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The pregnancy glow is a reality for a lot of mothers, but most women experience some sort of pregnancy skincare conundrum before giving birth. Let’s take a look at what’s going on and how you can take care of your skin by taking care of your basic health. https://youtu.be/DLMkHHKS93w The Realities of Pregnancy and Skincare Pregnancy is a time of major hormonal change. These hormones can produce that pregnancy “glow” that makes some mothers look so radiant and lovely from beginning to end. However, similar to puberty, pregnancy hormones can also cause your skin to freak out a bit and react in ways you aren’t used to. Understand that everyone’s bodies are different and, as with nearly every part of a pregnancy, your experience is unique to you. Some women glow with no effort, some women break out unexpectedly. Your skin may get drier, redder or even stay the same. Don’t focus on what “should” be happening—just take care of yourself. Taking Care of Your Whole Body Skin can often reflect systemic nutrition and health issues, so one of the best things you can do for your skin is to address your basic health and nutrition. Drink plenty of water and get as much sleep as you can. Hydration and rest can work wonders for the skin, even when you aren’t pregnant. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. You can indulge your pregnancy cravings, but try to balance that out with some healthy food. For example, if you want some ice cream, try giving yourself a small portion with some fruit and nuts. Consider working with a registered dietitian (RD) rather than simply taking your doctor’s advice on diet and nutrition. Your doctor has special training that makes him or her an excellent resource for most elements of your pregnancy. However, this training many not include detailed or current nutritional education. Many doctors take a single nutrition class in medical school and do not receive continuing education in this specialty area after the fact. This means their information can be both outdated and incomplete. Dietitians, on the other hand, have specialized professional education focusing solely on what you should eat. In most states they must keep current on research and education to keep their licenses. There are lots of dietetic resources for pregnant women. Some dietitians even specialize in pregnancy nutrition. Books about pregnancy diets written by qualified professionals are a good option as well. Taking Care of Your Skin Use gentle cleansers so you don’t further irritate your skin. Try all-natural products that address the specific issues you’re having. However, don’t make dramatic changes to your skincare routine. Doing so can actually prolong some issues that might have resolved on their own with some patience. Your face isn’t the only area you can care for at this time. Using nourishing lotions containing ingredients like vitamin E or shea butter on your belly can minimize the appearance of stretch marks as bump expansion progresses. Mothers expecting multiples may want to start early. If you found these lotions effective during pregnancy, you can use also use them afterwards. Additionally, you can even treat fully healed c-section scars the same way. Don’t suffer through nipple soreness at this point. Conditioning your nipples during pregnancy can better prepare you for breastfeeding. It can also help with some of the breast tenderness you may be experiencing at this point.

Gestating a fetus is no small feat. From the physical changes and hormonal swings, , to the sense of excitement and even anxiety you may feel during pregnancy. Your entire body is really going through it while you’re waiting for your little one to arrive. However, is your brain really functioning at a lower capacity? Let’s explore the legend of pregnancy brain. Momnesia: Real or Fake? The foggy head some mothers feel during pregnancy was once attributed to an overall decrease in brain function. A 2002 study that seemed to prove the existence of “pregnancy brain” as a reduction in overall functionality has been refuted by subsequent studies, including a 2009 study performed by a female researcher in Australia. This researcher, Helen Christensen, was the director of Australian National University’s Centre for Mental Health Research at the time of the study. She concluded in 2009 that women’s brains actually tend to increase in capability during pregnancy. As with all scientific research, there’s a bit of nuance, and the way the study itself is conducted can affect the outcome. However, given how much mothers are able to accomplish during their pregnancies, it stands to reason that our brains are kicked into overdrive during this time. What’s Really Going On? While brain function may be higher during pregnancy, that doesn’t necessarily translate into a feeling of being alert and energetic. This is normal. During the first trimester, hormonal changes are often to blame for a feeling of fogginess, forgetfulness and fatigue. Anxiety may also play a role in this feeling for some women. The second trimester is often associated with a return of energy. However, not all women experience this. Women who’ve maintained a fairly consistent body weight for most of their adult lives could be feeling the strain of suddenly carrying around some extra weight. Even a few pounds can make a difference when it’s with you all day. In the third trimester, fatigue is often associated with difficulty sleeping and, again, increased weight requiring more physical effort throughout the day. This can be especially tough during hot weather. Throughout the entire pregnancy, many women are trying to maintain their normal lives. This is in addition to taking on massive additional tasks of caring for themselves and preparing their homes and lives for a baby. It doesn’t take a team of researchers to determine that anyone experiencing this kind of extra workload might not be as sharp and on top of things as they ordinarily are. What You Can Do Be compassionate with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with other moms. Every pregnancy is unique, and whether or not yours is “perfect” and “blissful” is mostly a matter of uncontrollable factors. This includes genetics, not a moral or intellectual triumph. Don’t put unfair pressure on yourself, this can make it harder to deal with your feelings. Make written lists to help combat forgetfulness. If you’re feeling tired, give yourself permission to relax. Ask your partner, friends and family members for help picking up the slack. Don’t set unrealistic expectations for yourself. You might not be able to do exactly what you used to do before you got pregnant, and that’s OK. Do you have experience with forgetfulness and fatigue associated with “pregnancy brain?” Tell us about it and how you coped with it.

