ML Interest Tag: training

Lil’ Skaters Gotta Skate: San Diego’s Top Skate Parks

by Aimee Della Bitta

If you tuned into the skateboarding competitions during the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer, you might have recognized some local skaters who are now Olympic medalists. San Diego’s skateboarding culture was on full display throughout the games–leaving the entire community proud and little groms super excited. If you have one of those lil’ shredders at home and want to know where they can safely practice their craft, we rounded up the best skate parks to master that ollie, kick-flip and grind.

YMCA Skate Parks in San Diego

Two locations in San Diego County:

Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA Skate Park (Encinitas)
Great for beginners—the world-famous Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA Skate Park is one of the biggest and most diverse in San Diego County. Shaun White once told ESPN magazine that he'd been coming to this park every day since he was six. It's where he learned all his tricks, and it's still his inspiration. So if Shaun White approves, your little one should also be impressed. It includes a mixture of transitions and plaza elements. Beginners and anyone looking to increase their ability and learn new tricks should check out mini-land. Helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads are required for all participants 18 years and under. This park also offers private and group skate lessons.

200 Saxony Road
Encinitas, CA 92024
Online: www.ymcasd.org

YMCA Krause Family Skate & Bike Park (Mission Valley) 
Krause Family Skate and Bike Park is home to the first permanent track in the world and several professional athletes. The skatepark is a 60,000 sq. ft. facility that has a variety of ramps for all skill levels. The good news for pint-sized thrashers, they have a beginner course. They also have a brand new remodeled street course, BMX course, 4 ft. mini-ramp with a spine, Dew-Tour vert ramp, concrete pool, and Skatercross Skateboard Racing Track. This park is open and available for people of all ages and skills to enjoy. So pad up and get on over to the park!

3401 Clairemont Drive
San Diego, CA 92117
Online: www.ymcasd.org

 

CA Training Facility in Vista

CA Training Facility (CA|TF)

Skateboarding is woven into the culture of San Diego, with so many pros coming from North County, so it only makes sense that the first and only high-performance center developed explicitly for skateboarding opened in Vista.  The 28,000 square foot private facility, which includes full-size competition street and park courses, served as a training ground for US Olympic skateboard team members in preparation for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. In addition, they offer a variety of programs for young skaters. From private coaching to open skate, there's something for everyone. So if you have someone interested in skating, you need to check out (CA|TF).

1410 Vantage Court,|
Vista California 92081 
Online: www.ca-tf.com/

Linda Vista Skate Park

iStock

With the help of skaters, skateboard professionals and the community, The Linda Vista Skateboard Park opened in 2018. It is part of the Linda Vista Community Park and is currently the largest skate park in San Diego. The rad development boasts all the must-have elements, from rails, stairs, ramps, banks, ledges, jumps, and bench-like features to satisfy all skill levels. Besides the elements, there are several bowls, a full pipe, a street course, lights, and a bridge. The bridge is not only a focal point of the park. It also serves as a viewpoint to watch the skaters (a must for parents!). Other non-skating but family-friendly features include shade structures and sitting/observation areas. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Open 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Sunday. 
Online: sandiego.gov/

Memorial Skate Park

Memorial Skate Park in San Diego features approximately 7,000 square feet with above-ground ramps and rails. Bleachers for parents to sit and watch their children skate and a small area for a post-skate-sesh picnic.

6610 Potomac St
San Diego, CA 92139
Online: https://www.sandiego.gov/

 

Alga Norte Skatepark

There's so much to love about this gem of a park in North County and the state-of-the-art skate park is at the top of the list. Kiddos will be stoked to work on their kickflips and catch some air on the half pipes. The park offers something for beginners to advanced boarders and if you're looking for an evening outing, it's one of the few skate parks in San Diego county that has lights. Roll don't walk, the whole family will love this place!

6565 Alicante Rd.
Carlsbad, Ca 92009
760-268-4777
Online: www.carlsbadca.gov/services/depts/parks/facilities/south/alga.asp

Poway Skate Park

This kid-friendly skate park allows boards, blades, scooters, skates and bikes. So, if it has wheels — you can ride it here in Poway! It's designed for beginner-level to advanced boarders. Just note that it's on the smaller side, so it can get crowded at peak times. Helmets, knee pads and elbow pads are required and an adult must accompany kids under 12.

