For me, the first two nights home after having a baby are the most difficult.  Hormones are crazy and tears can be frequent, sleep never seems to happen.   I really need help for the first two nights home from the hospital (the baby sleeps great in the hospital and decides to cry or stay awake all hours of the night the minute we get home!).  So I asked my mom (or would ask a friend) to stay the first two nights to HOLD the baby until feeding times (and we use a pacifier the first few weeks--this has never messed up breastfeeding for us) so my husband and I can recover by sleeping a bit the first two nights home from the hospital. 

 

The first two weeks are extremely emotionally and physically difficult for me.  It is great to have a mom or friend or husband home to help hold the baby and take care of housework (and other children) so I can rest as much as possible and process all I have been through (talking through my labor story helps me process emotionally).  Rest is so important those first few days...I really do not worry about schedules (maybe other than somewhat flexible feeding times:  2 1/2  to 3 hours from feeding to feeding during the day with possible 2 hour feedings during late evening) or any other "goals" until after those two weeks of recovery....especially when trying to breastfeed.  That takes a while to establish and can be painful and rest helps so much!  Taking it easy for two weeks is vital for me.  And the baby can/will learn routines after two weeks old.

No one prepared me for the after-delivery pains that get worse after multiple deliveries.  The post-delivery contractions have been more painful than labor pains after my fourth, fifth, and sixth babies. 

Going home with just Motrin for pain relief just did not touch the pain after babies three through six.  After my fifth I went home with a few days of Demerol and a week of Darvoset and then was fine.  After the c-section/baby number six the pain was horrible for a full six weeks!  Once home, I was on Demerol for over one week, Lortab for two weeks and Darvoset for two weeks.  (This is detailed so I'll remember in case there is a "next time.")  I did not like the side effects of these narcotics (ears ringing, drowsiness, and not remembering conversations during those times) but after the c-section/sixth baby I could only walk doubled over at a snail's pace if I let the pain-killers lapse.  I suspect it was so bad because I was "doing too much" so soon after having a baby.  I took it easy for two weeks but then all the help left and I was on my own during the days.  I guess taking care of six children ages six and under as well as climbing stairs all day is not the best prescription for a quick recovery from surgery.  :o)  We watched a lot (and I mean a lot) of movies during that time. 

What did my ancestors do without Netflix and prescription pain relief?  I am so thankful for the many advancements that give help to mommies like me!