Once your baby is born you may find some unexpected things happen. You always pictured her to be tiny and perfect but when they finally come they are squishy and strange.
Some really odd stuff will go on during those first few weeks, but not to worry, they are all totally normal and will pass with time.
So what should you expect? Jump into the list below to find out so nothing takes you by surprise.
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15 Weird But Normal Things Newborns Do
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They’re All Squishy
You have a lovely picture in your mind of what your baby will look like. We all do.
But then you have him and he is all mashed up and flat in the face.
This is completely normal and it’s caused by your baby traveling through the birth canal. The longer it takes for you to give birth, the more squishy he may look.
Not to worry though, in a few short weeks he will be the perfect tiny human you have always envisioned. His features will settle and he will take shape.
Poop Of All Colors
First, it’s black, then it’s mustard yellow.
The color of your baby’s poop will change a lot for various reasons over the first few months.
The black poop your baby has at first is called Meconium. It’s a tar-like substance that represents your baby’s first stool.
There can be only a few black poops or A LOT. My second child pooped Meconium nonstop for the first few days. I was literally changing his diaper ALL THE TIME.
After your milk comes in the poop will turn a seedy mustard yellow. It’s all really gross and wonderful!
***Have You taken a prenatal birth course yet? Don’t have time? Here’s the best Premium online birthing course and the first part of it’s totally free! You will learn absolutely everything you need to know and it will help tremendously so make sure you sign up. A Class is a must and I think the online ones are the best. Here’s a free Birth Planner Too!
The Baby’s Head Will Get Yucky
Babies very often get Cradle Cap. It’s also known as infantile seborrheic dermatitis and it usually doesn’t cause discomfort.
Cradle cap causes crusty or oily scaly patches on a baby’s scalp. Similar scales may also be found on the ears, eyelids, nose, and groin.
To help relieve the condition wash your baby’s scalp with gentle cleansers and then comb through their hair. Sometimes when the scales come off they bleed a little and leave sore spots so be careful.
This condition can happen to older children too and it’s believed it may be caused by yeast or fungus so keeping the scalp clean is key.
Your baby will probably get pimples and hormones are to blame. Your hormones to be exact.
Your baby still has maternal hormones circulating in her bloodstream causing little pimples to present themselves all over her sensitive skin.
It can get pretty bad too but it doesn’t bother your baby in any way so don’t worry.
It usually begins between 2 to 4 weeks and can last a couple of months.
There’s nothing you can do about it aside from keeping your baby’s skin clean. It just has to go away on its own as your baby’s body clears the extra hormones.
Your baby May have Fine Hair On His Body
This hair is known as lanugo.
Some babies are absolutely covered in it while others shed it in utero at around seven or eight months.
The hair is supposed to help keep your baby warm until they develop more fat and are able to self regulate their own body temperature.
Funny right? The hair will shed on its own after the first few weeks of life.
Babies Are REALLY Jumpy
Babies have something know as the startle reflex that makes them throw their hands up in the air when woken suddenly or surprised.
After he throws his arms up he’ll draw up his knees in and then bring his arms back close to his body in a protective manner.
This can seem really strange and confusing to new parents who’ve never seen it before.
Experts believe this is baby’s first attempts at protecting themselves from danger.
They’ll do it in response to a loud noise, a sudden movement or the sensation of falling. Or sometimes they’ll do it while sleeping.
The reflex usually disappears around four months, but until then, swaddling your baby at night can help him feel more secure.
Just offer him lots of love and support when he startles so he feels like his environment is a safe place and it will pass with time.
Crying Without Tears
When your baby is a newborn she will cry without tears.
Newborns don’t shed tears because their tear ducts haven’t fully formed. But after about a month they will have the ability to produce tears.
Yet sometimes they still cry without tears.
This is usually because the baby is trying to communicate something to you. Perhaps it’s boredom, discomfort or hunger.
If your baby cries hard with tears after the one month mark it usually indicates extreme discomfort, pain or upset.
Baby’s Will Scratch
Have you ever seen a newborn with those funny little mittens over their hands? Those serve an important purpose.
Your baby has longish, sharp little nails when she’s born and she’ll really cut herself up if left to her own devices.
You can attempt to cut them with tiny clippers when they get long enough but at first it’s tough and they grow fast.
Even if you do manage to cut them they can still slice sensitive newborn skin.
So be sure to have some of those handy little mittens for your newborn.
Babies With Breasts And Swollen Genitals
Sometimes when a baby is born it looks like they need a little training bra. Boys included.
But it’s Totally normal for newborn babies (boys and girls) to have swollen, enlarged breasts.
Simply put, this is due to exposure to maternal hormones in the womb. It’s the same hormones that prepare a mama’s breast to expand and produce milk.
