You’re nearing the end of pregnancy, and everyone is asking what you need for the baby. You have registered at the popular baby superstores for items you’re not even sure you’ll need. Now what? A traditional baby shower will help you assemble many of the basic supplies you need or want for your baby. A Blessingway, however, will supply YOU, the mom-to-be, with the emotional fuel you need for labor, birth and early motherhood.

A Blessingway is rooted in many native traditions, but has evolved into a ceremony that can be adapted to any religious or cultural beliefs to help a woman prepare emotionally and spiritually for the birth of her baby. It is a way to shower a new mother with support to start her journey of motherhood on the right foot. Guests are smoothing the way for her with stories, advice and positive inspiration.

While you likely won’t plan your own Blessingway, here are some tips to share with friends and family for planning an event that will be a cherished memory after the birth:

• Consider the guest list carefully to include only those closest to the mom-to-be, other women whose opinions she values and trusts, and around whom she can relax and feel comfortable.
• Keep the mother-to-be’s cultural and religious traditions in mind, and tailor any ceremonies to her. For instance, if she is a devout Catholic, ask her which prayers are most meaningful to her and incorporate those into the celebration.
• Pamper her. The mom-to-be should be the center of attention at a Blessingway. Give her a foot bath and massage with aromatic lotion or oil, adorn her with a crown or necklace of flowers, cover her baby belly or her hands and feet with henna designs, brush and braid her hair, etc. Be creative. Ask her ahead of time what makes her feel most relaxed, and use that to create a ritual tailored specifically to her.
• Share stories. Let other mothers talk about their experiences of childbirth and mothering. Instruct everyone ahead of time to keep the tales positive – this is not time for horror stories. Passing along birth wisdom is a precious gift in and of itself.
• If you include gift-giving, ask guests ahead of time to bring symbolic tokens to support the mother-to-be as she enters labor or as she makes the shift to parenthood. For instance, have each mother bring a bead, and create a necklace for the mom to use as a focal point in labor. Save the gifts from the baby registry for later!
• Always end with a feast. This is a great time for partners to join the celebration, since the shift to parenthood will happen to them, too! You could ask each guest to bring their favorite dish, or you could create dishes from symbolic foods to celebrate the coming birth.

Use your imagination – you cannot do it wrong – and honor the mother-to-be with the unique gift of a Blessingway.

Written by Michelle: IBCLC, writer, editor, childbirth instructor, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Most women, pack their hospital bag for the hospital during the last trimester of pregnancy. In the bag go clothing and personal items, slippers for those walks through the hospital, and little things like toothpaste and toothbrushes and perhaps a favorite blanket or pillow.

The following 5 things are some often forgotten items that may come in handy after the baby’s birth!

1.  Some make-up if you typically wear it. You never know when labor and delivery are going to hit, and most women don’t pack their make-up. The thing is some of the most beautiful, unforgettable pictures will be taken in the hours and days after you give birth. Having a little mascara, and perhaps some lip gloss – can ensure that these are pictures you will treasure. Certainly, you will be glowing and beautiful anyways – but a little make-up can help you feel more like yourself after you have your baby.

2. Phone numbers! Most people today have all the important numbers they need stored in their phones, and this makes things much, much easier – especially if you want to share the good news with others. However, make sure you make a little list of numbers that you don’t call often (and if you work, your bosses or coworkers numbers), or organize a group message in your phone to make staying in contact with others easier and more efficient. The last thing you want is to listen to your phone beeping and blinging and dinging every few seconds.

3. Nursing pads. Prepare for the leakage. Breastfeeding or not – leakage can occur within hours, or a day from birth. You will find that store bought nursing pads that you bring along with you, will not only work better and be more comfortable, but save you from having to change out of clothing too many times. Bring a comfortable bra, too. Whether you are planning to breastfeed or not, your milk will ‘come-in,’ making your breasts heavy and swollen. Having a supportive bra can be key.

4. Comfortable clothing for you. While some women may want to just wear the hospital-issued gown, others feel more comfortable in their own pajamas or lounge wear. Consider how you want to be dressed when guests stop by to see the new little one – while this doesn’t need to be a business suit, a pair of yoga pants and a comfy t-shirt may make you a little less self-conscious than the short hospital gown.

5. A gift for your other ‘littles.’ If you have older children, don’t forget a little something special for them. Coloring books and crayons to keep them busy, a movie, maybe a new toy – and a little gift that announces that they are a big brother or sister, will make sure they don’t feel left out or forgotten. People will be bringing the baby lots of new stuff, and the older siblings tend to get left out.

