LilSugar

Is Birth More About the Mother or Baby?

LilSugar — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 06:00:29 -0700

A friend recently told me she was shocked that I had allowed my sisters and sister-in-law into the delivery room when I had my kids. I told her I don't think of birth as a production centered around me and my husband, but rather the baby. Each of my children was lucky enough to be welcomed into the world with their godmother present. While some ladies primp for the occasion, bring a picture to focus on or stock up on their favorite snacks for the hospital stay, I'm usually too preoccupied watching the monitors and coping with contractions. Who do you think the experience is about?
Source: Flickr User madaise

Reinventing the Afterbirth: Placenta Becomes Food or Toy

LilSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:00:57 -0700

Chitchat about mucous plugs and episiotomies doesn't make most moms squeamish, but as a lady near the end of my third pregnancy, I just reached my limit in learning about the placenta teddy bear! Our friends over at Inhabitots are polling their green readers as to whether the toy made from the disposable organ to commemorate the birth is cute or creepy.

While some women believe in lotus birth and create a pouch in which to store the placenta until their child naturally separates from it, others like Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves follow the Aboriginal tradition of planting their babe's placenta in an orchard. Then, there are parents who indulge in placentophagia, the eating of the placenta, which is rumored to curb postpartum depression and hemorrhage. Preoccupied with my new bundles of joy, I don't even remember delivering the afterbirth and never gave any thought to taking it home, perhaps because at the time, I was ignorant of all these options. Were you?

Test Your Baby Measurements Knowledge

LilSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:30:02 -0700

The recent birth of a 19.2-pound Indonesian baby boy was shocking - especially for anyone due to give birth in the near future. Luckily for mamas-to-be his birth statistics are larger than any other life thus far. So what is average anyway? Take this quiz to find out how well you know the average measurements for babies.

Please remember that the following findings are just averages, and every child is different so don't be too discouraged if your child varies slightly - any concerns should be addressed with your child's pediatrician.

Take the quiz

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Shared Postpartum Rooms

LilSugar — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 05:00:52 -0700

Most women are no holds barred when giving birth - some scream, others go silent and 75 percent poop during delivery. Regardless of the antics, no one focuses on anything other than the baby making its debut. Hospitals normally offer spacious birthing rooms for expectant ladies to labor in that fit the father and anyone else the couple wants to invite to witness the arrival. But once the newborn has been welcomed into the world, the family is usually moved to smaller postpartum accommodations. In my experience, the basic quarters included a bed, a futon type piece of furniture for the dad, space to roll up the babe's bassinet, a couple of chairs and an in-suite bathroom. Though it was a tight squeeze with nurses shuffling in and out, the peace of a private room gave my husband and me time to bond with our infant and visit with relatives and friends.

Our hospital only offers single rooms so I was surprised to learn that many mommies spend their children's first days of life with roommates! I'm a big believer in the more, the merrier - except in this situation. I recall asking my husband to toss my catheter bag behind the table before guests arrived, sprinkling blood across the floor as I made my way towards the shower and having my diaper ice packs changed after enduring a pretty intense tear. While these things are part of motherhood, they made me a bit woozy and I can't imagine having to worry about my bunk mate and her baby's feelings. Would sharing a postpartum room bother you?

Got a few other secrets that you learned the hard way? Come dish with us on all the things your mama forgot to tell you in our Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me group over in our LilSugar community!

Source: Flickr User Emery Co Photo

Mommy Dearest: Wants Boyfriend to Be at Baby's Birth

LilSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:36:22 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

I am due with my first child on Sept. 13 and am completely accepting of the fact that I likely overshoot this due date. My boyfriend has been supportive the entire pregnancy and very vocal about how he wishes to be in the delivery room, which I am happy to hear! Unfortunately his side of the family suffered the loss of grandmother recently. We will attend the memorial service this weekend, but the burial will take place the weekend after my due date.

The place is about six hours away, so I obviously cannot go if I have not given birth yet, but my boyfriend has made it clear that he will go whether the baby is here or not! I am terrified of being alone for the labor and delivery if he cannot make it back in time. My mother will be there for the delivery, but I have always looked at her being there as more of a secondary support person and am counting on my him to be there so we can experience it together. Since it is my first delivery, it may take a long time and he might make it back in time, but that is not a chance I want to take! Am I being selfish for wanting him to stay home from what would be the second memorial service for his grandmother? How do I approach this topic with him?

