About Pregnancy & Childbirth: Where do you pump or nurse when not at home?

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

Where do you pump or nurse when not at home? Sep 30th 2012, 08:59 There are so many places that women pump or nurse while away from home. I think it's important to see what the wide range of places look like. So take a picture of your space, good or not so good, and send it in for the new gallery going up. You can send it to: pregnancy dot guide at about dot com. Please include the following: How you want to be identified: name, nick name, initials, etc. Any details you'd like included about your space. The following permissions statement: "I certify that I am the author or sole owner of the material I am submitting to About.com. About.com and its licensees may reproduce, distribute, publish, display, edit, modify, create derivative works and otherwise use the material for any purpose in any form and on any media. I agree to indemnify About.com for all damages and expenses that may be incurred in connection with the material. For more information, please see our user agreement." Related: Tips for Pumping Breast Milk   Where do you pump or nurse when not at home? originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Sunday, September 30th, 2012 at 08:59:01. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: Do you worry about your water breaking?

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

Do you worry about your water breaking? Sep 25th 2012, 11:15 I have to admit that a lot of women, myself included, spent an inordinate amount of time worried about my water breaking with my first baby. I didn't know much about it, except that it had to happen for the baby to come out.  I had some random thoughts like: If I'm using a heating pad and my water breaks, will I get electrocuted? Should I pack some towels in case my water breaks? Would skirts be better at pants than hiding broken water? As you can see, it was quite a wide variety of issues I thought about, none of which ever wound up mattering.  Here's what I know on the flip side of eight of my own children and hundreds of other births attended as a doula: The vast majority of the time, when you leave the amniotic sac alone, it won't break until after 9 centimeters, often while you're pushing will it release. With the exception of small leaks, nothing really hides broken water except an adult sized diaper. (And even that doesn't hide it for long...) If your water were to break out in public, no one laughs.  They have one of two reactions: Sheer terror or excitement at getting to be even a small part of the miracle of birth. What worries you about your bag of water? Related: Did my water break? Where were you when your water blew? Amniotic Fluid Having Your Water Broken Do you worry about your water breaking? originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Tuesday, September 25th, 2012 at 11:15:54. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: Fasting in Pregnancy

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

Fasting in Pregnancy Sep 25th 2012, 10:15 As Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement, approaches, you may be wondering if you should fast in pregnancy. While it is also wise to ask your own Rabbi, the answer is typically that a pregnant or nursing mother should not nurse if it would hurt her or the baby. Probably the best answer is to try to fast some and to avoid "fun" foods, foods that are more luxury than need.  An example would be an apple for breakfast as opposed to a doughnut; eating cheese and crackers rather than a bagel and lox, spacing your meals enough to be truly hungry rather than eating by a clock. In the end you need to do what is best for you and baby physically and spiritually. I wish you a meaningful fast. Fasting in Pregnancy originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Tuesday, September 25th, 2012 at 10:15:55. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: Inviting Your Mother to Your Birth

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

Inviting Your Mother to Your Birth Sep 24th 2012, 10:33 With my first child my mother asked to attend the birth. I hadn't really thought about it prior to that question. After talking to my husband about it, more in terms of how he felt, we decided she could come. Wow, that was not the brightest thing I've done - namely in setting up zero rules. So with baby number two she asked again. This time, while we said yes, we had some ground rules. It went much more smoothly that time. While she opted out of future births, it was worth looking at whether or not she should be there. The biggest factor will be how supportive she is of what you're planning to do. Take the quick quiz to see where you fall in the spectrum of inviting your mom. (Or even his mom...) Related: Should you invite your mother to your birth? Should Dad Be in the Delivery Room? Guests in the Delivery Room 5 Ways to Tell Your Mother-in-Law She's Not Invited to the Birth Delivery Room Don'ts 10 Ways to Comfort a Laboring Woman Positions for Labor Photo © Marcin Okupniak | Dreamstime.com Inviting Your Mother to Your Birth originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Monday, September 24th, 2012 at 10:33:31. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: My Wife Wanted Natural Childbirth and I Freaked Out

