Choosing The Right Stroller

When choosing your stroller there are some things to keep in mind.  There are so many brands, so many styles, the options are endless.  You need to look at what will be best to accommodate you and your husband when choosing your baby’s stroller. Here are some tips for choosing a stroller.

• You first want to decide if you want a stroller with the infant carrier.  The combo is beneficial for some.  It makes things easier for those first few months.

• Be sure the stroller will fit your newborn comfortably.  Newborns are not able to sit up and are tiny which can make the stroller uncomfortable for your baby.  Try and find a stroller that reclines so you newborn will be comfortable in it.

• You want to look for a harness that is not terribly difficult for you to get your baby in and out of, but still too difficult that your baby can’t plan the great escape.

• Look out for the brakes on the stroller to be sure that it won’t unlock easily.  Safety first.

• Keep an eye out on the canopy.  You want to make sure it will be big enough to block the baby form sun or any other weather conditions you may find yourself in.

• Storage is a huge thing for me and my husband.  Make sure it folds up easily and can be stored away nicely.  The first time I tried folding up the stroller I looked like a fool for 15 minutes trying to fold it, when it was one little button.  I looked ridiculous. Make sure it is easy to fold and unfold.

The best way to know how you feel about a stroller it to really test it out with your husband in the store.  Do not be afraid to take the stroller around the aisle, fold it, unfold it, whatever you need to do to be sure it will be comfortable for you and your baby.

Registry Checklist

Here's your checklist for your baby registry:




Nursery:

• Crib
• Crib mattress
• Crib mattress sheets
• Glider or rocker
• Ottoman
• Changing table or changing pad
• Changing pad covers

Travel:

• Car seat (infant or convertible)
• Extra car seat base
• Car seat snuggly
• Stroller (travel system or traditional)
• Diaper bag

Bottle & Breastfeeding:

• Breast pump
• Breast milk storage
• Boppy
• Boppy cover
• Bottles
• Bibs
• Burping cloths

Time To Change:

• Diapers (one size Newborn)
• Diapers size 1
• Baby wipes
• Diaper rash cream
• Ointment

Tubby Time:

• Baby tub
• Baby bath towels & wash cloths
• Baby shampoo, body wash & lotion

Health & Safety:

• Thermometer
• Humidifier
• Aspirator
• Baby Motrin or Tylenol
• Monitor
• First aid kit

Time To Play:

• Pack & Play
• Pack & Play crib sheets
• Play mat
• Infant swing or bouncer
• Walker
• Jumper
• Excersaucer

Choosing a Health Care Provider For Your Prenatal Care

When searching for a health care provider to manage your pregnancy you want someone who is well-qualified, has clinical experience and has a good reputation among those who you trust the most. With this being said, there are still some additional (personal) factors that one should consider when selecting a provider for prenatal care. The prenatal care experience lasts close to one year (including postpartum follow-up) so you want to be sure the relationship you have with your prenatal care provider is well-suited.

Share The Same Philosophy As Your Prenatal Care Provider.

You should make sure you share the same philosophy about a few issues relating to prenatal care. You do not want to be in conflict with your prenatal care provider as you approach your delivery date. Often times there can be more than one management option for your prenatal care.  You and your provider must work together to decide what works best for you.  It is crucial to have a mutual understanding of the risks and benefits of a particular clinical approach.

Prenatal Care Provider With Your Best Interest At Heart.

The options available to you might be defined by the services offered within a particular clinical setting (hospital, birthing center etc.). Be sure your prenatal care provider's decisions regarding your care are not determined by what services are available when the services you want might be available at another health care facility.  You want to really be sure your prenatal care provider has your best interest at heart and will advocate for you when handling your prenatal care.

Prenatal Care Provider With Patient Loyalty.

If a provider is busy and has a loyal patient following, you should feel confident that your treatment will be based on what you desire. 

