Being pregnant definitely adds to the excitement (and the stress) of the holiday. For one thing, you will surely be the belle of the ball at all family events and holiday parties as everyone will be eager to share in your joy. They will ask questions, rub your belly, share their pregnancy stories, ask about baby names and your future plans and, of course, will be willing and happy to pamper you. You may even find  people try to force feed you extra treats under the adage of ‘you are eating for two,” which can make maintaining your baby weight gain even more difficult. Or your friends and family may hire you as the designated driver for cocktail parties and events.

There are some tips and tricks for surviving the holidays with your sanity in check. And, remember that you are pregnant, so it’s very important that you take time to relax and get plenty of rest. Just think, next year at this time, you will have a baby to share with friends and loved ones.

1. Don’t overschedule yourself. A lunch party, an after work holiday get together with co-workers, and then trying to fit in some last minute shopping is too much in one day. If you need to say no because you are tired, people should understand. Listen to your body, and try to keep avoidable stress – both emotionally and physically – at a minimum.

2. If you aren’t finding out the gender and don’t want to share your selected baby names, then be prepared with a polite, yet concise way to tell people exactly that. Those questions will be the two most common questions you will receive, and some folks may be offended that you don’t want to share this information with them. Just tell them you are waiting to be surprised with the rest of the world, and leave it at there.

3. The holidays are notorious for overeating, and pregnant woman are no exception. Go ahead and indulge in some of your holiday favorites (sans the alcohol of course), but remember to put nutrition at the forefront of your food choices. If you do overindulge in some cake, cookies or candy, don’t fret about it. Enjoy the season.

4. If you are close to your due date, or aren’t up for traveling, then host get togethers at your house and enlist the help of others to organize the event. Explain to ‘Dear Aunt Sally’ that you aren’t quite up for making the annual trek for the holidays. Plus, this is the last holiday that you and your partner will have together alone. Enjoy this time. Pretty soon you will be starting new holiday traditions with your own little family. Family and friends may be a little tiffed at first, but they will certainly get over it.

5. Don’t feel pressured to spend money on extravagant gifts. Remember, you will have lots of things to buy for your baby, and most people will understand. Diapers, doctors visits, medications and medical bills can really add up and you need to be as fiscally responsible as possible – holidays or not! Consider making handmade gifts.

While you may be feeling a little tired, and not quite up to all the holiday hustle and bustle, try to enjoy yourself the best you can. Take time out for yourself, and pay attention to how you feel. Above all, don’t worry – you’ll make it through.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Many women are concerned about flying while pregnant as they are not sure whether it will be safe or not. Except for some women who are facing certain pregnancy-related conditions, flying is generally safe during pregnancy. You can take an air trip as late as a month before your due date. However, as precautionary measures, airline policies regarding pregnant travelers might not allow you to fly beyond a certain time period. Not because you may find it difficult to fit in those crammed airline seats, but because it will be a nightmare for the airline if your baby decides to make its grand entrance in the plane! How many airline attendants do you know that can deliver a baby?

Is It Safe to Fly When Pregnant?

Usually, all women who are going through a smooth and normal pregnancy can fly without any difficulty. However, it is recommended, even for these women, to stay on ground after their 36th week of pregnancy as the risk of labor is high after this time. In the case of women who have complications (such as, high-blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, sickle cell disease, placenta abnormalities or are at risk of premature labor) flying can be problematic and is not recommended.

Are There Any Risks?

If you’ve got a clean bill of health, there may be one risk that you face if you are flying during pregnancy – the lack of blood circulation. Especially if you are taking long flights, you might have to stay put for too long which can increase the risk of thrombosis or blood clotting, and of varicose veins. However, wearing support stockings and moving around a bit in the flight can regulate blood circulation enough to avoid these issues.

When Is The Right Time to Fly?

