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According to a UNICEF analysis, nearly 90 million children under 1 year old live in countries where their fathers aren't entitled by law to even a single day of paternity leave. While the United States government doesn't support paid national paternity leave, more and more companies are offering paid parental leave for fathers too. There are many benefits to taking paternity leave both within the workplace and with families. For one, offering family leave to both genders is a leap towards breaking down traditional gender stereotypes that hold back women's careers. It also increases employee satisfaction and allows working fathers to be more present with their children. Still, with these apparent benefits and more companies offering paternity leave than ever before, some men feel pressure against accepting paid paternity leave. There are traditional workplace cultures in the US that still punish the family man — new dads have been fired, demoted, or passed on for career opportunities for prioritizing their families. In this article, we'll uncover the long-lasting benefits of paternity leave both at home and within organizations. Table Of Contents "> Workplaces That Offer Paid Paternity Leave Have A More Positive Organizational Culture Paternity Leave Gives Fathers Time To Bond With Newborn Fathers Who Take Paternity Leave Are Less Likely To Get Divorced A Swedish Study Concludes Paid Paternity Leave Increases Both Spousal Earnings Tips for Making Paternity Leave Work For Your Family Find Out Your Company's Paternity Leave Policy And Save Early Family Leave Is Not A Vacation Work Out A Schedule With Your Family Encourage Your Partner To Talk To Other Dads Most Importantly, Don't Forget To Take Care Of Yourself And Trust The Recovery Process Workplaces That Offer Paid Paternity Leave Have A More Positive Organizational Culture If your company offers paid paternity leave, claim it. When only women are offered paid parental leave to care for their new baby, it pushes men and women further into traditional gender roles — men as breadwinners and women as the family care-takers. This makes it less likely for women to advance in their careers when they're left to pick up the duties at home. Offering leave benefits to both expecting mothers and fathers creates a lasting positive impact on the business by increasing job loyalty and satisfaction which in turn, trends with increased productivity and employee morale. Paternity Leave Gives Fathers Time To Bond With Newborn Nurture a strong bond with your newborn by taking paternity leave. The newborn phase (up to two months old) of a child's life is a critical bonding time with parents. According to the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWNONN), when fathers delay bonding with their children, they risk altering their long-term course of parental involvement through to childhood. Fathers with increased time to bond with their newborn, thanks to paternity pay, experience less stress and feel more confident stepping into their role as a father. Studies show there are many benefits to the development of children when fathers are present. A strong father-child bond can help boost mental development and increase emotional stability. Fathers Who Take Paternity Leave Are Less Likely To Get Divorced You can stay at home and help the new mom deal with pregnancy and even post-pregnancy stress. The female postpartum recovery is no walk in the park. On top of recovering from vaginal or c-section deliveries, new moms are now adjusting to life with a newborn with drastic lifestyle changes and new responsibilities. No matter what the Instagram moms show you, this isn't always a glamorous life, and it can cause a lot of insecurity and stress for new moms. In a recent paper looking at the lasting benefits of fathers who take paternity leave — even short periods of paternity leave —are less likely to go through a divorce as children reach school age. This is likely due to the fact that present fathers take a lot of the strain out of the new duties of parenthood by splitting household chores and quality time with infants. This paid family leave period, helps set a positive tone for couples' new lives together with their children. A Swedish Study Concludes Paid Paternity Leave Increases Both Spousal Earnings Interesting Swedish study proposes family leave increases household earnings over time Unfortunately, it's true that the United States is the only industrialized country without paid parental leave. The Swedish government has implemented a more family-centric approach and grants both parents up to 480 days of paid parental leave (each parent has a right to 90 of those days exclusively) at about 80% of their salary. An economic study found that the impact of granting fathers the ability to take leave from work without financial strain, increases both partners' earnings over time. Sweden is also a leader in female labor participation among advanced economies, and it's attributed to the encouragement of fathers to take paternity leave. Tips for Making Paternity Leave Work For Your Family Start preparing for your paternity leave as soon as possible. Find Out Your Company's Paternity Leave Policy And Save Early As we've mentioned earlier, not all companies grant benefits for paternity leave. Reach out to the human resources department to learn about your company's policies for paid family leave. Once you've figured out your paternity leave pay, you may need to adjust your budget and save to accommodate your family's upcoming expenses — most paternity leave benefits won't cover 100% of your salary. Even if your employer doesn't offer paid leave for new fathers. You may qualify for The Family Medical Leave Act (FLMA), which provides some employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid family leave. There are a lot of requirements needed in order to qualify for this, but if you do, by now you should understand the many benefits of taking paternity leave. Family Leave Is Not A Vacation Sorry to burst your bubble if you were under the impression that "paternal leave" is code for vacation — it's not. Both parents find adjusting to a newborn baby to be a highly stressful period. It'll take team-work from both parties, patience, a lot of towels, and coffee (for dad) to survive the newborn phase — but trust us when we say the tears and all the hard work is worth the most rewarding experience of parenthood. Work Out A Schedule With Your Family As each family and circumstance is unique, consider establishing a household schedule of who will be taking leave and when. Some parents choose to take time off together, while others will stagger their leave to prolong the time before parents will need to pay for childcare. Encourage Your Partner To Talk To Other Dads Reach out to other parents and ask them about their paternity leave experience. You can find a lot of support from friends and families who may have undergone similar situations and can offer you their insight to the experience. It's important for fathers to stand up for themselves and make the importance of paid paternity leave known to their employers. Your paternity leave can help the new mom go back to work while you take care of the newborn. Most Importantly, Don't Forget To Take Care Of Yourself And Trust The Recovery Process Yes, there is an overwhelming amount of new factors to consider when bringing new life into the world. With your partner committing to spend more time with the family, you can rest assured that both you and your baby will be well taken care of as you adjust to your new life together. One of the best investments for a mom's postpartum recovery is hands-down the Bellefit postpartum girdles and corsets. They're more than flattering shape-wear underwear — these garments are designed for the post-pregnancy body. They're FDA-approved and offer medical-grade compression to support speedy and comfortable healing. Bellefit® Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Doctor-Recommended since 2008. With a high-quality postpartum girdle, you can get back to your regular exercise, household duties, and even feel comfortable at work sooner. The compression hugs the belly in to provide support your core and back, easing muscle strain while at the same time, slimming your figure. Our mission is to provide real support and confidence to moms after giving birth, and these postpartum girdles that are designed to do just that — giving you one less thing to worry about. How did you help your partner to take his paternity leave? Our readers would love to benefit from your experiences by getting some more insights as to why dads should take paternity leave. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cosnBs0Ko2M

