Why you Should Interact with Your Unborn Child

Before a baby is born, there’s a lot of preparation and excitement. If you’re expecting a baby, you probably can’t wait until your child is born, so you can begin to interact and bond with each other. The good news is that you don’t have to wait! You can start forming a bond with your baby before he or she is even born.

It may feel silly to have a one-sided conversation with a person inside your body, but research indicates that babies begin to react to sound as early as 24 weeks. Even before that, though, you can interact with your baby by massaging your bump. You can also gently push back against your baby’s kicks, and you may be surprised when you get a nudge or a kick in response!

Interacting with your soon-to-be-born child can help you feel more connected to your baby, and it benefits the baby as well. Research shows that your voice can be calming to your baby, and that babies remember their mothers’ voices after they’re born. What’s more, there’s evidence to suggest that language development begins before birth. Once your baby can hear, there are some great ways to begin to communicate with this new little person.

• Talk to your baby. The conversations you have with your unborn baby are paving the way for his or her social and emotional development, as well as language skills and memory. The sounds babies hear before birth begin to shape their understanding of the world.
• Sing songs and play music. Skip the earphones on the belly, as this can lead to music that’s too loud for your baby. There’s evidence, though, that music can have a big impact on a child’s development, and even babies as young as one day old can detect differences between rhythms. Sometimes, babies are soothed by the lullabies they heard their mothers sing before they were born.
• Read to your little one. Reading to your unborn baby can help stimulate his or her senses and promote brain development. Books that have a clear rhythm and rhyming patterns can be soothing and almost melodic. Reading aloud to your baby before and after he or she is born can be a calming experience for both of you.
• Encourage other family members to bond with the baby, too. Reading to the baby or feeling the kicks can help the baby’s dad feel more connected, and the baby will be able to hear and remember his voice. This goes for older siblings, too, and it’s a great way to give them some “ownership” of the pregnancy.

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we love helping people build their families. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other fertility concerns. To learn more, contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 for a free consultation.

Items to Have Before Your Baby is Born

When you’re expecting a baby, it’s natural to feel unprepared. The very idea of welcoming a whole new person into the world can feel overwhelming, and you may wonder how you can possibly anticipate everything you’ll need when the baby arrives. Sometimes, though, knowing what you need means identifying what you don’t need. It’s not necessary to buy every available baby item:  newborns need far fewer things than you might think. We recommend sticking to the basics.

• Your baby will need clothes. You won’t believe how many changes of clothing a baby can go through in one day. Stick to sleepwear and onesies for those first few weeks, with only a couple of “photo ready” outfits. Be aware that babies outgrow newborn clothes in a flash, so you’ll need some larger sizes. Socks and hats are a must, newborn mittens can prevent face scratches, and you’ll need some baby laundry detergent.
• You’ll need to feed the baby. If you’re breastfeeding, you may not need much gear. A breast pump, some bottles and milk storage containers will allow someone else to handle a feeding sometimes. You may want a nursing pillow, nursing bra, and some nursing pads. If you’re formula feeding, stock up on bottles and formula, being careful to check the expiration dates, and purchase a bottle and nipple brush. No matter how you plan to feed the baby, buy tons of bibs and burp cloths. Get more than you think you could possibly need. Trust us on this.
• Diapers are a necessity. Whether you plan to use disposable or cloth, you’ll want to lay in a good supply of diapers and wipes. Just as you did with baby clothes, anticipate that your baby will quickly outgrow newborn diapers.
• Bath items are important. You’ll need a baby bathtub, several hooded towels, soft baby washcloths, baby soap, and a soft-bristled baby hairbrush. Baby nail scissors and a bulb syringe are also nice to have.
• The baby needs somewhere to sleep. This can be a crib, a co-sleeper, or a bassinet, as long it meets safety regulations. Excessive baby bedding is not considered safe, but you’ll need crib sheets, mattress pads, and a good supply of receiving blankets in which to swaddle the baby. Swaddlers and sleep sacks are useful.
• You’ll need something for outings with baby. Some people like strollers, while others prefer slings or baby carriers: it’s a personal choice.
• A car seat is a must. You won’t even be allowed to take the baby out of the hospital without it.

