Despite being due on 2/11, our little guy joined us on 1/30 and we couldn’t be happier!!!

I’m a first timer at being a mom, so I’m no expert, but here’s 4 things I’d offer other first timers as you’re gearing up for the big day:

1 - Be so (genuinely) nice to the hospital staff, nurses in particular. These are the people that will not only help you labor but can ADVOCATE for you. They’ve seen you through their whole long-ass exhausting shift, and have seen your progression. They are the ones helping you change out your underwear and use the bathroom and other post-partum stuff after labor. Sometimes you see them on their next shift, but sometimes you see them for one 12-hour period when you need someone the most, and they are so essential to you in those 12 hours it’s unbelievable. You are a warrior for giving birth, and these people are fighting the battle with you every time they show up to work.

2 - Rest when you can, before, during, and after labor. I thought we’d be in the hospital, maybe entertain a visitor or two, but really just me and my husband hanging with our new baby. I didn’t understand the amount of people in and out of your hospital room all day - monitoring my stats, baby’s stats, meals, birth certificate forms, shift change intros, pediatrician, ob/gyn, cleaning, etc. So if you have the opportunity, really sneak in a nap when you can.

3 - You might look like hell and that’s ok, you just had a human. This is a personal one for me, because I’ve seen lots of people take gorgeous pics in their hospital gown holding their straight-from-the-womb baby, and me, I broke a TON of blood vessels in and around my eyes and looked like I got in a bar fight while having an allergic reaction. Just breathe, it’ll heal (mentally reassuring myself).

4 - enjoy the cuddles. That part is pretty mind-blowing.

Best of luck everyone, if you’ve read this long-ass post to the bottom. I wish you an amazing birth journey, and a beautiful future with your new arrival. ❤️