When we found out that our SheSpeaks staffer Emily is pregnant and due in September, we just had to compare stories, grilling her about all the new ways social media has impacted the experience. Turns out that pregnancy itself has not changed since the dawn of civilization, but the way we handle it sure has: Gender-Reveal Parties! Birth Announcements on Facebook! Pregnancy Tracking Apps! We needed to know more...
Read on to celebrate the fun that is pregnancy, and enter to win a $100 gift card to Spafinder.com so you can treat yourself this Mother's Day!
How did you announce that you were pregnant?
What’s with the gender-reveal parties? Are showers now considered passé?
With all the internet resources available, are you even shopping in-store? And how are you deciding what to buy?
What research are you doing to learn about pregnancy and the new baby?
Happy Mother's Day from the SheSpeaks Team!
Whether you are a new mom, an experienced mom or not a mom at all... what is your best piece of advice to give to Emily and all the other soon-to-be moms out there? Tell us for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Spafinder.com so you can treat yourself this Mother's Day!
There are two ways to enter:
Simply comment below with advice for a future mom.
AND/OR
Tweet about the giveaway!
Click here to Tweet: "I entered the @SheSpeaksUp #MothersDay giveaway to win a Spafinder gift card! bit.ly/1NzyiAQ"
*One lucky commenter or Tweeter will be chosen at random to receive a $100 Spafinder.com gift card. Giveaway is open through May 8th, 2016 to U.S. residents at least 18 years of age. Entrants must be a member of SheSpeaks. If you are not a member, click here to join. Winner will be notified by email.
Update: The winner is SheSpeaks member Eureka00! Thanks to all for entering and congrats to her!
Prepare to be tired!!
I need a spa day to take away the tension and stress in my body. I would love to win this prize
Enjoy every second, it goes by quick. Take pictures and savor the experience :)
Always make time to treat yourself to a massage and dont forget to still have romantic dates with your partner
The thing I wished I had realized the first time is that the growth spurts are real. My little boy suddenly started eating every hour on the hour at 3 weeks. I thought I was going to die of exhaustion, but just about the time it stopped naturally, we figured out it was his 3 week growth spurt. If I had realized that initially, it would have saved me a lot of stress!
Trust your instincts and do what you feel is comfortable for you.
So much advice but the best answer I can give is to pray. These little ones don't come with instructions so we need His help and the help of moms and friends to encourage us along the way. Also find wise friends who have "been there" and can tell you, you are not alone and can do this!
I'd say the best piece of advice I can give, is to enjoy the time spent with your children without interruptions or distractions. Take a bit of time each day to truly devote all of your attention to play and simply being present with your children.
Take some me time
As the Mom of a 26 year old son my best advice for new Moms is simply don't beat yourself up! I did it and have seen my friends do it and now when I see anyone doing it I stop them and tell them, "Don't!" Not doing the smallest thing with complete perfection isn't going to harm your baby, but the negative self-talk is going to harm you emotionally. Just breathe.
Actually, my mom looked at me asked " when were u gonna tell me u are pregnant?" I laughed and sad "mom.. I'm pregnant!! Lol
If you decide to nurse, keep some snacks by your favorite nursing spot..... You may need a pick me up for some energy!
Try to be patient and find joy in the difficult moments. I am pregnant with my second child and am thankful for the second chance to experience those harder infant moments with a different mindset. Enjoy!!
My 1st child was 3 wks late so the doctor said to bring a suitcase to the hospital - inducing didn't work, I was given a C-section (10 lb son). Having 4 C-sections, I enjoyed choosing all their birth dates! Not one labor pain or water breaking! Be careful if asked to try having a normal birth after a C-section. I said no and in the end found that the cord was wrapped around the baby's neck. Had I even had one contraction, she would have choked to death. My daughter is now pregnant with her first child and battling hypemesis, the continuous vomiting that Princess Kate went through. After being admitted for dehydration a few times from the lack of fluids being able to be held down, she had a PICC line inserted; a weekly nurse to clean it; her husband changing the IVs; and gotten an infection which needed to have yet another PICC line put into her other arm. Praying this ends soon so she can enjoy the rest of the pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby.
Enjoy the child - they grow up too fast.