Bringing Home Baby: What to Expect in the First Six Weeks

After nine months of pregnancy, the first few weeks of motherhood can feel exhilarating, overwhelming, exciting and terrifying all at once. Here are some common questions that many new moms ask:

How much will my baby sleep?

Newborn babies sleep a lot – usually more than 16 hours a day. However, this sleep is taken in small increments of between 20 minutes and four hours at a time. Waking up at night to feed your baby will make you tired, so try to take naps during the day while your baby is sleeping.

How do I know what my baby needs?

It can be hard for a new parent to tell right away what his or her baby’s cries mean. Your baby may be hungry, sleepy, too cold or hot, gassy or have a wet diaper. Make sure your baby is fed, dry and comfortable. If he or she is still fussy, don’t panic – sometimes, babies cry for no real reason. Swaddle or rock your baby or provide a pacifier to suck on. At this age, don’t worry that too much attention will ‘spoil’ your baby.

How do I play with my baby?

It’s important to interact with your baby and stimulate the senses, even in the first few weeks, to help build the brain’s connections. Newborns can’t hold toys or play games, but simple stimuli will keep your baby happy too. Sing, hang a mobile above the bed or carry your newborn in a sling while doing daily activities to help provide plenty of new sensations.

What changes will take place in my body?

Your baby isn’t the only one who is changing rapidly during the first six weeks. Your body also adjusts to postpartum life. Organs that moved during pregnancy to make room for the fetus will now shift back into place and your uterus will shrink back to its normal size. This can cause some cramping or ‘after pains,’ which should go away after about a week.

How do I know what feelings are normal?

Hormonal changes will occur in your body after giving birth, usually causing mood swings. You can expect to feel overwhelmed and anxious sometimes. However, if you feel prolonged feelings of hopelessness, anger or the desire to hurt your baby, call your physician immediately, as these could be signs of postpartum depression.

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Breastfeeding Advice

Experts agree that breastfeeding is the best way to nourish a newborn baby.  In addition to protecting against many illnesses, it creates a bond between mother and infant. Additionally, it is convenient and free.

Breastfeeding is best for your baby.  Breast milk has maternal antibodies, which help fight off illness. Colostrum, a yellow watery premilk, is made by the breasts for the first few days after birth.  Colostrum helps your baby’s digestive system to grow and begin functioning. Studies demonstrate that breastfed babies have less asthma, colic, and fewer ear infections. Breastfed babies have fewer feeding problems, less gas, and often less constipation than formula-fed babies. Finally, breastfed babies have a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

Breastfeeding is also best for you as a new mother. Breast milk is free, readily available, and always at the right temperature. Breastfeeding releases hormones that make the uterus contract, decreasing the amount of bleeding after delivery. Breastfeeding burns calories. Typically, breastfeeding burns 500 calories a day. With 4200 calories in a pound of fat, you could lose a pound for every 8 days you breastfeed. 

While you are nursing, you will need more nutrients than normal. Be sure to get a well-balanced diet with at least 1000mg of calcium a day. Drink plenty of water. Avoid foods that bother the baby. If your baby seems fussy, or gets diarrhea or a rash, consult your pediatrician. This can signal a food intolerance or allergy.

Although breastfeeding is a natural process, it takes practice. If you plan to breastfeed, let your doctor know during your pregnancy. Your doctor will examine your breasts for any potential problems and answer any questions you might have. After delivery, the nurses at the hospital can help you learn to breastfeed. Try to be patient as you and your baby learn this natural process together, and see how rewarding it can be for both of you.

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Hypertension in Pregnancy

What is hypertension?

Hypertension is more commonly known as high blood pressure which, uncontrolled, can lead to heart attack, stroke, or heart and kidney failure. The American Heart Association recommends an ideal blood pressure reading of lower than 120/80 mmHg. 

Women with gestational elevated blood pressure readings typically are diagnosed with chronic hypertension during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. If untreated, the condition can cause complications such as fetal growth restriction, miscarriage, or the need for cesarean section delivery.

Who is at risk?

The condition occurs in up to 5 percent of pregnant women, and more often in those with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30. The risks also increase with age, and when a woman’s close relatives, particularly her parents, suffer from hypertension.

