I think I kinda have an obssession with posting advice for future mothers. I can't help it - my sister's pregnant, as well as 3 dear friends of mine (and there might be more that I don't remember, they seem to be multiplying). And maybe it's my secret desire to go back in time and shake myself out of my clueslessness (or let myself know such clueslessness is ok).So this is what I'd say to old pregnant me:
You Are NOT Huge
I know you feel like a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade float, but it's all baby. Ok, maybe it's not all baby, but the people that see you can't tell that easily. I know it's hard to believe, but they just see the "miracle of life" when they look at you. The baby took over your whole body (including arms and butt), as far as they're concerned. And anyway, you'll be amazed of how much water weight you'll lose once he/she's out.
You ARE Ready
I remember when I was about to walk down the aisle to get married, I panicked 'cause I couldn't believe I could've possibly planned enough. It just seemed impossible there was nothing left to do, except get married. I think we experience this kind of feeling all over again with motherhood - like there's nothing we can do that can be ever enough for your child. And that's true, there isn't. But it's not about things - YOU are enough.
Yes, You WILL Have a Pretty Baby
Am I the only one who secretly wondered if I was going to like the way my baby looked? I knew I'd love her even if she had 4 ears, but seeing her inherit mommy's stick-out ears made me feel like tearing up. Of course the rest of her is beyond gorgeous too, but what I mean is that it's so amazing to see a little person that is a piece of you that trust me, you'll fall in love with your baby. It's like the same thrill of falling in love with your significant other, only motherly.
DON'T Expect the Worst
My crazy pregnant brain thought that if I assumed the worst, then I'd be pleasantly surprised when something good happened, and not disappointed if it didn't. What's wrong with this thinking is that you never ever enjoy where you're at. You're constantly worried, in a "pre-partum" depression. And then you miss out on what I think is the most fun part of being pregnant - the thrill of anticipation. So go ahead, expect thet best - you already have something really good going on right now.
9 comments:
You go ahead, and post b/c new moms need all the help they can get, and encouragement.
I wish I would've had blogging and the internet when my first was born 15 yrs ago, I wouldn't have felt so lonely and confused.
So nice to meet you, and your post is very helpful.
Stopping by from Lady bloggers. I think you nailed all the biggest fears on the nose! Those are certainly my fears for when I get pregnant!
What lovely reminders of a special time!
I've never been pregnant because I'm infertile but this sounds like really good advice some pregnant women I know need to hear.
Visiting from LBS.
Great tips! I love the gif too. That's awesome!
Pregnant mamas are beautiful. Why do we always think the opposite when it's us that's pregnant? I was pretty huge and awful looking when I was pregnant with my two girls, but when I was pregnant with my son, I was HOT! :-D
Visiting here from LBS and so glad I stopped by! :-)
Thanks girls, I LOVED meeting you all! It's been fun reading your blogs!
Hello! I'm visiting you from The Lady Bloggers Tea Party! I'm also a new follower. I love this post about the advise for new moms. Its been over 14 years since I had my son, and I know if someone would have just told me a few of those things, I'd feel alot better! Thanks agian!
This is GREAT. I love that picture... it made me laugh. Really good advice and I think it will come as a nice reminder for you someday too. It's amazing how quickly forget it all. It's only been 8 years since I had my last baby and already I have forgotten so much, I wouldn't even be able to give advice.
Thank you so much for coming over to my blog, for the VERY sweet comment and encouragement and also for letting me know my link wasn't working. So disappointing. But your kind words made me smile.
Thank you AGAIN!!
Hugs.
Gina
Thank you! I can completely understand your points, and I will try to focus on it more when I'm dealing with it. My main problem is the last point. I'm actually afraid that if I get too excited it'll annoy others or make me look babyish? lol I know, right??
I tried to act calm and mature because others around me are like that. Even though, deep down, I'm really excited.
Lol I know, I used to feel like that too! But today I wish I'd given myself permission to enjoy it more.
You know what helped me?? Scrapbooking. I'd never done it before (or since, after I finished), but putting together pictures and pregnancy/baby relates decorations helped me stop and celebrate it more. And it gave me perspective - like, I thought that if I'd seen this scrapbook being someone else's, I'd think how blessed this person is. It's just hard to remember that with the discomforts/worries of pregnancy, isn't it??
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