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Mommy Blogger

September 3, 2010

Now That Baby’s Here, What Should I Wear?

I’m going through a transition period right now and I don’t know what to do about it.

You see, I can’t fit into any of my maternity clothes and I can’t fit into my old clothes either! I don’t want to go shopping just yet because I’m hoping I’ll shrink back to the size I was pre baby (although I’m not expecting this to happen any time soon).

I know a lot of women go through this after having a baby. Most of us aren’t going to leave the hospital wearing our old jeans after giving birth (and I don’t want to hear from the women who actually have done this!). I realize the body changes dramatically when you have a baby and I’ve given myself a year to go back to, or at least close to, where I was...after all, it took almost a year to put the weight on. But I still can’t help but wish I could fit into my old clothes again now! I have so many cute summer clothes from last year that I bought on sale thinking I would wear this year. But I guess I’ll just have to wear them next summer. And maybe buy a few things in the meantime!

September 1, 2010

Sharing Responsibilities – Is It Impossible?

Things are getting easier as the weeks go by. The beginning was tough as Benjamin was being introduced to a new world and I was plunged in to a new life role. It’s not exactly easy now, but at least I’m getting the hang of things. I’m getting to know when my son is hungry, when he needs a diaper change and when he’s simply just tired.

But one thing I continue to struggle with is sharing the responsibilities with my husband. I think he’s having a hard time with this as well. You see, I’m breastfeeding, so when Benjamin wakes up at night, I feel like I’m the only one who can care for him. Because my husband works Monday to Friday, getting up in the middle of the night doesn’t bother me as much during the week, but it sure does on the weekends! It doesn’t matter if we both can nap the next day, it’s still me getting up at the crack of dawn to feed and change diapers.

My husband is an absolutely amazing dad. And I know he wishes he could do more; we just don’t know how to split the responsibilities up fairly. Do I start pumping more so he can give a bottle on the weekends? Do we start getting up together? Or do I just keep getting up and get my husband to make breakfast (in bed!) and give daily massages? The last suggestion sounds tempting but I’m still left exhausted seven days a week. I’m definitely at a loss on this one.

August 30, 2010

A Milestone that Melted My Heart

Up until now, Benjamin has spent his days gazing, sleeping, crying and even cracking a fleeting grin while passing gas and sleeping. While his array of facial expressions and bouts of personality have been amusing, it`s the first smile that I`ve really been looking forward to.

Well, I didn`t have to wait long! At 3:30 a.m. this morning, after begrudgingly getting up to change and feed Benjamin, I witnessed it. These early morning wake up calls have been tiring and, depending on Benjamin`s mood, an unpleasant break to my sleep. But after changing, feeding and rocking him a little, his eyes lit up and a bright wide smile crossed his little face. The wave of exhaustion I was experiencing was quickly replaced with a sense of love and excitement. As he looked up at me in the middle of the night, the gummy grin on his face was the best reward for all of those sleepless nights and seemingly endless poopy diaper changes.

Instead of going back to bed, I just wanted to stare at my little bundle of happiness. But unfortunately his bright smile quickly faded as his eyes rolled into the back of his head letting me know he was ready to sleep again. Soon Benjamin will be flashing his smile to everyone but I`ll be able to look back and remember the special moment and milestone we shared together, just mommy and son.

August 25, 2010

Getting a Grip

Benjamin found himself in a bit of a struggle last night. I was changing his diaper when he started to cry. At first I thought nothing of it. Benjamin has cried while getting his diaper changed and usually stops once the new diaper is on. But this time, his cries wouldn`t stop and soon, he was screaming. I couldn`t figure out what was upsetting him so much. Witnessing my baby act out in what seemed to be extreme pain was frightening, especially since I couldn`t figure out where the pain was coming from.

Finally, I understood what was going on. Benjamin had grabbed a fist full of his own hair and didn`t realize it. Babies have no control over their grasp reflex and it was unfortunately working against my baby in this case. The more he hurt, the harder he gripped! He was grasping his hair so hard that I had a hard time getting him to let go! I was afraid his hair would be ripped out by the time this struggle was done. Thankfully I was able to calm him down and remove his hand without creating a bald spot.

My husband and I had a bit of a laugh over the situation but I have to admit, this was a frightening moment for me! I`m tempted to make Benjamin wear mittens until he gains control of his hands!

August 23, 2010

The Top 10 Things No One Told Me about Giving Birth

Benjamin turned one month on August 22. Oh my how fast time flies! Motherhood is an ongoing learning process but now that I’ve experienced labour and delivery, I feel I can pass on some information to help other moms-to-be prepare.

Below are the top 10 things no one told me about giving birth:

Just because you’re having contractions doesn’t mean you’ll be admitted to the hospital. My contractions lasted for 15 hours before I was admitted and apparently I was lucky. If I wasn’t dilated enough (I was four centimetres) I was told I`d be sent home.
If you want an epidural, don’t wait until it’s too late. Anaesthesiologists are often on call and, after hours, there is usually just one (I gave birth at night). So epidurals are often administered on a first come first served basis.
You might shake uncontrollably even if you’re not cold. My legs and teeth wouldn’t stop shaking! But it stopped shortly after giving birth. This is the body`s way of dealing with labour.
Post partum bleeding (a.k.a. lochia) lasts for weeks and can be quite heavy at times. Bring underwear and bottoms you’re prepared to toss out after you leave the hospital and be prepared to live in a pad for the next while.
Pain lasts for weeks after giving birth. I personally found the pain after giving birth to be worse than the birth itself. I had very bad tears and a lot of stitches. Walking was out of the question for about a week. Even now, four weeks later, I can’t stand for very long but, through taking baths and relaxing when I can, it is getting better every day.
You may feel cramping if you breastfeed. This is your uterus contracting back to its normal size (one of the bonuses to breastfeeding).
Modesty goes out the window. This isn’t the time to cover up. You’re at the mercy of the staff the minute you’re admitted to the hospital.
You may become constipated. The medication you take for the pain after birth will make you a little constipated and the thought of having a bowel movement after giving birth will make you shudder. Don`t worry, this part won’t be as bad as you think! Eating some prunes and taking a stool softener does wonders.
Holding your baby for the first time is worth the nine months of nausea and hours of labour. Feeling my baby come out and hearing him cry for the first time was incredible. It’s a feeling I can’t even describe because it was so unique.
You might still have to share even if you requested a private room. Because the private rooms were already full, I had to share for one of the two nights I was in the hospital.

