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What I Wish I Knew Before I was Pregnant

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JohBD_Photo I am writing this blog post from an unusual perspective this week, but in the spirit of being honest and sharing with you my ups and downs as a parent I will write on.

Harvey and I decided not to have any more children after Ethan was born, but there is always that niggling voice in the back of my head saying, “Maybe your third baby will be a girl”. I am a very girly girl and would have loved to play dress ups with a daughter, but that is not reason enough for me to want another child. We are comfortable with two children and grateful we have our beautiful boys at all, so don’t want to rock the boat.

I must be sending off a some sort of vibe at the moment because I have been asked a lot about whether we would have another baby, hence why it is at the top of my mind right now. This week’s topic of pregnancy has made me wonder about the things I wish I has known before I was pregnant, so I thought I would make a list in honour of my two friends who have just begun new pregnancies – one with her first child and another with her second. Marnie and Nicole, here are some things I wish I had known…

  • Morning sickness can last all day and doesn’t miraculous end at a certain week
  • Autumn is a better time to have a baby than summer – it is easier to manage the increased body temperature in the cooler months, even though your baby will be cold when it is born
  • You can love more than one child
  • Your time will never again be yours, and most of the time that is OK
  • Babies need more ‘stuff’ than anyone else, so even going for a short trip to the supermarket becomes an expedition
  • No two pregnancies are the same
  • You might say, “A baby won’t change our lives and we’ll still do everything we always do,” but it never works like that – priorities change when you become a parent
  • Promising yourself you won’t be like your parents doesn’t work – there are always things you say or do that will remind you of them
  • You don’t have the time to concentrate on yourself (feelings, needs, wants etc) in any successive pregnancy, so enjoy it while it lasts
  • It’s OK to feel uncomfortable while you’re pregnant – you won’t be “glowing” every day
  • You will find your true character and abilities as a parent when everything seems at its darkest
  • Being a parent adds to your life

This list is by no means exhaustive and there are still things I learn that I wish I’d known before. But, on the other hand, if I knew everything what would be the fun in making these discoveries?

I’d love to know what you wish you knew before you or your partner became pregnant.

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Johanna Baker-Dowdell is mum to two boys – Noah and Ethan – and combines looking after them with her work as a blogger, journalist, writer and public relations consultant. She owns and manages Strawberry Communications which started small in the third bedroom, but has grown into its own office space (in the converted garage).

3 Comments

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  1. avatar Busy Bee makes this comment

    Wednesday, 26 May 2010

    * That 2 is soooooo much harder than one (after figuring that out I didn't tempt fate and take it to 3!).
    * That just because you have a 'perfect' (that's a little stretch - but close to true), the second will arrive with their very own personality, ready to stamp their presence on the world!
    * That there was noone (apart from an exhuasted, overworked husband) around the first time, why think there would be anyone there to support me the second time?
    * That no matter how hard it gets - I am stronger than I every knew!
    * That no matter how hard it gets - there will be so many joys and successes, it really will be all worthwhile.;-)

  2. avatar JohBD makes this comment

    Wednesday, 26 May 2010

    I love your list Busy Bee - and can relate to them all! Thanks so much for sharing.

  3. avatar dora makes this comment

    Monday, 31 May 2010

    hi im currently in year 12 and i am doing an assigment on parenting and caring that requires me to give to examples of parenting groups. is there somewhere i can find some information about parents autralia what their aim is ? what there about? usually website have an about us link but i cant seem to find it..
    if yu could please comment back with some information or email me at retroo.elektroo@hotmail.com
    your help would be greatly appreciated.
    kind regards dora.

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