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Bringing new life into the world is both thrilling and terrifying, especially for first-time parents. It's not just moms who feel the pangs of pregnancy — some otherwise healthy dads can experience physical symptoms too. Couvade syndrome, also commonly called sympathetic pregnancy, is the phenomenon in which the partner will experience some of the same symptoms and behavior as the pregnant partner. When a woman gets pregnant, her body goes through many physiological changes. She has to adjust to a rapid change in hormones that can cause extreme mood swings. She's carrying a new life inside her body and as a result, she may experience nausea or even vomiting. In addition, she'll have to make adjustments in her eating habits and possibly endure morning sickness and fatigue. Her partner will most likely be involved in some of those changes as well! The term couvade comes from the French word for "to hatch," a reference to male birds who sit on their eggs until they hatch. In the case of couvade syndrome, men go through all the same symptoms that their pregnant partners do—they have nausea and vomiting (in the case of more severe cases), they may be fatigued, they may gain weight (especially around the waist), they may be constipated or have trouble urinating, and they could even deliver their baby prematurely if their stress is high enough. Couvade affects around 30 percent of couples who are expecting. It's typically thought to be caused by hormones that are released during pregnancy, but no one can say for certain why it happens. Some experts believe that couvade might have evolved from an instinctual need for males to contribute more caretaking to their mates while they're pregnant. To better understand couvade syndrome, it's important to know which symptoms men are prone to experiencing when their partners are pregnant and to openly discuss these feelings. That way, you can both do your best to navigate this exciting, albeit stressful period in your lives. Bellefit® Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Doctor-Recommended since 2008. Are you wondering how early a man can experience pregnancy symptoms? Luckily for you, we've outlined the top four most common pregnancy symptoms in expectant fathers and how to manage them. Table Of Contents 1. Morning Sickness 2. Mood Swings 3. Weight Gain 4. Unexplained Aches And Pains 1. Morning Sickness Morning sickness or stomach upset is a common symptom amongst men when the wife is pregnant. Morning Sickness - The Top Pregnancy Symptom for Men Approximately two thirds of women experience nausea or vomiting — a.k.a morning sickness — during the first trimester of pregnancy. Some studies hypothesize that the purpose of morning sickness is to protect the fragile embryo by causing women to expel potentially harmful toxins in foods. A psychoanalytical theory suggests men experience sympathetic morning sickness due to their envy of the woman's ability to create life in her body. While it's certainly an interesting theory, there's not much scientific evidence that substantiates this claim or any other reason as to why expectant fathers experience nausea and vomiting alongside their pregnant partners. Need a natural remedy to combat morning sickness symptoms for both mom and dad? Brew a cup of ginger tea in the morning. Ginger root's active compound, gingerol reduces nausea and has anti-inflammatory properties to improve digestion. Ginger tea is easy to make: Boil water, add crushed ginger root (about 1 tsp. or 2" chunk) to a cup, steep it for at least 3 minutes, and then strain into another cup. Add honey if desired. Drink warm or cold. You can add ginger to your diet in other ways, too—sucking on a piece of candied ginger is a popular alternative to drugs like Dramamine or Bonine. You can also pay attention to nausea triggers such as certain foods and scents and try to avoid them around the house. And don't forget to drink plenty of water throughout the day to remain hydrated. 2. Mood Swings Mood swing is another symptom seen in would be Dads. Mood Swings - It Happens in Men Also hanks to science, we understand that a surge of pregnancy hormones in a woman's body is partly responsible for the wide range of emotional changes she may experience. Interestingly, men with couvade syndrome are reported to experience the side effects of pregnancy hormone changes too, which include intensified mood swings — elated or calm one moment to suddenly irritable and upset the next. However, there aren't any definitive studies on the cause for couvade syndrome mood swings. These male mood swings can be tricky to navigate for both partners, as pregnancy can be a particularly stressful point in expectant parents' lives. The best way to manage this symptom for both parties is to talk things out and express yourself openly with your partner. There are a lot of things that can help you stay on top of your mood, including getting enough sleep, managing your stress levels, and eating a balanced diet. But did you know that the sunlight you get during the day can also impact how you feel? There's a connection between light and your body's natural internal clock—called your circadian rhythm—that can have an effect on whether you're feeling good or bad. A lack of light, for instance, can make it harder