The second trimester is considered to be the best time for flying for pregnant women. Since you may not experience as much morning sickness during this phase, you will feel more energized and up for traveling. In the first trimester, traveling can also be fine if you don’t have a bad case of morning sickness. For the third trimester, flying can definitely take more of a toll on your body. In most cases, airlines won’t allow you to travel during the third trimester.

Fly or Not: How To Decide?

Before you make the decision whether to should fly or not, the best thing to do is to ask your obstetrician or midwife. While you might be having a smooth and healthy pregnancy, it is still better to get your doctor’s go ahead before setting off.

Some Tips for When You Are Flying

• Before you book a ticket with an airline, find out its policies and guidelines regarding pregnant women who want to travel.
• During pregnancy, it is better to get an aisle seat so that you can have more space and comfort, and because it allows you to move freely.
• Make sure you have fastened the seat belt properly. You can secure the lap belt below your abdomen for safety.
• In order to keep circulation normal, try to walk up and down the aisle whenever possible. If you can’t do that, keep flexing your legs and ankles while staying seated.
• Flying can often cause dehydration so make sure you are drinking enough non-caffeinated fluids, especially water.

Zika virus alert: Zika is a virus spread by mosquitos that typically causes a mild and short-lived infection. The Zika virus can, however, cause very serious birth defects if your fetus is exposed. If you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant, health experts recommend postponing any non-essential travel to areas of the world where Zika virus is prevalent. Zika has been found in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, a number of Pacific island countries, and several countries in Africa. In the US, Zika has been found in Florida. If you’re planning to travel to one of these areas, speak with your healthcare provider about the best way to protect yourself and your unborn baby.

Written by Manal, first time mom, rearing an infant.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Every since the introduction of the Baby Mozart videos and studies done over a decade ago about the Mozart Effect, there have been varying degrees of information that indicate playing music for your unborn baby will help them become smarter, and can even lead to an easier birth for mom. But is this information true?

More recent research doesn’t back up any of the claims that playing music for your baby while in utero will result in higher IQ, or that it will help intelligence develop at a greater speed. But there are evidence and testimonials from pregnant women that support the claims it helps to relax or stimulate the baby. Remember, your baby can hear the sounds going on around you, and will even startle at very loud sounds. Many pregnant moms say that playing relaxing music has helped to lull an overly active baby in utero, while stimulating music has the effect of making them move. Maybe, your baby is dancing inside your tummy.

Scientists suggest that the way the music makes YOU feel is likely what is causing the changes in your baby in utero. If music relaxes you, then naturally your baby will sense your relaxed state and will relax as well.  The opposite is also true.

One interesting fact about playing music to your baby while you are pregnant, is that research does seem to indicate that after delivery your baby will remember the music. Many women play certain songs to their baby while they are pregnant, and find that after delivery that same music has the uncanny ability to calm a fussy or colicky baby. And since science tells us that babies recognize the voices of their mothers right after delivery, it only makes sense that they will also remember the sound of your favorite Stevie Nicks song that you played on repeat during pregnancy.

At the end of the day, you have to do what you feel is good for your baby. Many women are very attached and gain quite a bit of comfort and relaxation from music. Therefore, it seems obvious that their children will as well. There is certainly no harm in playing Mozart, in playing the piano, or in exposing your unborn baby to your favorite songs and melodies. However, caution should be taken before hooking up headphones to either side of your belly and blaring music to your uterus. If you do this, make sure the music is turned down very low. Keep in mind that the baby can hear through your belly, although the sounds will be muffled – and that you can expose them to songs and music without hooking your baby bump up to headphones.

So what do you say?  Do you play music to your unborn baby?  Do you think it relaxes or stimulates your baby? We’d love to hear your experience.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

For many expectant mothers, preparing the nursery is a rite of passage. Nesting – as some may call it – begins with conception as you try to recraft and recreate your world to make it perfect for the baby. There will be a lot of shopping trips, baby proofing, rearranging of furniture, and sprucing up to prepare for your baby. And, for some, there is the nursery.

