Stuff no one tells you...
Replies
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I was told anything bigger than a golf ball. I had some that were larger than a half-dollar, and so I called my OB's office to ask, "About the golf ball thing, is that cumulative or at one time?" They told me to rest and take it easy (not so easy when you're home alone with a newborn) and to worry about whether or not I was filling up a pad in an hour's time (I think that was the standard).
As someone else said, it definitely has a specific, "earthy" smell, and there are lots of clots. TMI alert - they are reminiscent of bloody leeches (not that I've ever seen any in person). They also kind of slip out of you. It's pretty gross. The good news is that the heavy bleeding does not last for very long (maybe a week or a week and a half? I can't remember), and the larger clots are really only for a few days. Then it's kind of like a heavy period with some random, small clots. Pretty soon it tapers off to a lighter period-type bleeding. My OB's office accidentally scheduled my 6-week postpartum visit at 5 weeks, at which point I was cleared for normal activity, but I remember that they asked me how long ago my bleeding had stopped, and it had been about a week. So, long story short, I bled for about four weeks.
You're also not allowed to wipe down there - you have to use that squirt bottle thing (warm water is your friend) to clean yourself after using the bathroom. I don't know if that's any different if you have a c-section, but it suuuuucks not being able to wipe. (You can wipe your backside, though, don't worry.)
It's just hard because you're working on little to no sleep and worrying about your newborn, and you have your own bleeding and sensitive vajayjay to deal with.
The hospital gives you these rockin' mesh panties and super-absorbent maxi pads. They are the best!!! Raid your hospital for as many as you can get your hands on (both the pads and the panties). Ask for more if you have to. But you will run out eventually, so you'll have to use panties that you don't mind tossing if they get badly stained, and I remember buying these Kotex super-long overnight maxi pads. (Please excuse the fact that the link is to freaking diapers.com!) http://www.diapers.com/p/kotex-overnight-maxi-pads-with-wings-255413?site=CA&utm_source=cse&utm_medium=cpc_D&utm_term=KC-430B&utm_campaign=Google&CAWELAID=1338728046&utm_content=pla&cagpspn=pla&ci_kw={keyword}
Anyway, it's gross but short-lived. I wish someone had told me just how heavy/gross it can be, especially because I got all worked up that one day when I called my OB's office. I actually called my husband home from the office because I was afraid I was bleeding too much and didn't want him to come home to me dead on the floor with a screaming, starving newborn. Yeah, I was a little hyper.
Holy **** Rebecca - THANK YOU. I honestly had never heard about any of this. I mean, totally understandable why moms with new babies would want to omit that part when telling the birth story, but really - thank you for the education!0 -
Oh my God, y'all, this thread is like a really bad traffic accident. I. CAN. NOT. LOOK. AWAY. But it is freaking me out! :-)
It's nice not feeling like such a freak though.
That's why I love this group. We're all in this craziness together.
RIGHT!!!! if it weren't for this group I'd probably go crazy lol0 -
The morning sickness....all day and night.
And no strong cravings, besides fruit. Mostly food aversion.
Now insomnia....
And pain in the night, slight a sharp stretching pain in my stomach......what's that? Stretching ligaments? It's actually wakes me up in the night it hurts that bad.
The pain sounds like round ligament pain. I've had it all through my second trimester and even a few times in week 28 and 29
It sucks, but it's normal.
Thanks Prego! I googled it, and that sounds like it.0 -
Well before the delivery make a trip to the pharmacy and buy the biggest thickest feminine pad you can find. Better yet is to look around the adult diapering section, I am very serious! Only take panties to the hospital, which you do not mind throwing out, because you will! Better yet, get a few disposable panties.um.... yikes! first timer here -- can you elaborate? :huh:
Especially in case of vaginal delivery, the bleeding in the first week can be massive. For me , it diminished, almost stopped after a week, but the first week was like WTH happening? It is normal though.0 -
The morning sickness....all day and night.
And no strong cravings, besides fruit. Mostly food aversion.
Now insomnia....
And pain in the night, slight a sharp stretching pain in my stomach......what's that? Stretching ligaments? It's actually wakes me up in the night it hurts that bad.
