u/CuriousCaretaker

I’ve just been seeing a few different nurse practitioners at my OB clinic. Never have I met my doctor lol since I moved to a small town I have had the worst OB care. The hospital is atrocious and small. I wish I could give birth a big hospital that is more focused on maternal health.
But also this birth experience is so different from my first. My first was so easy. I went into labor at home and had perfectly timed contractions, continuously progressing perfectly textbook labor lol. Amazing nurses when I got to the hospital and a beautiful experience. Great rooms, great food. With my second I am sitting at 5cm with weeks of prodromal labor and everyone at this small annoying redneck hospital trying to force me to take Pitocin. I am beginning to see why so many women just go with Pitocin and get it over with. I am feeling so discouraged and overwhelmed. I am overthinking this entire experience and I wish someone could say something positive to me that would make me feel better about this experience. I know that all that really matters is a healthy baby and healthy mama but I was expecting to have such a beautiful birth experience like my first.

This is my second pregnancy. Last time they checked me I was 5cm. That was 4 hours ago. I’ve been contracting consistently since then. They didn’t admit me because there was no cervical change within the first hour. No intensity just consistently the same. I refused Pitocin but I’ve been walking around the hospital refusing to leave because I am contracting so consistently. I live 30 minutes away and I had to drive myself here. I’m afraid I’ll give birth at home if I leave. They have 10 rooms and they are all full. Everyone here has scheduled inductions or taking Pitocin so I guess they are more priority. I’m feeling so disappointed that it’s so hard for me to have a nice natural birth. Wish I had planned to have a home birth.

My due date is August 21. I am 39 weeks and 4 days today. I had two membrane sweeps with my first baby and had him at 39+4. Now with my second I wanted to slow down, let baby come on her own. and avoid so many cervical checks and no membrane sweeps. My mom’s driven 5 hours to me and has the next two weeks off work. Everyday that she’s been here she’s constantly asking me if I’ve had contractions and putting a lot of pressure on me to try all the inducing things. I’ve done it all. Pumping, walking, curb walking, sex, raspberry leaf tea. Anything I can think of and she’s pushing me to go and get Pitocin and have an induction. All so she can spend time with my newborn and go back home with a week left off work. Every morning that’s she’s been here she’s acting like I am not trying hard enough to have the baby as if it even works that way. Today she’s making me call my doctor and try to get in for a membrane sweep. It’s giving me so much anxiety and her being so pushy has caused me such unnecessary stress. On top of her already stressful chaotic personality as she’s been staying here. Although I’m not feeling so keen on calling my doctor I am going to do it just to get her off my ass. This is just my rant because I don’t know what else to do with these pent up feelings.

Currently have a 12 month old, baby 2 is due any day now. For those of you who are SAHMs with 2 under 2, no village and a constantly working spouse, are you thriving or surviving ? What are some things you wish you could do for yourself that just seem impossible? What keeps you sane? What pleasures do you have outside of your motherhood? Are you setting yourself up for success?

Is there a body carrier I can put my 21 ib 12 month old on my back and my 7ib newborn on my front??

I recently made a post about how being a SAHM has its challenges. Just a rant kind of post. A lot of people were actually saying that being a parent is easy….. so like what kids are they raising ? 🤣 because I have to hold my son down every morning like a psych patient just to brush his teeth or clip his nails. Maybe certain phases of life are just harder than others but having a toddler is just not at all a walk in the park. Maybe it’s just dads saying it’s easy? Because When he has a tantrum he throws himself backwards and slams his head then gets even more upset now that he’s hurt 😆 he yanks my hair out any chance he gets like it’s his most compelling intrusive thought. There are people saying that kids aren’t feral and that word is insulting but like….who are they raising?? Cause anyone who knows children knows they are just wild, not On purpose of course. There are funny, sweet moments all around but I wouldn’t say being a parent is ever “easy”.

Just a rant/ discussion

I recently moved my 12 month old into his own room after co-sleeping for a year. I originally wasn’t going to do this because of the guilt. But I am a week away from my due date with my second baby and I am realizing that I don’t want to compromise any one on one time with the new baby.

After all I gave my first so much in the first year of his life, I feel like my second should have that too. (except in a bedside bassinet)

I also am beginning to feel like I am so consumed with the babies that there is so much distance between me and my husband. Especially since my 12 month old has slept in between us for a year. I realize with my second baby I want to make space. I need to pour a little bit of myself into both my babies plus my marriage while still keeping some sanity for myself lol. For a while I felt like I wanted all of us in one room in one bed but now I am beginning to see just how important it is to have our bed just for me and my husband.

That’s all I have to say 😭😭 I don’t want to rush this pregnancy I want to let her come when she’s ready…. But girl hurry up! You better not go past due! Eviction notice coming soon! Not dilated at all but I will attempt a membrane sweep next week 🙃

I am dying to get my energy back so I can be fully present for my babies 🥲

I’ve seen some 12 mo not nap at all and be fine. My 12 mo sleeps 8pm to 7am and naps around 11:30am or 12pm mid-day til no later than 1pm. He seems fine but I’ve seen some say that he’s way too young to nap like this….

I have a 12 month old and newborn. Before I had kids, I would always side eye people with wild toddlers or crying babies or even preteens acting like they’re adults. But now I see parents more. I understand just how hard it is for parents. Even when you’re doing your absolute best sometimes your kid is just going through life. We have all been there. They’re learning and making mistakes. All you can do is be there for them with love, support, advice, reasonable discipline and expectations.

Since we switched to one nap he started napping 2 - 2 1/2 hours.

