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THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.

One of the things I’ve found most annoying while being pregnant (and now being a parent of two) is when others offer unwelcome advice.  Of course, their intentions are good, but they can also sometimes feel insulting. i.e. “Should you really be drinking that coffee?  You’re not supposed to have caffeine when you’re pregnant, you know!” And then there are those times you get conflicting advice.  i.e. “Just let your baby cry-it out!” and “Letting your baby cry will lead to an emotionally unstable child.”

Being pregnant and learning to adjust to a newborn can be stressful enough without having others make things more complicated with their “advice”.  Luckily, there are great resources available to the new and experienced parent that give trustworthy, time-tested advice from experts.  And best of all, this advice comes only when you need it.  The resource I am speaking of is the highly popular and recommended “What to Expect” book series.

The “What to Expect” series provides an amazing wealth of information for nearly every question or concern one may have from pre-pregnancy to post-partum and beyond.  I purchased “What to Expect Before You’re Expecting” prior to getting pregnant with our second child as it seemed to be taking longer than it did with our first.  The book answered a lot of questions I had that I otherwise would have been to embarrassed to ask someone about.  It also covers some very practical things, such as changing your diet to get your body as ready and healthy as possibly to carry a new life.

If you’re already pregnant, then “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” is the next step.  This book gives a month-by-month look at your baby’s development, changes in your body and emotions, and special questions and concerns.  It was in this book that I discovered I had restless leg syndrome during my second pregnancy.  If I hadn’t had come across the information in the book, I would have never convinced my husband that I was not crazy for thinking I had RLS.  But seriously, this book covers the whole gamut on pregnancy, from the common to the not-so-common issues that may arise.  Even better is the book ends with chapters on labor and delivery, 6-weeks post-partum, and even has a special chapter just for dads.  Every pregnant woman should have this book!

As we all know, pregnancy is just the beginning.  Once the baby is born, the real work begins.  “What to Expect the First Year” and “What to Expect the Second Year” cover the basics and beyond to help guide you through baby’s first two years of life.  Breastfeeding, sleeping, first aid and illness, and baby-friendly recipes are covered in these books, and that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface.  These books are big, but they conveniently come with an index that makes it quick and easy to find a topic you’re specifically looking for.

This series of books has become my go-to guide for any advice I am looking for.  I know the information is current and from a source I can trust.  If you haven’t already, make sure you buy these books and visit their website for even more information and resources to help you from pre-pregnancy planning and beyond.

****NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN YOUR OWN WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING BOOK****

Thanks to the people at What to Expect, IntoBaby is giving away one free WHAT TO EXPECT book! Enter the giveaway now by doing the following:

  • Required: Leave a comment as to why you like/would like the What to Expect Series
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CONTEST RULES:

  • All entries must be submitted by midnight on July 30th, 2011.  No late entries will be accepted.
  • Winner will be chosen at random using the generator at Random.org
  • Winner will be contacted via email the morning of July 31st, 2011
  • Winner must respond within 48 hours or the prize will be forfeited
  • This contest is open to U.S. residents only

Come back and visit us again soon at IntoBaby!

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With the near arrival of Baby #2, I decided it was time to get my nursing bra wardrobe in line.  The nursing bras I had bought at Target for Baby #1 were looking pretty tough, plus I never loved them in the first place.  I decided that it would be worth spending more money on a nursing bra that I loved.  After doing a lot of research, one brand continually surfaced as a favorite: Bravado.But since I am a sucker for a great deal, I spent an equal amount of time scouring the internet for the best deal on Bravado bras.  That’s when I came across Nurtured Family.  Nurtured Family is an online retailer offering everything from maternity and nursing clothing and supplies to diapering and baby gear.  It also has a brick-and-mortar store located in Houston. Let me note that Nurtured Family neither contacted me to do this review or compensated me in any way. I’m writing this all on my own to pass on my good find to you!

The first thing that caught my attention was the fact that their prices were lower than those on the Bravado website, and were equally as low or lower than Amazon.  On top of that, by signing up for the Nurtured Family newsletter, I received an extra 10% off of my order.  I was able to get the Bravado Original Nursing Bra, normally $35, for under $30 with this deal!  By far this was the best deal I could find online.  I also ordered a few Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bras with the 10% off coupon and secured another fabulous deal.  Even better is the bras were shipped for free!Nurtured Family offers a lowest price guarantee so you know you’ll get the best price you can find.  Returns are also easy and there is no cost to exchange a bra.