13090 Civic Center Dr.
Poway, Ca 92064
858-668-4671
Online: poway.org/328/Skate-Park

 

Carmel Valley Skate Park

The Carmel Valley Skate Park opened in 2008 with the design help of pro skater Chris Miller. The main feature of the park is a challenge course in a concrete bowl. This park also offers restrooms, a shade structure and seating and observation areas so parents can watch their daredevil land his next trick. Full safety equipment is required at all times.

12600 El Camino Real
San Diego, Ca 92130
858-552-1616
Online: sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/centers/skateparks/carmelvalley

 

Rancho Penasquitos Skate Park

©Beth Shea

After a full renovation in 2014, this skate park is now brimming with all the bells and whistles or should we say, grind boxes, bank ramps and multi-height quarter pipes? Whatever trick your pint-sized skater is hoping to perfect he can work on it at this 22,000-square-foot concrete skateboarding facility in Rancho Penasquitos.

10111 Carmel Mountain Rd.
San Diego, Ca 92129
858-538-8131
Online: sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/centers/skateparks/rancho

––Aimee Della Bitta

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5 Moms Share How Adding a Pet Changed Their Families

by Kenzie Kramer
Partner Content

Potty training, grooming, making your house safe—adding to your family is a big change whether you’re bringing home a fur baby or an actual baby. We’ve teamed up with Hill’s Pet to hear how five moms navigated adding a pet to their families:

See how Hill’s science-backed nutrition can give your best friend their best life.

 

When The Jamie Lynn Show brought her Goldendoodle pup home, she was overwhelmed with training and puppy nipping! Now the here pup is a bit older (and a bit more trained) she’s used the resources at HillsPet.com to help with obedience training.

 

Nashville Wife Styles added her second pup Ginger to her family nearly two years ago, and quickly learned that having two dogs around the house is a big change—particularly for her first dog. Fortunately, after a little bonding time, the two are now pals.

See how Hill’s science-backed nutrition can give your best friend their best life.

 

As a new pet parent, Texas Forever Farmhouse quickly learned about her cat’s quirks and how some cats are sneaky with games of hide-and-go-seek. After hours of searching their neighborhood for a lost kitten, they discovered Neville hiding in a crock pot in their pantry!

When Ann Marie Baliey brought her dog Geno home early on during quarantine, it took a while for her tiny humans to adapt to an energetic puppy! Now that the puppy nipping has subsided, they couldn’t be closer.

 

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A post shared by GingyPants (@thegingypants)

The Gingy Pants got her dog Fin years ago and become a dog mom before she was a mom to humans. Between way too many toys and a lot of overpreparing, Fin helped her prep for being a mom to two little ones!
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The 2021 LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar Has Officially Landed

by Karly Wood

Summer is nearly in the books, and if you’re looking for a festive LEGO-filled way to count down the holiday season, then you’re going to want to get your hands on all the new 2021 LEGO advent calendars!.

After a bit of a wait, the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar is done orbiting the galaxy and is here. Great for kids six and older, the Mandalorian-inspired set it comes with 335 pieces that include seven minifigs and mini builds!

Included minifigures are The Mandalorian and the Child, a Scout Trooper, Stormtrooper, Tusken Raider, IG-11 and IT-O Interrogator Droid. Little builders can also construct The Razor Crest, TIE Fighter, Tusken ballista snow launcher, training targets and the Child’s hoverpram.

The 2021 LEGO Harry Potter Advent Calendar is designed for kids seven and up, has 274 pieces and features 24 little gifts for your brick builders including six minifigures and buildable models like a Hogwarts letters arriving through the fireplace.

photo: LEGO

The minifigures include Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Dudley Dursley and Griphook. Mini builders will also get two wizard card tiles to add to their collection.

You can order both calendars starting Sept. 1 from LEGO.com for $39.99 each.

—Karly Wood

All photos: LEGO

 

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Tap Into Your Inner Princess with This Magical New Collection

by Karly Wood

Whether you have a major Disney princess fan or a little who loves a good dress up sesh, Janie and Jack’s newest line is fit for a queen (in training).

The Disney Princess Collection by Janie and Jack is a 50-item lineup of apparel, shoes and accessories all inspired by the most famous princesses of all: Cinderella, Belle, Ariel and Tiana. Each mini collection includes both casual and party clothes, in addition to items like headbands, gloves even wands!

