I realized last week that I'm 24 weeks pregnant. If you're counting a month as four weeks (which is debatable), then I am around six months pregnant.
Holy. CRAP.
The VERY night of this realization, I started having the same recurring dream. Or should I call it a nightmare? In this dream/nightmare, I'm laying on the labor bed, having just given birth to the baby. The doctor is inflicting whatever torture is considered normal after giving birth (I think it involves stitches and extreme amounts of pain?), and then the nurse comes over and hands me the baby, all wrapped up in a hospital receiving blanket...all perfect looking. Just as the nurse lets go, I drop the baby on the floor. Like...the hard hospital floor meets soft baby head. Seriously. It's a nightmare that won't go away. Has anyone else ever had a fear that they would drop their new baby?
There are things that I feel like I have nailed down when it comes to the baby and the birth. I mean...as much as one can nail these things down. I know what kind of birth I want (give me all the medicine possible, please and thank you). I know how I feel about breastfeeding (and I feel strongly). I know how I feel about vaccines (we won't even go there on this blog, mmmkay?). I know where I plan to have the baby sleep when he or she comes home, and I know that I will still look six months pregnant upon leaving the hospital. Thanks to everyone for sharing that little tidbit with me, because seriously...I had no idea and would have been horrified if I hadn't been warned.
Beyond these things, I feel unprepared and sort of clueless. It wasn't until about two years ago that I realized that babies needed a bath every SINGLE day. Thank God for my mom who wisely pointed out that babies poop and sweat and need bathed like everyone else. EVERY DAY. But I don't know how to give a newborn a bath without hurting them or drowning them. I don't know how to clip their tiny fingernails (ouch!). I don't know how to make them eat if they don't want to. I don't know anything about tummy time and in fact didn't know that it was a real "thing" that requires planning and timing (what?) until recently. And, stupidly, I am mostly worried about the fact that I don't know where to get baby clothes that I like. Because I mostly don't like what I see when I'm shopping, and by the way, since when did it become appropriate to dress up a baby girl in cheetah print and sequins?! No, no, no. I have no clue where to buy baby clothing that won't make me vomit and/or make my baby look like a minature exotic dancer. (Ideas? Anyone?)
Last Saturday, I drove to the airport to pick up Jared. He had been home in PA visiting family for a week. When we got home and I took off my jacket, he looked at my belly, his eyes got wide, and he said, "WOW. Your stomach is REALLY getting big. I better paint the baby's room tomorrow." And he did. Then he put together the crib.
You guys. It's really happening. I think I better figure some things out soon.
So I've just learned from you that you are a planner. I appreciate that because I know I'm not the only one that freaks out about being prepared months in advance. But having 2 (going on 3) I'll share what I've learned...for whatever it's worth. And BTW if I get a newborn in the next couple of months, you're welcome to come over and practice (with supervision and guidance :) if you'd like.
ReplyDeleteI shall now comment on specific items...
- "I know what kind of birth I want (give me all the medicine possible, please and thank you)." That was my plan both times. Let me just say, plan for it not to happen just in case. Man was I unprepared when the epidural and spinal didn't work and I still felt pain. And the second time was so fast that I didn't make it to the hospital in time for meds at all. So you just never know what can happen.
- "I know how I feel about breastfeeding (and I feel strongly)." Go for it, but know that formula is not a horrible thing should it be needed. Just so you don't have depression if you do need formula as many moms I know have experienced.
- "Where I plan to have the baby sleep when he or she comes home" - It's good to plan, but know that if the baby only wants to sleep in the swing but the baby is sleeping, that does not make you a bad mom. It makes you a smart mom that is also well rested :)
- "I know that I will still look six months pregnant upon leaving the hospital." Yes but WAY more flabby then at 6 months pregnant when your stomach is rock firm from baby.
- "It wasn't until about two years ago that I realized that babies needed a bath every SINGLE day." No they don't. It's fine if baby wants it but they actually recommend only a few times a week. My kids both had really dry skin and the dermatologist recommended every 3rd day with no soap (except on hair) and then lotion afterwards. Every baby is different. Do what is best for you and baby.
- "But I don't know how to give a newborn a bath without hurting them or drowning them." Baby bath tub with very little water and a helper the first few times.
- "I don't know how to clip their tiny fingernails (ouch!)." Handy newborn ones have a guard of sorts. You should also file them in the beginning because it's just easier and you're less likely to hurt them. And do it while they sleep...again it's just easier.
- "I don't know how to make them eat if they don't want to." Take off their clothes, rub their face, use a wet wash cloth to wake them up.
- "I don't know anything about tummy time and in fact didn't know that it was a real "thing" that requires planning and timing (what?) until recently." Just flip them over for a couple minutes from time to time. And just make sure they aren't always on their back. So hold them and you're good.
- "And, stupidly, I am mostly worried about the fact that I don't know where to get baby clothes that I like." I'm cheap...goodwill.