re: 'I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN'...Advice for pregnancy & birth

I trust my doctor's and hospitals advice so I think I will probably refer back to them on whatever I do but thats just my personal preference...

I wish I knew that once the baby starts crowning, it feels like your vagina is on fire and you pelvis is gonna break..

Quoting KT ♥:“ I wish I knew that once the baby starts crowning, it feels like your vagina is on fire and you pelvis is gonna break..”

I've heard of people calling that the "Ring of Fire" and I swear if my doctor says that during delivery and my husband starts singing Johnny Cash to try and lighten the mood... I'll choke him right then and there. (no offense to the man in black or anything)

Quoting dixiedandelion87:“ I've heard of people calling that the "Ring of Fire" and I swear if my doctor says that during delivery ... [snip!] ... Johnny Cash to try and lighten the mood... I'll choke him right then and there. (no offense to the man in black or anything)”

hahaha.
that'sabout as bad as my boyfriend recording me while I washaving contractions and acting like he was hosting a T.V show.

Quoting KT ♥:“ hahaha. that'sabout as bad as my boyfriend recording me while I washaving contractions and acting like he was hosting a T.V show.”

I think, no I know, I would have broken that camera.  

Quoting KT ♥:“ hahaha. that'sabout as bad as my boyfriend recording me while I washaving contractions and acting like he was hosting a T.V show.”

haha, sorry but that def made me laugh!! oh, my husband would have that camera up his... yeah men get off so easy... lol

Quoting EmmaGrace:“ I think, no I know, I would have broken that camera.  ”

I wanted to.
Everytime I went to yell at him, it was kind of like "Turn the damn thin...owwww"

Quoting dixiedandelion87:“ haha, sorry but that def made me laugh!! oh, my husband would have that camera up his... yeah men get off so easy... lol”

He wanted to record me giving birth.
Idk what for.
I'll never watch it again.
I don't want to relive that pain. lol.

Quoting EmmaGrace:“ I know this isn't a debate and I'm not trying to make it into one, but personally I think it's bad advice ... [snip!] ... breastfeeding is well-established, and even then, consider using pumped milk rather than formula to avoid digestive issues.”

Wow, sorry this is so long, but I feel I have to justify:

Here is exactlty what I said so u don't have to go back to page 1:
I wish I would have known...If you plan on breastfeeding, that it can take DAYS after your baby is born for your breastmilk to come in. You should have some colustrum, but it may not be enough to satisfy your baby. Know that it's OK if you have to supplement with formula...just keep nursing, because when your baby keeps sucking, it is telling your body how much milk to produce.

First of all, for the record, I am currently breastfeeding. If u only knew what I went through at the hospital, u wouldn't be attacking me. Obviously you didn't have the problem of having no sleep and your baby nursing for hours and hours on end until your nipples were raw. He was a frasntic mess that onlywanted to stay awake and suck, suck, suck.Apparently he was getting colustrum from me, as much as he wanted, but it wasn't enough to make him feel full and fall asleep. When the nurse saw how I was in tears and I told her I felt like a failure as a Mom because I could not feed my baby, she suggested supplementing with formula.I told her I didn't want to, why should I have to and that I didn't want to mess up breastfeeding for us by giving a bottle, she assured me it will be fine because we both needed our sleep. I was really upset that they were going to give him formula, but I figured the nurse knew what to do, and I was a crazy emotional wreck. The next morning I talked to the lactation consultant nurse who taught the breastfeeding class I went to. She said I did the right thing and said babies are programmed to want to suck all the time and a few bottles are not going to ruin our chances of breastfeeding! She said as long as your baby got enough of your colostrum....well, I already spent 40 hours breastfeeding whenever he wasn't sleeping  

One of the reasons I started this post was to help those ladies who may be in the same situation I was in at the hospital. I don' want them to feel hopeless like I did. No one needs to feel that stressed like I was. Everything turned out fine and I am still breastfeeding, 3 months later. If it was so bad for the baby, why do they even supplement in the hospitals, and why did the nurses assure me it was ok?? and what about all those women who never even give their baby colustrum? Breastfeeding is the best decision you can make for your baby, but you have to give yourself A BREAK if u need it! ...that'sall I was trying to say...The last line I wrote says to keep nursing... it said nothing about giving up. I don't care what the AAP says (whoever that may be) you can't be so hard on yourself or you'll go crazy. A little formula never hurt anyone and will not lead to failure, unless you let it!

So please, Emma Grace,do not try to tell me I am giving"Bad Advice", maybe I didnt' give enough information but I know there is someone out there who will need this advice on this site. 

