A good friend of mine recently welcomed her third baby. When I stopped by to meet that little bundle, she showed me some gorgeous photos a photographer friend of hers had taken the previous month to capture the last few weeks of her pregnancy. My friend looked beautiful, peaceful, serene. So maternal. As I thumbed through the photo album, it struck me that I hardly have any photos of me during either pregnancy....
And the Winner Is: Pink Stork Lactation Tea Trying to breastfeed baby or pump when your milk supply isn’t quite where you need it to be is a physically, mentally and emotionally trying feat. But here’s the thing: Stress can actually exacertable supply issues. Deep breath—there are steps you can take to find success on this sometimes-challenging journey. For starters, put your feet up and enjoy a soothing cup of tea....
About 90 percent of women develop stretch marks (aka striae) during pregnancy. Stretch marks are actually tiny tears in the skin that usually appear on the tummy, breasts, hips and thighs. Luckily, stretch marks are normally one of the first signs of pregnancy to fade after baby is born (whew!). But there’s some bad news: While stretch marks are likely to fade, they may never disappear altogether. Just how long they’ll stick around and how drastic they’ll look will depend on a combination of factors....
The headlines are bleak and the statistics are staggering: Black women are dying at disproportionately higher rates from pregnancy and postpartum complications than any other demographic group. What should be a celebration of new life is often shadowed in grief. Scroll through hashtags like #BlackMotherhood and #BlackPregnancy on Instagram and you’ll find devastating stories of moms who lost their lives during childbirth. The eye-opening reality is that so many of these deaths are preventable—because, while it’s a fact that Black women are more at risk for dangerous conditions in pregnancy, it’s also true that many of these issues stem from systemic racism and inequities in healthcare....
If you’re going to blame your short temper and wild cravings on hormones, you better cut your guy some slack, too. In an extensive study on first-time expectant couples, it was discovered guys are prone to hormonal changes just like pregnant women. As expected, female hormones increased across the board: testosterone, cortisol, estradiol and progesterone. Not so expected, the men saw a significant drop in their testosterone and estradiol levels. “Other studies have shown that men’s hormones change once they become fathers, but our findings suggest that these changes may begin even earlier, during the transition to fatherhood,” said Dr....
The combo of a shifting center of balance and ligament-loosening hormones swimming around can definitely make you clumsy. First off, you can prevent falls by wearing comfortable shoes with non-skid soles (this is not the time for four-inch heels), holding onto railings on the stairs, avoiding slick surfaces, and being extra-careful in general. If you do happen to suffer a fall, don’t panic. Baby is very well padded in her fluid-filled home, and isn’t likely to be hurt at all....
You get used to being poked and prodded when you’re expecting. There’s no shortage of tests to make sure everything is going as planned with you and baby. At some point, you’ll likely hear about different prenatal genetic screening and diagnostic test options available. It can be overwhelming and confusing, to say the least. So exactly what is genetic testing in pregnancy, and what does it entail? Moreover, what conditions and diseases can be detected?...
We spend so much time fussing over whether baby is getting enough formula or breast milk—and for new parents it can be hard to tell what’s actually enough. Many parents may try to coax baby to finish their bottle or worry that baby isn’t eating enough, when really, baby has just had their fill. So can that well-intentioned fussing possibly lead to overfeeding baby? Keep in mind that signs of a healthy baby may differ across cultures....
An itchy stomach during pregnancy could be a number of things. It could be normal irritation from your skin stretching to accommodate your growing uterus. But it could also be a sign of something more serious, so it’s important to tell your doctor about the itchiness. There are several skin disorders that could happen in pregnancy that can cause itchy skin, either on your belly or elsewhere—and while most aren’t associated with problems in the fetus, some are....
There’s so much that goes into preparing for the arrival of baby. For working mothers-to-be, planning for maternity leave is just one more item on the to-do list. They have to work closely with their employers to iron out all of the details for leave, which can include everything from the day it starts to short-term disability benefits to protections under US federal policy and maternity leave law. Needless to say, there’s a lot to navigate....
