A letter to my pregnant self

Here's a fun story. Once upon a time after the baby was born, I poured myself a glass of grape juice. Then I was doing stuff around the house and when I finished I couldn't find it. I looked for it later with no success. I gave up and got a new juice. Hours later, I found the glass in this clothes basket. The End.

Hi love,

I have good news - being on this side is way better. And not just because of the freaking amazing baby that is available for external snuggles. Sleep - though frequently interrupted - is so much more comfortable. (I don't know why people tell pregnant women to sleep. Ridiculous advice. Sleep is better afterwards, in my opinion.) Also, good news, you can pick stuff up again when it rolls all the way under your desk.

Also, when it comes to birth nothing is going to go how you think. I know you have super loose expectations - but even those are going to be blown out of the water. It's okay. In the end, the choices you are agonizing over making are good choices. You are making the right decisions. Relax as much as you can. I'm glad you aren't afraid. Fear doesn't really serve anyone in preparing for birth. In the end, all the resources and videos your midwife shared with you are going to set you up for breastfeeding success. And though you will end up in the hospital, you still got to experience a lot of advantages to midwifery care, and that served you well.

I am sorry that so many people are making rude comments to you about pregnancy. Honestly, that doesn't seem to be the norm for anyone I have talked to since, so I'm sorry that is the case for you. Keep getting fiesty. Keep telling people you don't like their comments. The thing is, people are going to keep saying stupid stuff to you even after you have the baby, so it's good practice to find your voice now.

OH MY GOSH - I have such good news about your (our?) belly button. Even though it turns black and turns completely inside out during pregnancy, it never disappears and it totally returns to normal afterwards.

Yes, what feels like ALL your hair will start to fall out around 12 weeks postpartum. And, good news, around 6 months postpartum, you will stop feeling hot all the time. You will even feel a little cold! You'll get a few stretch marks, but to be honest, your baby is going to be so big that you had to get a few just so that no one hated you. And you will fondly trace them and remember them as "the place where baby's bum was" and " the place where a tiny foot was always pressing out".

And finally, I know everyone tells pregnant women to hydrate, but maybe cool it? I promise you only need like 1/4 of the liquid you are currently consuming.

Love,

Me on the other side (it's so much better here!)