Pregnancy Lounge

Tag: expecting

  • Pregnancy Nails

    Pregnancy Nails

    pregnancy nailsNails, like just about every other part of a woman’s body tend to change during pregnancy. Many women notice that their fingernails and toenails change sometimes for the better, but sometimes for the worst. Some changes you may like, some you won’t. Every woman is different and most nail changes (or the lack of nail changes) during pregnancy are normal. Nails typically return to normal after delivery or when you stop breastfeeding.

    Due to extra pregnancy hormones (as well as prenatal vitamins and a generally healthier diet), your nails may grow faster, longer in length and become stronger when you are expecting. On the downside, some women experience softer, brittle pregnancy nails that peel, split and break more easily and sometimes develop rough surfaces.

    If your nails split and tear more easily when you’re pregnant, keep them short and well-trimmed. Nails should be cut straight across and rounded slightly at the tip for maximum strength. If you’ve always loved your long nails, it may help to remind yourself that shorter nails make it easier to care for and caress the sensitive skin of your baby.

    Avoid the chemicals in nail polish and nail polish remover. Using nail polish may damage your nails and make them much worse. A recent study has shown that certain chemicals that are commonly found in nail polish and removers (such as methyl methacrylate and acetonitrile) are dangerous and can cause numerous health problems including skin irritation, rashes and even poisoning. Not all nail polish and polish removers contains these harmful chemicals; you can find some that contain only natural ingredients and are biodegradable. Another downside to polish is that it prevents your nails from breathing. If you must use an acetone-containing polish remover, be sure to do your nails outside or at least in a well-ventilated room, because of the harmful fumes.

    The single most important thing you can do for your nails is to eat right and take your prenatal vitamins every day. Taking a good-quality, prenatal vitamin supplement is wonderful for the nails because they have such a high-nutrient density. Protein is the key nutrient needed for encouraging nail growth; a handful of almonds or cashews daily are excellent providers.

    Other things you can do to protect your nails are: wear rubber gloves when washing dishes (or anytime you’re working with water), gardening and when working with detergents or cleansers, moisturize your nails by applying lotion or cream at bedtime and avoid chemical-based cuticle softeners, instead use natural oils such as emu oil. Also, never remove your cuticle, because it may allow a painful and unsightly infection to develop. If your nails are yellow or discolored, soak them for a few minutes in pure lemon juice (wait for cuts to heal, otherwise the juice will sting), followed by a soak in olive oil. If you notice any swelling or pain associated with your nail changes, report it to your doctor, midwife or dermatologist.

  • Morning Sickness Remedies

    Morning Sickness Remedies

    Diet is the best tool to minimize morning sickness discomfort and make it more bearable. Sometimes you may reduce nausea and vomiting by making changes in your diet and eating habits.

    Keep a few simple snacks by your bed, such as soda crackers, graham crackers, granola bars, rice cakes, dry cereal or pretzels. Eating carbohydrate-rich foods and foods high in protein, especially right before you get up in the morning, may help combat nausea. Nibble a few crackers and then rest for 20- 30 minutes before getting out of bed. Snacking on crackers may also help you feel better if you wake up feeling nauseated in the middle of the night.

    Due to increased estrogen levels, pregnant women are particularly sensitive to smells. Try to avoid the sight, smell, and taste of foods that bother you and make you queasy. Many pregnant women want to avoid any activity that has to do with food when they are feeling sick, including cooking meals and grocery shopping. Have your partner prepare meals and shop for food, when possible. Also, when cooking (or when your partner is cooking), make sure to keep windows open and have a fan on to minimize food odors that might trigger nausea.

    The nausea experienced during pregnancy is one of the few that is relieved by having food in the stomach. Eat before nausea strikes, because food will be easier to get down and that way, you may be able to prevent an attack. Eat small, frequent meals or snacks throughout the day (as often as every 1-2 hours if necessary), so that your stomach is never empty, since an empty stomach tends to make morning sickness worse. Low blood sugar levels, resulting from long stretches between meals, can trigger nausea, as can eating too much at one meal. Large meals are to be avoided.

    Women with a higher intake of fat may be more likely to suffer morning sickness than those with less saturated fat. Limit or eliminate fatty, greasy and fried foods, which take longer to digest, particularly during pregnancy when your stomach takes longer to empty. Try to avoid spicy foods which can irritate your stomach and digestive system. Stick to good old bland foods.

    It’s best to avoid fluids at meal time. Drink small amounts of fluids primarily in between meals instead. Don’t drink so much at once that your stomach feels full, as that will make you less hungry for food, although make sure you get plenty of water throughout the day to keep yourself well-hydrated, especially if you are vomiting. Sometimes drinks at cold temperatures help curb nausea better than hot drinks. Fruit juices, Gatorade and popsicles are helpful, as well as sucking on ice chips (an ice pack on your forehead might even help!) Keep caffeine intake to a minimum as it can make you feel worse, contribute to dehydration and further irritate nausea.

