Question For C-Section Mommies.

Can't you tell today is the day I catch up on posts I've been meaning to write for some time?!

Anyhow, I have a question for my fellow section mommies, whether it took place two months ago or five years ago: Did you/have you regained feeling over your incision?

I ask because I have not. If I run my hand over my incision, particularly on the right side, my hand can feel it, but my abdomen cannot. It is the strangest thing. When I asked my doc about it at my six-week check-up, he said that it was due to them 'slicing blindly (!!!!) through nerves'. While sometimes they fuse back together perfectly, sometimes, apparently, they do not. While this poses no health risk and is the least serious and most common side effect of the surgery, it drives me insane. You would think that not having feeling would be the kind of thing that, by it's very nature, you wouldn't notice, but you'd be wrong. If I lean over something that hits my incision (reaching over the kitchen counter up to a drawer, for instance), even just when I slip my jeans on, it's noticeable.

There's still a chance the nerves will rebuild, but I'm not holding my breath at 10 weeks out :(

Anyone experiencing the same thing? Anyone not have feeling at two-three months but regain it later?

Belly Bandit Review.

I've been meaning to write about this forever, especially for any of you readers still waiting to deliver, or for many of us who will want a second baby.

I picked up a Belly Bandit at local boutique Due Maternity around 37 weeks, in order to help with my postpartum belly. Missed that post? Click here for a full wrap-up of what the Belly Bandit is supposed to do. Anyhow, I decided to go with a size M, having gone into the store to try it on with my enormous nine-month belly. Plus, the sales associate said that it was fully returnable as long as it hadn't been worn yet, so I figured that if the medium was too big, I could always go exchange it for a small.

As you all know, I ended up having a c-section. I had heard that the Belly Bandit was especially helpful with c-sections, providing exceptional abdominal support during your recovery, and this was 100% true. I put it on for the first time as we left the hospital, two days postpartum, not wanting to have to continuously remove it for the hospital staff to check my incision. I was admittedly nervous that it would be painful over my incision, but it wasn't. In fact, it was so comfortable and provided such amazing support, I wore it both night and day, taking it off only to shower. The medium was the perfect fit initially, fastening snugly around my post-baby belly, but within six days, I had sent D out to go pick up a size small. No way would that thing have fit initially, but that's how quickly it reduced post-pregnancy bloating and swelling. I can imagine this would be even more accurate with a natural delivery, since I'm certain the sutures in my uterus were causing even more swelling than was normal. I sure felt that way, at least!

Anyhow, starting about a week postpartum, I had moved into the small, and already felt amazing about how well it was working. I fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans at 10 days postpartum (!!!!) and I completely attribute that to the Belly Bandit. It certainly wasn't for lack of eating, at least not once I got through the initial few days recovery! I continued to wear it for the six weeks it recommended, though sometime right before week four it started to fit less comfortably, as my waist shrunk and was no longer even with my hips and rib cage's width (if that makes sense?) It just didn't seem to handle the curve/contour of my smaller waist as well. It still worked wonders, however, and when I finally retired it around six weeks, I felt confident enough with my flat belly to wear my normal tight shirts and sweaters without feeling like I had a major post-baby bulge. I would 100% recommend this product to ANYONE! Definitely plan on buying two sizes though to accommodate your shrinking belly! Trust me, you won't mind buying a second one when you see the progress!

Couch to 5K.

This is exactly what I need/have been looking for to help me break into running. This loks totally feasible and healthy, not to mention with it only being 30 minutes, 3 times per week, I'm sure I can find that kind of time without being away from A too often. I've still yet to be away from her AT ALL. Yep, I'm serious.

Anyhow, here's where you can find more info on the program: Couch to 5K, Cool Running

Click here for a list of runs going on in Texas and surrounding areas (Broad, I know!). I'm thinking of signing up for the ASH Bunny Run on 4/3 for an untimed trial and practice, and then the Schlotzky's Bun Run for my first timed 5K on 5/2 :)

Happy running, ladies!

Just Another Manic Monday.

This morning was my six-week postpartum visit (Happy 6 weeks, A!). It also happened to be the morning of the worst downpour I have ever driven in, and also the latest I have ever slept through my alarm. Oops!

The doctor's visit went well. I am cleared to begin training for whichever run I end up participating in this spring. While I'm anxious to get my abs back, I'm not so psyched about actually having to put forth the effort, but I digress. In other good news, I've lost all my baby weight. At this rate, ill breastfeed forever! I suddenly understand the skinny women with a two-year-old attached to their breast ;)

Now that we've knocked that appointment out of the way, it's off to Barnes & Noble and the post office to send my littlest sister's birthday gift (only two weeks late :/), and then time to go to work! Four and a half weeks until Spring Break!

Question for Runners.

Remember how back when I was pregnant and desperate for some freedom and outlet from the physical discomfort of pregnancy, I vowed to run the Capitol 10K in April?!? You do? Damn. I mean, I'm not trying to wuss out, but 10K? I hardly have the energy to run and check the mail today!

Ok, in all seriousness, though, I need some advice/a pep talk from all you seasoned runners out there. For those of you who know me well, you know I'm a walker, at best, so this is a big goal for me. Here's my big question: Can I train for a 10K in 9 weeks after not having exercised a single muscle in my body in over six months, and after having a c-section five and a half weeks ago? If so, what kind of training regimen/diet/lifestyle changes do I need to adopt?! Lastly, if anyone reading is in the Austin area, would you be interested in training/running the 10K with me? I need some support, ladies!