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

My Wife Wanted Natural Childbirth and I Freaked Out Sep 21st 2012, 09:33 One dad talks about his melt down when his wife decided that she didn't want to have an epidural for labor in this first part of a series of his hilarious story.  These are the first things that went through his mind and how all he had to go on previously was the other dads telling him to scream "early and often" for an epidural. What would your guy do if you announced you wanted to forgo the epidural? Related: Why I Freaked Out Because My Wife Wanted a Natural Childbirth Books for Natural Birth Natural Birth Stories 10 Steps to Natural Birth Do you need drugs for birth? Natural Childbirth Course My Wife Wanted Natural Childbirth and I Freaked Out originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Friday, September 21st, 2012 at 09:33:01. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: Most Parents Use Car Seats Wrong

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

Most Parents Use Car Seats Wrong Sep 19th 2012, 09:33 I really wish this headline were different, but it's pretty much the same, year after year. The sad fact is that the vast majority of parents, four out of five, while trying to do the right thing, make mistakes. Unfortunately mistakes in the car seat department can have deadly consequences. So take a minute to look over the handy information on how to select the right seat and how to install it properly at SaferCar.gov Related: Types of Car Seats Find a local car seat inspector Car Seat Misuses Reasons Your Baby Shouldn't Ride in a Car Seat Photo © Safercar.gov Most Parents Use Car Seats Wrong originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Wednesday, September 19th, 2012 at 09:33:39. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: You Won't Believe What She Did in the Delivery Room!

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

You Won't Believe What She Did in the Delivery Room! Sep 17th 2012, 10:15 I hear a lot of stories about delivery room etiquette that is in poor fashion, but man, read Suki's story: "When giving birth to my first I allowed my husband's mother to join us. We had no idea what we were doing so I figured she would be a big help. At first she was but then she started to take over everything. She sent dad out the room yelled at nurses and she, not my husband cut the cord. She went with my husband to watch them clean the baby, and she not my husband,  my mother or myself was the first to hold the baby. It goes with out saying she is not invited this time." Can you imagine if your mother-in-law did this at your birth?  (Or anyone for that matter...) Related: Should you invite your mother to your birth? Should Dad Be in the Delivery Room? Guests in the Delivery Room 5 Ways to Tell Your Mother-in-Law She's Not Invited to the Birth Delivery Room Don'ts 10 Ways to Comfort a Laboring Woman Positions for Labor Readers Share: Delivery Room Dilemmas You Won't Believe What She Did in the Delivery Room! originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Monday, September 17th, 2012 at 10:15:23. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: Breastfeeding Affirmations for Twins

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

Breastfeeding Affirmations for Twins Sep 16th 2012, 12:31 Sometimes people try to scare you about breastfeeding twins. But one important, often overlooked, component of breastfeeding twins is that you need to have a positive attitude. There are many ways to do this but breastfeeding affirmations can be very helpful. I used to post these everywhere when I was preparing for the twins.  In the end it really did help me.  I remember very specifically in the middle of the night once, I was feeling like I was on the verge of crying from being so tired and all of a sudden an affirmation popped into my head and made me laugh out loud.  It was something about being up in the middle of the night was much better when you didn't have to have contractions.   What type of affirmations or positive thinking tips do you have for twin moms (or all moms)? Related: Affirmations for Breastfeeding Twins Breastfeeding Affirmations Readers Share: Your Favorite Breastfeeding Affirmations Breastfeeding Twin Tips Photo © Bryan Mullennix Breastfeeding Affirmations for Twins originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Sunday, September 16th, 2012 at 12:31:56. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: Would you name your baby after a gun?

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

Would you name your baby after a gun? Sep 16th 2012, 08:05 Time magazine had a new baby this week. He and his girlfriend, Sunny Oglesby, welcomed Breeze Beretta, after the gun manufacturer. Johnston became well known for fathering the baby of Sarah Palin's daughter, Bristol, baby Tripp. This reminds me of Pilot Inspektor and a few other really odd baby names. Of what names does it remind you? Related: Celebrity Baby Names City Baby Names Location Baby Names What's a place name that you'd choose for baby? Facebook | Twitter | Free newsletter Would you name your baby after a gun? originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Sunday, September 16th, 2012 at 08:05:51. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: Free Childbirth Classes and Bedrest