Sometimes life doesn't go according to plan. While you can plan every detail of your birth from scheduling the c-section date down to the outfit you and your baby will wear leaving the hospital, you should have a backup plan for an emergency birth. Going into labor by yourself certainly isn't an ideal situation. Still, if it happens to you, you should be aware of what to do in this unforeseen emergency. In this article, we'll discuss five crucial tips for giving birth alone and give you some advice for home-care postpartum recovery. Table Of Contents 1. Know The Signs Of Labor 2. Call 9-1-1 For Medical Assistance 3. Stay Calm And Make Yourself Comfortable 4. Don’t Push Unless You Can’t Wait Any Longer 5. Tend To Your Baby Until Help Arrives Recovering After Delivery 1. Know The Signs Of Labor Strong contractions often indicate quick birth. Do you know the signs of labor? The best preparation for any delivery is understanding the signs of labor. Here are some labor signals to be aware of: The baby "drops" — Your baby moves into position in the pelvis to prepare for birth headfirst, ready to come through the birth canal. Your water breaks — This is one of the final signs that the baby is on its way, but it doesn't always happen for women (15% of births or fewer). Regular contractions are getting closer and stronger over time. The contractions last 30 – 70 seconds each. Diarrhea — While it certainly feels alarming and embarrassing, this is natural. The muscles in your pelvis loosen up to prepare for the birth of your baby. Unfortunately, your rectum loosens too, which may result in diarrhea. Understanding the signs of labor is vital in preparing for your delivery. If you catch your signs early, you may have enough time to call your support system and still go ahead with your delivery plan with the medical attention you need. 2. Call 9-1-1 For Medical Assistance Get medical help as soon as possible to avoid any complications. If you don't have anyone around you to get you to the hospital, call 9-1-1 immediately. If you're at home, make sure to unlock your door, so that health professionals can come in. It's also a good idea to turn the porch light on in the evening or early morning, so the ambulance can easily find your home. In an even more unforeseen scenario where you're not home, call the local emergency number from your cell phone and turn on your location services to pinpoint your exact location for medical responders. When you're on the phone with the dispatch operator, let them know your name and age, how far along your pregnancy is, and the details about your contraction timing. Try your best to remain calm by focusing on breathing and answering any questions the operator asks of you so they can get you the help you need. Once you're off the phone with emergency responders, you should also call your partner, friend, or neighbor to get to you as soon as possible for further assistance while medical help is on its way. 3. Stay Calm And Make Yourself Comfortable Try your best to keep your cool in this situation. Take deep breaths, and know that you’ve got this. No matter how panicked you may be feeling at this point, trust that your body is capable of handling childbirth. Two out of every 1,000 babies born in the United States are delivered at home. As long as the baby has dropped into position for birth, delivery will happen very quickly. To avoid the set in of panic, compile the things you need to make yourself comfortable for birth: A bucket of warm water Clean towels or sheets to lay on the floor underneath you and another towel nearby for the baby Pillows to prop you up You’ll also want to clean your hands and the vaginal area thoroughly to prevent infection 4. Don’t Push Unless You Can’t Wait Any Longer Push only when you feel like you can't take it any more. You may want to lay in the bathtub to avoid the mess that comes with childbirth, but you'll only become difficult to move from the tub when help arrives. It's best you prop all your supplies in the living room and do your best with the supplies you have to reduce the mess. Lay down multiple towels, bedsheets, or a shower curtain if you feel you need to. When you're settled in a comfortable position, resist the urge to push until help arrives. As you are likely under a lot of pain at this point, try to focus on your breathing to calm yourself. The Lamaze breathing technique is a form of controlled breathing to promote relaxation and comfort popular for labor. If you can’t wait any longer to push, go ahead and do it. You’re going to feel pressure. Don’t be alarmed as this is your baby’s head and body moving through the birth canal. 5. Tend To Your Baby Until Help Arrives Let the baby gently slide out head-first. Make sure the umbilical cord is not wrapped around the baby's neck. If help still hasn't arrived, and your baby can't wait any longer to join you, you'll have to deliver on your own. Gently guide the baby’s head out of your body as you push. Make sure that the umbilical cord isn't wrapped around the infant’s head or neck by moving the cord out of the way or loosening the loop so the whole body can slip through it. When your baby is out of your body, do not pull or cut the umbilical cord. Leave it attached to your baby and the placenta until help arrives. Dry and warm your baby immediately with the clean towel you've set aside and let him or her rest on your chest or belly, allowing for skin-to-skin contact for warmth. There will be a lot of fluids around your baby's eyes, nose, and mouth. Babies are nose breathers, so you may need to clear his or her nostrils by gently running your fingers down the sides of their nose to clear the airway of mucus. Your baby should cry at birth, but if they're not crying, rub their back firmly up and down. You've done it! Your baby is here and help is on the way. All you can do now is keep yourself comfortable and your baby warm until help arrives. Giving birth alone certainly isn’t ideal, but if you do find yourself in this situation, knowing how to handle labor appropriately is essential to your health and that of your baby. Refer to this guide often before your due date. Recovering After Delivery The hard work isn't over now that your baby is here. There's still the road of recovery ahead. Postpartum recovery is something we're here to make sure you don't go through alone. Many moms order their Bellefit postpartum girdles and corsets before their due date, so they can start wearing it the day after labor to jump-start their postpartum recovery while swelling is at its peak. Our girdles and corsets are designed for the female post-pregnancy recovery in mind. There are eight styles to choose from in sizes XS – 3XL for the most extensive range of FDA-registered postpartum garments on the market. Bounce-back to your pre-pregnancy self sooner than you thought with the help our postpartum garments, and you'll never have to feel like you're recovering on your own.

