Whether you just found out you’re pregnant or you’ve known for a few months, announcing your pregnancy to family and friends can be a lot of fun. Some may want to wait until a certain time during their pregnancy, while others want to call everyone immediately after finding out themselves.
Telling The Father
Have a romantic dinner for two with candle lights, it may be your last time for a while, between morning sickness and raising your little one. Serve up baby carrots, baby back ribs and anything else you can think as baby. At the end, pour apple juice instead of wine and hand him a present. Inside you can have a tiny baby bib that says, “I heart My Daddy”
or a pair of baby booties.
If you can’t tell the father right away because he’s away on business, or deployed try sending him a care package. Inside the box place a few baby items, everything in blue and pink and a baby naming book in the center. Place a note on top of the book with, “I need a name soon, I’ll be here by June.” Or whenever the baby is due.
You can also see how long it takes him to figure it out. Go to the dollar store and pick up a bunch of small baby items, a bib, rattle, bottle, booties, etc. For a week, leave an item laying around the house where he is bound to find them. At the end of the week if he hasn’t figured it out yet, prepare the big gift. Have a large teddy bear sitting at the dinner table in the seat beside him, make sure there is a bib wrapped around him and maybe a sign that says Hi Daddy.
Telling Family and Friends
Show up to a family gathering wearing a shirt that announces your state. These days there are a ton of shirts out there with clever sayings, “Baby on Board,” “A Bun in the Oven,” or something related to the pregnancy. The moment you walk in or take off your jacket everyone will figure it out without you ever having to say a word. Now, get ready for the tears and excitement. You’ll be answering a ton of questions.
If you already have children you may want to call the grandparents up and tell them that the next Christmas they may want to add one more to the list.
If this is the first grandchild, you may want to get a bracelet link for your mom that reads, “#1 Grandma” or grandparent t-shirts. This will not only be a great present for them but something they will cherish and love forever.
No matter when you spread the news it can be a lot of fun, just think creative and let the pieces fall. You may even want to try catching all of it on video, so think ahead and prepare for the BIG moment, and I’m not meaning the birth.
Showing posts with label new born. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new born. Show all posts
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Eating Right During Your Pregnancy
You already know it is important to eat a well-balanced diet, but it is even more important when you are pregnant. Keep in mind now you are eating for two. Whatever you eat, the baby eats as well. In fact the baby actually takes your nourishments so you must eat enough for both of you. The healthier you eat the better it is for the pregnancy and you.
Never miss a meal while you are pregnant, especially breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and your baby has probably been waiting since he/she woke up in the middle of the night. You may learn that if you wait so long before eating you start to feel sick, this is your body telling you to eat. Do it!
Make sure you are getting enough of the food you need daily. It takes 4-6 servings of dairy a day for a healthy pregnancy, this can include some cheeses, milk, yogurt. This provides the baby with calcium which it’ll need to develop healthy growing bones. Adding extra calcium to your diet wouldn’t hurt you either, especially your teeth and bones.
Don’t forget about your fruit and vegetable servings. Lots of green is always a good choice, so are sweet potatoes. Not only will you be giving your body what it needs but you’ll start to have more energy. Try laying off the sweets for a week and replace them with healthier items and see how alive you feel.
Foods to Avoid
Not all foods are safe during your pregnancy, there are a few things you should avoid eating:
- unpasteurized products- brie
- Certain fish- exotic, shark, swordfish, anything high in mercury
- Raw eggs
- Undercooked meats- lunch meats. If you are buying a deli sandwich you can ask for them to eat the meat up a little.
- Caffeine- soda, chocolate. If you find this difficult you can wean yourself off, but the less caffeine in your system the better it is for the baby.
If you are ever unsure of the foods you can eat you can ask your doctor for a list of items to avoid during pregnancy. They’ll be more than happy to share this with you.
You may also learn that your stomach won’t handle certain foods that it would before. Some of those foods may include foods that contain grease, fast foods, meat, and certain foods that have a strong odor.
Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to cut out all the fun in your life, you can still treat yourself from time to time. Go out and get a frozen yogurt or a smoothie.
While you are making sure you get enough to eat throughout the day, that doesn’t mean neglect your fluid intake. You’ll need lots of water and juices from here on out. The baby will thank you later. Who knows, you may discover that you really enjoy eating healthier and continue it even after the pregnancy.
Never miss a meal while you are pregnant, especially breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and your baby has probably been waiting since he/she woke up in the middle of the night. You may learn that if you wait so long before eating you start to feel sick, this is your body telling you to eat. Do it!