August 20, 2010

From Pregnancy Brain to Mommy Brain

I suffered through “pregnancy brain” and now I’m experiencing major “mommy brain”. My memory actually improved as my pregnancy progressed but once Benjamin was born I went right back to losing my ability to maintain a thought! I think it’s because of the little sleep I’ve been getting since he’s been born. Being sleep deprived can really take a toll on one’s memory and productivity!

Lately, I find I can’t string a proper sentence together or remain focused long enough to have a proper conversation with anyone. The other day I drove the car with the emergency brake still on! It wasn’t until I smelled smoke that I remembered to take it off. I’ve also left wet laundry in the washer for days. I have enough laundry to do already so to have to redo a load is so frustrating!

Poor Benjamin has also suffered through my mommy brain. After giving him a bath and drying him off, I noticed I hadn’t rinsed the shampoo from his hair! Benjamin hates water so to have to rinse his hair again was excruciating for both of us.

I have so much to remember now so hopefully as I get adjusted to my new role and new sleeping routine, my memory will return. Now, what was it I was supposed do after writing this post?

August 18, 2010

Sometimes I Get the Baby Blues

My life has changed in many positive ways since becoming a mom, but there are days when the effects of the “baby blues” take over. On these days I just want to crawl into bed and enjoy a full eight hours of sleep without interruption. Or leave my house without worrying about where I’ll breastfeed and how many diapers to pack. I’ll even admit there have been days, especially after a night of no sleep, where I’ve cried.

Becoming a mom is something no one could have prepared me for even after talking to other moms and reading countless books. The reality is that there’s no way I could have really grasped what the role is all about without experiencing it for myself.

One thing in particular that I wasn’t prepared for was how lonely being a new mom can be. The past few weeks have been all about feeding, calming a crying newborn, changing diapers and doing laundry. I’ve had no time to clean, sleep, read a book or do my hair. I’ve had some visitors but unfortunately being a hostess can be stressful as I struggle to find time to clean and shower. And if Benjamin is hungry, I leave my guests to disappear for half an hour to breastfeed (I’m not yet comfortable with the public feedings!). I appreciate the company but I think I appreciate it more when they bring food or coffee or we meet at their place!

To say being a new mom is challenging is an understatement, but everyday does get a bit easier. I’m trying to take each day as it comes because before I know it, my newborn will be running around and I’ll miss these “quiet” days!

August 16, 2010

Oh Sleep, How I Miss You So...

I had thought of writing a post boasting about how I finally got my baby to sleep at night. I learned how to swaddle (wrapping a blanket around him nice and tight) and he seemed to really like it. Benjamin was sleeping in four hour stretches (with just one midnight feed and change) for about a week! I was so relieved to finally catch a break just in time for my husband to return to work. Well, unfortunately a good thing doesn’t always last. For the past four nights, Benjamin seems to have regressed and is now only allowing me about two hours a night (three if I’m lucky!).

I think my poor little boy is suffering from gas pains which may explain why he won’t sleep. When I put him down on his back, he squirms and whimpers and then he outright cries before passing gas. He does seem to settle when I feed him but once I wrap him back up and place him in his bassinet it starts up all over again. You can imagine how frustrated this has been!

At our last appointment, I asked the paediatrician what I can do to relieve Benjamin’s gas. He suggested Gripe Water, which is just water fortified with herbs. Apparently, it’s supposed to help relieve common stomach upsets such as gas, acid reflux and hiccups. I bought a bottle and tried it last night. Benjamin seemed to like the taste, but did it help with his gas pains and did we get some sleep? No.

For the past four days I’ve been struggling to keep my eyes open and string proper sentences together. The only thing keeping me sane is knowing there’s a light at the end of this tunnel....I just hope the tunnel is short!

August 13, 2010

My Big Boy is Getting Bigger

I took Benjamin to the paediatrician today for his third appointment. We were asked to return after his last appointment because he still wasn’t back up to his birth weight. It’s common for babies to lose around six or seven per cent of their weight after they’re born but the goal is for them gain it all back within two weeks. I guess because breastfeeding wasn’t going so well in the beginning, he wasn’t gaining as much weight as the doctors liked.

Well, my milk finally came in and my son has been feeding well! The doctor recorded his weight at 9 pounds, 11 ounces! His birth weight was 9 pounds, 4 ounces so he gained that back and then some! He was sent away with a clean bill of health and told not to come back until he’s two months old.

The two month appointment is something I actually dread. Benjamin will be getting his immunization shots. I know it’s a good idea to protect my son against terrible diseases such as the whooping cough, polio, measles and hepatitis B but I just know the actual process of seeing him cry out in pain when he receives the needles will be heartbreaking. But who knows, maybe he’ll handle it better than I do!

August 11, 2010

A Little Pee Sure Goes a Long Way!

When Benjamin was born, he came out peeing. When his dad and I changed him for the first time, he peed on us. When the nurse gave him his first bath, he peed on her. When he attended his first paediatrician appointment, he peed on the doctor.

