The tiny squish in this picture just turned one, and I know you know what I mean when I say my hormones are playing games with me. They’re playing the “you want another one, don’t you, mama?” game. While I am totally not ready for another child, I have given lots of thought over the past year to what I’ll do differently if I am blessed with the opportunity to give birth again.
I will…
1. Complete a prenatal core strength program.
I stayed active all through my pregnancy, so I thought I was doing enough. It wasn’t until after – when I was frustrated with the shape and weakness of my postpartum body – that I realized there was more I could have done during my prenatal exercise to keep my back and core strong!
2. Consider a home birth.
I am envious (in a good way) of home birth stories. The intimate and beautiful peace of having your baby right there at home is an irreplaceable memory. I could have never completed this with my first. I was so thankful for those nurses in the hospital and would not have made it through without their guidance.
3. Encapsulate my placenta.
I knew about this option but, I’ll admit it, it just sounded weird. However, I struggled with postpartum anxiety, so if there is something that could potentially avoid that from occurring again, I would definitely do it!
4. Make an appointment with a pediatric dentist right away!
The first five weeks of breastfeeding were downright awful for me due to a severe tongue and lip tie. I would have this checked/corrected right away to try to avoid that pain.
5. Wait to find out gender.
I normally *hate* surprises, but I think there would be something so special about experiencing that moment as a family!
6. Be more present – and take more pictures!
I wish I could recall the details of my son’s birth day more clearly. To remember the way it felt to have my baby lay on my chest in the moments after birth. I still become envious when I see other mamas totally in the moment with their new baby. This is the biggest change I would make. I would visit with my trusted therapist before birth to get my mindset right and ask my sweet chiropractor to adjust me as soon as I know I’m in labor – to keep me out of fight-or-flight mode. I would try to capture more moments shortly after birth – not so much for my child but for myself. We got one really good picture of the three of us as a brand new family – ONE. I want like a hundred next time!!