You’ve taken your childbirth classes, breastfeeding classes, and newborn care classes. Baby showers are done, and you have all the sweet newborn clothes washed and put away. You are seeing your care provider weekly and your magical due date is inching closer on the calendar. You are feeling ready to welcome your sweet new baby into the world, but… what do you pack in your labor bag? As a doula, this is one of the questions I am asked most frequently. When I do prenatal visits in my client’s home, they will show me their bag and ask me to tell them what
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There is so much to think about and plan during a pregnancy that some of the minor details get overlooked. You may not think about what to wear while giving birth until you are actually in labor and giving birth! Then random thoughts may pop up: “This gown is itchy!“, “Why are all hospital gowns blue?”, “Does my backside really need exposed to everyone while I walk the hallway?”. At that time you may start to regret not planning for your clothing needs during childbirth and packing something a little more comfortable in your labor bag. If you are planning
Your body goes through so many physical changes during a pregnancy that often by the time you enter the second trimester, you are ready for some maternity clothes that better fit your baby bump. Thank goodness that modern maternity fashion has come such a long way, allowing you to look stylish and feel comfortable all at the same time. Here are some staple pieces that you can mix and match, layer with pieces you already own like cardigans or sweaters, and some even use into the fourth trimester. Pick up a couple for yourself or add to your baby registry
When you are preparing for your first baby it can be exciting to start gathering your baby gear and preparing your home for your baby’s arrival. One way you can make it easy for friends and family to figure out what you need, is by using a baby registry. While friends may certainly choose to give something personal, homemade, or not listed on your registry, a baby registry list simplifies the shopping process for those who care about you. Click here to download this free checklist worksheet so you can mark off what you already have, and add what you
Many women report having more vivid dreams during pregnancy and that seems to be related to a myriad of factors – hormone shifts, increased sleeplessness, and wakefulness. Many mothers report that their dreams become more vivid and life-like during pregnancy. Some women who never remembered their nightly dreams before may find they are able to clearly recall dreams now. Other women will experience lucid dreams where some level of interaction with, or control over the dream is possible. The dreams during pregnancy may be more frightening and scary with thoughts of something being wrong with the baby, with their spouse,
You are almost there! It may feel like your baby’s arrival is so far away, but you are in the home stretch now. During the third trimester you’ll probably finish preparing for baby’s arrival, decorating the nursery room, and gathering all your postpartum supplies. Emotional Feelings During the Third Trimester Forgetful – The joke about women having “pregnancy brain” is no joke! Between all the shifting hormones and so much focus on the upcoming baby, it is no wonder pregnant women can forget what they went to the store for. While this lack of concentration and mental focus may be annoying,
Morning sickness is a normal part of early pregnancy for about 80-90% of women. I think the term “morning sickness” was coined by working men who only saw their wives nausea in the mornings before they left for work. Many women I know have days when their nauseous feelings last all hours. Not every woman experiences morning sickness, however, and if you are one of these fortunate ladies, please keep your good fortune to yourself out of pity for the rest of us. Morning sickness is usually worse during the first trimester and very few women experience nausea throughout their
As you near the end of your pregnancy you can become anxious and eager to see the baby. You may have been experiencing signs and symptoms that may seem like labor, such as Braxton Hicks contractions, what I call “warm-up” contractions. These can begin days or weeks before you actual go into labor. So, what at what point does that warm-up turn into the real thing? Remember labor has three stages and for some mothers the shift from warm-up to active labor happens so gradually you’re well into active labor before you realize it. For others you may have a prolonged period
Congratulations on your new pregnancy! One of the first things a women usually does in her first trimester is to figure out her estimated due date. You can use a similar technique your health care provider will use to figure out your estimated due date, or EDD. A doctor or midwife will figure your initial EDD, by figuring from your last normal menstrual period (LNMP). They will take the first day of your last period and add 266 days (or 38 weeks) to figure your estimated due date. This gives an estimate of your due date but it isn’t 100%
The second trimester is a time of relief, both physically and emotionally, for many women. With more energy, and less morning sickness, you might find that you are better able to wrap your mind around the reality of your pregnancy. Emotional Changes of the Second Trimester of Pregnancy If you had avoided telling people during your first trimester, your growing waistline, and growing confidence in the reality of this pregnancy, means you are likely to break the news now. You might feel more alive, more sexy and more energetic than you have in weeks. On the other hand, you might