GREAT NEWS!

So,little bit of background. I had a m/c in the beginning of march,  but didn't take long to get pg again.  I am now 10w 4d!!!  (hoping boy)  I started out with really low progesterone at 5w it was only 11.  and i had to go in for shots 3 times a week.  slowly it has crept up and today it's 26!!!!!!  Yeah no more shots, as long as it stays there for 2 more weeks.  So, just a few questions now, I have a german shepherd who i love dearly. her name is suzie q.  suzie plays with the neigbor kids and everything seems fine what can i do to get her ready for a new baby?  She's definantly my dog but i had a dream last night that when i brought baby home that she growled at it.  well, i have never seen hre growl at all.  probably just hormones making me have crazy dreams which i have always had.  Other question is are headaches that last for more than 24 hrs normal.  keep telling the nurses at my dr they aren't making a fuss over it just tell me to take tylenol.  I have never gotten headaches but 1 time a year before this. could it be hormones?  
I have already had 3 u/s one at 6 weeks, one at 7 and one at 9. and so far so good. hb was 176 at 9 weeks.  so very excited!!

[who_is_this]

Dogs are usually good with babies.  What's often advised is to bring home a blanket that the baby has been wrapped in, to let the dog sniff and become familiar with the baby's scent.  

GSD's are wonderful with kids if well raised and socialized.  You shouldn't have a problem.  Dogs seem to instinctually know that babies and puppies need loving and caring.

[Harley-girl]

I am currently at 10 weeks 4 days with a large male German Shep dog at home who is currently our only "baby".  I asked the vet what to do when baby comes home and she said never trust the dog, even tho you have raised them and know their temperment. She said once baby comes home keep him on a leach and let him sniff around. She also said it is best to show the dog the baby when the baby is sleeping. That way dog will not stress out due to crying infant. She said to show the dog attn and love but also to get across that baby is here to stay.
She said never leave them in a room unattended and once baby is older and crawling have baby pick up dog toy to see dogs reactions. Vet said once the dog could care less that baby is playing with their toys or even messing with their dog food and shows no aggression then you can feel safe that things will be fine. Also good that DH bring home scent of baby on a blanket while we are still n the hospital.

[CP in BR]

A local hospital near us actually had a class taught by a Vet couple on how to prepare your pets for your baby. It was very informative. Some of the tips I remember right off are - Prepare the babies room as soon as possible so the animal starts to get used to the change; If there is a mobile, turn it on. If there is a rattle, shake it. Anything that makes noise, start making the noise, so Suzie Q can get used to it. They even suggested a tape of a baby crying or better yet, if you know someone with a baby, expose the 2 as much as possible. Before you bring the baby home, have someone bring home something that smells like the baby - a blanket, hat, socks, onesie - anything, and let your dog smell it. Don't trust the animal around the new baby until you feel comfortable. Don't force interaction, let the animal come to y'all. At the same time, don't discourage the animal from "visiting." If she wants to sit next to you while you breastfeed, let her. If she wants to watch you change the baby, let her. And make a point to play with her and make things feel as normal for her as you can. All should be well - I'm sure Suzie Q and the new baby will be great friends!!

[da-10]

Congrats! I hope all goes well for you.  I just wanted to comment on the dog.  I have a boxer who had never been around kids too much, so I was incredibly nervous about bringing home a newborn.  ( Jealousy and all that).  I asked my vet what I could do and he told me to get a babydoll and start treating it like the new baby.  I felt silly, but I did it.  Moses was very interested in the "baby" at first, then just kind of indifferent.  I did this for about 2 months before I delivered.  After I dellivered and while I was still in the hospital, I had my husband bring home one of the receiving blankets with the baby's scent on it for Moses to sniff.  Once we brought the baby home, Moses was very gentle with her.  My daughter is now 3 1/2 and Moses is very good with her.  She still tries to ride him like a horse and he is very tolerant.  They play well together and he is also very protective of her.  The whole babydoll thing was silly, but I think it worked for us.

[AnnieBrooke]

I have heard so many heartwarming stories of dogs actually watching out for little kids, grabbing their dress to keep them from crawling off the edge of a deck and like that.  Someone one this forum had a friend who sang to and talked to and carried around a baby doll for a while before she delivered (for the dog's benefit), but this may be excessive LOL.  Your dog should do fine.

[missie69]

try to set up everything for the baby about 2 months before your due date,  get a babydoll and start to take care of it, if you can get a recording of a baby crying and cooing, then after the baby is born take a blanket in and wrap the baby in it and feed the baby also in the same blanket, bring that and a soiled diper home so the dog can get the smell. I know the soiled diper is gross, but it will help with the different smells.
I hopew this helps you out.   Good luck

[GSDmomma]

that was all great advise thanks.  Suzie is only a year old so she is still learning herself.  we have had her in obedience class since she was 12 weeks.  if we wouldn't have done that she would have been bored and tore the house apart plus it makes it esier to live with a 75 lb dog.  but what about the headaches any thoughts?