Fluid may also leak from the baby’s nipples but it is harmless and it will pass within the first month or so.
Their genitals will likely be swollen as well.
This is also due to lingering hormones and will pass with time.
Baby May Look Cross Eyed
Often times a newborn baby’s eyes may seem crossed. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.
Your baby’s eyes are simply not strong enough to coordinate yet but the problem corrects itself over time.
If by 4 months you think your baby’s eyes are still not quite right, talk to your Pediatrician about seeing a specialist.
Explosive Diapers
All those cute clothes you bought for your little guy? Some of them are gonna get ruined by poop blowouts.
At first, your babe will have smaller Bowel movements but as your baby grows he will poop and it will come out of the back of the diaper all the way up his back. It’s so gross.
But it happens to all babies. Yuck!
Getting the right size diaper can help minimize the problem but all babies go through a phase where they do this on the daily.
Good luck!!
Erections Are Common
You may think that only older boys get erections but this is not so.
You may be surprised to find your newborn getting one often but it’s no cause for worry.
In fact, it signals that his nervous system is up and running well.
It may also happen when he has a full bladder and needs to urinate.
Sleep Movements And Grunting
When you think of your sweet girl sleeping you imagine stillness and quiet.
But babies often have restless sleep.
They will make grunting sounds all through the night and draw their legs up to their chest and back down over and over.
This happens because she may have digestive distress, or she’s trying to pass gas and have a Bowel Movement.
Eventually as your baby’s digestion gets stronger and the muscles to push out a bowel movement improve these simple task won’t be so disruptive and she’ll sleep more soundly.
Oddly Shaped Heads And Bulging Soft Spots
I know most of the time you see babies with nice smooth round heads.
But this is often not the case right after birth.
Going down the birth canal is rough business and depending on how long they’re in there it can really misshape their skull for awhile.
It’s even worse if they had to use forceps or a vacuum on your baby. This can cause a longish cone-shaped head which can be alarming.
But not to worry, your baby’s head will soon take on a lovely perfect shape. It just takes a few weeks.
The soft spots on their skull may bulge out and pulsate too.
The soft spots, known as fontanels, allow your baby’s head to grow as your baby grows.
The pulsating you will feel in these areas is a weird sensation and it can make your baby seem so fragile.
But the membrane that covers your baby’s soft spots is tough and soon all those little bones will fuse together to protect his brain completely.
Endless Hiccups
Newborns can get hiccups a lot.
Experts don’t really know why but some believe it’s to expel excess air from the stomach.
Hiccups don’t hurt your baby but they can be annoying for her. Burping her often and offering a pacifier can help.
I hope this list helps you gain perspective on some of the little weird things to expect when your newborn arrives. They are all completely natural and normal.
Good luck to you!!
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SIDS is something every new mother thinks about. It’s that terrible possibility that you dread the most.
I remember sitting up most of the night and watching my firstborn breathe at night so I’ve been there.
But there are plenty of things you can do to help prevent it from happening and I know protecting your baby is one of your top priorities.
While there’s no guarantee, doing the things on this list below will help your baby thrive in his or her environment and create conditions that will allow your baby to breathe well.
So read on Mama Bear and do what’s best for your little one.
****Want Freebies For You And Your Baby? Get $330 Worth Of Gear! I have partnered with many companies to give you the best baby freebies online including Nursing Pillow, Pregnancy Pillows, Nursing Covers, Baby Leggings, Baby Clothes and so much more. You can find out how to get your freebies in this post right here.
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SIDS | How To Prevent SIDS From Happening To Your Baby
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Make Sure You Recieve Excellent Prenatal Care Before Baby Is Born
Getting the best prenatal care you can is the first step in preventing SIDS.
Good care and proper nutrition will help prevent premature or low birth weight babies and that in turn greatly reduces your baby’s chance of SIDS.
So make sure you’re going in for routine care.
Not smoking during pregnancy is also very important.
Absolutely No Smoke
After your baby is born you will want to make sure he isn’t exposed to any second-hand smoke.
It has been shown that second-hand smoke affects the brain in ways that interfere with its regulation of infants’ breathing. That is scary business.
It has also been found that infants that die of SIDS have high concentrations of nicotine in their lungs compared to infants who die from other causes.
So second-hand smoke is an absolute NO-GO. Don’t ever risk your baby by being around an inconsiderate smoker.
***Have You taken a prenatal birth course yet? Don’t have time? Here’s the best Premium online birthing course and the first part of it’s totally free! You will learn absolutely everything you need to know and it will help tremendously so make sure you sign up. A Class is a must and I think the online ones are the best. Here’s a free Birth Planner Too!
