Staying fit and healthy before, during and after your pregnancy will aid you through a happy and enjoyable pregnancy, and can help you through a stress free labour, leading to a happy, healthy and content new-born. Yoga is a safe and enjoyable exercise for pregnant women, you may even be lucky enough to find a class especially for expectant moms.

Before embarking on any new exercise regime during pregnancy it is advisable to consult your health care provider, and even if you are used to practising yoga, be sure to tell your instructor that you are now expecting as some yoga poses are not comfortable or suitable for pregnant women to attempt. Your instructor will be able to adapt your yoga routine to suit your changing body as your pregnancy progresses.

Yoga During Pregnancy

Yoga makes your whole mind and body overall stronger, this new strength will be needed to carry around the extra strain a growing baby puts on your body.

Regular yoga classes during pregnancy will help to boost circulation and also aid with fluid retention. The stretching exercises relieve aches and pains associated with pregnancy.

Back ache is common during pregnancy, and as yoga helps with posture the back ache can be greatly eased. Many pregnant women experience pain from the sciatic nerve, and yoga can also be great for relieving this discomfort.

As baby grows and you near the end of your pregnancy, the breathing exercises you have learnt will help with the diminished lung capacity you now have thanks to baby pushing all of your organs upwards!

In late pregnancy, balance can become a real problem due to your centre of gravity changing, balancing and strengthening poses will help to counteract this uncomfortable stage of your pregnancy.

 Once you are familiar with the various yoga poses and you know the limits of your own body, there are several books and videos available to help you progress further, prepare your body for birth and enhance your yoga routine at home. ‘Preparing for birth with yoga’ by Janet Balaskas is a good book to start with.

A stress free labour

Towards the end of your pregnancy, yoga can help you to prepare for birth by practising squats and positions that will enable your pelvic area to open up and help baby progress smoothly through the birth canal.

Yoga helps women to prepare for labour and birth; it encourages breath and body awareness, reduces stress and worry and teaches women to embrace this new situation.

Post Pregnancy Yoga

Although no exercise should be attempted before six weeks after birth, you can still practise breathing exercise and the relaxation techniques learnt during your yoga classes.

After six weeks it is usually ok to resume yoga classes, and some classes encourage you to bring baby with you. In these classes you can enjoy bonding with your baby while getting back into shape.

Post pregnancy yoga (under supervision) will help to strengthen your weakened back and abdominal muscles and also help to restore the pelvic floor muscle tone.

Practising yoga on a regular basis during and after pregnancy will also allow you the inner peace required to love, nurture and care for a new-born with the calmness and serenity they need to stay contented (this is a real bonus at 4am when you haven’t slept for days!).

Featured images:

•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/images/

Geoff McCabe is the co-owner of the Anamaya Mind, Body and Spirit Resort in the stunning surroundings of Costa Rica.

trendytummy

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:

We all know that after having a baby one of the key elements of a successful maternity leave is getting your confidence back. Not that every new mum needs such a boost but there are numerous ladies out there who, for whatever reason, take a slight dip in form and struggle to regain the personality or the figure that they once took for granted.

It’s easy to say that maternity leave is a time to relax and bond with your baby and, of course, it is but it’s often forgotten that the previous nine months have been a total roller coaster ride and coming back down to earth is often easier said than done.

If you’re feeling like your whole world has been turned upside down, and you’re not as confident as perhaps you once were, there are some fairly straight forward guidelines to follow that will put you on the road to recovery.

Exercise

You don’t have to go on all-out attack mode to get back into pre-baby shape and sometimes less is more because of the inconvenience that your body has been put through. Check with your GP first however, if you get back into a regular light exercise routine then this will be of great benefit for future success. Easy stretches, light yoga, core strengthening and mid-range walks all will help you feel happier about yourself and give your confidence a well-earned boost. Remember: getting fit and healthy is a marathon not a sprint so take your time and don’t beat yourself up if at first you don’t succeed.

