If you’re planning a natural childbirth, you may want to consider hiring a doula. A doula is a birthing assistant, who basically mothers YOU during childbirth. She is not a medical professional, but a support person who helps you with breathing techniques, decision making, and interactions with your medical professionals. If you have visions of a birth where someone applies essential oils, massages your back, wipes your forehead, or helps you work up the energy to push one more time, a doula may be right for you. She works with you and your partner to help you achieve the birth experience you desire.
This site has more information about doulas, including how to find one in your area.
Since finding out about this pregnancy, our family has made more of an effort to eat fresh, locally grown food whenever possible. We’ve joined a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, and contracted with a local farmer for 9 free range eggs per week.
Last week, we got to tour the farm, and our daughter got to meet the chickens first hand. Since then, she’s been extremely excited about eating her eggs for breakfast each morning.
Whether you’re pregnant, nursing, parenting, or just being yourself - eating healthy, whole foods is one of the best choices you can make, for both the planet and yourself. Seasonal goodies can be found at farmer’s markets, farms, co-ops, and health food stores near you. For more information about where you can find fresh local foods, check out Local Harvest.
Many new moms have trouble breastfeeding at first. Contrary to what the media would have us believe, breastfeeding, while an excellent feeding choice, is not always easy. New babies must learn how to latch properly. The first few days of nursing may be uncomfortable, even painful, as the mother’s nipples adjust to the nursing process. However, help is readily available if you know where to look.
If you’re still in the hospital and having trouble nursing, ask to speak to a lactation consultant. Many hospitals have one on staff, to help new mothers and babies adjust to breastfeeding. If there isn’t one on staff, ask for a referral from your doctor or insurance company.
If you’ve left the hospital, you can find support in your community by seeking out your local chapter of La Leche League. This mom based organization helps support breastfeeding moms, and helps foster a great sense of community.
Most importantly, if breastfeeding is important to you, don’t give up without seeking help.
When pregnant, one of the choices you’ll be researching and deciding on is how to feed your baby. Breastfeeding is an easy and natural way to feed baby, but formula feeding is a more convenient option for some mothers. When making your decision, take time to research all your options and ask yourself a few important questions.
Will you be working or staying home?
Will you have time to express milk at work for your caregiver to feed your baby?
What are your beliefs about breastfeeding and formula feeding? Are the accurate?
Take time to educate yourself about the benefits and drawbacks of both types of feeding before you make a decision. You’ll be glad you gave the matter the thought it deserves.
When you’re pregnant, every little bit of activity is a stretch. Chasing older children, parenting, working, and running errands can leave you with no energy left at the end of the day. However, it’s important to try to fit in a bit of daily exercise, as well.
Light exercises, like walking, swimming, or yoga are best for pregnant women. Check with your doctor or midwife before beginning any type of exercise routine, especially if you’ve had bleeding episodes or other health problems during your pregnancy.
Try to fit in 30 minutes of light exercise 2-3 times per week. Doing so will help with fatigue, and help your body be strong and flexible when you give birth.
As my pregnancy continues, I’m feeling more of a need for organization in my home - something my friends and family can tell you is a rare event. Sorting, decluttering, and organizing are all happening at once, and the house looks far better than it has for months. Of course, the three months I spent on the couch throwing up didn’t help the state of affairs, either.
www.flylady.net has tons of useful information, tips, and a forum for anyone who is interested in getting their home organized and running smoothly before baby comes along. There’s even a forum for pregnant moms who are organizing - something we can all use! If you struggle with household, time, or financial management (or even all of the above), this is a great free resource that you can use to start getting organized.
As a pregnant woman, it may have never occurred to you that you have the ability to make a variety of decisions about your birth. If this is your first pregnancy, take the time to research a variety of childbirth educators and styles. Take classes and read books about things that interest you, such as natural childbirth, home birth, hospital birth, and breastfeeding. New mothers have so many decisions to make about their birthing experience that they sometimes get overwhelmed. However, don’t allow the fact that you’re overwhelmed to overshadow your decision making power. This is your baby, your family, and your birth. Today just might be the day to decide what type of birth YOU want.
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a rare condition that affects less than 2% of pregnant women. The cause is unknown, but symptoms can be severe, including excessive nausea and vomiting, dehydration, depression, and nutritional deficiencies. Many sufferers experience vomiting throughout their pregnancy, instead of merely in the first trimester.
Women who experience hyperemesis can lose up to 20% of their body weight throughout their pregnancies. This rapid weight loss, if not treated, can cause serious side effects and be dangerous for both mother and fetus. Hyperemesis (HG) can be treated, however, through a combination of medication and IV hydration.
From the moment Mr. Sperm introduced himself to Ms. Egg, I knew I was pregnant. Not because of women’s intuition, or a mysterious sign from God - that would have been too easy. I knew because before the test ever showed positive, I was bent double over the toilet. Seven to eight times a day.
After I visited the doctor for the first time, I came home with prescription meds for nausea, and all the normal help for morning sickness advice, which is fodder for another post. Nothing worked…the vomiting continued. For four months. In fact, I’m 24 weeks today and still throw up several times per week.
I’ve been diagnosed with a lovely condition called hyperemesis gravidarum, which is Latin for “pregnant woman who vomits without ceasing while begging her husband to kill her quickly” You know it’s bad when your 18 month old begins to “pretend vomit” while saying “mommy…sick….mommy…sick”. Hopefully she’s not scarred for life.
A pregnant pause (as in the classical definition, “many possibilities”) is a technique of comic timing used to accentuate a comedy element, where the comic pauses at the end of a phrase to build up suspense. It’s often used at the end of a comically awkward statement or in the silence after a seemingly non-comic phrase to build up a comeback.
Raising a toddler and a home business while gestating means that life is filled with these comedic moments. Our pregnancy itself has been rather surprising, and we’re only halfway there. Join me for the ride as I live out my “comically awkward” life, with many bumps, stops, and pauses along the way.
As a pregnant woman, it may have never occurred to you that you have the ability to make a variety of decisions about your birth. If this is your first pregnancy, take the time to research a variety of childbirth educators and styles. Take classes and read books about things that interest you, such as natural childbirth, home birth, hospital birth, and breastfeeding. New mothers have so many decisions to make about their birthing experience that they sometimes get overwhelmed. However, don’t allow the fact that you’re overwhelmed to overshadow your decision making power. This is your baby, your family, and your birth. Today just might be the day to decide what type of birth YOU want.