I won’t be buying nursing bras from anywhere else now that I’ve found Nurtured Family.  Their prices and newsletter deal can’t be beat.  Trust me, I’ve looked!  Go for it: Try Bravado nursing bras and Nurtured Family!

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After a nearly disastrous grocery shopping trip with my 19 month old son, I knew I needed to do something different.  The problem?  He refused to sit in the shopping cart.  And, being 7 months pregnant at the time, I tried holding his hand and having him walk next to me through the store.  That didn’t work either.  He wanted to do what he wanted to do, and would collapse on the floor when I’d try redirecting him.  Being we were desperate for groceries, I packed him on my hip the rest of the shopping trip.  By the time I got home, I was completely exhausted.  Thus, my search for a toddler carrier began!

I am a review junkie, so I started by scouring Amazon for reviews on different carriers.  I originally thought about getting a woven wrap so I could use it for both the new baby and my son, but I wanted something quicker and with less of a learning curve, as well as something my husband would be willing to wear.  There are a lot of options out there for soft structured carriers, but I found most of them to be either really girly or awkward looking, both of which I know my husband would never wear.  Or myself for that matter!  Luckily, I came across Boba.  Not only did it have the look and style I was going for, but it got nearly perfect reviews from Amazon customers.There were many color options that I liked, which made the choice a hard one.  I wanted a color that would be neutral for a boy or girl, which really most of the color options would be perfect for.  After consulting my husband for his input, we decided to order the Boba in Mist.  The gray straps, I thought, were a little more “manly” than the chocolate brown, and the lighter color would hopefully make it cooler to wear in the summer.  But what I love is how the apple green accent adds a pop of color and is perfect for a boy or girl.

The Boba arrived in a nice boxed package which included a full-color booklet with wearing instructions.  The instructions were very easy to follow.

I practiced putting my son in at home with the help of a mirror.  It felt a little awkward trying to slide him in on my back, but then again I was 7 months pregnant at the time.  With that said, it only took a minute to get him situated, the straps adjusted, and then he was securely, and comfortably, on my back.

But now the real test; wearing him in public!  We went to one of the first garage sales of the season, which is always a huge event in our small town as people are excited to say goodbye to winter.  I decided to bring the Boba along, but honestly didn’t think I’d need to use it.  In a last minute decision, I threw it on with my son, and boy am I glad I did!  A huge crowd was at the sale and it would have been literally impossible to weave through the people and items if he hadn’t had been on my back.  So my first Boba debut in public was definitely a success and I could see it was already a worthwhile investment.

The second time the Boba was used, my father-in-law wore it.  A group of us went to a train show, which was another extremely crowded venue.  My father-in-law insisted on wearing my son since I was now 8 months pregnant at the time.  I was a little reluctant since he has a bad back, but he had no complaints and wore it comfortably the entire time.  My son loved it too!

I am now 9 months pregnant and can still comfortably wear him on my back.  The straps are very comfortable on my shoulders and below my expanding belly and are easily adjustable.  I am 9 months pregnant in the following pictures.  We are not using the foot straps but it gives you an idea of the fit.

My son, who is now 21 months old and under 30 pounds, loves to be carried around in it.  He will see it sitting out, point and say “backpack” when he wants to go for a ride.  I really couldn’t be happier with it and I’m excited for all of the use it will get from my son and our new baby on the way.

Unfortunately, since I have been very pregnant since we’ve had our Boba, I haven’t been able to test the front carrying feature, but it’s definitely something I’ll be trying with our new baby.

Here are some of the key features of the Boba Carrier:

  • For infants/children 15-45 pounds
  • Removable sleeping hood
  • Adjustable foot straps for toddlers- (keeps their knees at an ergonomic 90 degree angle)
  • Padded, fully-adjustable straps
  • Daddy friendly color options

The Boba Carrier is very reasonably priced around $128.  I highly recommend the Boba to all of my friends and family, and to anyone in search of a soft structured carrier.  We couldn’t be happier with ours and it’s been a great purchase!