We love the over-the-top cocktail-style dresses, but can’t wait to get our hands on adorable and comfy items like jumpsuits, leggings, joggers and sweaters.

The collection ranges in price from $16.50 to $135, and in sizes ranging from three months to 12 years.

In conjunction with the new collection, Janie and Jack have also launched the “Everyone’s A Princess” campaign, which shares the message that every child can be a princess by embracing attributes like courage and kindness––just like a Disney princess.

The campaign is highlighting the stories of five inspiring kids on Instagram, who are real life “princesses,” performing good deeds and sharing kindness in their community.

You can shop the new princess line at local Janie and Jack stores and on janieandjack.com.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Janie and Jack

 

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Going for the Liquid Gold: Willow Sends Breast Pumps to Olympic Athletes

by Eva Ingvarson Cerise

Here’s another reason to get pumped for Tokyo. To support breastfeeding during the Olympic Games, Willow has offered to send the brand’s Generation 3 wearable breast pump to Olympic athletes, coaches, training staff and onsite support.

Although organizers of Tokyo’s events had banned athletes’ families from attending the Games due to Covid-19 safety protocols, they’ve now made an exception for Olympic participants with nursing children. In response, Willow is offering to send them the pump and has made this their message: Being a breastfeeding mother and a world-class athlete do NOT need to be mutually exclusive.

Athletes and other busy moms love the hands-free technology and full mobility of this wearable pump. The Willow all-in-one breast pump fits inside your bra with no external tubes, cords or bottles, so it’s great for on-the-go, even if where you’re going is the Olympics!

The pump is spill-proof in any position, so you can lie down, bend over, jump on a Zoom call, tend to kids or train for your Olympic sport while pumping that liquid gold. Check out the Willow breast pump on their website and learn more about their generous Olympics offer on this Instagram post.

—Eva Ingvarson Cerise

Featured image courtesy of Willow

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The Ultimate Family Guide to the Smithsonian National Zoo

by rtguiomar

Editor’s Note: The National Zoo reopened in May 2021. Admission is free, but visitors must register for timed-entry passes here. 

The 163-acre National Zoo has been captivating visitors since way back in 1889, when it was called the National Museum’s Department of Living Animals, and has continued to expand its offerings over the years. Should you go? Of course! Should you have a game plan? You better! To make things easier, here’s a cheat sheet that will help you get the most out of a day spent with furry, feathered, and spiny zoo friends.

Getting There (and Parking Tips)

Adam Fagen via flickr

The best way to get to the zoo is by public transportation. Period. Both Metro Bus and Metro Rail have stops within walking distance of the Zoo. FYI: While equal distance from both Metro stops, the walk is uphill from the Woodley Park stop and flat from the Cleveland Park stop. The L1 and L2 buses stop right in front of the Zoo's main entrance on Connecticut Avenue. Parking can be reserved before your visit for $30. 

Where to Eat

mliu92 via flickr

The Mane Grill is open and serves Elevation Burgers, vegan burgers, chicken tenders, grab and go items, and kid meals on Lion-Tiger Hill. You can grab a slice of Sbarro at Panda Plaza. Feeling the heat? Grab a cone at Carvel at Panda Overlook. Dippin' Dots, Dolci Gelati and Ben & Jerry’s is also available at various locations in the park. 

Giant Panda 411

Mandy Jansen via flickr

Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji are definitely the resident headline makers at the National Zoo. In fact, they probably attract many of the park’s two million annual visitors. The National Zoo is a leader in giant panda conservation and has been working with China to study, breed and care for these black-and-white beauties since 1972 .Depending on the time and the weather, the giant pandas have a choice to be outside or inside the panda house. The pandas typically have outdoor access until early afternoon. 

Safety regulations: Free, pre-timed tickets are required for this exhibit. You can get yours here. 

Daily Programs

Something is always happening at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Daily programs include animal training, feeding demonstrations and keeper talks. Some programs change from week to week. Zoo educators and volunteers try to keep an updated schedule, but due to weather and the needs of the animals, activity times can change. Please be sure to consult a schedule at the Zoo on the day of your visit.

