I'll save the birth story for a little later, but suffice it to say that recovery from pre-ecclampsia + C-section sucks! In addition to the usual pain of surgery, I had the most awful swelling all over my body from the pre-ecclampsia and from 20 straight hours of IV fluid being pumped into my body. I was literally unrecognizable after the surgery, and it took forever for the fluid to drain.
I'm still in recovery mode, though obviously much better now. Unfortunately my incision isn't healing as well as my doctor wants, and they may have to open it back up and drain it. I am so dreading that, the thought of it depresses me to no end. In addition, I found a little lump under my armpit that I'm getting checked out. I know it's probably nothing, but it's kind of freaking me out as well.
But then there are the little babies, who are magic, just magic. Every time I hold them, or see their little hands clasp around my finder, my heart hurts. They are both doing incredibly well - they spent a week in the NICU and came home with us last Tuesday. At their last pediatrician appointment they weighed 7 lbs 3 oz and 6 lbs 14 oz, so they are now well over their birth weights.
Unfortunately I'm able to breast feed them only about 50% right now. They alternate between breast and formula every feed, and even when they breast feed we are still topping them off with formula. This is what my baby nurse recommends, and I'm sure it's a good way to get them to gain weight. But I do want to try to transition more to breast feeding wholly, and I'm not sure she's going to be the one to help me to do this. She's only here a few more days though - we just hired her to help us get through the first couple of weeks - so after that we can start to do whatever we want.
I'm meeting with a lactation consultant today who will hopefully help me more with my breast feeding goals. Hoping, praying she can do that, as I am finding it one of the hardest things to cope with. It wouldn't be so bad if I was fully healed, but not feeling 100% and trying to breast feed is really tough.
Anyhow, I'm sorry for what sounds like a complain-y post. The truth is that one look at these two little babes, and it's so clear that it's worth all the pain. Hubby and I are so in love with these two precious creatures!
Here's a pic of the little burritos, all swaddled up. I hope everyone is doing well, more to come on birth story soon.
