Question to Moms, from Mom-to-be

MsShoshi

I know everyone is different, but I figured I'd get a good mix of answers to make the best decision.  So, I do Passion Parties - most of my parties are at night and last maybe 3 hours.  I am due May 10 and I've started booking in to March... so I know that April will be booking up shortly after.  I'm trying to figure out how far out I should really book and how soon I should start booking again, once I have the baby.  I was thinking I would stop booking the last week of April and then start again 3 weeks after my due date.  Just would appreciate any and all feedback.  I have a super supportive husband and family, so someone watching the baby while I do a party, won't be a problem.

BlairWaldorf

I would give yourself at least a month before heading back.

But then again, I attended a few work functions 3 weeks pp & out for a few hours & it really wasn't bad.  So if you're only talking a few hours, then go for it but don't book yourself solid.

ashdonne

I would say to give yourself a month to be safe.  However, I did a few things 2 weeks after baby and it was ok but I noticed I got tired very quickly. 

MsShoshi

I just wasn't sure... since this is my first baby.  I wasn't sure how accurate my due date is and all that.  I have had a great pregnancy so far - no complications, problems, sickness, etc.  I kind of figured that I'd be ok since my parties are only 3 hours, usually.  Thanks for the advice

yellowcar

As someone who was 9 days overdue with my first child (and that was only because I was induced; it would have been even more if I had waited for her to come on her own), I would advise you to give yourself a little bit more time.  And have someone to sub in for you in case you're not able to have those first few parties.

Also, my overdue little munchkin ended up as an emergency c-section, so I was not even able to walk a whole lot 3 weeks after my original "due date."  Just saying.  You never know...

Maybride2

If you plan to breastfeed, keep in mind that you're going to need to nurse or pump about every 2 hours.  I don't know how long your passion parties last, but that's something to think about.

You also have no idea yet how you'll feel postpartum.  If you have a c-section, you may not be getting around super well even at 3 weeks pp.  I have friends who were still increcibly sore a month following a vaginal delivery, and some who were ready to go dancing a week later......you just never know how you'll feel. 

Personally, I know that I wasn't ready to be out-and-about and away from my baby 3 weeks postpartum.  I was still in a hazy, sleep-deprived, crashing-hormone crazy fog at that time.  I probably wouldn't have wanted anything scheduled for me until more like 8 weeks pp. 

madhatter2003

Maybride2:

If you plan to breastfeed, keep in mind that you're going to need to nurse or pump about every 2 hours.  I don't know how long your passion parties last, but that's something to think about.

You also have no idea yet how you'll feel postpartum.  If you have a c-section, you may not be getting around super well even at 3 weeks pp.  I have friends who were still increcibly sore a month following a vaginal delivery, and some who were ready to go dancing a week later......you just never know how you'll feel. 

Personally, I know that I wasn't ready to be out-and-about and away from my baby 3 weeks postpartum.  I was still in a hazy, sleep-deprived, crashing-hormone crazy fog at that time.  I probably wouldn't have wanted anything scheduled for me until more like 8 weeks pp. 

Ditto this...6-8 weeks minimum to be honest. It wasn't so much physically as emotionally I was a MESS. Tired, hormonal, crying, hazy, unfocused....that pretty much sums up the first month of motherhood.

Feb3

The safest thing to do would be to give yourself a little more time. I was probably ready for something that length of time about a month postpurtum, but DD came a full two weeks after my due date.  And if it had ended in C-section it probably would have been longer.  There's just no way to know for sure.

julyjennifer

Just thought I'd share my personal experience, FWIW.

I bfed DD.  I'm in a choir and we had weekly rehearsals beginning 3 weeks after DD was born.  They were 2.5h long, so I probably was apart from DD for 3 hours total with the drive time.  At 3 weeks PP, that felt like a long time to go without bfing or pumping, and it was always kind of an ordeal getting DH set up with expressed milk while I was gone, DD crying and wanting me while I was gone, etc.  Since it was only once a week it worked out ok, but I usually came home to a very frazzled DH.  

I thought it was a good point the PP made about the fact that you may go well past your due date (2 weeks) so you should plan for the "worst case" scenario (not saying that a well-cooked babe is somehow "worse" but you know what I mean).

Pesky

I'd probably say 6 wks as you aren't 100% sure if the baby will be late or not. 

kyfirewife

I wouldn't book any a month before your due date. Too much chance of you going early, ending up on bedrest, just being too darn tired, etc.

And I wouldn't book any for at least 6 weeks after your due date. 1) I don't think 3 weeks is long enough, 2) if you go past your due date, you'll be cutting it way too short.

GL!

Mini_Mariah

Is there someone who could sub in for you if you go early?  That makes a big deal in terms of how far you should stop before your due date.  I felt great up to DD being born - went to the Taste of Chicago 3 times, walked all over downtown the days before I delivered.  But you never know if you'll go early!

After DD was born I also felt great.  I had an unexpected c-section and recovered quick.  But I would not have wanted to be back working 3 weeks afterwards.  I took 12 weeks off but that was more for bonding time with DD.  Unless you need the cash or your business will take a hit if you don't keep a consistent stream of parties, I'd say give yourself more time.  Even if you are physically able to do parties again, you probably won't want to, and you only get that special time once with your newborn.  And like the PP's mentioned, if you're nursing it will be tough to be away from DC for a three hour stretch.

roshybride

I sell Pampered Chef. When I had my second son, i booked up to a week and a half before his due date (I was very overdue with my first, so I was fairly sure I wouldn't go early and I had a sub ready just in case) Since this is your first, I probably wouldn't book anything three weeks before you due date.

Ezra was only three days late, but I really didn't feel ready until more than a month after he was born. My first was 11 days late, so I would probably only start booking about six weeks after your due date.