Notes For First Time Moms To be From A First Time Mom Part 1

Just a few notes for first time moms to be from a first time mom (based on my experience).......

Pregnancy, Delivery & After the birth..

Those adorable outfits you just have to have for your newborn will probably sit in your closet and never get worn because 99% of the time your baby will be in sleepers for the first 2-3 months so invest in cute outfits for 3+ months

The really expensive crib bedding you had custom made that came with the most luxurious bumpers will probably never get used because you WILL be slightly paranoid about the whole bumpers are dangerous for your baby debate.

Nothing can prepare you for what labour will feel like

If you are dead set against medication or an epidural and are telling everyone you think its horrible and wrong... shut your mouth because you may be the first one yelling for the DR to "give you the drugs"

Those "techniques" you will learn about in your pre-natal class that help with labour pains go right out the window once active labour actually starts... Breathing deep however helps so dont forget to breathe!

Counting how many minutes apart your contractions are may be hard when you are having contractions in the middle of the night and your partner is sleeping! We had no idea so my husband told the nurse on the phone a random #.. it happened to be 6 lol.

Labour at home as long as you can because when you get to the hospital begging for an epidural you wont be allowed to walk or even get out of bed.

EAT before you go to the hospital if you can because if you get an epidural they will not allow you to eat and you will be a starvin marvin.

The rumours of how much the epidural will hurt are true however you wont give 2 hoots because the pain of the contractions will override the fear of how much it will hurt.

Once you get said epidural, you will be a happy camper.

While in labour you will have no shame even if you think you will before hand.

Your "Birth Plan" will most likely go out the window as soon as you arrive at the hospital. Its ok because the pain, lack of focus & then joy will make you forget you ever had one.

Being shy is NOT an option when it comes time to push. Your plans of having just your partner and the DR in the room may end up being your partner, doula, midwife, 2 nurses, your DR, a resident DR & a whole NICU team... just saying...

Pushing out a baby can take a LONG time!

You may have to tell the nurses when you need to push because the monitor that is supposed to tell them when your contractions are may fail


The ring of fire is not a myth and is NO joke... be prepared

The minute you push the baby out is the best feeling in the world in that moment

Doing skin to skin is so worth it

Once things calm down and you have a moment to digest things you will notice your chin and neck hurt from pushing 

The "thing" you have been talking to for 9 months is actually a real live baby and they are yours

They WILL recognize mommys voice

You will realize what unconditional instant love is

Reality will set in after a few hours and you will realize you have no idea what to do now

Breast feeding looks easy but its anything but.... be patient.

If the hospital allows you to stay more than 24hrs... take them up on it