A Note from the June 2011 Moms (Long!)

JavaVino910

Hello June 2012 Moms! Congratulations on your recent BFPs! You are at the beginning of an amazing journey!  We compiled a list of some our thoughts and advice. Please feel free to post any questions you have on our board. Happy and Healthy 9 months to all of you! The June 2011 Moms

 

Take in every moment because they go by fast. Take lots of pictures, start a journal. You think you will remember, but you won?t!

 

Have a voice: whether this is for your pregnancy care, or receiving advice from others. If you don't agree with or feel comfortable with something at any given point, about ANYTHING, SPEAK UP! It is YOUR body, YOUR pregnancy, and YOUR baby. While I can understand not wanting to offend a relative, loved one, or "professional," you (and your DH/SO) have the ultimate say. Make sure you like your doctor and have similar views and remember to advocate for yourself. 

 

Don't feel silly about calling your OB or even going to the hospital. Call if you are worried, have a question, feel like something's not right, etc. That's what you are paying your doctor for! Dr. Google is not your friend, or a substitute for your own doctor.

 

Be flexible about your birth "plan". Your goal is a healthy baby, so try to go with the flow. Even if you are planning on getting an epidural to manage the pain, consider learning some deep breathing and other pain coping techniques. Even if you plan on a vaginal delivery, research a c-section and recovery. Sometimes things don?t go according to plan.

 

Don?t worry so much about all the ?rules?. Just like anything, do it all in moderation. Don?t overdo anything.

 

If you hate pregnancy the whole time: don't stress it. It doesn't mean you love your LO any less. Just remember that wonderful end result is more than worth any irritant, discomfort, pain, etc. -Toward the end if you are feeling like a swollen, fat, stretch-marked, emotional mess, remember that you are beautiful and you are creating a miracle; one that you will love more than anything in this world! 

 

Be prepared for TONS of unwanted and/or completely outdated or incorrect advice. Everyone is an expert once you are pregnant; make the decisions that are best for you and your baby and take what everyone else says with a grain of salt. And the best piece of advice is to ignore a lot of the advice! Don't take rude comments to heart. People have still not learned what NOT to say to pregnant women.

 

During pregnancy: Be prepared for everyone in the world to come up to you and ask, "How are you feeling? When are you due? Is it a boy or a girl? Do you have a name yet?" Just smile and let their excitement get you excited all over again. Revel in the excitement that others have over your pregnancy and baby. It is a true blessing to have people care so much that it annoys you.

 

Rest in the hospital and limit visitors in the hospital and when you come home. Make your new baby and yourself the priority. Everyone and everything else can wait!

 

Spend time learning about breastfeeding (if you are planning to do so). Read the books and/or attend a class. You won?t have time after your LO is born! You are going to face some obstacle related to breastfeeding. Ask questions when you're in the hospital. Talk to your OB. Go to a La Leche League meeting. See a lactation consultant. Kellymom.com is a great resource.

 

And, if you decide to feed your baby formula, this does not mean you failed your baby or you are a bad mom. It just means you are feeding your baby formula!!

 

Motherhood gets better every day! Everyone says the first few weeks are the hardest. You won't believe them or understand what they mean. You think it will be all kittens and rainbows, but it won't be. You get home from the hospital and those first two weeks seem like they will N-E-V-E-R end. It's OK if you don't bond with your baby right away. Some people do and some people don't. It's a new little stranger entering your life and it can be an adjustment. It doesn't make you a bad mom or a bad person. It may take a little while but you WILL love your baby so much! Your hormones will make you feel crazy.  Most of the time, it goes away if it doesn't, don't be afraid to talk to you doctor about it.  

 

The June 2011 Board was invaluable to so many of us. We hope you guys have the best experience with this board, as well. Love your fellow June bumpies, keep the drama to a minimal. You are NOT alone. While every pregnancy/body/woman/baby is different, likelihood is someone else (on your board!) is going through the same thing, or at least something similar. Ask them! (Or other mommies you know in real life). If they don't have an answer, maybe they can guide you somewhere else that will, or will at least be there to support you! Pregnancy is a special, but often volatile time, and it's a blessing, but definitely not always easy. You never have to do it alone!

 

Enjoy every stage as it comes. Some days being pregnant sucks, but you'll look back and miss it. Some days having a screaming newborn sucks, but you'll look back and miss it. Just really try to soak up every moment and think about how truly blessed you are.