Is It Called Advice If It Is A Blog Post?

When I was pregnant, I experienced the same thing that every other pregnant woman in the world experiences: Unsolicited Advice. There is something about the rounded belly that makes complete strangers feel it is okay to tell you exactly what you are doing wrong, or what you need to do to prevent birth defects, or horror birthing stories (which really should be made ILLEGAL to tell a pregnant woman!), or horror stories about how they never slept after the baby was born, etc etc.

I survived the unsolicited advice, and promised myself that I would NEVER give another pregnant lady advice that she hasn't asked for. I, unfortunately, have broken this promise -- so sorry! -- but with that broken promise came a fierce determination to not break it again.

Right now, though, I have a lot of pregnant friends. A LOT of pregnant friends (call-out to all of you, you Hot Mamas!). They're all due within a two month window.

And I'm having a really hard time keeping my mouth shut. A REALLY hard time. So, in order to purge this need to give out advice, I'm going to do it all now. Because, it isn't Unsolicited Advice if it is just another blog post, right? It's not like I'm speaking directly to one specific friend or stranger...

1. Prenatal yoga is empowering, rocks, and is oh-so amazing for you! I started it when I was 18-20 weeks along, and wished I started it sooner. It was the first time I had ever done yoga, and I totally sucked. But it was okay.
Women who were so much further along than I were just amazing. It was so empowering to see these woman with huge bellies gracefully moving through positions, balancing so easily, and having so much strength. It really showed me that pregnancy is not an illness.
Pre-natal yoga also teaches about trusting your own body, and listening to your intuition. It helped alleviate a lot of the fear of labor (fear causes adrenaline, which causes tension and the fight-or-flight response, which makes contractions feel worse!) It helped develop muscles that made labor easier. It showed me how to relax during contractions. Each yoga class felt so good, too. It was a wonderful workout that somehow left me feeling like I just had a massage.
I heart my teacher, Sarah Longacre, and her Blooma studio! (www.blooma.com) I still take classes at this wonderful studio (though no longer with Sarah, as she just teaches the pre-natal classes).
Child's Pose & Cat Pose did wonderful things for my back. Still do. I couldn't find good pictures on the internet, but if you would like me to show you these simple stretches, I am so happy to do so (then it's not UNsolicited advice!)

2. Treat yourself to a massage, even if you're not a massage person. Wow. Same thing with baths.

3. Hanes makes fabulous camis to wear under things. I bought myself white, nude, and black ones, in a size a couple of sizes larger than I would typically wear. Because, really, just because you're pregnant doesn't mean you want to display your cleavage. And every maternity shirt has a low neckline!

4. Paint your toes while you can still see them. If you're worried about the fumes, do it outdoors, or buy some of the special Nailpolish for Pregnant Ladies.

5. When in labor, put off going to the hospital as long as you can. You'll be more comfortable, more relaxed, and you'll be able to hang onto your dignity longer. They also won't let you eat or drink at the hospital, and you need sustenance! GU Energy Gels and Clif or Luna Gel Blocks are great at giving you energy when you don't feel like eating.

6. Bring your own clothes to the hospital to wear while "lounging" about. I bought a special outfit just for that purpose. They tell you that they have "nursing nightgowns". They don't tell you how much they suck, and how embarrassed you are to have other people see you in them.

7. Birth plans are often forgotten in the spur of the moment, but are still a good idea. They make the idea of "birth" more real.

8. Protein, protein, protein! Good excuse to buy Luna bars :)

9. Go for dates with your partner as much as you can. Things do change once the baby is born, and this is a special time you'll cherish later on.

10. Ina Mae Gaskin's "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth". Graphic. Shocking. But really eye-opening. Orgasmic birth does exist...

And there you have it. I could have continued on past these 10 points, but that may have labeled me as one of those Psycho Advice-Giving Ladies, and I would like to pretend that I'm not actually giving out advice here.