Best Baby Shower Gifts!

Shopping for the best baby shower gifts is usually easy as the mom-to-be may have a gift registry. However, there are creative baby shower gifts to consider which she will enjoy, too!

Baby Shower Gift List Ideas:

1. Gift certificate to the couple's favorite restaurant, with baby sitting provided.
2. Special memory basket, filled with baby heirlooms that had been given to either of the parents-to-be, when they were born. For example, the parents of the expecting parents may have saved a handmade blanket, booties, or bonnet which was made by a grandmother. Including a photo of them with the grandmother adds a sentimental touch, as well.
3. Baby clothes in a few larger sizes that the newborn can wear later as they grow.
4. Emergency Baby Kit: infant pain reliever, thermometer, diaper rash cream, diapers, etc. This may save a late night trip to the pharmacy for the new parents.
5. Make personal gift certificates for homemade dinners, grocery shopping & delivery, housecleaning services, and babysitting for siblings. Be creative!

                                                          Headaches during Pregnancy

During pregnancy you may have concerns about the safety of taking medicine to relieve headaches.

Discuss the recommended treatment choices with your doctor that are safe for you and your baby, should you develop a headache.

Consider headache prevention tips to help avoid the onset of headaches, such as:

1. Managing stress by finding healthy ways to cope. Many find that taking a daily walk helps.

2. Eat smaller portions of food more often, including a source of protein, to help
    regulate your blood sugar levels.

3. Drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated.

4. Maintain a regular sleep schedule to avoid fatigue.

                               What's New in Fall & Winter Maternity Fashion for Nursing Tops?

If your final months of pregnancy are in the Fall or Winter Season, consider maternity tops that can also function as nursing tops after your baby's delivery. This makes a good value choice! This season's maternity fashions show pretty earth tones of plum, brown, emerald green, and navy. Easy nursing access makes breastfeeding convenient, whether you are on the go and at home. Shop a great selection of stylish maternity tops for both now and after your pregnancy at ModMomMaternity.com!

                          Ideas for Keeping Your Family Close at Heart, Even at a Distance

Being a new mom is filled with days of excitement, as you watch your baby grow so quickly each day. Yet, living away from close family and not being able to share this excitement can be difficult. Consider some creative ideas to keep your family close at heart, even at a distance.

Schedule a regular, weekly time to communicate with family by Skype or FaceTime.

Video your baby on your smart phone & send to family.

Create a photo album by using Shutterbug & send to family.

Encourage your family to take video, with short messages from them to your baby. Ask them to send the video messages & keep them to show your baby as he/she grows older. 

You will always be thankful you invested the time & energy in keeping your family close at heart by taking the time to include them in your baby's life.

                                                                Winter Maternity Wear Tips

With the winter months quickly approaching, you may be looking for stylish winter maternity wear. Since a woman’s metabolic rate increases 15-20% during pregnancy, she will produce more heat and often feel warm when others are cool. To enjoy winter clothes without the frustration of feeling overheated, you may want to consider a few Winter Maternity Wear Tips:

1. Layer long sleeve maternity tops with a maternity tank underneath for the option of removing or adding clothing as needed.

2. Consider the activity level you will be engaged in and dress accordingly, realizing that the greater your activity level, the more heat you will produce and the lighter weight your clothing should be.

3. Wear clothing that has vents to allow for unwanted heat to escape or those made of light, 100% cotton fabric which will absorb extra perspiration.

4. Weather permitting, wear shoes that are ventilated or open, like sandals. When our feet are warm, our entire body tends to feel warmer.

                                                         Baby's 1st Christmas Ornament

What family traditions would you like to start for your new family? From the time we had our first child, we've made it a family tradition to give our children a special ornament that reflected that year of their life. At birth, it was a baby foot print, and as the years progressed, it ranged from their favorite sport or animal. Now that our three children are grown and soon to start their own families, they have a special collection of ornaments to hang on their Christmas Tree. These precious baby footprint ornaments are available now at ModMomMaternity.com & make a special gift for the new baby in your life!

                                                           Fall Maternity Clothes

Accessorize your Fall Maternity Clothes with tights, ankle boots, comfy sweater, & cute baby bump belt! The Southern Shores Maternity Dress in Blue & Grey is available now at ModMomMaternity.com. Shop stylish maternity wear, today!

