I won’t lie. Recovery from that labor experience is serious business. The Birthing Center where I gave birth has only a 2% episiotomy rate, but you can count me as part of that 2%. While the procedure is over-used in the medical community, there are times where it’s appropriate and this was one of them. No need to go over everything that’s healing, but suffice it to say that I didn’t feel like going and racing a 5k run the next day, and since I’m not Mary Eggers, not one week after birth either.
Fortunately, I’m seeing not only positive resolution of the engorgement issue, but also all the other stuff too. I’m not 100%, but definitely getting to feel better and better every day. This makes me more cognizant of all the stuff that I used to do that didn’t involve being at the house 24/7 and starting to miss the outside world. Yet, we’re still figuring out Mr. Poopy Pants’ patterns and don’t think he’s quite so ready for the big, over-stimulating world out there, so we want to give it more time.
So there’s still a lot I can’t do, but lets not focus on those things because why be a bummer maker. Let’s think positive. Here’s my can-do’s:
- I can now touch my hands to the floor without having to straddle my feet a yard and a half apart to fit my belly.
- I can go for short walks around the neighborhood with my baby and husband with Remy in a sling type contraption and marvel that this big guy was inside of me just one week ago. How did he even fit? My husband’s response– you were huge. Aaaah. So good to have the answer.
- I have a sweet, cute baby boy that has his fussy moments but is this little remarkable human being with a whole life ahead of him. And I get to be part of his life. This one is the best of all.
That’s what is so amazing about those first weeks, you think…. how on earth was this kiddo inside of me????? Incredible!!!!
I had a 4th degree tear. UGH. I feel like I had the biggets baby, stupidest recovery and biggest tear! HA HA HA!
I agree though, after my big lesson I did realize that (gasp) recovery was serious buisiness!
More pictures please!
It sounds like things are going splendidly for you… rest and recover! Take care and I hope to see you soon!!!
How about tying your shoes? Can you do that comfortably? I can’t wait until that’s no longer a process.
Sounds like you and Remy are doing great. Glad the engorgement issue is resolving itself. Some friends suffered pretty terribly with it.
Hi Alicia,
Congratulations. He is beautiful.
Yes, I think I was an EE cup before it was all over with breastfeeding, but I joke now that if I needed to, I could feed my kids from across the room!
I went back to school at NC State a week after having my son. I was pursuing my masters and taking a Total Quality Management course. My final project was a statistical analysis of whether I could find a pattern in Evan’s nursing habits in terms of frequency or length of feeding. My conclusion was that there was no pattern so I learned to go with the flow, and by the way, I got an A in the class.
Enjoy this time. You’ll be back on the bike soon enough.
Michelle
Congratulations! I love the photos – you, Crump and Remy all look so healthy and happy. Babies and child birth are so amazing …. I can remember giving birth to Ashley when we lived in the Philippines … she was 3 weeks early and Doug was traveling in Korea at the time! He came home as soon as possible (18 hours later) and we marveled at Ashley. All the best. Sally
Hope the recovery continues to go well and you feel better and better each day! I imagine it won’t be long until you are out and doing all the things you want to do and it will be 10,000 times better because you get to do it all as a mom!
I bet you can also go for longer than an hour without feeling the urge to pee?
Glad the recovery is going well!
yay, CONGRATULATIONS! He is just simply beautiful. And you are such a champ – 30 hours, 36DD boobs, episiotomy! Wow. I am so glad you are all doing well.