Both amniocentesis and CVS (chorionic villussampling) are diagnostic tests for chromosomal and genetic disorders such as Down syndrome and cystic fibrosis. Amnio also can detect neural tube defects such as spina bifida. About two or three of every hundred babies is born with such a defect, and most occur in the first three months of gestation. Because of the slightly increased miscarriage risk (more about this later), neither test is offered routinely....
“Give Aunt Patty a smooch!” “Where’s my hug?” “Is that how you greet Grandma?” Well-meaning relatives may have their own ideas about how your child should roll out the red carpet for their grand arrival, but expectations for effusive and physical greetings can feel incredibly overwhelming for toddlers. So when it’s time to welcome guests at the door, your little one may act shy or unfriendly, or they might try to avoid an awkward encounter altogether....
And the Winner Is: The Play Gym by Lovevery Babies need space to stretch and strengthen their little bodies and diversions to stimulate their senses as they learn more about the world around them. Playmats are the ideal place for that, and the Play Gym by Lovevery is pretty much as perfect a playmat as they come. Designed by child development experts, this gym has set itself apart from the competition and won over the hearts of millennial moms and dads....
And the Winner Is: Bravado Finding the perfect bra even when you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding is never an easy thing, but when you’re a new or expectant mom, the challenges multiply. Your breasts can dramatically change size and shape (and become achy and sensitive) throughout pregnancy and your breastfeeding journey. Plus, once baby is here, you may have to experiment to find the type of nursing bra you like best....
As you might suspect from its name, a regional nerve block is a catchall term for any anesthetic that blocks pain to one particular area of the body. A local anesthetic like lidocaine or bupivacaine is administered to a primary nerve, blocking nerve impulses so there’s decreased sensation in the region that’s being targeted. There are many kinds of regional nerve blocks, but the one you’re probably most familiar with is an epidural, which is given to more than half of women giving birth in U....
And the Winner Is: Modern Fertility Ovulation Test Reader’s Favorites are among the best-selling items featured on The Bump. Each Favorite has been vetted by our editors and is a top-purchased product as readers browse our articles. If you’re trying to conceive, tracking your cycle is a great way to predict your most fertile days. Can’t remember the ins and outs of family planning? An ovulation test can help. Ovulation predictor kits look for luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine, which surges each month just before ovulation....
And the Winner Is: Stanley Adventure Quencher Travel Tumbler Staying hydrated is always essential, but even more so during pregnancy. Drinking lots of water can ease constipation and reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and edema. The Mayo Clinic recommends you drink about 10 cups of water each day—or roughly two Adventure Quenchers. The 40-ounce handled cup by Stanley has double-wall vacuum insulation, which keeps your water cool for 10+ hours, and a straw....
With all the IVF clinics out there, it can seem impossible to determine who has the best success rates with patients like you or who has the fairest prices. Enter Univfy, a service that uses fertility analytics and your own health data to help determine the program—and timing–that will get you pregnant the fastest. WHAT WE LOVE Using your own reproductive data as well as analytics from thousands of IVF cycles before you, Univfy helps pinpoint your IVF odds—boasting 1,000 times more accuracy than age-based estimates...
There are three main types of vegetarians (and a few sub-types) — all of them eat no meat. Lacto-ovo vegetarians: They don’t eat animal flesh but do eat eggs and dairy products. Lacto vegetarians: They eat dairy products but no other animal products. Vegans: They eat no animal products — including honey and gelatin. Find out if a vegan diet is safe for baby here All vegetarians should plan their diets carefully so that they’re not deficient in certain vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D and iron....
There’s so much thought and preparation poured into your kids’ Halloween costumes, that by the time the spooky day arrives, you earned the right to take pictures non-stop. But what good are all those pictures if they don’t capture the true essence of the look? There’s an art to it, and with a few simple practices in place, you’ll have Insta-worthy photos in no time. Enjoy this behind-the-lens look so you know how to capture those scary good shots....
Every mom- (and dad-) to-be has worried about the time when she or he will be alone, surrounded by screaming infants demanding immediate attention. It’s a fact that babies cry, sometimes a lot. After all, it’s their primary method of communication, and it will occur when they’re hungry, wet, overstimulated, gassy, uncomfortable, or just plain tired. Sometimes placing one baby in a carrier and keeping her close to you while holding or soothing the other can stop the screaming and restore calm....
There’s nothing like having your 2-year-old drop the “F-bomb” in front of Aunt Faye or your nosy neighbor. But don’t sweat it too much — swear words are everywhere, and a child’s number-one job is to copy the adults around them. The most important reaction is to have_ no _reaction. The more weight you give a swear word, the more this sounds out a signal that this is an important word, and one your child will want to repeat....
Baby powder has helped parents keep their little ones dry and comfortable for over a century. The historical changing table staple has a knack for absorbing moisture and reducing the chance of painful diaper rash. But as more research has become available, modern-day parents are asking a key question: Is baby powder safe? And it turns out, there’s something to their concern. Read on to learn why baby power could pose risks and what alternatives experts suggest for protecting baby’s delicate skin....
What is lupus during pregnancy? Lupus is an inflammatory disease — it’s an autoimmune disease, meaning your immune system sometimes attacks your body’s healthy tissues. What are the signs of lupus during pregnancy? Lupus can show up in a variety of ways, depending on what parts of your body are affected. You may have fatigue, headaches, pain or swelling in your joints or face, a rash, sensitivity to light, hair loss, fever and maybe even other symptoms....
When you “pump and dump,” you pump breast milk from your breasts and throw it away rather than saving it for baby (usually dumping it down a drain). Some women mistakenly believe they must pump and dump to help remove alcohol from their breast milk after having a drink, but this is actually a myth. Alcohol leaves your breast milk just as it leaves your bloodstream. Pumping and dumping doesn’t “get rid of” the tainted milk — time does....
And the Winner Is: Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter As baby grows, so does your belly. Sometimes stretching skin can create dryness and result in an itchy tummy. A belly cream or oil can keep skin soft and nourished during and after pregnancy and help with skin’s elasticity. Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter is specially formulated for Moms to be, with a rich blend of cocoa, shea and jojoba butters....
Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea among infants and young children, and is one of several viruses that cause infections often called stomach flu, despite having no relation to influenza. This ugly virus is very foul, very green, and very contagious. An oral vaccine given at two, four, and six months is effective. It’s also safer than the previous injectable vaccine, which was associated with intestinal lymph nodes leading to something called intussusception....
Whether baby is breast, bottle-fed or a combination of the two, sometime during their first year you’ll want to start introducing them to the wide world of cups. Also called training cups, sippy cups come in a range of styles but typically feature a spout-like lid, and are meant to help little ones ease off bottle use and prevent spills. They’re a popular and natural choice to ease the transition from bottles to straw or open cups....
Easy hairstyles Info for dads? New-mom beauty tips? See all newborn Q&As Switching sides Tummy time helps baby develop motor skills like crawling, reaching, and rolling over while strengthening the muscles in her neck, back, arms, and shoulders. Getting baby off her back also helps her skull set properly. If she fusses, try tiny increments of a few minutes each throughout the day rather than one longer stretch. It also might help to get down on the ground with her — entertain her with toys, or try lying on your back and putting her face down on top of your tummy....
Do do this. Don’t do that. With all the pregnancy advice out there, it’s hard to keep track of what’s safe and what not—and what you should really believe. Here, with the help of experts, we break down the top 10 myths surrounding pregnancy so you can enjoy (many) of your favorite things guilt-free. Of course, every pregnancy is different, so follow your doctor’s orders above anything else. Myth 1: Eat Three Healthy Meals a Day Surprise!...
