being called mum

The Best Things About Being Called Mum

I have been giving this topic a lot of thought over the past few days and initially I thought I would have a top ten or even have my favourite things about being a mum numbered, but it occurred to me I can’t rate the things I love nor can I round them off to a even number. So here they are, in no particular order.

  • Rhemy: I know this is a fairly obvious one and honestly probably doesn’t need to be said, but I can’t have a list of my favourite things without listing her. She has taught me so much about myself in her short time on this planet. She is hilarious and wonderful and as corny as it sounds, she is my heart wandering around outside of my body (not that she wanders far).
  • Newborn smell: My friends who have children always spoke of the “newborn” smell and I believed them but I truly had never experienced it until I had my own baby. But they were right, the newborn smell is something out of this world!
  • Playtime: Never in my life, did I think I would enjoy singing nursery rhymes, on the floor under a mobile with a child who can not sing along, but my god I do! Seeing her face light up when the little characters twirl around above her, her gorgeous smile when I bop around singing for her bring me complete and utter joy. Luckily Rhemy doesn’t judge my singing or dancing and just enjoys our time together haha.
  • Baby clothes, shoes and accessories: This is not really part of motherhood but it is part of having a baby and probably has a lot to do with the fact that Rhemy has more clothes then she has been able to wear, but I love dressing her everyday. I love picking outfits for her, I love accessorising with headbands and little shoes. I love the compliments she recieves. I love making headbands and little barefoot sandals for her and hope one day I will be able to make her little pieces of clothing.
  • The way baby looks for me: I know, babies love their mums and that early on they are able to distinguish their mother and father from others that visit. But nothing prepared me for the feeling I would get when it was blatantly obvious that Rhemy wanted me.
  • Morning time: Just after Rhemy wakes up and she has her bottle I sit her on my lap facing me and we talk. She talks back and smiles and once or twice she has giggled. I love this time, it is our time just the two of us!
  • Her milestones: Seeing my daughter reach her milestones, is a feeling that I could not prepare myself for. The pride I felt when I heard her laugh and coo for the first time, when I witnessed her first smile and even when she had her first bottle is overwhelming.
  • Naptime: I love putting Rhemy in her swaddle and putting her in her crib. She is so peaceful and content and this time everyday reminds me of the unconditional love I feel for this tiny little human.

So I ask you to leave a commment and tell me what you are your favourite things about Being Called Mum?
Insta: @being_called_mum

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Vasovagal Syndrome 4 months on

It has been four months (tomorrow) since the birth of Rhemy and four glorious months of no fainting, light headiness or nausea that is caused by having Vasovagal Syndrome.

Before I was pregnant, I was diagnosed with Vasovagal Syndrome and once my medication dosage was correct, it was something that did not bother me day to day. However when I was heavily pregnant I struggled severely with passing out. My medication was not working, but it was not an option to cease taking it. This reason among others, was why my c-section was moved forward from the original scheduled date.

Four months on and I have halved my medication, I feel great and have not fainted or felt dizzy. I had an appointment with my cardiologist just over a month ago, who was thrilled with my progress and even suggested that over time I could take myself off my medication and perhaps I had begun to out grow this syndrome.

When I was first diagnosed I couldn’t understand how you could grow out of this, however now I am sure you can. My triggers are pain and heat, while I haven’t been in pain lately (lucky me) I have been in the heat, walking and even participating in the gym and I have not once felt slightly off. With all these factors in mind, I am hopeful to be completely off my medication by the end of the year.

Vasovagal Syndrome is not over common and many people do not know about it, I struggled finding information on it when I first found out this was the reason why I felt faint for no real reason. I would love to hear from people who have this or even used to have it.

Until next time!

Routines and everything in between

Lately it has dawned on me that every child has a different “normal”. Whether it be their routine, their milestones or their weight. I realise this isn’t new information but as first time mother, I think it is something each mother does work out in their own time.

My daughter is nearly 4 months old and has only just began to giggle, is not interested in rolling over and absolutely hates tummy time. She has ample free time on the floor and we have modified tummy time to best suit her. She feeds roughly every three hours during the day but will go 10 hours overnight without a feed. She loves to sit up (with help) and is always trying to stand up on our legs and tummy.

Her nap time in the morning, resembles a cat nap and lasts at most half hour, but in the afternoon she will sleep three hours or more. Her bed time is 8.30 and she goes straight to sleep, at nap time she fights us like nobodies business.

Rhemy is going in 00 clothing and is exclusively bottle fed, after being breastfed for the first three months. A decision we made, based on what was best for her. She is a happy baby, who only cries when hungry or tired. Squeals when things don’t go her way and smiles like crazy when they do.

For the first couple of months of her life, I fretted over her getting into a routine, I fretted that she wasn’t meeting milestones at the “correct” time or that her feeds weren’t spaced enough or were too far apart. As time has gone by, I realised she has found her own routine, she is progressing and growing every day at her pace and she eats when she is hungry (and gaining weight rapidly!). She is happy and loved, she is clothed and taken care of, everything I want for my beautiful baby girl.

I realise now every baby’s needs vary, some need routine from day one and others work theirs out as they go. Some babies are breastfed exclusively and others are fed from a bottle. Some babies reach milestones extremely early and others extremely late, and thats okay.

So I ask you what’s your baby’s routine?

My Caesarean experience

Before I had Rhemy I decided to do research on what a caesarean meant for me and what would actually happen in the theatre. After about an hour of reading I had seen too much! I had read things I didn’t want to know and seen photos that I couldn’t unsee! I certainly didn’t feel more knowledgeable on the things I wanted to know most.

What I wanted to know was how it would feel when I was numb and during the actual procedure – completely strange and like nothing that anyone could ever explain, maybe that’s why I couldn’t find anyone who had tried. There was pulling and pressure when they were getting Rhemy out and to be honest after she was born I don’t even remember feeling anything else. I was too smitten with my newborn. I was told I would get to see Sean cut the cord and the doctors checking her out but I couldn’t. We did however have an amazing nurse who took photos and video for me and showed me while I was on the table waiting for Rhemy to be brought to me. Once she was on my chest looking into my eyes the rest of the procedure flew by and I was back in recovery before I knew it.

Which brings me to the next thing I was dying to know when I began my research. The recovery and pain! The rest of that first day was pretty good. I was still numb but beginning to get feeling back, and thankfully felt absolutely no pain. I did vomit for most of the afternoon and evening, probably from the anaesthetic or pain relief or more than likely – a mix of both.

Then day two happened… I woke up feeling great and hanging to have a shower, I couldn’t wait for the nurse to come and get me and to get out of the bed! That’s when I felt all the pain it was excruciating and horrible but necessary as it meant I had commenced the most crucial part of my recovery (moving around) even if I was sure my mum was going to have to brush my hair for the rest of my life haha. After my shower I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting in my chair chatting to family and enjoying my beautiful newborn.

I spent a total of 3 days in hospital and 2 in the Rendezvous as part of the Baby Bliss program Ashford Hospital offers. It was lovely to have that time with Sean and know that midwife was available around the clock to help me whenever necessary. Rhemy was such a good baby and not a hassle to feed so I didn’t need to call on her once but it was nice to know  she was there.

I believe each day I got better, less pain and more movement. 2 weeks after I felt really good except for turning which felt strange and almost unnatural. Now apart from the numbness around my scar I feel normal and have no concerns with having another caesarean.

Lastly I leave you with a small bit of advice, if you are asked if you would like to see your baby as he or she is born say yes! We were not asked, instead the curtain was dropped as it was all happening and it was absolutely amazing! So I say, if you can – go for it!

Until next time