Everything I wish someone had walked me through before having my first baby... Hope this can be a helpful resource for you! PS - went through the video and broke everything down by chapters so you can browse to the sections you're most interested in by heading to the description box! ❤
First baby due in literally a month, been researching the heck out of this subject cause I hear way too many horror postpartum stories. I’m glad to see a reality/scientific based image of what to expect rather than being told “sleep while you can” 👍
This is so true! I run a program where I help postpartum women regain health and lose weight and they feel so emotionally down because of the spin so many put on the postpartum time. When you understand hormones, and cycles of life there is so much hope and easy healing.
My due date is 2/14/25! This was so insightful. I will be following the traditional 30 day chinese "confinement" of really taking it easy the first 30 days and only eat warm and nourishing foods and herbs to help with healing and lactation.
I hope your mother and family members can help! Hispanics have that tradition as well… but sadly, I never received that type of support. I feel like you’re expected to be up and running after 2 weeks… but don’t!! With baby #4 I had terrible blood clots which left me very lightheaded and dizzy. It was awful, I felt the loss of blood immediately. Be clear with your family and friends your wishes… so they know where to pitch in, sadly don’t expect things from people 😅 your feelings will be hurt. Speak up for yourself, bond with baby and heal!
The fundal massage is to make sure your uterus is not boggy. After birth there is like an open wound where the placenta was once connected to the uterus. In order to prevent bleeding out from that wound (hemorrhage) the uterus needs to contract and should feel firm. Medical staff needs to push on your stomach to ensure the uterus is firm and to assess if you may be at risk for post partum hemorrhage
Currently 14 weeks with my first baby (due march 19th, 2025) and you would think the birth part would scare me but I'm more nervous for the postpartum. It's all unknown territory for me, but everyone's experiences are different so I've been looking into other peoples experiences. Thank you for making this video and walking through your experiences it makes things much less scary.
I'm in this season and you've nailed it. This is a great summary of what to expect. I'll share it with others who are expecting. One thing I found helpful is getting regular support - meals and visits from church folk, having family come regularly to help at home. If that's not possible, hire a cleaner for the first month or two. A dirty house makes me feel stressed, but I also felt stressed trying to keep on top of things in the early days. Get adjusted to looking after yourself and baby first then figure out your new home care routine.
I had a c-section with my 1st baby. With my 2nd, I got induced and had a VBAC (epidural toward the end + 3rd degree tear). And I just had my 3rd baby 7 weeks ago and that was also a VBAC induction (unmedicated + 2nd degree tear). This time around has been soo much easier! The recovery after a c-section was by far the hardest for me. I didn’t expect to struggle with even picking up my baby from the bassinet (my husband would help me with that at times). Basic movements like changing clothes, toileting, and showering were painful and tiring. A belly band helped support my abdomen. I focused on healing and used my support system. I also didn’t know my legs would become so swollen and that it would last a couple weeks (compression socks helped). Another random thing was having one shoulder hurt after delivering and it lasting a few days. Apparently gas can become trapped because of the surgery and cause sharp shoulder pain which I kept saying it was more uncomfortable than contractions. They gave me for gas relief medicine which is supposed to help with that. The football hold and side lying was my favorite position for breastfeeding as it doesn’t involve having the weight of the baby across your tummy. Hope this helps! 🤍
Would you be willing to explain the process your hospital use to induce you as a Vbac , my first baby was a cesarean Second, baby was a Vbac with augmented Pitocin My third baby is due October 3 trying for another VA back but being told I need to be induced soon and scared what that is going to look like
@@alliwood8997 Sure! Every practice varies with their policies on this. I wanted to go into labor spontaneously and did everything I could but at the end of the day, they were looking out for us to have the best outcomes. I was told going over 40/41 weeks has certain risks for a VBAC and I wanted to make sure it didn’t turn into another cesarean. I wanted to have the most favorable outcomes and only you and your provider can decide what that looks like for you so definitely ask questions! And make decisions from a place of knowledge, understanding, and confidence, not fear 🤍 My husband and I use the BRAIN acronym to help us make decisions about pregnancy and labor interventions. So I suggest looking into that and also making a list of questions before your visits. Ask your provider about the risks and benefits, look at data and studies if you want, look into educating and empowering yourself. This was my experience for my third baby. The OB and midwife group that I chose to go to was a VBAC supportive practice but they did not do the inductions themselves, they transferred you to the hospital. In other words, they would assist in the delivery at the hospital if you went into spontaneous labor before 40 weeks, but if you were still pregnant at 40 weeks, they would transfer your care over to the hospitalists and an induction would be scheduled in the hospital on your due date (40 weeks). Mine was scheduled at 40 weeks and didn’t actually go into the hospital until the next day at night because they didn’t have enough beds. I was happy to have a little extra time since I had 2 membrane sweeps that week, was already 3 cm dilated, 60% effaced, and -2 station. Doing the Miles circuit and everything I could. I was experiencing prodromal labor episodes every night and was hoping I’d go into spontaneous labor but no, I guess I needed a little help of pitocin. That’s the only induction med I was given because I had a good Bishop score (how favorable the cervix is for induction and other factors). I still got to have my dream labor and delivery and the literally the kind of birth that I prayed for. I had the majority of my birth preferences either met or closely met. It was kind of home birth-like, supported, unmedicated, delivered in hands and knees on the bed, picked my baby up right away and did golden hour uninterrupted. It was so redemptive ☺️ I’ll have my birth story up whenever I can get to editing it 😅 I wish the very best to you and hope you get to meet your baby in the best possible timing and way!