Dress

It’s very easy to get into the habit of slopping about and barely getting out of your pajamas however, if you want to feel confident, try to at least get dressed even if you’re not going outside. Although you may think that your body is still huge you’re probably exaggerating so don’t be scared of wearing clothes that you haven’t thought about for the last nine months. Better yet get some new outfits or if you are carrying a bit of extra baby weight, why not try some plus size lingerie? No one will know but you and from figure hugging underwear to silky and sexy styles, there are no limits to what you can wear.

Home

It’s easy to think that just because you’re at home all day that you’ll have lots of time for housework and tidying up but this simply isn’t always the case. Babies take up a lot of time, 24/7 in fact, and so don’t feel bad if you’re unable to keep a house as you once used to. Once you feel the need to tidy it will be the right time and if you can make the bed, do the washing up and clear your clothes away then you’ll probably be feeling more confident about life in general. Tidying up isn’t important but it can be a great indicator that you’re feeling more confident and it may also encourage you to invite friends over which is always a good thing.

Diet

Body cravings are a law unto themselves but if you can manage to fill your larder and fridge space with healthy options then you’ll be giving yourself a fighting chance. Fresh fruit, seasonal vegetables and a vegetarian diet are all perfect for keeping healthy and boosting confidence levels and if you’ve got generous friends and relations then say yes when they offer to cook for you. Batch cooking is a great idea prior to giving birth and from vegetarian lentil bakes to fish pies, frozen meals are perfect when you can’t be bothered to cook after you’ve just given birth.

Social

Sometimes going outside is the last thing we’d consider after having a baby and from feeling insecure about ourselves to wanting to protect our little one, often, locking the door and throwing away the key seems like the only option. Just remember, your friends and family want to help you and, once you’re ready, inviting them over to see you and the baby can be a really lovely experience. You don’t have to worry about how you look or how the house looks but often just the presence of someone else that you like and trust will put everything into perspective and get you back on the road to being happy, healthy and confident.

Biog: Christine is the mother of two children and can remember thinking she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders when really it was just a new-born baby in her arms.

trendytummy

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:

It’s more common than ever to put family building on hold in favor of getting yourself financially stable.  People are having babies much later in life, and as such, encounter problems with conceiving.  If you happen to want a baby later than usual, making sure you’re healthy enough for pregnant should be your first concern.  If pregnancy the old fashion way seems impossible, there are options, like adoption, surrogates, or in vitro fertilization.  But each has their own risk, like the chance of having a failed IVF.  

Make Sure You Are Healthy Enough

Past a certain age, the prospect of carrying a pregnancy to full term without complication tends to decrease.  Your chances are even worse if you have pre-existing health conditions.  If you plan on having a child at a later age, it’s important to consult your doctor beforehand in order to determine whether or not a pregnancy is a healthy option at this juncture in your life.  Things like diabetes, heart condition, and any other chronic ailment can put both you and your baby at great risk, so it is vitally important to get a clean bill of health before you attempt to have a baby.

Is Adoption a Better Option?

If your doctor advises against actually going through with child birth, you have a few options at your disposal; one of which is adoption.  Adoption is a great way to help a child in need, while getting exactly what you’re looking for in return: a child of your very own to raise.  Whether you choose to adopt internationally or locally, there are children all over the world in the adoption system waiting for a loving family to treat them with the tender loving care that should be provided for all of the world’s children.

Using a Surrogate

Another option if you’re not able to carry out your own pregnancy is to consider using a surrogate.  Surrogates are women that are healthy enough to carry a child, but they use your egg and your partner’s sperm in order to make the embryo.  A surrogate approach is the best of both worlds solution in cases which you cannot carry the child yourself.  You get the opportunity to actually parent your biological child without risking your life trying to carry the pregnancy to term.  Surrogates are paid well for their service, but terms would be worked out with them personally.

In Vitro Fertilization

If you get the go-ahead from your doctor to attempt to conceive, but are still having trouble, an in vitro fertilization procedure may be in order.  IVF is a great advance in medical treatment in order to encourage conception, but it can be very pricey.  There is no guarantee that it will work either, so a failed IVF can be a devastating blow both financially and emotionally.  Talk to your doctor about the prospects of IVF and see if it is right for you. 

