Taming the Beast

Health Update 2

I woke up this morning with a 100 degree fever. Whoo hooooo! The midwife had said that if the fever was over 100.2, we would have to seek "other" action. I do have to mention here that in Germany, what is considered a fever is 99.2 and up (not 98.6 and up). They make them stronger here in Deutschland I guess!

I spent the morning relaxing with Elena while Nate slept (see above video!). I was even feeling so good that I changed my first poopy diaper AND swaddled Elena for the first time. Life is good!

Fast forward to the midwife appointment, 2pm our time. Despite the fact that my temperature is no longer in the danger zone, my main problem, the breast infection does not yet seem to be improving. The current prognosis (probably the wrong medical term) is that if my temperature goes up this afternoon/evening above 101.2, we will have to go straight to the hospital. I guess that the antibiodic I am taking kills off a broad list of bacterias, but it is possible that I have an abnormal bacteria that isn't on that list. I am praying that my temperature stays right at this balmy 100 degrees. I hate hospitals.

The Beast

I have to make a confession. I have been wanting to do this entire pregnancy and motherhood thing as "naturally" as possible. The natural birth went off well for us, but post-natally things have started to go a bit hay-wire. The breast infection, subsequent antibiodics, and then the big one... breast-feeding. Without going into too much detail, I will say that blood has been involved and a few tears. But, as I wanted to stay au-naturelle, I sucked it up and kept on going, despite the fact that I dreaded every time she wanted to eat.

Finally, yesterday, the midwife asked me if I was interested in using a "shield" over the breast while Elena eats. I had heard of these shields, and heard of them referred to as the type of things that "real" women don't use. But I caved, gave in, succumbed, and now I must say that I enjoy spending time with my daughter while she eats. It is like an entirely different process, and to think that the whole time my stupid pride was keeping me from just asking for the help.

I told Nate and the midwife about this internal dilemma and they both scoffed at me. I think my brother and mom thought I was a little crazy too. But hey, they say that pride goeth before the fall. And I was falling. But now I'm on the way back up, while hopefully my fever keeps going back down.

NOTE: Two new pictures featuring Elena and her Daddy are in the photo gallery. They are in the same folder, called Elena 0 to 1 months. If you don't want to re-look at all of the photos again, just click on one of those little "mini" photos that you see underneath the large photo. It will take you to that point in the album. If you don't understand shoot me an email and I will try to explain more clearly!!!