@@alliwood8997 Sure! Every practice varies with their policies on this. I wanted to go into labor spontaneously and did everything I could but at the end of the day, they were looking out for us to have the best outcomes. I was told going over 40/41 weeks has certain risks for a VBAC and I wanted to make sure it didn’t turn into another cesarean. Basically I wanted to have the most favorable outcomes and only you and your provider can decide what that looks like for you so definitely ask questions! And make decisions from a place of knowledge, understanding, and confidence, not fear 🤍 My husband and I use the BRAIN acronym to help us make decisions about pregnancy and labor interventions. So I suggest looking into that and also making a list of questions before your visits. Ask your provider about the risks and benefits, look at data and studies if you want, look into educating and empowering yourself. This was my experience for my third baby. The OB and midwife group that I chose to go to was a VBAC supportive practice but they did not do the inductions themselves, they transferred you to the hospital. In other words, they would assist in the delivery at the hospital if you went into spontaneous labor before 40 weeks, but if you were still pregnant at 40 weeks, they would transfer your care over to the hospitalists and an induction would be scheduled in the hospital on your due date (40 weeks). Mine was scheduled at 40 weeks and didn’t actually go into the hospital until the next day at night because they didn’t have enough beds. I was happy to have a little extra time since I had 2 membrane sweeps that week, was already 3 cm dilated, 60% effaced, and -2 station. Doing the Miles circuit and everything I could. I was experiencing prodromal labor episodes every night and was hoping I’d go into spontaneous labor but no, I guess I needed a little help of pitocin. That’s the only induction med I was given because I had a good Bishop score (how favorable the cervix is for induction and other factors). I still got to have my dream labor and delivery and the literally the kind of birth that I prayed for. I had the majority of my birth preferences either met or closely met. It was kind of home birth-like, supported, unmedicated, delivered in hands and knees on the bed, picked my baby up right away and did golden hour uninterrupted. It was so redemptive ☺️ I’ll have my birth story up whenever I can get to editing it 😅 I wish the very best to you and hope you get to meet your baby in the best possible timing and way!
@@alliwood8997 Sure! Every practice varies with their policies on this. I wanted to go into labor spontaneously and did everything I could but at the end of the day, they were looking out for us to have the best outcomes. I was told going over 40/41 weeks has certain risks for a VBAC and I wanted to make sure it didn’t turn into another cesarean. Basically I wanted to have the most favorable outcomes and only you and your provider can decide what that looks like for you so definitely ask questions! And make decisions from a place of knowledge, understanding, and confidence, not fear 🤍 My husband and I use the BRAIN acronym to help us make decisions about pregnancy and labor interventions. So I suggest looking into that and also making a list of questions before your visits. Ask your provider about the risks and benefits, look at data and studies if you want, look into educating and empowering yourself. This was my experience for my third baby. The OB and midwife group that I chose to go to was a VBAC supportive practice but they did not do the inductions themselves, they transferred you to the hospital. In other words, they would assist in the delivery at the hospital if you went into spontaneous labor before 40 weeks, but if you were still pregnant at 40 weeks, they would transfer your care over to the hospitalists and an induction would be scheduled in the hospital on your due date (40 weeks). Mine was scheduled at 40 weeks and didn’t actually go into the hospital until the next day at night because they didn’t have enough beds. I was happy to have a little extra time since I had 2 membrane sweeps that week, was already 3 cm dilated, 60% effaced, and -2 station. Doing the Miles circuit and everything I could. I was experiencing prodromal labor episodes every night and was hoping I’d go into spontaneous labor but no, I guess I needed a little help of pitocin. That’s the only induction med I was given because I had a good Bishop score (how favorable the cervix is for induction and other factors). I still got to have my dream labor and delivery and the literally the kind of birth that I prayed for. I had the majority of my birth preferences either met or closely met. It was kind of home birth-like, supported, unmedicated, delivered in hands and knees on the bed, picked my baby up right away and did golden hour uninterrupted. It was so redemptive ☺ I wish the very best to you and hope you get to meet your baby in the best possible timing and way!
@14:00 you talked about babies being really sleepy when youre trying to feed them. My lactation consultant inbthe hospital gave me these two amazing tips: 1) play with their cheek to stimulate their jaw so that they keep sucking (breastfeeding) and 2) check to see if theyre full or still hungry by ligitng their arm and letting it gently fall: if it atays up, or slowly comes down, in a jerky way...theyre still eating but fallig asleep...if their arm falls down drop dead asleep then theyre super full and ready to sleep ZzZzZz great job, mama!
Thanks for the reminder! Due with my third, expecting him any day. My first was a caesarean, second an induction, and this will be my first home, water birth! I can completely relate to that third day of just crying, and the night sweats 😂 fun times ahead. I also bled for 13 weeks! I was up on my feet within days of my delivery, doing all the chores, and it took a long time to heal. This time I’ll be doing the 5+5+5.
Oh my gosh YOU should be the one making this vid with all those different experiences hahaha - you’ve seen it all! 13 weeks is wild. I hope you’re able to get that rest this time around ❤️ praying for a safe delivery!!
Do you think you had retained placenta or something?! I bled for 6 weeks (heavily) until I went and got an ultrasound after having cramping, and they found out they needed to do a d&c to remove retained placenta. Immediately stopped bleeding and cramping 🙌
Not a first time mom, but pregnant with my second and I found this so helpful for reminding me of my own previous postpartum experience and how to prepare better for this time around!