Just because you are older than expected to be having children doesn’t make it impossible; it just means you may have to work a little bit harder to get what you want.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source 

Brielle is always looking for information to do research on. When she finds a significant type of information she enjoys sharing the information with others.

trendytummy

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:

Especially when you have been wishing and trying to get pregnant for some time, the concept of feeling depressed or extremely anxious once you fall pregnant seems alien. However for between 10% to 20% of women this is a harsh and sad reality. The time of their life that they had been so looking forward to turns out to be an assault course of emotions that are very unwelcome.
While pregnancy is naturally exciting, the condition can also be stressful.  Some who have not ever suffered noticeable depression may be hit by it and those already coping with the condition may find the symptoms to be made much worse.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Depression

The symptoms of depression often masquerade as other complications suffered by women while pregnant, such as fatigue.  It is important that one suffering from several of these conditions or any one that seems excessively severe (or chronic) seek advice from a medical care provider as to types of therapy that may be beneficial.
Insomnia
Changes in one’s sleeping pattern is often one of the first symptoms noted from depression.  This can include unusual wakefulness during the night or sleeping for excessively long times.  One should keep in mind the a kicking baby, dyspepsia and many other conditions can also result in changes in sleeping patterns and in modulating the amount of sleep the woman is able to achieve every 24 hour period.  This means the reason for any changes in routine concerning sleep may need to be examined.  In addition, changes in appetite, whether under-eating or binging can be indicators of depression; however, these changes can be due to other reasons as well.
Lack of Excitement or Interest
This can be an indicator of one’s depression.  While this condition is normally exciting depression and pregnancy can lead one to feel numbness and the inability to envision the condition ever coming to an end.  However, excessive emotion and anxiety are also indicative of depressive illness.  Women who find they suffer from mood swings going from one extreme to another can be suffering from bipolar disorder, a condition once know as manic depression.
Should one be diagnosed with a depressive illness while pregnant or already suffer from this condition, it may be possible to use certain antidepressant medicines.  However, it is essential to consult with a doctor to determine those which are safe for use when pregnant and , should they be needed aft the baby’s birth, are also suitable for breastfeeding moms should you choose to use this option for feeding the child.  In addition, counseling may be offered, but waiting lists can also be long and women may find it advisable to seek a private counselor, support group or help from SANE or other charitable organizations.

Those at Top Risk for Mental Health Conditions When Pregnant and Reducing Risks

Mental health conditions do not affect most women during this time, but those who have had mental illness problems in the past and those suffering from complications during pregnancy may suffer these conditions.  The tie between the two is so close that experts often argue which causes the other.  

In order to reduce the risk of symptoms of mental illness becoming worse, it is essential that one is frank and open with health care providers when asked about current mental state, health history and family history of mental conditions.  Such histories are useful in forming an appropriate plan.
If a person suffers from a health condition, she may need to alter medication used for the safety of the unborn child and manage any changing or new symptoms.  You should keep in close contact with the doctor as suddenly stopping medication can cause recurrence of symptoms or worsening of them during pregnancy.
Women can minimize symptoms by eating healthily and keeping active.  Maintaining weight within healthy limits can reduce the chance of immobility or joint problems later in pregnancy.  Exercise is helpful in staying off depression, but one must also find time for relaxing and taking part in enjoyed activities.  Make the effort to spend some time outside the house every day and keep in contact with friends.  Do not fear asking for help if wanted, it can help to eliminate the overburdened feelings some women feel.  Of course, one should avoid caffeine and alcohol for a healthy pregnancy.
Taking Control Is The First Step To Helping Yourself
Although society is far more open these days to those who suffer from depression or forms of extreme anxiety, if you are the person going through this, it is one of the last things you want in your life. Each person is different and the success of managing these unwelcome symptoms will vary according to a huge range of criteria. What works for you may not be helpful for someone else. At least if you recognize that you are experiencing some or all of the symptoms mentioned in this article, you can start taking the appropriate steps that you feel may help you.
Acceptance is necessary, even though you may not wish to admit to your feelings. However some acceptance means you can start to take control by seeking help and making any useful lifestyle changes. Work out a plan that you resonate with and start to ask for the help you need.