Other general contributors are alcohol abuse, physical inactivity and high levels of stress. Specific to women, birth control pills and pregnancy are additional risk factors.

Is the condition manageable?

Through appropriate physician consultation and lifestyle adjustments, the majority of women with chronic hypertension do very well throughout pregnancy, delivery and postpartum. However, it is critically important for women with hypertension to consult their physician before becoming pregnant. The physician can suggest prevention strategies such as dietary adjustments, physical activity changes and exercise modifications to manage hypertension. And, although there are safe anti-hypertensive medications for use during pregnancy and lactation, the physician must prescribe the most appropriate to avoid complications.

Regular prenatal care visits also are extremely important in monitoring blood pressure. It is typically checked once a month up to the eight month of pregnancy, and then weekly until delivery. Once aware of the reading, the physician then can recommend the best course of action to ensure a happy, healthy mother and baby. 

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Anxious About Childcare?

Feeling Safe With Your In-Home Caregiver

Nothing is more anxiety producing for a parent than hiring a stranger to care for your children. The anxiety level is understandably raised a notch when parents consider care by a nanny. It appears to be a greater “leap”…. Someone in your home, unsupervised, caring for your children.

So, how does a parent reduce the stress of hiring a nanny and feeling comfortable with the choice you make? The process of searching, interviewing and hiring a caregiver should be the same as the process you would use to hire any employee. That is more easily said then done. A parent does not have the resources of a corporate HR Department to make sure that all the “I’s” are dotted and the “T’s” are crossed. But, if a parent takes the time and effort, it can be done individually, or, if not, in partnership with a professional nanny agency.

To embark on a search for a caregiver yourself, you must first recognize that the process is complicated by the emotions involved. You also have to function as your personal HR department and hiring manager at the same time.  To be successful, it is important to break down the process into three distinct phases… Before You Begin your Search, Interviewing and Screening Caregivers, and Managing your Employee.

Before You Begin Your Search

Children are not born with a “How-To” manual and Nannies are not mind readers. If the caregiver knows what you want BEFORE she begins work, you will have a much better chance of hiring a caregiver that will meet your expectations and provide the best care for your children. To start your process, you should:

• Define the characteristics, personality, education and experience of potential caregivers you would consider.
• Describe your family and the interaction the caregiver will have with all family members.
• Describe your children’s personality, schedule, any special needs/medications and the priorities for each individual child for the next 6 to 12 months. 
• Define your job - what hours and flexibility do you need and specific responsibilities.
• Describe the compensation you can offer, and what benefits you might negotiate. 

Once you complete the above, you are now ready for the next step. You have described your children and your expectations, your family, and the specific job requirements and you know what you can afford to offer a caregiver.

Interviewing and Screening

It is important to understand that you are searching for someone who will be a caregiver for your children, not someone who necessarily shares your interests. In addition to experience, location, age experience, requirements, hours, salary and benefits it is critical to evaluate and discuss the personality, lifestyle, childrearing philosophy and “neatness quotient” of the caregiver. Develop a list of questions to ask EACH potential applicant…if you don’t they will all seem the same, or you might gravitate to someone because of her mannerisms versus her capabilities.

Just because an applicant was referred by a coworker’s sister versus responding to an ad in the newspaper does not mean the caregiver should receive less scrutiny. This is a mistake that many parents make. Characteristics such as strengths, weaknesses, future goals, hobbies and interests are all very important. Require all applicants to bring a resume or timeline of employment (which includes dates, supervisor’s names and phone numbers) for the last 5-15 years (depending on their age). 

The interview process should consist of at least two (preferably three) interviews. The first interview should not include the children. You are trying to decide if you even want to introduce this person to your children. The second interview is always at home and should be about two hours with all family members present. If you are still interested in pursuing the applicant, confirm phone numbers of references and tell the applicant you would require her to provide information necessary for you to do a criminal background check and Department of Motor Vehicles check (if she will drive your children). The applicant’s name, address, date of birth, social security #, driving license number and state and her signature (in some states) are required. If she hesitates or says no, you should rule her out as a potential candidate. 

