q about recovering from csec
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Support
Forum Name: C-Section Support
Forum Description: Had a caesarian section? Planning an elective caesar? Or a VBAC? Or want to know about recovering from a c-section? Talk to other mums who have had c-section deliveries here.
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8124
Printed Date: 22 November 2024 at 12:11pm
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Topic: q about recovering from csec
Posted By: MyMinis
Subject: q about recovering from csec
Date Posted: 09 June 2007 at 10:12am
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im still waiting to hear from specialists to get an appointment to say if i can have a csection or not because of the size of baby im not sure if i could handle a vb after the problems i had with my first.
im jsut wondering if i did have one, how would i go about my daily life with a toddler adn newborn? ive been told i wouldnt be able to lift, and basically do much at all for 6wks, which will be hard becuase we're moving to oz in august, my toddler is only 20months and we cant afford for df to take any time off with me to help out. also i dont know how to sit still lol. how did everyone else cope with teh recovery and ahving more than one child to look after?? also exercising afterwards i dont drive so i walk everywhere and we live up a hill, id be able to still go out normally walking wont i?? just thought id ask these qs now as ive never really thought about csection as a possibility before. any other recovery tips/ advice jsut fire away  TIA------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Replies:
Posted By: Peace
Date Posted: 09 June 2007 at 11:16am
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I recovered really well from Olivia's c-s and I only have one child so my advice is from what would be my own point of view.
It took me about a week all up to be able to get out of bed with no pain and about 4 weeks before that dull ache went away. I was told that under no circumstances was I to lift any more than my baby for the first 6 weeks nor drive. I was set up with an in home cleaner, have you looked into that? Maybe you could talk to maternity and get them to get someone to phone you. Make sure that you have a list of jobs in your hand that you want them to do. For the first week or 2 I would say that you need to get someone in to give you a helping hand. I would get my mother to take a couple of weeks off and take Olivia out during the day and bring her home for naps. It would mean that she would still basically be home and then I could sleep with extra hands. Wishing you the very best  ------------- DD1 May 2006 DD2 March 2011 DD3 August 2012 |
Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 09 June 2007 at 11:28am
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problem is my MIL is coming up but can only be here for short time and my parents are unable to be here to help and they live in OZ, also all my family that do live here work and are very busy.
I thought the home help thing costs? we cant really afford to pay anyone to come in and help with cleaning with a move coming up we kinda need all the money we can get. I wonder how I will cope with my toddler then?? cause she still needs to be lifted at times, and theres playcentre to cause she goes nuts being at home all week. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date Posted: 09 June 2007 at 11:46am
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it depends on how well you recover too. some people take longer than others. for both of my c/s i was back doing things rather quickly.
i would suggest looking into home help and see if you are able to get some help from WINZ to pay for it? mostly things like lifting bubs, hanging washing, changing nappies, especially if you have a kicky toddler like jack was 
the walking up the hill would be hard for a couple of weeks i'd imagine! i was walking around ok but it didn't take long for me to get tired and sore. ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 09 June 2007 at 2:03pm
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we arent entitled to any help from winz cause DF is self employed and they've said no to us for things even when he was only on low wages before we came to wellington so cant see them saying yes now.
So we wont even try them. Housework will jsut be hard for me as Im fussy and like my hosue cleaned a certain way, although DF does do alot for me now since Im so fat I can barely get around. Yeah haleigh is a full on toddler, shes more of a climber and loves to jump all over me. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 09 June 2007 at 3:51pm
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I didn't get any housework help when I had my c/s baby. I can't help much with the 2nd baby c/s question but it definitely is time to be thinking of who can you leave Haleigh with when you need a break and if you have any friends who might want to come over and just hang with ya for the first couple of months - for an afternoon every now and then anyway. Your MW will be able to talk through some of the implications I'm sure.
You will probably need to stay in hospital for the first 4 days, and may be able to do a short walk (with the stroller) after 2 weeks. So you'll need some help while you are in hospital (even if you don't get an elective c/s it sounds like you might need to plan on an emergency one just in case). And if you have coming into bed with mum and dad routines, you'll need to especially watch that Haleigh doesn't try to crawl over your tummy post-surgery. The best tip I have for post-c/s is to have your freezer well-stocked with prep meals: casseroles and even cakes that can be thawed and heated etc. I found standing to do dinner very difficult at first and the prep meals we had were awesome. -------------  |
Posted By: mamanee
Date Posted: 09 June 2007 at 6:35pm
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Grrr I just lost my whole post!
What I was trying to say is that I am still hurting, but it's a tolerable pain that you hardly notice when looking at your gorgeous new baby! It doesn't hurt all the time, but I notice if I haven't taken any painkillers at all for a day or so. Two panadol and the pain is gone! I am doing most of my housework and light lifting, and although certain movements and angles do cause pain, it's really not as bad as I thought it would be. But definitely the first couple of days is hard and hurts quite a bit Good luck Monique! Hope you have a speedy recovery whether you have a c-section or a vb. Just adding that at 2.5 weeks I am feeling really quite good. I have taken Sam out in the stroller a few times for a walk and didn't have any pain. |
Posted By: Glow
Date Posted: 09 June 2007 at 8:10pm
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Umm- im yet to experience the toddler & having newborn via c-sec part but..
I agree everyone recovers differently- i was one of the lucky or maybe stupid ones who was back to normal in a week (And doing things i shouldn't really have done BUT i felt fine with it & had no problems accruing from it) The best advice i was giving before having Brae & totally believe it helped with my recovery was getting up to walking ASAP. Walk those corridors while your in hosp & get things going again physically. Lots of pillows help. Just hold them on your tummy to cough & when holding feeding bubs. Re the house work- just gotta let your standards slip abit hun. And washing; invest in clothes airers- so your not reaching up to the line & that way you can kinda keep up with it all. Definitely what busymum said about the freezer meals or LOVE T/A's. Hope it all goes well for you Monique- Whatever happens  ------------- Mummy of Two Boys B: 2004 K: 2007 |
Posted By: Glow
Date Posted: 09 June 2007 at 8:42pm
June/ July Treasures Mag has article about recovering from 2nd c-sec ------------- Mummy of Two Boys B: 2004 K: 2007 |
Posted By: jacksmummie
Date Posted: 09 June 2007 at 9:38pm
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Its been 12 weeks since my 2nd c section and with a toddler of 2 yrs. I agree with the others re lifting i was told no lifting with my toddler. My advise re the housework is depends on your recovery, I was vacumming and handing out washing carefullywithin 10 days but with the hanging out washing i don't have to reach up and stretch. I know others who haven't been able to do this for 4 weeks. You will soon no if you have down too much.
If you need to cough or sneeze hold that tum in otherwise you will go ouch!!! I also agree with others go for short walks in the hospital while in there. Sheree Jack - 2.5- anaphlyaxis to egg Kaleb - passed away 1 day old, placenta abruption, March '07 |
Posted By: jacksmummie
Date Posted: 09 June 2007 at 9:42pm
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but i'm not sure about walking up a hill, a friend of mine was told she couldn't walk stairs dunno on that one.
Sheree Jack -2.5- anaphlyaxis to egg Kaleb - passed away 1 day old, placenta abruption, March 07 |
Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 09 June 2007 at 9:58pm
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we have a clothes airer cause its to dangerous to use our clotheline it to high up for me to get to. so that parts a bonus.
our house is 2storied and main part is upstairs so i hve to walk up stairs no matter what lol. i was going to prepare meals but sionce we were moving we thought it was no need to invest in a bigger freezer so I didnt cause our freezer barely fits our weekly frozens lol, but i have a crockpot and that helped heaps with haleigh. we will be moving in august so not sure i'll handle that, hoping i recover well. with my episiotomy i recovered well and barely took the painrelief, ive never been big on taking painrelief. we dont get treasures mags i dont really read magazines lol i onyl read them when they free hehe Im pretty sure some friends wouldnt mind coming over to help out if i need them to (should ask them first eh lol). Haleigh doesnt come into bed when im in there cause shes to boistrus for me so thats a bonus but she does like to climb up on me to snuggle and watch tele so that might be difficult. Thanks for your advice ladies  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 09 June 2007 at 10:32pm
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Recovering from a c/s is much different from an episiotomy. Basically when you have a c/s it really hurts your muscles - that's what takes so long to recover. The stitches area actually feel more comfy than an episiotomy does.
If you have stairs at home then basically you'll need to stay in the hospital until you can manage walking and stairs. I recovered well but not hugely fast (and I was 21 so not old either), and on day 4 when I went home, walking out of the hospital to the carpark (which in Palmy is a long way) was all I could do for a day. I never saw the ward until I left it. ------------- |
Posted By: Peace
Date Posted: 09 June 2007 at 11:08pm
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No, the home help is free and you can get them in to help you clean a few times a week depending on your circumstances. DONT refuse it on grounds of "I like my house cleaned this way" OR "I don't want them going through my stuff". They go through with you what you want them to do and the person who comes in gets that list. I was all ready to refuse but I am glad I didn't. It was nice to have my bed made and floors cleaned, nice to have the toilet scrubbed and dishes dried. She saved me so much time that I spent getting to know Olivia. COMPLETELY worth it.
How long is a short time with MIL?? Maybe get her to spend as much time as possible with Haleigh as a "treat". Do you have any friends that can come and let you sleep while newborn sleeps and take Haleigh out? I think the biggest thing for me above all else is sleep. Without sleep I can't function, when I don't function I don't look after my family. Everything else can go hang as long as I get my sleep. ------------- DD1 May 2006 DD2 March 2011 DD3 August 2012 |
Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 10 June 2007 at 7:52am
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mil is in wellignton for 2wks but we cant stand the sight of each other for any longer than a week, and shes stayign with her other son for a week and haleigh isnt allowed at his house under any circumstances (long story lol).
i will talk to midwife about the home help when i talk to her next. I can ask friends and see if they dont mind taking Haleigh for a wee while, I have jsut never had anyone look after her before so its all a bit scary letting ehr go away with someone else, it will be hard enough being in hospital. yeah episiotomy dif form c/s. but still sore and uncomfortable lol. might get onto organising some friends tomorrow to see who would be able to help out if i need it. might see what my cousins up to seen as haleigh seems to be attatched to ehr everytime she sees her. could be good practice for ehr
my friend has offered me one of those breastfeeding pillows she said they are great and make feeding more comfortable so thats good. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: Peace
Date Posted: 11 June 2007 at 11:46am
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GAH don't you hate that? Well use and abuse what little time you can manage to have around. I would arrange the sh*t out of everything and make sure that I could get some sleep. I remember those first 2 weeks of being so high with life and creation after the birth and then sagging with exhaustion as sleep deprivation started to kick in. I wont be doing that next time around! ------------- DD1 May 2006 DD2 March 2011 DD3 August 2012 |
Posted By: kell
Date Posted: 11 June 2007 at 2:03pm
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I was up and in a wheel chair 8 hours after having James, the hospital m/w said the ladies that have babies in neonates are the ones who heal faster as they are up and walking around as soon as they can, so get up and walk as soon as you feel comfortable!
I was hobbling till about day 8/9, then the walk from maty ward to neonates finally felt easier. Getting out of bed became easier around that time too. After 2 weeks I felt fine, I was out walking the streets and down playing on the floor with Kayla. I cant really help with the toddler thing as I was in hospital for 2 weeks and not having to deal with her on a day to day basis, but diff after 2 weeks I was fine. Now we are 3 weeks and I often forget I even had a c section. P.S As soon as I was back on the ward I took arnica drops, 15 drops every 15 mins 6 times, then 15 drops every hour, then once or twice a day for the next 2 days. I think this helped me immensely ------------- Kayla Rose is now 4! James Sydney is nearly 2! |
Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 11 June 2007 at 2:19pm
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wow cant believe its been 3wks already Kell since your wee James arrives.
Hope my James is here soon. MIL may not be able to make it now as the man she looks after (81yr old man) is very sick but a friend has offered to help out by taking Haleigh if we need. So I have got a few friends that I know are willing to help which is great. Will be giving my mw a call soon if I still havent heard back from specialist hate waiting lol. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: kell
Date Posted: 11 June 2007 at 2:28pm
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It sure doesnt feel like its been that long! Ive only had him home one week.
Hope you hear soon, the waiting must be driving you mad. Gutted the MIL cant help, make sure you take friends up on all offers. Let go of the house work etc. there will be plenty of time for you to get it all back to how you like it and think of it this way, I house tidied not the way you would have done it is better than a house not tidied at all!------------- Kayla Rose is now 4! James Sydney is nearly 2! |
Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 11 June 2007 at 3:40pm
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hehe yeah true, im sure df will do 90% of it for me though anyway he's pretty good like that lately. esp now that im so big it hard to bend and move properly, and i think he's realised csection is most likely a definate. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: justme
Date Posted: 11 June 2007 at 4:20pm
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hi ladies, I have recently been told I may have to have a c-section. I am quite scared about having one. I hit rock bottom & have been extremely depressed after I was told but feeling quite good today. It's just not how I expected my birth to go. Although it hasn't been confirmed. It is looking pretty imminent. I wondered if anyone can advice me if there is anyway I can prepare myself for this? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: justme
Date Posted: 11 June 2007 at 4:24pm
Oops please excuse my spelling - I meant advise not advice.. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 11 June 2007 at 4:46pm
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its all new to me to, but have some help organised for after you get home, even after a natural birth it makes things easier.
but hteres nothig wrong with having to have a csection, even though I know that wanting a natural birth is only normal. i was adimint first tiem round (i had forceps first time round)i was not going to have a csection, & this time round i was almost certain i would have a normal vb but now im just over worrying about it. i guess no matter which way he guna ocme out some how lol but like i said this is all new to me so im sure the other mothers here who ahve been through this will be able to help you out a bit more ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 11 June 2007 at 5:10pm
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Hi Justme, I had an emergency c/s for #1 and then when #2 turned breech it looked like I was going to have to have elective like you. Once you process the shock it's actually not that bad. With a c/s you have a lot longer recovery than VB but you also have less pain/contractions/etc. Your mw should be able to give you hospital pamphletts on elective c/s for the practical prep. Otherwise I can really only say to fill your freezer with easy meals if you can, and allow yourself a week in hospital after the birth as well. You also won't be allowed to hang washing or drive for up to 6 weeks.
Once you're over the shock I think you'll find things will settle into place easily. Of course it will help once you know for definite. After you have a confirmed c/s you can go right ahead and book things cause you'll even know baby's birthday in advance (unless s/he is particularly sneaky  )------------- |
Posted By: justme
Date Posted: 11 June 2007 at 10:10pm
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thanks haleighsmum busymum, thanks for your advice, I will ask for the pamphlets when I'm at the hospital next week. I'll make sure I have the freezer stocked with easy/ready meals -that's a great tip That's a freaky thought thanks again :) ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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.. thinking about knowing babies birthday in advance...Thats definitely a bonusPosted By: nuttymama
Date Posted: 12 June 2007 at 6:57am
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Haleighsmum, Jayden was around three when I had my ceaser, and as naughty as I am to get around the picking him up I would get him to climb on a chair so I could carry him but didn't have to lift him. We taught him this a few weeks before I had Abby so by the time she came whenever he wanted cuddles he would climb on it and call me. Much easier. I recovered pretty quickly from mine but still didn't do the washing for 3 or 4 weeks. I also discovered as weird as it sounds that I could vacuum a lot easier on my hands and knees as well as pick up any mess that way. It's really hard not to do anything especially when you have been told not to do. My MW's rule of thumb was don't do anything until you feel ready then if you must, do it slowly. I definitely agree that you need help with haleigh though even if it's just a break so you can nap. Good luck it's so close now.
justme - I think it's more than normal to get upset and depressed, I can remember feeling like the world had ended when I found out No3 was going to be a C-section and I was terrified. But ultimately you have carried this bubs for nine months and are still giving birth and the end result is the same a beautiful baby. I read a lot about what they were going to do and although terrified once you get there and they start the anticipation of seeing baby sort of takes over and you almost forget where you are. Although this is surgery you have to remember they do this so frequently now that they are very well practiced. The good point is that if you have to have one you will know when bubs is coming, that's the part I loved especially as we had to wait 10 extra excruciating days for No2 to arrive! ------------- Abigail 06/01/2005 Jayden 21/11/2001 Micheal 03/04/1997 |
Posted By: justme
Date Posted: 12 June 2007 at 9:22am
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Thanks for your kind thoughts & advice nuttymama - lol.. liking your username Yes, this is true, I am still carrying baby for 9mths like a normal birth.. I feel worried about the pain & how much it will hurt afterwards. I'm thankful DH will be home for the first 2wks but I'm alone after this time.. By this stage hopefully I should be fine. I take ages to heal with cuts & bruise easily so have been worried about recovery time as I want to be fighting fit asap! Good thinking training your tot to hop up on a chair before baby #3 came along! thanks ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Two Blondinis
Date Posted: 12 June 2007 at 2:51pm
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They always make sure you are taking your pain meds on time in the hospital because it is so much harder to come right once the pain sets in, so you'll be taking heaps of panadol for a couple of weeks after the op. I would describe it more as a discomfort than a pain. If you're in pain you need to tell your MW asap!
As for preparation recovery wise, I took heaps of arnica! My recovery time was really good and was able to get back to normal life much quicker than I had expected. The greatest fear is always the unknown, have you had a look at our post "What we should have been told"? That might help you mentally prepare ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
 
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Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 12 June 2007 at 7:34pm
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i had nurses trying to force me to take voltaren as painrelief after my episiotomy and were frustrated i refused it and said i only wanted panadol.
i do heal well though which is a bonus so hopefully i heal well this time. yeah that is a good idea with the chair to lift idea, haleigh knows mummy cant pick her up much anyway as i been trying to get into the habit of not lifting her much, so now shes starting to go to DF to lift her or carry her, she puts herself into bed which makes that part easier jsut the blasted shub i have to some how get into at home to shower lol, it hard enough now hehe. appointments tomorrow so finding out hopefully whats going to happen. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: nuttymama
Date Posted: 12 June 2007 at 8:21pm
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Good luck for tomorrow ------------- Abigail 06/01/2005 Jayden 21/11/2001 Micheal 03/04/1997 |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 12 June 2007 at 8:42pm
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Voltaren is usually prescribed not just as pain relief but also as anti-inflammatory. ------------- |
Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 12 June 2007 at 9:18pm
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i cant take it, i took 1 tablet after i ahd my wisdom teeth out and i swear never again.
i also wasnt keen on taking ot many painrelief with b/feeding didnt feel right ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: nuttymama
Date Posted: 13 June 2007 at 7:30am
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I hear you there, the nurse kept pushing my morphine drip the night of my ceaser as I wasn't and I had to threaten to rip it out if she kept it up! I was in pain but it was manageable and I hated the way that and the voltarin made me feel. In the end I asked another one to take it out the next morning as I didn't need it and refused anymore than panadol. I felt so more clear headed after that. I was also worried about the whole breast feeding thing I know they say it's safe but still, after nine months of being told you can't take this or that it's a hard habit to break!
I understand them wanting to make you comfortable but you are the best judge of whether you can handle the pain or not. ------------- Abigail 06/01/2005 Jayden 21/11/2001 Micheal 03/04/1997 |
Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 13 June 2007 at 7:38am
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I was put on antibiotics for my mastitis and that basically stopped my milk supply, so I wasnt all that impressed that I was given something that was supose to be safe and it ruined my supply.
I dont care if it is safe hehe Im stubborn when I dont want something I will refuse it till Im blue in the face ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: kell
Date Posted: 13 June 2007 at 9:46am
I had was panadol, voltaren, and codeine at night when I was crying from pain  No morphine pump for me, bummer!------------- Kayla Rose is now 4! James Sydney is nearly 2! |
Posted By: justme
Date Posted: 14 June 2007 at 2:26pm
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hope your appointment went ok haleighsmum! thanks ladies, I didn't click on notify me so only just read your posts - thanks for all the wonderful advice! Two blondinis - I have heard some really good stuff about "arnica drops" is there a particular brand I should be looking out for? thank you ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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