What do you think of the Boba Carrier?

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At 36 weeks of pregnancy, I’m feeling the itch to pack my hospital bag.  Being this is my second time doing this, my bag is going to be a little bit different than last time based on what I learned.  A lot of lists I found on the internet the first time around had me packing everything-under-the-kitchen-sink, most of it which I never even touched.  So if you’re like me and just want the much-needed basics, follow my guide.

IntoBaby’s Basic Hospital Bag

  • Maternity/loose bottoms and top for going home
  • 2 Nursing bras- I recommend Bravado!  One for the hospital, one to wear home.
  • Nursing pads- You probably won’t need many since your milk won’t come in for a few days after the baby is born.
  • Sanitary pads- The hospital will provide them, but I feel more comfortable bringing a few of my own as well.
  • Socks and underwear– A couple pair of each will do.  The hospital provides disposible underwear, which I prefer to use so mine stay clean. 
  • Shoes- Preferably a pair that can double for walking the halls and going home to lighten the packing load.
  • Toiletries/cosmetics- Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, deodorant and very basic make-up is all I bring.  Bring what is important to you.  I leave all my hair “appliances” at home.
  • Camera and charger
  • Cell Phone and charger
  • 1 Take-home outfit for baby

Very basic, right?  Well, I learned with the first baby that this was really all I ended up using.  No need to bring a fancy robe and slippers, or a change of clothes for each day you’re there.  I simply wore the hospital gowns they provided the entire time and used as much as the “freebies” they provided as possible.  Less for me to have to haul in, less to clean when I get home. 

If you’re curious what I brought the first time I packed for the hospital that we didn’t really use, read on.  You may find some of these things will work for you, even though I never used them myself.

Hospital Bag “Extras”- (That we never used)

  • Birth/Labor Plan: Just about everywhere I read said have at least 2 copies of your birth plan with you in your hospital bag.  We never used it.  We had already discussed with our doctor ahead of time plans for pain management, etc.
  • Breastfeeding pillow: We dragged the Boppy along, but didn’t need it.  The blankets and pillows on the bed did a great job during the middle of the night.
  • Breast Pump: My milk didn’t come in until a day or two after we got home from the hospital.
  • Robe and slippers:  As stated before, I opted to use the hospital gowns provided
  • Wash cloths:  We brought a few in case labor was long and hard and I needed a cool down.  The hospital had them, plus I never used them.
  • Pillow: Most sources I read said to bring your own pillow for comfort.  The hospital provided plenty of pillows so comfort was never an issue.  (Although my  husband definitely prefers to bring his own!)

With that said, light-packer or not, I am considering bringing my Nook Color (my Mother’s Day present!) which I can use to keep people updated on facebook, and read books and magazines if I need any entertainment. 

The important thing about packing your hospital bag is bring what you know will be important to you!  Each person has their own opinions as to what is essential or not, so pack as light or heavy as you need to meet your needs.  Just keep in mind that you’ll be leaving the hospital with a baby in a car seat, and probably numerous supplies given by the hospital, as well as any flowers and gifts you’ll receive.  That’s why I’m packing much lighter this time! 

It also is a good idea to have your bag packed by the time you’re full term to make sure it’s ready to go, and keep it in the car with you when you go places, or go to your doctor appointments.  You never know how fast labor will go, so it’s best to be ready! 

With that said, happy packing!

What did you pack in your  hospital bag?

 

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How to Pull an All-Nighter with a Sick Baby

Let’s face it:  At some point your little one is going to get sick and you’re going to have some sleepless nights because of it.  However, there are a few simple things you can do to make nights like these a little bit easier on yourself and your sick child.  Consider the following the next time you sense an all-nighter is coming on:

Choose your location

The nursery, your bedroom, the family room?  Maximum comfort is the main thing you’ll want to consider when choosing where to camp out for the night.  Find the most comfortable place for you and baby to sit or lay down for the night.  Also consider the proximity to other people who may be in the house.  You may also want access to a TV.

Gather your supplies

Try to arrange everything you’ll need to make it through the night within an arms reach of where you’re camping out.  This will keep unnecessary movement to a minimum and hopefully help your baby relax and rest as much as possible (as well as you).  Here are a list of things you may want to have closeby for the night:

Medicines, thermometer, something to drink (for you and baby), blankets and pillows, cell phone, books, tv remote, humidifier, diapering supplies, etc.

