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5 Ways to Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy

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Whether it’s your first or second child, preparing to start or continue a family is a beautiful step to take. It will likely change your life in ways you would never imagine and also add a new dynamic to your family. Housing a baby in your body for nine months isn’t an easy thing to do, so it’s important that you’re as prepared as possible. This means being mentally prepared by having as much information and knowledge as possible as well as being physically prepared. There are several ways that you can get physically prepared and most include making modifications to your lifestyle. This article is going to help you get started by giving you 5 ways that you can begin to prepare your body for pregnancy.

Get a Check-up

Before doing anything, one of the first things you should try when preparing your body for pregnancy is to go and get a full pre-pregnancy checkup. If you’ve never had one before, ideally the appointment will begin with the doctor going through yourself and your partners’ medical history. They may then go on to run a blood test as well as a pap smear in order to check for any conditions that could affect your likeliness of getting pregnant. Some other diseases they may be likely to check for are hepatitis B, HIV, Herpes, or other STDs. Depending on your ethnicity, they may also check for genetic diseases such as sickle cell, Thalassemia, or Tay-Sachs disease as they could affect your baby in the long-run. When going for a checkup, it is also important that you discuss any existing medical conditions that you may have with your doctor too. If, for instance, you have high blood pressure, epilepsy, diabetes, or asthma, keeping these illnesses under control is crucial. If it is discovered that you’re unable to carry a child for any reason, then you could also explore options such as adoption or a surrogate pregnancy in which another woman helps you carry your baby but uses your eggs.

Find Out When You’re Most Fertile

Tracking your cycle is another way that you can prepare for pregnancy. Everyone has a time of the month where they happen to be most fertile. You should, therefore, try and figure out when your most fertile period is as this will likely help you get pregnant faster. If you’re wondering how you can do this, you can begin by recording the beginning and end of your cycle every month. You should also look out for any irregularities such as abnormal bleeding and spotting. It is said that you’re likely to ovulate halfway through your cycle which is day 14. Your fertile window should begin at about day 10, so you’re more likely to get pregnant if you have sex between day 10 and 14 of a 28-day cycle. There are apps available that can help you identify your fertile days such as Fertility Friend, Glow, Clue, Ovia, Period Tracker and Conceivable. Aside from these, there are several others that you can look for in your app store. Also, if you’ve been on birth control, it’s a good idea to stop so that you can get back into the swing of a regular cycle again.

Avoid smoking and Drinking

If you happen to be a smoker or heavy drinker, then while preparing for pregnancy you should think about dropping those habits. This is because they can make it difficult for you to get pregnant as well as cause complications in your pregnancy too. Research shows that it’s likely that drinking more than five alcoholic beverages on a weekly basis could cause lower fertility. This could be because alcohol is said to depress the adrenal glands and slow the release of hormones that are produced by the adrenal glands which could directly impair your egg health and libido. You shouldn’t worry too much if you consume alcohol moderately, however, as this shouldn’t affect your ability to conceive. In terms of smoking, apparently, 10 or more cigarettes a day could affect your ability to get pregnant. More specifically, smoking can cause blockages in the fallopian tube, increase chances of an ectopic pregnancy, damage your eggs as they develop in your ovaries, cause cervical changes and increase your risk of miscarriage. For these reasons, it may be best to just avoid these things altogether.

Stress Less

When you’re under a lot of stress, it can make getting pregnant more of a challenge. Some ways that stress can affect fertility is by affecting the functioning of the hypothalamus which is the gland in the brain that regulates your appetite, emotions, and most significantly the hormones that tell your ovaries to release eggs. When you’re stressed, this could mean that you ovulate later in your cycle or you don’t ovulate at all. This then obviously has a direct impact on your ability to get pregnant. You should also note that it is sudden stress, both positive and negative, that could have an effect on your cycle. Some ways to manage your stress levels to speed up the process include taking time out to relax, not overburdening yourself. and engaging in relaxing activities on a regular basis.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise is an important step you should take when preparing your body for a baby. Being physically active prepares your body for the many changes that are going to happen during and after pregnancy. It should give you the energy that you need, ease constipation, help lift your spirit and reduce the chances of high blood pressure. Working out could also help prepare your body for labor which can be a stressful and challenging time for both you and your baby. For these reasons, it’s best to get into an exercise routine before getting pregnant.

Certain studies link exercise with fertility, and you can confirm with your doctor any recommended or restricted activities as you prepare to get pregnant. You may have also heard of wearing compression clothing when exercising. These garments are designed to help boost blood circulation and provide relief from muscle soreness.

For pregnant women who may be experiencing swelling in the ankles and lower leg, wearing compression socks may help in that area. On your to-buy list, consider having a pair of compression socks for exercising, walking, and traveling before and during pregnancy. They can come in a wide-calf option to get the right fit.  

When preparing for pregnancy, it is likely that you feel many different emotions in addition to a little anxiety. It can be nail biting waiting for a positive pregnancy test every month as well as challenging trying to make lifestyle changes. You should remember, however, that everything happens in its own time, so the best thing may be to relax, look after your body and think positively in the interim.

What Happens During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy

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What Happens During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy

A lot can happen throughout your pregnancy. There will be highs and lows as it progresses—each trimester different than the others.

For some expectant mothers, the first trimester is where all the bad stuff happens: morning sickness, nausea, lightheadedness, mood swings—you name it! You’re dreading to know what’s in store for you next. But what really happens in the next trimester?

Whether you’re preparing to bear a child or nearing the second trimester yourself, this guide will help you learn what to expect during months 4 to 6 of pregnancy.

The Momma’s Guide to the Second Trimester

Good news! By the second trimester, you should expect all the nasty stuff that irked you in the last three months to fade. Your energy and mood are back—it’s like being your old self again.

Many expectant moms love the second trimester. They regard it as the easiest stage throughout their pregnancy.

While you’re feeling a lot better, you will experience major changes during this phase. And it’s important to know what to expect to help you prepare for them.

Your Baby’s Growth

Your baby is growing fast! As you enter week 18, your baby will weigh as much as a chicken breast. He or she will likely pack on the pounds by the end of the second trimester.

Another thing to be excited about is the fact that you can now feel little jabs and kicks in your belly!

Here are more fetal developments you can expect:

  • Skin, hair, and nails.Your baby now has tiny hairs—and eyelashes too. He or she will be covered with a downy fuzz known as lanugo. Vernix caseosa follows on; this greasy layer will protect your baby’s skin from the acid in amniotic fluid.
  • Your baby starts sucking and swallowing to prepare for life outside the womb.
  • Your baby’s brain now regulates his or her heartbeat. You should clearly hear it with a stethoscope come week 20.

Your Changing Body

During the second trimester, your body should be transforming from looking plump to actually looking pregnant. For some women, certain symptoms from the first trimester may persist, but there will be new changes as well.

  • Breast enlargement. Your breasts will continue to grow to prepare for breastfeeding. On the brighter side, much of the tenderness you’ve felt from the previous trimester should be wearing off. It’s best to go one size up or more when wearing a bra to keep you more comfortable.
  • Heartburn and constipation. During this stage, your body is producing more progesterone, a muscle-relaxing hormone. It affects the esophageal muscle that keeps the acid and food down in the stomach and pushes your food through the intestines. You can avoid heartburn by having small frequent feedings. Meanwhile, taking more fiber and extra fluids should keep constipation at bay.
  • Skin changes. A dark line on your abdomen, called linea nigra, will start to appear. This skin change is usually temporary and should fade away after giving birth. You may also notice spider and varicose veins appearing on your legs. This is due to the increasing pressure in your lower limbs.

Your Weight Gain

Expect to gain pregnancy weight during the second trimester. This is due to your growing baby and your increasing appetite. If you had a normal weight pre-pregnancy, it’s advisable to gain around one pound a week, with a total of fourteen pounds throughout the trimester.

But don’t overdo it. Packing on way too many pounds increases your chances of pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes and hypertension.

It’s best to discuss weight requirements with your doctor so you’ll know how much weight to gain throughout pregnancy.

Your Prenatal Care

Prenatal care during the second trimester will focus on your baby’s development and detecting any pregnancy problems.