[Want1more]

P.S. I forgot to say, my 21 month old son and the dogs are best buds now!!! They love that my son always has treats for them! :) My cat adores him too, that's his best friend!!! They play all day and get in trouble together! It's too cute!!! Take Care :)

[AndiJ78]

I love our dog dearly, he is a good mild tempered border collie/lab mix, very loving and gentle, but I still do not ever leave him alone with the kids. I always suggest the same thing, even the best behaved dog can have a bad day. Also, do not allow your kids to tug on, ride on, or generally mistreat your animals. It doesn't matter how "tolerant" they seem, it is painful for them over time and teaches the kids that they are mearly something to do with what they want.

our pedi had a great article hanging up in the exam room, Kid Training Your Dog and Dog Training Your Kids of something to that effect. It was full of excellent advice. Allow your dog to have their space, a space where the kids are not allowed. Allow them to have their toys, it is their instinct to be territorial over some things. In the news there are always stories of people who trusted their loyal dog with their baby or toddler, only to have something awful happen. Even the best bred dogs can snap due to injury or old age. Be viligant, watch the dog. Our kids and our dog are best friends, but they are still never left alone together.

Andi

[AndiJ78]

Our dog is 2.5 years old and closer to 90 lbs, so I understand : ) His main instinct is herding the boys, but at his size, he does more knocking over so he doesn't get the chance much. His saving grace is that I am a SAHM so he is never alone for long. I take him out to go potty and play fetch frequently, give him some peanut butter in a kong bone to keep him "busy" sometimes. Othertimes I will just let the boys take turns playing fetch, between the three of us, he finally wears out! Our big concern is that our dog is a "mama's boy" he pegged me as the alfa of the house within minutes (see, I knew he was a smart dog) yet he is very protective over me and seeks me over anyone else. I have been trying to get my dh to spend more time with him so when I am all consumed with a new baby and the other two boys, he won't be so shocked. I love the idea of letting him be close while nursing, I'll have to have dh help with that : )

Anyway, the headaches can be totally normal and are most likely the result fo the hormones. With my first two boys, I was headache free, not even a migraine which I usually suffere dfrom frequently pre-pregnancy. With this one I have had more "regular" headaches. As long as you aren't showing other red flags like elvated blood pressure, floaters, unusual swelling, numbness, tingling, etc. you should be fine.

Andi

[Irish Twins]

Everyone has given great advice.  We have a 170lb 2 year old English Mastiff at home. We have had her since she was 11 weeks and was the "baby" of the entire family (1st grandchild so to speak).  We ordered a doll from KB Toys that made crying sounds and carried her around the house.  We let the dog sniff her and even had someone bring home the swadle from our newborn so she would be familiar with the scent.  We were told to have someone with you when you came home with the baby so they can hold the baby while you and dh visit with the dog.  The dog will have not seen you for a couple days and miss you. Once the dog settles down from the excitement have your dh bring the baby into the house to meet the dog.  We were told whoever is holding the baby should be the one to pet the dog.  This way the dog doesn't associate only getting attention when the baby isn't in your arms.  Our baby is 5 months old and our dog basically ignores here.  Sniffs her once in awhile.  We NEVER leave the dog and baby alone together,not even for a second.
Good luck and have a healthy pregnancy.

[wantingtobepg]

i have watched a couple of t.v. show's on getting your dogs ready for a new baby.  they suggest that you start doing little things to your dog, like tugging ears lightly, gently pulling on their hair and tail, etc., just to get them use to what the baby will do eventually.  they also recommend setting the dogs boundaries before the baby comes home so that they don't see the baby as taking over their space.  once the baby is born they also suggested getting the babies scent on a blanket and bringing it home before the baby so the dog gets use to the babies scent.  it is also recommended to never leave your child alone with the dog even if it is normally the most gentle dog.  good luck, i'm sure your dog will do fine with your new addition!

[Want1more]

To get my dog's ready for the baby, I started doing things to them the baby would do. I would pull their ears and stick my fingers in their mouth funny. They thought I was weird but they got used to it! And another thing I did before the baby was born was block off certain areas that the baby will be in soon so they got used to not going in there or around there. Good Luck and I really think your dog should do fine!!!! Just be careful first few weeks!

[Morgan277]

i had a trainer come in to help us with advice to get my dog to adjust and he said he wouldnt worry about the baby but he would worry about the people that come to see the baby.  the dog may become very protective of that new bundle of joy.  i have proof to that as my dog did end up biting a stranger that came too close to my baby's stoller when the baby was only 3 mos old.

i have a different dog now who is wonderful with my 3 year old daughter.  i would never leave her alone wiht a newborn of course b/c the baby is simply so small but she is my daughters buddy.  love seeing them togethr.  of course you cant fully trust any animal so there is always some level of caution.

good luck!