There are two main topics most often at the center of any discussion surrounding the choice of a prenatal care provider . It is crucial to address these topics right up front to secure a good relationship. You do not want to ever feel you were misunderstood or deceived about what your expectations were at the time of your delivery (assuming there were no unusual circumstances).

The topics I am referring to are: "natural" childbirth and pain management options. 

Whether you choose a midwife or an obstetrician as your primary provider the same holds true. In either case, providers can still vary tremendously regarding these topics. It is simply about being on the same page with your prenatal care provider at the start.

The definition of what natural childbirth is and what adequate pain management is, can differ depending on who you talk to and what resources you read. It is very easy to put these topics aside at first as there is so much excitement about the pregnancy and the fact that your delivery seems so far off in the future. My suggestion is to initially discuss these subjects thoroughly and do not gloss over them. 

I think pain control in labor is a crucial topic you should discuss with your prenatal care provider from the start. I can think of nothing more upsetting to a patient than to not be in control of her options for pain control particularly if she is not aware of what the options are.

This article is certainly not the place to define natural childbirth or discuss pain management during labor. I simply want to bring this important topic to your attention.

The last question to consider when choosing a prenatal care provider has to do with who is anticipated to be there for your delivery. As a result of the tremendous overhead (medical practice expenses) and lifestyle issues for practitioners, it is virtually impossible, in this day and age, to be assured that you will have your prenatal care provider at your delivery. As a result , it is important for you to be aware of your prenatal care provider's arrangement for on-call coverage. Cross-covering with other prenatal care providers at the same health care facility is not unusual and may be necessary depending on the size of the medical group you are seeing for your prenatal care. It is simply about having this discussion with your provider at the start. Discussing these issues is what maintains a trusting relationship with your prenatal care provider.  The timing of events surrounding labor and delivery is not always foreseeable and there is not a perfect solution every time. What is important and acceptable to most patients is that a reasonable effort is made to fulfill one's expectations.

By: Douglas Penta MD, OB/GYN (Platinum Author)

Perineal Massage

Today I want to talk about something a bit uncomfortable...but who are we kidding, there are so many things about pregnancy that can be uncomfortable that most of us are desensitized to it.  In preparation for your baby there are so many things you have done, or will do.  Childbirth classes, register, set up the little ones nursery, assemble baby gear, pack your hospital bag, the list goes on and on.  No where in this list do you see some techniques to prepare the part of your body you will actually be using for delivery; which leads me to perineal massage.

What is perineal massage?

Perineal massage is exactly as it sounds...a massage of the perineal muscles.  The perineal muscles are between the anus and vagina, this area is the perineum.  Stretching and massaging the perineum during the third trimester has been known to reduce the need for episiotomy and reduce the amount of tearing, if any.

In my own experience, and I don’t know if this is the case for all hospitals, they do not do episiotomies where I delivered.   They thought it would be better if I tore on my own.  I see both sides of this; however, I suffered a 4th degree tear that was so bad, 6 months later I am not recovered.  I wish someone had told me about perineal massages.  At the time I probably would have laughed and felt super uncomfortable, but knowing what I know now... I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! 

Why do a perineal massage?

There are so many benefits to doing a perineal massage.  If you start around 32 weeks or so it gives you plenty of time to help loosen the muscles and stretch the skin.

Here are some of the benefits to perineal massage:

• Your perineum has more elasticity reducing the likely hood of a tear or episiotomy.
• You will find that by massaging the area it can prepare you for the sensation of the baby crowing.  It will show you how the stretching will feel during delivery.
• Believe it or not, any kind of massage can release emotions.  The pressure will bring up certain emotions and will open the door to communication about how you may be feeling.
• Not only should you massage in the weeks before labor, but also during.  Perineal massage during labor will help the tissues around the baby's head as he or she is crowning. The perineum is super sensitive during birth so it’s helpful to use perineal massage during labor as well as in the weeks prior.

Can my partner do the massage? Or should I do it?

