It’s hard to believe that we are over halfway through my pregnancy with Rebecca! My pregnancy with her has been so different than my pregnancy with Levi. They are both so special in so many ways, but honestly- this pregnancy has been easier on me emotionally. I have a sweet two year old to thank for that. This time, the pregnancy has flown by and now that I know a bit more of what to expect, there a few things I wish I could go back and tell my first time pregnant self.

5 THINGS I WOULD TELL MY FIRST TIME PREGNANT SELF:

Google is NOT your friend. I was one of those moms. I Googled EVERYTHING. Against my doctor’s advice and my husband’s advice. I would feel something or find something out, turn around and Google it. 8 weeks pregnant? Google what could go wrong. During my 20 week ultrasound, they discovered that my fluid was low. What did I do? I Googled it. Google is NOT your friend when you are pregnant. Unless you are Googling letters to encourage mommas…don’t search for anything else. I promise you, it will cause you so much unnecessary stress.

Get the pedicure. Use the Massage Chair. We all know that I love my pedicures. It is seriously the most relaxing thing to me. While I was pregnant, I was terrified to get a pedicure. I had read things (on Google of course) that said pedicures could send me into premature labor, the massage chair might start contractions, what if I acquired a deadly bacteria during the pedicure? Of course, these are all things that COULD happen…but I could also get hit by a bus. I wish I would have relaxed more the few times that I did actually get pedicures during my pregnancy. As a matter of fact, I wish I would have relaxed more all together during my pregnancy.

It’s ok to be sad that your pregnancy is coming to an end. Toward the end of my pregnancy I was sad. I was sad that I would have to share this special little one with the world. I was scared that I wouldn’t be a good enough mom. I was scared that my delivery would be scary or not go as planned. I was sad and afraid of a lot of things. I also felt guilty for being sad about it. In hindsight, I realize that is normal. Feeling sad and anxious were normal feelings. Of course, I was excited to meet my baby boy, but those other feelings were nothing to be ashamed of.

Take a class (or two). Even though Google is not your friend while pregnant, classes are. I was almost afraid to take birthing classes or breastfeeding classes, because I was afraid I would learn some more information that would make me worry. We did not take a single class during my pregnancy. Although we had amazing nurses (and my mom & dad) help us through those first days, a class or two would have made me feel more prepared. I wish I would have taken at least a breastfeeding class. Knowledge is power, in some cases.