Every workplace has rules written to protect the company’s assets and employees from harm and damage. As a working pregnant woman, it’s important for you to understand your rights in the workforce. In the case your needs aren’t addressed according to policy, or you’ve been a victim of a violation, you can take the steps necessary to protect your health, your baby, your job, and your income. Table Of Contents Workplace Rights As A Pregnant Employee You Have The Right To Be Treated Fairly And Respectfully A Woman Cannot Be Fired For Trying To Get Pregnant Or Becoming Pregnant While Employed You Can Take Part Of Your Maternity Leave Before Giving Birth Going Back To Work After Pregnancy Wear a Postpartum Girdle to Work As A Single Mother, You’re Entitled To Standard Benefits Report Wrongdoings Right Away Workplace Rights As A Pregnant Employee The following list identifies the legal rights for pregnant workers under the Federal Law. Refer to it whenever you have questions about what is and isn’t permissible by law. You Have The Right To Be Treated Fairly And Respectfully Pregnant women deserve to be treated fairly and respectfully at the workplace. First and foremost, you deserve to be treated with respect. Your employer cannot discriminate against you at the work. If you’re facing discrimination and feel that it's because of your pregnancy, you have the right to take action. Follow your company guide-lines for reporting inappropriate behavior and seek legal guidance, if needed. Some examples of pregnancy-related discrimination at the workplace include: Harassment Refusing to promote or hire Termination of employment Adverse differential treatment in employment Failure to provide reasonable workplace accommodations Any workplace with fifteen or more employees cannot take action against you while you’re pregnant, experiencing pregnancy-related symptoms, or giving birth because it's against the law. Pregnant women are entitled to the same rights as anyone who is temporarily disabled due to a health condition. Make sure that your boss is aware of this if they discriminate against you. Contact your human resources department, and take the necessary steps to escalate the situation to the attention of the right people if the situation gets out of hand. A Woman Cannot Be Fired For Trying To Get Pregnant Or Becoming Pregnant While Employed Your ability to get pregnant should have no effect on your career. An employer cannot fire you for wanting to start a family or for becoming pregnant while employed. You are entitled to seek reasonable accommodations to allow you to continue with your regular job duties safely. This may include altered breaks, a change in work scheduling, ergonomic furniture, elimination of minor job functions, and permission to work from home. Some accommodations may naturally result in limiting your work capacity. However, your employer cannot reduce your pay due to your pregnancy. If you're unable to perform your job at any capacity, due to your pregnancy as it may compromise the safety of your baby— even with workplace accomodations — you may be entitled to unpaid leave. There are some states that offer more support in these pregnancy situations, and you may be qualified for medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act enforced by the US Department of Labor. You Can Take Part Of Your Maternity Leave Before Giving Birth Make sure you fill in all the paperwork when applying for a maternity leave. While pregnant, your workload capacity may be severely affected due to morning sickness, change in energy levels, back pain, or other health complications (pregnancy-induced diabetes, hypertension, infections). On top of all of this, preparing for the arrival of a baby can a lot of time. The Family and Medical Leave Act allows you to take maternity leave before giving birth if your health depends on it. You have protection for up to 12 weeks as dictated by the law. If your pregnancy has made it difficult for you to work up until your due date, request a leave of absence and take time to prepare for your baby and new life as a mother. Make sure that you fill out all paperwork to protect yourself and your job. Now that we've scratched the surface on your rights as a pregnant woman at the workplace, we want to briefly mention the benefits of wearing a postpartum girdle to support your recovery when you go back to your job. Going Back To Work After Pregnancy Now that we've scratched the surface on your rights as a pregnant woman at the workplace, we want to briefly mention the benefits of wearing a postpartum girdle to support your recovery for when you go back to your job as well as discuss some of your rights as a working mother. Wear a Postpartum Girdle to Work Coming back to work after pregnancy leave can be a challenging transition. While having a new born is truly a treasured time, it's not without its stress — from sleepless nights, disrupted schedules, recovering from delivery. Every pregnancy experience is different, just as recovery times can vary from one woman to the next. But once you're ready to jump back into the workforce, remember to be patient with yourself and get the support you need to make the work hours more comfortable for you. Many postpartum moms wear a postpartum girdle under office clothes or uniforms to support their lower-back and help them feel more confident in their clothes again. A high-quality postpartum garment is more than just body-shaping underwear. Bellefit postpartum girdles are designed with unique features to support your post-pregnancy body — such as medical-grade compression to support your abs and back and adjustable crotch openings to accomodate padding. As A Single Mother, You’re Entitled To Standard Benefits Whether single or married, all pregnant women get the same benefits. You cannot be denied insurance coverage because you do not have a partner or a spouse. All single mothers are entitled to the same standard benefits married mothers receive. If your employer decides you don't qualify for these benefits, and you believe their personal judgement is getting in the way of your rights as an employee, you should seek out legal guidance as this is a form of discrimination. Report Wrongdoings Right Away Pregnancy discrimination is a serious issue. No workplace should ever make you feel less than you are for any reason. If you feel your rights have been violated, contact the human resources department of the company you work for or your state’s representative for further advice. You do not need to tolerate aggressive or dismissive behavior. A safe, healthy workplace environment encourages you to thrive, despite your temporary medical condition. If you feel insecure or threatened in any way at work, it’s time to take action by seeking outside help. Did your employer ever treat you poorly while you were pregnant? What actions did you take to counter the problem? It's high time we all rise up for our rights. Please feel free to ask questions and share your experiences to help other Bellefit moms on our blog.

