Just before Bobby was born I began shaking uncontrollably. This had happened to me before. I felt so horrible however, that I didn’t want to hold my baby. I thought I might drop him. When they asked if I wanted to nurse him, I wondered if they were crazy. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. “Please make it stop!” I begged. My doctor told me it could last up to an hour. Sure enough right at an hour when they had finally ordered something to calm me down, it stopped. I was able to hold my little baby.
While I nursed Bobby, Jason called both of our parents. That is as far as we got on our calling list. The nurses brought me some food and as soon as I was finished eating they were in a hurry to get me out of the labor and delivery room. My legs were still somewhat numb. Finally after convincing the nurses that I could use the bathroom on my own–thank you very much–they wheeled me to my post partum room. I felt horrible.
I am normally a cooperative patient, but as soon as I got into the room I had three nurses rattling off a huge list of information that I couldn’t have cared less about at that point. I did not speak. I uh huhed my way through the long processes. Toward the end their little introductions one of them took my temperature and it was over 101. Then they listened to my chest and declared they heard fluid in my lungs. I guess I was sicker than I thought! The doctor was called and antibiotics were ordered by IV every six hours. I accepted every kind of pain pill they offered and the nurses finally, albeit temporarily, left the room at 11:30 in the evening!
As soon as Jason lay down on his “bed” the coughing began. He hadn’t brought any medicine with him. After about a half hour of that I suggested that he go home since neither one of us were going to get any sleep like that.
So I was left alone with my baby and the very meticulous nurse that came knocking on my door every hour on the dot to do her little ritual. Seriously every hour. I tried hard not to be annoyed and imagined my beloved, but very meticulous, aunt, who is a nurse, trying her very best to do her job just like she was supposed to. I had to admit that if I ever needed anything this nurse came to my rescue in an instant. I actually really liked her! We finally came to an understanding when I asked her to please not knock and just to come in. At first she was knocking and wouldn’t step into the room until I yelled for her to come in–waking the baby as well of course! Ha ha it all seems rather funny now!
I felt pretty bad the whole time I was at the hospital and my doctor was considering keeping me another night. When I begged that I’d never get well if I didn’t get some rest, and that was never going to happen at this hospital, she let me go home.
My recovery has been slower than other times. I am hoping all the aches and pains will cease soon! Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement!
I’m linked with Women Living Well.
That sounds really hard. I hope you’re getting some rest and starting to feel better!
im sorry you were feeling so bad while u were in the hospital! but the blessing in that is – you were in the hospital and could get the medicine and care you needed- 101 fever! 🙁 hope you did get more rest once you got home. and in the end, its so worth it, having your new little one out and about now! 🙂 prayers for your rest and re-strengthing as you adjust to a 7-person family.
Keep taking care of yourself.
Uggh,I bet it feels like it will never end! Postpartum is sometimes pretty icky, what with leaking on top, soreness on bottom, and general tiredness all around.
But as they say, this too shall past. Best wishes for good health and a speedy recovery!
I remember the shaking…it happened with both my sons. I’m sorry this one was a bit of an ordeal! I hope you get through this part of it quickly.
I hate post partum recovery : ( At least a cute baby makes it worth it.
Hang in there.. I feel for you.
That’s tough. I never would have known you went through that with your wonderfully, cheery disposition you had just a few days later. I will pray for you, Esther. I know you will be back to tip top shape soon.
Aw, I hope you feel better soon. I had the shakes after Kaia was born–they said it just happens after some deliveries, but I think it was worse because of some of the medications they had me on. I felt really cold too. I’m glad you were well enough to go home…hospitals do pay close attention to you, but there is no place like home. 😉
Ugh, I always sleep better once I get home. I don’t know how anyone recovers in a hospital! I’m sorry this is a rougher recovery for you. Take your time and REST, its the best thing you can do not only for yourself but for your whole family.
Blessings to you!
I will say a prayer for you today!
Postpartum recovery is one of those things nobody talks about and then it’s a big giant icky surprise for first-time moms. I have made it one of my missions in life to warn my first-time-mom friends about postpartum recovery! Better to hear it from me than the lady leading your childbirth class at the hospital! When my instructor began laying out all the postpartum supplies, the eyes of all the pregnant women in the room got huge. Nobody had warned us! LOL
I hope your recovery speeds up and you feel like yourself soon. 🙂
I had felt sick after I had my daughter too, so I was scared I would drop her as well. And my poor husband was scared to hold her. LOL
I hope it all goes away very quickly!
Oh, the shakes! I had those! So my midwife gave me a shot in the leg, and then I promptly threw up. It was awful, not having any control over my own body.
I had to smile at your going home to rest. I actually love to be in the hospital! No kiddos demanding things, my nurses didn’t seem to be as “busy” as yours (???), and I sent my baby to the nursery this time around! I felt guilty about it, because I’ve never done that before, but it felt SOOOO GOOOOD to sleep all night (in between nurses)! I kept asking the nurse, “Does my baby need me? Is he hungry?” And she kept re-assuring me that he was just fine — still sleeping. He still is a great nighttime sleeper!
When my first one was born, the nurses forgot about me. Seriously. It led to all sorts of complications — and a complimentary upgrade to the nicest suite in the hospital (though I would have preferred feeling well in a small room). Better to be loved a lot than to be forgotten!
I wonder what that shaking is all about… and why no one ever warns us that it will happen. It scared me out of my wits the first time around.
Yes, I got those shakes too. I believe it’s from a huge shift in hormones and adrenaline that it takes to have a baby. It’s scary:( Praying for you to feel better and thank you for sharing your story.
Blessings
Thank you for sharing your story. I hope you are feeling much better now and are able to enjoy bonding with your precious baby boy.
That would be a frightening experience. Funny that your busy household is more restful than the hospital! I hope you’re starting to feel better each day. Have a blessed Christmas with your beautiful family.