When you are about to have a baby it’s the only thing on your mind. You think of nothing else. You read tons of information and you dream all day long about what it’s going to be like.
But you are forgetting something important and that’s yourself.
You don’t hear much about what happens in the ” Fourth Trimester ” or your Postpartum recovery period. There’s not a ton of information about what you’ll be going through online and nobody really talks about this too much while you’re pregnant.
It all often comes as a big surprise once the baby arrives and you can’t help but wonder why you didn’t think of preparing yourself better for this time…
Well, I’m a mama of three and I think it’s important to be prepared. I’ve been through it all and if you want to enjoy your special time to the fullest without being in constant pain and discomfort then read on.
I’m going to help you get fully prepared for what happens next. Make sure you read all the way to the bottom of the post, there’s some funny stuff in here 😉
Let’s get to it!
**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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What Nobody Tells You About Your First Few Weeks Postpartum And How To Prepare For It
Giving Birth To The Placenta Hurts too
So you’ve just had your babe and you know there’s a placenta in there somewhere. Surely that will just pop right out, right? Wrong.
For many women, a nurse will have to push and probe your stomach for a bit to get it to move down. This hurts pretty bad on your tender tummy and then you’ll likely have some more contractions as well. And for some reason, the epidural doesn’t do much for this pain. I don’t know why. Perhaps it’s because it’s beginning to wear off, but for each of my three pregnancies, I felt the full pain of all that pushing and massage.
The contractions are not as intense as when you’re actually having your baby obviously but more like a dull ache from deep within. It’s really uncomfortable but this too shall soon pass.
**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 tummy massage
At this point you wish the nurses would be hands-off, but oh no… They are not done with you yet.
They will need to massage your tummy several times over the next few days and it’s no fun. It causes a good bit of discomfort and you will usually experience cramps afterward.
They do this type of massage because it helps to shrink your uterus. It’s important to let them but it’s very uncomfortable because they go deep with their fingers. Ouch! Sorry ladies, but it’s all part of the experience.
Your Vagina Will Swell Huge
This is no joke. All the trauma involved in childbirth really does a number on your lady parts. You’ll be swollen huge like a big opened orchid. Sorry for the detail… but that’s what it looks like.
It does hurt for at least a week or two and it can be intense, especially if you were torn or cut during the birthing process. I recommend reading this post I wrote about how to control this pain completely so that you can enjoy your baby without suffering constantly during those hardest first two weeks.
You may want to sit on an ice pack for a week or two
This has a lot to do with what I was talking about above. Your flower will be very sore and you’ll want to take down the swelling with these special ice packs.
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.
Someone will have to help you go potty
After all this, you’ll have no shame. The first few times you go to the bathroom after giving birth you’ll need assistance.
Especially if you’ve had an epidural. They’ll put you on this standing wheelchair ( or at least they did after my three births ) to get you in the bathroom because you’ll still likely be numb.
It’s hard to walk properly in this condition so they help you. Once you’ve gone they may come in with a peri bottle and squirt off the blood and residues from your vagina.
Pooping is Difficult
After you’ve had your baby having a bowel movement can be scary, especially the first time. You’re so tender, sore, and swollen that it just creates a lot of discomfort.
Stool softeners are highly recommended during this time so that you can go comfortably without causing pain or interfering with healing. Miralax is hands down the best product for this.
Breastfeeding is not nearly as easy as you thought
Breastfeeding is one of the best things you can do for your babe and I am a huge breastfeeding enthusiast.
But there’s this huge misconception about it. Many women assume that it’s as simple as putting their babe to the boob and nature will take its course.
This is just not the case at all. Breastfeeding is hard and getting the latch right is even harder. It takes practice and education and the sad part is, that many hospitals don’t have a lactation consultant on staff to help so many women end up giving up.
You cannot count on someone at the hospital showing you how and if you didn’t get the proper education beforehand then it may spell trouble.
There’s a great online video course called Milkology that’s only $19 that will teach you everything you need to know in about 90 minutes. I highly recommend you take this course. Many women buy it and have great success at breastfeeding.
Don’t take the chance of not being able to breastfeed when it means so much!
