Preparing for Baby Articles

  • Prenatal Vitamins

    Prenatal supplements consist of a variety of vitamins and minerals. During pregnancy, a woman's daily intake requirements for certain nutrients, such as folic acid (folate), calcium, and iron will increase. Vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, and folic acid are vital for proper fetal growth, development, and healthy adult living.

  • FDA Warns Birth Defects with Paxil

    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising that birth defect warnings should to be added to the prescription-only antidepressant, Paxil (Paroxetine).

  • Before Hiring a Midwife

    Before you hire a midwife, be sure to interview several carefully. Take your time reviewing their history, call up their references, have a list of questions handy, research the legal issues in your state and ask the midwife for proof of her certification.

  • Pregnancy - His Third Trimester Concerns

    Trimester 3 and we are into the playoffs! It's business time! As you start to burst at the seams, he may be finally coming out of denial. The pregnancy is pretty real now and his worries will start to turn toward you and the baby. What are his concerns as the birth draws near?

  • Pregnancy - His Second Trimester Worries

    The second trimester brings a bump and a few other telling signs that you are carrying a real person. It's starting to hit home with your guy that he really is going to be a dad. Is he mature enough to be a parent? How will your relationship hold up? Will he ever have sex again? This is what he may be worried about for the coming months.

  • Pregnancy - His First Trimester Worries

    Your partner is freaking out about the pregnancy! Since during the first trimester he's not going to be able to see any real evidence that a baby actually exists, it's likely to be about intangible things. Here's a list of common concerns for first time dads during the first trimester.

  • Preparing Your Relationship for Parenthood

    Research shows 10% of all couples break up during pregnancy and 30% break up in the first two years of parenthood. The good news is you don't have to be part of these statistics! You have 9 months to get to know each other again, understand your expectations moving forward and build on your relationship in preparation for the changes ahead.

  • Smoking During Pregnancy: No ifs, ands, or butts!

    Tobacco contains approximately 2,500 chemicals that could harm an unborn baby. Research confirms that smoking has significant negative effect on the developing fetus. Mothers-to-be want a healthy baby. Learn how to quite safely and for good.

  • You're Having Twins...or more!

    "A sonogram just confirmed that I'm carrying twins. I'm excited, but really, really nervous. Getting my head around having one baby on the way has been exciting and a little scary. Now I'm terrified. I don't know how I'll manage having two babies at once!" You will manage as a mother of twins, in ways you never thought possible...

  • Preserve the Freedom to Make Birthing Choices

    If you are a well and healthy childbearing woman, you can consider giving birth in a hospital, an out-of-hospital birth center, or in your home. Or can you? We are asking you to support a new law to ensure that Medicaid programs reimburse birth centers for care of pregnant women with Medicaid coverage, preserving access to high quality, high value maternity care provided in out-of-hospital birth centers!

  • 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?

  • 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.

  • Cord Blood Facts

    Cord blood is a non-controversial source of "stem cells," which has the ability to differentiate into any type of blood cell and stimulate new growth throughout the body. It is being used in the treatment of over 40 life-threatening diseases.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The Great Baby Shower Debate

    Baby showers are always a lot of fun for not only the expectant mom but also for the host and the guests. Shouldn't it be anyone who’s pregnant?

  • 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.

  • Choosing a Doctor for Your Baby

    Selecting a doctor who will care for your new baby is an important decision. Schedule interviews before your baby is due with potential pediatricians. In addition to getting specific answers to questions about your baby's care and the office procedures, you'll know if you feel comfortable with him/her.

  • 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.

  • Preserve the Freedom to Make Birthing Choices

    If you are a well and healthy childbearing woman, you can consider giving birth in a hospital, an out-of-hospital birth center, or in your home. Or can you? We are asking you to support a new law to ensure that Medicaid programs reimburse birth centers for care of pregnant women with Medicaid coverage, preserving access to high quality, high value maternity care provided in out-of-hospital birth centers!

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