Baby Should Sleep On Her Back
Placing your baby to sleep on her stomach is not a safe practice. Studies have shown babies are 15 times more likely to die of SIDS when left to sleep on their tummies.
This is the one thing you can do for your baby that will help the most.
A baby sleeping on their stomach may encounter problems like carbon dioxide buildup and low oxygen levels. This happens because they have no space to breathe and they are re-breathing their own exhaled breath.
It can also interfere with the body’s heat redistribution leading to overheating.
Learn more here about the research on Back Sleeping For Babies.
Baby Should Also Sleep On A Firm Surface
Your baby should sleep on a firm surface as well as sleep on her back.
If the surface is too fluffy it can allow the baby to sink in and overheat.
Soft Bedding can also allow a baby that isn’t very mobile to turn in a potential deadly position where they are unable to breathe.
Sleeping with your baby in the room is a great idea but sleeping in the same bed can be dangerous.
I know it’s tempting but a Co-Sleeper is a safer plan.
When you’re asleep you may become unaware of your baby and unfortunately, some parents have rolled over on babies or covered their heads with fatal results. It’s very sad.
**** I highly recommend The Postpartum Cure if you want to get your body back after baby as soon as possible. It’s the most popular program of it’s kind and it has helped thousands of mamas get that flat tummy back. You can see it here.
Breastfeeding Helps
Breastfeeding. There are so many great reasons to do it if you can.
Preventing SIDS is another one. Scientists are not sure exactly why although there is much speculation, but breastfeeding does seem to help prevent SIDS across the board.
When you go to the hospital you should already have a good grasp on how to latch your baby so you can get started right away.
Taking a quick online course can help so that you can take advantage of breastfeeding and its benefits. Milkology is the best choice and it’s only $19.
Baby’s love being swaddled. It helps them relax and feel safe.
But once they start attempting to roll it can become dangerous. They may roll face down causing suffocation.
So swaddle them when they’re little but skip it when they start moving around.
Pacifiers Can Help
If your baby will take a pacifier at night that’s a good thing. You should encourage her to do so.
Studies in the past have found that use of a pacifier during sleep reduced the chances of a baby suffering from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by 90 percent.
Experts have suggested that the simple act of sucking on a pacifier may be helping to correct minor developmental deficiencies in the babies helping them to breathe more sufficiently.
Tummy time is a workout for your baby. It will help him develop the muscles he needs to move is head and body.
It will also help his brain develop quicker and this is also good for healthy sleep.
The brain centers that control breathing and rest will be fine-tuned along with everything else.
Never leave your baby unattended during tummy time, especially when they are newborn.
Take Your Baby To All Doc Appointments
Keeping up with Well-Baby visits are important.
This will allow the Pediatrician to check your baby’s continuing development, and the Doc may be able to spot developmental issues or concerns that could play a factor in SIDS.
If there is something going on, proper treatment is important and could save your baby’s life.
So stay on top of your baby’s health.
With these tips, you can GREATLY reduce your baby’s chances of SIDS. They will also help calm those creeping fears and worries and give you more peace of mind knowing you’re doing everything you can.
I hope you found this helpful and I wish you all the luck in the world.
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Knowledge is power. And having the right knowledge will increase the likely hood of successful breastfeeding right from the start.
Breastfeeding is a learned process for both moms and babies. Many think it just comes naturally and happens on its own, but it takes work and practice.
The more you know, the more smoothly your baby will be able to learn to latch with your guidance.
Let’s talk about the first week and what you need to know to get the job done right.
This post may contain affiliate links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps me keep my blog up and running and I only list products that I have and have used myself. Read the disclosure here.
Breastfeeding Tips For The First Week | Everything You Need To Know
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Nurse A Lot
Your baby will want to be close to you during those first weeks and breastfeeding provides the comfort and nourishment she needs.
Keep her skin to skin as much as possible and begin learning your baby’s feeding cues. Rooting and sucking on fingers are your first clues.
The first bit of sustenance that comes from the breast will be colostrum.
It’s very nutritious and contains high levels of antibodies, which are proteins that fight infections and bacteria.
Make sure your baby gets as much of this as possible. It’s important to her health and growth.
Don’t try to form any kind of feeding schedule at this time ( or any time really ), Just let your babe suckle as needed and keep her close.
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This will assure your milk comes in and she is well-nourished.
***Have You taken a prenatal birth course yet? Don’t have time? Here’s the best Premium online birthing course and the first part of it’s totally free! You will learn absolutely everything you need to know and it will help tremendously so make sure you sign up. A Class is a must and I think the online ones are the best. Here’s a free Birth Planner Too!
It Will Be Painful At First
Breastfeeding will definitely hurt at first. I know you’ve heard this before.
But don’t let that scare you.