The pain sounds like round ligament pain. I've had it all through my second trimester and even a few times in week 28 and 29 It sucks, but it's normal.
Thanks Prego! I googled it, and that sounds like it.
The best way to avoid it is to stand up slowly and stretch your groin muscles regularly (runner's stretch is what I do). It'll help that whole area stay loose.
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Yep, same with me. I do not know the scissor name, but a Dr friend explained to me that they have to do it with scissors, because that is the only way to know they will not cut into the baby head. With a knife or razor, they won't know how deep to cut.Had to have one (episiotomy) when I had my daughter....they used some weird looking pair of scissors, that I'm sure has some official name unknown to me.0 -
You better watch a few birth videos in a hurry, because giving birth is a messy , ugly , and painful business. You have to prepare yourself mentally for it.Oh my God, y'all, this thread is like a really bad traffic accident. I. CAN. NOT. LOOK. AWAY. But it is freaking me out! :-)
However, at the end there will be this amazing little person in your arm, and that is worth everything.0 -
You better watch a few birth videos in a hurry, because giving birth is a messy , ugly , and painful business. You have to prepare yourself mentally for it.Oh my God, y'all, this thread is like a really bad traffic accident. I. CAN. NOT. LOOK. AWAY. But it is freaking me out! :-)
However, at the end there will be this amazing little person in your arm, and that is worth everything.
There are several available on youtube that show different births (water, natural, hospital, etc.) I find them to be very educational and helpful to see how these things go in real life with real moms, dads, and babies.0 -
O.M.G. scissors so they don't cut the baby? clots the size of golf balls? I most definitely did not know this is what I'm signing up for! (I know not everyone has to have an epesiotomy) YIKES! I guess at least I'm a little more prepared for all the gross/scariness that is delivery and post delivery. EEK!0
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I was told anything bigger than a golf ball. I had some that were larger than a half-dollar, and so I called my OB's office to ask, "About the golf ball thing, is that cumulative or at one time?" They told me to rest and take it easy (not so easy when you're home alone with a newborn) and to worry about whether or not I was filling up a pad in an hour's time (I think that was the standard).
As someone else said, it definitely has a specific, "earthy" smell, and there are lots of clots. TMI alert - they are reminiscent of bloody leeches (not that I've ever seen any in person). They also kind of slip out of you. It's pretty gross. The good news is that the heavy bleeding does not last for very long (maybe a week or a week and a half? I can't remember), and the larger clots are really only for a few days. Then it's kind of like a heavy period with some random, small clots. Pretty soon it tapers off to a lighter period-type bleeding. My OB's office accidentally scheduled my 6-week postpartum visit at 5 weeks, at which point I was cleared for normal activity, but I remember that they asked me how long ago my bleeding had stopped, and it had been about a week. So, long story short, I bled for about four weeks.
You're also not allowed to wipe down there - you have to use that squirt bottle thing (warm water is your friend) to clean yourself after using the bathroom. I don't know if that's any different if you have a c-section, but it suuuuucks not being able to wipe. (You can wipe your backside, though, don't worry.)
It's just hard because you're working on little to no sleep and worrying about your newborn, and you have your own bleeding and sensitive vajayjay to deal with.
The hospital gives you these rockin' mesh panties and super-absorbent maxi pads. They are the best!!! Raid your hospital for as many as you can get your hands on (both the pads and the panties). Ask for more if you have to. But you will run out eventually, so you'll have to use panties that you don't mind tossing if they get badly stained, and I remember buying these Kotex super-long overnight maxi pads. (Please excuse the fact that the link is to freaking diapers.com!) http://www.diapers.com/p/kotex-overnight-maxi-pads-with-wings-255413?site=CA&utm_source=cse&utm_medium=cpc_D&utm_term=KC-430B&utm_campaign=Google&CAWELAID=1338728046&utm_content=pla&cagpspn=pla&ci_kw={keyword}
Anyway, it's gross but short-lived. I wish someone had told me just how heavy/gross it can be, especially because I got all worked up that one day when I called my OB's office. I actually called my husband home from the office because I was afraid I was bleeding too much and didn't want him to come home to me dead on the floor with a screaming, starving newborn. Yeah, I was a little hyper.
