My hospital experience this weekend.

[KirstenMary]

This weekend, I had emergency gallbladder surgery. I was on my way to a gig (I sing in a Top 40 band), and the pain I had been experiencing for three days became unbearable. Our agent ended up getting a replacement for the gig, and my DH took me to the ER.

Anyway, I had my pump with me, and in order to keep up my supply, I tried to pump at least every two to four hours...sometimes very hard to do between pain meds and tests. Every single nurse and doctor who came in to see me recognized my pump and asked me how old my "baby" was. When I replied that she would be two on 5/19 (I missed her birthday because of the surgery ), I got nothing but praise.from.everyone. Not one person said anything negative, and the nurses and PCAs even offered to help me pump if I felt too out of it to do it myself. When my 60+ year old surgeon came in for the pre-surgery consultation, he took one look at my pump and said, "Just pump and dump for 24 hours, and then you'll be all set to nurse the little one."

How awesome is that!!!!!!!!!

And I was away for three days and very fearful that my little one would refuse the breast when I returned home, but as soon as I walked in the door, she ran up to my and yelled, "Yay, Momma, buh-buh!!!!!!!"

FTR, I was at UMass Memorial in Worcester, MA. I'm so happy that I think I'll write a letter.

[nummies]

Sounds wonderful! Sorry that you had to have surgery, but it was so nice that you had a pleasant experience and that your DD is back on the breast!

[ThreeBeans]

Kirsten, I had my gallbladder out at the same place in 2003

[ThreeBeans]

Oh and they are very pro-breastfeeding on the OB ward there as well

I was so worried with my first, and when the nurse came in to take him to his hearing test I yelled out after her, "Remember! No bottles! No Pacifiers! No formula! No sugar-water!"

She stuck her head back in and said, "I love you breastfeeding mommys"

[columbusmomma]

I loved reading your story!

[mytwogirls]

[LeighB]

Glad you're ok!

[tireesix]

When I was in hospital with DD1 when she was sick, I was also 36 weeks pregnant and my daughters Paed and the dietician were both very impressed that I was still feeding DD1 but were even more impressed at me planning on tandem feeding and I was told 'we wish there were more people like you' (even though they kept bugging me about vaccinating).

Sometimes, you get some good Docs out there!!!!!

[KirstenMary]

I should also add that when I had Dillan, one of the nurses showed me how to breastfeed a newborn in a side laying position, so I could sleep with her in my hospital bed.

I cannot say enough good things about that hospital.

[nataliebassoon]

[Surfacing]

[annethcz]

What a fabulous story

[butterfly_mommy]

Thank you for sharing this great story (Well great except for your pain and surgery) I had gallbladder attacks and had mine removed in Sept 06 so I understand the pain

[Redheaded_Momma]

KirstenMary that is such a sweet story! What your DD said when you walked in the door made me tear up