Pregnancy

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    About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth

  • 7 Reasons You Can't Have an Epidural

    9 Feb 2010 | 12:29 am
    When Elizabeth Hasselbeck welcomed her one son, she was asked if she got an epidural for pain relief in labor, she says "I did but I think I'm immune to the epidural, because it didn't work for me. That's a problem." This is why many anesthesiologists recommend taking a childbirth class, even if you're planning on an epidural. No matter how you feel about epidurals, you still need to have some information about them. I've seen lots of women decide before labor that epidurals were exactly what they wanted only to find out they couldn't have one. Don't get left in that rough spot. Epidurals are…

  • Announcing Your Pregnancy on Valentine's Day

    8 Feb 2010 | 1:19 am
    With Valentine's Day fast approaching, you may be waiting to find out if you're pregnant. Have you considered waiting for this special date to share your big news? Lots of women choose to make pregnancy announcements on special occasions. In fact, we have a few stories to share of Valentine's Day pregnancy announcements. If you get a big fat positive (BFP) on your pregnancy test consider doing something special! Valentine's Day Pregnancy Announcements Announcing Your Pregnancy on Valentine's Day originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at…

  • Folic Acid Should Start Before Pregnancy

    7 Feb 2010 | 12:07 am
    Many people can tell you that they know that folic acid can prevent certain birth defects, like spina bifida.  What most people can't tell you is who should be taking the folic acid and for how long.  Experts have long said that women need to take the folic acid for at least three months prior to pregnancy to reap the benefits.  The problem is that many women hear the call for women of childbearing age and don't do anything because they think that they are not ready for a baby or they believe that they will simply start taking supplements as soon as their pregnancy is diagnosed.  This is…

  • The Basics of Labor

    6 Feb 2010 | 12:24 am
    Last week in childbirth class I started teaching about labor. I love to hear the stories that others have heard about labor, particularly how does labor start. There is such a wide variety in experiences and beliefs about labor. While this is true, it is also important that you have the basics of labor down pat for when it's your turn to give birth. It doesn't matter if you're planning on an epidural for birth, to have natural childbirth or even planning a cesarean section - everyone must know a particular set of facts about labor, incuding how do I know if it's labor; what to pack for the…

  • Text4Baby

    4 Feb 2010 | 5:44 am
    Text4Baby is a new service designed to help mothers have healthier pregnancies. It is a free text messaging service, even if you do not have a text plan. It simply uses your due date to send you up to three targeted texts a week via cell phone. This, to date, is the largest mobile public health initiative. It is impressive and interesting. This service is provided in English and Spanish. To sign up: Text BABY to 511411 Envia BEBE al 511411 para Español This service will also span your baby's first year.  Sample texts: Breastfeeding gives babies a great start! Call 1-800-311-BABY (2229) to…
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    Pregnancy at More4kids

  • Post Pregnancy: Preparing Your Marriage for Baby

    More4kids Inc.
    3 Feb 2010 | 4:19 pm
    When you are pregnant and preparing for baby, there are several things most parents do to get ready. However, many don’t spend any time at all preparing their marriage for the arrival of the baby.

  • Fetal Growth and Air Pollution

    More4kids Inc.
    31 Jan 2010 | 9:41 am
    Fetal Growth and Air Pollutants, is there a connection? There is mounting evidence from studies conducted around the country that exposure to air pollutants during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of complications.

  • Night Sweats During Pregnancy

    More4kids Inc.
    25 Jan 2010 | 5:57 pm
    How and when night sweats are experienced during pregnancy varies widely. Some women have an occasional episode and wake up soaked with sweat, but sleep uninterrupted most of the time.

  • Baby Names – Finding the Perfect One

    More4kids Inc.
    18 Jan 2010 | 12:56 pm
    So many baby names to pick from. Choosing the perfect name for your baby is definitely very important. Here are some tips, some dos, and dont's for naming your baby.

  • Natural Delivery and Childbirth

    More4kids Inc.
    1 Jan 2010 | 6:28 pm
    When expecting a new baby, one of the most discussed issues is whether to go with medication or to have a natural delivery or childbirth. Here are a few things to consider if going natural.
 
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    Bellyitch

  • Five Updates: Bellyitch Blog is Changing

    8 Feb 2010 | 2:06 am
    Due to a sharp increase in demands on my time (I got an awesome new client and am doing some kick ass new and exciting stuff that's going to get my name out there in a BIG way and help society along the way), I have to readjust the blog features and post frequency expectations. Also, my three children are even MORE demanding of my attention as they grow. I have a very busy activity schedule

  • Product Review: Sandra Magsamen Wishes & Kisses Collection

    4 Feb 2010 | 9:38 am
    One of Bellyitch's favorite board books writers has expanded her brand! Sandra Magsamen, mom, artist and author of those cute little hugs and kisses books reviewed and given away here before, has debuted her collection of newborn accessories, apparel and gifts at Wal-mart.I was sent a few items to check out and I really do like each piece. The collection even includes a children's line of clothes