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we love helping people build their families. Under the direction of Dr.  Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other fertility concerns. To learn more, contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 for a free consultation.

Why it’s Important to Teach Your Children about Responsibility Early

As parents, it’s easy to get caught up in the day to day tasks of childrearing. There’s an old saying, “The days are long but the years are short”, but when you’re in the midst of those long days of childhood, it’s hard to remember that eventually, children become adults. It will happen more quickly than you think, so it’s important to remember that teaching your kids about responsibility is a major part of your job. Ultimately, we’re all raising adults, who need to be able to manage their own lives.

There are plenty of different ways to teach kids responsibility. Beginning when kids are very young, offer them choices throughout the day, to help teach them to make decisions. Make a chore chart, even when they’re little, to show them that they are contributing members of the family. Give consequences for failure to follow through on things you ask them to do, and rewards when they live up to their responsibilities. When they’re little, include them in your everyday chores like cooking and laundry, and as they get older, teach them how to do these things themselves.

Why is all of this so important? Because raising kids to be responsible will help them to more successfully navigate adulthood.

• Responsible kids tend to lead healthier lifestyles. When your kids are doing important things, they won’t have time for less meaningful pursuits. Instead of flopping in front of the TV or playing video games, they’ll be exercising, playing an instrument, cooking, doing chores, or gardening. All of these things are good for their bodies and brains, and help them learn the value of healthy habits.
• When your children know how to be responsible, they’ll be better prepared to hold a job. Teaching kids to follow through and make deadlines, and talk to them about getting a job when they’re old enough. Teach them how to manage money, and help them set goals for their future.
• Kids who learn responsibility early are more confident and resilient. They’ll have a thicker skin when criticized, believe in themselves and their abilities, and learn how to be problem solvers. Learning how to take responsibility for themselves and fix their own problems enables them to resolve difficult situations in the future.
• When they learn responsibility, they learn independent thinking. You don’t want your kids to follow the crowd, and teaching them to think on their own will help them make decisions for themselves instead of just going along with what others say.

Teaching kids responsibility is an important part of building a successful family, and at the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we love helping people build their families. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other fertility concerns. To learn more, contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 for a free consultation.

Nursery Decor Ideas and Tips

Of all the things you must do to prepare for the arrival of a new baby, decorating the nursery may be the most fun. You get to daydream about your new little one as you design a space that’s fun and functional as well as beautiful. Here, we offer some tips for making the most of your nursery’s décor.

• Start with the crib. You may think of a crib as a temporary piece of furniture, but some kids stay in their cribs until they’re two or three years old. With cribs that convert to toddler beds and even full-size beds, you may get even more years out of it than that. Look for a crib that meets all safety standards and suits your aesthetic sensibilities, and if you plan to have more than one child, keep it gender-neutral. To go with the crib, you’ll need at least 5-6 fitted sheets, but skip the crib sets.
• Do you need a changing table? This is actually a hotly debated topic. Sure, it’s convenient to have all the storage a changing table provides, but a piece of furniture solely devoted to babyhood is likely to have an expiration date. Many parents opt for a dresser with a changing top, because when you’re out of the diaper phase, you’ll still need a dresser.
• One thing you do need is tons of storage. Arrange your nursery so that everything you need for a change of diapers or clothes is within easy reach of the changing table. This means diapers, wipes, changing table covers, burp cloths, pacifiers, toys to distract- anything you can think of needing, and extras of everything. You don’t want to have to step away from the changing table to reach something when you’re mid-change. Beyond that, you’ll need storage for all the baby stuff, so that it doesn’t end up tripping you in the middle of the night.
• Choosing a theme will help guide your décor. Find one thing that speaks to you, whether it’s a book, a painting, or some other piece of the nursery, and build your décor around it. It’s smart to keep the paint color and furniture neutral and accessorize within your theme. Don’t forget to include personal items like family photos and other elements that represent your loved ones.
• Remember that babies grow. However you decide to decorate the nursery, make sure that your décor is easy to change as your baby grows into a child. From furniture to storage to artwork, everything should grow with your little one.

If you need help with fertility in order to fill your dream nursery, Center for Vasectomy Reversal is here to help. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or help with their fertility. To learn more, contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 to arrange a free consultation.