Just had my second baby 3 weeks ago and first of all, PP is SO much better the second time around! Secondly, with both of my babies, the third day was definitely the hardest. But man oh man, what a sweet and special time! It’s truly so hard and yet so beautiful.
God willing expecting baby #6 in December and what an awesome overview of postpartum reality! I think you kept it really light and factual! 100% agree with you!
Thank you for this video, so helpful! Especially the detail around bleeding and how that changes in the days/weeks. Currently 34 weeks pregnant with my first, due Oct 21st ❤
I found day four was harder than day three for me. That is when my milk always came in, so it probably is equal to your day three! Those hormones are tricky and crazy things, right!?? The bleeding after birthing is a lot. I never enjoyed all of that. It is what it is though. I never had clots though. As someone who also had 3 babies, this is a good video of advice.
This video is fantastic! I wish I watched this earlier, but happy I’m catching it now. 2 weeks postpartum 🎉 pelvic area still feels rickety and sore but each day I am able to lay down as much as possible, the better I feel!! Take care of yourselves & accept all of the help!!!
The fundal massage is interesting..I always heard it is awful. I live in Mexico City and gave birth in a private hospital. They did very light pressure about 30 minutes after I delivered the placenta and that was it. I expected it to be horrible but it wasn't a big deal. Maybe some nurses are rougher than others or maybe it's more of something they do in the US. 🤷♀️ I am glad you also mentioned feeling like getting hit by a bus. I definitely felt that way and it really surprised me because I had an unmedicated birth. I had always heard with an unmedicated birth that you feel basically "normal" afterwards besides some soreness. I seriously felt so weak and needed help even getting off of the bed for my first bathroom trip. Glad to hear it's actually probably normal! Thanks for all the tips! We are starting to try for a second and I am already thinking about how to be better prepared for postpartum this time around because last time it was god awful. 😅
Also, my IBCLC told me to use cool compresses and take ibuprofen for engorgement. She said it's actually mostly inflammation..it's like the body goes woahhhh what's happening when your milk first comes in. Gentle massaging in the shower and hand expressing like you mentioned also helps. My LC said you really want to try to get the inflammation down though because then the milk will come out more easily. 😊
This is great, thank you. Had my first baby 4 years ago and expecting again soon. So I forgot a lot about this info. Saving this video for closer to due date.
Pregnant with my first (due December 9th), and honestly I am way more terrified of the fourth trimester than I am of birth. As someone who has chronic fatigue and sensory issues, I just have no idea how I’m going to cope. 😥
I had my first baby in January and had chronic fatigue as well. I have more energy since birth than I had in a long time even though I do sleep less. I wish you all the best and hopefully I can encourage you that you can surely do that!!
Thank you for making this video, it’s jogging my memory for what postpartum was like last time and helping me gear up to be postpartum again next month🤍
Thank you so much for this video! I'm due with my first January 4th 2025. I experienced a miscarriage just the month before getting oregnant this time around, so its been so sweet feeling movement from my baby inside. Nervous for delivery and recovery but so excited to see my baby and bind outside the womb!
Wanted to comment on engorgement! In the first couple months I had INSANE letdown, like fountain level on the opposite breast my first was feeding on. I would have to soak a muslin burp cloth every feeding. The haaka ladybugs were a godsend because they don’t have any real suction that will mess with supply but they catch all the excess milk and no mess! I would use it in my baby’s baths since we didn’t bottle feed.
Thank you so much for this vid. In the postpartum period with my second baby and this video was very helpful. Wish I had something like this when I had my first! Xxx
I can't imagine how our ancestors survived this postpartum phase. It sounds hard, painful, problematic. But the video was very useful, thank you. I'm at week 23, due on 30/01/2025.
This was such a great and informative video! I wish so much i had something like this to watch before my births. I will definitely be sharing with any first time mamas. Thank you ❤
I recently found your videos a few weeks ago right before I was about to give birth and have binge watched your videos haha and I just wanted to say thank you!! they've been so helpful and I also, thank you so much for this video!! I am 2 weeks and a few days postpartum and this was extremely helpful in getting an insight into other things I can expect and look for going forward for a while ❤
I’m due with my second in just a few short weeks, and my toddler will be about 20 months old! I’m curious if you have any tips for easy lunches for your toddlers while also having a newborn. My son loves to eat and sometimes I don’t know what to make him as is… let alone with a new baby added to the mix. I would love for you to do a video on this ❤️❤️
This video was so great, thank you! I’m pregnant with my first, due April 9th 2025😊 very excited but also kinda nervous😅 this video was so informative THANK YOU❤
First time mom in a months time. Have so much anxiety and nervousness about it. Been trying to do research and get tips, trucks etc but still feeling super uneasy about the whole thing. Hoping that changes with time.
I'm due the beginning of November and so excited and also so terrified! This video helped clarify a lot of questions that I had about the post partum period! Thanks!
Im 5 weeks postpartum. I had an emergency Csection. Make sure you really rest, rest, and more rest!!! Anytime i over did it i would start to bleed more.
My first post partum poop was so traumatic for me. LOL I would absolutely tell everyone I know to start Miralax before you even get home from the hospital!!!!