                                                          Benefits of Breastfeeding

The experience of breastfeeding will bond you and your baby, providing many health benefits, as well. Just after birth, your breast milk will appear thick and yellow, containing nutrients and antibodies to protect your baby. After 3-5 days, your breast milk will change texture and color, becoming thinner and appearing almost clear in appearance. Your breast milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein to help your baby continue to grow, providing all of the nutrients and antibodies that your baby needs.

Breast milk is easy for your baby to digest and will help your baby to fight disease. Some research has shown that breast fed babies have a reduced risk of Type 1 diabetes, childhood leukemia, certain types of skin rashes,  & SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Written by Shelley Scheibel, RN, BSN

References:
http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/why-breastfeeding-is-important/index.html



“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Isaiah 49:15

                                               Week by Week Pregnancy, Weeks 37-40

By weeks 37 to 40 of your pregnancy, you will soon be a "New Mom!" Your baby may be 6 to 8 pounds, 19 to 20 inches, and is considered to be "full term" now, ready for life outside of the womb!

Your doctor appointments will become more frequent during your final weeks of pregnancy, so it is a good time to bring a list of any questions or concerns that you have. Also, confirm your arrangements with the person that will be with you for support at the hospital. It is a good idea that you fully communicate to this person how they can best help you during your labor.

As your body gets ready for labor & delivery, your "water may break," making you feel like you've lost control over your bladder, but actually it's amniotic fluid leaking from your placenta (sack of fluid that contains your baby). Notify your doctor when this happens, as your baby will need to be delivered within 24 hours to prevent infection. Another sign of labor onset is the loss of your "mucus plug" that has sealed your womb. This occurs as your cervix opens and may happen from a couple of weeks before delivery to the time of delivery.

Since labor may come upon you unexpectedly, have your hospital delivery bag packed and ready to go! Carry your insurance card and other necessary papers with you so that you are not rushed & stressed, looking around for what you may need at the last minute.

Written by: Shelley Scheibel, RN, BSN

Resources:
http://www.babycenter.com/average-fetal-length-weight-chart
http://mothercare.com.mt/parentingtips/pregnancy-week-by-week-weeks-37-40/

                                                              Fall Maternity Fashion

Looking for beautiful Maternity Dresses for Baby Showers for the Fall Season? A maternity dress in stretch lace fabric offers amazing comfort while accentuating your maternity style! As your baby bump grows, this fabric will stretch along with you. The Stephy Maternity Dress is available in new Fall colors of Emerald Green, Purple, and Pink Mesh at ModMomMaternity.com.

                                               Week by Week Pregnancy, Weeks 33-36

From weeks 33 to 36 of pregnancy, your baby may grow to 18 inches in length & 6 pounds in weight. By the end of 36 weeks, your baby's respiratory and digestive system should be fully formed, allowing for normal feeding and breathing outside the womb.

By the end of this stage of pregnancy, your baby may begin to "drop," as their head lowers into your pelvis in preparation for delivery. Although this makes more room for your lungs, allowing you to breathe easier, the pressure of your baby's weight can impact your lower circulatory system causing your legs & ankles to swell. Taking frequent rest periods to raise your legs may help decrease the swelling. During this time, you will find yourself needing to go to the bathroom more frequently as your baby's weight presses down on your bladder, too.

In addition, many find it difficult to sleep well during the final trimester, not only from being uncomfortable, but also from their minds being preoccupied with a strong desire to clean and organize the home in preparation for the baby's arrival, called the "nesting syndrome." During these weeks, begin to pack an overnight bag to take to the hospital. Some items that you may want to pack are personal toiletries, a maternity hospital gown, a comfortable going home outfit for you and your baby, and a nursing bra, if you plan to breastfeed. If you have other children, this is a good time to make arrangements for their care. Since most women do not know the exact day and time that they will go into labor, preparing for the arrival of your baby, well in advance, will help you feel more at ease as you approach your baby's due date.
 
Written by: Shelley Scheibel RN, BSN

Reference Articles & Video:
http://babyworld.co.uk/2011/07/pregnancy-timeline-33-36-weeks-pregnant/
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/pregnancy-weeks-33-34-35-36.aspx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI0mFY4swb4

                                                 Week by Week Pregnancy, Weeks 29-32

By the end of the 32nd week of your pregnancy, you may begin to feel your uterus contracting at irregular intervals for 10 to 30 seconds at a time, these are called Braxton Hicks Contractions! If they become regular and are occurring more than a couple times in an hour, play it safe and call your pregnancy doctor.

