Stretching the Limits

It is almost inevitable that when you get pregnant, you will probably develop stretch marks somewhere on your body. In fact, 75 to 90 percent of all pregnant women (90 percent of white women) do develop stretch marks. Usually appearing on your abdomen around the 6 or 7th month of pregnancy, they can also develop on other areas of your body. They are commonly formed on the upper thighs, backs of legs, buttocks, breasts, and depending on weight gain, your arms as well.
So what can you do to beat the odds and prevent stretch marks? Scientists argue about just what you can do for prevention, but one thing is fairly certain: genetics do appear to play a role in whether or not you are predisposed to getting stretch marks. This means that if your mother got stretch marks during pregnancy, you may be more likely to get them yourself. However, there are some things you can do to limit the possibility of getting stretch marks.
Here are a few things that you can do to limit the amount of stretch marks you get, or the chances you have of getting rid of them afterwards.

• Eat a healthy balanced diet to keep your weight gain between 25 and 35lbs. A nutritious diet is also crucial to the development of your baby.
• Drink plenty of water. It is critical to healthy skin.
• Take your vitamins.
• Keep your skin well moisturized. Try different products that are marketed especially for stretch mark prevention. Products like Vitamin E, cocoa butter and Bio Oil should be used as directed.

It is very important to take care of your body postpartum as well. If you follow these guidelines and still develop stretch marks, don't fret. In time, they should fade into very fine silvery lines that are barely noticeable.

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Breast is Best

Breastfeeding is the best form of feeding your newborn baby, especially in the first few days of your baby's life. It provides your baby with antibodies that are important for the development of their immune system. As natural of a process it is, it does not always come as naturally to all new moms. I will not forget being told by a nurse one time that we can read books and do research on breastfeeding, but our babies are not given a manual on this. It can also be frustrating for them at first until they get the hang of it too. Be patient. Listen to what helpful tips this lactation specialist has to help us new moms through the sometimes rocky start we may have with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is not for everyone, but it's worth the effort. Formula can be very expensive and breast milk is FREE. Besides, who really wants to get up through the night to make formula when you baby is screaming and hungry. Not me. Enjoy.

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The Last Month

The last month of pregnancy is the worst month of them all. I would say even worse than the morning sickness. I believe it is the last month of pregnancy that makes us truely ready to give birth. Think about it: your pregnancy has probably for the most part been pretty enjoyable. It is an experience unlike any other. The feeling of another being growing and developing inside of you is pretty incredible. A feeling that no man will ever experience. The kicking, pushing and rolling all over. Giving birth to this miracle inside of you is the worst part of the entire process and nobody could look forward to the pain you are about to endure. So what else should your body do but make it so unbearable to be preggo anymore that you just have to get this baby out, and NOW! It's almost over. After this month of hell, you will be given the greatest gift anyone could ever receive, and you earned it girl. Look how hard you and your body just worked for it.

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Pain Management During Delivery (Health Short)

Great tip, really useful information.

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Birthday Party Planning Mistakes

Plan the perfect party with these great tips. All you need to know about how to make your childs party a success.

Packing A Bag For Hospital Stay

Do you have everything ready to go? Not sure? Well your not alone. This video will help you plan for the perfect hospital stay!

I Felt It

So today might be the first day that it all seemed very real to me. Sure my body is changing, growing and my hormones out of whack, but sometimes I get used to how things are moving along that I sort of forget that I am pregnant. I still do a lot of things that I always have and work just as much as I did. People around me don't have trouble reminding me (not that I don't want to be reminded) by rubbing my belly, asking me questions, yelling "don't lift that", or "be careful". It is very comforting to have that many people surrounding me that I know care so much. I stare at my ultra sound picture all the time. It is very hard to envision that baby growing inside me. It often times feels so surreal.

Until yesterday.....Cam and I went out for breakfast at a nearby diner. I don't get to go out for breakfast often as I am always working during breakfast hours. Cam and I finally had the day off together so we decided to go out. After finishing a large meal of banana pancakes, sausage, pemeal bacon and eggs, I sat back and rubbed my full baby belly.
As I was circling my tummy, I felt something. It felt like a heart beat, only not quite the same. I put one hand on my heart and one on my stomach. The beats were not synchronized. I knew it had to happen sometime soon. People have been asking me for weeks. Did you feel it yet? Feel anything today? Nope. No and Nadda. I was starting to get worried. The doctor said between 18 and 20 weeks you should start feeling movement. Well I am into my 20th week now and I felt it! FINALLY! Now I feel like I have a real connection with my baby. I felt it. Next is kicking I guess. Let's hope I don't have a soccer star on my hands.