Bringing Baby Home
So it all started at a hospital on the Goldcoast of Australia where I decided to discharge myself after an emergency C-Section. I was excited to bring my baby home, put the baby in his cute clothes and share this wonderful space with him. My husband was ready and excited too. He picked me up in the morning with a plate of steak and spinach and non-disposable plates he had borrowed from the restaurant. He said, “Baby I have some iron for you”.
Bye Bye Hospital
We looked at our baby, then we looked at each other; he was just too cute! We were on our way home finally! Now my husband had brought the stroller up to the delivery ward. We got to the car and realised there was no space. The Moses basket/bassinet was in the car and so was the car seat and the stroller that we were struggling to fold!
Folding the stroller
I had no clue how to fold this stroller as I was not paying attention when we bought it. Yes, I could not care less about the mechanics of that stroller as my husband did not want to go ahead and splurge on my dream stroller!
It was 40 degrees outside in the heat of late November. I was holding the baby and we could not figure out how to fold this thing; mind you I am usually the mechanically inclined person in the family. Everyone was looking at us as we were blocking traffic at the drop off zone. My husband had to approach a few passers-by for help and no one knew how to fold this stroller. He then went back to the delivery ward and 30 minutes later came back to us.
I just wanted to go home! But wait, we had to go to the restaurant to return the plates! My husband had bragged about his good looking son and they were looking forward to seeing this boy child of ours. We made it through that hurdle and then we were finally on our way home.
Welcome Home
My husband opened the door for us and we walked into the house. It was quiet and it then hit us that we were now three. We did not know what to do with the baby. It all just became overwhelming. I decided I would breastfeed since I was struggling with it. I sat down to breastfeed and my husband was acting like a Nazi midwife nagging me about how to hold the baby; I had finally had enough and went upstairs to our bedroom.
It was baby and I alone in the bedroom and I sat on the bed with pillows supporting me. I continued trying to learn the art of breastfeeding and the next thing I felt myself almost falling from the bed. I realised I had passed out with the baby in my arms and we both almost hit the floor.
I was not convinced that my baby was having enough to drink and was feeling useless as a mother. I was scared, I was his source of food for the first six months at the least, and I was devastated.
Back to Hospital
Shortly, I felt my baby’s temperature and he felt hot to touch. My husband had gone to the pharmacy to get my prescription medication and I was screaming for help. It looked like little man was foaming at the mouth as well.
We rushed him to accident and emergency when my husband came back and I felt safe once again. They cooled him down and we were given a room for the night. We pretty much went back to the hospital the same day we were discharged.
There is hope
My husbanded informed the midwives that I may need more help/support breastfeeding the baby. A lactation consultant was assigned to me while we were in the hospital and she came to my room every two hours for support. I definitely needed that extra support. Our baby was fine and ready to go back home to his new parents. Once it all clicked it just became easier by the day.
You can all do it parents, it is so simple when you look back. Just take one step at a time. Allow for your husband/partner to help out. He is excited too and as scared as you are. It is just a beautiful experience when you learn together. I will be sharing with you about how I mastered the art of breastfeeding.
In the meantime, in between time, hug you husband and tell him you appreciate him and his help