Halifax Birth: Tips and Tricks

Keep a journal of your pregnancy, add lots of photos. Your child will find your ramblings precious and reassuring when they are having their own babies.
Buy an exercise ball and sit on it as often as possible. This can relieve back pain and also keep your pelvis limber.
Do Kegels in the grocery line-up, or at every red light or during commercials. You won’t regret it, I promise!
Find a local La Leche League group or get in touch with your local Family Resource Centre.
Buy slip-on shoes. It’s hard to tie your shoes when you can’t even see your feet.
Ask for help from family and friends for after the birth. Put sticky notes around the house (ex. Please wash me! next to the dirty dishes). Write down the names and numbers of everyone who offers to help.
Consider hiring a Postpartum Doula.
Pamper yourself. Check out www.skindeep-online.com or Foxy Moon Hair Gallery (444-7675) for a blissful, but non-toxic, experience.
Don't go crazy decorating the nursery and buying tonnes of "stuff". Simplify. Try Value Village or Frenchy’s first and remember, baby doesn’t care if it’s new or the right colour.
Drink lots of water.
Go for a massage. Try to find a massage therapist with a prenatal table. My favourite, anette.goodwin@gmail.com.
Buy a great body pillow.
Try yoga. It’s a beautiful way to, not only limber up, but to learn how to listen to your body.
Talk to your baby, get your partner to read them a bed time story every night.
Involve your partner. You get to interact with baby 24 hours a day, give them some baby time too.
Snuggle, as often as possible!
Hire a doula. Doulas are very knowledgeable about pregnancy and birth and can help you brainstorm to solve any comfort issues you may have. It also makes a wonderful baby shower gift!

Make a groaning cake during early labour. This is a beautiful Old English tradition and was meant to be a celebration cake. The original recipe is for fruitcake but I like this recipe because it’s so flexible.

INGREDIENTS

2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

For a Yellow Cake: Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut in shortening until fine crumbs are formed. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla. Beat at low speed for 1 minute, then high for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl frequently.

Variation for a White Cake: Prepare as for the basic cake except use 3 egg whites for the 2 whole eggs. Whites may be beaten separately and added for a lighter cake.

Variation for a Chocolate Cake: Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the basic cake mix prior to adding the milk.

Variation for a Spice Cake: Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice to the basic cake mix.

Pour batter into greased and floured 9x13 inch pan. Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes.