Expecting 1st!

Hello everyone, my name is Amy.  I'm from Milwaukee, WI and I'm expecting my first child!  I'm 11 weeks and have a very long way to go :)  My next appt is scheduled for next week Tuesday, at which I'll be able to hear my baby's heartbeat.  I'm very excited :) Any suggestions or tips that someone may want to share, I'm open and willing to hear everyone perspective on pregnancy and giving birth! 

Congratulations!  I had my first 7 months ago, and he is the best thing that ever happened to me!  You will be surprised that the weeks fly by.  Once in a while you will feel like time is standing still, but then all of the sudden you are 20 weeks along.  When I was expecting people barraged me with advice, very well intentioned, but non the less wearing.  You will learn quickly what works for you, and what doesn't.  And you will learn a certain grace when talking to people that "know everything".  My biggest advice for you is; when people say things like; "just wait", and "you haven't seen anyhting yet!"  Take it with a grain of salt.  For me the worst part of pregnancy and delivery was the dread that was a result of those comments.  Honestly, it was never as bad as they made out.  Enjoy every moment, thank God everyday for that little life inside you.  In 29 weeks you will meet that little person, and wonder how you have lived without them up till now.  I am so happy that you get to share in the hope and joy that is pregnancy.  What a wonderful, stressful, tireing and rewarding time in your life.  Oh one more thing, take advantage of people wanting to pamper you, you DESERVE it and people want to, so let them.

Marly

omgoodness! time flys super fast, when i got down to 100days left it just fly by im down to 27 days now and its like super close yet now going kinda slow, some advice i ahev for you is to remember everyones pregnancys are different! and just because every one else is feeling baby move at this time or that time and your not, doesnt mean anything! anyways, there is also a very good support group for your birth mnth that your due on www.pregnancyweekly.com its awesome and i love it, they are girl who are due in the same mnth as you and they give good advice and also people to chat with during the duration of ur pregnancy!

thank you ladies for the wonderful support and loving advice.  i have my doc appt tomorrow and can't wait! i thank God everyday for the man in my life and the blessing of this little life growing inside me! :)  congrats to both of u as well and may your life continue down a path filled with love!!

Well, I am the mom of a 15 month toddler and could talk your ear off but I try to stick to the stuff that no one told me! :)

Enjoy your pregnancy! I loved being pregnant and if yours is not particularly difficult, enjoy every minute! It's amazing to feel that little life moving around. I always love seeing those belly progress pictures and wish I had done that (taken a picture every other week or so).

As for birth, it's not as bad as everyone tries to make you think! I know it can be horrible for some (a lot?) women, but truly, the advice my mom gave me was--just when you think you can't take it anymore, it's time to push (and that's the great part--you don't feel so helpless then)! And I gave birth naturally, btw, so I hope that makes you feel less worried (I know I was pretty nervous.) Once your adrenaline kicks in, the worry disappears! Distract yourself, change positions and keep moving once your labor starts (I know this is a long way away) and things will go faster/better.

Just remember that pregancy affects every part of you, from head to toe, during and after pregancy (and don't forget those great hormones). I know right after the baby was born, I felt like I couldn't breathe because my lungs could finally expand to their full size again! Some things you just don't think about.

Okay, I know that's a lot. The best advice is--your love for that little baby grows every day. You love them when they are born, but it increases ~every~ day and I still get butterflies in my stomache when my son does something new!