Mom 101

Whether you are a soon to be mom, first time mom, or mom to more then one child this post will help you and provide you with some tips! Most of these are links to my posts but a few are from other great websites I have come across.

Moms-To-Be

Postpartum Recovery Kit

Fighting Morning Sickness

Things to do Before You're Due

Packing Your Hospital Bag

Packing Your Spouse's Bag & Baby's Bag

My Sample Birth Plan

27 Pre-Baby Freezer Meals

For Moms

Recovering From a C-Section

Eating/Drinking While Breastfeeding

Introducing Baby & Dog

Postpartum Recovery Kit

Getting Kids To Sleep...Through The Night.

Introducing Solid Foods

Going From One Child to Two

Tips to Produce More Breast Milk

Things That Nobody Tells You Before Having A Baby

After having two children (and expecting two more) there are still things that surprise me about labor. Not only that but since every labor and delivery is different I have learned more each time I have a child. Some things I was told about (the horrible contractions) but there were also things nobody told me that I found out myself (breastfeeding hurts in the beginning and the breathing techniques are crap).

 So I decided to make a post of some things I learned after having two children. Some of these are from Facebook followers who "like" this blogs Facebook page, you can do so here. 

1. Like I said above, breastfeeding hurts in the beginning.
You may even want to stop because it hurts so bad (I really wanted to, but glad I stuck with it...both times)!  Using nipple cream, a thin bra in the shower, and helping baby latch correctly will help immensely.

2. When your water breaks, you may not know it!
Both times I just thought I had pee'd myself *sigh*, it happens. Turns out when your water breaks it doesn't always "gush" out like everyone says. The amniotic sac may just tear a bit (which is what happened to me) and you will leak fluid slowly...constantly. 

3. Breathing Techniques? Yeah...no.
That was the last thing on my mind while trying not to die through contractions. I was doing jumping jacks (just as my doctor haha!) and breathing "normal". 

4. You won't sleep in the hospital like sleeping beauty. 
The nurses usually come in every half hour to an hour to check on you and baby. Although you can ask (don't be afraid to ask) for them to skip a session so you can try to get some quick Z's. They did for us after we had our daughter.

5. Not all hospital food is horrid.
I actually LOVED the hospital food in both places we had our children. I still have yet found someone to make a better strawberry shortcake then the hospital our daughter was born at.

6. Sleep while baby sleeps?  Yeah, no to that too. 
Whenever either of my children slept I always felt the urge to do something! I needed to pick up this here or put away that there. I'm horrible at taking naps, always have been. Hopefully you're different!

7. Your hormones after having baby are still a bit crazy...making you a bit crazy.
I wasn't expecting that. Cry, cry all you want over that onesie that doesn't fit your baby or the dirty dishes. It's okay. 

8. Tucks Pads will be a savior. Trust me, just get some. 

9. Going to the bathroom after having baby is the absolute scariest thing ever.
Scarier then a spider..and I hate spiders. Using the water bottle they give you to spray WHILE going and after will most definitely help. I also found that taking a can of Dermoplast and spraying your self "down there" after using the toilet will create such a soothing feeling, it's like paradise. 

10. Being induced makes the contractions worse...a lot worse in my opinion.
I had pitocin with my son because I was not dilating at all. My body thankfully worked with me when I had my daughter and did the job itself. The pain award between the two labors goes to my first! 

11. It could be 1..2..push..baby! Or it could be 29 hours later and 2 hours of pushing, with no baby. 
Everybody is different, we all labor differently. Just because Becky had a quick 2 hour labor and pushed 2 times does not mean it will be that easy for you. Also, just because Susan had a horrible 36 hour labor and pushed for a half hour does not mean you will labor for that long. Stop comparing and relax! 

12. The "Ring of Fire"?
There may not be actual fire, but there should be. This phrase is spot on for that moment of child birth. It only lasts about 30 seconds (when the baby's head passes through your down stairs) but it will be the worst/best 30 seconds of your life.

13. Your life will suck until you figure out a schedule.
Don't try to google one either. You will just get even more frustrated and angry. Creating your own schedule that both works for you and baby is easiest.


Last but not least, you will love this little person more then anybody else in the world. From the first time they get a boo-boo to the first time you hear them call you "mommy", you will have no doubt that you and your little family are perfect.

**The following are from my facebook followers and friends off of the CafeMom website**

14. You will still look pregnant after having your baby.
After giving birth you will still look about 6 months pregnant. Your skin isn't elastic enough to just bounce back, of course there are those lucky few who look better after birth then they did before.

15. You have the control!
You will have more control in the hospital then you think. Do not let the doctors or nurses push you around and make you think that they run the place. YOU hired them, this is YOUR child and YOUR body, they are just their for assistance. Be strong and stand your ground.

