Pregnancy, Parenting and Beyond

Buy or borrow basic baby gear and clothes.  Print out the  Nursery Basics shopping list. Wash baby's linens and clothes. Wash just enough baby clothes for the first few days -- if Junior turns out to be a whopper, you may want to exchange some of those tiny newborn outfits! Start setting up the nursery.  Do a home safety check. Get pointers in our babyproofing guide. Stock the medicine cabinet. Find out what you need on our First Aid Kit shopping list . Write up a birth plan. See our Birth Plans and Options checklist for help with this. Pre-register with the hospital. Pack for the hospital. Check out our Essential Birth & Labor checklist for what to bring. Stock the freezer. We've got freeze-ahead recipes. Arrange for help postpartum. Tip on how to ease postpartum pain . Choose a pediatrician . Buy or borrow a few nursing tops and nightgowns (if you're planning to breast-feed) Click here  third-trimester-to-do-list

My mum arrived from India to support and help me for my delivery and post partum. She'd been in a road accident and lived through it only by the grace of God. After being hospitalized thrice in 2013.... in  little over a month from her last hospitalization Mum traveled all the way to the USA to come take care of her baby (me) and my baby. She's a blessing, My Rock, My all !!! She arrived... the first two days we rushed around buying a warm clothes to survive our brutal winter... and crazy brutal is was indeed with history being made... most snow received since 1884... and more. Day 4-5 after her arrival, I got an urge to clean the house and pack my hospital bag. This is the list i referred to  Hospital Packing List on Parents dot com . The next day we watched a birthing video, drove back to the library to return it. And Woah! the day after that, low and behold... my water broke at 7am (3 weeks before my EDD) and I was rushed to the hospital, where my LO was born. From t...

Baby Care Skills: If you are first time parents and short on time... Check out for weekend/crash courses offered by Hospitals or the Community Center. Learn minor tasks like - How to bathe, diaper, comfort your baby. Childbirth Class: If u are going to opt for a natural vaginal delivery, such a class will prepare you for every step of the process. Take your husband or birth partner along with you. You will learn breathing and relaxation exercises, nutrition facts, comfort techniques and postpartum care. You can opt for Bradley method or Lamaze or most classes actually offer a combination of various methods. = Check your hospital, community center or even Insurance Plan for class options (for e.g. Kaiser has classes at select centers) Breastfeeding: This class will teach you the health and psychological benefits of breastfeeding. The proper positions, latching techniques and tips for establishing a healthy milk supply. =Always ask for a lactation consultant during your hospital stay. Pr...

Stage 1 In stage 1, your body prepares to give birth. This is the longest part of labor where you are having contractions and your cervix is dilating and may take several hours. This stage can be divided into three phases: Ø The early of labor is marked by very light contractions that may be 20 minutes or more apart. You will feel uncomfortable but you can continue your normal routine or go to bed. Ø In the active phase contractions generally are four or five minutes apart and may last up to 60 seconds long. Women desiring medication are admitted to the hospital at this stage. Ø Later, your contractions may be two or three minutes apart, lasting up to a minute and a half. Some women might shake & vomit during this stage, but it’s normal. This stage will not last more than an hour or two & partners support is crucial. Stage 2 Stage 2 is the delivery stage. The baby starts to move down the birth canal. You will need to help push during your contractions. This is th...

A woman is in 'labor' when she experiences uterine contractions, thinning and dilation of the cervix. This takes place in the final stage of the third trimester. The distinct signs of labor are: Ø Lightening or the positioning of the fetus into the pelvis region. Ø Discharge of pink or slightly bloody mucus and the mucus plug. Ø Defined and regular contractions of the cervix, in a wave-like motion, accompanied by cramps. Ø Breaking of water surrounding the baby or the weeping of amniotic fluid. Ø Dilation and thinning of the cervix. It is important to differentiate between 'true' and 'false' labor pains. The Braxton Hicks contractions or 'false' labor pains might occur in second or third trimester. These are irregular cramps that might be uncomfortable or painful. 'True' labor is characterized by contractions at regular intervals that keep getting more frequent, despite movement or position change. The most defined ...