Yesterday I made the mistake of watching The Business of Being Born. I really wish I had not made it my business to watch that. I know that I should probably be educating myself right now on all things baby, but I am a bit squeamish. And there have been many times I have thought to myself...how on earth am I going to do this? After watching some of the women on the film give birth - never ever having had seen anything like that in my life - I am trying to figure out a way for anyone but me to birth this baby. Any takers?
Kidding aside. I am beginning to think what should I be doing that I am not? Books I should be reading? Blogs I should follow? Research I should be doing? Because the only thing I really have going for mini right now is a killer wardrobe.
So this is an open call for advice. As this pregnancy speeds the course I am quickly figuring out that I really have no idea what I am doing. So what exactly should I be doing?
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Register with your local hospital for birth classes that will help a lot! Also, I had my friend with me who is a doula. She was amazing during the nothing process and so attentive. You should also look into Raspberry Leaf Tea towards the end of your pregnancy. It does wonders for your uterus (tones it and helps with bleeding during labor) -- just a few suggestions :) I'm sure you'll do great! Xx
ReplyDeleteI really got a lot of information from The Happiest Baby on the Block book and from The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy. If you are planning to nurse, I would look into a breastfeeding class through your hospital and definitely take a tour of the hospital/birthing center. That helps when it is go time! You will do great!!
ReplyDeleteUgh don't bother with What To Expect. That book should be burned.
ReplyDeleteI've obviously never had a baby but I gave my friend who has Jenny McCarthy's book "Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth" and she loved it! She said it was honest and funny. I think when I get pregnant all I'll want to do is shop shop shop! Not much different from what I do now, just will be shopping for someone else!
ReplyDeleteHAHA! Ok, I'm not a mom nor do I have a baby growing in my belly -- so naturally, the only advice that comes to the top of my head is 1) A glass of wine; and 2) take a nap. Because those are typically the things I do when I'm overwhelmed... So, maybe I would suggest #2 for you... Then again, maybe I need both now because if YOU are this overwhelmed, I can only imagine how overwhelmed I'll be when I get preggo! haha
ReplyDelete-Kate
www.theflorkens.com
I'm sorry I won't be much help in this department (as I have not yet had a baby) but I am with you on the squeamish-ness (made up word? haha) with the video - I had to watch it in college and I actually had a mini panic attack and had to leave the room as I almost passed out haha! I have heard to stay away from What to Expect...
ReplyDeleteI wish I could help you on this topic, but you're having the first baby ;)
ReplyDeleteHA! I watched the documentary AFTER the hospital videos...I mean, they don't mess around. I actually really liked the premise of it, so maybe watch it again when you get closer! ;) And you'll do it, because...well, you just have to! You'll be amazed to see how your body prepares and adjusts for baby's arrival. Fun stuff!
ReplyDeleteDo nothing. IMHO it is best to go at it blind. It really isn't rocket science. I guess the only real essentials are to have a friend (who RECENTLY had a baby) guide you through the baby store to register -- this will save you lots of time and research. And don't buy a lot of clothes because babies wear different sizes and the seasons vary too frequently (PS POLO/RALPH Lauren is notorious for running REALLY small). Don't buy expensive, fancy furniture because you will want to invest, instead, in better quality for the "big bed room" (plus, many teethe on their crib rails). Suggest diaper showers and gift card showers for smaller groups like church, work, etc. so that you can avoid getting TONS AND TONS of CLOTHES.
ReplyDeleteOh, and READ MY BLOG today if you get a chance. I thought of you!! :)
ReplyDeleteI have no useful advice but I will say it does sound scary but you can totally do it! It's amazing what your body can handle, your little girl is lucky to have you as her mama!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite book was Baby 411 - to the point, non-judgmental, and accurate! I did the Laugh & Learn birthing DVD instead of an actual class. It's so old school and laughable but it teaches you what you need to do - and DON'T skip the c-section chapter even if you're convinced you won't have one. I watched the follow up movies to the Business of Being Born and I actually liked them better than the first. I don't recall them being as intense but they opened me up to different birthing situations and just made me feel more prepped. Good luck!
