A Letter to My Past Pregnant Self*

Dear Past, Pregnant Me,

I know you think you are prepared for what’s about to come but looking back I think you’re a little bit too prepared! I don’t think you are ready to just go with the flow, whenever anything deviates from what you have planned, and that just doesn’t work with parenthood! Adapt and overcome should be your new motto.

I don’t think you ever thought you’d get this far in a pregnancy because of all the scares, worries and hospital visits you’ve had but this baby will be ok (and so will the next one!! I know, scary thought huh). It is so hard to try and relax when you’ve had disappointment after disappointment but I promise you this time, it will be ok and all the pain, early scans etc will be worth it.

You’ve read some of the books, which just made you worry more (especially about childbirth) so just put them down and listen to other’s experiences instead. Knowledge is power and the more you hear about different babies, the more equipped you might feel when it comes to dealing with your own version of motherhood. But remember, no baby is the same and what worked for one person, might not work for you.

You are bound to come across the (unwanted) but ‘heart-in-the-right-place’ advice from family, friends and even strangers. Just smile and accept the advice but don’t let it make you feel bad about the way you want to parent your baby. You know what’s best and what works for you. Stick to your guns!

I’m going to have to mention breastfeeding because you have no idea what you’re in for when it comes to feeding. You will try your best with Little I (your first baby) but it just wasn’t meant to be and you can’t beat yourself up about it. You’ll give it another go with your second (Baby L) and it will be just as hard but this time you will be more prepared to deal with it and struggle through. No one tells you just how bloody hard breastfeeding is, so I wish I could have been able to tell you this at the time.

Last but not least, enjoy it! Slow down. You are always running round at 100mph, with a thousand things on the to do list, but just stop. Look at your beautiful baba’s face and soak it all in. You only get these days once in your life. Saviour them.

Always remember, even when it seems like it’s too much, you got this. You will be fine. No, you will be great.

Love,

Future You! x

* I was asked by Tesco Baby to write a letter to my past pregnant self on what I wish I had known before I had children. They have teamed up with, mum of three, Dr Carol Cooper to explore some new research which looks into how long parents spend worrying about their children and what the top ten worries can be from illness to the cost raising of baby. Their research has found that although preparing for a family is key, experience will always win. Hear hear! Tesco Baby’s current Baby & Toddler Event started a the beginning of this week and is on for two weeks, both online and in store. There are some fab discounts and offers on all baby and child essentials and also plenty of hints and helpful advice for parents to be.