Nest That Nursery!

Planning your baby’s nursery can be one of the most exciting and most stressful things to do in your preparation for your baby.  There is so much to do that it can be overwhelming.  Here are some tips that may make the experience fun and eliminate stress.  

Pick A General Theme- Get a few ideas of themes you may want your nursery to be.  Once you have picked a few themes you can focus on possible cribs ideas.  Some possible theme ideas are; jungle/safari, nautical, sports, princess, Disney, ballerina.  Or perhaps you don’t want a theme and prefer a color scheme to go with.

Measure- You should measure the baby’s room so you will able to go pick out his or her crib and other furniture.  When planning where to place your crib, it is good to remember not to put the crib near a window or heating system.  You don’t want to place the crib near anything that will distract the baby from nap time.  Temperature fluctuations can make the baby uncomfortable and interrupt sleep.

Pick Out A Crib- Shopping for your baby’s crib is such a fun experience for you and your partner.  There are many tips to remember when picking out your baby’s crib. Be sure it is a comfortable safe place for your baby.

Pick Out Furniture- You want to chose furniture that will compliment the baby’s crib, fit the theme, and is also practical and safe.

Divide And Conquer- If you divide the room into sections, this will help keep you organized.  For example, you have a changing area, whether that is an actual changing table or a changing pad on top of a bureau, it is what works for you best.  With your area for changing you have your diapers, wipes and any other essentials necessary for changing your baby.  You may have a section of the room that is meant for playing (if the room is big enough of all those baby toys.)  You may also have a glider or rocker where you have your night feeding.  Whether breast or bottle, there are some things you will need and it is good to keep them handy in your feeding area.

Make Room For The Electronics-  I did not realize all the electronic devices I would be using with my baby.  We have a monitor, cool mist humidifier, night light, Ihome for his night time piano music, the list goes on.  It is helping to have a little table that is just for electronics.  You don’t want wires running all the way through he baby’s room.  That just isn’t safe for the middle of the night when you are half asleep and have to go feed or what have you.  Keep this area far away from the baby but close enough to see from your monitor.

Safety Is Key- Before you know it, your little one will be sneaking out of the crib in the middle of the night and making his or her way into your room.  Make sure that from day one the nursery is safe for baby’s.  One less thing to have to worry about later.  As your baby is growing, you want to avoid have decorations around that are accessible to the baby.  Anything and everything will go in the mouth.  Better to be safe than sorry.

Most importantly, have fun.  All of these experiences should be fun and have as little stress as possible.  Enjoy this bonding experience with you partner and baby as much as you can.

Considerations For Crib

Picking out your baby’s crib is one of the biggest decisions you will make during your pregnancy.  With so many big decisions, you want to make them all as fun as possible.  I can’t stress enough that you need to include your partner in any decisions made during your pregnancy, especially your baby’s crib.

When crib shopping, there are a few things to remember.

Safety First-  Luckily, when you are purchasing a new crib, they all meet the safety requirements necessary.  The trouble does come in if you are getting a crib from someone.  The requirements are constantly changing so you must be careful that whatever crib you are getting is safe.  Do your research and be sure whatever crib you are purchasing or receiving does not have recalls on it.  When my husband and I were crib shopping he was going around picking up each crib and shaking them to be sure they were safe.  Slightly embarrassing, but he was right.  You need to be sure the crib is sturdy and safe for your baby.  A big thing for us that raised safety concerns, are the crib bumpers.  They look adorable, but can be cause for suffocation.  Now they have mesh bumpers which give the extra padding for your baby and are safer.

Color- There are so many cribs that are offered in a variety of colors.  Narrow down the colors you may want depending on your nursery theme.  My husband and I wanted espresso and then came across a navy crib which we were originally getting in espresso.  Look at all your color options to be sure it is what you really want.  Some things to keep in mind when picking out a crib color, your baby will eventually start to bite on the side of the crib.  For certain colors any mark will show.  Another note to keep in mind is be sure that whatever crib you chose, if painted, has good paint and will not chip.  You don’t want your baby chewing on the side of the crib and then get a mouthful of paint.

Adjustability- Some cribs have a straight front and some have a slope.  You want to be sure that it will be easy for you to put your baby in the crib and get him or her out.  Something to look for is an adjustable mattress height.

