Expectant Mothers Guide
"Stress Relievers" that help you save time and money"
http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/atlanta/baby-planners.htm
June 2009
Countyline Magazine
Featuring Atlanta Baby Planners in the local Johns Creek, Georgia area.
September/October 2009
New Baby Products
"The Best Baby Food....Your Own!"
Fall 2009
Expectant Mothers Guide
"A First Time Dad's Guide to Childbirth"
Spring/Summer 2010
A Realistic Guide to Childbirth from One First Time Dad to Another
Dad’s must haves: Mom will have read every pre-delivery book so she’ll have the essentials packed but two things Dad must have: a laptop (most hospitals have wireless internet and it’s a great way to get pictures out quickly) and the basic over the counter pain reliever (your pain won’t compare to what mom is feeling but you will hurt). Don’t over pack, you’re going to be moving around from room to room and you’re the one who will be moving the luggage.
Checking into the hospital: Assuming that mom is not being wheeled into the delivery room in a “water breaking, heart pounding, movie-like” situation, checking into the hospital is much like checking into a hotel. There is a front desk, a receptionist, and the need to sign your name on documents you probably won’t read. Your nerves, if they haven’t already, will start going nuts as the reality of what is about to happen begins to set in.
The Delivery Room: After the rather mundane check in process, you get to the delivery room and a few things become apparent.
1. There are a lot of medical devices that you’ve never seen before. Such as monitors for mom, monitors for baby, lots of tubes, tools, etc.
2. You are not an innocent bystander in this process. As the nurse begins to go over the details of what is about to happen, the phrase “Dad will do….” is said a lot.
3. The hospital did not have comfort in mind when purchasing the guest “furniture” (lying on a bed of nickels comes to mind). Remember the pain reliever? Take as directed starting now.
The Water Break: It’s important to discuss the water breaking process because it generally gets overlooked in the category of “what will make dad pass out”. Most of you have seen the birthing video so you know what to expect but don’t be surprised if the water breaking causes you to grab your ankles for a few deep breathes. Usually it is just clear liquid but it’s the first real “event” of the birthing process.
Labor:
Be ready for a long day/night as you are mom’s co-pilot. This is not like it is in the movies where
there are nurses and doctors standing around at the ready. The nurses and doctors are in and out but you
will be helping with pushing, supplying ice chips and general offerings of
comfort for mom. If your mother-in-law
(or other “expectant mom approved” person) wants to be in the room……LET
HER! You may want to step out of the
room for a breather and it never hurts to have another person in the room who
has been through the labor process.
Delivery curveballs: We all know how it’s supposed to go, baby comes out, dad cuts the cord and everybody is all smiles but there are a few curveballs to be aware of. If the labor doesn’t progress as expected, the doctor may decide it’s time for a c-section. Even if it’s not an emergency, things start happening fast. One minute you’re telling mom to push, the next minute you’re being handed scrubs and being told to pack your stuff.
A c-section is surgery so there is a prep period inside the operation room and that preparation seems to take forever. Standing outside the operation room, dressed in scrubs and while waiting to be waved in, you begin praying to any God that will listen. Once inside the room, you’ll be placed at the head of the bed and most importantly, behind the curtain. If you want to see the little guy come out, you can but enter at your own risk as you will see things usually reserved for medical journals (this would be #1 on the list of “what will make dad pass out”).
Recovery: Whether mom has delivered via birth canal or C-section she will be sore and worn out so you will be handling a lot of duties. If the nurse offers to take the baby to the nursery, take her up on the offer. First time parents can feel guilty about letting the baby go but you will need some well deserved sleep. Once you get home there will be no hospital nursery to send the baby to.
Going Home: After all the stress, anxiety and excitement of your child being born, you will be tired. Even though you are tired, don’t forget to pull the car around to the pickup area prior to taking mom and baby out of the hospital. It seems like a given but no one tells you that it needs to be done and you might forget!
Article written by Kyle Fisher, of Atlanta Baby PlannersWednesday, March 10th, 2010
PVR Research is
recruiting new and expectant moms to participate in interviews for baby
products March 16-19. Interviews are 45 minutes long and respondents will be
paid for their time. Most interviews pay $50 but some pay more!!
Please call us today at 770-813-4902 to see if you
qualify!
Or visit http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB229KYHUG694
and fill out the survey. A recruiter will contact you shortly if you
qualify.
**Just a little note from Atlanta Baby Planners.....we love PVR Research!! It is the easiest money you will ever make! The staff at PVR Research are the sweetest and most professional people! Lisa Fisher, our founder, has done several interviews with them and highly recommends their service. Call today!!
Monday, March 8th, 2010
Are you expecting a baby? Would you love photography of your newborn by an award-winning studio for FREE?