to sleep at night, which can contribute to feeling sluggish and down in the dumps during the day. On the other hand, bright light exposure in the morning—or even just a brief exposure to natural light—can help get your mood back on track and make it easier for you to feel positive throughout the day. 3. Weight Gain Would be Dads tend to eat more and gain weight due to pregnancy stress. Male Symptoms of Pregnancy - Weight Gain A British study found that expectant fathers gained 14 lbs on average during their partner's pregnancy. An online survey following up on the study came up with these reasons why men experienced this weight gain: Dining out more frequently New snack options in the house to accomodate hormonal food cravings Make their partners feel better about their own weight gain Serving larger portions as the expectant mom is now eating for two How can you control sympathetic pregnancy weight gain? Since there's no concrete explanation as to why some men experience couvade syndrome, it's tricky to pin down exactly what's going on in the body that causes these symptoms in men. The best advice we can offer here is to have expectant fathers work on managing their stress levels. How many times have you asked yourself, "Am I ready for this?" when you were expecting a child? As the child develops, so do its needs. But sometimes, we can't always understand exactly what we need to do in order to make things easier for ourselves and our children. A few changes in our lives can make the transition from pre-parenthood to parenthood go smoother. These changes involve us getting rid of old habits and establishing new ones. It's normal for people to experience stress when preparing for a major life event like parenthood. But having the right tools in place (like learning how to relax) can help you deal with stress before it gets out of hand. It's time to prepare yourself for your new role as a parent. Here are some excellent stress management tips for men experiencing pregnancy symptoms: Prioritize what's important in your life and make time for it and eliminate stressful tasks Avoid caffeine late into the afternoon Avoid alcohol, which increases cortisol (stress hormone) levels in the body Exercise — exercising releases endorphins (feel good hormones) Box breathing — box breathing is a technique in where you practice taking slow deep breaths to focus the mind 4. Unexplained Aches And Pains Many would be Dads tend to feel different kind of pain in their body while their partner is pregnant. Expectant fathers can sometimes experience leg cramps, back pain, headaches, and other unexplainable pains from couvade syndrome. Again, there's not enough research conducted as to why these physical symptoms appear — but you'll have to learn how to roll with these punches as they come. Some studies speculate that these symptoms could very well be psychological as an uncontrollable urge to compete with the mother because of the important role they will have in their child's life. No matter the reason for why your partner is experiencing pain, be sympathetic and offer your support when you can. His body may not be undergoing the same hormonal changes as your body — but his symptoms aren't to be ignored. Having open communication throughout the pregnancy will help both of you cope through these pregnancy symptoms and strengthen your bond all the more. Give him the love and attention that he needs to feel better by being a source of comfort for him. He'll reciprocate by being the person you count on most while pregnant too. Above all, you need to take care of yourself, not only during pregnancy but post pregnancy too. Invest in a comfortable postpartum recovery plan with a Bellefit postpartum girdle. These girdles are so much more than high-quality shape wear undergarments — they provide medical-grade compression to ease postpartum pain, provide abdominal and back support, and can help you confidently fit into your slimmer clothes. Your body goes through incredible changes during pregnancy and again in your recovery as your uterus shrinks back to size and your hormones adjust to baseline. While losing your pregnancy weight will take a lot of hard work and persistence, you can depend on the support of Bellefit girdles. Girdles may conjure images of 1950s housewives, but they have found a place in the modern world as well—and not just as a piece of clothing to be worn under another article of clothing. Girdles are now used to provide medical-grade compression and support that can ease postpartum pain and help you confidently fit into your slimmer clothes. Plus, they're so much more comfortable than they used to be! Shapewear has been around since the beginning of time, and its purpose has been to make people feel comfortable in their own skin. It doesn't matter whether you're a celebrity or not — you deserve to feel good about how you look. Shapewear is one of those things that can be life-changing because of how much confidence it gives you. No matter what odd symptoms come your way as expectant parents, just know that you'll come out of it together much stronger — and all worries will disappear when you gaze into the eyes of your newborn baby. We would love to hear back your experiences related to couvade or sympathetic pregnancy symptoms. Don't hesitate to share back anything we might have missed.

