Becoming a mother is a journey that comes with its fair share of surprises, and being a first time mom there was a shock factor. No matter how many books I read or stories I heard, nothing could fully prepare me for the reality of childbirth and what followed. From the overwhelming love I felt for my baby to the unpredictable changes in my body, here are five things I wish I knew before giving birth.
1. Pumping Isn’t As Easy As It Seems – Physically, Mentally, and Emotionally
Before becoming a mom, I naively thought pumping would be a straightforward task. I imagined myself sitting down, attaching the pump, and voilà, milk would flow effortlessly. The reality? It’s not always that simple. While it may seem like a simple routine, pumping can be a lot more time-consuming and emotionally taxing than I expected. My supply wasn’t always as plentiful as I hoped, and finding the right pump and routine was a bit of a trial and error process. Add in finding the right foods to help increase my supply, the overwhelming feeling that I HAD to create this massive freezer supply, and the lack of sleep from pumping every 2-4 hours throughout the night, I felt defeated at times.
The initial learning curve can be overwhelming, especially in those early weeks when your body is still adjusting to the demands of breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. But once I found what worked for me, it became a manageable part of my routine—though still not without its challenges.
My insurance covered the cost for one pump, so I did choose the Spectra S1 Electric breast pump. However I also purchased the Momcozy M5 portable breast pump from Amazon so I had options. I honestly preferred the Spectra for the suction and I felt like it really got out all of the milk, especially when I waited longer than normal to pump. However the Momcozy was very helpful when I was headed to a doctors appointment, washing dishes, or just didn’t want to be hooked up to cords.
2. Hormones Are a Rollercoaster
After giving birth, I had no idea just how much hormones would impact me in ways I couldn’t control. From the moment I delivered, I was hit with an emotional rollercoaster. One minute, I was overwhelmed with joy and love for my newborn, and the next, I was tearfully questioning everything. The postpartum period is rife with hormonal shifts that can leave you feeling emotionally unsteady, even though you might not have expected it.
I also learned that it wasn’t just the baby blues. It was normal to feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and sometimes frustrated. But recognizing that my fluctuating emotions were caused by hormones was reassuring—it reminded me that I wasn’t alone and that what I was feeling was temporary.
3. The Love You Feel for Your Baby Is Immense and Unexplainable
I had heard about the “instant bond” many mothers talk about, but I never quite understood it until it happened to me. When my baby was born, an overwhelming surge of love and protectiveness flooded over me. It wasn’t just a fleeting feeling—it was deep, unconditional, and unlike anything I’d ever experienced.
The moment I held my baby in my arms, I realized that the bond we shared wasn’t something you could describe in words. It’s a love that goes beyond any prior experience, a deep connection that grows stronger each day. It’s humbling, and it makes you want to protect this little life at all costs.
4. Your Body Will Change—And That’s Okay
The changes in my body after childbirth were both shocking and beautiful. Despite what I had read, I wasn’t prepared for how much my body would shift, from physical changes to my core strength and energy levels. The swelling, the tenderness, the way my hips felt wider—these were all things I wasn’t expecting.
But the biggest realization came when I learned to embrace these changes. My body had just created and carried life, and it had done something remarkable. I had to remind myself that these changes were not just “temporary inconveniences,” but signs of my body’s strength and resilience. Eventually, I came to accept my new shape, knowing that it was part of my personal journey and growth as a mother. I’ll talk about my recovery and my come back in another post.
With all of the changes I looked for comfort in the small things, like wearing a cute bra again or being able to fit into something other than sweat pants (promise it does get better!). I’ll link my favorite nursing bras here >>
5. You Can’t Do It All—And That’s Okay
One of the biggest challenges for me was learning that I couldn’t be the perfect mother. I wanted to be supermom, handling every aspect of motherhood with grace and ease, but I quickly learned that it wasn’t possible. Whether it was pumping milk, adjusting to sleepless nights, or managing my new body, I had to learn to ask for help and let go of the idea of perfection.
It’s important to recognize that motherhood isn’t about doing everything right—it’s about doing what works for you and your baby. The moment I allowed myself the grace to accept imperfections, it became easier to navigate the tough days and celebrate the small wins.