Baby Gear – Do’s and Dont’s

I’ve been meaning to write a post about baby gear. Essentials that will make your life much more convenient with the baby insh’allah. As well as things you don’t need to bother with…

So here’s some things.

1- First of all, save your money and do not buy a diaper bag (ofcourse my opinion). When I was younger and obsessed with bags, I got a diaper bag..it was sturdy yes. But the ones from the hospital that they give you, have really been the ones that were super useful and just built for practicality. Also, my husband didn’t think they were ‘girly’ so he was more comfortable with us using them.

2- You know about the car seat and stroller deal. Essentials. No way around it.

3- Nursing cover. I got this bebe au lait nursing cover. It has been a God send. So convenient. Didn’t make me feel like a rag feeling in front of my dad or brother. It is modest, covering and yet kind of chic so I’ve really enjoyed it. It was pricey in my opinion at around $35 but worth it in the end. Ofcourse, you can make that type of thing yourself, but then again, we could also make our own shoes and shampoo and what have you…so you get the point. lol

4- Bouncer/Swing. The bouncer was a lifesaver with my son. The swing however is what worked with my daughter.  The vibrating feature in the bouncer didn’t do much for my daughter which was a God send with my son.  So I guess in this department, you just have to figure out what works with your child.

5- Medela Swing Pump – For an occasional, maybe one bottle a day type of pumper, this pump is sturdy. I got it used off of craigslist and it’s worked just fine.  Yes, I know they suggest not getting a used pump, but they also suggest many other things..like using sunscreen..and I don’t believe that anymore…long story Maybe I’ll write more on that later…

Hmm what else..oh yes..

6- A big FAT water bottle. The bigger the BETTER.  Hydrate yourself BEFORE you feel you are thirsty. Drink and drink and did i mention drink?

7- Jilbabs that have zipers or opening to feed easily. Duh right?

8- We got a bassinet for her but she’s been mostly sleeping in the bed with me.  If I were to choose again, I’d get a pack and play or a crib that I would put right next to the bed so I can just reach over and pull baby close to me for nursing.

Ok those are all the essentials I can think of.

Birth – Part 2

So basically, we went w/ this doctor. He was very motivating and very optimistic.  His residents however seemed to be kind of ‘different’ shall we say?  A little threatening, and at other times just wayyy too ‘cautious’. 

Ok so leme back up a bit. Because I was on this mission for a vbac, I tried to do everything I could for a vbac. So I got a doula. And that indeed the best thing I ever did. She was absolutely wonderful. Very supportive, with great suggestions, but never bossy! So naturally, we were very pleased.

My labor was long but doable for the most part up till the water breaking part.  At that point, the pain got really excrutiating and we headed to the hospital.  I was prepared to go natural had the pain remained at the level it was before the water broke and it was considerable. But after the pain just passed the level of my threshold, I was VERY READY for the epidural(and that is an understatement).

After the epidural, my senses returned and we generally sailed through labor till the pushing part which was short and alhamdulillah not too bad.

Ok so back to the fear mongering that the residents did for a bit..basically at one point even though I was 8 centimeters..they thought the labor was slowing down and they gave me sort of a time period to reach 10 centimeteres..otherwise they would have to do this or that.

At that point, the Hero OB lol basically told ‘em to check me like 5 or 6 hours later! thus saving the day. Because once I was checked that many hours later, I was dilated.  Once i heard that, I think the word rupture was nonexistant in my dictionary. I just started crying with joy. I think at that point I felt like this is great .. i’ve done it..before even giving birth.

Before this birth, I thought that this whole thing about “having the birth you want” is all gobeldy gook. As if the birth itself is a goal. But I realized afterwards, that there was a satisfaction to be gained from having a generally “pleasant” lol birth.  One significant thing was that my husband got to spend time with the baby right away and we both felt like that gave him this bond w/ the baby right away which was pretty special. 

Going back to the doula thing, I think it was sweet how a complete stranger can become so familiar in a sense because they share such a significant experience in your life. My doula was truly wonderful. Without the doula, we would have been sort of like overwhelmed and trying to do this or that, without the proper knowledge or direction.  Ofcourse, if we had taken childbirth classes, we would have been more on top of things, but studying things theoretically is ALWAYS different than actually experiencing them.  And the doula was obviously experience and so she was on top of things.