Real Women. Real Experiences. – Lindsey M
Q: Tell me about yourself. Where are you from? How many kids do you have?
A: Hi I’m Lindsey, from St. Louis- Born, Raised, never leaving. 2 sons.
Q: How was your pregnancy? The good? The bad?
A: Pregnancy was incredible for me both times.
Q: How was your labor and delivery? Did you birth at home? Hospital? C-section?
A: Labor for both sons was in a hospital, vaginal births. Inductions both times. Bad reaction with blood pressure to epidural both times.
My first labor was 12 hours in the hospital bed...pushed for almost three hours. Exhausting. Had a terrifying experience with epidural, blood pressure bottomed out and it felt like the whole floor of medical staff ran in....with that- trapped my family and friends in the side of the room, made me start pushing, and 9 people watched me have a baby...LOL good times.
Second time, i was prepared and told the nursing staff what happens when i got epidural last time. toyed with not getting it but was not mentally prepared for that and my husband was really scared for me to do that to myself. It did happen again but was not as terrifying second time.
Q: Describe your postpartum experience. Did you experience postpartum depression? Postpartum anxiety? Postpartum rage? Were you aware of these things postpartum?
A: First time- post partum anxiety... no one told me it was a thing, or really checked on my mental health, (was not really a "thing" almost 9 years ago) and I was pretty unwell for 6 weeks...started getting a bit better when I created a routine and figured it out. Second time I was ok.
Q: Did you breastfeed? If so, how did that go for you? If it was challenging, what were your challenges?
A: Exclusively pumped for one year each time. I tried nursing the first time and could NOT figure it out. Didn't work for me. So i just pumped a million hours for a year. Second time, I was a milk machine, didnt even try to nurse, and was much happier overall. Exclusively pumped for a year again.
Q: Did you have any pregnancy cravings?
A: The second time first trimester all I wanted was Sunny D and oatmeal cream pies. Second trimester was cole slaw.
Q: What’s something you never knew about until you were pregnant?
A: The recovery of my body after delivery....no one told me anythingggggggggggg about it. Whew it was rough.
Q: What was something that surprised you about your postpartum journey?
A: What my body was capable of and how to heal it after birth.
Q: If there was a gift to give a new mom, what would it be?
A: Post partum recovery kit EVERYTIME
Q: If you could give a new mom some advice what would it be?
A: There is no handbook for being a parent. Do what works best for your family.