I am carrying to term.

[Darby]

I have posted on here before, as some of you may recall my story, my purpose of this post is to somewhat get ready for what we have ahead of us. I have been reading about preserving memoires and what to have prepared for the birth. We are going to induce at 36 weeks if the baby stays with us for that long. The doctor have said we either have minuets, or up to hours with the baby, they just do not know. I have just started on my birth plan, thanks to Beth's help. It is a long and weird process to be doing. Writing down who is going to want to be there, and who is going to want to hold the baby, if anyone.
I guess my question is, what other ways did you preserve memories during pregnancy? So far we havent been able to get a record of the heartbeat. I have only asked at our local hospital, and they said their machine wasnt capable. So I will ask at our next level 2 u/s. I love the idea of a bear with the heartbeat. Also, I will hopefully be getting maternity photos(if I ever get a big enough belly) and I try and write in a jounal everyday. Is there anything else that you recomend?

[motherofthree]

Hi Darby,

I took my own voice recorder (you can get one at Best Buy or any electronics store) and recorded the heartbeat when they let me hear it on Doppler every appointment and again when we went into the hospital for delivery (they put that loud monitor on you if they need to monitor baby's heartbeat). They aren't horribly expensive or anything. We also used it to record Kavya's voice when she made the few little noises she made.

I'm sure the ladies on here will have plenty of good ideas for you.

Beth

[momma to 2+ an angel]

Darby,

I would suggest that you undress him/her if the nurses dress him and get some of your own photos, should you choose to do photos... That is my biggest regret. I feel I just don't have enough photos - I also never got any photos of me holding my son... I regret that big time as well. I will be thinking of you and your family.

[JenniferBrown]

Darby,

Do you have a cell phone? If you do, does it record sound? You could record his heartbeat on your cell phone.... (just an idea). If you were closer, I'd come do it for you (if you'd let me, lol).

I'm always up for over shooting photographs of families while I'm with them but I do suggest you bring a camera as well. It will take me a few weeks to finish up your images but you'd have your own images immediately. (I'm pretty fast at getting a few back to you right away though)

When you come to Spokane next, I am willing to take some maternity photographs of you, no matter how big or little your tummy is. Some women do just carry small... and that's ok. You know you are pregnant in your photographs, even if your stomach isn't sticking out past your shoes.

Another family I'm working with had a candle with their baby's ultrasound photo put on it (they did a 4D ultrasound). It has baby's name on it and it's huge! They can burn it and it has his name and pic on it. :)

Another idea is, make a cd for the baby... like for labor and or after. Songs you may listen to that make you think of your baby. I have some if you need them. Just email me and I can help you with it.

Also, if you are ok with it, I'd like to be added to your list of people that want to hold the baby. :) It's always an honor, for me, to be with the Angel's and hold them when I'm preserving memories for you in your photographs.

I'm trying to come up with some more things. I'm sure other's will come up with things for you, too.

Hugs,
Jennifer

[Kerry]

Darby,
My biggest regret is I didn't cut a lock of hair. Mallory had tons but I didn't think of it. I guess you will have to wait to see if the baby is born with hair. My first kid was an onion head tell she was two..Ha Ha
I wish I would of used my own camera it was sitting right there on the table but we were all wrapped up holding her and in the moment.
I hope all the ideas are helpful, this is a hard thing to go through since most of us don't get time to think of the stages we go through. Your a brave fighter and glad your taking the time to plan and spend time with your baby.

Kerry
Mother of Olivia,Sarah,Lane and Heavenly Angel Mallory

[Matthew's mom]

Enjoy your sweet little one and love that baby for every second!

[Katherine]

I was able to get my own pictures, a lock of her hair, her footprints, and all her bracelets, and I even got the bassinet card.

Things I wish I did, was change her diaper and dress her myself, (the nurse did it), Gave her a bath, and i wish I got her hand print to go with her footprint.

I would suggest getting the maternity photos done big belly or not, you don't want to regret anything after the fact. I regret so much, and theres no going back.
Hope all these ideas help you out.

[Madge]

I have some things on my website that might help you. My signature line links to my son's memory page and there is a specific page on the birth plan and my planning/preparation of it.

