11.14
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QUESTION:
What were the biggest challenges you faced during pregnancy & being a new mother?
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During Pregnancy It was sleep #1, I was sick all the time, Throwing up, nauseated etc… I wish I could have napped but my 3 year old wouldn’t allow it!
I also struggled finding comfortable jeans and pajamas to sleep in! Being a new mommy of 2 now I still struggle with lack of sleep my newborn is waking up several times a night with terrible acid reflux the perscription just doesn’t seem to help! I also struggle to find the time and attention to give my 3 year old daughter who is acting out all the time now! I feel bad I wish I could do more for her! I feel like I am just in survival mode now! I also wish I had more time to clean around the house, I feel like any spare second I have now I want to lay down and rest! I love being a mommy of 2 healthy girls! It is an amazing experience and blessing! I wouldn’t change it for the world! Just hope things can get a little easier around here! Thanks so much for the chance!
I hate morning sickness. For me it was all day everyday until 12wks with my 2 boys and were on week 15 with baby #3 and still sick.
I also found that the hardest thing as a new mom was the serious lack of sleep because my husband was at basic training and I was doing everything alone.
My biggest challenge was being away from family. Being a military family, we don’t live close to our extended family. Not being able to share the journey of pregnancy and our child growing up is very hard. And now with a deployed husband, it’s hard as a mother knowing that he is missing important milestone’s in our son’s life. Thank goodness for modern technology, which helps to make it a little easier!
I threw up 6 times a day until 34 weeks and had nausea until bubs was born with both pregnancies. As a new Mum everything was really good, it’s now that my first baby is older and STILL doesn’t sleep well that it’s difficult. My new baby is a little angel.
The biggest challenge I was learning to accept that my body was going to change dramatically. I first hated looking fat and hid under baggy clothing, but as the months went on and I grew larger, I embraced my new roundy body. I reckon I got more compliments pregnant than before! I miss the nightime moments with my bump. The hardest thing about being a new mum is doing it on my own, but we are both learning everyday
(mum to 3 week old)
My biggest challenge is feeling good about myself. I find that all the clothes that I can afford are ill fitting and ugly (especially bras). Breast feeding has left me know option but to wear ugly bras and that generally makes me feel pretty average. At 26 I go shopping with my friends and they are buying the sexy lingerie that I once wore and I’m stuck in frumpy corner with the choice or beige, black or white…
Definitely nothing yummy mummy about that.
My biggest challenge while pregnant was getting my socks on!
As for being a new mother the hardest part is/has been having a wardrobe that is comfortable, stylish, and FITS! The body changes so fast after giving birth it is almost a weekly task just trying on pregnancy clothes that are suddenly too big and finding prepregnancy clothes that are big enough.
The biggest challenge was getting out of bed and putting my shoes on.
My biggest challenge while being pregnant was telling my parents, I hadnt spoken to them for over 6 months before i told them so it was hard, but still thought they should find out off me and not anyone else.
My biggest challenge I faced as being a new mother was the fact that my husband was there for the pregnancy and first few days i was home from the hospital but then wasn’t there for me for the first few months as he had to work away, but then i convinced him to change jobs to be closer
I was lucky enough not to have many challenges with my pregnancy. I was blessed with a very easy pregnancy and an easy baby. My biggest challenge was that I was working full time while attending night school and working on my CPA certification all while pregnant and then for the first few months after his birth. My other biggest challenge was honestly the labor which went on for over 3 days with my partner and I attempting every single induction method known to man, both natural and unnatural with nothing working. Unfortunately my water broke and then baby changed his mind and wanted to stay in a little longer!
My biggest challenge while pregnant was dealing with hyperemesis gravidarium while my husband was deployed and my family was half a world away (it’s basically “morning sickness” extreme enough to need serious medical intervention.)
