June 11, 2018 - Getting ready to go in for my planned C section at Beth Isreal Hospital
C-sections aren’t always least preferred and longer recovery.
People have always told me that C-sections resulted in a longer recovery than vaginal birth. So originally when I learned my baby was breech and I would need a C-section I was devastated. But that’s not always the case. I had a wonderful C-section recovery and I believe it has a lot to do with staying healthy and fit throughout my life and pregnancy. However, I’ve also known people who’ve had healthy and fit lifestyles and pregnancies and had the absolute worst vaginal delivery (resulting in severe tears, infections and unable to walk for weeks after). I think that one thing that helped me was going in with a positive mindset and trusting that everything will be great. It’s important to have a birth plan and idea of what you want delivery to be like but keep an open mind and understand things may change. Just keep saying “Everything is going to be great!”
The weight may not or it may fall right off.
The biggest thing here is to not compare yourself to others and stress too much about losing the weight as soon as possible. Many people assume if you’re breast-feeding, you’ll burn thousands of calories and the weight will just fall off. Although that is very true for some it was not true for me. It took about 4 months to get within 5 lbs of my pre-pregnancy weight, and in the grand scheme of things, I think thats pretty good! Focus on eating healthy foods and caring for your body and the weight will come off when it supposed to.
Your relationship will take a toll.
I love my husband very much and he is amazing. But no matter what, the stress of a crying baby, sleep deprivation, and hormones will most definitely interfere with your happy family. My advice to you is to talk things out as much as possible BEFORE the baby comes. Come up with a plan of action for nighttime feeds, errands, chores and time off. And when all you want to do is scream at your partner, try to take a deep breath and revisit the conversation when you can talk and not scream. It will be better for you, your partner and your baby.
Don’t be surprised if you don’t have an instant bond with your little one.
I always see people post on Instagram how head over heels in love they are with their newborn the day they meet them. They talk as if they’ve never taken a breath of air until this moment. Well it took me a little longer to feel that way about my son. Yes I love him, don’t get me wrong. I carried him for nine months and he is the most beautiful creation of my husband and I, but I didn’t feel instantly obsessed with him. Don’t feel bad or guilty if you don’t either. You are not a bad mother or person feeling that way. Trust me, a couple months from now you will be so head over heels in love. Now I am so obsessed with my little boy and sometimes think I’m in an exclusive relationship with him :)
Breast-feeding is a lot more demanding than anyone tells you.
I always planned on breast-feeding the recommended one year because of the benefits for my baby and myself but I never knew how demanding and draining breast-feeding could be. I am fortunate that I had no issues with supply, latching, cracked nipples and my baby taking a bottle. Everything worked great except for the time consuming, lifestyle change it brought. I never knew a baby could feed for an hour and then need to eat again an hour and a half later! I also didn’t realize I would have a ticking time bomb on my hands. I hate getting locked down to wherever I am at the moment to feed him if we don’t time it right. Some places is fine, but it’s not always appropriate to whip your boob out in public; God forbid you forget a nursing cover-up. Every week I would say “this is the last week Im doing this!” But just know, as difficult as it is, it gets much easier after the first 2 months. Four and a half months later, I’m still nursing him. And if you decide to stop before then, that’s ok! No mom guilt or judgement here! You do what is best for YOU and your baby!