The pain is short-lived and it’s worth a week or so of pain to breastfeed your baby.
And it’s not even that bad. To put it into perspective, each time your baby latches on, your nipples will burn very badly, but it goes away in only about 10 seconds every time.
It doesn’t hurt the whole time your breastfeeding, just those few seconds so it’s totally doable.
There are many things you can do to make it less painful. You can see this post right here for more details.
****Want Freebies For You And Your Baby? Get $330 Worth Of Gear! I have partnered with many companies to give you the best baby freebies online including Nursing Pillow, Pregnancy Pillows, Nursing Covers, Baby Leggings, Baby Clothes and so much more. You can find out how to get your freebies in this post right here.
Avoid Artificial Nipples
Artificial nipples can really confuse your baby.
It may cause latching problems that will inhibit your milk supply and cause more nipple pain.
It will also really frustrate your baby.
Nipple confusion happens before breastfeeding is well established and the baby may have trouble deciding how to suckle on your breast to get milk.
It’s best to wait a bit before offering a pacifier or a bottle to avoid any interruption of the latching process.
A few days into the week your milk will come in like a flood. You’ll notice while your baby is feeding that her lips are coated in white and you’ll know that it’s happened.
This is a sweet feeling for a first-time mother that is excited to breastfeed.
Your breasts will swell huge at this point and more and more milk will come in until your body learns to regulate it.
Your body is amazing and will make exactly the amount of milk your baby needs and wants.
But at first your body will create way too much which leads us to the next point….
Your Breasts Will Become Engorged
Your breasts will become very engorged after the first few days. It is NOT a comfortable feeling.
The best way to relieve this pressure is to begin pumping your breasts.
You can begin saving the milk for future feedings when your baby is older and you’re ready to try a bottle.
Here’s a good article on what to do to relieve the discomfort of Engorgement.
Make Sure Your Baby Is Getting Enough
Checking your baby’s diapers after your milk comes in is a great way to tell if she is being fed enough.
Her poop will turn mustard yellow and she will generally have 5 to 10 poops per day that usually occur after feeding.
She will have 4 to 7 wet diapers too.
All of this is a good indication that she is getting enough to eat via the breast.
Also, watch her weight and make sure you go to all her doc appointments. This is the best way to tell if everything is going well.
**** I highly recommend The Postpartum Cure if you want to get your body back after baby as soon as possible. It’s the most popular program of it’s kind and it has helped thousands of mamas get that flat tummy back. You can see it here.
Get help If Needed
If you find your baby not gaining weight quickly enough, seems hungry or she’s not making enough dirty diapers you may want to contact a lactation consultant.
You can find one online and do a video call. The one I recommend is Lactation Link.
It’s also a good idea to take a breastfeeding course. Milkology is the very best online choice and it’s only $19.
This will head off any problems before they start and you’ll go into this thing knowing what you’re doing.
Knowing how to latch before you go to the hospital can make all the difference in whether you are successful at breastfeeding or not.
I hope this gives you a good idea about what to expect during your first-week breastfeeding.
It’s a very special time. I still remember the absolute joy I experienced as I was learning to breastfeed my firstborn.
Best of luck to you and your baby!
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Your vagina. She takes one hell of a beating during childbirth and it’s no joke.
Women always prepare for everything when having a baby but this. It just falls to the sidelines and you don’t think about it too much till you’re experiencing it. It really does suck.
But there’s a lot you can do to prevent and minimize the pain. Your vagina just needs some TLC and I’m going to tell you how to take care of yourself so you can enjoy your new babe instead of feeling terrible.
Here’s what to expect and how to deal.
**Want Freebies For You And Your Baby? Get $330 Worth Of Gear! I have partnered with many companies to give you the best baby freebies online including Nursing Pillow, Pregnancy Pillows, Nursing Covers, Baby Leggings, Baby Clothes and so much more. You can find out how to get your freebies in this post right here.
By the way, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps me keep my blog up and running and I only list products that I love and have used myself. Thank you.
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Postpartum Vaginal Care | Caring For Your Vagina After Childbirth
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Your Level Of Pain Will Depend On Your Birthing Experience
If you pushed for three hours like I did and you tear, you’ll be in worse shape than someone who pushed for 30 minutes and didn’t.
That will give you a little perspective on what to expect.
So your postpartum recovery timeline will be very dependent on how difficult your birth was.
****If you’re still pregnant but You haven’t taken a birthing class yet, there’s a great online course by Hilary Over at Pulling Curls. She’s a nurse and this is the best birthing class online today and at a great price point and part of the course is totally free.Have a look here. You can also get a free birth plan right here.
You will swell up badly if you pushed for very long periods. If you tear, and many do, the swelling will reach all the way back to your rectum.
