Mayo Clinic Moms: Talking Pregnancy Mayo Clinic Press

The baby's finally here, and she's adorable! Six months after Nipunie Rajapakse, M.D., gave birth to her new baby girl, we're catching up with her for a candid conversation about how the first few months of parenthood have gone.

Fact: babies actually sleep a lot. And moms can, too. Co-hosts Angela Mattke, M.D., and Nipunie Rajapakse M.D. discuss how to make both things happen on the regular, with help from special guest Jay Homme, M.D., a pediatrician at Mayo Clinic and father of six children. To discuss:
* Sleep patterns developed even before birth
* Crib safety
* Sleep plans: pros and cons
* Soothing a fussy baby
* Interrupted sleep
* Returning to work
* Sharing the work with a partner

Breast is best. Or is formula fine? A bit of both? Co-hosts Angela Mattke, M.D., and Nipunie Rajapakse M.D. talk through all the issues and research, with help from special guest Jay Homme, M.D., a pediatrician at Mayo Clinic and father of six children. Topics include:
* Breastmilk vs. formula
* The “dream feed” for breast-resistant babies
* Pumping milk
* The partner’s role
* What to eat, drink and avoid for optimal baby health during breastfeeding

Everything’s new. Everything’s exciting. And everything’s hard. The first six weeks after birth probably aren’t talked about enough. Myra J. Wick, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic obstetrician, gynecologist, and medical geneticist, joins Co-hosts Angela Mattke, M.D., and Nipunie Rajapakse M.D., for a candid convo of what comes after birth, including:
* Diapers, pads, witch hazel, laxatives, and other essentials
* Post-partum depression and anxiety
* Getting baby to sleep — mom, too!
* Building a village to help child and parents
* Fatigue and exhaustion
* Healing the birth canal
* Keeping up with the parent treadmill — and regularly stepping off

Learn why Rachel’s delivery room scene on “Friends” qualifies as “the most unrealistic birth
ever.” Myra J. Wick, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic obstetrician, gynecologist, and medical
geneticist joins co-hosts Angela Mattke, M.D., and Nipunie Rajapakse M.D. to guide you
through the reality of labor (vaginal or C section), including:
* Why you should expect to get an IV
* Why your birth team may include up to 10 people in scrubs
* Whether it’s okay to eat and drink during labor
* Why things get messy (vomiting, pooping) and that’s actually fine
* How you can prepare for effective pushing
* What to do to prevent vaginal tearing

Your trip to the hospital, like a trip to go camping, will benefit from advanced planning. Myra J. Wick, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic obstetrician, gynecologist, and medical geneticist, joins Co-hosts Angela Mattke, M.D., and Nipunie Rajapakse M.D. to help you think of everything you’ll need, before you need it, including:
* A birth plan
* A “go bag”
* How you want doctors to help control your pain
* Who you want in the room (obstetrician, doula, midwife)
* Delayed cord clamping
* Pre-planned C section, if you want it