  • Celebrity Update: Stalking Jenna Elfman & Other Updates

    2 Feb 2010 | 6:51 am
    Continuing with the trend of stalking fashionably dressed pregnant celebrities, next up is the oh so chic and sexy funny actress Jenna Elfman! Love her!love the cute curls...this is looking like second trimester cuteness huh?At the people's choice wards. Love those shoes and tights. I see she loves her one bare shoulder look..because here she is rocking it again. It really suits her.lThis is a

  • The Myth of the Instant Post Baby Body

    28 Jan 2010 | 4:13 pm
    So the gossip rags media is at it again, pushing a false unattainable and unrealistic image and standard of how quick a woman should lose her baby weight after pregnancy and giving birth.This time, the suspect folks at US Weekly thought it was a good idea to erase some of Kourtney Kardashian's post baby body for the cover issue where she showed off her new baby for the first time. Kourtney and

  • Celebrity Update: Let's Stalk Paula Patton

    27 Jan 2010 | 5:27 am
    I'm loving how the "Precious" Actress/Star is wearing her pregnancy these days...Let's stalk shall we?at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, held Saturday evening at the Shrine in Los Angeles....at the red carpet of the 67th Golden Globes Awards show. at the People’s Choice Awards 2010 held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on January 6, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.at a random event recently...The
 
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    Pregnancy / Obstetrics News From Medical News Today

  • Incidence Of Cerebral Palsy On Rise In United States

    9 Feb 2010 | 2:00 am
    Cerebral palsy (CP) has increased in infants born prematurely in the United States, according to data presented by researchers from Loyola University Health System (LUHS). These findings were reported at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in Chicago. They also were published in the latest issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology...

  • Autism Risk Higher When Mother Is Older, Study

    9 Feb 2010 | 2:00 am
    Researchers who studied records of all births occurring in California in the 1990s found that the risk of having a child with autism was significantly higher when the mother was older, regardless of the father's age, except when the mother was younger, the risk was also higher if the father were older...

  • Biocell Center Furthers Its Commitment To Maternal Fetal Medicine

    9 Feb 2010 | 1:00 am
    Biocell Center announced its further commitment to working with maternal-fetal-medicine doctors by attending the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's (SMFM) annual meeting. "Biocell Center has been working with perinatologists and Ob/Gyn doctors worldwide for several years," said Kate Torchilin, CEO of Biocell Center Corporation...

  • Mechanism By Which Progesterone Prevents Preterm Birth

    8 Feb 2010 | 2:00 am
    Researchers at Yale School of Medicine believe they may have discovered how the hormone progesterone acts to prevent preterm birth. The findings were presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) in Chicago by Errol Norwitz, M.D., professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at Yale...

  • Recent Releases In Global Health

    8 Feb 2010 | 2:00 am
    Lancet Study Examines Childbirth Practices, Outcomes In Asian Countries A Lancet study examines childbirth practices and the relationship between these practices and maternal and perinatal outcomes in nine Asian countries, as assessed by a WHO global survey...
 
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    Pregnancy / Obstetrics News From Medical News Today

  • Incidence Of Cerebral Palsy On Rise In United States

    9 Feb 2010 | 2:00 am
    Cerebral palsy (CP) has increased in infants born prematurely in the United States, according to data presented by researchers from Loyola University Health System (LUHS). These findings were reported at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in Chicago. They also were published in the latest issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology...

  • Autism Risk Higher When Mother Is Older, Study

    9 Feb 2010 | 2:00 am
    Researchers who studied records of all births occurring in California in the 1990s found that the risk of having a child with autism was significantly higher when the mother was older, regardless of the father's age, except when the mother was younger, the risk was also higher if the father were older...

  • Biocell Center Furthers Its Commitment To Maternal Fetal Medicine

    9 Feb 2010 | 1:00 am
    Biocell Center announced its further commitment to working with maternal-fetal-medicine doctors by attending the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's (SMFM) annual meeting. "Biocell Center has been working with perinatologists and Ob/Gyn doctors worldwide for several years," said Kate Torchilin, CEO of Biocell Center Corporation...

  • Mechanism By Which Progesterone Prevents Preterm Birth

    8 Feb 2010 | 2:00 am
    Researchers at Yale School of Medicine believe they may have discovered how the hormone progesterone acts to prevent preterm birth. The findings were presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) in Chicago by Errol Norwitz, M.D., professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at Yale...

  • Recent Releases In Global Health

    8 Feb 2010 | 2:00 am
    Lancet Study Examines Childbirth Practices, Outcomes In Asian Countries A Lancet study examines childbirth practices and the relationship between these practices and maternal and perinatal outcomes in nine Asian countries, as assessed by a WHO global survey...
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    iParenting Media - Pregnancy Channel

  • Postpartum Depression in Canada - More Than the Baby Blues

    After the birth of my first child eight years ago, I was seized by terrifying feelings of panic at the thought of being alone with him. When my husband dragged me out on a grocery expedition two weeks after he was born, I experienced heart palpitations and dizziness...