In addition, you should provide the applicant with the draft job description you completed and have a preliminary discussion about compensation expectations. Confirm that you will be checking the applicant’s references. Encourage the applicant to call you if she has any questions and request that she call you before she accepts any other opportunities. Call her references and tell them that your discussion is confidential to encourage them to be completely honest in their comments. At a minimum ask about the applicant’s creativity, dependability, strengths, weaknesses, self-esteem, why she left, would they rehire her, and her ability to communicate.

If your reference checks are successful, contact a private security company or nanny agency that provides nanny screening, to perform the checks mentioned. If results are favorable, call the applicant to schedule a time to meet and make an employment offer and to review the job description. It is always best to give the applicant a day or two to review the job description and accept or negotiate the offer. If accepted, both you and your caregiver should sign the written job description as well as a summary of the financial terms of your offer. It is especially helpful to also include House Rules related to the job regarding petty cash, phone rules, where she can go (and not go) and what she can do with the children without asking for prior approval. 

Managing Your Employee

A Nanny (more so than other employees) is motivated by frequent and consistent feedback. A regularly scheduled meeting is the best vehicle to manage your employee. If you have provided an adequate job description, and you have spent a few days orienting her to your children and your requirements, you should not have to micromanage your employee. A caregiver needs to hear a frequent “thank you” to keep her motivated and happy in her position.

All caregivers should be given  (and carry with them at all times) Emergency Phone Numbers, a Parental Permission form in case of an emergency and written authorization if she is allowed to transport children. A Daily Log of activities will keep you informed of your children’s day-to-day activities. Scheduling a more formal evaluation every six months will ensure she is focused on the constantly changing issues and priorities that you have for your children to enable both you and the caregiver to maximize your children’s experience.

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Ages and Stages

After spending nine months in the fetal position, babies are ready to burst into this world as physical and social beings. During their first year babies will experience great strides in physical, social and cognitive development. Understanding these stages can assist you in recognizing your little one’s needs during their physical and social growth. You can encourage and enjoy these milestones by playing with your baby every day. 

1 – 3 months: At first your newborn may not seem physically or socially capable of doing much. But by the end of this stage babies are able to grasp a rattle (displaying fine motor skills), support themselves on their forearms while laying on their tummies (gross motor skills), and hold their heads steady, allowing them a different view of their world. Socially, babies at this age will display their first smile, imitate facial expressions and enjoy playing with other people. Singing and talking to your baby encourages cognitive growth and strengthens the bond between you and your child.

4 – 7 months: Gross motor skills improve during this stage. Exersaucers and jumpers provide a fun way to increase leg strength. Around 7 months, most babies can sit up by themselves. Be nearby and place soft blankets or cushions around your baby to practice sitting. Cognitive development continues as babies delight in repeating cause and effect actions such as dropping a toy or banging a spoon to create a neat noise. Peekaboo games are a favorite now as babies begin to realize that partially hidden objects aren’t gone forever and can be “found” again.

8 – 12 months: Toward the end of your baby’s first year, physical milestones abound. Crawling gives way to “cruising”, which becomes standing briefly, followed by first steps…your baby may even be walking by that first birthday. To encourage crawling, place toys just out of your baby’s reach during “tummy time”. An adept crawler can be challenged by creating a mini obstacle course of pillows and sofa cushions to crawl under and over while under your watchful eye. Fine motor skills improve as your baby begins using the “pincer grasp”, picking small objects up with the forefinger and thumb. Social and cognitive abilities continue to progress at this age as babies begin imitating the world around them by playing with toys “correctly” – that a comb is for hair, cups are for drinking, and toy phones should be talked into.

Child fitness and developmental programs like the ones advertised in this publication offer new ways to play and bond with your baby. They also show you what your child is capable of at any given stage. Look for a reputable program that will teach skills you can do at home to continue your baby’s developmental progress. Whether or not you enroll in such a program, be sure to get on the floor with your baby, play and enjoy this special time together.






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Am I Too Old To Have A Baby?

Many women ask this question as they move into their late thirties. Some have never had children. Others have children, but would like one more. Biologically, we know that the early to mid-20’s are the optimal time for childbearing, but this frequently is not an ideal time for parenthood from a social or educational or economic perspective. Marriages occur later in today’s society; many women who want children are still in school, unmarried and beginning their careers at age 25. So by necessity, many women present to their ob/gyn around age 35, questioning the safety of a pregnancy. Let’s look at some of the realistic risks.

