Black Pregnancy Blog | The Best Blog for Expectant Black Moms

Choosing a Multivitamin

2008-02-20T15:37:00.000-05:00

Choosing a Multivitamin
Healthy foods, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, are the best sources of vitamins and minerals. But because it is sometimes hard to get all the nutrients we need from food, all adults should take one multivitamin per day.

The March of Dimes
recommends that all women of childbearing age take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, as part of a healthy diet.

Must-Have Monday: Maternity Pants Suits

2008-02-18T12:42:00.001-05:00

new Arrival - Plus Faux Wrap Pantset

Plus Emma Pantset

C-Sections Nearly Triple in Three Years

2008-02-15T07:31:00.003-05:00

Did you know nearly 1 in 3 women have c-sections these days? This number has nearly tripled since 2005.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found:

About 1.3 million women gave birth via cesarean section in 2005, a 38 percent increase over the 800,000 C-sections performed in 1995.
The increase occurred as vaginal deliveries among women who gave birth in hospitals declined from about 3 million in 1995 to 2.9 million in 2005, a decrease of 3 percent.
The sharpest decline in vaginal deliveries in hospitals was among women who had previously given birth via C-section. Vaginal deliveries among those women dropped 60 percent, from 157,200 in 1995 to 62,300 in 2005.
Hospitals charged $21.3 billion for patient stays involving vaginal delivery in 2005 and $17.4 billion for those involving birth by C-section.

To learn how to prevent your own c-section and to meet with mentors, visit the International Cesarean Awareness Network.

Healthy Thursday: Preterm Birth

2008-02-07T14:10:00.000-05:00

Preterm Labor

March of Dimes - Preterm labor is labor that occurs before your 37th week of pregnancy. (Most pregnancies last 38-42 weeks.)

Preterm labor can happen to any woman. Only about half the women who have preterm labor fall into any known risk group. In the United States, 1 in 8 babies is born prematurely. Compared to full-term babies, premature babies are at higher risk of needing hospitalization and having serious health problems. If you think you are going into labor before 37 weeks of pregnancy, call your health care provider right away.

Real Life Wednesday: First Time Expectant Moms

2008-02-06T05:36:00.000-05:00

Meet Javine, who is expecting for her very first time. You remember how it was when you were pregnant for the first time, right? Please show Javine some sister support.

Meet Javine. She says,"I'D LIKE TO HEAR SOME GOOD STORIES FROM THE LADIES HERE ... AND RECEIVE KNOWLEDGEABLE FEEDBACK PLUS ADVICE TO HELP US ALONG THIS PROCESS."

Must-Haves Monday:

2008-02-04T12:53:00.000-05:00

Basq Resilient Belly Oil 4.3oz
One of our absolute new favorites here at Due! We love the light refreshing scent of this oil and use it all over our body, not just our bellies! If you are not an oil fan, than this product will make you an instant convert. Never greasy, just super soft skin.

Buy at Due Maternity

Fancy Friday: Spanx Maternity

2008-02-01T07:29:00.000-05:00

Jessica Alba was on Tyra recently and raved about Spanx for pregnant moms. Visit our partner, Mom Logic, to take a look at the Tyra and Jessica video and click here to get your Spanx
.

Real Life Wednesday : Meet Pregnant Moms

2008-01-30T10:22:00.000-05:00

Meet pregnant moms in the Mommy Too! pregnancy group. Connect with some other expectant mommies like:

Candi

Meek

Mika

LynValarie

Savings Sunday: Lane Bryant Maternity

2008-01-27T08:45:00.000-05:00

Take $75 off a purchase of $225 or more at LaneBryant.com. Use promo code 000253666. Expires 4-10-08.

Shopping List Saturday: Spring Buys

2008-01-26T08:48:00.000-05:00

Spring is just around the corner and you want to have a great wardrobe to be fully ready for the warmer temps. Here are a few links to get you shoppin'.

New Spring Arrivals at Destination Maternity! Shop Now!

New Spring Arrivals at iMaternity! Shop Now!

New Spring Arrivals at Maternity Mall! Shop Now!

New Spring Arrivals at Mimi Maternity! Shop Now!

