So this is your first pregnancy and everyone you know, including the corner grocer and your dry cleaner, has offered advise on how “they did it in their day.” So you haven’t had the heart to tell them that things are a bit different today, that this is your pregnancy, and you intend to experience and celebrate it in a manner that is uniquely you. In today’s world, it is hard to find something that hasn’t already been done before, but PlanetBump.com is a new website that publishes photos of expecting mother’s “baby bumps”. The catch phrase for PlanetBump is the celebration of change. They believe it is time to throw out the long flowing maternity moo moos and tent dresses along with the polyester pregnancy stretch pants and celebrate the bare belly. If you got it, Flaunt it, is what they are all about.
A Pregnancy Photo Says A Thousand Words
PlanetBump has taken a subtle photographic art form and turned it into a celebration gallery on their website. In recent years, it has become much more common for expectant mothers to have professional photographers capture and preserve their baby bellys’ on film. Pregnancy photography became a very popular memento; both in the professional photo format and in candid home shots. PlanetBump has taken that tradition a step further and provides a colorful gallery filled with client submitted photos showing off their baby bumps for everyone to see. The pictures are heartwarming, tender and even a bit painful (anyone that has been pregnant will know immediately which photos I mean!) PlanetBump is promoting the pride of the pregnant belly; insisting that it is not meant to be hidden but rather celebrated for the tiny life that is encased within it’s Mother’s belly.
The New Rage is to Sculpt Your Pregnancy
Another fascinating and creative memento of pregnancy that PlanetBump advertises and teaches online is the sculptured belly cast. This cast, once made, is a three-dimensional form of the mother’s baby belly, allowing her pregnancy to remain as a tangible memento long after baby has arrived. It is possible to order professional casts from many different companies online, however, PlanetBump provides a step-by-step guide on how to make your own “Baby Bump”. The supplies are relatively easy to locate and not too difficult to work with. I know of couples that have done this and say it is really quite easy and makes an excellent keepsake, not to mention a great conversation piece. It is important that Mom be able to sit in one position for 20 minutes in order to make the mold. For Dad, the process demands attention once you begin as the medium can dry out quickly, so be prepared to sculpt once you start the process. The cast itself will take about 48 hours to dry and harden so leave it is a safe place during that time. While the idea may sound intimidating, don’t let it scare you or your partner. It is a fun arts & crafts idea that will help preserve the memory of this pregnancy and the love you have for one another and this little life you are bringing in to this world.

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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Hypnosis and acupuncture are promising approaches to relieve pain during labor and delivery, but more research is needed to determine whether these two strategies, as well as other complementary therapies - such as massage, relaxation, aromatherapy, acupressure, and white noise — relieve labor pain.

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Every labor and delivery is a magically unique experience. Giving birth is a phenomenon that the majority of women experience at least once in their life, and labor and delivery is the culmination of the pregnancy and the introduction of a beautiful new soul.

Even if a woman should happen to give birth to many children, each and every labor and delivery experience has its own unique concerns. For instance, the expectant mom plans on giving birth at the local hospital, and she has chosen an epidural catheter for pain control during labor and delivery. Her water breaks a few weeks early while at their remote cabin, but suddenly the baby arrives before you can get to the hospital.

This happens more than you might think, fortunately everything usually turns out to be just fine. People have been giving birth long before there have been hospitals. Just imagine how many babies have been born and fields and huts with nothing more than the aid and comfort of a family member or close friend.

OK, getting back to modern times, there are a great deal of decisions that need to be made before labor and delivery ever begin. You should feel comfortable with your doctor and his staff, and have a solid support system in place, be it family or friends, or better yet, both.

If you want have as much control as possible over the birth of your baby, you should consider having a birth plan in place. You will have a great deal of control over your labor and delivery with regards to the issues such as if you want an IV, pain medication, or an epidural.

You may just choose to go the natural route and forgo any pain killers and as few medical interventions as possible. These at the types of things that are laid out in a birth plan. You can even specify who you would like to be with you as you are going into labor, and what type of comforts you would prefer. You should also discuss with your doctor what would be done under certain emergency scenarios. We don’t like to talk about it, but problems can and do happen.

The actual labor and delivery itself can be scary because of all the unknowns. Anything you can be scary, especially childbirth. Your health care provider is there to educate you and your partner, and support you throughout the pregnancy and labor and delivery. This can be extremely helpful in reducing anxiety and alleviating some fears.

In general, the mortality rate of mothers and babies is very low, and labor and delivery ends successfully in most cases with the birth of a healthy infant. It should also come as related in the all the planning and fussing has finally ended. Now the time has come. The labor and delivery experience should be celebrated. It’s a beautiful thing.

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