Your partner absolutely can part take in the perineal massaging.  I know for myself, I would feel so funny for numerous reasons.  I know some other moms who feel the same way.  A friend of mine and I were talking about perineal massage and I was telling her the benefits, as she is a first time mom and was unaware.  She said to me “I don’t want my husband to view this as something sexual.”  I completely agree, it can be awkward, uncomfortable, and he may have some fears about perineal massage as well.  “What if I hurt her?” Well, here is the thing...if you keep the lines of communication open between you and your partner you don’t have to worry about these things.  Talk to your partner about how you both are feeling before diving in.

How do I do a perineal massage?

• First things first, both you and your partner should wash your hands.
• Find a comfortable place where you feel relaxed to do the massage. 
• In preparation, apply a warm compress on the perineum for about 10 minutes before massage to help the muscles relax.
• Sit in a comfortable position.
• You want to use some lubricant which can be water-soluble lubricant, olive oil, vegetable oil or Vitamin E oil.  Put some on the thumbs and perineum.
• Place thumbs just inside of the vagina.
• Press downward towards the rectum and to the sides at the same time until you feel a very slight burning, stinging, or tingling sensation.
• Hold the pressure for about 1 minute.
• Breathe deeply and slowly and try your best to relax the muscles.
• Keep pressing down with the thumb and slowly and gently massage back and forth over the sides of the vagina in a 'U' movement for 3 minutes.
• Relax and repeat once.
• Just a note -- You want to avoid pressure at the top of the vaginal opening. Massage gently because a forceful massage could cause bruising or swelling. This is why if your partner is doing the massaging, you must keep the lines of communication open.

As I said before, there is so much benefit to perineal massages.  I wish I had known about perineal massage and it would have helped me so much during my delivery.  Try it out with your partner!

MILKY! By NeedBrands

I, as many are, am breastfeeding my baby boy.  He is now just about 5 months old and he is thriving.  He was 3 weeks premature which definitely affected how he nursed.  We had a rough time getting in sync so I was pumping exclusively for the first month.  We eventually got it together and nursed, bottle fed, all of the above.  After being so sick, sleep deprived, and having an enormous amount of stress put on me due to family problems, my milk supply began to decrease.  I was searching and searching for ways to increase my supply because I was absolutely terrified that I would lose my supply and have to stop breastfeeding.  After doing a bit of research, I came across something called fenugreek.  Fenugreek is a plant and the seeds are used to make medicine for many different conditions.  One use of fenugreek is to improve a mother’s milk supply.  I started taking fenugreek and thankfully my supply was back up; however, I started to have this overwhelming maple syrup smell on my body all the time.  So gross and probably too much information, but it was like the fenugreek made me stink.  I am not sure if this is the case for all or most women, but for me it was.  This made me stop taking the fenugreek.  Thankfully, my supply was not terribly low, but I could afford to be making more with the amount my son was eating due to his growth spurts.

After doing more and more research, I came across a product called MILKY!  This product is a lactation enhancement drink that you take twice a day.  It contains:

Fenugreek to increase breast milk supplyFennel to promote faster let-down to alleviate baby’s colic symptomsGinger help relieve upset stomachChamomile to help relax mommaRooibos which deliver natural anti-oxidants

MILKY! was started by Tia and Tamera Mowry.  They were both starting their own families and had a concern, as most moms do, about producing enough milk for their little ones.  They met with many to produce MILKY!

I have had the privilege of giving MILKY! a try.  I must say, I am happy to report, it works wonderfully!  Within the first day of drinking it I noticed a difference in my milk supply.  I went from making 4 ounces each breast to 7 ounces each breast.  I had a strawberry flavored package and I must say, it tasted pretty good.  I did not find any weird body odor from taking this as I did with the fenugreek.  There seem to be so many things at play with MILKY!  and the combination is dynamite.  I would recommend this product to any momma who is having a difficult time feeding their baby.