Learning more about the procedure may make it feel less daunting, so you're better prepared for your delivery date. Moreover, it also gives you the opportunity to ask your doctor the right questions to understand what you can do to support your postpartum recovery.

When you take your adorable baby home from the hospital, don't expect to get a newborn baby instruction manual. Just as every individual is unique in their own way, you can anticipate having unusual experiences raising your babies, but they will be some of the fondest memories. There are, however, a list of common weird occurrences that can happen in the first several weeks of bringing home your baby. We've compiled a list of 10 adorably weird things about newborn babies you can come to expect as a new mother, and we have some tips for you at the end of the article on surviving the first few weeks of the newborn phase. The newborn phase (from birth up to two months of age) is stranger than you can possibly imagine. The baby's body is developing at such a rapid rate and is constantly adjusting to its new environment. As a new mom, you'll be carefully anticipating your baby's needs and some of the odd happenings can even worry you. We'll guide you through what's completely normal and when you should seek medical advice in this article. Let's jump into the list of 10 strange, yet endearing happenings during your baby's first stage of life to help you better prepare for these moments with your family. The newborn phase in every baby’s life is weirder than you imagine. Their bodies are developing at a rapid rate and you may not even notice just how remarkable life is for them because you haven’t been an infant for a long time. Table Of Contents "> 1. The Cradle Cap Will Disappear On Its Own 2. Explosive Poops 3. Your Baby Has Boobs 4. Your Baby Makes Strange Noises 5. Achoo — Babies Sneeze A Lot 6. Newborns Are Clumsy 7. Your Adorable Baby Has A Weird Head-Shape 8. Your Baby's Eyes Are Crossed 9. Your Baby Has Abnormal-Looking Genitals 10. Babies Belch And Fart A Lot Tips For Surviving The Newborn Phase As A New Mom Get Enough Sleep Balance Your Hormones Take Some Alone Time Wear A High-Quality Postpartum Girdle 1. The Cradle Cap Will Disappear On Its Own The cradle cap is the crusty, scaly patches on your newborn baby's scalp around the hairline. While it may appear unsightly and a cause for concern, cradle caps are harmless, for the most part, and will eventually disappear on its own within a few months. You can help speed up the healing process by brushing your baby's hair and scalp with a soft baby brush after bathing to loosen up the dead skin. And to help with the dryness and itching, you can rub baby oil to the affected area. For severe cases of cradle cap, you can ask your doctor for a medicated lotion, but as we said, this condition should clear up on its own and often doesn't require any medication. 2. Explosive Poops Don't let the temporary poop explosion scare you! It will give you something to laugh about later on! Once in a while, your adorable baby might scare you with an unusually large, explosive bowel movement that breaks the boundaries of the diaper — oozing up the back and down chubby legs. These moments are the kinds of images you can't unsee, but I promise they make for hilarious stories later on. It's completely normal for massive poops to happen. Here are newborn stool situations for when you should contact the doctor for concern: Experiences continued diarrhea Red or black stools (may indicate internal bleeding) Your baby doesn't poop for more than three days Stools are hard and pebbly Stools are watery with mucus Stool color is chalky 3. Your Baby Has Boobs Your newborn might sport some cleavage. It's normal for newborn girls and boys to have lumps under the nipples. This strange baby boobs situation are due to hormones. In your womb, your baby is exposed to your body chemistry. The fluctuation of hormones that enlarges your breasts and prepares them for breastfeeding can also affect your baby's chest. Not to worry, though, you'll notice their chest returning to normal in no time as the hormones run their course and balance out in the the baby's body. Don't squeeze or massage your new born's breast to speed up the process. Doing so may cause infections if you rupture tissue. 4. Your Baby Makes Strange Noises Pay close attention to what their bodies are doing and when so you can uncover the mystery that is your newborn child. Babies are very vocal and will be making a lot of unusual noises. We'll go through a few common sounds your baby may make to help you decipher what they may need. Gurgling: This is caused by air passing through the baby's saliva or refluxed milk. It can also come from the belly as a result of digestion. Snorting: Your newborn baby is adjusting to breathing air. Snorts and grunts can happen because babies breathe through their noses, where there is sometimes a buildup of mucus. Because babies don't know how to blow their nose when it's congested, you need to clear out the mucus with a nasal bulb. Grunting: Newborn grunting is usually related to digestion. However, if your baby is grunting often (with every breath) it may be a sign of distress, and you should contact your doctor. Hiccups: Hiccups are perfectly normal and can arise from swallowing air while breastfeeding. Burping your baby can be helpful to ease hiccups — but if that doesn't do the trick, the hiccups will go away on their own, and it shouldn't interfere with eating or sleeping. 5. Achoo — Babies Sneeze A Lot Aren't sneezing babies the cutest? These tiny sneezes are indeed adorable, and you don't need to worry — your newborn sneezing isn't a sign of illness. Babies are extra sensitive to their environments, and it's just their way of clearing their nasal passage of fluff, dust, milk, and mucus. 6. Newborns Are Clumsy Babies are still figuring out how to use their equipment Your adorable baby has clumsy, involuntary movements because they simply don't have muscle control — but most of the time, this is perfectly okay. These movements are responses to sensations they're feeling in their muscles and your baby is learning how to coordinate movements. When there is a cause for concern is when the baby stiffens suddenly with an arched back and the head will bend forward. The eyes can also roll to the back of the head. Though sometimes this can look subtle, these jerky movements are a sign of an infantile spasm, and you should seek treatment immediately. 