Taking a couple tablespoons of castor oil during or right after labour makes that first poop completely stress free. It can mess with contractions so use with discretion, but I swear by it (I take it once labour is totally established)
Something my husband and I are doing is not calling postpartum, postpartum. We are calling it baby season so we can make it more positive sounding :) I don’t like the word postpartum
I didn’t know what the Afterease herbal tincture was until you mentioned it in one of your videos. As a second-time mom who will deliver in a hospital setting, do I spray it into my water immediately upon getting back to our room? I can almost guarantee my doctor doesn’t know what this is so he will not recommend lol some say to start right away and others wait until their milk comes in and breastfeeding makes cramps worse. I’m curious what you think! Also, red is absolutely stunning on you❣️
The fundal massage is awful 😮 the fourth day was the worst for me, had terrible gas pain and cramping. I thought first time moms didn't get cramping😂 found out the hard way that is not true!😢
ALSO if you're a c-section recovery mama.... Please share some things you didn't expect/wish you had known in this thread here, since that recovery is SO different too! 👇
Something I was shocked by with my C Section recovery is that after my steri strips came off, I noticed a small white plastic looking thing out of my skin above my incision. It’s actually a super common thing; one of my dissolvable staples from my incision was coming out and I needed to go in to have the doctor trim it. It was a super easy and pain free fix! Also, after having the surgery, make sure you get up and move around as much as comfortable! The more you move (without overdoing it), the quicker and better you can recover. I was so scared of having a c section and I ended up having an unplanned c section with my twins. It was a much easier and beautiful experience than I ever could’ve imagined! God truly blessed me with a new perspective and a peaceful experience for my girls’ arrival💗 All that to say, don’t be afraid if you need to have a c section! It will all be okay and you just need to take in every bit of it. Everyone at the hospital wants the best for you, so don’t be afraid to tell them how you’re feeling and ask for encouragement when you need it🥰
I had a c-section with my 1st baby. With my 2nd, I got induced and had a VBAC (epidural toward the end + 3rd degree tear). And I just had my 3rd baby 7 weeks ago and that was also a VBAC induction (unmedicated + 2nd degree tear). This time around has been soo much easier! The recovery after a c-section was by far the hardest for me. I didn’t expect to struggle with even picking up my baby from the bassinet (my husband would help me with that at times). Basic movements like changing clothes, toileting, and showering were painful and tiring. A belly band helped support my abdomen. I focused on healing and used my support system. I also didn’t know my legs would become so swollen and that it would last a couple weeks (compression socks helped). Another random thing was having one shoulder hurt after delivering and it lasting a few days. Apparently gas can become trapped because of the surgery and cause sharp shoulder pain which I kept saying it was more uncomfortable than contractions. They gave me for gas relief medicine which is supposed to help with that. The football hold and side lying was my favorite position for breastfeeding as it doesn’t involve having the weight of the baby across your tummy. Hope this helps! 🤍
I just had a just had a preemie and was hoping to find some support in this video but hearing about things that I never got to do ended up being really triggering 😢 I normally love watching you videos, I’m really struggling right now
Im a FTM to a 4 month old and i wish i would have had this video during my poatpartum period! I had baby blues SO bad and i literally thought i was going crazy! It gets better though! 🩷
Everything I wish someone had walked me through before having my first baby... Hope this can be a helpful resource for you!
PS - went through the video and broke everything down by chapters so you can browse to the sections you're most interested in by heading to the description box! ❤
Currently 29 weeks with my first. Everyone told me what to expect with pregnancy, but I don’t hear much about postpartum, so I’m grateful for this
First baby due in literally a month, been researching the heck out of this subject cause I hear way too many horror postpartum stories. I’m glad to see a reality/scientific based image of what to expect rather than being told “sleep while you can” 👍
This is so true! I run a program where I help postpartum women regain health and lose weight and they feel so emotionally down because of the spin so many put on the postpartum time. When you understand hormones, and cycles of life there is so much hope and easy healing.
My due date is 2/14/25! This was so insightful. I will be following the traditional 30 day chinese "confinement" of really taking it easy the first 30 days and only eat warm and nourishing foods and herbs to help with healing and lactation.
I hope your mother and family members can help! Hispanics have that tradition as well… but sadly, I never received that type of support. I feel like you’re expected to be up and running after 2 weeks… but don’t!! With baby #4 I had terrible blood clots which left me very lightheaded and dizzy. It was awful, I felt the loss of blood immediately. Be clear with your family and friends your wishes… so they know where to pitch in, sadly don’t expect things from people 😅 your feelings will be hurt. Speak up for yourself, bond with baby and heal!
The fundal massage is to make sure your uterus is not boggy. After birth there is like an open wound where the placenta was once connected to the uterus. In order to prevent bleeding out from that wound (hemorrhage) the uterus needs to contract and should feel firm. Medical staff needs to push on your stomach to ensure the uterus is firm and to assess if you may be at risk for post partum hemorrhage
Currently 14 weeks with my first baby (due march 19th, 2025) and you would think the birth part would scare me but I'm more nervous for the postpartum. It's all unknown territory for me, but everyone's experiences are different so I've been looking into other peoples experiences. Thank you for making this video and walking through your experiences it makes things much less scary.
I'm entering the third trimester right now, and starting to feel so nervous as a first time mum so this video is a GOD SEND! Thank you Beth
I'm in this season and you've nailed it. This is a great summary of what to expect. I'll share it with others who are expecting.
One thing I found helpful is getting regular support - meals and visits from church folk, having family come regularly to help at home. If that's not possible, hire a cleaner for the first month or two. A dirty house makes me feel stressed, but I also felt stressed trying to keep on top of things in the early days. Get adjusted to looking after yourself and baby first then figure out your new home care routine.
Currently 32 weeks with my first. I am so grateful for this video.
Red is YOUR COLOR❤❤❤
Came to say this!