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

Free Childbirth Classes and Bedrest Sep 15th 2012, 23:00 Bedrest isn't something that most people plan for in pregnancy. In fact, I hear that many moms write me and are completely taken by surprise. One of the things that these moms talk to me about is completing their pregnancy to do lists. One item on that list is often childbirth class. The good news is that even on bedrest, there are ways to get a good childbirth class under your belt. (HINT: These classes are free, even if you aren't on bedrest.) If you were on bedrest, how did you sneak in childbirth classes? Related: Childbirth Classes and Bedrest Free Online Childbirth Classes Readers Share: What I did for Childbirth Class on Bedrest Free Online Breastfeeding Class Bedrest Basics Photo © Photo Disc Free Childbirth Classes and Bedrest originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Saturday, September 15th, 2012 at 23:00:45. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: The Last Maternity Shirt Standing

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

The Last Maternity Shirt Standing Sep 11th 2012, 11:19 This morning in my Facebook feed was a friend talking about how she had just purchased a new maternity shirt. It was to be the shirt that got her through the last four weeks of her pregnancy, until it ripped. It reminded me of the fact that by the end of every single pregnancy I hated my entire wardrobe and would go out when I only had about a month left and buy just one more shirt. The shirt had to be something that fit comfortably and that I really liked, because I would spend a lot of time in it. The one that stands out most in my mind is a soft V neck semi-t-shirt with green and black stripes. I loved that shirt. (Though even typing the description, I'm cringing.) What about you?  Do you have a shirt like this for the end of your pregnancy or have you in previous pregnancies? Related: Readers Share: When did you start wearing maternity clothes? Maternity Clothes Belly Photos Before You Buy Maternity Underwear Readers Share: What kind of maternity underwear do you wear? The Last Maternity Shirt Standing originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Tuesday, September 11th, 2012 at 11:19:38. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: Should you buy a Halloween costume for baby?

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

Should you buy a Halloween costume for baby? Sep 10th 2012, 12:00 Two of my children were due on October 21st. When my first October baby was due, I figured 10 days was plenty of cushion and I should buy him a Halloween outfit. It was a simple newborn one piece outfit that simply said: "My First Halloween" We were so excited to have the baby and let him wear his costume.  We know that having two older children, we'd definitely be doing some trick of treating, so we gladly spent the money. The problem is that the baby didn't come. He decided that he was going to wait me out. So, instead, I worse the outfit pinned upside down on my clothes, indicating his position in the womb. This certainly garnered some laughs, but I was not exactly happy.  I spent that Halloween doing power trick or treating to "walk to baby out." So should you spend the money to buy a costume on a baby who is due in the middle of October? Well, if you have to pay full price, my answer is no. So when this site came to my attention, I knew exactly what I'd use it for when it came to Halloween Costumes for babies. You can find all sorts of gently used Halloween costumes and you won't feel like you broke the bank, even if you have a stubborn baby, like my first.  (My second October baby was born on October 29th.) ThredUp is also a great place for gently used clothes in general. So, will you be buying a costume for your baby? Related: Halloween Costumes, Clothes and Safety for Baby 6 Great Halloween Costumes for Pregnancy Types of Maternity Halloween Costumes Halloween Baby Names Halloween Pregnancy Costumes Photo Gallery Halloween Pregnancy Announcements Add Your Pregnancy Halloween Costume Follow me on: Facebook, Twitter, Google+ Photo © April's Grape Vine Photography Should you buy a Halloween costume for baby? originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Monday, September 10th, 2012 at 12:00:49. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: What do bloody shoes have to do with labor?

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

What do bloody shoes have to do with labor? Sep 7th 2012, 14:44 When I was early on in my childbirth education career, I was so thrilled and so involved with all of the new terminology and I quickly adapted to the new language.  One thing that I completely forgot to do consistently was to explain the lingo. So in my very first class after certification, I had been reminded by my mentor, to be very cognizant of how I used lingo in teaching. After the first class, I felt I'd done a pretty good job of explaining everything that I was saying.  So when a dad approached me with a question, I wasn't thinking terminology.  But he looked at me and he said, "Can you please explain what do bloody shoes have to do with labor?" I was quite perplexed and I asked him to tell me more.  To which he replied, "You said that just because my wife had bloody shoes didn't mean we should run to the hospital, that labor might still be days away.  That's when I realized he heard me say bloody shoes, not bloody show.  Big difference. What funny things have your heard or thought in childbirth class? Related: Stages of Labor Photo © iStockPhoto What do bloody shoes have to do with labor? originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Friday, September 7th, 2012 at 14:44:43. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: Breastfeeding Protects the Looks of Breasts

