Posts

A recent story on fetal cells made me cry. There’s a lot of cool science on fetal cells—how they can be found throughout a mother’s body for the rest of her life, for example, or how they can help moms fight things like breast cancer. (There’s also, to be fair, some creepy stuff, like how they might actually, sometimes, contribute to autoimmune disease in the mother.) But here’s what had me blinking away tears: “Scientists have found fetal cells in scar tissues, specifically scars left by C-sections....

At your very first prenatal exam, your doctor may throw a million questions your way, about your health, your partner’s health and your family’s history of things like genetic disorders and diseases (or you may get a talk from a genetic counselor). And it’s pretty common find yourself going, “Uh… I don’t know… maybe?” But this is serious stuff. Knowing about a genetic problem or pregnancy health condition that runs in your family can alert you and your doctor that you might need to be monitored extra closely, or it might make you decide to get special genetic testing to ensure baby’s doing okay....

Baby may not have officially arrived yet, but those mom instincts kick in early—so it’s normal to worry about your child’s wellbeing during pregnancy. Chances are, you and baby are doing just fine, and the real challenge is figuring out how to relax. But sometimes things do go awry. The key is knowing which red flags to look for. Here, experts explain the pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore, since they may be your body’s way of telling you something important....

And the Winner Is: Belly Bandit Original Post-Pregnancy Belly Wrap Fact: Your bump doesn’t completely disappear overnight after baby is born. Actually, you may continue to look pregnant for several days—or even weeks—postpartum. Rest assured, this is completely normal. That said, if your midsection is feeling less than stable, a postpartum belly wrap can help. This popular option offers structure and gentle pressure to help your belly, waist and hips feel tucked in and secure in the weeks following labor and delivery....

After months of trying to conceive , time spent with your partner can be lacking romance and losing its spark. Spontaneity is likely to be on the decline and replaced by calculated times of “intimacy.” Not being able to complete the task of becoming pregnant can be frustrating and draining for the both of you. That’s exactly why it’s important to keep the health of your relationship a priority. Take time to nurture your family’s foundation and work on being a fun, safe, and comforting partner for your spouse....

Ah, first-world problems, eh? I mean, can you imagine if we had to make our popcorn the old-fashioned way, on the stove? (Oh wait, there were open fires before that.) The answer is the usual pregnancy catch-22: While there are no studies that prove hovering nearby while your coffee is being nuked is going to hurt your unborn baby, there are no studies to confirm that it definitively won’t harm the little guy or gal either....

It’s hard not to swoon over itty-bitty baby shoes and newborn hats—but when it comes time to put together a comprehensive baby registry that’ll cover all of baby’s and your new-parent needs, things start feeling a little more daunting. There’s a lot a newborn needs. Then again, there are some common baby registry items you can get along just fine without. So what’s a must and what can you skip? Read on for our best advice....

Pros • Extremely versatile • Comfortable for baby • Comes with a range of great features from storage to a sound machine Cons • The more add-ons you want to use, the less portable it becomes • Hard to install the napper and changer • When used together, the napper/changer combo can feel a little cramped Bottomline The only playard designed to transition from newborn to infant to toddler, this Pack ‘n Play has a ton of great features you can use or lose depending on your needs....

What is a migraine during pregnancy? A migraine is a pulsating headache that’s caused by the dilation of blood vessels in the brain. Most people who get migraines know they have them because they’re simply different from regular headaches. Sometimes there’s nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light, and sometimes there’s an “aura” — a kind of a glow or wavy line around the things you see. If you get migraines, you’re probably wondering how to safely treat them during pregnancy....

And the Winner Is: BabyBjorn Potty Chair Ready to ditch the diapers and tackle another big milestone? Arm yourself with a potty chair to ease the transition. This will give your little one the ability to use the toilet independently (no climbing up on yours) and instill confidence from the get go. The BabyBjorn Potty chair is just the seat for the job. Your child will love the ergonomic design with built-in backrest, arm rests and a well-sized seat that provides a comfortable perch for getting the job done....

Pros • Very user friendly • Multiple configuration options • Can easily convert to double stroller • Extremely large storage basket Cons • Heavy compared with other travel systems Bottom Line The UPPAbaby Vista is the creme de la creme of stroller systems. With tons of standard options and smart versatility that accommodates up to three kids at once, this is the only stroller you’ll ever need. Rating: 4.5 stars Ready to register?...

Antibodies are specialized proteins that typically attack germs like bacteria or viruses. But sometimes your body can mistakenly produce antibodies that attack a substance that wouldn’t normally be harmful — in this case, it’s your own tissues and cells. Phospholipids are a type of fat in your blood that plays an important role in clotting. So antiphospholipid antibodies are the antibodies your body might make to attack the phospholipids. Long story short: If you develop antiphospholipid antibodies, your blood may clot abnormally....

When baby is born, you can’t wait to see his tiny hands and feet, the shape of his nose and the color of his skin, hair and eyes. But as you discover all his unique features and decide which parent he looks more like, you might start to wonder: When do babies’ eyes change color? Will he always have those baby blue eyes, or will they eventually turn brown? If one parent has brown eyes and the other blue, will baby get hazel?...

During the second trimester, increased levels of hormones will stimulate the production of milk in the mammary glands as well as the growth of milk ducts in your breasts. (Milk ducts are lobes in your mammary gland at the tip of the nipple.) But it’s not until after you deliver that you’ll begin full-scale milk production. Right after you give birth (but sometimes as early as the second trimester), your breasts produce something called colostrum, which looks like a thick, yellowish fluid....

I Played Up the “Pregnancy Card” Excuses, excuses. Have you lied about not feeling well or used pregnancy as an excuse to get out of things? Like you told your mother-in-law you couldn’t visit her because you were just too exhausted? Or you didn’t want to have lunch with a friend who was getting on your nerves, so you blamed your absence on every kind of food making you nauseous? We’ve even heard of a mom-to-be who got bumped up to first class because the flight attendants thought she would be more comfortable there....

As someone who finds comfort in having way more information than necessary in all situations, I’d read plenty about common pregnancy symptoms before my husband and I even started trying for a baby. So when the at-home test eventually confirmed that I had a teeny, tiny person growing inside of me, I thought I knew exactly what I was in for. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Many of those classic symptoms did come, just as expected....

Basically, this term means that you’re fully dilated, but an edge of your cervix (usually the anterior — or front — of the cervix) is a little bit swollen and is still in the way of baby’s head. Your OB may wait until it moves into the correct position on its own, or she may try to pull it out of the way with her fingers while you bear down to push the baby past....

Taking toddlers on the go—whether it be a quick errand or a miles-long journey—requires preparation. While the majority of that prep work will be making sure you’ve packed adequate snacks (there can never be enough snacks!), what really matters most is ensuring you’ve got the right gear on hand to keep you and your little one safe. That starts with finding a toddler car seat that will grow with your tot and keep them secure....

Pregnancy can be a beautiful experience. You’re setting sail on an adventure toward a brand new life with a brand new little one, and with that comes excitement and anticipation. Unfortunately, Black pregnant moms can face particular challenges—including societal stigmas and higher risk of certain complications—that can take the wind out of your sails. But doing your due diligence, taking care of your physical and mental health, advocating for your experience and asking the right questions can help you feel empowered and joyful on this journey....

After having my second beautiful baby in December of last year, I’ve had a few months to adjust to life as a mother of two, and I’m finding things to be very different than my first go at this. I wholeheartedly believe that — for me – it has been much easier to transition from one child to two than it was to go from no children to one. My comfort level is better, my understanding of what my daughter needs is better, and my knowledge of what I need is better....