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The Man
By: Shruti Rai
Tags: Corona, Perseverance, Heroes, Pregnancy

The Man

The behind the scene man, the man who will not give you flowers everyday or quote you Shakespeare or dedicate you a Coldplay song but the ones who will see you through your hormonal imbalances, the ones who will watch all prenatal tutorial videos just to hold you while you go through the excruciating physical pain of your entire life, the man knows your heart more than your impulse. Who will all alone in this situation with you, will not leave a stone unturned to make you feel cared for. He doesn’t care if you smell like Channel No. 5 or like you’ve pissed in your pants, he who is as much a novice as you in this pregnancy, will still make sure you have the protein shake in the morning. His humour is not point but his beautiful beautiful heart is. He is scared himself maybe but he is keeping it altogether for you know who? You. He is dealing with his own COVID vulnerabilities without rubbing it on you. He is yearning for support but he, that man of unbeaten integrity, is also silently wiping your tears in the midnight. He can be a Virgo Man, a Scorpio man or a Leo man, he can be anybody but for you he is the man who defines perseverance, an easy word to refer but an equally difficult quality to be found. So go on do not mind making the whole world your enemy if they utter a word against him.

The man

Exactly that man is too the unsung hero of 2020.
Dealing with anaemia in pregnancy.
Tags: Health, Feminism, Blood, Anemia, Pregnancy

If you have ever watched those old Nigerian movies, you would definitely have seen one that illustrates the so-called classic signs of pregnancy. First of all, the naïve teenager starts to throw up. An experienced woman then pulls the girl’s lower eyelid down, checks her palms and if it is pale, then pregnancy is confirmed … immediately! While their methods are by no means accurate, paleness during pregnancy is indeed common and it is mainly as a result of reduced iron levels.

Causes of iron deficiency anemia

The growing baby created an increased demand for iron, which the mother is taxed to supply. Therefore, women who are anemic or prone to anemia before getting pregnant due to excessive bleeding during periods, poor diet, and so on, are more likely to be anemic in pregnancy. Apart from this, women who are expecting more than one child also have a higher risk.

Signs and symptoms

When mild, anemia may not present with any symptoms. In moderate to severe, however, symptoms like extreme fatigue, palpitations, headaches, and fainting may occur. A few women start to crave absolutely strange things that are not ordinarily edible like clay and chalk. This condition is known as pica, which is also common in children.

Diagnosis of anemia

Your doctor would request a basic blood test, PCV during your visits to the hospital. If your red cell count is found to be low, then you may be given supplements, dietary adjustments and sometimes, a blood transfusion may be required.

Preventing anemia

Taking iron supplements and iron-rich foods like vegetables, meats (the darker the better), offals, nuts, pulses, legumes, and so on would help to keep the iron levels up. You should also take vitamin C supplements or fruits that contain it like citruses because Vitamin C helps your body to absorb iron well. Care must be taken with iron supplements though as they can cause stomach discomfort, constipation, and dark stools. You can always contact a nutrition specialist, a gynecologist, or a general practitioner for more advice.

Final word

Anemia in pregnancy is common but measures need to be taken to ensure that the red blood cell levels are adequate enough to support the growing baby. This is one of the reasons why antenatal care should be started on time and visits kept.

Do you have any questions about this or a related topic? You can get answers right from where you are by consulting a doctor on www.doctordial.ng.
Stress and Pregnancy Tips– Cut down Stress during Pregnancy
By: Sandra Glass
Tags: Pregnancyanswers, Pregnancy

Stress and Pregnancy Tips– Cut down Stress during Pregnancy

One of the most beautiful stages for a woman’s life is pregnancy. This is also an extreme time as she will experience the prospect of having a new baby. If you will look at this nine months as an emotional rollercoaster, there are part of the deal which stress is related. It is even often just the normal effects of the hormones that raging through the body. Remember though that there is a great need to keep this stress in controlled level. This is not only for your baby but for yourself, as well. Here are more tips about stress and pregnancy.

Since this is the period of a woman’s life to experience great change in her body, she needs to evaluate her activities. The changes of her body and her life should be transitioned to become a mother. Yes, you need to check your schedules. If you think you have been living a busy life before, that is really pretty stressful and will put your pregnancy at risk. It is best that you slow things down as things would easily affect your mood and you usually feel tired all the time. There will be times that you will no longer be productive so instead of adding more of your tasks choose the works and activities that will benefit your health and drop the others that would cause too much stress.

You need to also break your bad habits whether you are really trying to get pregnant or not. If you are used on too much coffee and other beverages with caffeine, better change the habit. The same also applies with alcohol consumption and smoking. Subliminal programming is the best way to break the habit even if you already have it for years. It means that you will have re-training to think in your mind. You first need to remove the negative factors playing in your subconscious then you have to replace the positive thoughts and your beliefs, too. This method directly communicates to your subconscious that, at the same time, is responsible to direct the actions and behaviours.