As a new mom, my biggest challenge was a combination of things: recovering from a C-section after a LONG labor plus learning to breastfeed plus my husband deploying AGAIN when my son was 2 weeks old. The cards felt stacked against me but we survived and came out stronger for it
My biggest challenge was balancing being a mother, with being a wife, with being ME. My children have taught me to be selfless, but have also made me realize that I need to be selfish at times, and rejuvinate myself, so that I can return to my family refreshed.
my biggest challenge was admitting there was a problem and accepting help after i was put on full bed rest and understanding it is ok for others to come in and help me.having 3 children,being pregnant and a very understanding is the best. knowing im not super mum and its ok to ask for help and not to put too much on myself.
i had gest diabetes,big baby and shes now battlign a few illneses
My biggest challenge when I was pregnant was that my body is no longer in sync with my mind. I think quick and I normally get things done quickly, but pregnancy made me feel like I was doing everything in slow-motion! Walking was constantly a “stroll” and getting off any chair was a feat in it self. Reaching over for things, forget it!
During my pregnancy I developed Gestational Diabetes, and it came as a total shock to me. Diabetes runs in my family, but I’m only 30, and not really overweight, so I thought for sure I would be safe. I struggled a lot with it emotionally, but keeping my diet healthy, and controlling my blood sugars helped me to have a beautiful, happy baby boy.
The biggest challenge with being a new mother is just the lack of time to myself, and time alone with the hubster. We have no family support here and that makes having a date night almost impossible. Finally in our eleventh month of parenting, we are going to dinner, just us two. Maybe this will lead to baby making four…?
I think some of the biggest challenges where just feeling good about yourself, feeling like yourself! knowing that you are growing a life is an amazing feeling but on the other hand your whole body changes just to do this! feeling beautiful while you’ve got the most pimples you’ve ever had and being chubby faced for the first time in your life, getting terrible varicose veins at only 21 is a bit of a challenge! being 3months pregnant with my second i now have a bit more open and relaxed mind about the changes my body is going to go through! im prepared to except the bad because i know what im going through is a gift! Being pregnant should make you feel beautiful weather you look terrible or are glowing!! your a growing something more beautiful than you’ll ever imagine!!
With my third pregnancy the hardest part was finding time for my other two kids and husband. There is just never enough time!
My biggest challenge was adapting to my changing body during pregnancy. Now, 3 months postpartum, I am having the hardest time with looking at myself with the extra weight.
My biggest challenge during pregnancy is my diet and exercise.
I’ve been vegetarian for a decade, and am normally *very* health-conscious, but my choices while pregnant have completely changed. I’m still vegetarian, but all I want is sweets. The first five months, I was hungry ALL the time and didn’t really hit the stop button. Now that I’m in the seventh month, my appetite is not as strong but I still want sweets constantly. It’s hard to go for the apple instead of the chocolate.
With exercise, I was a regular at the gym for pilates and yoga pre-pregnancy, but now that I’m big, I can’t do the exercises that I used to. Things that I took for granted (like a forward fold in yoga, or crunches in pilates) are impossible, and I get winded just walking down the block to get the mail. I find it very frustrating!
I can’t wait to get my body back, so I can work towards restoring the endurance and strength that I had before. And to work off some of the excess weight that I’ve put on!
It’s really hard to maintain a good body image when I’m feeling big and out of shape.
As for new mum challenges… well, that is the next chapter. I’ll find out in February!
My biggest challenge has been the ups and downs. With all of my pregnancies, I have been on bed rest, sometimes at the beginning, sometimes at the end (sometimes both). Switching gears when I am allowed to do things again can be very difficult.
With my current pregnancy, I was on bed rest for a month starting at 7 weeks for a subchorionic hemorrhage; the same thing that caused me to lose a previous pregnancy, so I was afraid to do anything. Every sneeze caused me to panic, having to pick up my 1.5 year old was anxiety inducing…
After the bleed repaired itself, I couldn’t grasp the concept that I was allowed to do things again, and my older kids couldn’t either. I have made it to 18 weeks now, and am finally going up and down the stairs without it scaring me. I should have about 10 weeks of freedom until my preterm labor complications kick in, which happened with my three girls, so I am going to try to have some fun in that time!