  • My Postpartum Depression Story - One Mom, in Her Own Words

    When I first got postpartum depression (PPD) and then got antepartum depression, I found that I didn't want to just read research papers and books and talk to doctors ... I wanted to hear from real women who had suffered through this and had survived...

  • Fertility Treatments and Sex - Taking the Chore out of Sex for Conception

    Fertility treatments can be a time-consuming maze of to-do lists: Do take your temperature at a certain time. Don't let your husband wear briefs. Do eat well to prepare your body for pregnancy. Don't forget your many doctors' appointments...

  • Trouble Conceiving - It's Been a Year: Now What?

    When you're having trouble getting pregnant, there's that dreaded word that looms closer and closer each month you're unsuccessful: infertility. At what point are you infertile? Most doctors will tell you that for the average couple, after a year of trying to conceive with no contraception, you're placed in that category, or at least you're at the point where you should consider you might need help to make your dreams come true...

  • With All My Love - Runner-up in the "Dear Baby" Essay Contest

    Dear Baby, Being a parent is not at all what I thought it would be like. Being your mom is the most important thing I have ever taken on; it is also one of the few things I fail at and exceed at each and every day. You are now 2 and the last two years have flown by...
 
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    Pregnancy & Baby Blog

  • Can you trust home pregnancy tests?

    In disbelief many women take two, three, or even more home pregnancy tests before the reality of the pregnancy (or not) sink in. No worries about seeming extreme by the way. Plenty of women really do take multiple tests. When I was pregnant with my son, I took three pregnancy tests before I believed the [...]

  • Expecting a little soccer player?

    During your pregnancy, few events top those first baby kicks you feel. It’s exciting and especially fun for your partner, who doesn’t get to experience the pregnancy in the same way as you - i.e. your partner can finally feel the baby move. The downside is that you never expected your baby’s kicks could be [...]

  • Twins can be twice as nice

    If you’re expecting twins you can also expect twice the diapers, twice the lack of sleep, and twice the breastfeeding (yikes). However, on the plus side you also get twice the kisses, twice the personality (fun), and twice the love. Here’s some fast and helpful facts about twins. Now, more than ever before, you’re more likely [...]

  • Mobile BlackBerry app - Super Baby Go!

    I’m not sure how I feel about BlackBerry Applications for the younger set. Kids spend too much time now with electronics vs. time outside in my opinion. However, if you’re going to let your little one play with your BlackBerry, at least now you can get an appropriate app. Super Baby Go! is a newer app [...]

  • MamaOm organic baby tees

    MamaOm makes some truly adorable baby and toddler organic tees that are both eco-friendly and stylish. The MamaOm line of tees comes in baby ribbed and toddlers jersey. The baby tees are a delicate high-end organic cotton with a lovely natural color. The neckline is designed with babies in mind, to give extra comfort when dressing [...]
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    a little pregnant

  • Sometimes the followups just write themselves

    Julie
    9 Feb 2010 | 11:23 am
    A belated but sincere thank you. All your comments a few weeks ago on my post about Charlie's incipient spiritual awakening were really helpful. I read them with great interest, making note of the points I found most useful, and...

  • Carrier smidgen

    Julie
    4 Feb 2010 | 8:21 am
    OkaybutsoIwas downtown a couple of days ago with Ben, leaving the library after story time. I stopped outside to get him into the Ergo carrier, a maneuver which, when performed solo, can, I admit, look alarming — like, drop-your-baby-on-his-head-on-the-cold-unforgiving-cobblestones alarming....

  • Chopsticks, also known as nimble lads

    Julie
    29 Jan 2010 | 8:32 am
    There's something I don't get about the Tim Tebow story, and maybe you can help me out. In case you're not familiar with it — in case you know even less about major professional sporting events than I do, which...

  • Somewhere in this post there is cake, but also angry bees

    Julie
    20 Jan 2010 | 8:35 am
    We are so thrilled to be able to share with you that Ali McMutrie and the children from the Brebis de Saint-Michel de L’Attalaye (BRESMA) orphanage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, arrived safely at Pittsburgh International Airport a short while ago. This...

  • So close

    Julie
    15 Jan 2010 | 6:37 am
    They were so close, this little group of Haitian orphans waiting for homes in the U.S. They'd been matched with families, hopeful couples waiting to welcome their children. People like us. And then. Their caregivers, two American women who run...
 
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    Pregnancy Blog

  • Parents Play a Pivotal Role in Reducing Teen Pregnancy

    8 Feb 2010 | 7:30 am
    In the midst of a debate over the best way to lower teen pregnancy rates, whether it is through teaching abstinence or informing teens about the risks of sexually transmitted diseases and methods of birth control, the story of an eleven-year-old girl giving birth to a baby, to me screams, "neithe...

