From Dad Labs:
Showing posts with label First Pregnancy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label First Pregnancy. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Baby Tips
Tips from friends with children:
"Baby nightgowns (yes, even if it is a boy!) you get up every two hours at night to change your baby's diaper and see how long you'll like snapping all those tiny little snaps down the pj legs when you are all droggy and sleep deprived. those nightgown things are heaven sent! Most even have little flaps to put over baby's hands so they don't gouge themselves with their own sharp fingernails."
"On a similar note as above . . . If you do go for pj's (sleepers) get a few with a zipper up the whole front rather than a billion snaps. Same rational as for the nightgown. A few snaps . . . fine, but every night 20 snaps, 5 times a night, no thank you!"
- a friend and a mother
"Baby nightgowns (yes, even if it is a boy!) you get up every two hours at night to change your baby's diaper and see how long you'll like snapping all those tiny little snaps down the pj legs when you are all droggy and sleep deprived. those nightgown things are heaven sent! Most even have little flaps to put over baby's hands so they don't gouge themselves with their own sharp fingernails."
"On a similar note as above . . . If you do go for pj's (sleepers) get a few with a zipper up the whole front rather than a billion snaps. Same rational as for the nightgown. A few snaps . . . fine, but every night 20 snaps, 5 times a night, no thank you!"
- a friend and a mother
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Baby Tips
Tips from friends with children:
"Go to the silly birthing and breastfeeding classes. You won't walk out totally enlightened but it is decent info to file away and they give you a bunch of handouts. I would recommend filing the handouts because they are great to refer back to when you are actually in the midst of caring for your baby. It's also nice to meet and chat with other parents who are experiencing the same things."
- a friend and a mother
"Go to the silly birthing and breastfeeding classes. You won't walk out totally enlightened but it is decent info to file away and they give you a bunch of handouts. I would recommend filing the handouts because they are great to refer back to when you are actually in the midst of caring for your baby. It's also nice to meet and chat with other parents who are experiencing the same things."
- a friend and a mother
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Baby Tips
Tips from friends with children:
"You'll need a car seat to bring the little one home. We tested a bunch out at Babies R' Us then bought ours at EliteCarSeats.com for a hugh discount . . ."
- a friend and a father
"You'll need a car seat to bring the little one home. We tested a bunch out at Babies R' Us then bought ours at EliteCarSeats.com for a hugh discount . . ."
- a friend and a father
Friday, May 16, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Baby Tips
From AmericanBaby.com
"The best new-mom advice I received was to sleep when your baby sleeps. Despite having laundry, vacuuming, or grocery shopping on my to-do list, taking a nap truly rejuvenates both my mind and body - even if it for a brief half hour."
"The best new-mom advice I received was to sleep when your baby sleeps. Despite having laundry, vacuuming, or grocery shopping on my to-do list, taking a nap truly rejuvenates both my mind and body - even if it for a brief half hour."
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Annabelle
From What to Expect:
At nine inches and more than a pound and a half in weight, your baby is taller than two juice boxes stacked one on top of the other, and almost as heavy as four of those little boxes (an analogy you'll find particularly apropos in a few years, when those juice boxes start taking over your refrigerator, your pantry, your car..).
Don't look now (as if you could), but your baby's skin is turning pinker. No, not because he or she's getting overheated (in fact, the amniotic fluid is perfectly climate controlled, keeping your baby at an always comfortable temperature), but because small blood vessels, called capillaries, are forming under the skin and filling with blood. Later this week, blood vessels will also develop in your baby's lungs, bringing them one step closer to full maturity - and one step closer to taking that first breath of fresh air. But those lungs are still very much works in progress. Though they are already beginning to develop surfactant, a substance that will help the lungs expand after the baby is born, the lungs are still too undeveloped to sufficiently send oxygen to the bloodstream and release carbon dioxide when he or she exhales.
The lungs aren't the only system that's gearing up for air intake. Your baby's nostrils, which have been plugged up until now, are starting to open this week. This actually allows your little one to begin taking practice breaths. (Of course since there's no air in there, your baby is really only "breathing" amniotic fluid, but it's the practice that counts, right?)