Keeping Your Cool

The Austinot via flickr

It’s no secret…during the summer the Zoo can get rather toasty. When the heat is on, keep cool by strolling through the many mist stations sprinkled throughout the park. Even better, dip your feet in the flowing waters of the American Trail Tide Pool (May 30-Sep. 30), a shallow wave pool open for tiptoe-ing through with replica model sea stars, barnacles and mussels.

—Meghan Yudes Meyers and Guiomar Ochoa

 

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Homeschool Tips for Beginners

By Julie Seeney

More than any time in recent history, parents are having to play the role of both family leaders and school teachers. Kids today are spending more time at home because of homeschooling. This can be problematic for any family that has become accustomed to dropping their kids off at school. It often serves as a much-needed respite for both the mother and father and is also a convenient way to find care for your kids if you are working. However, if you are a parent that is now homeschooling your children, you need to develop certain routines. The following information provides successful homeschool routines that any parent can follow to improve their ability to teach their children.

Schedules Are So Important
When a child goes to school, they are going to do so at predetermined times. There is often a mad rush for the parents, trying to get their child onto a bus or into the car so they can be dropped off before the bell rings. However, when you are homeschooling your kids, it is often difficult to maintain a rigid schedule. We are conditioned to rely upon the scheduling of our local school, yet we can still provide them with structured learning. By determining when school will start, and how long each class will be, we can create something very similar at home.

Routine Breaks throughout the Day
Just as a traditional school will provide breaks for the students, parents need to consider doing the same. Although it would be nice to save time and help them learn as fast as possible, not every child is going to understand the information. If you have a child that does require special care at school, such as extra tutoring, you will now need to provide that service as well. To make this easier for both you and your child, you need to have routinely scheduled breaks throughout the day. This will give both of you a much-needed respite from the demands that homeschooling will require. It will also allow your children, as well as the homeschool parent, to be more refreshed as they move from topic to topic.

Proper Preparation before the Next Day’s Lessons
Teachers are well aware of how much prep time goes into preparing for lessons. They will have a curriculum that they must follow, and to deliver the information in a sustained manner, they must first go over the subject matter. This can take hours, depending upon your familiarity with certain topics, as well as the amount of information that needs to be conveyed. You will have to prepare the quizzes, tutorials, and other forms of educational training, in the most helpful way. That is why it is important to spend at least one hour prior to school starting at home to ensure that this information is delivered properly.

Always Have Scheduled Testing Times
Perhaps the most important aspect of going to school is having deadlines. This is well known to those that take AP courses in high school or college courses at the local university. The amount of material that needs to be consumed and learned each week demands that deadlines be set in place. When your child has a deadline for completing their assignments, they will be more inclined to be highly focused. As with anything to do in life, you need to have reliable homeschool routines and deadlines to help provide this aspect of the educational process.

How to Address Issues That Your Child May Have 
It is possible that your child may not understand the information that you will be presenting to them each day. This is a common occurrence for any teacher that has taught in a classroom. They are well aware that most students learn and consume information at different rates. Since you will know your child better than anyone, you will likely have a general idea of what their strengths and weaknesses are. By planning in advance to provide extra tutoring for these subjects, you can ensure that they will move forward and reach deadlines right on time. This will also require the parent to spend extra time learning each topic. The more proficient they are with the material that must be taught, the easier it will be to provide helpful information.

Homeschooling is something that not everyone can do. It requires determination, planning, and the gift of being an educator. If a parent hasn’t taught in the classroom before, they can quickly learn how to become one. Every day, parents across the world are educating their children, and these skills can be used when teaching their kids at home. As long as there are homeschool routines, deadlines, and enough preparation for the lessons, they will be successful as a teacher for their children.

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A little about me : I’m a thirty-something Mom to one boy and one girl. I blog about all things to do with being a mom and encorage moms to take care of themselves during postpartum.

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Goodbye, Bottles: Try These Sippy Cups, 360 Cups & Straw Cups Instead

by Whitney C. Harris

Once you start offering your baby water at the 6-month mark, you can use a sippy cup, 360 cup or straw cup instead of a bottle. While sippy spouts (especially soft ones) are often easier for transitioning away from a bottle, many doctors also recommend straw cups as they help with speech and oral development. You’ll probably end up trying a few to find a favorite, but with our help, maybe you’ll nail it on the first try.