It would have to be my sleep! I had twins so firstly it was being uncomfortable while I was so big then it was the sleepless nights, they would only sleep for a couple of hours a night (till they were 1) and never woke at the same time, although it did teach me alot about myself, like how much I could actually take and what I was capable of! I now how 2 beautiful children who sleep through the night, I couldn’t ask for more awesome kids so I know the hard work has paid off and I can actually say how proud of myself I am!!
My biggest challenges are my changing body shape – changing so quickly my brain can’t keep my with my changing dimensions and I keep bumping my tummy on counters and the edges of draws – and trying to feel good about the way I look, finding clothes to fit and flatter me, and that make me feel pretty.
I cleaned out my entire wardrobe at 23 weeks and put 95% of it in storage bags and stowed them under the bed, so rather than seeing everything that DIDN’T fit me on a daily basis, I was left with a small selection of clothes that DID fit. They’re all hand-me-downs but they’re comfortable… though I only have four maternity bras, all hand-me-downs and 1 of those is too big!
It also takes me about 45 minutes longer to get ready for events and occasions because it takes me that long to find something, some combination that makes me feel attractive – if I take my time, then I’m at least taking the time pressure away, slightly decreasing the chances of tears!
But my latest and most restrictive challenge at the moment is really low blood pressure. I had to get off the train half way to work this morning because I thought I was going to faint. I called my husband and he came to rescue me and take me home – my real knight in shining armor! I can’t seem to do much these days without feeling like I’m going to hit the deck! But this is just a phase of pregnancy and it will pass.
But I am blessed to be having a very ‘normal’ pregnancy, to have a husband who is madly in love with me, and to be growing our beautiful baby inside me. Pregnancy can knock me around as much as it wants, as long as baby is okay, happy, healthy and strong. It would just be nice to feel pretty, too.
I didn’t have many challenges with pregnancy, but I did have a really hard time as a new Mum trying to breast feed number 1. I never new the natural way to feed a baby could be such a nightmare. My son had a terrible latch due to a tongue tie and my inexperience didn’t help either! At 8 weeks, I ended up with a breast abscess that needed draining along with a 4 day hospital stay…I did however truck along with breast feeding (I was very determined!) and my son then self weaned at 8 months. I have since had another baby and breast feeding was a breeze with her, and am now currently pregnant with number 3! Fingers crossed for yet another super pregnancy, gentle natural labour and an easy to breast feed bubs!!
During pregnancy my biggest challenge was preparing (mentally and practically) for twins, but then being a new mother, my biggest challenge was dealing the loss of one twin, and still having to be a mother to the surviving twin.
Staying calm and not stressing with the earthquakes and hopefully my postnatal depression will not come back. As I do not want to spend 2 months in The Mother and Baby unit here they were amazing but I really want to feel like a good mum this time round and just have that bond. Looking forward to fingers crossed no reflux, no febrile convulsions no kidney stone, no grommets, and being able to breast feed cuddles and skin on skin!!
Also we will have one of each which is truly amazing.
My biggest challenge during pregnancy was trying to get my shoes on!!
Then came being a first time mum! I didn’t have just one challenge I had lots. My son was a very very unsettled baby. Failed to thrive at 4wks so back into hospital for 3 days, then he had reflux & colic. Also neck problem which meant lots of physo. Then came the sever food allergies and eczema. On top of all of this I got postnatal depression. He is 16mths old now and still on meds for his reflux, he can’t chew & swollow so has to have mashed food and still has all his food allergies.
I’m hoping with #2 (due april) that I won’t get my PND again and that I can breastfeed this time. I know the signs & symptoms of reflux and food allergies so I think I’ll be able to cope a bit better this time around – I hope!
My biggest challenge I faced while pregnant, was my partner of 5 years cheating on me while I was 8 months along… He was shown the door, the heartache was devasting! And after my little girl was born, the hardest thing I challenged was finding the mother in me and realising I could conquer anything!! Time does heal all wounds.
