Ok so you probably want to know more than just "we had a baby"...
Our son L. was born just over two weeks ago via c-section - at 8lbs 7ozs he was too big to come out any other way! We did induce labor but after my water broke, there was not much progress and his heart rate started dipping slightly during contractions - nothing serious, but an indication that he would not be coming out that way. So c-section it was. Everyone was very apologetic about it but we were prepared for this likelihood, and actually, a friend of mine who had a c-section last summer had told us not to be scared if it ended up being a c-section because it's really not a big deal, and better than laboring for 24 hours like she did.
I think the concept of a c-section is in fact worse than the reality, and so is the recovery. After all, during the procedure you are completely numb from the waist down and don't feel anything! It is overall pretty weird and mindblowing but then, so is the entire concept and experience of pregnancy and childbirth, at least in my opinion. Even up until the day we were scheduled to go into the hospital, it was hard to believe that a baby was going to come out and after he did, it was hard to believe he was ever inside me!
Meeting our son for the first time was the most incredible thing ever, and so was holding him and feeding him for the first time. In fact, the whole hospital stay was fantastic - we had a great experience, the doctors and staff were all great, and of course we were on this ridiculous high from meeting our baby for the first time. Staying at the hospital was also strangely luxurious, what with the staff on hand 24/7 to look after you and your baby and the endless supplies of pretty much whatever was needed. It all served as a pretty good gradual introduction into our new life - after all, it's pretty much like starting a new job, new relationship and getting a new roommate, all at the same time as recovering from major surgery. It's a lot.
Transitioning home was... harder, but we're getting into the swing of things now, and instead of feeding every 2-3 hours as we were in the beginning, we're down to every 4 hours, which is a BIG difference. Probably I wouldn't have appreciated that if we'd started at every 4 hours but believe me, I appreciate it now!
Everyone always talks about the sleep deprivation, but for me it was the pain, on top of the sleep deprivation, that was/is hardest to handle (as an architect, I am no stranger to sleep deprivation!) Luckily, my c-section recovery went relatively smoothly and was pretty much over after a week. Harder has been back, neck and shoulder pain from my early bad breastfeeding posture - everyone is so focused on the baby's positioning that no one reminds you to make sure your shoulders aren't all tense and hunched over. That's been the biggest challenge really.
Otherwise I think we are incredibly lucky. My parents are here for a while and have been a HUGE help, as has my husband's family - I don't know how people do this without all this support. My husband is back at work now, but my parents watch the baby for a few hours a day, giving me invaluable time to myself to sleep, shower, go for a walk, do laundry, pick up around the house etc. Also, our baby is so cute and sweet and adorable and, at least right now, pretty easy going. He had a great latch right from the start, is gaining weight like a champ (after an initial loss that had us supplementing and pumping and feeding on the horrible every 2-3 hour schedule), and he sleeps well - we can put him down while he's still awake and he will fall asleep by himself, which I gather is a very good thing.
So yes, here we are, with a new person in our house and in our lives. It's still kind of hard to believe but here he is!
