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When it comes to naming your baby and keeping it a secret, it's a deeply personal act that requires a great deal of consideration. The right name evokes a sense of power. It contributes to the well-being of the child and even becomes a part of their personality. Table Of Contents "> How to Keep Your Baby Name A Secret Keep Uncle Terrence And Cousin Martha From Ruining The Surprise Keeping Baby's Name Secret Builds Anticipation For The Arrival You Can Have Things Monogrammed At A Later Date Keeping Your Newborn's Name Secret Is A Big Surprise The wrong name, however, can subject your child to ridicule from unruly schoolmates. That's why you need to think about picking a name early on during pregnancy so you can make sure you make the right decision for your family. How to Keep Your Baby Name A Secret So, how do you keep your final choice of naming your child and keeping it a secret when everyone is dying to know the answer? It's possible you might slip up and refer to your growing belly by the child's first name. If you do, laugh it off and say that it's wishful thinking. No one will know the gender of the child until you officially reveal it. For now, though, you can do the following things to make sure that the baby's name is top secret until you're ready to make an announcement. This guide will help you name your baby, and keep it a secret from your family and friends. Keep Uncle Terrence And Cousin Martha From Ruining The Surprise Naming your baby and keeping it secret is keeps the surprise alive and kicking. The minute you tell one family member your plan to give their name to the child that you're having, chaos ensues. They can't wait to gloat which means you'll have some explaining to do with everyone else. Even if you do want to name your child after a loved one, keep it a secret until you're ready to make an announcement publicly. That way, you're not dodging questions or smoothing over hurt feelings in the process. Keeping Baby's Name Secret Builds Anticipation For The Arrival Keeping the baby's name secret will make it fun for people guess the gender. When you don't make the child's name common knowledge, you get to have a lot more fun with everyone. They'll suggest that you're pregnant with a girl when in reality you're pregnant with a boy. The suspense will be too much for most people who can't wait to buy gender-specific presents opposed to unisex items for your little one. You Can Have Things Monogrammed At A Later Date Monogrammed gifts bearing child's initials could be fun without disclosing baby names. Rather than receive a lot of monogrammed presents right away, you'll be able to pick and choose which items you want to bear the child's initials. Monogrammed clothing and blankets often become treasured keepsakes for parents. You'll be able to choose quality over quantity by not letting everyone know your plans to name your child a certain name. If you're not keen on naming your child the same name as a pregnant family member or friend, you may want to announce the name early to avoid problems. Keeping Your Newborn's Name Secret Is A Big Surprise Keep your baby's name a secret until you're ready to reveal it. It's especially important to do this if you're planning on having a gender reveal party and you know the sex of the child. You won't want to make it obvious especially if the name you picked out is particularly masculine or feminine. Bellefit® Postpartum Girdles & Corsets – Medical-Grade, FDA-Registered, Doctor-Recommended since 2008. A pregnancy can certainly feel like a very public event — after all, it's difficult to hide a baby bump. And while a new baby is a very exciting time in a family's life, and there are moments you'll want to share with your friends and family, there are some moments you want to keep private — like the baby's gender or name. One of the most important reasons many parents decide to keep their baby's name a secret is to preserve the sacredness of their pregnancy for themselves, and it's an excellent way for a couple to bond over this special moment they've created together. Once your baby is born, you and your partner will be stepping into a whole new adventure together as parents. We want to remind you to honor your body after your pregnancy experience with self-care practices to reinvigorate your body. You can start by investing in a postpartum girdle for your recovery. Wearing a high-quality postpartum girdle or corset after delivery increases your healing comfort and speeds recovery time. The Bellefit girdles are FDA-registered medical devices recommended by doctors for the following benefits: Treat diastasis recti Relieve back pain Help with lymphatic drainage Support the abdominal muscles Another bonus of wearing an abdominal binder is that it smoothes the curves and diminishes the belly, helping moms feel more confident in their own skin. Best of all, the Bellefit garments are cut from breathable, flexible materials for a comfortable, seamless fit — no one needs to know. It can be your little secret to why you look so great after pregnancy. Did you had a tough time naming your baby and keeping it a secret? We would love to know how did you managed it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CXwf-aU7Vk

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.

This is your brief guide to hormones after pregnancy. Refer to it often for answers and advice.

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

It’s important that you steer clear of these things until your postpartum body has had time to fully heal!

The best postpartum belly wrap or post pregnancy girdle is the one you feel the most comfortable in. With Bellefit, the choice is yours!

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

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

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

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

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