Baby on the way... tips for a first time parent? - Page 4 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

HockeyPuck · 02-09-2010, 10:28 AM

Our first is due at the beginning of April - we're finishing up our maternity classes at the Foothills Hospital, which are excellent and would recommend expecting parents to take. The video they show of a baby being born is both very, very gross and very, very amazing at the same time. The classes are very interactive (last night I had a fake boob attached to my chest and I got to breastfeed a hand puppet). So, definitely sign up for these classes.

-Also, think about a doula. These are helpers in the delivery room that are there to help both mom and dad out. My wife and I are thinking about this one...

-When you're wife is in labor, don't take her to emergency, take her up to the Maternity Ward. At the Foothills hospital, it's on the 5th floor and at the Rockyview it's on the 2nd floor. Not sure where it is at the Loughheed.

-it was eyeopening to find out in class what the mother's condition right after childbirth. Sore nipples, hemmroids, swollen feet, sweating all the time, leaking boobs, bloody discharge, emotional!

Roast Beef · 02-09-2010, 10:32 AM

Be afraid...be very afraid.
http://www.cracked.com/article_18404...apable-of.html

Table 5 · 02-09-2010, 10:33 AM

Do your wives make you stay in the room when it's born? Or can you stay out in the waiting room like a proper gentleman? Because that's one thing I really don't want to be a part of. I don't care what type of life-altering experience it is, I'm pretty sure I'd never want to go near my wife again after seeing her vagina being split apart like wet pine.

BlackAce · 02-09-2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

Do your wives make you stay in the room when it's born? Or can you stay out in the waiting room like a proper gentleman? Because that's one thing I really don't want to be a part of. I don't care what type of life-altering experience it is, I'm pretty sure I'd never want to go near my wife again after seeing her vagina being split apart like wet pine.

Suck it up, Table... She needs you there... If you care at all for your wife that is... Proper gentlemen are usually "there" for their wives, whatever the situation... Be a man, you're going to be a dad

Table 5 · 02-09-2010, 10:38 AM

Yeah, but I was raised amongst the Me Generation. What about my needs?

CaptainCrunch · 02-09-2010, 10:39 AM

Make sure you teach your kid gun safety at an early age.

Remember Guns don't kill people, bullets moving really fast kill people.

Northendzone · 02-09-2010, 10:39 AM

when you buy a stroller, buy one with big wheels, they roll better on uneven/crappy ground and in the winter.

don't get sucked into buying a lot of toys, baby's generally seem more amused by thinkgs like keys or other simple household items.

I just wish I could get me a pair of those "onesies" like babys wear, those things look so darn comfy.....

Dude, you have got to be in the room, but you can position yourself near her head, and side step seeing most of the process. My Doc offered to let me cut the cord - however, she declide to come to my office and do some of my work - I was not hung upon the symbolism of the whole thing. My son alsways has been, and will be a mommma's boy.......

BlackAce · 02-09-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

Yeah, but I was raised amongst the Me Generation. What about my needs?

Again... Suck it up...

Northendzone · 02-09-2010, 10:43 AM

i forgot one other thing - have a nap with your kids when they are little I thoguht it was a good bonding expereince.

CaptainCrunch · 02-09-2010, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Northendzone

when you buy a stroller, buy one with big wheels, they roll better on uneven/crappy ground and in the winter.

don't get sucked into buying a lot of toys, baby's generally seem more amused by thinkgs like keys or other simple household items.

I just wish I could get me a pair of those "onesies" like babys wear, those things look so darn comfy.....

Dude, you have got to be in the room, but you can position yourself near her head, and side step seeing most of the process. My Doc offered to let me cut the cord - however, she declide to come to my office and do some of my work - I was not hung upon the symbolism of the whole thing. My son alsways has been, and will be a mommma's boy.......

Doctor - "Congratulations Mr Cruise its a girl"

Tom Cruise eyes the placenta lying on the floor

Cruise - "You gonna eat that?"

Shazam · 02-09-2010, 10:44 AM

Was in the room for both kids, cut the cords for both.

Labour was fairly fast both times.

