its so good too have no expectations. again everyones births are chalk and cheese. Fast and Furious. Slow and steady. its like a lucky dip you dont know what you'll get. that's half the fun.
Looking back those first 3 weeks are a blur. For those ex -party people like myself I can't describe the first couple of days anything but like the days after a weekend bender. So tired but functioning and running on pure arednaline.
Some tips and thoughts on the first few weeks. no bars held.
From my girlfriend (FB), make sure you check your due date isnt on a Eagles/Dockers game at Subi....if so plan an alternative route to the hospital and parking.
If you are with HBF and are having an Epidural ask the anethasist if he is alined with HBF as if he is you dont have too pay and are fully covered. Some aren't and you'll get the bill there and then.
Some truths. We were in total shock after the birth. they say at your birth classes you don't love your baby straight away, we all thought "of course you do!" "what are you talking about?? its your baby!"
There is some truth in what that midwife said. They can come out pretty banged up and blue and swollen like duke did after forceps/vacuum delivery. it took a few days for all his swelling to subside on his head and its true it takes a day too get your head around it all.
If you have stitches down there make sure you ask for a physio as they come around to your room and do ultrasound on your wound as it speeds up the healing process and covered by HBF (thx E)
Plan a visitor schedule for day 2. best to let crew know what time and when to come too stop too many at once. Mayhem.
Make sure you try to walk outside during your stay, you can go days without leaving your room.
Breast feeding pillows are unreal (thx E) makes it more comfy for feeding.
breatfeeding is an art and I found it harder than I thought. hang in there and there are so many people that can help out out like lactaion consultants. If you are with HBF you can have one come visit you at home fully covered.
Lansinoh. need a few tubes. saves those poor tired over worked nipples.
Grab yourself a tummy recovery tube (thx J) its like a thick tube sock and wear it around your tummy, great for recovery holding it all in. Think its from chemists?
Cabbage Leaves works wonders for sore boobs. Didn't believe the midwives until my milk came in. Not sure why but cold they are so soothing. Can never eat cabbage again though.
Dummies. Love 'em. not a dirty word.
The $2 happy baby ones are unreal. (thx E)
Some crew are anti dummies but again it's WHATEVER gets you through. Duke sucked in the womb and a lot of babies do, I watch Duke's eyes roll back in his head when he gets one at night. Contentment. Again dummies come in ages 0 mnths 3+ mnths ect and I didn't pay much attention to this and was wondering why duke kept smitting his out, he needed to go up a size.
I'd rather let duke suck a dummy than his thumb as you cant throw away a thumb. usually they then get rid of them themselves as you dont see 10 yr olds walking around with them.
So many amazing midwives and so many diferent approaches. ask as many questions and ask about the recovery classes that are held while you are there. again PELVIC floor one is highly recommended.
Ask your ob if you can pay him/her in Jan if you are close to delvering this date as you reach the medicare levvy straight away and every visit to the GPs/Doc/baby doc you get 90% back for the rest of the year.
If you don't worry you just get back more $$ of the fee paid to the ob up front.
There is a place to fit your carseats near PMH (Kidsafe and costs you about $25) (thx Z)
If not you can do it yourself as we did just follow the instructions.
Stock up on pads and breast pads. I think you need about ten packets and I kept having to get more from the shops as they don't tell you that you bleed for a few weeks afterwards.The thin ones I found were just as good as the maternity ones. Breastpads I never thought I'd use all of the boxes I had.
Get someone to organsie milk, bread and some basics ect so you dont have too detour past the shopping centre on the way home.
Nap when baby naps. I found this really hard as Im not a daytime sleeper and was worried I wouldnt hear baby so ask a friend or family member to come hangout for a couple of hours while I had a hour or so, I found it reassuring to nap when someone else was around. Its amazing what an hour does for you.
Everyone will want to visit you at home. One visitor a day I def recommend and make sure too say no if you aren't feeling up too it as some days you just wont feel like it.
Keep a diary of feeds, sleeps ect in early days. its fu too look back on as you forget what you did in those early days.
Always accept home cooked meals offered. freezer becomes a goldmine.
Whatever you do if you are in any pain anywhere when you get home call your ob and or GP. I was in pain thinking it was normal as I had stitches but ended up having a uterus infection that was easliy cleared up with anitbiotics.
EVERYDAY IS A NEW DAY......
The car ride home is the slowest you'll ever drive.
When we got home it all changed it was like we had a different baby who went from sleeping all the time at the hospital to not so much so I rang my girlfriend who has 3 kids she recommened a 3 hr routine of feeding every three hours then no more than an hr awake time followed by a sleep. Duke loved this routine and took too it like a duck to water and worked for us.
It all depended on when he woke in the morning but he was on the boob approx every 3 hrs. this helped me with my milk and also made duke feel secure as he knew a feed was next.
He has had a bath everynight, then feed then bed no later than 6.30-7 and this has been his staple since day dot. I think this helps as if during the day is different they know that bed is approaching.
Have weekly goals for you and bub- week 3 we went in the car by ourselves to a friends house.
week 6 off to the grocery shop. little things that are planned. Pram check. Nappy bag check.
What happens If you need to put petrol in the car with the baby??!! (thx Z)
We workshopped this between us and we thought after you put the fuel in move your car as close to the shop part as possible so you can see the bub from the shop window? Obviously not on a hot day but I know you are not suppose to leave your kids in the car but what happens if they are asleep?!
Showers???!! Tried to start my day with one as soon as the bub is sleeping as it makes you feel so much better. I bought a rainforest chair and after a couple of weeks when he was a little bigger I had a shower I would put the chair in the bathroom while I showered.
When you are feeding at 2am think about the millions of other mums up across the world doing what you are doing! (thx K)
Always go to bed with your feeding station set up ready to go wen you go to bed- remotes, and water bottle all in place ready nothing worse when you are super thirsty and no water on hand.
( E. Thanks for all your tips and advice. x)
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