Basically anything you think you’ll need to get through the night, have it ready and closeby.

Settle in

Once your nest is made for the night, it’s just a matter of survival mode.  It’s not easy staying up all night, especially when you’ve got a baby who is crying and won’t sleep.  But you know your baby best and what calms them the most.  Try singing to them, or reading them books, or maybe they are old enough to enjoy a kids’ movie.  And if your little one ends up falling asleep, either join right in or reach for your own book or movie to keep yourself entertained for the rest of the night. 

It’s still not going to  be an easy night, but being prepared and having a well thought out plan will help it go so much smoother.

Here’s to healthy babies!

What tips do you have for staying up all night with a sick child?

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I recently came across two unique websites, BabySteals.com and MamaBargains.com, both which sell deeply discounted baby items on a first-come-first serve basis.  Discounted items are at least 50% off of retail price, and go up to 80% off.  The concept is simple and very fun: a few baby items are posted on the site at one time, and once the items are sold out, they are gone forever.  At this point another discounted item will be posted in its place.   Most items go very quickly so you’ve got to be quick on the draw to get such a great deal.

Items offered on these sites vary greatly, from maternity items, nursery decorations, clothing, feeding items, toys, gear and the list goes on.  Featured brands include ERGO, BabyLegs, Ju-Ju-Be, and more.  It’s such an exciting way to shop because you never know what type of deal you’re going to stumble upon that day (or moment). 

My first purchase from these sites were from MamaBargains.com on their “Five-Dollar Friday”.  Apparently any random items they have left from earlier in the week get sold for $5 on Fridays just to get rid of it.  I got 2 pair of Baby Legs (normally $12 a piece) and 2 pair of Me-In-Mind shoes (retailing for $27/piece) all for $5 each.  Shipping is also very reasonable with a lot of shipping options. 

Make sure you check these sites out. You just might find a steal/bargain on that baby item you’ve been looking for.  And make sure you share this with your friends!

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Maybe I’ve been living in the dark ages for far too long, but I recently came across the Ju-Ju-Be Paci Pod and immediately wondered two things:  Why didn’t I think of this? and Why didn’t anyone tell me about these? 

I think we’ve probably all been there before…desperately digging around the bottom of the diaper bag searching for a much-needed pacifier for an unhappy baby.  You know there are at least half a dozen in there, somewhere, but you can never seem to find them when you need them.  And then when you do find one, its got all types of fun little things stuck to it from hanging out in the bottom of the diaper bag.

And now enters the Paci Pod.  A cute, round little bag that clips directly onto your diaper bag and neatly (and cleanly) stores 2 easily-accessible, ready-to-go pacifiers.  So simple and ingenius.  And so practical.  Again, I ask, why didn’t anyone tell me about these?

The Ju-Ju-Be Paci Pod retails for $8 and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns.  Here are just a couple of many options:

So glad I stumbled across these before Baby #2 gets here!  Make sure you enlighten someone today about these Ju-Ju-Be Paci Pods today!

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The Best BIG Diaper Bag for Your Budget

Whether you’ve got multiple small children, twins or multiples, or are simply an over-packer, you may be on the search for a large capacity diaper bag.  In less than 2 months, my husband and I will enter the “two kids under 2” Club, and we’re already feeling the pressure to upgrade from our daddy-friendly Skip Hop Messenger to a bigger bag.  And since I’m becoming an obsessive-compulsive baby product reviewer, I have spent the past few days searching high and low for the best reviewed BIG diaper bags available for every budget.  Keep in mind that if you don’t have multiple small children or if you’re a light packer, these bags will likely be far to big for every day use.  With that said, let’s review the winners for each budget!

The Steal:  Lands’ End Do-It-All Diaper Bag 

Unique feature:  Opens like a doctor’s bag

Measurements:  11”Hx15”Wx8.75”D

Price:  $39.50

Although it’s definitely not flashy, the Lands’ End Do-It-All Diaper Bag was routinely recommended by moms in the forums I came across.  It also gets the highest rating I’ve seen in a budget diaper bag, with a 4.5/5 rating.  Overwhelmingly, the favorite feature of this bag is “doctor’s bag” opening, which allows for easy viewing and full access to all the items within.  It’s also one of the more “daddy-friendly” bags I’ve seen.