Healthy Thursday: C-Section Warning

2008-01-25T11:42:00.000-05:00

Real Life Wednesday : Meek Speaks

2008-01-23T14:28:00.000-05:00

We love reading Meek's pregnancy blog. Read what she says about being pregnant -- again.

Here's an excerpt:

I have learned that my body is amazing. I know, I'm a little late on that one huh? Well I guess I never took the time out to think about what our bodies have to go through to a) produce a child, b) deliver the child, and c) bounce back after said producin' and deliverin'. I am literally in awe of what God has created and I have pledged to treat my body with the utmost care now and after I give birth.

Become friends with Meek in the Mommy Too! Network.

Top Ten Cities to be Pregnant

2008-01-22T12:49:00.000-05:00

Each year Fit Pregnancy magazine comes out with their top ten list of the best cities to be pregnant. The top cities in this year's rankings are:

Portland, Ore.
Minneapolis
San Francisco
Seattle
Denver
Boston
Omaha, Neb.
Virginia Beach, Va.
Austin, Texas
Albuquerque, N.M.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see most of these cities do not have large African-American populations. And African-American mothers-to-be deliver the most preterm babies than any other demographic in the country.

So, what's a black mom-to-be do? Move? No, that's not the answer. The answer is to have the best and most healthy pregnancy as possible. Here are 50 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy.

Learning Center

Preterm Birth
March of Dimes
Babies born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy are called premature or preterm. In the United States, 1 in 8 babies is born prematurely. Babies born preterm are at risk for serious health problems. Those born earliest are at greater risk of medical complications, long-term disabilities and death.

The earlier a child is born, the less she will weigh, the less developed her organs will be, and the more complications she is likely to face. These babies may require care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). These units have specialized medical staff and equipment that can deal with the multiple problems that premature infants face.

Must-Haves Monday: Decaf!

2008-01-21T06:39:00.000-05:00

A new study conducted by the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research has found a link between caffeine consumption and increased risk of miscarriage. Although this correlation has been studied and proved previously this is the first study to control for morning sickness.

"This study strengthens the association between caffeine and miscarriage risk because it removes speculation that the association was due to reduced caffeine intake by healthy pregnant women," said De-Kun Li, MD, Ph.D., an investigator with the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research and lead investigator of the study.

According to the study women who consumed 200 mg or more of caffeine per day (two or more cups of regular coffee or five 12-ounce cans of caffeinated soda) had twice the miscarriage risk as women who consumed no caffeine, said Li. Women who consumed less than 200 mg of caffeine daily had more than 40 percent increased risk of miscarriage.

"The main message for pregnant women from these findings is that they probably should consider stopping caffeine consumption during pregnancy because this research provides clearer and stronger evidence that high doses of caffeine intake during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage," said Li.

So, what's a caffeine-addicted mom-to-be do?
1) Switch to decaf or
2) Limit your intake of caffeine to one cup or less per day.

Fancy Friday: Nautical Maternity

2008-01-18T10:30:00.000-05:00

It's still January, but spring is already in the air! Soon it'll be time to break out the sandals and sundresses, so you'll want to be ready when the weather turns warm and the flowers start to bloom.

You can't go wrong with this delightful little number from GapMaternity. This navy dress with striped belt comes in sizes XS-XXL (love that!), has elbow-length, button-up sleeves and a beautiful scoopneck.

$49.00 from Gap.com

Discover more of our {fancy} friday finds.

Healthy Thursday: New March of Dimes Podcast: Pregtastic

2008-01-17T12:12:00.000-05:00

Newborn Screening Subject of New Podcast

Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes, is a guest on the weekly podcast called Pregtastic, a series by and for pregnant women, which began on Monday, October 2nd.

In the first episode of this new forum, Dr. Howse discussed newborn screening and why it's important that every newborn receive 29 recommended tests.

Great advances are being made in newborn screening. More and more states are now screening for 21 of the 29 disorders that can be successfully managed or treated if diagnosed early. More than 71 percent of all babies born in the U.S., now are screened, over twice as many as last year.

The show is casual, informative and fun. The hosts are "real" pregnant women who have the same concerns and joys as their listeners.

Real Life Wednesday: Join the Pregnancy Group on the Mommy Too! Network

2008-01-16T11:25:00.000-05:00

This week's {real life} wednesday is about making real life friends in the pregnancy group on the Mommy Too! Network. Join with other mothers who are also gestating and helping to grow a beautiful baby boy or girl.

