Thursday, July 22, 2010

The unspoken parenting

In motherhood, and parenthood in general, it seems like there are so many "unspeakables." Right from the begining of pregnancy, we don't talk enough about the hard issues or the ones that don't sound as appeasing. Whether that be the lack in sexual drive after giving birth, the strain on a marriage with a newborn, the days you want to pull your hair out, the sudden careless approach to your appearance. The list could really go on forever. And what about those times you feel absolutely discouraged. Discouraged because you feel you're not doing enough to help your child grow emotionally, spiritually, mentally, physically. Despite the fact that you spend day after day working on fine motor skills, tactile stimulation, hand eye cordination, and language development. How many mothers (and fathers) out there don't feel like the hard issues are talked about enough? If it weren't for other parents being honest and offering their experiences upfront, I would think I'm absolutely insane in my parenting and my emotions.

Well today I am bringing up one of my own "sticky" issues. For sensitive ears, or should I say stomachs, maybe you want to tune out now. Don't worry, I'm not going to get graphic.

I've been breastfeeding for 9 months and 3 days now. To the dot. The first 6 months were exclusive and now Mini Doc Handsome eats baby food and table food as well. Yeseterday I recieved my first visit from that aunt none of us like, Aunt Flow. Gosh, I forgot how much I loathe her. It's been since January 2009 since I've had to deal with her antics yet she's back.

So my question to other woman out there, (and to make note of it to myself for future children and moms who ask), if you breastfed, how soon did you have a visit from Aunt Flow? Even if you did not breastfeed, how soon did your monthly visits return after giving birth? I am still at a loss for an explanation as to why my visits are suddenly returning. I have not experienced low milk supply lately, I haven't cut back on the amount I nurse, and I surely haven't been taking any medications or specific birth controls that would cause these visits to begin.

My amazing friend Mrs. Pnut reassured me I shouldn't be concerned. With her advice and my hour of research on the internet, I'm not. I just wonder what other woman experience in this area. It's nice to be reminded every once in awhile, you are not the only one wondering these questions. We are going through this together.

5 comments:

  1. I don't remember when I got my first visit from Aunt Flow after I had my son. With my daughter, I got it about 2 months after I had her. I had her back in September and didn't really have a lot of post-partum bleeding (I stopped bleeding about 2 or 3 days after having my daughter but I did not bleed nearly as much as I did with my son). So I was without any kind of "yuckies" down there for about 7 1/2 weeks.

    My son is 3 and my daughter is 10 months old if that helps any.

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  2. Sorry I can't be any help here! I didn't give birth to Buster ;) Sorry that dang annoying aunt came to visit. Doesn't she know she's not welcome??! I don't know anything about this stuff. So if you started, that means you can't breast feed? I'm glad you know all this stuff, so you can help me when I get pregnant {God willing.} =)
    Hope your cramps weren't too bad!

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  3. my wondering aunt flow came to visit me about 5 months into nursing. i hadnt lightened up my nursing either..but it definitely came, and it was just fine honestly. granted it sucks entirely..but it came back just like normal. my friend whom is still nursing about 9 1/2 months now, also got hers around 5 months..

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  4. I STILL haven't seen Aunt Flow. Tator Tot is five months, and I'm not breastfeeding. I'm slightly worried about it...but I've had many woman tell me not to be, especially since my period has always been irregular to begin with. I might call the doctor about it anyway within the next month.

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  5. I was really concerned that poor Aunt Flow was going to read your blog & be really offended... then I realized what you were talking about (true story)I have 3 girls & can only remember how the last one went with this issue. I nursed her for about 8 months but I remember Aunt Flow coming way before I stopped nursing. bummer.

    I really love that you have a bucket list as one of your tabs. What a neat idea.

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