I got a ton of questions about my birth and so instead of posting all the questions and answers on Instagram stories, I thought I would just share it on my blog.
Q: How was the c-section experience? What is it like? What is the recovery like?
A: I just did a whole blog post about my c-section experience. You can read more about that HERE. Overall, I had a great experience. My recovery went well. I feel almost completely back to normal now (12 weeks later). I do have some residual numbness and occasional discomfort near my incision site – but it is very minimal!
Q: How are nights going?
For at least the first month, Madison was waking up about every 2-3 hours to nurse and then going back to sleep. She then began sleeping a long stretch for about 4-6 hours straight, nursing, and then going back to sleep. She recently had to get a pavlik harness for her hip dysplasia. Since then, she has not been sleeping as well. Nights are still pretty unpredictable for us but she does go back to sleep after she nurses. Usually she will go to bed around 10 or 11pm and then officially wake up around 8 or 9am. She wakes up several times in between to nurse but falls asleep after she eats.
Q: Hospital bag necessities
I will do a full post about this but some things that I definitely recommend bringing – for mom: robes, button down PJs, dry shampoo, nipple cream (use this every time you breastfeed while your in the hospital!), long phone charging cord. For baby – a couple outfits and that is really it! The hospital gives you diapers, wipes, and blankets for baby. The hospital also gives underwear, pads, ice packs, meds, etc. for mom.
Q: How much physical pain did you feel about the anesthetic wore off?
It wasn’t too bad. Probably around a 3-4 out of 10. They did keep me comfortable and offered me pain meds. I only took Motrin about every 8 hours. I didn’t hurt bad enough to need narcotics plus I don’t like the side effects.
Q: It looks like your husband went back to work. How is it by yourself?
It’s been good! I spend most of my time taking care of Madison. When she naps, I get stuff done on my computer for One Fine Day, take care of things around the house, get myself ready, work on my blog, etc. I am a pretty independent person so I don’t mind being alone. If I had another child, I could see it being more difficult.
Q: Did you purchase a baby bathtub? If so, which one?
Yes, she uses this one in the bath. And this one in the sink.
Q: How is breastfeeding if you have implants? Is it painful?
I don’t know anything different. It has not been painful!
Q: How do I have time to do hair and makeup with laundry, dishes, etc.?
I get ready when Madison naps or is entertained with toys. When she was a newborn, she slept a lot. And I am not one of those people that can nap when the baby naps, I like to get stuff done. If I was really exhausted, I would nap while she was sleeping but this was rare. It’s just Tommy, Madison, the pups, and I so really we just clean up after ourselves when we eat, etc. I do laundry at least once a week if not more. The more often you do it, the less there is to put away!
Q: Were you anxious in the couple of weeks leading up to giving birth?
Yes, I was very anxious! I didn’t know what to expect. It was not bad at all.
Q: Did you go to any of the classes Baptist Beaches offers?
No, I didn’t. I did go to the hospital tour though.
Q: Was I nervous about having an epidural?
I had a spinal tap which is another type of anesthetic. An epidural is usually used for vaginal birth. I had a c-section so they did a spinal tap on me. I wasn’t nervous because I trusted the doctor and I knew that he has done this thousands of times and that he knows what he is doing! The nurses held my hands because Tommy couldn’t be in the room for this part.
Q: Have things been easier/harder than what you anticipated?
Easier! And things have been way better than what I anticipated! There are definitely times where you think you are going to lose your mind when the baby is crying and multiple things are going wrong at the same time lol! But it is so rewarding and the good times far outweigh the bad!
Q: What is the one thing that you recommend most packing for the hospital?
If you plan on breastfeeding – nipple cream!
Q: How bad was labor?
I never went into labor!
