If you’re pregnant and planning to breastfeed, this post is for you!!! I’m 2.5 weeks out from having a baby and here are some things I wish I’d known/done before going to the hospital.

I had no idea my boobs could experience the level of pain they did when my milk came in. I didn’t hear it talked about at all and assumed it was just a painless experience. For me, that was FALSE. My milk came in 3 days after I delivered and coincided with when we came home from the hospital (C section). My baby had a poor latch in the hospital so my nips were cracked and so painful I couldn’t even imagine latching him. Pumping was my ONLY option for getting the milk out and releasing the pressure.

Trying to figure all this out with 0 sleep and painful boobs was horrible so I hope this post helps someone.

1. Clean your pump parts BEFORE you go to the hospital (I was very glad I did this in advance)
   
2. Spend time figuring out how to USE your pump before going to the hospital. You don’t have to be a pro but take 30 mins to understand the settings, how to assemble it, and get a basic understanding. I highly regretted not doing this since I really didn’t remember what the lactation consultant at the hospital told me
   
3. Get 2 sizes of pumping bras. If you have a non-wearable, you’re gonna be holding these in your hands otherwise and lemme tell ya, this is super hard to do. You might not know your correct size so just get 2 and return what doesn’t work.
   
4. Have ice packs on hand for your boobs. For pain and swelling, ice is your friend. I have some kids lunch box fruit shaped ones that were amazing. Also have Advil. Once you’re out of the woods engorgement-wise, heat is great before pumping.
   
5. RELAX - I found myself trying to pump and sobbing from the stress, pain, and sleep deprivation. Milk flows when oxytocin is going and that’s not gonna happen if you’re sobbing. Hold your baby or look at a picture, put on relaxing music, and try to calm down before starting. This was literally the difference between my milk coming out and staying engorged.

The first night home is probably gonna be stressful for a multitude of reasons but hopefully this helps at least one aspect!

I was at work and then all of a sudden I felt like I peed myself and had to run to the bathroom

Well I ended up going to the ER and they aircared me to UC

It looks like I’m going to be here until I hit 34 weeks to deliver my little girl

Just seeking everyone’s opinions on this. Both trips are relatively short only a few days away but they’re not mandatory and are for general team bonding and no one would question it for a second if he said no because he has a newborn and 21 month old at home.

EDIT to add more info:
1. His company just underwent a merger and these trips would be with the new management that he says is important for his career to get to know
2. He did say that he talked to his mom and she could come stay with me while he’s gone but idk if I want my MIL up in my space while breastfeeding practically 24/7 and probably still wearing diapers myself lol

I cannot stop crying. Literally everyday. 39 weeks pregnant and have never been this miserable physically or emotionally. I don’t remember ever feeling this uncomfortable with my first. Nothing putting me into labor. Membrane sweep did nothing. Anyone else absolutely over it?! I feel like I’m going insane. Not to mention still having to work. I know she could come any day but it doesn’t help this feeling

The first day of my last period was September 18. When I went to my first OB appointment yesterday they used a wheel to estimate how far along I am. They told me I was 9 weeks and I was very confused since my app says 4 weeks. I thought maybe they have a different way of calculating it. They scheduled my first sonogram for next Wednesday. After I looked into it more I’m pretty certain they calculated it wrong since it wouldn’t even be possible for me to get pregnant before my last period! I’m pretty annoyed that the doctor didn’t pick up on the miscalculation and am considering switching to a different office. What do you all think?

update! It was so delicious. My craving is satisfied. baby is wiggling too. Thank you everyone! Turns out I was eating a few servings of organ meat with the in-laws without realizing during my last pregnancy as well. Lots of Filipino foods have low key organ meat snuck in. yum

liver paté during 2nd trimester…it’s my craving right now. I want to make home made bahn mi! I got all the stuff. what if I toast it on the bread??? I’m craving organ meat for some reason, which I am not a fan of, normally. what if I just have it this once? it’s goose and pork liver if that makes a difference.

