Parents--The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

I'm sure we all have things about our parents that we loved, things we hated, things that made us who we are, and things we definitely could have lived without. What experiences do you plan to take with you into your journey to parenthood?

Morning Sickness is a B****! How Did You Deal With It?

Morning sickness! Oh my! Reading about it and experiencing it is very different! I'm a witness (and so is my carpet). But, what can you do to ease the urge to vomit and the nausea? Help women everywhere! Tell TBBC what you did!

PEACE Through the Disapproval

(sigh) This issue has been on my heart for a while and it's time I write down my thoughts and hear yours. I've been watching 16 and Pregnant and I am frustrated with parents who feel their child's pregnancy is all about them and how they feel. It's not! I am not saying that parents should be void of disappointment, hurt, anger, or any other not-so-happy emotion; HOWEVER, putting your child (and your unborn grandchild) through hell is selfish to say the very least. I just saw a mom slam doors and call her daughter a bitch when she told her she chose adoption. I also saw a pregnant girl burst into tears while on the phone with her brother because she felt like she needed someone there that would be supportive. Being 25 and pregnant with my first child, my boyfriend and I have heard how hard it's going to be about, uh, 300 times. It's rare that we hear, "You can do it; It may be hard but you will do fine; God will see you through, etc." It seems that when you're not married you hear a lot of the "psych-you-out" stories. And, I say "when you're not married" because I know married people that are in the same position as myself and my boyfriend, but I never hear of people giving them the long sigh, the deep breath, and the "It's going to be difficult" story. I've babysat for over 10 years for my younger siblings, niece and nephew, cousins, as well as professionally and I don't know of a single mother or father who hasn't said parenting wasn't trying.

With regard to young mothers and single mothers, it absolutely breaks my heart when someone is going through something (big or small) and other people only hurt and not help the situation. I believe if we would think back to a time when we just needed someone to love us through and not tell us the bad things that mentally haunt us day in and day out, we'd all be better family, better friends. And, we 'd all be stronger because we'd have a team around us who only looks down to lift us up.

I know sometimes mom or grandma might be ashamed, but babies are a gift from God. Only He gives life and it's something to be proud of. I can't imagine feeding shame and guilt and embarassment to my baby. I want him or her to feel happiness and joy and love in the womb and certainly out of the womb. And, the fact that others feel you should avoid church or not post pictures of your ultrasound on myspace or get excited feeling your baby kick or seeing him or her for the first time is......sad.

I will say that raising a baby is such a big responsibility. If you've ever babysat, you know that mom and dad couldn't walk through the door early enough. And, it requires a lot of time, patience, love, money, and devotion. I'll be telling you all about that from a very personal stand-point in approximately 5 months. :) But, I just want to reiterate that I am not suggesting that pregnancy and motherhood be taken lightly. But, I am strongly urging you as a friend or family member to be cautious of how you speak to mom-to-be and for every "reality story" also give her hope and share in her joy because that's reality as well.

If you are or you know of a young lady who needs encouragement, kind words, or prayer please have her email me at brandiswilson@thebellybuttonconnection.com.

Take care! :)

2009 Perinatal Education Series

Palmetto Health in Columbia, SC is offering a series of Neonatal and OB trainings for FREE!!

SEPTEMBER 11: 9:00-1:00pm
Interpreting Lab Values

SEPTEMBER 15: 8:30-4:30pm
NRP New Provider

OCTOBER 9: 9:00-1:00pm
Obstetric Emergencies - What happened? What do I do next?

OCTOBER 30: 8:30-5:00pm
Stable - Post-resuscitation + Stabilization of Sick Infants

NOVEMBER 13: 9:00-1:00pm
Stabilization of the Newborn for Transport

DECEMBER 11: 9:00am-1:00pm
Perinatal Bereavement - How to help your Antepartum/Peripartum/Postpartum Patient

Registration Deadline is 1 week prior to course.

Choose your class(es) and mail or fax along with your name, address, telephone number, and email address to:

PHR Perinatal Systems

3 Richland Medical Park Drive, Suite 400

Columbia, SC 29203

Fax: 803-434-4309

For more information contact Administrative Coordinator @ 803-434-2912.

One blue eyed, blonde haired baby coming right up!

In Britian we have scientists creating artificial sperm from human stem cells while US doctors are giving families the option of having a boy or girl. Even more shocking, we are coming closer and closer to gene therapy that can predetermine height, body type, eye and hair color. It may perhaps go so far as to determine good looks, pleasing personalities, and intelligence. Those responsible for these scientific breakthroughs state that these alterations are solely for eliminating genetic diseases, allowing men who are infertile to become fathers, etc. But will they be used for the good of man or cosmetic purposes?

As you can imagine, there are countless debates about "designing" your baby. TBBC would like to know what YOU think!

Designer Babies

Artificial Sperm Cells

Are You or Someone You Know Infertile?

Finding out or even thinking that you are infertile can be devastating, to say the least. I’ve dreamed of becoming a mother ever since I was old enough to watch The Cosby Show. Sometimes, as a teenager, I would sit and think, “I might not be able to have kids because I want them so badly.” Sometimes, the mere thought would bring me to tears. I imagine the anxiety, confusion, and continued disappointment must quadruple when you so desperately want to start a family and can’t.  Being a friend to someone who is infertile can be just as heartbreaking. Infertility can be and usually is all-consuming. This can be distressing to the friendship, knowing that your friend is hurting and there’s never truly anything you can say or do to make it better. Author of So Close: Infertile and Addicted to Hope, Tertia Loebenberg Albertyn, wrote an article instructing everyone on how to be the best friends we can be to someone who is struggling with infertility. It won’t make your friendship like it was, but it’ll do more good than harm. Click on the link below and tell TBBC your thoughts on infertility.

So Close: How to be Good Friends with an Infertile

Babies "R" US Special Monthly Events

A Babies "R" Us near you has classes for expecting parents. Be sure to check out the classes for next month. And, don't forget to tell The Belly Button Connection about your experience. Additionally, if you know other other events, please share them with us. We can't wait to hear from you!

Click here for a location near you.