)
This time round, 6 years later I have found the most amazing man who loves me for me…. round, pregnant and beautiful! xx
My biggest challenge while I was pg with my second was dealing with flashbacks of my first birth (a stillbirth). We were afraid of the hospital, midwifery is a mess in Nova Scotia so it wasn’t option and I was just scared ALL the time.
Everything worked out wonderfully and I became a doula shortly afterward to help other women through traumatic birth experiences. (I’m also a trained counselor)
Not the sexiest answer but it had a happy ending
My biggest challenge was dealing with all sorts of smells and keeping my food down as a result! Not the most glamorous answer but it’s the truth! : )
Figuring out exactly what my baby needs and when. That just because I had to supplement my baby because I didnt produce enough milk didn’t mean I had failed my child or wasn’t a good mom to him
So far my biggest challenge during pregnancy has been finding pants (I’m really tall) and bras that fit! Contrary to what I expected there seems to be a large selection of tops and sweaters out there, so that part at least has been easy.
My biggest challenge was in those first three months when I was vomiting daily, was getting up and putting on a brave and happy face for my 2 year old. No matter how crappy I felt I still had to soldier on as I had my wonderful boy to look after. Being a new mum it was getting used to the sleepless nights again was very hard, but also I realised again how much time a new baby took up. The hardest thing for me was time management, not being late all the time for everything! It all came down to getting organised the night before.
My biggest challenge I have during my pregnancy is being able to do everything for my 2 boys and hubby. It’s so hard to keep up with the day to day stuff when you are pregnant and so tired every once and awhile. Thankfully when my hubby gets home from work he lets me take a nap while he watches the boys.
Definately the morning sickness!!! Puking several times a week is not fun!!! And also how tired I was all the time. When the babies came the hardest thing was functioning on little to no sleep and nursing. Once we got the hang of it it was fine but the begining it was tough and nobody tells you how tough it can be in the begining. My first baby had the hardest time latching and I sometimes just wanted to cry because it was so frustruating. My second was colicky and if the evenings she had such a hard time because her stomach hurt she would try and eat then refuse and just cry in pain. But I persisited and nursed both girls for over a year each. So hopefully the next one will be a little easier but if not I will try and try because that is all part of being a mother!!!! So when all that is going on how nice would it be to have a beautiful nursing bra or nightgown to make you feel gorgeous!!!!
Our biggest complication was bedrest. I was on bedrest with both my boys. The second one was hardest because I still had a baby (they’re 14 months apart). We just found out we’re expecting #3 and the dr is going to try some new things but life could get interesting (my boys are now 1 & 2).
What were the biggest challenges you faced during pregnancy & being a new mother?
My Biggest challenge was enjoying the experience. I was hospitalized nearly the entire time and Lost 20kilos. Because of this I found it hard to bond with my son during the pregnancy because I resented him for making me so sick. Then when he was born I was so exhausted from the pregnancy that I found it hard to have patience with him always crying and not knowing what he wanted.
I decided I didn’t want anymore kids because I couldn’t even handle one!!
But it was a long wait and the day he smiled at me was the day I decided I wanted more, Cannot wait to expand the family even if I have to deal with that all over again.. It’s so worth it!
I love being pregnant and being a mother. The challenges are only slight compared to the joy of parenting and raising children to be conciously aware of the world around them..The BIG Challenge? Finding maternity clothes that are as sexy as I feel!
The challenges of pregnancy have nothing on the joy of being a mommy! I found it challenging to find clothes that made me feel good about myself, and being tired while trying to take care of the rest of the family is also challenging! Now that our second little one is here, being tired is still a challenge. But at the same time, those middle of the night feedings allow me uninterrupted time with her that we otherwise don’t get during the day.
Although it may sound crazy one of my biggest challenges while pregnant is trying to accommodate “daddy’s” never changing sex drive, a normal guy and my complete lack of a sex drive as all I want to do is sleep!
My biggest challenge after having baby is feeling good about my body while taking care of my kids.
Having a baby is truly amazing and being able to feed baby after and still feel sexy is something I think is important for every mom to experience.