Everyone’s pregnancy is different, but there are some experiences that all mothers tend to share in common during those all-important nine months (and after). Here are a few of the most common/eventful, and also the most major milestones of pregnancy! https://youtu.be/vo1BVzxs5jw First Trimester Getting positive confirmation that you’re pregnant from a home test or a doctor. Sharing your exciting news with your partner. If you choose, sharing the news with your friends and family. Having your first moment of unusual exhaustion. Seeing firsthand what morning sickness is all about—and realizing that it can happen at any time of day. Experiencing strange appetite changes, whether it’s a craving for weird flavor combos or a sudden distaste for something you ordinarily don’t mind, Finding your OB/GYN and going through the information flood that is your first few visits. Seeing your baby for the first time with an ultrasound and hearing its tiny heartbeat. Noticing some changes in the shape of your body, though not necessarily a pronounced baby bump. At the end of the first trimester, you’ll realize that you’re one third of the way done with your pregnancy! Second Trimester Feeling a bit more comfortable as the morning sickness and fatigue of the first trimester starts to subside. Making the announcement to friends, family and coworkers who don’t already know—many couples choose to wait until the second trimester to reveal the big news because the first trimester is the period of greatest risk for miscarriage. Starting to show more dramatically after the relatively mild bloating or bump development of the first trimester and buying maternity clothes to fit your new belly. Noticing that other people are noticing and reacting to your growing midsection, potentially including unwelcome comments and unexpected well wishes. Feeling your baby move around, kick and generally make his or her presence felt. Seeing more detailed ultrasound images and even learning the gender if you choose to do so at this point. At the end of your second trimester, you’ll be more than halfway done with pregnancy and will have just a few more weeks left before you meet your new little one! Third Trimester Tying up loose ends and finalizing details around the house and your life, from picking out the right car seat to finishing the decor for your nursery. Attending a baby shower and receiving gifts from loved ones and friends, then arranging and organizing those gifts. Seeing your OB/GYN on a more regular basis—you could even have weekly appointments. Packing a hospital bag and coming up with a plan for when you go into labor. Watching the days to your due date tick away and, most likely, being surprised on the actual day of arrival. Learning the difference between real contractions and Braxton-Hicks. Meeting your little one after your delivery or c-section! These milestones may come with their own ups and downs, and some of them may be more significant than others. That’s normal, so don’t worry if your pregnancy ends up looking a little bit or even a lot different from the typical path described here. What’s important is that you’re prepared and healthy!

From the moment you go into labor you want to make sure you’re as prepared as possible for giving birth! Moreover, a great way to make sure you’re ready for the first day is know what to pack in your hospital bag. Follow this checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything for yourself, your partner and your precious new arrival. https://youtu.be/dv6jdEUJhNI Packing Checklist For You Comfortable shoes to wear around the hospital. Flip flops, slip-on flats or sturdy slippers are great choices. Socks to wear in bed and around your room. Warm, cushy and comfortable socks are great for comfort. However, if you can find a pair with some kind of traction on the soles, that may be useful as well. Hospital clothes. This includes pajamas, your own hospital gown, underwear, nursing bra and a robe. Also make sure to bring anything else that might help you feel more comfortable. Personal care items. This includes maxi pads, a hairbrush, lotion, toothbrush and toothpaste. Don’t forget hair ties and other hygiene or cosmetic items will help you feel clean and refreshed. Personal comfort items. This could be your phone or tablet loaded with your favorite music. Also bring important family keepsakes you want to keep with you as you push or have your c-section. Going home outfit. Pack comfortable stretchy pants or skirt, nursing bra, underwear, socks and shoes. Packing Checklist For Your Partner Partner support gear. This includes the birth plan instructions, snacks, a playlist of your favorite songs. Don’t forget phone or tablet chargers and anything else that your partner should take care of. Comfortable hospital clothes. Clothes your partner can feel good in even if it’s necessary to sleep in a cramped hospital chair. Personal care items. Don’t forget the toothbrush and toothpaste, haircare and other items for an overnight trip. Personal entertainment items. Bring books, movies on a laptop, podcasts on a device with Bluetooth speakers . Bring anything else your partner or you may want if you’re waiting a while. Going home outfit. Include a change of underwear, socks, pants and shirt. Cash. It’s always helpful to have an extra stash of cash for cafeteria, vending machine or gift shop runs. Packing Checklist For Your Baby Receiving blanket. Pack a versatile blanket (or two) for your first official swaddling and nursing attempts. Nursing pillow. Bring your nursing pillow so you can get used to using it right away. Hat, onesies and mittens. Bring a warm newborn hat, 1-2 newborn onesies for use at the hospital and scratch mittens. Diapers and wipes, Bring a stash of the diaper and wipes brand you plan to use at home. Going home outfit. Include a fresh going-home onesie and socks plus seasonally appropriate clothing such as a warmer hat and a blanket for the carrier.

