Moms who have "been there and done that". Can you give encouragement and feedback that will help with the fears and uncertainties that new moms face? Best answer gets the 10 points!
2006-12-12 10:29:14 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Hi, I was really worried about the delivery and bringing our baby home! I kept on wondering what the labor would be like and how much it would hurt. It's 8 mths later and I hardly remember the pain! Most people will tell you, that you quickly forget it and it's true. It was the greatest thing in the whole world holding him for the first time. I fell instantly in love! I honestly thought he was the cutest thing I ever saw! I still do.
I was mostly concerned about taking medications etc but it all worked out great. I went as long as I could without meds, and then had an epidural (which I swore I wouldn't do). I was in labor for 18 hrs, which isn't too bad I guess. It really didn't seem like that long. Honestly it didn't. I was also concerned about tearing or having an episiotomy, which I didn't have. I did tear a bit but it heals suprisingly fast and well.
My husband and I live a couple hours away from our family and close friends so we were very anxious about leaving the hospital. I ended up staying for 3 nights to make sure I had everything I needed to ask out and everything I needed shown to me done. The nurses showed me how to breastfeed properly, change him, give him a bath, etc. I remember leaving the hospital and as we were walking through the parking lot, looking at our son, then each other and we both were soooo scared! OMG we had our very own little guy to look after! How would we ever do it?! But we did. I'm not gonna lie, it is hard at first, but you will be very surprised at how fast your mothering instincts will kick in. We had no one come and help us and my husband works 12 hr shifts. Neither of us had any previous experience with babies. I think I was running on fumes for a couple months though.
I definitely advise a good baby swing. Our son would mostly only sleep in that or his carseat for the first month and then started napping in the swing a lot or would just stay awake and content in it. It will be your best investment. Baby Einstein movies are great too. They have soothing music that young babies and toddlers just LOVE!!!!! It will soothe even the most cranky of babies. I recommend the Baby Mozart DVD to start with. Stock up on tons of ready to eat food. Like lasagna's and bagels and stuff so you don't have to cook. I am an avid cook but after we brought our son home, I could barely pour a glass of water. Not to scare you but you will have way too many other things to do like trying to have a shower, instead of slaving away in the kitchen. You could also get a baby Snugli. That way you can carry the little one around while you get things done. They love it and usually will fall right asleep.
Well I better stop writing now or this could go on forever! lol! Good luck with your pregnancy, and new baby. You won't believe what a great feeling it is to have a baby. I look at him everyday and think how lucky I am to have such a little darling, it's wonderful! Everything will come more naturally than you can imagine. Stay positive and you'll do fine!
2006-12-12 10:49:56 · answer #1 · answered by Sexy_Bunny 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Listen to your heart is the number one thing. If you follow what your heart and gut say you will do just fine. Everyone is going to try to tell you how to do things. Unless it is a safety hazard your way then do it how you like.
The things that I read about and listened to no matter what anyone said was sleeping position (back) and car seat laws. I have had people say just hold him, the next store is right over there...no way I always take the time and strap my little man in right. With the sleep thing I was terrified of SIDS so I did as the latest materials and classes told me to do. I don't want to make a bad decision and risk his safety or health.
As for other things do it your way. Your friend might bathe her baby every day and you feel that every other day is better....it isn't going to hurt either way. Some Mom's love lotion ( like me) they slather it on all the time so that their babies are soft and smell good all the time....some Mom's hate it and love the "natural" baby smell. Either way as long as your baby isn't all dried up is fine. Some parents change the diapers only when they are full...some after one urination. It is your choice. I personally wait till maybe 2 urinations....otherwise I would be poor from buying diapers. Always change after poo though....lol. Otherwise a bad smell and a rash happen.
Anyhow that is my advise. If you want to email me feel free. I am here. I have a 21 month old son and am about 9 weeks pregnant so I have been there! GOOD LUCK!
2006-12-12 18:43:26 · answer #2 · answered by })i({ J and D's Momma })i({ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AS a first time mother My biggest worry about labor and delivery was not being able to do it. By this I mean that my body wouldn't handle the labor and I would have to have a c-section. Well I did have a c-section. It was not the way that I had everything planned. I hated it and I felt as if I failed as a women. BUT I soon got over all of that when I finally got to see my beautiful baby girl. I knew that she was healthy and fine so I was relieved. I had to stay in the hospital a bit longer due to the fact that I did have a c-section and lost a lot of blood.
When they were discharging me my main concern was the car ride home. I freaked out because I had my newborn baby in the car with us and I thought that everyone should SLOW down. I went crazy.Then finally after I got home I was concerned for my little girl because I wasn;t sure I had everything that she needed or that I wouldn't be able to make and keep her happy. WE lived in an apartment complex and lets just say that no one knew we had a baby unless they saw us getting in the car.
