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Top Ten Best Things About Being Pregnant

The Top Ten Greatest Reasons Why It's Great Being Pregnant

My experiences have to be some of the most common, but some may not be so common. Being pregnant is tough, and by far one of the hardest 9 months for a women to go through. Here, we look at the positives of being pregnant. During my nine months of pregnancy, I never gained so much knowledge and truth on how a woman really feels to be pregnant. It's more than just having a baby, it's carrying another human inside yourself, it's a miracle. Here were my top ten favorite things about being pregnant.

1. The Belly

People can't resist - the belly. It's has a mind of its own, baby or no baby, the belly will attract people you never knew existed, even children. Heck, maybe cats and dogs. From my experience, it was more of an attention thing. I never had received so much attention from total (and sometimes unusual) strangers. People are definitely much more caring and considerate when they notice you have the "bump."

2. The Baby's Movements

To feel your creation move inside of you is a feeling like no other. I guarantee when you feel your baby move for the first time, it will be of great joy to both you and your partner. As the days go by and the baby gets bigger, the movements will eventually be normal to you, and nothing weird. Being able to see their little nubs of their hands and head roll around your stomach is the greatest and proudest thing to watch, for you are the one that has made the baby grow.

3. The Food

After the morning sickness (if any) settles down, everything edible will look good to you. I caught myself trying foods I never knew existed, my taste buds were running out of control, probably because nothing could satisfy my, or should I say, our, hunger.

4. The Gifts

Everyone gets so generous when baby's are about to be born. Not to mention the baby shower gifts, then the hospital gifts, then more gifts when they come to visit! They seemed like they didn't stop. You have overloads of clothes because the babies grow out of them so quickly, so when it comes to yard sale time, you will always have something to sell!

5. The Waiting
Although I must say waiting was the hardest part, it was the best part. I believe this because waiting made me have a chock full of thoughts of what my baby would feel like, look like, all the above. The best part was, I wouldn't know until she was born. When she was finally born and I got to see her for the first time, it made waiting worth every minute and second to me.

6. No Work

Need I say more?

7. Your Man

Your husband or boyfriend will be a whole other person with you being pregnant. You will see them do things for you that you never thought possible. (This is if you are with a winner here, folks.) He will pull a star out of a sky for you once he sees that belly start to pop. It was amazing to me how the attitude just changed over a thing that seemed so simple. It was great.

8. Your Hair, Skin and Nails

Those prenatal pills do more for just the baby; all the vitamins and nutrients in them make a couple parts of your body grow. I never had so many compliments on how shiny my hair looked, and also on my skin. The daily intake of the prenatal pills really did wonders for each, and also made my nails grow longer and stronger than ever before!

9. Getting Ready

Nothing made me happier than setting up my baby's room. The bassinet was the best part, the hardest part was waking up to nothing in it, and just having to wait. I would add a new stuffed animal to it every now and then, or sometimes take on away. It was weird, the nesting process really set in about a week before I had my baby. I wanted to clean everything - if I could have vacuumed my vacuum, I would have. For that simple fact, pregnancy was great for me because I am definitely an unorganized person as it is.

10. The Hospital

This may be an unusual part of the Ten Best Things about Being Pregnant article, but the hospital stay was my favorite. I love hospitals, and I have no idea why. Maybe it's the treatment, maybe it's just the huge facility. But staying on the labor floor made my day. Especially enjoying the fact that I was able to visit the other babies in the nursery (look at them through the window) and get waited on hand and foot, can you ask for more? I don't think so.

So, enjoy being pregnant, it doesn't last forever. It will be over before you know it! My baby's almost two and I can't even remember her weighing 6 pounds, it's unreal to me.

What to Do Before You Get Pregnant

Mental Preperation, Pregnant, Preperation

Each month, a healthy woman under the age of 35, has a 25% chance of getting pregnant each month if she has sex during her ovulation. However, certain women are considerably more fertile than others, and their chances of each month can increase to 30-40%.

Before a woman decides that she wants to get pregnant, she should seek her medical practitioner. There are certain medical conditions that should be treated before pregnancy, such as anemia. Also, if a woman has a mental health issue, before pregnancy is a good time to manage any issues. Many medications cannot be taken during pregnancy, such as anti-anxiety medications, certain antibiotics, etc.

Many dental problems can complicate a pregnancy, and x-rays can be dangerous to the fetus. It is a good idea to have a dental check-up before a woman decides that she wishes to conceive. To fill a cavity or to get a root canal, many harmful medications need to be taken, but conversely, and infection can be dangerous to the mother and child as well.

The medical practitioner should prescribe a prenatal vitamin in order to prevent certain congenital birth defects. If a medical practitioner does not prescribe a prenatal vitamin for whatever reason, or if the woman decides that the co-pay is too much, she can always go to a local store and buy a non-prescription one over the counter. Ask you medical professional if a prescription one would be more beneficial for you. At Walmart, the average cost is less than $10 for a month supply, which is not bad considering that a good prenatal vitamin can prevent so many birth defects. Make sure that you take it each single day, preferably at the same time each day.

The woman should also change her diet in order to have a safe and healthy pregnancy such as eating wheat toast, orange juice, lots of protein. When deciding to become pregnant, this is a good time to start clearing out all the junk food in the fridge and the cabinets. A certain amount of junk food is okay, but it should be limited; think the food pyramid, use sparingly!

The woman (and man) should stop drinking and smoking for the time being. Most women do not know their pregnant for the first 6 weeks, and this is one of the most important developmental times during the pregnancy, and any toxins during this point, can have dire consequences for both mother and child.

Why Hospital Maternity Ward Tours Are Important During Pregnancy

Pregnant, Preperation

Another Way for Expectant Parents to Prepare for the Birth

Touring the maternity/obstetrics ward of local hospitals is an important way for pregnant women and expectant fathers or birth partners to prepare themselves for the big day. Many hospitals now offer this as an automatic part of their childbirth classes. If you sign up for Lamaze or Bradley Method classes where you plan to give birth, find out if the tours are included. Other times, hospitals offer group tours as a separate class in itself, or do them individually at the patient's request. Some women prefer to do the tours a little earlier in pregnancy as way of deciding where they want to birth before signing up for classes, in which case it is simple to call a few maternity wards and ask if someone could show them around and answer a few questions.

Why Are Hospital Maternity Ward Tours Important During Pregnancy?

Not everyone recognizes how important it can be to go on hospital tours of maternity/obstetrics wards during pregnancy. My own birth partner certainly didn't--I had to drag him to the first one, but after the fact he admitted that the tours were an essential and informative part of the pregnancy experience and preparing for the birth. If nothing else, maternity ward tours allow the expectant parents to see where they will need to go and the best routes to take so that these things a huge surprise when the woman is in labor. Also, simply knowing what the maternity ward and birthing rooms look like can be comforting to the woman during pregnancy and help to alleviate some of the anxiety about the unknown.

Different Maternity Wards Operate By Very Different "Hospital Policies"

Beyond those basic purposes of the hospital tour, it's important to recognize that maternity practices can vary widely between different hospitals. Some are much more willing to work with expectant parents regarding decisions such as the length of the hospital stay and whether the baby rooms in or stays in the nursery than others. Some hospitals are very supportive of natural childbirth and breastfeeding, while nurses in other maternity wards are much more likely to try to talk you into getting an epidural, starting interventions, or even to give your new baby formula without your knowledge. If the expectant parents learn during pregnancy that these "small" things are important issues to them, skipping the process of researching hospitals means risking being very surprised and frustrated when they show up at one in labor.