You’ve seen it in the movies: the unsuspecting actress feels a sudden gush of water, she takes a dramatic taxi ride to the nearest hospital and as easy as 1, 2, 3 she gets to hold her newborn baby in her arms and lives happily ever after. But in reality a labor experience is a little less predictable than Hollywood makes it seem. https://youtu.be/2C39AwYU9MQ Although there isn’t ONE specific way to know that it’s really time, here are 5 signs to tell you’re in labor. 1 – Drop, Baby, Drop! One of the most common signs that you’ll be going into labor soon is the lightening or “dropping” of the baby into the pelvis. During lightening you’ll notice that your belly now sits lower on your abdomen and appears heavier and rounder than before. You’ll begin to feel more pressure surrounding your pelvis which of course increases frequency in urination. The good news is that once your baby has dropped and settled in position you’ll experience less shortness of breath, which is a great relief! 2 – Hello Braxton Hicks Another sign that your body is preparing for labor are Braxton Hicks Contractions. These infrequent contractions can be experienced throughout your entire pregnancy, however, they tend to become stronger as you get close to your due date. Unlike labor contractions they do not progress in frequency and only last a few seconds. These may increase their frequency at night but usually fade when you change positions unlike labor contractions which will not dissipate as easily. 3 – Bye-Bye Mucus Plug An exciting sign that labor is near is the loss of your Mucus plug. The Mucus plug is an accumulation of thickened Mucus that seals the Cervix tightly during pregnancy. This seal protects your fetus and prevents any outside elements from entering the womb. The “plug” can look clear, bloody or pinkish and is also referred to as “Bloody Show”. You can expect to evacuate your Mucus plug 1 – 2 weeks prior to labor. Although it can happen all at once it’s common for it to come out gradually. 4 – Water Everywhere! For nine months your baby grows inside your womb and is safely cradled in a perfect pod called the Amniotic Sac. This well-cushioned pod is filled with a fluid called Amniotic Fluid. Your baby floats in the fluid and also gets nutrients, hormones and antibodies that help her development. A huge sign that your body is beginning to experience labor is when your “Water breaks”. When your amniotic sac naturally ruptures the amniotic fluid is expelled from your body in either a big gush or a steady trickle. No need to panic, this doesn’t mean that your baby will suddenly pop out, in fact, some women will labor for hours or even days after their water breaks. If your water has broken, contact your doctor or midwife right away so they can monitor your progress and help guide you through the next steps. 5 – OMG, Contractions! The most certain sign that you are in Active Labor are True Contractions. True contractions compared to the Braxton Hicks, are strong, frequent and at times painful cramps that overpower your abdomen and lower back. These contractions intensify in both frequency, length and pain levels as your body prepares to give birth. True Contractions are often described as severe menstrual cramps. Anytime you feel contractions, take note of the time and length. This will help you tell whether you are experiencing True Contractions (which will continue until your baby is born) or if they are only irregular Braxton Hicks Contractions.In reality every woman’s labor experience is different. Some of us go through every possible labor symptom in the books while others will only experience one. This is perfectly normal. A few simple rules to follow are: Track everything you feel Keep your Doctor or midwife informed Trust your body and have your birth plan ready to welcome your much anticipated baby into your arms.

Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be complicated when your list includes getting a gift for that special someone who is pregnant. It’s always best to consider that although she is already expecting her own amazing gift, (her baby, of course); giving her a heart-warming and sincere gift is a great way to show her you care. To guide you along the way, we’ve gathered a list of the most comforting pregnancy gift ideas. Spa Packages Every woman loves a visit to the Spa where she can indulge in a soothing pregnancy massage, a relaxing foot rub and even a stylish Mani-Pedi. Your options for this gift can vary from a Home Spa kit that she can use in the comfort of her own home, to a Gift Certificate for a Spa package where she will get pampered with minimal effort from her part. Pregnancy Beauty Products During pregnancy, women can go through periods of dry skin, acne flares and the much dreaded – stretch marks. There are many lines of Pregnancy Skin Care products in a varying range of prices to fit any budget. This is a simple gift that can provide her much comfort for an extended period of time. Pregnancy Pillows If you have ever seen a pregnant woman trying to get comfortable to sleep, you know that a regular pillow is just not enough. A pregnancy pillow, although big and bulky, can be the most amazing gift she will ever receive. These pillows are designed to contour around a pregnant woman’s body and provide maximum support and comfort. Cleaning Service One of the things that women need the most help with can be the most overlooked and basic tasks of her daily life, especially when she is reaching her due date and her nesting instinct kicks in. What better way to show her you care than with the gift of a cleaning service? There are a number of national, reputable cleaning services that offer gift certificates and can make her life easier when she needs it most. Gift Cards for ANYTHING There are a lot of things that a pregnant woman can find comfort in and sometimes it’s difficult to figure out exactly what they are. Be her hero by enabling her to delight in the things she loves most with a Gift Card that she can use anywhere and for anything. How can you go wrong with that Pregnancy Books You may think that because a woman is pregnant, she might already have everything figured out, however, learning about their pregnancy is something that women love to do. You can find a number of great and very resourceful pregnancy books online and at your local bookstore. This is a great gift that she will appreciate and use for her entire pregnancy. Babymoon Getaway Parents-to-be spend a lot of time preparing for the arrival of their baby, but they can really benefit from spending some time just enjoying each other’s company and relaxing in a Babymoon. There are a variety of options to fit your budget that can be either local staycations or involving a little bit of travel. A Babymoon getaway will give the mom-to-be a much-needed break before she joins the busy club that is parenting. Motherhood Comedies There is something extremely comforting and therapeutic about laughter, especially when what you are laughing at are things that you can relate to. The world is filled with hilarious mom comedies, which can provide a very entertaining insight into motherhood for expectant moms. Give the gift of laughter! Postpartum Comfort Kit This is one of those things that most people don’t think about, yet comforting a new mom after she’s given birth to her baby can be priceless. A Postpartum comfort kit can include useful items such as a gift certificate for a postpartum recovery girdle, lip balm and stretch mark lotions, a comfy bathrobe, a pair of cozy slippers, a parenting magazine and even a delicious treat such as fruit or chocolate for mom to indulge in. You can be creative and put a kit together yourself or purchase a kit that includes a variety of these items with all the work already done for you. Maternity Photo Session There is a very unique glow that women effortlessly achieve during pregnancy. Look into photography studios or professional photographers in her area who will capture her grace during pregnancy and provide her the lasting memory.

The birth of your baby is a moment that you anticipate for nine long months. Consider creating a birth plan as a guideline of what your wishes are for the big day. And try to keep in mind that birth plans are there to be an outline of what you are striving for, so make it flexible to ensure that you will have a beautiful and memorable experience. https://youtu.be/Zj1KDFmRmDw Here are important things to consider when making a flexible birth plan. What Happens During Labor? Vaginal Birth When you arrive at the hospital, a doctor or nurse will check you to see how far your labor has progressed. Once you are admitted, you will be taken to the room where you will likely remain for the rest of your hospital stay. This is where you will be able to unpack, get comfortable, dim the lights, play music and get comfortable. Depending on the progress of your labor and risk factor, the hospital may or may not administer an IV. If you have a low risk labor, then you will most likely be encouraged to move around to help your labor move along. Most hospitals will hook you up to fetal monitoring upon arrival, if your baby’s heart rate is normal and labor is progressing with ease, you can ask to have the fetal monitoring be administered intermittently. Pain management will come into play as labor intensifies. Be sure to learn about your options ahead of time. If you are planning for a unmedicated birth, have your props and support team ready to go as you will likely need to move around and find comfortable positions to manage the pain on your own. If you prefer to have an epidural, get the necessary education to know when to ask for it and how to handle labor while medicated Sometimes, labor has been known to stop progressing. Be ready to know what you would like to do in case it happens to you. Some of the options include, breaking the amniotic sac, administering labor inducing medications and even the simple option of walking around. When the time for pushing arrives, the medical team will advise you on when to bear down and push, however, many women prefer to follow their body’s natural flow and push when it feels right. Most hospitals are quick to administer episiotomies