Advice to new moms from us "pros"

faerynpooka · February 2011

I just finished reading that awesome article Mrs*MichelleB posted and thought it would be good for those of us that have been there to help the new mom's out with some practical labor advice.

A big one for me: Talk to your DH/SO in advance about how you want those ice chip delivered. My ex thought he should give me one stinking little ice chip at a time. I couldn't form the words between contractions to tell him I really was wanting a spoonful of them. I know it sounds silly but my mouth was so dry that one ice chip was more of a tease than a help.

ShannonSky · February 2011

Pack your bag early and don't go to L&D EVER without the camera. My water broke early and I thought for sure we wouldn't be having a baby that day. 6 hours later, DD was born and we didn't have a camera

faerynpooka · February 2011

Pack snacks in your hospital bag. Dried fruit, some nuts, crackers, other little things to help you through when 3am rolls around and you are starving!

Lissa832 · February 2011

Don't let DH have the remote to the tv in the middle of the night. Example, I went into labor just after midnight. I wanted to watch tv while I labored, but DH wasn't satisfied with what I chose. He started searching channels and ended up on an infomercial for flowers. He then fell asleep and I was stuck watching that crap, lol.The ring of fire is a real thing. Fear it, lol, but it is also the best motivator there is to push that kid out. You may not understand the term now, but you will when it starts happening, lol.If you don't have that instant, "OMG this is my baby. I love you. This is amazing" moment right away, fear not. It will come, but it isn't always instant like we are led to believe.Tell DH to be careful. The back fluid doesn't always shoot straight out. It can also fly to the side. Ask my DH. He was on my left and was too close to the action. When DS came out, DH literally got drenched in amniotic fluid. I see it as pay back for the remote incident, lol.

Lissa832 · February 2011

I figured out how to post with my iPad, but not how to do paragraphs. Sorry.

flutiefrostie · February 2011

You might not be able to pee for a while after giving birth. I had to be cathed post partum because I just couldn't go. I was so terrified that I'd torn so badly it had damaged my urethra. Don't worry, it resolves itself fairly quickly.

water-fairy · February 2011

EAT before you head to L&D because they will starve you to death. Ok, not really, but all I got was chicken broth or tomato soup.

starxed · February 2011

Sleep as much as you can in the last weeks leading up to your due date. I slept A LOT while DH was working and felt so guilty about it. When I went into labor at 1030 pm and delivered 13 hours later after an hour of hard pushing and zero sleep in about 30 hours I was glad I had done all that sleeping prior. I of course didn't sleep all that day that day either between visitors and enjoying my DS. By the time I slept at all I had been awake for 48 hours!

Ask for help with everything you can (I insisted on doing everything myself and all the pressure really took a toll on me). This time I will definitely be keeping a lot in mind from the last time.

Mereou12 · February 2011

ExpectantSteelerFan:

This may not be for everyone, but mine is: Don't be afraid to have the baby sleep in the nursery for a night or two so you can get some sleep (they bring the baby to you for feedings obviously). Along with that, limit who you have come visit you while in the hospital. They can always see you once you're home.

With ds I was just really overwhelmed, and I feel like ds was overstimulated in the hospital. We had feeding issues, so none of us got any sleep, and I was so hormonal that by the time we got home, I was overwhelmed, overtired, and overstressed. I want a much simpler hospital experience this time around.

I completely agree.

The new trend is 100% rooming in -- in fact, some hospitals don't even have a traditional nursery anymore. But if yours does, don't be afraid to use it! We didn't send DS to the nursery for the entire night, but we did for a few hours so that we could get some good sleep. When he woke and was hungry, they immediately brought him back to my room (we EBFed).

Another FYI that goes along with a previous suggestion -- please don't expect the nurses to be your bouncers. They're insanely busy and aren't responsible for keeping Aunt Susie and Uncle Jim Bob out of your room -- that's your hubby's job. Or better yet, lay down the law in advance.

eortman · February 2011

Make sure that DH knows how you want the labor to be handled, including all contigencies, and that he is willing to be firm about it. The nurses can really take control during your contractions and get you into something you don't want if you aren't careful. For example, my nurses told me it was time to start the Pitocin and I hadn't gotten an epidural yet, because the pain wasn't bad. I told them I wasn't going to have Pitocin until I got an epidural. They told me the anesthesiologist (sp?) wouldn't be in for a half an hour so they could start the epi then, but they were going to go ahead and start the Pitocin, doctors orders. It was very helpful to have DH there to say "Didn't you hear her? We aren't starting Pitocin until she has the epidural."

Also, ask for stool softeners after delivery. Have lots of pads, hemmie wipes, breast pads, and stool softeners at home before you go to the hospital. You will not want to go out and get these after the baby comes.

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