For many women, the question arises of “Can I paint the nursery while pregnant?” After all, you cannot bring a baby home to a nursery that is blah, right? But then again, as a pregnant women you know firsthand and have likely heard from well meaning friends and family that some things are just not safe for pregnant women.  Is painting one of those things?

According to the CDC, latex or water based paints pose no reproductive risks. Additionally, the short term exposure to paint fumes during pregnancy is generally considered safe.  The key here is short term exposure. The greatest risk of any harm to your growing baby seems to be in the first trimester. Beyond that, most experts don’t see a problem with pregnant women painting.

That being said, you need to consider other things. It is not just the paint fumes that you should worry about. For one thing, you should be cautious with ladders, because your balance is definitely not what it used to be. Secondly, you want to try and avoid getting yourself in precarious positions, especially late in pregnancy, that could cause injury. And, while the paint fumes may not be dangerous, they may be a quick trigger for a pregnancy headache, migraine or nausea. Most of all, avoid becoming fatigued or overdoing it.

Experts also suggest that you don’t handle any decorating products, such as spray paints, that include solvents.

If you feel like you want to be a part of the nursery decorating process, then by all means dive in and let your creative juices flow. Just be careful and try not to push yourself too hard.  Allow other folks to paint the ceilings, stay off ladders, and of course make sure that the room is well ventilated while you are in there. If you get tired, take a break. You should also avoid eating while painting to decrease the risk that you may ingest some of the chemicals in paint.

On the other hand, if you just aren’t up for the challenge of painting the nursery – this is a good time to enlist the help of all the family members and friends who are just dying to help you. Don’t worry, your baby won’t know who painted their bedroom!

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

You’re pregnant. You’re elated. You are so excited about the future that your imagination is running wild. You can almost see what the days in your household are going to be like once you have the baby. And then one day, in the most unexpected of ways when the reality of what your pregnancy means, you wonder….

Will I be a good mother?

Much of how we feel about motherhood comes from our own experiences with our own mother. And there are plenty of women in this world who do not have good relationships with their moms. You get along just fine, accepting things for what they are – only to come face to face with your own mother drama during pregnancy. You wonder if you know enough to be a good mom? You wonder if you will be like your own mother? You may even worry that you don’t have the tools of a living example of your own to help you along the maternal path.

Even women who have great relationships with their mothers likely worry about what kind of mother they will be. The reality is that worrying whether we will be ‘good enough’ for our children, will we be able to fully support them emotionally and spiritually and physically for the rest of their lives, is a common core concern of all mothers.

And, it is the FIRST sign that you WILL be a good mother. This worry, shows just how much you already love your baby, and how you already want so deeply for your baby to have everything in life. Including the perfect mom. (Which, by the way, doesn’t exist!)

Like all women, you will learn about motherhood as you go. Your child will come into this world and have a lot to teach you.  He or she will change your mind about a lot of beliefs that you may have never thought you would give up. He or she will also gently take your hand, and show you the way through the beauty of love.

While you will never be a perfect mother, you will be the best mother possible for your child. In those moments when you worry about whether you will be a good mom, have faith in yourself. Know that the love you feel right now – will only grow, and will help you do what is right for your child. Also realize that you will make mistakes along the way. Every mom on the face of the earth does at least once or twice.

They say that when a woman becomes pregnant, a mother is also born. Even now, while still carrying your baby in your womb, you are learning to be the best mom possible. Be patient with yourself, and remember one thing: Perfect or not, and even through mistakes, your baby will love you more than anyone else on the planet. You got this!

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Pickles and chips? Ice cream? Hot wings? A sudden hankering for an egg salad sandwich (even though you hate eggs)? Sudden craving for Spam – or a sudden aversion to a food you have always loved? The food cravings during pregnancy can be wide and varied from women to women. The burning question is – what do these food cravings mean, and should you follow your stomach?