Thinking about making a baby? The most popular months to deliver are July, August, and September, so if you want to join the throngs of summertime mommies next year, fall’s the time to get busy. Many woman can get pregnant without a word of advice, but if you’re eager to speed things along, here are a few tips. Re-learn the female anatomy If you paid attention in biology class, you can skip this one....
As you’re no doubt discovering, skin issues during pregnancy are pretty common. Sensitivity, acne, stretch marks—and yes, sometimes rashes. It could be no big deal, or that rash could be a sign of something more serious. Read on to learn what might cause a rash during pregnancy and when to see a doctor. What Is a Rash During Pregnancy? Let’s go over the basics. A rash is an inflammatory reaction, which usually makes your skin look different—whether it’s a change in the skin’s color or texture (or both)....
You’ll sometimes think you made a huge mistake. It’s normal every now and then to secretly wonder why you ever had a kid in the first place. Forgive yourself these occasional moments of self-doubt and, from time to time, let yourself mourn your pre-parenthood life. These moments will be short-lived. Babies + Travel = Not the mess you’d expect. Most people are intimidated by the idea of boarding a plane with an infant, but this is, in fact, the best time to hit the road....
Weight gain is a totally normal—and necessary!—part of pregnancy. But before you take that liberty and run with it (hello, milkshakes), there are some key recommendations to keep in mind that’ll help support your and baby’s health. Normal Weight Gain During Pregnancy So how much weight should you gain during pregnancy? If your weight is in the “normal” range (a body mass index of 18 to 25) before you conceive, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends gaining 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy....
A baby born with teeth might sound like something from a horror movie, but it does happen (and it’s generally much less scary than it sounds). Natal teeth, as they’re called, are rare, occurring in about one in every 2,000 to 3,000 births, according to the National Institutes of Health. But if your newborn happens to enter the world with tiny teeth poking through his gums, you’ll want to know the possible risks natal teeth can pose and what your best course of action is moving forward....
Maybe it’s the sound of your partner’s voice that suddenly gets under your skin, or the way they chew their food with their mouth open. (Why do they do that?) Or hey, maybe it’s their superior diapering skills that have you seriously PO’d lately. Whatever it is, you’re not alone. Plenty of new moms suddenly find themselves taking some unexplained anger out on their partner. So what’s up with that? Read on to learn what might be going on....
When you’re busy growing a human, you deserve all the pampering products—whether they’re organic self-care items, symptom soothers or tasty treats—delivered right to your doorstep. After all, with all the other things on your pregnancy to-do list, who has time to trek to the store? That’s where pregnancy subscription boxes come in. Maternity subscription boxes are a great way to treat yourself, and they also make perfect gifts for expectant moms who need a little tender love and care (don’t we all!...
Have you looked around your house lately and thought, “Where did all of this baby stuff come from?” Well, here’s great news. Some of your little one’s stuff will work for you, too! Check out how to use these products for you and your baby. Baby powder. Baby powder might become your next best friend. Traditionally, baby powder has been used to keep baby’s bum and skin in good shape, but in truth, the possibilities are endless....
A surprising new poll performed by MaternityCover.com found that more than two-thirds of women feel like they’re risking their jobs by taking maternity leave. The study asked 1,3000 women how they feel about their careers and a shocking seven-in-ten admitted that they feel their job is more vulnerable if they take their maternity leave. Paul Jenkins, Chief Executive of MaternityCover.com, found that at least half of the women polled would consider hiding their pregnancy from their boss if they were offered a new job or promotion — and the current economic climate has done nothing to ease women’s concerns....
Pros • Versatile: grows with baby, from infant to toddler • Easy to assemble and modify • Comfortable to use for both parent and child Cons • Steering can be slightly difficult, particularly on bumpy terrain Bottom Line The Chicco Urban 6-in-1 Modular Stroller truly does the job of six strollers in one with ease, saving parents time and money. Rating: 4.5 Stars Ready to register? Shop our catalog for the Chicco Urban 6-in-1 Modular Stroller....
