Hello, let me introduce myself first..
For the first 30 years of my life, everything was smooth and worry-free. I was my parents’ most beloved child, found my true love in college, and happily married him after graduation.
At work, I was my boss’s most valued employee. Whenever I was in charge of a project, colleagues would inevitably say, “Oh, then I’m totally at ease.” I was constantly named “Employee of the Year,” with generous bonuses every year.
Later, I started my own business. Within just three months, I had broken into the market and started making money. By the fifth month, I was earning twice my previous salary. Growth was steady month after month. Right when the business needed more hands, I serendipitously met an amazing partner, and the company reached a whole new level.
Really, it seemed like at every step, whatever I needed, a pair of hands would always place it right in front of me, just in time.
My Two Girls: Ellie & Mia
Meet Ellie, My Firstborn
In 2020, my husband and I decided to have a child. After trying for over a year, we finally got the news in 2021 that a little one was on the way. In 2022, we welcomed our first child, Ellie. She made me a mother.
She is utterly adorable—big eyes, rosy skin, chubby little hands. Every time I look at her, I can’t help but give her a kiss. She is pure joy, and I love her more each day.
But as a first-time mom, I faced unprecedented difficulties. The postpartum tearing wouldn’t heal, and the pain was excruciating. Clogged milk ducts made my breasts hard as rocks. The severe sleep deprivation… And what was even more crushing was that, with zero parenting experience, I was clueless when faced with her unexplained wailing, night terrors, refusal to nurse, constipation, diarrhea, fevers… I desperately searched online, longing for one accurate, truly useful answer!
It was during this time that I thought, once I make it through this “dark” path, I must leave a light on for other new moms.
And Then Came Mia
Ellie had just turned one when I got pregnant again. In 2024, we welcomed our second daughter, Mia.
Completely different from Ellie, Mia is a great eater and sleeper. Although she had her fussy moments in the first two months, starting almost from month three, she became super easygoing. She feeds on schedule, gradually sleeps through the night, loves her solid foods, and adapted quickly when I had to stop breastfeeding due to mastitis.
This made me realize just how vastly different babies can be! It made me even more determined to write about my experiences.
Why I Had to Start This Blog
The Catalyst: A Life Pivoted
After Mia was born, my business also began to decline sharply. I had no choice but to close it and become a full-time mom. My work no longer involves Excel and Word, but instead revolves around changing diapers, washing bottles, making baby food, and managing household chores…
This has been a monumental challenge for me. All my past achievements seem irrelevant now. Managing two young children has brought me a sense of frustration I’ve never known before.
The Daily Reality
They are always fighting over things. When one is in my arms, the other immediately demands to be held too. When I try to cook, Ellie wants me to read her a book. When I attempt to load the washing machine, Mia has a diaper blowout, and I must drop everything to change her…
By the time I finish all that, I see the cup of hot coffee on the table has gone cold again. And it’s not until evening that I remember, “Oh my goodness, the clothes are still in the hamper, unwashed!”
Of course, being a mom is filled with happiness, but that doesn’t negate how hard it is.
My Promise to You
Because I’ve walked this path myself, I won’t just tell you how joyful motherhood is, like many websites do. I want to share my real, unfiltered experiences so every new mom can find a “companion” here.
I want to tell you: you are not alone. What you’re going through, I’ve been there too. Your breakdowns, your helplessness, your moments of losing control—I’ve had them all. You don’t need to feel guilty. This is just a small, necessary stretch of the journey for every mom.
My Hope for This Space
I really want to share my parenting experiences—not just the warm, glowing moments, but to honestly document the pitfalls I’ve stumbled into, the tears I’ve shed, and the “survival wisdom” I’ve scraped together in utter exhaustion.
The Goal: A Mom’s Toolkit
I hope this blog becomes a “mom’s toolkit,” filled not with vague theories, but with:
- Practical Tips: Like how to quickly figure out why a baby is crying, tried-and-true methods for dealing with clogged ducts, or how to efficiently manage the daily grind with twins (or two under two) solo.
- Pitfall Avoidance Guides: Sharing the baby products I regret buying the most, and those “game-changer” parenting hacks. Letting you know which parenting anxieties you can let go of, and which principles are worth holding onto.
- A Community for Moms: I hope my stories connect me with more moms like you. We can cheer each other on in the comments, share our own tricks, turning the storms we face alone into a journey we walk together.
The Bigger Vision
My previous career taught me to analyze data, solve problems, and optimize processes. Now, I’m applying all those skills to this new “position” of Mom. I want to prove that a mom’s value is absolutely not confined to the home. The mindset, resilience, and creativity we built in our careers can shine just as brightly—perhaps even brighter—in this more complex, long-term “project” of raising humans, and can even be transformed into a force that helps others.
