Pregnancy

[valancy]

A happier post. I've now read about seven pregnancy books and pulled together a list of to-do items combed from all of them. Seriously, this is handy.

Everything from "what to do when you're thinking of having a baby" to "you need this" to "here are legal obligations you should address."

Comments

[mabfan]

We wish we had known about Mylicon in advance...

In our experience, we were able to apply for social security numbers for the babies from the hospital, right after they were born.

[valancy]

Oh! Good to know.
Yeah, I'm research mania woman. Trying to be prepared!

[minim_calibre]

The Purely Yours has gone downhill. It is sadly no longer a pump I could endorse for anyone. (The first one I had was a machine! I was the third mother on it. It started to finally go, so I replaced it before sending it on, and the replacement died not long after. I have heard this from many pumping mothers.)

[ninasis]

I've heard a lot of horror stories about that pump as well. You might want to check into the Medela Pump In Style - I have one and LOVE IT, and have several friends/acquaintances who have one. They're pricey, but well worth the expense, especially if you're going to be working after the baby's born and will need to pump every day.

[valancy]

Damn. Good to know! I will strike it from ze list!

[eolivet]

Interesting that a site would recommend a side sleeper -- most everywhere you go, you'll be indoctrinated to the BABY SLEEPS ON BACK method of brainwashing-- er, thinking. :/

With that, may I recommend a SwaddleMe -- a blanket with velcro straps that you can wrap your baby in so they'll actually nap or sleep and their hands won't fly every which way when you put them on their backs. ;p

Also, I don't know what the hospitals are like near you, but when I gave birth, the hospital pretty much provided everything -- nightgown/johnny, robe, slippers, maxi pads (all hospital issue, of course, but better than nothing ;) I would check before you pack a bag. :)

(Your list reminds me I still need to get my baby's birth certificate from City Hall...grrr... :x )

[valancy]

Thank you! Lots of updates to the list, now...

*G* How old is the baby, btw?

[eolivet]

Almost five months (Sunday!) He's a sweet little guy. :)

[jenna_thorn]

Ignore me if you like, but I tend to get all maternal and misty-eyed and will give more opinions than you want or know what to do with. 8

[valancy]

Not much to say except AWESOME and I will update the list accordingly!

[jenna_thorn]

Heh, Happy to hear awesome. I was thinking more along the lines of bossy and invasive. 8-)

I'm (relatively) local and available for handholding if you just need to lean on a shoulder and be reminded that yes, you really can do this. Because the books are all "lalala joy and wonder and yay" and it's not all roses and sugarcubes and bunny fur. Poop stinks and gassiness sucks and just knowing that other people cry in the shower was a comfort to me when I did. And then I could catch an hour's sleep and he'd be a treasure again, you know?

[lasultrix]

I missed the post where you decided to go ahead with having a baby! Congratulations on the decision. I hope it'll be the best decision you ever made. :)

[valancy]

Technically, I never announced my doubt outside of here. It's still mostly want...though there's still a large part of me that's truly terrified. Thank you, regardless, though. :D