C-Section Blues

[friend_of_tofu]

On Friday I had a baby! This was a pretty big deal so I'd like to get down my impressions before they're overwhelmed by other Big Feels. Or, y'know, distractions generally

Comments

[cartimandua]

As texted, congratulations to all three of you and glad that it all went smoothly on the surgical front (my theory on the no partner seeing behind the screen is that one too many tried it, fainted and all kinds of problems from concussion to knocking over trays of sterile instruments ensued).
May I send over a book for those essential bedtime storytimes?
Much love and congrats again. Chris also sends his very best and hopes that you recover soon.

[friend_of_tofu]

Received & appreciated, thank you & Chris - we were a bit too hellishly swamped to respond to much.

I think there are very good reasons, as you suggested, for not letting people look, but it disappoints nevertheless. I wish you could record it to watch later!

I am looking forward to seeing what kind of thing you regard as "essential bedtime reading" :-D

[friend_of_tofu]

I seem to be doing reasonably well. I took a medical friend's advice to make sure to get up about 12 hours afterwards, not least so I could get the bloody catheter out! The midwives so far have been very pleased by my healing, and I switched down from co-codamol to regular painkillers 2 days ago. I've been told I'm surprisingly mobile by the community midwife, though, so I imagine quite a few people are significantly less so. Sitting up from flat remains effortful partly cos of stitches & partly cos of bruising from muscle stretching during babby-removal.

I think it's swings & roundabouts: more pain during labour vs longer period of pain after (tho I've not found the pain too terrible). Having helpers is key though; it'd be a great deal more hellish without A to do most of the fetching & carrying while my movement's been restricted.

Babby has its own Twitter account already ;-) I am sure I'll blog a bit more here from time to time.

[faerierhona]

Congratulations! And what a difference to my own (emergency) C-Section!

[friend_of_tofu]

Yes! I'm glad it was planned rather than an emergency. I take it you are referring to your birth experience, not your later abdominal surgery?

My mum noted during pregnancy how much more inclusive the medical attitude is now than when she had kids.

[faerierhona]

Yeah, I had an emergency C-Section when Ashley was born. They didn't even call my parents until it was done!

[shewho]

congratulations on new baby!!! i am impressed that you've found the time to write this up already, t'was very interesting.

[friend_of_tofu]

Cheers! I felt it took me ages, but I did have some very boring nights in the hospital. Holding Babby gives a whole new meaning to "one-handed typing" ;-)

[friend_of_tofu]

Yes, and being home is SUCH a relief! The negative stuff was less to do with the surgery than with being stuck in the hospital. THAT was grim :-(