[QUOTE=eleanorigby]
I got sciatica with my second pregnancy–that was loads of fun.
Hint re the nipples–let them air dry after nursing, it will toughen them up more quickly. (no worries, they get soft again after nursing). Don’t bother with the silicone nipple shield (if they still even offer them)–waste of money.
[/QUOTE]
Sciatica, check - with my first pregnancy and it just emerged with this one. Going to physical therapy next week.
And yeah, I know I sound like a noob, but this is my second pregnancy (well, technically third), and I just weaned my 4yo over the Summer (come to think of it, maybe I’m making lots/early colostrum b/c my boobs never cycled down from lactating). Plus I am known amongst my friends as a breastfeeding expert. So you’d think nothing would surprise me, but it still manages to.
And now to demonstrate my expertise:
Lissla Lissar, stretch marks are normal. In fact, recently there was a study that confirmed that pregnancy, (and age, and smoking, if you do so), not breastfeeding, causes breast sag. So it’s normal to see sagging and stretch marks during pregnancy. Those bumps are probably Montgomery’s Tubercles, and it’s normal - they secrete tiny amounts of lubricating and antibacterial fluid that help keep your nipples in shape and get ready for nursing.
And Zebra, as much as I got a laugh out of your post, if you actually have nipple discharge that is crystallizing, rather than dry skin flakes, you should tell your doctor. Abnormal nipple discharge can be a sign of problems, and men can get breast cancer.
CalMeacham, I have the soundtrack to O Brother Where Art Thou, and I’ll never listen to it again without substituting your lyrics. 