Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Introducing mZL!

I've been rather remiss in updating this blog as I've been just a tiny bit busy these past few weeks! Baby mZL (lowercase m since her initials are the same as mine!) was born via scheduled C-section on January 26 at 8:21am. She was 7 lb 5 oz and 20 inches long. 

Those of you who follow me on Instagram already know we've had a rough start this first month. After about a week at home I was re-hospitalized for postpartum preeclampsia, which I didn't even know was a thing until it happened to me. I don't think living with a chronic illness made me any more susceptible to this particular pregnancy complication, but I do think it made me a lot more likely to ignore unpleasant symptoms because I'm so used to feeling crummy. I spent several days soldiering on with a crazy headache before APL insisted that I check my blood pressure and call my OB. And it turns out it was a good thing he did.

My OB asked me to come in immediately. I expected them to check my blood pressure and send me away with a prescription for blood pressure medication - instead I was admitted immediately to labor and delivery to start a 24 hour magnesium sulfate IV. It was not a pleasant experience, but luckily I was able to keep mZL in the hospital with me so we could keep breastfeeding, though my mom or husband had to stay in the room with us while I was on the magnesium. I spent three extra days in the hospital before going home for the second time. The experience was a reminder of how important it is for me to prioritize my own self care as a mom - because if I don't take care of myself I won't be able to take care of anyone else, no matter how much they may need me. 

Then, just last week, mZL and I had to spend a night at the Children's Hospital. She was napping one afternoon when I looked over and noticed that she was extremely still and her face and hands looked a bit blue. I picked her up and she was very sluggish, and it took a few minutes to get her pink and angry again. Our pedi sent us to have her heart and lungs checked - and let me tell you: getting a 4 week old to "lay still" while covered in wires for an EKG is no picnic! Luckily they ruled out any major issues and she is doing just fine now, but it was definitely very scary. 

It has certainly been a very eventful first month, and I'm very much looking forward to things calming down and settling back into a routine going forward. In the meantime, here are a couple more pictures!