Some women love being pregnant. Others despise it. But the amazing truth is that you are growing and sustaining a tiny human being! Many moms say that they are stronger and more confident because it’s a major accomplishment.

COLLECTIVE WISDOM

“Growing another human being is hard fucking work. Don't let anybody make you feel bad about not having an easy time!”

“If you are a low risk pregnancy I highly suggest a midwife. They really will support you in everything and can take care of you beyond your pregnancy.”

On switching OBGYNs: “My advice would absolutely be to switch. Trust yourself on this one. Labor and delivery can be amazing with the right team…toward the end you go so often there is still time to build a relationship. My experience at the hospital was wonderful with the midwife. You WILL have lots of questions and concerns and they shouldn't silence them - it's your health and your baby's.”

“A doula could be a nice supplement for the emotional support and information you are not getting now, and an advocate for your interests during the birth process. They typically have very few clients at a time and are much more focused on mom's overall well being, instead of just a successful delivery from a clinical perspective.”

“I too suffer from anxiety and took Zoloft while I was pregnant and while breastfeeding. You should talk to your doctor about it.”

“Anxiety can impact the fetus so it's important to treat it. The Infant Risk Center is an excellent resource for information on medication (OTC and Rx) during pregnancy and breastfeeding. They have a 800 number hotline and also a fantastic app called Mommy Meds.”

“For me personally I felt the best on the days when I got some exercise (seems impossible to accomplish when you feel like tired, nauseous, etc.)”

ON VAGINAL BIRTH AFTER CESAREAN

“My first was an unplanned c-section for failure to descend. Multiple doctors recommended a second scheduled c-section, because of my previous history and also because it would make managing some meds (blood thinners) easier. I told doctors that I didn’t mind going into labor and seeing if conditions were right for VBAC...baby decided to come 5 days before scheduled C-section…and I made the decision to keep laboring at each stage based on the data, how things were progressing, and doctors recommendation…the risk of a C after laboring is higher and for a while I thought this might happen. Baby decided otherwise. Recovery was still a recovery—just different, and ultimately faster, after a rough first few weeks.”

“I had a C-section and a VBAC and my conclusion is that there is no best way to get the baby out, as I obliterated myself both times.”

“I did a VBAC…after a scheduled C-section with my first and had a fantastic experience. I would highly recommend it!”

on Vaginal breach birth

“C-sections are much more common when a baby is breach, but I do know that it can be successful. I think hospitals are scared about lawsuits if things go bad, so they are always more cautious…you are SMART and you can read all the research (if you so desire) and make a decision based on what you think is best for you and your baby when it is time. Your doctor should also be able to (and probably already has) provide the pros and cons. C-section was really not that bad for me (if you end up having to have one). I had a healthy baby who came out the sunroof!”

“Unfortunately vaginal breech birth is a dying art. It’s sad but true. We are taught it in school but it’s only because if we are presented with it in an emergency, most breeches are delivered by c-section. That being said if you do need a c-section please note that the ‘once a c-section always a c-section’ philosophy is going away. Since you had a unique situation of a breech baby, if your next baby is not breech and you have a low transverse scar, you could be a candidate for a vaginal birth the next time around!”

ON C-SECTIONS

“Exercise a lot before your c-section - walk, swim, yoga. Then get up and move when the nurses tell you even if it sucks. Also having help at home is great so it takes the burden off you. I had twins and I was surprised at how good I felt so quickly. Maybe luck or maybe all these things helped!”

“Listen to discharge instructions. They say not to lift anything heavier than your baby for 6 weeks… I had to go back twice because my incision split open.”

“Stock up on the mesh underwear they give you- lots of them. They will give you Gas-X etc., but you'll want a lot for home…the gas is the worst pain of the whole thing. Lots of FIBER. Prunes, fiber one cereal just out of the box…mint tea helps. They gave me a belly brace in the hospital because I was in so much pain - it was good and bad. I felt invincible with it on, but once you take it off you realize you overdid it.”

“Take your medication! Don't miss a dose. You really have to stay up on the pain - that was my downfall walk! Even though it hurts you have to move to get the air bubbles out. I couldn't believe how bad the gas was.”

“You'll also have to walk lots after you are home- since you've been on IV fluids for longer than vaginal delivery you get serious swelling. I had to wear my husbands shoes for two days.”

on turning a breech baby

“I tried everything with moxibustion, acupuncture, and spinning babies. I didn’t do [a] version because my doc said it doesn’t have that high a success rate. And babies are harder to turn this late in the game. Believe it or not, the best data is with moxibustion and acupuncture. Despite my best efforts (lots of time upside down on my ironing board, which I definitely broke), he did not turn.”

“I had a version with my second and it was the best decision for me. I tried moxibustion, acupuncture, spent so much money on chiropractors, and I spent time at the pool diving in over and over for longer than I'll admit—none of that worked….there was a little bit of pain when the baby was lying transverse and the doctor had to walk around the bed to finish turning her, but that was 30 seconds at best. My advice is to ask about how much experience the doctor has in doing the procedure and what their success rate is - they will know…I had my version at 37 weeks and delivered a healthy baby girl at 39 weeks.”

on the Hospital bag

“I really appreciated having my travel neck pillow in the hospital. It was helpful in getting comfortable after the surgery.”

“Chocolate! For you and the nurses. And my own soft slippers. I did a lot of walking hospital halls and I was so glad they were warm and easy to put on.”

“Be sure to ask for a belly binder at the hospital or order one for yourself, it helped me so much since my home has stairs. And have underwear ready at home that is high waisted for when you’re done with the mesh ones.”

“I really liked having a robe with pockets for cell phone and monitor.”

“I had a button down night gown to breastfeed with and I wore that the entire time I was there (even post shower). I actually rode home in it. I did bring a sleeper for the baby in the nursery and to ride home in. Oh and snacks and my iPad.”

“If you are going to breastfeed, a nursing pillow... It helps cushion the incision.”

“Shower shoes!!!!!!!!”

“Snacks, food, champagne.”

“Take a heating pad to the hospital for abdominal pain relief!”

“Apples or whatever fresh food you're craving now—my cravings took a week or so to go away, plus hospital food.”

“Satiny pj pants help you slide out of bed more easily.”