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For Nausea You Can Try This:

Eat a small amount of protein and carb, such a cheese or P-nut butter crackers, every 2 hours from the time you wake, till bedtime.

Try vitamin B6, 25mg in the morning and evening (every 12hrs)

Sip Pregnancy Tea or Raspberry Leaf Tea

Try peppermints or ginger lozenges

Non-Prescription Meds That Are Safe AFTER 14WKS
(if you are NOT allergic)

Acetaminophen (Tylenol regular strength): For minor aches and pains, low fever, and headache.

Pseudophedrine (Sudafed): For colds and sinus congestion.

Guaifenesin (plain Robitussin): For minor coughs.

Liquid Antacids or Chewable Tablets (Maalox or Tums): For heartburn.

Stool Softeners (Surfak or Colace): For constipation.

Preparation H Cream: For hemorrhoids.

Danger Signs To Contact Your OB/ Midwife About:

Severe Pain (head, chest, abdomen, back, or legs)

Bleeding From Vagina (even a little) prior to 37wks, unless you have had a pelvic exam within last 24hrs

Fever (101.0 or higher) and/ or chills

Persistent vomiting or diarrhea (lasting longer than 6 hours)

Swelling accompanied by sudden weight gain

Vision Changes (blind spots, bright flashing lights)

Bag of waters breaks

Decrease in baby's movements after you've been feeling baby move every day (usually after 20wks)

Contractions 10 or less minutes apart for over an hour before the 37wk

POSTPARTUM MUST HAVES!!

1.) A Peri Bottle-used to squirt warm water on vag area. Helps during urination to ease burning and great for post partum cleaning of perineum/ rectum, post potty.

2.)Large tucks pads or simply witch hazel and gauze pads. Placed against bottom or stitches and left in place for approx 1-2 hours.

3.) Americaine Topical Anesthetic Spray, you spray it directly onto stitches or rhoids for temporary numbing pain relief. The hospital may also provide a similar product or a foam product. The foam also works great when applied directly to the tucks wipe and left in place.

4.) Sanitary Pad Cold Pad, this is like a giant maxi that you squeeze and it turns into an ice pack. These help tremendously!!! I would wear a back up pad though for protection. You can get these from www.birthsupplies.com or google them for the best price!

5.) Always Ultra Thin Overnight With Wings Maxi Pad or StayFree Ultra Thin Overnight With Wings. I prefer the Stayfree's because they have a softer top which doesn't stick to your skin. These are great for day or night and THEY WORK!!! you could plug the Hoover Dam if need be :o)

6.) A big pack of 100% Cotton Granny Panties! Put away Vicky's Secret till the bleeding stops! Use these others, that way if you do get a bleed through which WILL HAPPEN it won't be the end of the world or your favorite $20 panties! I always buy white so I can bleach them to death.

7.)Tylenol or Ibuprofen/ Advil. Need I say more?

8.) 2 Well fitting Sports Bras, these are great for when you become engorged after birth. Wether you BF or not, it is gonna happen and you will not be wanting to wear a heavily constricting bra 100% of the time. I highly recommend wearing these to bed also! They are great for holding nursing pads/ cabbage leaves in place and allowing easy night time feedings too, if you go that route.

Well there you have it. I hope this helps some of you new and experienced mommas out there! Hugs and Belly Rubs 2 all!

Here Is A Great Illustration On How To Swaddle A Baby.

Thought maybe it would help some of the new mommas. A lot of babies are very comforted by being tightly swaddled! I suggest bringing the babies arms together with elbows bent so that the hands are up near the mouth. That way they can still nibble little fingers for greater comfort. You can also put the legs together with knees bent for a fetal like position. this is great for preemies and babies with low muscle tone, such as with Downs Syndrome.

I have been asked a lot about my preferences between Natural and Medicated (epi) childbirth experiences. So here is a copy of my first response to another expectant momma. I also want to add:

This is only my opinion and everyone's experiences are different!

Well I have actually enjoyed aspects of both, natural and with the epidural. I think a lot depends on your personality and what you want out of your labor and delivery. Honestly both are painful. The epidural does cause discomfort when it is first administered. It is an injection into your spinal area after all. However it is temporary and once the catheter has been placed in your back, you will slowly begin to feel warm and numb from the waist down. There have been occurences when the catheter needs to be repositioned, or you may suffer side effects after labor and delivery. Such as severe headache and a couple more. Your OB and anethesiologist can go over these things with you.

As for natural child birth. It is an intense process which does envolve pain, pretty much for the duration of active and transitional labor, but only during contractions. However for me it was a rewarding experience and gave me a great sense of accomplishment. If this is the plan you chose, then I would get as much info as you can on the different techniques used to manage your labor. For myself I viewed it as what nature intended. So if my body said breathe, or grunt or push or whatever, then that's what I did. However I will say this about natural method. If you do not have an excellent support team there for you, to talk you through contractions, rub your back, etc. then I do not advocate it. I hope this helps! Anything else feel free to ask :o) Kelly.

AND WE ARE EXPECTING!

COME ON APRIL!

The Family
Kelly (mom), Shannon (dad), Mikaela (sister), Terron (little brother), Arther (baby brother)