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Congratulations to Our Mother’s Day Giveaway Winner!

May 14, 2013 By Cara Terreri Leave a Comment

Congratulations to Rachel R. who won The First Years stroller and car seat combo set! Her answer to the question about attending childbirth classes was:

I am pregnant with my first, and do plan to attend a child birth class so I will have strategies for natural child birth.

We enjoyed reading through your responses about childbirth classes. As an organization who specializes in childbirth education, it’s very helpful to understand the why or why not when it comes to taking childbirth classes. We strive to find ways to reach women everywhere to help them become informed and make the best decisions about their maternity care.

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The First Years Stroller & Car Seat Giveaway for Mother’s Day

May 8, 2013 By Cara Terreri 32 Comments

In celebration of Mother’s Day, we have a giveaway perfect for parents-to-be! Lamaze is thrilled to be able to give away a “Wisp” stroller and “Via” car seat system by The First Years — worth $249!

New from The First Years, a truly lightweight travel system that is fashionable and durable. European-styled frame rated for use to 50 pounds all at a very affordable price. The Wisp stroller features taller handle heights, front swivel lock and rear brakes, generous lower and upper storage, a removable child tray and an oversized canopy with a peek a boo window.

The new Via Infant Seat is new from the makers of the family of 5-Star Rated Car Seats. The Via offers the features that are standard on all The First Years car seats. For use from 5 to 35 pounds with the base, the Via features double wall construction for extra support. The patented one-hand easy-to-adjust five-point harness means you never need to rethread, ever, making it one of the easiest seats to use. The Via offers one of the deepest shells in the market and is side-impact tested to International standards. The patented Rebound Energy Management handle helps manage the energy in the event of a crash and the innovative comfort carry handle with oversized elbow padding makes it easier to carry. The exclusive Information frame handle, provides a secure spot for all that important contact information.

To enter to win, answer the following question in the comments below: Did you attend childbirth classes during your pregnancy? Why or why not? 

The deadline to enter is midnight on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 12. We’ll announce the winner next week here on the blog. Unfortunately, we are limited to shipping the stroller only to the continental United States. There will be only one winner. Winner will be notified directly by email as well as announced on the blog. Prize cannot be exchanged for cash value.

 

Good luck!

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Fodada Giveaway Winner

February 14, 2013 By Cara Terreri Leave a Comment

Congratulations to Mary Beth who won the Fodada – Clothing with a Cause giveaway (chosen by Random.org)! We asked how you keep your heart healthy and Mary Beth answered:

To make sure my heart is healthy I do my very best to drink a glass of red wine every day. Sometimes at the end of a long day of motherhood I feel compelled to drink 2 glasses of red wine.

For more information on Fodada clothing and the causes they support, visit their website at www.fodadawear.com.

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Fodada – Clothing with a Cause: A Giveaway!

February 6, 2013 By Cara Terreri 15 Comments

I recently discovered the online clothing retailer, “Fodada,” who offers a hip yet simple clothing line “for the best dada in the world.” And here’s the catch, Fodada not only sells cool, comfy clothing, but their main mission is to partner with organizations and causes that dads (and families) would be interested in supporting. As founder Bobby Barzi put it:

The amazing responsibility of becoming a father and raising my sons has become the most overwhelming and demanding yet rewarding experience of my life. Last year I realized that I needed to celebrate this experience and so I created fodada. I wanted to create a company that could provide a tangible product that could then be leverage to funnel exposure, support and funding for programming that is relevant and dedicated to fatherhood and families.

To date, Fodada has partnered with Autism Speaks, Giving Children Hope, Working Wardrobes, and the American Heart Association, and has helped inspire campaigns such as Color for Cause and Adopt a Dad, and programming initiatives from International Women’s Self Defense Day.

To recognize February’s American Heart Month and raise awareness for heart health in conjunction with the American Heart Association, Fodada has created a special line of red clothing available February 1 – March 22. Every purchase made from the red line during this time will result in a 100% donation of net proceeds to the American Heart Association. Fodada will also be donating 2500 little red newborn beanies to American Heart Association Hospitals to be put on babies delivered in the month of February. Each beanie will come with a note reminding and encouraging the parents about heart health and what it can mean to their family.