I had a c-section with my 1st baby. With my 2nd, I got induced and had a VBAC (epidural toward the end + 3rd degree tear). And I just had my 3rd baby 7 weeks ago and that was also a VBAC induction (unmedicated + 2nd degree tear). This time around has been soo much easier! The recovery after a c-section was by far the hardest for me. I didn’t expect to struggle with even picking up my baby from the bassinet (my husband would help me with that at times). Basic movements like changing clothes, toileting, and showering were painful and tiring. A belly band helped support my abdomen. I focused on healing and used my support system. I also didn’t know my legs would become so swollen and that it would last a couple weeks (compression socks helped). Another random thing was having one shoulder hurt after delivering and it lasting a few days. Apparently gas can become trapped because of the surgery and cause sharp shoulder pain which I kept saying it was more uncomfortable than contractions. They gave me for gas relief medicine which is supposed to help with that. The football hold and side lying was my favorite position for breastfeeding as it doesn’t involve having the weight of the baby across your tummy. Hope this helps! 🤍
Would you be willing to explain the process your hospital use to induce you as a Vbac , my first baby was a cesarean
Second, baby was a Vbac with augmented Pitocin
My third baby is due October 3 trying for another VA back but being told I need to be induced soon and scared what that is going to look like
@@alliwood8997 Sure! Every practice varies with their policies on this. I wanted to go into labor spontaneously and did everything I could but at the end of the day, they were looking out for us to have the best outcomes. I was told going over 40/41 weeks has certain risks for a VBAC and I wanted to make sure it didn’t turn into another cesarean. I wanted to have the most favorable outcomes and only you and your provider can decide what that looks like for you so definitely ask questions! And make decisions from a place of knowledge, understanding, and confidence, not fear 🤍
My husband and I use the BRAIN acronym to help us make decisions about pregnancy and labor interventions. So I suggest looking into that and also making a list of questions before your visits. Ask your provider about the risks and benefits, look at data and studies if you want, look into educating and empowering yourself.
This was my experience for my third baby. The OB and midwife group that I chose to go to was a VBAC supportive practice but they did not do the inductions themselves, they transferred you to the hospital. In other words, they would assist in the delivery at the hospital if you went into spontaneous labor before 40 weeks, but if you were still pregnant at 40 weeks, they would transfer your care over to the hospitalists and an induction would be scheduled in the hospital on your due date (40 weeks).
Mine was scheduled at 40 weeks and didn’t actually go into the hospital until the next day at night because they didn’t have enough beds. I was happy to have a little extra time since I had 2 membrane sweeps that week, was already 3 cm dilated, 60% effaced, and -2 station. Doing the Miles circuit and everything I could. I was experiencing prodromal labor episodes every night and was hoping I’d go into spontaneous labor but no, I guess I needed a little help of pitocin. That’s the only induction med I was given because I had a good Bishop score (how favorable the cervix is for induction and other factors).
I still got to have my dream labor and delivery and the literally the kind of birth that I prayed for. I had the majority of my birth preferences either met or closely met. It was kind of home birth-like, supported, unmedicated, delivered in hands and knees on the bed, picked my baby up right away and did golden hour uninterrupted. It was so redemptive ☺️ I’ll have my birth story up whenever I can get to editing it 😅 I wish the very best to you and hope you get to meet your baby in the best possible timing and way!
@@alliwood8997 Sure! Every practice varies with their policies on this. I wanted to go into labor spontaneously and did everything I could but at the end of the day, they were looking out for us to have the best outcomes. I was told going over 40/41 weeks has certain risks for a VBAC and I wanted to make sure it didn’t turn into another cesarean. Basically I wanted to have the most favorable outcomes and only you and your provider can decide what that looks like for you so definitely ask questions! And make decisions from a place of knowledge, understanding, and confidence, not fear 🤍
My husband and I use the BRAIN acronym to help us make decisions about pregnancy and labor interventions. So I suggest looking into that and also making a list of questions before your visits. Ask your provider about the risks and benefits, look at data and studies if you want, look into educating and empowering yourself.
This was my experience for my third baby. The OB and midwife group that I chose to go to was a VBAC supportive practice but they did not do the inductions themselves, they transferred you to the hospital. In other words, they would assist in the delivery at the hospital if you went into spontaneous labor before 40 weeks, but if you were still pregnant at 40 weeks, they would transfer your care over to the hospitalists and an induction would be scheduled in the hospital on your due date (40 weeks).
Mine was scheduled at 40 weeks and didn’t actually go into the hospital until the next day at night because they didn’t have enough beds. I was happy to have a little extra time since I had 2 membrane sweeps that week, was already 3 cm dilated, 60% effaced, and -2 station. Doing the Miles circuit and everything I could. I was experiencing prodromal labor episodes every night and was hoping I’d go into spontaneous labor but no, I guess I needed a little help of pitocin. That’s the only induction med I was given because I had a good Bishop score (how favorable the cervix is for induction and other factors).
I still got to have my dream labor and delivery and the literally the kind of birth that I prayed for. I had the majority of my birth preferences either met or closely met. It was kind of home birth-like, supported, unmedicated, delivered in hands and knees on the bed, picked my baby up right away and did golden hour uninterrupted. It was so redemptive ☺️ I’ll have my birth story up whenever I can get to editing it 😅 I wish the very best to you and hope you get to meet your baby in the best possible timing and way!