Make sure you are getting enough of the food you need daily. It takes 4-6 servings of dairy a day for a healthy pregnancy, this can include some cheeses, milk, yogurt. This provides the baby with calcium which it’ll need to develop healthy growing bones. Adding extra calcium to your diet wouldn’t hurt you either, especially your teeth and bones.
Don’t forget about your fruit and vegetable servings. Lots of green is always a good choice, so are sweet potatoes. Not only will you be giving your body what it needs but you’ll start to have more energy. Try laying off the sweets for a week and replace them with healthier items and see how alive you feel.
Foods to Avoid
Not all foods are safe during your pregnancy, there are a few things you should avoid eating:
- unpasteurized products- brie
- Certain fish- exotic, shark, swordfish, anything high in mercury
- Raw eggs
- Undercooked meats- lunch meats. If you are buying a deli sandwich you can ask for them to eat the meat up a little.
- Caffeine- soda, chocolate. If you find this difficult you can wean yourself off, but the less caffeine in your system the better it is for the baby.
If you are ever unsure of the foods you can eat you can ask your doctor for a list of items to avoid during pregnancy. They’ll be more than happy to share this with you.
You may also learn that your stomach won’t handle certain foods that it would before. Some of those foods may include foods that contain grease, fast foods, meat, and certain foods that have a strong odor.
Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to cut out all the fun in your life, you can still treat yourself from time to time. Go out and get a frozen yogurt or a smoothie.
While you are making sure you get enough to eat throughout the day, that doesn’t mean neglect your fluid intake. You’ll need lots of water and juices from here on out. The baby will thank you later. Who knows, you may discover that you really enjoy eating healthier and continue it even after the pregnancy.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Maternity Clothes - Dressing For Your Pregnancy
If you are pregnant and will soon become a mommy, you may be wondering on the types of clothes you can wear and the maternity clothes currently available for you in the market. Even if you are pregnant, there are many choices when it comes to maternity clothing to keep you both stylish and comfortable even with a growing belly.
What to wear?Some of your clothes may start to feel tight as early as 10 or 12 weeks, but you probably won't need to buy anything special until the fourth or fifth month. Men's sweaters and shirts (borrow your partner 's) are often cut big and baggy and can work for casual wear night until the end. Choose breathable, wrinkle-resistant fabrics such as stretchy cotton knits in coordinating colors and patterns.Intimate apparel for pregnant women is available from cotton nursing bras, bikini panties and maternity thongs.
Cotton nursing bras can stretch and have multiple hook options. Maternity thongs that are soft and stretchable comfortably sit below your growing belly. Bikini panties are made of cotton material and available in very fresh colors as well as designs from florals, stripes and other prints. Bikini panties are very comfortable underwear for expecting mothers to be.How to buy maternity clothes?So now you know that you can wear all types of clothes during your mom-to-be phase.
But hold on. You need to consider some aspects before you start shopping for maternity clothesYou should buy maternity clothes which give you extra room. The primary comforts should focus on belly and bust. You should even consider plus size maternity clothes if you are expecting twins. You should buy your basic items made up of stretchable fabrics.Shoes* Your feet can grow a size during pregnancy (sometimes permanently) so don’t buy lots of new shoes early on that you’re never going to wear again.
Stick to round-toe Mary Janes, roomy flat boots and old fashioned plimsolls with the laces taken out – this is uber-fashionable at the moment and will accommodate your swollen feet while rendering you effortlessly cool. Before your start shopping for the maternity clothes that you think you are likely comfortable to wear, there are several important considerations. It is of utmost importance to consider buying extra room when it comes to maternity clothes purchase. The breast and the belly area should be comfortable.
Choose those made of stretch material.Do not buy too many bras and instead buy one or two at a time as during the entire pregnancy course your bust size will still increase. Nursing bras should be bought during the final pregnancy months.If you are not into shopping at your local retail shops or malls, you can always go online for some of their maternity clothes selection. You get to shop without leaving the home.
About the Author
Read out for health Insurance and stress
What to wear?Some of your clothes may start to feel tight as early as 10 or 12 weeks, but you probably won't need to buy anything special until the fourth or fifth month. Men's sweaters and shirts (borrow your partner 's) are often cut big and baggy and can work for casual wear night until the end. Choose breathable, wrinkle-resistant fabrics such as stretchy cotton knits in coordinating colors and patterns.Intimate apparel for pregnant women is available from cotton nursing bras, bikini panties and maternity thongs.