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doTERRA Essential Oils For Pregnancy, Labor & Delivery, And Postpartum

During pregnancy there can be so many joys but also much discomfort.  Not only during pregnancy, but also with labor and delivery, even postpartum.  As I wrote about yesterday, there is a wonderful company called doTERRA which has some natural remedies for the discomforts you may experience through the miracle of pregnancy, labor, delivery, and once your beautiful baby arrives.  There are so many essential oils that doTERRA offers and they have a concoction for most pregnancy aches and pains, labor discomfort and postpartum healing.

Pregnancy:

As beautiful as pregnancy is, let’s face it...there can be so many things that cause you to be incredibly uncomfortable, especially towards the end.  There are 8 essential oils from doTERRA that will become your best friends during pregnancy; Bergamot, Geranium, Ginger, Lavender, Lemon, Sandalwood, Wild Orange, and Ylang Ylang.  Each oil or a combination of oils help specific discomforts during pregnancy.

• Acid Reflux/Heartburn -- Add 2 drops of Lemon to drinking water.  Apply Frankincense on throat and chest.
• Anxiety -- Diffuse or inhale Wild Orange or Lavender.  Add Lavender, Ylang Ylang, or Geranium to a warm bath.  This will also be great to have in the delivery room to help stay relaxed.
• Breast Tenderness -- Apply Lavender to the top of each breast.
• Cold Sore -- Apply Melissa or Bergamot at the first tingle; repeat hourly.
• Congestion -- Apply Lemon under nose, on chest, or to the bottoms of feet.
• Constipation -- Apply Lemon or Ginger to stomach or add to drinking water.
• Depression -- Use Lavender, Frankincense, Bergamot, Wild Orange, or Geranium.  Diffuse add to bath or massage, or apply to bottoms of feet.
• Edema/Swelling -- Massage diluted Geranium, Ginger, Lemon, or Lavender into legs, starting at the feet.  Work toward the heart, stopping at the thighs.  Cypress may be used in the third trimester.  Drink plenty of water.
• Fatigue -- Inhale Wild Orange.
• Headache -- Apply Lavender to the back of the neck and temples.
• Hemorrhoids -- Apply Geranium or Cypress to affected area or add to sitz bath.
• High Blood Pressure -- Add Lavender or Ylang Ylang to a nightly bath or diffuse.  Avoid Peppermint oil.
• Insomnia -- Use Lavender, Sandalwood or Ylang Ylang.  Before bed diffuse, apply to feet, or add to bath.
• Itchy Skin -- Apply diluted Lavender.  Use Belly Butter Recipe on the back of this sheet.
• Muscle Cramps -- Apply Lavender, Bergamot, or Sandalwood.
• Nausea -- Make a mist with 20 drops Peppermint or Ginger, 10 drops Wild Orange, 15 drops Lemon.  Add to a 4 ounce bottle and top it off with water.  Mist when nausea strikes.  Massage earlobes with Ginger; add to water to drink.
• Perineum Preparation -- Dilute Geranium and apply to perineum.  Massage daily from 37 weeks until delivery.
• Preterm Labor -- To help stop preterm labor; massage 1 to 3 drops of diluted Lavender from ankles to hips.  To prevent preterm labor; add to a relaxing bath each evening.
• Sciatica -- Massage Bergamot into painful area and down leg.
• Stretch Mark Prevention -- Use Belly Butter recipe.
• UTI/Kidney Infection -- Add Lemon to drinking water.  Apply Lemongrass over the bladder.  Apply Cypress over the kidneys.

Labor & Delivery:

The tricky part of labor and delivery is you never know what exactly will happen.  It is great to be prepared for anything.  There are some essential oils which are great to use during birth.

