Things you wish you had known before getting pregnant....?

Question

My husband and I are considering starting a family, im wondering what some things are that other moms wish they had known (but didnt) before getting pregnant/giving birth etc...things that your doctor or someone wouldnt normally tell you, but you wish you had been told or knew about, also any other advise and stuff would be appreciated. This would be our first little one and we are very excited but are also scared and worried because we are new to everything.

Answer 1

I was excited to find out that I was pregnant and throughout the whole thng feeling like crap or not feeling like crap, faked a smile because i couldn't wait to meet my lil darling! When I thought about giving birth and going to the hospital I wasn't so much worried about the pain but more about how long I would be there and if I would be able to breastfeed and then I got home!!! It never hit me for the first day and then from then on went DOWNHILL!! I was soo overwhelmed about this little tiny human being that was in my care 24/7..I couldn't sleep,eat,take a bath,anything until she was satisfied and looked after first..I was devastated and upset! I was angry at myself/my fiance/my family/everyone! I would just sit and cry and cry and cry and ask myself some pretty silly questions. I realized shorty after that I was suffering from the baby blues after having giving birth :) I could think of nothing positive although I still took care of my daughter and put on a smile in front of her! I was upset that nobody told me about lack of sleep,terrible rising horomones and a baby that might cry no matter what you try to do! Everybody told me the good things specifically but when it came to that bad all I got was "Its hard Randeen"..Not good enough for me! I was 19 when I had my baby in June and although i am a younger mom..I dont think anyone can actually be ready for what is going to happen and change your life!! Thank you...Good Luck and Congrats but make sure you get some help off the start..

Answer 2

So many things, lol . . . Don't let the doctor give you an episiotomy!!! I had pain and nerve damage from this procedure for several years after my son was born. I dreaded sex - even when I wanted it. It's not been shown that this is beneficial; studies show that the risks definitely outweigh the supposed benefits. Start using cocoa butter, vitamin e, etc. on your tummy, thighs, back, and butt NOW!!! It will go along way toward reducing stretch marks that will affect how you feel about your body later. Enlist DH help in gentle massages to work the cocoa butter into your skin several times each day. Take your prenatal vitamins and make sure you are getting plenty of folic acid - very, very important. If you and your spouse have had marital problems in the past make sure you have worked through all of the issues before you decide to get pregnant. Tackle issues such as past infidelities, jealousy, anger issues, laziness, lack of attention, etc. early in the game. Read books on life after baby and how it can impact a relationship. Start spending time with other people's kids - offer to babysit two or three weekends and several weeknights for a couple of months and see how you both handle it. You might even want to seek the help of a good family-oriented counselor beforehand (more people should do this before having kids). Take parenting classes. Look for really good mother-baby groups in your area (do this through the hospital you would be delivering/taking lamaaz classes at) - my sister has been with the same group (it's just called play group now, lol) for over 4 years. All of the couples have been there for each other in unbelievable ways from the start. Most are on their 3rd child and they all still get together weekly. THAT is the biggest thing I would do different if I had it to do all over again. I didn't even know such groups existed when my son was born 14+ yrs. ago. I think asking questions like this and having resources like Yahoo Answers helps a lot, too, lol. You are starting off right!

Answer 3

Girl Every thing will be fine. Having a baby is a wonderful thing.. At 1st i was scared about having a baby yeah it was not planed but as time went bye the more excited i got and the day you have the baby let me tell you there is no better day then the day you bring the little bundle of joy into this world.. I have 11months old son and i would not ever ask for anything better really i want another one already but my boyfriend wants to wait till my son is in school..

Yeah being in labor hurts and you meet the mean person inside you that you did not know was there but it goes away.. The pushing don't hurt that makes you feel alot better its the contractions that hurt... And really when its time to push all you feel like might sound nasty but it feels like you have to poop real bad...
another thing don't be scared cause your going to be a new mommy cause once you have the baby it all hits you like you have been doing it for years might get stressful but everything will be fine

Well Hope i was a little help
Keep everyone updated on what you and your hunny wants to do.

Answer 4

If you live paycheck to paycheck I really suggest saving money before the baby is born. Being out of work for 3 months is a big financial burden. Also you wont want to feel stressed about going back to work after you have a baby, its just added stress on top of first time mom stress. I hate saving money and didn't when I was pregnant. I delivered on 10/26 and came back to work on 11/13! It was hard to leave my new born with a sitter and it was hard on me coming back so soon with such little sleep! Good luck hope I helped!

Answer 5

When you have a contraction- don't tense up= purposely relax- I wish I would have done that= my muscles were so sore- and don't feed the baby then bathe- she usually puked afterwards- nap when the baby naps- breast feed- and prep nipples b4 baby gets there- My nipples were cracked and bleeding-youch!!! breastfeeding - helps uterus get bac down to size and burns about another 400 calories a day- D

Answer 6

I wish my doctor would have told me that i needed to exercise and eat healthier while i was pregnant it's harded to get the extra pounds off.

Answer 7

My mom told me with my first child (I'm expecting my second in May) to sleep when the baby slept and because I was a first time mom I didn't and so I lost alot of sleep because I didn't heed her warning. So I'd say nap when they nap.

Answer 8

The pain of labor and delivery is worse than any you have ever or will ever feel. That didn't stop me from deciding to go through it again though. It is all well worth it.

Answer 9

To not fret so much about what the labor will be like and concentrate on how to be a good mom.

Answer 10

You will poop on the table during labor....and no one will care.
Sleep when the baby sleeps.