Your boobs will be sorer than you ever thought was humanly possible, especially if you’re breastfeeding. You’ll need a good cream like this for sure ( It’s a must ) and these booby ice packs too.
Don’t get caught off guard without the supplies you need after birth or all you’ll be able to think about is the pain you’re having when you should be elated over your little one.
You’ll Still Look Preggers
We all hear the stories about women shrinking to pre-baby size before they leave the hospital but this is actually really rare, even for first-time moms.
In fact, I’m not sure that actually ever happens. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Your tummy will look pregnant for at least the first month and possibly longer. One way to speed the healing up and shrink your tummy faster is to join a postpartum program designed specifically for this purpose.
The Postpartum Cure is a program designed to help get your body back to pre-baby shape as quickly as possible without losing your milk supply ( That can happen if you cut too many calories trying to get back into shape).
This program has diet information and plans, daily exercise programs and so much more. It’s very popular amongst postpartum women who need to get back into shape asap. You can take a look here.
She also has another program called “ The Belly Only Pregnancy ” that helps you keep from getting too big during pregnancy. The quickest way to keep your shape during and after pregnancy is not over gain in the first place and that’s what this program is all about. You can see it here.
You will Have Cramps
The first week after birth you will be really crampy. It will feel a bit like a very bad period.
These cramps are caused by your uterus contracting as I mentioned earlier. It’s just your body trying to get back to normal.
If it gets really bad you can take some Tylenol or use a heating pad.
You Will Bleed A Lot
After giving birth you will bleed. So. Very. Much. Most women bleed for a month to 6 weeks. You should have these postpartum undies ( they are a must! ) on hand and pads too. Lots and lots of pads.
Just a note: Don’t use tampons postpartum. They raise the risk of infection in your healing womb and can be dangerous during this time.
You’ll Be Hungry As Hell
There’s no hunger like postpartum hunger. Your body just expelled huge amounts of energy, it needs to heal and it needs to make milk.
You will be ravenous, and the food Will taste SO GOOD. You will want to eat all the things. And I say go ahead that first week or two.
Then dial it back a bit, especially if you have weight to lose. If that’s the case I recommend taking the program I mentioned above called The Postpartum Cure.
The staff won’t let you sleep or rest!
This is another thing that will happen While you’re in the hospital. They will not leave you alone. You need to rest like nobody’s business yet they come in every hour to take your blood pressure and massage your stomach.
Yes, even in the dead of night when your babe just fell asleep and you just closed your eyes. Every. Single. Hour.
While I enjoyed the hospital stay because it gave me time to take it all in and get used to the idea that I had a babe, this drove me crazy. It gets really annoying but there’s nothing you can do to shoo them away so you’ll have to endure like all the mamas before you.
You’ll Stink
After you have your baby your hormones will spiral out of control and they’ll go crazy ( and you’ll feel crazy ).
One of the many, many side effects of this is that you’ll have a really strong body odor. And it gets really bad, almost skunky. Sorry, mama! A lot of the stuff in this post isn’t great news but it is what it is.
Your Lady parts will also smell strong. It often smells like a wound healing, because well, it is a wound healing. Both inside and out. Even two months later you may have that wound smell coming out.
It can be very alarming but I assure you that it’s normal. Your uterus has a lot of work to do and healing takes time. If it’s really bothering you then mention it to your ob-gyn when you go for your checkup.
Your Hair Will Fall Out
Your hair falling out in handfuls is all part of the postpartum package. You can thank all those pesky hormones for causing this.
It can be scary but most of the time it’s less than it looks like. Often it grows back just like before.
There will be tears and confusion
I have mentioned your hormones will go crazy right? Right.
There will be moments when it all seems like too much and you just have no clue what to do. It’s all pretty overwhelming. I know as women, we know what it feels like to be hormonal, but after having a baby this feeling can be 500 times stronger.
You should be prepared for this and have plenty of support. Take a deep breath mama, it’s all going to be ok. (( Hugs ))
Having a baby is really exciting but don’t forget to consider what you may go through when the big day arrives. You want to be at your very best and knowing what to expect is definitely half the battle.
As always, I wish you well during your special time!
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When you get close to your due date you’ll likely start wondering how you’ll actually know that you’re in labor.