Find out if you can have them camcorder the birth. We were allowed to (a nurse did it) and that was wonderful. She captured from the moment he was pulled out of me and many things afterwards. You might think you'll remember a lot, but chances are you won't--I love watching the videos of Dekar. Another nurse took pictures in the c-section room. Afterwards Danielle (NILMDTS) took photos.

[tstracener]

The thing I treasure most is the video we have of Samuel. I also got a handprint/footprint kit with a frame. It has his handprints, footprints, and a black and white picture of him in frames. Here is the link: http://www.castingkeepsakes.com/clay-keepsake-photo-desktop-frame-kit-black-p-205.html
The nurses did it for me at the hospital. I didn't get a recording of his heartbeat though and that makes me sad. If you want to look at another birthplan, you can always message me. You are in my prayers daily.

[Jessi Hill]

I did duplicates of a few of the items we put our son to rest with. I realize this is later after you enjoy the time but it was nice for me to have the same items to hold. Just an idea. I would also recommend a toy or item you can do maternity pics with and then do photos with baby when he/ she is born. Most of all just take you time and enjoy ever second you are blessed with. ((((HUGS))))) to you!

[carissa13]

Hi Darby.... so many things to think about. Make sure you get pictures of you when you are pregnant, remember that was your babys perfect home! Jouneling each day will be great for you to look back on, to help you never forget anything from that time. You can get a mold to make a foot and hand, I did not do this and regret it very much. Get a special outfit that you will keep and a blanket too. Make sure you dress and undress your baby and give your baby a bath, I was to scared at the time but I wish I would have done it. Take so many pictures that you just don't think you could take any more because they will be the things that will carry you through your hardest days. Journal your labor experience as soon as you can so you can hold on to that memory....... I remember crying thinking I was forgetting Jarell but I wrote everything down from that day and read it whenever I get scared I am forgetting.
Hang in there, I think of you and your family often!!

[Krista]

Hi Darby,

My heart goes out to you and your loved ones. I too had the opportunity to plan my time with Aedan and as hard as it was I am so grateful.

Things I wished I had done...
Recorded Aedan's heartbeat
Video of Aedan's birth and our time together as I can't seem to remember every second with him
Castings of his hands and feet
Had more mommy and son time. I loved sharing him with my close family and friends but out of the five hours he was alive, we were alone for the last 30mins of his life...I think he stayed for me so we could have time alone time together

Things I am glad I did....
I started to journal the day I found out I was pregnant, and then when I learned Aedan was sick (19 wk 3 days) I started to journal every day. I didn't want to forget anything. Some days I have to force myself to journal but it is good for me.
My birth plan was very detailed and I gave copies to the hospital on admission (to include with my chart), my mom, best friends, and my doula. This way everyone knew what I wanted.
Throughout my pregnancy I listened to music with Aedan so I wanted to share music with him as I welcomed him into the world. A special cd was made for him, and I played it while I was birthing him and again just before he passed away.
I also loved reading to Aedan when I was pregnant, and I still read to him from time to time. I took all of our favorite stories to the hospital and I read him stories as he snuggled on my chest.
I love my pregnancy pictures, and like you I didn't think I had a big belly as I was only 30 weeks during the photo shoot but my belly is beautiful.
Two days before Aedan was born my sister and 3 really close friends came over to help me do my belly cast. At first I wasn't sure I wanted anyone to be snapping pictures during the making of the cast but I love those pictures. We were having so much fun...I'm not sure I have smiled like that since Aedan's death.
I purchased to special outfits. One for mommy to keep, and one for Aedan to be cremated in. I also bought him a special blanket, very soft and cozy. My mom bought me a blanket similar to Aedan's so I could take mine to the hospital with him, she also bought me a new housecoat. I use both items often. I wanted Aedan to have a stuffie with him when he was cremated and my brother bought him this cute little bear wearing a blue bunny suit so I tucked it in his blanket. Days later my best friend brought me the exact same bear, she thought I should have one too.
At Aedan's memorial service I read him a story, and a letter I wrote to him. My best friend suggested taking a special candle for him so I could light it when I missed him.

I'm sure I could go on but if you listen to your heart, you will know what you want and need. Cherish every moment you get with your beautiful angel. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

HUGS