JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Pregnant women often receive much advice while pregnant - sometimes whether they want it or not . Although some of this information can be quite useful, there are other times new parents should stick to the advice of professionals. Here is our list of new parent support secrets to help you prepare for a new addition to your family.
1) Take a tour of the hospital where you will deliver. The tour is free, and it can help ease anxiety of being in an unfamiliar location. USAF Hospital Langley has Childbirth-Orientation classes during the third trimester where families can tour the unit. Your obstetrician/gynecologist can provide more information.
2) Get the car seat installed before the baby arrives. The Joint Base Langley-Eustis fire station can also check for proper installation before or after the birth. However, if "Junior" decides to arrive before schedule, take the car seat and the instructions with you to the hospital.
3) Pack loose fitting clothing in your overnight bag. After giving birth, women lose weight, but usually not enough to wear their pre-pregnancy clothes.
4) Don't over pack. When you leave the hospital, you'll be carrying the baby in addition to all of your items. Your stay in the hospital won't be long, and you can wear the hospital gowns and disposable underwear that are provided. It may be difficult to believe, but people have been known to steal the disposable underwear from hospitals because they are so convenient.
5) Don't pack cute, tight-fitting shoes. You may retain fluid or your swelling may continue even after giving birth. Plus, many women notice their feet change in size after having a baby. Pack shoes that are loose and open, such as flip flops.
6) Women who want to breast feed their babies should bring a nursing bra with them to the hospital. The hospital staff will help you breast feed your baby while you are in the hospital, and a nursing bra makes this process easier.
7) Take advantage of the breast-feeding consultants in the hospital. Ask as many questions as possible before you leave the hospital.
8) If you experience sore nipples due to breastfeeding, it can help to use lanolin-based cream. For those who choose not to breastfeed, use cool packs in order to alleviate the pain.
9) If you opt to not breast feed, consider wearing a sports bra or other tight fitting bra. Mothers who do not want to breast feed will still produce milk. Restriction will help decrease the production of milk.
10) Having visitors can be fun, but it might help if you ask them to send any flowers or gifts to your house instead of bringing them to the hospital for you. People mean well, but flowers and presents for baby add to the pile of stuff that has to be brought home.
11) Although being home is good, it is also the time that hormones shift, and "baby blues" sets in. It is
very common in women who have just delivered; for most, the symptoms subside within two weeks.
Even though hormones usually balance themselves out, if you are concerned or notice that your
depressive symptoms have worsened, call your doctor.
Active-duty military and their spouses who are expecting a child, or who have children up to age three, are eligible for home and office visits through the New Parent Support Program. The NPSP is voluntary, and is designed to assist new and expectant parents by providing education and information on a variety of topics. For more information, please call NPSP at 764-2427 at Langley Air Force Base, Va., or 878-0807 at Fort Eustis, Va.