  • Routine Screening for a Shortened Cervix

    6 Feb 2010 | 8:19 pm
    You've heard the saying, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Ben Franklin said those wise words and they still hold true today, especially when it comes to pregnancy.

  • Getting Ready For Valentine's Day

    5 Feb 2010 | 11:56 pm
    There's going to be a third wheel on Valentine's Day this year and it's not your husband's last single friend. Your little bundle is along for the ride, even if he or she can't see or understand what Valentine's Day is yet, or any day for that matter.

  • What is Intrauterine Growth Restriction?

    4 Feb 2010 | 6:49 pm
    Big babies get all of the attention in the news, but what about tiny full term babies? When a full term baby is much smaller than usual, it is called intrauterine growth restriction, or IUGR.

  • Book Review: The Secret Language of Babies

    3 Feb 2010 | 1:16 pm
    This past week while browsing the bargain table at the bookstore, I came upon a title that really caught my eye: "The Secret Language of Babies: The Body Language of Little Bodies.
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    S.M.N.

  • Sweet Shoes

    4 Feb 2010 | 10:33 am
    Sweet Shoes makes the most adorable baby shoes for baby boys and girls. All of the shoes are made to be flexible for a baby's growing feet. Shoes feature no-slip grip and can be worn indoors or outdoors. The metallic Sweet Mary Janes are my personal favorite. The red pair pictured here are just like little Ruby slippers for precious baby feet.Check out the whole line of Sweet Shoes at Stella Baby!

  • Plus Size Maternity Clothes!

    6 Jan 2010 | 8:29 am
    We now offer plus size maternity clothes!We are excited to be able to offer stylish options for plus size moms-to-be! Find lingerie, swimwear, tops and dresses in sizes up to 3X.Happy New Year!

  • Damo Momo Maternity Tee Contest!

    18 Dec 2009 | 8:54 am
    Got a "Bun in the Oven"? Enter for your chance to win this adorable Little Miss Muffet Maternity Tee with a "Bun in the Oven" graphic. This super soft bamboo fiber 3/4 length sleeve tee is both comfortable and cool in summer as well as warm in the winter. Made of eco-friendly 70% Bamboo and 30% Organic Cotton. Winner can choose size small, medium and large and also choose from their 6 yummy colors. To enter email us at contests@stellamaternity.com with Damo Momo in the subject line. The winner will be chosen at random. Contest ends January 18th. Don't miss out on your chance to win this…

  • DadGear Diaper Bags!

    15 Dec 2009 | 11:58 am
    DadGear diaper bags are now at Stella Maternity. Super functional design combines with cool graphics and styles. These are diaper bags that any man would be proud to carry. The DadGear baby bags come in classic styles, punk style graphics, retro designs, camouflage and even collegiate sports teams.Don't worry moms, you can carry one of these bags too! They are designed to appeal to men with masculine designs, but I'm a mom and I would definitely carry one of these.

  • Maternity Work Out Clothes

    20 Nov 2009 | 2:30 pm
    It is important to stay fit during pregnancy. Stella Maternity just added the BornFit line of maternity exercise clothing to their offerings. The BornFit line is made to stand up to the toughest pregnancy workout in style and comfort. From prenatal yoga to running and biking, the BornFit line offers the perfect workout clothing for your needs.Stay fit Mama!
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    East Side Girl

  • Your Username and Password are Incorrect

    9 Feb 2010 | 8:04 am
    Just nowI stood in the kitchen with Aliceand she reached upand curled her hot little finger into my palmand leaned her entire body against my legand looked up at me with big, sleepy eyes, And out of nowhere,I thought: It's time.I hereby claim thissleeping babyquiet housesnow-coveredmomentFor myself.

  • This Is What A Relationship Looks Like From The Inside

    16 Sep 2009 | 1:28 pm
    It's early morning. Alice has just woken up and I'm in her room, changing her diaper, when I let loose with a gigantic fart. It's only after I do it that I realize the baby monitor is still on in our bedroom, where Spiceboy is attempting to get a few extra minutes of sleep. "Hey!" I yell. "Did you hear that one?""Um...yeah," says Spiceboy."So what do you think? Good one, right?"Spiceboy ponders

  • Birthday

    15 Aug 2009 | 4:57 pm
    One year ago today--at this exact moment--I went into labor.And at 2:53 am on August 16, 2008, Alice made her entrance into this world.Every day, she teaches me about patience, and laughter, and about the utter uncertainty of everything.Oh, and poop. Every day, she teaches me something new about poop.I remember holding her in my arms when she was just days old and weeping. "She'll never know, I

  • So Much Unobstructed Sky

    11 Aug 2009 | 7:11 pm
    Last night, I stood at my back screen door (yes, I have a back door now!) and held little Alice in my arms and watched a summer thunderstorm roll in. As the sky went from bruised purple to black, Alice beat her little fists against the screen door. The trees grew still and the birds grew quiet. And then the wind kicked into high gear, blowing our hair back from our faces, a welcome relief after