@@alliwood8997 Sure! Every practice varies with their policies on this. I wanted to go into labor spontaneously and did everything I could but at the end of the day, they were looking out for us to have the best outcomes. I was told going over 40/41 weeks has certain risks for a VBAC and I wanted to make sure it didn’t turn into another cesarean. Basically I wanted to have the most favorable outcomes and only you and your provider can decide what that looks like for you so definitely ask questions! And make decisions from a place of knowledge, understanding, and confidence, not fear 🤍
My husband and I use the BRAIN acronym to help us make decisions about pregnancy and labor interventions. So I suggest looking into that and also making a list of questions before your visits. Ask your provider about the risks and benefits, look at data and studies if you want, look into educating and empowering yourself.
This was my experience for my third baby. The OB and midwife group that I chose to go to was a VBAC supportive practice but they did not do the inductions themselves, they transferred you to the hospital. In other words, they would assist in the delivery at the hospital if you went into spontaneous labor before 40 weeks, but if you were still pregnant at 40 weeks, they would transfer your care over to the hospitalists and an induction would be scheduled in the hospital on your due date (40 weeks).
Mine was scheduled at 40 weeks and didn’t actually go into the hospital until the next day at night because they didn’t have enough beds. I was happy to have a little extra time since I had 2 membrane sweeps that week, was already 3 cm dilated, 60% effaced, and -2 station. Doing the Miles circuit and everything I could. I was experiencing prodromal labor episodes every night and was hoping I’d go into spontaneous labor but no, I guess I needed a little help of pitocin. That’s the only induction med I was given because I had a good Bishop score (how favorable the cervix is for induction and other factors).
I still got to have my dream labor and delivery and the literally the kind of birth that I prayed for. I had the majority of my birth preferences either met or closely met. It was kind of home birth-like, supported, unmedicated, delivered in hands and knees on the bed, picked my baby up right away and did golden hour uninterrupted. It was so redemptive ☺ I wish the very best to you and hope you get to meet your baby in the best possible timing and way!
Potassium and potassium foods for swelling
@14:00 you talked about babies being really sleepy when youre trying to feed them. My lactation consultant inbthe hospital gave me these two amazing tips: 1) play with their cheek to stimulate their jaw so that they keep sucking (breastfeeding) and 2) check to see if theyre full or still hungry by ligitng their arm and letting it gently fall: if it atays up, or slowly comes down, in a jerky way...theyre still eating but fallig asleep...if their arm falls down drop dead asleep then theyre super full and ready to sleep ZzZzZz great job, mama!
I had my first baby four weeks ago and wish I had seen this video sooner. Every point is spot on!
Could not have been more perfect timing-I'm being induced with my second tonight!! Thank you for all the great reminders!
I am 25 weeks and due in January! 💙🤍💙
I’m due any day now with my first and I’m so nervous about postpartum! Thank you for this info!!!❤️
Thank you for this video! So thorough and the fourth trimester isn't spoken about enough. Currently 34 weeks, due on Halloween!
Happy due date
This is the best round up of tell all advice I've seen for the postpartum period. Well done!
Thanks for the reminder! Due with my third, expecting him any day. My first was a caesarean, second an induction, and this will be my first home, water birth! I can completely relate to that third day of just crying, and the night sweats 😂 fun times ahead. I also bled for 13 weeks! I was up on my feet within days of my delivery, doing all the chores, and it took a long time to heal. This time I’ll be doing the 5+5+5.
Oh my gosh YOU should be the one making this vid with all those different experiences hahaha - you’ve seen it all! 13 weeks is wild. I hope you’re able to get that rest this time around ❤️ praying for a safe delivery!!
Do you think you had retained placenta or something?! I bled for 6 weeks (heavily) until I went and got an ultrasound after having cramping, and they found out they needed to do a d&c to remove retained placenta. Immediately stopped bleeding and cramping 🙌
Not a first time mom, but pregnant with my second and I found this so helpful for reminding me of my own previous postpartum experience and how to prepare better for this time around!
Just had my second baby 3 weeks ago and first of all, PP is SO much better the second time around! Secondly, with both of my babies, the third day was definitely the hardest. But man oh man, what a sweet and special time! It’s truly so hard and yet so beautiful.
I just had my first bubba four days ago and found this video sooooo encouraging and validating. Thanks so much for sharing Beth, you're amazing xxx
God willing expecting baby #6 in December and what an awesome overview of postpartum reality!
I think you kept it really light and factual! 100% agree with you!
Just had my baby girl yesterday. Needed this ! ❤
Thanks so much for this video!! 32 weeks and definitely starting to prep for birth and postpartum! Truly appreciate you sharing your journey!
I badly needed this video at 38 weeks pregnant. Thank you!
Did you end up having your baby yet? I’m currently 34 weeks and just want to go into labor lol
Thank you for this video, so helpful! Especially the detail around bleeding and how that changes in the days/weeks. Currently 34 weeks pregnant with my first, due Oct 21st ❤
Thank you so much for the information ❤ I'm a first time mom and getting induced today so I really needed this.
I'm 6 weeks postpartum today ❤
I found day four was harder than day three for me. That is when my milk always came in, so it probably is equal to your day three!
Those hormones are tricky and crazy things, right!??
The bleeding after birthing is a lot. I never enjoyed all of that. It is what it is though. I never had clots though.
As someone who also had 3 babies, this is a good video of advice.
This video is fantastic! I wish I watched this earlier, but happy I’m catching it now. 2 weeks postpartum 🎉 pelvic area still feels rickety and sore but each day I am able to lay down as much as possible, the better I feel!! Take care of yourselves & accept all of the help!!!