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

Newborns grow by leaps and bounds into infancy. In fact, you’ll have a hard time believing that your tiny little baby is now reaching toddler stage. So, how do you know if your child is at a healthy weight? Are there concerns that come with your baby being underweight or slightly overweight? Know some of the best methods about how much weight should baby gain! Table Of Contents What is the Average Birth Weight for Newborns? How to Closely Monitor Your Baby’s Weight Gain? Keep Track of Your Baby’s Weight Gain While Monitoring Your Weight Loss Take Care of Yourself This guide provides insight on the subject of monitoring your baby’s weight gain after you’ve given birth. That way, you know exactly how your child compares to other children of a similar age. What is the Average Birth Weight for Newborns? How much weight should a newborn gain? The average birth weight for newborn babies depends on a couple of factors. The first is the nutrition the infant received while in the womb. The second is whether or not the child was a twin, triplet or quadruplet. Multiples play a role in the overall health of the children because the babies are sharing a space and nutrition. If a baby is carried to full-term which is 38 to 40 weeks, they usually weigh six to nine pounds. If they are born prematurely, they likely will weigh significantly less because they haven’t had as much time to grow and develop. Babies also lose some weight during their first weeks of life. It’s not unusual to see a bottle-fed baby losing 5 percent of their birth weight. Breastfed babies lose up to ten percent of their birth weight right after they are born. How to Closely Monitor Your Baby’s Weight Gain? You can monitor your baby's weight even without the scale. Using a scale is the easiest way to know your baby’s weight. If you don’t have one available, you can ask for their weight in pounds at the time of their next doctor’s appointment. You can also note how many times they are wetting and soiling their diapers. On average, you should be changing your baby’s wet diaper five to seven times a day. Soiled diapers occur less frequently with three to four diaper changes a day being the norm. You’ll know that your baby is getting enough hydration and nutrition based on the number of times they relieve themselves daily. You don't always need a measuring scale to monitor your baby's weight. Another way to know that your child is gaining weight is to note how satiated they are once they’ve been fed. Babies love to eat and need a lot of nutrition in their earliest stages of life to grow and develop into healthy toddlers. Because they can’t walk or move yet, they aren’t burning as many calories as they will when they’re mobile. You should notice a difference in the way your baby’s body looks and how heavy they feel once they do start putting on weight. If you have concerns about your child’s weight gain, let your paediatrician know so they can monitor the baby closely. They’ll be able to give you sound medical advice on what to do to encourage better eating habits or more movement once the child does start crawling or walking. Keep Track of Your Baby’s Weight Gain While Monitoring Your Weight Loss Monitor your own weight post delivery of your child. Monitor your baby’s weight gain right away. That way, you know how well they are and if they’re getting adequate nutrition. By keeping close track of your baby’s weight, you’ll be able to identify any potential problems your child has as they grow and develop. Take Care of Yourself Your body changes a lot after giving birth, and sometimes this can lead to feelings of low self-confidence and frustration. You can take care of yourself by ensuring that you feel confident and beautiful. It's important to care for your new family member, but don't forget to take care of yourself too. Bellefit's postpartum girdles and corsets can help you feel more in charge of your own body, and can speed the recovery process. With our design, you can look and feel your best in no time, and when you feel your best - so does your baby. Bellefit® Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Doctor-Recommended since 2008. All the new moms would love to learn from your experiences and learning regarding the babies and weight gain. Let us hear back from you too! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEYrWAepqzQ

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?

If you’ve experienced an increase in vaginal discharge during pregnancy, and you’re afraid it may be a symptom of a more complex problem, it’s important for you to read this article.

