NON influencer first time mum advice

Hey lovies, I just wanted to write this post as when I was pregnant I used to love reading about other mums experiences and their advice... So as a first time mum to a now 5 month old, let me tell you...

BEFORE BIRTH -

YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE READY!! My house was nowhere near the state I wanted it in, I was frantic about everything. I'd honestly say prioritise making sure the baby has a safe space to sleep, free from mould, and a safe temperature (we bought an air purifier and a fan for safe measure)

My baby just chills out watching me clean or DIY now, so still 5 months on I am able to get the house sorted.

I wouldn't stress too much about all the exercises people advise you do either, this late in the pregnancy it's just nice to get through the day 🤣

BIRTH:
Ignore EVERYONE's horror stories that they for some reason feel compelled to tell you - every birth is different.

My experience with labour was that it hurt, but when it starts REALLY hurting you're near the end!! If you want extreme honesty it just felt like I had a huge 💩 trapped!!

AFTER BIRTH
I bought so many useless gadgets cos instagram told me to, I wouldn't personally bother with nappy bins, cold water sterilisers or any of that stuff, the only extras (outside of steriliser etc) I'd recommend is:

- Tomme Tippee cooling flask (LIFE SAVER!!!!)
- A temp egg
- Star projector to keep them occupied when they refuse to sleep

The health visitors and midwives will terrify you, I got to the point where I was using spirit levels to make sure my baby was lying completely flat, I was going OUT of my mind making my babies formula fresh too (pre tommee tippee cooling flask) I was terrified if I did one thing wrong it would cost me my babies life, what I'd advise is...

Listen to the health visitors, listen to the midwives but treat what they're telling you as advice, not the law. You know your baby better than you think, you will know what's best for them and your sanity.

Anyways, this was really long but it you have any questions let me know :)

and good luck mamas, you're stronger than you know. Motherhood really is a beautiful thing and it's SO FUN! xxx

in our community

Anyone past their due date?

How are you feeling? Does labour feel far away?

I’m 40 weeks today! It still doesn’t feel real for me yet, I’m all prepared in the house and ready for baby girl, so excited for labour to start but I still feel like I’m waiting for some big reality check 😂

I feel like I’m going to go way over ( I know it’s fine but I’m so ready for her to come now) i think because I feel so fine in my body like I have no signs of labour I still feel really active and loving the sun im going to a plant nursery then coming home to do some gardening today 😂

Anyone else feel like labour is far away?

Does it just randomly change that fast and you go into labour?

Anyone else feel like they’ve dropped

Anyone else 35+3 and feel like they’ve dropped pretty low down? Supposed to be booking my elective c section Wednesday next week but will be amazed if she’s not here before my planned section date 👀👀

Past my due date and frustrated

I know I'm still well within a normal due 'period' I guess as I'm only 40+3, but man I'm so frustrated.

I've hated being pregnant this time round. (Already have a nearly 3 yo)
I thought I had it bad last time but everything has been 10x worse. I've had every symptom under the sun, I've had every illness on top of that from my toddler, plus still having to run after him all day every day. I'm so done with it, I just want my body back and to feel even semi-normal again.

(Please don't get me wrong, I'm also incredibly grateful to be pregnant again and we're very lucky, I just need a space to get these negative feelings out too)

I feel like ever since I've been around 39weeks pregnant I've hit a wall, I can't cope anymore. I'm now 3 days past my due date and I honestly don't know how to keep going?? Baby feels like she's pushing down on my cervix all the time, the lightning crotch is horrendous, I've lost mucus plug, I've had a bloody show, I've had diarrhoea, back pains etc, all these things that you'd assume mean labour is close but nope, nothing. She's still chilling in there, her bum is sitting so high its touching my boobs, like she's not dropped AT ALL. I didn't drop with my first so I do take everything with a grain of salt but still, I just want something to happen!! I'm tired, I'm grumpy, I'm in SO MUCH pain 🥲 and everyone keeps asking me if baby has arrived yet, I've just stopped answering messages because I promise once this baby is out of me I'll be singing from the rooftops! You don't need to keep asking!! 😭😭😭

Sorry this turned into such a vent but I'm so tired you've no idea, I just want to explode I'm so frustrated, and I know feeling this way isn't good for getting oxytocin flowing in preparation for labour but I can't help it, I'm just so dome feeling like crap 😔

9 week Countdown begins today!

Ahhhh!! I am so nervous. I'm down to single digits 😭 the excitement is overwhelming and it's like my brain will block out the actual giving birth part until I see something that reminds me 😅

Whats your due date and what are your plans for the last few weeks??

I'm going to start washing baby girls clothes today while the sun is out 🥹 will need to figure out her camera, baby brezza and bottle washer in the next few weeks too. Her travel system should arrive next week. Otherwise I feel fairly ready!

Anyone else starting to feel broody/ thinking about another baby?…👀

It’s got to be hormonal 😅

Due date.

Due date is July 8th but I’ll be getting my date for my c section next week which will most likely be June 17th. Is it too early to start washing clothes ? I haven’t done this in 7 years and I’m extremely excited