My First HypnoBirthing Lesson

My husband and I went to our first HypnoBirthing class yesterday.  I was so happy to finally meet the instructor, Sarah, in person.  After having numerous and long phone conversations with her I had already built trust in her.  She was so patient and did a great job making everyone in the class feel at ease.
In addition to her HypnoBirthing knowledge, Sarah also brings medical knowledge to the class because as recently as this past June she was a labor and delivery nurse.  She decided she wanted to commit more time and effort into her HypnoBirthing teaching, showing women they can have a calm and painless birth experience.
Before the class I read HypnoBirthing, The Mongan Method and practiced some of the HynoBirthing techniques which include visualization, relaxed breathing and self-hypnosis.
I first heard about HypnoBirthing from a friend who after having having a cesarean had two successful, pain-free, drug-free vaginal births with the help of HypnoBirthing. 
The session included information about the birthing process, the instructor's personal story of using HypnoBirthing and video clips from actual HypnoBirthing births.
The most important lesson I learned from the first session was that you need to make up your mind and when you do that, do not send conflicting messages to your brain.  For example, you can not say you want to have a drug-free birth and then in the next breath say you might get an epidural.  Your brain will wonder which one is it, no intervention or intervention.  
Sarah illustrated this by having everyone in the class hold a pen in their hands.  She told us to relax and focus on holding the pen firmly between our fingers.  Then she said to visualize the pen dropping to our laps, but to hold the pen firmly.  I was first to let go of my pen.  I visualized seeing the pen drop and I let go.  I could have dropped it sooner but I was a little unsure about Sara's instructions.  Soon others followed by letting their pens drop to their laps while a few people continued holding their pens because they were so confused by the conflicting messages.
This was a great lesson for me.  When you set your mind to do something, do not introduce other thoughts that can deter you from your plan.  From here on out, I will not watch any of the television shows like A Baby Story or Maternity Ward that often depict women screaming, holding their breath and painfully pushing while doctors prepare for the worst.  Also, I will not subject myself to  anymore "nightmare" labor stories.  
Thanks to all my friends who have shared their positive birthing stories with me, keep them coming.   

How To Find Baby Bargains

I took the dreaded trip today that many parents or parents-to-be make, like a right of passage, to Babies "R" Us.  I am sure many parents out there can relate to loathing the store as much as I do.  For me, it is like going to the  DMV.  Not a pretty picture, right.

The most frustrating part other than the long lines, screaming babies ( and no I don't enjoy hearing your screaming kid and I definitely won't like hearing mine) and no running AC, is that the employees do not have product knowledge.


Okay, enough of the ranting, this post is not about my nemesis that is Babies "R" Us.  After attending a baby budgeting class a few weeks ago, I learned that parents can expect on average to spend $16,000 for the first year of their baby's life.  Wow, if that doesn't make you want to guzzle a cocktail or mocktail for you pregos.

Here is my tip for you first-time parents out there to help you with all your baby shopping. It was passed down to me from an awesome mommy friend and I thought I would share it with all of you.


Now when I go shopping, I arm myself with my magic weapon, a little green book called Baby Bargains by Denise & Alan Fields.  I own the 8th edition which is jammed packed with all the tips for buying everything for baby from strollers to furniture, breast pumps to baby baths and even maternity clothes.  You name it, this book has a category to help you along.  The reviews are from parents and there is a website for updates:www.babybargains.com.

This book has been a money saver and I can't tell you how many ear folds I have made throughout the text.  The advice is very practical and you will see you do not need everything retailers claim are "must haves" for your baby registry.

Happy shopping and my regards to you unfortunate parents who are heading out to Babies "R" Us.  

Water Aerobics Is A Great Exercise For Pregnant Women

Ladies, if you have a bun in the oven and you feel like you are literally burning up in this summer heat, then you need to find a water aerobics class in your area.  I have been going to water aerobics since June and attended classes last summer as well. Today I went to a new pool and I had a blast. The people were so friendly (and impressed that I was working out) and the instructor had a great attitude. 
 
My body feels so light in the water, my center of gravity is of no concern and I get the workout I want without feeling overheated. Another great benefit for pregnant women is that there is no or little impact on your joints. As our bodies change during pregnancy so do our joints and bones. They get lose and separate to get body ready for baby's journey through the birth canal.  We need to take care during our exercise routines.
 
Water aerobics is broken down into two types, shallow end and deep end. 
Every instructor has their own style in how they teach, some prefer more body sculpting while others focus more on the aerobic aspect.  Some tools used are noodles, hand held weights, ankle weights, kick boards, and for the deep water classes, floating belts and flippers.  You can purchase water shoes if you prefer, but they are not necessary.

Just take it easy at first and listen to your body. If a position feels uncomfortable to you, do not do it and ask the instructor for an alternative.  Be gently when you do any stomach exercises.  Trust me, you will feel it the next day.  And of course, talk to your doctor first.
 

 

Prego's favorite summer drink

Hello Cyberspace Friends! Welcome to my blog...
Congratulations to me and the third trimester. I am loving life, well loving it as much as one woman can despite feeling like a Vienna sausage stuffed in a too tight tank top (I am protesting maternity clothes).
It has been one hot, hot summer so far in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.  Mother Nature has certainly been on the rampage the last year, from a frigid winter of historic proportions now to a summer heat wave. 
It will be in the triple digits all week in Virginia.  It was a hot one today and close to100 degrees when I was writing this before heading to bed.
I wanted to share a great drink for other mommies-to-be,  healthier than sugary sports drinks (I love Gatorade, went to University of Florida and would never ever knock anything associated with the Gators).
My latest beverage addiction that is really good for you this time of year, coconut water.  It sounds strange, but coconut water is one of the best things to drink to keep yourself hydrated.
I drink Vita Coco brand and found it at Wegman's grocery store http://www.vitacoco.com/.  The flavor is really unlike anything I have tasted.  It is mild and refreshing.  I prefer the slightly sweatened flavor, mango peach to the plain coconut water.  I like the Vita Coco container, it has a cap so you open, refrigerate and then reuse.  The website does say to drink it within 24 hours of opening.
Hope you are keeping yourself cool this summer.

Here are some interesting facts I found online:

• Coconut Water is more nutritious than whole milk - Less fat and NO cholesterol.
• Coconut Water is More Healthy than Orange Juice - Much lower calories.
• Coconut Water is Better than processed baby milk - It contains lauric acid, which is present in human mother's milk.
• Coconut water is naturally sterile - Water permeates though the filtering husk.
• Coconut water is a universal donor - Its identical to human blood plasma.
• Coconut Water is a Natural Isotonic Beverage - The same level we have in our blood.
• Coconut water has saved lives in 3rd world countries thru Coconut IV. 

Read more: http://www.knowledgebase-script.com/demo/article-320.html#ixzz0sx8AudYT