when the perineum begins to tear. Learn about this natural effect of birth and decide whether you want to have an episiotomy or allow your body to tear naturally and heal without stitching. During some births, Doctors opt to assist in the delivery with the use of forceps or a vacuum device. Learn about these options ahead of time to know if these are methods that you agree with for your own delivery. C-Section For a number of reasons including high-risk pregnancies and repeat c-sections, some women and their doctors opt to do planned c-sections. Also, in some cases when a natural labor is not progressing after a significant amount of time or if the fetus is at risk, an emergency c-section will be necessary. Once the decision has been made to proceed with a c-section you will be placed on a fetal monitor, an IV will be inserted to your arm and you will be prompted to sign some documents. Following the first steps, you will be transported to the operating room where your birth partner will have to wait outside while you are prepped for surgery. During prep, you will be sat down leaning forward and an anesthesiologist will administer a spinal block or epidural. Both types of anesthesia allow you to remain awake during the c-section so you can experience your baby’s birth. Learn about these options so you can ask for the one you agree with most. You will then be laid down on the operating table, your arms will be strapped down for safety reasons and a curtain will be placed in front of you to block your view from the operation. At this point your birth partner will be allowed to join you in the O.R. Once the c-section is underway, your heart rate will be monitored and medications will be administered if necessary. Learn about these options ahead of time. Once the doctor is ready to bring the baby out of your uterus, your birth partner will be given permission to take photos/video and the curtain will be pulled down slightly to show you your baby. At this point your baby will be set aside to be cleaned up and wrapped up. Once the baby is wrapped and warm, she will be placed on your chest so you can meet for the first time and take a photo. Once you’ve met your baby, you will be separated while your incision gets stitched up and you are taken to the recovery room. Be sure to plan with your birthing partner so that they may go with your baby to the nursery. You can opt to have another birth partner stay by your side during the end of the surgery. Once you are transported to the recovery room, you will be asked to tell the nurse when you begin regaining feeling in your lower body. When this happens, pain medication will begin to be given to you. When your condition is stable, you are ready to see your baby again. Once your baby is out of your womb, let your doctor know if your partner wants to cut the cord and if you will be banking your baby’s cord blood. Upon birth, you can ask for all the necessary testing and measuring of the baby to be done in the same room so that you are not separated from your baby. Bathing and measuring can be done at a later tie so that you may have time to bond with your little one. At this point, most hospitals administer recommended vaccinations to the baby, if this is not something you want, you will want to include this in the birthing plan and will likely be asked to sign a waiver. Some hospitals take the initiative to feed formula to newborn babies, you are not required to do so and should make it known to them if this is not something you want. Lactation consultants are available to help you get started on breastfeeding if you wish to get some help. Recovery Abdominal Binders come in All Shapes and Sizes - Bellefit has 4 Styles designed for specific body types, vaginal deliveries and c-sections. When the birthing process is complete, you will begin your postpartum recovery. It is imperative to know how you will handle your recovery and which tools you will use to reduce pain and increase comfort. postpartum recovery garments such as Compression Girdles are excellent tools that aid in a speedy recovery while allowing mom to move about, hold her baby and still breastfeed comfortably, all without experiencing pain. Be sure to make plenty of copies of your birth plan and give them to your doctor, nurse, birth partner and even post one on the door of your room. Be flexible in knowing that plans change according to a variety of situations that arise for women during labor and delivery. Bellefit Girdles

Throughout your pregnancy you’ll often think about what life will be like once your baby is born. Here are 9 things you can do to be ready before your baby arrives. https://youtu.be/xVQ8XZIsLy4 Birth Plan Having a birth plan is a must if you want your birthing crew to know what your wishes are for a good birth experience. We all know that it’s not always realistic to want to follow a birth plan to the tee, but it’s good to have a guideline. Check out this helpful article about Making a Flexible Birth Plan. Car Seat The only way to drive your baby home when you are discharged from the hospital, is in an infant car seat. So be sure to have it ready to go and properly installed in the car that you will be going home in. Not sure how to install it? Don’t worry, the friendly hospital staff is trained to help you install your car seat and get you and your adorable newborn on your way. Hospital Bag for You and Baby When you head to the hospital to give birth, you will need to be equipped with some essentials such as toiletries, nursing gown, clothes, a recovery garment, slippers or stretchy slip on shoes, lots of underwear, nursing bra, nursing pads (yes, you might start leaking colostrum or breast milk early on), clothes for your baby and a nice outfit to go home in. Have your bags ready to go ahead of time so when the time comes, you simply need to grab the bag and head out. Crib or Bassinet Sleeping arrangements are an important decision, and if your family is opting out of co-sleeping, then decide whether you will be using a bassinet or starting right off the bat with a crib. Bassinets are a small portable bed and usually have a rocking option. They are great for having your baby in your room, but are only a temporary arrangement and babies usually outgrow them within the first month or two. Cribs are a more permanent bedding. The mattress height is often adjustable AND most cribs