Convertibility- Buying a crib is a big investment, and a pretty important one.  Your baby will grow in the blink of an eye and before you know it you will be buying a big bed.  If you get a crib that converts it will save you a bit of money because it will grow with your baby.  My husband and I have a crib that converts to a full size bed.

Pick Out A Mattress-  There are some key points to remember when picking out the crib mattress.

• Firmness is super important. Test the inside and the edges of the mattress to be sure it’s a nice firmness.
• Be sure the fabric of the mattress can handle a beating.
• It’s crucial that you check to be sure you can’t put more than a two-finger width distance between the crib mattress and the crib.
• Make sure that the crib sheet fits snugly and can’t be pulled off the mattress.  Once you baby starts grabbing you don’t want him or her to pull them off and start playing because this can cause suffocation.
• Don’t buy a crib mattress at a store where you can’t return it if it doesn’t fit right.

Protection Plan- Whatever crib you do decide to buy, get a protection plan with it.  Your baby’s crib is not just a toy that they may get sick of and no longer need.  It is his or her bed for a good long while.

Your baby will be spending quite a bit of time in his or her crib.  Make is a safe and comfortable place that your baby will want to be.  

Nesting!

Morning mommas! Today I want to talk a little bit about nesting.  A mother has an instinct to prepare the home before the baby comes.  It is important to get these things done now while there is the time because once the baby gets here you will be lucky if you have the time to shower.

Every momma is different and has different ways they go about “nesting”.  Some women clean their house until it is so clean you can see your reflection in the hard word floor and some women reorganize every ounce of their home so much you can’t find anything.  Whatever way your instincts lead you it is important to remember there are a few essentials that should be done before the baby arrives.

Something so important to remember is that you have a partner, friends and family who will be around to help and you don’t have to do everything alone.  If you are offered a helping hand, take it!  In my experience I wanted to do everything myself, and it is okay to do things yourself, but it is especially important to involve your baby’s daddy! Let him do some things to or let him do things with you.

Here are just some things to consider doing if your nesting instinct kicks in.

Load The Fridge!  You want to make sure you have enough food for you and your husband once the baby arrives.  Chances are that you will have friends and family bringing you cooked meals and stuff for the baby but you want to be all stocked just in case.  There will be no time for cooking for the first few weeks, and you most likely will not feel like cooking a big meal after you have just given birth.

Treat yourself!  You will no longer be able to pamper yourself the way you did before your bundle of joy.  The baby becomes the center of attention, and you take a backseat.  It is important to pamper yourself while you can.  Going on a little shopping spree is a great way to do this.  Purchasing new bras would be something beneficial for you because once the milk comes in your breast will get larger and need some extra support.  Get different types of bras to try them out and see which ones work for you.  Some women love nursing bras, some love sports bras, and some just like their regular bras..in a larger size.  Whatever works for you!  Also, get some comfy sweats, yoga pants, and cotton comfy underwear.  After childbirth, whether natural or c-section, you will be in comfy clothes for at least 6 weeks post birth.  For those of you who are planning natural birth and it goes according to plan, you will need comfy underwear that is roomy enough to fit in pads because you will have some bleeding afterwards.  Maxi pads are also something you will want to get.  You will get them in the hospital if you have a natural birth, but some women prefer certain types.  Go with whatever is most comfortable for you.  It also can’t hurt to have a spa day as a little treat.  Go get a pedicure and maybe a prenatal massage.  Your feet and back will love you after carrying around all the added weight.

Treat your baby!  I found buying things for the baby so much fun.  Your baby will need clothes, diapers, wipes, ointment, bibs..the list is endless.  Due to the fact that you aren’t 100% aware what size your baby will be, I found it most helpful to get one or two newborn one piece outfits and 0-3 month for the rest.  You don’t know what your baby will like so it would be beneficial to get a few small packages of different types of diapers so you can try them out and see which ones work best for you and your baby.  The same goes for wipes, ointments, pretty much all baby necessities are up to what woks for you and your baby.  Every mommy is different and y’all will like different things.  Get some samples of different products and give them a try.  Something I learned the hard way was not to buy products in bulk until I knew what I liked best and my baby liked.

Bake and cook some goodies!  If you are one of those women who love to cook or bake and nesting calls you to the kitchen go right ahead and bake or cook away!  You most likely won’t be cooking or baking much once your baby takes center stage.  If you are cooking, cook some things that will last a while, like lasagna, chicken cutlets, meatloaf, meatballs or a nice big gravy to go with a pasta dinner.  All of these foods you can stick in the freezer and then have at the ready once the baby arrives.  If you are one for baking, cookie dough is perfect to freeze and make later.  Bake or cook whatever you want while you can.  You partner will love it too!

Tidy Up!   It is always good to give your home a once over before the little one is home.  You want to make sure everything is super clean because you probably won’t get a chance to clean that thoroughly again for a little while.

Prepare your baby’s nursery!  I found this to be the most exciting part about preparing for the baby.  It is a great way to bond with your partner as well.  From going to pick out the crib and essentials to filming your partner attempt to put them together, it is a fun and exciting part of having a baby.

Get A Plan!  Something that is so crucial, is having a plan with your partner about delivery.  There are so many details about the delivery that you should be on the same page about.  I know in my own experience, my husband and I discussed not having any extended family come visit us after our son was born.  After the pregnancy I had and the induction and difficult delivery, the last thing I wanted was to entertain a bunch of people in a tiny room where I was barely dressed, trying to breastfeed every hour and constantly having to run to the bathroom to rub numbing ointments on myself.  It is up to you and your partner what you want to do, but make sure you are on the same page and your families will have to respect whatever decision you chose.  My husband was the one who actually made the choice to not have any visitors come see us until we got home and I was feeling a bit better.  We had my mom there, because she was in the room with us, my dad came because he knew how sick I had been for 9 months and was scared that something would go wrong since I had preeclampsia, and my uncle came because he worked in the hospital I gave birth and was already there.  Other than that, we didn’t see anyone until we arrived home and I was feeling a little better.  Make sure y’all have a plan and you stick to it together.  Even if it is as simple as where your partner stands during delivery, know your plan.

Preggie Pops!

Any of y’all struggling with MORNING SICKNESS OR NAUSEA?  I know it feels like it will never end and nothing that you do will make it better.  I promise you it will end and there are some things you can do to help give you some relief.  I talked about MORNING SICKNESS AND HYPEREMESIS in my blog a while back where I listed a few things you can do to help.  This was before I knew about PREGGIE POPS FROM THREE LOLLIES.  

THREE LOLLIES is a company that came up with natural products called PREGGIE POPS AND QUEASY POPS to give women struggling MORNING SICKNESS during PREGNANCY or anyone who may need nausea relief.  The products were made by healthcare professionals to allow people a natural approach to dealing with any nausea.  

During PREGNANCY most women are a bit scared to be taking medications, even if the sickness is so severe that it is so necessary.  There are some medications that are safe but even still, there is hesitation from many women when it comes to taking medication during pregnancy.  I went through this myself.  With HYPEREMESIS, which is far more severe than morning sickness, I had no choice but to take the medication.  I was terrified about taking the medication.  Even though my son is happy and healthy despite all of that, I wish I had known about the PREGGIE POPS.

I was very fortunate to recently be able to try PREGGIE POP DROPS PLUS and PREGGIE NATURALS (CHEWS).  PREGGIE POP DROPS PLUS come in 2 all natural flavors, sour raspberry and sour lemon.  They are $5.50 a box and come with 12 lozenges in a pack.  You can suck on them for at least 15 minutes!  PREGGIE NATURALS (CHEWS) come in a variety of flavors; peppermint, raspberry, ginger, and green apple.  They are $3.95 a box and come with 15 chews to a pack.  They are super easy to chew and don’t hurt your teeth as some chew products do.  They taste like a delicious candy!  Both products have wonderful flavors, are very yummy and truly ease the quease!

I would recommend these products to anyone who is experiencing nausea, not just pregnant women.  These pops would be great to use if you get motion sickness and are taking a long trip or going on a boat.  They would also be beneficial for a patient who is experiencing a tough treating that would cause nausea.  THREE LOLLIES also carries products to help people who are trying to cope with quitting smoking.  I have not tried this product, as I don’t smoke, but I am going to have my uncle give them a go!  