Holy **** Rebecca - THANK YOU. I honestly had never heard about any of this. I mean, totally understandable why moms with new babies would want to omit that part when telling the birth story, but really - thank you for the education!
So true. Thank you. Because I would totally call my husband at work for the same reason. Now I will know I'm probably not going to die. Always good to know! :-)0 -
Overall, I loved being pregnant every time. (This is my fourth go around). Your pregnancy is what you make it (obviously there are extenuating circumstances). Take everything in stride and enjoy this time! You are creating life!!!! I have had beautiful pregnancies and three all natural births (no meds, no IV, minimal or no cervical exams). I am currently planning a homebirth for my fourth baby. It is important to educate yourselves to the birth experience, and that minimalizes many of these complications that are discussed. First time moms, please watch the new Business of Being Born so you can see how beautiful the birth process can be, and remember that pregnancy is individualized and different for everyone. So don't let this thread freak you out, always take everything that people say with a grain of salt.0
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Overall, I loved being pregnant every time. (This is my fourth go around). Your pregnancy is what you make it (obviously there are extenuating circumstances). Take everything in stride and enjoy this time! You are creating life!!!! I have had beautiful pregnancies and three all natural births (no meds, no IV, minimal or no cervical exams). I am currently planning a homebirth for my fourth baby. It is important to educate yourselves to the birth experience, and that minimalizes many of these complications that are discussed. First time moms, please watch the new Business of Being Born so you can see how beautiful the birth process can be, and remember that pregnancy is individualized and different for everyone. So don't let this thread freak you out, always take everything that people say with a grain of salt.
I have to admit that I'm kind of a squeamish person by nature. I get that from my mom. My mom told me when she was taking childbirth classes and they asked her what her plan was for delivery, her response was "I'm just going to close my eyes and hope for the best."
I deliberately never read or watched anything on birthing babies until AFTER I got pregnant (then I watched The Business of Being Born), because, in all honesty, I didn't want the childbirth process to scare me when I was trying to get pregnant. By the way, I totally second the recommendation to watch The Business of Being Born for anyone who is looking for an education on what the process looks like. I also watched many episodes of A Baby Story (for a different view of what it could look like). And I love reading everyone's birth stories (the glowing beautiful ones and the scary ones alike).
I kind of assume everyone will have a totally different experience, so I am taking everything with a grain of salt (if freaking out a little bit thinking about some of the possibilities). I still think it's good to share this stuff though. Honestly, now is the time I want to know all the possibilities of what COULD happen. For example, I think that stuff that RBX shared is so good. Maybe it won't happen to me. But if it does, now I won't freak out.
Good to get my freaking out done here, I think.0 -
You girls seem to have it fairly easy so far with the bleeding. I"m pregnant with baby number 4 and am preparing for the just about hemmorage that I get each time I give birth. I would kill for golf ball sized clots instead of clots bigger then both of my fists. Luckily, for bleeders like me, they have a wonderful set of pills they insert in your *kitten* to stop the bleeding.0
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ok, so for the bleeding. Those of you who had a lot, (CiC mentioned a pill) did you get the petocine shot afterward? i want a natural birth but if getting some petocine after helps me not have crazy bleeding I may be down for that. I'm not all about bleeding like crazy!0
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I cannot be completely sure but I think that Petocine is what caused my major bleeding. The worst bleeding I have ever had so far was with my 2nd child and I was induced. I was given Petocine to help boost my labor. It was the most painful birth I have ever experienced and the most dangerous. Again, I cannot say for sure if that is what caused it or not. My 3rd was heavy bleeding but nowhere near like the 2nd child. They automatically just inserted the pills after they cut the cord to make sure I didn't bleed like that again. I remember standing up, when the nurses though I was okay and then seeing something the size of a football or slightly smaller fall out of me and hit the floor. The nurses panicked and I was told to get back in bed. They rushed the baby and everybody out of the room. I was there for 5 hours waiting for the bleeding to stop and be cleared to even hold my child.0
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The morning sickness....all day and night.
