I’ve always wanted
to be a mom. Your grandma
told me the best stories about
being pregnant. So I wanted
to make this special album
about you.
When we decided to have a baby,
I visited my doctor to make sure I was
healthy. The healthier I was, the better
it would be for both of us.
I made certain my weight was right
for me. Pregnant women who are
overweight risk getting high blood
pressure or high blood sugar
(gestational diabetes), which can be
serious problems. I cut back on sweets
and fatty foods and ate more fruits
and vegetables.
When it came time to party, I picked
fruit juice. I knew there was no safe
amount of alcohol to drink. Beer,
wine, wine coolers and liquor can all
cause birth defects or mental
retardation in the baby.
It wasn’t easy, but I stopped
smoking too. Smoking can make it
harder to get pregnant or cause a
miscarriage. Secondhand smoke is
harmful too, so I told my friends not
to smoke near me.
I took a multivitamin with
folic acid every day BEFORE
I got pregnant to lower the
risk of some birth defects. I also ate
green leafy vegetables and fortified
bread and pasta that were high in
folic acid.
You’d be proud of me!
Getting healthy before pregnancy is important!
There was so much to think about and
learn. Your dad talked to Aunt CeCe
and I talked to Grandma about our
family histories. I knew that lots of
family traits could be passed on to you.
Not just things like Aunt CeCe's twinkly
eyes and Grandma's laugh, but also
family diseases like sickle cell and
diabetes. We wanted to give you a
good start in life, so we talked to our
family and we got tested.
Let’s hope you get
your dad’s smile
Aunt CeCe
Grandma and me
Know your
family history.
Your dad was so excited
when he heard the news. He came with
me to the clinic as soon as I took the
home test. Even though you are not our
first baby, we read a lot about childbirth.
Some information had changed over
the years.
When my belly started to bulge,
your dad was so sweet. He always
asked me how I was feeling and took
good care of me. It felt great to have
his support.
We even took a childbirth class to get
updated and help
us get ready.
Dad practiced
changing diapers
again. Styles are
always changing!
I met lots of other
pregnant women
who had the same
feelings I did. Some
really did crave
pickles and ice
cream!
Dads are
important, too!
It was important to help you grow. So I tried to eat well, with low-fat milk
and cheese, lean meats, more fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Having a
small baby wouldn't make my delivery any easier. Small babies often have
trouble breathing and lots of long-term health problems.
I went to every prenatal visit so that you and I stayed healthy before you were
born. I asked my doctor lots of questions. He was so helpful and made me feel
at ease. I didn't take any drugs or medicine unless the doctor told me to take
them. I even asked about taking over-the-counter medicines.
It was a challenge, but I stayed off cigarettes and alcohol completely. Because
whatever I used, you shared. I also kept away from secondhand smoke so
you would be healthier. I even asked my friends and co-workers not to smoke
around me. Your Grandpa only smoked outside when
he visited.
I never knew I liked
spinach and black
beans until I was
pregnant. Maybe that's
because you like them?
Healthy choices are the first step
to a healthy baby.
There was so much to think
about, not just the colors for
your room. Got car seat.
Made sure your crib and
room were safe for you to
sleep in. Checked the
stroller wheels were sturdy.
We put a thermometer
in your room to make
sure the temperature
stayed between 68 and
75 degrees to help lower
the risk of SIDS.
Safe – corner posts
less than 1/16 inch
above panel Caution – protruding
corner posts
Caution –
broken slat
Caution – cut-out
at top of
headboard
Safe –
secured
mattress
support
23/ hangers 8”
Safe – proper slat spacing (2 3/8 inches)




Put baby's safety and
comfort first.
We used this chart to make
sure your crib was safe.
We wanted you, but not before you were due.
The doctor said you were growing on schedule
and I was taking good care of both of us.
Being African American, I was at a higher risk
for going into early (preterm) labor. That's why
I memorized the warning signs and kept
my doctor's number handy.
Preterm labor is labor three or more
weeks before your due date.
Know the warning signs of early (preterm) labor.
• Contractions of the uterus –
that are less than 8 minutes apart
(4 or more in an hour), that may be
painless or may feel like the
baby is “balling up”
• Cramps like those with your period –
that come and go, or that don’t go
away
• Cramps in the abdomen or stomach –
with or without diarrhea
• Increase or change in
vaginal discharge – watery
or with mucus or blood
• Low, dull backache – that
comes and goes, or that
doesn’t go away
• Pressure – that feels like the
baby is pushing down;
comes and goes
• You may or may not feel
pain
We had our
ultrasound today and
it looks like a girl!
How exciting!
Tip: While resting, drink two or three glasses of water or juice.
Many times the signs of preterm labor will go away.
If the signs of preterm labor are still present after one hour,
call your doctor or clinic.
We had so much
fun at the baby shower
playing those silly games.
So many people have helped us get ready for you. What would I have
done without Grandma and friends to help me through the tough times?
Aunt CeCe and your dad took turns driving me to prenatal appointments.
They knew it was important to keep my regular checkups. We wanted to
keep a close watch on how you were growing.
My friend, Chauna, was pregnant at the same time so we went through
everything together. We walked almost every day. The regular exercise
made us feel better and stronger, and helped control our weight.
Just before my due date, everyone threw us a baby shower.
Grandma
Vivian Chauna &
Aunt CeCe
Family support means a lot.
The goal was to make it to
40 weeks!
Your dad was
so nervous. He drove
to the hospital to see
how long it would
take to get there.
A full-term pregnancy is
37 to 42 weeks.
Everyone was so excited to
hold you! Because I took
care of myself, the delivery
went well! You were a
healthy 7.5 pound baby and
20 inches long.
Keep baby safe.
We wanted to keep you safe when you
slept. Dad agreed not to nap on the sofa
with you. You and I snuggled in bed
while breastfeeding; and then you went
back to your own crib to sleep.
And well fed.
I learned during one of my prenatal
classes that breastfeeding would help
you be healthier. Breast milk digests
easily, and it's free. Plus, no bottles
to wash or formula to buy. That
convinced me to give it a try. We had
to work at it, but we figured it out!
Let others help.
Babies need family, even before they're
born. And I found out our family was
bigger than I thought. Dad, your big
brother, Grandma, Aunt CeCe ... were
always ready to help.
I even made some new friends. A couple
of times when I worried about how you
were developing, I called the CARE-LINE
(1-800-662-7030). I still call there for
parenting information.
Our pastor helped us through some
stressful times while I was pregnant.
We knew that we wanted you to grow up
in the church. Your baptism was a
highlight of your first year!
Here you are with your
godparents. Probably the
only time in your life you
will keep white clean!
Chauna’s support was so
special because she went
through the same things,
too! Her little girl was born
just a few weeks before
you, and just as healthy.
Our Healthy Baby's Family Album was
developed as part of a statewide initiative.
For more information about pregnancy,
prenatal care and parenting call
the CARE-LINE
1-800-662-7030
65,000 of this public document were printed at a cost of $6,186.00 or $.095 each. (5/10)
Happy
1st Birthday
Sweetie Pie!