You’ve readWhat To Expectcover to cover.
Finally, you’re amomnow what?
Use their generous wisdom and experience to help prepare you for the start of parenthood yourself.
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“I wish I had made more of an effort tostrengthen my pelvic floorwhile I was pregnant.
I cannothold my bladder.
Which is not something I expected.
I was much more worried about tearing than bladder control when I was pregnant.”
Lyndsey B., 39
“How I wished I was even told that there would be a recovery.
I also had pretty significant nerve damage.
When we got home I couldn’t sit down, I could not ride in a car.
The pain was excruciating.
I had to stand up and pee in the showereven then I’d be sobbing.
Lots of pee on the bathroom floor and so many tears.
Let’s not even talk about trying to poop.
It took me seven months to feel semi-normal20 months later I still feel it a little.
It’s not bad, I can function.
Sex doesn’t hurt.
Mainly I get aches on my scar and aches down my left leg.
That happens when I’m on my feet too long.
It gets more tender also when the period comes to town.”
Courtney P., 35
“For me, I hadUTIsevery single time Ihad sex postpartum.
It was awful and no one told me that would happen.
I ended up having to take a low-dose antibiotic pre-sex every time.
So last year (2.5 years after giving birth!)
That was nuts.”
Rachel B., 44
“I was never prepared for what I experienced emotionally.
But about six weeks after I delivered my son, my life began to unravel.
I suffered extreme anxiety.
Those intrusive thoughts consumed my brain, whether awake or asleep.
Then, uncontrollable anger came.
My marriage was deteriorating, my social life was lacking, and exhaustion had reached an all new high.
I sought therapy, and a month later, saw a psychiatrist.
I can say after seven months of treatment, I am feeling 99.9 percent better.
Women must be screened, continually throughout their pregnancy and up to a year after.
There are too many of us falling through the cracks.”
I underestimated thephysical trauma of childbirth.
I was told my twins would end in a miscarry.
They are perfectly healthy and thriving four-month-olds who’ve met all their developmental goals.
You have to take things as they come.
And physically, what surprised me was how fast my body healed itself!
Our bodies know exactly what to do."
Karen D., 36
“How important taking the time to sleep isreally surprised me!
Sleep is the number one way I healed much faster with my second baby than my first.
I wasn’t prepared to spend three weekschanging huge pads in my disposable underwear.
Honestly, I was surprised I didn’t have an immediate bond with my baby upon giving birth.
Erin D., 34
“After giving birth, you’ll be forever changed.
Giving birth is a humbling experience.
The progression from mywater breakingto me delivering my son was a whirlwind!
This small baby was placed in my arms and instantly, he was minethe love of my life.
It was as if I had known him forever and loved him even longer.
It’s a powerful and selfless journeyyour body, your mind, and your heart will all be different.
Embrace thisit’s truly a miracle.”
Jessica M., 31
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