What do you wish you had known?

Ayoola - posted on 07/09/2012

how to get pregnant please can you give me the time i can meet my hobby especially the assuming my ovulation date is 1st July 2012 and it last me for 4 days what date i can conceive.

Annie - posted on 06/26/2012

I remember i used to have bad cramps while sleeping, mostly in my legs and toes to the extend of waking up in the middle of the night crying because i couldn't take the pain anymore. This was 5 years ago and now I'm expecting my second child and it really feels like the first time.

Fiona - posted on 02/08/2010

Don't get your heart set on anything! I ended up needing an emergancy cesar and then had heaps of trouble breastfeeding. It makes it all so much harder when you put extra pressure on yourself.

The other thing we did was tell friends they weren't allowed to visit for the first 2 days after the birth - otherwise you get swamped by well meaning people who wont leave and you feel too guilty to kick them out. You don't want to share special moments like your baby's first bath with a work colleague :)

Sandi - posted on 02/08/2010

You are still forgetfull after you have your.....what was I saying?

lol

Lisa - posted on 02/08/2010

No one ever told me I would be questioning the quiet moments. Wondering is there something wrong to what are they into now!
That when you are breastfeeding and the sound of hearing a baby cry,you will have let down.

Heather - posted on 02/03/2010

" I think the only thing missing is how you loose you mind. I used to be a well spoken, very put together person and then...It started when I was pregnant: forgetting things, loosing things. Now I'm lucky to formulate a sentence or spell a word correctly...wait what was I talking about? lol! "



lol! yep that's me all over. Baby moved in brain moved out!

Francesca - posted on 02/02/2010

That the first kick is exhilarating. The first time you see them is mezmerizing. But its okay that true love doesn't set in for a few weeks. (Exhaustion hits first. True love follows a little later :)



And, as a new parent, everyone will know better than you. Just smile and nodd. Otherwise you will go batty with unsolicited advice. HA HA (like I am giving now...ironic) But remind yourself that everyone must think your mightly special and love your bub to want to help you find the best way for you and baby :) (It kept me sane)



Whoever made up that pregnacy glow crap clearly was blind. I was never a graceful pregnant women. Blotchy skin, my hair thinned out, and stretch marks like a road map. Make sure to take some time to do stuff to make you feel pretty. A happy mommy makes a happy baby.



Ask for drugs in delivery. Why go through the pain. The rose is still as sweet without the thorns. I never understood the manly art of taking the pain when there are safe options available.



Oh, and push like you have to poo!



It's okay to change your mind, be moody, and tired from now on.



And finally, find an alliance of new mom's. They will be your sanity. To share stories, advice and to vent. To get out of the house, curb isolation, and form a caring network where your babies can play, laugh and flourish. Old friends and family are wonderful, but there is nothing more validating than having someone there for you that completely understands where you're coming from, and sometimes to even keep you grounded.

Jennifer - posted on 02/02/2010

I think the only thing missing is how you loose you mind. I used to be a well spoken, very put together person and then...It started when I was pregnant: forgetting things, loosing things. Now I'm lucky to formulate a sentence or spell a word correctly...wait what was I talking about? lol!

Melissa - posted on 02/02/2010

Yes enjoy it while they are small because it does go by fast. It seems like just yesterday I had my daughter and now look she is almost nine months old. Not a New Born anymore. Yes Sleep when they do. You need your rest. I was so glad to be off for the six weeks after my daughter was born. I dont know how mommies do it that go back to work right after thier babies are born. Because I was up every two hours with her the 1st 2 months.

Jennifer - posted on 02/02/2010

oh and as for motherhood....always pack extra everything - including for yourself bc you will be barfed on peed on pooed on etc. But it is definitely all worth it. Also, if your friend is having a boy tell her not to lean in for any reason while changing a diaper or she might get pissed on in the face...it's been known to happen lol

Jennifer - posted on 02/02/2010

lots of vaginal discharge. also - this is rare, but p.u.p.p.p - it's a rash and is one huge nightmare. also...STRETCH MARKS - there is no escaping. the fact that your body will never be the same again. the weight gain. having to pee every 5 mins even if you remember not drinking anything in the last 24 hours purely to try and stop peeing all the time. the sleepless nights when baby is kicking you in the ribs/bladder....the list could go on and on lol

Sheree - posted on 02/02/2010

Thanks Niki, I would skip the whole pregnancy and go straight to the labour part. The sickness was a nightmare, but i would do it all again. When i did get to the hosp, (thinking i would be sent home) she examined me, i was 6cm dialated and she set me up in a room. within 90 mins i'd had my little girl. I called the nurse back when i was ready to push, and she said oh no i dont think you'll be dialated enough yet, let me check. She couldn't check cause my little girls head was right there. Im not saying it was a pain free labour, but certainly not as bad as i thought it would be. I was prepared to have all the drugs except an epidural, but only had 2 panadols 5.5 hours before the birth. But i would defianlty want to do it that way next time :)