Featured images:

•  Photo provided by: smartphotostock.com

The author, Jackie de Burca, has helped a close friend who suffered from depression during pregnancy. Whilst her friend didn’t have as pleasant a pregnancy as some other women, she did feel supported by close friends, a counselor and medical team. It also helped her to go for regular pregnancy scans at Merrion Fetal Health, as this was reassuring and comforting, as her  baby’s development was normal and healthy.

trendytummy

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:

The debate surrounding dummy use for babies is a fierce one. Most parents are either strongly in favour or strongly against their baby using a dummy – but regardless of your views, there are undoubtedly arguments on both sides that are worth taking into consideration before you make your mind up.

A dummy – or pacifier, soother or comforter – is designed to help your baby sleep at night and be an aid when your baby is upset. Used by parents for centuries, dummies are normally given to babies up to the age of six months, and the advice is to wean your baby off his dummy by the time he is one-year-old. The sucking motion of a dummy soothes babies, and this need reduces the older a baby gets – they start to be able to soothe themselves in other ways.

Some parents enter motherhood with a set view on dummies and soon change their minds when their babies cry a lot, while others are more open to using them from the outset. These silicone or rubber-based devices are contentious and as a general guide are recommended only for settling your baby to sleep at night or for a daytime nap – and it’s advisable to wean them off between 6 and 12 months as there are disadvantages to using a dummy for longer.

If you’re undecided as to whether to use a dummy for your baby, there are pros and cons so be sure to read up on the subject before making your decision.

Pros

A dummy can settle an upset or hurt baby, especially if he is prone to wanting to suck all the time. The motion soothes babies, which is why they can be helpful during stressful times such as immunisations.

Dummies may provide protection against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Giving your baby a dummy before they go to sleep may reduce the risk of SIDS – however, if you want to use a dummy for this reason but your baby won’t take to it, there are other things you can do to lessen the risk such as ensuring your baby sleeps on his back and keeping his environment smoke-free.

Cons

Babies that use dummies can be more prone to ear infections. This is because the sucking motion can cause bacteria in the baby’s mouth to pass into the narrow channels between his ears and throat, and heavy use can alter the baby’s mouth resulting in mucus not draining so well between his ears and throat. Reducing the time your baby has a dummy in his mouth should help with this though.

The British Orthodontic Society recommends limited use of a dummy and weaning babies off dummies by the age of one or it can lead to overbite, which is when the baby’s top and bottom teeth don’t meet properly – the same is true for thumb sucking so you should try to discourage this as much as possible too.

Allowing your baby to try to talk or babble with a dummy in his mouth can affect speech development. Be aware of this and try to always remove his dummy when you talk to him, so he can freely respond to you.

Take care not to misinterpret when you’re baby’s hungry for when he wants the comfort of his dummy, as sucking a dummy can satisfy him when it shouldn’t. This can particularly interfere with breastfeeding by slowing down the milk production. If you’re breastfeeding and want to give your baby a dummy, it’s advisable to wait until this is established, usually around 4-6 weeks, as it can have a detrimental impact otherwise.

Love or hate dummies, there are undoubtedly some benefits as well as downsides to using them. Should you decide to give your baby a dummy, try to use it only to settle him at night and for naps, to wean him off it before he reaches 12 months, and to avoid overuse.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source

Helen is a full time mum but manages to balance it with a writing career for Baby Nest, who stock the popular Bugaboo Bee

trendytummy

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:

There are a number of factors to consider when buying clothes for your baby, and since they grow quickly it can be frustrating and intimidating as you pick out baby boy clothes and infant dresses. Without some advice, you may not even know where to begin, but here are a few key ideas that will get you on the road to keeping your child comfortable and stylish in no time.

