Mother Shock!

Having a baby changes your body, your mind, your life. And some days you just don’t want to talk about it.

You may be the type to barrage your obstetrician with questions, diligently attend childbirth classes, take in every pregnancy book you can find, but after your baby is born, you will still be in for the surprise of your life.

Though moms everywhere may agree that they wouldn’t change their new mother life for anything, most admit that there are a few surprises that come along with it ... and for some it can be rather shocking. While the birth of your first baby is wonderful, momentous and mind-boggling, in a matter of minutes you go from being captain of your ship — so to speak — to taking orders from a 20-inch lieutenant. The realization that predictability is out the window and chaos is here to stay is stunning — as Nashville mother Rachel Healy, who has a 6-month-old, admits. “Letting go of control was the hardest thing for me,” Healy says, “and it takes awhile to come out of that cloud.”

Remember to back off your expectations, says Nancy Beveridge, M.D., a pediatrician in practice at Green Hills Children’s Clinic and mother of four. Beveridge says new parents should be wary of preconceived notions about the way things should be. “The first year is full of changes,” she says, “and the best way to approach it all is to be open minded and flexible.” And while you may need to back off from your expectations, remember too, that “parenting is not a democracy,” Beveridge says. “Parents ARE in charge,” and that mantra should guide you through infant issues like sleep and schedules and toddler issues as your baby quickly goes through the first year and starts toddling around.