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Lessons of Motherhood, No. 2:
How to prepare for recovery
Editor's note: This is the second
of a series of practical observations by an Aggie student
who's a new mom.
By Errin Stevenson
January 15, 2008 | I think a very large number of
women are scared for their first labor while pregnant.
I would think, listen and talk to everyone about it,
hoping to find ways to better prepare. I always got
advice and listened. But, I didn't listen to the advice
women would give me on recovery, such as, "Enjoy
your all-night hours of sleep." Well, all I can
say is, ladies, while you are at the hospital you are
in good hands. You and your baby are taken care of and
you are able to relax. Medicine is advanced and everything
is simpler than it was in the old days. But, I, along
with others, failed to realize the reality of the real
labor: the recovery.
Bringing home your new baby is fun. You are excited
to be in a comfortable place and surrounded by people
who love you and who are excited about your new little
one. But, there are also some things I would suggest
to prepare for, and ways to make your first couple of
weeks home a little bit easier.
When I came home from the hospital, I had my house
in order, and I was so grateful I did! I had completely
cleaned, dusted, anti-bacterialized and set up my home
for my baby. If you do so, then you don't have to stress
over it when you come home with the baby because believe
me, you won't have time to do any of it. You may think
you will because you have heard babies sleep a lot,
but not all do.
Buy the necessities you will need for the baby. Have
diapers, wipes, burp clothes and more burp clothes,
lotion and formula ready for your baby at home. You
will not want to be hustling to the store to get the
last things after labor. When I first arrived home with
my baby boy, his diaper was full, grandpa's clothes
were splattered with spit-up, and he was hungry again
for some more food. I thought to myself . . . what do
I do? All I can say is having items on hand really saved
me.
Pre-wash all your baby's clothes. You will have more
time to do laundry before your baby comes, and you will
have lots more laundry to do too.
Allow neighbors, family and friends to help you with
dinners, or whatever they offer to help you do. I thought
I could do most everything on my own. You can, but it
is a lot easier with help and it will save you stressful
times.
Have a pump ready for Day 3 after labor. You will
be very grateful you did, believe me!
Last but not least, be ready to enjoy the greatest
blessing on earth! It will be quite the experience,
but one you will never regret.
MS
MS
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