Do you enjoy this App? Good news! You can now also download our new Baby App for iPhone / iPad or Android. Click Baby+ iOS or Baby+ Android to install the App, and prepare for the arrival of your little one(s).

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

After nine long months of waiting, all of your friends and family are no doubt on the edge of their seats waiting for the big announcement. As your due date approaches, you may feel bombarded by calls and texts from well wishers hoping for some news. It can be quite frustrating to have to keep sending out texts confirming that yes, you are still pregnant and no, baby doesn’t seem ready to make an appearance yet. To avoid this unwanted frustration, tell your friends and family to stop asking, and assure them that they’ll hear the good news as soon as it happens.

There are a few options when it comes to ways to announce your baby’s birth, including:

1. Text or email – pushing out a quick announcement after the birth, simply featuring the important details, will let everyone know the baby has arrived. The downside is that if you choose to text people, you may end up inundated with texts and calls from well wishers wanting to find out more about the birth. If you choose to text, you may want to switch your phone off for a few hours afterwards, and reply at a later date when you have more time.
2. Snail mail – in days gone by, births were announced by post. A simple telegram sent to friends and family alerting them of the good news. Of course, these days it doesn’t need to be quite a simple. Why not send your friends and family a beautiful photo of your perfect newborn, and include all the important information including full name, the time of birth and the birth weight. You could even have unique photo cards printed to share the news, there are loads of free templates and designs available.
3. Facebook – less romantic than the old fashioned telegram, but perhaps more practical in the modern age, is the tried and tested Facebook announcement. Uploading a photo of your new baby, along with all the birth stats, is a great way to let all of your friends and family know that the baby has arrived. This is an easy way to announce the birth, and will free up your time to allow you to bond with your newborn baby. Just make sure you’ve told the new grandmas first, or they might be a bit annoyed to find out via social media!
4. An invitation – without doubt, the best way to hear about a new baby is to be invited round for cuddles. Your nearest and dearest will be thrilled to be invited round to meet the newest member of your family. Be careful not to overload yourself with visitors though, the first few weeks are exhausting and you’ll need plenty of time to rest.
5. Blog it – you could set up a blog with photos and information about your baby on, and send a link to your friends and family. This is a great way to give people all the information they want in one go, but it is time consuming so you may struggle to update it regularly. It is a great way to keep long distance family in the loop though.

How are you planning to announce the birth of your baby?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Tocophobia. To some extent, most pregnant women experience some sort of fear and anxiety when it comes to the realities of giving birth. Will it hurt?  What if something goes wrong?  Will I make it to the hospital on time? What if I cannot give birth naturally?  You name it, the things that an expectant mother can and will worry about are endless. The horror stories that others will feel the need to tell you about tend not to help either.

However, some women suffer from what is called tocophobia, which is an intense fear or dread of childbirth. For most women, this can equate to panic or anxiety attacks that manifest physical symptoms, loss of sleep, and even depression – especially as you near closer to your due date. Tocophobia is very common in women who have had difficult births or miscarriages in the past, or have known someone who had a traumatic birth related event. If you find that you are unable to be reasonable and talk yourself out of your delivery fears, and that they are inhibiting your ability to enjoy your pregnancy and normal activities in your life, you should speak to your health care provider. Additionally, the following tips will help.

1. Talk about your feelings! Pregnant women often feel ashamed of their thoughts. They think they are the only ones who worry about having a stillbirth, or are afraid to say what they are feeling aloud out of fear that others will think they are silly. If your partner is not good a sounding board, then confide in a female friend – preferably someone who has given birth before. Additionally, journaling during pregnancy is a great way to work out your feelings so that they don’t take over your life.

2. Meditation. Meditation can feel strange especially when you first begin. The trick is to allow your thoughts to enter your mind and exit your mind, and find a peaceful place with no thoughts intruding. Studies have shown that meditation is one of the best ways to deal with panic or anxiety disorders. You can start with guided meditation videos or audio recordings, or make up your own. Meditation not only has a calming affect on your mental state, but on your physical state as well, and is often used as a coping mechanism during labor and delivery. Another holistic option is hypnotherapy.

3. Seek professional help. There are a limited number of medications that can help you during pregnancy. All medications have risk; however, if your worries and anxiety are extreme, the benefits may outweigh the risks. Additionally, talking with a therapist or counselor about your fears can provide tremendous relief without side effects. if your fears of a vaginal birth are extreme, you and your physician may want to talk about an elective cesarean birth. One of the most important things is to develop a relationship with your healthcare provider based on trust and compassion.