Peeing and pooping can and will be painful. So can sitting and sleeping.
Your vagina can take about 6 to 8 weeks to fully recover so it’s important to be prepared.
What to Do About The Soreness And Swelling
The soreness and swelling after childbirth can be brutal. If you have tearing the stitches will itch and hurt and add to the discomfort.
But you can deal with the pain in several ways. ( Don’t forget you can take Tylenol while Breastfeeding so use it! )
A Peri Bottle to rinse with when you use the bathroom and Tucks Pads will help cleanse and soothe you as well.
There’s a full list of everything you’ll need to get you through the first weeks below in this post.
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The Bleeding Is Rough
You will bleed. But you won’t just bleed, you expel tons of tissue as well.
The tissue is leftover stuff from the birth and it can be pretty gnarly. This will go on for about 6 to 8 weeks and taper off.
The first two weeks or so are the worst but then it gets better.
Always makes this type of underwear and you can find them right here.
It Hurts To Go To The Bathroom
In the beginning, going to the bathroom will be strange and uncomfortable.
The first time you pee it will burn like hellfire. One way to remedy this is by squirting your Peri bottle on yourself while urinating. You can spray yourself with some Dermaplast beforehand to completely numb the area too.
That stuff is a lifesaver and you’ll really need it for the whole postpartum adventure.
Your first poop is rough too. It feels really awkward and you won’t enjoy the experience.
Your Doc will no doubt prescribe some stool softeners and that will help a lot. If they don’t request them asap.
It will be hard to wipe too for the first several weeks too so using that peri bottle will come in handy.
Some new mamas have used a hairdryer on cool blast to dry themselves afterward so there’s less rubbing. It’s a great idea!
Lastly, you’ll likely have Hemorrhoids.
There’s nothing worse than having a swollen painful vagina and a burning bum as well. So make sure you have a good Hemorrhoid cream on hand.
You Should Do Daily Sitz Baths
The first few weeks you’ll be so swollen that it hurts to walk.
Doing daily sitz baths will help take down the swelling and it will help sweep away that not so fresh feeling.
There’s a little tub thingy you can buy that fits right over your toilet that you can dip your bottom in made especially for postpartum mamas. You can find it right here.
I hope these tips help you feel a bit more comfortable during your transition as a new mom. It’s all very overwhelming and taking care of yourself and minimizing pain is very important.
Good luck to you and your babe, mama!!
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Pregnancy is a whirlwind of fun and excitement. It’s a little different for every mama and everyone has an opinion about how it will go for you.
But some surprising things happen that many don’t talk about and some weird symptoms often show up that can be confusing.
In the list below I go over strange things about pregnancy you may have not heard of until today.
***Have You taken a prenatal birth course yet? Don’t have time? Here’s the best Premium online birthing course and the first part of it’s totally free! You will learn absolutely everything you need to know and it will help tremendously so make sure you sign up. A Class is a must and I think the online ones are the best. Here’s a free Birth Planner Too!
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By the way, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps me keep my blog up and running and I only list products that I love and have used myself.
23 Things About Pregnancy That No One Tells You
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Morning Sickness Is All Day Sickness
Morning sickness often doesn’t go away in the mornings. It sometimes lasts and lasts all day long.
You may have heard of this before, it’s pretty common knowledge.
But you just can’t imagine how bad it can be until you’ve experienced it. Luckily there are safe medicines you can take if it gets out of control.
It can also last your whole pregnancy so if you feel like you need something talk to your doc and get a prescription to help.
There are some simple things that can help too like these pregnancy pops and these bands for your wrist. They are for motion sickness but work well for Morning Sickness. I used them myself so I highly recommend them.
Food Aversions are a thing
This is something I totally didn’t expect. You’re told that you’ll be so hungry during pregnancy and want to eat so much.
But for some ( like me ) everything will seem gross. Apples will taste and smell like onions and meat will be a complete no go.
****Want Freebies For You And Your Baby? Get $330 Worth Of Gear! I have partnered with many companies to give you the best baby freebies online including Nursing Pillow, Pregnancy Pillows, Nursing Covers, Baby Leggings, Baby Clothes and so much more. You can find out how to get your freebies in this post right here.
This is more common than you think and many don’t mention it when talking about pregnancy.
You feel sick when you don’t eat yet everything seems too nasty to ingest. I ended up drinking liquid cream just to get enough calories.
I have no answer for this issue. All I can say is I hope it is not as bad for you as it was for me.
You Shouldn’t Actually Eat For Two
If you’re one of those lucky gals who can eat then make sure you keep it in check. Don’t believe the old wives tale that you’re eating for two.
If you do this you may gain way more weight than you are supposed to.
