You’ll probably agree that choosing and installing a car seat can be both daunting and challenging, especially if this is your first time doing so. There are so many little details involved that parents need to keep in mind to ensure that their little one is safe and secure the back seat. No need to feel overwhelmed, we’ve got you covered. With this quick but informative guide, finding the most suitable car seat for your baby and setting it up properly in your car will be straightforward and simple.
Pregnancy + Postpartum Guide
Congratulations! Orlando Mom is so excited to be celebrating YOU and your growing family.
included in this guide:
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Information about our sponsors
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OB Services at AdventHealth for Women
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Find an OB/GYN or Midwife
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Pregnancy
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Prenatal & Postpartum Appts
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{GASP} We are NOT finding out the gender!
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High Risk Pregnancy
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OB Resources
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Prepping for Baby
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Hospital bags & more
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Birth Plans
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Delivery
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C-section
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When my delivery didn’t go as planned
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Postpartum
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Other Resources
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Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
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Dads and leave
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Selfcare
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Village group
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Local Central Florida Resources
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Pelvic Health Resources
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Real Mom Experiences
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Pregnancy Loss
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Child Loss Memory Wall
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hey mama,
We are thrilled to bring you our Pregnancy & Postpartum Guide. The goal of this guide is to be a one-stop resource for local moms who are trying to conceive, currently pregnant, or have recently given birth. This guide offers ALL of the resources needed for a successful pregnancy and postpartum period in the Central Florida area.
The pregnancy and postpartum period can be filled with lots of joy, but it can also be overwhelming and stressful, especially when researching all of the many options. For most parents, there seem to be more questions than there are answers: Where should I give birth? What kind of birth would suit our family best? Who will help me once the baby arrives? Are there support groups? What if I can’t or don’t want to breastfeed? Once my baby is born, will I ever sleep again???
It is our hope that this guide helps provide moms in Central Florida with answers to some of those question. To our readers, we sincerely hope you will find this guide to be a helpful part of your journey into and through motherhood.
Looking for a pediatrician for your new baby? We have all the information to help you make that choice too! Learn More.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored guide, presented by our valued local partners. While we love sharing these resources with our readers, we have not personally vetted each individual business represented here and encourage our readers to do their own research to find the best fit for their family.
Presenting Sponsor
AdventHealth for Women’s focus on Whole Person Care
Pregnancy and motherhood are exciting, challenging, and joyful all at once — even when it’s not your first time around. That’s why at AdventHealth for Women we provide a comprehensive network with locations throughout Central Florida that provide everything you need along your pregnancy journey. We guarantee you’ll always have expert guidance. Your team includes your own Birth Experience Coordinator, world Class OB/GYN physicians and midwives, certified lactation consultants, highly skilled registered nurses and support staff and certified childbirth educators.
AdventHealth for Women offers a whole person approach to health care that embraces women at every stage of their lives. The AdventHealth for Women care network includes Baby Place locations throughout Central Florida as well as an extensive support network for new parents including Birth Experience Coordinators, parent education, lactation services and more.
Their world-class providers offer personalized expertise close to home. From well-woman checkups and mammograms to OB care and pelvic health, you’ll always have a choice of experts in a variety of specialties. And our specially trained Women’s Health Navigator helps manage your health throughout your lifetime by finding providers and helping to coordinate your whole family’s care.
OB Services at AdventHealth for Women
OB Services at AdventHealth for Women
At AdventHealth for Women, our focus is to provide personalized support during pregnancy, delivery and beyond. Our team of experts along with upgraded amenities and services, allow new parents to have peace of mind throughout their journey. Each of our locations throughout Central Florida are state-of-the art and offer world class care.
Parent Education Classes and Support
Our team is here to prepare you for pregnancy, childbirth and beyond with classes led by registered nurses and certified parent educators. Expecting moms and partners across Central Florida can gain confidence going into parenthood with classes at The Baby Place Academy. For your comfort and safety, several of our classes are offered virtually including childbirth class, comfort measures, sibling class and much more.
Finding an OB/GYN or Midwife
3 Tips for Finding the Right OB/Gyn for You!
Your OB/GYN sees you through all of life’s changes. From puberty to pregnancy, through menopause and beyond, you need a trusted provider who can help you navigate these seasons with skill, sensitivity and compassion.
Choosing the right OB/GYN is important to your whole health. We’re here with 3 tips that will help you select the right provider for your needs.
AdventHealth for Women’s health navigation team provides complimentary services that help you find a provider, coordinate your overall care and answer any questions you may have. A health navigator is a specially trained registered nurse. These service includes finding a care provider (Physician, Midwife and/or Specialist), answers to your health care questions, assistance with scheduling annual office visits and screenings, resources and support for you and your family and coordination of care among multiple providers and facilities.
Pregnancy Resources
When it comes to pregnancy and postpartum, it seems like EVERYONE has an opinion! So where can you go to get some sound, solid advice about infertility, OB/GYNs, doulas, lactation consultants, and postpartum issues? We’ve put together some Pregnancy and Postpartum resources in the community, and we hope this becomes your go-to list when looking for assistance in this precious time of your life!