No matter how you may feel, you are NOT alone! Everything that you feel and think, no matter how much anxiety you have, is something that another pregnant woman has experienced as well.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Many people talk about the all-important mother baby bonding that takes place after childbirth. Some describe this time as an “Ah-Ha” moment, when they experienced such joy and love that they were overwhelmed like nothing before. Other women feel the process of bonding with baby took time and didn’t happen immediately.  The reality is that your individual circumstances and your experiences during labor and delivery can have an impact on how well you feel you bonded with baby.

The best advice about bonding with your baby, is to allow it to happen in its own time. Don’t feel pressured to make something magical happen, and realize that you have spent the entirety of your pregnancy bonding with your baby.

Additionally, the following 5 tips will help you feel even more connected to your baby!

1.  Give yourself time to heal! Those precious moments when you first see your baby are magical, indeed. In the hospital setting, however, when the doctors are poking and prodding you and your baby, you are exhausted, and inundated with visitors – you can feel a little detached.

2. Make sure you have time for just you and your baby! Seriously – kick well wishers out, or ask that they only visit during visiting hours. Just like your baby is adjusting to breathing air, you are adjusting to motherhood. You need time to BE with your baby, by yourself – or with just you and your significant other. If others find it rude, then so be it. Be very clear that you would like some private time.

3. Keep your baby in your room with you rather than sending him or her to the nursery. Having your baby with you, in skin-to-skin contact, not only helps with lactation, but also helps with the mother baby bonding experience. Plus, you will adjust to the noises that he or she makes, and your baby will feel safe and secure knowing that you are there.

4.  Keep a camera handy and take lots of pictures. You cannot recreate these first moments and before you know it you will be home and your baby will be crawling. Having the pictures to look back on helps you to remember those feelings in the first hours and days, and helps you to realize just how much you and your baby DID bond after delivery.
You can also use our Baby+ App for iPhone / iPad or Android to record your baby’s milestones and unforgettable moments, or use the App to create a time-lapse video by taking a picture of your baby every day. The App will then automatically produce a beautiful video.

5. Give yourself time. Adjusting to motherhood, in addition to dealing with a multitude of hormonal fluctuations is not always an easy transition. If you don’t have that “Ah-Ha” moment that people talk about, give yourself a break and try not to worry about it. Sometimes – likely in most cases – this bonding is built around time and togetherness.

What YOU will realize, is that although the individual mother baby bonding experience is different for everyone, YOU WILL BOND WITH YOUR NEW LITTLE ONE!

Do you enjoy this App? Good news! You can now also download our new Baby App for iPhone / iPad or Android. Click Baby+ iOS or Baby+ Android to install the App, and prepare for the arrival of your little one(s).

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

If you’re currently pregnant, you’re probably experiencing some of the weird and wonderful body changes that pregnancy brings. Increased body hair growth, darkened skin patches and bigger feet, to name just a few. But did you know there are even more changes in store for after the birth? Here are five weird things to expect post pregnancy:

1. Hair loss – yes, sadly it’s time to say goodbye to that beautiful mane of hair you’ve been sporting for the last nine months. As your hormone levels decrease after the birth, your hair will start falling out. This can happen clumps at a time, or you may simply notice a build up in your hairbrush at the end of the week. It may feel like you’re losing too much, but most likely your hair is just returning to its pre-pregnancy state. It should stop falling out by your child’s first birthday.
2. Phantom kicks – these feel just like the kicks and flutters of a baby in the womb, and are likely to have you racing to the pharmacy for a pregnancy test. Fear not though, these are just the phantom kicks some women experience post pregnancy. These could be your uterus contracting and shrinking back to its pre-pregnancy size, or it could simply be that you are now more aware of any movements in your tummy.
3. Incontinence – it’s not uncommon for new mothers to involuntarily wee when sneezing, coughing or laughing. Pregnancy and birth weaken your pelvic floor muscles, and this can leave you less able to control when you wee. Make sure you do your pelvic floor exercises throughout pregnancy and postpartum to look after your pelvic floor muscles.
4. Mummy brain – whether it’s caused by tiredness, hormones or general distraction, the cause of mummy brain is unknown. The fact is, however, that as a new parent, you may find yourself feeling a little fuzzy. Forgetting words, losing where you were mid-story, and forgetting what you were doing, are all common complaints for new mums. You should find the symptoms decrease over time, and you feel more human again a few months after the birth.
5. Bleeding gums – dental problems are a common complaint for new mothers. Breastfeeding takes nutrients including calcium, from your body. To keep your calcium levels up, make sure you are eating a balanced diet, with plenty of leafy greens, and fortified soya or dairy products.