Ask Lots of Questions During Pregnancy To Avoid Being Surprised

The expectant parents should prepare for maternity ward tours by writing down questions beforehand because some will inevitably be forgotten at the hospital. Nurses, who usually do the tours and are used to showing pregnant women around the floor, know what basic information most people are curious about. However, they don't always remember to mention everything, and they don't know the personal situation or preferences of every pregnant woman who comes in. If the expectant parents have prepared a birth plan, that can be taken to the tour to be reviewed and ensure that everything is acceptable according to hospital policy. Remember that there is no such thing as too many questions. Here are some examples to get started:

What are the c-section and induction rates of this hospital?

How many people are allowed in the delivery room?

Can the expectant father or birth partner accompany the baby at all times while it's being bathed, etc.?

Is the pregnant woman allowed to move around freely and bathe or shower during labor?

Can the woman choose to give birth in the position most comfortable for her?

Finally, it is often a good idea to visit a couple of hospital maternity wards during pregnancy, even if the first one seems "good enough." That will give the expectant parents something to compare their preferred location to and be sure that they are making the right decision. The more comfortable they both are (especially the woman) when they show up at a hospital in labor, the better!

What You Really Need to Buy for Your New Baby

Budget, Gift, Pregnant, Preperation

It's Not as Much as You Think

When in my eighth month of pregnancy, I was fretting about all the stuff I still needed to buy for the baby; my friend put everything in perspective. She had spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in a small village in Togo, and had seen first hand how the women in the village made do with the barest of essentials. She said that all you really need is food and something to keep your baby warm. I'm used to a little cushiness, so I didn't follow her advice completely, but it's something to keep in mind when you're preparing for your new baby.

There's no doubt that the baby products industry is big business. According to the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, the US market for baby products is around $7 billion a year-excluding diapers, food and clothing. With the heavy barrage of marketing, it's no wonder many first-time parents feel overwhelmed when shopping for their new baby.

There'll be plenty of time to buy other things later if you find you need them, so to begin with, just focus on the baby essentials. When you're deciding what you absolutely need before you bring your baby home from the hospital, it's helpful to arrange your baby's needs by category. A newborn won't be playing with toys or looking at books, so instead, focus on his most basic needs-namely keeping him fed, clean, warm and comfortable. The following are things you should have well in advance of your due date.

Feeding

You don't need to buy a fancy glider or rocking chair, but have a comfortable spot, with plenty of pillows handy, to feed your baby. Have a ready supply of burp rags and washcloths. Whether you're planning on breastfeeding or not, you should also have some bottles on hand, just in case. Some mothers find they need to supplement their breastfeeding with formula in the beginning.

Changing

You're going to spend a lot of time changing diapers, so for the sake of your back, you'll want the changing area elevated-the top of a dresser works or you can buy a changing table. At the very least, have on hand a changing pad that you can put on the bed or floor. Make sure you have everything readily available at your changing station. Plenty of newborn-size diapers and baby wipes are a must, and you should also have a thermometer and Vaseline, which is especially useful if your baby boy has been circumcised.

Sleeping

Your baby will do plenty of sleeping when you bring her home, so she'll need a safe, comfortable place to sleep, whether it's a crib, bassinet, play yard or co-sleeper. It's recommended that small babies not use blankets when sleeping, so sleep sacks are useful.

Keeping Baby Warm

If you have a baby shower, you'll no doubt receive plenty of blankets and outfits for the little one. The first few weeks your baby won't leave the house much, so you don't have to worry about fashion. You'll be doing countless diaper changes, so look for clothes that are easy to get on and off your baby. Stock up on onesies and jumper outfits. Side-snap shirts are useful because you don't have to struggle to pull the shirts over your baby's fragile neck. You'll likely get a knit hat from the hospital, but you may want to buy a couple more. And don't forget to pick up some baby laundry detergent to wash all of her clothes and blankets. Everything should be washed before she uses it.

Safety

Be sure to buy your car seat early and learn how to install it. You won't be able to take your baby home from the hospital without it.

After your baby's arrival, you'll likely be inundated with gifts, and may be surprised by the amount of hand-me-downs that come flooding in from friends and relatives. You'll probably end up with more than your baby could possibly use. Now instead of worrying about what you need to buy, you'll be stressing over where to put everything.

Unassisted Pregnancy: Designing a Prenatal Self-Care Routine

General Health, Health, Mothercare, Pregnant, Preperation

How to Take Good Care of Yourself when Preparing for an Unassisted Birth

There are a few things that a pregnant woman can't do for herself, but usually they aren't necessary. Most of the tests professionals perform can be done at home, affordably, and certainly women are capable of measuring their vitals. Most of a prenatal visit is spent answering and asking questions about the pregnancy, but most answers can easily be found by picking up a book or doing an internet search. More and more women are choosing not to see pregnancy as a medical condition needing treatment, and they are foregoing formal prenatal care unless high risk. Some women have none at all, and many more monitor and test themselves. It's not hard to develope a prenatal self-care routine.

In an earlier piece I discussed routine prenatal testing that may be harmful or unnecessary. First you must decide which tests, if any, you will have. STD testing includes Hepatitis B & C, Syphilis, and HIV, all blood tests. The Pap Smear checks for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and cervical cancer (which is usually caused by HPV.) It can also locate cervical abnormalities such as an incompetent cervix, as well as vaginal infections. Your blood work usually includes a blood type check, a Cystic Fibrosis and Tay-Sachs screening test, the Triple/Quad Screen, Anemia check, and a check for German measles and chickenpox. CVS and Amniocentesis may be done to check for deformities and defects. GBS tests for group B streptococcus, which can (rarely) cause infection in the newborn.

Most of these tests are unnecessary. If you may have been exposed to an STD, if you may have a child with a defect or would discontinue the pregnancy if so, if you don't know your blood type or are at risk for measles and chickenpox, you may wish to have those tests performed. I recommend testing for these conditions if you can, because the more complete your home records are, the better you'll be treated when interviewing pediatricians or if you end up in the ER. Many can be performed at home, and some must be done by a doctor. The ones only available from a doctor, such as CVS and Amniocentesis, are actually the least necessary. Many women do chose to at least go in for one ultrasound, but they do as much home self-prenatal care as possible.

Tests for vaginosis, anemia, HIV, Hepatitis C, chlamydia, GBS, and gestational diabetes can be done at home. The others must be done by a health professional, and if it's unlikely that you would have abnormal results, there is no harm in refusing them. Craigmedical.com sells a lot of home tests at very affordable prices, and froogle is another good place to search. The Gestational Diabetes test is performed around 24 weeks. Fast for 8-10 hours, drink the special beverage, and then test your blood sugar an hour later; the supplies can be bought online. You can also buy urinalysis strips to use every few weeks. A combination chlamydia and GBS screen are available at drthom.com and should be taken near the end of the pregnancy. Whether you make that part of your self-prenatal care routine is up to you.

You need to create a schedule for monitoring your pregnancy. You may wish to check every week, every other week, or once a month. I recommend picking the same day and time for every check. At the most, you should do your routine once a week, and at the least it should be done very month--which is how often traditional prenatal routines are performed. Many useful materials are available at allheart.com at affordable prices, such as blood pressure cuffs and fetoscopes. You should start prenatal care no earlier than 8 weeks and no later than 12 weeks, which is when appointments traditionally begin. Design your self-prenatal care routine the way you want.

Routinely monitoring yourself can give you a picture of how your pregnancy is going. It will make it easy to spot warning signs of complications. Keeping a record will be useful when dealing with doctors. If they have no clue what your pregnancy has been like, they'll be cautious and treat you as an emergency for having had no prenatal care. A diary assures them you have done your homework and are taking care of yourself. It can help them make a diagnosis and recommendations about treatment. It can also assure you and those close to you that everything is fine. A self-prenatal care routine has a lot of benefits.

