What would you tell your pregnant self

SBH041815 · April 2016

Saw this on another board and it was fun to read.

Looking back, if you could tell/warn yourself of something you might want to know before you had the baby, what would it be?

Mine...even though this is my 3rd baby...

Go on all the dates! Get out while you can (and while you and DH aren't bickering so much)

Take a weekend trip or baby moon while you can.

UptownPearl · April 2016

1) pack a hospital bag. Just because you're planning to give birth at a center doesn't mean things will go your way, and you'll be so much more comfortable in the hospital if you prepare to be there

2) stock up on nursing clothes, you'll need them just as much as you needed maternity clothes

3) tell everyone you don't want visitors the first two weeks. You will be way more emotional and over protective of your new baby than you realize and need quiet family time in the beginning

4) prepare for a newborn photo shoot ahead of time, it's a lot more work to figure all that out after the baby has arrived

ekscopp · April 2016

Enjoy and cherish every moment of being pregnant, even the sucky ones! You never know what may happen and if this will be your one and only chance to be pregnant and feel a LO wiggle around in there!

jrouge12 · April 2016

Don't be afraid of the epidural, it's magic (especially when you're in back labor).

cali1710 · April 2016

jrouge12 said:

Don't be afraid of the epidural, it's magic (especially when you're in back labor).

Amen! I had back labour. It was terrible. And as a first time mom not knowing what to expect.. It wasnt fun.

What to tell me pregnant self... Its all worth it. Even if you had a crappy pregnancy and hated it, its worth every morning sickess, every rib kick, every stretchmark, heartburn, and pound.

Ljohn43 · April 2016

I would tell my pregnant self to SLEEP!!!! As much as possible and to enjoy it bc it will be a long time before you get to do that again

klbh · April 2016

He'll be fine, and so will you.

fragglemom · April 2016

Those first 2 weeks home with your baby will be the hardest 2 weeks of your life between physical recovery and pp hormones. If your SO can't take the time off from work then try to make sure someone can be available to help you.

Kimberlyain · April 2016

Have someone film a video diary during labor and right after delivery. I wish I had some video evidence of 29 hours of back labor because this pic cracks me up now.

And what @jrouge12 said, the epidural was magical

teachmegs817 · April 2016

I did this on the D15 board!

I said that I wish DH and I took an actual vacation and went on more dates together. I think if we had taken more time to do stuff with one another, we wouldn't be getting down so hard on each other for not spending time now. Granted, we are 1st time parents, so we didn't quite truly understand how much time we wouldn't have for one another after LO came.

I also said that I wish I was prepared more. I knew DS could have come early, but 6 weeks early was not on my mind what so ever. I still re-play the day I noticed my water broke over in my head and think to myself; "I spent the day before being admitted into the hospital to have DS playing Hit it Rich (casino game) on my laptop," lmao...no shame. I literally took that day to just sit around and do nothing, but bum around when I should have probably continued getting stuff together for work and our house/LO's nursery.

The last thing was breastfeeding. I wish I was disciplined more to have stuck it out. I am pretty good at setting my mind to something and doing it, but I got pretty content with being able to mix some formula and give DS a bottle. Especially since it meant DH could help more too with feedings. I do wish and will probably the second time around, as long as my supply stays up, stick it out until I know I can't do it anymore. I did enjoy being able to breastfeed DS while he was in the NICU and that bonding time was so special.

anightintunisia · April 2016

Don't eat so much!

jessjuhnke · April 2016

Spend as much quality time with DH as possible because alone time will be hard to come by. Also make sure to discuss how you want to parent with DH. We talked about it a lot before DS arrived and I think it helped to know what the agreed upon plan was.

Krisdee123 · April 2016

Massage your perineum.

krrpe99 · April 2016

Do the kegels!!! Set an alarm(s) on your phone if you have to so that you'll remember.

Hipshaker · April 2016

go to Costco and cram your fridge like Armageddon is coming. I barley ate and my dh can't cook. It was rough pp. no meal trains for this family. Second kid nobody cares.

fishee333 · April 2016

Breastfeeding is super hard, but it does get better... after you stop listening to your LCs and use a nipple shield.

Epidurals are magical, yes! Get one as soon as you can.

Stuff your freezer full of food.

Work out, or don't eat as much ice cream. The weight goes away while breastfeeding, but not as quickly or easily as you'd like.

m6tonner · April 2016

Contrary to how you feel, you will not actually be pregnant forever.

Cricket99 · April 2016

Breastfeeding isn't all rainbows and unicorns. Also it isn't easy! Be patient with yourself and LO as it's a learning process for both of you. That would have made the last 3 months a bit less stressful.