According to studies around 40% of all pregnant women crave something sweet during pregnancy, while 33% are gravitating toward the salty snacks. As few as 10% reported a strong craving to fruit while 17% reported a sudden love of all things spicy.

While it is true that hormones can cause a drastic change in both your sense of smell and taste – some experts believe the cravings can mean something more. For instance, pica – which is a sudden craving for unusual things such as ice or cleaning products – can signify a nutritional deficiency such as low iron. It is also suggested that strong cravings for chocolate indicate low magnesium. Similarly, if you suddenly desire red meat and want to eat steak for breakfast, lunch and dinner – this could be your body crying out for the almighty protein.

Various studies have been done about food cravings, and it seems that no two experts wholly agree. Still, the common thread is that your food cravings – especially if they are strong and sudden – should be taken seriously. Maybe this is just one way your body and brain revert to innate knowledge to direct you down the right path nutritionally during pregnancy. In other words, your cravings could be sign that you and your baby need something that you are not getting.

The trick is balancing these cravings. If you are constantly eating candy and cookies to satisfy your craving for sweets, you could gain too much weight. Perhaps instead of picking up a chocolate bar, you might find that strawberries or watermelon satisfy your urge. Similarly, your cravings for eggs should be taken as a sign that you need to add more protein to your diet, which you can also get from lean meats.

The reality is that you should be able to eat what you want to during pregnancy – as long as they are actual food items. Part of the fun of pregnancy is finally being able to eat without guilt and as long as your weight gain is slow and steady- there is nothing wrong with following your taste buds and indulging yourself. (Especially given the research that suggests your body may know best!)

So fess up!  What did YOU crave during pregnancy?

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Sometime around week 19 of the pregnancy, it becomes possible for an ultrasound to pick up the sex of your baby. If you are offered an ultrasound from this point onwards, you may be given the opportunity to learn the sex of your baby.

On the day
Unfortunately, it may not always be possible to determine the sex of the baby using ultrasound. There are various factors that could prevent this, including the position of your baby during the scan, the equipment used and the expertise of the sonographer. If your baby has his or her legs covering his genitals during your appointment, you may have to wait until the birth to find out the sex after all.

Accuracy
Ultrasound is not a foolproof way to determine the sex of your baby, and unfortunately inaccuracies are sometimes reported. The sonographer will usually state that they can’t be completely sure of your baby’s sex. There are stories of shocked mums, surrounded by pink onesies and tutus, being told, “It’s a boy!” in the delivery suite.

Choosing not to know
If you decide not to find out the sex of your baby, you should inform the sonographer of this in advance. During scans in late pregnancy, it is sometimes possible for you to see the genitals of the baby, so your sonographer will tell you when to look away.

Should I find out?
Finding out the sex of your baby is a very personal decision, and one that you and your partner will have to make together. You should discuss it in advance, go through the points raised below, and work out how you both feel about it. Once you’ve made a decision, stick with it.

Here are some reasons that people choose to find out the sex:

• Finding out the sex of your baby means you are able to finalise his or her name before the birth. It also means you’ll have half the work to do, because you won’t be wasting your time coming up with names for the wrong sex.
• Knowing the sex of your baby means you can plunge head first into the important task of teeny tiny outfit buying. You’ll know whether you should be browsing in the frilly tutu or the baby blue aisle.
• Some people choose to find out so that they can decorate the nursery accordingly before the birth.

However, there are also some convincing arguments for not finding out the sex:

• Not knowing the sex of the baby will help you to avoid the gender stereotyping of ‘pink for girls’ and ‘blue for boys’. There are lots of cute outfits designed to be unisex, so your baby won’t be underdressed if you choose not to find out.
• Some women claim that not knowing the sex helped them to work harder during the pushing stage of labour.
• Some parents choose to avoid finding out by ultrasound because of the inaccuracy of this method. To avoid the small chance of a mix up, some parents decide it’s better not to know at all.
• There are so few good surprises in life – why not choose this to be one of them?