Stress and pregnancy issues will be helped through meditation. If you have not tried this technique before, it is really nice to begin the basic instructions and steps. You may also read on other books about the subject. You can choose to learn on your own or be able to join some meditation classes. This is ideal since you will be emptying the worries in your head and body at the same time. It will do great wonders for your tired body and stressed mind. If you also have regulating emotions that are hard to control if you are pregnant, this is also the time to spare yoga class with meditations.

Be able to train your mind by blocking negative stories. This management of stress and pregnancy issues will focus on positive things and is the biggest step you could make when there is a new life inside your womb. All these makes a stress free pregnancy.
How to Lose Weight After Pregnancy — Is it the Right Decision?
By: Emily Burton
Tags: How To Lose Weight Fast, Fast Weight Loss, After Pregnancy, Weight Loss, Pregnancy

In this article, I am going to tell you about the different possible ways of how to lose weight after pregnancy. Women are facing this problem all around the world. They gain a lot of weight when they are about to give birth to a baby. After a great experience of nine months of pregnancy and some other 6 months of extra weight gain. It is very obvious that women want to get their pre-pregnancy shapes and to normalize themselves again. Life after pregnancy become very difficult for a women to lose weight immediately because they also have to breast feed their child and some of the new moms lose their patience and try all the extra ordinary ways to lose the weight. This matter is a very important matter and we have to keep a lot of patience regarding it and just cannot rush because if they rush themselves, it will back fire and they will face some other huge problems. As far as I recommend women around this global village should remain patient and should go through a very expertly made program because this matter is not a mug it is a very serious and vast concerning one.

Now I am going to tell you about the top seven ways or techniques to how to lose weight after pregnancy. The top seven ways are

1. Women should drink ten to twelve glasses of water per day.

2. Keep your normal routine food going and stop the junk food.

3. Eat lean meat and grain products, they are really good for health.

4. Don’t get fooled by the marketing products on which the label of “no-fat” is imposed.

5. Eat salads and green vegetables as much as you can.

6. Start light exercise and join a gym to run a healthy program there.

7. Lastly, breast feed as much and for as long as they possibly can because it burns 500 calories per day.

In the quest of losing the pregnancy weight women around the world should not crash their normal diets because they will not gain energy and it will be dangerous for their babies. When the women return home their uterus return to their original size and when it happen the women lose 3 to 4 kilos of weight. All the women around the world should set the time of 6 months for losing pregnancy weight because this is an ideal period of time for such a quest. I hope that you will like my advice on how to lose weight after pregnancy.

STOP! Are You Ready To Lose Some Weight?
Yes, I Am Afraid of Childbirth
By: Iva Koevska-Atanasova
Tags: Childbirth, Motherhood, Pregnancy

But it’s not what you might think.

Photo by Juliet Furst on Unsplash

With my first child scheduled to arrive in this world in a few weeks, childbirth is becoming a more real concept by the second. And, naturally, there’s fear. But it’s not the fear of pain, or medical complications, or my death (yes, a mother dying in childbirth is still a very real thing). It’s not the anxiety of “Oh, I’m not prepared” or “How will we cope”. No.

The emptiness after

I thought I’d hate having to share my body with someone else. I thought it would feel alien. I thought it would feel like an invasion.

Instead, I love my pregnancy. I love the sense of life moving around me. I love this notion of the two of us sharing my body. I love them being a part of me. For the first time in my life, I don’t feel hollow. I don’t need to fill the void with food or work, or someone else’s approval, or anything, really. I am content. I am whole.

I’m terrified that when I’m finally holding my baby in my arms, the void I’ve known and lived with for so many years will return. Where life had been for 9 months, I will be left with a rift that nothing can repair. Once more, I will be hollow, my own body a stranger, my own self as lonely and shattered as before.

I know that I will have this new and amazing human being to love and take care of. I know we’ll forge a bond like no other I’ve ever had in my life.

And still, I’m afraid that I’ll miss them being this intimately physical part of me.
Dressing The Bump With Non-Maternity Clothes
By: Yap Jin Wen
Tags: Maternity, Fashion, Pregnancy

Got a bun baking in the oven? Congratulations! Now go figure what you’re going to wear for the next nine months. While maternity wear seems like the only way to go, non-maternity clothes can actually fit like a glove too. It’s much more wiser to upsize regular clothing and invest in pieces that have longevity so that you’ll be able to wear them post baby bod. The trick is to go with something stretchable like blazers, babydoll dresses, and peplum anything. Ahead, we’ll introduce you to some “evergreen” pregnancy styles that works well with and without baby bump. Read on!

1. Blazers

Not ready to spill the beans? Then, use this Hollywood costume designer’s trick for hiding pregnant bellies on TV shows. By wearing blazers with a flowy blouse, it’s hard to tell exactly what shape it is underneath. Just be sure to keep them open as buttoning emphasizes the bump instead. Go with Houndstooth or check patterns as they’re distracting enough to keep busy eyes away from the growing belly.

