Delivery

Pregnancy

Moms-to-Be Are Packing Their Own Maternity Garb For Delivery

Cotton hospital gowns have been the butt of peek-a-boo jokes for years.

Cotton hospital gowns have been the butt of peek-a-boo jokes for years. As stylish women head to the delivery room, the much-maligned cover-ups have gotten a long overdue makeover. From added colors and chic prints to new cuts that showcase a mama's assets, we've rounded up a handful of "bring your own" hospital gowns.

From top left: Dear Johnnies Ava Gown ($72), Girlie Gowns Print Gown ($64), Pretty Pushers Delivery Gown ($24), BYOG Cotton Gown ($95), Cover Me Chic Park Avenue ($70), Gownies Angelina Gown ($35)

Pregnancy

Upside Down Pregnancy: Was Your Baby Breech?

Humans live right side up, but most babies are born upside down.

Humans live right side up, but most babies are born upside down. Once a woman is late into her pregnancy, a doctor or midwife usually monitors the baby's position. Some medical professionals encourage the expectant mom to schedule a c-section if the tot doesn't turn, but one in 25 babies is born in a breech position There are three types of breech babies:

Frank breech: The fetus' buttocks are aimed toward the birth canal and the legs stick straight up in front of the body. The feet are near the head.
Complete breech: The buttocks are down, with the legs folded at the knees and the feet near the buttocks.
Footling breech: One or both of the fetus' feet are pointing down and will come out first.

Was your baby born breech?

Pregnancy

Oops! Was Your Gender Surprise Spoiled?

Everyone eventually finds out the sex of their baby, but some parents-to-be choose to know on a certain day (the 20-week ultrasounds or at the birth) or in a particular way (opening a sealed envelope of the info or cutting into the cake at a gender reveal party).

Everyone eventually finds out the sex of their baby, but some parents-to-be choose to know on a certain day (the 20-week ultrasounds or at the birth) or in a particular way (opening a sealed envelope of the info or cutting into the cake at a gender reveal party). But hospital workers are human, and even the most seasoned doctors and nurses slip up. Did you find out the sex of your baby on accident?

Pregnancy

How Long Were You Dilated Before You Delivered?

Pack the bag — it's time to have baby .

Pack the bag — it's time to have baby . . . or not. When a first-time mom-to-be hears she's dilated, she may want to head straight to the hospital, but it can be days or even weeks before the cervix is ready for a wee one to pass through. An expectant mother has to be 100 percent effaced and dilated 10 centimeters for baby to debut (via vaginal delivery). Were you dilated for a while?

Baby

Did You Test Positive For Group B Strep During Pregnancy?

Expect plenty of tests while pregnant!

Expect plenty of tests while pregnant! Between the 35th and 37th week of pregnancy, moms-to-be usually have a group B strep (group B streptococcal infection) test. It's a bacteria found in the intestine, rectum, or vagina. While a woman might not be affected by it, her newborn can become infected during birth. According to WebMD:

Group B streptococcal (group B strep) infection is a serious bacterial infection that is a leading cause of death and disability in newborns. In the 1970s, about half of newborns with group B strep infection died. Today, due to early recognition and aggressive treatment of the infection, far fewer cases end in death.

To prevent the group B strep from spreading from parent to child, the mom is given antibiotics prior to the birth. Did you deal with this?

Birth Announcements

Six Ways to Announce Your New Baby

When a new bundle of joy makes his or her way into the world and mama and papa's life, it can be overwhelming.
Six Ways to Announce a New Baby

When a new bundle of joy makes his or her way into the world and mama and papa's life, it can be overwhelming. While the parents might want to shout the exciting news from the mountain tops, they may be too exhausted. Thanks to modern technology, there are more options than just the old fashioned face-to-face and phone call announcements. Check out this slideshow for all the ways to introduce babe!

Pregnancy

Bringing Out Baby: Test Your Induction Knowledge

Many mamas-to-be aren't playing the waiting game as they anticipate the arrival of their lil ones.

Many mamas-to-be aren't playing the waiting game as they anticipate the arrival of their lil ones. According to new research, labor inductions nearly doubled between 1992 and 2003, bringing more babies into the world before a pregnancy reaches 40 weeks. Labor induction isn't always on an expectant mama's birth plan, so take this quiz to see just how much you know about the process.

Take the Quiz
Poll

When Does a Birth Photo Become TMI For Facebook?

Proud parents are often eager to share photos of their new baby and the child's birth on social networking sites.

Proud parents are often eager to share photos of their new baby and the child's birth on social networking sites. But 74 percent of LilSugar readers said Facebook isn't an appropriate place to share such images. We're curious what type of discretion moms and dads should use when posting their pictures? What's your opinion?

Photo courtesy of HBO

Poll

Are All Birth Pictures Appropriate For Social Networking Sites?

Birth is beautiful, but should photographs of baby making its way out of mommy or shots of the bloody afterbirth come with a warning on social networking sites?

Birth is beautiful, but should photographs of baby making its way out of mommy or shots of the bloody afterbirth come with a warning on social networking sites? People go to places like Facebook to keep up with friends, family members, and acquaintances. Is updating your status to include a photo of your pregnant belly or newborn different than posting a picture of the doctor probing your placenta? What's your opinion?

Source: Flickr User Emery Co Photo

Health and Fitness

Stressed Out Newborns Receive Spinal Realignments

You've made your first post-delivery pediatrician appointment, your lactation consultant appointment and your six-week postpartum checkup appointment, but have you scheduled your lil one's post-delivery chiropractor appointment?

You've made your first post-delivery pediatrician appointment, your lactation consultant appointment and your six-week postpartum checkup appointment, but have you scheduled your lil one's post-delivery chiropractor appointment? In what must be the first of its kind, a New York City chiropractic office is offering realignments for babies just hours after exiting the womb.

Citing the stress the birthing process places on the spine, spinal cord, and cranium, a NYC doctor offers "loving, tender adjustment" to help release any tension that the wee one holds onto after delivery. While lying on her mama's lap, a doctor will apply a bit of pressure to the spine, helping the baby to relax and sleep more comfortably.

Do you think the stress of birth requires a newborn chiropractor visit?