Prenatal & Postpartum: It’s so important to keep those appointments
One thing that helped with my anxiety was early prenatal care. Between baby three and baby four I had a miscarriage (my personal story is below). My OB made all the difference in the world to me. That was 5 years ago. I can’t even imagine walking through my pregnancy in the midst of a pandemic.
{GASP} We are NOT finding out the gender!
We don’t believe in limiting our child to only pink or blue based on gender. Don’t get us wrong. We have two nephews and another on the way and we are all about buying all things boy for them, but although Roy loves sports and I love shoes and shopping, we aren’t particularly sold on the idea of setting one specific gender role for our unborn child. He loves space and I love Harry Potter. I want our child to love sports, shopping, space and Harry Potter no matter what gender he/she is.
What You Should Know About the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) is a new law that requires covered employers to provide “reasonable accommodations” to a worker’s known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless the accommodation will cause the employer an “undue hardship.”
The PWFA applies only to accommodations. Existing laws that the EEOC enforces make it illegal to fire or otherwise discriminate against workers on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
The PWFA does not replace federal, state, or local laws that are more protective of workers affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. More than 30 states and cities have laws that provide accommodations for pregnant workers.
High Risk Pregnancy
Expert Care for Your High-Risk Pregnancy
Our top priority is the health of you and your baby. That’s why our specialists create an individualized care plan that considers your unique risks and challenges — and keeps your journey to motherhood on the safest possible path.
When a Routine Pregnancy Stops Being Routine, See an MFM
A Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist is a doctor who has received special training in caring for women with high-risk pregnancies and women whose baby is likely to be born with a health problem. The Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist doesn’t take over the care of the mother-to-be, but instead becomes part of the care team, along with the obstetrician.
Prepping for Baby
Hospital Bag Essentials
This is a question every soon to be mom will be asked…especially once she is approaching her due date. In an effort to help you be ready for baby’s arrival we’ve partnered together with AdventHealth for Women to help you get your hospital bag ready to go with all of the essentials for your new baby’s arrival and beyond!
Delivery Day Packing List
When the time comes to deliver your baby, it’s easy to forget to bring certain items that can help make you more comfortable during your labor and subsequent hospital stay. We recommend that you pack the following items in advance, so you’re prepared to head to the hospital immediately when the time comes.
Birth Wishes
The Baby Place at AdventHealth for Women is designed to accommodate your every wish. Birth Wishes is a great way to share your preferences with your OB/GYN team.
Rock Your Unmedicated Birth
From the moment I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to have an unmedicated birth. Well, maybe there was more research and thought put into than that, but it was pretty close. I have friends and family who spoke about it with such amazement at their own bodies and I was determined to experience it as well. So then the reading and preparation started—and there was a lot more to it than I originally thought. In the end, I had an absolutely wonderful labor and delivery, so I wanted to share what I learned. Although I put together this advice specifically with unmedicated birth plans in mind, everything here would also be great to keep in mind for any kind of birth plan.
My non birth plan did NOT go as planned!
When I got pregnant I thought “You know what? For once I’m going to attempt to go with the flow.” Do you know how hard that is?! My husband and I had decided not to find out the gender before we even got pregnant. I honestly didn’t think we would stick to it, but we did. To me that was the ultimate “non-planning” move I could have made. You can say I even shocked those who were closest to me when I told them that we were waiting to find out the gender. (By the way, best decision we decided to make in case you’re wondering.) All throughout my pregnancy I had been asked if I had a birth plan. Friends, coworkers, doctors, everyone wanted to know what was my plan. I didn’t have one and I didn’t want one.
My Birth Wishes
A Birth Plan is a list of preferences or wishes for your childbirth experience.
When Labor Doesn’t Go as Planned: Six Ways to Prepare your Mind for the Unexpected
Most new mommas arrive to labor and delivery with the expectations of a perfect delivery. We all envision the onset of spontaneous labor that baby tolerates progressing into a short, painless period of pushing resulting in the arrival of a new life. Most women don’t ever consider cesarean section as a possibility. Fortunately, a vast majority of women have an uncomplicated, uneventful labor and delivery experience.
C-Section
Local Resources
“Motherhood is the greatest thing and the hardest thing.” – Ricki Lake
Family Source Consultants
Latching in Love
Empowered Beginnings
My Florida Doulas
Mother Bliss Co.
CLIMB Wellness & Counseling
Forgotten Trimester
Ohana Counseling & Wellness
Mom Friends
Join the Orlando Mom Collective Village.
This private Facebook group is moderated by admins. We encourage you to use this group to help you all connect for all things mom: recommendations on sitters, pediatricians, places to go for date night, advice, etc.
Postpartum
What Does Postpartum Depression Look Like?
