LilSugar

Delivering High Risk Baby Dolls Could Help Save Human Lives

Heather Maddan — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:45:10 PST

They're a bunch of dummies! By using computerized birthing and baby dolls to simulate high-risk deliveries and everything from hemorrhage to seizures, medical staffers can practice and fine tune their responses to emergency situations without human lives being at risk. St. Peter's Hospital in Montana invested $16,000 in the birth doll set and a computer system that it uses to teach its staff. One report said:

Noelle is a training mannequin, much like Annie, the doll used for CPR classes. Noelle can simulate all types of birthing situations. She’s life-size, anatomically correct, has a heartbeat and pulse and can be hooked up to an IV. She comes with a baby - called Baby Blue - that also has life-like components.

A recent episode of Grey's Anatomy had doctors learning crisis response methods on dummies. What do you think of the practice?

Live C-Section Broadcast This Morning on The Today Show

LilSugar — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:00:34 PST

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Though some families consider their birth of a child a private affair that only a select few should witness, others are happy to share the photos and videos with everyone they know. One Boston family decided to share the experience with an entire nation this morning as their son's scheduled c-section birth was broadcast live on The Today Show. The moving segment – which brought many viewers to tears – provided many viewers with their first glimpse of an actual c-section birth.

Did any aspects of the c-section birth surprise you?

Should Dads Stay Out of the Delivery Room?

babysugar — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 06:00:34 PST

My, how times have changed. Ages ago, men were expected to sit in the waiting room at the hospital. Cigar in hand, pacing the floors, they were retrieved when their wives finally gave birth to their little bundles of joy. Fast forward a few decades and the fathers are the biggest cheerleader in the room yelling, "Push honey! You can do it. You're doing great!" Just when it seems entering parenthood as a team is the norm, a French doctor claims it should be done by the woman in a solo environment. Obstetrician Michel Odent believes a male presence can complicate the labor. He said:

Having been involved for more than 50 years in childbirths in homes and hospitals in France, England and Africa, the best environment I know for an easy birth is when there is nobody around the woman in labor apart from a silent, low-profile and experienced midwife... Oxytocin is the love drug which helps the woman give birth and bond with her baby. But it is also a shy hormone and it does not come out when she is surrounded by people and technology. This is what we need to start understanding.

So what do you say - bring papa in or take him out?

It Will Be a Freebirth For Baby Number Three!

LilSugar — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:00:46 PDT

Generations of my family members have been born in hospitals so when I got pregnant with my first two children, I felt conventional medicine was my only option though I briefly entertained the idea of a water birth with my daughter. But, now with baby number three set to arrive in late September, I want to make my last delivery an experience to remember so I've decided to freebirth my baby at home.

My husband was shocked when I first ran the plan by him as I've long been an advocate of babies making their debut in the close proximity of a NICU - especially after a second scare with my son not breathing when he arrived. I gasped when I initially heard about the controversial concept of freebirthing - which is when mothers choose to have their babies at home, in most cases unassisted by doctors or doulas and sometimes even spouses or family members, but had a change of heart after watching an incredibly moving documentary about the process. To see what influenced my decision,

read more. Happy April Fools'! While I understand that some women believe in freebirth, as a cautious mama - I'm not willing to take any chances with my delivery. My third baby will make his or her debut at the same leading medical center that my other two did. Source

Mommy Dearest: Do Full Moons Bring on Labor?

LilSugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:00:27 PST

Mommy Dearest,

My baby is due this month, just a few days after the full moon. But I've heard that the full moon could cause me to go into labor. Should I tell my mom to fly in a little early?

- Pregnant "Luna"tic

To see the response from Mommy Dearest,

read more. Pregnant "Luna"tic, Some folks say that a full moon may mean increased birth rates, but I couldn't find much data to back the theory up. The book The Lunar Effect, brought the "biological tides theory" to the forefront and the author, Arnold L. Lieber, argued that the moon affects the human body in much the same way as it does the world's oceans. This means that if a woman is close to her due date during a full moon, the pressure caused by the moon's effect on the water inside the amniotic sac could cause it to burst. And even though a recent study has said that birth rates are definitely not affected by the moon's cycle, some women still swear by it. My expectant friend's OBGYN told her not to get her hopes up about it so maybe you shouldn't either. Let's see if any lilsugar readers were born or gave birth on a full moon. - Mommy Dearest Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar. Source

Quick! DIY Your Sweetie a Valentine's Day Card Tonight

CasaSugar — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:16:04 PST

Instead of scanning the aisles for a last-minute Valentine's Day card, why not infuse a bit of creativity into your delivery by crafting your own? Regardless of what's in the card, you'll score serious points for extra effort. Whether it's clever origami folding, light scissor cutting, or easy printing, these Valentine's Day cards are sure to win hearts!