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

Breastfeeding Protects the Looks of Breasts Sep 6th 2012, 10:07 A recent study in the Asethetic Surgery Journal looked at identical twins' breasts for signs of aging. What they found surprised even the researchers - breastfeeding keeps your breasts looking younger! Nursing along with daily moisturizing and hormone replacement therapy were all found to be associated with healthier looking breasts. So what caused breasts look look "older"? Drinking, smoking, and pregnancy. Pregnancy has long been held as the culprit for what changes breasts, rather than breastfeeding, though this is not the first study to show that pregnancy is what causes changes to the breasts. Most pregnant women will tell you that breast changes are among the first pregnancy symptoms they experience. What breast changes did you have in pregnancy? How do you feel about your postpartum breasts? Related: Breast Changes in Pregnancy Breast Pain in Pregnancy How to Breastfeed Breastfeeding Books Source: Hooman T. Soltanian, Mengyuan T. Liu, Adam D. Cash, and Rodrigo A. Iglesias. Determinants of Breast Appearance and Aging in Identical Twins. Aesthetic Surgery Journal September 2012 32: 846-860, doi:10.1177/1090820X12455660 Photo © Fotolia Breastfeeding Protects the Looks of Breasts originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Thursday, September 6th, 2012 at 10:07:39. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: Diabetes and Pregnancy

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

Diabetes and Pregnancy Sep 5th 2012, 09:30 Many times when you hear diabetes in the news, they are talking about Type II diabetes. Similarly, in pregnancy, when most people are talking about diabetes, they are talking about gestational diabetes. While these are both problems, there are women who have had diabetes most of their lives, who then turn around and get pregnant with the diabetes they've had diagnosed beforehand. This presents with challenges of it's own. Lots of women in previous generations in this situation would have been told to avoid pregnancy. This has changed and pregnancy can be very safe for women with pre-exisiting diabetes. Do you know someone who has had diabetes and been pregnant? Related: Diabetes in Pregnancy Gestational Diabetes (GD) Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) Jelly Bean Diabetes Testing Common Prenatal Tests Most Common Birth Defects Pregnancy Complications Photo © Dreamstime Diabetes and Pregnancy originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Wednesday, September 5th, 2012 at 09:30:17. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: Did you attend the Rally for Change?

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

Did you attend the Rally for Change? Sep 4th 2012, 09:14 This past weekend was the Rally for Change on Labor Day. I drove about 45 miles to my location. It was a small town and there is only one hospital, so women don't really have a choice of where to give birth within their city. Many wind up driving to the bigger cities if they have desires that don't mesh with the hospital's protocol, that includes moms who want to have a vaginal birth after a cesarean (VBAC). Share with us your experiences from yesterday in the comments. Did you attend the Rally for Change? originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Tuesday, September 4th, 2012 at 09:14:14. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: Knitted Breasts as Teaching Tools

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

Knitted Breasts as Teaching Tools Sep 1st 2012, 15:50 When I first started as a childbirth educator, I really couldn't wait to get my hands on my new teaching tools. Though as a new educator, I had to add to my collection slowly, deciding which piece was the one I needed the most at that time. (In case you're wondering, my personal preference is to start with a pelvis.) So when I first saw that you could knit or crochet some of these, I really wished I'd learned to knit. Most people probably think of the knitted uterus as something you could make yourself, but there are a growing number of people using the knitted breasts, often called names like Teaching Titties and Knitted Knockers.  What I did find interesting was that unlike the knitted uterus, you can use your knitted or crocheted breasts as an outreach to women who need prosthetic breasts after breast cancer. Here are some patterns that are free online: Tit Bits (knit) Crocheted Breast Knitted Knockers Knitted Boob Boobie Beanie for Baby (Crochet) Knitted Uterus with Fallopian Tubes How do you use the knitted breast in your childbirth or breastfeeding class? Knitted Breasts as Teaching Tools originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Saturday, September 1st, 2012 at 15:50:45. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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