Your healthcare provider will regularly check your weight and blood pressure, as well as the size of your uterus. Your doctor will often want to listen to your baby’s heartbeat. He or she can suggest a screening test using a reliable ultrasound transducer to find out your baby’s sex.

You’re almost there!

While you’re waiting for your belly to pop, take advantage of the second trimester. Pamper yourself while you can. The third trimester is on its way, and before you know it, you’ll be holding your tiny bundle of joy in your arms.

Image: https://www.babble.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/489226561-624×416.jpg

An overview about C section delivery

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Source: Unsplash | Patricia Prudente

C section is considered to be the safest delivery option when there are concerns about the health of your baby. In fact, caesarean section name origin did occur from Julius Caesar who was assumed to be the first baby who was born by this method. There are benefits along with risks associated with this type of delivery as you need to discuss with your doctor before going ahead.

The benefits

In case if a woman did not have a C section delivery before, if the C section is planned it could prove to be beneficial for the following reasons:

  • Vaginal injury
  • Pain before and after the delivery
  • After birth heavy bleeding

In no way this does not mean that these things are not going to happen. The risk would a lot lower in the event of a vaginal delivery. The risk of pain during bowel movements and sex cannot be a lot higher than vaginal birth.

The risks

Once you are having a C section delivery it enhances risk to both the mother and even the baby. Why is a Caesarean called a Caesarean is because of this reason as well.  Discuss with your doctor on how these risks can have an impact on the baby

  • Bleeding could pave way for transfusion of blood or even the womb can be removed. Though this would be a lot uncommon and this could arise in case if you had any problem with the placenta or when pregnant suffer from heavy bleeding
  • Issues may crop up of becoming pregnant in the future
  • Possibility of heart attack

Once a C section delivery is undertaken late during the stage of pregnancy there is a strong chance of preterm birth in the following pregnancies. If it is done at full dilation, the risk would increase from 2 % to 15 %. The list of possible risks to the baby might include

  • A cut to the baby during the course of surgery if the baby is a minor and they are known to heal quickly.
  • Occurrence of breathing problems once the baby is born before 39 weeks of pregnancy. Though in most of the cases the breathing problems are expected to become a lot better after a few days, though some babies might have to proceed to a neonatal unit. Discuss with your doctor in case if you are worried about the breathing of your baby when you are still at the hospital.

C section and implications in long term conditions

Till date there is not a lot of material available on how C section has long term implications on the health of a baby. Though there are traces of evidence that is available showcasing the fact that long term implications can occur due to C section delivery. Why this risk is higher still there is no clarity on the same. Yes, it all could boil down to the cause of C section itself. One of the theories could be that the baby is not exposed to enough bacteria in the vagina of the mother.

Finding Peak Fertility

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There are lots of myths about fertility, from folk remedies that can boost it (with questionable effects), to the belief that after you are 35, your fertility drops to near zero. This is one of the most pernicious myths in women’s health – there is no ‘fertility cliff’. If you’re trying to start a family, you need to get at the truth about fertility, and make sure you’re using your insights to give yourself a better chance to conceive.

Fertility Over Time

While your fertility does decline over the course of your life, it also has peaks and troughs across the course of each menstrual cycle. In each cycle there is a six day period, known as your ‘fertile window’ when you stand the maximum chance of success. You should be trying to predict and identify your fertile window so you can focus your attempts to conceive on this key time.

What is the Fertile Window?

Your fertile window is the period of time when sperm stand the best chance of surviving long enough in the body to reach, and fertilise, the egg after it’s ovulated. Sperm can survive as long as five days in a woman’s body after ejaculation, but eggs have a much shorter lifespan – between twelve and twenty-four hours.

This gives you a six day fertile window, comprised of the five days before you ovulate and the day after, during which the life span of both sperm and eggs can overlap.

Identifying the Fertile Window

There are several different methods available to you to help you identify when you ovulate, from which you can identify your fertile window. If you have a very regular cycle, pinpointing when you ovulate once means you’ll know when your fertile days begin next month, simply by using a calendar! If you don’t, you’ll need to keep tracking your ovulation and make sure you’re ready to take advantage of it when it happens.