2. Babydoll Dresses

Emma Roberts, Sophie Turner, and Lauren Conrad have all been there. Cleverly utilizing babydoll dresses to camouflage their burgeoning bumps. Follow their lead and pair a similar look with a steady pair of boots or sandals for style and comfort.

3. Long Flowy Dresses

When it comes to dressing the bump, a lot of expecting mums are skeptical of oversized clothes as they tend to make the body look three times bigger. The strategy is to find a piece with some structure. Like this flowy printed dress that’s shaped at the shoulders, and paired with a belt to accentuate the waist.

4. Wrap Dress

If you’re looking for something that can grow with you, then this it. Before, during and post birth, wrap dresses are easily adjustable to suit your shape. It’s easy to wear, comfortable. Not to mention, easy to pair — just add on the right accessories and it’ll bring you from work to dinner ready.

5. Tiered Dress

Whoever invented tiered dresses deserves our praise, wholeheartedly. They’re designed in such a such a way where fabrics cascade downwards to hide any love handles. For expecting mothers, this comes as good news — whether it’s to hide a real baby during pregnancy or a potential food baby post-partum.

6. Peplum

Got to look professional? Peplum’s the way to go! They’re dressy, posh and put together. If you’re looking to wear this until the end of your pregnancy, better size up or go with those with longer peplums.
My First Real Journal
By: Debi Smith
Tags: Writing, Motherhood, Memoir, Journal, Pregnancy

Chapter 1

My First Real Journal

May 24, 1990, 11:45 PM

This journal was a gift from Patti, clear back when we first found out we were going to have a baby. I was supposed to start writing in it then but was afraid I’d make too many mistakes, and I didn’t want to mess up such a nice book. Well, that’s ridiculous.

For one, I’d rather have something to read 50 years from now (or have something for my kids to read) and remember how I felt and what happened — even if filled with mistakes — than have a nice book with clean, blank pages.

For another, I’ve always wished my parents hadn’t tried so hard to appear perfect to us kids when we were growing up. We were rarely allowed to see that they were normal human beings who do make mistakes.

I want our children to grow up and see that it’s normal to make mistakes, admit them, and work to fix them. Then perhaps they will grow up not feeling that they, too, must be perfect or else they’re a failure (and therefore unloveable — which was my train of thought).

So, I am ready to write down my thoughts, feelings, and the happenings however they may decide to pour themselves out here in this journal!

Taylor is going to wake up any minute now. At least he’s farting enough to lead me to believe that. But I’ll write until he wakes and then commit to continuing later, because there is a lot to catch up on.

I did keep somewhat of a journal and some notes when I was pregnant, up until the first part of February, but then things got kind of crazy and I haven’t written since — probably precisely when I should have been writing. I need to write about our scare, about bringing Taylor home from Children’s on Easter Sunday — two weeks after he was born, and these first few amazing weeks of his life. But first, I’m going to quickly refresh my memory on the notes I kept up until a couple months before his birth.
Should Pregnant Women Take the Covid Vaccine?
By: Linda Burke Md
Tags: Covid 19, Pregnancy

The Issue

On December 11, 2020, the FDA approved the use of a vaccine to combat the Coronavirus; however, the drug companies that developed the vaccines did not include pregnant women in their clinical trial studies.

Can Pregnant Women Receive the Vaccine Against COVID-19?

The short answer: Yes, if she is part of the 330,000 pregnant healthcare workforce that includes RNs, MDs, Nursing, psychiatric, and personal and home health aides. The vaccine will have a roll-out, and Phase 1a includes frontline healthcare professionals (HCP). Phase 1b includes healthcare workers as listed above and persons over age 65.

What About Pregnant Women Who Are Not Healthcare Professionals?

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine “strongly recommends that pregnant women have access to COVID-19 vaccines in all phases of future vaccine campaigns and that she and her healthcare professional engage in shared decision-making regarding her receipt of the vaccine.”

Will the Vaccine Be Safe for Pregnant Women and Their Unborn Babies?

No one knows for sure; however, studies from pregnant women who have previously taken vaccines for the Ebola virus and the flu “has an acceptable safety profile.”

The Bottom Line: Make a shared decision with your physician or healthcare provider after looking at all of the facts.
“I’ll take the emergency exit”- My truth about having a C-section.
By: Susie Castillo
Tags: C Section, Birthstory, Breech Baby, Pregnancy Preparation, Pregnancy

Have you ever traveled (when that was a thing) and stared at the empty emergency exit anxiously waiting to see if someone is actually sitting there? And once the flight attendant announces it's empty you jump at the opportunity to take that seat before anyone else?

Don’t know where I am going with this? Don’t worry I will get there.

When I was pregnant I had the opportunity to see comedian Ali Wong live in Boston. If you haven’t seen her Netflix specials, I highly recommend them. If you are pregnant, you will definitely pee yourself laughing. I most certainly did! Why? Because most of it is centered around being pregnant and what happens post-trauma. Yes, I said it, T-R-A-U-M-A.

