Elizabeth woke in the night at 3.40am, and fed very briefly being back in her cot by 4.05am. She slept again until 6.40am, and was up and about for the day at 10.15am. I fed her and changed her then got ready to go out to the doctors for my 6-week postnatal check. She was well-fed and quiet when I strapped her into the car, although her big eyes were wide awake. There was no space on the surgery car park so had to park on the main road and negotiate the traffic while I unstrapped the car seat. I 'arrived' myself on the touch screen computer system and my heart sank when I read that the delay was currently half an hour. Sat in a quiet part of the waiting room and struck up conversation with another Mum and her pushchair. She told me that Charlie was 11 weeks - he seemed very big!
Elizabeth was still asleep when my name was called. Had my blood pressure taken (high) then the GP asked me some questions (had I thought about contraception yet? No!!). He was disappointed that my pelvis hadn't settled but said it could take many months and to come back if it was no better in many months. I said that my stitches still hurt, and he said that they might hurt for a bit yet, did I want him to take a look? The honest answer to that question would be 'no!' but I wanted reassurance that I didn't have an infection or something, so got up on the bed while the nurse held the curtain as it had fallen off the rail. Took my clothes off and memories of labour came flooding back as I raised my legs, bent my knees and let the doctor peer inside me. He said it looked 'angry' and 'tight' and poked about inside me to see how far the tear went (quite a way). If it isn't better within two months I might have to have the episiotomy 're-set', i.e. they will remove the scar tissue and stitch me up again. Felt uneasy about what would happen to Elizabeth during this procedure - she needs me! GP was keen to get on, but I had to get in my question about the rash/itching which has been driving me mad for ages. It started weeks ago on the flabby skin of my stomach, then moved to my boobs, and now my hips, legs, arms... everywhere really. He prescribed some hydrocortisone and sent me on my way.
Fastened Elizabeth back into the car, then drove around to the shops in the village, parked, got her car seat strapped on to the pram wheels and went to the chemist for my prescription. When that finally arrived she was waking up, and by the time I was back at the house at 1pm she was hungry and had a very wet and dirty nappy. She fed really well though, and I was amazed that she went to sleep in my arms and settled nicely into her cot.
Relayed the news from the doctor to husband on the phone during his lunch-time call - he sounded concerned about the prospect of an operation, and felt that waiting two months seemed a long time.
Elizabeth was back to 'feeding frenzies' this evening. I occupied her for a good half and hour or so having a massage which she seemed to enjoy. She also had a good 'tummy time' without her nappy on - having the huge terry nappy seems to make it very difficult for her to lie comfortably on her front.
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