Michelle - posted on 02/02/2010

* Murphy's Law plays catch up on screwing with you in every way !
* Gravity kicks into overdrive
* peeing your pants causes panic
* Grandmothers should be sedated for the whole 9 months ! [My mom drove me NUTS !]
* You are about to commit to becoming a snot rag for 5 or so years , your child will literally blow boogies on your shirt .
* Hospitals will try to disregard your birth plan at all costs , including not allowing you to use those yummy suckers for dry mouth out of fear you will choke on it .
* You will soon learn how to throw modesty out the window , infact while in labor you will get a crash course on it !
* Don't fear pooing while giving birth , Sh!t happens and it is no surprise to the dr or staff !
* It is not uncommon for a first born to have a cone head

Renae - posted on 02/02/2010

Ok one more. Babies are only babies for a short time. So how ever bad their sleeping is, or feeding, or whatever other issues they have, it will pass soon and you will be on to new toddler issues, then childhood issues... and all babies sleep through the night eventually - who do you know who gets up to their 13 year old to give them a cup of milk in the middle of the night, or take them to the toilet? Everything passes and babies grow up.

Renae - posted on 02/02/2010

Oh and when you think there is something wrong with your baby, THERE IS! Dont let doctor's say "its normal", "lots of babies are like this", "they will grow out of it", when you know what is going on is much worse than "normal". Though I hope she never needs this advice.

Renae - posted on 02/02/2010

I sometimes snore now. It started during pregnancy and I still snore sometimes according to my husband. I never snored before I was pregnant. I also burp now which I hardly ever did before, that started while pregnant too.

Nikki - posted on 02/02/2010

Sheree I am SOOO jealous of your labor, I heard all the lovely stories and I had back labor no matter how many drugs they gave me I felt it all every single contraction , I got to a point where i told the docs I give up, luckily he came out 40 mins after that .... and the second i saw him i forgot about it all, everything was worth it, just wish i prepared more I never did the breathing classes and forgot how to breathe and almost hyperventilated every single push
I didnt have the morning sickness, that I feel for you, Being nauseas for one day is enough for me I don't know how you did it nine whole months!!!

Nikki - posted on 02/02/2010

-DON'T buy all your pregnancy clothes at maternity shops... sooo expensive and you grow out of them way too fast!! just buy large and XL stretchy stuff
-DON'T eat like your eating for two it's a myth I ate like octomom and I gained 70lbs and still trying to lose the belly 8 months later.
-Put your feet up, rest, sleep sleep sleep and more sleep cuz once baby comes you'll wish you had
-Keep your eye on the prize no matter how hard labor is just know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel
-After you give birth take sometime with just you baby and hubby, we had 239742938749837 ppl visit the aft after I gave birth and I was so tired and exhausted and miserable bc everyone was all over me and the baby also when you go home take time for yourself , just bc everyone wants to see the baby doesn't mean you have to open your doors like a 7/11
- Don't expect to leave the hospital in pre prego jeans the weight will come off eventually just don't beat yourself up over it.
-Make the decisions based on how you feel is best, DONT LET ANYONE guilt you or try and tell you otherwise , as a mother you will know what is best and if ppl don't agree too bad it's your baby not theirs

Once the baby is here
- routine routine routine
- sleep when baby sleeps
-DONT BLINK you'll miss something they grow up way too fast
- do not rush them to crawl and walk, enjoy stationary baby, b/c once the go they GOOO!!! and you will miss the time where you could just sit there and enjoy them
- when buying clothes think ahead , don't buy a lot in one size, my son at 6 months wore 18-24 months clothing

Most importantly enjoy the ride motherhood is the most amazing ,exhilirating experience, I wouldnt trade it for the world, from the second I held my son for the 1st time I fell in love, there is nothing more precious than that!!!!

Carolee - posted on 02/02/2010

A pelvis can dislocate and you can still move around for quite a few months... it hurts like hell, but you can do it.

Ask for stool softeners as soon as you are able to take them after giving birth! And don't DARE miss a dose for the first few weeks.

Your belly will feel kind of like a partially deflated water balloon for the first couple of months after birth.

Diet restrictions (especially those that say you cannot have what you are craving) SUCK!

Sometimes, when you get the "super nose", your partner's natural smell can repulse you... have them use your body wash and perfume (it helps a lot). And your own smell can bug you, too. Buy samples of fragrances and body washes until you find one that doesn't make you nausious.

