What is your name, your baby's name, and baby's age?
Melissa Shulman; Casey Shulman; 10 months
How was your (or your partner's) pregnancy?
Honestly? Horrible. Between the vomiting all day every day for 3 months, the emergency room visit for dehydration, the monthly migraine headaches which sent me to bed for 3 days straight, and the pre-term contractions and subsequent bedrest at 30 weeks, it was not an enjoyable 9 months.
I love my son more than I ever knew it was possible to love someone, but pregnancy is still way too fresh in my mind to say that I would be happy to do it all over again. Hopefully time will help erase the memories so Casey can have a sibling one day.
How did you prepare for childbirth?
I took a childbirth preparation class, read a few books, and hung on every word from my dozens of friends who had already gone through the experience.
Was your birthing experience easier, harder or as you expected it to be?
I can't really say whether it was easier or harder. I knew that every woman has a different birthing experience so I went into it knowing that I really couldn't predict what was going to happen. With that said, I remember thinking that those contractions hurt so much more than I ever thought they would. (And I expected them to hurt A LOT.) So I guess that part was harder.
Unfortunately, my labor concluded with an emergency c-section because my baby's heart rate was spiraling downward into the 40s. I was devastated. I am still not over it and think about it on a daily basis. I felt as though I was so well read - I knew about all of the various medical interventions and I was sure I was going to be in some sort of control of my labor experience. I wasn't. The doctor didn't even have a conversation with me once he decided to do the c-section. The whole scene was out of a movie - they were running me down the hallway, people in masks all dutifully doing their jobs, and within minutes my baby was out. Luckily he was totally healthy.
I can say that the recovery was much harder than I had anticipated. I knew that regardless of the type of delivery the recovery would be rough for a few days or a week. I never expected weeks of pain.
Describe the first 7 days with your newborn.
We were in the hospital for the first 6 days because Casey had a bad case of jaundice that would not go away. He spent all day and night in a bassinet under the billi lights. He was only allowed out for feedings and I cherished those precious moments where I was allowed to hold him in my arms. Most newborns sleep most of the first week. Not Casey. He screamed his head off in that bassinet. It was so heart wrenching. And between Casey crying, the adrenaline of just having had a baby, the pain from the recovery, the in & out of nurses and doctors all day & night, I slept one hour a day for those 6 days. Add in the night I was in labor and we are talking a week of virtually no sleep. My husband still can't believe how I lived on 6 hours of sleep for an entire week. The upside to the story is that I delivered in a wonderful hospital with incredible nurses.
Bottle or Breast?
Breast. In fact, Casey won't take a bottle at all. Although I love breastfeeding and probably will be sad when it ends, I am sort of looking forward to a night away. It would be so nice to sleep in!
Who is on diaper duty?
Me, of course. On the weekends, my husband will do the morning diaper, but that's about it.
Was there an age when it "suddenly got easier"?
I remember everyone telling me that it gets a lot easier at 3 months... it totally did. I like to think of the first 3 months as survival mode. Then around 5 or 6 months when he started sitting up and playing with toys by himself it also became a lot easier. But, the real change in all of our lives is when Casey finally slept through the night at 7 months. That was definitely a game changer.
What type of stroller do you use?
Our main stroller around town is the Bugaboo. I also keep a Maclaren umbrella stroller in my car. I love both of them for the purpose each serves.
What is your current can't-live-without gear for baby?
Without hesitation, the video monitor. We didn't buy one until Casey was 7 months old. (Coinciding with the minor sleep training we had to do in order to get him to sleep through the night.) I honestly could not live without this monitor. Anyone out there with a bad sleeper - get a video monitor. It will tell you so much about how and when your baby falls asleep.
Are you getting any "me" time?
Very little. Casey goes to sleep very early so I do have the whole evening for down time. But it is spent in the apartment showering, making dinner, etc. I wouldn't exactly call it "me" time. On the weekends, my husband & I switch off taking Casey in the afternoon so we each get some "me" time. My time is usually spent at the pool with my ipod completely zoning out.
What did you find most surprising about your newborn?
I knew I would love him, but I am still surprised at how much I love him. I honestly had no idea I could love someone so much. My mom has told me my entire life "you will never know how much I love you until you have a child of your own". Now I know.