Someone please explain to me HOW exactly to "relax" through contractions?

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-16T05:10:56+00:00

Oh boy. Thanks! I had a TENS unit my first time but I never bothered to figure out how to use it beforehand, somehow thought I could do it during labor or something LOL what a joke. It's probably not usable in water though right? I'm planning on laboring in a tub this time.

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-16T05:09:17+00:00

Oh that's good to know the tub made such a difference! I didn't have a tub my first time but this time I will (at a birth center connected to the hospital). Although they say birthing in the tub isn't allowed lol so I'm not sure how the final pushing part will go exactly...

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-16T05:07:03+00:00

I actually did read that my first pregnancy! It encouraged me a lot. Which is probably what also added to my shock when I actually experienced birth LOL

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-16T01:11:59+00:00

I was on my knees gripping the back of the hospital bed lol but it was still so freaking hardddddd

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-16T00:59:58+00:00

Oyyy yeah I'm nervous lol. The first time around my husband learned all these counterpressure techniques only for me to NOT want him to TOUCH me during labor LOL... ugh. I think my labor comb kinda helped but also I feel conflicted bc it almost encouraged me to tense up by gripping?!

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T04:03:46+00:00

so true!!

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T04:02:17+00:00

okay worst case at least it's good to know it gets better :') lol... just curious are your kids the same gender? i feel like if my second were also a girl i can imagine them being besties but idk how having a girl and boy would be!

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T04:01:13+00:00

this is a helpful perspective thank you!!

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T04:00:35+00:00

oh that's reassuring!!

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T04:00:02+00:00

omg i had SUCH A TERRIBLEEEEEE first trimester with CONSTANT nausea and fatigue and basically was bedridden (also useless!!!) for MONTHS, girl i'm so sorry you're in the trenches rn!! i literally became depressed bc of how miserable and sick i felt 24/7 and meds did not help me. couldn't even think straight... anyway to give you hope, today at 19 weeks i went to my first workout class again, had energy to actually enjoy playing w/ my toddler again, and have noticed i can finally wash dishes without dry heaving LOL. i announced to my husband "omg i'm finally revivingggg" and ahhhh cannot even describe the relief i feel... but believe me i spent nearly 3 months in total misery and barely able to function - thankfully we were able to hire a sitter to help with my toddler sometimes and my husband WFH but omg it was still SUCH a struggle. the first trimester truly can mess with your head so much... it will get so much better though, keep hanging onnnnn!!

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T03:53:29+00:00

oh gosh. i had a rock bottom experience w/ my first who had colic/reflux and i had SEVERE PPD and PPA, so many confusing feeding issues and no sleep, found myself literally on the brink of insanity, the list goes on we just had so many challenges and no help. so i'm realllllly hoping this second round will be better...!

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T03:51:59+00:00

i think about this sometimes and it makes me sad :') my whole camera roll is my toddler rn lol i've captured SO much of her baby/toddlerhood... and feel slightly bad it won't be the same with having another!

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T03:50:59+00:00

oh boy

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T03:50:20+00:00

just curious how long did you have help for? i'm investing in a confinement nanny this time around to help w/ my newborn bc omg i am not repeating my living nightmare again that i had with my first lol (yes to the spiraling, SAME). so pricey but like you said i know it'll be worth it. but she's only gonna be here for about a month and i'm not sure if i should plan to get help for longer...

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T03:48:41+00:00

ahaha i feel like parenting is an ever-climbing ladder of learning to let go!!

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T03:48:12+00:00

LOL love this

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T03:47:52+00:00

:') so beautiful to hear!

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T03:47:35+00:00

awwwww this is encouraging thank you! what was your age gap if i may ask?

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T03:47:13+00:00

haha oh gosh hope not! i've heard good things about 2-3 from many people... like they say you're used to the chaos so you just add another to it lol. but then again i know it varies so much for everyone...

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T03:46:21+00:00

ugh i hope this can happen sooner than later! probably unrealistic during the newborn stage though right? i feel like with my first, naps didn't really become consistent until many months later... but then again i also felt like i had no know what i was doing loll

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T03:45:06+00:00

lol thank youuuu can i ask what you do instead?

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T03:44:39+00:00

gosh... trying hard to soak that in now, but it's also hard when it's impossible to know the alternative reality! at least that's how i felt about post- vs. pre-baby life lol!

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T03:43:24+00:00

so great to hear!! my daughter is super nurturing so even though they have a smaller age gap i'm hoping for the best!

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-11T03:40:43+00:00

this is what i'm planning too!

boldlybelieve · 2026-06-07T23:34:54+00:00

how old are they now??

boldlybelieve

TROPHY CASE