Sneaky - posted on 02/02/2010

Ok, be prepared to be grossed out!!!! This is my third pregnancy and this did NOT happen with the other two, but twice this week I have woken up in the middle of the night because I have thrown up . . . in MY SLEEP!!! I did not know it was even possible and it is not because of morning sickness (that nightmare ended a few months ago) but because of horrid reflux and the relaxing of my stomach muscles - when I lay down, the food just comes back out apparently. NO ONE EVER TOLD ME THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN!!!!

Heather - posted on 02/02/2010

Thanks heaps, I'm suprised how quick everyone was to respond!

She's a natural therapist and she does alot of fertility, pregnancy and even attends births so she'd know alot of this stuff, but keep em coming!

Also - dont wanna freak her out lol. reading over this stuff to an outsider would probably be pretty scary. lol

Krystel - more please :D

Krystel - posted on 02/02/2010

gotta say your tummy is no longer your tummy!!! and your boobs r no longer your boobs. hmmm... so many gud and bad comes outta of motherhood. ohh... enjoy the first 3months cause you neva get them days back. labour wil b gud as long as u breath!!! if your face is relaxed ur down there is relaxed. try a bath or shower works everytime. i could go on foreva if you want more just write bak.

Jodi - posted on 02/02/2010

That it gets harder as they get older - the issues become bigger, they become more expensive, and they need more of your time. You always hear about how much work babies are, but you never realise how much harder it actually gets.

Emilie - posted on 02/02/2010

Sometimes women gain a cup size or 2.

Kate CP - posted on 02/02/2010

How much laundry I would have to do. Ugh. It's insane!

Sheree - posted on 02/02/2010

I wish people had told me good stories about labour, not just their horro stories. I had the easiest labour and because i thought it was going to be the worst pain imaginable, i didnt know i was in labour. I think my tattoo was just as painful as the labour and birth really.
Also i wish people told me morning sickness was so bad, it would make me wish I could die. I was sick all day, nearly every day of my pregnancy, it lasted the whole nince months and i was even waking up in the middle of the night to throw up. It was terrible but all worth it in the end :)

Patricia - posted on 02/02/2010

That you would lose your boobs. lol I lost a cup size with each pregnancy

Jennifer - posted on 02/02/2010

Watch your weight gain and listen to your OB. Also, stretch your calves before bed and exercise daily to prevent leg cramps.

Angie - posted on 02/02/2010

Be ready for lots of sleepless nights, get used to lots & lots of crying, realize you can't call the doctor for EVERYTHING(even if you want to)! Ummm....how gross & mushy your belly feels right after having the baby. How gassy you get during pregnancy. Oh & I never had hearburn before kids...now I have it ALL the time! Also from pushing I got really bad red blotches all over my face(doesn't happen to everyone). But none of these things will really bother you because the second you see this little person that you already love so much nothing else will matter:) It's worth any & all gross stuff...lol

Andrea - posted on 02/02/2010

It is PAINFUL to walk towards the end of the pregnancy - My baby sat on a nerve - sharp pain I had no idea was even possible :) Also, there is a WHOLE science behind breastfeeding I had no idea about - I knew it would be hard and didn't come easy, but I didn't realize you could make sooooo many mistakes if you didn't have the right info. Oh! You will still look 6 months pregnant when you leave the hospital.

Tiffany - posted on 02/02/2010

ALWAYS keep at least two extra outfits with you. Everytime i think i won't need one my daughter has an accident.

Heather - posted on 02/02/2010

lol Sharon so had I! It was totally different for me!

Jacinta - posted on 02/02/2010

I wish I would have known that EVERYTHING changes while pregnant and afterwards, and that it doesn't just go away when you've had the baby. Also, it isn't easy to get back to normal, like all the celbs show and do. That stuff isn't realistic for most out there. Finally, with all the ups and downs of pregnancy and afterwards it is ALL really worth it. Babies and children are amazing and is worth every last bit of it.

Emilie - posted on 02/02/2010

After you have a baby you loose bladder control sometimes. Also, if you are breastfeeding drink A LOT, if you don't you will be very miserable going to the bathroom. Another thing, always have a spit up rag available, and always have a diaper bag, even if you are only going up the road for a few min.

Holly - posted on 02/02/2010

I wish someone would have warned me how excruciating a hemorrhoid would be. I called my doctor and asked if I could have my epideral 3 months early.

Amber - posted on 02/02/2010

say goodbye to good teeth, hair, & skin ohh and farts come whether you want them to or not lol if you pump i wouldnt look down bc you loose all your sexy-ness when you look like an alien/cow..

Rebecca - posted on 02/02/2010

Sharon you make me laugh!

The one thing i wish i would have known...that morning sickness ISN'T just for the morning...it's called Hyperemesis and it's a bitch! So worth it though:)

Sharon - posted on 02/02/2010

Nothing. I'd been in child care for years before I had my first child....



I guess ONE thing.... I wish I'd known my SHOULDERS would get broader. UGH all those tailored jackets OUT the window... s.o.b.