Advice for August 16

[motownthrowdown]

Let's share our favorite pregnancy advice, morning sickness tips, things to do or buy, and anything else you wish you had known while you were pregnant for next year's August Moms. We can cross post it over there once we've all run out of wisdom.

Welcome to the journey, August 16!

[abvintage]

When buying maternity tops try to find nursing tops. I realized I had spent $ on maternity clothing but no nursing tops.

[zonagirl]

Work hard on your registry during pregnancy, because once the baby gets here you will be too busy/ tired to research and buy a whole bunch of stuff. I used Lucy's List to help figure out what to get.

Congratulations!

[abvintage]

Also B6 & unisom religiously if you have morning sickness.

[runningmommy519]

Unisom may help you sleep but it might make you feel like a zombie too

[runningmommy519]

Mild cramping can be normal.
Mild spotting can be normal.

Once you get farther along call your doctor if movements decrease.

[jgesi]

If you have bad acid reflux, get protonix from your OB. The stuff is magical. There is no reason to suffer and lose sleep over stupid reflux now. There will be plenty of time for lack of sleep later.

Take a baby moon. Even if it's just a 1 night staycation.

[ampaints]

No two pregnancies are the same.

Check clearance maternity wear now, I only bought 2 things that weren't at least 50% off.

Get some clothes that make you feel cute because there will be days you desperately need that pick me up.

This community is so supportive and amazing. I can't imagine what my pregnancy would have been like without these beautiful ladies.

[elvenqueen]

Do take bump photos, even when you think you're not looking your hottest, because that bump will be gone before you know it, and you'll miss it!

Swelling sucks when it's hot out, so make sure you give yourself plenty of feet-up time and drink water like you've never drunk water before.

[layloo08]

Never say you'll never do something; you most likely will end up doing it.

Go on many dates with your SO now.

Remember "this too shall pass"

Enjoy the moments

[incir]

Be prepared to throw your birth plan out the window. Try to remember that the ultimate goal of every pregnancy and birth is a healthy mother and baby.

[aracale]

I second the yoga ball advice. It has been a lifesaver in our house.

Accept help when it's offered.

Do what feels right to you and don't worry so much about what the "experts" have to say.

At some point you will do something you said you'd never do and the world will keep turning.

Babywearing is also a lifesaver.

[shellyr]

The days can be long, but the weeks are short.

Take so many photos even when you aren't feeling great about yourself because the time flies so fast.

Enjoy the journey!

[oopsiedaisies]

Babywearing is amazing!

Enjoy every moment as much as you can.

Listen to your gut, it's usually right.

[oopsiedaisies]

Research the type of birth you want. Know your options. You can say no.

[hopefulreturn]

Not everyone enjoys pregnancy. It's OK to be grateful yet a bit miserable and not feel like yourself. It's also ok to love every moment or fall somewhere in the middle.

Start cleaning your house and preparing the nursery. I've yet to finish those tasks!

Take care of yourself. And do enjoy this time with your partner. Squeeze in many dinner dates!

[queenb]

Stay away from Dr. Google!
Drink all of the water! Stay hydrated.
Just because you won't have your period doesn't mean you won't need pantyliners...
Don't be stubborn about wearing maternity pants... They're amazingly comfortable.

[anaberry]

Don't be scared of labor. if your body doesn't kick in knowing what to do, your Dr's will. Trust them and the nurses.... But don't be afraid to put them in their place if they aren't allowing you to follow your plan (within reason).
Get all the nursing tops - you'll change clothes just as much as lo at first between leaks and milk.
If you got an episiotomy... TAKE THE COLACE. Trust me on this.... You might end up having a frankenvage if the stitching swells.
Force them all to wash hands before touching your baby. At least 30 seconds.
The first two weeks are eternal.
Somewhere after 2 months you realize you've got this down pat.
good luck ladies! And welcome to motherhood .

[kaeguri]

Go on as many dates with your SO/H now. Just go see a movie, take a walk (if you can), go to a nice quiet restaurant.

Drink all the water. Think it's too much water? Drink more. During the summer, you'll get dehydrated in now time.

Start taking stool softeners (colace) beginning the last month of pregnancy at least. Keep taking them a week after you give birth or so. It helps. So much. You're welcome.

Take pictures of yourself! You may think you look fat or bloated or swollen but I promise you, you are GORGEOUS and beautiful and amazing.

Be gentle with yourself. If you gain more than the recommended amount, don't stress. There will be plenty of time to lose it later. Take care of yourself and your tiny life inside of you and be kind.

It's ok if you feel nothing like those glow-y moms you see everywhere else. It's ok to hate being pregnant. This is just a phase. It will seem like it lasts forever. It doesn't.

Pedicures help boost your self esteem like no other.

Be flexible with your birth plan. Know what you want and advocate for yourself, just remember things can and will probably change. Prioritize what's most important to you. Skin to skin, delayed clamping, etc. Know your rights.

Have fun shopping and making a registry and decorating! Just remember, if you're stressing out over it, your baby will not care if the curtains are the wrong color or the diaper pail doesn't match the bedding. Place to sleep + clothes is all they need.

Going to repeat this because it's so important. Be kind to yourself. You will gain weight. You will slow down. It's part of life. Sleep/rest as much as you can. Be kind to yourself.

Congrats!

[arimaythea]

Another fan of babywearing here! If you get a wrap or a ring sling before LO is born, you may be able to use it before LO is 8 lbs. (Carriers like the K'tan have an 8 lb minimum weight.)