  • First Day in Pittsburgh

    29 Jul 2009 | 6:32 am
    For the first time in four years, I reside in living space that is more than one room! I've spent the morning walking around in wonderment.Just a little while ago, I was toweling my hair dry in the bathroom when I heard a strange squeaking sound coming from somewhere in the apartment. I listened closely, and decided it must be Spiceboy working on something. It took me several minutes to realize
 
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    Blisstree » Women’s Health

  • Maternal Age Linked with Autism Risk

    Peggy Rowland
    8 Feb 2010 | 1:42 pm
    Researchers now say they’ve confirmed that maternal age is linked with a significantly elevated risk of autism in children. And the father’s age may not matter as much as previously thought. The research from the University of California – Davis was published online today in the February issue of the journal Autism Research. The study is important since it’s one of the largest to quantify how each parent’s age (separately and together) impacts the risk of autism in children. The risk of having a child with autism increased by 18% for each five-year increase in…

  • Estrogen-only HRT Linked with Asthma

    Peggy Rowland
    7 Feb 2010 | 8:14 pm
    Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help reduce symptoms of menopause for women, but those using estrogen-only HRT may be more at risk for developing asthma. The finding came from a new, large-scale study published in the journal Thorax. Participants included 57,664 women taking part in a French study. Every two years between 1990 and 2002, the women, born between 1925 and 1950, were asked about their use of HRT and development of asthma symptoms. None of the women in the study had asthma when their menopausal symptoms started. Almost 9.4% of women in the study with natural menopause and…

  • How Cold Weather Affects Your Weight

    Peggy Rowland
    7 Feb 2010 | 4:32 pm
    No, it’s not a magical Frosty the Snowman type thing, but cold weather can make you gain weight. And that weight gain, however small, may creep up on you over the years, putting you at risk for obesity. There are several different ways that cold weather may contribute to gaining weight, and once these methods are exposed and swimming around in your thoughts, you may avoid them. For the skinny on weight gain in the winter, read Tom Venuto’s article below. He’s the author of The Body Fat Solution, a book which takes a look at weight gain from many different angles (including…

  • Sutures Beat Staples for Cesareans

    Peggy Rowland
    6 Feb 2010 | 4:36 pm
    Women who get sutures rather than staples to close the wound after a cesarean, a major abdominal surgery, may have fewer side effects and post-op doctor visits. “It seemed to me that I was seeing more patients return with complications after a cesarean birth when staples were used instead of sutures, but I couldn’t find any studies that supported a recommendation for the use of either method,” said Suzanne Basha, M.D. Dr. Basha and colleagues at Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, Pa. studied more than 400 patients (219 suture and 197 staples) undergoing cesarean…

  • Premature Birth Gene Discovered

    Peggy Rowland
    6 Feb 2010 | 3:39 pm
    Even when mothers-to-be do everything they should (or shouldn’t), some still end up giving birth prematurely. A recent study from the National Institutes of Health reveals why. Scientists have found genes in both the mother and fetus responsible for premature birth, a leading cause of infant death in the US. The research was presented earlier this week at the 30th Annual Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) meeting. Roberto Romero, MD, Chief of the Perinatology Research Branch at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development led a team of physicians and scientists…
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    Extra (Hour)dinary Parenting

  • Day by Day Pregnancy Tip #14: Baby Shower Giveaway Ideas

    ACMJ
    9 Feb 2010 | 6:43 am
    Image by clevercupcakes via Flickr We posted a couple weeks ago about a good idea for a baby shower (Children’s Book Baby Shower bingo). In response to that post, a reader wrote in asking what the prize should be for the childrens book baby shower game or any other baby shower games and giveaways. It’s a good question, and one that doesn’t get a lot of attention. What do you give the guests, the people that aren’t about to have a baby? Here are a few suggestions for giveaway prizes that can go to the winner of a contest (like how many diaper pins/jelly beans are in the…

  • Coming Soon: The Munchkin Diaper

    ACMJ
    5 Feb 2010 | 7:00 am
    Image via Wikipedia I was browsing the Munchkin baby gear website the other day for a better photo of their sippy cups, when I stumbled across a press release announcing the new Munchkin Diaper! Why am I excited about this? Well, recently Pampers stripped their “high end” line of diapers of the one thing that made them great – the very nice mesh liner. I have tried all of the other diaper lines out there at one point or another, and always liked the mesh liner in these diapers best. Now that they are gone, nothing really seems worth the (ridiculous) amount of money that we…

  • Guest Post: How to Get Your Kids Off of the Computer and Playing Outside

    ACMJ
    4 Feb 2010 | 2:10 pm
    Image by Alameda County Library via Flickr We’re honored to have this guest post from Mary Ward. Check out what she has to say! ——————– It seems that it happens in just about every family these days. No matter how active your child is or has the ability to be, they have the innate ability to settle down in front of the computer. While a little bit of computer time isn’t usually an issue, it can tend to become a real problem in most households. While kids used to be happy to play outside, nowadays they are bogged down with computer games and…

