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Pregnancy has its ups and downs, and they can make giving birth feel bittersweet in a way. Once your little one has arrived, you may end up missing some of the best parts of pregnancy, but chances are that you won’t regret being done with the worst parts. https://youtu.be/A2t0F2gWvhQ The Best Part Of Being Pregnant Extra Kindness and Care Every ordinarily grumpy folks can get a bit overprotective of the pregnant ladies in their lives, and strangers can get in on the act too. Special acts of kindness like people you’ve never met rushing to help you with heavy groceries or giving up their seats on a bus or family members giving you special treats and generally fussing over you in the best way possible, being pregnant really lets you see the best of the people around you. The Special Pregnancy Bonding Feel There’s nothing quite like that feeling of knowing that your child is growing inside you. Getting to actually meet your child is fantastic, but it makes sense that some moms miss the feeling of being pregnant thanks to this special just-the-two-of-us bond. Shopping for Adorable Baby Stuff Shopping is always fun, but it’s even more fun when you’re designing a whole new wardrobe and bedroom for a little person who hasn’t arrived in the world yet. For many parents, picking out different colors and cute prints is one of the most enjoyable parts of pregnancy (other than the sense of excitement and happiness, of course). The Worst Part Of Being Pregnant Physical Discomfort From morning sickness to weight gain and other issues, pregnancy isn’t necessarily a physically enjoyable experience. While not every pregnant woman experiences significant discomfort, most feel some sort of nausea, fatigue, pain or general weirdness at some point in the process. Pregnancy skin might look totally different from what you’re used to, and sleeping can also be more of a challenge. Nosy Nellies You know what they say about opinions—everyone has one, and they don’t know how to keep it to themselves when they see a pregnant woman. From pressuring you about breastfeeding to policing what you eat and how you exercise, unwanted advice is one of the least-enjoyable parts of pregnancy. Unfortunately, this is an almost entirely universal experience, and even some women who hated getting this kind of advice when they were pregnant will turn around and do it to others. Anticipation and Nervous Energy There is some excitement that’s naturally a part of most pregnancies, but many expectant parents also experience a good dose of anxiousness as well. Whether your concerns are financial, logistical or theoretical, this is also totally normal. Luckily, by the time you give birth you’ll already have moved past most of the things that tend to cause pregnant mamas some agita, including the actual delivery itself. From start to finish, pregnancy includes its blissful moments of enjoyment and its minor annoyances and major concerns. This balance is part of parenthood as well, so why not take the bad with the good and make the best of it? You Might Also Like: 5 Things I Wish I’d Known About Before My First Baby

The word “doula” comes from the Greek word referring to a woman’s servant. Modern doulas aren’t exactly servants. However they are dedicated to serving a mother’s needs before, during and after childbirth. Mothers who work with a doula during and after their pregnancies often feel more relaxed, empowered and satisfied with their experience. This is particularly true during the delivery. Learn more about what a doula can do for you, so you can decide whether this might be a good option to pursue for your pregnancy. What Is A Doula? Doulas are professionals who assist with pregnancy, childbirth and infant care. They don’t replace doctors or nurses. However, they are typically a good source of information for pregnant mothers and new parents. The doula is not involved with the activities of the midwife or medical team. during labor and delivery. Some doulas may have medical training, but they must have separate credentials to get involved with any advanced healthcare assistance. Doulas do not require formal education or licensure in most cases.. Some states require doula registration, but that’s not the same as a credential. There are multiple independent certification organizations.However, this is a voluntary process that can be completed with varying degrees of rigor and formal requirements. Be sure to research different candidates if you’re concerned about finding a qualified professional. Look carefully at each potential doula’s background and training. Doulas provide a paid service, and because the profession lacks a formal standardized training and licensure process, insurance companies may not cover their services. Mothers who are particularly anxious about pregnancy or labor often benefit from having a doula by their side. The doulas are a dedicated resource for emotional support and information. What Does A Doula Do? Doulas are often referred to as birthing companions. They are a one-person coaching and cheerleading team. They support the pregnant mother and, usually to a lesser extent, her partner. Most doulas are labor doulas.They attend to the mother during labor and delivery. Labor doulas typically meet with the expectant mother several weeks or months prior to the due date. The doula will get to know her client in these pre-delivery meetings. She will answer questions, provide reassurance and assist with the development of a birth plan. Doulas are helpful assistants to mothers as they learn breathing and relaxation techniques. Doulas provide coaching for the mother’s partner as well. This is particularly helpful as he or she may have anxieties or hesitations as well. During the labor and delivery process, the doula may hold the mother’s hand. She will provide her with encouragement and reassurance. She will speak up for the mother’s needs. The Doula will act as a familiar face during a potentially stressful time. Doulas can also provide pain-relief services such as massage. Your doula can also make sure your medical wishes are respected, allowing you to focus on the big job at hand. Not all doulas are labor doulas. Specialist doulas focus on other aspects of pregnancy. Using a specialist doula allows you to find a professional who provides exactly the service you need. Antepartum doulas provide emotional and physical support to pregnant mothers experiencing high-risk pregnancies. Postpartum doulas provide information and support after delivery for nursing mothers. They can also perform some personal-life assistance as well. They help out around the house and perform other tasks.

