Thinking of Getting Pregnant?
What are the things you want to do as prep that no one has told you about yet?
Have a seat.
I am all about the classic registry, but there a few things I wish someone had told me.
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Capsule Wardrobe Budget
This is for after you give birth, but allot a budget for a capsule wardrobe after baby. Your body will be ever changing and nothing will fit right. Your maternity clothes will make you feel things you don’t need to feel about yourself, and don’t even look at your pre-pregnancy clothes for a few months.
No matter how small. Whether you have a budget for GAP or Goodwill or ThredUp, know you will be In weird place for a bit.
Planning this before getting pregnant gives you some time to either sell your old clothing or save up a few bucks.
You’ll want to go grab a few items around 3 weeks postpartum, and again around 3 months. A few things that make you feel good. Really good. They don’t have to be pricey, but they have to make you feel together. Your body will still be shifting around and so will your hormones. It’s worth it to grab in-between pieces even though your mind will fight it.
For me, those pieces have been my new mom jeans (who knew?), and my James Perse t-shirts from Marshalls (I went back and got more colors they are $19.99 there!), paired with my white Target A New Day slides. For some reason this outfit just works for me and makes me feel put together and comfortable. The jeans are SO comfortable. I can throw on a necklace or earrings or nada and feel fine.
Some Favorites of Mine Postpartum
Whatever the outfit is, it’s not leggings.
A dress, some cute shorts, mom jeans (I get the name now #ButtonFlysAreLife)… leggings will make you feel like you slipped into this weird new role.
You will wonder a lot where your prior self went. She’s there. She just needs clothes.
Laser Hair Removal
From a positive pregnancy test until your 6 week postpartum check up, people will be all up in everything. And at the end of your pregnancy you won’t have a clue what any of that looks like anymore. Before you try for a plus sign, go get laser hair removal.
Avoid forcing your husband to help you groom a la Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian.
Yes, hormones will make some of it grow back, but it’s still less to deal with. Get your armpits done too. Two less things to worry about.
If it’s something you can swing, go for it. I didn’t and I wish I had both times. Once your little one is crawling, they’ll be joining you in the shower. The less you need to shave or answer questions about – the better.
Go on a Quick Get Away.
Far off or staycation, get in all the alone time with your partner as you can. You will be together a lot after baby, but it’s different. It’s not about you two anymore. And you’ll need to carve out serious blocks to maintain that closeness. So pre-pregnancy getaways and babymoons, do them all.
Sleep in. Order room service. Go to London. Whatever it is. Do that. Make your relationship a focus. You are about to be teammates on the Amazing Race called parenthood.
Find a Therapist.
You may not make it there regularly, but it’s nice to have a relationship built-in as you tackle pregnancy and postpartum hormones. During my first pregnancy, I feared Postpartum Depression. I lucked out and didn’t really feel many baby blues.
When I was pregnant with Julia I had a severe bout of depression toward the end.
I didn’t even know that you could have that. I thought the depression came after the baby arrived, but at 8 months pregnant, I started crying and could not stop.
I didn’t even always know what I was crying about. But I would SOB. One day I ended up crying for 6 hours straight while taking care of our toddler, and my friends urged me to call my doctor. Thankfully my doctor was incredible. She fit me in the next day and let me know that the office had an in-house therapist. That was incredibly comforting to me because this therapist specifically dealt with pregnant women. Before deciding to try Zoloft, I decided to meet with her a few times.
I found my way through the depression with her help. Admitting that I was struggling and not getting a disgusted reaction truly helped. There is such a stigma attached to mental struggles. It was comforting to know that the sobbing was ok and it would pass. I was able to skirt the prescription and by the time she arrived I was doing fine.
Postpartum it was great to know I had her number in my phone, just in case.
Speaking of Phones… Update Your Phone
I did this before each of the girls was born. Your phone will be your primary camera. It will be at the hospital, in the room, by your side, and capturing your baby’s first moments. A friend once said to me, “The best camera is the one you have with you.” Welp, that’s your iPhone.
Whether it’s a new phone, fixing that cracked screen, upping your storage… make it a focus.
Bonus feature. My memory is terrible and I haven’t made baby books for either of the girls, so when Julia was starting milestones I was able to scroll back through my phone and see Reegan at that same age. Thank you, Apple!