During my first pregnancy, I found myself immersed in preparations for the arrival of my little one. “I need a checklist!” I proclaimed a month prior to my daughter’s due date. Recently, I stumbled upon that list and realized how naive I was back then. Here’s a glimpse into my pre-motherhood mindset:
ESSENTIAL TASKS BEFORE BABY ARRIVES
- Assemble a hospital bag filled with snacks, cosmetics, music, books, and my laptop because labor might last for days, according to those pregnancy guides.
- Aim to have a bowel movement twice a day to avoid any surprises during labor.
- Purchase a stylish bikini and curate a calming playlist for my anticipated water birth.
- Watch more birthing videos on YouTube (knowledge is power, after all).
- Launder all new baby clothes with a gentle, baby-safe detergent.
- Wash my own clothes using baby-friendly soap.
- Clean all crib bedding in the same gentle detergent.
- Contact my midwife to see if I should also clean the couch covers and muslin cloths with baby-safe detergent.
- Sanitize the entire house daily with antibacterial wipes until the baby arrives.
- Commit to daily pelvic floor exercises to compensate for the lack of them throughout my pregnancy.
- Trim my overly grown bikini line to avoid any embarrassing moments during delivery.
- Gather books and DVDs for entertainment during maternity leave.
- Make my husband promise to avoid looking “down there” during childbirth.
- Learn to bake a cake (or at least some cookies).
- Buy a cake recipe book.
- Purchase a cake tin.
- Re-read What to Expect When You’re Expecting (for the third time).
- Practice perineum massage (perhaps find a tutorial on YouTube?).
- Enjoy a romantic dinner with my husband, as dates may be scarce once the baby arrives.
- CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve completed this list! Now, take a breather for a few weeks until the baby comes!
I never made it to number 20. In fact, I scarcely got through number one.
“First babies are typically late,” they told me. “You’ll likely give birth a couple of weeks after your due date.” They were mistaken. I was blissfully indulging in a Big Mac (our romantic dinner) when my water broke. My husband and I hurriedly stuffed clothes and diapers into a grocery bag, raced to the hospital, and before I knew it, my daughter was born the moment I entered the birthing pool—completely ruining my plans for a serene water birth.
There was no time for snacks, magazines, or playlists. I didn’t even get to put on my chic maternity bikini or worry about my bowels.
As I had thought I still had a month left for cleaning, exercises, and baking, I was utterly unprepared. I took my newborn home to a house that hadn’t been sanitized (and still smelled like fast food), dressed her in unwashed clothes, and hoped my unkempt bikini line wouldn’t scar her for life.
When I was pregnant the second time, I didn’t bother making a to-do list. With one child to care for and another kicking away inside me, I was too exhausted for any of that, let alone pelvic floor exercises. I tossed all the books aside, skipped baking, and definitely did not indulge in any Big Macs.
For more insights on the journey to motherhood, check out this piece on chemical pregnancies, which provides valuable information from experts. And if you’re considering at-home options, our guide on cryobaby at-home insemination can help you navigate that path. For further reading on pregnancy, visit Healthline, an excellent resource.
Summary:
Expecting a baby often leads to a long list of tasks that new parents believe are essential. From packing a hospital bag to cleaning the house, many preparations can be overwhelming. However, the reality of childbirth can turn those plans upside down. The author reflects on her own experiences, highlighting the chaos of the unexpected arrival of her child and how her second pregnancy led to a more relaxed approach.