Puddy27 · 02-09-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

Do your wives make you stay in the room when it's born? Or can you stay out in the waiting room like a proper gentleman? Because that's one thing I really don't want to be a part of. I don't care what type of life-altering experience it is, I'm pretty sure I'd never want to go near my wife again after seeing her vagina being split apart like wet pine.

I'll be honest, it was different but if you love someone it wont be that big of a deal. I just had my first baby girl 5 weeks ago and was a lot closer to the action then I ever imagined.

Sometimes it was just my wife pushing with me holding a leg while the nurse charted stuff. So I got up close and personal in a way that I never dreamed of. It was an amazing experience but once the inveitable was on the way...(an OB with forceps) I was up by my wife's head letting her basically break my hands.

Trust me, you wont want to sit in the waiting room. Also your wife wont think you're a gentleman if you share that view with her...well at least mine wouldn't.

I am loving it so far. My baby is realatively easy so far. Cluster feeds in the day and sleeps through the night (knock on wood). She does definitley tie us down more though as we live in Ont. and all of our family live in NS. So I agree the fun to work ratio is not even but is no where close to 99% work 1% fun for me anyway.

Just enjoy it.

Flame On · 02-09-2010, 10:46 AM

I too will be a Dad for the first time in July. This thread is not encouraging. But actually it's good to have the reality.
I guess my Modern Warfare II days are numbered.

CaptainCrunch · 02-09-2010, 10:46 AM

Did the doctor make you wear a catchers mask and glove. Those babies come out fast and they're slippery.

Ironhorse · 02-09-2010, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macker

Your friendships tend to change a bit and you will likely gravitate more towards people that also have babies which is fine as it is nice to go through the stages with others who are also working things out and able to offer advice etc. You are going to learn a lot from that baby and I don't think there is anything more rewarding in the world. Enjoy every minute of it!! The years go by too quickly!! You are about to become a hero!!

This is very true.

Also be prepared to lose some friendships from "friends" who both work (DINKs) and have lots of disposable income to have a good time and fly them around to exotic locations twice a year.

CaptainCrunch · 02-09-2010, 10:49 AM

Yeah, as a single guy, I've been written off by married couples (Mostly because the wives think I'm a bad influence) and parents (Because I've made it clear that I consider babies to be a good source of disposable labour due to their small hands and minimal body profile).

Table 5 · 02-09-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Yeah, as a single guy, I've been written off by married couples (Mostly because the wives think I'm a bad influence) and parents (Because I've made it clear that I consider babies to be a good source of disposable labour due to their small hands and minimal body profile).

Friends are not the only thing new parents tend to get rid of, their sense of humor also tends to go out the door as well. I've noticed that trend in a lot of my friends who have started having kids....which sucks, because half my joke arsenal is pedo related.

CaptainCrunch · 02-09-2010, 11:04 AM

So what your saying is its not a good idea to stare at your buddies teenage daughters butt and mumble that she's grown up to be a fine fine woman as a joke?

Shazam · 02-09-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

Friends are not the only thing new parents tend to get rid of, their sense of humor also tends to go out the door as well. I've noticed that trend in a lot of my friends who have started having kids....which sucks, because half my joke arsenal is pedo related.

So you're the creepy uncle at the family functions.

You Need a Thneed · 02-09-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HockeyPuck

-Also, think about a doula. These are helpers in the delivery room that are there to help both mom and dad out. My wife and I are thinking about this one...

-When you're wife is in labor, don't take her to emergency, take her up to the Maternity Ward. At the Foothills hospital, it's on the 5th floor and at the Rockyview it's on the 2nd floor. Not sure where it is at the Loughheed.

Instead of a doula, your wife may just want to invite a good friend to come and help out and do the doula's job.. Your wife may be more comfortable with that, but it's up to them, I suppose. My wife's sister was in for our first baby, and my wife brought in a friend for the second. It's very helpful to have an extra person there - fetching water, extra encouragement, etc.

Maternity is on the 3rd floor at PLC, in the NE wing.

As long as the mother is past week 23 (or something around there), you don't have to go to emergency at all, even if not in labour. Make use of the ability to skip emergency waiting lines if you need to!

Table 5, just don't look there!