Nuby 360 Edge 2 Stage Drinking Rim Cup

Nuby

Kid can drink from any part of this 360-edge drinking cup, topped in soft silicone. New drinkers grip the two handles and guide the cup to their mouths. Detach the handles when your child has the hang of grasping the tumbler instead. With only two parts and a transparent cup and rim, it's easy to clean. Pop on the hygienic cover to keep it clean when not in use.

Available at amazon.com, $6.99.

Tommee Tippee Insulated Sippee Toddler Cup

These 9-ounce insulated tumblers keep drinks cool and limit messes thanks to a spill-proof valve. The soft spout is easy for toddlers to drink from and gentle on teething gums. They're dishwasher-safe and free of BPA, BPS and phthalates. And the bright colors guarantee they won't get lost in the bottom of your diaper bag.

Available at amazon.com, $14.21.

ezpz Mini Cup & Straw Training System

So many smart features turn this cup into a training system, helping your child learn to use a straw and drink from an open cup. The kid-size cup is made from no-slip silicone and angled on the inside for a more even flow of liquid. It has a weighted base with bumps to keep the cup from falling over. The straw also features small bumps to decrease tongue suckling and promote rounding the lips, and the curve in the straw promotes lip and jaw closure. Flip the straw upside down for more advanced sipping, and then move on to the open cup.

Available at ezpzfun.com, $14.99.

Dr. Brown's Stage 1 Soft-Spout Transition Cup

This compact cup is perfect for baby’s first attempts at sipping like a big kid. They’ll love the soft spout that reminds them of a bottle's nipple and handles they can easily grip. You'll love that leaking is minimal and it comes with a flip top to keep it clean when you toss it in the diaper bag or stroller.

Available at drbrownsbaby.com, $5.99.

Joovy Dood Training Cup & Insulator

If you prefer a hard spout style, this 7-ounce cup is a good choice. The mouthpiece is specifically designed to help protect gums and the palate while babies are teething. It's insulated so it keeps beverages colder longer. And you can even freeze liquids in the cup, which is perfect for extended trips.

Available at joovy.com, $14.99.

Miniware 1-2-3 Sip!

Little ones can drink three different ways with the adaptable 1-2-3 Sip! from Miniware. Start your baby out with the silicone straw insert, then level up to the non-drip spouted lid (just the right size for tots), and, finally, graduate to the open cup. The easy-on-the-eyes cup is made out of plant-based bamboo fiber and vegetable starch material and has major minimalist appeal.

Available at miniware.com, $18.

Pura Kiki Straw Bottle with Sleeve

Once your baby has some practice drinking from a smaller cup, we love this stainless steel option that’s completely free of plastic. The 11-ounce bottle keeps beverages cool, and an outer sleeve (available in 6 colors) means little hands won't freeze while holding it. Another awesome feature: Many standard nipples and sippy spouts also fit on the cup, so you can ease the transition and offer milk as well.

Available at purastainless.com, $19.99.

Dr. Brown’s Baby’s 1st Straw Cup

Once your baby has mastered a soft-spout, it’s on to straw cups! The flexible, weighted straw on this 9-ounce cup means that babes can sip from any angle. The attached lid is super convenient when you’re on-the-go, and the cup even comes with its own brush to keep things clean.

Available at drbrownsbaby.com, $6.99.

Lollacup Sippy Cup

The Lollacup can make the learning-to-drink process easier thanks to a weighted straw that helps draw water, or even a smoothie, up and into the tube no matter which way the cup is tilted. The materials are all BPA-free, BPS-free, and phthalate-free for super-safe sipping. And the cup "chick" wins major points for being so adorable and coming in seven cool colors.

Available at lollaland.com, $16.

Green Sprouts Glass Sip & Straw Cup

Here's another plastic-free cup with tons of drinking options. It's made out of glass and has an outer plastic shield with handles and a non-slip, shock-absorbing base to prevent breakage. The cup comes with a silicone straw, but you can purchase additional tops with soft and hard spouts for versatile sipping.

Available at greensproutsbaby, $19.99.

Oxo Soft Spout Sippy Cup Set with Training Lid

This clever set helps babies transition from the bottle and then to drinking from a cup without a top. First, introduce the sippy with the hard top and handles. Later, ditch the handles and switch the lid to one that functions pretty much like a regular cup. A special insert with perforated edges will control the flow of water, to everyone's relief! Once your child has the hang of that, remove the insert and your big kid can drink from a grown-up cup.

Available at oxo.com, $10.99.

Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup

Here's a great option for learning to drink from a spout- and straw-free cup. This trainer cup allows kids to tip and drink from any side (as they would from a regular cup), and it magically seals when they stop drinking. Another plus: You don't have to clean small straws and valve parts. What’s more, Munchkin has made a new line of “Wild Love” cups featuring threatened species like the polar bar and African elephant to support animal welfare efforts.

Available at munchkin.com, $7.

Thinkbaby Thinkster of Steel

As the first company to offer a BPA-free baby bottle, Thinkbaby knows how important safe sipping is for families with young children. The offerings now include the ultra-safe Thinkster of Steel, which can transform a stainless cup from a baby bottle to a sippy to a straw cup with the simple twist of a cap. We love the straw option with a cross-cut design that means no messy spills. And, even better, a portion of the purchase price can go toward a charity such as Save the Whales.

Available at gothinkbaby.com, $13.99.

Tommee Tippee Easiflow 360

Fill your child’s Easiflow 360 with something to sip on, and you’ll be thrilled to see them drinking out of a “big kid” cup. The spout-free design is great for learning how to drink out of a cup and is good for oral development. The single-piece valve is simple to clean and the cup comes in 7-ounce (with handles) and 8-ounce (without handles) options and in single cups or packs of two.

Available at tommeetippee.us, $12.99.

Tommee Tippee No-Knock Cup

Ready to quit cleaning up spilled milk? Thought so! Here’s a cup that simply won’t dump over, even when toys and elbows knock into it left and right. The base sticks to any smooth surface, but the cup easily lifts when pulled upward for drinking.

Available at tommeetippee.us, $12.99.

—Whitney C. Harris & Julie Seguss

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New Study Shows How Therapy Dogs Impact Kids’ Social Skills

by Erica Loop

Recently published research from the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus shows that therapy dogs can help children to build social skills.

The study, which was published in the Journal of Research in Childhood Education, looked at the impact that working with therapy dogs had on 22 children from the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club over the course of six weeks. Researchers utilized therapy animals from the Building Academic Retention through K9s, or BARK program, to learn more about how the children could learn from and with the dogs.

photo: Sam Lion via Pexels

During the six-week program the children were taught new social skills, such as giving directions to other people. Each child practiced their new skill with a therapy dog—and then with the rest of the participant group. Following practice with the dogs and the other children, the participants then tried out their new skills with university students.

Dr. John-Tyler Binfet, associate professor in the School of Education and director of BARK, said of the program, “Therapy dogs are often able to reach children and facilitate their growth in surprising ways. We saw evidence of this in the social skills of children when they were paired with a therapy dog.”

Researcher and master’s student in the School of Education, Nicole Harris, said, “Findings from our observations suggested that canine-assisted social and emotional learning initiatives can provide unique advantages. Our team saw that by interacting with the therapy dogs, the children’s moods improved and their engagement in their lessons increased.”

After the program ended, Harris interviewed eight of the children. The researcher found that each child felt the social skills training program was enjoyable. The children also said the dogs were a meaningful part of the training program.

Love pets as much as we do?

Tinybeans, the app that allows you to upload and share photos and videos of your little ones with anyone you choose and no one you don’t, has teamed up with Hill's Pet Nutrition to allow users to add a pet! You can create a profile for your four-legged friend, share their photos and videos, receive milestone markers for them and see recommended articles based on your pet’s age and stage. 

Up for a challenge? Create a pet profile today, and see if you can add a new memory each day this month. Your furball will love the added attention, and you'll love the fun photos you can look back on!

––Erica Loop

 

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What It’s like to Be Induced at 41 Weeks

By Sophie Campobasso Nolan

Week 40, Day 6 (Morning):
I feel SO huge and I’m so over being pregnant. I’ve been on maternity leave for two weeks, and I assumed by this point I’d be cuddling my baby. Instead, I’m lugging around a fully formed human in my body and I’m having a hard time getting comfortable.

Week 40, Day 6 (Afternoon):
I go to visit my OBGYN in the hopes that she will take one look at me and proclaim “THIS WOMAN IS IN ACTIVE LABOR!” Instead, it’s a routine appointment where she tells me that I’m showing no signs of labor.

BUT THEN, EXCITEMENT! She tells me that she is going to call the hospital to schedule my induction for tomorrow!

