Dear Mom-to-be, also known as ME!
First, you’re adorable. I’ve never seen such a cute baby belly; I hope you’re showing it off. Everyone told me I was cute with my first and I didn’t believe them, but I was. Does that sound stuck up? Or does it just sound like me? LOL. I see pictures now, and with perspective I see, OMG, that is one cute pregnant lady. So . . . don’t say “I’m so fat.” Please. You’re pregnant and beautiful. Be proud. Even though I “felt fat” (whatever that means, right?), I still wore fun clothes. I mean who wants to feel like they’re walking around in yoga pants and a giant black sweatshirt for nine months? No. Don’t do it. It will eat away at your self esteem. This letter is about wanting you to feel amazing and excited about motherhood, but also to give you advice from a veteran, and to remind you that you are a goddess. It’s easy to get down on yourself when you’re pregnant; your body is going through so much.
Indulge, pamper, and arm yourself! I’m going to let you in on a secret. My secret weapon of pregnancy. Yes, I love bath salts, but that’s not it. I mean go ahead and use those, but no. Don’t get me wrong. I want you to surround yourself with whatever you need to feel good about your body. You’re working hard. So, sure, take a bath.
This is real ammo sister. Poise® feminine products (there are packages in the bathroom, I stocked up for you). Trust me. You’ll stay fresh and confident with Poise® pads and liners, they’re for Light Bladder Leakage (LBL), that happens in pregnancy. Yes, it happens. And no one tells you! Honey, have you had a big sneeze lately? Peed a little? That’s your LBL right there. Wear a Poise liner every day and you will be good to go. No. Matter. What. Feels so good to know you can go anywhere, wear anything, leggings, dresses, shorts, and you have this pregnancy covered because you’re covered with Poise.
By the way, don’t be embarrassed, it happened to me with my first, so it’s almost guaranteed to happen again. It’s OK. I wish I’d had someone to tell me.
“Hey, you might have some leakage, and it’s normal. Oh, you did Kegels? Well, you still may have LBL.”
Your bladder is doing some serious work down there watch out for a big cough or sneeze. One evening out, I was dressed to the nines, hugely pregnant with baby #1, I’d been brilliant enough to wear a Poise liner along with a killer LBD and no stockings. Brad said I looked hot. For some reason known only to pregnancy Gods, my legs had stayed thin and shapely, so they were rocking it. Well, I sneezed big. And I totally peed a little, was blessed all around, and went on drinking my sparkling water and scarfing down the hors d’oeuvres. Thank goodness for Poise liners. I felt sexy! Pregnant me, sneezed, peed a little and I still felt sexy. Can you believe it? Me?!
Anyway, I’m trying to say, it’s a lot. You’re making a person, your body is working overtime and yes, you will have bladder leakage, but you don’t have to hide at home and stop living. Like exercise. Keep doing it. I’m a runner. I have to run or I’ll go crazy. As mom’s we have to do so much for others, let’s make sure we keep doing for ourselves, so keep up with your exercise it will do so much for how you feel. It will help your self-esteem, make your pregnancy easier, and recovery. You. Will. Thank. Me.
I was notorious for bladder leakage during exercise, but nobody knew. I even did a 5k during pregnancy. Since I’d been running so much, my doctor said it was OK, but my bladder said “Hah I’m not holding in that pee,” and the first time I ran without Poise®, it was not pretty. Enough said. Lucky for me, after that I used Poise® pads. They. Are. Amazing. I couldn’t believe I could do an actual race, not take like 573 bathroom breaks, and not be embarrassed by leakage. I felt so good about myself, I almost forgot I was pregnant. It was so much fun and I got to hang with all my running buddies. I wasn’t the “pregnant lady” on the bench, I was me out with all my friends. Awesome.
Finally, because I really do know you. Please do not worry about losing the weight. It took nine months to gain, you’ll lose it. Really. Enough said. You. Made. A. Person. Babies don’t do things on any kind of schedule and neither do our bodies. You will not fit into your skinny jeans tomorrow, so do not try them on! Don’t be surprised if you need behind the scenes help. Spanx, anyone? And, Poise® Microliners; perfect for the occasional leak, and post baby, this will still happen. I promise. It’s OK. The liners are so absorbent and thin, offering discreet Light Bladder Leakage (LBL) protection to help keep you feeling dry and comfortable every day. Even when you’re back in your skinny jeans. Want to know another secret? I still use them daily! Sometimes those sneezes, they sneak up on you . . . and I’m still a runner . . . and I’m still working on my Kegels, so Poise® is in my bathroom cupboard, and in my purse, and in my travel bag. I feel confident with Poise®.
And, don’t forget, no matter what, I’m here for you. Your friends are here for you. You have community. You’re strong and capable and you will be an amazing mother. You have support, you have supplies, and you have Poise®!
So Much Love,
Me/You/Every Woman
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Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Poise, but all opinions are our own.
