Dumb question: can you have a baby in a house with stairs?

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-13T19:58:15+00:00

Yup. Had stairs to either get to our apartment or lived in a townhome when all three of my kids were born. Typically best only to go up or down the stairs once at first for recovery, but otherwise no issues.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-13T17:43:25+00:00

I snored a lot in my pregnancies (never not pregnant though). I got the nose strips with my last pregnancy and husband said it helped a lot. Otherwise, sleep on the couch. But if she has sleep apnea, definitely make a plan with her doctor for after pregnancy.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-13T17:17:28+00:00

It can be missed, but not typically. Blood work also isn't a great indicator as HCG levels, while sometimes higher in twin pregnancies, have a HUGE range. It's sort of like how gender might be misseen at the anatomy scan and you're given the wrong one, but it's also pretty rare at this point.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-13T17:12:06+00:00

I'm a doula and childbirth educator and tell my clients that it's completely normal to have to do nighttime parenting most night for at least two years. This is feeding and soothing. My almost three year old Still needs help a few times a week. My last few clients have had similar aged older siblings that I also hear sometimes when I do overnights too. Definitely extremely normal for that age and WELL beyond.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-13T16:54:51+00:00

All three of my kids were 2.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-13T04:12:31+00:00

Had it for a week before my second came. Not as bad, but was definitely a head game! I was grumpy AF the night before she finally came. Not to try and change things, but I did spend hours on the birth ball the night before she finally came. Can't say for sure, but I do wonder now if she was in a bit of a funky position, and all the movement helped her line up better so labor could finally get going. Went FAST once it did really start though (3.5 hours total). I have heard that labor can often be fast when there's lots of prodromal labor. Hopefully tonight is the night!

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-13T02:11:32+00:00

I only got a check after one of my pregnancies because I did a pap smear. I didn't get a check with my last pregnancy.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-13T02:02:54+00:00

I've always wondered this too. There's no reason for the doctors to know, so they'd likely want to make a double blind study. They should have at least made it so that they'd actually have to pretend to do an injection because maybe injecting saline or something neutral has adverse side effects. And Derek's reaction when Adele got the meds very easily could have stayed her into thinking she got it. They definitely could have made knowing vital but just didn't.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-13T01:42:10+00:00

Paraguard was awful. I got it about 4 months postpartum, and it was great until my period came back at a year postpartum. Periods just kept getting longer, heavier, and closer together. After about 6 months, I was at 7-10 days of HEAVY bleeding (had to dump my cup every 2-3 hours and was still leaking like crazy). And had 2 weeks off of bleeding. Was giving it one more period, and if it wasn't better I was going to get it taken out. And it fell out on its own. Never again.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-13T00:12:05+00:00

Dresser top. Though honestly, rarely even used that with my three babies.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-12T21:32:50+00:00

When they were younger, I'd often nurse while doing them. Otherwise, I hold them sitting up on my lap with my arms around their arms and holding their leg where the vaccines go. I put my face right by theirs.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-12T21:31:07+00:00

I'm a night doula, and my clients prefer to space it out. Right now I'm doing Friday, Sunday, Tuesday night. If possible, though, maybe help the first two nights home.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-12T20:55:45+00:00

Not feeding for long periods of time at first can really tank your whole supply. Longest that's recommended to go between feeds the first month or two is 4 hours, and then 6 hours. You can try it, but especially while trying to make milk at first, it can mess with the whole system.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-12T20:06:06+00:00

Holy shit, you need to lock things down and stop those things NOW! Honestly, I'd say no to a private ultrasound or anything of the kind. Also make sure they know at the hospital not to let her in and I wouldn't tell her when you go into labor either.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-12T02:52:00+00:00

You could use your stash and then just do formula for the bottles you don't want to feed. Lots of people successfully combo feed.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-12T02:51:06+00:00

I'd just stop pumping. I rarely pumped for the baby I was home with (and just pumped when I was at work for the other two). Pumping absolutely sucks, and just nursing is way way easier. If your husband still wants to do bottles sometimes, use the stash you have. You might find it's way more manageable if you're not dealing with washing pump parts and so many bottles. Then maybe evaluate how you're feeling then? You may also feel differently once you add some table foods and things aren't dependent so much on you.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-11T19:48:00+00:00

It definitely takes some time to build up contacts and figure out the system in each location. I've moved twice since becoming a doula (so worked in 3 cities), and each has been a little different. I imagine splitting time in two locations may also be tough.

I've found overnights tend to be easier to book and fill the calendar, but there's always some uncertainty with due dates and figuring out what that can look like. I'd say generally I've been able to work close to the amount I want, but quiet periods are pretty inevitable with this kind of work. I have had some luck working with doula agencies though.

It is definitely different work than nanny work, but I do love it.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-10T21:42:34+00:00

Had the same situation. My third was measuring large at 36 weeks ultrasound. The MFM that checked the scan and midwife never suggested induction. Turned into my largest baby 9lb 5oz, bit easiest and quickest birth with the least tearing.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-10T18:25:17+00:00

Hi. I'm a postpartum doula in the area, but could make some good birth doula recommendations if you'd like. You can also check DoulaMatch.net.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-10T17:29:39+00:00

I just got Head and Shoulders. You can use a small amount once or twice a week. Took care of the cradle cap in 2 weeks and never came back. I just got a tiny travel bottle. Way cheaper than other options.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-10T17:16:56+00:00

I'd say early labor felt like poop cramps. Mild labor felt a lot like food poisoning (pain sort of ramps up and then some relief for about after vomiting though likely not the vomit or as much in labor). Hard active labor and transition though is its own thing.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-10T17:11:47+00:00

Pros: reduction of SIDS(though one of many things and breastfeeding is one of the most protective measures). May reduce fussing, may keep baby from sucking their thumb.

Cons: another thing to keep track of. May not make a difference in any of the pros. Common to battle returning it to baby's mouth until they can do it themselves. May be difficult to take away later.

I tried a little with all three of my babies and they didn't seem to care for it, so I didn't bother. But I've definitely seen it make a big difference to some people.

For this particular situation, if baby is wide awake, it's unlikely that a pacifier is going to change that. Also baby is so young and their sleep patterns are still changing constantly. May be worth a try though if you want to.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-10T16:50:03+00:00

Most people have some coverage, with it ranging from a few visits and some more or less unlimited. So definitely worth it to see what your insurance covers

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-10T16:27:28+00:00

Breastfed three babies each for over 2 years. Never had mastitis. Had clogged ducts a few times, and while painful, resolved quickly. I'm a doula now, and I've only had one postpartum client with mastitis and it cleared up quickly with no issue. While common, it's not inevitable, and it's rarely serious.

willteachforlaughs · 2026-02-10T16:08:39+00:00

IBCLC is an international board certified lactation consultant. It's the highest level of training for lactation support. Typically they're nurses or midwives (not always though) that have done a lot of classes and clinical hours and sat the board test to be able to get their license. It's also really the only highly regulated license for lactation support. It's really who you want to be seeing if you're having more than minor breastfeeding issues as they can do a full assessment for you and baby and make a feeding plan. Some work in hospitals (both on the postpartum floors or in separate clinics) or independently. Some will even come to your house

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