Read all the baby books BEFORE you have the baby. You won't have time once they're here!

TAKE ALL THE NAPS!!!!!

mrscammack · April 2016

Sleep sleep sleep!! Those days when you feel like you're being lazy and force yourself to get up, go back to sleep! go out on dates and enjoy nights in where you can cook uninterrupted and eat at the same time instead of in shifts!

KFrob · April 2016

Take more pictures! Take pictures of you and DH where you can see your pregnant belly. Also cherish feeling pregnant even more than you do as you don't know if this is one and done. Get the prenatal massage everyone raves about!!!

sunnydlight · April 2016

Labor and birth will not go as planned and thats ok. You are as strong as hubby thinks you are and a bad ass like he thinks as well.
Breast feeding is really really really hard. Like freaking hard. You're nipples will be knawed in half by a very hungry fussy baby.
Be prepared for everyone to see you're boobs. I do mean everyone!
You will become the queen of sweatpants land! For a few weeks anyways. Because nothing else will fit, even the maturnity clothes wont feel right.
Most importantly...
Its all going to work out, you will love every minute you spend with her even when she's crying you'll think shes adorable, and it is certainly well worth it!

lrayas · April 2016

You think you're worried about her now, wait until she is out in the real world!

As PP said: epidurals are amazing! Get one asap!

l4rk · April 2016

Don't worry, peeing yourself when you sneeze WILL go away...

kaym6 · April 2016

Sleep when the baby sleeps is the most annoying yet most accurate advice you will get lol all those annoying people weren't lying!

nackie · April 2016

Start pumping as soon as y get home from the hoso build up your supply. It would have been so much easier to do early on and while DH was home to help entertain the baby.
ETA Also, it's ok to throat punch any one who tells you to sleep when the baby sleeps.

They've obviously never had a newborn capable of going 24 hours with only 5 hours of sleep.

mommap2 · April 2016

You will be ok if you don't get the epiderial. In fact you will feel great after delivery and be able to move around.
Just deliver at a hospital that has a NICU. I deliver special children who like to scare the crap out of their parents and have respiratory issues.
Don't forget how amazing your family is. Even when boulders are thrown in your path, you are strong and everything will work out.
Soak up every second of maternity leave.

ChrissyD1203 · April 2016

Don't be so scared of labor and get the epidural if you want/need (it's possible to get an epidural and feel great after--- and during!). Try to enjoy the whole pregnancy and labor experience more and worry less. Do not eat whatever you want haha.

carlyhammond · April 2016

Take pictures, even if you think you are unattractive. You'll wish you documented the growing inside of you.

BarrettJ89 · April 2016

Don't be afraid to put your foot down! Think for yourself and quit worrying about what others think, do, or suggest.
Don't put so much of an emphasis on breastfeeding that you destroy yourself. If you cannot function whether due to sleep deprivation or extreme pain, you can't take care of yourself or your baby. Plus, sometimes, you can bond better over a bottle of formula. Life goes on, and everything will be OK either way!

SDaniels19 · April 2016

1. Clean and sterilize your pump parts! In the midst of PPA and a newborn, cleaning everything and using your pump for the first time will seem like a very daunting task!
2. Be prepared to lose all control of your muscles down there for a little while (i.e. pee yourself a few times)

MamaHolland · April 2016

1. Make time to take a good breastfeeding class. It's more difficult than you will realize. It hurts until you get used to it. There can be latch issues. Be better prepared.

2. Don't be afraid or so hesitant about getting an epidural. BACK LABOUR for 48 hours while stuck at 2 cm could have been relieved/avoided. Once I got the epidural my labor progressed beautifully.

3. Even though you are tired & achy, go out more & enjoy yourself rather than obsessing about all the what ifs.

cyanope · April 2016

1. Enjoy your meals now, because they're going to suck real soon. The second you want to start eating, your normally happy baby will become a crying mutant. So...eat all the food. Savor it. Love it. Because you and your SO will never eat together again. One of you will be taming the beast while the other gulps down their meal.

2. Take lots of naps. Naps are your friend. Don't feel guilty about taking naps and being lazy. Because pretty soon, you won't even know the meaning of the word, "nap."

karynste19 · April 2016

Eat the cookie and enjoy it

mrsgetz4000 · April 2016

Don't just stock your fridge. Stock the freezer too! Chili, Bolognese, burritos, soup. Stock up on things that are easy to eat. Nuts, cut up fruit, anything loaded with protien!

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