The strangeness of pregnancy strikes again. Yes, your feet can actually get bigger during pregnancy—and yes, it’s often permanent. But it doesn’t happen to everyone. Here’s why it happens, what to do if your feet get bigger, and how can you help prevent foot growth during pregnancy. Why Do Feet Grow During Pregnancy? Feet can grow for a few reasons. The foot is made up of 26 bones and more than 30 joints that are held together by a network of ligaments....
Pregnancy is not the time to go low-carb. Carbohydrates give you energy and can be an important source of fiber (you need all you can get right now!) and other nutrients. In fact, about half your calories should come from carbs. Carbs to avoid But all carbs are not created equal. Some carbs, called simple carbs, are quickly converted to sugar in the body. They provide a quick burst of energy, with not much in the way of sticking power....
Each year, tens of thousands of embryo transfers are successfully done in the United States. The procedure is the final step in the in vitro fertilization process. It usually takes place in your luteal phase, when the lining of the uterus is most likely to support implantation. During the procedure, a predetermined number of embryos are loaded into a catheter, threaded through the cervix and placed in the uterus. You can use either “fresh” (newly harvested) fertilized egg cells or “frozen” ones that have gone through embryo cryopreservation and then gently thawed just prior to the transfer....
In an article entitled " The Economic Case Against Extended Maternity Leave", writer Vickie Elmer reiterates the facts that new research has presented: Extended maternity leave offers no benefits to a child’s welfare, the economy, or workforce continuity than a shorter one. Basically, what it all boils down to, researchers say, is that women (and moms, in particular) don’t need extra months or even a year off with pay to breastfeed and bond with their babies....
You may feel as if you’re on an endless loop to the loo (especially annoying in the middle of the night), but frequent urination in women is normal during pregnancy. Luckily, there are ways to ease your discomfort and to keep your bladder healthy throughout your pregnancy. In this article: Is frequent urination a sign of pregnancy? What causes frequent urination? When does frequent urination start in pregnancy? How often is frequent urination in pregnancy?...
If a picture is worth a thousand words, this picture would be the one I choose to sum up my experience as a brand new mom and ICU nurse during a pandemic. A mom who struggled to get her baby to sleep. A mom whose baby struggles to gain weight. A mom who couldn’t get the latch right. A mom who cried through most feedings. A mom who cried as the sun set out of fear of the nighttime....
Moms are amazing! And not just at being moms. We know plenty of mothers who are also savvy innovators and businesswomen, and we’re in awe of what they do! We’re getting up close and personal with them and finding out their secrets to success in our new Inspiring Mompreneur series. First up, Julie Pickens, CEO and founder of Boogie Wipes. The Bump: Julie, how was your business born? Julie Pickens: My business partner at the time, who was also a mom, put baby nose drops onto a wipe to get them into her daughter’s nose....
Most parents of preschoolers fight a nightly battle at the dinner table. No veggies, nothing squishy and definitely nothing orange. Most of the time, with encouragement and persistence from parents, picky eating is something toddlers grow out of. But how do you know if you need to take it more seriously? After noticing that so many adults with eating-related issues reported being picky eaters as children, researchers at the Duke University Center for Eating Disorders decided to take a closer look at those picky preschoolers....
With summer giving way to fall, many moms are still rejoicing in the sunshine and flocking to the park. If you have young children at home, or if you work outside the home during the day, it can be difficult to fit in a workout. You can start by getting outside. Just walking is good exercise, and wearing your baby or pushing a stroller adds resistance to increase the demand on your body....
You spent a good deal of time finding the right prenatal caregiver to guide you through pregnancy. Now that you’re nearing the end, it’s time to put the same amount of careful attention toward choosing a pediatrician for baby. (We suggest settling on baby’s doctor by your seventh or eighth month to avoid waddling in and out of endless doctors’ offices during those last few weeks.) So how to find a pediatrician that’s right for you and your child?...
Crack a classic pregnancy book, and you might start to think that growing a human should be like a magic carpet ride with fairy dust and all the happy feels. While the very idea of a mere mortal creating another being is certainly a trip, the journey isn’t always as amazing as it’s made out to be. This is something I’ve been learning during my second pregnancy. When I was pregnant with my first child, I felt great and cute and excited 99....
You know how they say you can’t fully understand something until you experience it firsthand? Well, the person who first came up with that logic must have been a parent because one thing’s for sure—your idea of parenthood undoubtedly changes once you actually become one. Cartoonist and dad of two Brian Gordon took that idea and started drawing it. Inspired by his own experiences, Gordon set out to illustrate an autobiographical glimpse at what parenthood is really like....
The pudendal _nerve _gets credit for helping baby-making become fun — it’s the main nerve that picks up sensations in the vulva, clitoris and vagina. And the pudendal _block _is a local anesthetic that can be used to numb that same area during childbirth. The pudendal block isn’t used too frequently, since most women get epidural anesthesia, which helps prevent pain down there. But a pudendal block may be administered if you don’t opt for an epidural (or if you couldn’t get an epidural for some reason, for example, if you’re on blood-thinning medications, which can create a risk of excess bleeding during an epidural)....
Feeding baby her bottle is a wonderful bonding experience. But let’s be honest, it would be nice to have your hands free at some point. While it’s ultimately up to baby to decide when she’s ready to serve herself, there are a few things you can do to help her get ready. After all, baby holding a bottle is an important milestone. It’s a sign her brain and muscle development is right on track—and a tiny reminder for mom that taking care of baby does get easier....
Weaning strategies? Weaning milk supply? Safe solids for baby? See all baby Q&As Giving baby some space Books are very good for baby, so experiment with different ones. Bright colors, interactive features, and durability (baby likes to pull, grab, and bite) are all qualities to look for when shopping or borrowing. It’s okay to allow baby to explore around the house without you hovering; just check in and call his name every few minutes to make sure he’s not getting into trouble....
Features to Consider When Buying Baby Bottles Size. In general, you’ll find bottles ranging in size from two to 10 ounces. Two-ounce bottles are tiny, but they’re also pretty pricey and often sold individually. These are often considered specialty bottles to be used for premature babies. For full-term babies, many popular brands offer a four or five-ounce starter bottle, and then a larger bottle, ranging from eight to 10 ounces for older babies....
When baby can’t sleep, you can’t either. While there’s not a whole lot we can do besides empathize, in the spirit of Bumping it Forward , we’ve rounded up the best real-mom strategies for helping baby sleep better. “I give her a bath and then turn on a blow-dryer, and she’s out in seconds!” — velasquez_jes “My 10 month old has never fallen asleep on her own. I wear her a lot during the day and at night she won’t even let us rock her to sleep sitting down; we have to walk around in circles in a pitch black room until she’s totally asleep....
Meditate Okay, this may sound loopy and unrealistic, but just try it. Close your eyes and clear your mind. Try to find a quiet place and do some deep breathing. Hey, if the meditation turns into a nap, go with it! Work out Why not squeeze in some exercise? Yes, you can totally get in a great workout in 10 minutes. It’ll help you get closer to your prebaby shape and keep you energized....
It typically takes 12 to 24 weeks for baby to start sleeping through the night, but it’s never too early to help baby develop healthy sleep habits. This starts with encouraging independence and getting her to fall back asleep on her own, says Dana Obleman, founder of The Sleep Sense Program). Follow her advice to help baby (and you!) get more zzz’s. Conquer the day-night reversal Newborns tend to mix up days and nights, so make it your mission to help baby begin to differentiate between the two during those first few weeks at home....
Everywhere I go it seems like there is always a toddler playing on their parent’s iPhone — in the grocery store, doctor’s office and even at the school drop-off. Everywhere. The iPhone has quickly become “entertainment on-the-go” for toddlers. Over the years, I’ve tried to keep my toddler away from my iPhone (that has always been a challenge!). But when I found my older son in the emergency room, the iPhone came in handy for keeping my toddler occupied....
