Things we did not know – Pregnancy, Delivery, and Postpartum

I recently asked you all on Instagram to share the things you did not know about pregnancy, delivery, or postpartum life prior to experiencing it. Your responses sparked some really funny and honest conversations about things that happen to so many of us, that are just not talked about!

How crazy is it that some of the most common shared experiences among women who have gone through child birth remain a mystery to those who have not yet gone through it, or are about to? It’s almost like we are are embarrassed to talk about them at the risk of being that girl – oversharing things that are just TMI. But shouldn’t we help out our friends? Prepare them? Would you want to know?

Our conversations on this topic reminded me of why I wanted to start The Everyday Suit in the first place – as an outlet to share my experiences, hear about yours, and build a community of women who are honest and real, and here to support each other. So without further ado, here’s a roundup of the things we had no clue about prior to giving birth and becoming a mom:

• That you actually have to deliver your placenta. I feel like a lot of us are in shock after pushing the baby out that we forget we even did this haha.
• The recovery! So many of you said this, guys!
  • Specifically, that you would need to rinse or clean yourself down there with a peri-bottle (a hand held squirt bottle) for weeks after giving birth.
  • It also can really sting and hurt to go to the bathroom for quite some time after.
  • You may be prescribed laxatives to help soften your poop so it doesn’t hurt when you go.
• Breastfeeding woes
  • Extreme nipple pain and stinging. You will need nipple cream or something to soothe!
  • How difficult keeping up your milk supply can be – and how common it is for women to have trouble with this.
  • What a “let down” is. That you may actually be able to feel when milk is coming out.
  • The leaking! And the fact that you still leak for a time after you stop breastfeeding.
  • Just how much time is spent nursing and/or pumping – basically all day at the beginning.
• Mental health
  • Some of you were surprised by how you were actually able to function with so little sleep. As someone who loves to sleep, I was surprised by this as well. I did not think I could ever get used to the lack of sleep. But somehow, you manage.
  • The feelings! So many feelings! I think we are all warned about the possibility of experiencing some degree of postpartum depression. But there are a lot of other emotions and changes in your mental state that can occur.
    • Being the default parent, especially if you are exclusively nursing, is very difficult and can cause it’s own set of feelings and potential resentment for your partner.
    • Feelings of insecurity, defensiveness, doubt, and even becoming uncharacteristically territorial.

Overall, I think the consensus was that these things should be talked about and made known, so they don’t come as such a shock to others going through it for the first time. And whether you are a first time mom, or have already gone through pregnancy before, every pregnancy is so different. But the more we share our experiences, the more prepared and supported we will feel! Thank you all so much for opening up about this with me!

Until next time,

Jannette