Anyway, one of the things she talks about is c-sections, she refers to them as ‘the emergency exit’. So seeing her while I was pregnant felt serendipitous and I thought to myself, “Hey, I’ll take the emergency exit, please”.

Now fast forward to 34 weeks pregnant. My Abuela was in town and I had my regular OBGYN check-up. Since OB awesome, I asked her if we could do an in-room ultrasound for my Abuela to see the baby. She happily agreed and the unexpected happened.

What we thought was his head was his butt and his butt what his head. This kid had decided to make himself comfortable but upside down. He was traversed breached.

I’ll be honest, I had really no idea what that meant but quickly found out. I left the doctor's office in silence as I let it all sink in. Naturally, there were things we could try. So I quickly called up my pelvic floor therapist (also something I recommend, weird experience, but helpful) and asked to see her the next morning.

I couldn’t stop thinking about it and then finally I broke down. I knew I still had weeks to go but what suddenly felt like a choice, a “nice-to-have” back-up became a “hey ma’am, the plane is going down and I’m going to need you to be prepared to open the emergency exit”.

Did I cry for days? Yes. A little dramatic? Maybe, but all jokes aside I felt that my ability to give birth had been taken away. Yes, I may have eventually asked for the emergency exit, but MY choice in the matter had been taken away.

Quickly, week 38 came. After trying the less abrasive approach (PT & Acupuncture) the little bugger refused to move. We were given the option to try another way but it felt like torture and too dangerous…after all, we had been trying for this child for years and weren’t about to risk everything now. I needed to suck up my own “woman pride” (yes that is a thing) and just go with the flow.

So after almost 2.5 years, I’ve decided to pass along a list that helped me get through. It was shared with me and over the last two years, I have tweaked and re-arranged. I can’t take all the credit

If you know already that you are having a c-section, great, this is prep. If you have no idea what’s coming, read through it and take it as a prep for a potential pop quiz.
The Most Powerful Natural Resources for Pregnancy and Birth
By: Sarah Denio
Tags: Childbirth, Holistic Health, Birth, Childbirth Classes, Pregnancy

Perhaps you just found out and are feeling anxious about what’s to come…

Maybe you’re pregnant after a loss and excited but feeling more cautious than you’d like…

Or perhaps you’ve begun planning to give birth in the way you desire and are looking for the BEST …

Whatever your circumstances, KindNest is here to take the guesswork out of locating the most important resources for preparing to have the pregnancy, birth and transition to parenthood YOU desire.

Hi. I’m Sarah Denio.

My personal experience with pregnancy led me on an AMAZING journey of self-discovery — no, NOT in a Hallmark movie sort-of way, but it has truly been remarkable in that I learned A TON more than I would ever have expected — about myself and how my mind and body are innately exquisitely designed! (This is a term I now borrow from our nationally-renowned birth educator, Tisha Graham, because it summarizes so well what I’ve with my own eyes!) I was able to heal and become pregnant again after loss, give birth to two children (one via c-section and the other by unmedicated VBAC), and fully embrace my transition to motherhood (sleepless nights and all). My journey through all of this was the impetus for KindNest, which has now supported hundreds of individuals and couples with simple, natural resources for pregnancy, healing after loss, trying to conceive, and parenting, since opening in 2019.

We have gathered in one place the most impactful resources for nurturing yourself, your connection to your baby in utero, and preparing for what’s to come in the way YOU desire.

KindNest offers simple options, ranging from free publications and recordings to paid online self-guided tutorials, live virtual workshops, and in-person or virtual coaching and Reiki sessions at various price-points.

Here is a summary of offerings important for those who are pregnant:

FREE

PAID

I hope you’ll shoot me a message with questions or comments — I’d love to hear from you!

x Sarah
What Are the Symptoms of Pregnancy ?
Tags: Symptomsofpregnancy, Pregnancy

How to Understand Pregnancy Symptoms?



Symptoms



Missed period the most obvious early symptom of pregnancy and the one that prompts most women to get a pregnancy test is a missed period. But not all delayed periods are caused by pregnancy.There are some reasons besides this first symptom it might because you lost or gained too much weight, stress, fatigue hormonal problems are other possibilities.



Cramp



Early in pregnancy, woman may experience light or mild cramping,these cramps will probably feel like the light cramps you get during your period. But the cramp will be in lower back or lower stomach



Increased urination



Pregnant women might find urinating more often than usual you may find yourself running to the bathroom more frequently at this stage.



Food cravings



Strange food cravings may be one of the best known signs of pregnancy. Just like many of the other symptoms of early pregnancy food cravings are the result of the changes in hormone levels. Food cravings can last for their entire pregnancy but in most cases they disappear by the end of the first trimester.



Nausea



Morning sickness which can happen at anytime it often begins one month after women pregnant however, some may feel nausea earlier and some never experience it pregnancy hormones likely play a role in nausea symptom.



