Quick update on Will and his moms

KH826

Well folks, we are still in the hospital. Will is still in the NICU. His sugar level has finally stabilized, but now his sodium level is too low (likely a result of all the IV fluids they pumped him full of to try to bring his sugar up). The new goal is to go home tomorrow, but that is dependent upon his sodium level coming up in the morning. It has been a really rough couple of days. In addition to Will being in the NICU, I developed an infection (likely from multiple catheterizations) near my stitches. I have been in a lot of pain and finding it very difficult to function. Nonetheless, the hospital discharged me yesterday with an Rx for antibiotic and sent me on my merry way. In addition to the infection they also discharged me with a BP of 98/55 (I have been having low blood pressure issues since delivery causing fainting spells) and few other assorted issues. Well, the hospital didn't really have accommodations for us to stay once we were discharged, so my wife slept in a chair last night and I slept on a couch (and used a public bathroom to handle my 9 step bathroom routine due to infection). Well, when they told us tonight that they were not discharging Will, I had a gigantic meltdown. Tonight we are in a parents room with two twin beds and a private bathroom. Whyyyyyyyy were we not offered this room last night? Anyway, I realize that this post has become largely a rant, and that was not my original intent. In other news, we were able to list my wife's name on the birth certificate (yay!). Also, my wife is a total rock star mom and has bonded with our son way more than I have already and Is just super amazing with him. Oh, and breast feeding is a mess because Will has been on formula since day 1 to try to stabilize his sugar level. I have been pumping and just today managed to get 1 ounce in a pumping session, which was a huge victory. We have been mixing the breast milk with the formula. So far Will won't take the breast since he started with a bottle and was full with formula and had no interest when we started trying to BF. There is more to it than that, but I am too tired to get into details. I fear I might lose my BF relationship and just be a pumper.... If my supply ever picks up. Ok, speaking of which, I need to go pump now. Sorry also that this is just one giant paragraph. I am on my iPad and it always deletes my space breaks. Ok, so couple new pics attached also. Thanks for listening, friends.

KH826

Sorry, pics this time!

healz413

I'm sorry that you're going through so much pain and difficulty and that you haven't gotten to bring Will home yet.

Will is absolutely and totally adorable, though!

Jazibel

So sorry its been a really rough start for you all :-(  It's totally fine to rant and vent, we're here to listen.  Labor and birth are tremendous even without all the extra hoopla thrown in - you're a rockstar for riding this through. You're little guy is as adorable as ever.  I'm sure you're super excited to be in a family room - FINALLY :-)  As someone who has recently gone through the experience I can say it took more time than I expected for my body to heal. I was weak, sore and just spent for days (and that's just with a 1 degree tear). Please take it easy, let the nurses help you out, and your wife who sounds like she's doing just that already.  I hope you're all home tomorrow cuddled up on your own couch.

Take care!! :-)

StacyLH24

I'm sorry you are all having to go through so much. I hope Will is able to stabilize soon so that you can go home and be in your own element, settle in as a family, etc. I'm glad you decided to rant and vent...I have been wondering how you all are doing. Feel free to rant and vent away...and include more pics .

I hope today is a better day!

ATXmommas

I am so sorry that these first few days have been exceptionally rough.  I hope, hope, hope Will is able to go home today.  

You have every right to vent.  In fact, please do. Postpartum hormones are no joke and its important that you express your feelings and ask for support when you need it.  And, oh my, I can't imagine being stuck on a hospital couch and using the public restroom at just 4 days postpartum!

Like @Jazibel - I was very sore and weak for at least a week following labor with just one first degree tear.  In fact, I remember wondering why no one ever tells you about that part of childbirth.  It's like I was so focused on giving birth when I was pregnant that I never stopped and thought about what it would feel like afterwards.  It threw me for a loop.  It definitely sounds like you are enduring more than what I did, but I hope the infection clears soon and see you the light at the end of the tunnel very soon - it's coming!  Oh, and by the way, I was cath'd a couple of times after giving birth and I HATED it.  Once was an in-and-out and the second one stayed put for 8 hours because I couldn't empty my bladder.  Not fun.

About the BF'ing - I'm also very sorry that things have started off like they have.  I am the furthest thing from an expert, but I have spent LOTS of time reading about BF'ing in the past 6 months and want to encourage you to find a respected Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) if you are interested in transitioning Will to the breast.  Not all LC's at the hospital are IBCLC and generally IBCLC's have more expertise.  Again, no expert here, but 1oz of expressed milk at 4 days postpartum sounds pretty normal to me.  Babies at this age take in smaller amounts of BM more frequently.  If you end up exclusively pumping, I have had friends who were very successful - one made it to 7 months and one made it to 11 months.  I have major respect for that. I know I'm offering some unsolicited advice - my apologies if that's not what you need to hear right now. Please take it with a grain of salt and know that you have my respect and support in however you move forward from the current challenges.

Here's hoping that you are home with your son very soon! Thanks for keeping us updated and I hope things start getting a little easier for all of you very soon.

2MamazInSeattle

Ug. What a rough start! Here's hoping your infection clears up fast and Will's sodium gets righted asap! Keep us posted!

ball.and.chain

Sending hugs to you!  I'm sorry it's been rough.  Hoping it's smooth sailing ahead for all of you.

KH826

Thank you so much for everyone's supportive comments! I wish I had time to respond to everyone individually -- hopefully soon! At any rate, all I can say is what a difference a day can make?!?! We are home tonight (wooohoooo!) and life is good. I will post more in the Parenting Check-in tomorrow, but things are sooooo much better at home, and our first afternoon/evening could not have gone better.

firstcomeslove2013

KH826 said:

Thank you so much for everyone's supportive comments! I wish I had time to respond to everyone individually -- hopefully soon! At any rate, all I can say is what a difference a day can make?!?! We are home tonight (wooohoooo!) and life is good. I will post more in the Parenting Check-in tomorrow, but things are sooooo much better at home, and our first afternoon/evening could not have gone better.

 

 

Glad to hear you are home!!! YAY!!! Excited that you've passed the torch to me in the pregnancy check in! Whoop!

2MamazInSeattle

Great news KH!!

ATXmommas

Fantastic!

Jazibel

Excellent!! :-)

JGY

I'm late to the party here, but I want you to know that this made me ragey!  There's just no reason for you to be treated that way and I'm sorry that it happened.  I'll echo what PP said about getting 1 oz of milk at 4 dpp though, that's awesome!  And so much can change with breastfeeding, please do take it day by day.  I can't wait to read you updates in the Parenting check-in.

You two are awesome Moms already, keep it up!

redrockmama

Glad you three are all home now and that things are going better. It sounds like it's been a pretty painful and frustrating start. I hope things continue to get better with your pain and the breastfeeding. 

KH826

Thank you everyone. Today has been a hectic first full day at home, but our LO is doing awesome and things are infinitely better and easier at home. I can't tell you how thankful I am for all of the love and support that this community had shown over the last few days. You all are so fantastic! I will try my hardest to post a better update in the parenting check-in later today.

doodah1013

No need to apologize!  We just love to see you are doing well!  Keep up the good work!