Be aware that later in pregnancy, your shoes may no longer fit. For me, I was eventually able to wear them again postpartum.

Stock up on pillows to help improve nighttime comfort. I built myself a pillow nest with all the different parts I needed propped to get comfortable. Some swear by the pregnancy-specific pillows, but I made due with a body pillow, a king pillow, and two standard pillows.

[ampaints]

Keep snacks by the bed. Great for middle of the night or when you wake up.

I loved my snoogle more than my husband some days. It's worth the money!

[bibliothecary]

Registries: you don't need half of the shit you think you need. Really. You need a yoga ball, though. Trust me on this. If you're not particular about clothing, don't register for any. You will get SO MUCH anyway.

Babies don't have to be expensive. Buy used. Just not used car seats or stuffed animals. If you can stuff It in a dishwasher or washing machine, have at it. Yard sales are where it's at.

If you have a two story house, have a changing table on each floor. Really. It's not wasteful. It's smart.

Don't discuss things with people whose opinions you don't value. EVERYONE has an opinion on your pregnancy and future spawn. Eff em. They don't get an opinion on whether you're circumsizing or not.

While we're on the topic of others, everyone LOVES to tell labor horror stories to pregnant women. Because they're jerks. Ignore them. You are allowed to say "I'd prefer not to hear this. You are not helping." Labor is not as bad as they make it out to be. And even if it is, what good will hearing about it be?

Breastfeeding. It's hard. It's doable. But it is hard. While you are vetting pediatricians, find a lactation consultant. I hope you don't need one and are a magical breastfeeding unicorn, but chances are it'll take some help to get going. There is no shame in this. Smart women use every resource available.

[cupcakecutiern]

Enjoy being pregnant-- in the grand scheme of things it's such a short time. Savor those moments don't wish them away

Get all the sleep you can-- you will miss it. As my ob said-- you will never sleep the same again. You will be perpetually worrying about this tiny being you have created.
Maternity pants are amazing.
Don't listen to advice from anyone.
Trust your gut
There are no stupid questions or calls-- If something feels off, ask about it.
Get a prenatal massage-- or many.
See a chiropractor-- they are amazing for hip/sciatic pain.
Go in to the birth with knowledge but no plan-- or at least a flexible plan. If you write a birth plan make sure it's not longer than one page-- or you will be mocked and chances are no one will actually read it.
Spend lots of time in the pool-- it was the best place in the summer and being pregnant.

[bibliothecary]

Old Navy maternity pants SUCK. Motherhood makes good jeans.

[runningmommy519]

People do love to share their birth stories. Not all are butterflies and rainbows. Not everyone is trying to be a jerk when they share their horror stories. As PP said just say no thank you if you aren't interested. But some woman just want to share their story because it's important to them. Both my birth stories are pretty damn scary but amazing.

[runningmommy519]

Nov 21, 2015 19:24:26 GMT -5 runningmommy519 said:

People do love to share their birth stories. Not all are butterflies and rainbows. Not everyone is trying to be a jerk when they share their horror stories. As PP said just say no thank you if you aren't interested. I'm xxzBut some woman just want to share their story because it's important to them. Both my birth stories are pretty damn scary but amazing.

ETA: those scary stories should come with a warning though "oh hey i'd love to share but it's kinda scary"

[bibliothecary]

Nov 21, 2015 20:15:16 GMT -5 runningmommy519 said:

Nov 21, 2015 19:24:26 GMT -5 runningmommy519 said:

People do love to share their birth stories. Not all are butterflies and rainbows. Not everyone is trying to be a jerk when they share their horror stories. As PP said just say no thank you if you aren't interested. I'm xxzBut some woman just want to share their story because it's important to them. Both my birth stories are pretty damn scary but amazing.

ETA: those scary stories should come with a warning though "oh hey i'd love to share but it's kinda scary"

That's because you're good people.

[gingerygirl]

It's okay if you don't enjoy being pregnant. Really. Sometimes it just plain sucks. Don't feel ashamed if you find yourself wishing for it to be over already, especially in the third trimester.

Stool softeners are magic.

"Sleep when the baby sleeps" is a bunch of crap.

However, do take a nap whenever you get a chance.

Trust your doctor.

Trust your instincts too.

If something feels off, don't be afraid to ask. It's always better to ask and it be nothing than to not ask and it be something.

Soak up all of the itty bitty baby snuggles that you can. It goes by faster than you think.

Take a deep breath. You've got this, mama.

[ars093s]

Keep a snack on your nightstand and eat it before you get out of bed in the morning. Food may just be the cure your morning sickness needs.

Read all the pregnancy books, but don't forget to start reading up on what happens next too!

Drink all the water...there are apps you can download (e.g. Plant Nanny) to help remind you.

Pregnancy pillows may be expensive, but they are worth every penny. Snoogle fan for lyfe!

Listen to all the advice, but feel free to ignore it. Do what works for you and don't worry about what anyone else thinks.

Congratulations!!

[ady45]

These have been mentioned, but I fully agree. Snoogle was my life saver. My H always called it my boyfriend. Lol

Water and lots of it.

Colace. Even with minimal tearing, postpartum pooping can be awful.

Get as much as you can second hand, except for the carseat. Babies spit up or diapers leak and stand clothes. They put grow them way too fast to spend a fortunes on clothes.

Baby wearing is amazing.