Road to Recovery

Shortly after delivery we were wheeled off to recovery where I was able to try and nurse and finally have something to eat and drink. We were allowed visitors and my parents came to see him for the first time followed by Auntie Karen and our doula Mari. After 4-5 hours we were wheeled to a post pardom room. All three exhausted, we slept. The first few days we had many visitors and well wishers. Sore and stuck in bed most of the time, I got to feed and hold the little one. His amazing father did most of the diaper changing and picking up and returning to the crib. The second day he was diagnosed with Jaundice and put under lights. His bilirubin levels were monitored through heal pricks and the taking of blood, poor guy. The lights made him warm and sleepy which gave dad and I a break and allowed us some rest. The accommodations at Christiana were wonderful Mike stayed the whole time in a bed next to me. We had touch screen TVs with Internet and a private bathroom with shower. The meals for me were excellent someone would come and offer a menu and I would pick options in several categories. The nurses and doctors were always nice and helpful. The nurses though really stood out and over the days we were there their familiar faces were always a welcome encouragement. They helped us with nursing, planning, diapers, baths... Angels in scrubs. Friday we thought we would be dismissed but everything took longer than expected and we were asked to stay another night, which my insurance luckily would allow. Then Saturday morning we were informed his bilirubin had gone up and we may have to stay another night, which would mean releasing me but not Graydon, thus Mike would not be able to stay the night with us. The pediatrician decided to let us go home as long as we had the bilirubin checked again the next morning and the results be called into our home pediatrician on call. So we were released and with family over that evening enjoyed setting up and using all of our wonderful shower gifts.