  • Weighing in Wednesday: Thoughts on Pregnancy and Parenthood

    ACMJ
    3 Feb 2010 | 1:13 am
    Extra(hour)dinary Parenting wants to hear from you! We have a lot of readers who have all sorts of tips, ideas, suggestions, and thoughts about parenting, pregnancy, grandparenting and childcare. Here is your chance to share them! It takes all of four seconds to put your link and the title or name of your latest writing/link into the widget box. What better way to celebrate Wednesday? A free link back to your site, plus the opportunity to share your ideas and thoughts with other parents! So don’t be shy – click on the Mister Linky image, fill it out and weigh in! If you liked this…

  • Notes from Your Nanny #9: ‘Tis the Time to Show You Care

    Dena
    2 Feb 2010 | 6:56 am
    Image by Getty Images via Daylife With Valentine’s Day coming up, the timing is perfect to show your appreciation for all the hard work and loving care that your nanny provides for your children and your family. Of course it is important to show appreciation along the way, but this holiday provides an opportunity to give your nanny a gift – whether it be a monetary bonus, a thoughtful present, or some heartfelt words of praise. After all, hers is a profession of caring, and this is a holiday (even if it is a cheesy one) that is designed to remember those you care about! There is…
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    HisBoysCanSwim

  • Reason #525345213 why I love being a mom

    Jane
    8 Feb 2010 | 7:40 am
    It was time for Monkey to take his morning nap.  With a bottle in my hand & Monkey in my other arm, we went into his nursery to close the blinds, turned on his music, & turned on the fan.  It was quiet except for the soft music playing & quite peaceful in there too. We cuddled as I began to rock him and feed him his bottle.  I guess the pears he had earlier filled his tummy because he wasn’t interested in eating his bottle.  He rested his head in the side of my neck & I thought that he was off to sweet dreaming. But he wasn’t.  He had another thing planned…

  • Father/Child Outings: Does it happen often?

    Jane
    1 Feb 2010 | 1:04 pm
    Today while Monkey & I were grocery shopping I saw a dad with a completely full cart of groceries & a car seat.  He smiled at me because clearly I’d been there (with the car seat inside the cart). When you have a baby in tow, it’s like you are part of a group, I think.  Like “been there, done that, & I completely understand the look in your eyes”. Anyways, after I smiled back with a “don’t worry it’s get easier” kind of smile, I thought about how cool it was that he braved the grocery store with his little newborn.  Then it got me…

  • Random ramblings about getting older

    Jane
    29 Jan 2010 | 6:53 pm
    Sometimes I wish I could just run away from everyone & everything & start over.  Well, with the exception of my husband & son, that is.  Not that anything is terribly wrong right now, but life just gets more difficult as we get older & sometimes I wish I could run away from it all. I’ve never been one to be afraid of getting older.  In fact, I always look forward to my birthdays with such joy.  Now I know that I’m only in my twenties, but I don’t see myself ever getting crazed over a number.  I’ll be turning 30 years old this year & I am…

  • Sweet words from a loving uncle while eating lunch

    Jane
    27 Jan 2010 | 2:59 pm
    Today Monkey & I went out to lunch with my brother.  My brother is a really good uncle & has really surprised me with how much he wants to spend time with Monkey. While we were waiting on our food to come my brother said, “No offense, but I had no idea that I would love being an uncle & having a nephew as much as I do.  I just thought he would be a baby & I wouldn’t know what to do, but I have a blast with him.  I was scared when you were pregnant about being around a baby, but I love it.” My heart melted.  What sweet, sweet words to come out of my…

  • Soothe & Glow Seahorse is a lifesaver when it comes to nap time in the morning

    Jane
    26 Jan 2010 | 11:24 am
    In those first few months Monkey slept like a champ when in his swing, like 3-4 hours.  It was glorious!  I knew that he wouldn’t be able to fit in his swing for too much longer, so I started the transition to his crib about a month ago. At first it was a complete nightmare, which is shocking considering he’s slept through the night in his crib for about 4 months now.  He was very sleep-deprived because he would fight his sleep & then wake up right when I put him in the crib.  Then I tried the whole “drowsy but awake” thing (which totally works at night) &…
 
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    Mon Petit Amour

  • :: flylady for new moms - tuesday's routine ::

    9 Feb 2010 | 6:00 am
    If you did the Home Blessing Hour yesterday, you are waking up in fresh sheets in a clean house. Nice.I am starting to wonder if everyone is going to think I am trying to be a retro housewife. No, I did not vacuum in pearls and heels yesterday, and I am not one to let my husband off the hook with helping with the baby and around the house. I just wanted to share these routines because it has greatly reduced my stress level of keeping the house in order, and helped us to have lots more family fun time on the weekends.I do however heels and pearls and drinking tea from teacups and saucers like…

