Week 1 with The Baby

Sorry about my delay in posting, but it’s been an overwhelming few days.  Before I write any more, I’ve decided to give names to my kids (to make it easier on my readers and me!):  My five year old son will be the Boy, my 3 year old daughter – the Girl, and my new little angel – the Baby!  I know – it’s all terribly unoriginal, but it’s what I could come up with!

The Baby arrived last week, as I mentioned.  As of Thursday, I was 5 days overdue, and Dr. B (my wonderful, wonderful OB who has so beautifully delivered all my kids, and in the process become a good friend) decided that I should come in to be induced on a day when he would be there.  That made me feel very secure and comfortable, knowing that my own doctor would be present. When I showed up at the Obstetrics Day Unit at Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto), the nurse informed me that I was already 5 cm dilated and no induction would be necessary!

They then sent me along to Labour and Delivery where I was put on a little oxytocin to get me going. I asked for an epidural before my contractions even began – I’m a total coward when it comes to pain, and was happy to have the opportunity to avoid it.  The only difficult part of my labour/delivery process was getting the epidural in properly.  As Sinai is a teaching hospital, they initially had a resident attempt my epidural. After he thoroughly failed – 2 hrs later – at getting it right, they brought in a proper anaesthesiologist to finish the job.  He was great, got it done effortlessly and it was totally worth it.  While I couldn’t feel any pain, I still felt the pressure of oncoming contractions.  According to my family (my brother, sister-in-law and husband were all in the room until I started pushing, upon which my brother left)  I was saying some pretty weird things to the nurses, but nothing too too strange!  Example, I told one nurse that she had "really awesome hair"!

That same nurse asked me if I had thought of names for my daughter!!  I don’t know if I told you, but we had refrained from finding out the sex of the baby.  I couldn’t believe that she let it slip hours before I gave birth! I didn’t get too angry (partly because of the drugs!) but definitely would have preferred if she hadn’t done so. 

After the epidural and some Benadryl, I fell into a comfy slumber, and awoke 3 hours later to be told I was close to 10 cm dilated.  Dr. B and his resident (very competent) arrived and told me to start pushing! My darling Baby came out in one push and there she was.

Her weight has gone down a little more than it should have (my milk supply historically takes a few days to really get going) but it’s thankfully back on the upswing. Until she’s back at her birth weight, I’m feeding every two hours – and waking her up to do so. I’m in a daze, and the sleep deprivation is a shocker after a couple of years of my kids being past this stage. But, I love the night feeds when it’s just me gazing into her eyes.  We’re getting to know one another and I’m in love.

The Boy and the Girl have embraced their baby sister, especially the Girl who has taken real ownership of her.  Anyone who visits is immediately told sternly by her: "That’s my baby."

So far I’ve not been alone – my husband took the first week off and now my in-laws are here. I don’t know what it’ll be like when I’m alone with three kids. I’m a bit nervous about that but will keep you posted.