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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!

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

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

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.

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

Welcome to new mommy hood! Until you have a baby, you'll probably never experience a love as profound as the one you feel for your newborn and exhaustion as deep as the one you'll feel within. After all, your delivery and recovery involve intense labor on your body and emotions that will leave you longing for a nap (or two). Don't worry, things may be a little hectic (and possibly foreign) at first, but you will achieve a balance and your new life will be just as amazing as you imagine it will be. Lets take a look at what to expect when your baby is born. Love at First Sight? The first time that moms meet their babies face to face differs in emotions from mom to mom. The reason is that every woman and the circumstances of their childbirth delivery are different. There are women who immediately bond with their newborns and seem to know exactly what to do, and there are women who need a little more time to soak it all in and get to that point. Whichever experience you have will be exactly how it should be for you. Moderate Soreness Consider the fact that for almost 40 weeks, your body has made major accommodations for your growing baby. Skin has stretched, organs have shifted and certain parts have grown accordingly. When your baby is born, your body will continue shifting but this time the goal is to help you recover. You may feel bubbling sensations or sudden pressure within your abdomen for the first few days (or weeks), which are normal. Just be patient, it will be over before you know it. Hello Milk One of the most amazing things that we as humans have is the ability to feed our babies with custom-made breast milk. Yes, as soon as your baby is born, the hormones in your body will send a signal to release colostrum, which is the beginning of the breast milk flow for your baby. You will possibly experience leaking from your breasts and some temporary soreness as you get used to this big change. You can keep breast pads handy to ensure that you never have any leaking accidents. Once the colostrum serves it purpose, your mammary glands will go on to produce breast milk which can be your baby's sole source of nutrition for the months to come. Swelling It's very common for women to experience swelling after childbirth. This occurs for a variety of reasons including reactions to medications, water retention or hormonal changes. Whichever the reason may be, be sure to stay hydrated rest when possible and consult with your doctor if you feel any pain or are concerned about the swelling. Soft Belly When your baby is born, the space that he or she filled inside your womb will need some time to shrink back down; this in turn will leave your abdomen softer and more jiggly than you are used to. It is perfectly normal and it will get better. Many women use postpartum compression garments to help themselves feel together and to relieve the pressure of shifting organs inside. This along with breast-feeding, a healthy diet and rest will set you in the right direction to recover your pre-pregnancy shape. The "M" Word Say hello to your long lost feeling of menstruation. For the first week (sometimes weeks) after giving birth, you will experience postpartum bleeding which is normal. Your body will naturally cleanse your uterus of its baby making experience. This will of course be accompanied by the usual cramping. Try to have lots of heavy flow pads ready to go os you don't run out. Also talk to your doctor about options to help with any pain and if you experience a flow that seems heavier than normal. Emotional Roller Coaster Emotions can be a bit challenging to understand and keep under control after you have a baby. Hormones continue to take charge of everything your body is going through and it's perfectly normal to experience emotional highs and lows. Be patient with yourself and know that you are not alone in this and that everything will get easier with each day that you continue to bond with your baby. Zzzzzzzz? Well, it's no secret that the average newborn baby sleeps a maximum of 2-3 hours at a time (if you're lucky). You will of course, be on the same schedule to both feed and change him/her. This intense schedule may take it's toll on your energy levels, so have a plan to make sure that at some point you can get a little more rest. You can work on practicing different breastfeeding positions that allow you to lie down with your baby to nurse. Some women opt to pump their breast milk so that their partner can feed the baby and allow some time for mom to rest. What About a C-Section? Women who give birth via C-section will experience all of the changes mentioned above. In addition, they will be recovering from major abdominal surgery and feel pain and pressure in both their abdomen and uterus. The recovery process after a C-section takes longer than a natural birth especially in the first hours following the surgery. Women will feel intense pressure and pain, as they are encouraged to stand up and move about within hours of surgery. Many women use postpartum compression garments to help themselves feel together, to relieve pressure and to help pain subside. Your doctor will very likely provide you with pain medication and advice you to do no strenuous physical activity for up to six weeks. This means the only weight you will be allowed to carry will be your baby. You Can Do It! It's true that having a baby can be challenging for you and your body at first. Just keep in mind the tips above to be prepared to manage the journey of your body's recovery in a most positive manner. Always be open to asking for help and be sure that the difficulty of the first few weeks will be far outweighed by the love you'll have for your new baby

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.