Friday, February 26th, 2010
Upcoming Breastfeeding classes!
Calling all expectant moms! Are you looking for a breastfeeding class? Look no further! Atlanta Baby Planners offers breastfeeding classes that are taught by a certified lactation consultant (she is also a mother/baby nurse with 17+ years experience!). Also, just for attending the class, you will have access to personal breastfeeding support from a licensed IBCLC nurse for FREE!!
Contact us today for more information and to schedule a class!! The next class is April 20th from 6-8pm.
info@atlantababyplanners.com or 404.903.9115
Coming soon in February!
Baby Food Preparation Instruction event
Where: Izzy Maternity (North Point location)
When: Wednesday, February 10th 6:30pm
RSVP at www.izzymaternityclothes.com by Feb. 9th
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Happy New Year!!!
Start off the New Year with a organically clean home!
Check out Organically Maid here in Atlanta. They clean your home with all natural, biodegradable cleaning products. Go to www.organically-maid.com for details.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Three of our new favorite things!
Zoobie Pets
*a plush toy, a soft pillow, and a comfy blanket all in one!
Too cute!! Check them out at: www.zoobies.com
Kaloo Liliblue Moonlight Rabbit Night Light
*soft, sweet bunny, rechargeable light and comes in a signature gift box!
Find it at: www.spiffybaby.com
The Teethifier
*teether that is designed especially for emerging back teeth!
*the only teether that slips past front teeth to massage incoming molars!
*the "pacifier front" prevents over insertion.
Check it out at: www.onestepahead.com Wednesday, July 29, 2009 Helping people who suffer from Infertility In the past few months, I have been meeting with Congressmen and State Directors for Georgia’s Senators, to get them to co-sponsor the Family Building Act of 2009. For those who do not know, this Act, requires insurance companies, which already offer obstetrical benefits, to offer infertility benefits. Specifically, this is H. R. 697, which was introduced in the House and S. 1258, which was introduced in the Senate. Both in the 111th Congress. This is especially important in Georgia because the state does not mandate infertility coverage. Did you know that only 14 states require infertility coverage of insurance companies? Is your state one of them? Click here to find out. http://www.ncsl.org/Default.aspx?TabId=14391 If only everyone had that opportunity to feel what it feels like to know that you will become a parent! It should not be something that only people with lots of money to spare can feel. Although, as it stands right now, it is. We spend more time and money on many low cost options or put ourselves at risk to have surgery (which might be covered by insurance and be just a co-pay for us but increases insurance rates) although they are all have low pregnancy rates. We should all be pushing for this mandate. Not only if you, yourself, suffers from the infertility disease (yes, it really is a disease) but for the millions that are suffering across the nation. If you say that you do not know anyone that suffers from it, then let me be that person for you. You can help. Feel free to email me and find out how. Lastly, during my meetings with the Senatorial staff, I was told that the Senators feel that this is something that should be handled by the Governor and should be directed in that way. Okay then, off to the Governor I go. Stay tuned… Monday, July 20, 2009 If you are one of the lucky ones to be pregnant during the summer months in the south, you know exactly what I am about to talk about. It actually does not matter if you are in the South or not, because when you are pregnant, the heat seems to follow you everywhere! Did you know that your body temperature actually decreases while you are pregnant? This is due to a woman’s metabolism rising during pregnancy and the body adjusting to keep the base temperature from increasing. Then why do you feel like you have to stand next to a fan everywhere you go? Hot flashes! I know, you thought that you would not have to deal with those until later in your life. Not so! Just another little perk of carrying your bundle of joy! All of those extra hormones that are flowing around in your body are causing you to have hot flashes. Not just in the evening but in the day as well. This combined with the heat of summer, can be torturous for the Mother- to-be (not to mention the Father-to-be who is running behind you carrying the fan!).
Here are some tips on trying to stay cool:
1. Drink lots of cool liquids (water preferably). Keeping hydrated helps to flush the body of toxins and fluids contribute to organ function for both you and the baby. By not getting your 8-12 glasses a day, dehydration can set in which can result in fatigue. Not to mention the cooling effect the liquids will have on your body, just by drinking! 2. Dress in cool, breathable fabrics (cotton, linen and thin knits). Also, dress in layers so you can put on or take off a layer depending on your temperature. 3. Eat fruit. Chilled fruit helps to cool off those hot flashes. Not only does fruit contain some of the water that you need, it also has Vitamin C! 4. Keep a fan running. Ceiling fan, standing fan, hand-held, whatever you have! Just keep it turning to circulate the air around you. 5. Enjoy the water! Cool yourself by taking a dip in a pool, the ocean, lake or river. When not in the water, stay out of the sun and get into the shade. Also, don’t forget your sunscreen even when you are in the shade.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Our new favorite items!