By week 32, your baby will have grow to about 17 inches in length and be 5 pounds in weight, increasing in size to that of a small cat! At this time, the fine hair on your baby's skin (lanugo) begins to fall off and his or her lungs are usually developed enough to sustain life outside of the womb.

At this stage of pregnancy, most women grow tired of being pregnant and are excited to meet their baby! You will probably find that your mind is solely focused on decorating your baby's nursery and shopping for final baby essentials and that the other things which used to occupy your time will feel much less important!
 
Written by: Shelley Scheibel RN, BSN


References:
http://www.fitpregnancy.com/unsorted/month-8-weeks-29-32

                                               Week by Week Pregnancy, Weeks 25-28

During weeks 25 to 28 of your pregnancy, you will begin to feel your baby moving and kicking regularly! Your baby will grow to about 15 inches in length and 2 pounds in weight, increasing in size to that of a football! During these weeks, your baby's skin becomes less translucent as a layer of fat develops underneath.

As your belly grows larger, your center of gravity is altered, therefore some women find that moving about is more awkward during this stage of pregnancy. In most cases, exercise is okay to continue, unless otherwise advised by your healthcare provider. However, it is advised to take greater measures during exercise to avoid injury to you and your baby.

During these weeks of pregnancy, a blood glucose (sugar) level is taken to test for gestational diabetes. If you test positive for this condition, it is very important that your pregnancy doctor helps you regulate it. In most cases, it can be controlled by diet and exercise and resolves after pregnancy. In addition, iron levels may be drawn to test for anemia. If your iron levels are low, your doctor may advise iron supplements. Since constipation is often a common side effect of these supplements, drink plenty of water, exercise (as advised by your doctor), & increase your fiber intake (oat bran is helpful and can be sprinkled on yogurt & salad, or prepared as hot cereal). Your pregnancy doctor will have suggestions, too!

It is a great time to sign up for Baby Registries so that you can share this information on your baby shower invitations.


Written by: Shelley Scheibel RN, BSN

                                                  Week by Week Pregnancy, Weeks 21-24

During weeks 21 to 24, you are officially half way through your pregnancy! Your baby will grow to about 12 inches in length and 1 to 1-1/2 pounds in weight, increasing in size from a banana to that of a cantaloupe!

During these weeks, your baby's respiratory system is developing lung tissue & specialized cells, that secrete the substance needed for your baby to breathe on his or her own. Your baby can open & close its eyelids and has fingernails and toenails, too!

Most women begin to experience greater energy during this stage of pregnancy and find that it is a great time to start planning the baby's nursery!

While you may be feeling better overall, you may begin to notice fluid leaking from your breasts, have troubles sleeping, and develop leg cramps & stretch marks. Talk with your pregnancy doctor about these concerns as helpful solutions are often available.

Written by: Shelley Scheibel RN, BSN

References/Articles/Videos of Interest:

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/pregnancy-weeks-21-22-23-24.aspx
https://www.kpwomenshealth.org/maternity_care_20-24weeks.asp
http://www.countdownmypregnancy.com/pregnancy/week-24.php
http://pregnant.thebump.com/pregnancy-week-by-week/24-weeks-pregnant.aspx

                                                  Week by Week Pregnancy, Weeks 15-20

Congratulations! You are nearly half way through your pregnancy now! During weeks 15 and 20, your baby will grow from 4 inches to 7 inches and more than triple his or her weight from 2.5 ounces to 10 ounces! Your baby will grow from the size of a naval orange to that of a banana!

During this time, your baby's nervous system will rapidly mature as nerve connection between his or her brain and lower extremities develops. Read and sing to your baby, as sensory development of hearing is in full swing!

Around 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy, two very exciting milestones will occur! First, you will feel fluttering, as your baby moves about, called "quickening." And, upon sonogram, your baby's gender can be revealed!

Written by: Shelley Scheibel RN, BSN

References/Articles/Videos of Interest:

http://pregnant.thebump.com/pregnancy-week-by-week/20-weeks-pregnant.aspx
http://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-images-15-weeks

                                         Week by Week Pregnancy, 9-12 Weeks Gestation

By the end of week 12, your baby will be about the size of a plum and 2 inches in length! He or she now has visible ears & eyes, organs, & functioning joints to move about, even though you will not feel your baby's movement for another month or so. A sonogram may show your baby sucking his or her thumb and responding to stimuli! While your baby's critical development is complete by the end of week 12, the growth and maturation of your baby's systems will continue during the following weeks.

