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Learning to Love Your Body

We all know that motherhood comes with a price. Your body goes through a remarkable transformation as it prepares to grow another human being. If you are like most of us, you probably have a few battle scars to show for it. I’ve gotten used to my tiger stripes, but I still struggle with my post-pregnancy body. It’s been almost 5 years since I had Logan and I’m still not to my pre-pregnancy weight. I envy my friends who walk out of the hospital looking like a model in their size 2 jeans again. When I left the hospital I … Continue reading →

Prepare Your Calendar for Summer Vacation

If you have kids then you know that it is never too early to prepare for summer vacation. Your home life will change as the evenings grow longer and the children are home from school. Here are some ways that you can plan out those days and get your self prepared. The transition will be easier and less stressful that way. Make Note of Important Dates Do you know when the last day of school actually is? Are there half days coming up before then? Will there be parties, dances, fairs, last ditch school fundraisers going on. Make note and … Continue reading →

How to Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a wonderful time of life with a lot of unexpected moments here and there. If you can do a little preparation before you get pregnant, you can help things go smoothly for yourself, your baby and your household. Here are some ways that you can prepare for pregnancy even before you get pregnant. Most likely, you won’t realize that you are pregnant for the first three or four weeks of your pregnancy. Meanwhile, anything you ingest could affect your baby, such as prescription drugs or alcohol. A good rule of thumb is to act as though you are … Continue reading →

Finding Support During Pregnancy

Pregnancy has the potential to be a very emotional and stressful time. There are so many things to learn, to prepare, to accomplish and to arrange. You must deal with your changing body, your changing wardrobe, your changing job situation and your changing family. Your stomach is growing, your appetite is growing, your wash load is growing and your wallet is shrinking. There has never been a more important time to surround yourself with positive support. Where I found support when I was pregnant: My mom(s): My mom and my mother-in-law were both so supportive during my pregnancy. They took … Continue reading →

Do Rheumatoid Arthritis and Pregnancy Mix?

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Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease which causes inflammation in the joints and surrounding tissues. It can lead to deformities in the hands and feet, anemia, decreased range of motion, numbness and tingling, pleurisy, and other mild to severe symptoms. It is a long term disease that can be managed (but not cured) by drugs that are incompatible with a healthy pregnancy. Does that mean women who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis can’t carry a pregnancy? Fortunately, that is not the case! Conception The pain and discomfort associated with RA may affect a couple’s sex life and account for the fact … Continue reading →

Questions To Ask Before Getting Your Infant’s Blood Drawn

From the time my daughter was about three months old, she’s had blood in her stool. It’s not every diaper and not even every week, but it consistently reappears. Her pediatrician and a G.I. specialist have almost entirely ruled out the possibility that it is anything to worry about. Even so, they recommended we get her blood drawn to test for and rule out any blood clotting disorders. I’m not the type of parent who immediately goes along with what a doctor tells me. I like to do my research, weigh the pros and cons, and then make a decision. … Continue reading →

Fitness Basics for Pregnancy

Labor and delivery (unless you are having cesarean, of course) is a marathon. It requires incredible amounts of energy and you will definitely feel its effects on your body the next day, possibly for the next week. You will feel like you ran a hundred miles and it will feel strange to stand up; your legs may even wobble! It’s no wonder the nurses will make you ride in a wheelchair from the delivery room to the mother and baby room. They don’t want you to fall down. Unless you are under strict orders of bed rest, it’s a good … Continue reading →

Phantom Pregnancy

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The other day I was reading an article about a woman who was pregnant with 12 babies. In shock, I worried about the lives at stake and wondered why yet another doctor would implant that many embryos in a woman’s uterus. It’s reckless! The next day I saw another article about this same woman stating she was not pregnant. So what is the deal: is she pregnant or not? It turns out she was experiencing a condition known as “phantom pregnancy.” In other words, it was all in her head. As soon as doctors performed a medical examination, they discovered … Continue reading →

Packing Your Bags for the Hospital

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Packing your bags for the hospital is a major milestone on your journey to the delivery room. Deciding what to bring can be a little overwhelming if you’ve never had a baby before. Since you’ll likely be spending a couple days there, it will be comforting to have some of your own personal items there with you to make it feel a little more like home. First of all, it’s a good idea to have your hospital bag packed about 4 weeks before you are scheduled to deliver. You could go into labor early or your due date might be … Continue reading →

Surviving Your Last Weeks of Pregnancy: Sleeping Arrangements

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You only have a few weeks to go until your baby arrives, and if you’re like I was, you’ve probably got six loads of baby laundry going through the wash for the second time, a list of 25 things for your husband to clean and organize, a wet mop in one hand, and a feather duster in the other. That’s in addition to the vacuuming, scrubbing, and organizing you did last night until 3am, right? Unfortunately, all that hard work and preparation commonly referred to as “nesting” is robbing you of precious sleep. Nothing is more important right now than … Continue reading →