Every mama does, especially if it’s your first time. While every birth is different from one woman to the next, there are some clear signs of labor that you may start to notice.
These signs can tell you how close you actually are, or they can give you a close guess.
Let’s discuss the labor symptoms that will tell you if your babe is coming in the next few days.
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15 Early Signs Of Labour Approaching
The Baby Drops
If you notice that your belly has suddenly gotten lower and you feel a lot more pressure in your pelvis then your baby has dropped.
This a really good indicator that your babe will be arriving really soon.
This process is also known as lightening and It happens when the baby’s head literally drops lower into your pelvis, becoming engaged within your pubic bones.
Regular Contractions
This is the most obvious indicator that your babe is on her way but some contractions can be so mild you barely notice at first.
Pay close attention to your body and the way you feel.
If you notice your abdominal region tightening in a regularly timed way and feel some slight discomfort then heavy labor could be right around your corner.
These are different from Braxton Hixx Contractions that occur in a really random way.
**Have You taken a prenatal birth course yet? Well here’s an online course that only takes a few hours to go through. It’s made by birthing professionals and it has rave reviews.
Diarrhea
This is a big one. If you suddenly get Diarrhea at the very end near your due date then your labor could be coming soon.
Even within 48 hours ( though every woman varies ). This occurs because of the release of hormones called prostaglandins.
Having the runs a day or two before labor starts is the body’s way of emptying the bowels to allow the uterus to contract efficiently.
This is also good if you’re worrying about pooping on the table. You still may go some but if you have diarrhea several days beforehand it shouldn’t be as much.
Yep. When Your water breaks it’s a sure-fire sign that your babe is due to arrive the next day. It can be a leak or a gush with blood.
This doesn’t happen for all women though. Many times the water doesn’t break until right before the baby is born or the doc may even need to break it.
My point is if you think you’re in progressive labor don’t wait around for your water to break, that could be a big mistake.
Lower back pain and cramping
Dull pain in the back that comes and goes can definitely be a sign of labor pain. It may be mild at first and get worse and consistent or barely noticeable.
Bloody Discharge
You might notice a thick, pinkish, or blood-streaked discharge right before your labor starts.
This is the mucus plug that sealed your cervix during pregnancy.
It often appears just a few days before labor begins, although it’s not always noticeable. But sometimes it is. I didn’t have my mucus plug show with my first two pregnancies.
But with my third, It came suddenly and there was a HUGE amount of blood. I mean like I’m having a heavy period type of flow.
It scared me to death but it turned out that everything was fine and my baby was born within the next 24 hours.
So don’t panic if it’s a ton of blood, it doesn’t always mean something’s wrong. But definitely get in touch with the doc and go to the hospital.
Cervix Dilates
If you go to the doc and they tell your cervix is well on its way, then the baby could be close. You can help your cervix dilate faster by doing the things below:
Walking a lot
stretch your hips and bounce gently on a Birth Ball
Do Gentle Exercises
Relax with Warm Showers
Stimulate Your Nipples
Have an Orgasm ( or several 😉 )
Effacement
Effacement is similar to your cervix dilating.
Effacement means that the cervix stretches and gets thinner.
Dilatation means that the cervix opens. Both help prepare your body for giving birth to your child.
The more effaced and dilated you are, the closer you are to meeting your babe.
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Nesting instinct
This urge to clean and organize is known as nesting.
Nesting during pregnancy is the overwhelming desire to get your home ready for your new baby.
The nesting instinct is strongest in the later weeks coming upon delivery.
It is an old wives’ tale that once nesting urges begin, labor could be coming soon. So get everything done that you can because he’s on his way!
Vaginal Discharge Changes Color And Consistency
This can happen even before your Mucus plug comes out. Discharge can get heavy and darker. It’s icky but it’s a good sign to watch for.
This is a sign that labor is approaching.
Joints Loosen
Your hips and pelvis may suddenly feel a lot looser right before you go into labor.
It’s a strange feeling but it’s caused by hormones that are suddenly released before your labor starts.
You may feel like your joints have progressively loosened through pregnancy but right before labor, it seems really obvious and you can feel the change.