You should begin to feel less tired and nauseated by the end of week 12 in your pregnancy, but may now feel light-headed and develop headaches from changes occurring within your body. Continue to drink plenty of fluids, get rest, and eat healthy as your body is adjusting to many new changes. Finally, it is very important that you communicate with your pregnancy doctor about symptoms that you are experiencing for your and your baby's health and safety.

Written by: Shelley Scheibel, RN, BSN

Resources & Articles of Interest:
http://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-images-10-weeks
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/pregnancy-weeks-9-10-11-12.aspx#close
http://www.thebabycorner.com/pregnancy-calendar/week-9/
http://pregnant.thebump.com/pregnancy-week-by-week/12-weeks-pregnant.aspx

                                                            Week by Week Pregnancy

Let's assume that your menstrual period occurs every 28-30 days and on a particular month you don't start your period as usual. Being 2 weeks late for your period,  you begin to think that you may possibly be pregnant, and sure enough you test positive by a home pregnancy test! Now 4 weeks late for your period, you go to your pregnancy doctor for an appointment and discover that you are already 8 weeks pregnant! How is it that you are 8 weeks pregnant already, only 4 weeks after your missed period?

Calculating pregnancy weeks can be very confusing! But, consider that week 1 of your pregnancy is calculated as the first day of your last period. So, based off of the traditional 40 weeks of pregnancy calculation method, at the time of conception (day 14 of your cycle, when egg and sperm unite) you are already 2 weeks pregnant, even though you are not!

For a clearer understanding, view the fictitious week by week pregnancy scenario below:

June 1-8:   (Week 1)- Menstrual period began on June 1, marking day 1 of cycle.

June 9-15: (Week 2)- Conception (egg released from ovary & united with sperm) occurred on
                                  ~June 15, marking day 15 of cycle.

June 16-23: (Week 3)

June 24-30: (Week 4)- Period expected to start ~June 30th, but didn't!, marking day 30 of cycle.

July 15: (Week 6)- 2 weeks late for period. Positive home pregnancy test. Scheduled appointment
                              with pregnancy doctor to confirm pregnancy.

August 1: (Week 8)- Pregnancy confirmed by doctor, saying you are 8 weeks pregnant!
                                 You get to hear your baby's heart beat & could have heard it even
                                  2 weeks ago!

Week by week, you will have exciting moments to look forward to in your pregnancy...

October 5 (Week 18): You may feel "quickening" (1st movements of your baby)!

March 7, 2014 (Week 40): Your baby's due date!


Written by: Shelley Scheibel RN, BSN

References:
http://3dpregnancy.parentsconnect.com/
http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/pregnancycalendar/l/blpregcalc.htm
http://saymommy.com/weeks/week-1/

                                                      Comfy & Chic Maternity Dresses

Whether you are looking to find maternity dresses for baby showers or work, you will love the signature double-knit cotton/spandex fabric blend of the Etoile Maternity Dress! Along with amazing comfort, the fabric is known to maintain a fresh, new look even after several washes. Accessorize with jewelry and heels for a dressy look, adorn a cute baby bump belt for fun, or simply wear alone with flat sandals for a casual look. You will enjoy the comfort, easy care, & practicality of this darling maternity dress throughout your pregnancy!

                                                             Pregnancy Diet Tips

A pregnancy diet with plenty of "Healthy Fats" may lower a baby's risk for autism according to a recent study. It was found that women who consumed high levels of linoleic acid, a type of omega-6 fatty acid, were 34 percent less likely to give birth to a child with autism compared with women who consumed low levels of the nutrient. Ground flax seeds are a great source of this nutrient and can easily be added to your pregnancy diet by sprinkling it on salads, cereal, yogurt, and just about anything you like!

Written by: Shelley Scheibel, RN, BSN

                                                              Foot Pain in Pregnancy

During the final months of pregnancy, your feet can become swollen from an increase in your circulating blood volume and weight, but if you experience pain, especially stabbing pain in your heel, it may be caused from plantar fasciitis. In easier terms, this is pain and inflammation of the tissue band that runs across the bottom of your foot which connects your heel bone to your toes. For helpful tips on how to cope with this foot pain during pregnancy, read the following article: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/06/21/how-to-cope-with-pregnancy-foot-pain/


Written by Shelley Scheibel, RN, BSN