BABY BJORN Travel Crib Giveaway ~ Ends 12/22

BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light 2

 

• Easy to take along

  Weighs only 11lbs/5 kg - including carrying case!

• Simple set up

  In one simple movement the travel crib is set up and ready for use.

• Safe for your child

  The sturdy yet comfortable mattress keeps the travel crib firmly on the floor.

 

For more information about this fantastic product, please check out our BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light 2 Review from One Little Mister.

Enter to win your own via the Rafflecopter below!

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Disclaimer: The host of this giveaway received a free product in exchange for their honest review. Neither the host nor the participating bloggers are responsible for prize fulfillment.

Pregnancy Week 39

How I am Feeling: I'm doing better emotionally dealing with having a breech baby. It helped a lot to get my feelings out about and talk to other mama's whose birth plans didn't go any where near according to plan.

Baby Girl: She must be very comfortable with her head over by my right ribs most of the time. She is back in that same position even after turning transverse after the ECV.

Sleep: Still pretty crappy. Now my nose is getting stuffy and I'm sleeping with my mouth open which dries it out. And of course the usual tossing and turning to change sides since my hips ache.

Food/Diet: I'm not stress eating like I was last week, so that is good. I didn't gain any weight since last weeks appointment so I'm doing pretty good.

New This Week: We have a c-section date for Dec 19, which 5 days after my due date of Dec 14. I'm happy with this decision because it lets her lungs mature a little more. If she is ready before then, than so are we! But it is important to me that we not rush her out. I discussed everything with the midwives at the birth center and the consulting OB and this is their standard procedure for a first time mom with a breech baby.

Baby To Do List:

• RELAX! Everything that needs to be done right now is done and we are ready for her arrival.
 

Read Past Pregnancy Journals

Exercise During Pregnancy

Prior to becoming pregnant I was really active doing pilates and yoga and was pretty happy with my athletic abilities. I kept up as best I could after becoming pregnant but the first trimester left me very tired and (thankfully only slightly) nauseous. I purchased a prenatal yoga DVD so that I could go at my own pace at home instead of taking my regular classes. During the first and second trimester the prenatal yoga was a lot easier than what I was used to doing. However, as my belly grew I was really thankful I had purchased it because it gave modifications based on how far along in pregnancy you are and encourages mamas to do only what they are comfortable doing.

Keeping physically active during pregnancy is really important! You don't need to be running marathons or physically exhausting your body to gain the benefits for yourself and your baby.

Women who exercise during pregnancy experience:

• less aches and pains
• higher levels of energy
• lower risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure
• a healthy amount of weight gain
  (Source: March of Dimes)

Benefits to baby include:

• enhanced brain development (source)
• healthier birth weight
• lower risk of obesity as they age

Exercise during pregnancy is safe for most women however if you have a pregnancy with multiples or other health risk factors your health care provider may advise against it. They will likely discuss this with you, but always ask about the specific activities you are interested in. If at any time your activity becomes painful or you experience cramping or other symptoms of pre-term labor then you need to stop, rest, and call your health care provider.

Did you/Are you doing exercise during your pregnancy? 
What is your favorite way to keep active?

 

*As always, discuss any activity/exercise during pregnancy with your health care provider. This is not meant to substitute medical advice and is strictly for informational purposes*

*This post contains an affiliate link. Any purchase you make through that link goes directly towards supporting this blog.*

Emotionally Preparing for a Birth Experience I Never Expected

If you've been following along, you'll know that at my 36 week checkup my baby was confirmed to be breech. I immediately panicked as all I could think was "Oh My God I have to have a c-section".

I've tried anything and everything I could do to get this baby to flip, but as far as I know she is still breech despite all of my efforts. This means I have to set a c-section date. The OB said he is comfortable waiting 4-5 days past my due date so Dec 19 it is. We just pray that she flips in the meantime!

Having a "date" now is not bringing me any sense of joy or excitement, but maybe I just need a little time to process. I had to tell family members because their curiosity, however well meaning, was becoming annoying when I kept being asked about having "a date yet". Now, after having told them the date I get bombarded with questions about why it is 5 days after my due date, is he waiting because he thinks she will turn, what if I go in to labor, yada yada yada. Why can't they just be supportive right off the bat and wish me luck that she turns or pray for a healthy and safe delivery for us both?