You actually only need 300 to 500 extra calories a day throughout your whole pregnancy so keep that in mind when you’re enjoying all that food.
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The Tiredness Is Out Of This World
We all know that being tired is part of being pregnant, especially in the first trimester. I mean you’re building a brand new human and that takes a lot out of a person.
But the tiredness you experience is so intense it’s like a sickness. You feel SICK from exhaustion and this happens to most pregnant mamas. It’s very common.
I would go to work, get off at three and go to bed by six. This happened my whole first trimester.
I was that tired. If I were able I would have stayed in bed 24 hours a day for three months.
So prepare yourself for this exhaustion by making plenty of room for sleep. Don’t make plans during that first trimester and warn your partner that you’ll need lots of extra rest.
You May Get Varicose Veins In Your Vagina
This one can be a real nasty surprise. You can actually get these thick bulging veins known as Varicose Veins that stick out of your vagina.
One morning during my third pregnancy I woke up and took a shower and I felt discomfort, itching, and swelling. I checked myself and what I found was crazy and scary.
Overnight I got huge veins just sticking right out of there. I called the doc and they said this is actually not that uncommon, especially if you’ve had more than one pregnancy.
So don’t freak out if it happens to you. It usually goes away after pregnancy and doesn’t become any sort of problem.
And Hemorrhoids
As your uterus gets bigger during pregnancy, the pressure it puts on veins can cause them to swell, also leading to hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and rectum and are common during pregnancy, unfortunately, especially in the third trimester when the enlarged uterus puts pressure on the veins.
So you can expect this as well. Here’s a good cream that can help if this becomes an issue for you as well. A good donut pillow is an excellent idea for the whole area while pregnant and especially after during your postpartum recovery.
It Can Hurt To Poop
Once your Uterus gets really large having a bowel movement can be painful. Especially if you become constipated.
While pushing you can touch some of the nerve systems inside of your body and it can hurt to push past them.
It only hurts for a moment but it is NOT good.
This was happening to me and that was how my doc explained what was going on. She said it doesn’t happen to every pregnant mama but it does to some, especially if your baby is big.
I had three pregnancies and it only happened during my first with my biggest baby.
Hopefully, this won’t occur with your pregnancy but if it does now you’ll know what’s going on.
Your nose will be stuffy
Your nose may become very blocked during pregnancy. It’s extremely annoying because on top of everything else you cannot breathe well.
It usually happens in the second trimester and lasts through the rest of your pregnancy.
If it does contact your doc, you may be able to take an oral decongestant.
You Can Get Carpal Tunnel
If you have tingling, numb and painful hands during pregnancy, especially at night, you likely have carpal tunnel syndrome.
CTS is very common in pregnancy. It happens when there is a build-up of fluid in your wrist and it puts pressure on the nerves in the area.
If you have CTS in one pregnancy, you are likely to have it in later pregnancies as well.
This condition typically goes away after you have your baby so don’t worry about it too much unless the pain becomes unbearable.
You Are Smelly
While pregnant your body is producing a crazy amount of hormones and it can make you smell strong. And because you’re pregnant you’ll be able to smell it much more than you otherwise would because your senses are heightened.
You may need to bathe often to wash away that hormonal residue so that you can feel more comfortable in your own skin.
Something else that is not often talked about is the smell after birth.
After birth, your body is spewing even more hormones as many changes begin to occur. You’ll smell double strong and it can be seriously unpleasant.
You’ll also have an intense smell from down there. It smells like a wound healing because, well it is.
Your placenta was ripped from the walls of your uterus and it has to heal. All those blood vessels were attached to it and it is, in fact, an open wound.
That wound smell can last for a couple of months unfortunately and it can be embarrassing. You can use a peri bottle like this to help cleanse yourself and you can bathe often. But until the inside of your uterus totally heals the smell will likely stay present.
Sex Will Change
Sex can go two ways during pregnancy. It will either disgust you and you’ll want nothing to do with it or you’ll be horny.
It seems that when women are pregnant with girls they’re more interested but with boys, it’s the other way around.
Or at least that is the pattern I’ve noticed with myself and others I have interviewed.
But everyone is different and we all respond to pregnancy hormones in our own way.
Your Skin Will Grow Things
Pregnancy hormones stimulate the hyperactive growth of certain cells in the top layer of skin. This can create unusual yucky bumps like skin tags.
Many women get these on their face, neck, underarms and around their breasts during this time, but they usually go away after pregnancy. If they don’t head to the dermatologist.
There Will Be Cramps
Sometimes while pregnant you’ll have cramps and they can be scary.
During the first trimester as your uterus grows you can have them, or during the second trimester when your ligaments start to stretch.
It’s usually nothing to be alarmed about unless the pain is accompanied with blood in which case you should call your doctor right away.
