First Week of Being a Mom

I've had a couple of lovely messages expressing concern that things might not be going well because I haven't posted an update on my blog in a few days. Thank you, I'm touched. I'm pleased to report it's quite the contrary however. Little Anika is such a joy, and I haven't had much time at my computer because I'm just enjoying getting to know her, and eating, or catching some sleep when I'm not tending to her needs.

DH has booked some time off work, so he's around most of the time and is really smitten with her. He's in charge of cord care, bathing, and taking her picture. We share diaper and clothing changes, and playtime. Her Gramma and Grampa are here most days too, and love to hold her while she naps and this gives mommy a chance to nap without having to listen for little squawks.

She is a hungry little hippo, but fortunately she latched well right from that first moment. As long as I make sure to respond to her little cues that she's ready to eat, and catch her before she becomes upset she rarely cries or fusses. Right now she feeds about every 2 hours and even more frequently during the evening and first part of the night when she cluster feeds. We had to go to the Health Centre yesterday to have her weight checked. She was 7 lbs 13 oz (almost back to her birth weight) so right on track.

Now that my milk is fully in, she is having lots of soiled and wet diapers. I switched her into cloth diapers during the daytime, and have been using a disposable at night. Before she was born I made some cute little diaper covers, and they actually work quite well. Here she is sporting her ducky one.

We've been out every day for a brief walk in the fresh air. I picked up a used baby bivy for our stroller, and it's been the best $25 I've spent yet. We also use it in the house as a second little bassinet during the daytime to keep her close at hand. Here she is going for her first walk to the mailbox to send away her birth registration papers.

What about me? I'm recovering too. My eyes are still quite bloodshot from the hard pushing during labour, and I don't think I've ever had larger dark bags under my eyes to this extent before. It's a good thing I wear dark rimmed glasses. I've got stitches from when I tore, so sitting for too long is uncomfortable but is getting better each day. The most uncomfortable however is trying to have a BM. The sitz baths, stool softeners, and witch hazel pads have been a godsend. I have a flow like a regular period right now, but no cramps or discomfort. Surprisingly my feet and hands are still quite swollen from fluid retention. My breasts are full and nipples are sore from my little piranha, so a tube of lanolin cream is my companion. My tummy is about the same size as when I was about 20 weeks pregnant. I'm 15 lbs lighter since giving birth, so about 1/2 of my pregnancy weight gain is gone. The other half shouldn't take too long to come off with the breastfeeding. The same can't be said for the 25 lbs of fertility drug pudge.  I have a goal to get back down to my pre-IVF weight by the end of the year.That is going to take some work. I booked my post natal follow up visit for Feb 20th, so hopefully I will get the go ahead to start exercising again (aside from the walking I'm doing).

Besides the physical discomforts, I'm still riding the high emotionally of this whole experience.When people remark how much Anika looks like me, they have no idea how touching that feels because reminds me of just how close we were to pursuing donor eggs. I tear up on a regular basis, but not sad tears, just really really happy ones. I know just how fortunate we really are. I do feel sad for my IF friends who have not been so fortunate YET, and hope that they all get to experience motherhood whether it be with their own genetic material, donors, or through adoption.