I have always heard that boys are notorious for spontaneously spraying but I wasn’t quite prepared for how often this would happen. Someone gave me a product called the Pee Pee Tepee at one of my showers and, at the time, I thought this was just a cute gimmick. Well, apparently they come in quite handy! They may not soak up all of the urine but they do stop the stream from landing on the baby’s face, in my hair and all over the walls!

Unfortunately, I don’t always get the opportunity to use the Pee Pee Tepee. Sometimes when the diaper comes off, the stream instantly begins. When this happens, I’ve used my hands, the diaper or anything else I have that can block the rush of urine. It really can go quite the distance otherwise!

It almost seems as though my son holds it in until his diaper is removed to urinate. I’m now learning to expect a shower every time I change him. At least I can say he hasn’t pooped on me yet (knock on wood!).

August 9, 2010

Braving the Public with a Newborn

It’s funny how amazed people are that we’re getting out of the house so soon after the baby’s birth.

My husband and I started to get a little cabin fever after spending four days indoors with our son. In addition to changing diapers and feeding, we spent most of our time staring at him and talking about him. While we enjoyed every second cooped up as a new family, we eventually itched to get reacquainted with the outside world. So, after a few days, we packed up the diaper bag and ventured outside.

One of our first trips with Benjamin was to the mall. The attention we (or should I say he) received was enormous. People stopped to ask if he was a boy or girl and how old he was. When we told them he was less than a week old, we received a lot of “oh you’re so brave to be out” and “wow good for you for getting out”. Is it really adventurous to leave the house with a newborn? I’ll admit, I am nervous about such things as him catching a cold or breastfeeding him in public, but so far things have been pretty smooth.

Now that my husband has returned to work, I’m a little more reluctant to leave the house. Can I handle a public outing just the two of us? Benjamin has a paediatrician appointment this week so I guess that will be our first one on one outing together. I’ll cross my fingers that all goes well. Otherwise, I have my husband’s work number on speed dial, just in case!

August 6, 2010

I’m Now on My Own

I can’t believe my son is two weeks old already. The time has gone by so fast!

My husband is now returning to work after taking the last two weeks off. It’s been so nice having him around 24/7. His presence has been indispensible, especially during that first week after giving birth. It was quite difficult to move around and I was in some pain (actually a lot of pain) so I really appreciated having someone waiting on me hand and foot. I now feel much better which has allowed the three of us to get out of the house and go for walks, sit on patios and visit friends. We’ve had a great time bonding as a family. I know my husband’s return to work will be difficult at first but we’ll adjust just as we seem to do with any change in our lives.

Now that I’ll be on my own with my little one, I’d like to look into things we can do together. In the next few weeks I hope to join such activities as baby and me yoga, baby and me swimming and a new mommy group. I doubt I’ll have the time to do it all but I’m looking forward to seeing what’s out there.

August 4, 2010

My Son’s First Photo Shoot!

He may still be just a newborn but my son already had his first photo shoot!

I’m fortunate to have a cousin who is a professional newborn photographer. Her photography skills are absolutely amazing, comparable to the art and technique of Anne Geddes. Just browsing through her online portfolio of adorable newborns at www.littlesmilesphotography.net could make anyone’s heart melt. I really couldn’t wait to have her work her magic with Benjamin.

Just a week after his birth, we had our son photographed and he proved to be the perfect model – he slept through the entire session! Newborn photography is best when the baby is asleep but I won’t credit my son completely. I have to mention that my cousin can easily be nicknamed the baby whisperer. She just has a way of getting babies to sleep on the job! Hopefully I came away with some tips to get him to sleep at night!

I can’t wait to share the photos with family and friends. They’ll definitely be something that we’ll look back on with special memories as he grows older. He’s already changed so much in the past week so to have professional photos to capture this time in all of our lives is priceless.

August 2, 2010

Will I Ever Sleep Again?

I knew sleep would be a thing of the past once the baby arrived but I guess I didn’t mentally prepare enough.

The past few nights with Benjamin have definitely tested my sanity. Not only are we both learning how to breastfeed but he’s not interested in sleeping at night. When we came home, I desperately needed a nap. It was near impossible to sleep in the hospital. I was pumped with “new parent” adrenaline and I could hear babies crying all night...down the hallway and in my room. I was hoping coming home would make things easier. Unfortunately, even though I find home to be comfortable, my son isn’t quite ready to settle in. Instead, our schedule seems to revolve around feeding, crying, feeding and crying some more. I literally got two hours of sleep the first night home. My husband now takes him for an hour or two when he can to allow me to sleep but, because I’m breastfeeding, he can only do so much at this point before the baby needs me again.

I know newborns don’t arrive ready to follow our adult schedules. He doesn’t even know the difference between day and night right now but I do hope things settle soon. Mommy needs her sleep!

July 30, 2010

Breastfeeding Challenges

I can understand why women give up on breastfeeding.

I’ve opted to breastfeed my son and it’s been quite challenging to say the least. I never quite understood what it was all about up until now. I assumed it would be uncomfortable at first but nothing could prepare me for what I’ve experienced over the last few days.

First of all, the word uncomfortable is an understatement. When I started breastfeeding, I found it down right painful. I had the nurses at the hospital check to make sure Benjamin was latching on properly and they all said he was. But whenever he fed, I found myself having to clench my feet and hold back my cries. After just two days, I wanted to give up. I was bleeding and sore but was determined to continue through. I’m not against formula feeding at all, but I know breastfeeding is best in terms of improving baby’s immune system, providing optimal nutrition and saving money so I wanted to give it an honest go.

Because I’m committed to this for the next six months to a year, I decided to meet with a lactation consultant (hospitals all have them on staff. You just call and make an appointment). She showed me techniques to improve baby’s latch to relieve the pain and suggested a cream available at all pharmacies called Lansinoh (pure lanolin) to help heal the damage already done. She also explained that for the first three to five days, breasts produce something called colostrum, which is beneficial but delivers only small amounts to the baby. Once the milk comes in, babies feel more satisfied and won’t have a need to feed as much or as vigorously (which explains the abused nipples!).

That meeting was two days ago and already I feel improvement. My milk has come in, and while it’s still not a walk in the park, I’m no longer stifling my tears. I’m going to continue working through this and will cross my fingers things continue to get better!

July 28, 2010

Bringing Baby Home

After spending 36 hours in the hospital, we finally brought baby home.

I had an overall good experience in terms of labour and delivery and the nurses were fantastic but I still longed to leave and get to know my new little one within the comfort of my own home. I couldn’t wait to bond as a family and introduce my son, Benjamin, to his new world without distraction.

Once home, we couldn’t stop staring. We literally sat on the couch for the first three days and gushed at the amazingly beautiful baby we created. From the first signs of contractions to getting discharged from the hospital, we literally went 48 hours without sleep, yet we kept our energy alive with the high I’m sure many new parents experience. We are in awe of everything our son does. Every face he makes and every sound that comes out of his mouth is the cutest thing to us right now.

We have managed to get some sleep over the last couple of days but they’re more like naps. Baby sleeps during the day and is up all night long. He doesn’t like to be put down and doesn’t seem to take to the bassinet we have placed beside the bed. He also seems to be extremely hungry, eating every hour on the hour. It’s been a challenging few days getting used to my new role in life but I’m happier now than I’ve ever been. I feel a sense of purpose that I never felt before and it feels amazing.

July 26, 2010

He Has Arrived!

I’m writing this post as I watch my newborn son sleep beside me.

After a long day of enduring contractions, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy around 1a.m. on July 22. This day is actually his due date. Only five percent of babies, especially first borns, are born on their due date so I found this to be quite special.

My son’s not small; coming out weighing an impressive nine pounds, four ounces, but it was a pretty easy delivery with active labour lasting seven hours and delivery lasting just 15 minutes! As for pain, I ended up getting an epidural and I’m so happy I did. Up until getting it, the contractions were getting quite intense. Once I received the epidural I could feel the pressure of the contractions but not the pain. I wouldn’t have done it any other way. For me, it made for as smooth a delivery as possible.

My husband and I can’t help but just sit and stare at him. This is the beginning of an amazing new phase in our lives. I still can’t believe he’s finally here! He’s so precious and I’m in absolute awe over the fact that I’m now officially a mom. There’s no feeling in the world that can describe how I feel except maybe pure love and joy.

July 22, 2010

Early Morning Contractions – Could This Be It?

So the membrane sweep might have worked.

I woke up this morning, around 4 a.m., with pain shooting from my back to my pelvis. My husband was sleeping soundly beside me and at first I didn’t want to wake him up. I have been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions on a consistent basis so I wasn’t sure if I was just experiencing them along with possible gas pains. We did have Harvey’s for dinner and I downed a large coke so at first I just assumed I the pains were the after effects of fast food!

But after walking around the house for half an hour and feeling more contractions, I had to wake my husband. Together, we timed them and they were happening every 10 minutes. I’m actually writing this post as one of my contractions start! They’re still coming every seven to 10 minutes and are getting stronger each time so this may be it! I know not to go to the hospital until they are five minutes apart for at least an hour OR until my water breaks. So far I’m just breathing through them and trying to relax.

It’s almost 7 a.m. and I think my husband’s going to stay home from work today! I better go and shower in case we have to make the trip to the hospital soon. We might just be new parents by tonight!

July 21, 2010

40 Week Appointment – Membrane Sweep and Induction Date

I had my 40 week doctor’s appointment today and it turns out it will be my last!

My doctor scheduled me in for an induction on Wednesday, July 28. This means no matter what, I’ll have my baby in my arms in just a week! I can’t believe this time has arrived already. Apparently I’m still dilated two centimetres so there has been no progression there but she did say I’m on my way!

The doctor also swept my membranes to get things moving along. This process didn’t feel like it involved any type of sweeping, but rather punching my cervix. I can’t say it hurt exactly but felt very uncomfortable. So what is the purpose of a membrane sweep? It’s to stir things up inside in order to stretch the area and bring on labour.

There was quite a bit of bleeding after this procedure but other than that, I felt nothing. It doesn’t feel like anything is starting but then again I only just had this done so we’ll see! If this doesn’t work, I’m still going to be a mom within a week no matter what and what a strange, yet amazing, feeling that is!

July 20, 2010

Living in Limbo

The Braxton Hicks contractions are coming on full force. Every five to ten minutes, my stomach gets really hard and I feel menstrual type cramps but I know these aren’t real contractions.

These false contractions are putting my husband on edge. Every time I shift my body because I’m uncomfortable or even let out a sigh, he’s right there asking me if it’s time. And I know he’s carrying his cell phone everywhere he goes, including the gym, just in case I go into labour. I only wish it were time but the cramps and contractions I’m experiencing have unfortunately been going on for a couple of weeks now.

I’m really worried that I’ll have to be induced. Being induced is a little bit of a fear of mine. I feel as though knowing the date that I’ll have the baby will only send me into a panic attack. I’d rather not know these things and just allow nature to take its course. But at the same time, I’d like to finally meet my son and get on with life, rather than living in limbo. Because my due date is this week, I find out my induction date at my doctor’s appointment tomorrow if I don’t go into labour by the 22nd. I’m on pins and needles right now!

July 19, 2010

The Phone Calls Have Begun

Only five days until the due date and I’m not the only one anxiously awaiting the arrival of our baby! Family and friends have been checking in on a regular basis to see how I’m doing and if I’ve gone into labour yet.

