"LET THE LOVE GROW ROUND"

Join us for a Fashion Show, Brunch, and Silent Auction to benefit the Pregnancy Care Center and Isabel's House Crisis Nursery. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Posh Maternity or at St. John's Mother & Baby Support Center. These tickets would be a perfect Valentine's Gift for the mom-to-be. Door Prizes and Silent Auction items include a Medela Pump In Style Double Breast Pump from St. John's Mother & Baby Support Center, Maternal America Dresses, A sterling silver locket bracelet from Endless Time & Jewelry, Bella Bands, many baby items from your favorite designers, a $500.00 gift certificate from Ideal Image Laser Hair Removal, and numerous gift certificates from many other local businesses. Don't miss out on this fun and fashionable event to help out some great charities!

Your OB Options

If you don't think you and your obstetrician are a good fit, you might consider changing doctors. It is important to have a doctor that you can easily express your concerns to and be able to effectively communicate with. Don't worry about hurting your OB's feelings, patients change doctors all the time for many different reasons. It's better if you have a doctor that you feel comfortable with, rather than suffering through 9 months with someone that you just don't click with and I'm sure your OB would agree. One reason for considering an OB switch may be considerably long waits every time you have an appointment. Waiting a few hours on very rare occasions is normal, sometimes you just happen to be scheduled when an emergency C-section needs to be performed. Waiting a few hours every time you see your doc means she or he has a patient over load and can't give you the attention you deserve. Other signs that you need to start a new doctor search is having your concerns disregarded or being brushed off, feeling pressured into unwanted procedures or interventions, a horrible bedside manner, or an abnormally high Cesarean section rate. You choose your obstetrician, so do some research and ask important questions before you decide on one. If the OB you choose turns out he/she is not the doctor you thought they were, you have every right to switch, but remember, it can be difficult to switch doctors the later you are in your pregnancy, so don't drop your OB with the drop of a hat. Obstetricians are looking out for your best interest, so if she tells you to lay off the weight gain, don't think she's out to crush your self image.

Pregnancy Nutrition

Want a way to connect with a nutritionist about your pregnancy eating habits? Want to know which foods you should be snacking on and which foods to avoid during pregnancy? Hop over to http://www.healthcastle.com/. They have a Pregnancy Nutrition section stock full of articles written by nutritionists from around the U.S. and also have a link to http://www.MyPyramid.com/, the USDA's website where you can make a meal plans that fits your exact nutritional needs. I tested out the MyPyramid Plan for Moms and the Meal Planner and they are nifty little tools to help you stay on track and make sure you're getting all the calories you need from the right foods.

The Perfect Holiday Dress

Are you looking for that perfect holiday maternity dress for Christmas parties, get togethers, or that New Years bash? Posh Maternity has beautiful holiday dresses, so you'll look stunning at that upcoming event. Whether you're looking for silk, sequins, solid or print, we have got the dress for you. Check out our Special Occasion Maternity Dresses to find the dress of your dreams! Don't forget to cover up with a wrap, cardigan, or jacket, for those cold winter evenings. Now that we've got you covered, we've got everything you need to wear underneath too! Posh has maternity under garments for that sleek seamless look you desire. Merry Christmas and Happy Shopping!

Posh's Gift List!

If you're looking for that perfect gift for the mother-to-be in your life, look no further. Here's a few of Posh's favorite things. She's sure to love them.

1. The M.J. Pajamas by Majamas. These PJ's are super soft maternity and nursing PJ's that have an insert built into the bust to hold nursing pads in place.

2. The Mercer diaper bag by Nest. This classy bag comes in Navy or Wine. We're sure she'll love this stylish bag and carry it even after the baby's out of diapers.

3. Mambino Organics Mommy Comfort Pack. This pack is full of wonderful organic products like Calendula Olive Nipple Butter, Youth Glow Omega Face Complex, Moisture Me Body Toning Oil, Mommy & Me Calming Aromatherapy, and the Summer in Tuscany Organic Soy Candle.

