Advertisement

What I Wish I Knew Then: One Mother's Pregnancy Wisdom

Becoming a mother is one of the most challenging and rewarding things a woman can do.

But when it comes to advice on just what to do and how to do it, most mothers’ can find themselves drowning in a sea of dos and don’ts that only leave them more confused.

RELATED: gives birth to 6.8kg baby

RELATED: The sad secret no-one tells you about becoming pregnant

Here, Lisa Wipfli (yup, the wife of Nova's breakfast team Fitzy and Wippa) reveals the triumphs and tumbles as a first time mum and how they’re helping her prepare for welcoming baby number two

Umm, cutest baby ever?! We think so! Source: Instagram
Umm, cutest baby ever?! We think so! Source: Instagram

Y7: Lisa, what’s something you know about pregnancy now that you wish you knew while pregnant with your first child, Ted?

LW: I remember a lot of my friends being quite negative when I was pregnant with Ted and saying things like: ‘your life will never be the same again’, and to ‘get your sleep now because you will never get it back’.

What I didn’t know back then was that amongst the haze of having a baby, you experience a love and a feeling you can never even comprehend before you had a child.

Lisa, hubby Wippa and bubba Ted. Source: Instagram
Lisa, hubby Wippa and bubba Ted. Source: Instagram


Y7: That sounds so beautiful!

LW: It is. That was something that took me by surprise – that the love for this little human diluted all the hard times. Being pregnant a second time is more exciting because I know the feeling that is coming.

Can he get any cuter?! Source: Instagram
Can he get any cuter?! Source: Instagram


Y7: What about all the advice given to new mothers? Do you think they can find it a little overwhelming?

LW: There is nothing anyone can say that will prepare you for what is about to happen. I thought before I got pregnant that I was fine and I could do it – but it took me by surprise just what a turn life could take.

Lisa shared this personal pregnancy photo on her Instagram when she was 36 weeks along with Ted. Looking beautiful. Source: Instagram
Lisa shared this personal pregnancy photo on her Instagram when she was 36 weeks along with Ted. Looking beautiful. Source: Instagram


Y7: What about practical advice that you only learned after your first pregnancy?

LW: There is so much! With the first pregnancy I had no idea there was help to fix an issue I had with stomach separation – this time I’ve been seeing a physiotherapist, doing Pilates and I also know there is post-birth rehab. The knowledge that I have this time around is buying me courage.

I’m also more prepared in having contacts from friends. If I’m sick and need a night nurse I have a contact there. The first time around you very much wing it.

Also, because you feel a bit more experienced, you’re just a bit more relaxed in general – whereas I think the first time around it’s all so foreign that you get so pent up and stressed about the smallest things.

So much cute! Father and son. Source: Instagram
So much cute! Father and son. Source: Instagram


Y7: What about all the pressure on new mothers to get back to their pre-baby shape?

LW: There is a lot of pressure on women after giving birth. I really feel like people look at you and if after six weeks your pooch hasn’t gone they’re like: “Oh… by now you should start to look like your normal self”.

You do spend so much time on social media and I remember thinking that I need to up my game and get my body back into shape.

Lisa and hubby Wippa on a rare night out. Source: Getty
Lisa and hubby Wippa on a rare night out. Source: Getty


Y7: That sounds tough?

RELATED: The bizarre new way to boost fertility

LW: It is, but this time around I’m not going to be so tough on myself. I’m going to eat really healthy and exercise – but understand that it’s OK if takes me four to five months to get back into shape. My health needs to come first.

Lisa and hubby Wippa. Source: Instagram
Lisa and hubby Wippa. Source: Instagram


Y7: How long have you got to go till baby number two arrives?

LW: Three and a half weeks!

Y7: Wow! We better let you get back to preparing for his arrival. Thanks for your time.

Cuties! Source: Instagram
Cuties! Source: Instagram

Lisa chatted to Yahoo7 Lifestyle on behalf of Elevit Breastfeeding.
Elevit. Healthy Baby. Healthy Mum.