Day 2 - I feel fantastic, but...
- Carmen Fourie
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
I am riding the high of how wonderful I feel after this birth compared to after my first birthing experience, but... I run the risk of maybe moving around too much.
Not starting day 2 off too well
Day 1 was a wild ride, which meant we were all exhausted come night and "bedtime" with two kiddos. As a result, we didn't set up the bedside well or think much of more beverages and snacks.
Baby M was awake and nursing for hours. I was exhausted. He finally fell asleep and I finally fell asleep. When I woke it had been over 11 hours of not eating and my beverages were long gone. This is not a good for post-partum or nursing overnight.
It was late morning, but I woke Ian from his deep sleep to get me some beverages and food. Our Midwife Maddy texted to say she was on the way.
Our day 2 started.
Refresh & start the day
During this sensitive time all cleaning of myself or getting dressed is purely for my own comfort and not at all as part of the usual routine one would have in daily life where you cleanse and get ready and clean to participate in society.
In the morning, I like a mini refresh. Getting up out of bed. Ian changing the sheets, the bleeding mats and the towels while I use the bathroom with a warm peri-bottle change my bleeding underwear, wipe down my face and brush my teeth.
I was able to take a nice bath and put a warm cloth on my boobs thanks to my friend holding Baby M and Elba playing on the side of the tub. Baths are with a few drops of select EO & Epsom Salts.
So much laundry
Day 1 & 2 are by far the days with the most laundry. The free bleeding and baby being diaper free, plus everything that was used in birth means so many loads of laundry.
Thankfully, although this is generally a task I do in our home, Ian is well versed in the rhythm of laundry. Sorting pee, poop and blood items - treating them as needed to get stains out and washing them to constantly have supplies ready and the washing machine free for when the laundry changes (to clothes, cloths, diapers, etc).
As you probably know - we've a very natural family. Which means no part of my flinches with Ian tending to my reusable bleeding items. There is beauty in allowing people to experience the raw of birth, and post-partum, but also there is beauty in our way of natural living that means so much of this is already "normal" in our home.
Blood items all rinsed and some soaked in cold water before getting washed. So far nothing has ended up with any kind of stain on. Hydrogen Peroxide on hand for cleaning up any blood stains off the mat.
The privileged of home visits
I am so grateful for midwife home visits in this time. Staying in my space we've created and chosen for the First 40 days and having someone come and do some checks and answer some questions - it is great.
I asked Maddy to kindly cut the umbilical cord clip. Tip - ask a midwife to do it, because they have the device that makes it easy to clip it off and then you won't need to worry about the practicality of it or it bothering baby anymore.
A sensitive time - more care is needed for people who are more highly sensitive
This is a sensitive period - for everyone. Some may be more or less impacted by the sensations experienced in this time, but even if one is less impacted - it should always be treated as a sensitive period and stimulus must remain low.
I am a highly sensitive person. Which in this time means I can easily pick up on things that need to change or be a certain way to create a calm, healing, transitioning environment. From Day 2 is already clear that our little Baby M may be a little more sensitive in these days than we experienced with Elba. He is bothered by things that didn't bother her. E.g. we keep lights low - blinds only half open if the sun is shining. If Elba was ever exposed to a quick light change it didn't seem to impact her much, where it did impact Baby M. The important thing is to be aware and then to ensure we are extra mindful to maintain a gentle environment.
The heel prick test that Elba barely seemed to notice was a very upsetting experience for Baby M. Halfway through I was regretting agreeing to it, but we were halfway, so it was completed.
While others may not consider any medical or other procedure during this time as something big - lots of people think babies don't remember or experience the pain the same. I am going to be bold and state it plainly - this is incorrect. They are definitely impacted by it. Their body remembers the stress and they need to release that the same as any person would. If you want examples see the studies done on how babies that are circumcised respond at later medical appointments or to pain vs babies that weren't.
Now parents may deem some procedures worth doing or necessary, BUT the important thing here is to acknowledge that it impacts on our babies and especially during this sensitive time. And to then be mindful of creating space for healing and release of that experience in ways that won't seem as obvious (later crying).
The book Aware Baby is a good resource.
Mostly nude & diaper free
This is my final day of mostly being nude and keeping baby entirely diaper free (sort of). I put on period underwear and pants but no top for Day 2. Baby has a loose flat over him. I really like his skin to be exposed to air and dry after being in the womb for so long.
Why it's the last day? This isn't a set rule. It is just what feels good. It feels good to be mostly nude, but no longer free bleeding. I then like to wear some kind of a shirt when my milk comes in because it leaks and I use a shirt to hold breast pads. For baby I will do diaper free time a lot as part of elimination communication, but it does start to become impractical cleaning so many things (by impractical I mean the impractical starts to exceed the benefits).
Food, Drinks & Supplements
Okay I am back to my supplements - Ian will be bringing our supplement box in the morning (typically after I've consumed something). I will explain on why I take what I take in other days.
Supplements I took today:
Vit D drops (it is winter in Canada)
K2 - Lifebud (I have the capsules & the drops)
Breakfast
Milky cacao with oyster powder, colostrum, syrup, pinch of kelp extract and cacao.
Organic sprouted soaked overnight oats cooked slow and low in milk with whey protein and wild blueberries. I usually have it with yogurt, but I am avoiding cold foods - especially in the first few weeks.
Lunch
Ribs and potato with broth and a raw carrot salad.
This meal was received as a gift and we are so grateful!
Dinner
Dinner was a bit more on the snack side, because breakfast and lunch were had late.
Homemade Custard - because it is prometabolic and easy on digestion.
Broth (more than once a day)
Tallow chips and homemade brownie (gift).
We have Ian's homemade broth (I'll share the details in other days), a beef broth made a friend, as well as a gifted bison chocolate broth. Broth is a huge must in this time.
Date & collagen balls (constantly)
Support
We have received so much amazing support in this time - the gift below was dropped at our door by a friend. It is a care package - a voucher to the market we frequent, 2 x natural soaps, bath salts, baby butter and lip balm. How thoughtful!
My friend C who was at the birth and caught Baby M has been staying with us to help out - wow we didn't know we needed this, but it is so very much appreciated!
The food we've been eating has been made for us. Friends and family are checking in and providing support and care from a far.
We are so incredibly grateful.
Concluding day 2
I am riding the high of birth and feeling so good! But I recognize I may have over done movement today (picking up Elba), walking around the room, etc.
Tomorrow is Day 3 - known as the "wet day"
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