1.     Comfort is Key

While you may notice the style of clothes more than the comfort since you can’t exactly try them on, remember that keeping your child comfortable and happy is your top priority. Look for clothes that are soft and make sure that your child has plenty of room to move around without feeling restricted.

If you buy something super stylish but your baby or child throws a fit when you try to have them wear it, you’ll be stuck with a stylish clothing item that you can’t really enjoy watching your child wear since you’ll know they are uncomfortable. As a result, focus on comfort first.

2.     Lead Your Baby When Buying Clothes

Babies grow fast, so you need to think ahead when buying clothes and you may want to try to lead them by a size. The added benefit here is that the looser clothing will be more comfortable and allow more movement as the baby grows into it.

Parents often think about this when buying shoes for older children, but sometimes forget to take it into account when shopping for baby clothes. The rapid rates of growth early in life can mean that your infant is going through clothes at an amazingly fast rate and you don’t want to be playing catch up wen it comes to sizes.

The last thing you want to do is spend your hard earned money on baby clothes that are too small in a month or two because you didn’t think ahead, so judge accordingly and try to minimize the frequency of your clothes shopping for your child as well as the comfort level of your baby.

3.     Think Ahead by Season

This is a great way to save money on your shopping for baby apparel and plan ahead as well. If your child is 12 months old this winter, as soon as the winter ends look for sales on winter items and buy some clothes for a 24-month old baby.

The styles won’t change too much in the period of one year and you can get some great deals. It can also save you from having to do as much shopping the following year, allowing you to get it done in bulk and not have to worry about it.

Hartstrings.com specializes in baby apparel, baby clothes and infant dresses. Visit Hartstrings.com today for the latest styles in baby clothes.

trendytummy

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:

How can you help your child understand the Bible? Because you are asking this question, it is important to you. Several keys are important to its answer, but two are uppermost, you will be creating a learning environment for children and working with them to understand God’s Word, the Bible.

• Learning Languages

When teaching children, remember each child, even those in the same home, has their own learning style or language as some prefer to call it. Some kiddos learn things by seeing them in books; others might remember a good story read aloud; maybe other children draw pictures. Each of these styles helps children and adults process information in their own unique way so it is useful for them. Although we do not need to be experts at discovering a child’s learning style, as parents and caregivers we will be able to clarify concepts and information more easily as we work with them. This applies to understanding the Bible as well.

• Fun Activities

In addition to learning styles, providing fun activities for children will go a long way to their understanding.  In my research, I came across a website geared to kids of all ages and their families. You might see what it has to offer. The popular series “Veggie Tales” has been an immense help to make the stories we often take for granted much more within children’s grasp. Over the years there have been stories written that address various issues such as faith, mercy, dependability, life lessons, and morals all from a Biblical Worldview, and most with Bible references/verses.

• Bible Stories

Stories from the Bible that are teachable to children include, but are not exclusive to the following: Noah and the Ark; Abraham; the Baby Moses in the basket; Queen Esther; the Three Wise Men; Jonah and the Whale; David and Goliath; the story of the Red Sea; the story of Caleb and Joshua. Several Christian and educational book stores have helpful materials to make these come alive and use language children and adults alike can better understand. In addition to using kid friendly Bibles, try using finger puppets, flannel board stories, and delightful children’s songs. Once children become familiar with them they will ask for them often.

• Why Important

The most fun part of helping your child understand the Bible is that you will understand it better too. As you create a kid friendly environment for your child to learn about God, His stories, and even memorize Scripture, you will smile to notice the delight on their faces, and one day when they come home from school or from playing with friends, they will say something like, “Mom/Dad, you remember the story of David and how he took care of that awful giant, well there was a huge spider and I used to be scared of him, but he’s dead now!” You just never know when a story in the Bible will teach your children something special that applies specifically to what they are going through at that very moment.

Jacob Smith is a freelance writer and father of two.  He has recently been blogging about kids and the Bible and how it applies to kids as well as parents.

trendytummy

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:

When a child ends up in a temper tantrum, things can get pretty difficult. Most parents who have endured these difficult moments will testify that this is one of the hardest things they will have to face. Sadly there is no magic fix for dealing with these issues. Different things will work for different parents and of course children.