There's Still Time to Order a Valentine's Day Gift From Etsy!

Angela Swinderman Elias — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:53:15 PST

The Valentine's Day gift rush is upon us. Luckily, there's still time to snag some hand-crafted goodies from Etsy, but don't delay! Whether you're hunting for presents to enjoy as a couple or looking for something sweet and affordable for your best gal pal, these Etsy picks are sure to delight. I've rounded up 10 heartwarming gifts that are affordable and, if you hurry, available for Valentine's Day delivery. Happy shopping!

Labor Pains: 7 Ways to Ease the Pain of Labor

BabyCenter — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:37:43 PST

We're excited to share this post from our partners at BabyCenter! Every week, we will be bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle stories from the experts at BabyCenter, including this post from Nancy Johnson Horn about tips for easing labor pain.

I remember going into labor over 6 years ago with my first child. When my water broke 11 days early I couldn’t remember a thing, other than "pick a focus point on the wall" and breathe.

But there’s more you can do to make labor go a little smoother. Recently, I spoke to Hope Garland, an Affiliated Bradley Instructor, www.blossombirth.net, who recommended these amazing tips. So, if you’re weeks or days away from childbirth - don’t panic, just print out (or bookmark it on your smartphone) this post so you can reference it when you go into labor.

Pack in the protein: If you were about to run a long marathon, would you eat only ice chips? No. You need to eat a protein-rich meal. It will give you the stamina needed for labor (plus many hospitals won’t let you eat once you check in anyway). Make a plan to either keep something in the fridge/freezer/cupboard or know where you can go to get your marathon meal.
Don’t fight gravity: Remain upright as long as possible. Walk around or sit up, but don’t lie on your back. (Yes, that’s really me in the pic, before I found out I should be walking around.)
Hydrate thyself: Pack (and use) a water bottle. If you properly hydrate yourself during labor, you’ll increase your energy output by as much as 30%. Also, if you can keep drinking water, you may not need an IV that will really restrict your mobility. That’s when the ice chips and clear liquids can also help.
Breathe using your abdomen: Normal abdominal breathing increases relaxation, which you’re really going to need. Chest and patterned breathing may fool your body into stress mode, and you don’t want that.
Take a virtual chill pill: You’ve got to stay relaxed. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. If music helps, bring a preloaded playlist on your iPod, locate a focal point in the room and breathe. Banish as much negative energy as possible. While it’s not easy, stay as relaxed as you can through contractions – it will let your body do what it’s supposed to do.
Move around during labor: There are a variety of positions for labor. Try to change positions so you’re not in one place for too long. Speak to the nurse about how you can be monitored and still move around. Bring slippers for those lovely grippy hospital socks so you can walk the halls.
Make sure you have support and loving encouragement: Having your husband, partner, or trained birth partner can make a big difference. That support will do more for you than any amount of medication!

Do you have any tips to make labor a little easier? What did or didn’t work for you?

More great stories from BabyCenter.com:
Quantity or quality time: Which matters more?
Five reasons you need the Origami Stroller - now!
The three greatest dangers for baby are . . .
Seven ways to spread the love this Valentine's Day
What do you say to pushy parents?

Source: Flickr User bradleygee

Happy Hour: Pimm's Cup

Nancy Einhart — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:30:29 PST

"Pimm's Cup" is fun to say and even more fun to drink. But what exactly is Pimm's No. 1? Like Southern Comfort or Fernet-Branca, this type of liquor is synonymous with its brand; Pimm's No. 1 is just that, and nothing else.

This gin-based booze hails from England and carries a lower alcohol content (25 percent) than most hard liquor. For that reason, it's one of my absolute favorite ingredients for daytime drinking, and the Pimm's Cup - featuring ginger ale, cucumber, lemon, and mint - is the ultimate delivery vehicle. You can throw back two or three yet not be knocked down like you might be by a Bloody Mary. Get the Pimm's Cup recipe now.

Do You Know Your Labor and Delivery Equipment?

LilSugar — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 03:05:37 PST

When a woman gives birth in the movies, the doctor stands at her pelvis ready to guide the baby into his arms and there is nary an electronic or piece of equipment in sight. In real life, the labor and delivery room is filled with monitors and machines ready to go at a moment's notice.

Take our quiz and see just how familiar you are with these tools of the delivery trade.

Take the Quiz