Fatigue



Woman can start feeling unusually fatigued as soon as one week after conceiving fatigue during early pregnancy typically gets better around the start of the second trimester.
Why Pregnant People Should Be in Covid-19 Vaccine Trials
By: Alexandra Sifferlin
Tags: Vaccines, Covid 19, Health, Pregnancy

The default for vaccine clinical trials has long been to exclude pregnant people due to concern about risks. But some medical experts tell writer Anna Nowogrodzki that the thinking is outdated, and people who are pregnant should be included in late-stage vaccine studies. “The maternal and fetal risks of Covid during pregnancy are much higher than any vaccine,” says David Baud, the head of obstetric service at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. Ideally, pregnant people would be enrolled in phase 3 clinical trials. At that stage, the vaccines have already undergone the safety and dosing testing from phase 1 and 2 clinical trials. Read more about the thinking below.
This is hard!
By: Simone M
Tags: Morning Sickness, First Trimester, Pregnancy

This is hard! Extremely. Morning sickness which should be renamed all day terror has taken me on a ride that I cannot wait to be released from. My nausea is relentless, as I write this I somehow wish I could sink into my sheets and completely disappear. It’s so hard to be excited and filled with gratitude when you’re the furthest thing from yourself, struggling through various emotions, battling a hormonal hurricane, and barely pushing through on a daily basis. Everyone keeps saying “don’t worry you’ll feel better soon”, “only a couple more weeks”. Those two statements are impossible to swallow at the moment. When you’re in the midst of a storm the sunshine is far from visible to you. The reality is I’m tired, I’m sick, I’m struggling, my tears are ever so filled with raw defeat from nausea and I’m just praying, hoping, pleading, and literally begging that I get past this stage soon.

P.S I still love you my little soul I’m carrying but the first trimester is no fun!
Top tips for counting your baby’s kicks
Tags: Tips For Pregnancy, Babykicks, Female Health, Tips For Women, Pregnancy

Q: I’m carrying my first pregnancy and my doctor has been very particular about me counting the number of times that my baby kicks. I have followed his instructions but sometimes, I am not sure that I am doing all i need to do to get it correctly. Do you have any pointers to make this daily exercise any easier?

A. You would most likely feel your baby move for the first time in the second trimester (quickening). The movements may feel like the fluttering of butterflies in your tummy; different from gas in your bowels or your baby hiccupping. As your baby begins to take up more room in the womb, you may distinctly feel them kick, jab or elbow you and they may even roll or tumble!

Your child’s movements give a major indication of their health status. It is thus expected that you should start counting and recording any of these movements (generally described as kicks) from 28 weeks or earlier at 26 weeks if the pregnancy is high-risk.

Here are some points that can help you count kicks during pregnancy:

Get a notebook: you need to ensure that you record the counts everyday otherwise you won’t see the patterns forming. Alternative, you can use a kick count app. Choose a time: you should pick a time period when your baby is active to count the kicks. For most babies, this mostly between 9PM and 1AM. Try to keep this time as consistent as possible, but don’t be worried if it varies at times.

3. Encourage your baby: if your baby is not responding, encourage him by eating, taking a cold or hot drink or by flicking your belly. If your baby is not active at that period, perhaps he is sleeping. Coax him again later and count.

4. Position yourself: you need to be comfortable in order to count the kicks. Lying down with a pillow or two under your head is a good idea. You can also sit but place your legs on a table or stool.

5. Record: First write the date and the time that you are starting. Then mark each kick that you feel until you have made 10 marks. There is no need to count beyond these. Also, write the time that you felt the tenth kick. Finally, subtract this from the time you began to record the interval. If you’re using an app, it is a lot easier.

6. Assess your records: it should not take longer than 2 hours for your baby should kick at least 10 times. You should contact your doctor immediately if despite your efforts to encourage your baby, he still does not move up to 10 times in a 2-hour period or does not move at all.

If you have problems identifying the kicks or you notice something unusual, then you should contact an obstetrician immediately. Our doctors are online to give you advice and offer online consultations via phone call or chat on doctordial.ng.
Thank you for sharing this — it’s not the extra weight that is bothering you, although I am sure…
By: Rachel Rogers
Tags: Postpartum, Fat, Pregnancy

Thank you for sharing this — it’s not the extra weight that is bothering you, although I am sure that does not help. It is the whole package. Your body changes so much postpartum and it can feel like it no longer belongs to you, unrecognizable. Because of regular my diet, (basically green smoothies lol) I lost all of my baby weight pretty fast both times, I still felt the same way you do. I had other physical issues that took over. You are a new person emotionally, mentally & physically- you are a woman that has given birth- nothing is the same. Even a woman with a 6 pack has a “pouch” forever after she has carried a child. While I agree, being overweight is not healthy nor does it feel good, you have to find the beauty. My “pouch” is where my babies lived for 10 months — they will never be part of me like that again, those stretch marks are the graffiti from those pregnancies, my inability to control my bladder for 3 years after my 1st child’s birth is my damn daughter’s fault and I will never let her forget it! Try that one in the bedroom! Love yourself no matter what but there is nothing wrong with being honest about your body. If you are unhappy with what you see, it will eat at you. All the people in the world telling you not to worry do not matter. What do you feel and what do you want done about it?
How I Succeeded in Breastfeeding
By: Kristin Snyder
Tags: Breastfeeding, Motherhood, Parenting, Parenting Advice, Pregnancy

If you're a new mom, or soon to be, you might have already thought about how you might, or might not, breastfeed your baby.