Although at times things can more than a little frustrating, adopting some of the ideas in this blog post can help to reduce the tantrum.

Element of Control

Before we take a look at some of the steps to help you to regain an element of control it is perhaps a good idea to explore why tantrums occur in the first place. The main reason behind why your child might kick, scream, bite and of course cry can be put down to their inability to communicate on another level.

Put simply, they won’t have the ability to manage their very big and sometimes explosive emotions and frustrations.

Stay One Step Ahead

Temper control issues are brought about by a range of different circumstances. Some of which include:

• Hunger
• Boredom
• Anxiety
• Sleepiness

Of course, some of the much larger tantrums are as a result of a combination of the above feelings. It is worth noting that over-stimulation can also play its part in stressing out your little one.

As a result of this it is sensible for the parent to try their best to stay one step ahead. Thinking about the circumstances as well as your own child’s developmental age can be a good place to start. An example of this might be anticipating issues after carting your little one around the shops. Constantly hearing “stop” words is likely to bring out the worst in any small child.

Eye Level Contact

Few things serve to reinforce the message you are giving your child than strong eye level contact. Taking the somewhat lazy option of shouting at them from a couple of rooms away is only going to be effective in winding you up, with these messages seldom receiving the desired responses.

Using a physical touch to help initiate your connection will help the child to realise that something is up. Wait for your child to notice your eye contact, then you can begin. It is essential at this stage to adopt a slightly different voice from that of your normal one. This will further demonstrate that they need to listen to you.

This tone should be clear and non-threatening. Done correctly it will completely alleviate the need to shout or yell at your child. The message that you are delivering is that your child is about to or has already crossed a boundary.

Adopting this sensible approach will quickly tell your child that they are in the wrong, without escalating the situation into a shouting match.

Turn Routine Tasks into Fun Challenges

Casting your own mind back into childhood is good practice here. Chores like cleaning the bedroom probably won’t fill your child with bags of enthusiasm. However, by “marketing” the task in a different way these types of jobs can get tackled without the almost mandatory tantrum.

Instead of simply telling your child to “go and clean their room”, an alternative phrase might be better. Many parents have found a high degree of success with something along the lines of a clean the room contest, asking the child just how many things they can pick up in 3 minutes. Imaginative parents will be able to come up with a multitude of different ways to involve their children in some of the more mundane but necessary tasks.

Tackling Pure Boredom

If you recognise that your child is bored then it might be time to organise a trip. A great way of keeping control over things is to sit down with your child and draw up a list. As the parent it is likely that you will be able to come up with plenty of ideas for days out with the children. This is important because once you have five or six different ideas jotted down you can ask your child to choose one of them.

The beauty here is that you are asking your child to participate in choosing (albeit from a selective list) a fun activity or day out. This serves to achieve two important things. Firstly they feel empowered and involved in the process and secondly their bored state will be improved by one of the great ideas that they have chosen. 

As a parent of two small children, Wendy Derbyshire is certainly aware about temper tantrums. She recommends coming up with fun ideas for days out with the children as a great way to deal with the routine of normal life.

trendytummy

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:

What does being pretty really mean? Is it defined by race, color, ethnicity, body type, clothes, hair, or shoes? What truly qualifies someone as gorgeous? While today many people might argue that the body makes the person, this is not the case. Some people’s main focus, especially women, is on fitness and looking as sexy as possible to the other gender. They want to have the tightest abs, the nicest butt, and the best hair in town. So what’s a girl to do when she finds herself pregnant and all of those body parts start changing and morphing into something much less than the tight little figure she had before? Good news: the body does not define beauty. In fact, there are many other ways for women to feel and look gorgeous without the sleek six-pack.

Be Confident

One thing that men and women will almost always agree on is that confidence is one of the sexiest things a person can possess. Before a nice chest and a great set of biceps, a person will notice how another individual carries him or her self. When someone walks into a room, their “aura,” so to speak, enters with them. If they are positive, energetic, and spunky, others will just naturally gravitate towards them, as opposed to someone who is withdrawn and self-conscious. Pregnant women, though they may not always feel radiant and peppy, should work hard to promote an air of confidence and beauty. With that, others will begin to see that beauty as well.