Will you find out the sex of your baby? How did you reach a decision?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

We know what you are thinking? Yuck, right. Here you are pregnant and beautiful and glowing, and ‘smelly’? You knew that pregnancy was going to change things, but you may not have prepared yourself for the unpleasant side effect of vaginal odor. And now, every time you go to your prenatal visit, not only do you have to get used to being disrobed and poked and prodded, but you are concerned you are going to knock your provider out with your ‘vaginal odor.’

Vaginal odor during pregnancy is actually quite normal. Of course, if you begin to notice a pungent odor that is present with a chunky discharge, itching, irritation or pain – your best course of action is to contact your health provider. With increased hormone production (yep, its always the hormones) and increased moisture in the vaginal area – you may run a higher risk of vaginal yeast infections, or bacterial infections.  And if a yeast infection is the source of the odor, your doctor is the best person to give you advice on how to handle it. They will also perform tests to make sure that the infection is not something more than a yeast infection.

Even so, around 65% of all women report that they have an odor, from strong to light – that seems to coincide with pregnancy. And many women are embarrassed about it. First of all, realize this: Your OBGYN or prenatal provider has literally seen, heard and smelled it all. They are in the business of vaginas, and taking care of women. So while you may feel embarrassed, there is no reason to be. Chances are you aren’t the first women to walk into the exam room horrified that your vaginal smell is going to make the doctor gag. It won’t (Pinky swear promise!).

Secondly, if all your tests come back negative – for yeast infections, bacterial infections and STD’s – it may just be the hormonal changes that are causing the smell. If this just showed up during pregnancy – chances are it will also go away once your baby is born. In the meantime, staying as dry as possible, changing your underwear frequently, wearing cotton underwear, using light pads and even carrying feminine wipes may help you to feel less self conscious. Thirdly, realize that while you may think everyone can ‘smell’ you – they can’t. Seriously, how often have you ever smelled another woman’s vaginal odor while she was fully clothed walking around the grocery store? Never, right. So try to shake it off as much as possible. As long as you have taken steps and have been checked out by your doctor – you will likely just have to wait it out.

In some cases, it may be the foods that you eat or the spices you use that are causing the smell. With increased secretions of the vaginal area and the sebaceous sweat glands during pregnancy, the foods and spices synthesized by your skin can often be the culprit.  So if you eat a lot of spicy foods – try altering your diet.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Most women find that they gain very little weight during the first trimester, in fact some women actually find they lose weight as a result of morning sickness and food aversions. By the end of your pregnancy, you may be up to 16kg (35lb) heavier than you were pre-pregnancy. It may sound a lot, but remember, not all of the extra pregnancy weight gain will be baby. In fact, your weight gain will be made up of the following components (and their average weights):

• baby 3-4kg (7-9lb)
• extra fat 2.5kg (5.5lb)
• water 2.5kg (5.5lb)
• extra blood and fluid 1.5kg (3lb)
• larger uterus 1kg (2lb)
• amniotic fluid 1kg (2lb)
• placenta 0.7kg (1.5lb)
• larger breasts 0.5kg (1lb)

Body Mass Index

The amount of weight you should gain during pregnancy, is dependent on your Body Mass Index (BMI). At the start of your pregnancy, your healthcare provider will take your height and weight, and use this information to calculate your BMI.

If you have a normal BMI (between 19 and 24), you should be aiming to gain between 11 and 16kg (or 25 to 35lb) by the end of the pregnancy. If you are carrying twins, you should expect to gain between 16 and 20kg (35 to 44lb). If you are considered to be overweight (with a BMI of 24.5 and over), you should gain between 7 and 11kg (or 15 to 25lb) by the time you give birth. If you are obese at the start of the pregnancy (with a BMI of 30 or more), you should try to limit your weight gain to between 5 to 9kg (11 to 20lb). If you are underweight at the start of the pregnancy (with a BMI of less than 19), you will be advised to gain between 13 and 18kgs (28 to 40lb) during the pregnancy.