According to the World Health Organization:

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival… Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses. Breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one third during the second year of life.

Sounds great right? You picture yourself with your baby in a big rocking chair on the front porch breastfeeding. It’s a warm sunny day and there's a nice breeze. The birds are chirping, and you can smell the spring flowers as they come into bloom…

Let me bring you back down to reality. Breastfeeding is beautiful and all, but it’s not sunshine and rainbows.

Breastfeeding is hard. It interferes with day-to-day life. It interferes with sleep and your hobbies.

But you know what else does all of that?

Raising a baby.

I’m not here to tell you how to do that though. I’m only here to offer you some of the information I learned to successfully breastfeed my almost 9 month old baby (at the time of publishing this). Please keep in mind this is my experience only and is not to be used in place of your doctor, pediatrician, or lactation consultant’s professional advice.

Please also keep in mind I am a full time stay-at-home mom. I work very part-time teaching English with VIPKid, writing on Medium, and making Youtube Videos.
Eating For Me, Not Just For Two
By: Deana Elwood, Head Bee
Tags: Mothers, Motherhood, Pregnant, Fitness, Pregnancy

My first bundle of joy came when I was 34 and I didn’t have any idea of what to expect or how my body would drastically change. This time around I had some idea even though this pregnancy is completely different. One thing I wanted to do differently this time around was monitor what I was eating more and staying in shape better.

I’m not saying I had to be the most in shape mama, but at 37 I wanted to feel great towards the end of the pregnancy and still be able to chase my toddler. The cravings are healthier this time around, but I still find myself craving some of the not so healthy things. Guess what, I eat what I crave! I know you’re probably asking how then would I stay healthy and fit? Here’s the thing, I eat in moderation, smaller meals and smaller portions. Sure the white cheddar cheese doodles are my weakness, but pre pour that bowl…tiny bowl, and I’m good. Yoga, stretching, squats, and constant runs after the toddler are for sure helping that heart rate.
3 Things no one tells you about early pregnancy
By: Bea Sou
Tags: Pregnancy Loss, Pregnant, Medicine, Early Pregnancy Symptoms, Pregnancy

1) There are a lot more warning symptoms than nausea and vomiting

The quintessential early pregnancy symptom is nausea. However, some people never or rarely experience nausea as an early pregnancy symptom. According to research, nausea is thought to be caused by increasing HcG levels as your pregnancy continues. However, just as HcG levels can vary widely among pregnant women so too can their experiences regarding symptoms like nausea and vomiting.

Hormones are mostly to blame for many of the more common pregnancy symptoms, but other mechanisms can be at work as well. Fatigue can be caused by lowering blood sugar and blood pressure, as your body prepares for the additional strain of caring for another life. Headaches are another common symptom and can also be caused by changes in blood sugar and blood pressure.

Other common pregnancy symptoms include tender or swollen breasts, muscle aches, and an overactive bladder. However the most important symptom is a missed period. Unfortunately. . .

2) An irregular period can lead to issues with dating your pregnancy

Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash

There are many causes for a missed period that don’t involve pregnancy.

Missing your period for 3 months or more is called secondary amenorrhea, which can make it difficult to get pregnant in the first place.

Causes of a missed or irregular period can include Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Endometriosis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, and even innocuous things such as a change in diet and stress.

If you suffer from irregular periods, it can make dating your pregnancy more difficult. The most common way to date a pregnancy is to count from the first day of the last period, adding 280 days to that will give an estimated delivery date.

Unfortunately, for those who suffer from irregular periods, the most common method for determining gestational age assumes a normal cycle pattern and length, in addition to regular ovulation.

If you have irregular periods, your doctor will rely on sonograms and the size of your fetus on initial scans to determine how far along in your pregnancy you are.

3) Miscarriage is common

Photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash

Miscarriage most commonly occurs in the first trimester, and 10–15 percent of known pregnancies result in miscarriage. However, as your age increases so do your chances of miscarriage. Women over 45 can have up to a 50% chance of miscarriage, and risk of miscarriage increases with your first miscarriage.

The most common cause of miscarriage are issues with the developing fetus’ or embryo’s chromosomes. However there are many other causes of miscarriage including infection, malnutrition, and the use of certain medications.

You can likely expect more frequent appointments with your obstetrician during your first trimester, as opposed to your second, partly due to the risk of miscarriage. Your doctor may also be interested in making sure that a variety of tests and screenings are done in order to insure that you can make the best decision for yourself.
What kind of God
By: Erina Kim-Eubanks
Tags: Spirituality, Mary, Incarnation, Advent, Pregnancy

“Mary’s Song” by Lauren Wright Pittman | © A Sanctified Art | sanctifiedart.org

What kind of God chooses the womb?