Nausea
Many women feel nauseous about a day or so before labor actually begins. Again, this is due to heavy hormonal changes going through your body.
Skin Outbreak
Your skin can go ballistic right before you have your babe and once again it’s due to the tidal wave of hormones inside of you.
It will pass once your baby is born.
A Headache
Some women have terrible hormonal headaches right before they go into labor.
If this happens to you just take some Tylenol and take solace in knowing your baby is on her way.
Pregnancy is an amazing and special time during any mama’s life, but it can also surprise the heck out of you. It can be messy and downright crazy.
You know the basics of what to expect like morning sickness, tiredness, and swelling but there are some other not so talked about side effects to being pregnant and that’s what will dive into today. So let’s get to it. Have You Taken a prenatal birth course yet? Well if not here’s the best online option that you can take and have done in about 3 hours. It’s created by labor nurses and you can take it at your own pace.
By the way, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Side Effects Of Pregnancy Know One Talks About
Orgasms While Sleeping
Let’s start with my favorite one! Many women have orgasms while sleeping during pregnancy. It’s very common and it happened to me all throughout my three pregnancies. FUN Right?! Sweet dreams mama!
Discharge
You’ll have lots of discharge usually beginning at the 6-week mark. Often so much that you need to wear panty liners. You’ll be leaking a lot, so keep a big stash with you at all times. This 300-pack is cheap and convenient.
Some Bleeding
Speaking of Pantyliners, you may need them for bleeding too. Some bleeding in pregnancy can be normal. I know it’s super scary but most of the time when a woman bleeds, everything’s ok.
If you have heavy bleeding, however, you should contact your doc immediately.
Headaches are a side effect of the huge hormonal fluctuations that women have during pregnancy and depending on your history with headaches they can be brutal.
Luckily Tylenol is safe during pregnancy but always talk to your doctor first.
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.
Constipation
Not Being Able to poop is another crappy pregnancy symptom that’s no fun. Your doc may prescribe some Miralax or something to help give your body a gentle push in the right direction.
We’ve all heard of hot flashes during menopause, but did you know they’re very common during pregnancy too? I would be freezing one minute and feel like I was on fire the next. It’s pretty intense.
This happens because of the hormonal rollercoaster your body is going through while your babe grows. All you can do is push through it, and open a window, even if there is snow on the ground outside.
Yucky Breath
Having bad breath is part of being pregnant and it’s not fun. You’ll have a metallic taste in your mouth non-stop for 9 months. Sort of tastes like pennies. All you can do is brush often and use mouthwash. Good luck with that.
Dizzy Spells
Dizziness is another annoying side effect of being preggers. Some mornings you may wake up and feel like your world is spinning.
Or if you’ve sat for a while and you stand up it can happen. This is known as orthostatic hypotension and it’s caused by changes in your blood pressure. Just make sure you get up slowly and consider that you may feel dizzy so you don’t fall or faint.
All Day Sickness
Morning Sickness? Ha! Many who suffer from nausea have to deal with it all day long, and sometimes at night too. This was one of my first main pregnancy symptoms. I woke up every night around week five to go to the bathroom and when I would stand up I would feel a bit queasy. I just knew I was pregnant and I was.
Serious Food Aversions
What makes morning { All Day } sickness worse? Not wanting to eat because everything tastes like onions to you.
Food aversion is a pregnancy problem that you don’t hear about too often but it’s a huge issue. You feel constant nausea and you know the only thing that can really help is eating a good meal but everything seems so gross to you. It really sucks.
Varicose Veins You Know Where
Some women get varicose veins in their vagina area during their third trimester. It can be really alarming to wake up one morning to feel strange pressure and itching, only to check yourself and find that your lady parts are purple with giant veins that are 5 times the normal size.
This happened to me during my third pregnancy and it scared the heck out of me! It just happened all of a sudden and it was really uncomfortable. The good news is that this condition almost always corrects itself right after you have the baby.
In some instances, when it doesn’t go away on its own, you may need surgery, but this is extremely rare.
Stuffy Nose
A stuffy nose is also a common issue. Your nose can feel completely plugged up, yet you cannot use any really good medication to remedy this because it’s not considered safe.
What you can do is this:
Drink plenty of hydrating fluids.
