Well, I made it!
Monday was my first day back at work, and for the most part it went well. I did have a very long commute home (70 minutes!) thanks to a jam on I-95 and was hyperventilating about getting home in time for G’s last feeding, but it worked out. Our nanny did an amazing job incorporating G into her routines, and she kept me in the loop about how well things were going, which definitely helped.
I finished 90% of my patient notes. I saw about 80% of my typical patient load, which is pretty strong for a first day! I wasn’t terribly emotional about things, probably because I was too focused on trying to be maximally productive.
And as for the most stressful aspect?
Office setup: mini-fridge + pump that lives there
I think I’m going to add a space heater + I will have optimized this to the extent possible!
Well – I pumped enough. 15 oz for the day (5 oz in the AM / 10 oz during the work day itself), while she drank 13.5 oz (3 x 4.5 oz bottles). I know this is going to be a continual challenge, but I’m trying (trying) to just take it one day at a time and focus on effort NOT outcome.
(Although speaking of effort . . . I think I am going to stop pumping in the early AM on my days off. Even though I consistently did this for the past 2 months, I think my supply never really adjusted and it was leading to a cycle every single day where she’d eat, and beginning with that first not-completely-full feeding of the day, not be completely satisfied, never go long enough between feedings, and culminate in desperate hourly feedings by late afternoon. I’m glad I was able to do this and build my stash, but I want to enjoy my days off with her. So for now, I’m just going to feed her on those days, and not the freezer! A crazy idea, I know.)
I missed her, but it was okay. And I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday’s day off!
floor time!
Thankfully, I came away reminded that I really do enjoy and get a sense of fulfillment from my career, even on a day-to-day level. And I love the balance of working outside the home, particularly now that I am 4 days/week. I know things will be easier and make more sense once the nursing piece is out of the picture, but I think it’s worth just pushing through the next several (+?) months or so.
So, yeah. I really do think I am experiencing the Best of Both Worlds, even if it is not going to be the easiest of both worlds for a while (or ever. . .). Here goes the rest of the week! I have some extra challenges today and tomorrow as I am at an off-site training (all residency-related stuff!) and will not have access to my Pumping Palace but hopefully there will be an empty office and a fridge I can use.
(If not . . . I guess there’s always my car. Or a bathroom.)
Annabel’s shoe take on work/life balance
(taken on Crazy Shoe Day at school . . . yes it’s a thing)
PS: My SIL Rachel was our podcast guest this week!! She’s a teacher, mother, amazing aunt to A&C&G, community activist, and also happens to pretty much know everyone in the city of Miami Beach (only a slight exaggeration). She’s one of my favorite people and definitely someone who inspires me regularly. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts!
Hopefully back Friday with a Q1 goals review / Q2 goals post!
4 Comments
I just noticed that the caption on the picture of your "pumping palace" says your pump lives there. Is that because you decided not to pump at home anymore, or do you have two? I’m expecting my first child at the end of May, and I’ll be going back to work at the end of August, so I’ll be pumping in my office. I walk-commute, so I’m somewhat worried about needing to carry a heavy/bulky pump back and forth to work every day.
I’m looking into choosing a pump now – I’m sold on Spectra as a brand, and my insurance will cover either an S2 or a 9+ with no copay (or possibly an S1, but I would need to find an in-network supplier that carries it). The 9+ is really attractive because it’s so portable, but there’s not much information about it on the internet, and it what is out there seems to say that it’s not as powerful or durable as the S1/S2 and is louder (and the walls in my office are paper-thin).
Do you or any of your readers have experience with the Spectra 9+? Is it realistic to expect to not pump at home, or at least not during the work-week (so I would only need to carry it Monday mornings and Friday afternoons?) Or should I just expect to buy a second pump – it has occurred to me to get the 9+ through insurance since it’s more expensive, and then just buy an S2 out of pocket)?
Oh I have 2 🙂 an S2 from insurance and an S1 from amazon. The plug in one lives at work 🙂
I completely echo the pumping while you are commuting if possible. While it was a pain getting all hooked up, I did feel like I was being productive with my time! As for pumping at work, I too am in healthcare and understand how difficult it can be. I also dropped that Home pump as soon as I could. I just felt that if I was home I”d rather be (as you say) feeding my baby instead of the freezer! Keep it up Momma, you are doing an amazing job!!!!
Pumping palace 🤣 You could probably take the price tag off the fridge now 😉😁. When you have a free moment that is.