Motherhood.

I promise myself today that I will post a blog writing on a weekly basis. Preferably Monday, because I feel like it has some positive energy, the beginning of the week, birth day of me and my baby Zara. I hope to stick to it!

Zara is 10 months now as of December 2013. 

My 5 days stay in the hospital after delivery was a daily struggle to move back to normal life. My Caesarean section pains most of the time and I have to attend to newborn Zara as we requested to bring her in the room whenever she needs feeding. 

Breastfeeding is the first entrance to motherhood for me, apart from the actual growing of belly stage in pregnancy. The nurse asked me if I knew how to breastfeed the baby and I said, "yes, but please guide me." I carried newborn Zara in the clutch or football hold. This is where the nurse places the pillows just below my elbow and Zara's body will be lying in the pillow under my arm and her head facing me. This is great because it saves my stomach from weight but its still painful to sit properly for a long time. Initially, this gives me a sleepy arm or numbness because I wasn't use to it but eventually its okay. Even though I have read again and again how to make a baby latch on the breast the actual scene is really different. First, touch the cheeks of the baby softly and he/she will move his/her head and opens her lips towards the direction of the touch, thinking that its the nipple. Second, make sure the baby's mouth is wide open and gently place almost half of the areola. The suckling motion is strong and can be a bit painful in the beginning. You can feel your breast lightens. Third, the baby's chin should be pushing into the breast and her nose should be close to the breast as well. There should be a swallowing motion showing from his/her jaw. Fourth, if you want to restart breastfeeding, place your finger in the side of her mouth, it will break the latch and you can pull back and start breastfeeding steps again. Fifth, wash with water before and after for sanitary purpose. You can also rub small amount of nursing butter to avoid cracks and heal soreness. You can also use breast milk to clean the nipple before feeding. If milk flow is heavy make sure you place nursing pads every after feed and place contact nipple shield to secure nipple safety from the cotton pads. Later, try to be comfortable using the nursing cover. 

Motherhood Maternity

I found myself buying bra wear that are one size bigger than what I was before pregnancy. My clothing style changed as well, its all easy to wear tops and bottoms. For tops I picked shirts with collar and front buttons for easy access in times of breastfeeding. Pants or skirt as long as they are easy to walk in and easy to dry. Post pregnancy wardrobe includes the light and thin undies, one size bigger bra wear, leggings comfortable wear, nursing shirts, maternity long dress, and comfort sandals or slippers. 

Exercise

I will have to be excused here as my definition of exercise if walking to the bathroom and back to bed. I did walk more up to the kitchen and fridge and back to bed again. I am getting all my energy back so I can swim and do some aerobics or yoga soon. 

After childbirth care. 

The nurses asked me if Mabidan or Bidan or confinement lady will arrive right after we receive the baby from the nursery care to help me recover. I tried to ask my local Malaysian friends who and what does she do and where can I get the service. Although I have my brother, sister, and mother in law arriving just in time for my delivery, the thought of Bidan really is interesting for me. I was able to search one just before my 40th day and sadly most of them are booked way before delivery date. My confinement lady only massaged me once but its the most awesome care because after that massage my milk flow was at its best and my body felt relaxed. I wasn't able to experience the binding because my c-section incision is not to be touched. The Thai herbal ball or Luk Pra Kob was good blend after massage to lighten the muscles. I was advised to cover most of the time, socks and thick clothes. Also, always wear waist support binder to protect incision and support the back.

My diet or food-intake are chosen well so all that I eat can help on my recovery and more milk flow. I stick to more greens and soups. 

I was sleep deprived because of the breastfeeding time, I have to keep up with newborn Zara. It was exhausting and fulfilling at the same time. Like what most people would say, sleep when the baby sleeps. This is hard to follow in the beginning, but once you get the habit of it its easy, but sometimes I choose to eat slow while baby is asleep or catch up on some TV time or do some Internet browsing. 

I know its gonna get tough and hard, but looking back we all gotta do what we outta do. Simply our best.