7. Your Adorable Baby Has A Weird Head-Shape You'll get used to the odd shaped head sooner than you thought. Noggins seldom seem normal on newborns. Babies' heads are soft and malleable to allow them to move through the birth canal and to accommodate a rapidly growing brain. Once your baby's hair starts growing in thicker, you'll soon forget how strange their head shape appeared. 8. Your Baby's Eyes Are Crossed Your baby will soon learn how to gaze back into your eyes Criss-cross applesauce. Newborn babies tend to look cross-eyed. Sometimes, babies can be born with extra folds of skin around the inner corners of their eyes, giving them that cross-eyed appearance. For the majority of babies, the cross-eyed look is simply due to the fact they don't yet have control over the muscles around the eyes and can't focus on what they're looking at. By 3 or 4 months old, your baby's eyes will naturally straighten out. 9. Your Baby Has Abnormal-Looking Genitals Your child's private parts may look strange due to inflammation. It's nothing to lose sleep over in most cases. Unless your baby winces or cries out in pain when you change their diaper, you shouldn't worry. 10. Babies Belch And Fart A Lot Gassy but cute! Burping is a result of your baby swallowing air from feeding or crying. Burping is simply the body's way of releasing gas buildup. As for the farting, your baby is learning how to digest food while the digestive muscles are still developing; this can cause your baby to produce more gas. To relieve your gassy baby, you can burp your baby mid-feedings as well as after feedings to help rid excess air swallowed. There are also infant gas drops that you add to milk bottles to help reduce infant gassiness. And you can encourage more tummy time to put gentle pressure on the belly to relieve gas. This newborn period, as stress-full as it can be, will be over before you know it. And you'll find yourself reminiscing about your baby's tiny size and weird quirks. As promised, we want to equip you new moms with some helpful advice for surviving a newborn baby. Tips For Surviving The Newborn Phase As A New Mom These tips will focus on your health and wellbeing as a new mother. Oftentimes, moms will get so carried away worrying about every coo and gurgle their baby makes, while completely ignoring their self-care needs. Prioritizing your health is a benefit to the whole family. Get Enough Sleep If you're wondering how to balance your hormones after pregnancy, sleep is part of your answer. There is a relationship with the sleep-wake cycle and hormone secretion, especially in women. Bringing a newborn baby home will inevitably mean a disruption in your sleep cycle. Sleep hygiene is foundational to your overall health. While you might not realistically get the shut-eye you need throughout the night, you can catch up on naps in the day when your baby sleeps. And don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it, so you can catch a few hours of sleep — it's not a luxury, it's a requirement. Balance Your Hormones Balancing your hormonal changes after pregnancy can be massive article all on its own, but we'll briefly touch on ways you get bring your hormones back to baseline. The pregnancy hormones are responsible for the many psychical and psychological changes you experience carrying your baby, delivering your baby, and during recovery. Progesterone is at an all-time high during pregnancy. This hormone relaxes your joints and ligaments to accomodate your growing baby, but once you deliver your newborn, it almost immediately drops and another hormone, prolactin is more prominently noticed. Prolactin is responsible for milk production, and some research suggests it to affect dopamine levels (happiness hormone). Prolactin may be the reason to blame for low energy levels, moodiness, raised anxiety, and a slow metabolism after your baby arrives. There are many factors that go into balancing your hormones naturally, which the other tips in this section will also help to address. Essentially, you primarily want to focus on: Stress management (take alone time, sleep well, exercise) Heal your gut (eat healthy, well-balanced meals) Balance your blood sugar (avoid carb-heavy, sugary, processed foods that spike your blood sugar) Take vitamins to balance estrogen, liver function, and energy levels Take Some Alone Time Don't feel guilty about "me-time." Taking time for yourself will make you a better mom and will improve your relationship with your baby and the people around you. This will also require some extra help to look after the baby either from your partner or other family members — but hey, it takes a village to raise a child, right? Remember, you don't have to jump into motherhood all on your own and it's perfectly okay to accept the help when offered. Use this me-time to go out for a walk, visit a spa, exercise, or run errands on your own to regenerate yourself. Wear A High-Quality Postpartum Girdle Make your postpartum recovery a priority. One of the best investments for ensuring a speedy, comfortable postpartum recovery is a Bellefit girdle or corset. You can start wearing a post-pregnancy girdle hours after delivery, and there are styles that suit vaginal and c-section deliveries. While the transitional period between delivery and getting back to your pre-pregnancy body is notoriously difficult, you can make it easier on yourself with the right recovery strategy. A doctor recommended and FDA-approved girdle has medical-grade compression to provide you with abdominal and back support, reduce swelling, and help you feel more confident in your clothes. Bellefit Postpartum Girdles & Corsets - Medical-Grade, FDA Registered, Recommended Since 2008. Available in 8 Styles as well as Plus Sizes. This means you get back to your daily routines sooner, start exercising sooner, and keep up with your rapidly growing newborn baby. Bellefit has the largest collection of post-pregnancy recovery girdles and corsets styles from sizes XS – 3XL. Many moms find it helpful to purchase two girdle sizes — one for right after delivery, when swelling is at its peak. This will typically the larger size. When your swelling has reduced, and you start to lose weight, you'll switch to the size down to help stretch the benefits of compression therapy around your midsection for even greater weight loss support. What's the one thing about your newborn that surprised you the most? Let all the new mommies come together to celebrate their most cherished moments with their newborn!

