2016 May Miracles

[mrsmax]

Thanks ladies. I can't believe you are at thge halfway mark! How time flies.

 

[ja14]

Congratulations, Mrsmax! I hope everything goes perfectly for you this time around.

I'm hoping to not return to work after baby is born, but I'll really get a better idea if that will actually work out these next couple months. Starting today, every pay check I get will go directly into our savings account, and we will only be living off of husband's check. We also recently started budgeting so we can keep better track of our spending.

Anyone thinking about childbirth classes yet? I would love to go to classes, but with our schedules I think it will be nearly impossible. I am looking into Birth Boot Camp online classes though! Everything I've read about it so far seems great, so I will more than likely do it, but haven't committed to it yet.

 

[NZKiwi]

I have booked on for classes already, they try to get you in as close to your due date as possible and mine start in April and finish the week of my due date, which seemed a little weird to me. The classes I have enrolled in have a home birth focus and also focus on post natal support networks, which is good as I don't have any friends in my city with children, so am hoping to make some mummy friends

 

[busytulip]

I've never taken childbirth classes, I would however highly recommend taking infant/child CPR.

 

[bakerh518]

I second the cpr/first aide

We didn't do any classes last time around (even before we discovered we'd be forced into a csection with a breech baby) but I do VERY highly recommend the spiritual guide to midwifery by Ina May (quite simply the most amazing midwife out there)

I also watched empowering videoes of births online!

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Congrats, mrsmax! Lots and lots of sticky dust this time!

I took a basic childbirth and infant care class through my hospital with the first one, and honestly, I already knew everything they told me because of my own research online. But it was good for DH, I think.

 

[NZKiwi]

oh yes infant and child CPR is something we will definitely be doing, I used to work at the Red Cross, and used to have a current certificate but since leaving I have let it lapse. Here in NZ they do special infant and child classes for new parents and caregivers.

being a ftm I don't know anything, even how to change a baby etc, so I'm looking forward to that part the most. I also have been watching positive birth videos, it actually freaks me out less to see what is involved!

 

[ja14]

I've read/watched a ton of things online! I've also read bits and pieces of Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.
I think a class would be helpful in helping me feel more confident in attempting a natural birth, because I don't know anyone personally who has. I also think it will be helpful for OH to learn some techniques in helping me through labor, otherwise I think he'd just get on my nerves

I have to be CPR certified for my job, so I'm up to date on that, but I may consider an infant care class. Again, probably more for OH than myself, haha.

 

[drjo718]

As a labor nurse, I find that patients have much more success in their desire for a natural non-medicated birth when they are prepared. I would highly recommend birthing classes and certainly a comfort measures class if one is offered near you. And bring your support person with you. Obviously nothing will prepare you 100%, especially if you are having your first baby, but preparation and education are essential.

 

[cookielucylou]

I've never bothered with any classes, had both my boys completely natural. We are built to do this, believe that you can do it

 

[busytulip]

Spiffy have you ever heard of siblings classes? I always thought they'd be kind of neat-but I could never justify the cost.

drjo I didn't realize you were a L&D nurse, I've been as well. Our hospital births the most babies in a tri-state area

 

[drjo718]

Busy, where are you located? I'm in Des Moines. My hospital is one of two major hospitals in the area. We have about 3500 births a year on my unit and do most of the the high risk management within a 2-4 hour radius. So fun to know someone else here is in l&d!

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Busy, I've never heard of sibling classes, but that would be neat! The only problem is, mine are so little still that I don't think they'd get much out of a class (except maybe DD, but she's a pro by now. )

Drjo and Busy, that's so cool that you ladies are/were L&D nurses! If I could go back in time, I think I might have become a midwife or OB or L&D nurse. I love learning all things pregnancy and birth related and I'm the one that all my friends text and call when they have questions. I've had multiple people ask me if I've been to med school because of how familiar I am with almost every pregnancy condition out there.

 

[busytulip]

I'm in Wichita, KS they deliver over 6,000 babies a year at the hospital where I used to work. I've been a SAHM since March 2014 but try my best to stay as knowledgeable as possible and up to date as far as my licenses and what is EBP. Some days I miss it, but I can't imagine not being around for my kiddos. I adore them more than anything.
Spiffy I have always wanted to be a midwife, unfortunately there hasn't been much interest for midwives in our area (at least not until recently). Plus liability insurance is astronomical.

 

[drjo718]

I'd love to be a SAHM but it's just not in the budget right now. Doesn't help that iowa is the lowest paying state or territory for nurses . I am planning to go part time and pick up extra shifts as needed, though. Plus my mom is providing free childcare so I don't really have that as a reason not to work. I have wanted to be a midwife for several years now, and love our midwives who deliver at my hospital, but I'm going to focus on having a family for awhile. I'm 31 and want to have more than one child if we can, so earning my masters degree will wait.

 

[busytulip]

My DH has asked if I'd like to go back for my doctorate and I'm just not ready. I think I like the idea of being home solely for my kids. I'm really blessed that we do okay without a second income-sure we don't have all our 'wants' but I can live with that if it means that I'm not missing out on my children growing up. It goes way too fast! Plus I have a few friends who are in the doctorate program now and they are always posting to FB how exhausted they are, doesn't make me feel like running out and signing up.
That must be really nice to be close (geographically and in your relationship) to your mom and garner free child care. We've never had that option. My mom and I have a 'rocky' relationship and DH's mom lives in another state (plus she works).

It does make me curious though, how many of you ladies will be staying home with your babies after?
And for those of you who will be returning to work, how long of a leave will you be able to take?

 

[crystal8]

In Canada we can take up to 1 year with an income supplement (it's basically the equivalent of unemployment insurance). Part of that year can be divided between the two parents. DH and I are still trying to decide how to divide up time as he very much wants some time at home as well. I will definitely be going back to teaching (I teach high school science) so we have started researching good daycares in our area.

 

[sugargully]

I'd like to stay home but it's not an option for us. So much of hubby's income goes to child support that he can't support us.

I'll get about 12 weeks off. Only b/c I'm a teacher and baby's coming close to the end of the school year.

I'm hoping to try for number 2 in the fall in hopes of getting the same time off in the summer of 2017.

 

[bakerh518]

Ive been a sahm since three months before my son was born! I am VERY fortunate that my husband and i were able to make it work, sometimes it is a struggle but we couldn't imagine it any other way!

I admire working mommas! I honestly don't know how you do it!! Some days i feel like i can't get out of my own way to do the dishes never mind go to work, THEN care for my child AND then do the dishes...

My dh will get a month paternity leave when the baby comes, which was HEAVENLY when our son was born We are pretty excited about it this year

 

[Spiffynoodles]

I've been a SAHM since my first was born, and for us, it's not financial feasible for me to go to work, because we'd spend more on childcare than I would make! (I'm a teacher, and Utah is one of the lowest paying states for teachers). Both mine and DH's parents live nearby, but all of them work, so they've never been an option for childcare. Plus, when DH and I got married, we decided that we wanted me to be at home with the kids if at all possible, and we were willing to scrimp to make it happen if need be. Thankfully, DH seems to get a raise every time we have a baby, so we've been doing okay.