The first question most women ask is “What’s the chance my baby will be normal?” We clearly know that the risk of chromosomal abnormalities (Down’s syndrome, Turners’ syndrome, even molar pregnancies) and non chromosomal abnormalities (congenital heart defects, for instance) increases with advancing age. At age 25, the risk of having a baby with Down’s syndrome is 1/1250; the risk of having a baby with any chromosome abnormality is 1/476. By age 35, this risk has increased to 1/385 for a Down’s syndrome baby and 1/204 for any chromosome problem. Women who are 35 or older have a 1% higher risk for non chromosomal birth defects, versus those women under 25. By age 40, the risk is 2.5% above the 25 year old’s risk. So the vast majority of babies born, even to women over 40, are normal, but the risks are increased versus younger women.

For all pregnant women, maternal serum screening (the “triple screen”) is available to help further quantify the true risk of abnormalities in a singleton pregnancy. Maternal serum screening is not accurate for twins and higher order pregnancies. Ultrasound is also very helpful in screening for birth defects, particularly when it is done by specialized technicians in a perinatal referral center. Genetic counseling with a specialist is typically offered to women over 35 or those at other risk for birth defects; amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling are prenatal diagnostic techniques that can detect many birth defects at or before four months pregnancy.

Medical risks for the mother, which can impact both her and her baby, are also increased in older pregnant women. Hypertension and gestational diabetes are more common; these can effect the baby’s growth and the mother’s health. They are important to screen for early in pregnancy, with continued surveillance until the birth and postpartum period. Older women who have preexisting diabetes, heart disease, hypertension or obesity are especially cautioned to see their ob/gyn before they get pregnant.

In conclusion, the risks of childbearing, both for the mother and her baby, are increased with age. But with careful surveillance and prenatal care, these risks can be minimized. Age-related risks of birth defects can be screened for. Maximizing maternal good health preconceptually (achieving normal weight, stopping smoking, a reasonable aerobic exercise program), along with continuing these good habits throughout pregnancy, will help achieve the best result for the older mother and her baby.

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Women 'duped by bogus agencies'

IRISH women are being told by rogue agencies posing as pregnancy counselling services that they will be more likely to get breast cancer if they have an abortion. In some cases, the bogus clinics are offering women illegal, private adoptions if they carry their babies to full term, according to a report by the Dublin Well Woman Centre.

The report, to be released tomorrow by the family planning advice service, warns that some agencies purporting to offer non-judgmental counselling are manipulating and intimidating women. Instead of getting advice and help, women are subjected to videos of late-stage abortions.

“These rogue agencies act with impunity,” said Alison Begas, Well Woman’s director. “It is manipulative and abusive. Women are subjected to emotive and lengthy bullying sessions. They are isolated from their partners and friends and shown disturbing videos.

“We have spoken to women asked to hold plastic babies and to name their ‘child’. They are told that they are more likely to commit suicide and get breast cancer. In some cases they are surrounded by counsellors who pray over them to ensure they make the ‘right’ decision.”

The activities of rogue agencies have been reported to the Health Services Executive and the gardai, who say they are powerless to act until a formal complaint is made by a victimised woman.

The bogus centres, which advertise among genuine clinics in phone directories, claim to offer legitimate counselling services, but once they have made contact with a client, they seek to delay the counselling process and show women disturbing videos and leaflets. There are no figures to determine how many are operating in Ireland, but reports from distressed clients show a number located in Dublin, Limerick, Cork and Donegal.

Promotions for the rogue agencies promise contacts in Dublin, London, Liverpool and Manchester, giving clients the impression that they are linked to licensed abortion clinics in Britain. In some cases, when women call a British number for abortion advice, they are redirected to a Dublin-based office posing as an overseas clinic.

The Crisis Pregnancy Agency (CPA), which offers pregnancy counselling, has sought legal advice on rogue agencies. In addition to contacting gardai, it approached the Golden Pages, the business directory, to alert the company to rogue agencies placing ads there.