Enjoy the Journey

Something that many women forget to do when they are pregnant is to enjoy their journey. It is not every day a lady gets to live with another life growing inside her. This is a miracle and something that should be celebrated and enjoyed while she has the chance. Women often get caught up in all the negatives of pregnancy—weight gain, acne breakouts, lethargy, and other depressing symptoms. However, what they forget to look at are all the positive things about being a mommy. They ignore all the little kicks and flutters of their baby to focus on their newest stretch mark or blemish. This is no way to go through nine months of life. Women who enjoy their time being pregnant are more apt to feel pretty and happy than those who sit back and “suffer through it.”

Eat Well

Another very important part to feeling and looking great when pregnant is to eat well and stay healthy. Lots of ladies take pregnancy as an excuse to sit around and get fat for nine months. They think they can east as much junk as they want because they are going to gain weight anyway, so what’s the difference. However, if anything, women should focus on being healthy more now than ever before. They are supporting a little life inside of them, and that growing baby needs as much nutrients and nourishment as possible. Plus, when people eat well and exercise regularly, they are just naturally going to feel better about themselves.

Dress the Body Right

Sometimes it can be hard for a pregnant woman to find something she feels confident and sexy wearing. Fortunately, there are so many options for maternity clothes nowadays that these ladies need not worry. There are all sorts of cute jeans, fun tops, and even pretty maternity dresses that can be found at any regular clothing store. Dressing the pregnant body appropriately and tastefully can make a pregnant woman look just as good, if not even better, than that lady with the six-pack and great butt. Sometimes, beauty isn’t all about the body, but rather how a woman presents herself, dresses, and takes care of herself.

trendytummy

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:

Finding out that you are pregnant is one of the most exhilarating, amazing, and terrifying pieces of news that you will ever receive.  The knowledge that millions of others have gone through what you are experiencing   won’t soften the impact for most.  What will help is time spent with your loved ones and close friends.  If you’re lucky, your friends and family will be good enough to throw you a baby shower.

Once the initial adrenaline and jitters have worn off, it’s time to start planning for your child’s entry into this world.   Though it’s likely your friends and family will take on the bulk of planning for your baby shower, there are a few areas where a little input from the mother, or parents, to be, will be a tremendous help to the planners.

Guess Who’s Coming

Determining the guest list is something only you can truly do.  Even the best of friends or siblings aren’t mind readers.   Start by writing out a list of some of your good friends, and a list of family members.  Decide whether this will be a ladies-only event or a co-ed affair.  Talk to your significant other.  Write out a general list, but be prepared to make cuts if necessary.  Since the expectant parents don’t normally host the event – it’s up to whoever does to determine how many guests they are comfortable accommodating/paying for.  Once this is established, write out a list of the invitees with their addresses included.

Determine Your Needs

Once you’ve had one child, you’ll have a much better idea of what you need for supplies.  If this is your first baby however, you should talk to someone with kids.  Things to consider when you put together a gift registry are: how much space do you have where you currently live?  Are you expecting any hand-me-downs or heirlooms from your parents?  Do you know the gender or are you waiting to be surprised?  Once you have a general idea of things, you can go to the stores.

Stick to popular chains or well-known local shops for gift ideas.  Your friends and family are generous enough to throw you this party and shower you with presents; the least you can do is make it easy on them.  Babies R Us and Target are very convenient, with supportive staffs and easy-to-use web sites.  While you’re bound to fall in love with some of the baby clothing, don’t forget basic staples like baby diapers, pacifiers, and baby food when putting together your list.

Once you’ve handed over your wish list and guest list, leave it to your friends to plan the rest.  You can take the time to focus on staying healthy.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source

By Lauren Wainwright, a blogger covering a variety of topics. Follow her on Twitter!

trendytummy

More Posts - Website

Follow Me: