Birth and Boobies

Hi everyone, I know it's been a while since my last update about going in for a C-section, but I've been busy with the new little guy to say the least.  The C-section itself was not as bad as I thought it was going to be.  They did a spinal block instead of an epidural and honestly I was more scared of this than the surgery itself.  I had an amazing set of nurses and anesthesiologists and they made it a really great experience.  It was very surreal not being able to feel my legs, but you just kind of block it out and focus on the outcome.  Plus I had people talking to me constantly and Rob was able to come in after about 20min.  When they finally pulled Liam out, he kind of just gurgled from all the fluid, but when I finally heard his first cry, everything that I had been through these past four years to bring him into the world was totally and completely worth every heartbreaking moment.  He's perfect in every way.  He has my nose and chin and Rob's eyes and mouth.  It's amazing that he looks like a perfect combination of both of us.  He weighed a healthy 9lb 5oz and was 20.5in long. 

The recovery from the surgery was anything but fun.  It was extremely painful and there were times I was in so much pain I was shaking and crying uncontrollably.  We were in the hospital from Wed to Sat afternoon before being released and by Sunday I had finally weaned myself off of the pain meds.  I'm still having problems with my bowels, mostly weird pulling and stretching that is painful when I go, but I've been told it's normal, so I'm trying to just deal with it.  What I wasn't aware of was that I would still bleed even though I had a c-section.  It makes sense, but no one ever told me about it.  Kind of weird having this visitor around that I haven't seen since last Nov.  Can't say that I've missed her!

While in the hospital I tried my best to BF.  By Friday Liam had lost almost a whole pound and they were adamant that I start supplementing, so we started him on Si.milac formula.  I started pumping on Sunday and by Monday my milk had finally come in.  I was told b/c of being Hypothyroid my supply would be compromised and may never get very high which wasn't comforting to hear, but I understood there wasn't much I could do to change it.  They rechecked my Thyroid levels in the hospital and everything came back normal, so I'm ok there.  I've been trying to pump 10-15 min, double pump, up to 8 times a day.  So far since Monday I'm up from just drops to about 8oz in a day.  This isn't much at all, but I'm trying my absolute best to do whatever I can to help inc my supply.  I drinking Mother's Milk Tea every morning, eating oatmeal every morning, and taking Fenugreek 2 times per day (I may up it to 3 to see if it helps).  I asked the OB about any prescriptions that could help and they said they don't offer or approve of anything (even though I know there are some available that "might" help).  I'm frustrated and upset about not being able to do this one thing for Liam, but it goes back to my body never living up to my expectations.  I'm trying to let him BF some too during the day before and after I pump to maybe help inc my supply too.  I really do enjoy it, but it's also been nice to let Rob bond with him over feedings.  I'm also able to help with all the laundry and keeping the house in order more since I'm not BF him constantly.  Yes I do miss it, but I think this is what is going to work best for us at least for now.  I'm not sure how long I'll be able to do this, because eventually his needs will certainly outgrow my supply, but I'm going to give him every single drop I can produce in the hopes that he's getting some benefit from it even if it's small.  Any advice from those of you that pump would be appreciated!  Hugs everyone and I'll try and post a pic soon.