I wish I'd been told how to properly clean my stitches. I ended up with an infection a couple of days pp with my first because I was being overly cautious worrying about touching them. Salty cool boiled water all the way even though it stings!!! Also lavender oil in the bath helps with healing ?

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Bump

Don't push until you are ready. I pushed for 4 hours with my first bc the nurse kept telling me to push but I never felt the urge. It was very traumatic and I had a 5th degree tear. This time I had to call the nurse in bc I knew it was time to push and the nurse made me stop so the dr could get there. I pushed 3 times with the dr and she was out. Only had a 1st degree tear this time!

Dermoplast, ice packs, tucks pads, and flushable wipes. Use them all for healing if you have a vaginal birth. During labor, stay focused through each contraction just concentrating on getting through the one you are facing. Last time I didn't have anything to serve as a distraction and lost control quickly. This time I have some soft music ready to be played and will be really focusing on my breathing. Hoping those two allow me to labor without meds as long as possible to help him drop and get into position. Standing and walking during labor will help baby drop. If you can bare it, try to withhold the drugs to allow you to do that. If you can't do it, don't sweat it. At the end you just want you and baby to be healthy and to be holding your little one. If you have a birth plan, don't be surprised if it doesn't go at all how you plan. It will be okay. Don't be afraid to ask for help after little one is here. Take advantage of all the help you can get around the house, with food, ect. You need to concentrate on your recovery and enjoy bonding time with baby.

My biggest piece of advice is to breathe. Just enjoy all the moments, enjoy the waking up 20 times a night, enjoy the spit up, the blow outs, the exhaustion. It only lasts for so long. There only babies for so long. Soon they won't want your help, they will grow independent and you'll miss it. Just enjoy it all & soak it on.
(Mother of two five year olds, a three year old and 36 weeks with our last baby)

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