    Many pregnant women crave sour or bitter tastes like lemon, which may have a therapeutic effect and can calm your system. Drinking lemonade or lemon water, smelling lemons, or just a small taste of lemon will normally calm an upset stomach. You can put slices of lemon in your iced tea, sparkling water or even simply suck on a lemon wedge.

    Drinking decaffeinated herbal teas (be careful, some herbal teas may be harmful during pregnancy) may help relieve morning sickness. Teas like peppermint, mint, chamomile, red raspberry leaf and ginger can be calming in reasonable and small doses. Ginger is thought to settle the stomach and help relieve queasiness. Ginger ale (made with real ginger), ginger tea (grated fresh into hot water), ginger candies, dried ginger and ginger cookies may all help relieve nausea. Powdered ginger root capsules are another option. It is always advisable to speak to your doctor or midwife first before taking any herbs.

    Sometimes, iron can be hard on your digestive system and become bothersome during pregnancy. Avoid extra iron supplements, especially in your first trimester, unless you are anemic. If you think your morning sickness may be related to your prenatal vitamins, talk to your doctor or midwife. They may switch you to a prenatal vitamin with a lower dose of iron for the first trimester. You might find that taking your prenatal vitamins later in the day, rather than in the morning may help. Also, taking them with food, possibly with dinner may be best, if they cause your stomach to be upset. Never stop taking your prenatal vitamin supplement, unless you’re advised by your doctor to do so.

    Vitamin B6 eases nausea in some women and can be helpful in low doses. Increase vitamin B6 in your diet by eating whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Talk to your doctor or midwife about possibly taking a vitamin B6 supplement, because he or she can tell you how much to take and whether or not the amount in your prenatal vitamin should count as one of the doses. (The amount of vitamin B6 in supplements varies by brand.) Sometimes a combination of Vitamin B6 and Unisom are even more helpful in easing morning sickness. Never take any extra vitamin supplement without your doctor’s approval.

    More Articles on Morning Sickness

    —Morning Sickness
    —Morning Sickness Help
    —Diet and Morning Sickness
    —Morning Sickness Alternatives

  • Adoption Options

    Adoption Options

    There are technically three basic adoption options for birthmothers to choose from: confidential (or closed) adoption, mediated (or semi-open) adoption and fully disclosed (or open) adoption. These options are categorized by the different degrees of openness achieved, as well as the amount of information exchanged between the birthparents and the adoptive parents. Many birthmothers like the freedom of being able to choose one of these adoption options because it gives them more flexibility and control over their situation. The decision is completely the birthmother’s to make, depending on which option she is the most comfortable with. No matter which option the birthmother chooses, it’s important to remember that all varieties of adoption- whether closed, semi-open or open- are permanent.

    Closed Adoption

    A closed adoption refers to a confidential adoption process where the identities of the birthparents and the adoptive parents may not be shared. No identifying information such as names, addresses or phone numbers is exchanged between families, but limited non-identifying information such as physical characteristics and medical history may be provided to both parties. There is no contact between the birthparents and the adoptive parents before or after placement and no on-going information of the child is shared. In a closed adoption, the birthmother generally doesn’t choose the adoptive parents and relies on the experience of the adoption professional to select the best adoptive parents.

    Semi-open Adoption

    A semi-open adoption refers to an adoption process where some limited identifying information may be shared between the birthparents and the adoptive parents, such as first names, possibly pictures and letters following the birth and sometimes gifts. Information is usually shared through a mediator (adoption agency personnel or attorney) rather than direct contact between the two parties. Sometimes, birthparents and adoptive parents may meet face-to-face, usually before the delivery or at the hospital. There is no direct contact after placement. Semi-open adoption makes it possible for the birthmother to play an active role in choosing the adoptive parents.

    Open Adoption

    An open adoption refers to an adoption process where full disclosure of identifying information between the birthparents and the adoptive parents are shared and there are no limits placed on how much can be exchanged, as long as it is mutually agreed upon. In open adoption, the birthmother can select the adoptive parents from a group of screened families. Many times, the two parties have direct contact and develop a trusting relationship. The birthparents and adoptive parents may communicate with each other by telephone calls, letters and are often encouraged to meet in person. On-going contact may occur after placement including letters, photographs, e-mails, phone calls and sometimes even actual visits. Adoption professionals generally moderate the degree of openness between the two parties, based upon their mutual wishes and what works for them. The level of openness should be decided on a case-by-case basis and the birthparents need to understand that both parties must agree on the level of on-going communication between them post-placement, although the agreement isn’t legally binding.

  • Pregnant Moms Flash Mob

    Pregnant Moms Flash Mob

    In this awesome flash mob video filmed at Kings Island Amusement Park, pregnant moms come together to dance to Justin Bieber’s hit song, “Baby.” However entertaining this is to watch, there was another reason many watched. “March of Dimes” received $.10 for each time this video was viewed. Enjoy!