16. You will still be wearing maternity clothing when you leave. (see number 14)
So don't try to squeeze you cute little butt into your pre-pregnancy skinny jeans. Sweat pants or yoga pants are the way to go especially if you have c-section.

17. The first month isn't all that fun.
Between the poopy diapers, spitting up, and crying in the middle of the night (and day) it will be stressful, especially if this is your first child. Figuring out why the heck baby is crying even though he has a fresh diaper (check it again, newborns are infamous for going to the bathroom soon after being changed) is difficult. It will get better, you will learn your baby's ques and get a schedule down. It will get easier, say it again if you need to.

**If you have anything to add to this post please feel free to post it in the comments. I will update when I can.**

Pregnancy Must Haves!

When I first found out I was pregnant with twins I went right to Amazon.com to order books and then over to Pinterest.com to start pinning things to help me along this pregnancy. The list below are a few items I came across when pregnancy blog surfing and ended up purchasing or receiving as a gift. This list is not only for mom's to multiples though, all the items are great for a singleton pregnancy too!

1. Pregnancy Pillow!

I have this one, here. It is AMAZING! I usually like to sleep on my stomach, and all momma's know that doing so is a big no, no. This pillow helped me stay on my side and when turned the other way (pillow in the front rather then behind you) really helps support my belly. The only negative thing I have to say about this pillow is that it's huge. We have a king size bed and I feel like I'm taking up 3/4 of the bed when I use to pillow. 

2. Old Navy Maternity Clothing

Old Navy Maternity

They are always having great sales and have the best prices for their clothing. If you shop online their selection is large compared to other sites I came across. The wonderful thing I also came to find out? The maternity clothing still look great while NOT pregnant. (I will try to update the photo as soon as they start a new sale.)

3. A Good Pregnancy Book

   

No matter what every mom has questions regarding pregnancy, birth, and what to do now that baby is here! The books I have above are the ones I really enjoyed reading. The Juggling Twins book for this pregnancy and the Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn: A Complete Guide for when I first got pregnant with my son. They both answered the questions that I had and gave me the information needed.

4. Water Bottle

Momma's have to stay hydrated, not only during pregnancy but after labor too. I take my bottle with me everywhere. I also have an extra in my car that I keep filled in case I forget mine or need extra water. 

5. Lotion

Some how I always end up pregnant in the winter, so my skin gets dried out fast. Applying lotion daily helps keep it hydrated and stops the itching. You can use any brand that you want, they even have pregnancy specific kinds. 

So what were some must have items during your pregnancy? Feel free to share and I will add them to the list!

The Difference Between Singleton & Multiple Pregnancies

Before I found out I was going to have twins I knew very, very little about how different the pregnancy is compared to a singleton pregnancy. All I really knew was that moms who carried multiples usually had a bigger belly & the babies typically arrived earlier then singletons. That's it. 

Boy was I clueless! One of the main reason's I freaked out when we found out we were going to have twins was due to the unknown. I have been through two singleton pregnancies before, surely I could do another. Twins? Completely new! It's like being pregnant for the first time all over again. 

Fast forward to now, I've done my research..bought 5 different books focused towards a multiple pregnancy...and have been through half a twin pregnancy. Below are a few differences between carrying a singleton and carrying multiples.

     1. You Are MORE Tired.

The first few months of this pregnancy nearly wore me out. I was going to bed at 8pm, when normally I would be up until 11pm, and taking multiple short naps a day. When I was pregnant with Luke or Madison I was hardly, if ever, tired! I never needed naps and never went to bed before 10pm. Now that I'm in the middle of the pregnancy I'm hitting my energy peak, not looking forward to that crashing towards the end!

    2.  More Prenatal Visits.

I have a doctors appointment every Tuesday until these girls come out! That's about 31 visits, since we found out it was twins until two days before my due date. Every other appointment I see a different doctor. My normal OB will check my weight and blood pressure and the twins heart beats. Every Tuesday in between appointments with her I go see a specialist who does an ultra sound at every appointment to check the twins' growth rate, cords, the placenta, and my cervix. 

  3. Twin Pregnancies Require More Vitamins.

I take my normal prenatal's, a prescription for extra folic acid, vitamin D, and vitamin C. With my other pregnancies I rarely even took my prenatal's, I know bad me.  

   4. Be Prepared WAY In Advance.

Most multiple pregnancies do not make it to 40 weeks. I have read that they typically enjoy coming any time between 35 & 37 weeks. For that reason, I already have my hospital bag packed..birth plan ready and printed...and baby clothing folded and ready. I'm waiting to order the second car seat but feel I should do that soon. 

5. Good Luck Finding Clothing That Fit.

Seriously, good luck. I'm already 24 weeks and my normal jeans no longer fit. In my singleton pregnancies I wore them throughout the entire pregnancy...that is no longer an option. T-Shirts are starting to become a problem. Thank goodness my husband has a lot that I can wear(;