At nine inches and more than a pound and a half in weight, your baby is taller than two juice boxes stacked one on top of the other, and almost as heavy as four of those little boxes (an analogy you'll find particularly apropos in a few years, when those juice boxes start taking over your refrigerator, your pantry, your car..).
Don't look now (as if you could), but your baby's skin is turning pinker. No, not because he or she's getting overheated (in fact, the amniotic fluid is perfectly climate controlled, keeping your baby at an always comfortable temperature), but because small blood vessels, called capillaries, are forming under the skin and filling with blood. Later this week, blood vessels will also develop in your baby's lungs, bringing them one step closer to full maturity - and one step closer to taking that first breath of fresh air. But those lungs are still very much works in progress. Though they are already beginning to develop surfactant, a substance that will help the lungs expand after the baby is born, the lungs are still too undeveloped to sufficiently send oxygen to the bloodstream and release carbon dioxide when he or she exhales.
The lungs aren't the only system that's gearing up for air intake. Your baby's nostrils, which have been plugged up until now, are starting to open this week. This actually allows your little one to begin taking practice breaths. (Of course since there's no air in there, your baby is really only "breathing" amniotic fluid, but it's the practice that counts, right?)
Monday, May 12, 2008
Stork Radio
A couple of weeks back, the wife woke me in the middle of the night in a panic.
"I can't feel the baby move" she said.
We still had two days until our next ultrasound appointment.
I posted a request that people pray for movement and less than 24 hours later - BAM! - unmistakable movement. And Annabelle hasn't stopped moving sense.
At that time a friend of a friend forwarded a link to Stork Radio which I seriously considered. It is a sort of microphone that you can hold to your belly and hear the baby move. You can rent them or buy them.
I talked with the wife about it and we decided against it. We were afraid that we would forget to flip a certain switch and then when we couldn't hear the baby we would FLIP OUT.
Just for kicks, I asked the doctor about it at our next appointment and he was against them. As he explained, when you get an ultrasound, the machine shoots the wavelengths at the baby only 1% of the time - cycling on and off.
The Doppler radios shoot the wavelengths 100% of the time.The doc admitted that there was no evidence that the wavelengths harmed the baby but he felt it was better to be safe than sorry.
Of course, we had already decided against it for fear of our own ineptitude.
I just thought I would mention it because it seems like a pretty cool gadget - if you are pregnant you may want to check it out or consult with your Dr.
"I can't feel the baby move" she said.
We still had two days until our next ultrasound appointment.
I posted a request that people pray for movement and less than 24 hours later - BAM! - unmistakable movement. And Annabelle hasn't stopped moving sense.
At that time a friend of a friend forwarded a link to Stork Radio which I seriously considered. It is a sort of microphone that you can hold to your belly and hear the baby move. You can rent them or buy them.
I talked with the wife about it and we decided against it. We were afraid that we would forget to flip a certain switch and then when we couldn't hear the baby we would FLIP OUT.
Just for kicks, I asked the doctor about it at our next appointment and he was against them. As he explained, when you get an ultrasound, the machine shoots the wavelengths at the baby only 1% of the time - cycling on and off.
The Doppler radios shoot the wavelengths 100% of the time.The doc admitted that there was no evidence that the wavelengths harmed the baby but he felt it was better to be safe than sorry.
Of course, we had already decided against it for fear of our own ineptitude.
I just thought I would mention it because it seems like a pretty cool gadget - if you are pregnant you may want to check it out or consult with your Dr.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Annabelle
From What to Expect:
Your baby weighs more than a pound and a half right now and sports a crown-to-rump length of about eight and a half inches (standard letter size!).
