I have an anecdote, too. My youngest nephew was born prematurely with a coarctation of the Aorta as well as a couple of other problems related to his heart. My SIL was born with transposition of the great arteries, so they did extra monitoring on my nephew and knew ahead of time that he was going to need heart surgery soon after birth. He just turned 7, and he's just amazing. Smart, strong, a huge flirt. He'd been having regular check-ups with his cardiologist until recently, when the doctor decided he didn't need to be seen any more.
Post by Monica Geller on May 24, 2015 2:02:59 GMT -5
She's beautiful! You look great too! I don't have a heart related story, but I understand having a baby in the hospital; it's the most terrifying thing. I'm continuing to keep you all in my prayers.
DS2 was born premature with some heart defects that needed correction. We were able to wait until 8 months but the constant monitoring and waiting for the other shoe to drop is very hard but it does become normal. I was able to stop staring at him trying to decide if he was breathing too fast or if his color was off. I never thought that day would come.
I also got the baby blues worse around those times. I think mine was related to shift change in NICU, everyone was coming and going and we were staying. It got better after a few weeks when PP hormones even out.
Ask a million questions, and ask them again tomorrow. Don't ever feel like you are bothering the Drs or nurses. I found a wealth of info in a FB group created for DS2's heart defect. If you are looking to connect with moms dealing with the specific defect that may be a good place to look. I felt so alone in the beginning but as I've gotten more involved in the CHD community I realize it's very common and you wouldn't even know because so many kids are running, jumping, and healthy now. 1 in 100.
Post by underwaterrhymes on May 24, 2015 4:01:28 GMT -5
You are both just beautiful!
First regarding the catheter: I had major issues for the first few weeks because of this. Not only was the area sore, but for some reason I couldn't tell when I had to pee. My bladder would just let go. Big fun. I had to wear diapers and sit on puppy pads and it suuuuucked. But it got better after about three weeks.
Second, it's totally normal to cry a LOT aftrer the baby gets here. I cried every single night at about 7 pm because another night was looming and I just felt so overwhelmed and exhausted. Sleep deprivation and hormones are motherfuckers. It got better around the two week mark and I was feeling back to normal emotionally (albeit not sleep-wise) at about four or five weeks out. If it lasts longer than three weeks or so, gets so you're crying all the time, or it gets to the point where you're thinking of hurting yourself or the baby, talk to your doctor. That's PPD or PPA and they can give you stuff to help. (My sister had PPD and she said she so wished she went on drugs sooner with her first. She didn't realize that she didn't have to feel that way.)
I don't have advice regarding the heart problem specifically, but I can tell you that there are so many people keeping you in their thoughts and prayers. Have they put you in touch with any parent groups with kids who have the same condition? That might ease your mind a bit if you can talk to someone else who has / is also going through this.
She is adorable. I am praying for you! I definitely had a harder time in the evenings. I don't think it could hurt to talk to your Doc about your concerns, he/she may be able to give you something to help with what you're dealing with. Xo
Two people I know--my cousin and my former boss's youngest son-- were born with heart defects that were diagnosed several days after they were born. Both had surgery when they were a few months old, and both had to avoid contact sports as they grew up, but both have done WONDERFULLY health-wise. My cousin just finished his sophomore year of college and is a competitive runner, and my former boss's son is working in his PhD in something physics related. You would never know either of them was a heart baby now.
I don't remember any issues with my catheter or evening baby blues, but I did get a nasty kidney infection shortly after DS1 was born. If the pain feels anything like a UTI I would probably get checked out just to make sure it wasn't due to an infection.
I'm just now catching up and reading this post. I'm sorry for being in limbo on her future. Your medical team sound like they want the best plan of action and are taking their time to monitor her in order to make plans. It's completely understandable that you are feeling out of control. If I lived near you, I seriously would come out to hug you.
You look AMAZING and Baby A is just so precious! I died when I saw her pic in her little dress. CUTE!!!!
As for postpartum woes, I can't help you with your specific questions, BUT I would strongly rely on your OB or the nurses to get your questions answered. Nothing about postpartum recovery is fun (I'm currently suffering for major incontinance, haven't had a BM yet, and now have an outside/painful hemmy...ugh). The nurses I've worked with were too happy to help and or answer questions.
Again, you and your little baby are on my mind and in my prayers. Continue to lean on your fantastic DH and allow yourself to feel through all if the feelings that come your way. Also, please reach out to your doctor if you feel the blues are abnormal, as there are so many solutions to help you pull through.
You have a lot on your plate now and have my deepest respect. You are a GREAT mother!!!
Hugs. You are a truly amazing mama and baby A is so lucky to have you. You both look beautiful.
Any question that you asked, "Should I ask my ob?", my answer would be yes. Keep an open line with her. The evening baby blues sound normal, but no harm in helping her up to date in your emotional state, especially with the added stress you have.
The first few weeks are so hard WITHOUT all that you are dealing with. You are strong and amazing and I admire you. It's OK to break down and have moments if weakness. ((Sequins))
Yay!!!! Of Course everyone there is in love with that amazingly adorable, precious angel!!!! (I know; I'm gushing & I'm not even gonna apologize.) Still so many t&p's, lovely girl. I'm even more confident (than I already was reading Snark's update) hearing your voice that you are meant to be one heck of an awesome mama.
I promise it will get SO Much Better/ Easier than this! You make it through this, you're good to go till the 3's at least- HA!! (& seriously! I'm saying that as a non-mom, just what I positively know by watching family/ friends who had difficult hospital/ NICU/ etc. stays) Again, very much in my thoughts & prayers, darling sequins!
Oh sequins, she is so, so beautiful, and you look great! I've been thinking about you guys every day. I know pp hormones are crazy and make you feel crazy, but it really should settle down for you in another week or so. Please be kind to yourself; you are handling this far better than I believe you're giving yourself credit for. The nighttime baby blues are normal, but if they continue on past a couple of weeks, I'd reach out to your doctor for sure.
I'm continuing to pray for you and your H and baby sparkle, that you don't have to stay in limbo and that you get more defined answers soon. I said this in snark's thread, but I do believe this will be a tiny, stressful blip in your life and hers very soon. Big, big hugs, sequins family!
Post by Cricket0619 on May 24, 2015 6:25:09 GMT -5
Many hugs, thoughts and prayers to you all. She is absolutely beautiful! I would get emotional and anxious at night starting around 6, I am not sure if that's the norm, but it did go away. Take care of yourself!
Post by nonsensetomfoolery on May 24, 2015 6:38:00 GMT -5
That's a gorgeous baby!
My BFF works on a CICU and is the mom of a heart baby. I know you have great resources available, but if you ever have a question or anything I would be happy to pass it on to her. She is a national presenter on feeding challenges in CICU babies and just pretty smart in general. : )
She is beautiful. I know this is a very rough start for you all, but I'm confident one day you will look back and this will be a blip in your long and wonderful history together. She'll sleep in the RNP, and it is plush enough . Just like her mother, A is a smart, fierce, resilient lady and will be okay.
With both of my kids, I was very sad in the evenings. Right around dinner time I'd start to lose it and I was dealing with nothing like what you're dealing with. With L it went away at around week 2-3, with O it did not and eventually I went to the doctor and got some help. It was my husband and ML that gave me the push to do so. This place is great.
Let me know if you want me to set anyone aflame via the phone/email about the nonideal living conditions you're dealing with. You have other things to do, we'll fight for your comfort.
My uncle had that same condition and no one knew until he was drafted to go to Vietnam and was getting his physical. Aside from the enormous upside of not having to go to war, it had little to no effect on his life and was quickly and easily corrected.