Isoki baby bags
*reversible, hobo, saddle tote, changing pad clutch, petite traveler....did I mention REVERSIBLE??
What is NOT to love?
Check them out at www.isokiusa.com
Kidco Center Gateway pressure-mount baby gate
*available in white and black.
*walk through gate.
*Sturdy enough for a 25lb "baby" to pull on (although not recommended for the baby to do! :-)).
*easy to install.
*best of all, can attach to balusters by using Kidco Y Spindle
Check them out at www.kidco.com
Kidco Y Spindle
*attaches specific Kidco Gateway gates to balusters
*installs with no screws needed.
*works as a pressure mount.
Get more details at www.kidco.com
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
One of our partners, Sara Speert Photography is having their 3rd Annual Portrait Day on Saturday, October 24th! You can choose from 3 packages: Folio, Cards or Wall Art. Each mini-session lasts 20 minutes. Reserve your time slot now by going to www.saraphotography.com/portraitday .
The RSVP deadline is October 7th. It is a great opportunity to get some professional photos of your family!!
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Did you know that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month? Go to www.curechildhoodcancer.org to find out more about how YOU can help!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Thanks for checking back! Off to the Governor’s office I went and this is what happened. I spoke with Governor Sonny Perdue’s Health Advisor and she could not have been more sweet (Thanks J)! She felt the same way that the Senators and Congressmen felt, which was by mandating Infertility coverage, it would increase insurance premiums. I spoke to her (and the Congressmen and Senators) about the fact that what does increase insurance costs are multiple birth rates and multiple birth rates are higher due to low cost fertility options. Without coverage, most couples will settle for the low cost options (because that is all they can afford) but by doing that, their risk for multiples is much higher.
Unfortunately, today we stand in the middle of a huge, nationwide health care struggle. With all that the government is doing right now to cut, cut, and cut Health Care Reform, infertility coverage may be on the chopping block. Of course, I will push on and try my best to stand up for all of you who are or have suffered from infertility. Maybe it will not be this year that it will be mandated (who knows, maybe it will!) but if we can keep speaking about the need for infertility coverage, maybe it will be sooner than we think! So, fellow infertility sufferers, speak up loudly and tell the government that you are out there and that your needs matter!! I believe they ARE listening…
Infertility coverage is especially important to me personally and I most definitely get on my soap box about it! My husband and I spent 4 years trying to conceive a baby. 2 years on our own, 2 years of fertility treatments and 9 months pregnant with our precious little boy, Brady (miracles DO happen you know!). Our insurance companies did not cover infertility and yes, we did purchase the most expensive plan that our company offered. So we were on our own. We did what most couples would do and tried the low cost options first. Pill medications then medications with IUI’s (intrauterine inseminations) and then exploratory surgery (to find out WHAT was going on!). None of that worked BUT some of it was covered by insurance and the ones that were not, were low-cost ($500) compared to IVF (In-vitro fertilization) (avg. $18,000). If the State mandated that infertility benefits were offered, we would have done IVF early in the process. I would not have done so many IUI’s, by which each could have resulted in a higher chance of a multiple birth. I would not have put myself under the knife by doing exploratory surgery. Since we did not have the money for IVF, we saved our pennies and had help from our parents to help us take that leap of faith and finally do IVF. After one cancelled attempt (my body did not respond to the meds) and one full attempt, we got our Christmas miracle in December 2007…..it worked! We would really get the chance to be parents!
The next date for the FREE Infertility Information Seminar at Reproductive Biology Associates is coming up! It is Saturday, August 8th so mark your calendars! This is a perfect time to get all of your questions answered by a professional. Contact us at info@atlantababyplanners.com with any questions.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Pregnant this summer? How to beat the heat!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
June 25th is Resolve's Advocacy Day! If you did not know already, Resolve is the National Infertility Association. Join Resolve in Washington, D.C. on June 25th to speak on The Family Building Act of 2009.
What is this? The Act requires insurance coverage of infertility treatments by all health plans that also cover obstetrical benefits. Why is this important? Because everyone deserves to be a parent if they desire to be, not only if they can afford it!
Can't go to Washington, D.C.? See what you can do to make a difference in your town by going to:
www.resolve.org/advocacyday
Together we can make a difference!!
Monday, June 08, 2009
Did you know that you could attend a FREE Infertility Information Seminar at a respected Fertility Clinic here in Atlanta? This Saturday, June 13th at RBA of Atlanta. Love that place!! This is a perfect time to get all of your questions answered by a professional. Contact us at info@atlantababyplanners.com with any questions. We love to support RBA!!
Thursday, June 04, 2009
An article about Baby Planners has been added to the Expectant Mother's Guide online!
Check it out! http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/atlanta/baby-planners.htm