2006-12-12 18:42:33 · answer #3 · answered by mommy of two 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've always been someone afraid of how bad it's going to hurt. Whether it's been riding a bike or getting a shot, I thought, "It's going to hurt soo bad," but it ends up being much less painful than I expected. I was the same way with giving birth. It wasn't as painful as I expected. Then, after bringing her home, I was afraid something would happen and I wouldn't know what to do. What if she stopped breathing? What if she fell? All these what if's. I finally realized I didn't kill her while she was in me, so having her out wasn't that much worse. (I'm also starting to get the 'Mom reflex'. Whenever I hear a baby cry or someone says 'uh-oh' I turn automatically. I'm getting the hang of this Mommy thing.) :)
2006-12-12 18:43:22 · answer #4 · answered by NSisifo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just know that the hardest part of being a new mom is worrying about every little sound your baby makes. I would lay in my bed and listen to my baby breath and jump up every time there was deeper breath than the rest or a weird sound. I was not worried about what to do for a fever or ear infection or how many times a day to feed the baby or anything like that. I am sure that if you can get through giving birth you can get through bringing baby home.
2006-12-12 18:38:59 · answer #5 · answered by freakyallweeky 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always wanted to have a natural birth so my concern was to make sure I didn't gain too much weight and therefore the baby would be small enough but not premature so that I could avoid having a c-section because I couldn't push the baby out. After bringing the baby home my biggest concern was making sure the baby was breathing at night, I was afraid of SIDS and so I would constantly check to see if the baby was breathing.
2006-12-12 18:37:15 · answer #6 · answered by Noor 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two things a new mom should know number 1 YOUR NOT A SUPER HERO you cant do it all , which doesnt mean your a bad mom or wife, enjoy the new time with your baby , dishes do not need to be done at that very moment, or vaccuming . Trust me it goes by so fast. Number 2 its ok to ask for help whether a break from baby or help in the house . You will learn a routine it just takes time. Look at your child and know that for what little time we have to hold them and love them they always come first. Good luck its the greatest gift you could recieve........
2006-12-12 18:46:09 · answer #7 · answered by cameryanh 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow! Quite a question!!
I felt good about the delivery since I went with the Bradley method of natural child birth. I felt well informed and ready. In fact, it was great!
But it is hard work, exhausting and your hormones do go a bit whacky! I remember crying the first week I after my son was born wondering if I would ever understand his cries as well as I understood my dogs barks!!
All I can tell you is to sleep when the baby sleeps, don't worry about housework or laundry and allow yourself to focus on your baby and yourself for the first few weeks.
You will soon see that you can trust your momma insticts and that YOU are the BEST mom for your child!!
Congrats & good luck
2006-12-12 18:35:02 · answer #8 · answered by seaelen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my biggest concern while giving birth is that i will be in labor for too long and when its time to push i wont have any strength i am not very tall only 5'2 and heard its harder for shorter women..also for when we bring the baby home im worried that everybody will be telling me what to do instead of me doing it on my own like i should be i mean come on its my kid right?
im due sometime by christmas
2006-12-12 19:40:44 · answer #9 · answered by last3member2002 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Kathryn A !!!
There are lots of concerns, and they are all understandable.
First after birth, please speak to the pediatrician, make sure the baby is healthy. If you notice anything that strikes your attention, speak up right away, your baby's life, could be at stake. This is a crash course on "Listening to a mothers heart"!!!
After bringing the baby home, please, do not force, or over feed . Fallow the pediatrician's advice!!!!
If you warm up bottles of formula, Please , check first every time, for the right tempeture, by "testing" few drops on the inner side of your wrist. If you feel the formula too warm cool it down!!! Probably it is too "hot" for your baby's mouth.!!!
Make sure to burp the baby, to aviod "colics"(pain due to gasses)
Extremely important pay attention on how you lay down your baby, to sleep. Do not lay down the baby to sleep on the same position every time. (After feeding and burping)
Babies, cry for a reason!!! If your baby cries, make sure to attend to the needs. ( change the diaper, burp again, check the baby's clothes, for pins or anything else may be hurting or scratching), probably wthe baby feels too cold or too warm.
Always give some baby water after feeding, and in between feedings, that will rinse the mouth, ( formula residue) to avoid infections and help with digestion!!!!
Keep your baby clean and fresh, "careful with soaps and baby powders or lotions). Babies skins are very sensitive. Always use a protective cream after changing diapers to avoid chaffing and burning, which could be very painful for your child.
Love and care for the baby by singing, talking, playing and you can even exercise your baby to help develope stronger muscles!
ASK YOUR PEDIATRICIAN for some of this bonding exercises.
They are good for you and the baby as well!!!
Keep every appoitments for your baby, and right down your questions and keep them in your baby's bag.
Make your baby feel secure, you will have a very happy baby in your arms!!! Enjoy your baby love, love and respect, with all your heart.
After all you, is all the baby has!!!! And be very paitient understanding your baby, will take your whole entire life!!!
GOD BLESS YOU AND BABY
ALLIV Z
2006-12-12 19:20:05 · answer #10 · answered by Alliv Z 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