  • :: flylady for new moms - monday's routine ::

    8 Feb 2010 | 6:00 am
    It's the first day of a new week and hopefully you have just enjoyed a nice weekend as a family and you are ready for a week of outings and fun with your little one. If you spent any part of your weekend madly cleaning your house you probably won't have much to do today, but if you start following these routines you won't have to waste any precious weekend time cleaning anymore. FlyLady suggests that the focus for Monday is the Home Blessing Hour (so cheesy....I know!). Basically, you spend one hour cleaning your house on Monday and you don't have to worry about it the rest of the week. She…

  • :: keeping a clean house with a baby ::

    7 Feb 2010 | 8:00 pm
    I don't think I know anyone that does not struggle with keeping their house clean. It's no fun to deal with piles of laundry, dishes, vacuuming, dusting, bathrooms et al at the best of times, let alone when you have little ones to care for.About a year ago, I discovered FlyLady through an online message board. I kind of imagine her as a sweet grandmotherly type of lady. She gives great advice and lots and lots of encouragement along the way to getting your house out of CHAOS (which she defines as Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome - don't we all have that sometimes?). Because she is a sweet…

  • :: all modern baby review - dwell studio stroller blanket ::

    6 Feb 2010 | 3:45 pm
    Hunter is now in the big boy seat in our UppaBaby Stroller, so this Dwell Studio Stroller Blanket from All Modern Baby came at just the right time. It keeps him warm and cozy in the seat as we walk around the mall....which we do a lot these days since it is so cold outside!I have loved this pattern for a long time, because it goes just perfectly with our woodland themed nursery. The blanket is the perfect size (40 x 30 inches) for the stroller, in the bassinette, curling up on the couch with Daddy, and laid out as a playmat at Grandma and Grandpa's house. It is soft and minky on one side and…

  • :: lennah designs nursing necklaces ::

    6 Feb 2010 | 3:41 pm
    Here we are in the nursery (do you love our new curtains? Another great Ikea find!)The purpose of this self (and baby) portrait was to show off my new Isabella Nursing Necklace by Lennah Designs. Hunter has just started pulling my hair while nursing (ouch!) and he is constantly grabbing for something while he feeds. Wearing the necklace gives him a great place to grab, and it looks so cute with the simplest of outfits, making this mommy feel like she looks stylish even in a simple t-shirt.Canadian (woo!) mompreneur Stella created these gorgeous nursing necklaces to serve as a distraction for…
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    Nine Months to Life

  • Poop explosions and landmark events.

    Nine Months to Life
    6 Feb 2010 | 1:32 pm
    Adelyn's umbilical cord stump fell off yesterday. And thank god. That thing was disgusting.It was hanging by a thread for days, and each time we changed her diaper I felt like I was torturing her, accidentally nudging that black, icky scab hanging off her stomach.Right after a diaper change yesterday, I looked down and realized it was gone. I frantically searched the floor--my dogs were roaming around and no telling what they would do with it if they found it first--and there it was, finally, inside her diaper.I put it in on the kitchen counter for a while (which in retrospect sounds like a…

  • Sleep.

    Nine Months to Life
    6 Feb 2010 | 5:20 am
    Last night, my maniacal pumping regime finally paid off. I think it was somewhere around the tenth incoherent sentence and inexplicable crying fit that Jason told me to go upstairs and sleep. I had enough milk stored (plus the supplements we're using) for him to handle the feeding for the night, and since he didn't have to work the next morning and I hadn't gotten more than a two hour stretch in the past two weeks, I finally decided it was time to let go a little.Maybe other mothers can commiserate. Especially, I think, at first--it's hard to believe your baby can be okay without you hovering…

  • Adelyn Belle

    Nine Months to Life
    4 Feb 2010 | 2:02 pm
    We had professional photos done last night by the talented Heather Latimer from Frogs and Faeries Photography. I'm so glad we decided to do them--just the experience alone of watching Adelyn molded into the most adorable poses was worth it.A sneak peek:

  • The Breastfeeding Saga Continues

    Nine Months to Life
    4 Feb 2010 | 9:17 am
    I didn't expect to love breastfeeding as much as I do (there is absolutely nothing more endearing than feeding your child and watching their impossibly small fingers wrap around your hair), nor did I expect it to be so complicated.The second night in the hospital I had a major wake up call. I knew that newborns had to eat a lot thanks to those newborn tummies, but I assumed "a lot" meant--maybe--two or three meals to my one.That second night I was so looking forward to sleeping. Finally. Actually, not so much looking forward to it as desperately, deliriously, on-the-verge of breaking down…

  • Only the beginning.

