Maternity pillows come in different assortments. There are full-length body pillows, bean shaped pillows, wedge pillows and simple maternity pillows. Full-length body pillows are ideal for those who suffer from back and neck strains. They are usually about 5 feet long and relax back, neck and abdomen of expectant mother. Bean shaped pillows provide comfort to mother by taking the strain off her stomach and knees. Wedge pillows support belly and help pregnant women relax and fall asleep. Simple maternity pillows are designed to bring blissful sleep as woman can sleep between two supporting pillows.

Right Bra

Maternity bras are specifically designed to accommodate changes in your breasts providing breast and diaphragm support during pregnancy. And when baby is born and ready for feeding, maternity bras have specially designed drop feeding cups. Nursing bra is a practical bra designed with fuller cups, comfortable fabrics, and wider shoulder straps for increased comfort. It is designed to support a woman’s increased breast size during lactation and provide ready access to her breasts for nursing.

Lotion for Stretch Marks:

Stretch marks are one of the most talked about skin changes that can occur during pregnancy. Almost 90% of pregnant women will experience stretch marks. Stretch marks appear as pinkish or reddish streaks running down your abdomen or breasts. What can you do? Exercising and applying lotions that contain vitamin E and alpha hydroxy acids have been said to help in the prevention of stretch marks. These remedies have not been medically proven to have a direct effect on stretch marks, but it never hurts to try. If you find that nothing is working for you, take comfort in knowing that these streaks will fade to silvery faint lines after delivery.

Maternity wear

Maternity clothes are important for the feelings of the mother and the comfort of the unborn baby. Pregnancy is a wonderful time in life and it’s important to dress for the event. Clothes that are cut to accommodate the growing belly that don’t cut off circulation and bind are so important. Too tight clothes that constrict aren’t good for Mamma or baby. It’s fun to dress in fashionable maternity clothes that will be able to take you through your pregnancy and those months after, while you are regaining your figure. Maternity clothes are good for physical and mental well being and a show to the world of your proud accomplishment. We are all defined by what we wear, military wear uniforms, chef’s wear aprons and hats, dancers wear tu-tu’s and leotards, so maternity clothes define what we are doing…the greatest job of all.

Photo credit: Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

• You smell just right. Babies are born with a keen sense of smell. Research shows that in the first five days after she’s born, your baby will recognise your scent and find it deeply reassuring.

• You give her food. Whether you’re breast or bottlefeeding, your baby will soon realise who to turn to if she’s hungry or thirsty.

• You make her laugh. By about six weeks, she’ll start to smile and by four months, she’ll be laughing and gurgling. Toys and pictures are fine, but what really makes her chuckle is another grinning face – especially yours.

• You praise her. Even in the first few months, she’ll respond to encouragement from her parents. If she’s feeding well or slept until 7am, let her know how happy you are.

• You’re always there. Your heart may sink when she wakes crying, but somehow you drag yourself out of bed. Knowing you’re there for her gives her confidence and helps build a bond of trust.

• Plenty of fluids: Drinking enough water (eight to ten glasses a day) is one of the most important ways to keep yourself hydrated during pregnancy and can help no end with constipation and skin elasticity.

• Alcohol & caffeine free: Don’t drink alcohol and avoid caffeine and artificial coloring.

• Eat Right: Eat five or six well-balanced meals each day. Focus on iron-rich foods.

• Right supplement: Take a prenatal vitamin each day as directed by your obstetrician.

• Avoid: Don’t smoke or allow yourself to be exposed to second-hand smoke. Don’t take over-the-counter medications or herbal remedies without first consulting your obstetrician.

• Exercise: It’s important for your general health, and also to reduce stress. Take a pregnancy exercise class or walk at least 15 to 20 minutes every day at a moderate pace. Walk in cool, shaded areas or indoors in order to prevent overheating.

• Enough sleep: Sleep at least eight hours a night. If you’re suffering from sleep disturbances, take naps during the day and see your physician for advice.

• Comfortable apparel: Wear comfortable, non-restricting shoes and put your feet up several times a day to prevent fatigue and swelling of the feet, legs, and ankles.

• Safety precaution: Continue to wear a safety belt while riding in motor vehicles.  The lap portion should be placed under the abdomen as low as possible on the hips and across the upper thighs, never above the abdomen. Also, pregnant women should sit as far from the air bag as possible.

2 MONTHS: Smiles at you. By now, your baby will aim his first social grins at faces that are becoming familiar, like yours.

4 MONTHS: Imitates you. Stick out your tongue and he may try to mimic your moves, a reflex that becomes more intentional as he figures out that you love it. The more animated you get, the more he’ll copycat.

