My 6 week postpartum appointment with the midwives was Thursday. I got the green light to resume all previous activities, but was told to be gentle with myself because it should still take some time to get back to normal. Really great news is I’m back to within 11 pounds of my pre-pregnancy weight and now I’m allowed to start exercising again. With my stretch marks and everything, I’m not going to be “bikini-ready” this summer, but I have hopes for the future.
One thing that I haven’t mentioned on the blog about my postpartum recovery is that I suffered some nerve damage in my feet and lower legs as a result of the epidural, prolonged labor & pushing while in stirrups. Immediately after birth, both of my legs were very swollen as well as numb and tingly. I could barely walk even with support. Things improved over the next few days, but by one week postpartum, I still had reduced sensation, pins & needles, and reduced range of motion in my left foot. I kept seeing my chiropractor after pregnancy and he thought I might have some nerve damage and referred me to a neurologist. I had an EMG (runs electrical current through your nerves & muscles) and was diagnosed with damage to my common peroneal nerve (which runs from the outside of your knee down to your foot). I’ve been in physical therapy for two weeks, twice a week, and doing my own exercises every day and have begun to see improvement in my range of motion, but the numbness and tingling will have to eventually go away on their own, which the doctors think will happen.
I have to say, that of all of the symptoms and side effects of pregnancy and birth, this is not one I had ever heard of or expected. It has been very frustrating to deal with. For the first few days at home, I couldn’t even carry Miles up and down the stairs safely. I’m very grateful that it’s my left foot that is affected so that I can still drive. Arranging child care for Miles while I go to appointments has been a hassle, but I’m very glad we have family close by so that I’m able to do it.
Yesterday marked 6 weeks for Curly. He has certainly come a long way. On average, he gives us 7 hours of sleep at night broken up into 3-4 hour chunks. He smiles and sometimes laughs. He’s outgrown some of his first outfits, which we are now passing along to the other couples we know with babies on the way. He has become more interactive with his toys, like the bouncer and the playmat, and likes to stare at shapes, lines, and faces. He’s also able to lift his chest up with his arms when he’s on his belly. He does well in groups of people, as he tends to fall asleep in the sling. He’s definitely much easier and fun to deal with on a day to day basis now.
Naked tummy time
Oooh toy
Sweet sleeper
1 In Vermillion 