There are some things you may feel embarrassed to ask but really want to know the answer to. Among these difficult questions is “Can you get pregnant during your period?”. If you don’t know anyone to ask and have yet to meet a medical professional you feel completely comfortable around, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered! We don’t mind answering the difficult questions for you. After all, by the time you’re done shopping our website, we’ll be BFFs. Knowing all you can about your body and how it works helps you make informed decisions about your sexuality. Table Of Contents You can experience a short period and then be pregnant. You may be spotting, not bleeding. Sperm hangs out in the reproductive tract for days after having sex. Contraception prevents pregnancies from occurring until you’re ready. Your OBGYN is a great source of information. Reference this list whenever you have questions about ovulation and your fertility. You can experience a short period and then be pregnant. It is quite possible to get pregnant immediately after a short period. It does happen, so be conscientious of your time of the month. Your period may only last a day or it could be several days longer than your average menstrual cycle. Ovulation occurs between the ninth and twenty-first days of the month if your cycle typically occurs in twenty-eight-day intervals. This explains how is it possible to get pregnant on your period. You may be spotting, not bleeding. You may experience spotting and mistake it for an actual period. There is a very good possibility that you think you’re bleeding when you’re actually spotting. Your body may do this in between periods. You could easily mistake getting pregnant at that time with having it happen during your period. Sperm hangs out in the reproductive tract for days after having sex. Sperms can live up to five days in the woman's reproductive tract. Sperm has a lifespan of up to five days in the reproductive tract. If you have sex while on your period and then ovulate, the semen can fertilize the egg. That’s how pregnancy occurs for many women who had their period at the time of conception. Contraception prevents pregnancies from occurring until you’re ready. Contraception is a safe method that can be used to avoid unwanted pregnancies. If you want to make sure you don’t get pregnant during your period, use contraception. That way, you lessen the likelihood of you conceiving while menstruating. Exercising utmost caution before, during, and after your period helps you prevent unplanned pregnancies. You have greater control over your body when you know when it is the most fertile. Your OBGYN is a great source of information. Want to know more about the physiological changes you're experiencing? Consult your gynae! It’s clear why many women have questions about their bodies during ovulation and pregnancy, including "can I get pregnant while on my period". There’s a lot going on inside of you! The physiological changes that you experience are incredible if you really think about it. Now that you have a better idea of how women get pregnant during period, you can take the steps necessary to prevent pregnancy if you’re not ready to have a baby. Speaking to your OBGYN about contraception is a good place to start. They will offer suggestions based on your unique medical history, current family size, and lifestyle. If you do find yourself getting pregnant on period and you want to feel physically supported by the undergarments that you wear, check out Bellefit. Not only are our bras, panties, and corsets beautiful, they’re constructed in a way that makes them comfortable, easy to take on and off, and durable. You’ll get a lot of use out of the undergarments and notice a difference in your posture as well as the fact that you no longer feel pain in your lower back. Once your baby finally arrives, you can then use our postpartum girdles to tone up your body. Do you think it is possible to have safe sex during periods? Or is it best to avoid the deed altogether?

If you suffer a serious fall while pregnant, it’s important that you immediately get checked out at the hospital. Falling isn’t only of great concern for the elderly. It poses dangerous threats to pregnant women and their unborn children, too. Table Of Contents Most falls are Nothing to Worry About Signs that a Fall is More Serious than You Thought it was You can Prevent Falls When Pregnant by Being Mindful of Your Actions Practice Good Posture to Prevent Falling while Pregnant Prepare for the Worst by Carrying Your Phone with You at All Times That way, if there are any complications, they can be addressed before they worsen and cause harm to you or your baby. A serious fall when you are pregnant can cause you to miscarry the child. Read this list to get an idea of what to do if you’ve fallen while you’re pregnant. Most falls are Nothing to Worry About Determine the severity of your injuries after falling down in pregnancy. Your body is built to be tough, especially while pregnant. There is enough amniotic fluid, membranes, and muscles in the uterus to keep the fetus safe. A fall may occur because your feet are swollen or because you’re feeling dizzy due to getting up from a seated position too quickly. Be mindful of how and where you fall when pregnant because that can determine the severity of your injuries. Signs that a Fall is More Serious than You Thought it was If the pain exists even after a few hours of fall, something could be serious! There are signs you may experience following a fall that could be mild to severe in intensity. For example, if you feel uncomfortable, have pain that exists more than a few hours, don’t feel your baby moving like you once did, notice bleeding from your vagina or experience premature contractions, it’s time to contact your primary care physician right away. They’ll want to perform an ultrasound to make sure that you and your baby are ok. You can Prevent Falls When Pregnant by Being Mindful of Your Actions Investing in good shoes can provide better support to your feet. Some of the ways you can prevent falling while pregnant is by investing in shoes that cradle and support your feet. Look for ones with non-slip soles. You may also want to install handrails where you don’t currently have them, take the elevator whenever possible, and move slowly. That way, your feet don’t get out from under you and cause you to fall. Practice Good Posture to Prevent Falling while Pregnant Practicing good postures during your pregnancy help you balance your body better. You can prevent muscle cramping and tingling sensations in your feet by practicing good posture while pregnant. This will minimize the likelihood of you falling during your pregnancy. Wearing Bellefit prenatal support undergarments gives you the support that you need to stay on your feet without losing your balance. Our Prenatal Support Panty is designed to take the strain off your abdomen and lower back. It helps to distribute the excess weight you’ve gained more evenly. Prepare for the Worst by Carrying Your Phone with You at All Times Keep your phone with you so you can call for help whenever required. Falling while pregnant can be terrifying. It can result in you having a miscarriage or hurting the baby in other ways if it is severe in nature. Being prepared to seek medical help if you do fall is vital to you and your baby’s health and safety. Make sure that you always have a phone with you in the event you fall while you’re alone. You can call 9-1-1 for further assistance if it happens and have no way of getting up on the ground or floor. Even post pregnancy, you should remain attentive enough so as not to fall down. It may cause severe injuries depending on the impact of your fall. Sometime, bad clothing or weak body support post-pregnancy may be the sole reason. Full body recovery as it was pre-pregnancy will take time, use of right clothes and support, exercises and good care. Bellefit® Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Doctor-Recommended since 2008. Many women fall while pregnant, YouTuber Taylor Kellie vlogged about her experience. Do you know someone who has gone through a fall while pregnant? We would be glad to hear back what they did to deal with it. Was it a minor injury or a major one?