If you try these products, I promise you will not be disappointed.  The products are affordable and will make a difference!

 

**This was a product review for the company Three Lollies, all my statements are my own opinion and I was not compensated by Three Lollies is any way.**  

Prenatal Testing

During pregnancy there are a bunch of different tests done to be sure you and your baby are healthy and stay healthy to the end.  At each prenatal visit there will be some new test that you will have the option to have or one that your doctor or midwife may feel is necessary for your circumstance.  

Your first prenatal visit is where your doctor or midwife will learn a slew of information about you by the testing done and the questions they ask.  They will do tests to find things such as:

• Blood type
• Rh factor (+ or -)
• Anemia
• Infections
• Immunity to rubella and chicken pox

Your doctor or midwife may recommend a series of tests depending on:

• Age
• Family health history
• Ethnicity
• Results of routine testing

Some of the testing done are just screening tests. Screening tests only can determine risk or probability, not actuality.  From the information gathered of a screening test your doctor or midwife can then decide if further diagnostic testing should be done to give you a definitive result. Diagnostic tests and confirm and narrow down andy health problems in your or your baby.

Common prenatal tests that are offered and/or recommended throughout the pregnancy are:

Urinalysis - done routinely at prenatal visits to test, sugar, protein, ketones, leucocytes, white blood count, and bacteria -  used to diagnose:

--Urinary Tract Infection

--Dehydration

--Preeclampsia

Chorionic Villus Sampling - diagnoses some birth defects between 10 and 13 weeks such as:

--Down Syndrome

--Cystic Fibrosis

First Trimester Screening - detects some higher risk birth defects between 11 and 14 weeks such as:

--Chromosomal Disorders

--Heart Problems

--Multiples
--Paternity

Amniocentesis - diagnoses some birth defects between 14 and 20 weeks such as:

--Down Syndrome

--Cystic Fibrosis

--Spina bifida

Ultrasound -  Ultrasounds are not routine but common between 18 and 20 weeks.  They are used to detect any problems with the baby's organs and body systems and confirm the age of your baby and be sure he or she is growing properly.  You also may be able to find out the gender of your baby if he or she cooperates.

Glucose challenge screening - detects gestational diabetes between 26 and 28 weeks.  Depending on the results from the initial screening, your doctor may recommend the glucose tolerance test which is used to diagnose gestational diabetes.  

Non-stress test - If your baby is showing little to no movement or any signs of distress a non-stress test is done to determine the reasoning. It is a monitor placed around the baby bump to measure the baby’s heart rate based on his or her movement. Biophysical profile - This test is used along with a non-stress test to monitor the overall health of your baby and to help decide if the baby should be delivered early.

It is an ultrasound done after a non-stress test. The biophysical profile looks at 5 fetal things: 

--breathing

--movement

--muscle tone

--heart rate

--amount of amniotic fluid.

Group B streptococcus infection - used to find bacteria that causes pneumonia in newborns - done between 36 and 37 weeks.

If your doctor or midwife recommends certain prenatal tests, don't be worried.  Never hesitate to ask as many questions as you want.  It is so important to keep yourself informed about what is going on. Don’t fret and remember that screenings do not diagnose, they detect possible risk.  Your doctor or midwife will guide you in the right direction to keeping you and your baby healthy.  

Miscarriage -- My Story

Today is a special day for me.  A year ago today was the due date for my little girl, Aurora Rose.  In October of last year my husband and I went to the doctor’s for a prenatal visit.  After having some bleeding and discomfort we had an ultrasound to learn there was no heartbeat.  We had just found out we were going to be having a baby girl.  It was probably one of the most difficult things my husband and I have ever dealt with.  It was a very traumatizing experience and took time to heal.  After that, I needed to find out more information to really understand miscarriages.  I had been told so many things from different people and doctors as to why this happened and what it meant for me and my husband in the future.  I needed to know more.  I hope to share some of my knowledge with y’all and to comfort any woman who has gone through a miscarriage.

Something I couldn’t quite wrap my head around was why this happened.  What caused this?  I went through so many emotions and feelings.  I questioned myself everyday for a long time.  What did I do wrong?  Is there anything I could have done?  The truth is half of first-trimester miscarriages are thought to be random events caused by chromosomal irregularity in the fertilized egg. The egg or sperm had the wrong number of chromosomes resulting in a fertilized egg that can't develop normally.

