Afterbirth

Dr. T had finished her stitch job. She was going to "Clean me up" and I would be ready to move to the recovery side of the delivery floor. (By the way, I don't know if I pooped on the table, I couldn't have cared less with the pain I was in.) I still wanted that dang sandwich. Ok, someone brought me one. What was that? You want me to WALK to the bathroom and pee? Urm... Ok. NOPE, can't.

I sat up as much as I could on the bed to finish the stale, plain turkey sandwich, as another Dr. came in. He wanted to talk to me about "options about weight loss surgery". What the hell? I was literally sitting in my afterbirth, blood on my legs, and this man asked me to consider Lap Band or something. I gave him a sharp "THANKS" and continued eating my sandwich like it was the best thing I've ever eaten in my life. I think I even intentionally smeared mustard on my face while glaring into his eyes.

The time came for me to load onto a wheelchair and I can't even describe how much pain I was in. I Could barely feel my legs, but my "vaganus" as one nurse called it, was screaming at me. It was like a hot knife ripping and stabbing and throbbing. I did the best I could and got into the chair and was wheeled to the recovery room, John behind me pushing Johnny in his bassinet.

They got me into bed, gave me some percocet and motrin, and explained to us that Johnny had to have a few tests. I didn't really understand anything other than PAIN at this point. John was the best.. he was listening and taking charge when I couldnt. 

A Nurse came in to massage my uterus to prevent clots. That wasn't fun. Every time I stood up to try to go to the bathroom I would have a GUSH of blood completely soak up a pad. It was shocking how much blood there was. I had to use a bottle to rinse the wound every time I went to the bathroom. 

 At one point, one of the er Dr's came in and asked me what my pain level was, 10 I think. So, he gave me morphine, and I fell asleep. I woke up to another nurse massaging my uterus. RUDE. 

John was changing all of the diapers. My job was to nurse. All I had was colostrum, and only drops of it. The lactation consultants assured me that it was enough and Johnny would be fine. We did lots of skin to skin time and he latched easily... but he had the suck of a Hoover. 

My boobs are so big, I always had to hold them away from his nose so he could breathe.

I was caking my nipples with lanolin because they were already chapped. The lactation lady taught me how to hand express and we were using a syringe to catch the droplets and to feed Johnny, like a little hummingbird or something. 

I was in awe of him simply breathing

I was surprised that they released us when they did. Usually you hear "After an episiotomy you don't go home until you have a bowel movement". No bowel movements! We went home on Halloween.

The nurses made this little candy corn hat

I sat in the back seat with Johnny on the ride home, just staring at him. We had the dogs at friends houses but Panda was inside the house. He had a funny reaction.

 

Can I help you with something?

The next couple of days we spent in bed, I spent nursing and John spent running back and forth bringing us everything we needed. He is truly the best man anyone could ask for. We were tired but we were happy. 

Dad and Sara arrived on November 1st. I was so PROUD to watch my father hold my son. It makes me tearful right now to think of it. The joy he exuded the first time he looked into his eyes was enough for any one person's life. 

 

Grandpa holding Johnny for the first time

 Sarah (Gigi) was instantly in love also.

She said holding a baby makes you fall asleep.

I was also so happy to be home with my family. Michelle and Alicia arrived on the 3rd of November.

Michelle called this his turtle face

Johnny's diaper exploded on her moments later. I laughed so hard, I popped a stitch or two. (literally)

I was in pain, but I was at peace. However, I still hadn't pooped.
to be continued.....