7 MONTHS: Raises his arms to be held. Once he has the motor skills to grab for his favorite toys, he’ll start grabbing for you, too.

8 MONTHS: Wails when you hand him over to the babysitter. Yes, it’s heartbreaking, but separation anxiety shows he prefers you to others.

11 MONTHS: Says “mama.” The combination of easy-to-make sounds and a desire to name what’s important to him means “mama” is often among babies’ earliest words. (Try not to worry, though, if “dada” comes first!)

12 MONTHS: Gives you a kiss. Around his first birthday, your baby finally has the motor and communication skills to respond to your smooches. His won’t be perfect — he may forget to close his mouth — but no matter what, those first efforts show that he thinks you’re pretty special.

Surging hormones and a growing body trigger some intense physical changes during pregnancy. While some of these alterations will seem almost alien to you, rest assured that most of them are normal and will go away after delivering your baby. Here, a roundup of common physical symptoms you might encounter:

Chloasma:

Usually called “the mask of pregnancy,” chloasma is the appearance of patchy dark skin on the forehead, nose and cheeks. It coincides with a rise in hormones and melanin during pregnancy. Dark-haired women tend to be more susceptible. The patches will fade a few months after pregnancy. In the meantime, to prevent the area from darkening further stay out of the direct sun, and wear sunscreen and cover up.

Linea Nigra:

Everyone has a faint line that runs from the belly button to the pubic bone, but it can darken substantially when you’re expecting. The same culprit that causes chloasma, an increase in melatonin, enhances the color of the linea nigra. The line should fade a few months after pregnancy, when your hormones level out.

Breast Changes:

You may not recognize them anymore: bluish veins appear under the skin’s surface, the area around the nipple (the areola) darkens and increases in size, nipples protrude more, and the glands on the areola become raised and bumpy in preparation for breastfeeding. And by the end of the first trimester, your breasts might leak a thick and yellow liquid called colostrum. Most of these symptoms will subside after delivery or after you stop nursing.

Bleeding Gums:

An increase in your body’s blood flow helps move nutrient-rich blood to the uterus, but it can also send extra blood to your teeth and gums. You may notice that your gums bleed more easily when you brush. This symptom will subside after delivery; until then, try using a softer toothbrush and floss gently.

Hair Growth:

Your entire body is growing to accommodate your baby, and your hair is no exception. New hair is growing more rapidly and old hair is shedding more slowly. Your mane may feel thicker, and you may notice hairs sprouting in odd places, like your belly, breasts and nipples.

Skin Tags:

Skin is growing and stretching to accommodate baby, and you may notice pieces of “accessory” skin, called skin flaps, on your breasts, armpits and neck. Skin tags are harmless, but they won’t diminish after you deliver. You can have them easily removed by a doctor.

Natural Birth (Vaginal Birth – VBAC)

There are those who wonder why with the advent of epidural anesthesia a woman would “martyr” herself by not having pain relieving medications in labor. There are others who aren’t sure what they want and go in and try to have an unmedicated birth. And then there are women who know exactly what they don’t want – pain relief in labor. Here are just a handful of the reasons a woman might choose to avoid pain medications in labor:

• VBAC is usually safer for mom and baby.
• VBAC reduces the risks of infection to the mother.
• Labor is good for babies in most cases.
• Not having surgery makes mom’s recovery easier.
• VBAC reduces the risks of respiratory problems in babies.
• VBAC involves a shorter hospital stay.
• More than 80% of women will be able to have a vaginal birth after a previous cesarean.
• Breastfeeding is easier after a vaginal birth. Usually for a variety of reasons, including faster and more direct access to your baby and less postpartum pain for mom.
• VBAC can help prevent injury to your internal organs, like your bladder, intestines, or even the need for an emergency hysterectomy.
• VBAC is less expensive.

C-section: Medical reasons

Cesarean birth is the birth of a baby by surgery. The doctor makes an incision (cut) in the belly and uterus (womb) and then removes the baby. The surgery is called a cesarean section or c-section. If you or your baby have certain problems before or during labor, c-section may be safer than vaginal birth.