    Nine Months to Life
    3 Feb 2010 | 7:53 am
    She's been here, what, a month? A decade? Forever? It's hard to believe it's only been a week and two days. I can't remember a life without her. Already. Without her coos and gas disguised as smiles and demands.And it's only the beginning. In just a week I feel like I've been confronted with a deluge of parenting battles, but I know better than to think this is the hard part, or even the tiniest, tiniest glimmer of the battles to come.At her first doctor's appointment Monday she got a clean bill of health. I put her report on the fridge--the first in what I'm sure will be many excuses to brag…
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    The Fertile Source

  • Three Weeks Pregnant

    jess
    8 Feb 2010 | 8:44 am
    by Leslie Contreras Schwartz My right boot ruptures like a heart valve tearing, tenderly and exact-a zipper splits while I think of the being inside, housed in a pyramid in the hushed, broad portion of myself that waits. Sting hums in the abdomen, an invading horde of hungry bees swelling to a foreign hive. Holding in what must look like a just-discovered ruby, stained with the soil of the body, rust-raw, it climbs from the rooms of some god’s foggy breath, as if to rise after the heat of a boiling rain that falls like a salve. Yet who says I am ready to be someone’s mother? What…

  • In My Innocence

    jess
    1 Feb 2010 | 2:00 pm
    by Aida Zilelian “I hope that when you have a daughter she is as horrible to you as you are to me!” I shift in my seat on the living room couch and stare blankly at my mother. If I love her I don’t feel it. I am thirteen. I stare at her bulging belly; she is pregnant with my soon-to-be sister Ani. I can never remember what had transpired between us that afternoon, why she had said what she did, but I am convinced that hearing her utter those words somehow altered the future. The arguments that would erupt between us in the ten years that followed would be venomous,…

  • Womanhood, Fertility, and Identity

    jess
    25 Jan 2010 | 6:41 pm
    by Jessica Powers In college, my best friend once described her hips as “child-bearing hips.” She knew back then that she wanted children and, indeed, now has six beautiful and healthy daughters.  Me? I didn’t even know what hips were. Literally. If somebody had provided me pictures of two headless bodies-one male, one female-I wouldn’t have been able to distinguish the outline of hips on the female body. A boyfriend once pointed out a transvestite, then said, knowingly, “You can always tell the difference between a woman and a transvestite. A transvestite lacks…

  • To Let Go

    jess
    18 Jan 2010 | 8:52 am
    A short story by Jeff Bowles      I can’t cry. The worst thing to ever happen to us and I can’t cry about it. I’m tired. My mind is shot. Jagged black spots flutter in my peripherals, my bowels gurgle, loud noises make me wince. I tell myself that sleep deprivation must be keeping the pain at bay. I still feel ashamed.      I hate the hospital, hate the emergency room. I cuss every time I have to come. Before I met Stephanie, I’d only been here once. This is my sixth visit, and it’s all because of her. Abscessed teeth, Bronchitis, stuff you usually go…

  • Empty-Handed

    jess
    13 Jan 2010 | 1:30 pm
    by Donna Vorreyer Each flea-market stall smells like cedar, and mothballs, the only exception the ammonia-sharp tables of Depression glass gleaming in the early morning sun. My friends and I come once a month to saunter through relics of the past, spot pieces of our childhoods for sale, search for things we did not know we wanted. Everyone here hunts for that hidden desire. A burly woman in a too-tight cardigan beams at antique gumball machines. A small blond boy and his sunburned father study bobble-head dolls and baseball cards. We are not immune. Sally buys small wooden tables and old…
 
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    Easy to Get Pregnant Blog

  • How to find the best fertility expert?

    Nemrod Kedem
    25 Jan 2010 | 8:59 am
    Here is a video which explains how to find the best fertility expert. Hope you find this information useful. Natural Fertility Cures: Get Pregnant Fast And Overcome Infertility.

  • Best time to get pregnant

    Nemrod Kedem
    16 Jan 2010 | 12:02 am
    One of the most frequently asked questions about pregnancy is the best time to get pregnant. It is neither the Christmas time nor the Valentine’s Day. One needs to be good in mathematics if one is serious about getting pregnant as it totally depends on the ovulating days. Now the question arises that how should [...]

  • How To Get Pregnant At Any Age… Guaranteed!

    Nemrod Kedem
    14 Jan 2010 | 4:37 am
    The title is an announcement made by a new fertility aid product introduced yesterday. It is called Natural Fertility Cures by Shola Oslo. This new product is said to: How you can conceive in the next 12 months – even if you’ve been trying for yearsHow anyone can overcome infertility – even after trying for years Why conventional medical [...]

  • How to get pregnant

    Nemrod Kedem
    11 Jan 2010 | 3:48 am
    Have you ever wondered how to get pregnant? This question evokes varying responses from different people. Romance and emotion do play their part in the decision of having a baby. However, it is not uncommon to feel pained and frustrated, especially among the couples who are not able to become parents). Ideas of a kinky [...]

  • What Causes Infertility

    Nemrod Kedem
    9 Jan 2010 | 10:49 pm
    Here is a short video about what causes infertility.
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