Arranged Marriage (Jackson Wang FF)

BONUS CHAPTER: ONE YEAR OF HEAVEN AND HELL (2)

The first two weeks

JACKSON

After the first horrifying night at the hospital, we started to get the hang of it. I adjusted to the lack of sleep pretty quickly. They taught us several skill as a newborn parents, including how to bathe them. I asked probably a million questions when they taught me. I was just worried that I might drop them or drown them. At the end, I managed to bathe Jake and Ellie managed to bathe Jane as well. After two days, Ellie was discharged, but the twins had to stay at the hospital. They said the twins got neonatal jaundice, which Ellie translated to plain language as yellowing of their skin. They had to be treated with UV light so we had to leave them behind. Another problem was, Ellie's breastmilk wasn't enough for the twins. The doctor had told us that it was natural for most women, but if she kept diligent pumping her breastmilk and breastfed them directly, the production would increase. But we still had an option to give them formula.

After discussing with the midwives and reading lots of articles online, we decided to put a hold on the formula. Since the twins were in the hospital, Ellie had to pump her breastmilk every two to three hour and I had to deliver it to the hospital. The aunty that my mom hired to take care of Ellie was positive that with the food that she cooked for Ellie, her breastmilk would come flowing. But the look on Ellie's face told me that she doubted that.

ELLIE

I looked at the breastmilk in the bottle, it was sad. Really sad. It was barely reached the first mark of the bottle. Just under 30 ml. I never knew how much a newborn needed, but I could guess that it wasn't enough for two. I sighed as I've tried several method to increase my breastmilk production but to no avail. I've tried pumping regularly, ate all the food the aunty gave me, took some supplements, got some rest in between pumping since the twins were still in the hospital. But nothing worked. I texted one of the delivery ward nurse that Seonyoung knew. I asked for several tips to improve my breastmilk production.

[Are you sure?] She texted me the name of an anti-vomiting that would help with the breastmilk production and I never heard of that.

[Yes. It might sound strange but I've heard from other doctors that it worked]

[But none ever prescribed it to their patients though] 

[How much should I take? For how long?]

[Take it just as usual, 3 times a day, 1 tablet each. As long as you need, but usually a week will do wonder]

[Any other tips?]

[Have you tried power pumping?]

[Power pumping? How do you do it?]

She then taught me how to do it and I put a mental notes to try it later that night. She said around midnight or near dawn would be better to try.

JACKSON

I rubbed my eyes and waited until they adjusted to the low light in the room. I glanced at my side and I found Ellie nowhere to be seen. I sat up straight and tried to rake my brain. Did the twins wake up and I didn't hear it? The aunty and the nanny that we hired were sleeping at the room across the hall, while the twins' room were beside ours. We decided take turn. The nanny and the aunty would take care of the twins mostly during the days, Ellie only breastfed them and tried to rest the rest of the time. But at night, it was our turn. Me and Ellie. If the twins didn't need to be breastfed, I'd tend them. Changed their diaper and rocked them back to sleep. So far, the arrangement has been great. We didn't lose sleep that much since I could catch some sleep during the days. However, I noticed Ellie has been extra quiet these past few days.