Investigating Mama Cloth.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about my personal care this morning. It's not really a random thought-- I literally just started my second "real" period postpartum. I know this sort of talk can be classfied "too much information," but it is just such a relief to see my body start to regulate itself again, even if it was with a 50-day cycle. I know that irregular cycles and hormonal rollercoasters are par for the course with breastfeeding (especially when you still nurse two or more times through the night-- my husband and I are exhausted.).

I also am pretty glad I did start a period this morning because I pumped less than an ounce this morning, and I was pretty freaked out about it (as in, I think my eyeballs popped out). I thought, "Well, maybe just maybe, my period is coming," and I was right! Now I just have to pray my supply jacks back up after my cycle is over and done. (It did after my first "real" period so, hopefully all will be well.)

Anyway, I digress from where I was going. This post is not meant to be about milk, though even as my son approaches nine months (?!!) I do feel like my life and thoughts revolve solely around that lovely liquid.

This post is supposed to be about Mama Cloth.

What's "Mama Cloth?" If you use cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers, you probably know that women can ditch their disposable pads for cloth. Many retailers lovingly refer to these feminine hygeine products as Mama Cloth.

And I want to make a hardcore switch.

I did get my hands on a Happy Heiny's (as in, the cloth diaper brand) pad so it was ready for me to sample when I got my period last time. And I have to say I really liked it. It was ultra soft, fashionable (there are ones much cuter than the HH pads pictured available all over the internet, including on Etsy), and absorbent. It did the job, kept me comfy, and cleaned up beautifully.

But here's the thing-- I bought an overnight-sized pad to do the job during the day because the day-sized pads available look like a joke to me. It turns out I didn't need a huge amount of padding for my first period because it was so light, but if and when my period goes back to what I am used to it being, there is just no way I could use anything other than a heavy-duty option.

So that is what I have been searching for, and I have not had much luck. I have found one option-- you use an original pad, and on heavier days, you can snap in extra layers of fabric. But doesn't that just sound like it will get thick, lumpy, and possibly even visible through my pants? I am willing to make lots of sacrifices for being green, but I am not ready to let the world know exactly when I having my period via lumpy butt pants.

But I am still searching and considering, and within a month, I will be making some decisions on investing on a real stash of Mama cloth. Wish me luck, and if you have any recommendations, please let me know!

P.S. My friend Sarah did tell me about the Diva Cup, which I am also considering, but I am not sure if it's for me.

BFFP a.k.a. The Emotional Roller Coaster

That's a Big, Fat, FAKE Positive, people. This experience was my hubbadub craziness about two weeks ago.

No, my husband and I weren't trying-- I was on the mini pill, & other than my two-day spotting post beginning the mini pill in December, I have not had my period yet due to breastfeeding. Yes, that's over a year without a period (but, ya know I gave birth in there).

So when I started to feel headache-y and crampy without any return of the aforementioned period, I figured it would only be responsible to take a pregnancy test.

And it was quite the shocker to see two blue lines appear on a CVS Early Result test (the line was light, but blue-- no shadow, no evaporation line). I shook my head, squinted my eyes, widened my eyes, closed my eyes, and literally scuffled out of the bathroom with my pants around my ankles. A nervous and meek "Um? Can you...?" was all I got out of my mouth.

Of course, this sent my husband into a fit of gentle denial:
"No," (scared, disturbed face at test) "I love you," (smile, arm wrap around me) "This isn't right," (eyes widen and squint, then he smiles) "But we can do this... I hope," and he went on and on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde about the whole thing.

--Because we want two more children, but we have a six month old who is breastfed. My husband is halfway through his master's in higher ed, and once he has it, he'll be looking for career advancement that will demand time, etc. We live in a condo, not a home with a backyard.

In other words, we're headed in the right direction to have our second in the next three years, but the thought of moving again while very pregnant or with a newborn scares me. I also had preterm labor with Gabriel so we would need a game plan in case of bedrest at some point... these are things we'd like ironed out BEFORE a positive pregnancy test.--

But at that moment, the test was positive, and through the sense of too-soon terror, we both had an air of joy about us. Every baby is a blessing, and that is our truth.

And because of that joy growing and creeping through the seeming madness, my husband and I found ourselves let down after two more tests reading negative and a blood serum test confirming we were indeed not expecting.

Needless to say, the talk of number two has emerged, though we will NOT be trying for awhile yet. I think my point in all of this is to say fake positive pregnancy tests do exist. A line is not a line is not a line. Now I'll get preachy: Take care and always follow up with your doctor if you think you could be pregnant.

...I hope you never have to ride the BFFP roller coaster, and I hope we never do again, either.

Alas. Alack. A period.

I got my period.

Seriously?

No, Seriously??


I am exclusively breastfeeding, and I started the mini pill last week... and BOOM- period here, cramps and all. At least the cramps are minor compared to what I had prior to pregnancy, and I hope that continues. I was worried at first that getting my period after a week on the pill would be problematic, but I then discovered that because the progesterone-only pill does not regulate my cycle at all. So I guess it is good I can go along as usual with the little pill. It's good I am not pregnant, right? Yeah... (in a severely sarcastic tone) because I was worried about that.

But, Seriously?

No, SERIOUSLY??? I thought I was going to miss my period for months upon months with breastfeeding. Yes, I know that does not always happen, but still, I am lamenting.

Alas. Alack. A period.