Uwa Mom of the Week Olivia
Finding Confidence in Positivity
Were there any complications, expected/unexpected with your pregnancy?
None
Did you feel supported or prepared for birth/postpartum while pregnant? In what ways yes or no?
I think so for the most part. I think with my first birth, I felt over prepared and my second birth I felt like I knew everything I needed to know. My advice would be research classes you want to take. Everyone has their own opinions of what you should and shouldn’t take, but it’s up to you!
Did you have a birth plan going into your delivery?
My only birth plan was that me and the baby made it through healthy
How did reality compare with your expectations/preparations?
Reality was better than my expectations. I feel like everyone loves to tell horror stories or “just wait this, just wait that”, but every experience is so different and having a positive mindset going into it is SO important.
Were there any complications with your delivery? How did your medical team address the after effects?
No complications. This delivery I stalled out at 5 cm for hours and they came in and just mentally prepared me for a c-section later in the day. She wasn’t handling the Pitocin well and her heart rate went down with every contraction, but they were so great monitoring it.
How far out postpartum are you currently?
3 months
What 3 words come to mind when you recall your postpartum experience(s)?
1. Emotional
2. Transformative
3. Exhausting
How has your postpartum experience(s) compared with your expectations?
The first time around, I don’t think I was prepared for the postpartum anxiety, but this time around it was SO much better. My expectation this time around was to just give myself grace through all of it and it was easier in my opinion.
What was the biggest challenge/surprise in your early postpartum experience(s)?
First time - postpartum anxiety. I thought it was new mom anxiety, but looking back it was much more than that. Second time - I think the biggest surprise was just how natural it felt this time around. Juggling 2 kids during that time was a bit overwhelming, but it felt right.
What was the biggest challenge/surprise in your late postpartum experience(s)?
How quickly people think you should go back to normal. People don’t realize how long the postpartum time really is and when you start getting the hang of everything, people think you don’t need as much help or your hormones should be in check.
How did your medical team/community help you navigate those challenges?
I love my doctor and I think she was great talking me through all the postpartum challenges. But at the same time, I don’t think enough support is given to women. At your 6 week appt., you are just sent on your way to figure things out and your OB doesn’t see you again for another year.
What sort of support services did you seek out or wish you had sought out during your postpartum experience(s)?
A lactation specialist is so so important if you are trying to breastfeed. So much pressure is put on to new moms to make it work, but we forget that it’s completely new to us AND the baby, so sometimes that is going to take extra support to figure it out.
If you are also working outside of your home in any way, what has been your return to work experience?
I work for myself from home, but it’s definitely a challenge figuring out a new routine and schedule that changes frequently.
If you are a full time at home caregiver what has been your experience returning to your duties at home?
I’m not a full time at home caregiver, but I do think because I work at home and have the flexibility that line gets a blurred a little. Just because I’m home doesn’t mean I have time to do the laundry, clean the house, etc. on top of my job every single day and I have to remember that.
What do you wish you had done sooner or differently during your postpartum?
Finding time for yourself. I feel like in the first 3 months especially, so many people need you and you forget to take care of yourself. If you aren’t feeling your best, neither will your baby, and I think we tend to put time for ourselves on the back burner when it should be a priority.
What is the one self-care thing that you make time for or wish you did more often?
I wish I could find the time to work out more. I’m not huge into working out, so I think finding something that I really like doing and knowing I get this one hour to better myself, make myself stronger, and have that me time is really important.
Is there anything else you would like to share? This could be words of encouragement to new moms, things you wish could have happened differently, tips, etc?
Advice to new moms - Soak in all the moments and give yourself grace through it all. The good ones, the hard ones, and every moment in between. And whenever you can, shift your mindset to the positive - these days don’t last forever, but again…these days don’t last forever.
