Sunday, March 30, 2008

Clothes for a Newborn

So here is a list I found at Pregnancy Weekly that talks about what clothes you should have ready for a new baby. We have purchased a lot of items already and they are washed. Also, We are lucky to have some friends that have passed on a ton of clothes to us. I think we are ready to go. We just have to get our car seat installed. Is there anything else that you think we need to do? What else could be added to the list below?

Here are some of the things your new little one will need. It's probably best to get them together during your seventh month. Don't forget to wash everything before you put them on your baby.

3 Side-snap shirts
3 Pullover t-shirts
6 Onesies
3 Gowns
4 Terry cloth sleepers with feet
4 Snap-up rompers without feet
2 Blanket sleepers
1 Bunting/snowsuit (if needed)
4 Booties and/or socks
4 Bibs
2 Sweaters
1 Jacket

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Braxton Hicks



I got the information below from PregnancyWeekly. My wife is telling me that she is experiencing Braxton Hicks. We are now in the home stretch to see are first bundle of joy.

Braxton Hicks are intermittent contractions of the uterus that some women experience during their pregnancy. They were first described by Dr. John Braxton Hicks in 1872, an English gynecologist, and are often referred to as practice labor because they are thought to help prepare your body for the real deal.

Some women have a lot of Braxton Hicks (particularly with second or subsequent pregnancies), while others report not feeling any. They may be short, barely noticeable and infrequent; or they may last for several minutes, stop you in your tracks, and occur several times an hour. Some women experience them from early in their pregnancy through to the end, while others don�t feel any until just a couple of weeks before they go into real labor. However, most women notice Braxton Hicks contractions in the second half of their pregnancies, particularly in their third trimester. They generally last between 30 and 60 seconds and occur less than four times an hour. They often feel like a tightening of the front of your abdomen or pelvis, but you may not even know you are having one unless you place your hand on your belly and notice it�s rigid and hard.

Real labor pains are different for every woman and even with each pregnancy; however, many describe them as being a dull ache in the lower abdomen and back with pelvic pressure, or like strong menstrual or diarrhea cramps.

Many doctors and midwives believe that Braxton Hicks may help tone your uterine muscles and promote blood flow to the placenta. And although true Braxton Hicks do not have any effect on your cervix, false labor (when they occur closer to actual delivery) can actually help your cervix dilate and efface.

Certain things can trigger Braxton Hicks, such as physical activity, touching your belly, movement of the baby, having sex, dehydration, or having a full bladder. If you are experiencing a lot of contractions, try changing positions or lying down on your left side, walking, and drinking water. If the contractions persist, call your doctor.

So how do you know when they�re just Braxton Hicks and when it�s time to head to the hospital?

Braxton Hicks:

  • are irregular in intensity
  • are irregular in pattern
  • are infrequent
  • do not increase in intensity or frequency
  • are more uncomfortable than painful
  • disappear if you change positions or activity level, or drink water

Real labor pains:

  • increase in intensity and frequency
  • have a pattern to them
  • do not lessen or disappear if you walk, drink water, or rest
  • are painful

Call your doctor if your contractions progress in intensity, frequency, and regularity or if you have other signs of labor such as abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, increased vaginal discharge, increased pelvic pressure, or low back pain.

What are your experiences with Braxton Hicks?

Saturday, March 1, 2008

What to Pack for the Hospital

Well the time is right for us to start to put together our bags, for the birth of our first baby. We have less than two months and I bet we will experience our joy early. Do not tell me how I know this, but I want to make it known now that this is my prediction. I am sure that a number of you have been through this process already. Any suggestion about what we should be packing for our short trip (a 5-10 minute drive through the small city we live in)?

This post will provide a list based on what we learned at our prenatal classes (they sure did not teach us as much as we had hopped) and from sites on the Internet.

For My Wife
  1. Pain Kit (My wife packed this a long time ago. It includes lotions, massage bars, massage tools, music, candy, drinks, books/magazines pictures of loved ones, tennis ball, mp3 player)
  2. Toiletries (Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Hair Ties, Lip Chap, Washcloth, Ear Plugs, Hair Brush, Shampoo/Conditioner, Soap)
  3. Bathrobe, Nightgown, Slippers, Socks (Extra Pairs), Front Buttoned Pajamas
  4. Glasses
  5. Extra Pillows/Body Pillow
  6. Nursing Bra and Pads
  7. Sanitary Napkins
  8. Clean Nightgown and Maternity Underwear
  9. Comfortable Clothes to Wear Home
  10. Warm Sweater
  11. Health Card
For the Baby
  1. Car Seat
  2. Going Home Outfit
  3. Receiving Blankets
  4. Hat
  5. Diapers
  6. Socks and Booties
  7. Nursing Pillow
For Me
  1. Toiletries
  2. Change of Clothes
  3. Pjamas
  4. Ball Cap
  5. Swim Suit
Other Items for Me to Remember
  1. Watch (to time contractions)
  2. Camcorder and Camera (Extra Batteries and Tapes
  3. Pad of Paper and a Pen
  4. Books/Magazines
  5. Phone Card/Cell Phone
  6. List of People to Call When the Baby is Born
  7. Celebration Items (Sparkling Cider, Chocolate Cigars, Gift for my Wife)
  8. Snacks (Fresh Fruit) and Drinks
  9. Preregister (Not sure if we can but a great idea)
Recommendations Not Taking

1. Birth Plan (We will just make our decisions based on what the doctors or nurses recommend)

Here are the sites that I used to help compile my list:

What to Pack for the Hospital by Paige Bierma
Packing 101: What to Bring to the Hospital by Julia Rosien
Momma's Diary Blog
Abby Monroe is HERE! Blog

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