4. Dearjohnnies Designer Hospital Gown. She'll arrive at the hospital in style with a designer hospital gown from Dearjohnnies.

5. A hip nursing cover from BeBe Au Lait. She can get all the coverage she needs and still be a trendsetter with a chic nursing cover.

6. A sexy sequin dress by Maternal America. Tell her she's still a hot mama by presenting her with this stunning black sequin dress on Christmas morning.

7. Make a Wish Dogeared Necklace. These make perfect stocking stuffers for the mom-to-be. Choose from Girl, Boy, New Mom, or New Beginnings.

8. So Beautiful Rockin Baby Sling. An adjustable baby sling by Rockin Baby Sling makes a great gift because you don't have to know her size. The s/m fits a wide range of sizes.

9. A cozy nubby Sweater by Olian. This chunky and fuzzy sweater will keep her warm all winter long.

10. A Posh Maternity Gift Certificate. Not sure what she wants for Christmas? Give her anything she wants with a gift certificate from Posh Maternity. Available in $25 to $1000.

Mambino for your Bambino Bump

If you're looking for a safe, highly effective, anti-stretch cream for your baby bump, try Mambino Organics. We promise you'll be hooked. We have customers that swear by Mambino's oh baby! belly butter. Mambino Organics are made up of all natural ingredients and synergistically blended. You don't have to worry about any chemicals being in these products. There are no phthalates, parabens, or additives. Not only does Mambino make a wonderful belly butter, but they also have Moisture Me After Shower Body Oil, Natural Glow Face Complex, and an Orange Blossom Soy Candle. The Mambino Mommy Gift Pack or the Mambino Mommy Comfort Pack includes all these products and would be a perfect Christmas gift for the Mommy-to-Be!

BYE BYE BABY BELLY!

Do you still have a little extra around the middle? If your like most women, it takes a while to get those extra pounds off after having a baby. In fact, my son is almost 2 and I still have a little pooch. You needn't fear, Yummie Tummie to the rescue. Yummie Tummie is an ingenius invention for those of us with challenging midsections. The Yummie Tummie is a modern body contouring shaper. It comes in a variety of styles, and they are all meant to be seen, so you don't have to hide it under your clothing, it is clothing. The Yummie Tummie slims and camouflages lumps and bumps and it's extremely comfortable. It is made with a patent pending dual fabric technology and is the first shaper garment that is top oriented, designed to be worn alone or as a layering peice. The Yummie Tummie will visibly take off inches and it won't bunch or roll. It's a great piece for every woman, whether they've just had a baby (available in nursing) or just had a grandbaby.

5 Maternity Must-Haves

At Posh Maternity, we have all the latest maternity trends to keep you stylish the whole nine months and beyond. Styles and trends change with the times, Posh Maternity carries versatile and timeless maternity pieces that are interchangeable and also carry trendy maternity clothing pieces that you can add to those maternity basics, to give you an updated and hip look. These 5 stylish maternity must-haves are the perfect building blocks for any couture mommy.
1. The Little Black Dress
Posh's Picks: Maternal America Black Dress with Satin Sash, Japanese Weekend Reversible Dress, Japanese Weekend Black Jersey Maternity Dress, Zero2 Nine Little Black Dress
2. Convertible Top Go Skirt
Posh's Picks: Japanese Weekend 4/1 Top Go Skirt, Japanese Weekend Convertible 2 Piece Top Go Skirt, Japanese Weekend Lux Jersey 4/1 Block Top Go Skirt, Japanese Weekend Top Go Skirt
3. The Tunic
Posh's Picks: Egg Trapeze Pinky Top, Noppies Tunique Dawson, Noppies Tunique Hamilton, Olian � Sleeve Maternity Tunic, Olian Grey & Ivory Tunic, Olian Round Neck Tunic, Ripe Hippy Floral Tunic
4. Favorite Pair of Jeans
Posh's Picks: Noppies Denim, Maternal America Trouser Jean, Mamablack Celebrity Jean, Habitual Knocked Up Jean, Citizens of Humanity Kelly Bootcut Maternity Jean
5. Perfect Fit Trousers
Posh's Picks: Japanese Weekend Soft OK Easy Flare Pant, Jules & Jim Dress Trousers, Noppies Trousers Bengalin, Rebel Black Jersey Pant

