Giving Birth

If you choose have an epidural that is fine, if you choose not too, that is fine too.

Trust in your body, it takes over and the whole process is very much instinct.

If you find that you moo like a cow, that is ok. If when you are pushing, you push out a poo, that is ok too.

If your doctor or midwife say you need a C-Section, that is also ok.

This is a very animalistic process, and you should find comfort in that. Things may go to plan, and they may not. You may get stitches, you may not.

If you do get an epidural, be prepared that they may "turn it down" so you know when to push. If you like your doctor, you can tell them to turn it back up. If during active labor you have an epidural, try and rest, not sleep, rest. If they say it is too late for the epidural, that just means that you have done the hard yards already.

Pushing isnt as bad as you think.

If things move to a c-section, just trust the experts around you, and breathe.

Right After Birth

If you feel tired, I am not surprised, that is ok! If you cannot sleep, that is ok. If the biggest pimple in your entire life errupts on your chin, that is ok.

The best shower you will ever have is the one after you give birth.

Take a photo of your bub with your partner.

Skin to Skin contact if you can. You might be holding your baby while they do the whole placenta thing. If you plan to do something festive with your placenta then you need to make sure Dad knows and can communicate with the medical team.

Get a nude photo of you with bub. no one has to see it. It will remind you how awesome you are. If you dont feel like a photo, that is ok, try to do it anyway though. If your first instinct is to not hold your baby, there is nothing wrong with you. If your first instinct is to rip Dad to shreds, dont, but there is nothing wrong with you. If you cry, that is ok, if you laugh, that is ok.

The only person in the history of forever that looked good right after birth is Princess Catherine Middleton.

For Dad

Dad your Job now is to support Mum.

After the baby is born, no matter how much you want to start calling people, hold off a bit.

This time of the three of you is precious. It will never be this time again. So soak it in.

Enjoy it.

Tell the mum how amazing she is

She looks a vision of beauty

OK LET ME GET REAL WITH YOU NOW

Mum is going to cry a lot!.
She may cry because she is happy, she may cry because she is sad.
She may cry because she thought she would be sad and she feels happy.
She may cry because the birth part didnt go to her plan. She may cry for taking the Epidural, she may cry because she didnt take the Epidural. She may cry because she thought she was having a boy and she did have a boy. She may cry because she thought she was having boy and she had a girl. She may cry because she thought she was having a girl and she had a boy. She may cry because she thought she was having a girl and she did have a girl. She may cry because she is crying. Get the picture

It is all normal. Tell her it is ok, reassure her that you are there for them both.