Postpartum questions?

1.) SWELLING---My left leg and ankle is swollen WAY more than the other. I had a C section on Wed night. Calling the doc tomorrow but just looking for some input. I have elevated it for HOURS and tried laying on both sides and nothing seems to help.

2.)ENGORGMENT--- my milk came in today and I need some effective ways to relieve pressure. I AM breastfeeding every 1-3 hours it is just painful between feedings

3.) SORE NIPPLES--- I know it is normal to have sore nipples when you begin to breastfeed but with my first son they would burn and hurt for about a minute on each breast for 4 MONTHS and with this baby he is only 4 days old but I want to know if there is anything i can do/use to help relieve the pain. I really want to breastfeed and the nurses say he is latching on correctly so I am lost!

1) Assymetric swelling (one side significantly bigger than the other) should be examined emergently. It can represent a blood clot. Have veinous dopplers performed.

2)Tight Bra, feed more often or pump.

3) Balms will be provided by lactation consultants. Makes sure it's not yeast. If so, gentien violet is great. Otherwise, lidocaine jelly between feeds.

go to the emergency room now for the first worry about the others later

On the first problem call your Doctor's office NOW! It could possibly be a blood clot. Do not apply a heating pad to it at all. Call the Doctor immediately. His office is closed but they will have someone on call.

On question number 2 once your #1 question has been solved try taking a warm shower this will help with the engorgment. But do not do this untill you talk with the Doctor about the #1 problem.

Nurse and mom of 3

1.If it is only in one leg only doctor can tell why? i had C Section and nothing like this.

2. Breast pump
3. Use breast pump only until the soring is cured. Then let the child suck.

can't help you w/the ankle swelling,b ut its not normal . Neither is your nipples hurting for 4 months while breastfeeding. You need a lactation consultant who might just happen to be a nurse, but you don't need JUST a nurse, or a doctor. If you can't get one, or can't afford one, call your local La Leche league chapter, and they are VERY educated on the issue and can help you and support you through this better than a doctor or nurse who has very LITTLE training in breastfeeding. If you are too engorged, it makes it hard for the baby to latch on properly. When you left the hospital of course you were not engorged and maybe the baby was latching on properly at that point? You can express milk until you are comfortable. It won't hurt you and you can save the milk for the baby by freezing it. It will make you more comfortable and it will make it easier for the baby to latch on. Try taking a hot shower if you find it difficult to express milk. I hope the whole areola of your breast is inside the babies mouth? His tongue is not showing/visible while nursing and he is making gulping sounds while nursing (you can hear him swallowing big chugs of milk when the milk is letting down). You can try special oils for the nipples if htey are sore, but this seems to be a common problem when it shoudln't be.

Swelling is normal. It has to do with the blood loss and such, I swelled extremely bad after my third baby. Drink lots of water, elevate it and call the doctor.

Pump between feedings to help release some of the pressure. You can use a pump or hand express. You don't have to express a lot, just enough to help. Just be careful as breastmilk is produced through supply and demand. Although pumping now would help to "stock up" some milk should you have to go to work, on a date or just need a few hours to be alone type thing.

Sore nipples can be helped with the use of Lanolin. You can buy it at WalMart in the baby/breastfeeding area. You apply it liberally on each nipple after each feeding. It's completely safe for baby so there is no need to wash it off before feeding him. Also, I know you said he is latching on right - but really he might not be. Get his mouth open as WIDE as it can be - let him scream if possible - and then *smash* (sorry it sounds awful but I can't think of a better word here; you need to do it quick and make sure it's in his mouth) his mouth onto your nipple/areola. You can try wiping the milk/slobber off after each feeding as that can also cause sore nips. As far as the latch on goes, you might want to clamp your thumb and forefinger on the outer ring of your areola while latching him on to help "squeeze" your nipple into his mouth. If you're engorged he won't latch on all the way which causes pain and pinching. If it hurts break the latch and start over. Really there should be no pain involved.

You can also try contacting La Leche League too. www.lalecheleague.com I think.

I am a postpartum nurse and a lactation educator.

1. Unilateral leg swelling is not normal, it could indicate a blood clot as others have mentioned. Swelling in one leg following childbirth in generally due to thrombosis in deep veins of the thigh. If the swollen leg is painful and pale or reddened in color, see a doctor right away. If you have any shortness of breath or pain in the chest, it may indicate a pulmonary embolism (blood clot breaks off and goes to the lung) this is a medical emergency! If you don't go in tonight (for whatever reason, maybe you didn't see my message in time) please elevate the leg, do NOT rub or massage it at all, and take a baby aspirin (just one).

2. Great, your milk is in. If you are a good producer engorgement can be quite extensive. Rule is: cold icepacks and Motrin/Tylenol in between feedings for comfort and warm hotpacks or hot showers and breast massage before feedings/and or pumpings. You may need to pump for a minute or too and compress the breast a little bit so baby can latch on since the nipple engorgement can make it difficult to get a good latch. Compress the breast at different areas during the feed to help express the milk. If you are still full, pump a bit until you are comfortable. This is a great time to stock up on milk, you will never be this full again.

3. Normally the nipples don't get as sore the second time around as your nipples remember and will toughen up sooner, also you are better at latching/positioning. We use blue gel pads at our hospital called Vigilon, it's a wound healing gel used in hospitals: http://www.allegromedical.com/vigilon-pr...

Something similar (but not quite as good since it's consumer grade stuff) is sold in stores, they are called "Soothies" but they still work well. http://www.soothies.com

Lanolin really just lubricates and does not help with pain. Normal soreness for a week or two is normal, blisters, cracks, bleeding and burning pain is not. Burning pain may indicate a thrush infection which may also manifest as baby being fussy, spitting his milk up, and a yeast diaper rash in the baby. See a lactation consultant if this persists, you may need some nystatin cream or oral meds.

DO NOT FORGET #1 and if you haven't gone to the ER tonight, go first thing in the morning!

hot towel work wonders on both sore nipples and engorgment, but i am still thinking he aint latching properly if your sore as for the leg i dunno sorry