Stylish Fall Outerwear

Finding great outerwear can be tricky when your pregnant. You can very easily look the Michelin Man because of the extra bulk, but pregnant women want to be warm and stylish in the cold weather too. Jennifer Garner sports a cute long pea coat to stay toasty. Here are few of Posh's suggestions for keeping snugly and staying in style this season.

1. Wear a long chunky knit sweater like Maternal America's Heather Brown Belted Sweater Jacket, Ripe's Fuzzy Knit Jacket in Black, Noppie's Hamanka Cardigan, or Olian's Chunky Toggle Button Sweater.

2. Wear a piece that splits over the belly like Maggie's Maternity Cardigan, Ripe's Heavenly Ruby Red Jacket, Olian's Turtleneck Sweater, Olian's Maternity Knit Jacket, or Ripe Limited's Cardigan Sweater.

3. Wear a wrap like Olian's Bolero Bell Sleeve Shrug, Jules & Jim Wrap Sweater, or The Stevie Wrap.

4. Wear a form-fitting hoodie like Noppie's Lemland Cardigan or Maternal America's Burnout Hoodie.

To cloth or not to cloth?

There are so many options for diapering your baby these days. It's hard to muddle your way through the plethora of information about cloth and disposable diapers. My suggestion is to first decide whether you will use cloth or disposable. From there, you can narrow your search to the individual brand that will best suit your baby. There are pros and cons to both cloth and disposable diapers and you need to pick a diaper based on those that are most important to you. If your leaning towards cloth diapers and want comparisons and reviews on cloth diaper brands check out http://www.diaperpin.com/. Whether you choose disposable or cloth, trial and error is the best method. Each baby is built different and each baby's skin is unique, so before you make a huge investment into a cloth diaper brand, buy just a couple diapers from a few different companies to try them out. You don't want to be stuck with a giant pile of diapers that don't work for your baby. The same goes for disposable, you'll eventually find the perfect fit for your little one by finding out which ones don't work. I have found from personal experience that the more expensive diapers are not always better. Stick with the more expensive while they are newborn, but try out other brands as they get a little older. I think you'll be surprised with the results.

Just Vote!

Election Day is fast approaching. Don't forget to exercise your right to vote on Tuesday, November 4th. After all, you'll be voting for two if your expecting. Although it's too late to register to vote in the state of Missouri, you still have time in many states to get registered. Check out a list of deadlines and get a voter application at http://www.justvote.org/. Do some research on the candidates if you haven't already and find out where they stand on important issues. We have the ability to shape our nation, don't let somebody else speak for you. Just Vote!

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So put some pink on and get the word out. We've painted our blog pink for the month of October in honor of the women who have been affected by breast cancer. Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. About 178,480 women in the U.S. discovered they had breast cancer in 2007, according to the American Cancer Society. There are slightly over 2 million women in the U.S. who have been treated for breast cancer. For more information about breast cancer and breast self exam visit http://www.komen.org/ or http://www.nbcam.org/.

PortaMEe Perfect!

If you're going on a trip soon, check out the PortaMEe baby carrier. I was recently reading about a mother visiting family in South Africa and said she would not have survived the trip without this carrier. Juggling luggage,a stroller, and a nine month old can be very difficult, but the PortaMEe baby carrier lets you carry your baby on your side hands free. You can check out her story on Celebrity Baby Blog. Celebrities such as Katie Holmes, Brooke Shields, Christy Turlington, and Rachel Weisz all love their PortaMEe baby carriers. You can get the PortaMEe baby carrier along with the attachable infant headrest for very young babies at Posh Maternity.

