When we found out that our SheSpeaks staffer Emily is pregnant and due in September, we just had to compare stories, grilling her about all the new ways social media has impacted the experience. Turns out that pregnancy itself has not changed since the dawn of civilization, but the way we handle it sure has: Gender-Reveal Parties! Birth Announcements on Facebook! Pregnancy Tracking Apps! We needed to know more...
Read on to celebrate the fun that is pregnancy, and enter to win a $100 gift card to Spafinder.com so you can treat yourself this Mother's Day!
How did you announce that you were pregnant?
What’s with the gender-reveal parties? Are showers now considered passé?
With all the internet resources available, are you even shopping in-store? And how are you deciding what to buy?
What research are you doing to learn about pregnancy and the new baby?
Happy Mother's Day from the SheSpeaks Team!
Whether you are a new mom, an experienced mom or not a mom at all... what is your best piece of advice to give to Emily and all the other soon-to-be moms out there? Tell us for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Spafinder.com so you can treat yourself this Mother's Day!
There are two ways to enter:
Simply comment below with advice for a future mom.
AND/OR
Tweet about the giveaway!
Click here to Tweet: "I entered the @SheSpeaksUp #MothersDay giveaway to win a Spafinder gift card! bit.ly/1NzyiAQ"
*One lucky commenter or Tweeter will be chosen at random to receive a $100 Spafinder.com gift card. Giveaway is open through May 8th, 2016 to U.S. residents at least 18 years of age. Entrants must be a member of SheSpeaks. If you are not a member, click here to join. Winner will be notified by email.
Update: The winner is SheSpeaks member Eureka00! Thanks to all for entering and congrats to her!
Do not share the name of the baby until he or she are officially named on the birth certificate. People will give you their opinion and try to convince you to change it. Baby Center community groups and birth clubs are great - having a new baby can be very isolating; it's nice to chat with other moms who are up at 2am. My baby was born at 30 weeks, and the preemie parenting group was really helpful. Love the Eat Sleep app for tracking eating, sleeping and diapers. Who knew that you track how well the baby is eating by the # of diapers a day? The Cozi app is great for keeping dr visits and family schedules straight. Also reading Here's the Plan by Allyson Downey. Good read for understanding maternity leave - the legal and practical. Last, if your baby has reflux, you need a rock n play sleeper. It angles the baby so that reflux happens less.
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/725843754612043776
Register all your baby gear with the manufacturer so you'll be informed if there are recalls.
My advice is to not listen to people who tell you how to raise your child. I know that is hard because literally EVERYONE you know (or even randoms you come in contact with) has an opinion, but remember at the end of the day it is YOUR child and it is YOUR choice how you care for them.
Yes, I believe social media has changed pregnancy. Because of this new technology, parent-to be and parents are able to ask questions online and share thoughts and opinions with each other. Social media has made becoming pregnant , being pregnant and parenting much easier because this forum let's you know you aren't in this alone.
Enjoy the time you have with them while you can because they'll be 18 before you know it;)
My best advice is to listen to your heart, you're a mom and you're doing great, don't listen to all the naysayers!
Don't worry about the little stuff. Enjoy your new baby! Let all of the unwanted advice go in one ear and out the other. You are the mother of the baby so you and your mate make the choices, not someone else. It is true that time flies and they are graduating before you know it. Every minute counts.
Don't always listen to what other people tell you, many times it comes from the heart of the mom and she knows best!! They can tell you how they did things and possible things to try but it is all up to you, mom, and you alone!
Go with your gut.
My advice is go with the basics-you don't need half of the stuff they sell and if you do get it-you won't use it long. Have a decent amount of clothes in each size, but not too much because they'll never wear it. Keep things simple. Babies need love versus material things and they don't care about half of the toys they have; they want your cell phone and xbox controllers instead!
tweet--https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/725731598830809088 Thanks for the chance to win! wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
As babies can be very expensive. As a Mom the best advice I can give is to sign up for baby coupons & samples. Because it's best to save where you can!
be careful of what you eat during the pregnancy and after. Careful with your sodium intake and lots of rest
Take time with your husband to just be with each other before the baby gets here. Enjoy the spontaneity that you won't have for a while once the kid gets here!