And here’s the cool part… Fodada is giving away two of their red line items to one lucky Giving Birth with Confidence reader! Comment on this post for your chance to win a red newborn beanie and your choice of a Mama or Dada Hoodie in red.

To enter to win, answer the following questions in the comments on this post: What do you do to keep your heart healthy? Comments for this giveaway will close on Wednesday, February 13 at 11pm EST. The winner will be announced here on Valentine’s Day, February 14. Good luck!

 

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“Push” Blog-Writing Contest & Giveaway

June 20, 2012 By Cara Terreri Leave a Comment

As part of the Push for Your Baby campaign, Lamaze is hosting a “push story sharing” contest. Share your childbirth story and you could win some awesome baby items!

Calling all moms, dads, and partners! You’ve been through the big day and now it’s your turn to tell expecting parents about what you’ve learned along the way. Share your childbirth story with us in a written or video blog and you could win a baby product from Lamaze and Tomy.com.

Our panel of judges will select three written and three video blogs to receive the following:

  • First Place: Lamaze car seat, provided by TOMY (approx. value $220.00)
  • Second Place: GC Brands Childrenswear Baby Wardrobe (approx. value $150)
  • Third Place: Selection of Lamaze baby toys and books, provided by TOMY(approx. value $100)

For your entry, take some time to reflect on your baby’s birth day and share your answers to these questions:

Push for Your Baby!

  • Why do you think it’s important for parents to push for the best care for mom and baby during labor and birth?

Childbirth education?

  • How did Lamaze childbirth education help you push for the safest, healthiest birth?
  • Did dad or your partner take childbirth education? How did it help support you on your baby’s birth day?
  • What’s the most important thing that you learned in Lamaze class that helped you push for the safest, healthiest birth possible for your baby?

Advice for other parents?

  • Based on your own experiences, what’s the one thing you would tell new, expecting parents about preparing for baby’s birth day?

How to Enter

Using the form here, submit your entry no later than Saturday, June 30, 2012. We will announce the prize winners on August 1. All blogs* will be published on the Push for Your Baby Campaign website and the first place blogs will be posted to the home pages of Lamaze.org and PushforYourBaby.com, as well as on Giving Birth with Confidence and shared via Lamaze’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

*Before being posted on the website, each blog post will be reviewed for appropriate content. Blogs found to be insulting, profane or otherwise inappropriate will not be posted.

Entry Requirements

Video should be no longer than three minutes in length and posted on YouTube. Written entries should be no longer than 700 words. Our panel of judges will evaluate entries on narrative (as defined above), originality and creativity.

The Lamaze “Push for Your Baby” campaign encourages women to advocate for better care for their babies and themselves. With the right information and education, women have the opportunity to be active partners in their care during pregnancy and birth. This campaign is designed to help women be ‘savvy shoppers’ and prepared to seek out the best care for their babies and themselves.

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Mother’s Day Giveaway Winner and Tributes

May 14, 2012 By Cara Terreri Leave a Comment

Thanks to all of you who entered our giveaway and for your thoughtful answers. The winner is……

Varsha, who said:

“The one moment that transformed me from a woman to a mom was the time when I felt my son’s hairy cheeks for the first time. He was frail and small but was so peaceful in my arms as if he knew already he could trust me.”

If you didn’t win, but would like to purchase the Lamaze stroller or infant seat, they are available for purchase at Babies R Us nationwide. A portion of each purchase supports the Lamaze International mission to help moms and babies have the safest, healthiest birth possible.

We hope everyone enjoyed their Mother’s Day. For more motherly inspiration, we’d like to share some of the awesome responses to our giveaway question: “For moms-to-be, what are you most looking forward to in your new role as mom? For moms-that-are, when was the first moment you realized that you were, in fact, a mom?”