TEA TIME

If you're a tea drinker, you don't have to give up your morning cup just because you're expecting, but you do need to know which ones to avoid. There are many benefits to drinking herbal teas. Not only do they taste great but many may provide nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. Some may help you relax, ease morning sickness, and even tone uterine muscles. Some great tasting teas are rooibos(antioxidant properties), ginger or mint(morning sickness), chamomile(calming) and red raspberry leaf(promotes effective contractions during labor). While these are some teas that may be beneficial during your pregnancy, there are also ones to avoid. According to FitPregnancy, teas to avoid are PMS, diet, cleansing, and detoxification teas. Also, avoid black cohosh, blue cohosh, and DongQuai. You can go to fitpregnancy.com/tea for more teas to avoid.

Baby Bump at the Emmys

Amy Poehler and baby bump at the Emmy's has been what everyone has been talking about. How cute was she in her Zac Posen dress, showing off her ever growing belly? Amy is due late this fall and revealed her pregnancy around the same time Baby Mama debuted, in which she starred with SNL co-star Tina Fey.

Amy is expecting her first child with husband, Will Arnett.

Another Recall

It seems like everytime you watch the news, there is another toy recall for some reason or another, but mainly excessive lead levels. As a parent, I just assume that the toys on the shelves in mass merchandisers and toystores are safe, but unfortunately you cannot just assume that manufacturers have your best interest in mind anymore. The reality is that the majority of toys and baby items sold in the United States are safe for our children, but how do you know what to buy for them and what not to buy for them. Instead of worrying about each little toy my child has acquired over the years, I've found a handy website, that sends me e-mails everytime there is a recall on something. You can view all the recalls at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on their website, http://www.cpsc.gov/, and you can request e-mails warning you of recent recalls, https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. I have found this website to be very informative and I feel a little bit safer knowing about recalls as soon as they are released.

HOSPITAL GOWNS FOR FASHIONISTAS

Gone are the days when you are forced to wear giant drab blue hospital gowns that are far from keeping any sort of modesty. Here are the days when you can pick your favorite stylish pattern and correct size of gown to make your delivery stay at the hospital that much more comfortable. Posh Maternity carries the cutest and most stylish hospital gowns by Dearjohnnies. Whether you prefer polka dots or paisleys, Posh Maternity has a hospital gown to suit your tastes.

BREASTFEEDING AWARENESS MONTH

Did you know it's Breastfeeding Awareness Month? The percentage of mothers in the U.S. who breastfeed their children is higher than ever, according to a survey from the CDC. Seventy-seven percent of mothers in the U.S. breastfeed their children for some length of time. There are many benefits to breastfeeding for the mother and baby. Here's a few you may not have heard yet from Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine. Women who breastfeed are 50% less likely to develop breast cancer. Research has shown that breastfeeding can reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Breastfed children are also less likely to have allergies, ear infections, and asthma. Breastfeeding is also much more cost effective. The average cost of breastfeeding per year is about $300, while the cost of formula is around $1000 to $2000 a year. If you're about to embark on your breastfeeding journey, let Posh Maternity help you with stylish nursing tops, dresses, and accessories. You'll look and feel great in nursing wear from Posh Maternity.

DOUBLE THE TWINS!