OPKs

Ovulation predictor kits check your urine, like a pregnancy test. This is convenient, but comes with a number of drawbacks – the results can be difficult to interpret, if you have unusually high or low levels of the Luteinising Hormone the test looks for, it might not identify ovulation correctly, and if you have PCOS or other hormone based conditions, they become almost useless as predictive tools.

Saliva and Mucus

You can look for changes to your saliva and cervical mucus that can tell you when your body is preparing to ovulate. If you let a sample of saliva dry, and see a ferning pattern – similar to a frosty window – this shows increased oestrogen and electrolytes. Your cervical mucus becomes thinner and clearer as ovulation approaches, to allow sperm to enter further into your body.

Body Temperature

Your Basal Body Temperature or BBT could be the answer you need. This changes in response to your menstrual cycle, but it can be difficult and time consuming to take your temperature first thing in the morning and chart the readings across multiple weeks.

An advanced fertility monitor can take out the hard work by automatically logging your readings, and turning them into a prediction of when you will next be at peak fertility!

5 Ways to Find Trendy Affordable Maternity Clothes

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Finding out you are expecting is one of the most exciting moments in your life, but finding maternity clothes is not. Here are 5 ways to find trendy affordable maternity clothes.

The cost of raising a child continues to rise. In 2017, it was estimated that it will cost a middle-income family about $233,000 to raise a child from birth to age seventeen. If you’re pregnant or expecting to be soon, you’re likely focused on plans that will allow you to meet these financial needs.

You may be thinking about daycare, diapers, and all that fancy, high-tech baby gear. These things add up. You don’t want the additional worry of where to find trendy affordable maternity clothes.

Dressing Fashionably Throughout Your Pregnancy – It’s Possible

With the focus on fashion bloggers, mommy bloggers, and well-dressed celebrity moms, we understand the desire to look and feel fantastic throughout your pregnancy. Plus, your sense of style is such a personal thing. It’s what helps you feel attractive and confident.

Being able to dress the way you want and feel comfortable is especially important during pregnancy. It may sometimes seem like you have no control or insight into your own body. Dressing in a way that makes you feel amazing can make a world of difference in how you feel overall during your pregnancy.

Wondering how and where to buy trendy, affordable maternity clothes that will help you maintain your personal sense of style? We understand, and we can help! We want you to be able to focus on other things, like buying adorable outfits for your new baby.

So we’ve put together 5 simple tips on where to buy maternity dresses, shirts, and more without breaking the bank.

1. Shop Your Closet

Before you start looking for new clothes, take inventory of what you already have.

First asses your dresses. Have body-skimming dresses that you don’t always feel comfortable in? Now is the time to really take advantage of these pieces to show off your beautiful growing bump.

You’ll probably find you have at least one looser, flowy dress that can accommodate a growing bump. If you find your dresses are getting too short as the bump grows, you can pair them with leggings if you like that style.

Speaking of leggings, you can get a lot of use out of these and yoga pants, especially in your first trimester. Pair with tees and long cardigans – depending on the season – in fun colors for cute, comfortable weekend and errand outfits. Roll down high-waisted leggings and yoga pants as the bump grows to stay cool and comfortable.

Remember the tee, legging and cardigan combo, as it can be helpful in dressing yourself post-partum, too.

When taking stock of your tops, keep in mind that like dresses, flowy, looser pieces may be worn further into your pregnancy than you may think. Consider layering with camisoles and tanks if necklines feel too low or hemlines feel too high. If you’re pregnant during cooler months, you can take advantage of cardigans, blazers, and other open-style layers throughout your pregnancy.

2. Shop Your Friends’ and Family’s Closets

Do you have a sister, cousin, friend, or colleague who was recently pregnant? They may have some maternity style clothing that you can borrow.

The great thing about swapping maternity clothes is that you and your friend or sister don’t really have to be the same size in regular clothing. What a taller person wore during their second trimester can work for a shorter woman during the final weeks of her pregnancy.

Take what is offered and try items on at different stages in your pregnancy. You may be surprised at what can fit and look great at 6 months pregnant versus 3 months pregnant.

If you have a group of girlfriends who are at different stages of pregnancy now, or who may be pregnant at different times over the next few years, consider starting a group inventory of maternity clothing. You can hand off things as they no longer work for you and see what’s available for you to take off someone else’s hands. Keep these clothes within the group so you can all share if some of you experience additional pregnancies over the years.