 

Hearing that fast little hearbeat always makes if feel the most “real” to me. I was a mother months before our children were born. –Twila

Motherhood became real for me 32 years ago. I had just given birth to my daughter and although the hospital offered rooming-in, the nurse took my baby to the nursery for a few minutes. I distinctly heard Michaela crying and slowly made my way down the hall and around a few corners. The nurse met me as I was almost at the nursery door and said she was just bringing her back to me. When I replied that I heard her crying, she looked at me with surprise. There must have been 6 other little ones in there, all crying for their moms. She couldn’t belive that I knew my child’s cry. I wasn’t surprised at all. That’s when I really knew that although I was very young, I was indeed a mom.
Now my babies are having babies and I’m the grandmother of 4, with one just a few weeks old and a new baby coming in a few weeks. Being a mom doesn’t end when your kids grow up. If you are as lucky as I am, you get to watch your own kids raise their families and that is as real as it gets. BTW, if I win, the stroller and car seat go to the two newest grandkids! –Julie

I think the moment that I realized I really was a mom was when my younger toddler was sick with the flu and was throwing up… he threw up all over me, ALL over me… and I didn’t even care, I just felt sad for him. Which is very, very unlike me. –Courtney

I’m a mom-to-be with our first little one due in October. I change what things I am looking forward to, but constant is looking forward to looking our new family member in the eyes and meeting them in person for the first time, and getting to introduce them to their lovely Dad. –Yvonne

I knew I was a mom the first time I had to wake up to feed my son. I realized that there was this little person that needed and trusted me for everything. –Amanda

Although every ultrasound and heartbeat made me feel closer to being a mom, I think I was still a little surprised when there was actually a baby who came out of my body! Looking into my little one’s eyes moments after delivery I knew that I would do anything for this precious little one. When I REALLY knew I was a mom was the day I had to heat up my cup of tea three separate times and still found it in the microwave the next morning, never actually having had a chance to sit down and drink it! –Lynn

I realized I was a mom the first time I was completely alone with my newborn son. It was the moment I realized that I had no immediate backup! –Yvonne

I can’t wait to experience the kind of love only a mother can have for her child! I’ve been waiting my whole life to become a mother and now it’s happening in a couple weeks! –Debbi

I first realized I was a mom when I had everyone else referring to me as Mommy. How weird it was to hear that word in reference to myself at first. I finally got used to it and now have four little ones who call me mom. Not so weird to hear it now. =) –Aimee

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It’s a Mother’s Day Giveaway!

May 7, 2012 By Cara Terreri 52 Comments

To celebrate the many moms-to-be and moms-that-are, we are giving away a Lamaze stroller and infant car seat. One lucky reader will win both!

The Lamaze Indigo Stroller is a lightweight, easy-to-use and a comfy resting spot for your baby. This durable stroller features a modular, Euro-styled design, with a reversible seat. You can always keep a close eye on your infant by simply releasing the seat and turning it to the rear-facing mode. The stroller fits to the Lamaze Via Infant Car Seat (sold separately) and includes a universal attachment to fit many other car seats. Important features for moms (and dads, of course): the stroller can be folded with one hand; its large wheels help it glide over almost any surface; and the canopy is fully adjustable and removable.

The Lamaze Via Infant Car Seat is for babies from 5 to 35 lbs and features a patented Energy Rebound management system, which helps manage the forward rotation in the event of a crash. Important features for moms (and dads, of course): easy to adjust harness (no rethreading necessary); easy-off pads; built in lock offs and LATCH are all standard features; and side angle indicators for easier installation. 

 

Here’s How to Win

Leave a comment on this post that answers the following question: For moms-to-be, what are you most looking forward to in your new role as mom? For moms-that-are, when was the first moment you realized that you were, in fact, a mom?

The giveaway will close on Sunday, May 13 at midnight, EST. The winner will be announced on Monday, May 14.

If you like the stroller and can’t wait to win one, they are available for purchase at Babies R Us nationwide. A portion of each purchase supports the Lamaze International mission to help moms and babies have the safest, healthiest birth possible.

