Ask Me Anything!
I’ve been meaning to do one of these posts for a long time and I figure with my sleepiness lately this will give me a break from putting my current thoughts down right now, but also be a fun little game!
Ask me whatever in the comments section! Blog related, baby related, random related, whatev! I’ll answer your questions later this week in another post! Be nice, have fun!
Also here’s a couple of questions for you that you can answer for me in the comments if you want:
1. What’s one bit of pregnancy/labor/mommy advice you have?
2. What’s your favorite baby sling or wrap? (I’m shopping for one).
PS: My 2nd Doctor’s appointment is today (Tuesday)!! So excited and hoping we’ll get to hear the heart beat! I’ll be 8 days 4 weeks! Wish me luck!
I wanted to kn ow if you are a lil nervous about having a baby in todays trying times?
I love the Moby wrap for infants and the Ergo for 5 months +
I’ve been dying to ask this … Why is the G in makin{g} in brackets??? I’m some what new to your blog and feel like I am the only one who doesn’t know!
Oh I have one. 🙂 did you “feel” pregnant before you found out or were you completely surprised when you took a test?
My question is, when you find out the gender of the baby, will you tell us some names you have picked out?
Oh, and my labor advice: If you decide to get an epideral, make sure that you go numb and can’t move your legs. You shouldn’t be able to move from the waist down. I didn’t know and I kept telling them that I could still feel contractions. Well, I pushed for 2 hrs! Not kidding, no breaks, nothing. 2 hrs and I felt everything and it was painful for me.
Second time around I made sure that they put the epideral in right. They had to insert it twice because the first time it was the same experience with my first child. It just was a better experience to not feel anything for the delivery. 🙂
Okay… here’s a question. What does the husband think of the blog? Does he cringe at personal info shared, or think it’s great?
As for advice… if you plan to breastfeed, don’t stress if it hurts. Lactation consultants might tell you if it hurts, baby isn’t latched right. Sometimes that’s true, but sometimes, it just hurts because you’ve never been, well, sucked on quite that much quite so often! Give it three weeks. If you can deal with the tenderness for three weeks, it will go away. It will get easier, it will get better. So, even if it’s tough, stick with it for three weeks.
1) My question was actually same as MommyJ’s. Oh, but another is, do you think you’ll use your child’s real name on here, or come up with a pen name for him/her?
2) I love love LOVE my sling by The New Native. Very comfortable, even with my back problems, and extremely easy to use. My friend gave me hers, so I didn’t buy one, but their website is here: http://www.newnativeinc.com/. My husband was not huge on using the sling, but he does love our Ergo, and with the infant insert we started using it when our son was a few weeks old. If you don’t use the insert, which comes separately, then you have to wait until the baby can support her head for a prolonged period of time. I tried out several non-sling carriers and the Ergo is my favorite as well. It can also be worn 3 different ways.
3) Advice…well, don’t be afraid to ask questions. As one of my girlfriends told me, you’re paying your doctor or midwife: get your money’s worth. You only get a first birth experience once, so make it what you want. But, at the same time, recognize that there’s only so much you can control about your pregnancy and birth plan, so don’t beat yourself up if things don’t happen exactly according to plan. Also, I highly suggest giving breastfeeding a try. There are SO many resources on blogs, twitter, other websites, and in the community to help. 🙂
4) Finally, not sure if this would be useful or not, but back in April I did a “favorite things” post about baby related products I couldn’t live without (no ties to any of those companies except the one my friend owns): http://bit.ly/2dPvGJ
Considering how your husband was a bit nervous about baby-making plans until recently, how’s he enjoying your pregnancy now?
Hm, I might come back with more questions later. Good idea for a post!
1. What’s one bit of pregnancy/labor/mommy advice you have?
Pregnancy advice: Take it easy. Don’t try and be superwoman; if you feel tired, rest. If you feel hungry, eat! Your body is doing amazing things and is working very, very hard. Remember to slow down and listen to your body.
Here is one–Are the good friends you have, who don’t have children, nervous that they’re going to “lose you”?
Here’s what I’m getting at….I’ve been extremely lucky that of all of my girlfriends who have kiddos (I currently don’t have children) have been able to have a good balance. While I recognize that the ability to “pick up and go at a moments notice” isn’t as easy any more, with a little planning, my best girlfriends and I can have an afternoon or evening and enjoy time together.
But I have a few friends who have girlfriends with children and they say things like, “Well, you don’t understand because you don’t have kids” or just downright cut off the friends without kids because of the new stage in their life. I have seen the best of friendship crumble and girls without children left standing there thinking, “I thought we were friends?”
Does this make sense?
Question: What names do you have picked out, if any? (I know someone else asked a name related question, I’m curious, too!)