- Want Boyfriend There For Birth

To see the response from Mommy Dearest,read more.

Want Boyfriend There For Birth,

You are not selfish - you're a soon-to-be mom who wants to experience the birth of her child with the baby's father. It is completely understandable that you wish and rely on him to be present at the life-changing event. I would approach the topic by telling him how you feel and being supportive in regards to him losing his grandmother. You may also consider having other dads talk to him about their birth experiences and why they think it would be appropriate for him to stay home from the burial if it comes to that point. Good luck!

– Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on our new Community page.

Source: Flickr User salimfadhley

Five Things Not to Say to a Woman in Labor

LilSugar — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:00:33 -0700

There's a scene in the fourth season of Sex and the City where a labor and delivery nurse is cheering Miranda on, as she is about to give birth. Carrie turns to the nurse and simply shakes her head, signaling for the cheerleader to cut the words of encouragement as Brady's mom delivers him.

While every laboring mama has an idea of the type of birthing coach she wants to support her throughout the process, an unexpected slip of a few choice phrases can completely change the mood in the room. Knowing what an expectant mum wants during the process can help visitors plan their words wisely, but here are five things that are never appropriate to say to the soon-to-be mother.

"Ouch! Here comes a BIG contraction!"
"Hold on, the team's not quite ready yet."
"Do you think you can cross your legs and hold it in until I get the camera working?"
"My mom said it really didn’t hurt that much."
"I’m ready to get started on the next one, how about you?"

Feel free to add your favorite phrase to the list.

Photo courtesy of HBO

Does a Dad Deserve to Know That His Baby Is Being Born?

LilSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:00:11 -0700

Does daddy deserve to know mama is headed to the delivery room? Due to relationship strains, many moms-to-be opt to labor without their ex present. That may have been the case earlier this week with actress Kelly Rutherford. The father of her two children -Hermes, 2, and baby Helena - Daniel Giersch issued this statement.

I was never informed by Kelly about the birth of our daughter, nor was I invited to attend. In fact, I found out about it through Internet reports like everyone else. Although this sickens me, I am of course overjoyed that our baby was born healthy. I would've wanted nothing more than to hold our newborn daughter for a few moments, and I only seek to coparent both our children responsibly and with love.

Giersch said he was supposed to be informed by text or phone. Do you think a father should be informed that his offspring is on the way?

Source

Reasons Why Some Women Prefer C-Sections

LilSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Thirty-one percent of American women go under the knife to deliver their bundles of joy. While some mamas choose the procedure, others have the decision made for them due to complications or the babe or mother's well being. The stigmas attached to not having a vaginal birth can range from guilt to inadequacy, but there are many benefits to having a c-section, and some veteran mothers would even argue that the procedure is preferable. Here are some of the points they make. Source

View Slideshow ›

Does Waiting to Find Out the Sex Make It Easier to Accept?

LilSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:00:00 -0700

I've never heard of a parent who found out her baby's sex in the delivery room and was disappointed. That's why when people ask my advice, I say to wait . . . especially if the impending mom or pop has a clear preference. I know both men and women who had their hearts set on a son or daughter and were a bit bummed when their ultrasound indicated otherwise. All parents eventually realized how lucky they were to be having healthy offspring.

But when the infant makes his or her debut and "It's a boy!" or "It's a girl" is announced, I'm convinced it's near impossible for parents to pull themselves away from the awe-inspiring moment to focus on anatomy. Do you think this is true?

Photos courtesy of TLC

Hospital Nurseries, Does Anyone Use Them Anymore?

LilSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:00:05 -0700

After nine long months of waiting to meet baby, the idea of giving birth and then sending the bundle of joy to the nursery may be torture to new parents. I couldn't bear to bid my daughter or son goodbye so soon and don't plan on letting baby number three out of my sight either. Almost every mama I know feels the same way and kept their wee ones in the room with them. In fact, many hospitals encourage the practice for bonding purposes.

After hours of hard labor, sheer exhaustion sets in so I can understand why mums want a few hours of interrupted sleep and opt to send their darlings to down the hall. But, I've never seen more than a couple of infants in the nursery when I've walked by so I wonder if the tradition of passing off baby is becoming passé?
What is your experience or opinion?

Source