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| 3 Weeks Postpartum |
How far along were you when you had your baby? 39 weeks and 5 days
How long was labor? About 11 hours from the first contraction I noticed to when she was born (3:30 am - 2:40 pm). Painful contractions lasted about 8 hours...well, they would have been painful if not for the epidural :) Pushing took about an hour and a half.
Total weight gain: Probably about 37 pounds. I think I was at 35 at my last doctor's appointment, and I'm pretty sure I gained more after that. This number was really hard for me to see. We did a last minute photo shoot to document my belly the day before Zoe was born, and it's crazy to look at those pictures. I just had a lot of anxiety about the weight coming off. Don't get me wrong, this little peanut was worth EVERYTHING, but it was still hard to see that number.
Total weight loss so far: While the weight gain was shocking, the weight loss has been awesome. I attribute a lot of it to breastfeeding. Also, there were a few days when we were on our own at first when I had a hard time coordinating taking care of Zoe, Wally, and finding time to eat so I didn't eat a whole lot those few days. I know, it's not good for me at all, and I promise I've come up with tricks to make sure I get my food in too during the day.
I stepped on the scale probably 4 days postpartum and was down about 10 or 12 lbs. As of 2 weeks and 3 days postpartum, I had 2 lbs left to lose. I think I had a lot of swelling and water weight in the end. My stomach has gone down considerably. I can fit into all of my pants again (with a little muffin top that I'll need to tone once I'm cleared by my doctor). But my thighs and calves were huge at the end. I could barely get into my jeans that I had. Now that I can easily slip everything on, I'm guessing it was a lot of swelling.
How is physical recovery going? I really think that God cut me some slack here since breast feeding has been so challenging :) I had two tears in the front and back that needed to be stitched. I used the numbing spray and tucks that the hospital provided religiously. I also made sure to take ibuprofen and Tylenol 3 whenever I could. I wanted to make sure to keep the pain away. It was hard to get out of bed those first few days in the hospital, but things quickly got better. There was only one day at home that I was worried I might have torn a stitch getting out of the car, but everything ended up being fine. I know I was really lucky here to be able to move around and feel ok.
I really feel ready to workout. My mom and I took Zoe and Wally for a walk when we had a nice day here and it felt so good. Only a few more weeks though until my doctor's appointment where I'll hopefully get the go ahead. Although, I'm not really sure when I'll fit in workout time :) I'm hoping to be able to do a video here and there at home and maybe go to the YMCA once in a while Zoe and Aaron get daddy/daughter time.
What do you miss about being pregnant? I really don't miss anything about the end :) I was getting really uncomfortable, feeling huge, and was so tired. I do miss being in the late 20 weeks early 30 weeks when I was finally showing, feeling great, and could feel Little Miss moving around all the time. But, having her on the outside is SO much better :)
How is nursing going? Much, much better than the beginning. This is a whole other post though :)
Have you taken her out yet? Yes, we have gone to the pediatrician a few times. She also had jaundice so we had to have her blood drawn a few times to check her levels (worse experience ever...I can't handle hearing her scream. I think I cried as much as her.). Aaron and I took her to Panera and Once Upon a Child when she was about a week old so I could get out and keep my sanity. We went for a walk with my mom one day when the weather was really nice. We also took her out to dinner when my mom was here. Hopefully it gets a little easier once she gets a little older. Since she's eating about every 3 hours and taking 45 minutes per feeding right now, it's hard to find time to go anywhere major. I do have bottles I can give her of pumped milk, but I want to make sure I properly establish my supply (which they say happens at about 6 weeks). I know we'll eventually figure things out. She's only 3.5 weeks old so everything is still so new.
How/where does she sleep? Sleeping has been going great. Again, maybe I'm getting a reprieve since breast feeding has had me in tears too many times to count. At about 3.5 weeks, she's been getting up usually about once per night/early morning to eat. Then up again between 5 and 8 depending on what time she ate last. I'll go back to bed if it's early, or if it's 8 I'll get up and get a few things done (like shower) before she gets up for her next feeding. She loves being swaddled so I take advantage of being able to put her down in the morning. She sleeps on and off all day after eating as well. She loves to be held though. I know eventually I have to break this habit, but they say for now, she's too little to be spoiled so I'm going to soak up the snuggles for a little while longer :)
Aaron and I are sleeping in the guest room for now with her in the pack and play. We have a small heater so the room doesn't get too cold (our house is freezing). We also have a fan on low for "while noise" for her. If she's having a hard time falling asleep, we turn on her white noise CD which plays various tracks of white noise, ocean sounds, etc. I then take her into the nursery to nurse her and we go back in the guest room when we are done.
The private lactation consultant I used recommended sleeping with her until 6 months. I don't think we'll stay in the same room quite that long. She'll eventually go in her crib.
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