And no strong cravings, besides fruit. Mostly food aversion.
Now insomnia....
And pain in the night, slight a sharp stretching pain in my stomach......what's that? Stretching ligaments? It's actually wakes me up in the night it hurts that bad.
The pain sounds like round ligament pain. I've had it all through my second trimester and even a few times in week 28 and 29 It sucks, but it's normal.
Thanks Prego! I googled it, and that sounds like it.
I get that all the time, too, sometimes if I cough, sneeze, or just roll over too quickly in bed and my hips don't follow as quickly. It hurts!!!0 -
I was told anything bigger than a golf ball. I had some that were larger than a half-dollar, and so I called my OB's office to ask, "About the golf ball thing, is that cumulative or at one time?" They told me to rest and take it easy (not so easy when you're home alone with a newborn) and to worry about whether or not I was filling up a pad in an hour's time (I think that was the standard).
As someone else said, it definitely has a specific, "earthy" smell, and there are lots of clots. TMI alert - they are reminiscent of bloody leeches (not that I've ever seen any in person). They also kind of slip out of you. It's pretty gross. The good news is that the heavy bleeding does not last for very long (maybe a week or a week and a half? I can't remember), and the larger clots are really only for a few days. Then it's kind of like a heavy period with some random, small clots. Pretty soon it tapers off to a lighter period-type bleeding. My OB's office accidentally scheduled my 6-week postpartum visit at 5 weeks, at which point I was cleared for normal activity, but I remember that they asked me how long ago my bleeding had stopped, and it had been about a week. So, long story short, I bled for about four weeks.
You're also not allowed to wipe down there - you have to use that squirt bottle thing (warm water is your friend) to clean yourself after using the bathroom. I don't know if that's any different if you have a c-section, but it suuuuucks not being able to wipe. (You can wipe your backside, though, don't worry.)
It's just hard because you're working on little to no sleep and worrying about your newborn, and you have your own bleeding and sensitive vajayjay to deal with.
The hospital gives you these rockin' mesh panties and super-absorbent maxi pads. They are the best!!! Raid your hospital for as many as you can get your hands on (both the pads and the panties). Ask for more if you have to. But you will run out eventually, so you'll have to use panties that you don't mind tossing if they get badly stained, and I remember buying these Kotex super-long overnight maxi pads. (Please excuse the fact that the link is to freaking diapers.com!) http://www.diapers.com/p/kotex-overnight-maxi-pads-with-wings-255413?site=CA&utm_source=cse&utm_medium=cpc_D&utm_term=KC-430B&utm_campaign=Google&CAWELAID=1338728046&utm_content=pla&cagpspn=pla&ci_kw={keyword}
Anyway, it's gross but short-lived. I wish someone had told me just how heavy/gross it can be, especially because I got all worked up that one day when I called my OB's office. I actually called my husband home from the office because I was afraid I was bleeding too much and didn't want him to come home to me dead on the floor with a screaming, starving newborn. Yeah, I was a little hyper.
Holy **** Rebecca - THANK YOU. I honestly had never heard about any of this. I mean, totally understandable why moms with new babies would want to omit that part when telling the birth story, but really - thank you for the education!
You're welcome! It can be really unsettling how much there is, but some women luck out and don't have much - but don't be shocked if you do bleed a fair amount.
After giving birth (at least vaginally - I have no idea what the effects are after a c-section), your vagina is cup-shaped rather than, well, canal-shaped, I guess. So blood and clots tend to collect in it while you're sitting/lying down, and then when you get up, it all comes out :sick: As such, it's really easy if your pad has shifted or something to have a bit of a mess, and you have to change pads fairly often.
Like I said, on its own it's no fun, but it is just an added thing to have to juggle when you're likely figuring everything else out, too.0 -
O.M.G. scissors so they don't cut the baby? clots the size of golf balls? I most definitely did not know this is what I'm signing up for! (I know not everyone has to have an epesiotomy) YIKES! I guess at least I'm a little more prepared for all the gross/scariness that is delivery and post delivery. EEK!
