Woman 9

Subject: You DO NOT have to Quit Nursing bc of an Anal Fissure
Date: Sat, 24 May 2008 16:47:26 -0400
To: jack1faf6.arc.nasa.gov

Great site. You helped me get serious and heal without surgery. Here's my two cents for nursing moms.

I had a repeat AF with my second son. After one month, I was in the proc office and they told me to try a cream for 6 weeks and if it didn't help, surgery was the next option. Needless to say, I wasn't healed and I did some research on surgery- lots of unpleasant possible side effects. So, it was time to get serious. If nursing moms are reading this, it is because they haven't gotten serious yet. Here is a solution that does not require you to quit nursing your baby. You must focus on what goes into your mouth, not trying to put different products up your butt.

1. You must drink ungodly amounts of water. Chug water on the hour if necessary. You require lots of water for nursing and lots of water to keep your stools in the form of toothpaste.
2. Remove milk (switch to soy or rice), red meat, nuts, seeds, popcorn, and chips from your diet entirely.
3. Eat Raisin Bran or an equivalent everyday for breakfast.
4. Eat a salad with raw veggies and a protein (eggs, turkey, chicken, etc) everyday for at least one meal.
5. Take two colace stool softeners with your prenatal vitamin.
6. Take two more colace 12 hours later. Ie: If you take your vitamin in the morning, take more colace at night.
7. Citrucel and other fiber supplements are not supposed to affect baby, but I think they did make my baby a bit uncomfortable. Colace does not seem to do this.
8. You must eat a balanced diet, including lots of fruits, veggies, lean meats and fats, plus a ton of water. So, you are increasing your fiber intake, but you must also get your 2000-2500 calories in, so eat lots of soft foods that are good for you and baby.
9. Consult with your OBGYN if you are underweight before starting this plan.
10. Get your family on board. Let them know how much pain you are in and how they have to help you fix it, because you can and you need their support to stay on course.

Last thought: When I am looking in the pantry for a snack, my husband will ask, "Would that snack feel good if you put it up your butt?" If the answer was no, do not eat it until your AF is healed.

I am still nursing at seven months and my AF is controlled. I had red meat sauce three weeks ago and relapsed for 4 days. The plan works, you just have to stick with it until you are done nursing. Then introduce items back into your diet slowly.

Best of luck. Motherhood is hard enough without this pain the ass! So get serious!