Including green smoothies. It was very frustrating because I knew my body needed it, but it would reject it every time. Now that I’m in my 13th week…the fog has lifted a bit, and I am able to start adding back my favorite raw foods. It’s amazing to me that just a few weeks ago, a big salad turned my stomach, and today I devoured an entire head of kale. I will slowly be adding back smoothies, as my stomach allows.Foot Pain while Pregnant? Try Orthotics!
The Daily Breeze posed the following question about foot pain, which was answered by Dr. Barry A. Wertheimer, D.P.M.:
Q: Now that I am pregnant I have noted severe foot and other joint pains whenever I have to stand or walk for an extended period of time. What is the reason … and besides taking medications, can anything be done to help?
A: As many as 80 to 85 percent of women experience increased pain in their feet, legs, neck and back during pregnancy. Most doctors will tell you that wearing good shoes and massage is all that can be done to relieve the pain of this very common affliction. The reason for this pain is often the release of a hormone (relaxin) that allows stretching of ligaments in the pelvis to facilitate the birthing process. Since we live in a society that stands and walks on hard concrete surfaces, this hormone allows the feet to spread, flatten out and fatigue easily during the pregnancy. What is sometimes helpful is the purchase of over-the-counter orthotics, available at many sporting goods and drug stores. If not effective, then a custom-made foot orthotic, made by a podiatrist, is required to offer the greatest relief. Orthotics are custom-made supports that cradle the feet inside the shoes and hold them in a corrected position. They are a safe, effective, noninvasive treatment for the foot and posture. Orthotics also are effective in treating many other problems as well.
The Ultimate New Baby Shopping List
I’m sure the new grandparents, aunts, and godmothers are already hitting the stores in sweet anticipation, and that your closets are starting to fill up with pretty little outfits, soft baby blankents, and sweet little knitted things. But with all the excitement and planning (not to mention the fatigue brought by the third trimester) it’s easy to forget some little things that might prove important when baby comes. You can always send Dad on midnight trips to Walgreen’s… or you can use this list from TheBump to make sure you’re prepared for Baby’s arrival!
The one thing you’ll need to know when planning baby’s wardrobe is that babies poop often and generously! Since baby poo is runny, it tends to get on EVERYTHING! You may find yourself changing baby’s outfit a few times a day… (and doing lots of poopy laundry, oh joy!)
Layette
10-15 bodysuits or onesies (wide head openings, snaps at bottom)
4-6 one-piece pajamas
2 blanket sleepers (for winter baby)
2-3 sweaters or jackets (for winter baby)
4-6 rompers or other outfits (preferrably with feet, as socks tend to get lost!)
4-7 socks or booties (shoes are cute but unnecessary until baby walks)
1-3 hats (broad-brimmed for summer baby, soft cap that covers ears for winter baby)
No-scratch mittens
Bunting bag or fleece suit (for winter baby)
Swimsuit for (summer baby)
Nursery
Crib, cradle or bassinet
• Slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart
• Corner posts no more than 1/16 of an inch above frame
• Top rails at least 26 inches above mattress
Firm, flat mattress fit snugly in crib (less than two fingers should fit between mattress and crib)
2-3 washable crib mattress pads
Bumper pads covering inside perimeter (secured by at least six ties or snaps, with all extra length removed)
2-4 fitted crib sheets
4-6 soft, light receiving blankets
1-2 heavier blankets (for colder climates)
Rocking or arm chair
Music box, sound machine or CD player
Crib mobile with black and white images (remove when baby can support self on hands and knees)
Baby monitor
Nightlight (good for night-time feedings and diaper changes)
Dresser
Toy basket
Swing or bouncy chair
Changing
Changing table or cushioned changing pad for low dresser or bureau, with safety strap or railing
Changing table pad
4-6 washable changing table pad covers
Diaper pail & liners
Diaper cream
Unscented baby wipes (although for Baby’s sensitive skin, rinsing over the sink works best!)
Soft washcloths
2-3 boxes disposable newborn-size diapers {or}
6-10 dozen cloth diapers and 6-8 diaper covers
Bath
Baby bathtub
Baby soap/shampoo
2-4 soft towels or hooded baby towels
Baby hairbrush
Soft washcloths (use a different color or pattern than your diaper washcloths!)
Feeding
For nursing moms:
2-3 nursing bras (Breasts swell following birth, so start with one size larger than your maternity bra. Wait until size settles down — about two weeks after birth — to purchase additional bras.)