Don't fear - I had a vaginal birth and did not have an episiotomy. I barely had a tear, and it was so small that my OB questioned whether or not I even needed any stitches. (To be safe, she gave me one tiny stitch. I'd had an epidural, so I didn't feel a thing.)0 -
Overall, I loved being pregnant every time. (This is my fourth go around). Your pregnancy is what you make it (obviously there are extenuating circumstances). Take everything in stride and enjoy this time! You are creating life!!!! I have had beautiful pregnancies and three all natural births (no meds, no IV, minimal or no cervical exams). I am currently planning a homebirth for my fourth baby. It is important to educate yourselves to the birth experience, and that minimalizes many of these complications that are discussed. First time moms, please watch the new Business of Being Born so you can see how beautiful the birth process can be, and remember that pregnancy is individualized and different for everyone. So don't let this thread freak you out, always take everything that people say with a grain of salt.
I have to admit that I'm kind of a squeamish person by nature. I get that from my mom. My mom told me when she was taking childbirth classes and they asked her what her plan was for delivery, her response was "I'm just going to close my eyes and hope for the best."
I deliberately never read or watched anything on birthing babies until AFTER I got pregnant (then I watched The Business of Being Born), because, in all honesty, I didn't want the childbirth process to scare me when I was trying to get pregnant. By the way, I totally second the recommendation to watch The Business of Being Born for anyone who is looking for an education on what the process looks like. I also watched many episodes of A Baby Story (for a different view of what it could look like). And I love reading everyone's birth stories (the glowing beautiful ones and the scary ones alike).
I kind of assume everyone will have a totally different experience, so I am taking everything with a grain of salt (if freaking out a little bit thinking about some of the possibilities). I still think it's good to share this stuff though. Honestly, now is the time I want to know all the possibilities of what COULD happen. For example, I think that stuff that RBX shared is so good. Maybe it won't happen to me. But if it does, now I won't freak out.
Good to get my freaking out done here, I think.
Yeah, not everyone has that kind of bleeding, but I'd rather be prepared for it than surprised by it.
Overall, I have to say that as your L&D is happening, you're just kind of in the moment. There's not a whole lot of time or energy to focus on the big picture, to freak out about the fact that in a matter of hours you will have a baby. Even with the same woman, two births can be completely different, so even the veterans have to learn to go with the flow. Of course, a birth plan with contingencies is a good thing, but for the most part you have to be ready for anything!0 -
ok, so for the bleeding. Those of you who had a lot, (CiC mentioned a pill) did you get the petocine shot afterward? i want a natural birth but if getting some petocine after helps me not have crazy bleeding I may be down for that. I'm not all about bleeding like crazy!
Honestly I don't remember, sorry! I think some people are just prone to it for whatever reason, but since my bleeding was not at a dangerous level, there was no need. It's sort of a given that most (but not all) women bleed a fair amount.
Even the people I know who got off fairly lightly on the bleeding front still had to use those industrial sized pads for a few days. Their bleeding was just shorter-lived than mine, and they didn't have as many clots.0 -
Oh, I forgot to mention the cramps postpartum. They may rival some of your worst menstrual cramps. The good news is that you can take ibuprofen after birth! (That is, assuming there are no other reasons why you couldn't, of course.)
When you breastfeed, the cramping intensifies, thanks to oxytocin.
It's your uterus shrinking down to its pre-pregnancy size, and it's totally normal. (Note that after birth they will massage your uterus to help it shrink. When you get checked by your OB every day you are in the hospital, s/he will feel it more, and it will be uncomfortable because they press on it pretty hard. (External check, that's it.)
However, the cramping only lasts a few days, and it can be easily managed with OTC pain medicine. I think my OB even allowed me to stagger ibuprofen and naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
No one ever told me that, and I was absolutely not prepared for it. Only when I was suffering from it did anyone say anything (and she told me that it gets worse with subsequent births - GREAT!).0 -
The mucous plug looks like a big booger (sometimes with red/pink/brown in it), and it doesn't all come out at once.
