Real Talk with New Moms | Lyndy

This month I’m introducing a new series on the blog called, Real Talk with New Moms. I sent an e-interview to a handful of clients and asked questions in the hopes that their replies would be helpful for other mothers-to-be. I hope you enjoy reading these interviews as much as I did! I found the answers very insightful and overall encouraging for new moms. An interview by a Warrenton, VA Maternity Photographer.

Interview with Lyndy

Q: When was your baby born? 

A: Nathaniel was born November 14, 2019 at 1:33 PM

Q: What type of delivery did you have?

A: I had a natural delivery

Q: Did you have a boy or girl? 

A: I had a boy!

Q: What was your most favorite part/aspect of your pregnancy? 

A: My favorite aspect of my pregnancy was watching my body change and also watching him grow and develop thanks to ultrasounds!

Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your pregnancy? 

A: The most challenging part of my pregnancy began at 28 weeks when I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and was borderline pre-eclampsia. I was so sick 90% of the time and had to go to the dr twice a week every week until I was induced at 38 weeks.

Q: What is something you want all women to know about pregnancy that nobody told you about? 

A: Listen to your gut. If something sounds fishy and you are unsure, do some research and ask a lot of questions.

Q: Was there anything you needed help with during your pregnancy? If so, what was the one thing (or something someone else did for you) that helped the most? 

A: Setting up the nursery!! As a single mom putting together nursery furniture at 7 months pregnant was impossible! Luckily Nate has wonderful grandparents who helped set everything up!

Q: What was the one question (or questions) that you got tired of people asking? 

A: Where his father is. A super personal question that people shouldn’t just come up and ask.

Q: What is one question you wished people would’ve asked instead? What would your answer have been? 

A: I wish people would have asked me how I’m doing. It seemed like everyone wanted to ask super personal questions, but never asked how I’m doing and I feel like a lot of expecting women or new mothers get this a lot! Mom is important to! I would have answered honestly, I was so hormonal I couldn’t lie.

Q: Do you have any funny stories from your pregnancy, or moments you laughed at yourself?

A: I was so forgetful during my pregnancy that there were several times I laughed at myself and others laughed at me.  I think the funniest moment was during one of my last ultrasounds when the tech freaked out because he had so much hair, you could literally see it floating and moving on the screen! She wasn’t wrong either!

Q: Did you have any fears going into the delivery process? If so, what are your thoughts about those fears now that you’ve been through that experience.

A: My biggest fear was pain. I was always told birth is the most painful experience a woman can go through. While the contractions were uncomfortable it wasn’t unbearable and the actual birth was pretty easy, I was very lucky.

Q: What advice would you give other new moms preparing for their very first delivery.

A: I think the biggest piece of advice I can offer is to try not to psych yourself up. Once I started feeling the contractions I was like okay I can handle this, I think freaking out makes it worse.

Q: Tell us about the highlights/positives of your birth story!

A: The highlight was when the put him on my chest! He looked nothing like I had imagined he would, but he was so perfect and calm. And of course as soon as he was out they tested both of our sugars and they were perfect!

Q: What was your first meal after delivery?

A: My first meal was Cracker Barrel! I wasn’t very picky I just wanted something RIGHT THEN. I was in labor for 36 hours and pushed for 45 minutes. I was starving!

Q: Are you still amazed your body could do that? I mean… you must feel like superwoman, right? 

A: I am very much still amazed that I gave birth and how easy it actually was. I’m convinced it’s a trick to get me to have another one.

Q: Tell us your favorite things about your baby!

A: My favorite thing about Nate is how happy he is. I’ve been truly blessed with the happiest and most calm baby ever! He is such a delight to be around.

Q: What were your “must have” items after brining your newborn home (for you and for the baby)? 

A: Zip onesies. Buy as many as you can. They will save your life.

Q: What (or who) has been the biggest help adjusting to life with a newborn? 

A: My whole family has been so great helping me with Nate. He is so loved and has so many people ready to do anything for him.

Q: This is your chance to answer a question I didn’t ask (but you wished I did)!

A: I would say birth plans are pretty much a waste of time. Baby is going to do whatever and I wouldn’t get too attached to planning. Get the epidural if you want it, literally what started my labor after 26 hours. Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t breastfeed. There’s so much stigma over how a mother should raise her child but as long as they are happy and thriving that’s truly all that matters!

Thank you Lyndy for being so open and honest about your pregnancy and birth experience! <3 I hope you cherish these photos for years to come.