I’ve been a little quiet for the past month… no prizes for guessing why. I’ve built up month’s worth of pent up frustration and have soooo much to say about the longest pregnancy / labour in history, but I’ll save this for a less emotionally charged (and less tiring) day.
Right now, I’d like to introduce the new love of my life - Heidi (middle name to be decided) Mills.
Okay, I’m a little late. She came into the world via emergency c section on April 24th - nearly a whole week ago. The fact she came out of me with a little help from a spinal epidural and one seriously hot doctor doesn’t mean I didn’t experience labour. In fact, I laboured HARD; 14 hours in “established” labour stuck on all fours, screaming and swearing, and countless hours before that writhing around on my sofa. It’s been the hardest and most physically traumatic thing I’ve ever done.
Heidi is tiny. 6lb 9 at birth she has plenty of baggy skin around her legs and arms to grow into. She’s got her daddy’s long legs, but I can’t really see either of us in her facially yet. In truth, she doesn’t look much like a ‘Heidi’. She doesn’t have the Germanic look that Dexter did when he was a few days old; her hair is darker and her skin isn’t as milky. But this was the only name Craig and I were able to agree upon. I liked Maeve, Orla and Elsa, and Craig was keen on Beatrice, Harriet and Bethany.
Other than a minor case of Positional Talipes (her little feet are currently facing facing inwardly) which we’ve been referred to specialist for, she’s perfect. She was treated for Strep B at birth and cultures were grown using her blood that thankfully tested negative. She’s a sleepy little thing and is capable of 6 hour long stretches of sleep so has slotted into a routine of sorts already.
My milk still hasn’t fully come through yet so we’re currently on a mixed feeding schedule which involves as much skin to skin contact and ‘breast time’ as possible and 2-3 60ml formula feeds per day. It’s a demanding challenge to take on and Heidi can sit on me for hours at a time before unlatching herself. It’s been very difficult for Dexter as his mummy is having to give so much of her time over to his new baby sister.
Don’t get me wrong, Dexter is intrigued by Heidi and forever touching and kissing her, but he is resenting the time I’m rendered immobile. He calls for me constantly and his cries have taken on a heartbreaking quality that has had me in tears several times. I am so proud of him though - he’s very soft-handed with her and is helping with basic chores such as fetching nappies and blankets. I’m sure I’ll end up writing about this more extensively as I have a sinking feeling these tears might be more than a little nod to some impending baby blues.
Physically, I’m doing well. Sheer bloody mindedness saw me out of bed just 5 hours after surgery and walking around the hospital corridors. I was discharged as soon as Heidi was given the all-clear and my suture has now been removed. Although this is only my second c section, I like to think of myself as a bit of a pro now and have an upcoming post in mind on tips for post-surgery recovery.
So that’s it - normal service will resume asap and I’ll be working through some reviews of products I’ve found invaluable, and posts all about Dexter and Heidi as they forge a bond despite their hysterical mummy and shattered daddy (poor Craig had just half a day’s paternity leave). Right now, I’m off for a cold shower, little cry, then plenty of cuddles with both of my beautiful children.
xxx