• Back Labor -- Apply 1 to 3 drops of Black Pepper to lower back.  Bilute and massage if that is comforting.
• Prevention of Hemorrhage -- Apply 1 to 3 drops of Helichrysum on lower back during labor to help prevent.
• Labor Progression -- Apply Clary Sage to the lower abdomen.  Massage gently.
• Relaxation -- Spray Mist; 20 drops Lavender, 15 drops Wild Orange, 15 drops Peppermint.  Top off with a bit of water in a 4 ounce bottle.
• Energy -- Spray Mist; 15 drops Wild Orange, 10 drops Bergamot, 10 drops Lavender, 10 drops Clary Sage.  Top off with a bit of water in a 4 ounce bottle.

Postpartum:

After you deliver, whether vaginal or c-section, doTERRA has some oils which are great for helping the healing.

• Cramping -- Massage diluted Lavender onto lower abdomen.  Apply a hot compress or heating pad.
• Anxiety -- Inhale Wild Orange or Lavender.  Diffusing these oils will benefit the whole family.
• C-section Incision Care -- Apply Lavender, Frankincense, and Helichrysum to promote healing.  Add Melaleuca if infection is a concern.
• Postpartum Depression -- Use a combination of Lavender, Patchouli, Frankincense, and Clary Sage in a diffuser, in a bath, or use with carrier oil for a massage.  Apply to the bottoms of feet several times a day.  
• Perineum Care -- There are 3 possible remedies you should prepare in advance.

-- Spray Mist: Add Geranium, Lavender, and Helichrysum to a small spray bottle.  Mist onto the tender area frequently,  Add a little carrier oil to dilute if needed.

-- Soothing Pads: Add 20 to 30 drops of Lavender, Roman Chamomile, or Geranium to a bottle of witch hazel.  Shake mixture well and apply to large maxi pads.  Place pads in the freezer until needed.  Use after vaginal delivery to ease perineum pain.

-- Perineum Rinse:  Combine 5 to 10 drops of Lavender or Geranium to water in a Peri bottle for a soothing rinse.  Use this rinse after using the bathroom.

Breastfeeding:

• Cracked Nipples -- Apply Lavender and olive oil to nipples after each feeding. Myrrh can also be soothing.  Make sure the baby is latching properly.  Pain can be an indication that the baby is not latching proper.
• Fussiness -- Diffuse Lavender and Wild Orange to help keep Mommy and Baby calm.  This is especially great when struggling with breastfeeding to help keep a calm atmosphere.
• Mastitis -- Don’t stop nursing or pumping.  Use Lavender on top of each infected breast throughout the day.  Massage the following blend over the entire breast.  10 drops each Melaleuca, Lavender, Roman Chamomile in 2 tablespoons carrier oil.  Massage from armpits toward the nipple.
• Supply Issues -- To help start production, massage 1 to 2 drops of Clary Sage to top of breasts.

              -- To help increase supply, massage 1 to 2 drops of Basil or Fennel to the top of breasts.

              -- To help decrease supply, massage 1 to 2 drops of Peppermint to the top of breasts.

I have had a friend who is due in the summer use these products during pregnancy and she loves them.  I used the Perineum Care myself.  During delivery I had a 4th degree tear.  Not pretty. It took incredibly long to heal, and still is.  We could not seem to get things healing properly, I started using each method of Perineum Care and I am about 90% back to normal... as normal as one can be after birth.  I am in love with these products and recommend them to anyone struggling with their pregnancy.

I must urge you to speak to your doctor or midwife before using anything during pregnancy.  For the information I have listed, this has come from doTERRA and the rest is my opinion. I was not compensated in any way by doTERRA.

doTERRA Essential Oils

In the world today, I am finding that for every ache, pain, ailment, or just because, people take medications and that solves the problem.  I am one for looking to natural remedies as much as possible.  That is not to say that medications are not beneficial, because at times they certainly are necessary; but, I feel you should look to the natural first.  Especially during pregnancy, when medications could not only harm you, but your child too.  Overall, my belief is to look at the natural first.

This past week I have had the pleasure of testing out some products for a company called, doTERRA.  doTERRA is a wonderful company that created quality therapeutic-grade essential oils.  doTERRA truly has a product for everything!  

