Well Wishes & Advice for O16 Go Here

[Deleted]

Best wishes ladies!
My advice is to lean on your fellow O16ers for support and advice, it has been invaluable for me.
Try to enjoy this time in your life! Do your best to stay active during your pregnancy, I did nothing during my 1st pregnancy & worked out during this one. My postpartum recovery was easier & quicker 2nd time around.
If you're nervous about sleepless nights, all of the hard work of raising a baby & how you'll do it all...you just do it. You're going to find strength & energy you never knew you had.
Be kind to yourself, be easy on your body & take more than a few moments to marvel at how amazing it is to create life.

[lostineden]

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! I wish you the happiest and most joyful 9 (let's be real...10) months. Some things I wish I knew at the start:

*Most of the time, pregnancy isn't glamorous. Or even all that fun. Echoing @saveourship, it's okay to not enjoy it all the time. Or any of the time. Whether it's the easiest pregnancy or the hardest pregnancy, it's yours. And feeling however you feel about it doesn't mean you're ungrateful or a bad mom.

*Take time to connect with yourself and the baby. Nine months flies by, truly. You'll blink and the year will almost be over. For each milestone, make sure that you give yourself the opportunity to enjoy the experience before looking forward to/waiting for the next.

*Take a deep breath. Your body is doing an amazing thing, but it's something that it was built to do. You've got this. Release as much of the anxiety as you can.

*Remember that, as scary as labor is, it's not going to take longer than a day or so. I wish I had taken all of the energy I put into researching and learning about labor and instead focused on what comes next - like, how do I actually take care of this child. Sleep schedules? Pumping? Formula? Over/under supply? It was very scary for me when I was already making a huge adjustment on no sleep.

*Do whatever you need to do to be comfortable. Make a pillow nest. Get YH to give you foot massages all the time. Eat only carbs for all of first tri, because that's the only thing that doesn't make you sick. Wake up late, then take a nap, then go to bed early. Whatever it takes, mama, this time is yours.

*There's a light at the end of the tunnel. When you're late in your pregnancy and uncomfortable and ready to be done, remember that the pregnancy aches and pains almost immediately disappear. Baby is in your arms and *poof* swelling's down, no back pain, you can sleep on your stomach. Voila.

GOOD LUCK, LADIES!

[vshumway]

Congratulations!! Although it does make me sad to think, when you are having your babies, our babies will be turning 1!

Do things for yourself. It will be a while before you can enjoy time to yourself again without thinking about the baby at home.

Ask questions. It's better to ask your doctor than to ask google.

In so many ways, pregnancy goes by quick, and in other ways it takes forever. It seems like morning sickness and waddling never end, but they do! And then after it's over, it will seem like it flew by.

Enjoy it as much as you can. I did not enjoy my pregnancies as much as I wish I did, there is nothing else like it.

[kc730]

*get a support belt if you are having hip pain or SPD. I tried to make everything else work, but it didn't. Make the investment.

*when faced with the breastfeeding vs. formula: never doubt your abilities to provide for your baby, just focus on feeding the baby. However that turns out to be best for YOUR family, that's the way that you should go. Don't listen to the naysayers.

*Labor: see the rule on feeding the baby. Again, it's your show and your body. It may not go how you hope or plan, but don't let that deter you from having a plan, and don't focus on the disappointment of things don't go the way you envisioned them. If you want to go drug free, you can do it! If you want an epidural, you can do it! If a CS or RCS needs to happen, you can do it!

*reach out for help. Post-partum can be a difficult, lonely time. Talk to friends, family, and your birth month board. You are already a super hero, mama, but even super heroes have support.

[bradysalon]

CONGRATS O'16!!!

What an amazing journey you are about to start! To be honest, I hated pregnancy but there were some things that were so incredible!

Enjoy those baby kicks. Enjoy the bump and not having to suck in. Enjoy the excitement of picking a name, making a registery, finding out the sex and finally being able to tell everyone.

The throwing up (if you do), sweating, swelling, heartburn, weight gain and fatigue blows but I promise that it is all worth it!!!! Enjoy the sleep now! Even if you can't sleep- enjoy waking up to silence and being able to lay there.

We are here for any advice or questions! So much love and enjoy it!!!

[Maggie0424]

Congratulations!

Having a LO is both the most difficult and most rewarding thing you will do. In the early days especially, the difficult days will more than likely outweigh the fun days but it IS worth it. The first time your child smiles, laughs, rolls over and everything else that follows will make your heart burst. It is worth it all!

If your having a hard day/week/whatever do not be afraid to ask for help and if someone offers help take it.

As much as people like to give advice, follow your "mom gut." Whatever works for one person may not work for you at all and what works for you, may not work for someone else. You will find your stride.

Also to any of my fellow loss moms, extra (hugs) to you. My prayer is that you all welcome your rainbow babies and my hope is that you try to enjoy the journey as much as you can and try not to stress (I know MUCH easier said than done). Congratulations again and very best wishes to you!

[link7913]

Congrats & wishing you all a happy and healthy 9 months.

This is one of the best times of your life. Even though you may feel miserable, tired, exhausted, stressed, fat. This is the one time in this baby's life that you will be able to protect her and keep her safe. This is the one time that you do not have to share her. This is the one time that you will have the strongest bond with her. Enjoy every flip and kick.

As a mom who has delivered both a full term baby and more recently a premature baby, be hopeful that your baby goes full term. Try not to complain during those 8th and 9th months. Those are crucial times in development and having your baby inside you during that time is the best gift you can give her. Remember, not every mom and baby get that opportunity.

Enjoy! And sleep as much as you can!!