Elevate your head with extra pillows when you lie down to rest or sleep.
Take a warm shower and linger in the steamy bathroom. …
Try saline nose drops or saline nasal spray, available over the counter at drugstores.
I always ended up sleeping sitting up by the third trimester. It was the only way I could breathe and be comfy. I’d use a bunch of pillows to prop myself up. It wasn’t that easy but it was better than feeling like I was suffocating.
You’ll be Gassy
When You’re preggers your digestion will slow down to a snail’s pace. This happens so that your body can squeeze every ounce of nutrition from the food you’re eating.
In turn, you’ll have a lot of excess gas. Yuck, but it’s just one of those things that comes with the territory.
Snoring
Snoring is just part of it all. It happens to most pregnant women, at least by the end if not sooner. Many pregnant women start snoring because of nasal congestion, and the increase in abdominal girth causes the uterus to press on the diaphragm. Sitting up or elevated while sleeping can help a little.
Nose Bleeds
Nose Bleeds are common during pregnancy. They happen because you have tiny blood vessels inside your nose and the increased blood volume can sometimes damage those blood vessels and cause them to burst, resulting in a nosebleed. Changes in your hormones during pregnancy can also contribute to nosebleeds. They’re not fun but for some women, it’s just part of the pregnancy life.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are no fun. They hurt, itch, and burn and if you’re pregnant then you’ll likely get them too.
As your unborn baby grows, your uterus gets bigger and begins to press against your pelvis. This growth puts a lot of pressure on the veins near your anus and rectum, and these veins may become swollen and painful as a result. This is what causes hemorrhoids.
Luckily you can find some relief with a good cream and a donut cushion {that you can use when you have postpartum pain too} will be a lifesaver.
Leaking When You Sneeze Or Laugh
That’s right. You’re gonna pee yourself. Those muscles have a lot of pressure down there and sometimes they just can’t take it. When you sneeze or laugh hard the sudden movement can squeeze out urine.
All you can do is practice doing Kegels to help control the problem. Yet another reason why to have that panty liner stockpile.
Your skin may get bumpy and rashy
Your skin can become very reactive during your special time. From Pimples to yeast infections and mystery bumps, the list goes on. It’s just the way pregnancy treats us. All those hormones really turn your system upside down.
Luckily this too shall pass… once you have your babe.
Big O’l Nipples
Yes, your nipples are going to get bigger. Like SO MUCH bigger. This happens so that your babe can easily see and find the nipple during breastfeeding. It can be alarming but they go back to normal after childbirth and breastfeeding.
Feet Get Bigger
Your feet may get larger while pregnant and it may be permanent. It didn’t happen to me during my first two pregnancies but it did in my last.
A pregnant body produces the hormone relaxin, which causes your pelvic ligaments and joints to loosen, and also relaxes the ligaments in your feet, allowing the bones to separate a bit. This is why they get wider during and after pregnancy. But hey, it’s a good excuse to buy new shoes, right?
Hip Pain
Your hips may ache later in your pregnancy, especially at night. You may also feel stretching in your abdomen when you lay on your side, even early in pregnancy. This is the ligaments stretching and it can be painful and surprising.
Bringing your legs up to your chest for a few moments can relieve the muscle spasm in the ligaments.
More body Hair
You may start to grow some hair on your face during pregnancy. Many women often grow it on their bellies too. It’s pretty strange but it should go away after your babe is born. It’s just another side effect of all those hormones.
Gross Skin Tags
This one is so annoying. Many pregnant women get a lot of new skin tags during this time. Especially around their breasts and armpits. It’s really unpleasant but they also usually go away afterward.
If they don’t you can have them removed at your dermatologist for cheap or even use a wart remover.
Pooping On The Table
Yes, there will be poop and there’s not much you can do about it. I’ve read the articles online about how to NOT poop on the table during labor but I’m here to tell ya that you’re going to poop.
You use the same muscles to push and the pushing is so vigorous that some of what is in your bowels WILL be expelled. Sorry.
But your docs and nurses have seen it all and if you’re worried about your husband, boyfriend or partner seeing you then maybe have them stay up top with you till the baby actually crowns. There still may be poop even at that point but it’s much less likely so there’s less of a chance of them seeing.
