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Pregnancy

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From the sea to the jungle, there are endless ideas out there for choosing a theme for and designing your new baby’s nursery.  It’s easy to become overwhelmed and even go into massive debt!  To keep you from drowning in the sea of cuteness overload and madness of ALL. The. Things, here is a list of 8 themes that are sure to create a serene, relaxing environment for your little one’s first room! Cartoon Characters Yup, you read that right!  We all know that the classic woodland themes of Winnie-the-Pooh and Peter Rabbit have been popular for many years. Oh, but how times DO change! Disney magic has brought us the oceanic themes of Finding Nemo and Moana, breaking the trends we grew up knowing. We also can’t leave out the ever-growing list of Disney princesses and Minnie Mouse!  The classics are still there for us with Precious…

It’s vital to eat well-balanced meals at any time, but it’s more important when you’re pregnant. Some meals and beverages may raise your and your baby’s risk of injury during pregnancy. When it seems like there are so many foods to avoid during pregnancy, it might be intimidating, but there are still plenty of foods you can consume while pregnant.  Some meals must be cooked or prepared in a specific way, while others should be avoided entirely. As your baby’s developing body requires certain nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, therefore you must follow a pregnancy diet chart with the doctor’s guidance. While most meals are acceptable to eat while pregnant, there are several items to avoid. Foods to Avoid While Pregnant Raw Meat: Due to the risk of coliform bacteria, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella infection, uncooked shellfish, rare or undercooked beef, and undercooked poultry should be avoided during pregnancy.  At home, whole slices…

It is almost time to greet your new baby, and as an expectant mom you are trying to make sure you have everything packed. Is your hospital bag ready for the baby’s day of delivery? You want to be sure it is by the door and ready to go when those contractions hit! How can you be sure you have not missed something? (Pregnancy brain is a real thing, you know!) So what are the items that are obvious, and what are the things that you might get to the hospital and say, “Oh, I wish I had thought to pack that!”? Let’s take a look! Be sure to read to the end to find your free packing list! Clothes When it comes time to deliver your baby, whether it is natural or by C-section, there are certain items you will want to have with you. Some of the most…

Congratulations! You’re expecting a baby! Now, the question is, what are you going to name this new addition to the family? Babies are super cute, cuddly (sometimes loud or smelly, lol) and make our hearts fill with joy, but you’ve got to have something just perfect to name this sweet bundle of love, right? So what are parents to do when they need to get help choosing a name that’s just right? Well, there are a lot of helpful resources out there from baby name books to taking a quick flip through magazines with celebrity names, author’s names, names of music artists in the list of Grammy Awards winners, or you can turn to thoughtful bloggers who love to spend their time collecting character-building names for you to thumb through and choose from. Aren’t we just the sweetest? Wink, wink. Ok, I know it isn’t necessarily going to be “hip”…

Considering the task of carrying and delivering a baby, the third trimester of pregnancy can be an emotional rollercoaster. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the abundance of information, this checklist can serve as your personal guide through what to expect during the last 3 months of pregnancy. It covers everything from what you should expect during your doctor visits to what to pack in your hospital bag. You are winding down and getting close to that milestone finish line of pregnancy! The amazing feeling of getting to hold your precious little one in your arms is almost here! It will come before you know it! But before you get to cross that well-deserved finish line, there are still a few things that are probably a good idea to keep in mind that could pop up along the way during your last three months of pregnancy.  You’re Ready For…

Can you believe you’ve made it to the second trimester already? Congrats! This is such a great part of pregnancy as you are starting to feel a little better finally,and you’ve got the wonderful opportunity to feel your baby kicking harder and doing little flips and turns inside (especially after a sweet drink or juicy piece of fruit)! Now’s the time to start accomplishing a few important doctor visits during this 2nd trimester.  During the second 3 months of pregnancy, you will be going through a lot of changes. You will start to get used to the changes in your body, and you will also start to feel emotional, or even tired at times.To help you get through the second trimester, here is a checklist of the things you might be experiencing and what you should do about them. Second Trimester Checklist You made it to the second trimester where…

Pregnancy is one of those things that’s hard to understand until you’ve been through it. You may worry about what’s going on with your body, how your life is going to change, and how you’re going to be able to take care of a new baby. This article is a helpful guide to what to expect in the first three months of pregnancy. It has tips for what to do, what to wear, what to eat, and what to expect. Everything you need to know about pregnancy during the first trimester: Buy an at home pregnancy test and see if you are indeed pregnant, or have your primary care physician order a blood test to check for pregnancy Celebrate this amazing moment in your life by sharing your joy with your spouse or partner and telling them the news Schedule an appointment to see an OB-GYN for your very…

That little positive sign has appeared and you are expecting – congratulations!  Most women get excited about all of the cute baby clothes, the adorable tiny diapers, decorating a room just for their little bundle of joy, and all of the other things that come with pregnancy.  One thing that is not always mentioned is a birthing plan.  The birthing plan is essentially what YOU want to happen when you are in labor, as you deliver the baby, and during your hospital stay post delivery.  Obviously, there are always unexpected surprises and no two labor and deliveries are the same, but by creating a birthing plan, your doctor will now know what you are hoping for and what you are willing to compromise on versus what you are firm about before any of the unexpected surprises come up. Here are a few things to consider when creating your personalized birthing…

If you’re planning to get pregnant, congratulations!  Having a healthy pregnancy is all about making an effort upfront to take care of you and your growing baby. A lot of the joy and challenges of pregnancy come from what you put into your body. Choosing the right foods, drinking enough fluids, and taking doctor-recommended prenatal vitamins can all put you on the proper path to a healthier pregnancy. Here are some guidelines to follow to help you be as healthy and happy as possible for the nine months of your pregnancy. Finding a Good Doctor While it may seem obvious, the very first step to having a healthy pregnancy is visiting the doctor!  It is important to schedule your first appointment as soon as possible after you find out you are pregnant.  This is going to be when you find out the basics such as how far along you are,…

The final stretch of being pregnant seems to last the longest. When I wrote this post originally, I was 36 weeks pregnant. After reviewing it, all the 6 signs still ring true for most pregnant mamas. These are the things that start to happen, to help you know you are totally over being pregnant. I think this is an important milestone in getting close to labor. Often times once the mama is over being pregnant (and close to the due date), the baby soon follows. Maybe pregnancy has been difficult for you, so you were mentally and emotionally done sooner, but usually, these funny little signs mean it is really close to the end. If you aren’t close to the end but have maybe gained too much weight, I highly recommend the Belly-Only Pregnancy program. It is a simple, fitness and nutrition program with recipe books to guide you on…