Recovery ain't what it used to be

Recovering from pregnancy #2 was (is!) much different than pregnancy #1.  I'd heard this before, but didn't think about it (too focused on labor I guess) until it was happening!

It began when the hospital staff wheeled me to the postpartum room with my new baby.  I've still got an IV in and, even better, I am still hooked up to a bag of Oxytocin.  Why am I still hooked up to this stuff??  This is the made me go into labor stuff, and I don't want another bag of it in my system thank you very much!  Apparently I was bleeding a little more than they liked so they wanted to make sure my uterus was doing it's job and cramping and shrinking.  Thanks guys.   I asked Bill if I ever even mentioned having cramps after giving birth to Miriam and he said he didn't remember me mentioning it.  That would be because I don't remember having them!  But I was just checking.  What they say is true, afterbirth cramps after a second birth hurt.  I watched that bag of Oxytocin and waited to be unhooked.  Turns out, it didn't matter much, the cramps I had after it was gone were just as uncomfortable.  Uncomfortable as in - ouch this feels like a mildly intense contraction.  I have to do my breathing through this!  And it put a little damper on breastfeeding cause I knew every time baby nursed it would bring them on.  So glad when those went away.

This time, I totally get why there is this weeks long period between birth and your postpartum checkup.  After I got home, I still couldn't sleep on my back without bringing on pain in my abdomen for a couple weeks (sleeping on my back is what I've been waiting for dang it!).  I still have random pains in my hips and the ligaments that supported that uterus during pregnancy.   I've even had some random shooting sciatic pains - which I didn't even have during pregnancy!?

I had a follow up call from a nurse with our insurance company and we're both pretty sure some of the "problem" is the fact I am running around after a 3 year old this time.  No chillin' on the couch watching shows, napping and eating all day.  (I don't remember much about Miriam's first month besides getting up at night a lot, so I'm making that up)   I am feeling (MOST of the time) tons better emotionally since he arrived then during pregnancy.  So even though it's not easy, I'm less depressed.  It feels so good for Liam to be HERE and working on establishing our new normal. 


That said, I'd like to find that normal soon. :)  I gotta add exercise to it.  And holidays.  I'm ready to put recovery behind us.