Currently 27+5 with my first, due date in mid December 🌟
Loved this video and walking through so many experiences and expectations!! I’m pregnant with my first and due March 8th- Praise God ❤
The fundal massage is interesting..I always heard it is awful. I live in Mexico City and gave birth in a private hospital. They did very light pressure about 30 minutes after I delivered the placenta and that was it. I expected it to be horrible but it wasn't a big deal. Maybe some nurses are rougher than others or maybe it's more of something they do in the US. 🤷♀️ I am glad you also mentioned feeling like getting hit by a bus. I definitely felt that way and it really surprised me because I had an unmedicated birth. I had always heard with an unmedicated birth that you feel basically "normal" afterwards besides some soreness. I seriously felt so weak and needed help even getting off of the bed for my first bathroom trip. Glad to hear it's actually probably normal! Thanks for all the tips! We are starting to try for a second and I am already thinking about how to be better prepared for postpartum this time around because last time it was god awful. 😅
Also, my IBCLC told me to use cool compresses and take ibuprofen for engorgement. She said it's actually mostly inflammation..it's like the body goes woahhhh what's happening when your milk first comes in. Gentle massaging in the shower and hand expressing like you mentioned also helps. My LC said you really want to try to get the inflammation down though because then the milk will come out more easily. 😊
I'm so glad I found your channel! Been watching a video every night since I found you!
My first baby is due in mid Nov ❤
Thank you for sharing! Currently on day 3 PP after baby #3! Needed reminders on many of these things to know all I'm going through is normal. :)
My insurance covers/ provides a mom group for the fourth trimester that meets via zoom once a week. Maybe ask about that in your plan?
This is great, thank you. Had my first baby 4 years ago and expecting again soon. So I forgot a lot about this info. Saving this video for closer to due date.
Pregnant with my first (due December 9th), and honestly I am way more terrified of the fourth trimester than I am of birth. As someone who has chronic fatigue and sensory issues, I just have no idea how I’m going to cope. 😥
I'm also due December 9th!!
You're going to do amazing ❤
@@brittanydaigle1634 yay!!!
@@chloeburton7067 thank you 🥹
I had my first baby in January and had chronic fatigue as well. I have more energy since birth than I had in a long time even though I do sleep less. I wish you all the best and hopefully I can encourage you that you can surely do that!!
Thank you for making this video, it’s jogging my memory for what postpartum was like last time and helping me gear up to be postpartum again next month🤍
I absolutely love your content! You are so informative and friendly and refreshing to watch and learn from. God bless you!
One thing that works better for me than stool softeners for that postpartum poop was eating dried prunes, like candy
Thank you so much for this video! I'm due with my first January 4th 2025. I experienced a miscarriage just the month before getting oregnant this time around, so its been so sweet feeling movement from my baby inside. Nervous for delivery and recovery but so excited to see my baby and bind outside the womb!
Great video, it came a little late for me, my baby is 6 weeks old but I'm still loving watching it.Kisses from Portugal
Wanted to comment on engorgement! In the first couple months I had INSANE letdown, like fountain level on the opposite breast my first was feeding on. I would have to soak a muslin burp cloth every feeding. The haaka ladybugs were a godsend because they don’t have any real suction that will mess with supply but they catch all the excess milk and no mess! I would use it in my baby’s baths since we didn’t bottle feed.
ME TOO. I saved and froze mine and donated it to another momma who's milk was slow arriving.
Due with my first in January! 🥰
SO excited to see this video, thanks Beth!
I’m currently on baby watch, so this video couldn’t have come at a better time! Thank you for sharing the honest experience of postpartum!
My due date is 12/10/24! Soo excited!
what perfect timing for this video as I am a first time mom and day 5 Postpartum today! ❤...signed a very tired new mama 😴
Remember that everything is a phase :) you'll sleep and shower (the way you want to) again 😊❤
First baby ♥️ due March 2025
Same ❤
Me too❤ March 13th 2025, but we shall see 😅
Congrats! Mine is Due February 28, 2025!! Also my first baby 🥹😍
Me too 💖
My son is due Jan 2025. I'm watching this so I am prepared for what she might need.
Thank you so much for this vid. In the postpartum period with my second baby and this video was very helpful. Wish I had something like this when I had my first! Xxx
I can't imagine how our ancestors survived this postpartum phase. It sounds hard, painful, problematic. But the video was very useful, thank you. I'm at week 23, due on 30/01/2025.
This was such a great and informative video! I wish so much i had something like this to watch before my births. I will definitely be sharing with any first time mamas. Thank you ❤
I recently found your videos a few weeks ago right before I was about to give birth and have binge watched your videos haha and I just wanted to say thank you!! they've been so helpful and I also, thank you so much for this video!! I am 2 weeks and a few days postpartum and this was extremely helpful in getting an insight into other things I can expect and look for going forward for a while ❤
❤ Hi I'm a 63 years old grandmother, and I really enjoyed your vidio!! Take care!!😊
Thank you for this!! It was a good refresher and very encouraging! I’m due for an induction with our second this Wednesday!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Pregnant with my second one ( due April 7th). I love watching your videos ❤
Thank you for your tips and experiences, this helps a lot ❤ currently at 12 weeks 🤭
Thanks for the video! ❤
I’m due with my second in just a few short weeks, and my toddler will be about 20 months old! I’m curious if you have any tips for easy lunches for your toddlers while also having a newborn. My son loves to eat and sometimes I don’t know what to make him as is… let alone with a new baby added to the mix. I would love for you to do a video on this ❤️❤️
This video was so great, thank you! I’m pregnant with my first, due April 9th 2025😊 very excited but also kinda nervous😅 this video was so informative THANK YOU❤
I’m due with my first January 16th, 2025 and I will definitely be coming back to this video closer to time!
