Things I Wish I Could Tell Myself Before Becoming a Mom

I would never redo my pregnancy or my labor and birth with baby girl but I would tell myself these things to ease the anxiety and worries I had about becoming a mom!

• Labor and birth will make you feel stronger than you have ever felt in your life.

Labor and delivery was one of the most beautiful things I have ever experienced in my life. Leading up to it, I was so worried about the pain, if something would go wrong, if I would have the strength to do it, etc. but at the moment, I wasn't thinking about any of those things. It is a true miracle what the woman's body can do. The strength I experienced during this is unlike anything else.

• Your motherly instincts kick in right after the doctor puts your baby on your chest.

The golden hour was something I was pretty adamant on and I am so thankful that I was. The moment they placed her on my chest, I was overwhelmed with so many emotions. I always heard people say that your motherly instincts will just happen and I never really believed them until it happened. The love I instantly felt was nothing I have ever felt before.

• The old you is gone, but the new version of yourself in motherhood is beautiful.

Becoming a mother is such a personal change. I went through a grieving period, after having my baby, of who I was before and what my life was before. I felt so guilty feeling like this but once I did more research, I learned I wasn't the only one. After I went through this period, I came out on the other end realizing how beautiful being a mom is and how wonderful this new phase of life is. While it is tough, it is worth it.

• You think you love your hubby now, just wait till you watch him become a dad. It is a love you never knew existed.

I have talked about this before but it is truly one of my favorite things. Watching my husband fall in love with our baby girl is truly unmatched to anything else in life. Their bond is so special and I know that it will only grow deeper.

• Each day will be a learning curve but it is so rewarding.

Nobody has ever said motherhood is easy, and if they have they are lying. There is something new every day that you have to navigate. But once you get to see your little nuggets smile or hear them giggle or have them cuddle you, you realize how rewarding it is.