In your opinion... What are the best things you don't/didn't do?

1. I didn't say NO to the vaccines...and I know I should have, so no more shots in the future!!

2. I didn't look into cloth diapering early on. I still switched over, but not until Sophie was over a year. The next baby will be in cloth from birth.

3. I didn't question my OBGYN. That would have been a VERY VERY good plan on my part, lol. Next time I'm not even seeing an OB, but a midwife, and may even "accidentally" homebirth! ;)

We are really taking advantage of all the great information we have learned since we had our son 15 months ago and can't wait to try things again with #2 due in August.

1. Take Bradley Method birthing class. Great 12 session class that really goes in depth on partner-led birthing support.

2. Have the proper support for a natural birth. Our hospital stay was horrific, no help, the only time they can in during 16 hours of non-progressive labor was to tell me that I was crazy to be on pitocin without an epidural. We ended up with a c-section because they were "unsure how the baby was" because they "couldn't get a proper reading." This time we are hopefully using a free standing birth center with a mid-wife and are considering a doula as well. (I would love a home birth, but we live in an apartment building...thin walls would NOT help!)

*A tip about cloth diapering* We never do laundry, so that didn't sound like something I could do. What I did find was that a diaper delivery service cost about the same price as disposables, all I have to do is wash the covers once in a while (no stripping or sterilizing what-have-you) and drop the dirty ones in a bin for pick up every week (no, it doesn't stink as long as you keep the lid down and the deodorizer chip they give us fresh!)

I am excited to see what others answer, so maybe we can learn more things!

I feel the exact same way, I always think about the people who have the "natural" birth, with no meds! When I think about giving birth, I say to myself, I could do it, but then after experiencing childbirth WITH meds, there is no way in hell I would do it without!

I would also love to do the cloth diapers, but eeww, no way!

I also want to try potty training at one year, my son was potty trained at 22 months, and with this baby, (currently 22 weeks), I want to try introducing her to the toilet at 1. I guess only time will tell!

Thanks for asking this question, I guess there is alot more I could write, but that would take to long! Questions like this, really makes you think on exactly how you want to do things with your children.

Thanks again!

Wait, one more thing. I have ALWAYS wanted to adopt a child ever since I knew what it meant, but I'm the type of person who has the fear of the older years when they start asking questions, especially if they were a different race. I'm not racist by any means whatsoever, (I married a different race), but I dont think I could ever adopt a baby from China. I know I want to adopt, but I wont have the guts to adopt another race. Maybe its because I would be constantly thinking of the outside comments like, "You know that child is adopted." Is there something wrong with me for thinking something like that? I really, really hope that this did not offend anyone. Just trying to answer this question honestly.

1. really wanted to cloth diaper - but her skin is way too sensitive, just like her sisters' were.

2. breastfeeding - going strong to self-weaning. i do not have the patience and endurance to get that kid off against her will (21 months) - it'd take two sticks of dynamite and a crowbar.

3. i waited too long for her father to see sense - i should've gone with my instincts and ran for the hills in time to leave him off the birth certificate and then i'd never have to see him ever again.

4. i did EVERYTHING i could to hang onto her throughout my ultra-high-risk pregnancy - i stayed in bed, i ate a 100% clean diet, did not allow smoking in the house, even to the point of asking the upstairs neighbours to please smoke outside for the duration (they were very gracious in honouring that).

5. i would love to have a home birth - but at this point, i would settle for having a normal, ordinary birth without the drama and the induction and all the rest.

note about giving birth without meds: i went as long as i could with my last induced labour before the nurse finally said "for crying out loud, you're not winning any mommy points - just take the bloody epidural!" and i caved.

and then it failed.

yes, i yowled like a scalded cat but the interesting thing is that it actually felt WAY better when she came through - nowhere near as painful as the labour contractions were - and ten minutes after she was born, i was b--g out the nurses because they wouldn't let me out of bed to go to the bathroom (and i really needed to go!).

I would really love to have a water birth, but then I couldn't have an epidural and I can't see myself doing it without an epidural (plus I don't think there is anywhere locally that offers water births near me).

I loved the idea of natural childbirth lol until the contractions hit every 2 minutes and then I gave in (thank you god for epidurals)

I loved the idea of breastfeeding, but when my daughter came home she drank 4 oz of milk at a time and I just didn't produce that much. Plus it really hurt. I just want built for it I guess lol.