I've actually noticed a lot of people searching keywords like "childbirth" and "labour", in turn getting my website. I realize I'm little to no help, as I haven't really written a detailed novel of what went down that day, nor have I really discussed my pregnancy and early motherhood very much - so I have selflessly decided to give anyone pregnant a little heads up. You asked for it, really.
Number 1: Everyone is so concerned about pain during labour and delivery. It hurts, yes. Is an epidural worth it? Asked me then, I may have nodded and agreed. Ask me now that I have to deal with a lot of back pain since, no. It's bittersweet, but make the decision for yourself. Don't let people sway you if you're uncomfortable and try to be a trooper. I was in pain for a good few extra hours than I needed to be because I didn't want to disappoint my grandmother (who believes I "wussed out"). And yes, down there tears and/or has to be cut, it isn't pleasant with no pain medication left in your system. Just saying!
(Please note that my doctor did a really good job fixing that. Did you take a sewing class? Thanks, ma'am!)
Number 2: Your body and heart will never feel the same. I have never known what love is, truthfully, until I held that child in my arms. I always thought my family and my boyfriend took up every little compartment I had in there (atriums and ventricles), until he was thrown on my chest like a bag of potatoes. It's like a whole other heart sprouted into place to be filled with him, or my original one just expanded twice the size to accomodate him, either or. In addition to that, my body feels like a failed game of Operation. The pieces are there, but still things feel like they aren't in the right place. Like a jigsaw puzzle with the pieces crammed together, not fitting nicely like they should. I guess I should be grateful that my lady parts are intact, my stomach can hide in former clothing and I do not have feet constantly kicking me in the ribs. (Although the last one I do miss.) Oh, and your teeth get awful - every bit of calcium your baby needs they take from your bones (teeth included). Thanks a lot, Kaiden.. your allowance is going straight to my dentist bill!
Number 3: Nice clothes after-baby are useless. Nice furniture after-baby is too. I don't think there is anything I now own that has not been vomitted on and stained a few times. I'm in the groove of just wearing oversized tshirts and sweatpants constantly unless we are heading out, because there is truly no point in adding more laundry to my oversized pile.
Number 4: Post-baby-dating is difficult, married or not. I think this hit me when my boyfriend and I were out for the first time in weeks, and all we discussed was hoping we would get back and he had pooped (because he hadn't all day). Really? All this time without any intimacy, and our conversation has centered around my child's bowel movements? Hilarious. (Please keep in mind this just another step in the right direction of being a good father-figure for my son, and realizing he's the right one.. so it worked in both of our favours!)
Finally, Number 5: The good outweighs the bad. Always. There are such small inconveniences in the grand scheme of baby raising, that make it absolutely worth going through to see that smile, hear that laugh, feel that soft skin and smell that baby aroma. Every day is a challenge, and every day you get the biggest award you can imagine.
These are the facts. Well, my facts.