I would love to have good news for everyone but unfortunately the baby isn’t quite ready to come out. I’m hoping he’ll take after his dad’s punctuality and arrive on time! But going into labour naturally is, unfortunately, something I have no control over. And it’s driving me nuts!

There have been minimal signs that labour is getting close. I am two centimetres dilated and have been experiencing frequent Braxton Hicks contractions. But I’m also looking for the other signs such as the loss of the mucous plug and the bloody show. By the way, who determines the names for these things? A bloody show just sounds ghastly, like I’ll be front row centre at a horror film. And why can’t there be a better name for mucous plug? Perhaps something like “baby blocker” or even just “plug” would be a better fit.

Either way, I’m so ready and hope I have some good news for my family and friends soon! Waiting around is getting to be unbearable!

July 16, 2010

I’m 39 Weeks and Dilated!

I had my 39 week appointment today. Today was the day they checked internally to see if I’m at least getting close to labour and delivery.

Well, the doctor told me that I’m dilated two centimetres and the baby’s head has dropped! To me, this is great news. I didn’t know what to expect going into this appointment as I haven’t had any indication that he’s on his way out. I don’t feel as though my son has dropped. I haven’t felt the relief that I’ve read many women feel. And so far, there has been no loss of mucous plug or “bloody show”. So when I was told I was dilated, I wanted to jump up and down with joy! And maybe I should jump and down to speed up the process? Or, as the doctor suggested, get “cozy” with my husband over the weekend to help kick off labour.

This pregnancy has been a long journey and has, for the most part, been a happy journey. I have had my ups and downs (morning sickness, unsettling MSS test results, and extreme fatigue) but I’ve also grown a lot as a result of it (yes literally and figuratively!). I’m coming out of this experience, not only a new mom, but a woman who has a new understanding and appreciation of her body and herself in general.

One week to go until my official due date. I’m crossing my fingers in hopes that my cervix dilates from two centimetres to 10 centimetres without having to be induced! I guess only time (and perhaps a romantic evening in?) will tell.

July 14, 2010

We Bought Our Son His First Car

It’s true. We purchased a new car for our son. But of course, we’ll be borrowing it for our own use from time to time. My husband and I have survived without a car for just over two years. When our 1993 Mazda Cronos died we decided to get by on public transportation and car rentals. Living in a big city with a subway system made it very easy for us to do this – that is until we purchased our first home last September. Prior to the move, we lived within walking distance to all necessary amenities – the subway, the grocery store and the car rental office. Now, everything we need is a drive or streetcar ride away.

When I first became pregnant, we thought we could still manage without a car once the baby arrived. We thought we could get around just fine on public transit with a baby and a stroller. But then, as the pregnancy progressed, we became more aware of just how difficult this would be. I know many parents rely on public transit and I commend them for this. Unfortunately, not all subway stations come equipped with elevators and getting a stroller and a baby on a streetcar isn’t easy. And call me paranoid, but getting on a cramped train with my newborn sounds like a nightmare. As for renting cars, we never get our cars on time and installing the car seat each into a new car each and every time is simply a hassle.

So, after much thought and deliberation, we decided purchasing a car was a must. Thankfully, we were in the financial position to afford this. Having our own vehicle will keep me from feeling isolated during the day (my husband takes the streetcar into work every day) and will make running errands and attending appointments less of a headache.

I now feel like we have everything we need to welcome our son into the world. But unfortunately, with nothing left to do, I feel as though the road to the finish line is absolutely endless!

July 12, 2010

Why Is It So Difficult to Find a Doctor?

Something that’s been weighing on my mind has been the fact that my unborn son doesn’t have a paediatrician. I know he doesn’t need to see a paediatrician and can see a family doctor but he doesn’t even have that!

I never thought finding a physician for a baby would be a challenge. We live in a developed country, with a respectable health care system, and yet we seem to have a shortage of medical professionals. Perhaps it’s the fact that I live in Toronto, but unless you’re lucky, it’s difficult to find a doctor who is taking on new patients.

So here I am, just days from potentially giving birth and my little one still doesn’t have a doctor. My obstetrician has referred me to some family doctors and paediatricians who she thought may be taking on new patients, but they aren’t. I’ve gone through the directory on the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario website, yet I’m still coming up empty handed. So where do we go from here? Newborns must see a physician 48 hours after they are taken home from the hospital. I suppose until we can secure someone, we’ll be taking our little one to a walk-in clinic. Unfortunately a clinic means seeing someone new at each visit, but I’ll have to take what I can get for now!

July 9, 2010

An Education in Breastfeeding

We attended our last prenatal class last night. I’m happy we attended these classes but wonder if some of the information provided made me more nervous about giving birth. Between the unedited birthing videos and the detailed explanation of what labour really feels like, I may have been better off living in ignorance.

But, aside from the torturous information overload, I actually did come away learning some new techniques that I think will come in handy once our little one arrives. For example, we learned all about breastfeeding last night. Breastfeeding has always been something I ignored and thought I’d just face once the moment arrived. I’ve heard it can hurt and I know many women give up as quickly as they start because of this.

Yes, we did have to watch yet another graphic video but it helped me to understand how to hold the baby, how the baby should be latched to the breast and how often the baby should feed.

Here are some tips I came away with:

Start nursing as soon as possible.
Practice on demand feeding rather than scheduled. This will ensure your milk supply won’t dry up and will keep baby happy and healthy.
Ensure your baby is latching properly. A proper latch means your baby’s mouth is open wide and covering at least one inch of the areola and the lips open rather than pursed.
Position baby towards your body so he doesn’t have to turn his head to feed.
You should breastfeed every two to three hours during the day and every three to four hours at night (but don’t expect this to be according to your own schedule!).
If you are having trouble, don’t hesitate to contact public health and make an appointment with a lactation consultant.