You and your health care provider may plan your cesarean in advance. Or you may need an emergency (unplanned) c-section because of a complication that arises for you or your baby during pregnancy or labor. Your health care provider may suggest that you have a c-section for one or more of these reasons:

• You’ve already had a c-section in another pregnancy or other surgeries on your uterus.
• Your baby is too big to pass safely through the vagina.
• The baby’s buttocks or feet enter the birth canal first, instead of the head. This is called a breech position.
• The baby’s shoulder enters the birth canal first, instead of the head. This is called a transverse position.
• There are problems with the placenta. This is the organ that nourishes your baby in the womb. Placental problems can cause dangerous bleeding during vaginal birth.
• Labor is too slow or stops.
• The baby’s umbilical cord slips into the vagina, where it could be squeezed or flattened during vaginal delivery. This is called umbilical cord prolapse.
• You have an infection like HIV or genital herpes.
• You’re having twins, triplets or more.
• The baby has problems during labour that show it is under stress, such as a slow heart rate. This is sometimes called “fetal distress.”
• You have a serious medical condition that requires intensive or emergency treatment (such as diabetes or high blood pressure).
• The baby has a certain type of birth defect.

A happy baby will mean happier parents. This is particularly important for mothers who may easily slip into post-natal depression after giving birth. The first year can be very trying for the most positive of people. There will be great changes in your lifestyle, and you may often feel alone. In this article, we look at some simple ways you can contribute to the happiness of your baby, from the right children’s clothing to being positive yourself.

• Staying Connected. All babies crave attention. Breast-feeding is not only good for a baby’s physical health, it is a way they can connect with their mothers on an emotional level. There are so many benefits from breast-feeding, including the fact that mothers who breast feed have less chance of slipping into post-natal depression. A baby massage is a great way to care for your baby, and it can be interpreted as love.

• Clothing. We must remember that babies are not used to clothing, and so clothing that breathes, and allows them to move freely is always the best. It is important to check the label before you purchase. Man-made fibres can be uncomfortable, even if expensive.

• Don’t Forget Your Well Being. Keeping yourself happy will influence your baby’s well being. The happier you are, the happier your baby will be. You might need some free time, or do the things you love. Care for your needs just as much as your baby’s.

• Active. Babies are just like us adults, they need to be kept active. Could you imagine just sitting around all day? The more active a baby is, the better it will sleep. Being active also means mental stimulation. A baby needs all of these things.

• Point Of View. It is important to understand that each child is different. Just because we have a high maintenance baby compared to a friend’s baby, it doesn’t mean we are a bad parent. Understand your child is a little human, with an individual personality and special traits. Try to see your baby’s point of view in any given situation. They are only trying to communicate something to you.

• Foster Good Sleeping and Eating Habits. A baby will not live by your rules, nor will they do things when you expect them to. Pay attention to the times they most want to sleep and eat, and try to recreate these situations to encourage more sleeping and eating. Sleeping and eating means your child is healthier and growing well. Fresh and natural foods are always good for your baby once they have started to eat ‘table’ foods. Make sure your baby is only eating what is right. All too often we start a child’s life off with many of the bad foods we all eat. At such an important time of their life, sweet and other fatty foods just have to be avoided. This should set up positive patterns for their future.

• Talk to your health care provider about how much weight you should gain during your pregnancy
• Eat foods rich in folate, iron, calcium, and protein, or get these nutrients through a prenatal supplement
• Talk to your health care provider before taking any supplements
• Eat breakfast every day
• Eat high-fiber foods and drink plenty of water to avoid constipation
• Avoid alcohol, raw fish, fish high in mercury, soft cheeses, and anything that is not food
• Aim to do at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week. Talk to your health care provider before you begin
• After you deliver your baby, continue eating well. Return to a healthy weight gradually
• Slowly get back to your routine of regular, moderate physical activity
• Take pleasure in the miracles of pregnancy and birth

The findings, reported in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, add to evidence that at least some obese women may be able to shed pounds during pregnancy without harming themselves or their baby.

But researchers still caution that women should not start a weight-loss diet during pregnancy, and should instead talk with their doctor about any healthy diet and lifestyle changes.

The general recommendations from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), an advisory panel to the U.S. government, say that obese women should gain 11 to 20 pounds during pregnancy.

That’s less than the 25 to 35 pounds recommended for normal-weight women. But some researchers have criticized the IOM guidelines for not considering different levels of obesity.

A few studies have suggested that women who are severely obese can gain fewer pregnancy pounds, or even lose weight, without harming their baby or their own health.

In the new study, Dr. Marie Blomberg, of the University of Linkoping in Sweden, examined medical records for more than 46,000 obese pregnant women who gave birth between 1993 and 2008.

She separated the women into three categories of obesity: class 1 obesity, which means a body mass index (BMI) of between 30 and 35; class 2 (a BMI between 35 and 40); and class 3 (BMI of 40 or higher).

Blomberg found that of women in the latter two groups, those who gained less than the IOM recommends — or even lost weight — were less likely to deliver a large newborn or need a C-section than their counterparts who did gain the recommended amount.

Among women with class 2 obesity, for example, 17 percent of those who lost weight had a C-section, versus 24 percent of those who gained the IOM-recommended amount.