Good luck!

Filed Under Featured Story, Giveaway

Wearing Your Own Clothes During Labor (& BG Birthing Gown Winner!)

March 26, 2012 By Cara Terreri 2 Comments

Last week, the founder and owner of the BG Birthing Gown answered our questions and hosted a giveaway of one of her birthing gowns (see the end of this post for the winner announcement). We’d like to share some of the insightful comments our giveaway entrants shared on why they want to wear their own clothes during labor:

 

“Wearing my own clothes during labor and birth would be amazing! I fully believe that so much of success in life is built on own comfort level with ourselves and the amount of confidence we have in our capabilities; and I- like many women- find my wardrobe to be a great source of both confidence and comfort.” – Amanda

 

“On all special days I want to look like me, not a bizarre version of me. That was my goal for my wedding day and for my last birth.” -Jess

 

“Traditional hospital gowns, even maternity ones, do not fit bigger women. This looks like it would fit and flatter without making me feel like a sausage! The last thing I need to worry about while going through labor is feeling uncomfortable in one-size-fits-all hospital garb!” -Kara

 

“I would feel more comfortable in my clothing with my usual smell from the wash or the smell of the home or clothes drawer…” -Latonya

 

“I remember with my 1st baby, walking up and down the labour ward trying to get my labour to progress faster in the hospital robe. I had to hold the back together the whole time and it only made me more anxious.” -Crystal

 

“Wearing my own clothes would have helped me feel more comfortable and would have helped to create a less rigid environment – more homey. I had my own pillow with me in the hospital – why shouldn’t I have brought my own clothes??” -Brandi

 

And the winner of the BG Birthing Gown giveaway is…..

Molly, who said: “I love this idea and these gowns are lovely! Wearing my own clothes during my birthing time is important to me because it allows me to retain my personal autonomy and identity. Hospitals gowns send a powerful message about who “owns” the woman’s body and baby. The freedom to wear my own clothes correlates to retaining my own bodily integrity and agency.”

Congratulations Molly! Thanks to everyone who participated in the giveaway and to BG Birthing Gown for hosting.