Week 41, Day 1 (8:00 AM): 
My husband Brendan and I arrive at the hospital and are shown to our room. A Labor and Delivery (L&D) nurse enters to get me set up and check my cervix for signs of dilation. If you’d never had your cervix checked, this is what happens:

1. With gloved hands a medical professional sticks two fingers into your vagina.

2. They get their fingers all the way up and back until they feel your cervix.

3. They check to see if your cervix is opened (or dilated) and do a measurement in centimeters on how open it is. Your cervix needs to go from ZERO to TEN centimeters wide in order for a baby to fit through.

The L&D nurse tells me to put the bottom of my feet together to make a froggy pose while she checks my cervix.

She tells me that I’m at maybe half a centimeter dilated. Then she gives me my first dose of misoprostol, a pill that will slowly make my cervix dilate and induce my labor (hopefully.)

Week 41, Day 1 (2:00 PM): 
My L&D nurse comes to check my cervix again and give me a second dose of misoprostol or “miso” as they call it. I am hopeful that my cervix is cooperating but I am still at a half centimeter dilated. She tells me that her shift is ending and introduces me to my new nurse.

This nurse is a lot older and definitely more seasoned.

One of the first things my new nurse says to me is this:

“When the time comes, you need to push. You need to push, push, push! So many people go through all of this dilating, they get all the way to ten, and then they can’t push. You need to push!”

I stare at her intently and swear to her that I will push when I am dilated to ten.

Week 41, Day 2 (2:00 AM): 
We’ve been at the hospital all day and into the night, and very little has happened.

Two L&D nurses come in to give me another dose of miso and to check my cervix. One of the nurses is training and is obviously nervous. She goes ahead and starts to check my cervix. I can feel her fingers shaking inside me.

While she is in there, she looks at her colleague and hesitantly says, “um…four?” to which I bolt up in total excitement.

Her trainer looks at her in disbelief and asks nicely, “Are you sure?” Then she checks my cervix. Turns out I’m still at one.

Week 41, Day 2 (8:00 AM):
A new, really great nurse comes in. Her name is Chris and she is definitely my favorite nurse! I’m now dilated to two!

Week 41, Day 2 (12:00 PM):
As I walk to the bathroom something falls out of me. It looks like a jellyfish blob. Chris is with me and she says, “Looks like you lost your mucus plug!” and then grab a paper towel and picks it up. I think about how grateful I am that people are willing to do this job.

Week 41, Day 2 (3:00 PM):
I am now dilated to four centimeters, and things are heating up. I’m starting to get cramps that feel like a really bad period. The nurses ask me what my pain management preferences are, and I say I prefer to not feel any pain! They call for the anesthesiologist to put in my epidural.

Week 41, Day 2 (9:00 PM):
Things are getting real. Here’s what’s happening:

  1. I am dilated near ten.
  2. To help speed everything along, the team has given me pitocin, and it makes me vomit. A lot.
  3. The intense older drill sergeant nurse is back! She gives me a look as if to say “Remember your training, do not disappoint me.”
  4. My OBGYN is having dinner at home with her family. What?!

Week 41, Day 2 (9:15 PM):
The nurses all agree that it’s time for me to start pushing. They are calling the doctor who is on her way.

The drill sergeant nurse takes over. She instructs Brendan to help me hold my knees back towards my ears.

The drill sergeant waits until my next contraction comes and tells me to hold my breath and push. They count to ten while I push and feel like my head is about to explode from the pressure.

Finally, my OBGYN comes running into the room.

Week 41, Day 2 (9:15 PM):
The doctor takes one look and says, “Oh! Hi baby! We can see the top of your head!”

The OBGYN tells me when my next contraction is and I push hard again. Each push is the most exhausting thing I’ve ever done, and I vomit after each one. But I hold my breath and bear down as they count each time.

I do one last, hard push and I feel the doctor pull what feels like a massive thing out of my body.

That thing is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. My son is born!

Week 41, Day 2 (9:20 PM):
Amazingly I stop throwing up and suddenly feel 100% better. As I hold my little goo-covered miracle I am filled with a sense of accomplishment. The waiting was worth it!

This post originally appeared on The San Francisco Mama.
Sophie Campobasso Nolan
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Sophie is a San Francisco based Mom of 2 young kids on a mission to find and share the best kid friendly local stuff! 

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