The Irish Family Planning Agency, which is working with the CPA to get the industry regulated, has been contacted by several women complaining about harrowing experiences.

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Pregnancy and Stress

A stage with many changes both household and personal, this is pregnancy for most women.

Everything changes, body, priorities, emotions and although these changes should be a reason to be happy, can often generate a state of stress for women, which is already facing many demands both at work and at household.

We know that too much stress can be very detrimental to any person, where states can generate insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, lack or excess of appetite, headaches, etc..

Pregnant women may be exposed to high levels of stress are at risk of preterm delivery (37 weeks) and a tiny baby at risk for health immediately after birth.

The vast majority of women who are pregnant can cope well these emotional and physical changes that occur in pregnancy, but those in your life care about the level of stress and feel they can not control it properly, you need to consult their physician.

There are different types of stress that can lead to premature delivery, some studies have concluded that women who are experiencing negative situations in life like the death of a loved one, illness or loss of job, are exposed to be at increased risk of preterm delivery.

Also the fact that experience a disaster, as was the attack on the Twin Towers in New York, where it was found that pregnant women who were in a two mile radius of the area of the tragedy had much shorter gestations those that were further away.

Another study found that pregnant women exposed to a major earthquake had shorter gestations.

Also called chronic stress, such as pregnant women who are homeless, are going through economic problems or working in a highly stressful activity, are much more likely to give birth prematurely.

Also, women who experience severe stress during pregnancy have premature births.

TIPS TO REDUCE STRESS

To reduce stress, it is first necessary to identify the reason that causes it, to control it, anyway this is a temporary situation and that is linked most often to hormonal changes.

     Abandon or reduce activities which are not necessary.
     Rest more and not have to try to keep doing everything that was done before pregnancy.
     Take yoga or meditation are palliatives that will enhance the mood of the mother, giving peace of mind to go through this stage of life changes so much.

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What is the most important symptom of pregnancy?

Many women are concerned with the first signs of pregnancy, know what they are, how they manifest ... in order to confirm that they are pregnant. It is logical, since it is a very likely desired time, but sometimes impatience makes us forget the most important symptom of pregnancy and obvious.

The sign of pregnancy that will put us on notice with some certainty that we might be pregnant is amenorrhea or absence of rule, ie when menstruation is delayed and does not arrive.

Amenorrhea is always present in pregnancy. Therefore, in young women who have not had absence of pathological rule (indicative of some disease) should be considered as a possible pregnancy and principal cause.

The moment a woman conceives, the process of menstruation stops, as their biological function is to generate life through the fertilization of the egg and sperm. The menstrual flow is bleeding that women have when the egg has been expelled from the ovary to be fertilized finally is not fertilized.

But if this last phase of the menstrual cycle, called post-ovulatory phase does not occur, it means that the egg itself has been fertilized: There was conception, a magical moment, and the rule stops because there are no "leftovers" to expel .

Thus in principle when the rule is delayed a fortnight when we can do a pregnancy test, accounting also for other symptoms that are likely to change throughout the day and vary greatly from woman to woman. Instead, what is always true is the absence of rule.

I'm pregnant and bleed

Only in extremely rare, ovarian hyperstimulation associated with hormonal treatment, cases the menstrual cycle can be repeated and a new egg is released while there is already an embryo.

Do not confuse this bizarre menstruation during pregnancy with other common phenomena: implantation bleeding or blood loss associated with risk of abortion.

     Implantation bleeding occurs in the first weeks of pregnancy, is a darker and less abundant than a rule flow. This slight bleeding is caused by implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterine wall.

     Other blood loss during the first trimester of pregnancy or the rest may be signs of a serious problem, so you need to see a doctor.

I do not get your period but am not pregnant

However, amenorrhea does not necessarily mean that the woman is pregnant. Many factors can influence the withdrawal or delayed menstruation. Any alteration in the organs that regulate menstruation (central nervous system, hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, uterus, vagina) can lead to the absence of rule.

So if you have suffered stress, taking certain medications, you've gone through extreme physical situations or modified eating behavior ... it could be in your case of a pathological amenorrhea, no indicator of pregnancy. A delay does not always mean pregnancy.

In these cases you also need to consult a doctor to determine the cause of amenorrhea and prevent any risk to the health of women.

