The three things I wish I had known before getting Pregnant

Pregnancy pregnancy advise

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and while I almost all of the time don't regret having children (the incident with the paint and the sofa aside really), it would have been easier had I know then what I know now.

 

Everyone will tell you their experience and often these will be contradictory

Several times during my first pregnancy I managed to slightly freak myself out listening to others experience and comparing it to my own. Not to say they were not being completely honest but it's their experience and each one is different, as was mine.

 

Pregnancy plays havoc with my emotions

Not that it necessarily takes being pregnant to do this to me, but even though my Post Natal Depression was mild, it was difficult to realise what was going on, even harder to ask for help. I felt guilty about feeling this way, which with wonderful hindsight is not helpful or even right. There is a lot of help out there if only you ask and I think being prepared would help.


That plans can change

I had a lovely birth plan, music, essential oils and birthing pool in the nearby hospital. It was all going to be lovely, natural, spiritual experience.  Well that was the plan. I knew it could change, I think I was even warned it could change by the midwives but when it did change it made me feel terrible and panicky. It was the right thing to do, there was complications with my son with the cord wrapped round his neck. But again if I had been mentally prepared I would have handled it better.

 

Please leave the things you wish you had know in the comments below.


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  • Lisa Carter on

    1. Everyone’s Experience in labor is different don’t panic of anyone else’s story or pain because yours will always be different.
    2. Time really does fly by so quick take it all in as they will be walking soon enjoy the cuddles and easy nappie changes before they start moving :)
    3. The tea and toast you get straight after labour is the best thing you will ever eat :)

  • Harriet Evans on

    1) I had so much time before having kids, now I kids I get so much done in 5 minutes
    2) Your reactions speeds when your kids are involved are absolutely amazing, you do things you could never do before and stop them from falling, hitting their head etc.
    3) Going to toilet on your own is a rare occurrence, going to the toilet with a child or 2 in the room in your lap is a daily thing.

  • SarahT on

    1) the worrying starts the second you’re pregnant. And possibly doesn’t stop, ever!
    2) it’s ok to say ‘yes’ to any and all offers of help
    3) everything you try to do once the baby is born will take approximately four times as long so do as much as you can in pregnancy. Or lower your standards. Or both!

  • Jennifer Warburton on

    1. Your baby will NOT want to sleep in your lovingly purchased Moses basket or crib, but only in your arms for the first few weeks- this is normal!
    2. You will be able to function on far less sleep than you thought humanly possible.
    3. You will need twice as many bibs as you thought- especially when the teething dribble sets in!

  • Ruth on

    Three things I wish I’d known:
    1) Breastfeeding is hard but amazing
    2) Lower your expectations about what you can get done in a day…as long as you’re both fed you’re doing a good job
    3) Babies are all different and do things in their own time (some are easier than others)



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