Preparing for Baby

  • Nic's Nerves

    Our story, is probably not too rare.
    My husband and I were married 2 1/2 years ago and decided that we wouldn't wait to start a family. My mother was extremely fertile so I never thought that I would have any problems conceiving. After 6 months I began to feel nervous. After persuading my Doc. to give us the battery of tests that they usually make you wait a year for we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility.

    Almost one year after our marriage we found that we were pregnant, and were over the moon. Unfortunately it was shortlived and at 6.5 weeks while on holiday I began to miscarry. I think I lost a large part of my heart that day. It took me a long time to get over it.

    Over the next year, we tried chineese acupuncture which helped regulate my cycles and I took a mind body class which helped me get my emotions undercontrol. I began to meditate regularly listening to Jennifer Bloom's fertilty meditations www.anjionline.com and slowly came to a place of peace about our fertility journey.

    I've had many thoughts over the past two years. I can't say how many times I've wished that the pregnancy test would just show positive. So many negatives, how hard would it be to have a positive! The month that I got pregnant after the first year, I knew I was pregnant before I checked the stick. My boobs were sore and I'd had funny aches in my tummy. I just new it, the test was just a confirmation.

    In November I took a pregnancy test, not expecting any thing extraordinary and there it was...pregnant! I was totally suprised.

    The next few days were long and painful, with every twinge I thought that I'd get a late period. I was terrified of loosing this one too. I booked an appointment with my Dr. but couldn't get in for a week. I couldn't imagine staying pregnant for an entire week! My fears were confirmed a few of days later when I felt that my boobs had got much less sore. I figured it was only time before I bled. I sat at work in my cubicle and couldn't stop crying. I had to excuse my self (via email so no one saw me) and went home.

    I didn't start to bleed, but I did start to feel nauseus and my boobs got sore again. My Doc. ran some tests and said that my HCG was just fine and doubling on schedule. I was still pregnant.

    I was really nervous about passing the 6.5 week mark that had been my miscarriage last time. Unfortunately it came over christmas surrounded by family. I was feeling really sick and would pretty much rather have been any where else as long as I could have been alone.

  • To Marry or Not to Marry

    QUESTION

    Dear Mr. Dad,
    My girlfriend and I are about to become parents. She wants to get married before the baby is born, but I don’t really see the point. Can’t unmarried parents be just as committed as married ones?

  • "Being Dad" DVD

    • "Being Dad" DVD
    Rating: 
    5

    The "Being Dad" DVD is the perfect gift (even to yourself!) for all expectant parents. Dads-to-be will appreciate hearing the truth from those with been there, done that experience! Moms-to-be will find it a terrific way to engage their partners in their pregnancy with humor, candor, and a refreshing frankness sure to capture their attention.

    An additional benefit? Expectant mothers can get a glimpse into what their partner may be thinking. He isn't an insensitive clout after all!

  • Pregnancy and Baby Quiz

    First of all, relax. This isn't an official motherhood exam designed to assess your fitness for motherhood. It's just for fun-a chance to test your knowledge of pregnancy and babies before you find yourself being put to the test for real.... Here goes.

  • Printable Personal Prenatal Record

    Looking for our prenatal record keeper? We've created a printer friendly version for you to use! Please click here to be redirected!

  • Exercises to Tone Up For Labor

    Can you suggest exercises that will help my body get ready for labor? Are there exercises that will keep stomach muscles firm?

  • Locating a Birthing Center

    I'm interested in using a birthing center. How can I find one? What qualification should I look for? What questions should I ask?

  • Tips for Breastfeeding Teen Moms

    Are there any special consideration that a teen should be aware of while breastfeeding. I am 17 and my baby is due in January. I'm worried about is nutrition, and nursing while going to school...
  • Choosing a Breast Pump

    QUESTION

    Dear Lactation Consultant,
    I'm currently pregnant with my 3rd child. And I need some advice on a good breast pump.

    Thanks.

  • Circumcision: Not Just a Little Snip

    Circumcision is as American as apple pie. For the most part, it is not questioned but rather accepted as the standard of care given to newborn babies. Why is this the case?

  • To Marry or Not to Marry

    QUESTION

    Dear Mr. Dad,
    My girlfriend and I are about to become parents. She wants to get married before the baby is born, but I don’t really see the point. Can’t unmarried parents be just as committed as married ones?

  • Baby Shower Gift Ideas

    Here is a dilemma: I have four friends who are pregnant. What are some unusual and popular baby shower gifts? I'd like to get something new and different if possible.

  • Baby Crib Options

    A baby will sleep just about anywhere, so baby crib options are mostly based on style, personal taste and functionality. Here are some descriptions of options to accommodate a sleeping baby.

  • Wiring a Child's Brain: Key Parenting Points

    As we now know, we can no longer separate the mind from the body, or nature from nurture. Even more important, our new knowledge will change the way we parent and teach the young.

  • Pregnancy and Baby Quiz

    First of all, relax. This isn't an official motherhood exam designed to assess your fitness for motherhood. It's just for fun-a chance to test your knowledge of pregnancy and babies before you find yourself being put to the test for real.... Here goes.

  • Looking Ahead: Preparing to Go to the Hospital

    Even though you can't plan the exact day or time to give birth to your baby, unless of course our doctors and nurses have established a schedule for a Cesarean birth or induction, you can control preparation for the trip to your hospital that will make the journey less stressful.

  • Interviewing Prospective Doctors

    One of the best ways to identify great doctors is to ask nurses in that field whom they would recommend. Nurses see both the professional and the human sides of doctors.

  • Bradley Method of Childbirth

    Developed this method in the late 1940s by Dr. Robert Bradley. This Bradley method emphasizes an extremely natural approach, with few or no drugs and little medical help during labor and delivery.

  • Pregnancy and Pet Behavior

    I am 32 weeks pregnant and until a few weeks ago I had two perfectly behaved dogs. Now they are chewing paper and clothes. sometimes right in front of us. They have not destroyed any baby stuff. Could their strange behavior be related to my pregnancy?

  • Cord Blood 101: The Essential Basic Knowledge of Cord Blood Science

    During pregnancy, options of 4-D ultrasound, high resolution ultrasound, pre-implantation genetic sampling and placental cord blood stem cell storage are several among many choices that will have to be considered.

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