3 Surprising Pregnancy Things

Disclaimer: This is not medical advice, just a mama sharing her experiences. Always consult with your healthcare providers. Also, reader discretion is advised because I'm really getting into it. 💜

Believe it or not I spent most of my life educating myself about the early stages of motherhood (the expecting stage). From being an older sister to watching countless episodes of 'A Baby Story' on TLC and other similar docuseries... not to mention the YouTube mommy bloggers sharing their birth stories and who were my secret besties; I soaked up ALL the motherhood stories.  

Despite all this information, there was quite a bit about pregnancy, labour and delivery and post partum recovery that really took me by surprise. Here goes a few of the things that really stood out:

1. Extreme pregnancy cravings. I knew pregnant women craved food and sometimes lots of food or even non food items like chalk. However, I never anticipated that I would have strange food cravings particularly for spicey food (I'm talking about really spicey food). While pregnant my perfect lunch was extra spicey jerk pork with ginger beer. As harsh on the stomach as that sounds; It was definitely the heat for me. I later found out, via mom forums, that the soda part was actually a common pregnancy craving/favourite.

2. Epidural surprises. I have to tell you that pain management has surprised me for every single Labour and Delivery I've had. The first issue I had with the epidural was that I didn't want one. It was just the idea of someone messing with my spine that completely had me against it. Mentally I prepared myself to ask for non intrusive pain medication and to take deep breaths and sing. But let me tell you, contractions are no joke and especially if they are induced ones. After singing every song I knew I started 'singing' for the anesthesiologist to give me that epidural. 

Once I got comfortable with the idea of an epidural, in my other labours I had issues with the epidural wearing of. Didn't know that was a thing. I remember one time feeling for pain and getting a top up from the anesthesiologist or a redosing and waking up not feeling anything from my neck down. While it was great not feeling pain...there was the panic of 'is this numbness permanent?' I literally had to pretend push my baby out without feeling a thing but eventually and thankfully, feeling returned to the rest of my body. I had never been so happy to walk until that day!

Then I've also had the experience of the epidural wearing out and being so far along that getting more epidural was out of the question. 

In summary, you may plan not to get an epidural and change your mind. You may get too much and not feel a thing . You may get an epidural and wears off so you still end feeling the whole thing. 

3. Morning Sickness after giving birth. Well it's not really morning sickness but a range of medical conditions can cause you to feel nauseous and even cause vomiting after giving birth. From Hyperemisis Gravidarum (HG) to GERD to gall bladder stones...or from just the organs in the body readjusting themselves as the uterus shrinks and contracts. Having some Gas-X or antacids on hand may be helpful. 

As always, consult your health care provider before taking anything over the counter and especially if you are breastfeeding. 

Got Pregnancy Anxiety?

Disclaimer: This information is not medical advice. Please consult your physician or health care provider for medical advice. 

So you’ve read the baby books, attended the baby classes, done the virtual hospital tours, done your registry, had your baby shower, packed your hospital bags and nested/baby proofed as much as humanly possible but you’re still feeling...anxious.

Here are 3 ways you can help ease the pregnancy jitters!

1. Connect. Especially with the those who make you feel grounded. Pregnancy can, at times, feel very isolating because no one knows what you are feeling in your body or processing in your mind but you; not even your partner...just you. 

Resist the urge to socially isolate. (Well unless you have Covid 19)

Trust me when I say there are many more isolating moments to come as a mom of a newborn. 

For starters, you are awake when the adults in your life are asleep and you are napping when they are awake and busy. As busy and intrigued as you may be with your little one, you will eventually crave adult conversations - so be sure to take advantage now. 

Go on those (Covid responsible) lunch dates, social gatherings, nature walks, etc. or have virtual chats. Bask in having those interruption free heart to heart conversations because there are days coming where you may be unable to get a good word in with your little one around. 

Healthy social connection, during pregnancy, is also a good way to practice emotional hygiene and reduce the likelihood of postpartum depression. 

2. Play. Define what is fun for you and be intentional about having as much of it before baby. Having a child changes and or delays the way you experience fun and sometimes for the better sometimes not. Be sure to connect with the activities that bring you personal joy and happiness, in case that changes. 

So whether it’s attending dance classes, spending hours doing crossword or word puzzles, painting, blasting loud music, binge watching a series on TV.

Fun fact: Singing in the shower or around the house is great practice for breathing through labour contractions and a great way to ease Braxton Hicks. 

Whatever it is that's good fun for you, make time for it. There are days coming when you may not have as much time to dedicate to your personal fun.  Here are some interesting movies you can watch about motherhood if your fun involves watching movies. 

3. Rest. If you’ve been reading up those baby books and articles, you’ve probably heard this advice before and it’s probably sounding like a bit of a cliche. Trust me when I say this is BIG facts. You will never rest the way you rest now, never again, once you become a mother. Unless you have some sleep disorder that knocks you all the way out, or something, you are going to become a light sleeper and be operating on less sleep than you are accustomed to. 

Really take the time now to prioritize your rest and enjoy it! Here are some tips for getting great rest now and after baby is born. 

In all things take a deep breath and ground yourself. Pray, meditate, spend time in nature, think of the many mothers who have successfully laboured and find your inner peace. 

Here's wishing you an enjoyable pregnancy and a safe, healthy delivery. 💜