Swollen, sick and hosting Christmas - a wild post partum ride

Pregnancy was a whirlwind, and by the final stretch, I was running on fumes—literally. My iron levels had plummeted so badly that I needed an iron infusion just to keep functioning. No amount of steak, spinach, or supplements was cutting it. The exhaustion was next-level, and my body felt like it was shutting down.

But that was just the beginning.

By the third trimester, pre-eclampsia decided to join the party, and let me tell you, it did not hold back. My hands, feet, ankles, and face ballooned to the point where I barely recognized myself. My boobs were enormous (which should be a win, but at that point, I was just trying to survive). My wedding rings? Forget it. Shoes? Ha. I was one step away from floating away like a waterlogged balloon.

An elective C-section was always part of my plan—I wanted a calm, controlled birth (if there even is such a thing). So, at 39 weeks, swollen beyond belief and feeling like a human waterbed, I waddled into the hospital, ready to meet my baby.

Birth and the Unexpected Aftermath

The C-section itself was smooth, quick, and honestly kind of magical. The relief I felt knowing Harris was here, safe and sound, was overwhelming. But the relief didn’t last long because the pre-eclampsia didn’t magically disappear post-birth like I’d hoped.

Instead of being discharged as a blissfully tired but healthy new mum, I was sent home with blood pressure pills and told to grab a monitor from Chemist Warehouse to keep an eye on things. Oh, and by the way, it was Christmas week, so everything would be shutting down soon. Fabulous timing.

Viral Bug, Christmas Hosting, and a Trip to the Beach—All in 11 Days

As if recovering from major surgery, managing sky-high blood pressure, and navigating newborn life wasn’t enough, a viral sickness bug decided to make its grand entrance. I was exhausted, swollen, and sick—but that didn’t stop Christmas from coming.

At just 11 days post-birth, I found myself hosting Christmas Day, trying to smile through the chaos while feeling like I’d been hit by a truck (twice). Looking back, I don’t even know how I did it. Hormones? Adrenaline? Pure madness? Probably all of the above.

And because I love a challenge, we also decided that day would be Harris’ first trip to the beach. Because why not? If we were going to make memories, we were going all in.

Looking Back—And Laughing Through the Chaos

That time in my life was absolute insanity, but in the weirdest way, I wouldn’t change it. It was overwhelming, exhausting, and completely unhinged—but it also showed me just how strong I am.

If you’re in the thick of postpartum chaos, just know: you are an actual superhero. Whether you’re hosting Christmas with stitches still healing, battling sickness while trying to keep a tiny human alive, or just riding the wild waves of new motherhood—you’ve got this.

And one day, like me, you’ll look back, shake your head, and think: What the hell was I thinking?! But you’ll also be proud. Because you did it. 💛