I’m going to give breastfeeding a go but I won’t be hard on myself if I cannot do it. New moms are already stressed, so why add more to the list? That being said, I do hope it works out for at least six months as it is an excellent form of nutrition and has been proven to be good for mom too!

July 7, 2010

Turning 30 and I Couldn’t be Happier

I celebrated my 30th birthday on July 5. A year ago, when I pictured this birthday, I didn’t picture myself waddling around or going to bed early. I certainly didn’t think I’d be toasting the new decade with a glass of lemonade while the rest of my friends sipped on their mojitos, beer and white wine. My thirtieth birthday was definitely different than I had imagined, but I wouldn’t have changed it for anything.

My husband made the day into an all weekend event. He planned an intimate dinner with friends on Saturday, we had family over on Sunday and on Monday he booked me in for a prenatal massage and pedicure at my favourite spa. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start my thirties – to become a mom, to be married to a wonderful man and to be surrounded by amazing friends and family. What more could a girl want, apart from a vacation on a tropical island, a new designer purse and a shopping spree? Honestly though, some things seem so unnecessary to me at the moment. But don’t get me wrong, I’ll still enjoy the things I enjoyed before. After all, I’ll still be the same person, but with a new outlook! I’m looking forward to what lies ahead as I enter this new decade in my life!

July 5, 2010

I Never Thought I Could Eat So Much!

My appetite has been intense lately.

I think I really am eating for two as I can’t seem to go two hours without food! The other day, I woke up at 6:30AM with extreme hunger pains. It was a Saturday and I know my husband was looking forward to sleeping in but I had to get up at this hour and make myself some breakfast. I’m not a morning person so this didn’t make for a great start to my day.

If I don’t eat, I’m hit with nausea and light headedness. I always have to have something on hand when I leave the house, otherwise I risk getting sick in public. I’m not sure if this is considered ‘normal’ for the last leg of the pregnancy but I suppose, because the baby is now full term, my body requires more food to keep him nourished. This is just a guess.

I have just two weeks left until my due date. Hopefully the baby comes on time and my appetite returns to normal. I am a little worried he’ll be expecting as much food on the outside as he’s been receiving on the inside! Good thing I’ve been cutting back on the junk food or else the transition may be a little more difficult!

July 2, 2010

The Hospital Bag is Packed! Now We Just Wait.

I’ve packed my bag for the hospital! Now that I’m full term, the baby can decide to come out at any time, so it’s best to be prepared. Also, I guess part of me is hoping that if the bags are packed, the baby will feel it’s OK to make his debut.

I honestly don’t know if I have everything I’ll need but thankfully the few friends I have with kids helped me make my list. Here are the items I’ve packed so far:

For Me

Pyjamas – rather than wear the hospital gown, I’ve decided to pack my own clothes so I feel more comfortable.
Pads – This is for after the birth. The hospitals don’t provide these (which I personally find strange considering the bleeding will be more from a wound than my menstrual period!).
Underwear – I’ve been told to bring underwear I can throw away after. So I purchased some cheap Fruit of the Looms.
Socks – Not sure if I’ll need them since I expect it’ll be warm out but I hear they come in handy.
Flip Flops – For pacing the halls and for the shower.
Toiletries, brush and make up
Nursing bra
Nursing pads
Lip Balm
Heating and cooling pads – Great tip provided by my sister in law for labour pains.
Pillow – The hospital pillows are often too hard.
Hair bands
Laptop
Camera and video camera
Outfit to wear home

For Baby

Newborn diapers
Baby wipes
Receiving blanket
A hat
Socks
Going home outfit

Additional items such as my cell phone, snacks and the infant car seat still need to be packed. Other than those items we’re ready! I guess all we have to do now is wait!

June 30, 2010

I’m Officially Full Term!

Today, I’m 37 weeks pregnant! I’m officially full term! I’ve reached a milestone that seemed so out of reach nine months ago.

I look back to when we found out I was expecting and remember thinking how far we still had to go. I remember feeling happy and anxious all at once, yet still not grasping the reality that the positive pink line on the pregnancy test actually meant I was growing a tiny human being. Until I meet my little boy, the surreal feeling still very much exists, but I’m also now more prepared than ever to become someone’s mommy.

As we celebrate Canada Day, I’ll also be celebrating the next chapter of my life. I’ll be turning another decade older (30!) and I’ll be giving birth. This month I’ll be cuddling and kissing my little boy. I’ll be laying my eyes on the little person who, even though we have yet to meet, has already stolen my heart. And finally, all of the answers to my questions will be answered – what colour will his hair be? What colour will his eyes be? Who will he resemble most?

I believe this will be the most memorable month of my life. I’ll be embarking on the adventure called parenthood and I can’t wait!

June 28, 2010

What NOT to Ask a Pregnant Woman

The other day, I was asked if I was expecting twins! And by another woman no less! Because I’m expecting just one baby, not two or more, I was taken a little off guard!

As this is my first pregnancy, I didn’t know what to expect in terms of how much weight I’d gain and how I’d feel about myself. Especially since it’s been quite warm, I’ve been swelling up like a balloon and have been a bit on the irritable side. So, when another woman asked me if I was expecting twins, you can imagine the thoughts that formed in my mind – is my stomach really that big? Do I look like I’m eating for three? Should I start preparing for the Guinness Book of World Records biggest baby award now?

Rather than run away and cry, I decided to give this woman the benefit of the doubt. We’ve all put our foot in our mouth at one point in another. To help prevent “foot in mouth” syndrome I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 things you shouldn’t comment about or ask pregnant women:

“Are you expecting twins?”
“You look like you’re about to pop!”
“You’re due WHEN?!?”
“Can I rub your belly?” (Asked by a stranger.)
“You’re going to breastfeed, right?” (Some women can’t or choose not to breastfeed so better not to ask.)
“So and so had complications during labour.” (I worry more than anyone I know. Unless I ask, I don’t need to know this information!)
“Should you really be eating/drinking that?”
“Are you having more babies?” (Can’t I just focus on this baby for now?)
“Was this baby an accident?”