Click here to join the group.

And, if you're writing an online pregnancy journal be sure to let us know at info (at) mommytoo (dot) com.

Tummy Tips Tuesday: Mama Mio Tummy Rub

2008-01-15T09:55:00.000-05:00

Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter is your superhero in fighting stretch marks. Thick, rich and packed with skin-drenching nutrients, Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter is a deeply hydrating mix of Shea Butter, Borage Oil and Wheatgerm Oil.

Where to buy: due maternity, $35

Must-Haves Monday: Tieback Maternity Shirt from Japanese Weekend

2008-01-14T12:53:00.000-05:00

Comfort is a high priority for pregnant moms. We know; we've been there. That's why we love finding some of the best maternity wear out that that not only looks great but keeps your growing bump in a state of constant comfort.

We love this tieback maternity top form Japanese Weekend. It's made of 92% polyester and 8% spandex to accommodate your expanding waistline. Was $70.00, now $52 at Belly Dance Maternity.

Fancy Friday: Maternity Shoes

2008-01-11T11:20:00.000-05:00

So often when we're pregnant we're so excited about showing off our growing bump, we neglect to pick the best shoes to create a beautiful assemble look and that will provide comfort for our swelling feet.

We found some ultra cute ballet flats from Gap that look great and won't make your feet throb once you take them off. They come in twelve colors and styles and retail for less than $40.

On the Net: Gap Maternity

Healthy Thursday: Folic Acid

2008-01-10T12:28:00.000-05:00

Folic acid has been shown to significantly reduce the risk a baby will be born with birth defects so it is important that you take a multivitamin with an adequate amount of folic acid. According to the March of Dimes pregnant mothers should take a multivitamin with 400 milligrams of folic acid a day.

"Folic acid must be taken before conception and during the early weeks of pregnancy to be effective in preventing neural tube defects (NTDs)," said Mary Giammarino, national director of mission marketing for the March of Dimes. "And since nearly half of all pregnancies are unplanned, every woman who could get pregnant should be consuming folic acid daily as part of a healthy diet."

Each year, an estimated 2,500 babies are born with NTDs and many additional affected pregnancy pregnancies result in miscarriage or stillbirth. The most common NTD is spina bifida, a leading cause of childhood paralysis.

On the Net:
March of Dimes

Real Life Wednesday: Meek

2008-01-09T07:50:00.000-05:00

Meek, a mom of two children and expectant mom of a little girl, blogs on her Mommy Too! Network blog that she really feels pregnant!

I am 6 months preggie with our 3rd child. (It's a girl!) And I am telling you I feel pregnant. My hips and my back are sore, I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat, and I am loving spicy food right about now. OK now I'm realizing I'm hungry and wishing I could get some hot wings when I get off of work. But I can't because they'll be closed.

When I was pregnant I wanted salt, salt, salt and vinegar: olives, vinegar, Italian dressing. I wanted it all. What cravings did you have when you were pregnant? -- Jennifer James, Editor

Tummy Tips Tuesday: Preventing "Itchy Belly"

2008-01-08T05:45:00.000-05:00

Tummy Honey

Active Fading System Plus Prevention

No Animal Testing
Hypoallergenic
Anti-Itch Formula

All Natural Formulation. Includes active stretch mark fading, prevention and anti-itch ingredients. Emulsion formula (oil and water base) soaks in to re-construct inner layers of skin. Thick formula and key ingredients keep skin moist, supple and elastic for hours. Key ingredients clinically proven to dramatically reduce visible stretch marks. Very mild fresh scent- ideal for moms with heightened sense of smell.

Must-Haves Monday: Chic Diaper Bags

2008-01-07T08:10:00.000-05:00

When you finally give birth we know you're going to have your sights set on buying diaper bags. Diaper bags are definite must-haves and if you're a savvy mom, chances are you'll want a diaper bag that looks just as chic as you are. Here are a few we recommend:

new Arrival - Cynthia Rowley Patent Diaperbag

new Arrival - Dash Messenger Bag By Skip Hop

new Arrival - Diaper Bag Messanger In Multi Stripe

Sunday Savings: Up to 75% OFF at Mimi Maternity

2008-01-06T08:05:00.000-05:00

Click banner to save.