Day 8 - Transition to change

Carmen Fourie
3 days ago
3 min read

Unmade bed with a blue cover, fluffy white pillow, and scattered pink and gray blankets. Neutral wall and personal items on a side table.

I can feel things are starting to change - yes it has been a week, but it has less to do with the number of days or expectations that I "should" feel something by a specific time - we are very much going with the flow of how I and we feel, not expecting things to happen on a specific timeline. It just feels like the hugeness of birth and the huge adjustment period has passed and there are hints of our "normal" starting to emerge. Maybe... It is just a feeling for now.

So a quick update

I made my own bed (see photo above). And P.S. just because I can in this period doesn't mean I should. Of course I could have changed sheets from Day 1, but it was whether it felt easeful to do it and good for my state. In this case - yes. I am so GRATEFUL for everything that has and is being done for me, but now I can feel the itch of wanting to do something myself. Slowly. In a way that feels good. Like changing my own sheets and making my own bed.

Baby sleeping in patterned onesie on green pillow, while an adult hand holds an open book. Blue blanket background creates a calm mood.

I am feeling more energetic in terms of learning (aside from all the huge learning that is happening naturally between me and Baby M) - so I brought out my elimination communication books to have a look at whether there is anything useful to refresh about EC with a boy (I read EC content a long time ago and did EC with Elba, so it is nice to just scan through it now).

Skin care products on a wooden surface: a black-lidded jar, white tube, and black deodorant labeled "SIMPLY." Simple and clean setting.

Daily self-care

Each morning, I start my day with a little bed refresh and a little me refresh. The bed - change sheets and shake it all out. And me - perineal clean (I bath at night), wash my face with warm water and an organic terry cotton cloth, brush my teeth, change into some fresh PJs and then sit down to apply moisturizer + Vit C serum + all-natural deodorant.

Person holding a black mug over lap, wearing navy pants with white zigzag pattern. A baby's foot is visible, creating a cozy mood.

Daily nourishment

I had the usual today. Broth at least twice a day.

Ian made brownie and we've been having his cottage pie leftovers.

Lots of beverages. Still no coffee.

A person's abdomen is partially covered by a dark blue textured blanket and black clothing, set against a neutral background.

Bodily changes

Still no bleeding.

Still have hemorrhoids - urg. Pretty painful. I assume it will take a while to heal, but it hurts when I sit.

Breast swelling is down a lot! This is so nice not to have this huge heavy lumpy feeling.

My uterus / belly has only now started to deflate. Obviously not flat and will take however long it takes to be flat again, but I like that it has deflated a bit. It was feeling stretched and a bit uncomfortable at times until now.

I'm dropping about 0.5 to 1 kg per day at the moment - I think it is mostly water retention leaving my body and also my breast swelling coming down.

Still some night sweats, but not nearly as intense as my first PP experience.

A person with red glasses weighs a baby in a green sling in a room with a navy blanket and teal potty chair. They appear focused.

Final home visit from Midwife Maddy done

We had our final home visit from Maddy. After this check ups are done at midwife clinic.

So grateful that all is going well with our little man. He is back up to birth weight! We always worry about our kids health and wellbeing, but in particular when they are so so little.

Breastfeeding is going well. Lots of pees and poops from baby M.

Concluding remarks

Coming soon is more reflections about the challenges of the privilege of having two littles. And starting to feel a little confined to the cave I have been in, that until now felt like a safe secluded cave.