Three weeks down
I've meant to post this ever since the recovery room but am just now getting time to work on it while my mom rocks the baby. This is what I wish I would have known before giving birth. Hope it's useful.
Packing for hospital: Baby- all I needed was the car seat & a going home outfit suited for the weather. Me- nightgown, pajama pants, robe, socks, slippers for recovery. Glasses, toiletries, cell phone & charger (mine had a great camera so I took lots of pics), laptop computer. Going home outfit. Maternity bra. Partner- cell phone & charger, some snacks, money for cafeteria, a couple changes of clothes.
What I didn't have: I wish I had a doula. I made a lot of decisions based on utter fatigue & pain. I would have loved to have someone other than my husband to help me figure things out.
Giving birth/recovery: It's OK to change your plans. Don't wait until you are utterly exhausted after 2 nights of no sleep and in such pain you can't think to reevaluate whether you are OK with an epidural. At the same time stand up for what you need and don't let people change your mind.
Recovery was tiring but boring. I wish I had some visitors. You may or may not agree.
Breast feeding Teegan latched on immediately but then took over 15 hours to do it again. This is OK. The first week of breast feeding hurts but it gets better quickly. I dealt with scabby, painful nipples and one rather shocking episode of bleeding but things are going amazingly now.
The first weeks- people will tell you to sit on the couch and I have done a lot of that but personally I can't do that all day. Learn to get things done in 20 minute segments.
The best thing I did for myself: fill the freezer before giving birth. I managed to get 3-4 weeks of food cooked all by myself which was supplemented by friends & family. But do remember that it's OK to eat cold cereal for breakfast or sandwiches for lunch.
Don't buy into the belief that you have to eat off paper plates, especially if you have a dishwasher!
EditThings I didn't realize I would need so much: I got a glider for $20 at a yard sale because it was in good condition and I couldn't turn down such a great deal. It has been a life saver and makes me wonder why it wasn't on my list in the first place.
A couple days after we got home from the hospital I went out to a baby consignment shop and bought a bassinet. I have a crib sidecarred to our bed, but Teegan has no interest in sleeping in it and if I want to set her down for a minute to use the bathroom or make a sandwich it's much easier to set her in the bassinet in the living room than take her in the bedroom.
Nipple butter saves sore nipples. Enough said.
Packing for hospital: Baby- all I needed was the car seat & a going home outfit suited for the weather. Me- nightgown, pajama pants, robe, socks, slippers for recovery. Glasses, toiletries, cell phone & charger (mine had a great camera so I took lots of pics), laptop computer. Going home outfit. Maternity bra. Partner- cell phone & charger, some snacks, money for cafeteria, a couple changes of clothes.
What I didn't have: I wish I had a doula. I made a lot of decisions based on utter fatigue & pain. I would have loved to have someone other than my husband to help me figure things out.
Giving birth/recovery: It's OK to change your plans. Don't wait until you are utterly exhausted after 2 nights of no sleep and in such pain you can't think to reevaluate whether you are OK with an epidural. At the same time stand up for what you need and don't let people change your mind.
Recovery was tiring but boring. I wish I had some visitors. You may or may not agree.
Breast feeding Teegan latched on immediately but then took over 15 hours to do it again. This is OK. The first week of breast feeding hurts but it gets better quickly. I dealt with scabby, painful nipples and one rather shocking episode of bleeding but things are going amazingly now.
The first weeks- people will tell you to sit on the couch and I have done a lot of that but personally I can't do that all day. Learn to get things done in 20 minute segments.
The best thing I did for myself: fill the freezer before giving birth. I managed to get 3-4 weeks of food cooked all by myself which was supplemented by friends & family. But do remember that it's OK to eat cold cereal for breakfast or sandwiches for lunch.
Don't buy into the belief that you have to eat off paper plates, especially if you have a dishwasher!
EditThings I didn't realize I would need so much: I got a glider for $20 at a yard sale because it was in good condition and I couldn't turn down such a great deal. It has been a life saver and makes me wonder why it wasn't on my list in the first place.
A couple days after we got home from the hospital I went out to a baby consignment shop and bought a bassinet. I have a crib sidecarred to our bed, but Teegan has no interest in sleeping in it and if I want to set her down for a minute to use the bathroom or make a sandwich it's much easier to set her in the bassinet in the living room than take her in the bedroom.
Nipple butter saves sore nipples. Enough said.