Sometimes I walk around with my huge, pregnanty belly, shlepping my 2-year old daughter and a few package to boot, and I wonder why it is that the “weaker sex” was chosen to bear children while those manly men can only thank thier lucky stars it’s not them. But while most of them are content to leave it at that, one man chose to empathise with his pregnant wife, at least for 24 hours. Meet Darren Garnick, who dons the “Empathy Belly” so he can get some idea of what pregnancy feels like. What exaclty is the Empathy Belly? It’s filled with warm water and sports strategically placed weights. A rib-constricting belt causes shortness of breath and an increased heart rate, while a six-pound sandbag rests on your bladder, creating an“increased sense of urgency and frequency of urination.” Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?? Read all about Darren’s Great Belly Adventure here!
Eating healthy on the go
We all know how important it is to eat healthy, especially when you are growing a baby. But sometimes it seems that the hours speed by so quickly, you don’t have time for well-balanced meals. Nutritionist Jennifer Putnam begs to differ. She points out that today, low-fat, healthy meals on-the-go are easy to come by. Want to know more? Check it out.
Seven…six…five…?
I was walking down the street today and an older woman stopped me to wish me well on my apparent pregnancy. She told me she has been working as a midwife at a hospital for 40 years. Then, looking at me with an experienced eye, she said, “Seven months, huh?” I smiled (what else could I do) and said, “Not quite.” “Ahh, six months!” she proclaimed, wished me well, and went off on her way. I didn’t bother telling her I was barely 5 months pregnant. I guess I’ve got a loooong way to go…
Eating fish linked to healthy infants
The Nigerian Tribune (do they lack credibility just because I never heard of them before?) cites a study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that states, “women should eat oily fishes like sardines, mackerel, salmon, tuna, etc, during pregnancy so that their children could be brilliant, intelligent, as well as have sharper problem-solving skills.” When you forgive the gramatical errors, this is actually very interesting and informative reading. You may also want to check out the picture, whose caption explains, “Fishes supply vitamins to the body.” Oh yes, they sure do. And these people certainly look like they’ve been taking their vitamins!
Are stretch marks avoidable?
“I just got pregnant and I’m so worried about stretch marks. What can I do?” wails a distressed woman in this Q&A style article. Dr. Judith Reichman replies that basically, if your body is prone to stretch marks, there’s nothing you can do to prevent them. Just deal with it and move on to more important issues (Note: that’s my advice, not Dr. Reichman’s…) A recent study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found several “risk factors” for developing SG (striae gravidarum – the medical term for stretch marks related to pregnancy.) They include weight gain (um, don’t most pregnant women gain weight?), maternal age (the younger you are the more likely you are to develop SG), and family history (you are prone to stretch marks if you’ve got some already, just from growing up).
I remember when I first saw the signs of stretch marks. Although I’ve got them all over my body, I thought I’d escaped SG becuase my belly was still stretch-mark free into my 9th month. And then, suddenly, a few weeks before d-day, there they were!! Just crept up on me and shouted “Hellooo, here we are!” Uninvited, and unwated. They decided they wanted to stick around, and nothing I said or did would convince them to go.
Sadly, there are no magical creams or ointments that will prevent stretch marks. Just look at them as battle scars, accept them with dignity, wear them proudly… And start buying one-piece bathing suits.
Pregnancy Q & A
Pregnancy Questions & Answers: (from bulterwebs.com)
Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.
Q: I’m two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.
Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby’s sex?
A: Childbirth.
Q: My childbirth instructor says it’s not pain I’ll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.
Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you’re pregnant.
Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word “alimony” means anything to you.
Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.
Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby’s diaper very quickly.
Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.
Nursing Bras: Getting the right fit
Pregnancy brings many changes, and among them you will discover that those old bras just don’t fit any more (good news for some, bad news for others!). If you are going to buy new ones, you might as well go ahead and buy nursing bras, so you can continue to wear them after the baby arrives. Here is a helpful blog that gives tips on how to get the right fit!
What I discovered when shopping for nursing bras is that almost any bra can be converted into a nursing bra! I desperately wanted a minimizer but was told that they don’t sell minimizing nursing bras… but they could convert a regular minimizer into a nursing bra. I went with that option and was very pleased (I should have gotten two, that’s the only one I really wore…) I think some people are concerned that the pressure of a minimizer can clog milk ducts but I never had any problems, and was grateful to fit back into my old clothes.
More Shark Tales
I know this blog is supposed to be about *human* pregnancy… specifically *mine*…. but this is just too interesting to pass up! Shark pregnancy baffles aquarium.
Unhealthy sperm found to cause miscarriage
Indian scientists studying the quality of sperm have discovered that 80 percent of the time, “imperfect and inefficient sperms lead to a weak embryo formation, finally ending with miscarriage.” Women who experience recurrent pregnancy loss can find comfort in the fact that it may not be their fault; their partner has equal responsiblity in the creation of a healthy fetus. Read the article here.
Good news about Morning Sickness!
I don’t know who’s bright idea it was to research this, but a new study shows that pregnant women who experience morning sickness, nausea, and vomiting may have a 30 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer later in life.
Why is this so? Once again, you can thank those crazy hormones, specifically one called human chorionic gonadotropin, which studies have shown possesses “several activities that have potential protective effects against cancer cells.”
Want to know more? Read about it here.