Yesterday I went to see my primary care physician about my foot. 10 days later I'm still limping and in pain so it was time to make sure that I didn't do something silly to it. After an appointment and X-rays, it was deemed by a student doctor that I didn't have a break that they could see in my foot but maybe I have a tiny stress fracture? And that the slight bit of extra fluid in my feet and the extra weight due to pregnancy are not helping. Their answer? Ice and Rest. Okay, so I will continue to suck it up as I have been and continue to get sh*t done.
Later in the day I had an appointment with my OB and talked to her about the possibility of getting postpartum depression if I didn't have it the first time. I have been more emotional this pregnancy and my google searching while up crying the other night didn't yield any answers. My OB's response was that it would be highly unlikely to get PPD if you didn't have it the first time, however, with a second baby there will likely be more anxiety and guilt. For instance, I could get anxious if both kids are crying so it was important to use my support network to help with Izzy while I am busy with the baby- especially before Baby Boy has a schedule.
That didn't really make me feel any better, but reading this article- The Just F*cking Doing It Club- helped me a bit because it is so true. Once I had Izzy I was asked numerous times how I fit everything in. You just do. You figure out what works for you and you just do it because you have to. And that is what I will do once I have two kids. I'll figure out what works for me and just f*cking do it.
6 comments:
Um, that mantra is brilliant (ditto the article).
Hang in there, I know that's a jerk move to say when I am not also a) pregnant, b) already a parent, AND c) solo-parenting...so...actually, I retract my statement. I shall just cheer from the sidelines, passing you Gatorade and chocolate, when necessary.
xox
Ha! I love this article!
Short story. After the Beats were born and were home, a friend came over to help me for a couple of hours while Grey went back to work (he never did get a formal paternity leave). After a couple of hours, she gave me a hug and announced she had to leave. In that moment, I realized I would be solo parenting 2 infants for the next 6 hrs. And I had no other option but to jump in.
So yes, you find a way to do it. And soon it becomes the new normal. It won't be pretty initially, but over time you'll get the hang of it. I promise.
I often wonder how parents with triplets (or more) do it. I can't imagine having three. We get asked how we do it with twins. The answer is, you just do it! As the article says, you figure it out and just f*cking do it! You got this momma!
Love this! However, I find it interesting that your doctor says it's highly unlikely to get PPD if you didn't have it the first time... I would have to argue that's not exactly true. Anyway, take care of yourself. I echo what the others have said, I guess you just do it. We can do amazing things when we don't think we can.
I have every confidence that you will be able to Just F*cking Do It, and if every once in a while you find yourself crying at 1 am because it's so effing hard, that's okay too. Thinking of you as you get closer and closer to being a mom of two!
Huh, very interesting to hear that PPD is unlikely if you didn't have it with the first. I've been very interested to see how I'll do on that front when the time comes - I'm a little more emotional than normal these days, but I'm basically a robot normally so "a little emotional" for me is still probably well under what most people would consider normal emotional output :) But we'll see! I'm not assuming that my robot tendencies will protect me from PPD any more than a normal human, for the time being.
I seriously am in awe of anyone who is pregnant with another small kid, let alone taking care of an infant with another toddler in tow as well. That is AMAZING. I have total, complete confidence in your ability to handle it - but I do legit think anyone who does it should get a medal. (A medal made of wine and cookies, maybe?? :) )
Post a Comment