Hospital - Imagination vs. Reality - How I Came Back Stronger After Giving Birth

And it really was like this:

It's not exactly like everything went in a completely opposite direction, but... Anyway, from the beginning.

When you get to the hospital, before the action begins (whether for a natural birth or a cesarean section), you have to go through qualification. Although women undergo a lot of various tests during pregnancy, in the hospital they have to examine the pregnancy and the baby's parameters "in their own way". Then you go to the ward and wait for the big event. There are injections, regular tests, temperature measurements (unrelated to Covid) and every now and then someone asks about contractions. That's it in a nutshell.

Magic happens (?)

And then there is BIRTH. That is, you welcome a little human being who was IN YOU for nine months and who from now on will be your absolute everything. He is probably not perfect and beautiful, but you probably see him that way. You are quivering, and the air seems to be permeated with magic. No exaggeration. Take my word for it, it is a cosmic feeling.

Unfortunately, this magic is only in your head, because for the rest of the world, time hasn't stopped for a second! So after a fairly short rest, the midwife mumbles something about verticalization, the doctor shouts to remember to fart, because it's very important, and at the same time everyone warns you to rest and sleep better when the baby is still tired from labor and sleeps a lot. And you're so high that you could come up with more plots for "The Bold and the Beautiful". Besides, how can you sleep when someone keeps running into the room? Temperature measurement, perineal/wound examination, newborn examination, possible vaccinations, participation in a diabetes prevention program, baby's hearing test, doctor's rounds. Add to that serving meals and it turns out that the door doesn't stay closed even for a moment. With my first child, I was so scared and lost that I often called the midwife, for which I was constantly reprimanded (you call her in urgent cases, not when the baby is crying and you, as a young mother, have no idea why). However, with my second child, I really wanted peace and quiet, mainly because of breastfeeding , which this time I wanted to do without the trauma of losing the baby's weight or bleeding nipples (more on that in another article).

And then she comes in, all in white :)

One person stuck in my mind the most and at that moment she gave me a much stronger dose of knowledge in a short time than the dose of painkillers I was on. A lactation consultant. Take your breast like a sandwich, between your thumb and fingers. Squeeze and place your baby on it . What do you mean? Is this a lesson in feeding or smothering? After all, this little one is somehow getting milk, so why bother? And when my breast was completely in the newborn's throat (or so I thought), I had an epiphany. Indeed, it wasn't so painful anymore. And I could hear "ykk, ykk", the characteristic baby swallowing sound I had read so much about. Incredible! Since then, I have advised all new mothers: ask the hospital for a consultation with a lactation consultant or buy one privately. Especially if you feel that something is wrong.

Childbirth in times of plague

The question I heard most often after leaving the hospital was, "What's it like to give birth during a pandemic?" Well, not so great. But one thing did change for the better. Women who were deprived of a partner, sister, mother or friend decided to support each other. New friendships were made more willingly in the wards than before. You could hear women laughing instead of whispered conversations with loved ones. After giving birth, while we were using the toilet, we left our colleagues in the ward with what was most precious to us - our child. I myself left the hospital stronger. I think we all felt the same. Listening to ourselves, guided by instinct. We simply managed.

For the record

Finally, I would like to clarify that this text is not intended to ridicule medical care. If it is not clear in the text, I would like to emphasize that my surprise and disappointment stemmed from my unrealistic idea of ​​childbirth (which I want to spare future mothers by writing this article!). During all my visits to the hospital, I was lucky to be in the best hands, always remaining very impressed by the professionalism of the entire team. Hence my respect for all the doctors, nurses, midwives and counselors and everyone I met along the way. Great respect, you are amazing!