You should routinely monitor your weight, blood pressure (many pharmacies have blood pressure machines!), pulse, and symptoms. Write down how you are treating your symptoms. Begin recording the fetal heartbeat when you can hear it (10 weeks Doppler, 20 weeks fetoscope). When you can feel your uterus (16 weeks), measure your fundal height, distance from navel and pelvis in centimeters. This can help establish a due date and let you know you're growing as you should. You should record the first day of your last menstrual period, your pre-pregnancy weight, the date that you got your positive pregnancy test, and your estimated due date. In the third trimester, learn to palpitate your stomach to determine the position of the baby and placenta. Write down what you discover. I don't recommend cervical checks.

How much prenatal care you perform or receive is up to you. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. You can do as much or as little as you want. You decide what tests are necessary and how often you need to monitor yourself. You are likely to pay far more attention to what is going on than a doctor, as this is your body, your pregnancy, and your baby. You have much more vested in your well-being. The standard of care you can give yourself, unless you are high risk, is quite high, despite the popular belief that prenatal self-care is useless. A woman recording her weight is just as good as a doctor doing it! Take good care of yourself by exercising and following a healthy diet, as well as performing prenatal care. Good luck to you in this incredibly journey to motherhood! I'm sure you will create the self-prenatal care routine that is right for you.

Top 5 Must Have Items for a New Mom and Baby

Budget, Gift, Pregnant, Preperation

I will never forget how intensely anxious I felt standing in the middle of Babies-R-Us, a first time mom, holding the registry gun, no idea what I needed and didn't need. Close to two years later I've complied a list of my absolute favorite top 5 baby items. All but one item is still in daily use today.

Sofie the Giraffe

My sons first toy! Sofie is soft, squeeks, and is made from 100% natural rubber and non toxic paint. She has a distinctive smell so she plays on more senses than other teether toys. Her shape is perfect for small hands just learning to grasp. My son loved her. She went everywhere with us for the first year of his life.

Coconut Oil

This one really confused my family and may confuse you as well if you don't already know some of the amazing benefits that coconut oil offers. I do not put anything on my son's skin except coconut oil. I also use it on myself and take it internally. The benefits of coconut oil are seriously close to endless so I'll just touch on the few that drew me to it.

Affordable, increases milk supply for breastfeeding mamas, keeps morning sickness at bay, comforts a rashy baby bum, and eases teething pain.

I kept a plastic lidded container of coconut oil in my diaper bag. That was the only 'product' ever inside my bag for baby. I give coconut oil and properly airing out his bottom credit for the reason my son has only had a handful of diaper rashes that never lasted longer than a few hours.

Pregnancy Chime

This favorite goes by many names, Pregnancy chime, Mexican bola, angel caller, and belly chime. No matter which name you prefer this necklace is brilliant. When worn during pregnancy baby can hear the soft chimes of the ball. It's said to sooth and calm baby in and outside the womb. After birth, your baby will recognize that sound (along with your own sound and smell.) It's just another added familiarity in a big brand new world. It's also great during feedings; your little will enjoy playing with and hearing the sound of the necklace.

I ordered mine from eBay, it was very reasonably priced. The necklace string it came with wasn't quiet long enough to reach down to my belly button where it should be worn so I just replaced it with some leather cord I had left over from a previous craft. At 20 months, my son still loves to shake it and hear the sound.

Twilight Turtle

I added this to my registry without really knowing much about it and it turned out to be one of the very few items I still use almost 2 years later. The turtle has three different color settings, blue being our favorite and projects real constellations over the entire room. It gave off just enough light in the early postpartum months so I could easily see what I was doing during night nursing without disturbing my significant other.

The stars do not spin or twist or move. At first I was slightly bummed, but now I could care less. My son still loves to "star gaze" before bed and the fact they are stationary helps him look for and point out the crescent moon.

Baltic Amber Teething Necklace

Slightly skeptical, my son started wearing his around 4 months old. When he started teething around 6 months old I noticed a huge difference when he was wearing the necklace versus when it was off. He wasn't as fussy and the drool wasn't overflowing.

Not only is this great item for baby, but mama could benefit from one during and after pregnancy. Baltic Amber is a completely natural and drug-free way to relieve pain. When worn against the skin, the skin's warmth releases tiny amounts of healing oils containing succinic acid. This oil is then absorbed into the body. Despite what some believe, baby does not need to chew or suck on the necklace. Simply wearing around her neck, wrist, or ankle is enough.

Make sure to click the hyperlinks I've provided for more information.

Tips for Buying Baby Clothes

Budget, Pregnant, Preperation

The minute you find out you are pregnant, the first thing you want to do is go out and buy some baby clothes. Buying baby clothes can be a really fun experience, but you need to do know some essentials before you buy anything. You want to be able to buy clothing that you can actually use and you don't want to spend all your money on baby clothes when they out-grow them in a couple of weeks. Here are some tips that I have learned on buying baby clothes.

To decide how much baby clothes that you will need, figure out how often you want to do laundry. For a newborn baby, buy enough clothing for three changes a day and times that by the number of days that you want to go in between doing laundry. So, if you are going to do laundry every four days, you would multiply 4x3. You would need at least 12 changes of clothes for your baby.

Buy outfits that are easy for diaper changes. I realized that if you buy an outfit that does not make for easy diaper changes, you will not put your baby in the outfit. Look for onesies, overalls that snap at the crotch, sleepers that zip up, and easy pull on sweatpants and leggings.

Buy clothing that will give your baby plenty of room to move their legs, such as leggings and sweats. Save the jeans and dress pants for special occasions.

Look for clothing that is made out of soft, durable material. Soft knits stretch more and can be changed more easily. Look for cotton and not something that will be itchy on your baby's skin such as wool.

Buying multi-piece outfits can save you money because the one piece of the original outfit can still be worn when the other piece does not fit. Many times babies, will need longer pants or bigger shirts and will need two different sizes on the top and bottom.

Look for booties that fit snugly so that your baby can't easily kick them off. You'll save yourself the time of constantly putting them back on.

Don't buy that many newborn size clothing for your baby. They will likely outgrow that size within the first few days to weeks. Some babies are even born too big for newborn size. Buy a 0-3 months and you can roll the pants and sleeves for awhile if they are too large.

Avoid buying any clothing that requires hand washing or dry-cleaning. Only buy these items for very special occasions, and even then it may not be worth it. If a daily article of baby clothing can't be machine washed, do not buy it or return it if it was a gift.

Three Things You Should Do Before You Conceive

Mental Preperation, Mothercare, Pregnancy Test, Preperation

So you're ready to take the plunge into parenthood - congratulations! You're probably finding the prospect super-exciting and super-scary, in almost equal measures. Getting pregnant is a big step. And while you may be thinking a lot about how a baby will change your life, you might not realize there may be changes you should make even before you even get pregnant to give that baby the best possible healthy start. It's important to look after your own health too.

Check your weight and the quality of your diet.

Women who are under or overweight may have difficulty conceiving and are at higher risk for certain pregnancy complications. This is not a time for crash diets or stuffing yourself with junk - you and your baby need healthy food! If you have a history of eating disorders, major weight issues or significant food restrictions because of allergies, intolerances or your beliefs, you may want to consult a dietitian for advice.

Start taking a daily prenatal vitamin with folic acid

Incorporate prenatal vitamin with folic acid in your diet as soon as you start trying to become pregnant. Most drug-stores carry at least a couple of different formulations, and all are safe - but talk to a pharmacist or health-care practitioner if you'd like advice. If you currently use other vitamin or herbal supplements, stop taking them until you can discuss their safety with your doctor.

Clean up your act

You're probably already planning to quit smoking and avoid alcohol once you're pregnant, but do your baby a favor and start now. You want to plant that fertilized egg in a body that's already as healthy as it can be.

Smoking has been shown to decrease fertility and increase the chances of having a small-birth weight or premature baby, not to mention increase your baby's chances of a number of health risks after he is born. It takes a while to "clear" the residue built up from smoking in your system, so the sooner you quit, the better. If your partner will quit with you, all the better: smoking can affect the quality of his sperm. Avoid second-hand smoke whenever possible, too. If you drink, it's a good idea to stop or at least cut back to light drinking.