My biggest challenges so far are learning how to manage being 14 weeks pergnant and having a 13 month old, 12 year old and 16 year old fighting for my attention.Plus work and still find time to spend with my hubby. It all worked out in my head but its ALOT harder then i thought. Not to mention the bathroom trips and morning sickness. My poor hubby shares a bed with my maternity pillow and my 13 month old who manages to get in our bed everynight.. With all this i realize im blessed and look forward to my chaotic life ahead.
so far my most challenging moment has been battling the morning sickness of 7 weeks pregnant, along with raising my 3 year old son, going to school, being a full time SAHM, and being there for my husband as he tries to be a dad to his daughter and keeps getting denied. I manage the home, the bills, the kids, school and still make sure that I am always there for my husband all while being pregnant, its not so easy to do, but this is the life I chose and I wouldnt trade it for anything in this world!
My challenge this time was an easy one to choose I was very “uncomfortable” in this pregnancy. I had multiple yeast infections, and then it moved into my blood stream, internal candida. I had a horrible rash head to toe! Itch, OMG did I itch. I had to go on a VERY strict diet, which was good I didn’t gain any more weight, but I couldn’t fulfill my cravings! AH! Now my LO is here and I feel like such a horrible mother because I have my candida in control, but when I eat to much, starches, sugary carb’s. Well the poor thing breaks out in a full body rash, too! So I passed it on to him and the dr’s say he will struggle with it for life just like I will….
say goodbye chocolate chip cookies, I’m crying for you!
my biggest challenge was being the best mum i could be to my first child and keeping up with what he needed:)
I was really lucky that I wasn’t very nauseous at all throughout my pregnancy. I was surrounded by loved ones, happy and content until I reached 37weeks. I ballooned, and stretchmarks appeared, and I was rather insecure with the changes to my body and whether my husband would still be attracted to me, and i worried about how my body would look after baby was born.. I needn’t have worried, my husband is amazing and I have been very careful to take care of my body through healthy eating and exercise since baby was born. The stretchmarks will fade, my confidence will rise, and our household will continue to be filled with smiles and laughter, the things that really matter in life! x
In pregnancy is was MAJOR “morning” sickness……it should be called “all-day” sickness!!! When my son was born it was breastfeeding…..it just wouldn’t work. We tried every avenue possible for help, but after 6 weeks I was still sore (cracked, bleeding…you name it!). So, I pumped for a whole year! THAT was hard but worth every drop of that liquid gold!!!!!
With my first son my husband deployed 2 weeks after he was born for 15 months. I was no where near family and it was tough. Now I have a 2 month old and 3 year old and my husband is at school for 8 weeks and its tough to spend equal time with both kids and find time for myself. So my biggest challenge is caring for my children when daddy is gone.
The biggest challenge I had being a new mum was my wee baby being in intensive care. He was delivered by emergency caesarean 4 weeks early. As soon as he was born he was rushed off. I only got 1 peek at him then didn’t get to see him again until the next night. He was only in intensive care for a week, the longest week of my life! It was so horrible seeing him hooked up to all the machines. I just wanted to take him home, cuddle him and not let him go! Then came the lack of sleep…another huge challenge! I am pregnant again with baby number 2. Fingers crossed this pregnancy/birth is smoother
Hardest part of last pregnancy was having a 18 month old to try and keep up with while renovating house and landscaping garden, two weeks into new motherhood (second time around) the hardest thing is giving what little time and space i had to myself with one baby up to the other baby. I dont get anytime for anything, as i type this one is hanging off my leg while the other is crying for a feed!!!!Although im sure there are plenty of people in the world in harder situations then myself, i cannot speak for how they struggle with things!
Figuring out how to balance everything, and to learn to say “no” when taking too much on!
The biggest challenge of pregnancy so far is putting socks and shoes on, I can’t bend down there anymore! Also craving all the foods you’re not supposed to eat – deli meats, soft serve ice cream & soft cheeses. I’m sure it’s going to get harder with summer around the corner, I’m not due til late Feb. The hardest thing about being a mummy…. I’ll get back to you on that one!