What is your name, your baby's name, and baby's age?
Jamie Roethlisberg, Savannah Roethlisberg, 8 ½ months
How was your (or your partner's) pregnancy?
Long! I only had a couple of weeks of nausea, but I gained a lot of weight too early, ended up with gestational diabetes and hypertension.
The only thing I craved was McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets! And, of course, I wanted to eat all the ice cream I could while I had an excuse!
How did you prepare for childbirth?
We knew pretty early that we were going to have a c-section due to the problems I’d had in my pregnancy, so my mom planned on staying with us for 2 weeks after Savannah’s birth to help out.
Otherwise, my cousin who is a ob/gyn nurse told me what to expect. I also read What to Expect When You're Expecting
, and Jenny McCarthy’s book Belly Laughs
.
Was your birthing experience easier, harder or as you expected it to be?
It was pretty much what I expected. The epidural part was the worst! I was so nervous and cold in the operating room that I was shaking too much to make it easy!
What one piece of advice would you give to expecting parents about childbirth?
To try not to think about it too much! It’ll drive you crazy. But definitely go to child birth classes, and learn all you can.
Bottle or Breast?
I breastfed for the first 5 weeks, but we always had to supplement with formula because of her jaundice. After that, it seemed like she never got enough just from me, so we switched to formula only, and she has done great!
Who is on diaper duty?
Both of us, but since I’m home during the day with her, its mostly me.
What resource was the most helpful to you during the first 2 months (book, website, person, anything).
My mom was the greatest! Also the What to Expect the First Year
was very helpful, along with babycenter.com. Facebook helped me connect with all of my friends that are mommies or nurses.
Was there an age when it "suddenly got easier"?
I never really had a tough time with Savannah, she slept through the night at 2 months, and even when she was waking up in the night, it was only once. I do notice that as she gets older, I love each stage even more!
What type of stroller do you use?
We use a Graco.
What was the best newborn gift you received?
I really can’t pick just one!
What is your current can't-live-without gear for baby?
My camera, for sure.