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!

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.

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

Have you ever seen those neat time lapse photos of pregnant women and thought to yourself "I would LOVE to do that?". Well, now that you are pregnant you can! Take the time to catalogue the progression of your pregnancy by following these simple steps of a DIY photographing your pregnancy experience. Setup Choose a well lit area of your home where you can setup a tripod. You can leave the tripod there for the next 9 months, or you can mark the spot to make sure you place it in the same location every time. Setup your camera on the tripod with a self-timer so that you don't have to depend on anyone else's availability to photograph you. Choose a pose that is comfortable and shows the contour of your baby bump. Try to do a similar pose every time you take a photograph for this project. Wear form fitting clothing or if you are comfortable, lift your shirt to show your belly. This will ensure that the progression of your growing belly is accentuated. Specifics Before you begin this fun project, decide how often you will photograph yourself. Will you do it weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly? Choose a day of the week when you know you can commit to taking the photo. Keep it as your guide so that you don't forget and are able to complete this project. Setting a reminder on your phone is a great idea to ensure you remember. When you edit the photos you take, choose the same filter (if you're using one) and crop your photos in the same orientation. This will allow you to make a seamless photo collage or slideshow at the end. If you want to get creative, choose a theme that you can use throughout your pregnancy to make your photos pop. Make prints of the finalized project to share with your family and friends or make a video slideshow as a keepsake for many years to come.

So you've made it past your first trimester of pregnancy and are now entering the ever so blissful, second trimester! From the 13th through the 26th week your fatigue and morning sickness will subside giving you a smoother 3 months. During this time you will want to do some of your planning, decorating, and preparing since your energy levels will be up. Of course, you will also experience a whole other set of changes in your body, just as you did in your first trimester. Here are 7 things you need to know about the second trimester 1. You Will Feel More Energized During your second trimester, be prepared to feel a boost in your energy levels. This is due to the increase in your hormone levels as well as being further along in the pregnancy. Your baby is now past a crucial stage of early development, which allows your body's strength to level out. Enjoy this trimester and take the time to take care of some preparations such as: Maternity clothes shopping Decorating your baby's room Putting together a baby registry Talking with your loved ones about planning your baby shower. 2. The Baby Is Moving and Showing You Their Gender One of the most exciting things about the second trimester is that you can now feel your baby’s movement. Yes, he or she is really in there and they are letting you feel just how much they move around. During this time, it’s also common for many parents to want to find out the gender of their baby during an ultrasound visit. Every couple is different and the reasons for wanting or not wanting to know are many. This decision is totally up to you. 3. People Will Want to Rub Your Belly Now that your beautiful baby bump is noticeable, people will want to rub your belly. As human beings, we are fascinated with the creation of life, and many folks feel drawn to rubbing your belly as an endearing way to connect with or to acknowledge your amazing pregnancy. Although some women are ok with this type of affection, many women feel very uncomfortable with people (especially strangers) rubbing their bellies. This is a choice that is truly personal and you should never feel shy to stop someone from invading your personal space if it makes you uncomfortable. 4. The Beginning of Back Pain Now that you are carrying more weight in your belly, your back will begin to feel a bit of stress. This will cause you to have lower back pain more often. Be sure to never sit or stand for extended periods of time as this can cause the back pain to become stronger. There are trained professionals who offer pregnancy massages, which can offer great relief for back pain, you can also do stretching exercises and get plenty of rest. Always consult with your Doctor before trying any of these options since every woman and every pregnancy is unique. 5. Welcome Appetite, Cravings and Weight Gain Now that your morning sickness has gone away your appetite will return and you will begin to have some interesting pregnancy cravings, which along with your baby’s growth, will contribute to more weight gain during the next few weeks. Enjoy yourself and indulge your cravings, but be sure to always consult with your doctor if you are unsure that what you crave is safe for you and your baby.It helps to eat small meals throughout the day as you will be burning more calories and will sustain your energy levels better by doing so. The weight gain will happen, however, make a conscious attempt to stay continue walking and moving around so that you can have a healthy pregnancy. 6. Heartburn May Linger Unfortunately, heartburn is one of those symptoms that may linger during your second trimester. As your internal organs shift to make room for your expanding uterus, acids may continue to be pushed up through your esophagus and giving you the sour taste of heartburn in your mouth. Thankfully it may no longer be accompanied by nausea and there are things you can do to keep it under control.To prevent and treat heartburn you can: Drink a glass of almond milk Take Tums Avoid eating spicy or greasy foods 7. Your Skin will Change Your skin will change significantly in your second trimester. Now that your baby bump is getting bigger and your skin is stretching, you may begin to notice little stretch marks showing up in different areas of your body. Keep your skin moisturized and drink plenty of fluids to help ease up the advancement of stretch marks. Also keep in mind that after your baby is born, they will fade with time.On the plus side, chances are the skin on your face will look amazing and you will have that beautiful pregnancy glow everyone’s always talking about. 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