“You must say hello before you can say goodbye.”

I am a very firm believer in this statement, although I’d never force seeing her baby on any expectant mom making an adoption plan, but I think that if you do not spend time with your baby while in the hospital you might regret it later. I don’t know any birthmother who regrets the time she spent with her baby. In fact, I regret not spending enough one on one time with Charlie.

Why would a placing mother not want to see or spend time with her baby? Perhaps she... more

Somewhere in your third trimester you may wish to go ahead and pack a bag to have prepared to take to the hospital with you. By packing your bag in advance you are assured that you get to pack it and you get to choose the things you like the best. I did not follow this advice when Charlie was born and had to send my Dad to my apartment to pick some things up for me. Needless to say, I didn’t get every little item I’d wanted.

Once you pack your bag, throw it in a closet or an out of the way place and then it’s there ready and waiting for you... more

Another issue that you should give some thought to is who you wish to visit during your hospital stay. Depending on the state you live in, what type of delivery you have, and the policies of the hospital you deliver at, you (and your baby) could be in the hospital anywhere to twenty four hours to three or more days. So, you will have some time for visitors.

Even though I was planning an open adoption, I felt this need to have many friends and family members come to the hospital. I almost felt like it was their only chance to see him. Probably just my hormones... more

If you are pretty firm in your decision to place your child for adoption, another issue that may come up is whether or not you wish to have the prospective adoptive parents in the labor and delivery room with you. In this context I am referring to the prospective adoptive parents being in the labor room as spectators not your labor coach.

As with most issues in the adoption world, there are different schools of thought and pros and cons to this subject. Before you begin pondering the thought of whether or not to have the adoptive parents in... more

At some point in your pregnancy you may wish to make a birth plan. A birth plan is a written outline of your wishes and desires for your child birthing experience. It also can cover what you would like to happen if common complications (like needing a c-section) arise. It can be as detailed or as un-detailed as you wish. Many women are deciding that they want a say in what goes on and have created birth plans for that purpose. It’s a simple and non-confrontational way for you to make your wishes and desires known. A birth plan is just a statement of preferences... more

You will need a labor coach or labor support person (sometimes called a labor coach) there with you to assist you and cheer you on during the labor and delivery process. Have you given any thought to who you might choose?

Your labor support person’s role is to provide emotional support and physical support during the labor and delivery. You should choose someone you trust and someone you feel comfortable bearing it all with. If you are still involved with your baby’s father, then he may be an obvious choice for a support person. But if you are... more

If you are pregnant then you have probably been thinking that your due date is going to be here before you know it. At times, it feels like pregnancy lasts forever and then at other times it seems to speed right past you!

You are probably feeling a myriad of different emotions about your upcoming labor and delivery; happy, sad, scared, and nervous just to name a few. If this is your first child you are unsure of what to expect and even if it’s not your first child, then you are probably well aware that no two births are the same and that this... more

Maternity clothes have come along way since the decades of frumpy, ugly maternity clothes. Nowadays, maternity clothes are trendy and stylish and make a statement.

But they can be expensive and if you are already worrying about financial issues, spending much money on maternity clothes is not an option. But there are other options to keep you dressed at minimal costs to you.

Free Cycle ~ The Free Cycle Network is a community based group of people who are giving and receiving items they no... more

Do you have plans to be outdoors this 4th of July holiday? Perhaps you will be lounging by the pool, hanging out at the lake, or enjoying a local festival with friends and family. If not this 4th of July, at some point during the summer, you will probably be spending some time outdoors this summer. As a pregnant woman out in the sun, there are a few things you should remember.

Drink lots of water. It’s easy to get hydrated when you are outdoors for extended periods of time so be sure to drink plenty of water. Don’t forget the sunscreen!... more

As an expectant mother considering adoption, it is so important that you do your research and educate yourself about your options. If you are like most people in the general public (meaning not in the adoption community) you probably know very little about adoption.

I didn’t know very much about adoption at all when I was pregnant and making an adoption plan. I tried to educate myself but lack of internet access in the home during the pregnancy and not knowing of many resources made it difficult. I kind of just learned as I went along the process and A. (Charlie’s... more