Tag Archives: birth

Give Luongo a break

Posted on March 30, 2008 | 1 Comment

Roberto Luongo, all star NHL goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks, and his wife had a baby girl this week and it has caused a bit of a stir with some Canucks hockey fans about whether or not players should be given time off for personal events.

If you are not a hockey follower, the Canucks are in a battle for a playoff spot. Luongo is, arguably, their best player and a key element to their success. There are a few fans who are feeling a tad put out that such a key player is leaving at a crucial time of the season to be with his wife and new baby girl. To which I say – are you kidding me? This is even a question?

Obviously it is, considering some of the comments being posted in reply to the CBC website question: “Should teams give their star players time off for personal events?” Now the vast majority of comments are in support of Luongo, but there are a few that are critical.

Thousands of kids are born every day, but most hockey players will only have one chance to win a Stanley Cup — which is The Canadian Dream.

I question Luongo’s dedication to Vancouver. It rains there too much, so he prefers Florida.

They guy makes 6+ Million a year and has the summer off. Dam rights he should be in the lineup every night.

Players should be forced to stay and play. Luongo is paid a great deal of money to play for the Vancouver Canucks.

You would actually expect someone to miss the birth of their child – his first child nonetheless – for a hockey game? This is just silly beyond belief and really shouldn’t be up for debate at all. Employees in other organizations get time off to be with their families for major life events. Just because he is a high profile, highly paid athlete doesn’t mean he should have to forgo being there for this moment.

Kudos to you, Roberto Luongo, for making what, I hope, was an easy decision. But knowing the circles you travel in and the pressure that is on you in a hockey mad world like ours at a time like this, I can’t imagine it was an easy one. You probably felt the pressure. But you’ve made the right decision.

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Posted in Media, Advertising and Pop Culture, Uncategorized

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It’s a Boy!

Posted on December 4, 2006 | 3 Comments

Our family has expanded! We have an 8 pounds 2 oz baby boy…Mom and The Boy are coming home today. It was not the smoothest of ordeals, but we had great support from our midwife and doula. I’ll expand on why I am a complete advocate for the midwife/doula route at a later time when I have more time (ha, yeah that’ll happen soon). Suffice to say that everyone is out of the woods and ready to come home today.

In the meantime, thanks to Phil over at A Family Runs Thru It for turning me onto this piece of YouTube video. It’s really a beautiful piece that speaks volumes about the importance of treating kids as individuals.

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Posted in My Kids and Family, Uncategorized

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51 Ways a Labour Partner Can Help

Posted on November 29, 2006 | Comments Off on 51 Ways a Labour Partner Can Help

As the arrival of baby #2 becomes imminent, I thought I would share the following list with other Dad (or partner) to be’s.

Thanks to our doula, Heather at Birth and Beyond, for the following information.

In early labour, you can:

  1. Help her get ready for labour
  2. Encourage her; say that she’s strong and ready
  3. Make her tea or broth to drink
  4. Make her something light to eat
  5. Play cards or watch TV with her
  6. Suggest a shower
  7. Suggest a nap
  8. Remind her to relax and focus

If she is having trouble keeping focused, you can:

  1. Reassure and praise her
  2. Give her an object or picture to look at during contractions
  3. Remind her of the reason she’s here (baby)
  4. Suggest a walk or position change
  5. Ask extra people to leave the room
  6. P lace your hands on her face and breath with her

If her belly hurts, you can:

  1. Remind her to go to the bathroom often
  2. H elp her change positions
  3. With a light touch, massage her lower belly and thighs
  4. If she is having trouble relaxing you can:
  5. Place a hand over her hand
  6. Have her shake both hands in the air
  7. Touch her and remind her to relax
  8. Talk about a relaxing time
  9. Play music that helps her relax
  10. Read to her
  11. Rub her back

If she is too hot, you can:

  1. Wash her face and neck with a cool, wet cloth
  2. Give her ice chips
  3. Fan her face and body
  4. Open a window

If her back hurts, you can:

  1. H elp her change positions
  2. Put a warm cloth or heat pack on her back
  3. Put a cold cloth or ice pack on her back
  4. Apply counter pressure with hands or tennis ball
  5. Sit back to back with her so your backs can press together
  6. Have her lean against the hurt with her own fists
  7. H elp her stand and lean against the wall
  8. Help her get on her hands and knees and rock back and forth

If her legs and arms shake, you can:

  1. Hold her steady so she feel more in control
  2. Use a soft touch or long, firm stroking on her legs and arms
  3. Rub her feet and hands
  4. Put a warm blanket on her

If her contractions stop, you can:

  1. Talk about labour and encourage rest and relaxation
  2. Help her with nipple stimulation
  3. Kiss her
  4. Tell her how strong she is
  5. Make sure she’s drinking water
  6. Suggest a hot shower
  7. Help her take a walk
  8. Rub her back
  9. Take her outside
  10. Make her la ugh

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Posted in A Dad's Role, Uncategorized

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