Suzanne's Diary Entries Diary Navigation: Choose A Diary Entry -------------------- Latest Entry: 7/14/00 -------------------- 7/3/00 6/21/00 6/1/00 5/25/00 5/18/00 5/11/00 5/4/00 4/26/00 4/18/00 4/5/00 3/29/00 3/21/00 -------------------- Suzanne's Introduction

Browse the archives as this mother of two boys shared her breastfeeding experiences.

November 30, 1999

Hello! My name is Suzanne Reardon-Mulhall and I'm looking forward to sharing my breastfeeding experiences with you! I'm 33 years old and married with two boys, Neil (who will be 4 very shortly) and Kevin, my nursing 8 month old. My husband, Ed and I are originally from Long Island, NY, but we now live in Maryland. Actually, Ed came here via Chicago, as we started dating nine years after we met. (I was married before.)

We both wanted children, and we were excited to find out that we were pregnant with our first child soon after Ed moved to Maryland. After the easiest pregnancy ever, Neil was born via C-section in April, 1996 and we started on our nursing journey. It was going great, he was a fantastic nurser and I cherished the bonding experience. After six weeks, I returned to work (managing a software store) and had my breast pump in tow. It looked like it was going to go on like that for a while, but it wasn't to be.

Seven weeks after having Neil, I developed phlebitis and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and was rushed to the hospital. The doctors said this wasn't uncommon after a C-section, and I'd had a Depo-Provera shot as well. I was immediately put on blood thinners and told I wouldn't be able to nurse. Through my nine-day hospital stay, I tried to get some clear answers on whether I would be able to nurse and was told it wouldn't be wise to nurse while on the blood thinners (Coumadin) I would take for the next eight months. It was so upsetting.

Ed and I built a house and moved into it in September, 1998. He promptly moved all the baby items into the spare bedroom (the one I thought would be our office) and spent the next six weeks convincing me that it was time to have another! I became pregnant right away, and at my first prenatal visit I was informed that this was a high risk pregnancy, due to the previous DVT. I was immediately put on blood thinners. This time, though, I was to inject myself with Heparin twice daily (three shots each time). I also was monitored by a perinatologist. I was very lucky. My perinatologist was here in the States on a fellowship and had a lot of experience with Coumadin and Heparin in England. He reassured me and gave me the information I needed. I would be on Heparin until 8 weeks after delivery and the baby would be okay!

Kevin Sean made his debut on July 20, 1999 and we've been going great since then. We've nursed through three teeth now and we're in it for the long haul. My goal was to nurse the first year for the allergy and asthma benefits (I have both and wanted to avoid this with him), but since we're doing so well at 8 months, I think we'll keep going until Kevin says it is time to stop. As much as I love the experience, I wish that time would stand still. I don't want to give up this nursing experience, it's just too enjoyable...