Bringing Children to Prenatal Visits

If this is not your first pregnancy, you may be wondering if you should bring your other child or children to your visits. This topic has recently been discussed in our forums. There isn’t a clear answer to this question. For some it works well, but others prefer to focus on their own health care during visits. In some cases, there isn’t really an option. If the mother has nobody to watch the other children, it may be necessary to bring them to the visit. If they are unable to bring the child, they may miss visits for lack of … Continue reading →

Handling Advice from the Older Generation

I got an interesting e-mail from a relative the other day. Basically the e-mail talked about all the things that parents used to do with children and how “we all turned out fine”. This got me thinking about how many times I heard similar things during my pregnancy. * Fathers stayed in the waiting room in my day. * You are eating for two. You need to eat more. * Don’t lift your arms above your head or the baby will get wrapped in the umbilical cord. * You’re going to feed the baby what?? Oh use formula, it’s easier! … Continue reading →

Changes in the Second Pregnancy

If you are pregnant with your second baby, you likely feel ready for the challenges of pregnancy and birth. You’ve been through it all once, so you know what to expect. Each pregnancy is unique and there are some challenges that are unique to second, or subsequent pregnancies. Most mothers of more than one child will tell you that it is normal to feel even more tired during a second pregnancy. You are now a mother, unlike the first time around. If you stay home with a toddler or preschooler, you won’t have the luxury of resting and putting your … Continue reading →

Negotiating Baby’s Name

When you find out you are pregnant, baby names will be on your mind. Some find the perfect name quickly and others still don’t have a name when labor begins. A good way to start is with two lists of names. Each of you lists your favorite names for boys and girls. When you are finished, compare the lists. Are there any names in common? If so, you are in luck. However, most of us aren’t that lucky. You may find that you each hate the choices the other has made. At this point, you will have to start negotiating … Continue reading →

Books About Having a Sibling

If this is your second baby, you will likely be thinking about how to prepare your child for the birth of the new baby. Taking kids to sibling classes and spending time around babies will help your older child get used to the idea. Another great way to prepare small kids for a new baby is to read books on the subject. Here are a few good books about becoming a sibling. My New Baby And Me: A First Year Record Book For Big Brothers And Big Sisters is a great choice for children who are a little older and … Continue reading →

Birth Videos for Kids

If you plan to have your child present at the birth of his or her sibling, you will need to spend time preparing them for the birth. Videos are a great way to introduce children to the concept of birth. They can get an idea of what is going to happen and you have the opportunity to gauge their reaction to the video. A good video is a great way to begin the conversation about the birth of the baby. You may think that watching shows like A Baby Story or Birth Day will help prepare your children to witness … Continue reading →

Things to Do When You Are Overdue

With three of my four pregnancies, my due date passed with no baby. Two of my girls were five days late. My son was eight days past his due date when he decided to join the family. The days after the due date are the longest and slowest days of my entire life. Here’s a fun list of things to do when you are overdue. Whatever you do, try not to spend all your time cleaning the house. A certain amount of “nesting” is normal in the days and weeks before the baby is born. The urge to clean everything … Continue reading →

How Pregnancy Changes Your Marriage

Parenthood changes the marital relationship. Any mother will tell you that her relationship with her spouse changed when they became parents. What you may not realize is the changes begin before the baby arrives. From the time you find out you are expecting, the dynamic of the relationship will change. Your marriage may change in several ways. Change is not always a bad thing. It can be a good and healthy thing. The changes are definitely normal. After all, you are going from a couple to a family. This is bound to make a difference in the relationship. One thing … Continue reading →

Baby Shower Alternatives

My blog, What to do When Nobody Gives You a Shower generated a few comments. Some readers agreed with me that all babies should be celebrated with a shower or a party after the birth. A few considered the idea to be begging for gifts. The gifts weren’t the point. It was the idea of celebrating the new mother and baby. I think all babies should be celebrated. Whether it’s the first or the tenth, each baby is a special blessing. The mother and baby deserve a party. One reason a shower is often not given after the first baby … Continue reading →

What to do When Nobody Gives You a Shower

Baby showers are a fun and traditional part of pregnancy. Most women have a shower for at least the first baby. Showers for second or subsequent pregnancies are becoming more common. Many women still don’t get a shower for second pregnancies. If you aren’t getting a shower, but really want one, you may be considering asking someone to host the shower. This is not considered proper shower etiquette. Hosting a shower for yourself is not proper etiquette either. Although showers for second babies are becoming more common, they aren’t customary. Your friends and family may still believe showers are for … Continue reading →