How to Prepare your Child to be a Big Sibling

When you’re preparing for a baby, there’s much to do and consider. When there’s already a child in your family, you may be equally nervous and excited about telling your child the news. While you may have a picture in your mind of how it will go, since you’re already a parent you probably know that children rarely respond according to our expectations. Here, we offer some tips for preparing your child for a new sibling, while also submitting the caveat that children will all respond to this life-changing news in their own way.

How you tell your child depends largely on his or her age.

• If your little one is a toddler, the concept of a new brother or sister may be hard to understand. Talk about the “new baby” excitedly, and your attitude will rub off. Be straightforward when you tell your child, and do it early on, so the news doesn’t come from someone else. Looking at picture books about babies may help, and you might consider getting a doll so that your child can have his or her own “baby” as you approach your due date.
• When the big sibling-to-be is a preschooler, delivering the news may be trickier. Children between 2-5 years of age are sensitive to change, and the idea of a new baby may feel threatening. Take your time about breaking the news, perhaps waiting until the baby bump becomes obvious or you start picking out nursery furniture. Be honest: babies are cute but also needy. Help your preschooler take ownership of the situation, letting him help you shop for baby gear or showing her pictures from her babyhood. If there will be changes to your child’s routine, try to make them before the baby arrives.
• Telling a school-aged child about a new sibling is both easier and harder. Your child will be better able to understand the concept, but may be less interested in sharing your time and attention. Involve your child in the preparation, making sure to emphasize that everyone in the family is important and has value.

No matter how you tell your child, children need to be reassured once the baby arrives. Younger children may regress, older children may feel jealous and act out. Be sensitive to your child’s feelings and needs, spending one-on-one time with your older child when possible. Let your child “help” with the baby, while making sure it doesn’t feel like a responsibility. Above all, remember that you’re building a family, practicing patience and kindness as you forge these new bonds.

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we love helping people build their families. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other fertility concerns. To learn more, contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 for a free consultation.

The Science of Multiple Births

Does it seem like more people than ever are giving birth to multiples? How likely are you to have twins, triplets, or even quadruplets? What raises your chance of giving birth to more than one child at once? How much do you know about the science behind multiples?

If you’ve noticed more families with multiples recently, you’re not imagining things. In the United States, about 1 in every 250 births is a multiple, a more than 75 percent increase since 1980. About 90 percent of those multiples are twins, which may be best because the risks associated with pregnancy grow with every additional child involved.

Why the steep increase in multiple births? There are many factors at play. First, the average maternal age is increasing. In 1980, the birth rate for women between ages 40 and 44 was only 3.9 births per 1000 women, but by 2003 that rate had climbed to 8.7 births per 1000 women. Women over 30 are more likely to release more than one egg during their reproductive cycles, so an older average maternal age means more multiple births.

Fertility treatments are another factor. Infertility is common in the U.S., with about 13 percent of couples pursuing treatment to help. A recent study indicated a 10-fold rise in the conception of twins following fertility treatments. The rate varies based on the type of treatment: in vitro fertilization (IVF) increases the likelihood, as does medication that stimulates a woman’s follicles, causing her to produce more eggs.

Family history plays a role, as well. If the woman has a family history of twins, she’s slightly more likely to conceive twins naturally. Women who are non-identical twins have twins in about 1 birth out of every 60. If the father is a non-identical twin, the rate is about 1 in 125 births.

Is having multiples desirable? There are many complications with births that involve multiple babies. Prematurity, low birth weight, and stillbirth are all risks of a twin pregnancy, as are disabilities at birth and congenital health conditions like autism and cerebral palsy. For the mother, the risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and cesarean section are increased when she’s carrying more than one baby, and she’s more likely to have to go on bed rest during the pregnancy. Still, having more than one child at once is very exciting, and can be a fun experience for a family.

If you’re struggling with infertility or considering a vasectomy reversal, the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is here to help. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other concerns about their fertility. Whether you’re ready to schedule a procedure or just want to learn more, you can contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 to arrange a free consultation.

