The Truth

I belong to a pregnancy website called Babyfit.com, which has a message board section on which pregnant women can post their concerns and celebrations and other pregnant women respond with advice and sympathy and prayers and shouts out to the mama. It’s anonymous and worldwide. It’s been an awesome resource for me since the day I discovered the pregnancy.

The other day a woman posted this question:

“I’m interested in hearing what it’s like to bring the baby home (particularly for first timers) and what the following first weeks are like.I want the GOD’s honest truth!What is it going to be like?Do I really bleed for 4-6 weeks?…I hope you’ll share your experiences.I’m eager for’em!Thanks!”

And the overwhelming majority response, which was almost instant, was…IT SUCKS. Here are some excerpts:

“It is one of the most sleep deprived, painful two weeks of you[r] life.”

“You want the truth…right? Well, it’s very very very hard.”

“Yes, you bleed for 4-6 weeks depending on how you’re brestfeeding. The more you breastfeed, the more you bleed.”

“I can tell you that taking any help offered is NOT a BAD THING!!!! Take it and run like the wind. ”

“IT’S HORRIBLE!!!!! Why lie??? It will be BY FAR the WORST 6 weeks of your entire life! You will be a walking zombie. ”

“You are so busy changing, feeding, burping, singing and trying to sleep that you don’t realize you are wearing the same shirt you wore 2 days ago, or two different shoes. ”

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES, MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD.

“Eat, sleep and feed your baby. The rest can wait. Order in, get take out, buy tv dinners. Don’t mess with cleaning. Only do the necessary laundry. Martha Stewart is in jail, she won’t be visiting your home.”