Deflation
On Wednesday night, perhaps two or three hours before my water broke, my feet were so swollen that I could barely walk. Stairs were especially painful. I asked Werner to take a photo, just so that as he continues to lobby for baby #2 (as an only child, I already really needed to be convinced that a second was a good idea; now having been through pregnancy, childbirth, and several sleepless nights, he's definitely got his work cut out for him if he wants another) I could show him the photo to remind him how difficult it all got.1
Then I went into labour.
Flashback to August, the postpartum session for our prenatal. The nurse warned that swelling could get worse after delivery. I'm not sure whether it was disbelief, shock, or fear, but in response I giggled somewhat maniacly.
And, sure enough, the swelling actually did get much much worse after delivery. It was so bad at times that I couldn't even put on the giant shoes I bought in Boston. Since the sandals I bought in Kelowna are adjustable, I could still wear them, but it is getting a little chilly for them. Werner offered me his runners.
During pregnancy, I had swollen feet and cankles, but my legs weren't badly affected. After the stressful visit at Children's Hospital emergency, the swelling got to the point that, when I tried to crouch down, I felt as though my legs were going to burst open like sausages.
In the hospital, I was told it was pitting edema, a direct result of having had an IV because of the epidural. I was also told it was nothing to worry about and it would go away.
Now, eight days post-partum, I think I may finally be getting my feet back. My ankles are still somewhat swollen, and I bet if I put socks on I'd still get an indentation from the elastic, but my toes seem to be back to normal. No more marshmallow toes! My feet are unbelievably sore from the pressure, but I think that within the day or two I'll be able to believe, once again, that I actually do have bones in my feet.
Maybe, with a little luck, some day I'll be able to wear my regular shoes, once again2.
1 And I had an easy pregnancy! I think the main challenges come from being an 'older' mother, not so old as to qualify for so-called 'advanced maternal age', but old enough that it was probably a little harder on my body, relatively speaking, than it would have been for a younger woman.
2 And if not, well, shoe shopping, here I come!!
Then I went into labour.
Flashback to August, the postpartum session for our prenatal. The nurse warned that swelling could get worse after delivery. I'm not sure whether it was disbelief, shock, or fear, but in response I giggled somewhat maniacly.
And, sure enough, the swelling actually did get much much worse after delivery. It was so bad at times that I couldn't even put on the giant shoes I bought in Boston. Since the sandals I bought in Kelowna are adjustable, I could still wear them, but it is getting a little chilly for them. Werner offered me his runners.
During pregnancy, I had swollen feet and cankles, but my legs weren't badly affected. After the stressful visit at Children's Hospital emergency, the swelling got to the point that, when I tried to crouch down, I felt as though my legs were going to burst open like sausages.
In the hospital, I was told it was pitting edema, a direct result of having had an IV because of the epidural. I was also told it was nothing to worry about and it would go away.
Now, eight days post-partum, I think I may finally be getting my feet back. My ankles are still somewhat swollen, and I bet if I put socks on I'd still get an indentation from the elastic, but my toes seem to be back to normal. No more marshmallow toes! My feet are unbelievably sore from the pressure, but I think that within the day or two I'll be able to believe, once again, that I actually do have bones in my feet.
Maybe, with a little luck, some day I'll be able to wear my regular shoes, once again2.
1 And I had an easy pregnancy! I think the main challenges come from being an 'older' mother, not so old as to qualify for so-called 'advanced maternal age', but old enough that it was probably a little harder on my body, relatively speaking, than it would have been for a younger woman.
2 And if not, well, shoe shopping, here I come!!
posted by Melanie A at 11:13 a.m.
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