The Chronicles of Tadpole and Little Cub: Birth Story: Recovery

Things don’t just stop once the baby is born. You’d think you’d get to just rest and recover, but that’s not how it works, especially if extra tests need to be done. Okay, so maybe I’m making it sound worse than it typically is. But for us, it did seem like we didn’t get much of a break in between tests and exams. Shilo had to have her routine hearing test, have a prick for a PKU test, get her hepatitis B shot, have her blood sugar levels checked 3 times since she was “big”, have a cardiovascular echo done because of the “leaky valve” they found in her heart while she was in the womb, have her temperature checked, be weighed again, the pediatrician came to do a routine check, she was bathed, learned to nurse, and a few other routine things.

Nurse E giving Shilo her first bath

The pediatrician checking up on Shilo

Shilo having her cardiovascular echo done.

I had my blood pressure watched very carefully since I lost so much blood (I’m a redhead, we’re known to lose more blood than most people), had a flu shot, had my temperature checked regularly, started taking pain meds after the epidural was out of my system, worked on getting stability in my legs, had a lactation nurse stop by and talk about breast feeding, was check “down there” a few times to make sure all was well, finally ate food and drank water and OJ, tried to sleep, nursed Shilo, called/e-mailed family and friends, enjoyed visitors, and a few other things.

Things were busy. Thankfully we had a great nurse, nurse C. I think she is the best nurse I have ever had. I am so thankful for everything she did post-birth.

Since I had an epidural and had lost a lot of blood, we waited until Saturday afternoon to head home. I wanted to make sure my light headedness had gone away and that I was able to walk on my own. So we had a long hospital stay, but we think it was the right decision to make.

I have to say that when we left the hospital, my body felt like what it did two weeks after giving birth to Kayley. It’s probably partly because Shilo didn’t punch me on the way out. But labor did seem to be better, and the whole birthing experience was better too. I am so happy I had a midwife this time, and so thankful that it was midwife H who was with me. She helped to make me more relaxed, respected my birth plan, and was in the room and just hanging out (OBs don’t do that). She was with me practically the whole time, and I think that really made a difference too.

Getting ready to leave the hospital; gotta make sure the straps are in the right places for Shilo

About to leave the hospital

Walking to our apartment

Thank you everyone who came and visited us in the hospital. It was so wonderful and encouraging to have you stop by and share your love with Shilo. Thank you so much!