If you’re a mama-to-be, buckle up! This blog post is packed with 5 things I wish every mama knew before giving birth.
Trust me, these nuggets of wisdom will make your journey a whole lot smoother and less stressful.
So grab a cup of coffee, or tea, or whatever your preferred beverage is, get comfy, and let’s chat about all things birth!
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1. Birth is unpredictable
As a practicing labor and delivery nurse of nearly a decade now, I can tell you that the only thing predictable about birth is that it’s unpredictable. You can plan all you want (and I highly encourage you to) but all too often, babies have their own agenda.
Embrace the adventure, mama! Maybe your water breaks before contractions start, or maybe you decide an epidural is the way to go, even if you swore you’d go natural. Whatever happens, remember that birth is a journey and it’s okay if it doesn’t look exactly like you envisioned.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you and your little one are safe and healthy. Roll with the punches, trust your instincts (and your delivery team), and give yourself grace if things didn’t pan out exactly as you planned.
2. Have a birth plan but stay flexible
This sort of goes along with birth being unpredictable, but I wanted to elaborate on it a bit more. I can’t stress enough the importance of having a birth plan, mama! I look at birth plans as an empowering tool that gets mamas researching and thinking more about birth before it happens!
Just like good childbirth education, the process of creating a birth plan helps eliminate some of the fear and anxiety surrounding birth because it erases some of the unknown.
The caveat? Think of a birth plan more as your “birth wishes”. It’s a chance for you to reflect on what you think you want, and what you think you don’t want. Try your best to let it be flexible! It’s impossible to know how your unique birth will progress.
3. Postpartum can be messy, hard, and lonely but oh so beautiful too!
It’s okay to not be okay in the postpartum period. Postpartum is hard, you guys! Forget those Instagram-perfect moments. No matter how you ended up birthing your baby, recovery can be messy, emotional, and downright exhausting. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and prioritize your own well-being.
I personally struggled big time after my first baby. Really it all boiled down to a lack of preparation. The problem was I was so focused on preparing for my baby, I just sorta forgot about myself. Don’t worry, I got through it. And when I was pregnant with my second baby, you can bet that I spent a whole lot of time preparing for postpartum!
Fear not, I have an entire article dedicated to postpartum recovery tips, mama! You can check it out below!
Related Reading: 7 Postpartum Recovery Tips to Live Your Best Postpartum Life!
4. Breastfeeding isn’t natural for everyone
While it can be a beautiful bonding experience, breastfeeding can also be very challenging (I’m speaking from experience!) I personally struggled with breastfeeding big time with my first. I’ve been very open about my breastfeeding journey and struggles, which you can learn more about below.
My biggest pieces of advice for mamas wanting to breastfeed:
- Set your expectations low and take it one day at a time
- Take a breastfeeding class (I cannot stress this enough!)
- Utilize the heck out of the lactation consultants at the hospital and in your community
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help
- Stock up on breastfeeding essentials during pregnancy
- And possibly the most important one to remember, FED IS BEST!
If you are looking for a breastfeeding course, I highly recommend Milkology! They offer 5 online breastfeeding and pumping courses, all at a very reasonable price. Plus, you can use the code “MLN10” to save 10%.
Related Reading: The Breastfeeding Essentials You Need as a Nursing Mama
5. You’ve got this, mama!
Take a deep breath, mama. Trust your body, trust your intuition, and trust your healthcare team. You were made for this incredible journey, and you are stronger than you know.
Wrapping up
There you have it, 5 essential tips to help you navigate the wild ride of childbirth and postpartum. Remember, it’s okay to feel nervous, excited, anxious, and everything in between. Embrace the unpredictability, trust your instincts, and advocate for yourself.
Most importantly, don’t forget to celebrate the strength and power of your own body as you bring new life into the world. You’ve got this, mama, now go kick butt!