Massage benefits the body and the mind. If you’re pregnant and experiencing aches and pains due to the weight you’ve gained, you’ll love all the things that this healing modality has to offer you. In fact, you won’t go another minute without having a prenatal massage. It’s a safe and effective way to relieve stress and soothe an aching body after the first three months of pregnancy. Table Of Contents Learning What You Can About Prenatal Massage The Benefits of Regular Massages An Investment in Your Physical Health and Overall Well-Being Find a Specialist Near You Contact Your Doctor If You Have Concerns About Prenatal Massage Learning What You Can About Prenatal Massage A prenatal massage can significantly boost your mood and relieve stress. Wondering what is a prenatal massage and why you should get one? Here are the things you need to know about prenatal massage. Consider this a short primer that introduces you to the subject as well as provides details about what makes it ideal for you and your baby. That way, you’ll know right away if it’s the type of healing modality you’d like to explore further. The Benefits of Regular Massages Regular massage during pregnancy can help keep stress levels down and mood swings at bay. Massages have a long list of benefits. Once you’ve reached the stage of pregnancy where it is safe to have one, you’ll experience measurable results. Not only will your muscles feel less tense, but your mind also won’t stress you out as easily, either. Massages for pregnant mothers are very calming. In addition to that, they also helps the lymphatic system by moving toxins and waste out of the body. By stimulating the lymph nodes, you’re able to make sure that all the bad stuff that you’ve come into contact with in your environment is flushed from your body and your baby’s body. You’ll notice a big difference in how your joints, neck, back, and legs feel. A maternity massage is excellent in helping ease symptoms of insomnia as well as carpal tunnel syndrome. It can also keep your head clear and prevent headaches from ruining your day. An Investment in Your Physical Health and Overall Well-Being Get instant relief from swelling and aches through a prenatal massage. A prenatal massage is well worth the expense. It provides relief from swelling, pain, and even congestion. In addition to that, it boosts your mood and gives you something indulgent to look forward to. It’s a healthy healing modality to add to your self-care toolbox. Moreover, it’s also something that could very well benefit your child because stress takes its toll on unborn babies. Find a Specialist Near You To find a qualified prenatal massage therapist in your area, ask for a recommendation or read reviews online to learn about the professionals offering this type of service in your city. Just head onto Google and type 'prenatal massage near me' - and viola! You can always interview the professional by having a consultation done first to make sure that they are someone who can help you throughout your pregnancy. Writing up a list of questions to ask the massage therapist at the time of your appointment helps. It jogs your memory and makes sure that nothing is left unsaid before you commit to having regular massages done by the person. Contact Your Doctor If You Have Concerns About Prenatal Massage Ask your doctor if it's right for you. If you have concerns as to whether you, personally, can have a prenatal massage or when to get a prenatal massage, ask your doctor. They will be able to give you medical advice and guidance as to whether it is something that your body can handle while carrying a child. You can continue to feel supported physically long after your massage by wearing Bellefit pregnancy support garments underneath your clothing. The excess swelling can be later addressed by religiously wearing Bellefit postpartum girdles and corsets that will beautifully tone up your body. Do you believe that prenatal massage should be an integral part of prenatal care?

It’s important that you take action right away if you want to minimize the appearance of wider hips after pregnancy.

Understanding the Benefits and Risks Vaginal births following C-Sections or VBACs are much more common than many people realize. Mothers who didn’t get to deliver their first or second children naturally may opt to do so for many reasons. They want to know what it feels like to have the baby travel down the birth canal which is an experience like no other a mother has. Table Of Contents Understanding the Benefits and Risks Vertical or T-Shaped C-Section Scars Indicate That Vaginal Birth is Not for You Uterine Rupture Instant Labor Makes Delivering Vaginally Easier Quick Birth Dystocia-Related C-Sections Prompt Doctors to Discourage Vaginal Delivery Obstructed Labor Your Weight Determines Whether a VBAC is Ideal The More the Weight the Higher the Risk Knowing Whether or Not a VBAC is Right for You Talk to Your Doctor Recovery from a VBAC Speed Up Your Recovery! Having a good idea of what is VBAC and its process prior to electing to give birth vaginally is important. It allows women to make informed decisions concerning their baby’s delivery. That’s why we wanted to take a moment to list the pros and cons of a VBAC birth. Vertical or T-Shaped C-Section Scars Indicate That Vaginal Birth is Not for You Vertical scars from a previous C-section could lead to uterine rupture during a VBAC. Uterine Rupture Uterine rupture is more likely to occur in women with these types of scars. Horizontal scars above the bikini line indicate a higher level of safety for a vaginal birth after c section. If you’re not sure what type of scar you have, look closely in a mirror or ask your physician to describe it to you. Instant Labor Makes Delivering Vaginally Easier Follow natural labor-inducing tips to ensure a successful VBAC delivery. Quick Birth Women with uterine scars do not usually get induced. So, if you’re able to go into labor without the assistance of your doctor, you’ll have a better chance of going through a VBAC delivery without complications. Following natural labor-inducing tips helps jumpstart the process and increase the likelihood of you delivering vaginally if that is what you desire to do. Dystocia-Related C-Sections Prompt Doctors to Discourage Vaginal Delivery Your chances of a having a successful VBAC will significantly decrease if you've had a dystocia-related c-section before. Obstructed Labor Your body may be slow at delivering a child. Rather than experience the issue that sparked your original C-Section by trying to give birth to the baby naturally, you’ll likely end up in surgery, having your next baby removed by Caesarean. That way, the risk factors lessen significantly. Your