Posting in hope this may help someone else in future. You can have retained placenta and not have severe infection or sepsis.

Bit of my history (unsure of it’s completely relevant) I had a TFMR in 2024 and had RPOC from that noted around 3/4 weeks post delivery. In total 7 pregnancies and 2 living children, last baby was BBA at home but placenta was noted intact.

So I had my “usual” 6 week pp bleeds but only reached the final stage of lochia for a week before a week of no bleed then the irregular bleeds started (see screenshot, initial 6 week bleed ended 5th Sept). But my lochia would bounce from going pink to red. Being able to look back now I had the worst afterpains from having baby like worse than my contractions but they said it could with it being baby no2. I always had persistent lower back ache and cramping but again I attributed that to healing and having active bleeds.

I didn’t connect it to anything suspicious until this 3rd episode of bleeding even though in the back of my mind I was a bit worried about my period returning so quickly. Oh while feeding baby they would get agitated on breast whilst I was bleeding and I’d still have rough pains while BF but better than the initial afterpains

I initially reached out the the doctors they wanted me to go in for a pelvic exam and swabs but said they wouldn’t refer if they didn’t think so because “I’d be extremely unwell” if it was placenta at 3 months pp and they’d want to eat for swab results which are typically a week. I contacted 111 as the doctors couldn’t get me in for a few days anyway and I didn’t want to delay longer. They advised to go to our GYNE SDEC. First visit they did bloods, a US scan and I was given antibiotics (my wbc was fine but my inflammatory markers were out of range if memory serves). The scan showed irregularities, my womb lining was thick as if I was due to start bleeding but was already on day 3/4 of bleeding. She also noted a mass with some vascular activity which she said could be RPOC or a polyp but ideally id need to be back and scan again on day 3/4 of a bleed which we knew would be unlikely as I was already bleeding. We could also see my womb contacting on US.

Second visit because I was still in pain even with no bleeding. Consultant wasn’t really interested he said the irregularities on scan were because I was bleeding, irregular bleeds pp are normal and my pain was my endometriosis (which mine is quite specific so definitely not). I suggested a repeat scan whilst I wasn’t actively bleeding for clarity and he told me to go home and take ibuprofen and said because I was concerned he’d book me a scan for 2 week time. He also said the RPOC from my TFMR wasn’t relevant as it was a “miscarriage”, he very much didn’t listen or care to what I had to say.

I went back the next day as I wanted a second opinion and the consultant agreed that it was odd to have the amount of bleeds I was having while EBF plus the scan showed a mass added concern. They agreed a scan while I wasn’t bleeding was a good idea and said if the scan showed the same they’d do the MVA. They got me in same day for the US and we could still see my womb contracting even without actively bleeding which I’m guessing attributed to my continued pain for 3 months 😣 scan showed the same so they did the MVA procedure. They said although they couldn’t 100% say, they did say it was definitely more than just blood and that it looked membrane like that represented placenta. Everything’s been sent to histology and I should have finalised results in 3/4 weeks. I have a repeat scan next Thursday to check they’ve got everything!

Moral of the story, you know your body and if something isn’t right keep pushing!

Does anyone ever get so so so emotional about it? My husband he tells me he loves them, he doesn’t notice it usually as it’s just a part of me, and we had a talk about how these marks I would’ve never had them without something being made of him and I and that way they should be beautiful and I should love them. I wanna cry because I wanna believe him I’m just sooo afraid he’s lying and hates them. Emotions during pregnancy are awful. They make me feel so so soooo emotional and scared my husband thinks I’m ugly cause I’ve gained weight, when he’s all over me… We have been together since we were young teenagers, he’s just my person yk? He’s seen me change and grow and I’ve seen the same, I’ve seen him gain weight as well and I think he’s more than beautiful. But man why is it so hard to accept the same for me🥲

Hey guys. This is my first post & I’m on mobile. So sorry for any typos or rambling but I’m just kind of over this situation at this point.

I’m 31 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child and I’m due Dec 23. Ever since I announced my due date I’ve been getting off handed comments from my stepsister about how she hopes my baby comes early.