If you no rule is accompanied by other symptoms of pregnancy, congratulations, you have many chances that indeed there pregnancy. But we'll only be safe after performing the test urine or blood. Also, if the pregnancy is already about six weeks, transvaginal ultrasound can provide a picture of the embryo.

And the absence of menstruation is the most important sign of pregnancy. Although, well, there are also many women who know for sure they are in a state even before these tests ... but that's another topic.

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Being pregnant is like being a child under three years (Humour)

Many times when I talk to some pregnant at some point in the conversation goes any comparison or simile your state from the typical "I'm like a seal" when I'm in bed I look like a beached whale, that one of these days I bags with crane, etc..

Please stop making such comparisons and mainly let to get in those sets in which no one knows that and say, so forget about cetaceans, cranes and others because being pregnant is like being a child under three years (Humour)

If, as you have heard being pregnant is like being a little boy and I'll give you nine reasons to convince you:

1. Can not tie my shoes. Well most of the time we are not to go running or wear heels.

2. Months ago you lost your sense of balance. If you have children at home that age, compare gait.

3. You can not drink alcohol No comments yet.

4. Not sleep. It is not for the same reasons, but do not sleep, right?

5. Think some food is disgusting without just cause. If it is true, yours is also reversible.

6. You're Not quite sure you do not end making you pee in your pants. Confess, you have certainly missed you very little.

7. Often do not remember where you've left things or what was it you were saying. Here, step better word.

8. Through your belly, your shirts are stained from food and drink. This continues during lactation, only the spots are closer to the neck.

9. Go to bed at nine. I know some that if it was a dream be induced during the nine months.

10. You're Happy in the water

Had you ever thought of it like your status to your children when they were little?

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Calculating the days most likely to get pregnant

Know the dates you are more likely to achieve conception is a major consultations for women who want to become pregnant. Through simple calculators you can get a good idea about the days of ovulation and the most favorable for pregnancy. These tools are the result of a calculation based on the method of Ogino-Knaus, a tool for family planning to the World Health Organization attributed 75% efficiency.

However, a study published in the British Medical Journal reports that the margin of error of this method to calculate the most fertile day could be higher. After analyzing the cycles and ovulation days over two hundred and twenty women, the authors concluded that the system only succeeds in calculating fertile day of 30% of them. This may be because, according to various reports, nearly half of the Spanish mistakenly identifies the best time to get pregnant. And a quarter of them ignored which days are the most fertile cycle.

The key to the design is at the date of ovulation, the day the egg is released from the ovary and is picked up by the fallopian tubes, which is the most fertile. However, as the egg can be fertilized for up to 48 hours later and the male sperm can survive several days in the female body, the fertility cycle is extended from four to five days before ovulation to one or two days later. Ovulation usually occurs between 12 and 16 days before the next menstruation. In a regular 28 day cycle usually coincides with the 14th, while for women with shorter menstrual cycle ovulation date is advanced (day 12 or 13). Similarly, for longer cycles, delayed (day 15 or 16). To make the calculation is only necessary to know the date of the last menstrual period and cycle length.

On the Internet there are several calculators:

Fertile days: This calculator fertility estimates based on the start date and duration of both the cycle and the luteal phase (time between ovulation and the onset of the next menstruation). After entering this information, a schedule is obtained with the six most fertile days of the cycle, with indications on medium-high, high fertility and ovulation, with maximum fertility.

Fertilab: This is a comprehensive fertility calculator. Apart from its date of last menstrual cycle, a woman must indicate the weight, age and height. The result is six calendar with upcoming dates of ovulation, estimating the following rule, days to prevent pregnancy and the probable date of birth if the pregnancy is achieved. It also provides information on the ideal weight for women before pregnancy and the relationship with the current weight.

Fertility calculator of  Instituto Bernabeu: Ovulation Calculator This assisted reproduction center allows for greater accuracy in the results, to enable women indicated, and the dates of your last cycle, the penultimate and ante-penultimate period.

Pregnancy and Fertility: With the introduction of the data of the last period and the approximate length of menstrual cycles, this tool calculates the fertile days, fertile and the likelihood of implantation of the fertilized egg.

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