I recommend carrying around an extra pair of panties and some pantiliners or lighter pads towards the end of your pregnancy, if you're not already wearing a pad.0 -
Do not freak out! If they do episiomy , they wither use local anasthetic or you are having an epidural. They barely ever do those without something for pain management, so you do not actually feel it. Luckily you also can not see it , when they do it.O.M.G. scissors so they don't cut the baby? clots the size of golf balls? I most definitely did not know this is what I'm signing up for! (I know not everyone has to have an epesiotomy) YIKES! I guess at least I'm a little more prepared for all the gross/scariness that is delivery and post delivery. EEK!
Also it is not true that you only can get an epidural at the initial phase. I did the whole stage one without medication, then pushed for 2hrs and the baby started show distress. At that point, they gave me an epidural because they thought it is going to end up a c-section. After the epidural, they tried the episiomy + forceps combo first, which worked and i got away without the section.
Because the episiomy and forceps , they gave me a bottle coated tylenol 3 to take during the recovery first week. However I actually never take a single one of them, because it wasn't that bad.
For me most of the big gush of blood came while I breastfeed, which is expected because of the oxitocyn. Although it cause cramps and makes your uterus shrink faster , it is the happy hormone in a way. When you are breastfeed, you are so preoccupied looking at your precious baby that you barely notice what is going on down there.
For me the the whole recovery was just gross down there, but I didn't find it painful.0 -
Oh god, so GROSS, so grrrooooossssss. But I'm glad I'm sort of prepared for it.
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For me the the whole recovery was just gross down there, but I didn't find it painful.
Agree COMPLETELY with this statement. Yeah, I was a little sore down there for a few days, but it wasn't painful. The cramps hurt, but I managed fine with some Advil, and the hospital has you taking it regularly while you're there.0 -
This entire discussion started out making me laugh and by the end of it my vagina is cringing! There is a reason I didn't read ahead in the baby books... this is all the stuff I was worried about reading. But like you all have said, better to know than to be caught off guard. But seriously, yikes!0
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Really, there is a lot of scary sounding stuff. You can get totally freaked out if you read about it or research it too much. It isn't as bad as it all seems. It can get pretty gross at times, stuff can be uncomfortable, but really, what I remember the most about my first 2 is cuddling them, loving them and enjoying them. Babies can do some pretty gross stuff too, but they are so darned adorable that you just get over it.0
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This entire discussion started out making me laugh and by the end of it my vagina is cringing! There is a reason I didn't read ahead in the baby books... this is all the stuff I was worried about reading. But like you all have said, better to know than to be caught off guard. But seriously, yikes!
The only pregnancy book I read last time was _The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy_ written by a non-doctor/nurse. It was really amusing and covered a lot of the stuff that isn't really discussed. You don't need to read it cover to cover, but you could in pretty short order. I referred back to it from time to time.
http://www.amazon.com/Girlfriends-Guide-Pregnancy-everything-doctor/dp/B001NXDTSI/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354734683&sr=1-1&keywords=girlfriend's+guide+to+pregnancy
I guess it's hard to find in print now, but you can buy it as an e-book.0 -
This entire discussion started out making me laugh and by the end of it my vagina is cringing! There is a reason I didn't read ahead in the baby books... this is all the stuff I was worried about reading. But like you all have said, better to know than to be caught off guard. But seriously, yikes!
The only pregnancy book I read last time was _The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy_ written by a non-doctor/nurse. It was really amusing and covered a lot of the stuff that isn't really discussed. You don't need to read it cover to cover, but you could in pretty short order. I referred back to it from time to time.
http://www.amazon.com/Girlfriends-Guide-Pregnancy-everything-doctor/dp/B001NXDTSI/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354734683&sr=1-1&keywords=girlfriend's+guide+to+pregnancy
I guess it's hard to find in print now, but you can buy it as an e-book.
One of my friends just sent me this but I haven't begun reading it yet - now I can't wait to check it out!0 -
The book, Sh*tty Mom: A Parenting Guide for the Rest of Us, sort of fits in with this thread. And it is awesome. Here's a link:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1419704591
A lot of it is tongue-in-cheek, but there's real advice in there too. Overall, I laughed out loud many times when reading it. And I'm recommending it here for anyone who finds they need to chillax a bit with all the worries.0
