We’ve all watched the typical birthing programs and bringing baby home programs on the televisions at some point throughout our pregnancies. The programs I watched often featured American families bringing their newborns home, family and friends coming round bringing food, everyone sitting round a big table celebrating the new baby sounds perfect! Although I’m sure you’ll agree things don’t always plan out so perfectly.
Thomas was born on the 18th December, we were discharged from the hospital on 20th December, we had to stay in a few days mainly because I had a section. We were told that we could go home around 2pm I was excited as I just couldn’t wait to get home to begin family life with our little one! I instantly began packing my bags and getting myself ready to leave, a couple of hours passed and the doctor came to see me, she was happy with my stitches and discharged me. We were then just waiting for the pediatrician to come round to look at Thomas and to discuss the possible hernia I mentioned, which was identified when he was born. Well we Wait….and waited…It must have been about 6:30pm when the pediatrician finally came. She was happy with Thomas, he had his referrals in process so he was given the OK to go home, I couldn’t get out of the hospital quick enough.
I don’t know if you feel the same way but when your in hospital its like your in your own little bubble, protected from the rest of the world. You don’t know fully what has been happening outside your bubbled environment. Cold Fresh air on my skin was a novelty I hadn’t felt in a few days! I knew it had been snowing over the days I was in hospital, although I wasn’t expecting the blizzard and snow we were faced with outside the hospital! Thomas was wrapped up like an Eskimo in his car seat, Nathan left us in the foyer area whilst he got the car as close to the door as possible I walked to the car with Thomas like I was walking on ice, strapped him securely in the back of the car and sat myself next to him. Nathan then turned on the engine and began to pull away, it was the worst journey in my life! We the car kept skidding and locking up, my heart was in my mouth, as we drove at a snails pace out of the hospital grounds. Luckily the main roads outside the hospital had been gritted, they were a little better, but it was still a treacherous journey one that I wouldn’t want to repeat with the most precious cargo in the back – A new born baby!
We got home around 7:30pm it was dark and cold outside, but the house was lovely and warm. Nathan had cleaned round which I was relieved about, cleaning was the last thing I wanted to do. I remember all mine and Thomas things practically filled the living room! We all settled in for the night, put Thomas to bed then Nathan and I had a glass of Martini Asti to toast our new arrival and the future of our family life. I was home with my two favourite boys I couldn’t have asked for anything else.