You May Feel Sad
Not everyone is super excited to be pregnant. Even when you can’t wait to meet your baby you still may have depressed feelings.
It’s those pesky hormones that cause so many ups and downs so don’t expect to be over the moon all the time.
If you’re feeling down the best thing to do is get some extra rest. This will likely make all the difference in how you feel.
Heartburn Can Be Awful
Heartburn can be a real problem for mamas because of progesterone, the hormone that relaxes muscles during pregnancy.
It relaxes the stomach valve that keeps acid out of the esophagus. The growing uterus crowds the stomach as well, forcing acid into the esophagus.
You can avoid heartburn as much as possible by following the tips in this post on Healthline.
You’ll Be Constipated
Constipation in pregnant women is thought to occur due to hormones that relax the intestinal muscle and by the pressure of the expanding uterus on the intestines.
To avoid it as much as possible drink plenty of water and get lots of fiber. That will help some but you’ll have to live with it until you have your baby for the most part.
Your Feet May Get Bigger
The pregnancy hormone relaxin, which loosens the joints around your pelvis so your baby can make her way down into the birth canal, also loosens the ligaments in your feet, causing the foot bones to spread.
So your feet will be wider and this tends to be permanent. Just use it as an excuse to buy some new shoes.
Your Nose Will Get Bigger Too
This is one of the weirdest things that happen during pregnancy.
Nose swelling is due to increased estrogen levels, which helps blood flow to the mucous membranes and plumps up your nose as a result.
It does shrink back to normal after your baby is born though so at least there’s that.
It’s Hard To Breathe
When your baby is pressing up and all your organs are crowded breathing can become difficult.
It will feel like you just can’t take a deep breath and it’s exhausting. But like all other things in pregnancy, it will be over before you know it and you’ll be able to take that deep breath you’ve longed for all those months.
And You May Pee Yourself
When you laugh, when you cry, when you sneeze or cough. Or when you’re just breathing. These are all instances that you may wet yourself.
This is just one of the many woes of pregnancy but after your baby comes all the pressure will be gone and your muscles will strengthen back up. Usually.
You May Not Enjoy Being Pregnant
Pregnancy can be hard and not everyone enjoys it. I did for the most part but plenty of women can’t wait for it to end.
Don’t feel guilty if this is you. With all those changes comes a lot of discomforts so it’s no surprise that some women feel this way.
Just take it one day at a time and know that it will come to a glorious end and all that hard work will pay off and you’ll have your beautiful baby.
You’ll Be An Emotional Wreck After Delivery
Once your baby is born your body will move so fast that your mind cannot keep up. The changes that happen immediately are so profound it’s like being punched in the stomach.
Not to mention the emotional factors of having a baby, the relief that the birth is over and the overwhelming feelings of what will happen next.
You will be a wreck. It’s unavoidable but if you know to expect it that will help you keep some sense of calm and things will be just a tiny bit easier because of it.
So just be aware that there’s a storm coming. Take a few deep breaths and face it bravely.
Your Belly After Childbirth Will Be Horrifying
It sucks that our belly’s don’t just shrink back to their former glory.
But they certainly don’t and the crinkled saggy yet hard thing before you can be alarming. You have to accept that it will take time for things to get back to normal.
Most mamas know that this is the case but there is still some level of shock and worry when you’re weeks postpartum and you still look six months pregnant.
Give your body time to heal and then move into a fitness routine that is created just for postpartum mamas.
That is the safest and quickest path to recovery and weight loss. I highly recommend The Postpartum Cure if you want to get your body back as soon as possible. It’s the most popular program of it’s kind and it has helped thousands of mamas get that flat tummy back. You can see it here.
Pregnancy can be really fun but it also comes with a lot of weird surprises and I hope this list has helped you prepare for some of the unexpected!
Best of luck to you and your baby!
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There’s nothing harder than those first six weeks at home with your newborn.
You may feel prepared but once you get home it hits you. You will feel unbelievably overwhelmed but there are plenty of things you can do to make it less scary.
Here are some really good tips that will help you survive the newborn phase.
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By the way, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps me keep my blog up and running and I only list products that I love and have used myself.
How To Survive The First Six Weeks With Your Newborn
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Sleep Is On The Top Of The List
Naps. You need to take many naps. Every time your baby goes to sleep you should sleep too.
I know you feel Like you have a ton of stuff to do but just let some of it go. Your body is healing and you cannot function well with little sleep as you well know.
And if your babies are anything like mine they’ll be up all night for the first few weeks and sleep more in the day. This is very common and very hard on you.
Make sleep a top priority so you can feel your best and your body can heal. This will help ward off any feelings of depression too.
