ExpectingWords.com - Helping expecting couples find the right words at the right times

It’s been called the man-cession, the he-cession and the manly recession. No matter what we call it, the truth is that men are losing more jobs than women. Of the 6.4 million jobs eliminated since December 2007, men have lost 74% of them. CBS News reported that in 40% of households, women say they are the primary breadwinners. The facts are daunting, and the consequences affect families tremendously.

Will more dads stay-at-home to care for the children?

Jeremy Adam Smith, author of The Daddy Shift: How Stay-at-Home Dads, Breadwinning Moms, and Shared Parenting Are Transforming the American Family, argues that stay-at-home dads are an advance in American family life and that the growing number of such dads is a result of the last 50 years of change, though the trend may have been accelerated by the current economic climate. He points out that while moms may have a stronger initial connection to their newborns because of the pregnancy, Dads can build their connection by taking care of the child. And it seems that many fathers choose to do this.

At-home dads, and daddy blogs, are increasing in numbers every day. (more…)

What’s your birth plan? It’s a question I was asked by lots of people and I didn’t really have an answer, at first. I did a little research and decided my birth plan was quite simple: epidural. Then I found an extensive checklist of things to consider. It seemed a bit overwhelming, so I used it as a starting point to talk about labor and delivery with my husband and doctor.

Now, a year after my son’s birth, I can look back and see that there were five surprising factors that affected my birthing experience. I hope my insights can save you a lot of discomfort.

1) If you do want an epidural, ask for it well in advance.
Why? Because the anesthesiologist is busy covering other patients. A woman giving birth does not get priority over someone who was in a car accident and in need of anesthesia for emergency surgery. You may be last on the list for an epidural. I received mine an hour after I asked for it. I’ve heard of women having to wait 30 minutes to 2 hours. If you think you’ll want one at 4cm dilation, ask for it at 3cm. (more…)

I’m excited to share my newest blog post with you, but you won’t find it on this site. I’m honored that BabyCenter.com’s MOMformation appreciates Expecting Words and invited me to write a series of guest blogs for them.

The first is “I’m a Bossy Mom, Are You?” Read it here.

Thanks BabyCenter!

Screening Test Doubles the Chance of Pregnancy for Women using IVF

Now this is really big news: A genetic-screening test could more than double the chances of pregnancy for women who undergo fertility treatment, a study suggests.

Kids of Working Moms are Less Healthy

Statistics are nice, but what are going to do about this? How about opening up elementary schools for indoor and outdoor play after class and on the weekend? What are your ideas?

Expecting Moms: Flu Shots Can Help Your Baby

Heather Warlick-Moore, aka Domestic Diva, tells us that since April, at least 100 pregnant women have been hospitalized with H1N1 flu, and 28 have died. (more…)

When I was single I was selfishly happy. Not in a hurtful way to others, but in a natural way because I was my number one priority. Those were the days when I could choose whatever time was best for me to socialize, eat, sleep, work or take a long, hot shower.

Then I got married and that selfish feeling began to diminish, for good reason. That selfish single “me” became a less selfish “we.” I’d wake up in the morning and make coffee and eggo waffles for both of us. We’d take our turns using the bathroom, and then talk about what would be best for us to do together that evening or weekend day.

Then I had a baby. In just one day I went from a slightly selfish “we” to a totally unselfish three. Sleep? No way, I have to feed a baby. Eat? Whatever’s leftover will do. Socialize? No thanks, I have to save up my energy for those early mornings. Bathroom time, um, better hold it in until later. The baby needs a diaper change, like right now. When the newborn stage moved to the baby stage things calmed down a bit. I might have tried to take a relaxing bath while my husband cared for our son, but then I’d hear my son’s whaling cry and oh, well, maybe I should go help. So I’d shut off the water and scrap the bubble bath for a quickie shower. (more…)