Sometimes a miscarriage is caused by problems that happen during early development; such as: an egg that doesn't implant properly.  Most of the time, it is difficult to really pinpoint the exact reasoning behind a miscarriage, even with a full work up.

Any woman can have a miscarriage but there are some factors that put women at higher risk.

• Age 
• A history of miscarriages
• Chronic diseases or disorders
• Uterine or cervical problems
• Genetic defects 
• Infections
• Smoking 
• Drinking
• Drug use
• Certain medications
• Diagnostic genetic testing

It is so important to listen to your body.  Some women, like myself, who may not have all the proper knowledge and don’t want to be alarmists let things go.  If something doesn’t feel right, under no circumstance should you overlook it.  One of the first signs of a miscarriage is vaginal bleeding or spotting.  This is tricky because for some women, bleeding or spotting is experienced with a perfectly normal, healthy pregnancy.  You may notice abdominal cramping associated with the vaginal bleeding.  No matter what if you experience bleeding or pain call your doctor or midwife so they can do proper testing and determine what is going on.

Miscarriages are a loss and women need proper grieving.  It is so important to remember that it is not your fault.  I know how difficult it is to having an overwhelming sense of guilt, that maybe you could have done something different that would have prevented it.  The truth is, you couldn’t.  My way of viewing it, which isn’t for everyone, but in my eyes, God had a plan for Aurora Rose, her job was to help my body prepare for my son Bradley Michael.  I had irregular periods, barely ovulated, and was told by 7 different doctors I could never have kids.  After my miscarriage, 5 months later I was pregnant with my son.  Since, I have had a regular period every month.  Something else that will help in coping with your loss is find support.  So many other women out there are experiencing what you are and there is no reason it should not be discussed.  You shouldn’t feel shame or embarrassment, which I felt afterwards.  Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who understand what you are going through.  The most difficult part for me was understanding that my husband didn’t grieve the same way that I did, but it was just as much a loss for him as it was for me.  Because he didn’t have the same connection to the baby that I did, I just felt it didn’t matter as much to him and I couldn’t have been more wrong.  Lean on each other and remember your partner is hurting just as much.

It is okay to be scared but don’t think that just because you had one miscarriage means you can’t have kids. Wait a little bit and ty again.  Take the time you need to heal and deal with your loss.  Remember you are not alone.

Headaches During Pregnancy

On a good day, not pregnant, headaches can be one of the most uncomfortable things.  During pregnancy having a headache is the cherry on top of the sundae.  Headaches during pregnancy are one of the most common complaints and can cause a great deal of discomfort.  They do seem to be most common during the first trimester and the third trimester and of course, due to hormonal changes.

Why am I getting headaches?
You may be experiencing headaches during your first trimester because of the change in your hormones and increase in the blood volume that circulates through your body.  There are some outside factors that will put you at greater risk for getting headaches during your pregnancy.
-Stress
-No sleep
-Dehydration
-Low blood sugar
-Poor posture
-Vision changes
-Changes in caffeine use
-History of headaches or migraines
If you are experiencing headaches associated with vision changes, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, swelling in your hands, feet, and/or face call your doctor or midwife immediately because this could be pregnancy induced hypertension. 

How can I deal with my headaches during pregnancy?
There are a few things you can do that will lower your chances of getting headaches during pregnancy.
-Exercise
-Have good posture
-Try your best to get comfortable and get sleep
-Drink plenty of water
If you are finding that you are getting headaches and you aren’t getting relief there are some natural things you can try first to relieve the headache.  I am one for trying a natural approach first before trying any pain medication for relief.

-Apply a warm compress around your eyes and nose.
-Apply a cold compress or ice pack at the back of your neck.

-Try eating smaller meals more frequently. This will help you maintain you blood sugar levels.

-Get a prenatal massage. Getting a massage will help you to relax a bit and relieve some stress.  Also, in rubbing the neck, temples, and shoulders will release endorphins and relieve some pain.

-Stay away from bright lights.

-Try to avoid eating chocolate.

If you aren’t getting any relief at all or start experiencing the symptoms associated with pregnancy induced hypertension contact your doctor or midwife immediately.