Introducing Lucas Scott Rooney! Born November 15th weighing 7lbs and 20in long! We had a C-section scheduled for the following day but this little guy decided to come a day early and follow in his brother’s footsteps. I was having contractions on and off for weeks and since with my other two boys my water just broke, I wasn’t exactly sure how to tell when the contractions were the real deal and when it was time to go to the hospital so when they started at about midnight it wasn’t until about 5AM when I still hesitantly woke my husband and told him I think it’s time to go. We also had a drive to the hospital which was over an hour away. So by the time we got packed up, had the other kids picked up, and actually arrived at the hospital the contractions were only a minute apart! On top of that, the OR was busy so it wasn’t until noon that I was finally going in for my C-section! It was definitely interesting to experience real labor for the first time and man, I don’t know how some women do that and go natural the whole time lol! Lucas went to the NICU right away because he was having a bit of a hard time breathing due to getting meconium (poop) in his lungs as he came out. We finally got him in our room with us the second night and he has been doing great ever since. Our hospital experience wasn’t the greatest (will probably write about it in another blog) but after a couple days there we got to bring him home and complete our family of 5!
The best part of the whole experience is that I am actually successfully breastfeeding him! I wasn’t able to with the other boys because of their own issues so I honestly didn’t think much about it this time. I said I would try but fully expected something to keep me from doing it. It was rough at the beginning especially since he was getting formula in the NICU but together we figured out how it works and how to get my milk supply to catch up to his demand. I’m so happy that I get to experience this special type of bonding with him. I have no idea how long we’ll do it because we’re still taking it one day at a time but I am loving it for the most part.
The worst part of everything so far; post-partum depression. I experienced it differently with both of the other boys. With my first it was brief and not intense at all and with my second I had severe panic attacks but I don’t think that was because of hormones as much as it was because he was so tiny at only four pounds. This time though? All hormones and man was it crazy! I’m lucky it only lasted a week but I cried SO MUCH! At first it was because of the breastfeeding, then I really had an issue being alone, but then it was for no reason at all! My husband would leave a room and come back to me absolutely sobbing and when he asked what was wrong my response was “I don’t know.” I think I actually started to cry more because I was crying lol. I knew when it was happening that it was somewhat silly but I couldn’t control it, tears would just start streaming down my face! After a week of that I woke up one day and felt like the fog cleared and I’ve been doing okay ever since. But it definitely gave me sympathy for women who have been through it or go through it longer. During that week I did reach out to other women in Facebook groups and read others stories which helped a lot. So, if anyone is ever reading this and going through something similar reach out to someone even if you don’t know what to say because talking definitely helps!
Congrats on the new baby, and successful breastfeeding! The first few weeks with lack of sleep definitely are tough, glad to hear your feeling better. Hope to see more blogs soon as you settle back into the groove of things with a newborn. You mentioned not a good hospital experience? Where did you give birth if you don’t mind me asking? Also if you ever have any more babies in the future, you should consider natural child birth. I know you mentioned feeling like you couldn’t do it but I promise you, you can! I found it to be a very healing experience for me personally, as I like you had a traumatic birth experience with my first. If the home birth thing isn’t for you I would recommend Tampa general hospital. They are very good over there. Enjoy the little one!
Thank you!
We had him at Winnie Palmer. And no we aren’t planning on having any more although we weren’t really planning on having a third either lol!
Girl I hear ya! I don’t plan on having anymore either, and here I am with number 6! Seriously though, this time I mean it!! Haha. Congrats!! Let me know if you need anything, I have a ton of breastfeeding supplies I never used. I can get them to your mother in law (Karen) if you need anything!
Haha yes I feel the same way, I mean it this time too! lol!
You should message her for my number though so we can get together once I’m not a walking zombie anymore!