How to Introduce your Children to Different Cultures

With technology making the world ever smaller, in some ways we’re more connected with other cultures than ever before in history. At the same time, divisive sentiments abound, filling headlines and causing many parents to wonder how to protect their children from hateful attitudes while making them culturally empathetic. In an ideal world, we’d all be able to travel globally with our kids, but for most of us, that’s not actually our reality. Fortunately, we’ve got some tips for exposing your children to other cultures and fostering a sense of empathy and understanding.

• Use books and other media to explore the world. Books can help kids develop a sense of their own identity, and they’re also great for teaching about other countries, cultures, and religions. Read books and watch movies, television shows, and videos together, learning about people around the world, and diverse cultures here in our own nation.
• Encourage curiosity. It’s embarrassing when a child asks you something loudly about another person’s appearance or clothing in public, but it’s important to answer their questions, normalizing the fact that there are many different types of people in the world. Research other countries and cultures, and visit restaurants, cultural events, and festivals representing different ethnicities and cultural heritages. Talk about religious holidays around the world, and learn about how other cultures celebrate them.
• Find ways to spend time with different types of people. There’s a good chance that you know someone with a different heritage or religious background than yours. Talking to your kids about these differences, while giving them opportunities to become comfortable with a wide range of people, will help them become comfortable with diversity.
• Introduce your child to other languages. Sing songs that feature words in other languages, find opportunities to point out foreign words on signs and in reading materials, and let your kids watch educational programming that incorporates other languages.
• Celebrate differences and recognize commonality. As adults, we often try not to “see” differences. Little children, however, are very interested in what makes people different and what they have in common. Teach your kids to celebrate the differences while encouraging empathy by finding common ground.
• Set a good example. Your child’s best role model is you, so if you don’t feel like you know enough about different cultures, find ways to educate yourself. Making sure your reactions to people from other cultures are positive and compassionate will go along way toward fostering empathy in your children.

If you’re you want to have children but struggle with infertility, the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is here to help. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other concerns about their fertility. Whether you’re ready to schedule a procedure or just want to learn more, you can contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 to arrange a free consultation.

How to Make the Most of Family Dinner

As parents, most of us want to instill in our children the character attributes and soft skills they need to become successful adults. What does that mean to you and how can you put it into practice? Kids need perseverance, resilience, the understanding that failures and setbacks are part of the learning process, and a can-do attitude are all necessary attributes if you want your child to succeed. Of course, there are many factors that influence a child’s development, from personality and their environment, but parents have a large impact on how their kids react to the situations they face in their lives. Would it surprise you to learn that you can instill some of these positive character traits during ordinary activities like family dinner?

• Give kids more responsibilities. At dinnertime, involve them in meal prep, let them take on increasingly challenging tasks, and don’t be afraid to let them make mistakes. Making mistakes is part of learning and growing; by the time your children leave your house they need to know how to cook an entire meal, and the way they’ll learn is by trying and sometimes failing when they’re young.
  • Little kids can set the table.
  • As they grow, involve them in meal planning.
  • Let your older kids be responsible for one dish, then graduate them into cooking one meal, then one meal each week.
  • Don’t forget to involve children in the clean-up, as well.
• At dinner, discuss your day. Don’t hesitate to share stories of your own failures, setbacks, and disappointments, because it will help your kids gain perspective about how to use difficult experiences as opportunities to learn and grow. You don’t have to share your deepest regrets, but acknowledging your small mistakes and modeling a positive attitude as you overcome them will set a good example for your children.
• Play games with your kids. During dinner, try silly challenges, like eating while balancing paper plates on your heads. Play guessing games, twenty questions, or concentration ABCs. After dinner, if you have time, you can linger at the table (after you’ve all cleared it together) with a favorite board game. By playing games with your children, you give them opportunities to “fail safely” and learn from the experience.

If you’re ready to start a family and are considering a vasectomy reversal, the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is here to help. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other concerns about their fertility. We accept major credit cards as well as cash and checks, and offer a payment plan for those who are unable to pay the entire fee at the time of surgery. Whether you’re ready to schedule a procedure or just want to learn more, you can contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 to arrange a free consultation.

Best Books for New Dads

Becoming a dad is often equal parts exciting and terrifying. What’s in store for you? What do you need to do during the pregnancy and birth? What will your role be in your new little one’s babyhood? Why did you think this was a good idea?! Relax, it’s all going to be fine, and it was a very good idea. We’ve even got a list of helpful books to help you navigate the unfamiliar parts.