June 25, 2010

Eight Ways to Induce Labour Naturally

Not that I’m looking to induce labour just yet, but out of pure curiosity I did research natural methods to bring it on. There are some interesting suggestions out there!

Here they are:

Acupuncture/Pressure Points - Apparently, if you press on the webbing between the thumb and index finger, contractions will begin. I guess because I didn’t believe this one, I tried it out. Sure enough...no sign of labour!

Spicy Foods - Yes, your favourite curry dish or hot tacos could potentially bring on labour. Take caution however, as I also read that spicy food may contribute to pain during labour. This is because the food releases something called capsasins which counteract with the natural pain killer, endorphins.

Pineapple - If this is true, I should be in labour by now. I love pineapple! Apparently this fruit contains an enzyme that causes mild contractions.

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea - Drinking this is believed to tone the cervix which in turn prepares the body for birth.

Sex - Many of us have heard this before. Semen contains natural prostaglandins which is the hormone required to start labour. When you have sex, your cervix can thin and dilate, bringing you closer to meeting your baby! It doesn’t hurt to try!

Castor Oil - This is another long known method of inducing labour. Because the castor oil is a laxative, the bowel spasms can cause contractions. But it’s important to proceed with caution as it can cause complications.

Long Walks - Walking is said to help with inducing labour because it puts pressure on the cervix which may cause it to dilate.

Talk to Baby - I’ll admit I’ve been doing this a lot. Babies can hear you so why not let them know it’s ok to come out? It sounds silly but it just might work!

I might try a couple of these as my due date draws near but for now I think I’ll allow my baby to do his own thing and hopefully make the decision to come out on his own terms.

June 23, 2010

One Month to Go! (Hopefully)

I now have less than one month until my due date! Oh my how time flies! I saw my doctor yesterday and she is now asking me to come into her office every week until the baby is born. This is yet another indication that the time is officially drawing near!

I’m ready to meet my baby now. I’ve been ready for a while, but as my belly gets heavier, the kicks stronger and my Braxton Hicks contractions become more frequent, I’m more ready now than ever. I couldn’t imagine being overdue but I hear it’s common, especially with first time pregnancies. Because of this, I had to ask my doctor how long she would wait before inducing me. She said I can be induced pretty much any time after my due date, but ideally it would be 10 days after.

My due date is July 22 but, because he kept measuring a week later in the ultrasound exams, we were also given another due date of July 16. I’m crossing my fingers that July 16 is the date so I can have a July baby. My birthday is July 5 so it would be wonderful to share the month with my baby. They say the baby can hear from inside the womb so I keep telling him it’s OK to come out any time after Canada Day! Hopefully he’s taking note.

June 21, 2010

Epidural? Yes Please!

We learned all about epidurals at our prenatal class this week.

Well before getting pregnant I decided that I would get an epidural (and whatever other drugs are offered) when I go into labour. It’s a personal decision and I personally feel that I want to be in as little pain as possible when I give birth to my son.

There are many myths swirling around about epidurals and luckily they were clarified for us by our instructor (a registered nurse who has worked in obstetrics for over 30 years).

You have to wait until you’re at least 4 cm dilated – Not true. If it’s available, you can get it when you feel you need it. On the other side, it’s never too late to get it either, even if you’re 9 cm. Either way though, if you want it, it’s best to ask as soon as you can to ensure the anesthesiologist is available for you.

Labour will be extended – True to a point. Labour may or may not be extended but in reality, a woman who has an epidural and can sleep through her contractions will be better rested when she finally has to push then a woman who has been using her energy to fight the pain.

You can risk long term back pain – Not true. If your back hurts after the baby, it’s most likely the result of hurting your back while pregnant not getting the epidural.

You could become paralysed – It has happened, BUT it’s extremely rare and should not deter a woman from getting it. In fact, we were told that more people are at risk of paralysis from lung surgery than getting epidural.

I will be asking for pain relief in whatever form I can get. Giving birth isn’t a test to see who can take the most pain. It’s about finally meeting your little one and starting life together as a new family. And I can’t wait for that moment!

June 18, 2010

Two Weeks until Full Term. Will I Ever Feel Fully Prepared?

With full term (37 weeks) just two weeks away, I’ve been feeling the anxiety levels rise! To help calm myself down, I’ve been busily preparing for the arrival of my son. I washed my first load of baby clothes last night, stacked the change table with diapers and placed clean sheets on the crib and changing mattresses.

Washing the baby clothes was quite the task. I can’t believe how many clothes our son has already. It’s hard to imagine he’ll ever wear them all but I hear babies need to be changed constantly. I have a feeling doing laundry is about to become my life!

In addition to getting ready for the arrival of baby, I’ve been preparing for the upcoming lack of “me” time by treating myself to some pampering (after all, a pregnant woman needs to treat herself while she can!). I finally went to the dentist for a thorough cleaning and after months of letting my hair go, I booked myself into my hair salon for some much needed highlights and a cut. I didn’t realize how quickly hair can grow while pregnant! I also went out and bought myself some new makeup. It’s funny how small indulgences can really change the way you feel!

I still have a lot to do, including packing the bag for the hospital. Will I get everything done before my son arrives? I’m sure everything will fall into place in the end but the end could come tomorrow (who knows!) so I’m crossing my fingers.

June 16, 2010

Forgoing the 3D, 4D Ultrasound Trend – Will We Regret It?

I’m almost at the end of my pregnancy (a mix of yippee and OMG!), and we have yet to sign up for a 3D, 4D ultrasound. Getting this done is such a popular trend among new parents. It’s something my husband and I were set on getting done. After all, how cool would it be to see our little one in 3D before we get to hold him?