Wondering what (and who) your baby will look like? If you had a baby cam, you'd almost be able to tell by now. That beautiful face (though still tiny) is almost fully formed. What's still missing from the picture is the fat that will be piled on under baby's skin. Until those fat deposits are made, that very tender skin is still very transparent, which means a close look would let you see clear through to all the organs, bones, and blood vessels. Fortunately, that see-through look won't last much longer. Babies at this point are gaining about six ounces each week - with much of that gain coming from fat, in addition to growing organs, bones, and muscle.
What's been playing on your little rocker's stereo system these days? All kinds of sounds: from air exhaling from your lungs (deep breath now), those gastric gurgles produced by your stomach and intestines, your voice and your partner's (which your baby will be able to recognize at birth), and even very loud sounds such as honking horns, barking dogs, or a wailing fire truck.
Your baby weighs more than a pound and a half right now and sports a crown-to-rump length of about eight and a half inches (standard letter size!).
Wondering what (and who) your baby will look like? If you had a baby cam, you'd almost be able to tell by now. That beautiful face (though still tiny) is almost fully formed. What's still missing from the picture is the fat that will be piled on under baby's skin. Until those fat deposits are made, that very tender skin is still very transparent, which means a close look would let you see clear through to all the organs, bones, and blood vessels. Fortunately, that see-through look won't last much longer. Babies at this point are gaining about six ounces each week - with much of that gain coming from fat, in addition to growing organs, bones, and muscle.
What's been playing on your little rocker's stereo system these days? All kinds of sounds: from air exhaling from your lungs (deep breath now), those gastric gurgles produced by your stomach and intestines, your voice and your partner's (which your baby will be able to recognize at birth), and even very loud sounds such as honking horns, barking dogs, or a wailing fire truck.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Is It Safe?
I came across this on BabyCenter.com.
It is a list of the top 100 pregnancy / safety questions they have received.
I have been surprised that there are still such divergent opinions on what you should or should not do/eat during pregnancy.
For what it's worth, this looks like a pretty good source of info.
It is a list of the top 100 pregnancy / safety questions they have received.
I have been surprised that there are still such divergent opinions on what you should or should not do/eat during pregnancy.
For what it's worth, this looks like a pretty good source of info.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Annabelle
From What to Expect:
At eight inches and slightly over a pound, your baby is the size and shape of a small doll. (But then, you already knew that you were carrying a living doll, didn't you?) This week marks the beginning of some serious weight gain. Your baby's weight in the next four weeks alone should double (and you may feel as though yours is too).
You have probably heard your baby's heartbeat through a Doppler a number of times already (though you never get tired of hearing it), but by now you can also hear it through a standard stethoscope. What a heart throb!
Your baby's skin is reddish in color now because of the developing blood vessels underneath (remember, the skin is very thin still). It also hangs loosely from his or her little body at this point. That's because the skin grows faster than the fat develops. But don't worry. By the time your baby is born, he or she will be pleasantly plump and filled out - from chubby cheeks to chubby toes.
At eight inches and slightly over a pound, your baby is the size and shape of a small doll. (But then, you already knew that you were carrying a living doll, didn't you?) This week marks the beginning of some serious weight gain. Your baby's weight in the next four weeks alone should double (and you may feel as though yours is too).
You have probably heard your baby's heartbeat through a Doppler a number of times already (though you never get tired of hearing it), but by now you can also hear it through a standard stethoscope. What a heart throb!
Your baby's skin is reddish in color now because of the developing blood vessels underneath (remember, the skin is very thin still). It also hangs loosely from his or her little body at this point. That's because the skin grows faster than the fat develops. But don't worry. By the time your baby is born, he or she will be pleasantly plump and filled out - from chubby cheeks to chubby toes.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Annabelle
From What to Expect:
At about seven inches in length and almost 11 ounces in weight, your baby is about the size of a large banana.
By now, your baby swallows at least several ounces of amniotic fluid each day - not only for hydration and nutrition, but also to practice swallowing and digesting - skills your baby will need as soon as he or she arrives in your arms. And keep this in mind: The taste of the amniotic fluid differs from day to day depending on what you've eaten (spicy enchilada one day, sweet carrots another). And that smorgasbord of tastes won't be lost on your baby. That's because your little one has very developed taste buds already. In fact, researchers have noted that babies who were exposed to certain tastes in utero via the amniotic fluid were more eager to eat foods with that same taste after birth. Want your baby to eat his or her broccoli later? Eat yours now!