Advice: Do everything you can to have a drug free birth! Read Pushed by Jennifer Block. Or Born in the USA by Marsden Wagner.
Babywearing preference: Make your own “Moby” wrap. The stretchy wrap can be used from birth until probably 20lbs. (then they are just too heavy). And it is so much cheaper to make your own! Visit wearyourbaby.com to get some great information about all kinds of wraps/slings/baby carrying things.
Advice: Snuggle with your little one as much as you can … they grow up so fast!
Also, I have the Lucky Baby Sling and I love it. Google it! They have an eBay store and it’s not that expensive, either. If you want to see a picture of me wearing it, go to my personal blog and look at the December 2007 archive.
As far as labor advice goes, in my personal experience with epidurals, my first one I was totally numb, I couldn’t feel a thing, and it was not enjoyable for me at all. I would rather have felt something, than nothing. The one I got with my last birth was the best. I was able to feel what was happening with my body, know what I needed to do when I needed to do it and fully enjoy my birth experience. My doctor was awesome, which also made me completley comfortable and relaxed while in labor, which I think helped me in a big way.
As far as slings go, I have a hotsling, which I love, and I’m excited that I can use it up to 35lbs. Just make sure you get the right size.
How much time are you planning on taking off after the baby is born or will you stop working and be a stay at home mom?
My advice to all pregnant women is learn the symptoms of preterm labor (www.keepemcookin.com/symptoms.aspx) and to ask their doctors about the test that can predict your risk for preterm labor. It is called the fetal fibronectin test. (More info here: http://www.fullterm.net) Those two piece of info helped me to get both my pregnancy to term, though my babies both tried REALLY hard to be preemies!
okay so I have been totally behind in reading blogs so Congratulations!!! I am so excited for you! I guess my question is are you going to work once the baby is born? I am sure someone prob. already asked but I didn’t read any of the questions above.
LOVE my hotslings baby sling – it’s way better than the one I made, and I still use it, even though my daughter is 15 months old!
Also, I would say, have a birthing plan. The nurses may not look at it/use it, but it empowers you and it helps you realize what you really want.
Advice – be prepared for anything and be flexible. Have a plan, and plan to stick to it, but don’t be so sad or stuck to it that things get dangerous.
I would recommend the Hugamonkey sling 🙂 They are made here in Utah and I LOVE mine!!
Advice: I second the birth plan. I have read things that discourage them because birth is so unpredicatable but my doctors and nurses were very respectful of my wishes and I found it helpful to have thought about and made decisions about what I wanted to happen ahead of time. Of course things change during labor but it still helps.
Also, hire a doula!
Slings: Hotslings brand. Fabulous, just make sure you have the right size. I am tall and the one I use for the twins I nanny for it a teeny bit snug for me (probably perfect for their mom).
My pregnancy/labor/mommy advice is to do what feels natural and instinctual to you! Do your research and figure it out for yourself. Don’t necessarily listen to what other people have to say.
As far as carriers, I own a ring sling, a Moby wrap and a mei tai. I never quite got the hang of the ring sling (but I know people who swear by it), the Moby was great for the first 3 months of life and we’re just starting to use the Mei Tai more. I recommed trying some different things out to see what you’re comfortable with. if you find a baby boutique, they may let you try some out without buying!
Get as much rest as you can. If the advice sounds crazy, it probably is. Do your own research. I hope you heard the heartbeat. It so exciting to hear the baby swishing around in there. Are you going to buy/rent a doppler to listen to the heartbeat at home?
Advice – Don’t try to rush it. I’m about 7 months along and now look back and realize how dumb I must have looked complaining about things at 12 weeks or 20 weeks. I remember talking about heart burn at 12 weeks like it was so bad. I’m sure women who had actually experienced pregnancy were rolling their eyes at me behind my back. Same with bending over – I made it out to be so much more difficult, just because I was so stinkin excited about having a baby, I wasn’t enjoying the simple parts of pregnancy. I’m sure I’ll remember writing this post at 9 months and will roll my eyes thinking, “oh wendy, if only you’d known at 7 months what you know at 9” but oh well. Enjoy it and have fun!!! I am SO excited for you, you little baby makin’ machine!
Hello! I just started following along with your blog, and am in love! I went on a rampage after I found out we were expecting, and came across your blog… I had no idea we were so close with our pregnancies… I’m 9 weeks 2 days today, due on June 20th, 2010. We also have our first appointment to hear the heart beat next tuesday! I’m looking forward to following along with you, and now on to my question:
Have you already started thinking about nursery decor and such, or are your waiting until later to keep your mind busy?
Hi There!