nowadays can be easily converted from crib, to toddler bed, to twin be overtime. Breast Pump There are many benefits to breastfeeding, and for many moms, having the option of going back to work or even running errands while knowing that their baby can still be fed breast milk during moms absence is a huge plus. Breast pumps are a great tool that help enable this by allowing moms to express & store their milk for their baby to consume at a later time. There are many different types of pumps both manual & electric. Do some research to see which pump is right for you. Prepared Meals Having prepared meals ready-to-go in your fridge/freezer will be a huge lifesaver. When you get home with your newborn, life as you know it will be completely different and time will be a precious gem that you wont have much of. So take the time to prepare your favorite meals and label & store them properly. When life with baby begins, you will simply have to pull them out, heat them up and enjoy! Schedule Help Most of us like to think that we can handle everything on our own, but give your loved ones a chance to lend you a hand with your baby. Perhaps you are exhausted and your sister can watch the baby for an hour while you take a nap. Or it might have been days since you had a proper shower, ask your friend to come by and stay for a bit so you can freshen up. Whatever it may be, consider that a little bit of help for a new mom, goes a long way. Recovery Garments Who wears a Girdle after Pregnancy? Women recovering from a C-section or Natural Childbirth need to feel supported while caring for their baby. Be prepared with a good supply of maxi pads, nursing pads, nursing bra, nursing gowns and a postpartum recovery compression garment to help you heal more efficiently. Plenty of Diapers & Wipes Diapers and wipes will soon take over your life! These items may just be what you use most and go through the fastest. Get your coupons ready and purchase a nice supply of either disposable diapers or reusable diapers and baby wipes. Lots of Laundry Detergent Between your garments, spills, leaks, spit-ups and doodie, you will be doing a whole lot of laundry. So stock up on your favorite laundry detergent and get ready to wash, wash, wash! While it’s true that having a newborn baby is a lot of work, getting organized and being prepared in advance can be a big blessing. So get ready, you will be glad you did!

In this day and age, women can manage the many ins and outs of pregnancy with the touch of a button. No longer do you have to scramble through note pads and papers to try to remember Doctor’s appointments, keep track of pregnancy progress or even manage your contractions. With the introduction of iPhones and apps, staying organized (and well informed) during pregnancy is easier than ever before. Here are some of our favorite apps to use during pregnancy: What to Expect ‘What to Expect’ is one of the most complete pregnancy apps available. Heidi Murkoff, author of the world’s best selling pregnancy book, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, brings moms a day-by-day and week-by-week guide through their pregnancy. The app is easy to navigate, user friendly and offers a variety of features such as: Daily tracker shows your week and day of pregnancy, baby’s development measured in fruit sizes, and countdown to your due date. Weekly videos, personalized tips, and week-by-week information help you understand your changing body and your baby’s development. Active and supportive community makes it easy to meet Moms due in the same month as you. Photo journal to capture moments each week that create a visual memory of baby’s journey. Weekly inspiration and shareable milestones make it easy and fun to celebrate your little one’s progress with family and friend. The only app that tracks your pregnancy as well as your other children in one place. Syncs photos, content, and preferences across your devices. This app is available for iPhones, iPads and best of all, it’s free! Click here to get the app. My Labor Bags This app has been called ‘The ultimate bag preparation tool for your family’ and it really is! It is a complete guide and tracker to help you get yourself and your family ready for the big day. My Labor Bags is extremely flexible and easy to use with 3 primary labor bags: Mommy’s Bag, Daddy’s Bag & Baby’s Bag. Some of its features include: Pre-loaded with nearly 100 of the must-have items preloaded to help get you started! 2 full sets of labor bag databases. (Default & Custom) 3 Individual Labor Bags: Mommy’s Bag, Daddy’s Bag, & Baby’s Bag. Convenient “All-Bags” button allows you to manage all of your labor bags in one view. Manage any item’s Description, Location, Cost, Quantity, Packed Status and Notes! MyDueDate, the powerful due date information extraction tool provides, Day of Week, Time Remaining in Weeks & Days, Pregnancy Week, & Trimester. This app is available for iPhones, iPads and it’s FREE Click here to get the app. Contraction Master The Contraction Master app is the easiest and most accurate way to time your contractions. Just tap once at the start of the contraction and tap again at the end. Contraction Master automatically keeps track of the start time, duration, strength, and frequency of each contraction. At any time, you can switch to the History screen to see a log of all contractions that have been timed. When contractions are close enough together and long enough Contraction Master will automatically alert you that it’s time to go to the hospital and even display a button you can tap to call your Ob/Gyn! If you want to share your contraction history with your doctor or nurse, Contraction Master makes that easy by allowing you to email it at anytime. This app is available for iPhones, iPads and it’s $1.99 Click here to get the app. Baby Names by Winkpass Baby Names by Winkpass is one of the best baby name apps out there. It has a simple and intuitive interface and includes a massive database of more than 25,000 names along with their meanings and origin. You can easily browse names by origin, popularity, alphabetically and by gender. You can also save a list of your favorites and share it across your Social Media. This app is available for iPhones, iPads and it’s absolutely free! Click here to get the app. Positive Pregnancy The Positive Pregnancy app is a guided meditation audio program intended