Birth of a Baby Birth of a Parent

So you're pregnant? Congratulations! Your life is about to

change in ways you might find unthinkable (and we're not even

talking about the surrender of your once slim waistline to

proportions most comparable to that of a Dr. Suess character).

Pregnancy is the beginning of a new life for a baby, but also a

new life for you as a parent. If this is your first baby, you

may be filled with an endless list of questions and concerns. If

you're a veteran of the labor and delivery room, you've got a

better idea of what to expect, yet every pregnancy, like every

mother and child, is different.

Making Choices

While pregnancy and birth have physiologically been the same

since the beginning of time, your options as a pregnant woman

today are greater than at any previous time in history. After

confirming your pregnancy, your first (and arguably most

important) decision to be made is choice of caregiver. While

traditionally in the U.S., maternal care has been provided

through obstetrical physicians and hospital births, there is a

growing movement towards return to low intervention,

midwife-assisted births. How do you know which is right for you?

Consider what is most important to your birth experience (always

remembering that birth is anything but predictable and

flexibility is vital). Are you interested in birthing naturally,

without the aid of drugs or invasive procedures? Would you

rather give birth at home or in a birthing center as opposed to

a hospital? A midwife may be the right choice for you.

Conversely, if you know up front you'll want an epidural at the

first sign of labor pain you'll probably find the

anesthesiologist at your local hospital to be your best friend.

Keep in mind, each choice has its pros and cons and it's up to

you to weigh which option is the best for your needs. If you

give birth at home and have complications, you'll need to be

transported to the hospital. Epidurals may provide excellent

pain relief (or not), but have potentially serious, although

rare, side effects. Some birthing centers will not accept a

mother attempting vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC).

Being an educated consumer in your pregnancy will allow the best

possible birth experience and beginning for your new baby.

Planning for Baby

Somewhere around middle to late pregnancy (usually about the

time you can no longer see your toes because of your protruding

middle), you'll want to start making accommodations at home for

your babies expected arrival. If this is your first, trust

yourself to the care of an experienced mommy friend who can

prevent "New Mother Shopping Syndrome," i.e., going to Babies `R

Us and spending an exorbitant amount of money on baby

paraphernalia that, not only do you not need, but you will never

use. Yes, the mommy bear that emits sounds of the womb is cute.

No, your baby will not be fooled. This is the time to cultivate

self control, which will particularly come in handy when your

precious baby has become a 16-year old who has just wrecked the

family car.

Babies actually need very little in the way of gear for the

first few months of life. If you're planning to family bed, you

can skip the nursery furniture altogether. Some good choices of

useful items include a five-point harness infant car seat, a

quality hospital grade breast pump if you're planning to

breastfeed (Medela is the gold star standard), and plenty of

Onesies for sleep and play. A baby sling is also useful for

helping mom get things done around the house while still meeting

the babies need to be held, and also for discreet public

breastfeeding. Skip the infant carrier, which can only be used

for about six months, at which point you'll have to purchase a

regular car seat anyway. Also unnecessary are baby toys, gyms,

etc., which will not be of interest to the infant until they are

at least six months.

Delivering the Goods

Prepare for labor and delivery by compiling a plan for your

caregiver sharing your wishes for birth. Discuss your feelings

on all types of medical intervention including the use of

epidural, IV's, artificial rupture of the membranes, fetal

monitors, episiotomy, etc. Remember that a birth plan is simply

that, a plan. Since no one knows exactly how any given birth

will proceed, it is not a guarantee of any kind. While the

mother's experience with birth is important, the ultimate goal

is a healthy baby, whatever it takes to achieve it. A birth plan

is simply helpful in communicating the type of birth experience

you would like to have, and if you have made a wise selection in

caregiver, you will have someone who will work with you to honor

these wishes to the extent they are possible. You may want to

hire a doula to assist during labor. A doula's purpose is to

support and be an advocate for the mother, and can be helpful in

achieving the mother's goals towards birth.

Surviving the First Weeks

After nine months of waiting and planning, your baby is finally

in arms. What next? Despite that you might feel you've gotten

away with something when the hospital staff actually allows you

to leave with your baby (whom you think you have no idea how to

care for), remembering a few simple tips can help things go more

smoothly.

Feed your baby on demand. Don't try to schedule feeding

sessions, which can be detrimental to establishing a proper milk

supply if breastfeeding, and simply isn't good for baby. Keep a

record of wet and soiled diapers for the first few weeks to

assure baby is taking in enough breast milk or formula.

Hold baby as often as possible. Contrary to popular opinion, he

can't be spoiled.

Always remember to place your baby on his back to sleep and

tummy to play, to lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

(SIDS).

Call your pediatrician if your baby develops a fever, or if you

have any questions or concerns.

Most importantly, remember motherhood is a work in progress and

cut yourself some slack. You will make mistakes, learn, grow and

change. Both babies and parents are born, and neither reaches

their full potential overnight.

About the author:

Barbara Eastom Bates is a freelance writing living in east

Tennessee with her husband and two children. In addition to

writing articles about pregnancy and parenting, Barbara develops

quality of life media for Navy and Marine Corps families.

Buying Pregnancy stuff on the web

US:

At Motherwear you'll find a complete selection of nursing clothes, nursing bras, pumps, and accessories - everything for a nursing mom!

Aaron's Baby Baskets - gifts for babies and new parents.

UK:

Great Savings at Mothercare.com - for UK shoppers.

Birth of a Baby Birth of a Parent

Article : Birth of a Baby Birth of a Parent