But you know, I’m going to guess that they already know that you poop just like them so it’s all good.
You May Get Anal Fissures
And.. Last but not least you have Anal Fissures! Many women get constipated during pregnancy and they get hard stools. This will cause anal fissures which are terrible little tears around your anus.
They will bleed and it can be quite painful. You can reduce the issue by keeping hydrated and taking a stool softener. You can reduce the pain locally when having a bowel movement by putting some vaseline around your anus to soften and lubricate.
So there’s your list of not so talked about pregnancy side effects. Many are uncomfortable, and some are gross but hey mama, you’ll have a sweet bundle of joy by the end, so it’s totally worth it. Enjoy!
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If you’re reading this you are probably a little { or a lot } worried about giving birth to your babe. You may be getting close to your due date and feeling very overwhelmed.
This is normal for all first-time moms and plenty of second and third-time mamas too. Giving birth is a huge deal and there’s so much to consider, mainly the pain and the thought of something going wrong.
But there are plenty of ways to calm your thoughts and that’s what we’ll talk about today, so read on mama to get calm and ready for birth.
Want FREE BABY STUFF? 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.
How To Take The Fear Out Of Birth
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Childbirth Classes
Childbirth classes are the single most effective way to take the fear out of the experience. A Labor and Delivery Nurse will tell you exactly what to expect and how to get through the whole ordeal as easily as possible.
If you don’t have time to go to a class you can take one online. It’s convenient and you can take your time or do it in one sitting. Here’s the best prenatal class online and the first parts of it are 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.
Reading a good book on childbirth is also another great way to get familiar with what will happen in Labor And Delivery. It can be your reference guide and reassurance when you have questions you need answering about what you’ll experience. Here’s an excellent book called Juju Sundin’s Birth Skills: Proven Pain-Management Techniques for Your Labour and Birth. You can find it on Amazon.
Be Fit And Ready
Being fit and ready for birth will go a long way when it comes to making the experience easier. Fit mamas have shorter and less painful births. You can take a pregnancy fitness program like the Belly Only Program. This program was created by a fitness expert that specializes in pregnancy so take a look!
Talking to someone who’s had a baby or even a professional can help make you feel better. They can answer your questions and tell you about their own experiences. Talking it out always helps.
You’re A Birthing Machine
Women are made to have babies. I know you’ve heard some horror stories, we all have, but most women give birth without any problems.
Your body will take over and it will do its thing so try not to worry and trust in your body’s natural ability to lead you. You’re gonna do great mama!
Choose A Doc Or Midwife You Really Trust
Finding the right doctor or midwife can go a long way. Don’t just pick anyone. Read reviews and meet them before you decide. Make sure it’s someone who puts you at ease and seems really empathetic. Someone who seems in line with your beliefs about birth will be the most supportive.
This will help a lot, after all, you’ll be spending a lot of time with them and you want to be sure it’s someone you can trust and talk to.
Get A Doula
A Doula is someone who can give you added, expert support during pregnancy and childbirth.
Women have been serving others in childbirth for many centuries and have proven that support from another woman has a positive impact on the labor process.
They can help provide emotional and physical support during the birthing process and many women find their presence invaluable. They often provide pain relief and comfort to the mama in the way of massage, breathing, and relaxation techniques and help with positioning.
Having your hospital bag and belongings packed well in advance will lend you some comfort. Knowing your ready when it does happen can help keep your mind at ease.
Having a good support system is key inside and outside of the delivery room.
Make sure you surround yourself with friends and family that are willing to listen and comfort you when you have questions before the big day.
But the ones you bring in during labor and delivery matter the most. You’ll likely want your partner and maybe your mama { I Did! } to be present to help and comfort you. Make sure they know your fears ahead of time and that they have a calm and cool attitude.
If they become a nervous wreck then that will only stress you out more so they need to know to keep their cool no matter what and be a support system for YOU.
Just Breathe
It sounds simple enough. But when we are nervous or absolutely panicked we often hold our breath. This will make you that much more scared and it will make giving birth harder too.
So being conscious of your breath and practicing before the big day is a good idea. You need to really give it some thought and give it a little time each day during the third trimester.
