As one of my friends said, in response to me rambling about all the drama that has unfolded since Elle was born, it has been The Perfect Storm.
I hate to sound whiny, but I do want to document all that has happened over the past 3 weeks. I want the good stuff to be what I focus on, but there is also struggle and challenges. So in order to be authentic I really want to be open about all of it. So here is the most condense version I could come up with for some of the rougher parts of my postpartum recovery.
The days following the delivery my red blood cell count, which was already really low, continued to drop and my blood pressure started to get lower as well. Eventually they ordered two units of blood to be put in me because my hemoglobin was at a 6 (when 12-14 is normal). Although it’s not what I wanted, it was all fine. I am currently at a 10.7. So that’s good news.
The next thing was that Elle failed her newborn hearing screening two days in a row. Everyone, including the professionals feel like it was a testing error. She passed on the right side and the type of hearing loss that we have is bilateral and there are many other reasons we feel like she has normal hearing. That’s not to say that it wasn’t upsetting or that we don’t take the test seriously. We will be doing a more thorough test in about 3 weeks. More on that later.
The day we were released from the hospital our land lord decided that would be the perfect time to have siding put on our rental home. We got the text message as we were being discharged. The entire time I have been home trying to rest with my newborn the outside of our home has been a construction zone. Imagine what it would sound like if a band of vikings were trying to break into your house. That’s what it’s like.
The next day was a Saturday and we were surprised to find a bunch of police cars right outside our window that morning. J went to see what was going on and we found out that our new college age neighbor had died in the night. His land lord came over a few minutes later and said not to let the kids out because the young man had died from a drug overdose.
A few days later my husband’s uncle passed away. It came as a shock to all of us. He had a really bad stroke and although we can’t make it to the funeral which is far from our home, J’s parents will be there and therefore they have had to postpone their visit. Although I am sad that they can’t come I am more sad that my father in law lost his only brother.
The first week at home was mostly spent in bed resting and I felt like my condition had improved a lot. Unfortunately it then took a sudden turn for the worse. After two weeks I felt like my blood loss increased and I had some minor abdominal pain and cramping. So I called my Doctor, but the only appointment time they had available was impossible for me to get to. I wasn’t too worried about any of this because my symptoms pretty weren’t terrible, but then I got a fever and chills and we decided it was safest to go to the Emergency Room.
That was a long night with lots of tests. They ended up sending me home at 2:00 am without any answers. I cried because I knew something was wrong, but they were telling me everything was normal.
A couple of days later (last Wednesday) I got in to to see my OB and was diagnosed with a bladder/kidney infection. I am now on amoxicillin and feeling so much better.
Then last Thursday I was able to make it to the family Thanksgiving and it was a wonderful day.
At that time I had only been on the meds for less than a day though so I wasn’t quite ready for an extended (no school) weekend with the kids by myself so my parents took all three of the older ones with them so that I could rest up.
Everything was going great until I got a call that SJ had thrown up. Then the next morning I learned that Ezie had too. My parents had to go back to work this week after taking so much time off to help so we picked up the kids. We are praying protection for myself and little Elle. It seems to be a mild stomach bug that has already passed. I still kept SJ home today just to be on the safe side.
That’s about it. I left a lot out, but I guess the point is these first 3 weeks postpartum have been rough. I am still optimistic that things are going to take a turn for the best and we can start thinking about Christmas! That will be nice.
My goodness, you poor thing! I love how you start a blog post with, “I don’t mean to be whiny” – for goodness sake, you have every right to be whiny or worse! Any number of those things on their own would be a lot to deal with, the fact that they’ve all come over a period of three weeks, after a labor like you had? I will be praying for you and hoping things will be more peaceful soon! You always have such a positive attitude but Natalie, you are human! It’s OK to scream, cry i’ll ask for help!
Thank you so much Jess. I think the reason I feel so whiny is because although this is the first time I am mentioning this on the blog I feel like I have told the story a lot. So it makes me feel like all I do is go through my laundry list of complaints, ha ha. You are so sweet and encouraging though. Thanks for sharing that with me, I do take it to heart.
Oops, I wasn’t done! I’m just saying that you are human and it sounds like there’s been lots going on! I’m glad that you’re open and honest about these things! Fingers crossed thubgs calm down soon and you start feeling better! xo
God bless all of you. Prayerfully, everyone is on the mend and there’s a clear road ahead. Always let us know you need extra prayer, that’s what our group does best! xo
It sounds like you’ve really had a rough few weeks! Those weeks are hard on their own without all the added stress. You’re not whiny at all! I will be praying for you and your whole family. Please keep us updated on how you are doing.
That is definitely a lot for anyone to go through at once, especially someone who just had a baby! I am praying for a more peaceful holiday season for you Natalie!
Pretty awful for you all… only can get better I hope. Having a new baby is hard enough but then to add other stressors to it is just not fair.
WOW! You have certainly endured a lot. Saying a prayer for you!
Hi! Praying for peace and quiet over the next few weeks and that Christmas time is a celebration of Christ’s birth and a time of reflection on all He means to us.
Oh Natalie, praying for you friend. Sorry the first three weeks have been so rough. I wish I lived closer because I would totally come and keep you company and cuddle sweet Ellis!
Oh sweet friend! Praying for you and your little family… for healing and rest and yes — for a shift in focus and a freedom to fully welcome the joy of the season!
Oh no, I hope the next three turn out better than the last!
Hi there! I came from The Pilgrim Life, love this site.
I am a mom of 6 who ALWAYS has struggled with extensive bleeding at birth and on my cycles. I had a miscarriage in December of 2015 that didn’t complete naturally so then I had a D&C. And bled for 8 weeks. Then a week after it stopped, I had a 2 week period. I have tried about 20 supplements over the years, but these 2 in particular are the 2 that turned it all around. Floradix liquid iron with herbs, and Garden of Life Raw Iron. My midwives always have me take a double dose 2x a day until my count gets back to 10, then just a normal dose 2x a day till I feel stronger. I learned about vitamin K2 after all that and now i take it along with the Raw Iron and Nettle for a week before and during my period and it makes a huge difference.
I hope the rest of your holiday season is increasingly peaceful, having a baby in the winter is tough with sickness, and the other kids can’t play outside very much and get crazy being cooped up!
Remember that the hard times will make you stronger, and feelings are NOT reality. This is the life we have chosen, and when God’s word says the fruit of the womb is a REWARD! ! ! He means it! Cling to the promises of His word, they are our reality.
But! Please please share these raw feelings, this vulnerability is such a key, now you have all sorts of people praying for you and *maybe* even other blessings to follow.
Blessings dear, BRAVE Mom!
Thanks for sharing the “real” of life and being post partum. I can’t imagine all the health struggles along with EVERYTHING else that has happened…not to mention another baby. That’s a lot to carry. Praise God that He carries our burdens–He makes them light! Praying that over you dear mom!