She and my stepmom came to me a few months ago asking me when I was going to schedule my induction and asked if I could make it for a day early enough that I would be out of the hospital by Christmas so my delivery didn’t interrupt anyone’s plans. I was really put off by this because I’d already told them I planned on spontaneous labor unless otherwise medically indicated when I was complaining about my OB trying to tell me I would be induced at 39 weeks because it’s “routine.”

My step mom hasn’t said anything else about it but my stepsister makes comments here and there and says it’s because she wants time to “adjust,” or she’ll mention my stepmom needing to find coverage for work to be there for the delivery. I have reiterated that I’m not going to get induced for anyone’s convenience and if that means I deliver alone, then so be it.

I have a pretty good relationship with her and my step mom and this isn’t some ongoing feud or anything crazy, it’s just getting under my skin. My baby will arrive when he’s ready to, unless something goes wrong and we have to induce to his or my safety. As of right now, I am healthy and so is he so the plan is still spontaneous labor.

Has anyone else who’s due around Christmas or a holiday had people constantly making comments about their due date??

I was adamant for MONTHS to paint the dresser pink & even went to get the paint the other day. What if I regret it though?

Now I’m thinking I should just leave it and maybe just put pink knobs? IDK I am HORRIBLE at decorating and feel like I make a lot of wrong decisions so I need help, PLEASE

My first pregnancy I had HG (my OB reluctantly calls it this because I never got IV fluids) but I was vomiting up to 30 times a day and living on small bites and sips of what ever I could hold down. I wasn't given Zofran until 30 weeks when I went in and demanded it.

I'm currently 8 weeks tomorrow and while its not peak yet, I still have a lot of nausea and vomiting. I just had my OB visit on Tuesday and they prescribed me Metoclopramide which doesnt seem to be helping. I really don't want to be waiting another 20 weeks to get relief, but they seem so adamite on not prescribing Zofran.

I'm currently taking B but the unisom is making me feel like a zombie. Sour candy will stop some of the gagging and dry heaving but nothing is providing lasting relief. I did have a left over Zofran and took it and was defiantly relieved for at least 6 hours.

Has anyone gotten Zofran in the first trimester for their nausea?

This is baby #2! I’ve had a healthy pregnancy with no issues (besides my heart rate and blood pressure being high which I’ve had issues with before having babies.)

I’m having a pain I never had with my first baby and wondering if anyone has experienced this as well.

I’m having a sharp pain in the lowerrrr far left side of my belly that goes into my hip.. it’s also went into my thigh but only had it go into my thigh like twice today.
The sharp pain only lasts like 2-3 seconds and happens every few minutes. It started earlier today. It’s definitely not contractions.

Has anyone experienced this before???? I go to the OBGYN in the morning and plan on mentioning it if I’m still having the pain but wanted to come on here and see if anyone has had this happen to them before.

Edit because I have pregnancy brain and am so tired and clearly can’t type lol.

i’m pregnant and i don’t know why it makes me sad whenever i talk to my parents. they always hang up the phone by saying “take care of the baby” but never i hope you’re doing well or anything of that sort. i ofc love my baby already and want her to be a healthy baby but that comment makes me feel uncomfortable. am i overreacting?

Trying to keep this short:

We don’t live near family- all of our friends and neighbors work full time. Our daughter isn’t allowed in L&D unit at hospital. I’m at extremely high risk for preterm delivery (I could go into labor any day now for the next 4 months). I have a history of precipitous labor, too.

Let’s say I go into labor next week in the middle of the night. What am I supposed to do with my kid? Just head to the hospital solo while my husband stays with my daughter? If it was the last 2-3 weeks of my pregnancy it would be okay to have family rotate in/out staying with us but we can’t ask them to do this for 4 months.

What is your emergency plan? Very worried about what to do.