If you or your partner uses recreational drugs, you should definitely stop before becoming pregnant. Regular use of marijuana carries similar risks to tobacco smoking, including reduced fertility. And THC, the chemical in pot that gets you high, can cross the placenta and affect your unborn baby. Harder drugs have more serious risks.

Natural Birth with a Midwife vs. Hospital Birth

Health, Mothercare, Pregnant, Preperation

Giving birth is a wonderful, miraculous experience. Most mothers choose to give birth in a hospital knowing they will take good care of you, and if anything goes wrong, all the equipment is ready to go. You also get the dreaded but amazing epidural. I never really considered having a baby outside of the hospital without an epidural until I became pregnant with my fifth child and knew it would be my last. A desire grew inside me to be able to experience birth including all the pain. I know, it sounds crazy, right? Well, I did it, and it was amazing!

If you are considering a birth center and/or midwife as opposed to the traditional hospital birth, here is the good and the bad that I experienced:

The good about natural birth:

You are not "plugged in" to a bunch of machines. This is super annoying when you are trying to rest and the blood pressure cuff squeezes the life out of your arm every 15 min. No IV, no long epidural needle, no catheter, just you in a comfortable bed.

No rude nurses. I've had about half and half when it comes to nurses. One nurse tried telling me I just peed my pants when I broke my water and tried to send me home. But I have had wonderful nurses as well. You never know what you're going to get!

Your midwife is there for the entire process. She has tricks that help the labor along and that help with the pain. My 2nd baby was coming out and I had to "hold it in" until the doctor showed up. The nurse freaked out and left me alone to wait. That baby was coming out, so I told my husband to roll up his sleeves and catch! Luckily the doctor did make it before that happened!

You get to go home and be in your own bed. This is a pro for some and a con for others.

You get to experience what our mothers and grandmothers and beyond have experienced for thousands of years. The intense pain followed by instant relief when the baby is in your arms is a moment of pure joy. You are completely aware of everything going on in your body. You are actively involved in the process, and it is awesome!

Midwives (good ones) do house calls. Mine was going to be leaving on vacation and wanted to make sure I wasn't giving birth any time soon. She came to my house to check me. She also came to my house a few days after the baby was born to check me and the baby and make sure everything was going well. I absolutely hate having to take a newborn in to a dirty doctor's office when I'm trying to heal from the birth.

You are taken care of on a more personal level. I was able to call my midwife any time and get answers immediately. I was feeling a bladder infection coming on and called her. Right away, she had me come to her house and she did the test. It wasn't showing an infection, but she gave me some grapefruit seed oil that prevented it without any medication. She gave me advice on breastfeeding, taking care of my stitches and taking care of my baby whenever I needed it.

Recovery is quicker. I felt so much better and more "with it" after the natural birth. One reason for this is that the midwife really helps the baby along. She uses methods that reduce the need for c-sections and most women do not tear. I had torn with each child, so it was inevitable for me; however, I had fewer stitches with the midwife delivery.

The bad about natural birth:

The pain. Even with my wonderful midwife and her assistant, I was in more pain than I could ever have imagined. However, my baby was born in only 1.5 hours, so it was at least quick.

Having to go home soon after the birth. Not all birthing centers do this. And if I hadn't had four children at home to take care of, it wouldn't be a bad thing. However, for me this was extremely difficult. I went home only four hours after giving birth. I was not quite ready to face the reality of five children. Yikes!

If you are concerned about the safety of natural birth with a midwife outside the hospital, these statistics

might help. Birth centers are just as safe as hospitals but provide a more nurturing experience. Just make sure you find a certified midwife with a lot of birth experience.

If you are having your first baby, I would recommend a hospital birth just because you have no idea what your body is going to do. It is nice to have the option of epidural if your labor ends up being 27 hours!

But after having a normal delivery with no complications, I would recommend a birth center for any other deliveries. You have to weigh the good and bad and find what would be best for y

Everyday Toiletries and Medicine Cabinet Essentials for Newborn Babies

Budget, General Health, Mothercare, Preperation

A list of everyday toiletries and medicines for newborn baby care, including fever and pain relief, digestive aids, breastfeeding supplies, bodywash and creams, and remedies for diaper rash, nasal congestion and pain and fever.

Digestive aid

Over the counter Mylicon and Little Tummys (simethicone) and gripe water (e.g. Mom's Bliss brand) can help with reducing colic and gas.

Breastfeeding supplies

For breastfeeding mothers, a lanolin cream, such as Lansinoh or Medela, or a cocoa butter formula, such as Palmer's Nursing Butter, can help soothe and cure cracked nipples. Medela also make nipple shields which might help with latching on to a small or inverted nipple and provide relief to the mother.

Diaper rash

Popular diaper rash prevention creams come in two varieties: a mixture of lanolin and petrolatum, such as A&D Original and Aquaphor, or zinc oxide based, such as Desitin and Boudreaux's Butt Paste. Pure petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, can also work to create a moisture barrier.

Nasal congestion

Saline drops, such as Ayr, work great to loosen up mucus buildup inside the nose. Mothers can then suck out with a bulb syringe (also known as nasal aspirator) or NoseFrida Snotsucker.

Thermometer

Hospitals may provide the family with a rectal thermometer. Digital in-ear thermometers, which are often used in pediatricians' offices, is available for purchase under the Vicks brand.

Fever and pain relief

The only fever and pain relief medicine approved for newborns until 6 months is Infant Acetaminophen (Tylenol). You can also stock up on Infant Ibuprofen (Motrin) and Baby Orajel or Hyland's Teething tablets after this age. Always ask your pediatrician for dosage and instructions before administering any medication to your baby.

Grooming

Babies with hair often get cradle cap. To remove it, you would need some oil (Johnson & Johnson's, which is petroleum based or coconut or olive oil) and a fine tooth comb. Many children are also born with long, sharp nails that need trimming, so keep a baby sized nail clipper or Emory board in stock. Although some pediatricians no longer recommend cleaning the unfallen umbilical cord with isopropyl alcohol, cotton puffs and swabs are always useful.

Body washes, creams and lotions

Johnson's Baby makes a complete suite of baby care washes, creams and lotions. Other options include Aveeno Baby (oatmeal based), and natural brands such as California Baby and Burt's Bees. Mothers of babies with particularly dry or sensitive skin may prefer brands such as Cetaphil and CeraVe, which are often recommended by pediatricians for eczema, but can benefit general dry skin as well.

Surviving College Pregnant

Mental Preperation, Mothercare, Preperation

Don't Drop Out of College Because Your Pregnant

Towards the end of my junior year of college, I got pregnant. At first, I thought that my dreams of a degree had been destroyed, but with encouragement from my friends and family, I continued attending school through my entire pregnancy. My baby is now almost three months old, and I am almost half way through my last semester of college. In just a couple short months I will have my bachelor's degree- and it has not been delayed even one semester! If you are pregnant, here are some things you should know that will help you finish strong- baby and all!

1. Work Ahead

Pregnancy comes with a lot of ups and down in your mood and energy. Sometimes you will be so tired that you just want to sleep for hours. Other times, you will feel like you just have burst of energy. Take advantage of these bursts of energy and try to work ahead on your schoolwork, or on other things you need to get done. Taking care of errands and chores while you have lots of energy will free up time for you to do homework later. Working ahead on your schoolwork will reduce the stress of having an assignment to do last minute when you happen to be having a really bad day.

2. Get Tested for Anemia

The first trimester you will be overly tired, and that is to be expected. Just take lots of naps, try to eat well, and cut yourself some slack. However, during the second trimester, you should start to feel pretty good, having lots of energy.