3. Shop Local Facebook Groups

We know that buying clothing from a stranger in your town isn’t the same as buying a dresser you’re going to refurbish, but hear us out on this. Even if a pregnant woman is working with a small collection of clothing throughout her pregnancy, she’s probably taking great care of her items. And because a pregnant woman’s body changes so much and so quickly, nobody is really wearing items so often that they fall apart.

Join local mom and mom-to-be groups on Facebook, as well as groups that focus on swapping and buying pre-owned items. Browse daily if you can, so you don’t miss out on great offers.

Some women post entire wardrobes of pregnancy clothing in one shot. You can pick up several items at once for an amazing price. You may even be able to snag an item or two from more upscale brands.

When it comes to picking up and paying for your goods, remember to be safe. Familiarize yourself with the rules of the group, meet in a public place during the day, and take someone with you. And, if you want to pay it forward, post well-cared-for items back in the sale group once you’re through with them.

4. Ready to Buy New, Trendy Affordable Maternity Clothes? Start with the Basics

So, you’ve exhausted all the options that kept you away from the mall and you’re ready to buy some new pieces. We have some great tips to help you stay on budget.

Don’t go searching for that perfect body-con dress in a trendy pattern just yet. Remember, items like that may not fit or be comfortable for long enough to be worth the splurge. Start with basic wardrobe staples.

Focus on items like solid color tees, blouses, cardigans, and easy dresses. Invest in one or two maternity work slacks or jeans, depending on what your lifestyle requires. Look for shapes and fits that you can wear throughout your pregnancy and even after.

Post-baby you can tie loose and bigger tops with cute knots for a better fit. Keep this in mind as you shop. You can even stray from the solid, basic rule if you find a fun shirt you think you’ll wear long after baby, like the trendy graphic tees sold by this company.

Once you have your new basics, start experimenting with your outfit choices. Mix, match, and layer. Revisit your options when you have time, so you can avoid the morning panic of feeling you have no idea what to wear that will fit and make you feel good.

Repeat pieces as often as needed – we promise only you will notice if you wear the same dress or top twice in one week.

Add your favorite accessories for final touches. Silk scarves, statement necklaces, and of course incredible shoes can all make a huge impact on an otherwise plain outfit. Bonus? Your accessories will always fit perfectly.

5. Shop at the Right Places

If you’re looking for great basics as mentioned above, there are several stores that offer the high-quality but affordable staple wardrobe pieces you want. Some of our favorites include Old Navy, H&M, and Target.

These stores carry a decent range of standard sizes if you want to try stick to clothing that can be worn post-baby, but they also have affordable maternity lines. You can even shop these stores online. If shopping online is your thing, there are other fun options for you, too.

The market for online maternity shopping is growing, and online retailers are striving to meet the demand for trendy, yet inexpensive maternity clothes. Zulily is an example of an online discount site with deals on fashionable maternity clothes. Asos is another fashion-forward online retailer with an impressive maternity selection.

Sign up for emails from retailers like these and be the first to know about special sales and coupon offers. These retailers are especially popular among moms-to-be who are looking for dresses for their maternity photo shoot, baby shower, or a special event like a wedding.

Don’t forget about your favorite discount department stores, either. Retailers like TJ Maxx, Ross, Kohl’s, and Marshall’s typically have a small selection of maternity clothes. These are great places to go for fashion-forward pieces and steals on higher-end brand names.

Shine and Thrive Throughout Your Pregnancy and Beyond

Feeling comfortable in your clothing and in your body during your pregnancy is just the start. In addition to finding trendy affordable maternity clothes, there are other things you can do to make your pregnancy and motherhood as enjoyable as possible. Luckily, we are here to help with a wealth of valuable tips and advice.

Browse our blog for insightful articles on everything from food and wellness to education and travel. Whether you’re looking for the best way to clean your kitchen in between soccer practices and work, or you’re on the hunt for kid-friendly recipes, you can find it here.

Pregnancy and parenting can be tough. We hope to help you find balance and joy in all the wonderful chaos.

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