I’ve spent the past two weeks touring the maternity wings of four hospitals - Ridgeview in Waconia, Fairview Southdale, HCMC and Woodwinds in Woodbury.

As my brother-in-law Bob would say: HOLY BUCKETS! 

Here’s what women who give birth in those facilities can look forward to, thanks to renovations all within the last two years: Birthing jacuzzis in the bathrooms, surround sound, and an in-room massage the day after. Want a baby pic? Call in a portrait photographer. They will even photoshop those funny red marks on junior’s head for a studio-quality portrait.

Birthing in Brno it wasn’t.

It’s all part of a major marketing offensive for women customers. After all, childbirth is usually the first time a woman is hospitalized. If she has fond memories, the thinking goes, then she’ll come back throughout her life, and bring her husband, kids and her own parents too.

I certainly didn’t have any of these frills when I gave birth three and five years ago. The first time was in Scottsdale, Az., where we were living at the time and the second was at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. (Funny story: Kay and I both had the same OB, even though we met for the first time AFTER we had our babies….cue Twilight Zone music…)

Unlike the parents I talked to, I did not tour multiple hospitals. I just picked the hospital my OB delivered at, and just showed up. The only birth plan I had was to eat a good meal before going in and not wait too long to ask for an epidural. Oh, and to never do the Petocin thing again. Ouch. 

Still, seeing the hospitals - those tubs look fun! - and checking out the cute scrunched up babies in the nurseries, did give my heart and my womb a slight twinge. I’m 38 so it’s now or never. (Note to husband: just kidding.)

Click here for the story.

Cribsheeters, where did you deliver? Did you shop around? In the end, how did you make your decision? What would you have done differently?

Even though it may feel like an eternity; you’re in maternity clothes for such a short time, why spend a fortune on a new wardrobe?
Or do you have a closet full of nice maternity clothes you are never going to wear again? Here’s you opportunity to cash in!

John Ewoldt shares info on consignment stores that focus on dressing the growing belly. Check out these stores that John profiled in his Dollars & Sense column.

Bellies to Babies (6638 Penn Av. S., 612-869-0164)
(Plus Bellies to Babies has special occasion dress rental! Genius. I sure could have used that when I was pregnant instead of spending my money on a dress I wore once!)

And

Nine (5456 Nicollet Av. S., 612-827-8144)

You can read his article here and learn about more about other consignment shops that feature maternity clothes.

What are/were some of your maternity clothes favorites or staples? And where did you shop?

On a related note….
I just read that father-to-be can gain an average of 14 lbs during pregnancy.
bbc.com talks about those “blokes” eating “crisps” in this article.
They also have a link to a related article on the “Couvade syndrome” where men experience morning sickness, a “bump”, cramps, and even labor pains.

Any spouses out there gain weight along with their wives or experience any sympathetic symptoms?

Pregnant women should eat for two, right? Unless you were already eating for two before you got pregnant…

New weight gain guidelines are out for obese women who get pregnant. They were previously advised to gain at least 15 pounds, with no upper limit. Now they’re told to gain 11 to 12 pounds.

Click here for the story. (Sorry about the bizarre transition to the bacteria story…)

Seems these guidelines change all the time. My mother-in-law, who is petite with a tiny waist, and in NO WAY close to obese, was told to gain no more than 20 pounds when she had her babies 40 years ago. When I had my two, it was 25 to 35 pounds for women of normal weight. I came in right bang at 30 pounds with both kids.

(Three years after the second, I still have 3-5 of those pounds sitting around my waist…sigh.)

How much did you gain with each pregnancy? (And have you lost it again?)

You know we can’t go too long without talking baby names on Cribsheet. It IS a major decision (and fun to discuss).
Here are a few recent articles.

This article appeared in today’s Star Tribune -
Top Baby Names in Minnesota in 2008 Ethan and Ava are tops up here in Minnesota.

Just saw this post.
Top 10 Baby Naming Mistakes

Which led me to this fun and comprehensive baby name site.
www.nameberry.com

Check it out, it has interesting lists like:

Boys Names Dads Like More than Moms
Names With No Nicknames
Cool Middle Names
Old Lady Cool Names
Names Sure to Shock Grandma

And local author/baby name guru, Bruce Lansky recently wrote this article on storknet.com and was quoted in the Pittsburgh Tribune here.

Expecting parents - what names are you considering?
Or those with kids - how did you make your decision?
Curious - how many of you couldn’t decide and brought home “Baby Boy” or “Baby Girl” when you left the hospital?