Consider this article as your guide to labor induction. You’ll learn more about it when it occurs, how the labor induction process starts, and why it’s sometimes necessary to induce a woman who hasn’t gone into labor naturally.

For many pregnant women, varicose veins during pregnancy are nothing more than a nuisance. Others, however, complain of itchiness, irritability, and severe pain. Table Of Contents Uterus Pressure to your Large Vein Causes Varicose Veins It could be a Hereditary Problem Proactive Approach Reduces Pain and Appearance of Varicose Veins Exercise, Good Sleep and Self-Care Helps If you’re concerned about varicose veins, it’s important that you truly understand what they are, the things that make them worse in appearance, and how to treat these veins so you feel comfortable in your own skin once again. This list tells you all you need to know about varicose veins during pregnancy. Uterus Pressure to your Large Vein Causes Varicose Veins Uterus pressure may be the reason behind varicose veins. The inferior vena cava carries blood from the feet and legs back to the heart. With a baby pressing on your uterus, you quickly understand why the vein has trouble doing what it needs to do. When this occurrence takes place during your pregnancy, it causes varicose veins to appear. It could be a Hereditary Problem If someone in your family had it in previous generations, you may suffer too. Your mother and grandmother likely went through the same issue during their pregnancies. For that reason, they’re hard to prevent. If varicose veins run in the family, the likelihood of you having them is quite high. Proactive Approach Reduces Pain and Appearance of Varicose Veins Proactive approach can help you minimize the impact of varicose veins during your pregnancy. You may not be able to prevent pregnancy veins on legs, but you certainly can keep the vein issue from worsening. In fact, the following tips help reduce pain and minimize the appearance of varicose veins. You may want to take note so that you’re able to address the issue before it becomes too painful for you to stand. Here are some things you can do to help your feet and legs: Move around as much as you can. Don’t stand in one place for too long. Also, make sure to get up and walk when you’re sitting for long periods of time. Don’t cross your legs while you sit. It can cause the painful veins on legs to be further irritated. Elevate your feet when you do sit. That way, you don’t experience excruciating pain while you’re at your desk or on your sofa. Lay on your left side while sleeping. It’s another preventative measure you can take to keep the varicose veins from worsening. Exercise if permitted to do so. If your doctor says that it’s okay for you to do low-impact exercise, make it a priority to work physical activity into your schedule. Exercise, Good Sleep and Self-Care Helps Now that you’ve got an idea of the things you can do to help the condition you’re experiencing, you can take action so you’re able to feel relief fast. Instead of suffering through the itchiness and severe pain caused by varicose veins, you come up with a plan to treat the issue the best way you know how, through exercise, self-care, and good sleep. You’re able to tackle the problem like a pro by creating a routine that works well for you and your unique situation. Wearing prenatal support undergarments helps alleviate the pressure that you feel with the baby pushing on your uterus. Bellefit® Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Doctor-Recommended since 2008. Even post pregnancy, mothers complain about different kind of pains in their body. It could be because of the surgery, baby delivery, changes which happened to your body during pregnancy, and several other reasons. make sure you recover quickly and with less pain, by purchasing a Bellefit postpartum girdle. They can help you seamlessly go through the postpartum challenges easily and safely. Are you aware of any other feasible remedy as to how to treat varicose veins during pregnancy? We would love to hear back! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2mV2n324qk