• Pregnancy for Dads-To-Be: This book by Adam Carpenter focuses solely on dads, helping men learn everything they need to know about pregnancy and how to be a supportive partner. It takes you through the nine-month process, teaching things like the development of the baby, what to do before the baby arrives, and how to be there for your partner during pregnancy, labor, and after the birth. It also provides helpful tips on adjusting your lifestyle before the baby gets here, to avoid the shock of doing it all at once after the birth.
• Commando Dad: This book by Neil Sinclair, a real-life commando, is a basic training manual for fatherhood. It’s got clear and logical advice on things like preparing your “base camp” and dealing with “minor combat injuries.” It’s a great reference book, packed with easily accessible knowledge.
• Fatherhood- The Truth: Marcus Berkmann wrote this book in 2005, when there weren’t very many new dad books out there. It doesn’t shy away from topics like the misery of night feeding and the likelihood of projectile vomiting as it takes you through that crucial time between conception and the first birthday.
• The Expectant Dad’s Survival Guide: Covering pregnancy and the early weeks of babyhood, this survival guide by Rob Kemp includes expert advice and firsthand accounts. It covers all the bases and offers a range of expert views.
• Babies and Toddlers for Men: Mark Woods has an original and witty way of providing practical advice, and this book covers birth to three years in a way that’s funny yet useful. It offers tips on looking after your child while supporting the child’s mother as well, and there is a companion book, Babies and Toddlers for Men- 101 Tips, which breaks it all down into manageable chunks.

If you’re ready to start a family, the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is here to help. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other concerns about their fertility. We accept major credit cards as well as cash and checks, and offer a payment plan for those who are unable to pay the entire fee at the time of surgery. Whether you’re ready to schedule a procedure or just want to learn more, you can contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 to arrange a free consultation.

What to Expect with Your Vasectomy Reversal

Are you considering a vasectomy reversal? Maybe you’ve changed your mind about your ideal family size, and now you want to try for a child. The good news is that vasectomy reversals are more successful today than they’ve ever been before. However, the procedure is more complicated than your vasectomy was, and it’s important for you to know what to expect.

• On the day of your surgery, arrive 90 minutes before your scheduled operation. Make sure that you follow your doctor’s instructions, and don’t eat anything for eight hours before the surgery unless you are told otherwise by your doctor. You don’t need to do any special preparation, and the operating room staff will clip any hair as needed for the surgery, as part of their operative preparations.
• When you arrive, you’ll be taken to the surgical preoperative area. If your significant other would like to stay with you during this time, that’s perfectly fine. Your doctor will meet with you in the preoperative suite, in order to answer any questions and discuss your procedure. The anesthesiologist will come by as well, and help you decide on the best choice of anesthesia.
• While you’re still in the preoperative suite, you’ll be given an IV. After the nurse inserts the IV, you’ll be given a sedative. If you’re like most patients, you won’t remember anything after that until you’re back in the recovery area.
• Immediately after the surgery, you’re not likely to experience pain. You may feel some numbness in the scrotum, but until the anesthesia wears off a few hours later, you probably won’t feel any discomfort. When the local anesthesia wears off, you can use an ice pack, provided by the medical staff, to decrease swelling and ease soreness. Make sure to apply the cold pack over the scrotal support and never directly to the skin. A little bit of blood oozing from between the sutures or out of the drains is to be expected, and it’s very unlikely you’ll have any significant bleeding.
• Once you’re fully awake and alert, you’ll be discharged with prescriptions for antibiotics and pain medication. A responsible adult must escort you out of the Surgery Center and take you home, because you won’t be allowed to drive for 24 hours after surgery, nor take a cab alone.

If you’re considering a vasectomy reversal, the Center for Vasectomy Reversal is here to help. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other concerns about their fertility. We accept major credit cards as well as cash and checks, and offer a payment plan for those who are unable to pay the entire fee at the time of surgery. Whether you’re ready to schedule a procedure or just want to learn more, you can contact us through our website, or call 941-894-6428 to arrange a free consultation.