I received an email from doTERRA as what package I would like based on my family’s needs and goals.  I wasn’t too sure about the products and I didn’t know what to expect so I asked her to just send me what she though would be best.  doTERRA sent me an introductory kit consisting of an audio presentation of what the products are capable of, a beginner’s guide, a magazine, and the most important part, 3 essential oils, Lavender, Lemon, and Peppermint.

Each product has it’s own purpose and will target different things.

Lavender:

• Apply to the bottom of feet or on a pillow before sleeping
• Use to calm reaction to a bee sting or s bite
• Use with bath salts for a relaxing spa bathing experience
• Apply to wrists or inhale when traveling to ease motion upset
• Apply to soothe sunburned or scalded skin
• Apply to hands, feet, or back of a restless child
• Use to soothe diaper rash
• Calm sensitive skin and soothe pores after hair removal
• Apply to dry, chapped lips before applying lip balm
• Use with peppermint for a healthy scalp massage
• Add to lotion for a stress-relieving hand massage

Personal Use:

Sleep- I apply to my son’s feet every night and he falls asleep within 10 minutes! The scent even makes me sleepy!!

Post Shaving- I use it right after the shower after I have shaved to avoid and razor burn.

Cracked hands- My husband has dermatitis on his hands so they get cracked and cause him pain.  He uses about 2 drops on his hands and he has had such an improvement!

Massage- After a long day, when the baby is put in the crib, my husband will give me a massage every once in a while, he used this oil and it was so relaxing.  Much better than using thick, smelly, lotions.

Lemon:

• Add a drop to your water
• Diffuse aromatically or apply topically for mood elevation
• Add a drop to honey to soothe a cough or sore throat
• Dilute with coconut oil for daily fingernail massage
• Apply to directly to cold sores
• Add a drop of lemon and peppermint to your toothbrush after use
• Diffuse in a room to neutralize odor
• Remove gum, label, adhesives, and greasy substances from fabric
• Use to clean kitchen counters and stainless steel appliances
• Add to olive oil for a non-toxic furniture polish

Personal Use:

Pick-me-up- We just leave the bottle open in the room and it is strong enough to lift the exhaustion and up the mood.

Sore throat- I add a drop to water or tea when I have allergies or a sore throat.  I am actually using this as we speak.  I woke up with a sore throat and added some to my tea.  Instantly soothes.

Ease nausea- This past week my husband and I have been driving out of the state and we both have motion sickness.  Just inhaling this helped ease the nausea. 

Peppermint:

• Rub on stomach or feet, or take a drop internally to calm indigestion or upset stomach
• Use with lemon in water for a healthy, refreshing mouth rinse
• Diffuse aromatically or apply topically to open sinuses and airways
• Apply with lavender to sore, tired joints
• Breath during a meal to help you feel full
• Add to a cold water compress or foot bath to cool off when overheated
• Inhale as a non-stimulant, invigorating pick-me-up on long drives
• Add to shampoo and conditioner for a stimulating hair and scalp massage
• Use with lavender and lemon during allergy season
• Spread on child’d shirt before studying for alertness

Personal Use:

Diet- Always trying to eat right, adding a small dab to my feet before I eat helps me feel full so I don’t eat more for the sake of eating.

Feeling full- I put a dab on my stomach after eating to avoid that overly stuffed feeling.

Alert- Keeps my husband alert while driving extended periods of time.

Mouth wash- With lemon and water, it makes a great mouth wash and actually whitens teeth!

I have found some amazing relief from these oils, whether just to help sleep, or heal my husband’s cracked hands!  I can not wait to try some other products that they offer.  I would recommend this as a start before trying anything else.

In my line of work, pregnancy, labor and delivery, and babies, I am constantly looking for new ways to help mommas!  doTERRA also have a line of essential oils for pregnancy, birth and baby.  Of course before using anything at all you should consult your doctor or midwife.  I will have more for all of you on their essential oils for pregnancy, birth and baby coming up.