Cotton nursing bras can stretch and have multiple hook options. Maternity thongs that are soft and stretchable comfortably sit below your growing belly. Bikini panties are made of cotton material and available in very fresh colors as well as designs from florals, stripes and other prints. Bikini panties are very comfortable underwear for expecting mothers to be.How to buy maternity clothes?So now you know that you can wear all types of clothes during your mom-to-be phase.
But hold on. You need to consider some aspects before you start shopping for maternity clothesYou should buy maternity clothes which give you extra room. The primary comforts should focus on belly and bust. You should even consider plus size maternity clothes if you are expecting twins. You should buy your basic items made up of stretchable fabrics.Shoes* Your feet can grow a size during pregnancy (sometimes permanently) so don’t buy lots of new shoes early on that you’re never going to wear again.
Stick to round-toe Mary Janes, roomy flat boots and old fashioned plimsolls with the laces taken out – this is uber-fashionable at the moment and will accommodate your swollen feet while rendering you effortlessly cool. Before your start shopping for the maternity clothes that you think you are likely comfortable to wear, there are several important considerations. It is of utmost importance to consider buying extra room when it comes to maternity clothes purchase. The breast and the belly area should be comfortable.
Choose those made of stretch material.Do not buy too many bras and instead buy one or two at a time as during the entire pregnancy course your bust size will still increase. Nursing bras should be bought during the final pregnancy months.If you are not into shopping at your local retail shops or malls, you can always go online for some of their maternity clothes selection. You get to shop without leaving the home.
About the Author
Read out for health Insurance and stress
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Caring For Your Baby's Umbilical Cord
From the sixth week of pregnancy until birth there is an umbilical cord that connects the developing fetus to the mother through the placenta. It exists as a lifeline that supplies the developing fetus with oxygen, nutrition and a route for waste elimination while the fetus is within the womb.
At birth, the baby is able to breathe, eat, and void by itself. The umbilical cord is no longer necessary and is clamped and cut shortly after delivery.
The remaining cord after baby’s birth requires proper care to heal and drop off naturally. This occurs usually within 2 weeks after birth.
There are two conditions that will require prompt medical care. These are:
• Umbilical granuloma: This is a persistent, yellow-green drainage from the belly button, no redness, warmth, swelling or tenderness of the surrounding skin is present. Fever will not usually be present. A small nodule of firm, pinkish-red tissue represents an umbilical granuloma. This condition can be treated successfully in the doctor’s office.• Patent urachus: Top of baby’s diaper continuously wet, or fluid leaking from the belly button could represent a “rare” condition where the normal connection between the fetal bladder and the umbilical cord has remained open after the birth of the baby. Call your doctor if you notice these symptoms.
Conditions that require immediate emergency room evaluation include:• Any redness, warmth, swelling, or tenderness in the skin around the belly button, or “lots” of discharge from it, especially if the discharge smells bad. This could be omphalitis, which is a potentially life-threatening infection of the umbilical stump and the surrounding area. This condition requires prompt evaluation and treatment in the hospital.
Umbilical cord treatment after birth:
• During the first hour after delivery and usually following the baby’s first bath, the umbilical stump is treated with an antibiotic applied directly onto it, to decrease the chance for infection.• Twenty-four hours after delivery, the clamp can be removed from the stump. It is best to be sure this clamp is removed at the hospital before you take your baby home. If it is not removed at the hospital there is a chance the clamp can get stuck during home diaper changes and can pull on and injure the stump.
Umbilical cord treatment and self-care at home includes:• Little is required to care for the stump once you are home with the baby. Wipe the stump and the surrounding skin area with rubbing alcohol two to three times a day until the stump falls off. If you notice a small amount of yellowish ooze or even a drop of blood at this time, this is normal and no cause for concern.• Keep the area dry. This is very important and the reasons why you are not suppose to bathe the baby until later.• You can help with cord care by keeping the diaper rolled out and down (so the inside of the diaper is showing) to allow the stump to be exposed to the air keeping it dry. The rolled diaper will not trap the cord inside the diaper. If you roll the diaper in and down, it will place the plastic outer side of the diaper against the stomach and make the baby uncomfortable.• The cord usually falls off within the first 2 weeks. At this time, you might notice a small, pinkish area in the bottom of the belly button that will not look like the rest of the skin. This is normal and expected. Normal skin will grow over it. Once this occurs, it is safe to give your baby a bath.