to help expecting mothers become deeply relaxed and focus on a positive and successful pregnancy. It can be listened to at any time during your pregnancy and its relaxation techniques, visualizations and positive affirmations ensure you have a more comfortable, natural and enjoyable pregnancy. Benefit associated with guided meditation during pregnancy include: Boosting your energy and well being. Deepening your sleeping patterns. Reducing physical discomfort. Building a connection with your baby. This app is available for iPhones, iPads and it’s $2.99 Click here to get the app. Baby Kicks Monitor From about 28 weeks or when you feel your baby’s kicks regularly, your doctor may suggest that you keep track of the kicking daily to make sure that your baby is doing well. Baby Kicks Monitor will record the start date, duration and times of kicks of each test with an easy to use interface. When the kicking reaches 10 times or the time reaches 2 hours, the kick session will stop automatically. If you wish to redo the test or end the test, you can press the X button in the upper-right corner to stop it. Other great features include: Share sessions or one individual kicking test with your doc or friend by email. Continue the kicks counting where you left off in the condition that you make a call or play other apps while doing the kicking session. Input your last menstrual period, Baby Kicks Monitor with show your Delivery Due Date and the days remains to that big day. Help documents to provide you more information about fetal movement. This app is available for iPhones, iPads and free for a limited time. Click here to get the app mPregnancy – For Men With Pregnant Women Men tend to be a little sensitive to the realities of pregnancy that their partner is going through. This app is created to bridge that gap and keep men in the loop in terms that they can relate to. mPregnancy contains useful facts for men of before and during pregnancy, not only about the baby but also about what is going on with your partner and yourself. Men will learn about making their partner’s pregnancy a pleasant experience. It contains great illustrations of how the baby develops and describes the size in terms that men understand, e.g. similar to the size of a football, or a bottle of beer. Other great features include: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) which among other things lists foods that are not safe to eat during pregnancy A Gestational Age Tracker trimester Days Left of Pregnancy Tracker And explanations of all the weird counting tricks that are used during pregnancy This app is available for iPhones, iPads and it’s only $2.99 Click here to get the app. Having a healthy and safe pregnancy is something that all expectant moms want. The apps we suggest above are to help you stay organized and have daily insights to your journey through pregnancy. You should always consult with your doctor about your prenatal care, decisions and advice in regards to your pregnancy.

Being pregnant in the summer is no joke, especially during your second and third trimesters. When added to your current discomfort, the heat can prove to be nearly unbearable. Don't lose hope; there are many things you can do to make sure your summer little more comfortable. https://youtu.be/n9QbD4Wol5o Here are 10 cool tips for surviving a summer pregnancy. 1. Wear light clothing Wearing light and breathable clothing will prevent you from over-heating and sweating too much. You will also avoid uncomfortable heat rashes. Cotton, Linen, Chambray and Gauze are great fabrics to wear during the summer months. 2. Get a handheld fan Keep a fan with you where ever you go to stay cool in the summer heat. This is a must-have! Keep a handheld fan in your purse, in your car and at your home. It can be electric or a folding paper fan. Think of it as your immediate way to cool off when heat strikes and there is no a/c in sight. 3. Hangout indoors Staying indoors the majority of the day will help you stay cool while pregnant during the summer. Staying indoors is a great way to keep from over-exposure to the heat when you’re pregnant. You can spend time relaxing, reading a good book, watching TV and if you’re feeling energized, go for a walk at an indoor mall. The possibilities are endless for either an active or relaxing indoor time. 4. Stay hydrated Make sure to drink lots of water while pregnant during summer. This is to avoid feeling weak. We can’t stress this one enough. Drink lots of fluids to keep your body hydrated. You want to avoid feeling weak or loosing your balance due to dehydration. Keep a water bottle at hand; one with a built-in filter is especially handy since you can get water from the nearest tap anytime, anywhere. 5. Wear sunscreen Make sure to wear sunscreen when out and about during the summer. Anytime you go outdoors, you should be wearing sunscreen. Protect your skin from uncomfortable sunburns with at least an SPF 50 or higher. 6. Go swimming Going swimming will allow you to stay cool during summer. Make sure to wear sunscreen! What better way to cool off than with a good swim! Put on your swimsuit, lather on the sunscreen and head to the pool or beach for a swimmingly great time. 7. Eat less sodium Avoid swelling by cutting back on sodium when you cook. Too much sodium can cause swelling, so try to reduce your sodium intake a little bit during the summer. 8. Take off your rings Avoid having unnecessary pain by removing your rings before being in the heat. Before it gets too hot and your body naturally swells up, be sure to take off your rings. Your hands and feet are usually the first body parts to swell up and you want to avoid getting rings stuck and giving you unnecessary pain. 9. Wear comfy shoes Wearing comfortable shoes during pregnancy will help when your feet swell. It’s important to be as comfortable as possible at all times. Wearing comfortable shoes that are not tight will prevent you from feeling pain if your feet swell up. 10. Wear a neck cooler Wearing a neck cooler will help to release alot of heat that your head and neck hold during the summer. Your neck and head can hold a lot of heat when it’s hot outside. Wearing a neck cooler or summer scarf is a great way to bring the temperature down and cool you off for longer periods of time. There are many DIY and purchase options for excellent neck coolers online. STAY COOL!

