Postpartum Series: Libby
To kick off our postpartum series, I am bringing you an interview with Libby Armitage. Libby is a mama in her 20’s who lives in Christchurch, New Zealand.
We discuss all things postpartum, and Libby shares her advice for new mamas.
Hi Libby! Thank you so much for joining me in an interview about your postpartum experience.
Let’s start by introducing yourself and your little family…
My name is Libby, my partner is Tom, we have two Cocker Spaniels Millie and Luna and now we have our wee daughter Olive.
Olive is 4 and a half months old and she is the cheekiest, crazy, loving little baby I have ever met. She 100% gets her craziness from her Dad though… She is half Kiwi and half British from Tom.
Olive is such a gorgeous name. How did you pick it?!
I was on instagram and while watching a random video from a girl I follow, Olive was mentioned and I loved it straight away. I told Tom as soon as I could and he loved it too so we decided that we were 95% sure it would be her name. We didn’t know anyone else with the name too so that helped heaps haha.
Can you tell us about giving birth to Olive, and your subsequent postpartum recovery?
During the last couple of weeks before Olive was born, I had a gut feeling that things weren’t going to go right or to plan.
Olive was 12 days overdue when I was booked in for an induction on Sunday morning. The night before my planned induction I went into labour. We went to the hospital at 3am on the Sunday and they put me on Oxytocin straight away to speed up my labour. By 4pm things were not going entirely to plan despite me dilating and progressing so the registrar made the immediate decision to do an emergency C Section due to the risk to my baby and myself. Despite everything I still look back on it as an amazing day, and the surgeons, nurses and anaesthetists I was fortunate to have made it the most positive experience.
After being placed into recovery, the doctors found it difficult to get the majority of the anaesthetic block out of my body which kept me down in the recovery ward for longer than planned. Once I was finally moved to my room upstairs after a long stay in recovery, things didn’t go as smoothly as perhaps my partner and I had imagined.
As a result of some tense conversations on the maternity ward with the midwives and NICU doctors, Olive was rushed down to NICU at 2 days old diagnosed with Congenital Pneumonia. I believe my physical recovery was significantly delayed by having to walk up and down two floors of the hospital to visit Olive in NICU.
I honestly have just started to feel like my physical recovery has improved - only during the last few weeks have I been able to do daily activities without pain.
It has not been easy but is something I have had to learn to deal with.
Are you happy with how much support you had after having a baby? What do you think we, as a community, can do, to support new mamas?
We were in a unique position because we were in hospital with Olive for a week to begin with, and Tom was at home with me the week after. Once Tom went back to work, mum and dad came over to help with cleaning and nappy changes when they were able to because I struggled doing certain things.
In my opinion there isn't enough support available to new mums outside of the hospital. Whether you are having major surgery like a c-section or a vaginal birth, once you walk out the doors with your little bundle in their car seat you are very much on your own.
Like other major operations and procedures, giving birth should be followed up with specialist appointments, physiotherapy and other support like mental health evaluations.
In the current climate the onus is placed upon the mum to go out and search for and book in the help they need, all while navigating the challenges associated with a having a newborn.
What do you love about being a mama?
Watching our little human grow up is absolutely amazing, knowing that she is half me and half Tom. Seeing her cheeky personality and watching her reach the milestones has just been incredible. Seeing her rolling over both ways, getting into anything within reach and constantly babbling to us has been amazing.
What have you found the most difficult?
The most difficult part was the first 12 weeks. In my opinion nothing can truly prepare you for what is to come or what you are meant to do. I found getting through one day at a time worked best for us.
In 2021 the juggle is real for mamas and their careers. What are your plans around balancing motherhood and work?
My current plan is to go back to work June 2022 as my job lets me work from home which is amazing. This allows me quite a lot of flexibility which will be useful when it comes to daycare and all the other activities she’ll be doing! I am a driven person who still wants to achieve certain things with my degree in Sports Science and my working life so achieving a healthy work life balance is a key goal for me.
You got engaged recently - huge congratulations!! What relationship advice would you give to couples who have a baby on the way?
Thank you!! I have to say I waited long enough, but we finally got there!
It’s inevitable that you both will have different opinions and views on how to do things but the key is to listen to each other. No matter how different your opinion is there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and you’re on this journey together.
Now that you have both survived baby number one… What are your essential newborn items if you decide to have baby number two?
If all goes to plan and baby number two is anything like Olive then:
Heaps of Bonds Wondersuits as some days normal clothes require far too much energy and patience
Enough snacks as breastfeeding makes anyone hangry
Other than that we think we have bought most things for Olive that will last but only time will tell.
Do you have any other advice for new mamas trying to navigate life postpartum?
At the end of the day the best person for your baby is you, so trust your judgement and your instincts.
If you have friends and family who are willing to offer meals, coffee, and deliveries etc then take them. Not having to worry about minor things like that really can make your day significantly easier. We had offers of things like these but our pride got in the way, resulting in late night McDonalds once Olive was asleep.
The first 12 week postpartum are some of the hardest weeks you’ll probably have to go through so ask for help whenever you can and try work with your partner (as annoying as they can be!) and support network around you.
Libby’s instagram: @libbyarmitage
I want to say a huge thank you to Libby for sharing her postpartum experience with us!! I really enjoyed learning about Libby’s postpartum experience and she offers some excellent advice to other mamas.
Like many other mamas, Libby’s postpartum experience was not what she expected it to be. Despite Olive ending up in NICU and having a tough physical recovery herself, Libby took it all in her stride and is an amazing mama.
I think we are in unanimous agreement that the first 12 weeks of newborn life are an absolute circus. Not a fun circus either. A circus that involves being a 24/7 personal servant to a crying, pooping, demanding potato. However, you can find comfort that the potato turns into a beautiful, gorgeous, smiling drooling bundle of joy.
Thanks again Libby x