Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Tips and Tricks and Advice for New Moms. ILYMTC-Style.

 
Tips and Tricks Tuesday
 
When new mommy, Meagan, asked me to contribue to her brand new link-up "Tips and Tricks from New Moms" I'll admit, I wasn't quite sure what to write about. For those of you who've been reading for a while, you know that I'm plan-obsessed {click to read what I was feeling at 38 weeks pregnant} and practically cornered Doc SilverFox into nailing down a "Plan Of Attack" when it came time to talk delivery. I wish I could have linked to the post where we actually managed to come decide on The Plan, however since The Great Blogger Malfunction of 2011, Blogger actually ate that post. A-holes.
 
Anyways, moving on. Carter's birth was planned. Due to circumstances beyond our control, Carter was delivered via scheduled C-section. Not only was he an exceptionally large newborn, but there was no way on God's green earth that he was fitting through my pelvis. The fact that he had wedged himself stuck sideways in my pelvis  also helped lead the charge when it came to decision-making.
 
Moral of the story? Do your research. Be prepared and take charge of the important discussions you need to have with your physician. I knew I didnt want to attempt a version with Carter and I also didn't want to induce labor for hours on end before "we" exhausted that option and needed to spring for a C-section, emergency or otherwise. You can read all about Carter's Birthday here.
 
Things might happen that are outside of your control. By all means, have a "plan" put together, but don't lose your shit when it goes to pits and you are suddenly forced to consider alternatives. Just last night I archived six or seven "Natural Birth" books that I had downloaded on my Kindle, albeit early on in my pregnancy, in anticiption of having a drug-free labor. Like I said, I wouldn't change The Plan for the world and am actually excited at the prospect of scheduling future not-yet-conceived thankyouverymuch Baby #2's birth.
 
No matter what delivery you anticipate having, pack lot's of dark clothes for post-baby hospital lounging. With lot's of "checks" to your girly bits regardless of the way the baby exits, the doctors and nurses will need easy access. I loved the six or seven nursing gowns that my Mom bought for me from Motherhood Maternity. Easy on, easy off.

If I can impart two take-away messages both prior to and after delivery it would be these:

Do your hair and makeup prior to delivery. For me? This was an easy task because Carter's birth was scheduled. I say this because there will be lot's of pictures taken those first few hours and you are not going to want to look all a mess. Not to mention that it may be while before your next shower. I'm just being honest.

Bring your own shampoo, body wash and facial cleansing cloths to the hospital. When you can't shower, those facial cloths are going to be your best friend. When you can shower, having your own supplies will make you feel like a million bucks.
 
Oh, and if you happen to go the route of a C-section, take your pain meds. Don't be a hero. You'll be a much better mother and wife if you're not biting your tongue with every cramp, ache, pull and burn. Believe me, there are a lot of them. Even as a nurse I wasn't prepared for the recovery that was to come after having major abdominal surgery.

 
Read here about my thoughts on being a new Mom and how it's the easiest job I've ever had. How easy, you ask? Easier than nursing school and being a Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant nurse. I'm not kidding!
 
Be open to trying new things. You're not going to know what works and what doesn't work for you until you try it. For example? Baby-wearing. Who knew I'd be such a fan? Or who knew Carter would be such a fan, for that matter?
 
Read here about what I learned I could do as a seasoned 3-week old... Mom.
 
Know that chances are, whatever you're feeling or going through? You're not alone. Utilize your resources. Whether it be family, friends, doctors, nurses or even the world wide web? Use it. Read here about one of the most popular posts ILYMTC has churned out {second to my Pulled Chicken BBQ recipe!)... Formula Feeding.
 
Make new mom-friends. It's going to be incredibly difficult, especially if you encounter some Mom-etition. But? It's going to be worth it. I had zero mom-friends when I got pregnant. Being mom-friend-less is a terrible place to be when pregnant and it's an even worse place to be when you have a baby. Your babyless friends, although they may sympathize with you, cannot EMPATHIZE with you and believe me, that is a big difference. Make new mom-friends. Believe me. You'll need them. Venture outside of your comfort zone and find activities in your area to engage in. We started with storytime and Stroller_Strides.
 
Read here about how my Mission for Mom-Friends literally kicked my butt.
 
And finally,
You know you're a Mom when...
 
I hope this post offered a bit of helpful advice for some of you new mommies out there. I would have loved to go more indepth for you, but yesterday was one of those days where Carter took a topple, bit his lip, bled all over my brand new JCrew top, refused to take a nap and finally ended the day by getting his arm caught in the back of one of the kitchen chairs. I'm lucky I made it to Tuesday.
 
 
Happy Tuesday, Loyals!


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9 comments :

  1. great post... I agree with facial cleansing cloths.. its like a whole new way to view a shower LOL.. speaking of shower.. ugh.. that first one after the baby when you gt in and look down at your body and think.. what the heck did they leave the baby in there?????? LOL

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  2. Great post! I had a similar experience with AJ's birth story. We also planned a C-Section and skipped the external version. After doing my research, it wasn't something I was comfortable with, so I advocated for myself. My midwife really wanted me to do it but she could not sell it to me to save her life!

    Sometimes I look at the natural/husband-coached birthing and breastfeeding books and wonder if it will be different next time around. One thing I know for sure is that I wouldn't change a thing with this one. ;)

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  3. Thanks for linking up! I'm gonna have to go back and read some of those posts for me!

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  4. Great post. I am totally with you on being plan obsessed. I just cant help myself. I feel out of control if I dont know what is going on.

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  5. Couldn't agree MORE about being educated. You can plan all you want (and believe me, I did) but you need to know all your options just in case you're presented with a circumstance you weren't ready for.

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  6. Thanks for posting this, I'm scheduled for a c-section next Friday and starting to freak out a bit. Nice to hear from other Moms who have gone through the same thing.

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  7. You crack me up! That is all good advice! I did not know you were a Onocology nurse! Both my brother and Sis in law are as well! In fact everyone in my family is a nurse except for me. I like to think of myself as a SAHM and professional shopper! ha

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  8. I never realized how comprehensive your blog is. You've really got all the mom subjects covered. Well done!

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  9. Thanks for the advice sweetie! I am definitely going to remember that for when I have kids!

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