Due January 8th! Thank you for this realistic breakdown
I’m 36 weeks today with my first baby. My due date is Oct 11!
Thank you for this vlog!🥰
I am 18 weeks with my 3th baby.
My son is 12 and daughter 8 so it's a long time ago😂
Expecting my first baby in March 2025 and this video was very helpful. Thank you ❤
Thank you so much for doing this video 🙏🏼🤍
First time mom in a months time. Have so much anxiety and nervousness about it. Been trying to do research and get tips, trucks etc but still feeling super uneasy about the whole thing. Hoping that changes with time.
Thanks for this! 2 weeks postpartum here!
Very helpful..thank you!
I'm due the beginning of November and so excited and also so terrified! This video helped clarify a lot of questions that I had about the post partum period! Thanks!
Im 5 weeks postpartum. I had an emergency Csection. Make sure you really rest, rest, and more rest!!! Anytime i over did it i would start to bleed more.
My first post partum poop was so traumatic for me. LOL I would absolutely tell everyone I know to start Miralax before you even get home from the hospital!!!!
Taking a couple tablespoons of castor oil during or right after labour makes that first poop completely stress free. It can mess with contractions so use with discretion, but I swear by it (I take it once labour is totally established)
Something my husband and I are doing is not calling postpartum, postpartum. We are calling it baby season so we can make it more positive sounding :) I don’t like the word postpartum
Love it🎉
Don’t forget the shaking after birth…I had no idea and that scared me!
what a great video of reality!!!
It’s great amazing video ❤Thank you so much)))
Gosh. So much that i did not have when was having my children all them yezrs ago ❤❤
I am due February 13th!
Currently 30 weeks and staying active, and flexible to try to prepare for a water birth
Wish me luck! First time momma to a little girl
January 2025
I didn’t know what the Afterease herbal tincture was until you mentioned it in one of your videos. As a second-time mom who will deliver in a hospital setting, do I spray it into my water immediately upon getting back to our room? I can almost guarantee my doctor doesn’t know what this is so he will not recommend lol some say to start right away and others wait until their milk comes in and breastfeeding makes cramps worse. I’m curious what you think! Also, red is absolutely stunning on you❣️
Hey! Aw thank you so much! Yes you can start drinking it in your water immediately after delivery - that’s what I did and found it worked great 🥰
Due December 22nd!
Something interesting I learned is that it’s the male’s DNA that actually makes the placenta and not the female DNA.🧬 I was seriously mind blown❤
Gracias!!!
Trying to make my channel like yours. You’re content is so wonderful. ❤️
The fundal massage is awful 😮 the fourth day was the worst for me, had terrible gas pain and cramping. I thought first time moms didn't get cramping😂 found out the hard way that is not true!😢
ALSO if you're a c-section recovery mama.... Please share some things you didn't expect/wish you had known in this thread here, since that recovery is SO different too! 👇
Something I was shocked by with my C Section recovery is that after my steri strips came off, I noticed a small white plastic looking thing out of my skin above my incision. It’s actually a super common thing; one of my dissolvable staples from my incision was coming out and I needed to go in to have the doctor trim it. It was a super easy and pain free fix!
Also, after having the surgery, make sure you get up and move around as much as comfortable! The more you move (without overdoing it), the quicker and better you can recover.
I was so scared of having a c section and I ended up having an unplanned c section with my twins. It was a much easier and beautiful experience than I ever could’ve imagined! God truly blessed me with a new perspective and a peaceful experience for my girls’ arrival💗 All that to say, don’t be afraid if you need to have a c section! It will all be okay and you just need to take in every bit of it. Everyone at the hospital wants the best for you, so don’t be afraid to tell them how you’re feeling and ask for encouragement when you need it🥰
I had a c-section with my 1st baby. With my 2nd, I got induced and had a VBAC (epidural toward the end + 3rd degree tear). And I just had my 3rd baby 7 weeks ago and that was also a VBAC induction (unmedicated + 2nd degree tear). This time around has been soo much easier! The recovery after a c-section was by far the hardest for me. I didn’t expect to struggle with even picking up my baby from the bassinet (my husband would help me with that at times). Basic movements like changing clothes, toileting, and showering were painful and tiring. A belly band helped support my abdomen. I focused on healing and used my support system. I also didn’t know my legs would become so swollen and that it would last a couple weeks (compression socks helped). Another random thing was having one shoulder hurt after delivering and it lasting a few days. Apparently gas can become trapped because of the surgery and cause sharp shoulder pain which I kept saying it was more uncomfortable than contractions. They gave me for gas relief medicine which is supposed to help with that. The football hold and side lying was my favorite position for breastfeeding as it doesn’t involve having the weight of the baby across your tummy. Hope this helps! 🤍
Learning how to do the log roll in and out of bed is KEY for protecting your abs post c-section!
My baby is due June 2025 ❤
I’m gonna be a first time mom and I’m due 02/28/25 🥹😍
Nice Beth 😅🎉🎉❤❤
Ladies try not to get pregnant when you don’t have the support you need ! Make sure you get the help you need and rest!
❤
*moms
No apostrophe
Thank you my Internet bestie ;) ! ❤🤗
I just had a just had a preemie and was hoping to find some support in this video but hearing about things that I never got to do ended up being really triggering 😢 I normally love watching you videos, I’m really struggling right now
Im a FTM to a 4 month old and i wish i would have had this video during my poatpartum period! I had baby blues SO bad and i literally thought i was going crazy! It gets better though! 🩷