Pregnancy Yoga
Friday, August 31, 2007
You're pregnant. Congratulations! Have you been taking care of yourself? Going for a walk? Eating right? Taking a pregnancy yoga class? As much as these activities may sound more like a chore for any pregnant mom who wants to eat everything and simply sit, there is nothing better for you than taking care of your body because your body has to be strong to push out new life. While low-impact aerobics and walking are great for pregnant mommies, yoga is an alternative way to relax, stretch and work your muscles and make your body stronger than it has ever been in your life.
Yoga for pregnant women is a huge industry and sometimes it is hard to sift through all the offerings. Here are a few videos, books, and yoga wear we highly recommend.
Sara Holliday! Know this woman. She is one of the gurus of pregnancy yoga and the great thing about her videos is she has divided them by trimesters because you don't want to perform difficult yoga poses when you're about to pop.Sara Holliday's Prenatal Yoga: First Trimester DVD
Sara Holliday's Prenatal Yoga: Second Trimester DVD
Sara Holliday's Prenatal Yoga: Third Trimester DVD
Visit Sara online at fitbysara.com. Plus, she's also blogging! Yeah for blogging.
There are also some very valuable books out there that you should definitely pick up if you would like to shape and tone your body while pregnant.
Yoga in Pregnancy and Childbirth
Yoga for Pregnancy: Ninety-Two Safe, Gentle Stretches Appropriate for Pregnant Women & New Mothers
Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful: Experience the Natural Power of Pregnancy and Birth with Kundalini Yoga and Meditation
And how can you do yoga without yoga pants specially fitted for your growing tummy?
Cropped Yoga Pant By Keepin
Poems
Labels: pregancy yoga
posted by Jennifer James @ 5:53 PM,
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Coupons and Must-Have Maternity Wear
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Here is some of the most popular maternity wear this season from Mothers Work. Why not do a little shopping for your growing belly before the fall. Plus, here are a few coupons to make things a little easier on your wallet.On the Web: MommyToo.com Must-Have Maternity
Labels: maternity wear, must-haves
posted by Jennifer James @ 2:15 PM,
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Tips To Create a Pre-Pregnancy Plan
Caring for yourself during pregnancy is the only way to ensure that your baby will have a healthy start. Here are eight vital tips for prenatal care by Barbara Coulter-Smith, D.O., an obstetrician/gynecologist on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine.
1. Add folic acid to your diet. If you’re of childbearing age, it’s important to take folic acid supplements—especially if you have stopped using contraception. Folic acid is a B vitamin that reduces the risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida. Few women get enough folic acid in their diet alone, so talk with your physician about supplementation.
2. Get vaccinated. Make sure that all of your vaccinations are up to date, including immunization against rubella (also called German measles) and chickenpox. It’s also important to be up to date on your tetanus shot (every 10 years).
3. Kick bad habits. No one should smoke while trying to get pregnant or during pregnancy. Smoking can lead to higher risk for miscarriage as well as low-birth-weight babies. Drinking alcohol is OK, but in moderation only. If you think you might be pregnant, it’s better to abstain.
4. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can increase your risk of gestational diabetes and other pregnancy-related complications.
5. Keep exercising. Exercise will help you maintain or lose weight and it helps manage stress. If you think you might already be pregnant, check with your doctor about the kinds of exercise that are safe to continue.
6. Ask about chronic health problems. Discuss with your physician the health risks of pregnancy if you have a chronic medical condition and which prescription medications are safe to continue. It’s also important to talk about a family history of any heredity disorder prior to planning a pregnancy.
7. Wait a month after stopping contraception. Dr. Coulter-Smith recommends waiting for one spontaneous menstrual cycle before trying to conceive. A normal menstrual cycle is the signal that the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, is healthy enough to support new life.
8. What about the dad-to-be? Prior to conception, the important consideration is sperm count. Avoid hot tubs and saunas. Smoking and alcohol also can affect sperm count. Advancing age does not affect fertility in men as much as it does in women.
For more information about Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine, visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com.
Labels: planning
posted by Jennifer James @ 12:02 PM,
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Liz Lange Talks Office Chic
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
When you're expecting it can be a little difficult finding just the right attire that looks great in the boardroom and is also pleasing to your growing belly.Liz Lange, the queen of maternity clothes, offers these expert tips for looking stylish in the office.
- For most, business casual is the everyday work attire. The best way to dress for this is to focus on key pieces: a pencil skirt, black pants, a streamlined knit dress, a black jacket and a sleeveless top. Once you have these, you can create a full wardrobe by adding a few standout pieces.
- If business casual isn’t an option and you have to wear a suit, buy the foundation and then add in key pieces as you go. A dress, skirt or pants and then a jacket, paired with a few key pieces such as sweaters and blouses will give you more than a week’s worth of dressy office attire.
- For casual Fridays, you can take it down a notch, but it doesn’t take a lot to look sloppy. Choose your separates wisely. Save the denim for the weekends and stick with simple skirts, tailored pants, cozy sweaters and comfortable flats.