Filed Under Birth, Featured Story, Giveaway

The BG Birthing Gown: An Interview and Giveaway

March 19, 2012 By Cara Terreri 31 Comments
For millions of women who give birth in a hospital, the hospital gown is the gold standard, go-to apparel for a laboring woman. But it doesn’t have to be. Recently, more and more women are choosing to wear their own clothing for birth, and for good reason. The hospital gown certainly isn’t known for comfort, and women deserve more than a little comfort during birth. There are now several clothing choices made specifically for labor and birth available for women to purchase. The BG Birthing Gown, created by maternity professional Cindy Lintel, has been carefully designed to provide women with comfort, ease of movement, access for birth and breastfeeding — and not to be forgotten, the BG Birthing Gown is also stylish and elegant.
We had the opportunity to interview with the BG Birthing Gown’s creator, Cindy, to learn more about her journey and background.
How are you involved with birth?
In 1984 I graduated from nursing school and was immediately hired by a local obstetrician to be a monatrice.  As a monatrice, I saw women during their pregnancy for prenatal care, taught prenatal and childbirth education classes and then, helped them birth their babies. I have taught endless hours of childbirth education to countless couples, helping them to morph from partners to parents.  Then, in February 2012, I delivered my 4,000th baby in a small birthing center in upstate New York.
What was your inspiration for the Birthingown?
In August of 2009, one of my moms asked if she had to wear “that”—“that” being the dreaded hospital gown.  I said no, she could wear whatever she wanted.  She put on her own dress and proceeded to be an active participant in her birth process.  She had the freedom to walk without worrying about the famous open-backed design of the hospital gown.  She was comfortable, confident and lovely while in labor. That was my “Ah-ha” moment!
I think all women should be so confident, comfortable and celebrate their beautiful bodies, instead of shrouding themselves in that over-used, worn out hospital gown.
How does personalized clothing, like the Birthingown, help women in birth?
Have you ever had a bad hair day? You know, maybe your hair is a mess, or maybe you hate the outfit you’re wearing? It kind of ruins your day. No matter what you’re doing, what you’re wearing can have an impact. When a woman arrives at the hospital, we nurses greet them,  kindly tell them to take off all their clothes, including their undies, and put on a faded, ripped, snaps-missing, ties-knotted “gown.” There is a powerful message here! That the nurse is in control, and mommy is no longer a healthy woman birthing her baby, but now a patient in a hospital. If you’re healthy, then why feel like a patient? Imagine, a small change from wearing a hospital gown to wearing a BG Birthing Gown can actually have a huge impact on a couple’s birth process!
Recently several hospitals have invested well, improving the environment where couples go to birth their babies.  The old maternity ward and nursery have given way to the home-like setting of a birthing center. The rooms are beautiful!  The setting is peaceful and makes families feel comfortable. So why is mom still wearing a hospital gown? Women need a gown that empowers them and enhances their birth experience.
I thought every woman should birth their babies the way Kristan had: with confidence, comfort, grace and style!  So, I designed the BG Birthing Gown!  As a nurse, I knew the BG Birthing Gown would have to be medically correct, so as not to be turned away at the hospital, and I knew it had to be lovely to remind women of their beauty while they labor toward motherhood.
There has really never been a great alternative to the hospital issued “gown.”  The BG Birthing Gown is that great alternative! In the BG Birthing Gown, women can easily be up and walking, without worrying about revealing what she doesn’t want the public to see.  With baby fine velcro at the shoulders, medical staff has easy access for IVs, BP cuffs and of course, mom has easy access for her breastfeeding baby! If more medical intervention is needed, such as anesthesia or c-section, mom can just untie the sash, and the doctor can easily open the back for spinal access. Most importantly,the BG Birthing Gown helps empower women to participate in their birth process.
What is your favorite piece of advice to give to newly pregnant women? 
Couples should embrace this amazing gift of pregnancy, birth and family, because before they know it, their babies will be grown!  Couples really need to be educated about changes the body goes through during pregnancy, and attend classes to prepare themselves for the birth process. Education is empowerment.  The more a couple knows, the more power they have to make educated decisions about their birth process.
I also like to encourage and help empower a woman to say”NO!” to the hospital gown, and wear what enhances her
confidence and  beautiful pregnancy — like the BG Birthing Gown, of course!
And now, for a giveaway!
Cindy is giving away one BG Birthing Gown to a Giving Birth with Confidence reader! You will have a choice between the cocoa/blue or cocoa/pink color combinations. To enter the giveaway, visit the BG Birthing Gown site at http://birthingown.com/ to check out the details of the gown, then return to this post and leave a comment answering this question: Why do you think wearing your own clothes would help you during labor and birth? The giveaway will close on Sunday, March 25 at midnight, EST.
Good luck!
Filed Under Featured Story, Giveaway

Final Stroller Winner — Thanks to Our Wonderful Readers!

December 28, 2011 By Cara Terreri 1 Comment

Thanks to everyone for entering our third and final reader appreciation giveaway and for your thoughtful answer to the question, “What is the one piece of advice you would give to a newly pregnant mother?” The winner of the Lamaze LS 50 Lightweight Stroller stroller is:

Mariam, who said:

I agree with Rachael and would tell a newly pregnant mother that the best thing she could do would be to educate herself about pregnancy and childbirth and her many options. I’d also tell her it is extremely important to work through any insecurities and negative self-image issues (becoming knowledgeable about the whole road to becoming a mother helps with this, I feel) to become confident and trust in the body’s ability to birth!

 

The staff at Lamaze and Giving Birth with Confidence thanks our readers for supporting us throughout the year. We appreciate your insightful comments and constructive feedback. We look forward to another great year in 2012! If there is a specific story you would like to see in the coming year, please leave a comment or email cterreri [at] lamaze [dot] org and let us know!

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