If your energy level does NOT increase after about the 14th week, tell your doctor and see if they can test you for anemia. I kept waiting to start feeling better, and did not get tested for anemia until around week 22. They called me within just a few hours of my blood test to tell me that I was very anemic and should start taking iron supplements. Once I started taking them, I felt so much better!

Why is this important? Because going to college and doing college homework tends to require a lot of energy, and if you don't have any, it will be hard to get through it.

3. Don't Hide Your Pregnancy From Your Professors

It really is to your best advantage to tell your professors that you are pregnant. If you are feeling uncomfortable with this, then you may want to see your professor in private during office hours and just let them know that you are pregnant.

There are several reasons for this. If you are in your first trimester, you will probably finish the current semester before having the baby, but it is still helpful to talk to your professors. This way, they may be able to be more lenient with their attendance policies and due dates if you are feeling sick or just too tired.

In your second and third trimesters, it will get harder to keep attending school, but it is possible with some understanding from your professors. Depending on the timing of your due date and your school schedule, you may need to miss some time to have the baby. Try to talk to the professors for the classes you are planning on taking before hand to let them know of your circumstances. If possible, it is nice to know before registering for a class that the professor will understand that you may need to make special arrangements when the baby comes. Most professors will be happy for you that you are becoming a mom, and will be even more accommodating than you may expect.

4. Look into Off Campus Study Options

Check with your school to see what off campus options they have for classes. Some schools offer internet classes, video classes, or independent study. Try to take advantage of these options as much as possible, especially towards the end of your pregnancy. One difficulty that I did not anticipate towards the end of my pregnancy was that I had to go to the bathroom about every 10 minutes. With a baby sitting on your bladder, it can be really difficult to drive long distances to school and to sit through even an hour long class. While professors can try to be understanding about your need to leave class, you are still going to be missing information, which will be difficult on you.

I solved this problem with independent study. Even though there was nothing listed in the course schedule about independent study programs, I contacted the professor who was teaching the course I needed and explained my situation. She was more understanding than I expected and worked out an independent study program that allowed me to finish the class, even though I had to take two weeks off when I had my baby.

Even if you school does not have anything specifically listed about independent study, you should still ask individual professors or your academic advisor to see what they can suggest.

5. Take Advantage of Summer and Winter Sessions If Available

It is truly in your best interest to get as much school as possible out of the way before you have the baby. As hard as it is to go to school nine months pregnant, it is that much harder to study with a newborn at home. While I was hesitant to go to summer school during the last three months that I was pregnant, I was able to finish two classes, which has made it possible for me to go to school part-time now that the baby is here.

6. Look into School Subsidized Child Care

Once you have the baby, you will have the fun new challenge of finding child care. Many schools offer child care on campus, and often it is at a much cheaper rate than what you find elsewhere. Sometimes there will be a minimum age for child care. If you cannot find a family member or friend to help out until your baby reaches the minimum age, then you may have to take a semester off. The important thing is that you set goals, and stay on track. Just promise yourself that you will go back!

7. Solicit the Support of Friends and Family

If you have people around you who are willing to help, take advantage of it! Even if you feel like you may be able to get schoolwork done at home with the baby, I guarantee you that you will get more done if you do not have to worry about taking breaks to change diapers and feed the baby. Even if it is just for an hour or two, leave the baby with a family member and go somewhere like the library or Starbucks to study.

8. If you are breastfeeding, invest in a good breast pump

Pumping is a must for breastfeeding moms who must attend college. After about a week postpartum, you can start pumping once extra per day and freezing it for future use. As your milk comes in, you can pump more and more to have a store for when you need to attend class. As far as pumping while you are at school, talk to the student health center, or to your advisor, and see if they can provide you access to a place where you can pump at school. Milk can be stored in a little freezer bag (an insulated bag with ice packs in it) for a few hours until you get home and get it in the freezer for future use.

9. Remember that you are doing this for both of you!

Sometimes, when your baby is crying or just having a rough day, it can be really hard to leave the house, close the door, and drive off to school. The first time I left my baby screaming in my husband's arms to rush off to class, I was overwhelmed with this feeling of guilt and I cried halfway to school.

Every time I leave for school, I try to remind myself that a college degree is going to be a major benefit for our entire family. People will college degrees make more money and have better careers. A college degree can allow you to have a job where you make sufficient money to support your family without working ridiculously long hours.

I am going to school to be a teacher, and I know that my son is going to appreciate the time I am able to spend with him when I have summers and holidays off with him during his childhood. Thinking about that makes those hours away from home now all worth it!

Pregnancy Advice I Wish I Received

Mental Preperation, Mothercare, Nutrition, Preperation

Advice Pregnant Women Never Talk About

When you are pregnant, it seems like everyone has unsolicited advice for you. From "how to tell if your having a boy or girl," or "how to sleep," to "what to eat or not eat." It's what people love to do best. I, however, don't recall getting any advice that was helpful. So, I decided to come up with a list of things I wish someone had told me from my own pregnancy experience:

1. It's okay to formula feed, despite breast being "best"

I had always assumed that breastfeeding would be one of the easiest and most natural things to do. But it just wasn't meant to be - I couldn't breast feed. The first few weeks with my new son were so heartbreaking for me. I was offered so much advice on how to hold him, how to pump, and even had nurses plopping my boobs in my son's mouth for me, just for him to spit it out and turn his head away. Never once did anyone say to me "It's OK to feed him formula." I found that once I did, my son would bond with me as well as if I breast fed him, and he would be just as happy and healthy.

2. Less is best!, get only as needed.

What I mean by this is you shouldn't stress yourself trying to get all the baby must haves and researching what's best, safest, fashionable. I spent months searching for the best baby changer and guess what? You want to know where my son was changed 99.9% of the time? Our bed! It was a better height for me, and gave me a bigger surface to place his changing items, PLUS the drawers in the bed fit everything that needed to be put away. Don't get me wrong, shopping for baby is a lot of fun but most of the time you will not use it.

3. It's more then okay to accept offers for babysitting

Who doesn't love a newborn baby? A toddler whose got the tantrums won't be receiving as many offers. However, if you do receive an offer, then by all means take them up on it even if it's just so you can shower, cook a meal, use the toilet or more importantly take a nap.

4. Keep a emergency diaper bag in the car

It takes some getting used to carry one around, and with the impending newborn diaper blow outs, you will be glad you had a back up. What I wished I was told was to put a shirt in the bag for myself for when my son spits up, pees or poops on his favorite target (because if it's going to happen, it will happen away from home) and you may not be going home right away!

5. Point it down!

This may seem obvious but no one ever forewarns you. To prevent a leak with boy diapers be sure to point his pee pee downwards when changing.

6. Never be ashamed to ask for help

I remember being in line at the grocery store when my son was only a few weeks old, and he spit up everywhere. I was so thankful to the lady behind me who had three kids. She quickly offered me a big handful of wet wipes and my son was soon cleaned up. Her kindness taught me to never be ashamed to ask for help. We all need it at some point and there are millions of moms who have stood in our shoes beforehand.

7. Try not to buy clothes with lots of snaps or buttons

Baby clothes can be some of the most adorable little things you've ever seen. However, dealing with lots of buttons or snaps for late night or early morning changes can drive you crazy. If you are anything like me, you will be nervous enough to handle your new baby. So try to think of the practicality of the clothes first before buying.

8. Lastly try to relax and enjoy it

Your new adventure will go by so fast. The first few months really are the easiest so have fun, enjoy parenthood, and enjoy your child!

Pampers Swaddlers Vs. Pampers Baby Dry

Budget, Preperation

Different diapers fit different babies better than others. Some fit best in Huggies, some in store brands, some in Pampers, etc. For our son, Pampers give him the best fit although we've also tried Huggies, Luvs and 365 Organic Diapers. He's still in size 2, so we haven't been able to try Pampers Cruisers yet, but we've used both the Swaddlers and the Baby Dry. Here is my option on them both.

