Female Care

Clothing and Bedding

All clothing you look for should feel soft and comfortable for your newborn. Look for clothing items that have wide or stretchy openings; avoid outfits with lots of buttons and closures, as these will just add to the time and trouble spent dressing your baby. Make sure you have on hand several outfits that are 100% cotton, in case your baby is irritated by synthetic fabrics. Stocking up on simple outfits means you will have less laundry to do in those first weeks of motherhood. Make sure to have outfits in bigger sizes so you won’t run out of clothes as your baby grows. Remember to buy special laundry detergent for baby clothing. Here is a list of the basics you will need:
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The third trimester is the perfect time to tie up loose ends and really start preparing for motherhood. During these last three months of pregnancy, have fun preparing for your baby and try to enjoy relaxing activities while you can. Below are some fun and useful things to do during the third trimester of pregnancy.

The third trimester is the perfect time to plan a fun baby shower with all of your friends and family. Even a small baby shower is an enjoyable way to celebrate your pregnancy. Celebrate with your favorite foods and a fun theme, and enjoy being the center of attention for a day. Most expectant moms find that registering for gifts is a fun way to pass the time, even if you don’t end up getting everything on your list.
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I am so tired of hearing people talk about how easy it is for women who have a c-section.  When I listen to people describing their labor as compared to someone they knew who had a c-section, it is always along the lines of “they don’t really know what it’s like”, or “they have no idea what pain is”.  It is true that women who have a c-section have not usually endured 12-20 hours of pain to deliver a baby naturally, but that doesn’t mean that they haven’t suffered.
Many women who have c-sections do so reluctantly AFTER enduring labor for hours and hours.  In my sister’s case, she underwent 36 hours of pain because she wanted to deliver the baby naturally.  It was only when the baby went into distress, and her own life was in jeopardy that she finally consented to a very large baby (10.5lb) being taken out by c-section.  If she tells anyone she had a c-section, they will acquire that knowing look of  “oh you have no idea what it’s really about” when really it’s they who have no idea.
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Pregnancy is a grueling 10 month process. Wait, 10 months? Yep, 10 months or 40 weeks. Throughout the entire gestation of a baby Mom goes through periods of energy, tiredness, and misery. The most miserable moments in pregnancy differ from woman to woman. However, there is relief for the five most common causes of misery during pregnancy.

Cause of Misery #1: An Aching Back

Nothing is more frustrating than a sore back, and pregnancy is full of it. It can begin as early as the first trimester. Little sympathy is given for women in the early stages of pregnancy, yet back aches do occur. In the first few weeks, Mom’s body is moving major organ real estate around in there to make room for baby. Early in pregnancy soaking in a warm, but not hot, bath is one of the best sources of relief. Pregnant Mommas may also find relief from a rice sock; a cloth sack full of rice and microwaved for about one minute. Before taking over the counter pain relief, pregnant women should consult their doctor for safe medications and doses. Continue reading »

Affecting about 4% of all pregnancies, gestational diabetes is not a common condition but one that should be taken seriously. With about 135,000 new cases of gestational diabetes diagnosed each year, it is enough of a concern that all pregnant women are tested for it between weeks 24 and 28 of their pregnancy. Continue reading »

Everybody needs good nutrition but the need for healthy food by pregnant women is more critical. This is because food nourishes both the mother and unborn child. If you are expecting and want to stay healthy for the duration of your pregnancy, you will need to be mindful of what you eat and the sufficiency of the nutrients you are taking in. On the other hand, if you are yet on the planning stage of having a baby, this will be the perfect time to learn about pregnancy nutrition. Eating healthy even before you try conceiving is the best way to prepare your body for pregnancy. It is best for you to work together with your partner in aiming for a healthy pregnancy for your sake and that of your baby. This will ensure that your child will receive the appropriate nourishment for proper growth and development. Continue reading »

It seems that our dependence on technology is such nowadays that we’re happy to let it take over the job of Mother Nature – at least when it comes to helping us deliver our babies. Not content to let nature take its course, more and more women are undergoing induced birth with the aid of technological intervention. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the number of induced births has doubled since 1990, and in 2006 22.5 percent of births in the US were induced.
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The moment you conceive a child your body begins to change. It has to in order to become the safe haven that the baby needs to grow. While the changes can be difficult, they are normal and usually nothing to worry about. You’ll notice different changes for each trimester. Some will be unmistakable, such as the cessation of menstruation, while others are more subtle, coming on slowly over the course of a few days or weeks. The key to taking the new developments in your body in stride, is to understand which changes may occur and when. This makes things much easier. With that in mind, we’ll start with the first trimester. Continue reading »

Breastfeeding can be a wonderful way to bond a new mother and baby.  Unfortunately, breastfeeding can also be a source of frustration if a mother’s milk supply is not enough to satiate the newborn.  Instead of turning to formula, there are some methods that a new mother can use to attempt to increase her milk supply.

Increase fluid intake:  This may be the simplest and easiest solution.  If a mother finds that she’s not producing enough milk, it’s possible that she has overlooked her own hydration needs.  A breastfeeding mom needs to continue with the average of 64 ounces per day of water that she consumed while pregnant.  With a newborn, it’s possible for a mom to find herself too busy with the baby to look after herself, but proper hydration is a necessity.  A healthy mom= a healthy baby. Continue reading »

Now that you’re pregnant, it’s time to understand what you can do to keep your baby healthy.  Many women quickly become overwhelmed when they try to change their lifestyle to meet the needs of the child growing inside of them.  By following these simple nutrition and exercise tips, you can make sure that your pregnancy is less stressful on you and your baby.
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