Just some advice I wanted to pass on to the moms to be!

I am getting a minute to sit down and relax so I figured I could maybe offer some advice and insight regarding my hospital experience and the whole "new mom game". This site has been a wealth of information for me from the beginning and maybe some of my advice/thoughts can be of help in turn!! I know everyones experience is different though and its something to keep in mind!!

OK lets see....

-I had an epidural and was very very thankful that I asked for it when i did..it gave me a chance to sleep through contractions while my body dilated to where it needed to be and i don't for a second regret it. I did not feel pain during birth and had no side effects from it whatsoever. I admire anyone choosing a drug free birth!! For me though it wasn't an option. I had bad back labor and felt i was going out of my mind, lol!

-I gave breastfeeding a chance but I have to admit I quit I felt VERY VERY guilty at first. Some of the lactation consultants made me feel badly about supplementing with formula and then ultimately deciding to formula feed. HOWEVER i was hurting the next day, it didn't feel or come naturally to me (i know many women go through this) and i cried a lot while the nurses tried a million ways to help me through it. It dawned on me that it was not for me...and I now am very happy with my decision. He is thriving, alert, gaining weight and i am a happier person. I would have LOVED for it to have worked for me and still feel very sad that i am not giving him what they say is best....but i know he'll be just fine. Do not let anyone bully you into something you feel doesn't work!! I let it happen to me and wished i had spoken up sooner.

-ICE PACKS are the best thing in the world-they were a lifesaver the days after his birth-popped one into the old underwear and let it work its magic :) Percosette was also my best friend. You can see I don't say no to drugs!

-Accept help from family/friends. Its great to have their support and its greater to have a fridge full of prepared food to pop into the microwave when the last thing you feel like doing is cook!

-Record the day and day before birth in a journal. A friend told me to do this and i am so happy i did. I was induced, so the day prior to his birth i sat down at night and wrote every memory i had of the day before he was born...I read it when i got home and settled and smiled to myself thinking about it. In the hospital i took some time as well to write and record things. I am trying to burn this time into my memory as he's almost one week old and i feel like its already going too fast!!

One last thing while i can remember...don't be afraid to tell people that you aren't up for visitors if you are tired. While its so nice for people to visit, it does get exhausting and i had a minor breakdown when 8 people were over and all i needed to do was rest. Its hard to turn people away but telling them "tomorrow would be better" works as well.

Sorry this is so long and random!!! Just thought some of it might help anyone wondering about these things.

Off to take a nap!!!

Re: Just some advice I wanted to pass on to the moms to be!

Thanks in advance and congrats again!

Re: Just some advice I wanted to pass on to the moms to be!

Thank you so much for this great advice. Almost e/t you said are things people have been telling me, but its great to hear it from a very new mom! Thanks and hope you're feeling better!

Re: Just some advice I wanted to pass on to the moms to be!

thanks for all the great advice!! i'm glad you've had such a great experience!

Re: Just some advice I wanted to pass on to the moms to be!

thanks for the grat advice!!

Re: Just some advice I wanted to pass on to the moms to be!

Thanks for the advice..i am sure it will come in handy!

Re: Just some advice I wanted to pass on to the moms to be!

ZThan k you for the advice.. I look forward to any offered info. as I have no clue what to really expect!
Hope you are feeling better and your little one is doing well!! All the best!

Re: Just some advice I wanted to pass on to the moms to be!

Great post. Thank you so much

Re: Just some advice I wanted to pass on to the moms to be!

thanks for taking the time to do this!