Search Results for: blog should siblings be present during childbirth

Who Will Be Present at the Birth?

At some point in your pregnancy, you will need to decide who will be present at the birth. This can vary from just the couple to a room full of family and friends. Don’t be surprised if friends and family members have strong opinions on this subject. They may voice them loudly, particularly if their ideas differ from yours. How do you feel about company in the delivery room? Are you the type of person who craves support from extended family or close friends? Do you prefer to be alone with your partner to welcome your baby into the world? … Continue reading →

Should I Take My Child to a Sibling Class?

Sibling classes are offered at hospitals around the country. Your hospital may offer a class to help prepare older brothers and sisters for the arrival of their new siblings. You may be wondering if you should sign your child up for one of these classes. I took my oldest child to a sibling class when I was pregnant with my second daughter. Since she was only 21 months old at the time, I don’t know how much she got out of the experience. She did have a lot of fun at the time, so I guess it was worth it. … Continue reading →

How H1N1 Affects New Families

The H1N1 virus is affecting families in new ways as great efforts are made to stop the spread of the virus. Here in the city where I live, no siblings under the age of twelve are allowed to visit new babies and their moms in the mother/baby ward of the hospital. That means a mother may not see her children for the duration of her hospital stay. For many moms welcoming a new baby to a family with young children, this new development is heartbreaking. This means if a woman is staying in the mother/baby ward for four days (the … Continue reading →

Bringing Children to Prenatal Visits

If this is not your first pregnancy, you may be wondering if you should bring your other child or children to your visits. This topic has recently been discussed in our forums. There isn’t a clear answer to this question. For some it works well, but others prefer to focus on their own health care during visits. In some cases, there isn’t really an option. If the mother has nobody to watch the other children, it may be necessary to bring them to the visit. If they are unable to bring the child, they may miss visits for lack of … Continue reading →

Books About Having a Sibling

If this is your second baby, you will likely be thinking about how to prepare your child for the birth of the new baby. Taking kids to sibling classes and spending time around babies will help your older child get used to the idea. Another great way to prepare small kids for a new baby is to read books on the subject. Here are a few good books about becoming a sibling. My New Baby And Me: A First Year Record Book For Big Brothers And Big Sisters is a great choice for children who are a little older and … Continue reading →

Birth Videos for Kids

If you plan to have your child present at the birth of his or her sibling, you will need to spend time preparing them for the birth. Videos are a great way to introduce children to the concept of birth. They can get an idea of what is going to happen and you have the opportunity to gauge their reaction to the video. A good video is a great way to begin the conversation about the birth of the baby. You may think that watching shows like A Baby Story or Birth Day will help prepare your children to witness … Continue reading →

Let’s Talk About Who to Include at Your Homebirth

Giving birth is no doubt a personal and intimate time for a woman. Perhaps you already have an idea of whom you would like present at the birth of your child. Even more important is to decide whom you do not want present, for your comfort is the most important factor to consider. Sometimes there are people that are very eager to be present, but you aren’t comfortable with them being there. You will have to determine the best way to explain this to them, and remember that it is ultimately your decision who is there. If there are certain … Continue reading →

Including Children in Home Births

One reason some women choose to give birth at home is the ability to have other family members present. This includes the baby’s older siblings. These women tend to view birth as an experience to be shared by the whole family. While siblings can be present at some hospital births, it is easier to accommodate them at a home birth. Your older children may feel more comfortable attending a birth at home. The hospital can seem like a big, scary place to children. They feel comfortable and safe in their homes, so it makes sense that they would feel more … Continue reading →