Sit down for at least 10 minutes a day and just take deep breaths and clear your mind. Maybe count as you breathe so you’ll have something specific to do if your stress or fear starts to take over.
Prayer is a great comfort to many and it can help ease your mind. Daily prayer will make you feel more prepared for what’s to come and it will lend you the extra support and comfort you need.
Give it a try!
The main take away here is to educate yourself with a Prenatal class, Set up a birthing plan, be fit and ready for the big day, and have the right support in all four corners.
These will go a long way in comforting you and easing your mind. Being prepared will make all the difference in the world!
If you loved this post or know of a mama who is stressing over childbirth then why not share this post with her? Or maybe save it for later for yourself!
You can save it with The Pinterest images below or you can share with the buttons to the left or below. You can also download this post as a pdf to keep with the purple button at the top of the page.
Good luck Mama and enjoy your babe!
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So You’ve breastfed your babe { or Several Like Me ] for a while and you didn’t really take care of your boobs the way you should have. You now look in the mirror and get a bit of a nasty surprise. Sigh…..
Unfortunately, Breastfeeding can really damage the breasts. If you’re still breastfeeding there are several things you can do that really work to help preserve the shape you have. I wrote a post about this recently { you can find it here } that’s been really popular on Pinterest so I thought I would write a post on what you can do once the damage is done.
The breast tissue itself is fatty tissue and cannot be changed once the ligaments are stretched. But hold on.. Before you go up and hit the back button, give me a second because there are still some things you can do that will help.
You can build up the foundation under the breast and it will help dramatically. There are also a few other things you can do so let’s talk about that.
By the way, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
How To Improve Sagging Breasts After Breastfeeding
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First, Let’s Talk About Exercises
The Pushup
The classic pushup is an awesome way to build up your chest area. It won’t actually change your breast shape but it does provide a nice lift when done regularly and correctly. Here’s a video that will show you how to do it just right. I know everyone feels like they know how to do a pushup but form is really important so have a look!
Chest press
The Chest Press is another great choice and when done correctly with pushups regularly you’ll really be able to see a difference.
I do these exercises because I have breastfed for NINE YEARS between all my babes and that had a huge impact on the way my chest looked { of course }. These exercises have helped a lot.
Firming Serum
There’s a serum by Nivea that is super concentrated with Coenzyme Q10, Natural Lotus extract, and L-Carnitine. It works extremely well for firming skin and many women have used it on their chests with really good results. There are few creams or serums I would recommend for this because most are snake oil.
But this Serum has vital nutrients that have been shown to have a profound effect on skin and it just works! You can find it here on Amazon.
I’ve mentioned Fenugreek several times in different articles because it’s been used by women for centuries for lactation and breast enhancement.
You can take it as a supplement and it will help swell the breast and lift it slightly. It does work, I use it daily.
Want FREE BABY STUFF? 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.
Hot and Cold showers
Hot and Cold showers on the breast are said to release skin proteins responsible for skin tone and tightening. It may also help to enhance the blood flow to the skin, increasing elasticity and the production of collagen. French Women Practice this and they swear by it.
When you’re taking a shower you can try it. Keep on alternating between warm and cold water for around 10 minutes. Make sure you use hot water for longer periods than cold water. End the process with cold water.
Wear a Proper Bra To Enhance Shape
Wearing a properly fitting bra is very important if you want to prevent further sagging. I highly recommend being professionally fitted and sized for one.
Wearing a pretty bra will also make you feel better about your overall appearance and that’s always helpful when you’re feeling sad or insecure about your body.
Eat Healthily
Eating well is very important for your overall skin health. If you’re getting the proper nutrients your skin will benefit greatly. Make sure you get tons of veggies, antioxidants like Chagga, and healthy fats.
Posture
Poor posture is one of the most overlooked causes of sagging breasts. By lowering your shoulders and hunching forward, you are not giving any structural support to your breasts, and they hang freely, completely at the mercy of gravitational forces. Poor posture can also exacerbate any back pain or muscle soreness you have from large breasts, which happen to be the type of breasts that show signs of sagging most dramatically.