So, those are the weird things to expect post pregnancy, but what unusual changes have you noticed during pregnancy?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

As you approach labor and delivery, you will be trying to put together everything you know about childbirth and wondering how it will be for you. Many people have labor and delivery concerns. In fact, even moms who have been there and done that, have worries about what labor and delivery will hold for them.

The following are the 3 common questions about labor and delivery that most women worry or wonder about.

1.  What if I cannot handle the pain? Sure, labor and delivery is painful. You have heard the stories. You have also likely heard that most women forget about it as soon as it is over. The good news is that today, pain management is available and you as the patient have the right to choose just how much you want to feel and how much you don’t. Taking pain medicine is a private choice, and if you are terrified of pain – then an epidural or spinal is the best way for you to go. The reality is, that although labor and delivery is painful, it is not altogether unpleasant. Keep in mind that women have been giving birth forever – and that you too, will be able to get through it. For most women, the worries about the pain are worse than the pain itself.

2.  Will I poop on the doctor? Chances are you will. And chances are, the doctor won’t mind a bit. And chances are, you won’t even know you did it. The pressure and pushing that go hand in hand with labor and delivery do often produce a bowel movement.  But believe us when we say that there is NOT a labor and delivery doctor that will be offended. In fact, you just focus on having a baby and let the doctors – and nurses – deal with the rest.

3. Will I embarrass myself by hollering or screaming during labor? When women give birth, they make many sounds. From winces of pains, to yelps, to moans to whines. In the throes of labor and delivery, you will not even notice you are making a sound at all. And, you will likely not worry about who is around to hear you. Some women don’t make any noises during labor, while others cry and scream. Regardless of what you do during labor – no one will be making fun of you, and you will not embarrass yourself. Midwives and those who attend birth are completely aware of what to expect, and they won’t hold it against you. After all, you are delivering a tiny human – which entitles you to any noises that you deem suitable.

Fears and worries about labor can impact the progress of the birth – even to the point of slowing things down to a stop. Dealing with your fears before the childbirth process starts can help you have the birth you want.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Less than one percent of women in the US give birth at home. It’s not an option for everyone; only women having low risk pregnancies will be given the go ahead to have a home birth. Some women hate the thought of giving birth at home, but if you are curious about this option, here are five reasons to consider a home birth:

1. You’ll feel completely at home – this may sound obvious, but it’s important to be relaxed and calm during pregnancy. Some women find the car journey to the hospital stressful, and feel out of their comfort zone when confronted with the bright lights on the busy delivery ward. Of course, some women feel much more at ease in a hospital setting than they would at home. If you think staying at home would help to keep you relaxed and focused during the birth, you may want to consider a homebirth.
2. It’s not a medical setting – if you’re worried about interventions such as episiotomies, cesarean sections and forceps, you might find that taking yourself out of a medical setting puts you at ease. Of course, birth is unpredictable and some women do get transferred into hospital during a planned home birth because they require medical assistance. However, research has found that women who have home births are less likely to have interventions.
3. You can share the experience – most delivery wards will have a limit on the number of people you can have present at the birth. At your own home, you get to lay down the law about visitors. If you would like to have your existing children present to welcome their new sibling, or your parents as well as your partner, you may prefer to give birth at home. That way, you’ll have room to accommodate everyone.
4. You have more room to stay active – if you want to stay active during labour, and try a few different positions to help the baby move down the birth canal, you may prefer birthing at home. You’ll have the room to move about, as well as furniture to use to help you into position. You can hire birthing pools, jump in the bath, lean from doors, and squat over beds. You can take a walk round the garden, walk sideways up and downstairs, and try bellydancing to help your baby get into position.
5. You’ll be home when it’s over – once it’s all over, you can immerse yourself in a lovely warm bath in the comfort of your own home. Then it’s just a few short steps and you’ll be snuggled up in your own bed. No hospital gowns, IVs or strangers in sight.

If you would like to have a home birth, speak to your healthcare provider at your next appointment. Not all women are suitable candidates to give birth at home, but your healthcare provider is best placed to advise you on this.

Are you considering a home birth?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Back pain during pregnancy is very common. For one thing, the weight of your baby is all on the front of your body, which puts all the pressure on lower back and spine to carry the extra weight. If you don’t have strong abdominal muscles, then your back is taking on a lot of extra work during pregnancy. Plus, as your uterus grows, it can put pressure on the main nerves of the body that run through your spinal column and legs that can cause you pain.