The Creator of the cosmos, Infinite being

entering our world in finitude

as a fetus, curled up inside a uterus.



The Maker of waters, and everything else

swimming in an amniotic sac,

growing limbs and making space

by doing flipturns on abdominal walls.



The Author of all time and space

contained- silently growing

day by day, week by week

with little display

besides a concealed bump on Mary’s body,

little jabs poking her ribs at night.



The Almighty God, holding the power of the universe,

choosing to be emptied of it-

to become small, vulnerable

taking on flesh, in all its glory and its limitation.



The Savior whose body and blood were broken for humanity,

tumbling out in a flurry of blood and water

from Mary’s own body-

broken so that the Son of God might take his first breath.



The great Parent of all humanity, born as a helpless child

The Giver of daily bread, nourished from human breastmilk

The God who does not need us, latching on in intimate dependence

to a poor, teenage girl from Nazareth

whose courage and faith made room for new life.



What kind of God is this?



A God who takes on flesh instead of condemning it

A God who honors women instead of shaming them

A God who chooses secrecy instead of spectacle

A God who expresses vulnerability instead of domination



Emmanuel.

God with us, not over us.

Word made Flesh.



What kind of God are you waiting for?
When it comes to pregnancy, Medicaid can mean better physical and financial health
By: David Moser
Tags: Medicaid, Healthcare, Birth, Medicaid Expansion, Pregnancy

When it comes to pregnancy, Medicaid can mean better physical and financial health

Pregnancy has never been easy. Although maternal mortality and negative long-term effects have steadily declined worldwide, pregnancy-related deaths in the United States have increased since 1987. Within this negative trend, socioeconomic disparities are significant. Understanding and reducing these differences in outcomes, and bringing down the odds of complications for any pregnant person deserves focus from both a medical and public policy lens.

This month, researchers published findings in the journal Health Affairs that pointed to the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid as key to delivering improvements in the health outcomes of low-income pregnant women.

The study showed that low-income women in Medicaid expansion states are more likely to:

Receive preconception health counseling

Increase folic acid intake to safely deliver healthy babies

Access effective birth control after delivery

Medicaid expansion has provided free or low-cost state-sponsored health coverage to over 12 million previously uninsured Americans. This makes it one of the most impactful and under-reported features of the ACA. While much of the coverage and criticism of Obamacare focused on newly created health insurance exchanges, in states that have accepted federal funding to expand Medicaid, it is this decades-old program that has provided insurance to people earning under 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (about $36,000 gross annual income for a household of 4).

However, a lesser-known intricacy of Medicaid eligibility, is that pregnancy further expands the incomes at which people can enroll. While state-by-state levels differ, pregnant women can access Medicaid at higher incomes nearly everywhere, with some states providing coverage at or above 300% of the poverty level (about $78,500 gross annual income for a household of 4). However, this is an unfortunately little known fact, the ignorance of which leads many low-income people to remain on expensive employer insurance plans or uninsured throughout pregnancy.

We see the impact of this every day at BeneStream. Why? Although the rules around Medicaid eligibility during pregnancy are often generous, they are also complicated. Our team is trained to understand the needs of our client’s employees who are pregnant and eligible for Medicaid, and we have a special protocol to support their enrollment and ensure that eligibility
Prenatal Vitamins for Hair Growth and Health
Tags: Hair, Hair Growth, Vitamins And Supplements, Vitamin, Pregnancy

Prenatal vitamins are essential for a healthy pregnancy, but is it true that hair health can also be influenced by taking prenatals? Let’s find out!

By Dr. Kenosha Gleaton, Chief Medical Advisor, Natalist

The word on the street is that prenatals can give you glossy, vibrant, and strong hair, but do prenatal vitamins even have anything to do with hair health? Don’t fret; we’re here to break down the science behind these claims.

Who can benefit from taking prenatal vitamins

While prenatal vitamins are typically reserved for pregnant women or those trying to conceive, other people may be able to benefit from taking prenatal vitamins as well. More specifically, anyone in need of larger doses of vitamins due to various deficiencies.

Can prenatal vitamins support hair health?

The short answer is yes, but that’s not what they’re intended to do. Prenatal vitamins are multivitamins with added ingredients to support a growing baby. Prenatal vitamins are specifically formulated to support a healthy pregnancy, not hair health. That being said, hair health — including hair thickness, color, and strength is somewhat impacted by diet and nutrition overall. Micronutrients play an important, but not entirely clear, role in normal hair follicle development and immune cell function. Certain vitamins and minerals are beneficial for maintaining different properties in the body, including hair, skin and nails.

How do vitamins support hair growth

Different vitamins and minerals can help regulate or support the body’s production and maintenance of proteins, AKA the building blocks of hair. When you consistently provide your body with the appropriate nutrients, it keeps many different processes working efficiently, resulting in healthier organs, and in return, healthy skin and hair.

