Free Prenatal Perks!

Get educated! I mean in the sense of reading as much as you can about pregnancy (preferably on my blog), while you have time to. Once you go into labor, it is all about the Baby for a long time.

Sign up for a free parenting magazine subscription online or from those little inserts that are in magazines at your Provider’s office! Read my blog and others. I mostly want you on my blog, but as an Educator, I do encourage more knowledge.

These are my boxes from Target, Amazon, Walmart, Noobie, Buy Buy Baby, Eco by Naty and Baby List

Ask your Provider/Mid-wife for a pregnancy rewards program through the hospital or call your insurance and ask if they offer one, it will mean money in your pocket when you complete it! Trust me, it comes in handy! Many large diaper companies have them, as you accumulate points, you can get prizes on their list. It can include everything from Baby products to toys, etc.

Find a “Welcome Box Registry” online (love those freebies).

Start Your Kegels! What is a Kegel exercise? It is a pelvic floor exercise. You can see how to do one online, but you basically contract that muscle (when you are holding it in and have to pee really bad) yes, that one! Hold it for 5 seconds, then relax. You can do this by sitting in a chair that is flat (so that you can feel that muscle). Increase your hold time. Do this up until you go into labor. You will need to do this after birth as well. This is crucial to you being able to control your urination. If you do not, your muscle will be weak and you can look forward to leakage in the future, every time you sneeze or cough!

Hospital Registration – I encourage you to get this completed or start thinking about it (if you plan to have a hospital birth) around week 32. Make sure to also:

Sign up for free prenatal and breastfeeding classes at the hospital.
Take a tour of the hospital and get familiar with their baby safety policies
Make sure to ASK QUESTIONS!
Ask them how many are allowed in the room?
Who gets a hospital bracelet?
Is there a baby safety plan?
What are visiting hours?
Are cameras allowed or recording devices?
Where is the NICU located?
Where is triage?
Where do we go if I go into labor after closing hours?
Do I get skin to skin “time” with my baby after birth? *I Highly recommend that you DEMAND this!!!! It is your right after all that work to spend 1 hour with your Baby, without interruptions. Plus, this helps initiate the bonding and attachment process with your baby, as well as breastfeeding. The hospital should have no problem with it (as long as there are no complications at birth).

Make sure to pre-wash your baby clothes by week 35. Use an organic detergent that is free of dyes, chemicals or scents.

Discuss with your husband/partner or friend/family member what you want during labor. This includes who you would like in the room with you and who you don’t want in the room. Avoid unnecessary arguments in the delivery or recovery room. Make sure everyone is on the same page.

Consider getting a Doula that will take the pressure off of your husband/partner. A doula can help arrange aroma therapy, control light dimming, massage you, help you switch positions and just comfort you until the baby is born.

Have a birth plan and let the hospital staff know as soon as you go in, but be aware that if there are complications of any kind, that birth plan goes right out the door.

Get mentally prepared for unexpected outcomes. Most first time parents make the assumption that they will have a normal labor and be discharged the next day. Things can happen, be prepared and aware. Have a plan. What if you go into pre-labor? What if you end up having a cesarean instead of a normal vaginal delivery? What if there are complications and your baby ends up in the NICU for some time, while you get discharged? These are just some examples. The reason I mention this is because having a “cozy” mentality is good and positive, but things happen. I have worked with Moms that didn’t plan for anything happening that was apart from their own plan and it actually increased their stress levels when it did happen plus they ended up with postpartum depression.

Make sure you have your hospital bag and carseat ready to go by week 35. Labor could come earlier than expected, so just be prepared. If you are unable to drop off your hospital registration, make sure it is in your hospital bag along with your I.D., your husband’s or partner’s I.D. and insurance information.

By week 35 remove any rings you might be wearing (if you haven’t already). Your body will swell and the last thing you want is to have to have a ring cut off because you didn’t remove it and forgot all about it.

MY REVIEW OF THE BABY BOXES

I must say that the Baby List Box was my favorite, I just felt they were more generous with items and gave more practical things I could use. But in all honesty, I am happy to get all the items that I can to store in my diaper bag! Some things I chose not to use (like the pacifiers). I am personally going to use silicone, but thought that I could always use the extra ones for a future Baby Shower basket. There is so much out there ladies, make use of what is there for you!

I thought you would all like to know how many samples I received in total, so here is my list: