A week ago today...

Today is a week since I went in labour, I’m not sure where that week has gone, it seems to have disappeared very quickly.  We’ve had our moments so far; lots of lovin’ from James for Genevieve that is a little boisterous - like most toddlers his age I would imagine - the re-familiarisation of quite how large ones boobs can get when milk arrives and also quite how much poo a baby can produce - always minutes after a fresh nappy…

I shall continue with Genevieve’s arrival from where I left off…

On returning from my bath and reclaiming G from cuddles with the midwives we awaited a transfer up to a ward - I was due to be monitored for a while in case i required assistance with blood loss - but sadly due to the timing of being wheeled up to the ward Pip and I missed tea and toast on labour ward then a more filling brekkie on the ward (Lyndhurst), horror of horrors…  After a nurse took my obs, near 10 she realised we hadn’t eaten and went off to make us a batch of toast - Mila we love you - she came back with about half a loaf of toast that Pip and I gratefully inhaled!

To cut a slightly tedious stay on a hot ward and a bay buddy that seemed to think that daylight should only reach as far as her bed and kept her curtains shut the entire 6 hours I was there short the hi-light of the stay on Lyndhurst was a visit from James!

Pip and I had spent some time working out how we wanted this to take place as we had read a little about introducing siblings etc.  We needn’t have worried.  James was more interested in his gift from Genevieve, a noisy train book, than G herself, but he did take time to give her a poke and give her her gift from him -  a knitted Humpty Dumpty - and after half an hour walked off saying “bye mummy, bye baby sister”.  All in all completely heart-warming and utterly cute!

After a final check by the midwife on duty we were allowed to head off to Ashurst or the New Forest Birth Centre, as it is more officially known.  Though that wasn’t before the ward receptionist stopped us from leaving as I carried G out.  We were challenged as to where our car seat was, to which I replied (likely with a slight Jill tone) “in the car…” it seems babies cannot be carried off the ward, so the midwife had to supervise G into the car to ensure she was safe and secure…  Impressive care but also slightly pedantic from our point of view.

And so at Ashurst we arrived, I could feel myself relax as we walked through the doors.  I am so glad I went back there this time and that we asked for a single room - last time I shared the ward, though it was very quiet.  Having a room meant James came to visit every day and could be as noisy as he liked without disturbing the other new mums.

A visit from Granny C (and A Ali) Fri evening

Over breakfast on Saturday, after an expected fitful night’s sleep, talking to the other mums it became apparent that I was the only 2nd time mum staying at that time.  So was able to chat away about the discomforts of breastfeeding and stitches and sleepless nights and share that it does get better and more comfortable!  My stay and chit-chat with the others boosted my confidence no end and reinforced that I hadn’t forgotten everything in the few months that J has ceased being a “baby”.

Genevieve underwent her 72 hour check on Saturday and was found to have a small tongue tie but thus far it hasn’t affected feeding, so can go untreated and also a slightly twisted right foot, most likely due to a funny position in-utero but that should sort itself out of its own accord too.

Other than that she had her epic cord trimmed down and was given a clean bill of health.

The midwives made sure to check on my mental health and talked me through things to look out for over the next few days and weeks.  While it is still a bit strange discussing it so openly it does help to make it less of an issue if the PND strikes again.

We had a visit from Granny Sue, Uncle Jon and Aunty Lisa Saturday afternoon with lots of gifts for James - who was far more interested in escaping out the doors of the lounge!

Thankfully Saturday night I managed to get some sleep - after the trainee midwife tapped the door to say hi, offered me a hot chocolate and said to buzz at any time during the night even if it was for a cup of tea -  how can you not enjoy a stay at Ashurst?!

After 2 days of being well-fed (glad I put my national insurance to good use) and well cared for I headed home Sunday afternoon to start the next chapter of our family...