Nursing pads
Nipple cream (lanolin)
Nursing pillow
Pump (even if you plan only to nurse, a pump will allow you to leave milk for baby if you want or need to separate)
Milk storage bags
Breast milk is the healthiest as well as most convenient food for new babies: no bottles, nipples, warmers, or formula needed! However if you will be unable to nurse, here’s what you’ll need:
10-16 bottles and nipples, both four and eight ounce (if fed strictly by the bottle, baby will go through about ten in the four ounce size per day)
Liners, for disposable bottles
Formula
Bottle warmer (cuts down on nighttime trips to and from the kitchen)
Bottle sterilizer (if your dishwasher doesn’t have one)
Bottle brush
Dishwasher basket for small items
4-8 bibs
Burp cloths (or cloth diapers)
High chair
2-4 pacifiers
Medicine Cabinet
Baby nail clippers
Cotton balls (don’t use swabs to clean baby’s nose or ears)
Baby thermometer
Bulb syringe/nasal aspirator
Medicine dropper or spoon with measurements
Infant acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Antibiotic cream
Saline nasal drops
Baby gas drops
Travel
Infant or convertible car seat
Stroller (reclining to almost flat for infants)
Diaper bag
Changing pad
Baby carrier/sling
For Mom
Ice packs (in case of tearing during birth or swelling after)
2-3 week supply of ultra absorbent sanitary pads
Panty liners
Pregnancy: A glass of wine won’t hurt… might help!preg
The medical world is constantly shifting guidlines for pregnancy women, and the newest change of heart comes just in time for the holidays! A glass or two of wine may actually benefit your baby, according to Epidemiology & Public Health department of University College London (UCL).
The connection between heavy drinking and “poor behavioural and cognitive outcomes in children is well established.” But what about light drinking?
Researchers found that:
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Children born to mothers who drank a little alcohol (1 to 2 units a week) while pregnant were not more likely to have behavioral difficulties or cognitive issues, compared to children born to mothers who abstained during pregnancy.
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Indeed, for some behavioral and cognitive outcomes, children born to light drinkers were less likely to have problems compared to children of mothers who abstained.
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Boys born to mothers who drank lightly were 40 per cent less likely to have “conduct” problems and 30 per cent less likely to show hyperactive behavior. (Even after adjusting for family and socioeconomic factors.)
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Boys whose mothers drank lightly while pregnant were also more likely to score higher in vocabulary tests and exercises where they had to identify colors, shapes, letters and numbers.
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Girls born to mothers who only drank a little alcohol were 30 per cent less likely to have emotional and peer problems compared to girls born to mothers who abstained, but this tendency appeared to depend partly on family and social background.
Lead author Dr Yvonne Kelly speculates on why this might be so. “Light drinkers tend to be more socially advantaged than abstainers… However, it may also be that light-drinking mothers tend to be more relaxed themselves and this contributes to better behavioral and cognitive outcomes in their children,” she added.
Until now, policy in the US and England has pushed toward total abstinence in order to be on the safe side. However, Kelly questions this: “Our study’s findings do raise questions as to whether the current push for policy to recommend complete abstinence during pregnancy is merited and suggest that further research needs to be done.”
Either way, it seems safe to say that an occasional glass of wine will not hurt your baby. As my grandfather would say, “I’ll drink to that!”
L’Chaim!
Source: Medical News Today
Caffeine during pregnancy: How much is too much?
Gotta have your morning pick-me-up? Go ahead and enjoy that steaming cup of coffee, but be careful! A small cafe latte in Starbucks contains 240mg of caffeine, meaning a pregnant woman would exceed the recommended daily caffeine intake (200 mg) in one drink.
Pregnant women will be warned this week to limit their caffeine consumption to 200mg, the equivalent of two average-sized mugs of coffee a day, or risk giving birth to underweight babies. The amount has been lowered from the previous recommended caffeine limit of 300mg.
Remember that caffeine comes in other forms too! The 200mg limit is equivalent to four cups of tea, five cans of cola, three energy drinks or five bars of chocolate.
The advice from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) comes a week after scientists found that a weekly glass of wine during pregnancy could help boost a baby’s behavior and vocabulary. Caffeine, however, is linked to low birth weight and miscarriages. The research, to be published in the British Medical Journal on Wednesday, found that women with a caffeine intake of more than 200mg a day were more likely to give birth to smaller babies.
“If you’re small for gestational age, you’re more likely to have intellectual impairment and hyperactivity in later life.” Other research has found that drinking more than 200mg of coffee a day also doubled the risk of miscarriage.
The first 12 weeks of pregnancy is the most crucial time for the baby, when most miscarriages occur. Therefor Pat O’Brien, consultant obstetrician and spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, recommends that women abstain from caffeine during the first trimester.
Source: The Times Online
DIY Birth Announcements!
When your little bundle of joy arrives, you may feel like shouting from the rooftops so the whole world can share in your good fortune! Luckily, there is a more effective way of spreading the news… and you can have the fun of creating them yourself! Get down to your local craft store (hmm, preferably before the birth, if you can plan ahead!) and get started!