I'm comfortable with the Doctor's decision. Since most first-time mother's go in to labor 10 days after their due date I should be fairly good on timing. Waiting will give her lungs more time to fully mature, especially since c-section babies have higher rates of respiratory difficulty. And although I've not posted about it yet, both my husband and I are carriers of the cystic fibrosis mutation so there is a 25% chance she will have that disease. So ultimately I'd like her lungs to mature as much as possible if a c-section is necessary since she could already have difficulty with breathing. If I go in to labor before the 19th then I just go straight to the hospital and have the c-section anyway. And yes, waiting more time means there is more of a chance for her to turn, even if the chance is small. I've heard from several of my readers that their baby's flipped days before they went in to labor so I can at least hold on to that hope awaiting the date.

The hardest part of this whole experience has been dealing with a sense of loss. I feel as though my birthing hopes and dreams have been ripped away from me before the time has even gotten here. I had envisioned a natural birth at the birth center. I would be able to move around, sit in the tub, eat and drink as I please, have my husband massaging my back and coaching me, smelling essential oils and enjoying a peacefully, dimly lit room that resembled a bed & breakfast. I would focus on my breathing during contractions and use visualizations of my baby to help me through labor. I imagine that when she finally arrives I feel a sense of renewal and so much joy that even if it had been a long and hard journey, it would all be worth it when my husband "caught" her as she came out and he and the midwife immediately put her on my chest. We would spend the next hour bonding as a family and she would latch on to begin nursing. After that first hour of bonding I would then go to take a shower and freshen up while the midwife performed the newborn exam and then my husband and I would clean the baby up, put her in her first cloth diaper, and dress her for the first time to be ready for visitors.

Since the beginning of my pregnancy I have known that I wanted a natural birth. With the US rate of cesarean being so high, I wanted to avoid using any of the typical pain medications and artificial hormones used in modern medicine that are statistically proven to increase the chance of a c-section. How ironic that I took all pregnancy measures to avoid a c-section but at the end of my pregnancy am forced in to one because my baby is not in the "ideal" position.

All the information I have read about naturally birthing a breech baby is that it is safe if you have a practitioner who is knowledgeable in how to perform the delivery. In the US it is just not taught and most definitely not readily advertised because I could only find one hospital on the other side of the country that openly advertised breech delivery. Other countries appear to be able to do it successfully, so why can't we?

I know many women have safe c-sections and are happy with their experience, but it is just not at all what I wanted. I feel nervous about having to get an epidural. I think I will be annoyed with having so many more people in the room. I imagine it to be cold and metallic. I'm sad that my belly will be cut in to and that my hands will likely be strapped down. I won't be able to see my baby until someone allows me to. I won't be able to have her placed on my chest right away because c-section babies have a much higher risk of respiratory problems and she will need to be evaluated immediately. I'm sad that I won't be able to delay cutting the cord or bathing her to get those extra immunity benefits. There will likely be an hour between her being delivered and actually getting to hold her. I worry about successful breastfeeding since she won't be placed on my chest right away. I worry that I will be in pain and have difficulty wanting to get up. I worry that I will not be able to physically be a good mom because I have just had major abdominal surgery. Mostly, I worry that not having the birth I imagined will cause postpartum depression.

Trying to emotionally prepare myself for a birth experience I never expected has been a roller coaster. I'm slowly becoming more accepting, because I can't find any other option. It is also very hard to wish and pray that my baby will turn and keep doing things to try to encourage her all the while knowing there is such a slim chance she will turn this late in the game. However, I know that there is nothing else that I could have tried to get her to turn and I really have done everything.

My reasoning to myself is that she knows better than I do. Maybe there is some reason that she does not want to be delivered vaginally and will be safer coming out in a c-section. Even if I don't believe that, I have to believe that she is not flipping for a reason and that she knows best. It is way out of my control at this point and my birthing hopes and dreams can now be simplified in to one sentence: "I dream of a birth that goes safely and smoothly for both my baby and I".

Naturalmat & Tortle Baby Products Giveaway ~ Ends 12/30

This blog was not compensated for this post.

This is Sponsored by Naturalmat USA and Tortle - Hosted by: It's Peachy Keen

"I have a great pair of products for one lucky winner out there. Both are wonderful and really great for our kids. Having a baby wether it's your first or 6th. We still all want the best for them. Heres a few to take a look at and get to know a little better."

Baby products, especially those which are natural and organic, are all I have been shopping for since baby pure is due this month! I'm excited to bring this great giveaway to the blog!

The Naturalmat Mattress Collection:

* Spring Mat-Dual Support mattress, ideal from newborn to older babies ($499)-NEW!

* Coco Mat-Gentle support, ideal for newborns and small babies. ($399)

* Latex Mat-Medium support, ideal for newborns right through to older babies. ($525)

* Mohair Mat-Firm support ideal for older and heavier babies. ($599)

Twin Latex Mat ($849)

Top Mat: Organic overlay turns a regular crib into an organic one! ($135)

Organic Fitted Sheets: Soft and breathable pure organic cotton crib sheets. Available in crisp cotton percale ($45) and soft flannelette ($46)

Organic Mattress Protectors: Breathable waterproof organic crib mattress protector designed to provide the best level of comfort for baby and the best protection for a Naturalmat mattress. ($70)

The Naturalmat Collection is available at www.naturalmatusa.com. Visit the website for a full list of Naturalmat retailers.

Company Information:

* Co-founded in 2000 by Mark Tremlett and Peter Tindall

* Founded with the aim of helping babies and children sleep safely and comfortably in the best, most natural environment possible.

* European Headquarters: London, England; U.S. offices in Newark, New Jersey

Naturalmat USA Facebook - Naturalmat USA Twitter - Naturalmat USA Pinterest - Naturalmat USA Blog - Naturalmat Video

About Tortle

What is a Tortle?

A cost-effective, stylish and comfy beanie for baby specifically designed to help prevent positional plagiocephaly and torticollis, or flat head syndrome. Tortle encourages a healthy range of head motion while keeping baby’s head from flattening. Tortle can be worn whenever the infant is supervised and resting in a crib, car seat, bouncer, swing or stroller. Available in Classic White, Sweet Pink Flowers and Whimsical Blue Elephants, solid Pink and Blue and now in stripes Always more designs being added so be sure to check them out!

* Machine washable, lightweight knit beanie (95% cotton/5% spandex)

* Three sizes to fit infants up to 20 pounds

o S 0-2 months / 5-10 lbs

o M 2-4 months / 10-15 lbs

o L 4-6 months / 15-20 lbs

Most helpful when used from birth until the infant is sitting up and no longer sleeping most hours of the day or night. FDA-cleared patented Class 1 medical device that easily travels with baby. Recommended retail price of $19.99. Available at buybuy BABY stores, www.buybuybaby.com, www.tortle.com and at specialty juvenile product stores nationwide

Why is Tortle Important?

Every infant is at risk of developing Flathead Syndrome-prevention is key. If parents do not actively reposition the infant’s head from side to side, positional plagiocephaly and/or torticollis progress rapidly – many infants already have a significant problem by 2 months of age. Incidence of plagiocephaly is increasing and now affects nearly 48% or 1 out of 2 babies by the age of 5 months. Premature infants with prolonged hospital stays, and multiples (twins or triplets) are at particular risk unless nursing staff address the problem. Medical treatments to correct the condition include physical therapy and custom helmets and may exceed $5,000 in cost.

Company Information

*Founded in 2012 by Dr. Jane Scott, board certified pediatrician and neonatologist.

* Headquarters in Denver, Colo.

Tortle Facebook - Tortle Twitter - Tortle Pinterest

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Wordless Wednesday

Helping Me Clean The Refrigerator

Happy Holidays from Pretty Mommies Skin Care

Pretty Mommies Skin Care Products are made with only the best ingredients. They were specially made to be safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mamas, which means they are safe for everyone! If you are conscious about the ingredients you put in your body then be sure you are putting safe ingredients on your skin as well.

All Pretty Mommies Products Are:

Formaldehyde FREE 

Paraben FREE 

Phthalate Free 

Dimethicone FREE 

Petroleum FREE 

Sulfate FREE 

Phenoxyethanol FREE 

Oxybenzone FREE 

Artificial Fragrance FREE 

Colorant FREE

*This post contains my Pretty Mommies Affiliate Link. Any purchase you make through that link goes directly towards supporting this blog. Thank you!*