Wake at 6:30-7am then 11:20-11:30am nap to about 1:30-2pm. Woke up happy and went to bed at 7. But now he’s begun sleeping less and less and is super fussy and cranky by 6pm. Today I could only get 1 hour nap in. If I try and get him to sleep longer during his nap he throws a tantrum and tries to escape the bed. So I just can’t tell is he ready for one nap? Everything seemed so much better and now’s he’s cranky all day again. Can’t force two naps and now I cant force even one long nap. I’m so frustrated.

Being a SAHM is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. You literally don’t sit down for 12 hours. Kids wake up at sunrise and you’re going going going until after they’ve gone to bed, (unless they’re in school) It’s constantly keeping an eye on them while you’re doing tasks. It’s like your brain hardly settles. They are always needing you every second. Constantly trying to think of ways to simplify the work around the house so you can be a more present parent. Not to mention constantly feeling the need to be perfect, atleast for me. This job is 24/7 no stops. It’s astonishing how many people judge “trad wives”. I just hate that term now because it paints this picture as if we are always looking amazing and well rested and perky. When it’s the total opposite. Unless you have a maid and a personal chef— when you’re a SAHM you’ve got “working hands” just as much as anyone else with a physically demanding job. But I thank god everyday I get to do it.

Having a 12 month old and being 36 weeks has been so hard. I haven’t been able to drink coffee because the caffeine crash is really hard on me right now. But caffeine is the only way I’m able to get stuff done. I wake up with so much brain fog and nausea and stiff joints. I don’t want things around the house to get behind especially with a baby coming soon. so today I did a lot and by the end of it just mentally exhausted. My son has started the ‘shrieking over every little thing’ phase again. I lost it while trying to get the sink unclogged and threw a spoon across the kitchen. I hate being this frustrated. I feel so out of touch with myself at the moment it just makes me want to cry. I feel like I need a release, some kind of relief. I cannot wait to give birth and feel light and airy and regulated again. Talking to my husband on the phone helped but I still feel so frustrated at the things I haven’t finished around the house today.

ITS SO GOOD FRESh WHY WOULD I WAIT 24 hours????????

I often think about how much I needed support when I went through puberty. I had my first period at 9 years old. My mother knew but she was very uncomfortable with it. She never had any talks with me about it or any part of womanhood. So I got bullied alot. I smelled gross, I often was in the nurses office at school. Teachers knew what I was dealing with but they also seemed very uncomfortable. I wish I had spoken up more, held adults around me accountable but it felt very shameful. I often bled through my pants and had to makeshift my sock into a pad. I often wore sweaters and big jackets to hide the stench of my underarms. My legs were so so hairy and my hair was always greasy and smelly. This affected me so much. Other girls were so clean and kept and pretty and loved. It made me an outcast when I was grouped with other girls. When I finally learned to take care of myself I was already in highschool with a job. Already a young woman and yet still having had so much to learn about self care. Now, I’m married, expecting my 2nd baby, a girl. I think so much about how much I will teach her. My husband often teaches me still, about flossing and mouthwash and skincare. I am so lucky to have him in my life. He makes sure I have my nails done and my body waxed and my hair kept. I am so blessed now.

36 weeks and I am getting hit with combos left and right. No sleep at all. Pelvic pain, hip pain, restless leg, heartburn, having to pee every 10 minutes, so exhausted from just doing laundry. I cannot wait to have this baby. Good lord it’s so miserable. I don’t understand how there are women out here going to the gym or doing anything at this stage of pregnancy and I am in great shape myself and only 23 years old and I’m strugggliinnggg. (2nd pregnancy also).

Me and my best friend got pregnant a month apart. Both expecting girls. She found out her baby has a heart condition. She is needing surgery to fix the hole in her heart. My friend gave birth and the baby had surgery on Monday. They had to revive the baby with chest compressions but the surgery was complete. My baby is due in 3 weeks, healthy. I sent her a care package with mainly things for herself. Few baby related things but mainly a postpartum self care package. I haven’t heard from her since her baby’s surgery and I am feeling guilty about posting my ultrasound photos. I am feeling guilty in general about posting about my baby knowing she might lose hers.

I feed him, he whines. Change him, he whines. Play with him he whines. Teething remedies, he whines. Maybe let’s take a nap, he whines. All fucking day long this child just cries and whines and what am I doing? I am trying to satiate this child and not an ounce of silence for more than 3 minutes tops. he’s not in pain he’s not sick and honestly just feels like nothing I do is good enough even though I’m busting my ass all day doing nothing but things for him. It’s driving me insane and I am trying so hard not to be mean but I am 36 weeks pregnant and it’s hot as fuck outside and I am always in pain so we are not out doing things. I am doing my best to keep him entertained but it just seems like it’s never enough. I give him things to do and he just destroys it or throws it. He’s only 12 months old. As soon as he turned 8 months all he’s ever done is whine and complain. Since becoming a mom, Now I see other moms more often dealing with the same situations. Children are just as feral as ever and it’s nonstop. I genuinely feel like I am going crazy.

Just me and my son most of the time. My mother will visit for a few days and my husband is home from work only a few days at a time. Whenever one of them leaves, the very next day is always meltdown mania. The crankiest he could ever be is the very next day when they’re gone. Makes me feel like the inconsistency affects him too much but maybe it’s normal?

Is it just me or am I getting flashbacks from being a server or working in a restaurant kitchen 😂😂 moving as fast as humanly possible doing 12 different things at once in the loudest environment. Then suddenly the quiet exhaustion Crash after….