Hospital, July 31 to Aug 2, 2012

We had the most amazing care at the Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee.

TFH is a "Baby Friendly" hospital, which partially explains the excellent care Aldo and I received.   http://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/eng/01.html    Once born, and still attached to the cord, Aldo was placed on my chest where he remained for the next hour.  In that time, he found my breast and began to suckle.  Eventually, he was taken from my chest, but not from my sight, for measurements and such.  He was returned to my chest and we relaxed for an hour or two.  A nurse helped me to shower and wheeled me into my postpardum room, a room complete with a guest bed for my mom and a wheeled crib for Aldo, who was again handed to me after I was made comfortable in my hospital bed.

 

I slept 30 minutes the first night (Tuesday).  I slept 2 hours the second day/night (Wed).  And I slept 4-5 hours the third night (Thu). Particularly memorable is Aldo feeding for four hours straight, between 1-5 a.m. on Wednesday.  As Clare's husband Steve remarked, "he's putting in his milk order."   My visitor's were Heather and John, Steve and Clare.  I asked mom to go home the second two nights so she could rest up, but she was always there otherwise, helping me.

I also had visits from Drs. Thompson and Coll to check on the status of my bleeding, swelling and pain.  Cindy Bansen, the lactation consultant (and I would wager the inspiration and muscle behind the "Baby Friendly" hospital certification), visited me three  times and showed me the "football hold" breastfeeding method, and just generally set me at ease.  Dr. Gina Barta, Aldo's family physician in Tahoe City, visited two days to check on Aldo.  And I was aided by 5-6 nurses, each responding kindly and efficiently to my every need.  My three meals each day were satisfying, healthy, and tasted better than expected.  A special breakfast, for both mom and I, was served with sparkling cider and stemmed glasses and a visit from the ward manager.  Probably no surprise that I was a little nervous to leave.