Today I wanted to share with you a (soon-to-be) new mom’s biggest fears leading up to delivery.
Monday marked 38 weeks of pregnancy which mean I am 2 weeks out from due date. Of course, we all know that doesn’t mean a whole lot he could decide to come early or late but it’s surreal just how close it is at this point.
It’s also exciting to officially have reached the full term mark! I can still remember back to the first trimester when I was absolutely terrified something would go wrong. I know we are never out of the woods, but reaching full term feels pretty great!
I’ve really enjoyed documenting my pregnancy on here (hope I haven’t bored you all too much). I know this will be such a blessing to be able to look back on and remember all the thoughts, feelings, and accomplishments.
I thought it’d be fun today to talk about my honest feelings with being 2 weeks away from his due date. I think I have a million different emotions and feelings going through my head on any given day so sometimes writing them down can be therapeutic. At least for me it can.
Can I Really Do This?
Ok, OBVIOUSLY the answer is yes! However; there have been several instances where the panic sets in on whether or not I can do this. I think this is completely normal. It’s a role I’ve never taken on before, but just like with anything having support and knowing that it okay to make mistakes will make it easier. I won’t be perfect, none of us will be, but I can do this and I will learn to do it to the best of my ability.
How Will It Be as a Family of 3?
For 11 years it has just been my husband and I. We met in college and got married 6 years later. Add in 5 years of marriage and here we are! We’ve had wonderful years just the two of us and I think we are in a great place to be adding to our family. However; that doesn’t mean that the realization that things will change doesn’t sometimes creep in.
The good news is my husband and I make an amazing team. That has grown even stronger over the past several years, so I know that no matter what we will continue to go through this life and through parenthood together as a team.
Things will inevitably change and that’s okay! We have so much to look forward to and I can’t wait to see how our little man makes life even more wonderful!
Ummm…why did you think you’d be able to run Boston in April?
I honestly don’t even know if this will be possible, but it’s a thought that goes through my head at least a couple times in these final weeks. I’ve always said it’s one of those things that if I go for it and fail then I know I at least tried. If I don’t go for it then I’ll be in that state of never knowing if I could have done it.
Obviously it will look at lot different, will definietly not be a PR, and will have a whole different focus but I’m excited to challenge myself. I don’t doubt I’ll have a great days and bad days, but I have to do what I’ve had to do a lot over the years and truly take it one day at a time.
I’m thankful for amazing women and friends that have been great examples for postpartum recovery and running and they inspire me and help me daily to put aside the self doubt. Whatever happens -happens and I think being okay with that is important but also setting a goal for your
Delivery Scares the @#(&#@ Out of Me
I wish I was being dramatic, okay I am a little bit. I’ve tried to stay away from watching a million birth stories because to be honest a lot of them scare me. I know that running has trained me to take on pain, but enough to handle childbirth? I always remind myself of the many amazing women who have done it before me.
I’m thankful that I’ll have a very supportive husband there by my side. He’s assured me he has no doubt at all that I can do this and I know I can, but the unknown is quite scary.
I’m going to continue to read my books and go in with as much knowledge as possible. I’m also focusing on having an open mind and being prepared for any scenario. Of course, I have my “ideal birth” scenario but as we all know sometimes things don’t go as planned. I believe that going in prepared for several scenarios can help keep me calm if something were to change.
I used to feel crazy for having such mixed emotions, but I truly believe it is normal to be so excited and scared at the same time. This is a big life change and when something like that is coming it’s okay to be unsure and a little nervous of the unknown. I am beyond excited and tear up a little bit when I go into his room and finish the final touches, wash the last of his clothes, or just think about all the wonderful things that are about to happen.
As Moms (or in my case mom-to-be) I think it’s important to build each other up. To get out the message that you can only do the best YOU can. I can’t wait for this new journey to begin and to welcome our little man into our lives!
Current Moms, how did you feel in the last few weeks leading up to your baby’s arrival?
I was the most nervous I had ever been in my life. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect especially from a pain perspective. Turns out the birthing class prepared me for all possible situations. I ended up having a c section and while the hours leading up to it were intense, it was best for baby and me.
My husband was amazing throughout the whole process especially when I was freaking out about the epidural.
Your body knows exactly what needs to be done. Just remain focused on the end goal of meeting your little for the very first time.
I did take the birthing class so I feel more informed but still nervous! I’m sure once it all happens my body will know exactly what to do 🙂 Meeting our little boy at the end of it will make it ALL worth it! Thank you 🙂
I was pretty nervous – I had to be induced and that made things a little interesting. I did not have a ‘textbook’ delivery but everything turned out ok.
I think you can totally do Boston if everything works out well. If you have any complications (including stitches), it could cause a bit of a delay. But after you are cleared, go for it. Just be aware that your gait will/has changed and that you will feel tired all of the time.
Thanks so much Rebecca! I am trying to go in with no expectations. I have my preferences, but keeping an open mind I think will be key for me in case something doesn’t go as planned! 🙂
I had all the same fears (except Boston)! Delivery is scary just because of the unknown, but you’ll surprise yourself with how great you handle it. I couldn’t have predicted how having kids would change our family as I too was so accustomed to it just being my husband and I, but it’s just the best thing ever. It changes everything in the most incredible way. So excited for you!
Thanks so much Em! I love watching your little boys grow up through Instagram! They are adorable!
When the time comes, I think you are SO ready to just have that baby, that labor fears kind of disappear. Your body starts to go into action, and you just go with it. YOU have prepared the best way possible through the mindset you have acquired with running. My Doula ran her first marathon after watching me deliver because she wanted to know what the closest thing to labor might be (she doesn’t have children yet). You’ve got this! And Boston will be your best race yet! I cannot wait to see you enjoy the postpartum journey!! Xoxo
I am excited to see how running and training has helped prepare me for labor! It is scary but I know if so many women can do it then so can I! You ROCKED your labor and I hope I can have the same focus and success that you did! 🙂
I was so excited/nervous/anxious before! Delivery scared me I think because of the unknown. We took the birthing classes and those helped a ton! You have a great mindset and running throughout most of your pregnancy will help both with delivery and post partum. I asked a lot of questions which helped me work through things, I didn’t have a traditional delivery but I went in knowing the three things I wanted a healthy baby, healthy mom and sane husband! You got this and I can’t wait for you guys to start this amazing chapter!!
Yes I took the birthing classes too! I hope they helped! I guess we will find out when the time comes 🙂 I am going in this with an open mind, an idea of what I would like to happen but realizing it may not happen that way. Thank you so much for your encouragement!
As you said before, our bodies are amazing. I remember looking at my big belly as the doctor told me it was time to push and I first thought to myself: no way I can do this!” But then, seconds later, this image came to my mind (really don´t know where it came from): my mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother and all the other women who came before me in my family… even the ones I´ve never met… all of them standing next to me, looking at me and saying that I could. That gave me so much strenght, so much courage, that pushing became easy. Your body can handle it, trust me.
What a wonderful way to look at it! Thank you Juliane for putting that into perspective for me! The end will bring such a wonderful blessing that I’m sure it will make it all worth while!