Ingredients in vitamins that are good for hair growth

When can you expect to see results?

Most multivitamins contain both water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins, which means the rate of absorption can vary. Within a full 24 hours, you will have broken down most of the vitamins and minerals found in a multivitamin.

Vitamins, hair, and health (oh my!)

Prenatal vitamins are an essential part of a pregnancy routine that provide many key health benefits to a growing baby. While some claim that prenatal vitamins can help with hair health and growth, it can actually be toxic to consume prenatal vitamins when you’re not pregnant or trying to conceive. Excess amounts of vitamins can in fact be damaging to the body, so we recommend sticking to a regular multivitamin which may actually help with hair health. Some vitamins and minerals have been linked to fuller, more pigmented hair, but you don’t need to take a prenatal vitamin in order to get these nutrients.

To learn more about Natalist, head to natalist.com.
【孕記人生】蒼茫月光下的你 – 我的人生新作業
By: June Tsai
Tags: Baby, Personal Development, Pregnancy, Motherhood

Learn more. Medium is an open platform where 170 million readers come to find insightful and dynamic thinking. Here, expert and undiscovered voices alike dive into the heart of any topic and bring new ideas to the surface. Learn more

Make Medium yours. Follow the writers, publications, and topics that matter to you, and you’ll see them on your homepage and in your inbox. Explore
30+ realizations of My Fourth Trimester in GIFs.
By: Nafisa Hasan Basma
Tags: Baby, Postpartum, Mum, New Mom, Pregnancy

I gave birth for the first time while the world was revolving with a pandemic. Which means restrictions, no help, insecurity, limited access, NO FAMILY around and so on. To keep my spirit up I avoided all the negative contents (Thank god!) And fast forward 3 months into that I can say WOMEN ARE INVINCIBLE. My newbie mom-brain has encountered thousands of experiences, here’s the prime ones. Enjoy!

The pain heals. (Just hang in there)

2. How many times can one wash their hands? Ask a mum.

3. I realized I can do almost everything with only one hand.

4. Hot Beverage is a dream.

5. A good rocking chair is bae.

6. Sleep is a luxury that I can’t afford right now.

7. Nothing bothers the baby except when mom moves an inch.

8. Breastfeeding is B.R.U.T.A.L.

9. Oh I hate Colic!

10. Burp..Burp..Burp….

11. Not brushing teeth is normal.

12. I lost my comb last month and I kind of don’t care.

13. Shower time is set by alarms.

14. Constipation sucks.

15. My makeup is a lip balm.

16. Baby wipe is a life savior.

17. There’s an amazing tribe out there called “Parents”.

18. I can feel my parents like never before.

19. Sleep when the baby sleeps does not work, at least I couldn’t (Can’t)

20. Why do I hear baby cries even when there isn’t any?

21. You can never spoil a baby with love. Never.

22. The pregnancy support groups are gems (Specially in a time like this!)

23. Everything is a blur in the first few weeks.

24. My search history got replaced by millions of baby questions.

25. All hail minimalism.

26. My partner is my bff.

27. I let the house be messy while trying to be cosy. It’s hard in the beginning but rewarding as time passes by.

28. baby vomits? not bothered at all.

29. And when everyone has gone to sleep, it’s just me and my sleep thief in the corner. I keep reminding myself the days are longer and the years are short!

30. Having loads of liquid helps.

31. People who sent food are angels.

32. Going out in the sunlight helps.

33. Whispering in bed with partner is fun! (works as ASMR as well. Lol)

34. I made a section in my closet called “Breastfeeding Friendly Dress”.

35. Formula or breastfeed, it’s always your decision.

36. It’s been a tough day but one smile of that little creature is enough to give hope to the power infinity.

37. Self care is important. For you, for the baby, for the family.
A Different Kind of Advent
By: Micah Underwood
Tags: Advent, Motherhood, Pregnancy

A portrait of the author. Photo by Laurie Labishak.

I spent the better part of this year in (mostly) patient expectation. From mid-February and those weeks before I could look for the two little pink lines to my daughter’s arrival late one November night, I waited and watched and whiled away the days wondering who this babe might be.

Toward the end, my body had become unwieldy. My feet and ankles swelled and wouldn’t fit into any of my shoes. My protruding belly bumped into counters and desks and nearly my steering wheel. The pressure of my soon-to-be-born little one made it uncomfortable to sit, stand, lie down, or walk. I spent most of my time reclining on furniture with my feet elevated. Nausea loomed constantly.

It is with this new perspective that I enter the Advent season this year. With a greater understanding of what Mary might have thought of making the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem at the height of her pregnancy. The discomfort she might have felt with every step. The exhaustion of being on her feet. The weariness of not being able to find a comfortable place to rest.

But also…

The joy of the coming child. The hope for her growing family. The excitement of bringing new life into the world. The love she must have felt for her son.

The solemn season of preparation is tempered by the knowledge that at the end, there is life.