The Do-It-All comes in six colors and can be monogrammed for only $5, which would definitely help add some style to this basic bag.  Land’s End frequently has promotions for free shipping and other discounts, so keep your eyes open and get a great bag at a great price!

The Standard:  Skip Hop Duo Double Deluxe Diaper Bag

Unique Feature:  Comes with stroller straps that make it fit a side-by-side double stroller

Measurements:  13.5”Hx18”Wx4.25”D

Price:  $80

From what I’ve seen and read, the Skip Hop Duo Double Deluxe sets the standard for all other large diaper bags.  It gets nearly perfect reviews with a 5/5 rating on Amazon and has been highlighted as the bag of choice in many parenting magazines.  The Duo Double comes great color choices, many of which are daddy-friendly. 
Many reviewers commented how they have tried several diaper bags and the Duo Double surpassed them all.  And for only $80, it’s reasonably priced.

The Splurge:  Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared

Unique Feature:  Color-coded, tabbed mesh pockets to keep each child’s items organized and identifiable

Measurements:  14”Hx18.5”Wx6.5”D

Price:  $180

In all of my researching for the best big diaper bag, the Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared was by far the most mentioned, recommended, and longed-for bag.  It receives nearly perfect ratings from a variety of websites, with a perfect 5/5 from Diapers.com and 4.5/5 from Amazon.  Although the price may leave some sticker-shock compared to most diaper bags out there, this bag packs a lot of extra features that leave moms raving that there is no other bag that can compare.  Just have a look for yourself:

Not only is the bag functional, but it’s fashionable.  It comes in several color options and prints.  My personal favorite is Evening Vines (shown at the top of the Ju-Ju-Be post).  Evening Vines is new for Summer 2011 and is pre-order only.  It will be available in May 2011.  Here are some of the other color options:

The Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared may be a splurge at $180, but it also comes with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturer defects (NOT normal wear and tear), which offers a little peace-of-mind for the price paid.  Many moms also mentioned that they love how this bag can double as their hospital bag or travel bag.

Of course, there are MANY more options out there for large diaper bags.  But, as far as I’ve seen, these 3 bags are a recurring theme when searching for the best of what’s available for every budget.

Do you have experience with any of these bags?  Please share!

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Moby Wrap vs. Boba Wrap: Which is Better?

There is no doubt about it:  I loved using my Moby Wrap when my son was an infant.  Now that he’s a toddler, I handed my Moby over to my sister-in-law to use with her baby girl.  And what do you know?  She loves it too!  But now that we’re expecting baby #2 soon, I was feeling a little anxious to get my Moby back, clean, and ready for use.  The only problem is my sister-in-law is still using it on a regular basis with her 9 month old, plus she is expecting another baby as well, so I really don’t want to take it back from her.

With that said, I was thinking of just letting her keep my old Moby and upgrading to a new one for baby #2.  My Moby is chocolate brown, and being that we’re going to have a summer baby, I was hoping to get something in a lighter color to help keep a little bit cooler in the summer heat.  So while shopping around online for the best option, I came across a wrap similar to the Moby that I had never heard of before: the Boba Wrap.

In all reality, the first thing I thought of the Boba Wrap was “it’s a Moby knock-off wrap”.  It is the same concept: a very long strip of material that you use to wrap your baby snugly to your body.  But after doing some research for myself, there are definitely some subtle but important differences to take note of.

The Moby Wrap is made of 100% cotton, while the Boba Wrap is 95% cotton with 5% Lycra, giving it more stretch and “bounce-back” ability than the Moby.  I contacted Boba Wrap to see what they said about what sets them apart from Moby.  They quickly replied with the following:

“The fabric is the main difference. This affects two things, how you wrap it and how you wear it. The fabric is a blend of cotton/spandex which allows some stretch. No need to leave room for your baby as the spandex will do that for you. Just tie it nice and snug and go about your day. No need to retie or adjust, even after nursing.”