Your baby still has a great deal of room in your womb - though like anyone who lives in one space for a long time, this tenant will soon begin to feel cramped. Until those uterine walls start closing in, however, there's plenty of space for twisting, turning, and even an occasional somersault (so that's what you were feeling last night!).
With all that belly dancing going on, it's hard to believe your baby gets any sleep at all. But believe it or not, your fetus sleeps as much as a newborn, perhaps 12 to 14 hours per day! (Now if only you could get some sleep!)
At about seven inches in length and almost 11 ounces in weight, your baby is about the size of a large banana.
By now, your baby swallows at least several ounces of amniotic fluid each day - not only for hydration and nutrition, but also to practice swallowing and digesting - skills your baby will need as soon as he or she arrives in your arms. And keep this in mind: The taste of the amniotic fluid differs from day to day depending on what you've eaten (spicy enchilada one day, sweet carrots another). And that smorgasbord of tastes won't be lost on your baby. That's because your little one has very developed taste buds already. In fact, researchers have noted that babies who were exposed to certain tastes in utero via the amniotic fluid were more eager to eat foods with that same taste after birth. Want your baby to eat his or her broccoli later? Eat yours now!
Your baby still has a great deal of room in your womb - though like anyone who lives in one space for a long time, this tenant will soon begin to feel cramped. Until those uterine walls start closing in, however, there's plenty of space for twisting, turning, and even an occasional somersault (so that's what you were feeling last night!).
With all that belly dancing going on, it's hard to believe your baby gets any sleep at all. But believe it or not, your fetus sleeps as much as a newborn, perhaps 12 to 14 hours per day! (Now if only you could get some sleep!)
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Annabelle
From What to Expect:
Six inches long this week and about eight ounces in weight, your baby is the size of a large mango.
Your little action figure is able to choreograph Matrix-like moves by now. Arms and legs are finally in proportion, neurons are now connected between the brain and muscles, and cartilage throughout the body is turning to bone. All these upgrades combine to give your baby more control over limb movements. Which explains all that kicking, stretching, and bodysurfing (or rather bellysurfing) you've possibly started feeling by now.
Something else going on this week: Your baby is getting a cheesy varnish. Say what? Yup - a protective substance called vernix caseosa (vernix is the Latin word for varnish; caseosa is cheese) now covers your baby's skin. It's greasy and white and is made up of lanugo (that downy hair), oil from your baby's glands, and dead skin cells. This waxy "cheese" may not sound too appetizing or attractive, but it's there for good reason: Vernix protects your baby's sensitive skin from the surrounding amniotic fluid. Without it, your baby would look very wrinkled at birth (sort of what you'd look like if you soaked in a bath for nine months). Some babies - especially those born early - will still be covered with vernix at the delivery, so you might get a look at your baby's first anti-wrinkle cream.
Six inches long this week and about eight ounces in weight, your baby is the size of a large mango.
Your little action figure is able to choreograph Matrix-like moves by now. Arms and legs are finally in proportion, neurons are now connected between the brain and muscles, and cartilage throughout the body is turning to bone. All these upgrades combine to give your baby more control over limb movements. Which explains all that kicking, stretching, and bodysurfing (or rather bellysurfing) you've possibly started feeling by now.