Weight Determines Whether a VBAC is Ideal Loose weight to boost your chances of having a successful VBAC. The More the Weight the Higher the Risk If you have gained a lot of weight during your pregnancy, your chances of having a VBAC labor decrease significantly. You’ll need to note that a gain of 40 pounds or more causes the success rate to lower by 40 percent. If you can’t get a handle on your weight prior to your delivery date, you probably won’t deliver the baby vaginally because of the VBAC risks that could occur. Knowing Whether or Not a VBAC is Right for You Your doctor will help you decide what's best for you and your baby. Talk to Your Doctor Giving birth vaginally after having a C-Section is something that many women do. That’s why it’s important to know the risks and advantages of VBAC prior to attempting to have your child naturally. Discussing your options with your primary care physician is advisable because they possess the medical knowledge and intimate details about your health to help you determine if a VBAC birth is, indeed, right for you. Recovery from a VBAC Bellefit Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Recommended Since 2008. Available in 8 Styles & in Plus Sizes. Speed Up Your Recovery! Every labor story has a recovery story as well, make sure yours is as smooth and painless as possible by investing in Bellefit postpartum girdle. These girdles help with swelling, back pain, and through abdomen compression, it alleviates fluid retention and eases discomfort. Whether you are recovering from a vaginal birth, a C-Section, or a VBAC a postpartum girdle is a great option to speed up you recovery and get back to feeling your confident and beautiful self. See for yourself what a corset, girdle or thong can do for you following a VBAC. As always, if you have any questions concerning our products, don’t be afraid to ask. It is our pleasure to assist you in every way that we can. Have you delivered a baby naturally after a C-Section? What was the experience like?

Here is what you need to know about pregnancy and hot tubs, sauna -- in other words, heat during pregnancy!

When a baby is lost before the 20th week of pregnancy, it is known as a miscarriage. It can occur at any stage leading up to the timeframe previously noted and is caused by a number of conditions including infection. Women experiencing a spontaneous abortion may or may not experience miscarriage symptoms. Knowing the risk factors for miscarriage and regularly visiting your OBGYN can help reduce the chances of you miscarrying. It helps you better understand what is a miscarriage and what the medical professionals look for in signs that the baby is in distress and needing immediate care and attention. Table Of Contents Miscarriages occur for different reasons and range from woman to woman. Causes of a Miscarriage You might not know that you miscarried your child. What happens after a miscarriage varies from woman to woman. Grief is a very normal emotion to feel after having a miscarriage. Take Care of Yourself This list explains what causes miscarriage to happen, signs that you’re experiencing an early pregnancy miscarriage, and what to expect after having a miscarriage. Miscarriages occur for different reasons and range from woman to woman. Miscarriages could occur for multiple reasons ranging from hormonal issues to infections. Your medical history and lifestyle choices contribute to the health and well-being of your baby. That’s why it’s important to seek medical attention just as soon as you suspect that you’re pregnant. Once the pregnancy has been confirmed, your doctor will provide you with detailed instructions concerning how you are to take care of yourself going forward. Prenatal vitamins will be given to you, and you’ll be asked to report any abnormalities you feel or witness in your body while you’re pregnant. Causes of a Miscarriage Some of the reasons for miscarriage include: Diabetes or Thyroid Issues in the Mother Infection Issues with the Uterus Hormone Issues Immune System Issues This is just a few examples of some of the things that could cause a miscarriage. If your doctor deems that you’re “high-risk,” it’s likely due to your age, weight or previously diagnosed medical conditions. You and your baby will be monitored closely in an attempt at keeping a miscarriage from happening. You might not know that you miscarried your child. Oftentimes women don't realize that they're miscarrying. Many women don’t show any signs and symptoms of having a miscarriage while pregnant. Others do. You may experience cramps that are mild to severe in nature, pain in the back or abdomen, loss of pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness, mucus that is white-pink in color, and clotting. You’ll need to see your doctor as soon as possible because you could hemorrhage or have a serious infection after you miscarried a child. What happens after a miscarriage varies from woman to woman. A DNC procedure is performed during the miscarriage if the tissue does not pass out of the body naturally. The tissue will pass through the body naturally but if it doesn’t, a D&C will be performed to prevent further bleeding from occurring. It’s a procedure that is done quickly by a physician to keep the infection from spreading. It involves suction and scraping to remove all traces of the tissue. Grief is a very normal emotion to feel after having a miscarriage. A miscarriage is one of the most heartbreaking moments a woman can go through. Having a miscarriage is a very traumatic event. It can make you feel anger, sorrow, remorse, and depression. Seeking mental health services after miscarrying is highly advisable as it helps you come to terms with your loss. Joining a group online or in person for bereaved parents is also an option that helps many people grieving the loss of their unborn or stillborn babies. A web search helps put you into contact with support groups locally and virtually. Take Care of Yourself We know how difficult it is to lose a child to miscarriage, and afterwards it can feel like you "didn't do enough," or that you "could have done more." Don't beat yourself up over it. Sometimes these things happen, and there was nothing you could do to prevent it. Make sure that you are taking care of yourself and your mental health. Try to move forward by engaging in healthy activities and focusing on improving yourself. Make sure you care for yourself and consider your own mental health whenever you make a decision. A Bellefit postpartum corset can help you start to feel more confident in your body, and soon things will start getting better. How long do you think it takes for a woman to fully recover and heal emotionally after experiencing a miscarriage?