Your belly won’t be the only thing changing in size while you’re pregnant. Your breasts will swell, too! It’s due to an increase in blood flow which makes the milk ducts larger. You can count on going up at least one cup size in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Some women, however, never experience an increase in breast size which isn’t anything to worry about. Breast changes during pregnancy is a very common phenomenon, which can be easily dealt. The following list helps prepare you for the changes that occur in your breasts during pregnancy. Table Of Contents Tenderness due to Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) from the Placenta A Need for a New Bra, stat! Sore Nipples and a Need for Greater Privacy Small Drops of Milk produced at later Stages of Pregnancy Contact Your OBGYN Right Away with Concerns Regarding Breast Changes During Pregnancy Breast Changes After Pregnancy Tenderness due to Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) from the Placenta Due to the release of hCG hormone, you will feel an increased tenderness in breasts. If your breasts start feeling sore shortly after conception, don’t be alarmed. It’s to be expected! Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that ups the production of estrogen and progesterone in the body. It’s what gets the milk glands ready to start producing milk to feed your baby. Some women note that even a gentle breeze is enough to make you cringe when your breasts are feeling exceptionally tender, so keep that in mind. A Need for a New Bra, stat! Buy new bra to remain comfortable and stylish during your pregnancy. You’re going to want to buy a bra that is comfortable and stylish so that it will last you throughout your pregnancy. Find one that is supportive without poking into your skin. Some women opt to forgo underwire for that precise reason because it can be very uncomfortable given the new tenderness that you feel in your breasts. Looking for a bra with a closure that consists of three or four hooks is ideal. It allows your breasts to continue swelling without outgrowing the new bra you’ve purchased. Sore Nipples and a Need for Greater Privacy You will feel some soreness in your nipples and an increased need of privacy. Your nipples look and feel considerably different after you’ve been pregnant for a while. You may find that you’re self-conscious around your partner, feeling the breast changes. You may not feel comfortable undressing in front of them and may feel less inclined to be intimate. Talking about your experience about breast changes helps your partner understand what’s going on with you. Small Drops of Milk produced at later Stages of Pregnancy During later stages of pregnancy, you will feel small drops of milk at your nipples. You may notice your breasts starting to leak during the last semester of pregnancy. It’s the colostrum that you’re seeing. This important nutrient-filled liquid is essential for your nursing baby’s health. If you’re showing signs of milk production before delivering, be glad as it can take a few days after birth for your baby to get into the hang of breastfeeding. Don’t worry, though, because your newborn will be lapping up the milk soon enough. It helps build their immune system, so they’re able to fight off infection as their body continues to grow and develop. Contact Your OBGYN Right Away with Concerns Regarding Breast Changes During Pregnancy Contact your OBGYN immediately, in case you notice any abnormal symptom in your body. Pregnancy changes the body in many ways, including your breasts. It isn’t cause for alarm unless you’ve noticed some significantly abnormal symptoms occur as a result of the influx of hormones you’re producing. In any case, you can always speak to your OBGYN about any concerns that you have. An examination of your breasts will alert you to any problems that may be occurring in the chest area of your body. Breast Changes After Pregnancy Some women feel very concerned about the changes happening to their body during pregnancy, some even get stressed. Hormonal changes during pregnancy bring some physiological changes as well as psychological changes, but it is quite normal for all pregnant women. Moreover, the impact is not only limited during pregnancy but post pregnancy too. Bellefit® Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Doctor-Recommended since 2008. After pregnancy, it is very likely you will have soreness and tenderness on your breasts and the nipple area. Much of this is caused by the production of milk that occurs once you have your child. Having a postpartum girdle can add some extra support for your breasts, and can help you cope with new insecurities and changes that may occur as a new mom. Confidence and belief in your own self is the key to deal not only with the breast changes, but also to many other changes happening psychologically as well as physiologically during pregnancy. Our postpartum girdles help you feel better and get back your confidence. Let us know your own experience about the breast changes you have felt during your own pregnancy and how did you dealt with it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34IIwEN1rXA&feature=emb_logo

Pregnancy causes your body to change in many ways. In fact, you may look down at your stomach in the next few weeks and wonder if you’re even the same person that you were before getting pregnant. With the influx of hormones, weight gain, and swollen feet comes some exceptionally embarrassing pregnancy problems. Knowing what to expect from the body during the nine months you’re carrying a child is ideal because it allows you to plan for the unexpected. This list of ten embarrassing pregnancy problems are very common for most pregnant women, so don’t worry. There is no need to feel humiliated because many women can relate to what you’re currently going through. Skin Problems Such as Acne If you find your skin breaking out worse than it did when you were a teenager, it’s due in part to an influx of hormones. A Quick Fix: Keep your hands off your face and make sure to cleanse and exfoliate regularly. That way, you’re able to remove impurities easily without causing the problem to worsen. Gastrointestinal Distress You may experience bloating and burp a lot because of it. That’s because the baby you’re carrying is filling the space as he or she grows. A Quick Fix: Eat smaller meals and more frequently to avoid this problem. Stay away from fried and fatty foods as well as carbonated beverages. Darkened Nipples Known as linea nigra, this problem is due in part to the estrogen in your body increasing the amount of melanin or skin pigment. This issue doesn’t normally occur until the second trimester. A Quick Fix: Use sunscreen regularly to prevent the problem from worsening. Stick to dark colored shirts, too, as white is often too revealing. Itchy Nipples The skin stretches in the area due to the breasts preparing for breastfeeding. You’ll notice a difference in the size and appearance of your chest because of the changes occurring in your body. A Quick Fix: Lanolin cream will become your best friend. Also, make sure that the bras you’ve chosen are soft, supportive, and comfortable. Constipation Since your baby is absorbing many of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients you’ve consumed, you may notice that your digestive system has taken a severe blow. Once you’ve had a hard time going to the bathroom, it’s time to switch to high fiber foods. A Quick Fix: Make sure that you’re drinking enough water and eating beans, fresh fruit and vegetables, and whole grains. You may need to take a gentle over-the-counter laxative if diet alone doesn’t correct the problem. Groin Pain The ligaments around your pelvis are stretching causing a great deal of pain in the groin. Standing up is often when you feel the severity of this problem, and you might cry out in pain as a result of it. A Quick Fix: Prop your feet up. Rest until the pain has gone away. Bouts of Nausea and Vomiting Morning sickness can occur at any time during the day. Some medical professionals believe that it is due in part to a change in hormones. A Quick Fix: Ginger candy helps curb symptoms of nausea. Crackers are also a quick fix because they soak up excess stomach acid. Urinary Incontinence You may find it hard not to pee when you laugh, sneeze or move suddenly. With a baby sitting on your bladder, it’s to be expected. A Quick Fix: Wear a panty liner until you’ve given birth. Use compression underwear to help keep the weight from pushing down so hard on your body. Wild Dreams Uncertainty about the future can cause undue stress. That’s why it’s important to create a calm, safe sleeping environment for yourself. A Quick Fix: Use a white noise machine or sleep sound app to help lull you to sleep. If that doesn’t work, write out your worries in a journal or try reading something inspiring in bed until you fall asleep. Hemorrhoids Not enough fiber in the diet can cause you to become constipated. That’s why you need to make sure that you drink enough water, eat enough roughage, and don’t strain no matter how bad you need to go. A Quick Fix: Cooling wipes help reduce inflammation. If the hemorrhoids won’t go away after taking a Sitz bath, an over-the-counter suppository may be the next step in reducing the inflammation. Now that you know which embarrassing pregnancy problems most pregnant women face, you can plan accordingly to minimize the fallout. Being prepared is among the easiest ways to move quickly past the humiliating circumstances that occur within your body when carrying a child. It won’t even phase you because you’ve done what you could to make it less embarrassing for you and those around you.

