Nursing

When I was pregnant I had planned to nurse my little one. I had no idea how difficult it would be. I was aware of all the benefits to breastfeeding. It is the best that you can give your newborn baby. I was so determined to breastfeed, therefore; I didn’t buy any bottles. When she arrived the nurses at the hospital were great, they helped with nursing my newborn. They aided me with the technique of having the baby latch on. The first few day was easy. I was warned by the doctor to prepare myself for the second and third would be most difficult. The Doctor was right, the second and third day, the baby ate every hour on the hour. I was exhausted and not getting much sleep, I didn’t let that discourage me though. I continued to nurse. I was getting much support from my spouse and family.

It wasn’t until the second week that nursing started to become real difficult. I started to experience difficulties with nursing on one side. I had tried to find a solution to my problem; I had spoken to the nurse, other mothers who were nursing their babies. By the third week, I had made the decision to stop nursing, unfortunately; I did not find a solution to my problem with nursing.

It was a difficult decision; it took support from family and my spouse to actually be ok with my decision. I felt like a failure. I wanted nursing to work out, it was something that I enjoyed. I had created a bond with my daughter while nursing. Even though I could no longer nurse, I had to keep in mind that my bond with my daughter would not be affected. I would prefer to nurse over bottle-feeding. It was so convenient to nurse, there was no heating up the milk it was always ready. I have accepted that nursing is not for everyone and that formula is good for the baby aswell.

Super Mom

When I was pregnant I had lots of plans. I planned to be super mom. I had it all figured out. I would tell my sister-n-law that I could go back to work within 3 months of having the baby. I had plans to travel with the baby, go to school. My sister-n-law told me that I will not want to go back to work, nor do all the things that I have planned. Now that I have given birth and am home with the baby, there is no way that I would be able to go back to work in 3 months. I would not feel ready. There is so much more when it comes to caring for a baby. I am struggling to keep up with my schoolwork. I don’t know what I was thinking, when I was pregnant. Must have been the hormones.

More sleepless nights

Sleepless nights had come around again. When you are pregnant, your body prepares yourself for the sleepless nights that you are going to experience after you have your baby. I can’t remember that last time when I had a full night a sleep. The baby gets up twice a night to eat. I have to admit she is a good baby she eats and sleeps. I was reading the baby bible book, and it says that a baby doesn’t fall under a schedule for about 3 months. So I am wondering when the baby will sleep through the night. I enjoy getting up with her, even if it means I will be sleep deprived for the next few months.

40 weeks pregnant

Finally 40 weeks pregnant and my due date has arrived, May 26, 2008. At this time I was anxious to go into labour. I was ready to deliver and meet my little Ansale'wit (Angel in Mi'kmaq). I was scheduled to see my Doctor at 8 am that day. When I saw my doctor, she said I was only open 1.5 cm. I was determined to go into labour, therefore; I went for an hour walk immediately after my appointment.

At around suppertime, I started to have contractions, they were not strong, but they were consistent, every 5 minutes. I knew that my labour had not started yet, although I knew that my body was preparing itself. I had let my family know that there was a chance that I would be going into labour sometime during the evening. At around 10 pm. I decided that I would walk around the block, to keep my contractions consistent. I walked for about a half hour, then decided that I should rest up. I went home and went to bed.

It was midnight when I was woken up by sharp abdominal pain. I looked at my watch, and five minutes passed when I got another sharp cramp. I was in labour, I wasn’t nervous, there was no time to be. I waited for an hour to pass before I went to the hospital.

When I arrived at the hospital, the contractions had got more intense. I was open at 3.5 cm’s. Before I knew it, I was in the delivery room preparing myself for childbirth. My water broke when I was 6 cm’s dilated. Before I knew it I was I was 10 cm’s dilated and ready to push. I pushed for 44 minutes, and at 8:49 am I gave birth to my daughter Anayah Ansale’wit Swanson Larocque. She weighted 7 pounds 14 ounces and was 19 ¾ inches long.

The moment I saw her face, I fell in love unconditionally for the first time. I was over welcomed with affection for my daughter. It’s true what they say, you forget the pain of labour when you see your baby’s face for the first time. After all I experienced with Labour and giving birth natural without the epidural; I must say, I have a new level of respect for mothers.

false labour

I experienced false labour at 35 weeks. I was a nervous, not feeling ready to deliver my baby. I did not know that I was experiencing false labour until I called my mother. I knew I was having contractions, braxton hicks, but they lasted longer than normal. I was scared thinking, is this it? After one hour of timing my contractions, they went away. I did everything I was suppose to, I went to lay on my left side. With relaxation the braxton hicks stopped. What a relief, being 35 weeks pregnant I just wasnt ready for the delivery. I was still working and going to school.