But as time went on, we started weighing the pros and cons of getting this done and ultimately decided against it.

First of all, we feel we can spend the money on other things right now. The going rate is quite pricey - between $150-200 and includes a DVD and a couple of photos. Getting the right shot depends on how cooperative the baby is being that day. Considering our little one has been lying on his stomach during every ultrasound we’ve had, I hardly think it’s worth it to pay to see yet another picture of his backend!

We’ll also be meeting the real person in just a few short weeks, at which point the DVD and photos will be stashed away somewhere to collect dust. I also thought of the fact that what I do for one child I must do for the next. What if the next time we really couldn’t afford it? Who knows what the future holds?

So, we’ve decided to just forgo the 3D and instead cherish the regular black and white 2D photos currently posted to our fridge. Parents I know who have done the 3D, 4D ultrasound say they haven’t regretted it. I think it’s something that would be interesting to have done but we just felt like it wasn’t for us at this time. Hopefully we don’t regret it!

June 14, 2010

Our Family’s Already Showered with Love

If this pregnancy has taught me anything, it’s that I’m definitely surrounded by amazing and generous people. I was guest of honour at another shower thrown by a good friend of mine. All of my close friends attended as well as the two grandmas. It was really nice to have everyone together and of course the gifts were so much appreciated. Our baby boy is sure going to be set when he enters this world!

In addition to this past shower, I was thrown a shower by co-workers a couple of weeks ago. It was so unexpected and such a nice surprise. I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I have one more shower to go! I’m just wowed by, not only everyone’s generosity, but the work that has gone into planning these events.

I’ve admitted a few times that I’m terrified about having a baby. This is going to change my and my husband’s life forever. I know our lives are about to change in a good way, but I still can’t help but feel overwhelmed by it all. Thankfully, the people in our lives are making this big adjustment much easier with all of their well wishes.

Hopefully my gushing isn’t coming across as too cheesy!

June 11, 2010

Prenatal Class #2 – Labour 101

We attended our second of six prenatal classes last night. We were yet again “treated” to an unedited birth video. Apparently someone was asking at the first class what the difference between a Doula and a Midwife is so our instructor wanted to show us (couldn’t she have just explained?).

A doula is really just a birthing coach and can be anyone – your sister, mother or friend. They aren’t certified like midwives. I personally think they’re a waste of money, especially from what I saw in the video last night. I suppose it would be good if you had no one else to coach you, but if you already have a partner or husband, why include a stranger in such an intimate moment?

In addition to the video, we learned the signs of true labour and when to go to the hospital. It was useful information to know so I’m not on edge around the due date!

Here’s a breakdown of the signs and symptoms of labour:

Lightening – when the baby drops down into the pelvis. Can happen up to three weeks before labour.
Loss of mucous plug – in order to prevent infection, a plug of mucous forms in the cervix (sorry, too much information guys?). When the cervix begins to thin out, the plug breaks loose and comes out.
Loose stools – many women feel cramping in the lower abdomen on top of this.
Rupture of membranes A.K.A. water breaks – many women won’t experience the water breaking until they’re already in the hospital. But if the water does break first, the contractions are sure to come on strong within 24 hours.

Regular contractions that come every five minutes or less. The contractions don’t go away and get longer and stronger and closer together as time goes on.

So when do you go to the hospital? When you have the strong regular contractions or if your water breaks.

The average labour is 12-14 hours so lots of time to make my way to the delivery room (hopefully). Good to know so I won’t be running out the door at the first sign of my first contraction!

June 9, 2010

Can a Life Long Messy Mom-to-Be Really Reform?

I’ve been looking around my house and have been consumed with anxiety lately. There are just two of us living here and we can’t seem to keep it tidy. The kitchen sink always seems to be filled with dirty dishes (even though we have a dishwasher), the floors always look like they could use a good sweep and scrub, our clothes always manage to end up on the bedroom floor and there seems to be no end to laundry. What’s going to happen when we add another person to the mix?

I dread to think of the mountain of laundry that will be waiting for me in just over a month (I hear babies need changing at least four times a day!). I dread what the sink will look like, especially when our son starts eating solid foods and I wonder how we’ll make room for our son’s bassinet among the sea of clothes in our bedroom (where he’ll be staying for the first little bit).

Sure I went through an early nesting period, but that came to an end long ago. I’ve never been a neat freak and so my true self was bound to re-emerge. I wish I had the urge to clean on an ongoing basis. I know I shouldn’t put so much pressure on myself; after all going from two to three is going to take some getting used to. It’s just so hard not to feel a little overwhelmed when the due date is just around the corner! I wonder if I can ask my prenatal class instructor to add easy organizing and cleaning techniques to the schedule.

June 7, 2010

First Prenatal Class Offered A Lot More Than Expected!

We attended our first prenatal class this past week. For two hours, fifteen couples discussed how it feels to be pregnant, how we feel our lives will change once the baby arrives and what we look forward to learning in our upcoming classes. The class contained a mix of soon-to-be parents due in July to couples due mid September. It was interesting to see the different stages of pregnancy we were all in.

Getting to know one another was expected in the first class. What wasn’t expected was the video our instructor had us watch. I’ve been warned about these unedited birth videos, but I certainly wasn’t prepared for it so soon! This particular video was about a woman who elected to go through a natural birth. Meaning, she decided against the typical pain killers, such as an epidural. I tend to be the type of person who would rather not know what it’s “really like”. But, just like a train wreck, I had to watch what was going on. I could see by my husband’s face that he felt the same way!

I’ve decided an epidural is definitely for me. I’ve also decided that I’m happy we signed up for these classes. I’m looking forward to getting to know the other couples as we learn about parenthood and plan for labour together.

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