My husband and I have been using the Swaddlers on him since he came home from the hospital. In the past nine months we've only had problems with them leaking a handful of times. He's only had wet diapers leak when he peed a lot more than normal and we didn't change him in time (like overnight). And the only time we've had poo leak is when he's been in his jumperoo and bounces like crazy after he's gone, which squishes the poo out the back or leg of the diaper. I don't think either of those kind of leaks are reflections of the diapers since those actions would still caused leaks no matter what kind of diaper he had on. I love the Swaddlers on him. We've had other brands that leak very easily or end up with blowouts almost every time he poops. Since Huggies don't fit him well we had 3 blowouts in one day the first time we tried using them and two more the next day. After that we switched back to Pampers. The Swaddlers are very absorbent and don't leak easily. So far they are my favorite diaper. We'll see how the Cruisers measure up when he moves up to size 3!

Now that he's sleeping through the night every night and doesn't wake up for a diaper change until the morning, I thought the Pampers Baby Dry would be great for an overnight diaper. According to their advertising, the Baby Dry diapers are supposed to keep them dry for up to 12 hours. Since he doesn't sleep that long I thought they would definitely keep him dry through the night. Boy was I wrong. The first morning I went in to feed and change him after he'd slept in the Baby Dry, the front of his onsie was completely soaked in pee. I'm talking all the way up to his neck and his crib sheet where he had been sleeping. I had to give him a bath first thing and his chest and stomach had a huge rash on it from being wet for so long. I've never had that happen with the Swaddlers. The next morning they leaked again, although not nearly as badly. We're using them in the daytime now until we use the rest of the pack. That way we can just change him more frequently so they don't leak all over. We've still had them leak during the day. Not nearly as severely but its still annoying. After the terrible experience we've had I would not buy the Baby Dry diapers again. However I love the Swaddlers and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to others to try!

Hospital Delivery Bag for Mom and Baby: What Do You Really Need?

Mothercare, Preperation

Having gone through the birth experience four times, I feel the need to inform parents what to bring and what is unnecessary for the hospital delivery bag. There are so many new products out there pushing you to buy them for this and that, but what do you really need and what can you do without?

Items for the Mama-To-Be:

- 2 nightgowns

Be sure they're comfortable and loose fitting.

- 3 pairs of socks

Use your coziest ones. The hospital room is sometimes chilly.

- 1 pair of slippers

You don't want to walk through the hospital with tennis shoes or heels under your nightgown, do you?

- books

If your labor is long, you may get bored, but not want to watch TV. Also, after baby is born, - you may need something to do when the baby is getting baths, shots, or other care.

- magazines and puzzle books

These have the same reason as for the books.

- nursing pads

These are necessary to prevent leakage from staining the clothing. They come in cloth or disposables.

- nursing bra

This is necessary even if you are not planning on breastfeeding. There will still be leakage for a certain period of time, especially the second or third day after baby is born when the milk is starting to come in.

Note:

You will likely not have to pack items such as movies, radios, and toiletries. Most hospitals will provide these items. Besides, you really will be too busy caring for the baby, taking postnatal hospital classes, and sleeping to enjoy the radio or an entire movie. Your baby will probably enjoy your singing more than a baby sounds cd as well. Whatever toiletries are not provided by asking the nurse, the gift shop will likely have them available or you can ask someone to bring them later if necessary. This way you don't have to bring in such a cumbersome bag while you're in labor. Besides, by the time you leave, you will need the extra space in your bag. The hospital will give you tons of freebies for yourself and the baby.

Items For The Baby:

- 2 one piece bodysuits/onesies

Pack one in preemie size and one in newborn size. You never know which size will be appropriate until the baby is born. Many newborns are too small for the newborn size.

- 2 diapers (1 newborn size and 1 preemie size

You are only bringing these in case the hospital does not give you diapers, but in most cases, you will receive at least one free pack of diapers. If that doesn't happen, you can have someone bring you a pack, but it's highly unlikely to not receive diapers at the hospital. If you will be using cloth diapers, you may want to use disposables in the hospital. Otherwise, plan to purchase a fair amount of cloth diapers, for you won't have access to a washing machine and will need to keep an airtight bag or container for all the soiled garments.

- 3 pacifiers (1 rounded, 1 orthopedic, 1 bottle nipple style)

You are bringing three different types because all babies prefer a different type. Sometimes the ones supplied in the hospital are not preferred by the baby.

- Formula and baby bottles

The hospital will provide this, but this is if you prefer a different brand of formula or bottles than your hospital provides. Bring these even if you don't intend to formula feed. Sometimes for unexpected health reasons, a mother may not be able to breast feed.

- 1 going home outfit

Get this in both preemie size and newborn size. If the baby does not fit the preemie size, return it. If the baby does fit the preemie size, you can either keep the newborn size for when baby grows or just return it.

- 1 Carseat with head cushion insert

I recommend the Graco Snugride. It is safety certified, even for preemies and fits even the smallest of babies. It has ranked number one in safety for many years.

- 4 receiving blankets

You will need to wrap baby in one or two of these. If baby is small, you may need to roll up one or two to properly position the baby in the carseat for the ride home.

Items Baby Can Do Without:

- baby nail clippers

- baby toys

- baby shoes

- diapering powders & ointments (baby will likely not need these yet)

- suction bulb (the hospital will provide this)

- Q-tips (These are not recommended for infants. If the outside of the ear canal needs cleaning, use a wet cloth, which will be provided at the hospital.)

How to Afford All of Your New Baby Needs

Budget, Mothercare, Preperation

Baby on a Budget

Are you expecting a new addition to your family but finding the finances are pretty tight? This is a common situation for many parents. Even wealthy parents will want to formulate a baby budget to help them keep track of their baby related expenses. While it's tempting to splurge on all the newest and coolest baby themed gadgets and toys, sometimes it's smarter to save the money for things your child will need later (such as a college fund).

It's fun to splurge when you have it and if you can afford it, it's certainly nice to give your baby the best. However, taking care of your baby's needs doesn't have to break the bank and the best isn't always the most expensive. There are many affordable ways of getting what your baby needs and still having some money left for those special "wants" as well. Here's a guide to how you can have a baby on a budget; what you need and what you don't, where to find discounted baby items and how to keep baby safe and healthy at all times.

When it comes to baby items, you can classify things in two main groups: things you need and things you want. There are some items that are great for convenience and make life with baby easier but may not actually be necessary. Only you can decide how much you can afford for those "wants" when compared to the needs for you and your baby.

The best way to begin planning for your baby on a budget is to formulate a list of your needs. The average healthy baby needs:

Love (Good news parents, this one's free!)

A safe place to sleep

Safe, healthy food to eat

Clean clothing

Clean, dry diapers

Method of bathing regularly

Regular medical care and treatment

A car safety seat

These are the basic, daily needs of a baby. There are different factors that will determine how you as a parent or guardian will meet these baby needs. Let's begin at the top of the list and make our way down.

Sleep- Your baby needs a safe place to sleep. The most common place to put a sleeping baby is a crib but depending on your family, your budget and your personal beliefs, there are other options as well. Some parents use bassinets and mini-cribs while the baby is still an infant and may place these in their rooms by their beds so they can always hear the baby throughout the night. Some parents want baby to sleep in the bed with them. There are many varying opinions to co-sleeping with a baby but when it comes right down to it, the most important thing is the safety of the baby. If you cannot afford a crib or if you simply prefer your baby to be close to you at night, you can allow the baby to sleep in the bed with you as long as you follow a few safety precautions. Be sure the baby is safe from excess bedding, pillows and other items. Make sure baby can not roll off the bed to the floor and become injured. Be sure no other people sleeping in the bed will unknowingly roll over onto baby and smother him. It is usually not recommended to co-sleep with a baby in a water bed or if someone else in the bed has a sleep disorder that could endanger the baby. In addition to these ideas, there are crib-alternatives or makeshift cribs that often work for parents on a budget. Small babies have been known to sleep in beds made from large strollers that adjust to a lying position, dresser drawers and even laundry baskets. While these ideas may work, they should be considered a temporary arrangement only as it can become dangerous as baby grows bigger and learns to move.