Plastic Surgery
Plastic Surgery is always an option of course { If you can afford it }. If it means that much to you and you’re willing to go through surgery to lift your breasts, then go for it!
Lifting your breasts after breastfeeding can be difficult if you didn’t care for them properly while nursing. I know from experience, sadly. But I have had some pretty awesome results by doing some of the things on this list so don’t give up mama. You can improve yourself bit by bit. Just commit to it and as always Good luck.
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Worrying about whether or not you’ll have enough Milk to feed your baby is something breastfeeding mothers have worried about for centuries. We all consider this when we begin, especially if the babe you are trying to feed seems extra fussy or if they are not filling many diapers.
Luckily, there are many ways that you can boost your milk and the good news is that you can do it surprisingly quickly!
If you take action today you could even see a difference overnight. So not all is lost mama, Don’t pick up that bottle of formula just yet.
Read on to find the very best and quickest ways to boost your low milk supply overnight!
By the way, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
How To Increase Your Milk Supply RIGHT NOW
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Drink Coconut Water
Coconut Water is packed full of amazing electrolytes and nutrients that will help boost your hydration and your milk supply. Consuming coconut water during breastfeeding has also been shown to increase Capric acid and Lauric acid levels in breast milk, which boosts your baby’s immunity. It’s very good for you both and it’s highly recommended by Lactation Consultants. Here’s a good one to try.
There are tons of great Lactation cookie Recipes all across the web. They often contain Oat and other milk boosting ingredients that can quickly increase your supply. They are super good and fun to eat too. Who doesn’t love cookies?! Here are some premade lactation cookies you can buy right now.
Drink Lactation Smoothies Too!
Lactation Smoothies are yummy and Breastfeeding mamas everywhere have had great success in boosting their milk quickly by drinking them. They are delicious and full of nutrients for both of you. It’s a win-win. There’s an AMAZING protein powder made JUST for lactation smoothies called Milk Drunk. It has all the supplemental ingredients that can boost your milk supply too like Oat Flour, Flaxseed, Brewer’s Yeast & Fenugreek. It’s the best product of it’s kind. You can find it here.
And if you’d rather have the specially made lactation protein powder without the Fenugreek then you can take a look at that version of Milk Drunk right here.
Want FREE BABY STUFF?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.
Eat Enough Food and The Right Kind!
Don’t worry about your weight too much in the beginning. Some of it will come right off but in the first few months eating a healthy, nutrient-dense diet and don’t worry about it, mama. Let that milk get real established.
Once you get to that point you could go on the Postpartum Cure Program. The program will help you lose weight WITHOUT losing the Milk Supply. It’s an amazing program and it has rave reviews. I’ve gone through it myself and it works!! See The Program here.
Do Some Extra Pumping
Pumping your breast causes a lot of stimulation. You can definitely boost your milk supply with a couple of long pumping sessions, even in a day. This is one of the best ways to see results quickly. There’s a great course On pumping that’s for mamas going back to work, but it’s a good course for any mama who doesn’t want to lose their supply. It’s only $19 so it’s a great value. You can have a look here.
Breast Massage
Doing Breast massage has been shown to stimulate the milk ducts and in turn create more milk. Here’s a video that will tell you more and show you how.
Take A Milk Boosting Supplement
There are some great supplements like Fenugreek and Brewer’s Yeast that will help boost your milk supply really quickly. They work really well for many women.
Drink A Milk Boosting Tea
There’s also some awesome lactation tea that many mamas swear by. They have milk boosting herbs that work quickly to boost your milk. Here’s one that is minty and made just for lactation.
This is clearly really important. If you are dehydrated your body is not optimal and it definitely will affect your supply. So make sure you are very hydrated at all times.
Get Plenty Of Rest
If your body is so completely exhausted that you can barely function, then your milk supply will suffer greatly. I know it can be hard to get all the rest you need with a new baby but really try. Get someone to help you if needed.
So there you have it. If you do all or some of these things you will see your milk supply quickly increase, even within a day’s time. Good luck and happy breastfeeding!
If you loved this post or think it was helpful, I would love it if you would share it with your friends! You can share it with Pinterest Images below or with the buttons at the bottom or to the left. Thanks, you’re awesome!
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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.
