September 25, 2012.
This is the day that could've been Baby Hudson's birthday if my contractions hadn't stopped. The monitor showed they were coming every 2-4 minutes but I couldn't feel them. Thankfully they did stop after about an hour and I made it to the next day.
September 26, 2012.
Again, I'm so grateful this day was not Baby Hudson's birthday either but it sure looked threatening at times. In the morning I had a new kind of pain so I got hooked up to the monitors right away and told to not eat breakfast "just in case." Contractions showed up on the monitor every 5-7 minutes. False alarm #2.
September 27, 2012
10 days (hopefully) until Baby Hudson's birthday but with all the little contractions I'm having I feel like a ticking time bomb set to explode at a moment's notice. The doctors are "sufficiently concerned" about my pain which makes them want to deliver on the earlier side of things. I'm totally ready to be done with hospital bed rest but I'm totally not ready to have a baby. I recently realized I don't know how to have a kid and in 10 days (or less) I'm going to have one. I've never been a mom before. I don't have much time to learn. Any advice? Seriously.
You will find that you know a lot more than you think once they come. A lot of it is just trusting your maternal instincts. It's a good thing you have so many great examples to go off of.
ReplyDeletethat's so true being a mom come naturally. you'll just love that little guy to pieces when he comes out and that's the most important thing. You can do it!
ReplyDeleteJenna,
ReplyDeleteMotherhood is one of the highest calling for a woman. Fortunately, you get in the job training. GOD has equipped you with loving maternal feelings for your child. Your love for your unborn child is an evidence of that. As soon as you hold your baby in your arms, you will become aware of your child needs. The best way to prepare yourself to become a mother is to ask GOD for lots of wisdom and to be ready to love unconditionally for your precious child. For what I know of you, you have been ready to be a mom for many years. Trust your instincts and get ready for the best time of your life. Praying and thinking of you. Can't wait to see pictures of Baby Hudson.
I definitely had that same freak-out right after the hospital called me and told me when to come in to be induced the next day. Luckily, even though you feel like you don't know how to be a mom yet, you will have lots of help over the next few days and weeks as you figure it out. The one piece of advice I have for you is to talk to someone about making sure you can see a lactation consultant ASAP after giving birth. It will save a lot of headache/heartache in the long run (if you're planning on nursing of course) if you can get your milk supply and nursing relationship off to a good start from the get-go.
ReplyDeleteThe piece of advice I heard tons of and ignored was to sleep when then baby sleeps. Now I wish I had taken that advice!! It's only really an option with your first child, so take advantage of it!! Don't worry about what the house looks like, etc. just make sure you take care of YOU so you can take care of the baby!
ReplyDeleteAnd the comment about nursing reminded me of the advice to eat oatmeal! I'm not sure if it's true or not, but I think it's TOTALLY helping with my milk supply. I'm on my third kid, and I finally feel like I've actually got enough milk with this one. I'll definitely be eating lots of oatmeal with the next one too. It's been so nice to not struggle with that this time around!
But lastly, don't stress. You will be awesome. It's natural to freak out right before the baby comes... and then amazingly, it all just comes to you. As soon as you see that baby and they place him in your arms, it will all just come together. It's a one day at a time thing. :) Love ya!!
You'll be the best mom Jenna! You'll be amazed at how natural it is. Praying for you!
ReplyDeleteUh so i guess it does just come to you but don't freak out if it doesn't feel like it sometimes. I've had many times when I've looked at my kiddies and thought, wow they're alive! As long as they're alive you're doing something right. ;) good luck with the days to come. you're in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteDear Jenna,
ReplyDeletewith the sacrifice and patience you've already invested---I'd say you're well on your way to motherhood. Those qualities will always serve you and the little cookie, well. On to the mundane, when I first diapered Isaiah, it was only the 2nd time I'd done that with an infant. I was okay and I'm a klutz-----you'll do well. you'll both be learning. You'll be a bit of a "rough draft" but you'll be the first mama he's known and he'll know you are perfect for him. (He's the first one out of the chute, too---a bit of a rough draft--like his Daddy)
Take a look at your own mom--she has volumes to teach----not with her words, but with her loving, kind actions.
Lucieslist.com
ReplyDeleteThat's where I learned everything.
Moms and the internet have all the answers!
ReplyDeleteBeing a mom isn't as hard as it seems pre-baby. Best advice that I should take but rarely do: sleep when Baby sleeps! And lower your standards, at least regarding housekeeping, for as long as necessary.
You probably know this, but C-sections can affect your milk supply. Mine was delayed for a couple of days and it was really frustrating and discouraging b/c no one told me to expect that. We had to supplement with formula until my milk came in. Also, as Debbie said, oatmeal's great for breastmilk. So are almonds.
I'm so excited to see pictures of your baby and finally get to be an aunt! Love you!