Food- Your baby has to eat. What and how he eats will depend on different factors. Many mothers choose to breastfeed their babies. There are many health benefits to breastfeeding and it also provides an extra special social connection between mother and child. Accommodations are now available to make breastfeeding easier on moms. There are pumps that allow you to pump and bottle store your breast milk for when you are not able to feed baby yourself. Many cities have organizations that will help you get a pump if you want to breastfeed and are unable to afford one. Some mothers are unable to breastfeed or choose not to for personal reasons. In some cases, such as adoption or the death of the mother after birth, the remaining care providers of the baby will have no choice but to use formula. There are many formulas available on the market for babies and usually your baby's physician can help you in choosing the right one. The most important thing is that your baby gets the proper nutrients to grow and be healthy. Regular cow's milk cannot be digested by a small infant and even if it was, it would not provide the nutrients needed to sustain healthy life in the baby. There are programs available to help parents with feeding their babies such as the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program. WIC is a great option for breastfeeding and bottle-feeding mothers and will help you by providing knowledge, information on diet and nutrition, and vouchers for formula for bottle babies and healthy food for mom for breastfeeding babies. Contact the local WIC office near you to find out if you qualify. If you are low income and fear you cannot afford to feed your baby, there are also local food centers and food banks in all communities that will help you ensure your baby receives a healthy daily diet. Don't be afraid to seek help before you allow your child to suffer.

Clothing- Your baby will need clean, dry clothes to wear each day. Keep in mind that a baby will go through several changes of clothing in a day. If you do not have a washing machine at home or easy access to a washer or Laundromat, you will probably want extra changes of clothes so you can be sure your baby is always clean and fresh. It's also easy to wash many small baby items in your sink or bathtub at home and allow them to air dry to be sure baby always has something clean to wear. The type of clothing will depend on how often your baby goes out in public, what climate you live in and what your budget is. While there are many cute (and expensive) outfits available for baby, these are not necessary and if you are on a tight budget, they can be skipped. Dressing baby in t-shirts, the infamous "Onesies" and other simple clothing will usually do just fine on a daily basis. Most of these items can be found pretty inexpensively new but can also be found from yard sales, second hand stores and even eBay. Be sure you wash all used clothing thoroughly and check for strings or frayed edges, loose snaps or buttons or anything else that could be dangerous to baby. Otherwise, there is nothing wrong with using used baby items. Most children grow so fast at this age it isn't feasible to buy new items all the time anyway. You might decide on just a few "fancy" outfits for when your baby is going on and save the others for everyday use.

Diapers- Your precious little bundle of joy is going to need something clean and dry to put on his bum. There are two main options for you; disposable or cloth. Many parents choose cloth diapers because they can save money by washing and reusing them, because they feel they are better for baby's bottom and skin, or simply because they like them better. Some parents choose disposables because they are easier or because they have to take their child to a daycare provider that doesn't cater to cloth diapers. Whatever you choose is fine as long as your baby is kept clean and dry at all times. Dirty diapers lead to painful diaper rash and in some cases even urinary tract infections or bladder infections. If you are using disposables, there are many "off brands" that are cheaper and work just as well for your baby. You can also help by purchasing diapers during your pregnancy and asking for diapers for your baby shower. You can stockpile them for when baby comes and there will be less expense right away when baby is born.

Bathing- There are many baby items available on the market that make bathing easier but none are really necessary. Baby can be bathed in the sink when he is small and in the bathtub like the rest of the family when he is bigger. Just be sure you follow proper safety precautions to be sure baby is safe. When it comes to bathing products, less is more. One bottle of baby bath will likely last you a very long time. Your baby doesn't need a lot of products to keep clean. In fact, most of the time simple warm water will do the trick. If using a baby product, you can save time and money by getting an all-in-one product that can be used as body wash and shampoo. If you choose to purchase bath items to make bathing easier, keep up to date on recalled items and be careful if using used items to be sure they are still in good working condition. Never leave baby unattended in the bath, not even for a second.

Medical Care- Medical care is a huge problem for many people in the United States as well as other countries but it is important that your baby has access to the care and treatment he needs. Most babies and children will need immunizations before they can attend day care or public school. Babies also need regular appointments to be sure they are growing and developing properly. Depending on your personal beliefs, you may attend a family doctor or pediatrician with your baby or you may have a doctor, nurse or midwife come to your home. Whether your baby is born in a hospital or a homebirth, you will want to have your child checked out by a healthcare professional of some sort as he develops to be sure everything is right with him. Never neglect your baby's health because you think you cannot afford it. If you are low income, there are many resources that can help you. Some low income families may qualify for Medicaid to help pay for their baby's health expenses. If you had Medicaid while you were pregnant, your baby will automatically be covered for one year after his birth. At the one year mark, you will need to reapply to see if you still qualify. If you make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but your job does not offer health-care or you are not eligible for health insurance from your job, there are other options. Most states have state-funded programs to help with insurance and medical expenses for underage children. For example, the state of Texas has CHIPs (Children's Health Insurance Program) for children 18 and under. This is an income based insurance carrier that will set you up with a doctor that meets your income needs.

Car Seat- If you have your baby in a hospital, you will not even be allowed to leave unless you have a safety car seat for your infant. If you have a home birth, you want to be sure you have a car seat before you leave anywhere with your baby in a motor vehicle. Each state has specific laws regarding car seats and how long children should be in them as well as what type of seat is best for your child. You can find more information on car safety seat at Safer Child, Inc. If you cannot afford a car seat, there are many organizations that can help provide you with one so that your child will be safe. In addition to having the car seat, it is important that you know how to install it and use it properly. Most local fire departments and police departments have programs that allow you to bring in your car safety seat to have it checked for proper, safe installation.

Used Baby Items and Recalls

Parents on a budget likely already know that used baby items are a great way to get what you need for less. However, in the interest of safety, be sure you look into any used items you purchase or are given for your baby before using them with baby. Look up the manufacturer and model of the item and be sure it has not been recalled due to a defect or safety issue. Some older items, such as old-fashioned portable cribs, may not have the same safety and quality standards that baby items of today have so you need to be cautious when using older items.

If you are shopping for baby on a budget, you can start by narrowing down these things that you really need. Accept any help from friends and family if they are willing to give it. You can also use hand-me-downs from an older child or from a family member or friend as long as you check them for safety. You can also look at second-hand baby stores, thrift stores, the local Goodwill or Salvation Army, Freecycle, yard sales and garage sales and more to find baby items. Department stores such as Wal-Mart and Target usually have new items cheaper than name brand stores and you can also find many great coupons and sale offers for new parents that help you be even thriftier with baby shopping. Have fun parents and don't forget number one on our list; love!

Your Homebirth and Unassisted Birth Paperwork

Mothercare, Pregnant, Preperation

Even Though You Aren't at a Hospital You Will Still Have Some Paperwork

When you have a homebirth and a midwife you will have to fill out certain paperwork. The forms for your child's social security number and birth certificate will apply no matter if you have an unassisted birth or choose to have a midwife. Every midwife is going to be different and the state that you live in will affect the amount of paperwork that is required of her to have parents fill out.

Paperwork for a Midwife

Legal Disclaimer

It is likely that you will have to fill out a legal disclaimer, a document that states that you understand what is involved in a homebirth and you will not sue the midwife for malpractice if a natural issue occurs during your labor or birth.

Consent Form

You will have to sign a form that gives your midwife permission to act as your midwife.