Is it just me or does it seem like there are twice as many twins being born lately? So many people I know and celebrities are having twins. Twins seem so much more comon, rather than a rareity anymore. Angelina Jolie, Lisa Marie Presley, Rebecca Romijn, Diane Farr, and Jennifer Lopez are just a few of the celebrities with twins or twins on the way. I wanted to find out if it was just a coincidence that I knew so many pregnant with twins or if there really was a twin increase occuring, so I did a little research. The amount of twins being born in the U.S. has actually more than doubled. There has been a 74 percent increase in the number of twin births from 1980 to 2000. About 3% of babies in the United States were born as a twin or multiple in 2000. So why the increase? Fertility treatments immediately came to my mind as the answer to the increase. Although fertility treatments has definately added to the increase, there are other reasons for the increase as well. Age is a big factor, your chances of having twins increases the older you are when you conceive. Another factor is having a family history of twins and your race can increase your chances. Twins are more common in African Americans and least common in Hispanics and Asians. The more pregnancies you have had can increase your chances and if you already have twins. So there are actually quite a few factors that increase your chances of having twins. Because so many celebrities are waiting until later to start their families, I wonder if this is one of the main contributers to the reason for the celebrity twin baby boom.

CALLING ALL HIP GRANDMAS!

So you're a grandma or soon going to be a grandma, but cringe at the thought of being referred to as grandmother. Maybe you envision rolled stockings, patio dresses, and a cane when someone calls you grandma. No need to fear, with our tees from Posh Mama, you can be hip, stylish, and grandma. Posh Mama's buttery soft tees are the perfect addition to your wardrobe. Grannylicious and Grandiva are great ways to boast your status of Grandma without ever saying the word. Posh Mama also has a chic, form fitting maternity tee for the mother-to-be. We find it amusing to know what names grandchildren give their grandparents. Post a comment and let us know what your grandchildren call you or what your children call your parents.

NURSING BRAS 101

Don't know when to buy nursing bras or what size you'll need? Your body goes through a lot of size changes during pregnancy. Your breasts will gradually get larger along with your rib cage as your pregnancy progresses. You will increase at least one cup size a couple of days after delivery when your milk comes in. Around 10-12 weeks after birth, your breasts will relax in size and weight and you will probably decrease back to the size you were when you were about 3-6 months pregnant. It's best if you purchase one or two nursing bras after your 36 weeks along and then build up a supply of nursing bras after the baby is 10-12 weeks old as your cup size will have decreased and probably stay this size until your finished nursing. Because your breasts will fluctuate in size during these 9 months and after delivery, may we suggest Bravado nursing bras. Bravado nursing bras grow with you and will accommodate for these size changes. Take it from me, your Bravado nursing bra will become your favorite bra. I still occasionally wear mine and I'm not even nursing anymore, just because it's so comfortable. Celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Jessica Alba, Minnie Driver, Christina Aguilera, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Garner, Tori Spelling, Stella McCartney, and Sarah Jessica Parker agree that Bravado is one of the best.

LEGGINGS ARE BACK WITH A BANG!

Maternity leggings are still a great staple for your pregnancy wardrobe. Just ask celebrities, Nicole Richie and Jessica Alba. Both looked hip and comfy in their pairs of black leggings boasting a baby bump. Even if you thought you'd never wear leggings, you may just be hooked after trying them. Maternity leggings can be dressed up paired with a tunic or dress or be perfect for casual outings and yoga class paired with a maternity tank or tee. Check out our maternity leggings and give them a try. You're sure to find tons of stylish ways to wear them and their soft stretchy feel will make you want some in every color.

