Things I’ve learnt from reading & researching from other mothers as a ftm;

Things I didn’t know before I got pregnant.
I need to understand my body will not produce milk from day 1 and it will provide colostrum, however the newborn does not need tons of milk to start with and it could be a trying time with being exhausted from labor+birth, but I need to understand it could be hard to get my baby to latch and not to be hard on myself.

I want to understand I am going to be exhausted because it’s all on me to feed and look after this tiny human at first.

I want to understand that it won’t be easy and that I will need to ask for help and support when I need.

I want to understand that my hormones will probably be going anywhere and everywhere after I give birth, as well as emotions, and could do for a while.

I want to understand that my baby will cry as they are learning as much as I’m learning, it may get hard but we will eventually work it out between ourselves.

I want to understand that I won’t be/feel 100% after birth and I will possibly be in pain (most likely) and bleed for weeks after giving birth.

I want to understand for myself personally, that birth can be as easy or as hard as I make it, I can stress less and keep the negative thoughts out no matter how bad the pain will get during the 4 stages of labor, and try to make it the natural experience it is for my body to be doing this. I need to make sure I go with all intuitions and feelings.

I want to understand that my birth may not go to plan and I need to be ready for anything! I want to understand it is my choice as to how I parent my child.
I think it’s important to understand these things - for myself & others who may feel this way;

I am not a failure if my boobs can’t/won’t breastfeed properly/don’t produce milk.

I am not a failure because I feel emotional/hormonal/down after birth as it sounds like a very overwhelming experience - including what could be hours of labor and birth.

I am not a failure because I feel nervous and am not sure what to do with a newborn, this will all come natural and I will get the hang of it.

I have aimed for my pregnancy experience to be positive and so far it has been positive. With small anxieties from the first trimester - mostly fear of miscarriage due to stress at the time, and other anxieties in the second trimester due to moving house/starting uni/little fights with Kane from my hormonal switch and irritability-  I feel in the third trimester I am ready to take this head on!

I am HOPING there will be the ability for a water birth (fingers crossed) as that feels more right than ever, however if not  (I don’t know as I haven’t even had that conversation with my obs/midwife & haven’t toured the hospital yet) I will be happy either way!

I am happy for the baby to come when she is ready even if I am uncomfortable and I am hoping for a safe and natural birth without painkillers or epidural, because I do wholeheartedly believe my body can do this completely naturally as my body is ready for this, it is meant for this and I know I can do this!
If it all changes in the process, I just ultimately hope my baby is healthy and I can’t wait to meet her :)
I’m 30 weeks pregnant this week.
My countdown so far…..milestones I am looking forward to;
April 8 - Back to uni - off holidays - only 6 weeks to go!
April 25 - Parents visiting Melbourne for the weekend & bringing us lots of baby stuff :)
May 24 - Finish Uni for the semester! - I get to rest & get ready for her arrival yay!
May 29 - Reached full term! 37 weeks pregnant!
.and then… nest! & …Wait for the arrival of Lily Beth :)