Just under 10% of pregnant women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, a form of the disease that occurs during pregnancy. Although it’s alarming to think of what could happen if complications occur, regular monitoring of blood sugars, as well as diet and exercise, help prevent the unthinkable of occurring. After your doctor has diagnosed you with gestational diabetes, you’ll be required to see him or her regularly to ensure that the disease isn’t worsening with time. Here is what you need to know about gestational diabetes. The placenta is to blame for the blockage of insulin you’re experiencing. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that converts fats and carbs and uses the sugars that your body makes as a source of energy. When you’re unable to produce insulin on your own, the blood sugars go haywire and can cause irreparable damage to the body. It can negatively affect your blood vessels, nerves, and vital organs. Gestational diabetes typically occurs in the middle stages of pregnancy. You’re most likely to develop it during the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. Blood tests administered by your doctor reveal the disease. You’ll then be forced to take your blood sugars regularly with a glucometer to monitor them. Hyperglycemia occurs when the insulin in your body is low or non-existent which causes your blood sugars to skyrocket. There are risk factors that increase the likelihood of you having gestational diabetes. You’re at higher risk for the disease if you’re overweight, older, and have a history of gestational diabetes. If your mother or grandmother had diabetes during pregnancy, you, too, could have it. These are things to consider when visiting with your primary care physician. Giving detailed information about your family history and personal experience with gestational diabetes helps the medical professional determine the course of action that is best for you. You’ll notice some rather significant symptoms with the disease. If you can’t seem to quench your thirst and need to go to the bathroom frequently, it’s likely due to the gestational diabetes. Other symptoms include fatigue and sugar present during urine analysis. Your physician will let you know if it is present so that you can do what you can to prevent the disease from worsening. Ways to treat gestational diabetes range in approach and level of difficulty. There are many ways to treat gestational diabetes. Among the easiest is through diet and exercise. By eating right and being more physical, you’re able to prevent blood sugar levels from increasing. Eating small meals and snacks throughout the day can prevent your blood sugar from dropping. It also keeps you from bingeing on foods that you shouldn’t eat because you feel like you’re starving. Don’t Let Gestational Diabetes Progress into Another Type of Diabetes If you’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it’s important that you follow your physician’s instructions for diet and exercise. That way, you don’t exacerbate the problem and cause harm to yourself or your unborn child. This form of diabetes usually goes away after birth but could turn into adult onset diabetes if not closely monitored.

Stress is often unavoidable during pregnancy and after you’ve given birth to a child. After all, your life and body have changed in many ways. If you’re not sure what to do to lower your stress levels, don’t worry. We’ve got plenty of suggestions for you to follow. Although we can’t list them all here, we’ve come up with a few of the most effective solutions for you to try. This list includes five effective stress relief tips for women. Learn to Say No to Things That Don’t Serve Your Well-Being The demand for your time doesn’t decrease because you have a child. It increases with time. If you’re constantly being asked to do things that don’t serve your well-being, politely decline by saying, “No.” It’s a simple phrase that can bring you exceptional amounts of peace. If someone gets angry because you declined their invitation or request for assistance, that is on them. Your time is limited even more now than it was before baby. Choose the right people, projects, and places to spend your time and energy on. Practice Deep Breathing for Instant Relaxation Generally speaking, most people do not practice diaphragmatic breathing like they should. The breaths they take in are shallow. This does little to calm the body which is why slow, deep breathing is better because it forces you to focus on the moment, not the long list of things you haven’t done yet. Keep a Journal of Your Thoughts, Frustrations, Goals, and Triumphs Journaling has notable health benefits. It gives you a safe space to voice your grievances, face down fears, and record your hopes and dreams. It’s a place where you can draw, write poetry, and even record details about your pregnancy or the birthing process so that you don’t forget a thing. Schedule Downtime So You Can Catch Up on Rest or Complete Projects Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to do what you need to do to feel whole. Rest, spend some time in quiet solitude or complete those last minute projects before baby arrives. You’ve got things that you must do all the time. Why not focus on the things you want to do, too? Ask for Help When You Need It Most There is no shame in admitting that you can’t do it all alone. Having an excellent support system allows you to ask for help when you need it. No one will make you feel guilty for reaching out. Instead, they’ll be so glad that you recognized that you couldn’t go solo one second longer. Get more done in less time by asking someone for a helping hand once in a while. Stress causes a myriad of physical and mental health problems. Whenever you have the opportunity to relieve symptoms of stress in positive and productive ways, take time to do so. Raising children is no easy task and you’ll want to engage in self-care practices regularly despite how busy motherhood makes you feel. Bellefit provides postpartum girdles and corsets that get your body back to pre-pregnancy shape quickly. Feeling like your old self is important because it increases your self-confidence. When you feel good about yourself, you’re able to make the right decisions concerning stress which can lead to a better life for you and your family.