SIZING YOU AND YOUR BELLY

Sizes can be confusing in maternity clothing. No need to fear, Posh Maternity is here. You may be a medium in tops and size 6 in bottoms in one vendor and a small in tops and a size 4 in bottoms in another vendor. It can be tough ordering the right size in pre-pregnancy clothing, then add an evergrowing baby belly into the mix and you've got quite a task. Your in luck, Posh Maternity has taken the guess work out of maternity sizing for you. Our goal (I'm sure your goal as well) is to help you find the best-fitting, most comfortable, and flattering maternity apparel for your body. You should buy sizes according to your pre-pregnancy size. You may want to consider going up one size if you are in the latter stages of your pregnancy. We've created a sizing chart to help you find the perfect size for you. Here's a few tips about the size runs of some vendors. Egg is sized 1,2,3, and 4. Size 1 is a small, size 2 is a medium, size 3 is a large, and size 4 is an x-large. Zero 2 Nine generally runs slightly large, so if you want something to be form fitting, think about going down a size. Citizens of Humanity runs fairly small. Buys two sizes up from your usual waist size. All of the maternity novelty tees are made to be form fitting, if you like your t-shirts to be roomy, consider going up a size. Hope this tidbit of sizing information helps. If you have any questions feel free to contact us via e-mail at info@poshmaternityonline.com. Good luck and happy hunting!

NAMING THE CELEBRITY BABY

I was recently flipping through the pages of US Weekly and saw all the interesting and uncommon names of celebrity babies. Are they searching for a name that will set them apart from everyone else? Are they looking for a name that the child would own like Cher or Oprah? I wondered if the average non-celebrity, like myself, could get away with naming their child "Peanut" or "Apple" and the rest of America think it was cool and cute. Could only those that shared in the limelight pull this off? I was watching Tyra a couple of months ago, the show was, "What's in a Name?" It was all about the stereotypes people attach to a name. The kind of person that immediately pops into your head when you hear just their first name? It really made me think long and hard about naming my little one. Would they be discriminated against when they turned in their resume, solely because of their name? What do you think? What is your child's name or what are you naming your child? Is it completely creative and eccentric or totally traditional? Here's a list of just a few out of the ordinary celebrity baby names:
1. Peanut Kai Rademacher (General Hospital actor Ingo Rademacher and finace, Ehiku)
2. Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline (Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt)
3. Sunday Rose Kidman Urban (Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban)
4. Kadence Clover Hawk (Tony Hawk and wife, Lhotse)
5. Rio Atticus Dumont (No Doubt guitarist Tom Dumont and wife, Mieke)
6. Honor Marie Warren (Jessica Alba and Cash Warren)
7. Jagger Donovan Rooney (Rascal Flatts singer/guitarist Joe Don Rooney and Tiffany Fallon)
8. Ignatius Martin Upton (Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton)

Running with Bump

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chiperoni/1272874285/
Photo By: Nchenga

Running while pregnant can have many benefits, but it's not for everyone. If your already a runner, then running comes second nature to you and continuing to run during your pregnancy is perfectly safe. Deciding to take up running after finding out your with child is probably not the best or safest way to keep in shape the next 9 months. If your not already a runner, read the list of best exercises at the end of the article to find the best workout for you.
There are many runners that continue to run into the third trimester of their pregnancy. The most important thing to remember while running is to listen to your body. Don't expect to be able to run as fast as you have been, and don't try. It's best not to push yourself, and don't expect PR's. Your body is going through quite a few changes, including breast weight and tenderness, stretching of muscles and ligaments, and a shift in the center of gravity. These changes are the reasons why it is so important to listen to your body while running. Invest in a very supportive maternity bra and breathable maternity activewear to keep you comfortable during your runs. Be cautious when running on uneven surfaces or paths with loose gravel and rocks. Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and run indoors on days that are excessivly humid or hot. Keeping all this in mind, you can keep running right on through your pregnancy!
If running is not your forte, there are plenty of other ways to stay in shape. Here's a list of other non-contact sports that may be a perfect match for you and baby.
1. Swimming (avoid scuba diving)
2. Low-Impact Aerobics (look for classes especially designed for expecting mothers)
3. Stationary Bicycling
4. Golf
5. Yoga
Just like running, you need to take extra precautions while your pregnant when partaking in any kind of exercise.