Pretty papers, rubber stamps, ribbons, bows, glitter, stickers, flowers, pretty punches… there are no limits for the creative genius inside you!
Here are some absolutely adorable ideas from Impress Rubber Stamps:
Is nicotine replacement safe during pregnancy?
You are probably aware of the dangers of smoking during pregnancy. If you want to quit smoking, what are your options? Nicotine gum or patches contain nicotine, although in much smaller amounts than the typical smoker ingests. The biggest benefit of these products is a reduction in the cravings, bad mood and stress associated with nicotine withdrawal.But are they safe?
Reuters reports: “Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of stillbirth,” the researchers write in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “The use of NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) in pregnancy is a possible harm reduction strategy,” they add.
As part of the study, information was gathered for 87,032 singleton pregnancies. Two percent of women reported using nicotine replacement during pregnancy. Of these women, 14 percent did not smoke during pregnancy, 30 percent quit smoking during pregnancy, and 56 percent continued to smoke.
There were 495 stillbirths, 8 of them among the NRT users.
Those who used NRT had a 43 percent lower risk of stillbirth after accounting for other risk factors. Even those women who continued to smoke while using NRT, reduced the risk of stillbirth by 17 percent. Smokers who did not use NRT during pregnancy had a 46 percent higher risk of having a stillbirth.
Bottom line: Researchers believe the use of these products may be safe for some women, particularly if they would continue smoking without them. Don’t use any nicotine replacement therapy or other smoking cessation product without checking with your health care provider. They can help determine what methods of smoking cessation are safe and effective for you.
See also:
Quitting Smoking During Pregnancy
Rosie Pope Maternity: Sohpistication and flair for the mature woman
If you are looking for maternity wear that is stylish and classic as opposed to trendy (and money is not an issue, I might add), you will want to check out Rosie Pope Maternity.
Double Breasted Sailor Top: My first thought was more like “marching band,” but truth is that I really like this top. I don’t know if I would actually wear it myself, but on the right woman, with the right accessories, it would be tremendously chic. I like the way the model wears it:
Romantic Polka Top: This is SO pretty! Yes, it is sheer, but if you wear a cami or fitted T-shirt underneath, it would be quite feminine and elegant.
Classic Cashmere Sweater: Just what it sounds like. You don’t get any more “classic” than this!
The Tiered Dress comes in a few colors and is nice for a more formal or professional setting.
The Self Tie Jacket can be paired with a coordinating skirt or trousers. This sophisticated suit is great for the office or any other dressy occasion.
The Pleated Mini Dress puts you in something sophisticated and sexy for a dinner party or a night on the town. Pretty pleating and off-the-shoulder style proves that pregnancy and glamor are not mutually exclusive!
Classic Poncho: The nights are getting cooler and you’ll be needing something to keep cozy! This poncho buttons up the side, and looks and feels totally delicious!
Those are just some of my favorites. For more maternity options, check out Rosie Pope Maternity for yourself! Happy shopping!
It’s a round canvas– have a ball! (watch out, it kicks!)
Are you pregnant and bored? Here’s an idea that some may find fun: Belly painting, brought to you by Pregnancy & Baby!
Get out the face paints and have yourself a ball! You can get creative by using the brush end-on to create pointillism (paint in dots). Try other techniques such as sponge painting, finger painting, or stencils. Get your kids involved and paint a welcome message with lip-prints kisses, hand prints and hearts.
If you don’t have any face paints availible, you can use the following mixture for each color:
- 1 teaspoon corn starch
- 1/2 teaspoon water
- 1/2 teaspoon cold cream
- Food coloring
Feeling really wild? Try it at your baby shower or with a group of other pregnant friends!
Oh my!!!!
Can Stretch Marks be Prevented? Doctors say NO
We live in an age where we expect an easy cure for every beauty ailment. Frizzy hair? Acne? Bags under your eyes? Cellulite? Just get your hands on the right formula and all your problems will be a thing of the past! So when a pregnant woman walks into a drug store, what’s the first thing she searches for? Anti-stretch mark cream. And despite the shocking price tag on some of the more promising products, doctors have bad news. According to this article in the NY Times, you can blame the stretch marks on genetics and race (Caucasian women tend to get stretch marks more often than women of color). Rapid weight gain causes skin to lose its elasticity, and there’s not much you can do to prevent that.
The good news is that it’s possible to lighten stretch marks as well as reduce their size. Keeping your skin moisturized with creams and body oils will also make you feel more comfortable.
So if you’ve been wondering what the magic potion is that keeps certain celebrities (or your neighbor or girlfriend) stretch mark-free, it’s probably just that they’ve got good genes. Or they just got lucky.