Expecting a baby is one of the most exciting experiences of a woman's existence. How amazing is it to be able to create a human being in their womb, and day by day feel it grow until that precious moment when you finally meet face to face? It truly is a beautiful thing. We asked moms what they love most about being pregnant and this is what they had to say: "I loved feeling my baby move inside my belly! And when I was in my third trimester it was so neat to get to see her movement and watch my belly sway from side to side." Andrea "The cravings!!! I loved the cravings and feeling like it was ok to indulge. The craziest thing I ever craved was pickles and whipped cream!" Amanda "I loved the first time my toddler felt the baby move in my belly. He was so excited and amazed to feel his baby brother and there was something really special about my boys bonding before they even met." - Carla "My favorite moment was when we found out we were having twins! It was unbelievable! My husband has cousins that are twins, but we just never imagined it would happen to us!!!" Brenda "Ok, I'm not ashamed to say this, but people would give me free stuff all the time! I guess I must've looked tired or something, but I would get free smoothies and meals and once I even got a free foot massage!" Kim "The best thing about being pregnant was having those quiet moments of meditation when I could just sit in silence and feel my baby living in my belly. There was a true beauty in having that oneness with her that I had never had with anyone else before" Allison "Let me just say that my favorite part was making my baby registry and attending my baby shower! It was so much fun to walk around the store with the little scanner and scan my little heart out! And then when I went to my baby shower, I got so excited when my friends and family actually got me all the stuff I chose!" Daisy "Hands down, the best moment was when I went into labor. Of course, it was painful and all that, but just knowing that I was just hours from meeting my baby boy was so exciting for me, plus, I was so over being pregnant at that point, hahaha!." Terri "My hair, nails and skin looked AMAZING when I was pregnant. I didn't even have to try, it all just looked amazing on its own, lol." Sarah "That pregnancy glow they talk about, it's real! I felt so beautiful and like there was a glow around me. It was nice to hear compliments from so many people telling me how beautiful I looked" - Annie "OMG, my favorite part was being able to nap whenever I wanted, I miss napping" Cindy "Even though there was whole lot of pressure, it was really cool to get to name my baby. Choosing a name was not easy, but still, I felt a huge responsibility to give him a name he would appreciate." Teresa

Third trimester tips, welcome to your third trimester! From weeks 27-40 your pregnancy will be at its peak of its wonder. Yes, it's true that some of the symptoms from your second trimester such as back pain and weight gain will continue and some of the symptoms from your first trimester such as nausea and heartburn may return. On the bright side, you are closer than ever to meeting your baby and starting your new life as a family. Here are 7 third trimester tips you need to know. Pesky Varicose Vains Some women will experience these annoying little veins popping up on their legs. Varicose veins during pregnancy occur when the uterus applies pressure to the large vein (the inferior vena cava) that carries blood back to the heart from your feet and legs. These harmless little veins do eventually go away and are often not painful. Be sure to elevate your legs when you are sitting or lying down to give your legs some relief from these pesky little veins. Some Shortness of Breath Imagine just how tight everything inside your abdomen is now that your baby has grown over 5 Lb.! Organs are pushed up and your lungs are being squeezed more than you'd gotten used to. This tremendous change can cause a pregnant woman in the third trimester to have frequent shortness of breath, especially after a meal. To avoid having to deal with this too much, keep your meals small and frequent. Stretching and taking short walks can also help with this uncomfortable issue. Spontaneous Abdominal Pain & Braxton Hicks Abdominal pain can be onset during the third trimester and almost feels like an annoying stretching sensation on your belly. In addition, Braxton Hicks can begin to happen as well, these unavoidable pre-contractions can be quite uncomfortable for women. In fact, many women are unsure if they are in labor since Braxton Hicks can be quite strong at times, thankfully Braxton Hicks are simply one of the many ways in which your body prepares for the real deal. Swelling As you go through your third trimester your body can easily retain water, which causes different parts of your body to swell. Most commonly women experience swelling in their hands and feet, but this can happen throughout their bodies and can be uncomfortable to deal with.To help keep the swelling at bay or to reduce it once it happens: Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day Elevate your legs when sitting or lying down. Frequent Urination As we mentioned previously, your insides are shifting to make room for your growing baby and your bladder is now in close quarters. Add to that the fact that your baby is now larger and tends to move into your bladder more often than not causing you to feel the urge to urinate frequently. This is a good time to start wearing your panty liners once again to prevent accidents as you are headed to the restroom. Wearing panty liners will also keep your natural discharges under control. Nausea Returns Some women will move past the first trimester morning sickness to never have to deal with it again, but some others begin to experience nausea in the third trimester all over again. Although this is very normal, now that you have more weight, and are dealing with so much more, nausea can be extremely uncomfortable for a woman in their third trimester. Take precaution by: Carrying a sickness bag with you Avoid eating greasy foods Eat small meals throughout the day You can also arm yourself with things that help your nausea subside such as: Tums Watermelon Almond milk Fun Fetal Movement The best part of the third trimester is just how noticeable the felt movement of your baby can be. You can now literally feel: Every single movement Hiccup Elbow Jab Kick Your little one is almost fully developed and can hear everything that's happening outside the womb. Check back for other things to know about pregnancy as you enjoy these intimate moments with your baby as you both prepare through the final stretch before you finally meet face to face.