On the Web: www.lizlange.com
Labels: maternity wear
posted by Jennifer James @ 11:46 AM,
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Bringing Home Baby in a Compact Car
Monday, August 27, 2007
As gas prices continue to soar, more people are opting to drive more fuel efficient, compact cars. And that means parents need compact child seats to accomodate smaller space in their automobiles. Britax Child Safety Inc., a leading child seat manufacturer, has announced the addition of the Diplomat(TM), a compact child seat with True Side Impact Protection(TM).
The Britax Diplomat(TM), which is modeled after Britax's best-selling child seat, the Boulevard(TM), is approved to hold children who weigh up to 40 pounds. This compact child seat has a quick-adjust headrest and harness for easy and accurate adjustment, and includes body pillows, offering children greater comfort, positioning and sleep support.
The Diplomat(TM), which will be available in late August 2007, will retail at $259.99 and will be available in a variety of fabrics with vibrant colors and sophisticated patterns. The Diplomat(TM) can be purchased nationwide at independent retail shops and mass retailers.
On the Web: http://www.britaxusa.net/
Source: Britax Child Safety Inc.
Labels: bringing home baby, car seats, safety
posted by Jennifer James @ 11:57 AM,
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Put YOU First During Pregnancy
Saturday, August 25, 2007
During your pregnancy, no matter if this is your first time or your last, you must put yourself first. If you fail to take care of yourself while you are expecting, there is no way your baby will be comforted and comfortable for nine months inside your belly. In fact, simple feelings of stress, doubt, anger, or fatigue can have an enormous effect on your baby, so during these nine months strive to be as much in peace as possible. Your baby will thank you.I have always been a big believer in erecting reminders for peaceful living around me, whether it is a beautiful piece of art I painted, or one of my all-time favorite books sitting in clear sight. One company, I-Love-Me LLC was created by Ria Moore Benedict to help women remind themselves that they are worthy of loving themselves. Carrying personal products from journals and totes to mugs and stationary, I-Love-Me is creating a revolution for women like you to put yourself first before everyone else. Although difficult at times
, a little positive selfishness is absolutely essential for personal survival, for living your best life, and for beautifully and graciously carrying your baby.The collection is dedicated to all women who share the common experience of neglecting to find "me" time and encourages them to take their own i-love-me journey", says Benedict.
Right now, take time to love YOU, even if it is as simple as closing your eyes, breathing in deeply and saying these simple words: I love me.
One the Web: http://www.ilovemecollection.com/. To shop: http://store.ilovemecollection.com/ind.html.
Labels: me time
posted by Jennifer James @ 9:39 AM,
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A Pea in The Pod(R) Launches Fall Collection
Friday, August 24, 2007
Fall is on its way and that means holiday parties! A Pea in the Pod"As always, A Pea in the Pod remains fashion forward, this season showing both strength and femininity," said Rebecca Matthias, President and Creative Director of A Pea in the Pod. "Fabrics such as liquid jersey, sequins and colorful menswear tweeds are dramatic, while floral prints, silks, cowl necks and bow neckties show off her softer side. Whether it's a floor length or mini dress, skinny or wide leg, this season, the expectant woman is full of glamour!"
Labels: maternity wear
posted by Jennifer James @ 12:37 AM,
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Black Urban Prenatal Care Lags Whites
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Fewer African-American women get adequate prenatal care in urban areas than their white counterparts reports a new study out of Howard University that was published in Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved.If a woman began prenatal visits by her fourth month of pregnancy and made at least 80 percent of the expected visits is considered to have received adequate care. Care was deemed inadequate if it started after the fourth month or if the woman made less than 50 percent of the visits.
Researchers interviewed 246 African-American women during their postpartum hospitalization in Washington, D.C., in 1996 and 1997. They asked women when they began prenatal care visits, how often they kept appointments and what stopped them from keeping appointments.
Of the 246 women, 99 (40 percent) were considered to have “adequate” prenatal care use and 147 (60 percent) had “inadequate” use.
African-American women who received the best prenatal care were found to be between 20-29, were enrolled in WIC, and did not do drugs, drink alcohol, or smoke.
To make sure you receive the best prenatal care start going to an obstetrician as soon as you know you are pregnant. The earlier you begin seeing a doctor, the better chance you will deliver a healthy baby and have a smooth delivery.
For further reading:
The Mocha Manual to a Fabulous Pregnancy
Your Pregnancy Quick Guide: Women of Color (Your Pregnancy)
Mama's Little Baby: The Black Woman's Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby's First Year
Labels: delivery, prenatal care
posted by Jennifer James @ 6:26 PM,
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Pregnancy and Your Hair
Monday, August 6, 2007
Many pregnant women wonder if it is fine to perm or color their hair while expecting. When I was pregnant I wanted to go all-natural. For me, I was most comfortable knowing that I was putting as few chemicals in my body during those nine months as possible. While going all-natural is perfectly fine, it is not absolutely necessary.The main thing you will want to do is consult your obstetrician before doing anything to your hair. But the main consensus is that you should probably wait until after the first trimester to treat your hair. The first trimester is a pivotal time for babies to develop their most vital organs, so why risk anything, right? After the first trimester you can treat your hair as your normally would.
For further reading:
UltraBlackHair.com
iVillage
Labels: hair care
posted by Jennifer James @ 10:42 AM,
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