And babies born to very obese women who lost weight seemed to fare as well as infants whose mothers gained the recommended amount.

They were no more likely to go into fetal distress or have a low Apgar score — a measure of breathing, heart rate and other health indicators right after birth.

The findings suggest that it is “at least not harmful” for very obese pregnant women to gain less than the IOM recommends, or possibly lose pounds, Blomberg told Reuters Health by email.

However, exactly how much weight loss might be safe is unclear. Blomberg did not have information on the range of weight loss among women in this study. And she said she is not aware of other studies that have suggested a safe range.

There may also be a tradeoff when obese women lose weight during pregnancy: an increase in the risk of having a baby who is small for gestational age — smaller than the norm for a baby’s sex and the week of pregnancy during which she was born.

Blomberg found that of the most obese women (a BMI of 40 or more), those who lost weight were twice as likely to have a baby who was small for gestational age.

However, that bumped up their rate to what is seen among pregnant women generally. Overall, 3.7 percent had a small-for-gestational-age newborn — compared with a rate of 3.6 percent among all births in Sweden.

The bottom line, according to Blomberg, is that some weight loss may be “reasonably safe” for women who are severely obese.

However, she cautioned women against starting any kind of weight-loss diet during pregnancy. Instead, she said, they should aim to eat a balanced, healthy diet and get regular moderate exercise, like a half-hour of walking each day.

That is the general advice. But it’s of “great importance,” Blomberg said, for obese pregnant women to talk with their own doctor about any diet and lifestyle changes they might need to make.

(SOURCE: bit.ly/ioOlJ4 Obstetrics & Gynecology, May 2011)

1. Begin a prenatal care regimen with a trained maternity care provider as soon as you discover you are pregnant:

2. Learn, commit, and stick to healthy eating & lifestyle habits throughout pregnancy (diet, vitamins, cessation of smoking, exercise…): Pregnancy constitutes a time of change in so many ways—many of which can feel overwhelming. But when thinking about dietary and lifestyle issues, making the change to “the essential basics,” is a good rule of thumb: commit to taking a prenatal vitamin every day, consume enough water to keep yourself and your baby well hydrated consume a variety of fruits and veggies, complex carbohydrates, low fat proteins and low sodium foods each day, stop tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use (if applicable) and limit caffeine intake to two servings per day. The American College of Gynecologists recommends pregnant women (without any medical contraindication) should exercise most, if not all, days of the week for at least 30 minutes of moderate-level activity. Listen to your body when the need for rest arises: ignoring the need for extra rest taxes the pregnant woman’s entire system.

3. Take a childbirth education class  in/around your 7th month of pregnancy: Before signing up for a childbirth education class, spend some time thinking about what type of class would suit you best, based on the type of childbirth experience you hope to have. There are many types of childbirth education programs out there, such as Lamaze, Bradley, Birthing from Within, and Hypnobirthing. Classes may be taught by private educators (not associated with any hospital, doctor’s office or clinic) or by hospital educators or L&D nurses. It is best to sign up for a class with an end date approximately one month prior to your due date—ensuring the information gained will remain fresh in your recollection while avoiding the risk of not being able to complete the class, should your baby arrive early.

4. Participate in a prenatal yoga or other meditation-type class designed for pregnant women: The outdated idea that a woman should spend the duration of her pregnancy sitting around pampering herself for nine (ten) months is just that—outdated. At the same time, stress reduction is also an incredibly important element of remaining healthy during pregnancy. And so, along with meeting the American College of Gynecologist’s recommendation of exercising most, if not all days of the week for at least 30 minutes, many pregnant women find value in taking a prenatal yoga/mediation class. Benefits of prenatal yoga include maintaining all over body strength, conditioning, joint and tissue flexibility, reduction of common aches and pains associated with pregnancy, and practice utilizing the breath for maintaining a sense of focus and calm. Because yoga is an activity that incorporates both physical work and mental relaxation, it pairs perfectly with the pregnant process.

5. Hire a doula well before your due date (month): Studies have shown that having a professional labor support person present during a woman’s labor and birth not only improves that woman’s experience and retrospective perception of her baby’s birth, but it also reduces her likelihood of requesting pain medication during the birth process and her risk for ending up delivering her baby by c-section. Doulas are trained birth professionals (not medical personnel) whose primary job is to emotionally support a woman and her partner through labor and birth. A pregnant woman and her partner will tend to meet with their doula several times prior to the start of labor during which time labor and delivery preferences may be discussed as well as particular activities the expectant woman/couple hope to have the doula fulfill during baby’s birth.

(Source: HealthNews, May 11th, 2011)