I could never imagine my life without Braxton now. But there are things I wish I knew about being a mom before I had him. So here are the top 5 things I wish I knew about labor and delivery, and things I wish I knew before becoming a mom. Very honest, and maybe TMI for those who are very modest. But one big thing ever mother knows is that as soon as you give birth, all modesty goes out the window!
Things I wish I knew about labor and delivery:
- It’s beyond painful: You hear it’s the worst pain in the world. But nothing prepares you for exactly how painful contractions are. I thought I was going to die. I forgot how to breath. I didn’t even feel them put in the epidural because I was in so much pain. I wish I knew you could demand an epidural as soon as you start active labor. They told me to wait until I got to 4 centimeters, and by the time they called the anesthesiologist and he arrived over an hour later, I was already at 10 centimeters and ready to push. The epidural didn’t kick in until after…
- The bleeding starts before and doesn’t end: Before I even gave birth I was bleeding. I remember apologizing to the nurse when I noticed the bed was soaked. She kept telling me it’s ok and it’s normal. Then of course you have to deliver the placenta which basically looks like a blood filled sack, and then you don’t stop bleeding for about 6 weeks. I wish I knew that it’s not like a period, and that you’ll pass blood clots the size of golf balls at home. And even though it looks super scary, apparently you don’t have to worry unless they get to tennis ball size…
- Mesh Panties: While preparing my hospital bag, I bought my own gown to wear, robe to wear, slippers, and undies made for recovery. I wish I knew I wouldn’t use ANY of that stuff. I wore the hospital gown provided (because of all the blood…), and they provide you with mesh panties which are the only thing comfortable to wear after having a baby.
- Take lots of photos: So you won’t be able to take pictures obviously, but make sure to tell whoever is in the delivery room with you to take photos. (And maybe practice before hand to show them which angles you think you look best in. I hate how I look in every single photo because I didn’t do this.) Otherwise you’ll miss out on some magical moments.
- Contractions continue after birth: I thought all the pain would be over once he was born. No. If you tear you’ll have to deal with uncomfortable and itchy stitches, and when you breastfeed it causes contractions which aren’t as painful as labor contractions, but still hurts! The only upside is that these contractions help your uterus to return to normal size. I was offered pain medicine even after giving birth and I highly recommend taking it.
(Right when Braxton was born. Love having the memory to relive but hate how I look in the picture. Not great angles with the double chin. And maybe teach your husband to fix your hair and make-up real quick before snapping pictures…)
Things I wish I knew before becoming a mom:
- No more sleep: I thought there was no tired like first day of school teacher tired. Until I became a mom. And my baby at 5 months old still doesn’t sleep through the night. I haven’t slept more then 4-5 hours straight in over 5 months. I usually sleep 2 hours at a time. There is no tired like new mom tired.
- Poop & spit up everywhere: You will get baby poop & spit up on everything. Your clothes, the floor, the couch, the bed, the car, you name it. There is no reason to have nice things anymore.
- No more alone time: This refers to no alone time for yourself, and no alone time for you and your husband. I sometimes miss just being able to do my nails while watching a show that doesn’t have cartoon characters in it.
- You’ll spend all your money on baby: I don’t remember the last time I bought something for myself. I used to love new clothes, shoes and jewelry. Now I love going to babies r us and buying new toys and tiny clothes. Even though he’ll outgrow them in a month…
- Takes twice as long to get ready: Not that you’ll have more time to get ready though. In fact you’ll barely have any time to get ready. It’s more like, you have 10 minutes to get ready and then you’ll spend an hour getting the baby ready. Even if your just planning on going out to get a few items you have to…change diaper, feed the baby, change baby’s clothes because he spit up on them, change your own clothes because he spit up on your clothes too, pack up the stroller, pack the diaper bag (make sure there are plenty of diapers, wipes, extra clothes, a blanket, a spit up rag…), pump a bottle, bring toys to entertain the baby, and then check diaper again before putting him in the carseat. And that’s just to get groceries. Imagine how much more you have to do if your going on a trip somewhere!
(Unwashed hair, no make-up and baby napping on me was typically how we spent the first few weeks at home.)
Has anyone seen the movie “Neighbors” with Zac Efron and Seth Rogen? If not you need to. I thought it was funny before having kids, but now after having kids it’s hilarious. My favorite scene is when they decide they need to get out of the house and get invited to a rave and have to restock the diaper bag, pump, pack up the swing, jumperoo and cooler before just falling asleep and not going. So relatable.
(Scene from the movie “Neighbors” And yes I try to pack everything on errands as well so I get it.)
All that being said, I wouldn’t trade this new life for anything. The pain, weight gain, uncomfortable recovery and lack of sleep is all completely worth it. I love my new life as a mom and I’m forever grateful that God chose me to be Braxton’s mommy.
(Braxton’s first trip to a Pumpkin Patch. I love every first with him and experiencing life in a whole new way with him.)