Where do I begin? Alice is doing great. She is a hungry little girl and I can barely keep up with her. We hoped to breast feed exclusively but I can’t seem to satisfy her increasing demand. I have been working with a lactation consultant, eating properly and I know I could use more sleep. We have another appointment with the pediatrician on Monday, my birthday, and I hope to discuss these matters with Dr. Gabriel.
The lack of sleep is taking its toll. Both Andrew and I are more edgy than usual and things are getting passed over like shopping for food and organizing the apartment. Oh, we moved back to Bay Ridge. It’s a little far from the train and parking is difficult at night - so what else is new. We were spoiled in Rockaway.
The birth was an incredible experience. I started to have intense labor pains on Sunday, by Tuesday night they were consistent, between 5 to 15/20 minutes apart. Unfortunately I was only dilated one centimeter and I was not progressing. I met with the midwife on Wednesday and took a stress test at the Madonna center across the street from the hospital. They sent me home but it was getting to be unbearable. I was crying at every contraction and had not slept in 48 hours. By Thursday the midwife, Andrew and myself all agreed that we needed to induce. I received an epidural and pitocin, which helped me relax, as well as made me incredibly itchy and violently sick almost immediately. After about an hour the midwife came back checked me, I was 4 centimeters, she broke my water and within an hour I was at 10 and ready to give birth. Well, that is the abridged version. The epidural wore off and I was able to have a successful vaginal birth after pushing for about 45 minutes. Andrew was a great help and very supportive. He helped hold my legs during the birth and cut Alice’s umbilical cord.
The Methodist staff was amazing. Alice roomed with us at the hospital and I immediately attempted to breastfeed. This also meant that we didn’t get any sleep those two nights.
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