If you are a healthy weight at the start of your pregnancy, you should expect to gain no more than 2.2.kg (5lb) during the first trimester, between 5.5-9kg (12-19lb) in the second trimester, and up to a further 3.5-5kg (8-11lb) in the third trimester.

Calorie intake

During the first few months of pregnancy, there is no need to increase your calorie intake. You can continue to eat around 2,000 calories a day. During this time, you may like to reassess your diet to ensure you are eating enough fresh fruit and vegetables, and limiting your intake of sugary or processed foods.

By the time you enter your third trimester, you should be eating an extra 200 calories a day to sustain your developing baby. The last few weeks of pregnancy is when the baby starts to pile on the pounds, so you will need to eat more to allow this. Two hundred calories a day equates to a banana and a glass of milk, or two slices of buttered wholemeal toast.

Eat a balanced diet

One of the most important steps you can take to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy, and to give your baby the best start in life, is to eat a healthy balanced diet. Make sure you are eating a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the day, whilst also eating wholegrain carbohydrates and plenty of protein.

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Becoming a parent is life-changing, and from the moment you hold your child for the first time, life will never be the same again. For the mother, life changed as soon as she discovered she was pregnant. While you may be able to go about your business unaffected by the pregnancy, your partner doesn’t have that luxury. It’s hard to forget a pregnancy when you’re the one with the bump.

You can’t give birth for her, or carry the pregnancy to term, but there are things you can do to support your pregnant partner:

Listen
Many women find pregnancy to be an overwhelming time emotionally, and it’s not just the hormones. Becoming a parent can be daunting, and some women feel scared of the process of giving birth. Make sure your partner knows she can talk to you, and be sure to listen and offer support when she does. If she is scared of giving birth, reassure her that she’ll be great. If she’s worried about becoming a mother, tell her why you know she’ll make an amazing mum.

Talk
Your partner is probably worried about you too, so do talk to her about your fears. Chances are, you’re worried about lots of the same things. Common concerns for expectant parents include the cost of raising a child, the impact upon your relationship, and the fear of not being good parents. They say a problem shared is a problem halved, so why not put that theory to the test?

Help
Take on extra duties around the home. If your partner is struggling with exhaustion or aches and pains, she may be struggling to keep up with her busy life. You can take some of the pressure off her by helping out more around the home.

Sleep
Growing a person is hard work, and can really take it out of you, so make sure your partner is getting enough sleep. It’s not easy for a heavily pregnant woman to find a comfortable sleeping position and fall asleep without having to go to the bathroom, and if by some miracle she does manage it, you don’t want to be the person who accidentally wakes her up. Let her have lie-ins on weekends, naps on the sofa and as much sleep as she needs.

Interest
In most couples, the expectant mum reads all the literature, and the dad receives a short summary. Show an interest in the pregnancy, birth and baby information your partner shares with you. You could even do some reading of your own. There’s plenty of information out there. Your partner will want you prepared for the birth, so make sure you know what to expect and how you can be useful on the day.

Nest
Your partner will probably nest towards the end of her pregnancy. This could mean dusting high shelves, pulling out furniture or rearranging the spice rack. You can nest too, and help to get your home prepared for the baby’s arrival. One job that many dads-to-be take pride in, is decorating the nursery. Get involved with selecting furniture, colour schemes and toys to adorn your baby’s bedroom. Seeing you get into this will help your partner to feel more relaxed and ready for the baby too.

What else are you doing to support your pregnant partner?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

While you’re rushing around trying to decorate a nursery, research strollers, tie up any loose ends at work before maternity leave, and grow a person, you might long for a few minutes to relax. Having a beauty treatment is the perfect way to take some time out from the hustle and bustle, put your feet up and feel calm. A beauty treatment will help you to feel great in your changing body too. You may be desperate for a trip to the local salon, but wondering which beauty treatments are safe during pregnancy?

