You can't expect everything to go as planned because most of the time it doesn't. I was hoping for a delivery without the epidural but I ended up needing it. I thought when your water breaks, it would be clear. Well, mine wasn't and that was a little scary at first. I thought I knew what the recovery process was going to be like but I had some new experiences this time around. First, my hospital bag. It looks like I didn't need to bring half of the stuff I brought. I would of been fine with my purse, his diaper bag, robe, going home clothes for me and the little one.
As for the recovery process, there were a couple things I experienced that I didn't the first time:
1) Painful cramps while breastfeeding
Apparently this usually happens after your 2nd baby. When you breastfeed, your uterus is contracting to it's pre pregnancy size. The 2nd time around, your uterus is not as firm as the first pregnancy. So it works extra hard to shrink down to it's "pre-pregnancy" size, which causes the painful, almost contraction-like, cramps. Did I mention painful? Yes, it was pretty intense while I was recovering in the hospital.
2) Swollen feet, hands and face
When I came home, I looked at my feet and noticed 2 elephant trunks. My feet didn't get swollen during my pregnancies so this was new. After giving birth, the blood and fluids (ex: IV fluids) from my labor had to go somewhere and this time it went to my feet, hands and face. Two weeks later, my feet are almost back to its normal size.
All around my recovery process is much slower this time around. I still look a little pregnant. During my first pregnancy, I didn't have a big pouch after the first week. I guess carrying a 9-pound baby will take some extra time (sigh). Looks like I won't be bikini ready by next week.
Aside from the recovery process, I am definitely more at ease. Don't get me wrong, I am still very exhausted and sleep deprived. I'm not as worried as I was with Brookie, wondering what to do to stop her from crying while pacing back and forth for hours in the bedroom. I try to stick to the usual routine; sleep, eat, change diaper and hopefully some wake time before going back to sleep. I am soaking up all of his baby cuteness as much as possible because before I know it he will be too big to carry around in my arms. The sweetest moments are the big sister and brother interactions. Brookie is so loving and is constantly giving him kisses on his head. I look forward to watching them grow up together. Now I can't even imagine a life without the both of them.
Oh and can't forget this special treat my cousin brought when she came over to visit with her family... Rosco's Chicken & Waffles! Yum!! We devoured it all! It's not zero waste but I'm telling myself it's nearly impossible to live zero waste when you just had a baby.
2) Swollen feet, hands and face
When I came home, I looked at my feet and noticed 2 elephant trunks. My feet didn't get swollen during my pregnancies so this was new. After giving birth, the blood and fluids (ex: IV fluids) from my labor had to go somewhere and this time it went to my feet, hands and face. Two weeks later, my feet are almost back to its normal size.
All around my recovery process is much slower this time around. I still look a little pregnant. During my first pregnancy, I didn't have a big pouch after the first week. I guess carrying a 9-pound baby will take some extra time (sigh). Looks like I won't be bikini ready by next week.
Aside from the recovery process, I am definitely more at ease. Don't get me wrong, I am still very exhausted and sleep deprived. I'm not as worried as I was with Brookie, wondering what to do to stop her from crying while pacing back and forth for hours in the bedroom. I try to stick to the usual routine; sleep, eat, change diaper and hopefully some wake time before going back to sleep. I am soaking up all of his baby cuteness as much as possible because before I know it he will be too big to carry around in my arms. The sweetest moments are the big sister and brother interactions. Brookie is so loving and is constantly giving him kisses on his head. I look forward to watching them grow up together. Now I can't even imagine a life without the both of them.
Oh and can't forget this special treat my cousin brought when she came over to visit with her family... Rosco's Chicken & Waffles! Yum!! We devoured it all! It's not zero waste but I'm telling myself it's nearly impossible to live zero waste when you just had a baby.
