If you are getting ready to give birth, here are a few words of wisdom from someone who’s been there.
1. Take dark underwear to hospital.
You will be bleeding afterwards and you don’t want to have to wash any more clothes. That also goes for what you wear on your legs – just make sure it’s dark so no stains show up.
2. You will bawl your eyes out often.
You’re not crazy. That’s your hormones working and your milk coming in and your whole life changing. It is normal. It will help to get love and hugs from all those around you – and from that little new bubba of yours, of course!
3. You will fall completely and madly in love with your
baby.
It may not happen immediately, but mark my words it will happen. And it grows more and more each day and it will envelop you in a way you could never imagine. You will become a mumma bear and you would do anything – anything to protect them.
4. You’ll be consumed by worry.
With that falling-in-love-with-your-child thing comes this incredible feeling of responsibility, and that’s when the worry sets in. So you start to worry about everything for them. It’s kinda nuts but also normal!
5. You’ll be so tired.
You never thought you’d be this tired. That will change and it will get better – to a point – but sleep will never be the same again and you’ll enjoy it so much more if you accept that rather than battle against it.
6. You’ll feel different for quite some time.
Expect your body to arrive at some sort of normal in approximately 9 months – after that you can worry about it, but not before. You should know that you will never be exactly the same again and that is totally normal. Having said that, it can take a very long time to accept that and it’s not always easy.
7. Breastfeeding can take a while to get right.
For some women it’s easy peasy but for many it isn’t – that’s normal and okay. Persistence is key but knowing when to stop is also key! When you have had trouble and you eventually get there, it is an incredible feeling as finally you are experiencing all those wonderful things you hear about – but until then it can be agony. The only way to know what’s right for you and your baby is to ask yourself inside and listen for the answer. Everyone’s answer will be right for them. Trust yourself and trust your baby.
8. Mums and dads are different.
As the mum, your whole life will turn upside down and completely change – so much more so than your other half. It’s a completely different experience for them as it is for you. This is normal but can be a huge adjustment. “Stuff” comes up that was sitting there all along which means most likely there will be many more heated discussions than normal. Again though it’s different for everyone – but know your relationship will change and that’s okay.
At the end of the day though, everyone’s experience is different and unique and there is no real way to 100% plan for it. There are always going to be things that surprise you and test you and melt you. There are as many different birth stories in the world as there are people. It’s an extraordinary event, unmatched by anything else. Enjoy it :)
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