeding so it wasn't so hard on the boobs (to me). As far as the legs I would call the your ob's office and see what they can give you may need some medication besides I'd let them know how you are doing. The baby blues if you aren't going to take any medication for it the best you can do is make sure you eat, rest as much as possible and take come vitamins. Let folks that are willing help you with whatever you need help with..cooking, watching the baby so you can have sometime alone or just to rest, cleaning, what have you. Your body has just been through so much and the passing of your mom has been I'm sure so much to handle. Moving just 2 short years ago is at the top of the list for very stressful life changes, along with the passing of a close family member I am so sorry to hear about you having such a lose when trying to enjoy having a baby. You can get through all of this just really take it one day at a time to expect yourself to be a full spped ahead is not fair to you and no should expect it. I am so sure you miss you mom, I know I miss mine sadly she never got to see any of my family. My prayers are with you and you know you can count on many of the ladies on this website to be supportive. I do know if you are able to afford it that having a nanny or someone to help will help you in so many ways. If you can't afford it may I suggest some help from some of the moms at maybe a church you go to or ladies in your neighborhood. My heart goes out to you. Cabbage leaves in the freezer to place on boobs after shower is great....also try taking a shower and release some milk in the shower the heat feels good and helps you to relieve the engorged boobs.

For the swelling call your Dr TODAY! This should NOT occur after pregnancy and it could be your heart that is the problem.

I don't know about the breast engorgement, but you should contact your doctor immediately about the water retention. I had no idea you could have post-partum pre-eclampsia(I thought once you delivered you couldn't be pre-eclamptic) until I had my son, came home from the hospital and swelled up much worse than I had been before delivery. I also had a dull headache. My doctor told me to come in immediately and I had to be on a magnesium drip for two days. It's VERY serious -you can seize or have a stroke. I'm not saying that's definitely what you have, but you should call your doctor. ***Some common misconceptions in case others mention them -your age and weight are NOT factors in determining pre-eclampsia according to the doctors (although I don't think being overweight helps); just because you have no prior history or family history doesn't mean you won't have it. It's evidently very random.

K., my advice is to call your doctor asap. Good luck

CALL YOUR OBGYN!!!!! And make sure you tell them how you're feeling mentally.. They can give you some zolof or something to make you feel better!!!!

Hi K.,

First off, call your OB-GYN right now, about all three issues, but especially the water retention.

I had the same problem with the water retention after the c-section, which mine had to do with the Foley catheter. My Foley wasn't draining properly causing my bladder not to empty, and thereby causing water retention. After the Foley was removed (24-hours after the c-section), I remained bloated for a couple of weeks. I just made sure to keep moving (circle my feet around, move my legs as best I could, walk, and sit up)and to elevate my feet.

The way you describe your calves and hands, you sound just like I did. Also check out: http://tiny.cc/2CfxT for other mother's bouts of water retention after c-sections. I also found this helpful site which states, "It is normal to see an increase in swelling in your legs during the first week or longer after delivery. The body cannot quickly remove the extra fluids of pregnancy so it is temporarily stored in the tissues. As your body works to eliminate the extra fluids of pregnancy, you may notice an increase in perspiration, urination, and, ultimately, swelling. Elevate legs, avoid canned foods, and avoid adding extra salt to you meals." You can read the rest at http://tiny.cc/Idyzm.

Have you talked with your doctor about why you are retaining so much? I would address the issue with your OB-GYN as soon as possible. Please let me know what the OB-GYN has to say about it, okay?

We moved 2 months prior to our daughter being born, so I understand the adjustment issue. Relocating is tough! Additionally, I am estranged from my Mother, which is terribly hard and sad... so I can sympathize with your loss during a time which you want to share so badly with her. Just know that she is with you, and keep a happy heart for your girls. When you speak with your OB-GYN, I would mention the baby blue as well as the water retention and engorgement.

Are you breastfeeding? Sounds like you don't want to as you asked how to 'stop' the lactation. I would pump small amounts to decrease the pressure just enough to make you comfortable, and day by day your breasts should stop producing as much. Additionally, warm compresses help immensely.

I am so sorry that you feel so terribly... just remember, "This too shall pass". So, try to keep focused on the 3 blessings you have in your life, keep focused on the innocence of your newborn & how much your newborn needs you to be strong right now, and keep focused on how you ARE going to feel better. One thing that will help immediately is to get outside, breath in the fresh air, and be in the sunshine... even if for only 15 minutes.

Please let me know how you are doing. Keep a smile on your face...

Hugs,
D.