I will randomly post tech tools for you to read and to serve as a repository for cool sites I find (that I can use later).
1. Birth Plan Creator on happyhealthypregnancy.com
I have seen people work on their birth plan in their last trimester and some prior to TTC. As you make a plan realize it is a blueprint for your ideal birth as well as plan for the what-ifs that can arise during labor. Have a plan, but be prepped to be flexible.
This birth plan creator covers many topics and is a good idea to send to someone that will be with your during your birth that can act as an advocate for your wishes if you are not able to do so for yourself. If you are early on it is a good idea to read over the options in this birth plan as a jumping off point to be educated about the various options that will be available during a birth with medical interventions.
This online tool will record duration and frequency of contractions as you go into labor. This seems like a great idea if you are trying to labor at home for a while before you head to the hospital or if you are homebirthing and deciding when to call the midwife.
Simply hit the spacebar to start a contraction and hit it again to record the endpoint. You can do it online like this on your desktop, laptop or smart phone (in browser mode) or purchase the app for your smartphone.
I think I will most likely purchase the 99 cent app to support the creator and have the technology with me if I choose to walk around outside as I progress in labor.
**note the contraction master developers are currently alpha testing a nursing master app to help track how your babe is feeding, you can follow them on twitter @designerapps
Do you have any tech tools that you would recommend for other pregnant women out there? Please share them here.
Thanks Sarah for this mention of a baby care timer that “allows you to remember the exact times of when you fed, changed and put your precious back to sleep with a reminder alarm for each event.” The cost is $25.99 at thinkgeek.com
I have no experience with this (not a mom), but this looks super helpful:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/geek-kids/newborn-infant/b45e/
I have an Ipod Touch (purchased so that I could easily do HypnoBabies during my labor) and I downloaded a contraction app. I don't think it was that particular one but I found it extremely helpful. I remember rocking back and forth in a chair all night long hitting the button to record contractions, then falling asleep for a few minutes, rinse repeat. I kept waiting for them to be regular enough to go to the hospital.
I registered for and received the ItzBeen thing and didn't use it at all! I couldn't figure out how to use it and was too tired (post-baby) to read the directions. It kept beeping at me and I was really annoyed. The sad thing is that I really could have used something like that because my husband and I were constantly asking each other "When did you last feed/change the baby?" So if you get one – learn to use it BEFORE the baby comes!