Since you really should avoid any medications during pregnancy, many women are just left to suffer with back pain during pregnancy. The good news is that there are a few tips and tricks to making your back feel better!

• Warm baths! Remember, you shouldn’t take HOT baths while you are pregnant. But soaking in a nice warm bath to ease tense muscles is a great way to unwind and relax your aching back.
• Prenatal yoga and stretching. Staying flexible, and stretching your muscles is the best way to keep your back free from pain. Just make sure you take a class from an instructor that is licensed to teach pregnant women.
• Pregnancy massage. Again, find a certified pregnancy massage therapist and schedule an appointment. This will help ease the tension that builds up in the back muscles and help you to relax.
• Pregnancy Pilates and abdominal exercises. Strengthening your back is critical. And although traditional abdominal exercises are NOT recommended for pregnancy muscles, you want to continue to keep your ab muscles strong so they can help support your baby bump.
• Good posture! You will be surprised how much of a difference posture can make. When you sit down, especially for long periods of time use a pillow behind your lower back, sit up straight and tall and prop your legs up whenever possible. This helps to take pressure off the lower spine.
• Avoid lifting, especially in late pregnancy, and when you DO lift, lift from your knees. Don’t bend over to pick something up. Instead, squat to lift it so you won’t be extra pressure on your back.

Also, keep in mind that back pain especially after 27 weeks that is dull, persistent and rhythmic could be contractions. Many women feel labor in their back. If you notice a sudden change in your back pain, and think that it may be more than just simple strain – consult your doctor to make sure you aren’t going into early labor.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Once labor and delivery has occurred, you will hear your doctors and attending pediatricians talking about the APGAR score. The APGAR test – which stands for A: Appearance (Skin color) * P: Pulse (Heart rate) * G: Grimace (Reflex irritability) * A: Activity (Muscle tone) * R: Respiration (Breathing) – will take place at 1 minute, 5 minutes and 10 minutes after delivery. Chances are while your baby is being assessed you will still be delivering the placenta and afterbirth.

During the APGAR test, your baby will be given a score of 0, 1 or 2 in each of the five categories. For instance if their skin is pink all over, they will receive 2 points. If their skin is pale or blue – they will be given 0 points. Once all the points in each of the categories is added up, a final tally is made.  A score of 7 points or more at the 1 minute mark is considered normal and means that your baby does not need any immediate medical attention.  Scores of lower than 7, normally mean that a NICU nurse or pediatrician will be called in to help.

Oftentimes, a baby’s APGAR score will improve greatly between the 1 minute and 10 minute mark. In fact, your baby may have a low or risky score at the 1 minute mark and a completely normal (or even perfect) score at the 10 minute mark. Much of this depends on the type of delivery and any problems or complications that may have occurred during childbirth.

The APGAR test, while not diagnostic, was invented in the early 1950’s as an easy way for physicians to quickly assess the needs of newborns. The good news is that a low APGAR score at any of the timed intervals does not mean that your baby will have any long term health problems. Most of these problems can be resolved in a matter of minutes, hours or days. The test is a preliminary screening, and is essentially used to decide whether your baby needs further medical intervention.

The APGAR test is the first in a long line of tests that your baby will receive once delivered. As part of your birthing plan, you may want to designate a family member, spouse, loved one or friend to stand by with your baby when these tests are performed since you will likely be recovering. Hearing your baby’s APGAR scores are normal will help you relax and recover from the birth.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

As you get closer to labor and delivery, chances are you have heard a bunch of stories from other moms. Some of these stories include the horrific details of their births, or advice on things that these women think you should avoid at all costs. You will have some people who suggest you don’t take pain medications, and others that warn you about things during labor and delivery that will likely NEVER happen.

Many women hear about electronic fetal monitoring during labor and wonder if there might be pros and cons to the intervention.

Electronic fetal monitoring during labor is designed to monitor your baby’s heart rate and the frequency of your contractions. Most often, the heartbeat and contraction monitors are placed externally on your belly, and while you are in labor you will be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat and see your contractions on a monitor.Your healthcare providers will use this information to help monitor your progress and to make sure that the baby is not in any distress during labor. This monitoring is typically intermittent – occasionally during labor, your provider will suggest a brief period of monitoring to see how things are progressing. If any unusual events occur, continuous monitoring may be suggested.

