This article got me thinking about how many of us mothers of Big Kids have forgotten what it was like to be in the early blush of our first pregnancy. Forgetfullness leads us to ask asinine questions like, "Is she sleeping through the night?" or make useless comments like, "I don't remember ever feeling nauseous."
I really think that such tactlessness isn't a result of meanness; we really don't remember. After all, if all the indignities of first-time pregnancy, birth and motherhood were vividly emblazoned in your memory bank for ever, no-one would ever have a second child. And here I am, with four.
Thus, hardly any brain cells remain. My little sister is pregnant, and due around my birthday, in November. Some of my advice is timeless, like, "Don't read the What to Expect books if you're the slightest bit of a worrywart; they won't help!" But it's been a looooong time (5 years) since my last pregnancy. And though I had a full decade (!) of constant gestation/lactation/gestation, I feel like I should open up the floor to you more recent preggos.
What was the best advice you got for your pregnancy? The most helpful? The least? Tell Alexis what I've forgotten by posting a comment. And thanks!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
7 comments:
Hire a doula! She's your best friend during the later part of your pregnancy, all during your labor, and even during the post-partum weeks when you're just getting used to the new bundle of joy.
Buy the best breast pump you can afford! That is by far the most helpful and practical advice I received when I was pregnant. There is no question I have gotten my money's worth out of that pump over the last 10 months.
If you are going to nurse, make sure and get clothes you can nurse in after you have the baby. There are so many maternity/nursing clothes and I just bought maternity clothes. Now I am having to buy clothes that are for nursing because I do not want to be stuck inside the house because I do not want to pull my shirt up and nurse. Most of the clothes I will even wear after I stop nursing becasue they are so cute! One of them is a nuring shirt I got from One Hot Mama!
I like all of these. May fave (which came after Cameron was born and I was miserably complaining about school) was to ditch any clocks in my bedroom (or your baby's bedroom, for those who have them in another room)
Sleep when the baby sleeps! We try to be wonder women, keeping house, answering work e-mails, sewing a quilt, all while our bodies cry out for relief. Use paper plates for a month after the baby is born, not eco friendly but sanity saving.
Books are nice but not all babies are "by the book"- ditch the books and do what works for your baby! your baby will not look/act/eat/sleep like your best friend's baby and that's OK. So my advice? Advice is nice but do what works for YOU and YOUR baby!
y little sister is pregnant, and due around my birthday, in November. Some of my advice is timeless, like, "Don't read the What to Expect books if you're the slightest bit of a worrywart; they won't help!" But it's been a looooong time (5 years) since my last pregnancy. And though I had a full decade (!) of constant gestation/lactation/gestation, I feel like I should open up the floor to you more recent preggos.I really think that such tactlessness isn't a result of meanness; we really don't remember. After all, if all the indignities of first-time pregnancy, birth and motherhood were vividly emblazoned in your memory bank for ever, no-one would ever have a second child. And here I am, with four.
Mavi jeans
Post a Comment