10 Dinge, die dir vorher niemand über die Zeit nach der Schwangerschaft gesagt hat

What life after the Pregnancy there are numerous stories and legends that may make you feel insecure. This is primarily because the physical and psychological changes are not only difficult to describe, but also highly individual. However, among the hundreds of stories that may come to your ears, there are some commonalities regarding life after pregnancy. Accordingly, here are ten things you should know.

1 - Bunker up as much mesh underwear as you can
Every mother who gave birth to her child in the hospital knows the especially comfortable mesh underwear that is usually handed out there after the delivery. You should know that especially after the strains of childbirth, there is hardly anything better for the heavily stressed tissues than the mesh underwear, because it does not dig into the skin and thus causes irritation both after normal births and in the aftermath of cesarean sections. So before you leave the hospital, be sure to ask the nice nurse if she will give you some extra ones.

2 - Make your trip to the toilet as comfortable as possible Especially after a vaginal birth, it takes a while for the trip to the toilet to return to normal, as your body is still struggling with the strains of pregnancy. For example, it is very helpful to take magnesium, which draws water into your intestinal tract and relaxes the sphincter muscles, making bowel movements much more pleasant. However, before you take a supplement, you should discuss this step with your doctor. Furthermore, you can relieve your sphincter and pelvic floor muscles by placing your feet on a small stool in the toilet.

3 - Your relationship may get into troubled waters
Be aware that the birth of your child marks the beginning of a new phase of life not only for you, but also for your partner. This situation brings many beautiful moments but also countless difficulties, so that your relationship must first be navigated through these difficult waters in a figurative sense. Of course, this is also due to the lack of sleep and the hormonal changes. Therefore, it is very helpful if you first agree on some clear rules to avoid too many problems:
- Communicates clearly and directly
- Say what you expect from each other
- Do not focus on expectations towards each other
- Do not be too thin skinned

4 - You will often have to eat with one hand
Although it's hard to believe, the reality is that in the first few weeks of pregnancy you'll feel an unprecedented ravenous appetite, even surpassing the cravings of pregnancy. The only problem with this is that you will hardly have time to eat in peace, because with your child you will have your hands full. However, this is not a real problem in the medium term, especially since you will very quickly develop the magical ability to feed your child and eat with one hand at the same time. Snacks that can be eaten with one hand include cheese sticks, beef jerky, nuts, protein bars, smoothies, vegetable sticks and chicken strips.

5 - You often wake up drenched in sweat
While it can be very satisfying to stand in front of the mirror sweaty after an extensive workout, waking up at night in a pool of sweat is anything but pleasant. However, especially in the first few weeks after giving birth, hormonal changes lead to exactly this effect. So how can you counteract this problem? First of all, you should equip your mattress with a mattress protector that absorbs sweat. In addition, it's a good idea to place a few extra towels next to your bed so that you can reach for them when you need them without having to go to the bathroom. If you start sweating a lot, it also makes sense to put a change of clothes on a chair so that you can quickly change your sweaty clothes and feel comfortable again.

6 - When it comes to breastfeeding, practice makes perfect
If you want to breastfeed your child, this is a good decision at first, as it is the most natural way to care for your own offspring. However, you won't usually succeed right off the bat, because you'll have to learn the right technique first. As soon as you have approached the whole thing according to the principle of trial and error, you will quickly notice that you can apply this skill better and better. If you still have questions specifically about breastfeeding, it can't hurt to contact your gynecologist or a midwife you trust.

7 - You will experience a roller coaster of emotions
The happiness of your offspring, the stress of all-nighters and, last but not least, the demands of everyday life create an explosive mixture that can send your emotions on a real roller coaster. Accept that it will take a while for your hormone levels to return to normal and for your body to behave the same way it did before pregnancy. The most important thing during this time is to take time for yourself, despite all the stress, which is immensely important for your psychological hygiene. You are not alone with your problems, because almost all mothers experience this roller coaster. So take the opportunity to join a mothers' club where you can talk to other mothers and get your tensions off your chest - it can work wonders.

8 - You will get a lot of well-intentioned advice from a lot of people.
Be prepared for an enormous willingness to help you, which is expressed above all in the fact that almost every woman who has already given birth to children wants to give you more or less good advice. On the one hand, this is very nice and makes a lot of things easier, but on the other hand, it can also be extremely exhausting, since many of them think they have the ultimate truth all to themselves. Even though this mothering may be exhausting, you should at least listen to the advice. Afterwards, you can still decide whether you want to accept a specific piece of advice or build on your own experience. But keep to one iron rule: If you need help, don't hesitate to ask for it!

9 - Being a mother is an extremely physically demanding job
Even though a newborn may not weigh much at first glance, carrying the baby around for hours in all kinds of positions over the course of the day takes a toll on your physique. Lifting, weighing, feeding, diapering, carrying around - that's how you put on a few kilograms during the course of the day. A well-trained musculature in the run-up to pregnancy makes your job as a mother much easier, especially since your child, who is light as a feather at the beginning, not only grows like a sponge, but also gains weight every day.

10 - You need your baby at least as much as he needs you
It is obvious that this little helpless being, which has only been in this world for a short time, needs your help and is dependent on you. But what no one told you before your pregnancy is that the situation is the same the other way around and that you don't want to let go of your baby. However, it is especially important in this phase that you also learn to let go in order to be able to recover yourself. Your partner, your friends and especially your family play an important role in this.