While generally safe, some people feel that this constant monitoring can cause stress to the mother and worry on behalf of the doctors, especially if they notice the baby’s heart rate decreases significantly after contractions. At that point, it can be difficult for doctors to know if the decreased heart rate is due to the normal drop in oxygen (from the contraction) or if it is a sign of fetal distress. Since doctors cannot tell for sure, experts believe fetal monitoring leads to a higher level of cesarean births because doctors ‘jump the gun.’

Another downside to electronic fetal monitoring is that it decreases a mom’s mobility during labor. Unless your facility has wireless machines, you will only be able to walk as far away from the machine as the cords will let you go. The leads from your belly to the machine can make changing position difficult, and can cause the nurses to suggest you just lay in bed to keep them from moving. Staying flat on your back and immobile in a hospital bed can slow the progress of your labor and make you uncomfortable.

Occasionally, the external monitors are not able to accurately track your baby’s heart rate, or your contractions. In this situation, your provider may suggest internal monitoring – a much more invasive procedure. If your bag of waters is still intact, it will be ruptured artificially so that the heart rate monitor can be attached to baby’s scalp. The contraction monitor is a thin catheter that will be inserted into the uterus. It is typically taped to the inside of your thigh so that it doesn’t become dislodged. Once these leads are placed, you will be monitored continuously throughout the remainder of your labor.

Some people believe the benefits of having this technology are well worth the downsides. Years ago, midwives and doctors had no idea what was going on with the baby, and oftentimes when a baby WAS in distress, doctors couldn’t help the baby. Also, there are many women who feel comforted by hearing the constant heartbeat of their baby when they are in labor. Hearing your baby’s heartbeat while you are in labor may help you truly connect to the experience that there is a beautiful and live little baby inside of you just waiting to come out.

The best rule of thumb when it comes to your healthcare during pregnancy and labor and delivery, is to ask your providers questions about the pros and cons of any procedure, and to learn more about the impact on your labor, as well as your and your baby’s health. The ultimate goal for YOU and for them is to delivery a healthy baby and to keep you healthy as well. If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational, with editorial content from Michelle

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

You are pregnant. And you are ecstatic. You have been wanting to add to your family for quite some time now, and finally your dreams are coming true. Of course, you expect that the rest of your family will be just as excited as you are. But what happens when they are not? And what happens when your little ones don’t particularly want to be big brothers or sisters?

For a mom, hearing your 5-year-old exclaim, “I don’t want another baby” can be heartbreaking. The good news is that there are some things you can do to help them adjust. Here are some 5 tips to help siblings adjust to pregnancy.

1. Use good judgment and timing when you announce the news. If your children are very young, you may want to warm them up to the idea before you tell them that you are pregnant. Point out other people you know that have younger siblings or a baby in the family. This way, they can begin to mentally prepare before they are just bombarded with the news. If they have questions or concerns, then make sure you address them as they come up. Remember EVERY concern your child has is one that is important to them.

2. As a mother, don’t be offended by a young child’s kneejerk reaction. Remember, they didn’t choose to have a sibling – YOU DID. And although they will warm up to the idea, it is important to allow them to go through their own feelings on the matter. They may start out being anger, or acting out towards you for a few weeks, which is normal. Although you shouldn’t allow them to be disrespectful, you do need to allow them to own their own feelings. And even if you don’t agree with their feelings, make sure that you validate them and try to understand things from their point of view.

3. Enroll them in a sibling class, especially near your third trimester. This will help them make friends with other kids their age who are also expecting a sibling, and empower them to be in a position to help you. When they realize that they will be the metaphorical ‘big man on campus,’ they may warm up to the idea of having a younger sibling.

4. Don’t leave them out of the decision making. No, you don’t have to let your 3-year-old name your new baby, but it is a good idea to ask their opinions on things. Get their input on how to decorate the nursery, let them pick out the coming home outfit for the baby, and make sure that they have a voice in things. This helps them to regain some control, and also reminds them that you value their feelings and opinions.

5. Last but not least, make sure that extended family and friends make a BIG deal of the older sibling when delivery day comes. The baby won’t remember the gifts or the people that come to visit, but the older brother and sister WILL! Speak with family members and make sure that they don’t let the excitement of a new baby make the older siblings feel unnoticed.

Obviously, you also want to remind your children that no matter what, and no matter how many kids you have, you will always love them the same. This isn’t something that can be said enough times! Just keep reminding them – hug them and tell them how much you love them every chance you get. When the baby comes, things may be askew for a few weeks or months as your new family adjusts, but in the end, everything will work out for the best!

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.