****English****

Hello mammas, pappas, moms-to-be, and friends,

La Tua Baby Planner, in collarboration with our favorite ostetrica,
Gabriella Pacini, is excited to announce that we will be holding a Where
to Give Birth in Rome class, yet again.

The event will be held next Wednesday, June 27th from 18:30-20:30 and will
be hosted by The Milk Bar at via San Martino ai Monti, 34.

This meeting is an open discussion with Gabriella and will focus on the
different birthing hospitals and structures throughout Rome, giving you an
understanding of your options and the capability of catering to the kind of birth you invision for yourself and your baby.

If this is something you would like to take part in, please RSVP to
info@latuababyplanner.it

As always, seating is limited and entrance fee is 10 euro per pancione.


*****Italiano*****

Ciao Mamme & Papà, attuali e futuri, e amici tutti,

La Tua Baby Planner, in collaborazione con la nostra ostetrica preferita,
Gabriella Pacini, è lieta di annunciarVi che ancora un’altra volta
replicheremo l’evento “Dove fare il parto” .

L’evento si terrà mercoledi 27 giugno dalle 18:30 alle 20:30 presso il The
Milk Bar, in via di San Martino ai Monti 34. Questo incontro sarà una
discussione aperta con Gabriella e si concentrerà sull’analisi delle
diverse strutture dove effettuare il parto a Roma, mettendo in luce le
varie opzioni legate alle modalità di parto e alle vostre preferenze e
desideri legati a questo bellissimo momento.

Se volete partecipare al corso, scrivete a  info@latuababyplanner.it, vi
ricordo che i posti sono limitati e che la fee di partecipazione è di 10
euro per pancione.


Bellies and babies,
Claudia

Website: www.latuababyplanner.it
Blog: http://latuababyplanner.tumblr.com/
Facebook Fan Page:
https://www.facebook.com/claudia.briulotta#!/pages/La-Tua-Baby-Planner/230999066922284
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/infoBabyPlanner

I posted this article last week and have received so much feedback from my readers, it’s incredible. It’s obvious to me that so many women experience depression during pregnancy but are ashamed to speak about it. Ever since Brooke Shields spoke about her fight with Postpartum Depression (PPD), we have all become a little more aware of depression AFTER pregnancy, know what to expect, and are able to cope better with these feelings…it isn’t taboo to feel depressed after giving birth anymore.

However, no one really talks about depression DURING pregnancy. I, myself, had never heard of it until I was pregnant, started feeling depressed, and did my research. My pregnancy blog was latent with obvious cues of depression. When I told just a few close confidants that I was feeling a little overwhelmed, anxious, stressed, etc (without getting into really private specifics) I was told that it was just normal stuff, everyone gets overwhelmed, everyone gets scared. I felt selfish for the feelings that I was having. I should just be happy I got pregnant so easily (it was unplanned, but such a welcome surprise). I should be happy I didn’t have to work through my pregnancy. I was just sad because my family was far away. And so on, and so on.

I never got help with it, because I guess a part of me did believe that maybe it was “normal” and to be expected. Looking back now, though, I know that the way I felt wasn’t just normal pregnancy blues.  It did go away almost immediately after birth and I braced myself for the onset of PPD, but it never came.

Anyway, as I was saying, a few of my readers have reached out to me about pregnancy depression and I think that maybe this is an awesome opportunity to share our stories on something not many women talk about. I will share with you her annonymous story, and we both hope that you will pass it on and share your own experiences.

Claudia-

I was reading your post on depression during pregnancy and I have to say I’m glad that you brought it up. You should definitely find more on the subject.

I was unhappy with my job. My lifestyle was vastly changed. And I was coping with an unplanned pregnancy. I thought it was just hormonal changes that were still making me crave all of the “bad stuff” i.e. cigarettes, coffee, and alcohol. I began noticing that my relationship with Joe (Editor’s note: names have been changed) was becoming very strained. We are always very communicative and affectionate and supportive with one another, but it seemed like we were constantly at each other (in all actuality it was me.) Our sex life began to become non-existent (although questionable of pregnancy or relationship strain.)

There started being a good hour out of my day where I really just sat and cried. Not over a Kleenex commercial or a Foldgers commercial, but literally over how miserable I felt. Which then made me feel even worse that I was feeling that way.

Having suffered from depression in the past I decided to do some research on the topic of depression during pregnancy and found that “studies show that up to 25% of all moms-to-be experience some degree of depression, and nearly 10% will experience major depression” (pp.357) Obviously the risks being higher for women who have suffered from depression pre-pregnancy and even those whose mothers suffered from depression during theirs.

At a monthly appointment I was seen by a nurse and then a resident working alongside my OB-Gyn. I was almost too embarrassed to mention it to the resident but finding it hard to hold back my tears, I told her what I had been feeling and how it had been affecting me. She went through typical checklist procedure, as I had seen in my book and online articles. She stepped out of the room for literally a minute and the next thing I know my doctor was right there in the room with the resident by side.

She immediately prescribed me an antidepressant, which I was hesitant about. We have a commercial here in the states that goes a little like this, “If you or a loved one was taking one of these antidepressants (*long list fills screen*) while pregnant and your child was born with a birth defect, you may be entitled to compensation!” Of course that is going to make you question if this is really an option you want to pursue. She explained to me that being on a low dose was better not just for me but for the health of my unborn child. That depression in the mother sends out stress hormones that will affect the development of the fetus and more likely lead to post-partum depression, so quite honestly the very little evidence there is to prove that antidepressants are actually harmful to the fetus is outweighed by the fact that you could be preventing harmful actions that could affect your baby even longer.

