Sleep issues are one of the perennial hot topics at Mom Group. Getting enough sleep with a newborn (or two!) in the house is one of the hardest things you will face during the first year. In theory babies who weigh over 11lbs are heavy enough and getting enough nutrients throughout the day to allow them to sleep through the night. Some practitioners state that parents should let their child ‘cry it out’ after six months of age; or at least explore changing baby’s expectation that you will rush in a pick them up at the slightest whimper.
If you are someone who is used to being self-sufficient, get prepared to receive help.If you have friends and family who want to be there for you, make a list of things that you need and see if they are prepared to help you do these things for a short while whilst you get used to your new role as parents.
It’s hard, particularly with multiples, to have time to bond with each baby. Try not to forget how special this time is for you and your family, and try to make some quiet time to treasure your new addition(s). Getting enough sleep is key in this regard.
You are physically and mentally exhausted, you may not feel too attractive under that housecoat/sweat pants/yesterday’s clothes and you probably missed your daily shower. Not only that but you may be feeling quite sensitive about your weight or appearance post-delivery. Not exactly a recipe for romance! Your hormones are all over the place and may take awhile to readjust – loss of libido is very normal after pregnancy. Just know that you are not alone.
Your Public Health Nurse will probably strongly suggest that you attend your local weekly group meeting, and this is good advice. The group setting we’re familiar with is an informal, relaxed atmosphere where everyone sits on a gym mat playing with their babies and getting acquainted with other moms. If the group is run by the local health unit, there will be a nurse there to answer questions and who will have a scale available for you to weigh your baby. Mom group is an excellent outlet for questions (many of which other mums will have) on things like breastfeeding, teething, sleeping issues and first foods. The age range of the babies is typically from two weeks to nine months old, so moms with more ‘experience’ or who have already gone through some of these things may have good advice too.
There are lots of products available but here are a few of the critical things you’ll probably need for baby’s carewhen you come home:
acetaminophen suspension for infants – for fevers or if needed after vaccinations
antibiotic ointment – for control of wound infections
batteries – for all of the baby equipment!
calamine lotion – for heat rash or sunburn
diapers/diaper wipes
gentle baby wash/shampoo
gripe water – good for fussy babies who need to get a burp up
hand sanitizer – it’s good to have one by each sink for visitors to use
hydrogen peroxide – helps keep the umbilical stump clean
silicone skin cream – good for preventing diaper rash
vaseline – keeps moisture in and soothes skin
vitamin D drops dietary supplement – breastfed babies require daily 400 IU for one year
You may consider creating an emergency contact list to have handy in the event of an emergency.
It is a good idea to write a draft birth plan to discuss with your doctor prior to delivery (at around 32 weeks), fine tune it and pack a few copies in your hospital bag to give to the attending staff. In your summary you will discuss what type of birth you want, what type of pain relief and your general preferences and expectations.
So you’re nearing the end of your third trimester, and it’s time to start planning for labour & childbirth. Some important things to remember before the big day!
Have you pre-registered for the hospital? Your doctor’s office will have a registration package for you, which you can fill out at home and mail directly to the hospital. Many hospitals offer a tour of their maternity wards so it’s a good idea to book one for you and your partner to prepare you for your labour and what to expect during your stay. Book early; if you are having multiples you may be put on bedrest and be unable to attend a tour later in your pregnancy. Most hospitals recommend a tour when you are around 20 weeks pregnant.
Caused by rising hormones, edema is a very common condition and is experienced by about 50% of women sometime during their pregnancy. It can happen any time but tends to be worse in the third trimester. It is the result of the production of more blood and body fluids to meet the needs of the developing baby. Normal swelling is typically experienced in the hands, face, legs, ankles and feet. This fluid is necessary to soften the body and allow expansion as the baby develops. Fluid also helps to prepare the pelvic joints and tissues to open for birth. The extra fluid accounts for about 25% of the weight women gain during pregnancy.