Quoting Baby Love:“ Wow, sorry this is so long, but I feel I have to justify: Here is exactlty what I said so u don't ... [snip!] ... maybe I didnt' give enough information but I know there is someone out there who will need this advice on this site. ”

I'm glad the supplementing worked out for you...I wasn't trying to attack you. Nurses are not supposed to suggest formula to breastfeeding moms, for the reasons I listed in my original reply. You asked me who the AAP are...they are the American Acadamy of Pediatrics, and the nurses and hospitals are supposed to listen to their recommendations. The AAP gives out these recommendations because of data indicating that early formula supplementation more often than not leads to breastfeeding failure.

The nurses often give out advice based on what is easiest for themselves and not necessarily what is best in the long run. Also, the hospitals are tied with the formula companies, so it's in their best interest to try to get everyone on formula before leaving the hospital in hopes that breastfeeding will fail. They sell MUCH more formula that way.

Like I said, I'm glad it worked out for you, but I still stand by my original statement that saying "you won't have any milk at first...know that if you have to use formula it's ok" is bad advice. I'm not trying to be ugly or attack you, just that one tiny piece of advice!

Quoting dixiedandelion87:“ I've heard of people calling that the "Ring of Fire" and I swear if my doctor says that during delivery ... [snip!] ... Johnny Cash to try and lighten the mood... I'll choke him right then and there. (no offense to the man in black or anything)”

Lol, my we are huge Johnny Cash fans...I think "ring of fire" may be enevitable for me, unless he's passed out!

This is my first baby, so I don't have much advice, but a friend who recently gave birth told me something interesting the other day. Once your water breaks, it continues to leak until the baby is born (which makes sense), so she felt like she was peeing on herself for her entire labor until she got the epidural and was numb (12 hrs into the process). She advised me to bring maxi pads to wear during the labor so you don't feel wet the entire time.

oh the mucous plug doesnt neccessarily look like a "plug" mine made me think of something you might see in a tissue after blowing your nose more than a little cork they way i imagined it.....oh the placenta looks like liver, YUMMY, i am too curious for my own good hoenstly. i also watched them circumsize the baby and took peeks when i got my stitches

Great Topic!!!
I have listed some things from my experiences...   here yall go...

1. There is always going to be someone telling you that you SHOULD or SHOULDN'T find out the sex of your baby. Please just do what you want!!!  

2. You will most likely get strechmarks, even if you use tons of lotion but trust me they are worth it!!!

3. You will get SUPER moody and upset for no reason at all!

4. Don't worry about what you eat as long as your are eating!!!! The weight will come off especially if your nursing your baby. I gained 37 with my first and lost 47 pounds. Gain 45 pounds with this one and already lost 30 of it.

5. Don't worry about CPCS in the baby's brain they are just part of development and they go away.

6. Same goes for having to go to a specialist about something try not to worry most likely nothing is wrong, extra stress for no reason.

7. Don't eat before your 1 hour GD test it can off set it and you may end up having to take the 3 hour test, WHICH STINKS!!!  

8. Keep in mind that when your doctor starts checking you for dilation and effacing that it doesn't mean you are going to go into labor anytime soon if you are dilated and it doesn't mean you aren't going to go into labor anytime soon if you aren't dilated!!!! At my 38 wk appt I wasn't dialted at all 39 week appt I was already at 4cm and completely effaced, they wanted to induce me the next morning because they said they didn't think I would make it to the hosiptal if I when on my own.

9. Being induced isn't that bad, I was induced with both my labors and was able to do both without any pain meds. It's not the inducing that makes it harder some women just can't handle pain as well as others and that's ok.

10. When you first see blood when you go into labor you are going to be scared... trust me not seeing blood down there for 9 months and then finally seeing it you are like what the heck!!!!!

11. Even if you do the vaginal massages alot of the time you still will tear or have to be cut. If at all possible ask you doctor to let you tear!!!! TRUST ME, I was cut with my first son and it was so sore afterwards for 2 weeks I couldn't sit or anything. With my second son the doctor let me tear.... in 3 PLACES let me add he was 8lbs. 15 ozs.... and I was able to get up and walk around that day like nothing happened!!!! Healed alot faster!!!!

12. It is possible to go through labor without pain meds... don't go into labor with the mind set that you can't do it or you won't be able to, at least try, it is the most amazing experience in the world!!!!

13. When you are having contractions breath through your nose and out your mouth slowly, try to stay focused on something or close your eyes, tell your partner to tell you when the contraction is going down that really helps!!!! Relax your bottom as much as possible when having a contraction you dilate faster this way!!!!

