Pregnancy Diary

Archive for the ‘Pregnancy Week 38’ Category

There are so many products available in a baby store. Many first time parents wonder how many items they really need. Diapers, clothes, and, if you aren’t nursing your child, bottles, a crib and a car seat is necessary. But beyond that, what else do you need?

Important Accessories
Pacifiers are an example of a small, but important accessory, silicon pacifiers would better than the latex ones.And also try to buy orthodontic pacifiers which are better for baby’s teeth than the “regular” kind of pacifier. A Boppy pillow used to help you position the baby for feedings, also can be used to support when your baby is learning to sit. The diaper Genie is also a great item to have to minimizes the smell that can be so common in a baby’s room.

Bedding Items
You’ll need at least four sets of crib and bassinette sheet sets to be safe. If your child spits up, you just need to change the sheet saver and not the entire sheet.
Making Memories
It is incredible how quickly children grow and change, so purchasing a qualitydigital camera which you will use regularly to help you remember all the special times that will happen during your baby’s first year is very important.

Comfort Care
Baby swings are worth every single penny they cost. Most babies love to sit in the swing. A baby sling is so helpful for busy moms because you have both hands free to fold laundry or do the dishes. Swaddling is an ancient technique used by parents to calm their crying child. You can buy swaddling pouches which help swaddle your baby easily and quickly.

Health Care Items
Buy the items separately as you need them, if you need them. Store them in an inexpensive container. There are two exceptions to this rule: a bulb syringe and nail clippers are an absolute necessity.
Medicines

Keep some items on hand now for future use when your little one is sick. Some medicines to have include: Gas Drops, infant Tylenol drops, and salt water nose drops.

There are three main phases and stages of labor. The first stage consists of three phases, and the remaining two stages have just one phase each.There is no reason to wait until you are in labor to learn about these phases and stages, what they involve, and what you should be doing during each one.

Stage One – Labor
This first phase of the first stage of labor is called the latent phase. During this phase. your cervix will start dilating and you will be having contractions, and they are normally not painful and you are able to move around, talk, laugh and function through them as normal. This phase of labor can last on average 8 hours, although it can also last much longer, or end much sooner. Your contractions will come between 5 and 20 minutes apart and generally last about 30-45 seconds. This phase ends about the time a woman reaches 3 centimeters dilated, which is when the contractions become more frequent and more intense.

The second phase of the first stage of labor called Active Phase, results in your cervix dialating from 4-7 centimeters. During this phase, your contractions will normally come between 2-5 minutes apart, and last up to a minute in duration. The active phase can last an average of 3-4 hours, but can go on longer, or end sooner, depending on your body and your labor. You will also start to feel much more discomfort and possibly more pain as the contractions become more intense as they help to push the baby down through your cervix.

Transition Phase is the third and last phase of the first stage of labor results in your cervix dilating between 8 and 10 centimeters, and is the phase where your pain will be at its worst. During this stage the contractions are pushing your baby further down through the cervix, allowing his head to enter the vagina to prepare for birth. This stage normally lasts between 10 minutes and an hour.

Stage Two – The Birth of Your Baby
Stage two is the pushing of the baby out of your uterus through your vagina. This stage can end relatively quickly, or can take several hours, depending on the position and size of the baby. Most women will find that they have a second round of strength as they begin pushing their baby.

Stage Three – Delivery of the Placenta
This stage occurs after your baby has been born and normally lasts for a relatively short time. The doctor will check the placenta for tears or problems that could lead to your uterus not contracting properly after the baby is born. It is important that your uterus contracts properly so that it can slow your bleeding and heal the area where the placenta was attached.

The mucus plug is exactly what it sounds like. It is a concentration of mucus that is deposited in the opening of the cervix to block germs and bacteria from entering the uterus. It is the sign that labor is impending.

During pregnancy, the mucus is clear and would look much like a woman’s normal vaginal discharge. as the cervix begins to thin out and blood is released, there will be some blood deposited onto the mucus plug. As a woman’s cervix opens she will begin to lose the plug, either in bits of stringy, blood tinted mucus over a period of time, or all at once. This can happen up to two weeks before labor actually begins.

The loss of the mucus plug should not be confused with a woman’s bloody show which occurs during labor as a woman begins bleeding prior to delivery. It is generally no need to call your doctor or midwife. Of course, if you feel any concern or have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact them. You can also mention it to your provider at your next visit.