As you approach the last weeks of your pregnancy and all the preparations for your baby’s arrival are nearly in order, there is one thing that will be on your mind the most: delivering your baby! Lets look at the most important things to consider for having a positive idea of what to expect and as you are planning your labor and delivery. Educate yourself The first step to having a positive labor and delivery experience is educating yourself. Talk to your doctor or midwife about your concerns and ask him or her all the questions that are on your mind. They will help you understand the full process of labor and the birthing options that may be best for you. Talk to Your Partner You and your partner are a team and since the labor and delivery process is a team effort, it’s important that you talk to your partner to be on the same page. They will be by your side through the entire process with full knowledge of how you hope your experience will be. Make a Birth Plan A birth plan is an outline of what you expect your ideal labor and delivery to be. In this plan you can include everything from the type of delivery you prefer to how your baby will be handled as soon as he or she is born. Read this related article: Making a Flexible Birth Plan Be Flexible Like we mentioned before, having a birth plan as well as certain expectations are way to give you a clear idea and outline of how you hope the experience turns out. It’s important for you to keep in mind that every delivery experience is different and you must be ready to be flexible with your plan, always keeping the well being of you and your baby in mind. Be Prepared Having everything you need ready to go before you go into labor will give you peace of mind. Keep a checklist of the items you want to have ready and make sure you reach these goals in the beginning of your third trimester. Read this related article: Being ready before baby arrives Relax and Be Patient The more relaxed you are, the better your experience will be. Of course, we know it’s easier said than done since the labor experience can be beautifully intense. Yet having a patient attitude and a relaxed mind will help ease your flow and thus give you a better chance at achieving your ideal labor and delivery experience.

There was a time when the thought of finding out the gender of a baby before they were born was unfathomable. Yet with today's technology, you can get a clear snapshot of your baby's face in just a few minutes. So needless to say, we've come a long way. Still, many parents struggle with the decision of whether to find out or not, so lets take a look at the why's and why-not's of finding out your baby's gender. The Pros of Knowing The most common reasons for parents finding out the gender of their babies while pregnant are simple: If you know your baby’s gender ahead of time, you can plan ahead. You can get started with choosing a name for your little one which is often one of the most challenging decisions a parent must make. You can also decide on the decor of your baby’s room and the color choices of all the gear you want to purchase ahead of time. Finding out your baby’s gender before he or she is born can allow you to decorate the nursery based on gender. The Pros of Not Knowing The most common reasons for parents to NOT find out the gender of their babies while pregnant are just as simple: If you wait, when your baby is born you will experience the joy of surprise. You won’t have to have that extra ultrasound when you already have so many others planned. You can skip over all the gender biased decorations and colors and instead choose more gender neutral decorations. Waiting to find out your baby’s gender , you can paint the nursery a gender neutral color. Both sides make great points. To know which decision is right for you, consider which reasoning from above you can relate to the most. There is no right or wrong choice only the choice that is right for you. This Article was brought to you in collaboration with Bellefit, the makers of the best postpartum girdles Founded in 2008 Bellefit® is the most mom-trusted and awarded brand of postpartum girdles & corsets for recovery after c-section or natural childbirth. Bellefit® girdles come in five designs made using proprietary compression fabrics. Their unique design features triple-layered reinforced front and back support panels. As a woman-owned company, Bellefit® is no stranger to the challenges new moms face during and after pregnancy. The company helps women feel supported and confident in their changing bodies. Bellefit Girdles