Safe treatments
The following treatments are considered safe during pregnancy:

• everyday cosmetics – hair and nail products such as shampoo and nail varnish, are considered safe for use during pregnancy.
• hair dye – each time you dye your hair, a small amount of chemicals is absorbed into your skin, but there is no evidence that this reaches or affects the baby. Some women choose to avoid dying their hair during pregnancy, just in case. Some healthcare providers worry about the use of bleach during pregnancy, but most are unconcerned about its use.
• tanning lotions – fake tans are safe to use when pregnant.
• facials – facial products are considered safe for use during pregnancy. If you are having a professional facial, be sure to inform your beautician that you are pregnant. They may be able to tailor the facial to best suit your skin’s needs during pregnancy.
• massage – not only are massage oils safe to use during pregnancy, they should be compulsary. A massage is the perfect way to rid you of those pregnancy aches and pains, and help you to relax and forgets the stresses of impending motherhood. If you are having a professional massage, be sure to tell your masseuse that you are pregnant as this will affect the massage techniques used.

Treatments to avoid
The following beauty treatments are NOT considered safe during pregnancy:

• tanning – you should avoid using sunbeds during pregnancy. Sunbeds may cause your body to overheat. The harmful UV rays are also found to break down folic acid. Folic acid is important for healthy foetal development.
• body wraps – the application of heated towels or wraps during pregnancy should be avoided. The heated wraps may cause your body to overheat, and there is no effective way to monitor how much heat is reaching the foetus.
• hot tubs – you should avoid hot tubs and saunas during pregnancy, because these can raise your core temperature to a level considered dangerous for your baby.
• botox – it is generally thought that botox stays in the area it is injected, and so would be unlikely to reach the baby. However, there isn’t enough data on this, and so most healthcare providers will advise postponing botox until after the birth.
• piercings – pregnancy compromises your immune system and puts you at an increased risk of infection, so you should avoid getting piercings when pregnant.

Have you had any beauty treatments during pregnancy as a way of relaxing?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Do people make comments to you that you don’t even look pregnant, or that you don’t look big enough to be 6 months along? Does everyone seem to have some sort of random opinion about the size of your belly, how you are carrying – or what your pregnant self looks like?

Seriously, when it comes to pregnant women – it seems that the world around them loses its filter. And often, the health of a pregnancy and the size of a baby is outwardly determined by how big your baby bump is. When Princess Kate was pregnant, the media was constantly talking about how tiny she was (only to comment that she still had a baby bump 24 hours after delivery). Really!?

Eventually, people commenting on the fact that you are not big enough, or that you are too big – can cause some unnecessary worry on your part. You might worry that being small means your baby is unhealthy, or that your baby is not growing properly. You may think you need to be eating more. You may even feel ‘less pregnant’ than other women who are seemingly waddling around in their pregnant glory.

The harsh reality is that you have prenatal check ups for a reason. And your health care provider is the only one who should be commenting on whether the size of your belly is too big, too small or just right!

Another reality is that each and every woman carries differently. Depending on your frame and on your genetics, and whether or not you have been pregnant in the past, you may show at 11 weeks or not really be showing until 5 months along. And as long as you taking care of yourself nutritionally, following the orders of your healthcare provider and progressing as expected you have nothing to worry about.

Pregnancy is quite often the first time in your life that you will realize just how much advice and commentary the world around you has to give. Consider this a time of prepping yourself for the realities of parenthood where you will have to follow your own judgments, make your own rules about what is right or wrong for your child and your family, and believe in your decisions without constantly ruminating about the albeit well-intended, annoying commentary from the rest of the world.

Your baby bump is what it is – and underneath it lies the person who will now hold your heart and soul. Be proud of your belly whether it is as round as a basketball, or as petite as a cantaloupe and stop allowing yourself to be compared to other women. You are you!

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.