About Pregnancy & Childbirth: Dollar Store Pregnancy Tests

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

Dollar Store Pregnancy Tests Jul 13th 2013, 18:06 I've seen this question come up a lot this week, so I thought I would weigh in.  Dollar store pregnancy tests are accurate. You simply are getting a pregnancy test without the fancy packaging. These are every bit as reliable as other basic pregnancy tests at a drastic reduction in cost. Now, what you do not get with a dollar store pregnancy test is a decent set of instructions. There is nothing to say how many drops of urine or how long to wait. Nor do you get a fancy 1-800 number staffed by a nurse to answer your pregnancy test questions. (I've got some of the answers to those questions.) I like to keep a stash of the dollar store tests because I can test easily and quickly without worrying about blowing $15 on a pregnancy test. If you've spent any time trying to conceive, it seems like breaking out a pregnancy test is a great way to bring on a late period. And, I'll admit it, I take a ton of pregnancy tests, even when they are positive. I take one daily just to help it sink in. Do you use dollar store pregnancy tests? What about their $1 ovulation kits? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Blood Pregnancy Test hCG Chart Photo © Thomas Northcut/Getty Images Dollar Store Pregnancy Tests originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Saturday, July 13th, 2013 at 18:06:12. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: Healthy Pregnancy Cravings

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

Healthy Pregnancy Cravings Jul 12th 2013, 11:40 Cravings are a notorious symptom of pregnancy. You always hear about the wild cravings (pickles and ice cream) or the things that send your partner out in the middle of the night (triple mocha fudge ice cream). What's really surprising to some pregnant women is that they find they have healthy cravings just as often as they have cravings for wild pairings or unhealthy items. In the first trimester, I usually craved really fresh fruit. Now, I certain fruits I preferred, like mangoes and bananas, but it was still a lot better than craving cookies. When I ask moms what they crave, healthy items often make the list. One mom talked about her obsession with raw broccoli and another liked fresh peanut butter on whole grain bread. Did you have any cravings that fell into the healthy category? What did you crave (even if it wasn't in the healthy category)? 6 Things You Can Do About Cravings in Pregnancy Some Women Crave Pickles... Harmful Cravings in Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Join the conversation! NEWSLETTER | PINTEREST | TWITTER FACEBOOK | GOOGLE+ | CONNECT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Photo © Noe Montes/Getty Images Healthy Pregnancy Cravings originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Friday, July 12th, 2013 at 11:40:09. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: Doulas Don't Replace Childbirth Class

About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

Doulas Don't Replace Childbirth Class Jul 11th 2013, 09:09 The fun and often hilarious Kristen Chase wrote an article entitled Birthing Classes Are a Big Waste of Time. This was a provocative title to be sure and intentionally so, but I took the bait and read her article. In may ways her title doesn't match her thesis. She apparently did learn something in her classes, but had wished she had spent more time preparing for the what comes after labor part. I completely agree, but consider a couple of things. They are called childbirth classes. So from the name, I'd expect them to be about - childbirth. These aren't parenting classes. They aren't breastfeeding classes. (Although many classes will at least touch on the basics and tell you where to get the other stuff. It might even be an extension of the class you're already in!) Hire a Doula, Hold the Class? Her suggestion is that you should: "Hire a doula if you want a natural child birth." I agree that if you want a natural birth you should hire a doula. (Also if you'd like support for a medicated birth or even if you're having a planned c-section or simply don't know what you want.) But the bigger issue here is that a doula's job is not synonymous with that of a childbirth educator. That's why they are two different trainings and certifications. Certainly some doulas are also childbirth educators, but not all. You can't take a class in labor. As a doula, I learned a long time ago that my clients have to meet me half way. They have to know about the process of birth coming in to the game. Sure, I spend time with them prenatally, but it's not the time you'd get in a class that meets multiple times for several weeks. I need to hear about what you want to do with the information you've gathered. You just learned ten comfort measures, which ones appeal to you most? How do you feel about pain medication? What do you see is my role in your birth? Once you're in labor, I don't have time to explain to you your options on positions, we've got to be ready to go with the flow of labor, not try to stop for a lesson. In fact, I have, for years, had it in my contract that someone who hires me as a doula, will take a separate childbirth class. I feel that strongly that it is not the level of education that I can provide and be a doula simultaneously. Focus on both before and after. Now certainly I do recommend that you focus on what comes after the birth. I try to help you have reasonable plans to meet your family's goals. That might include good breastfeeding classes and care, a baby class, a parenting group and lots of other things. So I'm calling for some reason here. Let's not throw the proverbial baby (childbirth classes) out with the bathwater because some parenting classes were forgotten. A good doula, like a chef, isn't going to let you forget any of the key ingredients in a good experience. Your thoughts? Photo © Aprils Grapevine Photography Doulas Don't Replace Childbirth Class originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Thursday, July 11th, 2013 at 09:09:05. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: Ode to a Tennis Ball in Labor

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Ode to a Tennis Ball in Labor Jul 10th 2013, 08:59 As a doula, I've had my fair share of tools that I can use in labor to help make a mom more comfortable.  The truth is, there is one labor support tool that has stood the test of time  - the tennis ball. I know, it's simple. It's iconic with it's yellow, fuzzy skin. It's amazingly helpful. It's easy to use and feels good to those in pain. So, do you want to know the secrets to using this inexpensive wonder tool? Here you go: 7 Ways to Use a Tennis Ball in Labor Need some more ideas for ways to relieve pain in labor? Birth Ball Relaxation Breathing Water IV Medications Epidural Anesthesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Join the conversation! NEWSLETTER | PINTEREST | TWITTER FACEBOOK | GOOGLE+ | CONNECT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Photo © fotopak - Fotolia.com Ode to a Tennis Ball in Labor originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Wednesday, July 10th, 2013 at 08:59:47. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: The Trouble With Taking Time Off Before Baby

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth Pregnancy & Childbirth

The Trouble With Taking Time Off Before Baby Jul 9th 2013, 10:04 I have a lot of moms who talk to me about taking time off before the baby is born. They have a lot of questions about whether or not I would recommend it.  There are actually a couple of things that you need to think about before making that decision.  The first is your maternity leave. Do you have maternity leave that is limited? Is it paid?  Are you planning to take six weeks off or twelve weeks off before returning to your job? This matters because, let's say you took off at week 39 and didn't have the baby until week 42, you've now used three weeks of your leave up and the baby isn't even here yet. The other thing to think about is your job. Are you fairly comfortable? Is your job physically easy for you to do? How are you hanging mentally?  If you're taking off simply because you think you should and not because you're physically or mentally exhausted by your job, I'd recommend staying as long as you can. Even if you consider doing it, before you do that, ask if you can have shorter hours, flexible days, longer lunch break (read nap time!) or any other variation to your schedule. The problems I see most often are women who feel a lot of pressure to have the baby simply because they've stopped working. That feels awful. What's your take? When did you take off for baby? Returning from Maternity Leave Taking Time Off Before Baby   Photo © E Dygas/Getty Images The Trouble With Taking Time Off Before Baby originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Tuesday, July 9th, 2013 at 10:04:38. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: It's really not illegal...

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It's really not illegal... Jul 8th 2013, 09:25 I was reading an article yesterday and stopped to read the comments. One of the comments was from a dad who mentioned that it was illegal in his state to attend his wife during the placement of the epidural. Ugh!  I felt so awful for him. While there might certainly be a hospital policy or the policy of an anesthesiologist, it is certainly not a state law. Believe it or not, I hear a lot of people think many things about birth fall into the illegal category. I've heard that it's illegal to have a water birth, it's illegal to have someone with you during a vaginal exam or a cesarean. This isn't true. Again, it's policies in place at these institutions. The good news about institutional policy is that they can be changed or even altered for one time events. When I'm serving as a doula, I'm aware of these policies. If a couple has an issue with one, I talk to them about how to advocate for themselves to see if they can get an exception or to find a compromise that satisfies both parties. Many times they are successful in their quest for an exception. So if you hear something that doesn't sound right or appealing. Start by talking to your provider. Ask what the source and reasoning is for this policy. You may need to talk to someone at the place of birth you've chosen. It may take several conversation. Try to understand where they are coming from, it will help you address their concerns with your response. And remember, the earlier you do this the better. It is rarely successful once labor has started. Where do you learn about these situations?  Childbirth class and your prenatal visits. Have you ever had one of these conversations?  What was it about and what was the outcome? Can someone stay with me during an epidural? Can someone stay with me during a c-section? 7 Things to Consider for Your Birth Plan Photo © iStockPhoto It's really not illegal... originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Monday, July 8th, 2013 at 09:25:32. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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About Pregnancy & Childbirth: Pain Tolerance in Labor and Orgasm Strength

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Pain Tolerance in Labor and Orgasm Strength Jul 7th 2013, 10:01 "Having watched women give birth for 30 years I have a theory for those who say they had little or no pain with child birth. All of us have different somewhat nerve layouts all through our bodies. Pain perception comes from different areas. Those who report little or pain likely have less nerve fibers in the pelvic area. Thus their perception of labor pain is less. As I screamed bloody murder through 5 labors. Experiencing white hot, eye rolling, white noise in my ear pain- I later realized that my crazy ability to orgasm at wicked fun levels meant my labor would be wicked as well. So those who have little pain in labor- sorry about your sex life!"  -Ripple Your thoughts? 8 Things That Hurt Worse Than Childbirth Photo © Grove Pashley/Getty Images Pain Tolerance in Labor and Orgasm Strength originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Sunday, July 7th, 2013 at 10:01:27. Permalink | Comment | Email this

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