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7 No Nonsense Tips for Delivery, Surviving the Fourth Trimester
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Becoming a mom for the first time can be overwhelming to say the least. There are so many unknowns. Hormones are running rampant. Your body is recovering from a major physical event – or surgery if you’ve had a c-section. And then as if you’re not struggling enough, you’re handed this tiny little human that needs around-the-clock care.
In my case, I did have a c-section, and it’s pretty wild to think what a big surgery it is, but perhaps the only one where you don’t get to only rest and recover afterwards.
Now, over a year later, those newborn days feel like a blur. However, I’m about to do it all over again with my second as I brace for life with two under two. Since it’s such a wild experience, I remember writing down notes to myself when I was in the thick of it the first time. So, I decided to review those notes and pieces of advice that I made for myself in preparation of my upcoming second birth. And here, I will share my pieces of advice with you too on surviving birth and the fourth trimester:
1. Breastfeeding (or not) is your own journey
This is probably considered to be more words of encouragement than actual advice. But I did write down how weird it was that everyone seemed so interested on whether or not I was breastfeeding. I found myself explaining several times how I was pumping because we had trouble with a good latch. As if I had to justify it to anyone.
Why is that anyone else’s business? It’s not. I know women who do great with breastfeeding and others who struggle and just about everything in between. But you owe no one else an explanation on this subject, no matter where you are on the spectrum. If you feel like sharing your journey, good for you. But don’t feel like you owe anyone any details if you don’t feel like sharing.
2. Start small on the baby gear
During pregnancy and newborn life, you’re likely getting fed a lot of ads for baby items. It’s hard not to be influenced and feel like you need “all the things.”
For me, I found that there were items and products that I loved and things that I barely used at all. Then, there were items that my baby either liked or disliked. I often misjudged what types of products I actually needed the most – or expected to like one type of bottle but ended up favoring another.
Anyway, I think it’s wise to get a few “sample” items and then go from there before you buy in bulk.
3. Stock up on hospital supplies
The hospital is your friend when it comes to “free” supplies. (Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure you’re paying for it in the end one way or another). But whether it’s diapers, formulas, wipes, or mesh undies, stock up as much as you can while you’re there. I was surprised by how much my hospital had to offer.
4. Don’t invest too much in the newborn size
This piece of advice might have some mileage that varies, but I don’t think my baby ever fit in a newborn size. Luckily, we packed three different “going home” outfits. And one of them was size 0-3 months. It was the only one that fit our small but also large bundle of joy.
5. Don’t register for too many clothes or swaddles or blankets
People love buying these clothes, blankets and swaddles. Odds are, you won’t need to buy many yourself or put them on your registry.
6. Prepare for disruptions at the hospital
People warn you about lack of sleep, but you don’t think it’s going to be from hospital staff. It felt like a revolving door of people coming in and out of our room at all times.
It wasn’t just the nurses or doctors. It might be staff who take your food order. Staff who bring you food. Staff who clean. Audiologists who check the baby’s ears. Clergy. Whoever it is that takes information for your baby’s social security. I truly don’t know that I can list them all, but it was a lot.
For my next delivery, I definitely plan on bringing a portable sound machine and “do not disturb” sign.
7. Ignore all the advice
“Including this” – is what I wrote in the thick of the fourth trimester to myself. Of course, I find value in other people’s experiences. That’s why this whole website exists. But I also believe that you know your baby best. Trust your instincts. Try not to get pulled in to the distractions of what worked for someone else if you feel that it’s not working for you.
What fourth-trimester tips do you have? Leave them in the comments below.
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