I wish I had known ...

What moms wish they had known about pregnancy, childbirth, and babies

First Trimester
I wish I had known ...


"How much I would worry — about how the baby is doing, how he/she is growing, different pains, etc. There are a lot of unknowns." — Julie

"That I'd feel tired all the time — like constantly being on cold medication, my breasts would feel like they weighed 12 pounds each, and prenatal vitamins are huge and they taste disgusting!" — Anonymous

"That morning sickness is a farce. It's all-day sickness for me. I also wish someone had hit me in the head when I told them I would love every minute of pregnancy. That was a farce, too!" — Anonymous


Second Trimester
I wish I had known ...

"That it's normal to have a terrible taste in your mouth most of the time — and there's nothing you can do about it." — Anonymous

"That my feet would swell for four months! They did eventually deflate, but they're a whole size larger now. I had to give away all my shoes and buy new ones!" — Anonymous

"That some women don't love being pregnant, and the pregnancy glow doesn't happen to everyone! I was surprised at how little I enjoyed being pregnant — I always thought I would love it!" — Jill

"About the stretching ligament pain — it feels like my hips and bones are stretching apart. And I'm extremely dry all over, flaking and itching." — Diane

"That every stranger in the world thinks it's okay to touch your stomach." — Amy

"How bad the forgetfulness and mental dullness would be. Stupidity has been my worst symptom!" — Cary

"About the constipation and flatulence. My husband was convinced that someone kidnapped his real wife." — Anonymous


Third Trimester
I wish I had known ...

"That pregnancy is really ten months!" — Anonymous

"About the cramping feelings you get as your uterus stretches. It was unnerving to feel that and not know that it was normal." — Anonymous

"That some pregnant women seem to be carrying triplets: one in the belly and one in each thigh!" — Arianna

"That when you get further into your pregnancy be careful about sneezing and laughing too hard or you might find yourself needing another pair of underwear." — Carrie

"To have a bag packed about two months ahead of time. I went in early and my husband ran home to get some stuff for me. He brought me thong underwear!" — Devan

"That morning sickness can happen any time of day and just because you reach your third trimester, it doesn't mean it goes away!" — Denise

"About false labor. I went through an entire night of it, thinking 'it's time.' Then it died down to nothing the following day. I thought something was seriously wrong with my body!" — Carol


Labor and Delivery
I wish I had known ...

"Not to let anyone else's opinions diminish my belief in what I'd decided was right for me. Remember that this is your childbirth experience, your body, and your family." — Kristin

"About the hospital's policy on what happens if you have a c-section and can't nurse your baby right away. I had one, and wasn't allowed to feed my daughter while in the recovery room. Next time, I'll know to specify." — Anonymous

"That delivery can go well. I had myself all worked up for a long, drawn-out painful birth experience. My labor and delivery went off without a hitch and thanks to the epidural, were relatively pain-free. If I had known that it was possible to enjoy giving birth, I would have done it years ago!" — Anonymous

"That the recovery period would be more painful than childbirth. I couldn't sit for about four days due to swelling and pain. I wish I had known to ask for a pain medication prescription while I was still at the hospital." — Anonymous

"About the amount of pain associated with back labor. I knew that labor in general would be tough and that back labor was a possibility, but I was simply told that it was like bad back cramps. For me, it felt like someone was drilling into my back with a jackhammer while, at the same time, using a world kickboxing champion to beat on me from the inside." — Anonymous

"How great it would be to watch the baby be born with a mirror! A doctor brought one in for me. I was able to see that little face come out and look at it for the first time. Those are memories that a lot of people just don't have and I will never forget." — Anonymous

"Not to be embarrassed about anything that happens in the labor room. I pooped on the floor because of my horrible back labor, but not one nurse even blinked an eye. God bless them!" — Stacy

"How difficult natural birth would be. I just always assumed I would get an epidural but unfortunately, I was too far dilated when I got to the hospital. Labor, though only an hour, was the worst pain I've ever felt in my life." — Pamela


Postpartum
I wish I had known ...

"To buy a breast pump ahead of time. I figured there was no hurry because I would breastfeed exclusively at first and pump later when I started working again, but I had horrible engorgement problems and without a breast pump it was extremely painful and difficult." — Anonymous

"How fast your milk comes in. It was a few days after birth, but I expected a little dribble, not a gush! Get those nursing pads ASAP!" — Karri

"To trust my gut. If you suspect something may be wrong with your child, push until you feel satisfied with the answer. Too many new parents believe that their pediatrician is all knowing." — Anonymous

"That I would have to wear my maternity clothes for so long after the baby was born! I was not mentally prepared for that one." — Anonymous

"That I wouldn't be able to control my bladder after birth! I was shocked when I just started to leak on my way to the bathroom." — Anonymous

"That breastfeeding would be so difficult and arduous, and that motherhood would be so, frankly, unenjoyable in the beginning. I hadn't read up on breastfeeding and was totally taken by surprise. These early weeks have been harder than my pregnancy and labor combined — all, I think, because I just wasn't well enough informed." — Anonymous

"How much it would hurt to have sex after birth — even eight to ten weeks after the baby. I understand now that this can be caused by dryness, but even a whole tube of lube didn't help." — Theresa

"What to expect after the baby came — like the first bowel movement. Who would ever have thought something so cute and little could produce something so awful? And the belly button is so gross when it falls off. I freaked out! But I'm prepared this time around, I'm making my husband change the first diapers!" — Amy