ReplyDeletei have 0 experience but i DID watch that movie and it kinda freaked me out too! just remember that women have been having children for MANY years! you can do it! xo jillian - cornflake dreams
ReplyDeletewhat more do you need besides a cute, tiny wardrobe. you learn the rest on the fly right?!
ReplyDeleteJust my two cents, but I tried not to think too hard about labor and delivery..it's going to happen and you won't have much control over it when the time comes, so I just did the mature thing and blocked it out and survived - we all do! In terms of blogs or books, I like Bringing Up Bebe for a book and Camp Patton is my fave mommy blog - so funny and such great perspective!
ReplyDeleteYou've got this Momma! I do believe in being well educated on a specific subject before venturing into it but those books they recommend are just plain scary sometimes! I asked my friends a TON of questions regarding their births. I asked them to be completely, no bulls**t, honest with me. I have friends who have done natural, friends who have had easy births, even friends who had extremely complicated births. Soak up all the info you can from those people! Personal experiences are going to settle with you better than a scary book. Just my tiny little opinion! But I truly think you are far more ready than you think you are ... a lot of this comes natural, in the moment you'll know what to do! After all, it is what we are made to do! <3
ReplyDeleteOh my you are so 100 steps ahead of me! At 33 weeks I am just now thinking about doing research lol. I witnessed my bff's birth and she made it seem not so awful so I am going off that and hoping for the best!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I need to start googling..
Honestly, I tried not to think much about that ... We did take a birth class at the end (30 weeks or so) but other than that ... It was all about the wardrobe! ;)
ReplyDeleteI really think those are one of the things that are hard to plan - best of luck!!
wordsaboutwaverly.blogspot.com
If you are at all interested in a natural birth I highly recommend Ina May's book": Guide to Childbirth. Also, definitely read (and have your husband read) The Birth Partner! I also can't say enough good things about attending a local La Leche League meeting while you are still pregnant. Being surrounded by new and veteran moms will be the best thing you can do to prepare yourself for childbirth and breastfeeding!!!
ReplyDeleteI just gave two months ago. I kept telling myself to sign up for a birth class, you know get familiar with that stuff. Told myself the entire 9 months I was pregnant. Never went to a birthing class or a breastfeeding class. I didn't read up on anything. When I was about 3 months pregnant, Kyle and I watched What to Expect when you're expecting, and that made me freak out and it was meant to be funny! I made the mistake of watching baby center’s CGI version of what happens when you give birth. Big mistake. Not only did I flip my shit, but I was terrified, how on earth was I going to give birth??? It took Kyle about an hour to calm me down from watching the video. I’m the type of person to believe something super dramatic will happen, like I’ll die during labor or something ridiculous like that. I spent most of my time on babycenter reading about other first time moms. My favorite iphone apps were webmd, what to expect and babycenter. Nothing could have prepared me to give birth besides just up and giving birth. Giving birth wasn’t hard for me at all and I’m serious, I was scared to give birth all the way until the day I gave birth. When it comes time to it, your body will know what to do.
ReplyDeleteMy advice? Be sure to take a Hospital Tour. I thought I didn't have to, since "how difficult could it be?", and I wished I had, because my water broke as I waddled through the several corridors looking for the Labor and Delivery elevator. Would have been good to know that DH could have dropped me right at the entrance to the elevator. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd ask your SISTERS. They are VERY WISE with 5 births between them. :) Love ya!
Tim and I are doing a labor & delivery class (focusing on natural child birth) and I also recently got two books recommended by a close friend, "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" and "Mindful Birthing". I honestly haven't thought much about this whole 'how the baby is getting out of my body' thing, but luckily, some of my friends had super positive experiences so I'm actually more excited and less terrified than I was before talking to them!
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