I was a very young, nervous new mom. I worked at a daycare and so I soaked up any bits and pieces of motherhood from the moms I got to know through caring for their children. One of the moms I grew to love was so cool and calm and collected. She was always patient with her children and I never saw her without a smile. She had cute nicknames for her kiddos and could tickle them out of any fit.
But then out of nowhere, after she had her last baby…something changed in her. She withdrew. She seemed ashamed, and her smile went away. I remember vividly because I was shocked that postpartum depression could grab hold of someone like her, a supermom in my mind. It scared me and opened my eyes to the stark reality of PPD.
Ending Postpartum Distress
Being a mother is hard, no matter if it’s the first time or the fifth time. Yes, some pregnancies or babies are easier than others and some people handle it differently, but taking on the protection and care of another human being is never a simple job. For many of us, being a parent is the most important job we can have and it comes with enormous levels of responsibility.
The fact is, no one can prepare for motherhood 100%. Every baby and experience is unique. Unfortunately, many of us come into motherhood with rose colored glasses that show us our lives should resemble what the books and movies project.
Breastfeeding
AdventHealth for Women is committed to supporting moms in their feeding choices, including providing advanced breastfeeding support from our registered nurses and International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs). We offer several educational resources and ways to get support including prenatal breastfeeding classes, private consultations, “Help Line” to discuss any breastfeeding issues, breast pump sales and rental, in-hospital lactation support, weekly Baby Bunch support group for mothers with infants under 12 months old to meet other moms.
“A mother’s love endures through all.” – Washington Irving
Sleep Training
Car Seat
Did you know that any child under five years old must be seated in a federally approved, child car-seat? Failure to follow these laws could result in a $60 fine and three points against the supervising adult’s driver’s license.
Let’s Talk About Pelvic Health
Find Relief From Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Prolapse
Pelvic floor disorders can cause symptoms that range from uncomfortable to downright debilitating.
You might find yourself searching for a restroom even though you went 20 minutes ago. Or when sensing a sneeze coming on, brace yourself to avoid an embarrassing moment.
Some women even experience severe pelvic pain, backaches, bowel problems or pain during intercourse. And often, they don’t seek the help they need.
“These are not things that women always want to talk about with their providers,” explains Dr. Nathan Kow, urogynecologist at AdventHealth. “They certainly don’t talk to their friends and family about it. Some women believe it’s normal or a rite of passage as they age. We spend a lot of time as gynecologists trying to explain that no, that’s not normal and there are treatment options for it.”
Real Mom Experiences
Other Resources
Paternity Leave
For quite a while not, it has been totally normal for moms to receive maternity leave for the birth of their children. This time is there to allow them to bond and care for the newborn in its first few months, but what about dads or other parents?
Thankfully, we have seen a shift away from this view in recent years with paternity leave becoming more popular. Here’s everything that you need to know about paternity leave:
4 Real World Tips For Tackling Self-Care
If you’re wondering what counts as “adequate” self-care, read on to get some real world and practical tips on how to practice self-care.
Pregnancy + Infant Loss
Ways to Cope When Facing Pregnancy or Infant Loss
Sometimes when I’m out and about with my children and it’s time to leave, I gather all four of them to go. But, l’ll get this feeling that I’ve lost one of my children. Then I’ll remember. I did.
It happened nearly thirteen years ago, but I’m still reminded there’s a special child of mine who is missing. When pregnant, nobody wants to hear those fateful three words from the doctor…“Something is wrong.”
In my case, something was very wrong and my child was then given a grave prognosis, which meant when he was born, he would die.
Can you ever really prepare to go through something so heartbreaking as losing your baby? And can you ever make it to the other side of grief—being able to experience joy and thankfulness once again?
Here for You With Support, Prayers and Resources
Miscarriage and infant loss can be so painful. Know that we’re here to help you through this difficult process. When you’re ready, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our bereavement support team.
The Invisible Badge of Infertility
I’ve never suffered through a miscarriage or an infant loss, and I can’t imagine having to go through that. As my husband and I go on our sixth year of infertility, there were times I felt that I was suffering a loss every month there wasn’t a positive pregnancy. Even though I am a mom, those thoughts of “what’s wrong with me?” still creep in. Before we had Reagan, we tried diligently to get pregnant with fertility treatments for over a year and a half. But at some point, the emotional and physical toll your body takes comes to a breaking point. It did for us and we did a 180 toward adoption and never looked back.
Add Your Child to Our Memory Wall
Community Resources
If you’re new to Orlando, new to being a mom in Orlando, or just new to Orlando Mom Collective, our communities are a great way to meet moms and make new mom friends in the same stage of motherhood.
We Are Orlando Mom
Orlando Mom Collective is a locally-focused parenting resource for moms and families.
It’s been almost nine years since we began connecting moms in the Central Florida Area. We are the local resource for moms and parents in and around Central Florida. Orlando Mom is made up of more than 10 women driving community to encourage, empower, and inspire local moms.
Passionate about parenting and our community, Orlando Mom Collective strives to connect area moms to relevant resources, local businesses, can’t-miss happenings, and most of all — each other!