I was soo happy to find your blog as a thinking about TTC, but not infertile blog. I like you were before you got pregnant, congrats by the way, am very into learning as much as I can about being preggers, babies and children before even trying to conceive. I am soo glad to now be seeing your journey through pregnancy! Please give us all the candid, insider perspective you can on pregnancy!
FAVORITE WRAP: Although I have not used it, I have done a lot of research and this seems to have the best reviews for a newborn to 15 lbs: The Moby Wrap
QUESTIONS FOR YOU:
While Preggers:
1. Body Image, and how that changes for you as the months progress.
2. Labor Fears and Birth Plan
3. Maternity Clothes: Creative Alternatives or what you found works best
Side Note:
I like this lady who used American Apparel clothes instead: http://www.pacingthepanicroom.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20belly%20pictures%20series/
I also pine over Isabella Oliver Maternity Clothes but they are $$$$: http://www.isabellaoliver.com/maternity-clothes/
After Baby is Born:
1. What you feel towards baby and how it is similar or different from what you imagines.
2. Post Partum Recovery
3. Labor: how was it compared to how you expected it to be.
Best,
My best advise for a sling (learn from me!)
Go to Babies R Us (or a place you can try them on) and see what BABY likes!
I wanted to use a sling but Munchkin doesn’t like one. She like the bjorn type. So that is what I use. I had 3 sling types that were given to me… I had to go buy one she liked.
I’m some what new to your blog and feel like I am the only one who doesn’t know!
Work From Home India
Wow, we are so close! I’m 9 wks 6d today!
I love my Kangaroo Korner adjustable fleece sling.
My best advice is to not get too hung up on your “due date”! My son came a day early but, as I type this, I am soon to be 2 days over due with my daughter. I am so anxious because the day has come and gone, but I am an all natural laboring mama and now just feel like I have to watch the minutes tick by! I guess what I’m sayin is that it is just an estimate!!!
1. Labor advice- Work with your contractions! All the yelling and screaming works against your body and will slow your labor down.
2. Favorite wrap is the Moby hands down the best thing. I still use it every Sunday to get my 15month old to nap in church. So what his feet touch my knees (I’m pretty tiny) and my back is KILLING me after wards he sleeps and that is all that matters!
I also had a Peanut Shell sling but didn’t like it because I didn’t feel safe with him in it.
But my husband like that one so it got used.
What is your favorite childhood memor? What memory do you most look forward to making with Spawnie once he/she is here?
How is your DH reacting to your preganancy? What do you think some of his fears are about having a baby? What are your fears?
What has been the hardest part so far of being pregnant?
Hmmm…advice. There sure is a bunch out there. As far as labor, don’t get your heart set on one thing. Have a general plan but realize that it might just not happen that way. I labored and pushed and labored and pushed and what I thought was going to be a natural childbirth ended up being a c-section because my son was 9lb13oz and i am 135pounds. Needless to say, he didn’t fit. But, hey, that’s life. One step at a time. I know too many people who get there heart set on a way for childbirth and then when baby has different plans, they feel like a failure. As far as breastfeeding, surround yourself with knowledgeable people. No, you don’t have to go to the la leche league or to the extreme just talk with people who have done and it made it work. And, get a my brest friend instead of a boppy. It’s the best. And, in Austin, go to special additions…they are so nice and friendly.
As far as carriers, I have everything and I love my Zolowear and my Beco. But, like breastfeeding, surround yourself with knowledge. Because, if you just try to put your baby in a sling by yourself or from watching the video, it just ain’t that easy! 🙂
Okay, first time commenter and it is way tooooo long but hey, I like to talk! 🙂
Erin
purewonderphotography.com/blog(wouldn’t let me enter that and my google blogs are set to private! :O
Advice: If you are even thinking of trying to do natural childbirth, hire a doula. I had one with my second child and she was so wonderful. She was able to attend to my needs and freed my husband to just concentrate on me and not “do” anything for me. She was also able to tell me when I was going into transition–which is important because that is the point when you think that you can’t possibly do this anymore, but if you know that you are in transition then you know that the end is near.
Advice: learn about breastfeeding before the baby is born, so that you’re ready to go and know what to do (basics of a good asymmetrical latch, positioning, etc). I love “Breastfeeding Made Simple”, a new book I’m going to review soon, as well as “Breastfeeding With Comfort and Joy.”
I love Second Womb Slings (www.secondwomb.com) but I make them so of course I’m tooting my own horn a bit! I also love a good backpack style carrier for when the baby is heavier. My husband really likes our hiking baby backpack, and I like the Ergo because it’s more snuggly and folds down into a tiny little pouch.