PUSH PRESENTS

Recently, I overheard some women discussing the topic of push presents. So what are push presents, you ask? “Push presents” are gifts from husbands to their wives who have just delivered their brand new baby. It’s a gift to say thank you for all your hard work and bringing this beautiful baby into the world. Push presents range from expensive jewelry to a simple bouquet of flowers. While some say the concept is materialistic, others say, why not take home a little extra bonus in addition to the best gift ever, your baby. Bits on push presents have been featured everywhere from Fox News, USA Today, MSNBC, and even the New York Times. Sorry dads, push presents are popping up everywhere and it looks like this trend is taking off. Push presents have been a norm in other countries such as England and Italy for quite some time, but have more recently taken off here in the United States in the last decade or so. In addition, celebrities have helped this trend thrive. Matthew Broderick presented a lovely one of a kind charm bracelet to Sarah Jessica Parker when their son James was born. Jewelry is the most common gift, but there is no set standard to a push present and can be just about anything from a designer diaper bag to a modern rocking chair. If your on the search for the perfect push present, here’s a few suggestions:

Posh’s “Push Present” Picks

A chic designer diaper bag. (The gold studded black leather satchel bag by Nest is our suggestion)
A Wish Necklace by Dog Eared
A luxurious CozyChic robe by Barefoot Dreams
The Bravado Exquisite Nursing Bra and matching panty in European mocha lace.
The Mi Amore Organic Mommy Comfort Pack

Babies and Wedding Bells; Definate Guest Magnets

www.flickr.com/photos/wiedmaier/114382477/
Photo taken by: Wiedmaier

Babies and Wedding Bells; Definite Guest Magnets

I was attending my brother-in-laws wedding in the field just outside our front door. It was steamy hot, bugs were swarming the guest’s aroma of perfume mixed with sweat, and my due date was the next day. Due to the not so perfect conditions, I thought it was just having Braxton Hicks and tried to enjoy the festivities. I went home that evening and 3 hours later arrived at the hospital. The labor went smooth and I was in awe of the miracle that I had just delivered. Yet, I didn’t know that my alone time with our new bundle of joy would be so short. Since my husband’s brother had just been married 7 hours earlier, it wasn’t long before every guest from out of town was appearing next to my hospital bed. The visits were all very well meaning, but all very overwhelming. One right after another piled into my tiny room waiting for their turn to ogle over the baby. I spent more time handing my baby over to friends and family than holding and admiring him myself. I kept thinking how I couldn’t wait until I could get home and have some privacy. I started pondering how nice it might be to become a hermit and not leave the house until my son’s 21st birthday.
And then three days later, it was time to go home. Hallelujah, I was finally going home! A sigh of relief and a feeling of anticipation came over me as we pulled up our driveway, when out of the corner of my eye, my eager mother-in-law appears with video camera rolling, ready to capture every moment as I hobble into the house and collapse on the bed in exhaustion. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely appreciated all the help and support from family members, but my emotions were on a roller coaster and I felt like I was being smothered to death. I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings and didn’t know how to express my own feelings.
I learned a lot from my experience. I learned you can set boundaries while still being tactful and accept help from family and friends without feeling like you owe them hours of baby time when they drop off a meal. If your due date happens to fall around a big family reunion or you deliver the day after your brother-in-laws wedding, here are some suggestions for postpartum peace:

1. Know exactly what you need and what you don’t need. Make a plan and let your family and friends know what that plan is. Try e-mailing or phoning friends and family to let them know what times you will be accepting company. Maybe Wednesdays and Fridays between 12:00-3:00 work the best for you. If you don’t want any visitors for three or four days after delivery, let them know.
2. Put visitors to work. If your friends and family want to help, make a list of things that you think would be really helpful and ask them to pick one or two off the list. It’s o.k. to be specific. They asked, right?
3. Ask your husband to be the gatekeeper. Discuss with him what you would like for him to be in charge of, like entertaining guests that linger too long.
4. Take time for bonding with your new baby. You need alone time with your baby and husband to share experiences and enjoy your new little family. If you feel like you’ve had ample bonding time with baby, you won’t be so hesitant to share with family.