Something else going on this week: Your baby is getting a cheesy varnish. Say what? Yup - a protective substance called vernix caseosa (vernix is the Latin word for varnish; caseosa is cheese) now covers your baby's skin. It's greasy and white and is made up of lanugo (that downy hair), oil from your baby's glands, and dead skin cells. This waxy "cheese" may not sound too appetizing or attractive, but it's there for good reason: Vernix protects your baby's sensitive skin from the surrounding amniotic fluid. Without it, your baby would look very wrinkled at birth (sort of what you'd look like if you soaked in a bath for nine months). Some babies - especially those born early - will still be covered with vernix at the delivery, so you might get a look at your baby's first anti-wrinkle cream.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Baby Tips - Names
Advice from friends with children:
- a friend and a father
Make sure to use your veto power when names are coming out . . . it is your job to make sure that you don't have a child that is named during some psychotic hormonal mood swing. Advice: suggest a couple of crazy names that she would have to veto . . . that way you have a couple of vetoes up your sleeve. (I was so disheartened when [my wife] hated my suggestion of Ugolino . . .)
- a friend and a father
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Baby Tips - Misc
Tips from friends with children:
- Get lots of sleep now
- Pack your freezer with frozen meals and easy fix meals
- Go on lots of dates now and take any big trip you've been wanting to take before the baby comes
- Don't leave things to do in the last few months b/c you may be really tired and not feel like doing anything but having the baby come out . . .:-)
- Enjoy pregnancy, write down your thoughts and feelings
- Sing to your baby . . . [my daughter] still responds differently (calms her down) to songs I sung to her while in the womb
- a friend and a mother
- Get lots of sleep now
- Pack your freezer with frozen meals and easy fix meals
- Go on lots of dates now and take any big trip you've been wanting to take before the baby comes
- Don't leave things to do in the last few months b/c you may be really tired and not feel like doing anything but having the baby come out . . .:-)
- Enjoy pregnancy, write down your thoughts and feelings
- Sing to your baby . . . [my daughter] still responds differently (calms her down) to songs I sung to her while in the womb
- a friend and a mother
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The Critter
From What to Expect:
This week your baby is hitting the height chart at five and a half inches long (remember, that's crown to rump) and weighs about five ounces (the weight of that boneless chicken breast you're making for dinner).
And now for the skill of the week (drum roll please.): The art of the yawn has been mastered by your baby (someone's sleepy!). In fact, you might catch a glimpse of that adorable yawn if you're getting an ultrasound this month. You'll also catch a glimpse of all the movement your baby's doing - twists, rolls, kicks, and punches. And would you believe your baby is finally big enough for you to start feeling those movements now (or anytime in the next few weeks). So get ready!
Something you won't see on the ultrasound, but you'll know is in working order, is your baby's nervous system, which is maturing rapidly at this time. Nerves, now covered with a substance called myelin (which speeds messages from nerve cell to nerve cell), are forming more complex connections. And those in the brain are further specializing into the ones that serve the senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. Talking about hearing, your baby's is growing more acute, making your little one more conscious of sounds that come from inside your body (which means you could both be listening to each other hiccup - a skill that your baby has by now).
This week your baby is hitting the height chart at five and a half inches long (remember, that's crown to rump) and weighs about five ounces (the weight of that boneless chicken breast you're making for dinner).
And now for the skill of the week (drum roll please.): The art of the yawn has been mastered by your baby (someone's sleepy!). In fact, you might catch a glimpse of that adorable yawn if you're getting an ultrasound this month. You'll also catch a glimpse of all the movement your baby's doing - twists, rolls, kicks, and punches. And would you believe your baby is finally big enough for you to start feeling those movements now (or anytime in the next few weeks). So get ready!
Something you won't see on the ultrasound, but you'll know is in working order, is your baby's nervous system, which is maturing rapidly at this time. Nerves, now covered with a substance called myelin (which speeds messages from nerve cell to nerve cell), are forming more complex connections. And those in the brain are further specializing into the ones that serve the senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. Talking about hearing, your baby's is growing more acute, making your little one more conscious of sounds that come from inside your body (which means you could both be listening to each other hiccup - a skill that your baby has by now).
Monday, March 24, 2008
Baby Tips
Tips from friends with children:
"The first five months are all about baby and booby, so don't get in an attention tiff - remember, if your lady goes NUTS for a while, it won't last."
- a friend and a father
"The first five months are all about baby and booby, so don't get in an attention tiff - remember, if your lady goes NUTS for a while, it won't last."
- a friend and a father
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