Additional Consent Form and Legal Disclaimer for a Vaginal Births After C-Section

If your homebirth is taking place after you have already had a c-section it will be likely that your midwife will have you sign a consent form as well as a legal disclaimer that states you know all of the risk that come with a home VBAC.

Birth Plan
You will likely either discuss and have an oral agreement of how you want things done at your birth or you will want to have it in writing and will fill out a birth plan.

Emergency Transfer Plan

When a midwife feels that there is a chance that your homebirth may lead to you needing to be transferred to a hospital you may have to fill out a birth plan for an emergency transfer before you go into labor.

You can ask you midwife about all of the paperwork that she requires personally and get it all out of the way long before you go into labor.

If you are planning to have an unassisted childbirth there will be certain forms of paperwork that you will have to fill out. Once again depending on the state that you have your baby in will greatly affect how much more you may have but generally what you can expect is the following.

Paperwork for an Unassisted Childbirth

Proof of Prenatal Care From a State Licensed Health Professional - You will likely need some sort of written proof that you were pregnant. Prenatal records that you may have or a letter that you request from a licensed health professional, such as a chiropractor or ob/gyn, should work.

Notarized A - You and someone who was present at the birth and witnessed the birth of your child, most likely your partner, will have to sign a Notarized A to state that the birth of your newborn baby was witnessed and did in fact happen.

Proof of Your Baby Being Born From a State Licensed Health Professional - If you take you baby in for a checkup at a hospital you can use the records of the check up as proof or once again you can request a letter from a state licensed health professional that saw you before labor and after birth and saw your baby to prove that you did actually give birth.

Most of the paperwork that you need to fill out for an unassisted birth will not need to be filled out until your baby is born. Be sure to look up and see if your state laws require you to have proof from a state licensed health professional that you were pregnant before you have your baby.

What to Do Before You Get Pregnant

Mothercare, Pregnant, Preperation

Three Simple Tips for a Safe Pregnancy and Healthy Baby

Mothercare, Pregnant, Preperation

Pregnancy is a special time for any woman and is an opportunity to bond deeply with your unborn child. With a few simple precautions, you can ensure a safe pregnancy and a joyful baby.

#1 Eat Well, Eat Healthy

Be sure to eat lots of fruits and vegetables and a small amount of foods rich in fat and salt. Medical experts also recommend whole grain breads and cereals, nuts, seeds, lentils, leafy greens and dried beans. Though a pregnant woman requires only a small increase in energy intake in the early stages of pregnancy, she does need more folate, iron and iodine. Lentils, spinach and chickpeas are rich in folate, and seafood is rich in iron and iodine.

Stop worrying about gaining weight and avoid crash dieting. Cutting down on your food intake or going on a diet can have serious effects on your health as well as your baby's.

#2 Avoid Cigarettes, Alcohol and Caffeine

The University of Maryland Medical Center strongly advises against alcohol intake, consumption of caffeine, and any kind of smoking while pregnant. Even a small amount of alcohol is dangerous since it enters your bloodstream and passes into the baby's bloodstream. This can result in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which includes physical and mental defects at birth, growth problems, behavioral issues and delayed development.

Smoking deprives the unborn child of oxygen and can lead to a higher risk of miscarriage. It also affects a baby's birth weight and has been linked to mental and behavioral problems post-birth.

Caffeine is found in coffee, tea and most colas, and increases your heart rate and metabolism. Because caffeine also enters your baby's bloodstream through yours, this can affect the fetus. It's best to give up caffeine altogether, but if you must have some, limit yourself to one cup of coffee or tea a week.

#3 Practice Yoga and Meditate

Research has shown that a few simple yoga practices and some daily meditation can reduce preterm labor, ease pregnancy related complications, and result in a healthier birth weight for babies. Stick to what your body is comfortable with and avoid yogasanas if they stress your system. Chanting some mantras can soothe the nerves and calm you. The Sanskrit chant, Nirvana Shatakam, is a popular choice. If you prefer something simpler, MindBodyGreen talks about the benefits of Aum chanting.

Enjoy Yourself!

Enjoy your pregnancy. It is your special one-on-one time with your baby. If you are regular with your check-ups and get good medical advice, pregnancy can be a wonderfully joyous time in your life.

How to Create a Birth Plan for Your Baby's Delivery

Budget, Mental Preperation, Preperation

As a woman's pregnancy progresses, she begins to think more about the actual process of labor and delivery that is required to bring her baby into the world. Most women have specific "wants" and "don't wants" related to the process of childbirth. As women become more educated in the options available and the risk involved in childbirth, and as technology expands our choices and methods available to us during our labor and delivery, more women are choosing to develop a birth plan to ensure that our wishes and needs are met during our labor and delivery. Here are some things to think about while developing your birth plan.

You should consider your birth plan and some of your most important wishes even before even choosing your obstetrician. If you want to have your baby at a particular hospital, want a natural childbirth or water birth, or you are adamant about some other aspect of your baby's birth, you should speak to the nurse at the doctor's office that you are thinking of using to deliver your baby. Some doctors perform more c-sections and others may want to induce your labor if you go past your due date. If you have strong objections to these procedures and others, speak with your doctor and add it to your birth plan.

Once you find an obstetrician that you are happy with, write down as many things as you can think of that you want during your labor and delivery in your birth plan. If you want to walk around instead of laboring in bed, if you do or do not want an epidural, and if you want the baby to stay with you from right after his birth until you leave the hospital, talk to your doctor about it. Also, ask your obstetrician if there are other options that you haven't thought of in your birth plan. Surely there will be some. Some things that you will need to think about when creating your birth plan are:

Do you want to avoid being induced?

Do you want a c-section or do you want to avoid it if at all possible?

Do you want to labor at home as long as possible or come to the hospital immediately?

Do you want to be able to walk the halls in the hospital, or do you want to stay in bed?

Do you want to avoid I.V. fluids (some doctors/hospitals won't give you this option)?

Do you want to have your baby in a birthing room or a regular delivery room?

What are your wishes for anesthesia or analgesia?

Do you want to avoid having an internal fetal monitor?

What are your options for staying hydrated?

Options for staying comfortable - your own nightgown, massage, pillows, etc.

Do you want the doctor to break your water to speed up labor or wait until it ruptures on its own?

Do you want to avoid an episiotomy?

Can the doctor avoid using forceps to help deliver the baby?

Can your husband or partner cut the umbilical cord?

Do you want to hold the baby right after birth, or have him cleaned and warmed first?

Who do you want present during the birth? If you have to have a c-section?

Are videos and/or photos permitted?

Do you want the baby with you 24 hours or in the nursery some so you can rest?

Breastfeed, bottle feed with pumped milk, or bottle feed with formula?

Do you want photos taken in the hospital?

As soon as you get your birth plan written the way you want it, take it to your next doctor's appointment and give the doctor a copy for your chart. As before, make sure that all of your wishes are possible. Maybe you want your older children to be in the room for the birth, but the particular hospital where you will be delivering your baby doesn't allow it. Your obstetrician can tell you the things on your list that you may need to change.

Bring a few copies of your birth plan to the hospital and give one to the nurse upon getting settled in your birthing room. If the nurse wants to do something that your doctor has already said that you didn't have to have (such as an I.V.) then refuse the treatment, show the nurse your approved birth plan, and insist she talk to your doctor before proceeding.

You should also be prepared to change your birth plan as necessary. Above all else, the most important thing during the birth of your baby is that both you and your baby are healthy after it is all said and done. If the baby's heart rate drops or if your cervix isn't dilating properly during your labor and delivery, you may have to have a c-section, anesthesia, an I.V. or some other procedure that you hadn't planned. You should remember that the outcome is more important than the process. After all, everything that happens before your baby takes his first breath is so much more insignificant than everything that happens after.

Baby and Mother Care Tips

Article blog for Womans talking about pregnancy, babycare, health issues, tips and advices

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