My hope is simple: that every mom who opens this blog can let out a sigh of relief and say, “So it’s not just me.” Then, she can find a bit of practical info, a dose of comforting solidarity, and return to her sweet, chaotic mom-life with a little more confidence and a little less weight on her shoulders.
This road? Let’s walk it together.
jeanbean13
member
Re: instructions before scheduled c-section
The only instructions I got were pretty similar to yours. No food or drink after midnight, and they gave me a special soap to wash the area with. I was told to use it the night before and the morning of. Other than that, nothing!
Good luck on Monday!!
Yup. I received a sheet at my last appointment exactly what I should do from not eating after midnight to where to go and what time the day of. And I was to,d what day and time frame to expect a call to make a pre-admin appt for bloodwork and all
I got my instructions today for my scheduled c-section on Monday also! No eating/drinking after midnight, not even water. I can brush my teeth but do not swallow anything. Showering is fine and wear comfortable clothes.
Good luck!!!! Mine is scheduled for 7:30 am so I figure we'll probably start about 8.
We Made A Wish....
And You Came True!
Did you not have an appt with the anesthesiologist? that's when I got all my info. I was told by the dr's nurse what time my c/s was scheduled 7:00. And that I needed to be there at 5:30 to start checking in and getting ready b/c surgery would start at 7:00am and then by 8:30-9:00 family would be able to start coming in and seeing us and baby.
But, the anesthesiologist is who told me about the no eating/drinking, what to do to prep before hand and when to come in for my blood work (within 24 hours BEFORE my c/s). You should have gotten better instructions. I hope you can get everything you need done before baby is born! Congrats!
This! I was dry shaved with DS1 and it was so uncomfortable! With DS2, I did a really good job shaving and they didn't have to touch it.
I've had two c-sections at two different hospitals and wasn't shaved either time. Granted they were both unscheduled (#2 was an RCS but my water broke early), but the second wasn't an emergency and they had plenty of time to shave me if they wanted to. I don't usually shave everything and would hate to do it if I didn't know they were going to do it if I didn't.
I think the only instructions I was given was fasting after midnight. (I went into labor right after Thanksgiving dinner with #2, so that totally did not happen and everything was fine, but obviously if I'd made it to my scheduled RCS I would have fasted beforehand.)
I work at a large hospital in the midwest. We typically call everyone the day before their cesarean section to let them know details. Typically we have everyone arrive 2hours before your schedule c-section. As someone above mentioned you can shave but you don't need to do the whole shebang. If you just shave around your abdomen and just below that you will be fine. The incision is typicaly right where the top of your underwear are, or right where your belly slightly folds. We also advise you leave all your jewelery at home or at least take it all out and put it in a save place when you do arrive. No food after midnight, you can brush your teeth in the morning though. I always tell them what we will be doing-starting an IV, drawing labs from the IV, asking about allergies and that you will receive antibiotics before you go back for your c-section. If you are able you will receive a spinal to help numb you up, if this doesn't work you will be put to sleep. If you are put to sleep your partner is not allowed in the room but is allowed to go with the baby to the NICU or regular nursery.
Just to let you know too, baby's born via c-section don't get the squeeze they would vaginally. If they swallowed a lot of amniotic fluid it can be in their lungs and tummy. This is common and will usually resolve but baby might be kind of spitty. Baby might also need to be on oxygen for a little bit just for the transition period. Not a big deal to worry about it occurs frequently, just a heads up.
Good luck!
Same as everyone else - no eating or drinking - not even water. Also, on my soap I was given to shower with the night before and morning of - it said do not shave for 48 hours prior - I don't remember the reason. My form also said call 1-2 hours before - I didn't, I forgot and it wasn't an issue - I showed up 2 hours prior and we did all of our meetings with the doctors - blood work - anesthesiologist included during that 2 hour time frame. I had also already pre-registered by mailing in paperwork 6 weeks prior.
I was not shaved for my c/s. OP, if your dr. did not give you this specific instruction, do not do it. In fact, if your dr. didn't give you any other instructions, I wouldn't blindly follow the instructions given to other women by other drs. You don't know their circumstances or the drs. practices. Many drs. do not shave because they believe not shaving reduces risk of infection. If you want to avoid a dry shave, ask before hand.
bfp#4 3/19/2014 edd 12/1/2014 please let this be the one!
beta @ 5w0d = 12,026! u/s 4/22/14 @ 8w1d it's twins!
My incision was below my pubic hair line, and I wasn't shaved.
Also, you make it sound like chances are 50/50 that she'll get GA. OP, the chances that a spinal or epidural won't take are pretty slim. Don't be scared that you might have to go under GA and your partner won't be there.
And about the fluid in their lungs, this is true. DD was gagging all night her first night. It was kind of scary for us as first-timers, but the nurses and MW were not concerned, and it cleared out.
bfp#4 3/19/2014 edd 12/1/2014 please let this be the one!
beta @ 5w0d = 12,026! u/s 4/22/14 @ 8w1d it's twins!