Of course I did my research on internet forums when I returned home, before even taking the first pill. And upon a trip to a Perinatal specialist, I obtained a second opinion that reiterated what my OB-Gyn had told me, with a few more statistics into the actual percentage of newborn babies affected by antidepressants. I was comforted and assured by what other women and the Perinatal specialist had to say to know that my doctor had done the right thing. 

I think women really need to be able to distinguish the difference between “Emotions during pregnancy” and “Depression during pregnancy.” I think I would have been very miserable and found it hard to cope with this change had it not been for getting the proper help. I really love what you are doing and I really hope that women, not just in Rome, will find your services and your advice beneficial to an easier pregnancy.

Well mamma’s… What do you think? How can we tell the difference between emotions and depression? Please share your experiences. If you want to do so annonymously, my email is info@latuababyplanner.it

I am back guys! While I have been away from blogging, I have been working for you all summer, setting up some really awesome deals for you mom-and-dad’s-to-be, especially those in Italy! I can’t wait to share all the details with you in September. In the meantime, I leave you with an observation I made on my travels in the US this summer….

Americans are not baby people.

Unless they have babies themselves, and their babies want to interact with my baby. Otherwise, Gabriel goes largely ignored in public. In Italy, I literally have to bat away unknown hands and lingering wet kisses. In the US, Gabriel musters up all the cuteness he can, and he gets nothing in return. It is so odd. Has it always been like this?

The other day we were on the subway (metro, for those not in the “know”) and it was jam packed. Gabriel wanted to talk to the heavy set man to my left taking up both of our seats. “Baah”. Nothing. “BAaah”. Nothing, continues reading his blackberry. “Bah, bah, bah.” Nothing, closes his eyes.

“BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH”

and then a loud, almost adultlike fart came out of his little, diapered bum. Gabriel made his point. People may or may not have wondered if it was me or the baby. The next stop was ours. Saved by the subway voice!

Sidenote: how do little babies make such loud bodily noises anyways?

I have gone back to the hospital 2 times to see if I could find my midwife to thank her once again for all her help during my delivery, but I never found her. But on my way to The States, I ran into her at the airport, randomly. I gave birth in a teaching hospital, and she is still doing her residency, which might be what made all the difference. She didn’t treat me like another number, like my gynocologist, she really cared about me having an active labor and delivery tailored to my wishes. She was interested in learning and she rocked. So did I. She told me so.

mammalingo:

It’s taken me a long time — until today actually — to figure this out:

The “Frequently Asked Questions” listed on websites are not, in fact, frequently asked questions. Rather, they are questions that website owners would like you to think they get frequently asked. 

Retailers often begin their FAQ with questions about the special benefits of a product: “What makes Arsenio Hall Jewelry so unique?” Then, that often leads to something like, “Is there an Arsenio Hall Jewelry Store near me?” When really, what most people most want to know when they are looking at the FAQ is “Do I have to pay for the return shipping?” 

I’ve decided that I am going to answer some of your FAQ about me this week. Except, like all good FAQ, they will not be your actual questions. They will be what I want you to think are my Frequently Asked Questions.

What kind of questions will I be answering? Well, you will have to tune in…. But, they might be something like this:

• How did you get so awesome?
• No, really?
• Seriously, could you please answer me?
• Why aren’t you answering?
• Is there something wrong with you?
• Why are you such a %#$?

I look forward to setting the record straight this week.

 Awesome.

I have always felt pressure to form a bedtime routine. To create some sort of structure that will just trigger my son into knowing it’s time to go to sleep. That’s what we are suppossed to do, right? Well this is what our bedtime routine looks like:

Gabi and I lay in our bed, lights turned down low, relaxing wave maker noises playing in the background, and his “favorite” book in my hands. I really don’t know if it’s his favorite, he seems to enjoy sucking, tearing, biting and slapping all of his books equally. I start to read the book to him and he starts to devour it. I recite the words outloud from memory from the days when he didn’t yet have the motor skills to destroy everything in sight. He gets bored of devouring the book, and starts devouring me. He climbs all over me and turns into a hot, sweaty, slobbery boy using his mother as an indoor playground, jumping on my belly, sitting on my head, biting my chin, sucking every last drop of mommie’s milk, left, then right, then left, then he sits on my head again and then finally I start to see some sleepiness, some defeat in his stature, and this is when I slip in the “power boob” (I know some of you moms know what I am talking about!) and finally he slips away into a sweet, deep sleep. One with a smile on his face, a smile that assures me that I am doing a good job. God I love this boy.

I am such a huge hypocrite. I go on and on about not littering and the importance of turning off appliances and lights and about how the country I live in doesn’t take responsibility for the future of the world, etc. But I must confess: I buy water in plastic bottles andI use disposable diapers. Two huge environmental sins.

While I think the plastic bottle thing is going to be a hard habit to break in my house since my husband’s only demand is to have ice cold sparkling water every day of his life, I have decided to climb the hurdle of washable diapers.

I have ordered washable diapers and am ready to go! Will let you know how it is going….

Upward and onward.

I have a confession to make. I let my 8 month old watch Tom and Jerry cartoons. Yes, I know. This is horrible. TV in the first 2 years is associated with the oncome of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD); I have done my research and it scares me, too. I know I should be stimulating his mind by letting him feel the different textures of silky ribbons and coarse sand paper. Been. There. Done. That.

 And when we are playing together, I still do stuff like that. I read him books, I show him different sounds we can make with our mouths and our armpits, I point out colors and animals, I tell him the name of each kitchen appliance in 3 different languages. But sometimes, when mommy needs to cook, vacuum, drink a glass of wine, or WRITE A BLOG POST, I let him watch TV. Am I alone?