Almost 6 months pregnant and already I am constantly hearing “are you planning to breastfeed?” Apparently this question goes with everything, for example would you like fries with that, how about something to drink? Are you planning to breastfeed? Do you like heavy starch on your shirts, what day will you be picking them up and are you planning to breastfeed? Or, from the aggressively assumptive crowd it is “how long are you planning to breastfeed?” That one sounds more like, how long have you been waiting in this line, really that long huh, by the way, how long are you planning to breastfeed? I understand that as Pregnant Girl I am a walking billboard for many topics, but I can promise you I do not spend my entire days thinking about nursing, which has me wondering…
Am I shallow, self absorbed, in denial or just so easy breezy that I trust my instincts will kick in and whatever is supposed to happen will in fact happen?
A little of everything I guess. Shallow and self absorbed? Sure, I am not afraid to admit that I am having a really hard time with my new knockers the size cantaloupes, minus the firmness that comes with a nice melon. They seem to weigh more than my husband’s head (if I had to guess anyway) and the chances of me getting through this pregnancy without a self inflicted black eye while jogging are slim to none. I fear the aftereffects; all stretched out and tucked into my low rise jeans. Say goodbye to pretty bras, these suckers are going to need something serious, think heavy duty and I will venture you do not picture lace.
In denial? YES! This reaction is new for me and it arrived after I heard that nursing is worse than labor itself. Are you telling me that a tiny baby sucking can hurt me more than hours of contractions and (okay, take back that tiny part, as I think of what passes through where), but still nursing worse than labor, WTF! I am taking classes, practicing breathing and dreaming of the drugs (yep I am one of those) to get through labor. I figured after that the pain ends the sleepless nights ensue. I was prepared for exhaustion, but not words like sore, clogged and cracked. So yes, given the choice of facing these fears and the alternative, I choose denial with a side of Ben & Jerry’s for the next 14 weeks.
Mostly, I am happy to report, and think my waitress, dry cleaner and lady behind me in line at the grocery store, will sleep better knowing that my easy, breezy attitude overshadows my shallow defiance. I choose to refrain from grand statements such as I must breastfeed for one year or I have failed. I do not declare six months as my magic number nor I am aiming for kindergarten graduation (come on, we know you’re out there). My only certainty is I am somewhere in the middle. I know I will try my best, beyond that all I know is that I will stop long before my baby has enough teeth to enjoy a steak for dinner.
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I hear ya. Women are crazy. Not only is everything about being pregnant everyone’s business, but I found that talking about breastfeeding was a whole other game. If I wasn’t at least preparing to buy that pump, something was seriously wrong with me!
What is with the unsolicited breast feeding advice from strangers?! These people need to back up off the mammaries!
Dear Milk it?
I have to begin by telling you that I absolutely enjoyed reading your post. I laughed out loud reading the part of having to tuck your breasts in to your pants. You are a gifted writer and I share your enthusiasm for Ben & Jerry’s. Any flavor is just fine with me!
I have been a Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Registered Nurse for MANY years. So many moms that I talk to feel like you only they are not brave enough to say it out loud. I want to reassure you that breastfeeding should not be worse than labor! I don’t know why people love to share all their horror stories but they do. My only advice is to try and reassure that a large percentage of mothers breastfeed with out any problems at all. Those that do have difficulty I find are easily helped. You just need to find a good support person. If you approach it with your fantastic sense of humor you will be great!
My personal approach is to try to create less rules, less stress and more fun! So, I wish you a easy labor day and know that if you do need a hand there are many of us boob ladies out here to help. By the way, there are pretty nursing bras now. No more straight jackets for breasts. Thank goodness.
Adeline Justeson, RN, IBCLC
Hi there. I just found your blog. I am trying to conceive for the second time. (I have an 18 month old little girl) I noticed in your post you mentioned something about jogging? I was just curious if you have run throughout your pregnancy thus far? I was not a runner during my previous pregnancy. I started running earlier this spring and was just curious about how being pregnant has effected your running and if you were worried about any complications with your pregnancy from running?
Erin:
Funny enough my posts are fictional based on accounts from my clients/friends (I own a maternity boutique) and better explained in the About section of this blog. However, I am also trying for my first baby and have run since I was in high school. Based on talking to many running friends and clients I can only give you my opinion. I am going to cut back my mileage just a bit, by about 20%, just so my intensity is already a little less. Also, as soon as I get pregnant I am going to ask my OB about heart rate and running. My best friend is a runner and she is newly pregnant, she cut way back during her first trimester, but is picking it up a little more in the second. Most important, my friend who is a trainer, stated the most obvious, though often hard to listen to fact; we have to listen to our bodies and not push ourselves the way we normally would while jogging when pregnant.
I will tell you that many of my clients have been able to run up until the 5-7 month point and many have said they felt it helped a lot with labor and recovery. Of course, none of this is medically based advice, but nothing better than talking to other moms to be who love to jog. I really believe if you listen to your body you will know what to do for you and your baby.
Best of luck and thank you for reading my blog!
I really enjoy your common sense and your honesty. Your thoughts were just like mine were when I was pregnant with my first. I think having an open mind and good intentions are all that are needed for breastfeeding. Everyone seems to have a different experience. Some claim they had no pain and some have infections and bleeding nipples (like me!) but we all do our best with whatever situation we are given. When the going got tough I found a breastfeeding support group helpful. Good luck :)