Postpartum Truths Pt. 2

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Sorry I have been MIA the past week or so. I've been feeling a bit under the weather and scatter-brained between work, and just life in general. But I'm back today and wanting to give some insight on things that happened during life postpartum that I was not prepared for, and some tips that friends gave me that I wanted to share with you.

1. Bring your comfiest, "granny-est" underwear to the hospital. Better yet - go out and buy ones specifically for your last few weeks of pregnancy and then bring them to wear after giving birth. Nothing was better than having a comfy pair of underwear, especially ones I didn't have to worry getting ruined.

2. It can be painful when your milk comes in. It can also be hard to nurse because chances are your breasts are feeling pretty close to rock solid by the end of the first day giving birth. I personally hand-expressed or pumped (only a little bit!) between feedings to lessen the fullness and to be more comfortable.

3. Post-birthing high is a real thing. I woke up at 12am (after two hours of sleep), went to the hospital at 4:30am and Ezra was here by 8:47am. That being said, yes I know it was a fast labor and I'm grateful for it, but I did not, and could not sleep until almost midnight, 24 hours later. I didn't know my body would be on an adrenaline rush for the next day and a half. If I could go back, I would limit the amount of guests we had on the day Ezra was born, and try to be as rested and relaxed as I could.

4. You probably don't need everything you've put in your hospital bag. The hospital provides everything from diapers and wipes, to onesies and hats, as well as swaddles, and anything you as momma may need. I wish I would have brought a robe with me and some slippers, but that is it. My bag as well as Ezra's was totally over-packed.

5. Sweating. Like, your entire weight in sweat every. single. night. I'm not sure if this happens to every woman, but I needed to sleep on a towel because I would soak my side of the bed. It was completely uncomfortable and something no one told me about!

6. Pooping. Yep - it needs to be said. Take a stool softener. Seriously! I don't think I pooped for almost a week...okay maybe 3-4 days after giving birth. Mostly since I was afraid to because of my stitches, but on the other hand, I physically couldn't. Ask the nurses at the hospital for some - only one of mine asked (and I loved all of my nurses), so make sure you make it known if you need some help!

7. Drink water. I used to consume a gallon of water most days (or close to) before being pregnant. Obviously with pregnancy liquid consumption usually decreases because of having to constantly pee. Because of this, it was hard to bring my water intake back up. Most days I was slightly dehydrated from nursing, but hardly drinking any water. I also attribute my lack of water to having issues with BMs after birth.

8. Make time to take care of yourself. I didn't, and mostly still don't. I'm awful at it and mom guilt usually has me in a full-body lock down. Even when my newborn was asleep I felt like if I wasn't near him, I wasn't loving him enough. Don't buy into the anxiety or guilt. Shower, stretch, feed yourself.

9. Music: I made a birthing playlist. Well, two. One was an "up beat" fun mix of dance songs and the other was a calming mix with a lot of praise and worship songs. Throughout the birthing process, when I was able to tune in occasionally to whatever song was playing, it would bring me so much joy and peace .

10. Whilst in the newborn phase, the nights last for weeks and everyday can feel like it stretches on, but it goes by so quickly. I promise. My little man is already 13 months old and honestly, I don't even know how we made it here, all three of us in one piece, but we did. Try to have a bedtime routine of sorts and use it every night. Routine will help get you on a schedule faster. You will make it through this phase.

• As always if you have any questions email me or leave a comment; I'm an open book.