One thing I did notice about my Moby was that it seemed to lose its shape once I removed my son from it.  Although I have not yet tried a Boba Wrap, it sounds like the fabric blend they use takes care of this problem.  Many reviewers rave about the Boba Wrap and love how they can tie it tightly, have enough stretch to insert their baby, and once they remove it it returns to its normal fit.  The Moby tends to sag once baby is removed and may need to be retied.

One advantage the Moby Wrap fabric has over the Boba Wrap is the fact that it will likely be a little bit cooler in the summer months.  Since the Moby is 100% cotton, it has the advantage of being a little more breathable than the Boba Wrap which contains spandex.

Both Moby and Boba Wraps come in a wide variety of appealing colors and retail for  approximately $39.95.  There are also organic fabric options offered by each company at a higher price point.

So, which one is better?  Being that I haven’t tried the Boba Wrap, yet, I can’t say which I like better from first-hand experience.  However, upon reading reviews and forums online, I would say that the majority of the people who have tried both tend to lean a little more in favor of the Boba Wrap overall.  The general consensus is that its ease of use due to the stetchability gives it the advantage compared to the Moby.

With that said, I plan on gifting my well-loved Moby to my sister-in-law and taking a chance on the Boba Wrap for baby #2.  I honestly think I would be happy with either (and would still recommend the Moby Wrap to anyone).  But I’m excited to try something a little different and share what I find.

Do you (or would you) prefer the Moby Wrap or Boba Wrap?

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Should I Get an Epidural?

Are you weighing out your pain management options for your upcoming labor and delivery?  An epidural, in my opinion, is the way to go!  But if you’re on the fence about whether an epidural is right for you and your baby, read on!

An epidural can make your labor and delivery a, dare I say, pleasant experience.  I went into labor planning on getting an epidural, even though I have a high pain tolerance.  I also had a very short labor, lasting just over 2 hours, but I was so happy I got an epidural.  Once the catheter was in place, it was almost instant relief from the painful contractions.  I felt good.  Really good!  I was able to rest and relax, and so was my husband.  I can honestly say I loved the entire birthing experience because of it.  I would definitely get an epidural again and recommend them to my friends who are looking at their options for pain relief during delivery.

So what makes an epidural better than other pain relief options?  First of all, epidurals are different than IV drugs.  IV pain relief drugs enter your blood stream, and therefore the baby’s, and your baby can be affected by this.  Since an epidural goes into your spine, the effect on the baby is different, although the baby can still have some physiological changes due to the epidural.  Just be informed and ask the doctor and anesthesiologist about the risks.  Also, IV drugs can make you groggy.  I know people who had IV drugs who were put into a kind of induced sleep because of them, and they weren’t all there when their baby was delivered.  Epidurals don’t mess with your brain chemistry so you will be fully awake and aware of everything during your labor and delivery, minus the pain.

Scared of needles?  I hear this one a lot.  Some women are deathly afraid of needles and the thought of one being put into your spine isn’t very pleasant.  Trust me, I’m not scared of needles but I still don’t like the thought.  There is some risk with the procedure.  The doctor could hit a nerve and do some damage.  But the risk is small, and it just may be worth it to you.  It was for me.  So to those who say they are afraid of needles, I say this.  If this is your first baby, you don’t know how bad the pain will be for you.  But you just may find in delivery that by the time you are in pain you won’t care about your fear of needles anymore. 

Want to do it all naturally?  Good for you!  There seems to be a big trend right now of women delivering naturally with no pain relief.  If this is something you want to do, go for it.  There is nothing wrong with that.  However, I do say don’t be completely close-minded to an epidural.  As mentioned before, if this is your first baby, you really don’t know what your pain levels are going to be until you’re actually in labor.  You may find your pain tolerance isn’t what you thought, or you may have a very long and grueling labor.  Just make sure you keep your options, and your  mind, open.

Are you like me and know before you even go into labor that you want an epidural?  Make sure you talk with you doctor about it so they know your plans.  Every hospital is different, and they may have a cut-off for when you can get your epidural in the labor and delivery process.  Don’t wait until it is too late and you can’t get one. 

If I was into bumper stickers, I would consider getting one that said “I Love My Epidural.”  It was truly that awesome and made the birth of my son the most enjoyable, pain-free experience!

Tell us about your epidural experience.  Would you have an epidural in the future?

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