There is no means of preventing granuloma, urachus and opmhalitis. Antibiotics can be given to prevent recurring bladder infections. The steps performed from moment the cord is cut with a sterile blade, to the antibiotic applied to prevent infection, to the need to keep the cord dry, are all precautions aimed at preventing the serious condition of omphalitis. If your baby develops any of the three conditions mentioned, once treated, all conditions have excellent outcomes.
*Important Disclaimer: This article is for information and educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any kind of a health problem. Please consult a qualified Health Care Professional for all your health care needs including the use of information provided in this article.
Source: eMedicineHealth, which is a first aid and consumer health information site written by physicians for patients and consumers.
© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved
Written by: Connie Limon, 9-2007, Baby Health Information Researcher/Free Lance Writer. For more helpful information about “Baby Health,” visit http://smalldogs2.com/BabyHealth Baby Health is an information portal for consumers. For a variety of FREE reprint articles and special sections on U.S. History, First Ladies’, the Kennedy Administration, visit http://www.camelotarticles.com This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.
At birth, the baby is able to breathe, eat, and void by itself. The umbilical cord is no longer necessary and is clamped and cut shortly after delivery.
The remaining cord after baby’s birth requires proper care to heal and drop off naturally. This occurs usually within 2 weeks after birth.
There are two conditions that will require prompt medical care. These are:
• Umbilical granuloma: This is a persistent, yellow-green drainage from the belly button, no redness, warmth, swelling or tenderness of the surrounding skin is present. Fever will not usually be present. A small nodule of firm, pinkish-red tissue represents an umbilical granuloma. This condition can be treated successfully in the doctor’s office.• Patent urachus: Top of baby’s diaper continuously wet, or fluid leaking from the belly button could represent a “rare” condition where the normal connection between the fetal bladder and the umbilical cord has remained open after the birth of the baby. Call your doctor if you notice these symptoms.
Conditions that require immediate emergency room evaluation include:• Any redness, warmth, swelling, or tenderness in the skin around the belly button, or “lots” of discharge from it, especially if the discharge smells bad. This could be omphalitis, which is a potentially life-threatening infection of the umbilical stump and the surrounding area. This condition requires prompt evaluation and treatment in the hospital.
Umbilical cord treatment after birth:
• During the first hour after delivery and usually following the baby’s first bath, the umbilical stump is treated with an antibiotic applied directly onto it, to decrease the chance for infection.• Twenty-four hours after delivery, the clamp can be removed from the stump. It is best to be sure this clamp is removed at the hospital before you take your baby home. If it is not removed at the hospital there is a chance the clamp can get stuck during home diaper changes and can pull on and injure the stump.
Umbilical cord treatment and self-care at home includes:• Little is required to care for the stump once you are home with the baby. Wipe the stump and the surrounding skin area with rubbing alcohol two to three times a day until the stump falls off. If you notice a small amount of yellowish ooze or even a drop of blood at this time, this is normal and no cause for concern.• Keep the area dry. This is very important and the reasons why you are not suppose to bathe the baby until later.• You can help with cord care by keeping the diaper rolled out and down (so the inside of the diaper is showing) to allow the stump to be exposed to the air keeping it dry. The rolled diaper will not trap the cord inside the diaper. If you roll the diaper in and down, it will place the plastic outer side of the diaper against the stomach and make the baby uncomfortable.• The cord usually falls off within the first 2 weeks. At this time, you might notice a small, pinkish area in the bottom of the belly button that will not look like the rest of the skin. This is normal and expected. Normal skin will grow over it. Once this occurs, it is safe to give your baby a bath.
There is no means of preventing granuloma, urachus and opmhalitis. Antibiotics can be given to prevent recurring bladder infections. The steps performed from moment the cord is cut with a sterile blade, to the antibiotic applied to prevent infection, to the need to keep the cord dry, are all precautions aimed at preventing the serious condition of omphalitis. If your baby develops any of the three conditions mentioned, once treated, all conditions have excellent outcomes.
*Important Disclaimer: This article is for information and educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any kind of a health problem. Please consult a qualified Health Care Professional for all your health care needs including the use of information provided in this article.
Source: eMedicineHealth, which is a first aid and consumer health information site written by physicians for patients and consumers.
© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved
Written by: Connie Limon, 9-2007, Baby Health Information Researcher/Free Lance Writer. For more helpful information about “Baby Health,” visit http://smalldogs2.com/BabyHealth Baby Health is an information portal for consumers. For a variety of FREE reprint articles and special sections on U.S. History, First Ladies’, the Kennedy Administration, visit http://www.camelotarticles.com This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