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Prepare For Postpartum Pain
This is a big one. Most mamas don’t prepare for postpartum pain as well as they should.
They prepare for everything else yet leave this out. You’ll be in a good bit of pain that first week or two home and it can be difficult.
But there are some easy things you can do to help. Check out this post right here to learn what you need to do to get ready for postpartum pain.
It will make all the difference in how you feel.
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Take Note Of Your Emotions
Don’t let yourself get too overwhelmed or fall into postpartum depression. This can happen easily if you ignore your own needs.
Your body is experiencing a flood of hormones and it will certainly affect the way you feel.
But there’s a difference in hormonal changes and full-blown postpartum depression.
If you start to feel like you’re going beyond adjusting and the emotions that come with that, then you should talk to someone right away.
Postpartum depression can make you ill and it can also be dangerous so call your doc as soon as you start treading those waters.
Get Help From Your Partner And Family
Getting help from your family and partner are vital to your survival after birth.
This is a time of huge change and adjustment and you’ll need help until you can swing things on your own.
Have your mama stay with you the first week or have your partner take several weeks off work.
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Stock Your Kitchen And Meal Prep Before Baby
You should prepare freezer meals before your baby comes so that you don’t have to spend tons of time in the kitchen.
So when you’re in that nesting stage and you get that sudden burst of energy take advantage of it and prepare and freeze as many meals as possible.
Tell your friends and family that you would love for them to come see you but not until the third week when you’ve cleaned up some and feel more like yourself.
Be firm with them. You need your space right now and you don’t want a crowd hanging around unless it’s your mama helping you out as I mentioned before.
They’ll get to see the baby soon enough.
Dry Shampoo Is Your Friend
Those first few weeks it will be hard to make yourself presentable. You’re exhausted and you have a baby to take care of and you’ll hardly have time to take a shower.
I remember before my first baby ten years ago I would shower daily. But that all changed the second my babies were born and to this day I still don’t have time for that nearly as often as I would like.
Have Mom Friends If You Can
Having mom friends you can call will help you feel less isolated. They can answer your questions and lend support.
Or even come and help after the first few weeks are over. Having friends who have been there, done that can be very helpful and studies show that this type of friendship helps ward off depression.
So make sure you have a good friendly support system.
Learn How To Swaddle
Learning to swaddle your baby well will be a great comfort to your child. In the womb, they’re wrapped tight. This brings feelings of relaxation and calmness to your infant.
It will help her sleep better and it will also keep her from startling so much.
Babies have a startle reflex where they throw their arms up in the air often. It’s a normal part of development but it can be disruptive and stress them out so swaddling can help prevent this.
Here’s an awesome video to show you how!
Go For Walks
Getting some sunshine and exercise is just so important during the first six weeks. It will give you energy and strength and make you happy.
Those walks will also help you with the baby weight and that will put you one step closer to feeling like yourself again.
The sunshine is also helpful in getting your hormones back in order and it will help fight those baby blues.
Throw Aside Your Physical Insecurities
It can be easy to look in the mirror and feel bad about yourself during the postpartum period. It happens to every new mom and those feelings can be strong and ugly.
But you need to cut yourself some slack. You just gave birth and your body has been through a lot. You are recovering slowly.
It took nine months for your body to make all those changes and it will take some time after birth to feel like yourself again. You have to respect that.
Don’t rush into trying to get fit again. Allow time to heal and then slowly move back into your fitness.
Eat Well And Plenty
Eating enough good and healthy food is vital to your energy and mood. It’s even more important after you have a baby.
Good food will promote healing and happiness so you’ll be able to function optimally.
Some women start cutting calories right away but this isn’t the best time to start losing the baby weight.
You need to wait a bit and let your body recover, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Cutting too many calories will cause low milk production.
When you’re ready to get back in shape and start eating to lose weight you should take a program like The Postpartum Cure. It will guide you in the right direction, help you restore your pelvic floor and help you boost your milk supply. Check it out here.
Don’t Forget About Your Partner
Although it may be easy to ignore your partner’s needs as you concentrate on your own recovery and parenting strides, try not to do this.
Your partner goes through a lot after your baby is born too. There’s a lot to adjust to. So take note of his emotions and ask him how he is doing.
Simply connecting with him can be really helpful in letting him know you care.
I hope this all helps in making the first six weeks with your baby just a little bit easier. Rest, relax and enjoy this special time with your little one.
Best of luck to you and your baby!
If you loved this post and found it helpful it would be awesome if you could share it or save it on Pinterest! You can use the special images below that I created for you! Thanks!
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Hey, I’m Toni and I’m the mama of 3 Little Birds. I love Writing about all Things Mama. Learn more about me here. Grab a Tea or Coffee and come see what you find.
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