14. When you get to pushing remember to keep your hands on the back of your knees and pull back, keep your legs open as far as possible. Push out as if you were pooping and keep your butt on the bed or table don't lift up at all or you are pushing for nothing. Oh yeah and before you push they will wash you off real good with this stuff that is SUPER cold so be prepared.

15. There will be TONS AND TONS of pressure down there right before the baby comes out, burning and pulling.

16. Once the babys head comes out it is like a HUGE relieve, you will push a few more times and out comes the shoulders after that the baby will just slide right out.  

17. After you have the baby you need to push out the after birth too but it is so easy you just give a little push they give a little tug and it's out.

18. If you are nursing try to do it as soon as possible after birth, the baby is really alart right after you have them. Try feeding on each side for at least 15 minutes. Changing the baby inbetween each side to wake them up.

19. Nurse often like every hour or even sooner the first few days so your milk comes in.... keep in mind the first 7-10 days are horrible you are sore and your nipples may even bleed mine did with my first son. Use the breastfeeding cream the hospital gives you. Also be sure to DRINK TONS, when you order your food order like 3 extra drinks that's what I do!!! bring a nursing bra and pads too.

20. Ask your nurse to take the baby out of the room for a few hours the first night so that way you can get a little sleep, there is nothing wrong with asking them to do this... with my first son I didn't want to I wanted to have him with me the whole time but I was just so tired from labor, it really helps.Also have your partner stay with you at the hospital if it is your first baby to help change diapers.  

21. Be sure to bring a newborn outfit and a size 0-3 with you incase your baby is big!!!

22. SLEEPERS!!! Wear them on your baby all the time even during the day they are more comfy and it's alot easier to change them!

23. When family ask if they can help with anything ask them to bring a meal.

24. Sleep when baby sleeps you all know that one but if you already have a little one and are expecting your second, my advice is use this time to play and give your oldest attention don't worry about the house work and such.

25. Even at night when your little one is up enjoy it because they won't be little for long, cuddle and kiss them up!!!!

26. Be sure to have some big LONG pads at home for when you get home the hospital gives you some but you will need more for the bleeding.... I bleed for 4 weeks with my first and 3 weeks with my second. Oh yeah and when you think you have stopped bleeding wear a pad anyways because you most likely will start back up!!!!

27. Even if you do get cut or tear make sure you poop don't hold it for fear of tearing more or something because you will have problems!!!! Drink lots of fluids.

28. Cut your babys finger nails while they are sleeping that way they don't move on ya!

29. Always bring a extra pair of clothes for you and the baby.... just in case you caught a HUGE spit up on your outfit as well.

30. Be sure when your changing your baby that you have 2 diapers ready... one to put on them and one ready in case your baby decides to load the new diaper before you even have it closed, oh yeah and they can poop all the way acrossed the room too... my first son shot like 5 feet off the changing table and hit the door!!!!!

Alright I need to go feed Zachariah now haha I hope these helped you all and I will think of some more.   Remember they are just from my experiences and my thoughts so if you think differently that's ok   Also if you have any questions please ask ok!!!

Have a awesome night everyone and talk to yall soon!!!!

Quoting jackieliz:“ Lol, my we are huge Johnny Cash fans...I think "ring of fire" may be enevitable for me, unless he's ... [snip!] ... (12 hrs into the process). She advised me to bring maxi pads to wear during the labor so you don't feel wet the entire time.”

haha yeah, I'm expecting it... lol in fact I think I'll beat him to it and warn him ahead of time not to sing... not that it'll do any good... lol

Quoting EmmaGrace:“ I'm glad the supplementing worked out for you...I wasn't trying to attack you. Nurses are not supposed ... [snip!] ... if you have to use formula it's ok" is bad advice. I'm not trying to be ugly or attack you, just that one tiny piece of advice!”

Would you rather give your baby a bottle of formula so that the poor child is full...or have them drinking blood because your nipples are bleeding from the constant sucking. I'd rather have my child have a bottle of formula than a stomach full of blood. Formula is NOT bad for babies..I was a 100% formula fed baby and I'm perfectly fine. Don't tell her she was giving bad advice because the AAP says that it causes breastfeeding failure.


Okay,I wish I would have known that the stupidest things will make me cry and blow up at my boyfriend. I mean I knew I was going to be moody,but I didn't think it would be NEARLY this bad.

I also wish that people would have told me thatMylie will kick me in the ribs,in the bladder,and every other place that you just don't want them to lol.