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Pregnancy and Birth Resources

The Bedrest Connection
Being told that you need to stay in bed, even if it is for a short time, can come as a shock. Knowing you may have to stay in bed for weeks or even months may seem impossible. Click here for tips that can help make your stay in bed more manageable.

Exercise during Pregnancy
A few moderate exercises will help you to move, feel better during your pregnancy, and also help to prepare you for labor and delivery. Discuss exercise with your physician prior to beginning a program. More information and resources regarding exercise are available here.

Infant Safety
Your baby's safety is a priority at Hendrick Medical Center. Hendrick takes special precautions to be sure your baby is protected. For more information on keeping your baby safe, download our Infant Security Booklet.

Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding offers an unmatched beginning for your child. In fact, the World Health Organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics and various other widely- recognized health organizations have increased their attention on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 12 months of life. For more information, download Your Guide to Breastfeeding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health.

Calming a Crying Baby
Taking care of a newborn is hard but rewarding work. Follow these tips for calming a crying baby:

Change the baby's diaper
Walk with the baby or rock them.
Rub their back or tummy.
Check to see if they're hungry.
Carry them a lot, even when they're not crying.
Hold a mirror up to them or shake a rattle for them.
Take them on a car ride.
Give them a warm bath.
Take them for a walk in the stroller.
Give them a pacifier or a teether.
Put them in a baby swing.
Wrap them in a warm blanket.
Put on some soft music or sing to them.
Turn on a fan or small motor.
Place your infant in skin-to-skin contact (bare chest to bare chest covering infant with blanket).
Make sure the baby is not sick, check for a fever.
Are they teething?
Take them to the doctor or clinic if needed.

It’s okay to Walk Away

When you are feeling frustrated, angry or upset it’s okay to walk away and take a break. In fact, by doing so you are preventing yourself from losing control and unconsciously shaking your baby.

Place your baby in a safe place.
Ask for help from friends/family.
Take a shower.
Do something that you enjoy for a few minutes prior to returning to your crying baby.

Never shake a baby. Shaking a baby causes irreversible lifelong disabilities and may lead to death.

The Period of PURPLE Crying® is a program designed to teach parents/caregivers about normal infant crying and the normalcy of feeling frustrated due to the crying. PURPLE is the acronym for Peak of crying, Unexpected, Resists soothing, Pain-like face, Long-lasting, and Evening crying. The program is based on over 30 years of research on crying and its relation as a trigger to shaking. Teaching caregivers about normal crying can lessen their stress and reduce the likelihood that they will shake their infant out of frustration and discouragement. Learn more about The Period of PURPLE Crying here.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
The death of an infant can be a devastating event. The Safe to Sleep campaign, formerly known as Back to Sleep, gives valuable information and tips to reduce the risks of sleep-related infant deaths. Click here to read more about the initiative, which has shown a decrease of more than 50 percent in SIDS-related deaths. Sponsored by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Safe to Sleep offers more information and videos here.