My name is Jessica I’m 18 years old And this is my first pregnancy there is so much going on like everyone I know tells me that I look bigger than I should i’m only 3 and a half months and and Ive already gone up 3 bra sizes and I am buying a new pair of pants every five days or so my belly should only be measuring less than 3 and a half inches but I’m measuring the size of someone who is 18 weeks and it’s driving me insane everyone keeps telling me that they think I’m having twins because I’m already so big I look the same size as my best friend who is 19 weeks. My mom always told me that I take after the women on my dads side of the family after all I have his blood type and his mom my grandmother had twins and also someone before her had twins none of my friends got stretch marks during their first pregnancy until they were 6 months and I’ve already got them on my arms lower sides legs and breasts it looks like Freddy cruger attacked me…. I’m worried that my baby might come out the size of Godzilla Wich I’m a pretty Tiny girl 5ft 136 lbs so you could probably understand why I’m worried and the other possibility is that I could have two in there instead of one I have gained very much weight my weight has been pretty much the same most of it’s on my breasts and belly and even then four pounds should make me look as huge as I am please email me back at. jessicalouiseprescott@gmail.com. Thanks.
Hmmm…advice. There sure is a bunch out there. As far as labor, don’t get your heart set on one thing. Have a general plan but realize that it might just not happen that way. I labored and pushed and labored and pushed and what I thought was going to be a natural childbirth ended up being a c-section because my son was 9lb13oz and i am 135pounds. Needless to say, he didn’t fit. But, hey, that’s life. One step at a time. I know too many people who get there heart set on a way for childbirth and then when baby has different plans, they feel like a failure. As far as breastfeeding, surround yourself with knowledgeable people. No, you don’t have to go to the la leche league or to the extreme just talk with people who have done and it made it work. And, get a my brest friend instead of a boppy. It’s the best. And, in Austin, go to special additions…they are so nice and friendly.
As far as carriers, I have everything and I love my Zolowear and my Beco. But, like breastfeeding, surround yourself with knowledge. Because, if you just try to put your baby in a sling by yourself or from watching the video, it just ain’t that easy! 🙂
Okay, first time commenter and it is way tooooo long but hey, I like to talk! 🙂
Erin
purewonderphotography.com/blog(wouldn’t let me enter that and my google blogs are set to private! :O
My name is Jessica I’m 18 years old And this is my first pregnancy there is so much going on like everyone I know tells me that I look bigger than I should i’m only 3 and a half months and and Ive already gone up 3 bra sizes and I am buying a new pair of pants every five days or so my belly should only be measuring less than 3 and a half inches but I’m measuring the size of someone who is 18 weeks and it’s driving me insane everyone keeps telling me that they think I’m having twins because I’m already so big I look the same size as my best friend who is 19 weeks. My mom always told me that I take after the women on my dads side of the family after all I have his blood type and his mom my grandmother had twins and also someone before her had twins none of my friends got stretch marks during their first pregnancy until they were 6 months and I’ve already got them on my arms lower sides legs and breasts it looks like Freddy cruger attacked me…. I’m worried that my baby might come out the size of Godzilla Wich I’m a pretty Tiny girl 5ft 136 lbs so you could probably understand why I’m worried and the other possibility is that I could have two in there instead of one I have gained very much weight my weight has been pretty much the same most of it’s on my breasts and belly and even then four pounds should make me look as huge as I am please email me back at. jessicalouiseprescott@gmail.com. Thanks.
1) My question was actually same as MommyJ’s. Oh, but another is, do you think you’ll use your child’s real name on here, or come up with a pen name for him/her?
2) I love love LOVE my sling by The New Native. Very comfortable, even with my back problems, and extremely easy to use. My friend gave me hers, so I didn’t buy one, but their website is here: http://www.newnativeinc.com/. My husband was not huge on using the sling, but he does love our Ergo, and with the infant insert we started using it when our son was a few weeks old. If you don’t use the insert, which comes separately, then you have to wait until the baby can support her head for a prolonged period of time. I tried out several non-sling carriers and the Ergo is my favorite as well. It can also be worn 3 different ways.
3) Advice…well, don’t be afraid to ask questions. As one of my girlfriends told me, you’re paying your doctor or midwife: get your money’s worth. You only get a first birth experience once, so make it what you want. But, at the same time, recognize that there’s only so much you can control about your pregnancy and birth plan, so don’t beat yourself up if things don’t happen exactly according to plan. Also, I highly suggest giving breastfeeding a try. There are SO many resources on blogs, twitter, other websites, and in the community to help. 🙂
4) Finally, not sure if this would be useful or not, but back in April I did a “favorite things” post about baby related products I couldn’t live without (no ties to any of those companies except the one my friend owns): http://bit.ly/2dPvGJ
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