Pregnancy tips

[Manna]

I have many women around me that are pregnant for the first time. Since I am closely involved with them, I was wondering if any of you here could give me pregnancy tips that I could pass along to them....? Anything would be helpful! =)

 

[Tami]

Walk. Walk. Walk. I walked a lot in my first pregancy and my birth was a lot better than what people told me I was gonna have. I just love those horror stories people tell you when you're about to have your first baby. My first labor was only 5 hours from start to finish and only 20 minutes of pushing. My second was better at 3 hours and 45 minutes with 5 minutes of pushing. My third one was a whopping 45 minutes with maybe 5 minutes of pushing, but with the third one, I had actually gone in to be induced but the nurse accidentally broke my water but that's a long story. At this rate, I'm gonna deliver on my doorstep on my way to the hospital if I have another one. I've also heard that red raspberry leaf tea tones the uterus and makes contractions more productive resulting in an easier birth. I never drank it faithfully enough in my pregnancies to know if it really helps a lot. But then again, considering my track record, I probably don't need anything to help make my contractions more productive. They seem to be productive enough. I think the tea tastes good but I never could remember to drink it. I think they call it pregnancy brain.

Also, for morning sickness, keep some crackers by the bed so you can eat them before you even get outta bed in the morning. It really helped me. If you get sick a lot in the morning, take your prenatal vitamins at night before you go to bed. That way you're not just throwing them up and they will actually do you some good.

It would be good to get your friends the book, What to Expect When You're Expecting, if you can, or tell them the name of it so they can get it for themselves. I've seen it at Wal-Mart.

Tami

 

[Evening Mist]

If your pg. is low risk, then consider interviewing a midwife instead of an OB! Put time and effort into planning your delivery because it is important. Choose what you want in the end, but know your options up front. Don't worry about being a good patient -- instead think about being a wise consumer. Take a childbirth class that is not associated with the hospital -- such as a bradley class or a class through a free standing birth center. You will learn more this way, as hospital run childbirth classes are often little more than an orientation to hospital policy. Also, read up on breastfeeding or take a breastfeeding class. Yes, it is a natural thing to do, but that doesn't mean that it always feels natural. Successful breastfeeding depends on information and support.

 

[HeatherJay]

Epidurals ROCK! That's all I can say...I'm a huge baby.

Love, Heather

 

[Manna]

Ha....those are all great, thank you! Keep 'em coming!

 

[kingzjewel]

a doctor who agrees with and does everything inher power to preserve and follow your birth plan!!! make sure you always always take your vitamin. never never miss a doc appt. take a tour of the hospital it will help your sig other a great deal. for labor and delivery do not forget your own deodorant your own soap your own nightgown and ponytail holders. i agree about breastfeeding. and dont forget to get nursing bras now so you can get used to them. didnt know i had so much to say. if i think of anything else i will not hesitate to post

 

[Tami]

Here's another one. DON'T be induced for convenience sake. I had to be induced with my third because my blood pressure was rising and the doctor believed that if I waited until my due date, he'd be over ten pounds making it harder to deliver naturally, increasing the liklihood of a c-section. My cervix wasn't ripe enough so they had to ripen it for me artificially with something called Cervigel or Cervidil or something like that. I can't remember the exact name of it. Anyway, IT HURTS REALLY BAD for them to ripen your cervix for you. I don't recommend it unless you HAVE to have it done. I was induced for my second child also but they didn't have to ripen my cervix for me but I still regret being induced that time because it wasn't necessary. I only did it because I just wanted to get it over with. I was only 4 days past my due date so I could have waited and I wished I did because the man-made contractions they give you are A LOT worse than the ones God gives you.

Tami

 

[GirlForChrist]

stay calm and consentrate during labor

 

[momof3blessings]

Here's another one. DON'T be induced for convenience sake. I had to be induced with my third because my blood pressure was rising and the doctor believed that if I waited until my due date, he'd be over ten pounds making it harder to deliver naturally, increasing the liklihood of a c-section. My cervix wasn't ripe enough so they had to ripen it for me artificially with something called Cervigel or Cervidil or something like that. I can't remember the exact name of it. Anyway, IT HURTS REALLY BAD for them to ripen your cervix for you. I don't recommend it unless you HAVE to have it done. I was induced for my second child also but they didn't have to ripen my cervix for me but I still regret being induced that time because it wasn't necessary. I only did it because I just wanted to get it over with. I was only 4 days past my due date so I could have waited and I wished I did because the man-made contractions they give you are A LOT worse than the ones God gives you.

Tami

I have to disagree I was induced with 2 of my children one hurt really bad and one didnt' hurt much at all(the pain was tolerable).
I had my son with out induction a couple years ago and it hurt just like my first one. There's no real way to say how much it's going to hurt but what can be said once it's over the pain is over and when you look at that baby you realize it's all worth it.
Bananas are great for potassium. Also don't be offended it they don't want advice people can be real fickle about stuff like that.

 

[HeatherJay]

Here's another one that sounds pretty silly, but...stick your tongue WAY out when you brush your teeth (you know brushing the back teeth and your tongue). When I was pregnant, I would gag myself every single time I tried to brush my teethand that little tip helped me SO MUCH. Apparently, while pregnant, your gag reflex is heightened...isn't it great to be a girl??? Is it just me that had this little problem?

Love, Heather

 

[Tami]

Here's another one that sounds pretty silly, but...stick your tongue WAY out when you brush your teeth (you know brushing the back teeth and your tongue). When I was pregnant, I would gag myself every single time I tried to brush my teethand that little tip helped me SO MUCH. Apparently, while pregnant, your gag reflex is heightened...isn't it great to be a girl??? Is it just me that had this little problem?

Love, Heather

I didn't have that problem but that's just me.

 

[kingzjewel]

Here's another one that sounds pretty silly, but...stick your tongue WAY out when you brush your teeth (you know brushing the back teeth and your tongue). When I was pregnant, I would gag myself every single time I tried to brush my teethand that little tip helped me SO MUCH. Apparently, while pregnant, your gag reflex is heightened...isn't it great to be a girl??? Is it just me that had this little problem?

Love, Heather

I had that problem too !

 

[ChristianMommy]

Mint tea really helps with morning sickness. When I was pregnant with my dd I was so sick until a friend suggested mint tea. It calms your stomach down almost immediately.