When I thought of the idea of being a mother, I conjured up images of play dates and muffin mix, but never did I really sit down and contemplate all the side trimmings and would be 'negatives'. Don't get me wrong, I would not change it for the world, but after all the books I read about pregnancy and labour, I came out afterwards thinking: not once did it mention the REAL first few weeks as a first time mum.
In The Netherlands.
Oh dear...
I thought I would base this post on a few of the realities, or at least what were realities for me. They may come in useful for you, they may not, but at least I will have them written down for baby no.2...
1) If you tear during labour, getting the stitches 'sewn' is the easy part. Do not fear this, do not even fear the cutting, as they numb you. Fear the 10 days ahead. Should you be sewn too tightly, come day 4 you will not be able to sit let alone turn in the bed. Yes they are disolvable, but really by day 4 they should have done their job and can be removed, that's if you healed well. Ask a doctor to cut some loose. It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
2) Paracetamol is shit. Refuse it. Or in my case, take it and sneak in your own ibuprofen. Only after a few days of pain did I think to take it and it helped so much.
3) Calendula cream. Here they say not to put anything on the stitches, just keep them dry at all times. This is also rubbish. Whack that cream on! Very healing and soothing.
4) I read on a few websites to hold a cold compress/towel/ toilet paper on your stitches as you pee. Warm is much better! The coldness just gives you another state of shock so always opt for warm if you can!
5) The first poo...
This was a tricky one, something akin to pooing razor blades edged with glass. Made all the more worse by iron tablets due to blood loss in labour which cause constipation. Great. Here is what you need: Dried almonds, coffee, lots of water, instagram/ daily mail app on your phone, and if you are really stuck, microlax. The cramps afterwards are pretty sore but nothing a hot water bottle can't cure. Remember again a warm compress, and no, the stitches won't burst even though it feels like they might.
Then you come home, and not only does the pain continue for quite some time, but normal life needs to kind of commence again. Vanish will become your new best friend and you wonder will the washing up pile ever end. You feel guilty (for 2 seconds) for not ironing the baby rompers (seriously...such little material anyway!) and just as you sit down to your lungo the roaring match begins again!
But would you change any of it...not for the world!
Reality
Not something you see much of on blog world
Now off to drink my cold coffee
Kus :)