Im pregnant w my 2nd. In a relationship going 10 years. With my first i chose the name and was pretty locked on it, bf said no but relented in the end. Baby girl has a beautiful name and i dont regret it for a second.
Now my bf feels it his «turn» to choose. Ive said like alright, but i have endless veto rights and we still have not come to a conclusion because i hate the names he chooses for our son, and our tastes differ too much there. Now since its nearing the end im having mixed feelings about this. I have names i love, i want those. I have had a hard pregnancy and while bf has been there for our child he has not been there for me in my condition. He has helped with her, taken that workload off my plate on my worst days. But he has not made me any meals, has not picked up the house those days i could not. Has only joined for one appointment, he does not spend time with me, laughs when i cry about it - thinks its silly. And yea you get the gist. In other words he has been a deadbeat partner. And these are deep issues we have to work on, i know. But thats besides the point right now.
How do i tell him im just not interested in him having the main say in choosing this for our child when hes only walking around waiting for said child to be here? Like what about the woman carrying this child being a wreck for nine months while youre just whistling away. Im so angry, so resentful.
I dont even need much, just make me food, fill my bottle? Do the things i usually do so i dont have to. But no. And now you want to name the baby ive been going through hell for?
Guys… ive lost the plot, i dont know where im going with this anymore. I got too emotional writing this.

I’m 37 weeks pregnant and my body’s new thing is when I lay next to my partner at night all I hear is their snoring and breathing. I can’t fall asleep and it’s so distracting. Lately I find myself waiting until they fall asleep and going to the spare bed downstairs where I feel almost immediately more peaceful. Even downstairs I find myself waking up in the middle of the night for hours for no reason but at least it’s a bit easier to fall asleep. Has anybody else experienced wanting to sleep alone?

hii, my OB told me to pump couple times in a day and save the colostrum. also, it’ll help with my contractions. i pumped first time today but i had no contractions so far. when the contraction start usually?

Hello everyone, I am having a D&C for my missed miscarriage this Friday. I have never had any kinda surgery and they’re giving me general anesthesia so I don’t know what to expect at all. Unfortunately the surgery is scheduled on my birthday, and after everything that has happened with the loss this feels like the ultimate slap in the face by the universe. What should I expect with the surgery, and how do I ever overcome the bitterness I feel towards everything that’s happened??

I've been procrastinating cleaning the house all day and now that it's time I just want to throw in the towel after 15 minutes. Bending down makes me feel like my pelvis is just gonna fall apart. I'm dizzy, and exhausted, and due to start iron infusions in a week, which I hope will help.

I've gotten like 5% of the cleaning done and I just wanna lay back down. I work 12 hour shifts only 3 days a week, but on the 4 days/week I'm off I feel so disappointed not getting anything accomplished. My kids are in school so I have all day to just get something done. My husband helps so much and never minds, but he just started at a new job and I feel awful about not doing more around the house. Just needed to vent. I hope I get some extra energy soon 😭

hi!

First time mom (probably obvious from the title lol) and I‘m very early in this journey. I’m 4 weeks and 3 days from the start of my last period.

I’ve read a few posts about morning sickness, but it’s described differently than how I feel: like I could gag at any moment, but I don’t necessarily feel bad. I’m still able to eat, but sometimes nothing sounds good.

I’m nervous that if I feel like this now, what will it be in a few weeks…

thanks for any and all input/advice!

Seeking recos for side-panel jeans that are straight-leg, not wide and not skinny. Do they exist? Thanks!

well, i’m 40 weeks and 2 days pregnant now, and there are no signs of him coming anytime soon 🤧😆 i’m super ready to meet him, and ready to not carry around a giant pumpkin everywhere i go 🙇🏻‍♀️ i just would like some words of encouragement and if anyone has gone past 40 weeks, PLEASE tell me what to do to get him to wanna vacate my belly 😆😆 this is my first pregnancy, and i love being pregnant but i’m exhausted and my hips are absolutely dying

Hi, I just found out I’m pregnant on October 21st (6 days earlier than my missed period . We conceived October 9th and had an endoscopy procedure on October 15. Does anyone know the effects? I was fully sedated