Gestational Diabetes
 

It is estimated that 18% of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. The actual cause of gestational diabetes is unclear, but it seems that placental hormones prevent the mother’s insulin from being able to remove blood sugar (glucose) from her bloodstream. Consequently, high levels of glucose in the mother’s blood stream means that for her baby, too!

At 24 weeks of pregnancy, a blood test is done to check for gestational diabetes. If the mother is found to have it, she is to be placed on a special diet, exercise program, and taught how to test and regulate her blood sugar levels. Recently, a new blood test came out that can be done earlier in pregnancy to detect this disorder.

If gestational diabetes is not treated and controlled properly during pregnancy, the baby is at risk for delivery complications from large birth weight, low blood sugar & breathing difficulties at birth, and later for childhood obesity & adult onset diabetes. 

It can be frightening to have gestational diabetes, but by working closely with a health care team to  keep blood sugar levels stable, a healthy pregnancy is possible. Although gestational diabetes usually goes away after birth, it is common for it to return in subsequent pregnancies and seems to be associated with the development of adult onset diabetes (Type 2) later in life. However, by maintaining a healthy weight and diet, along with regular exercise, most are able to lower their risk of this occurring significantly!


Written by: Shelley Scheibel, RN, BSN


References:
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/gestational/how-to-treat-gestational.html

                                                                  Due Date Calendar

One of the first things that women want to find out when they discover that they are pregnant is their baby's due date! Calculating your baby's due date can easily be done online, using a due date calculator. Click on the following link to discover your baby's estimated due date:

http://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy-due-date-calculator

During your weeks of pregnancy there are several other key events that you may want to note:

Week 10: Ask to listen to your baby's heart beat at your doctor appointment.

Week 15: Your baby can see light from within the womb.

Week 18: You may begin to feel your baby kick.

Week 19: Your baby can hear noise. Talk & sing to your baby.

Week 20: Ask your doctor if you can find out your baby's sex by ultrasound.

Week 27: Your baby's lungs are still immature, but able to function.

Week 32: Your baby has finger & toe nails.

Week 37: Your baby is full-term, but still gaining weight.

Week 40: Your baby is due!

Most women will not deliver their baby on their calculated due date, but it is often a good estimate within a week or two. It is always best to talk to your pregnancy doctor about any concerns or questions related to your expected date of delivery.

Written by Shelley Scheibel, RN, BSN

                                                                 Maternity Swimwear


         1. "Under the Belly" Bottoms- Gives you the choice to use them after pregnancy, too.

         2. Two Piece- Convenience & ease of only having to remove bottoms, instead of your entire
                                bathing suit, when going to the restroom! And pregnant mommies know how
                                often they need to run to the bathroom!

         3. Strapless- Easy nursing access for breastfeeding after pregnancy. Also, no tan line!

                                 The Hormonal Cause of Morning Sickness during Pregnancy
                                                       

During pregnancy, your body is experiencing many hormonal changes that affect the way you feel. The first hormonal effect that is experienced by most pregnant women is often the feeling of nausea, accompanied by mild episodes of vomiting, called morning sickness. Even though it is termed "morning" sickness, it can occur at other times of the day, as well.

Medical experts believe that morning sickness is caused by the rising levels of a hormone called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) in your blood stream. This hormone is released from the cells that form the placenta, which is an organ that develops to allow your baby to receive nutrients, oxygen, & get rid of wastes. Since the hCG hormone can be detected in both your blood and urine, it is the determining factor of a positive pregnancy test! However, as this hormone increases, not only can it cause you to feel nauseated, but it can also make you more susceptible to illness, as it lowers your immune response to keep your body from rejecting your baby.

The good news is that by the end of your first trimester, hCG hormone levels will decrease as your placenta is fully formed. As a result, you should start to feel better at this time!

Written/Summarized by Shelley Scheibel, RN, BSN

Resources: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/nab2/when-does-life-begin
                  http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/pregnancy-
                         hormones.aspx
                  http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/understanding-conception

                                                            Spring Baby, Spring Maxi

You will find a maternity maxi dress to suit your style, among our collection of modern maternity clothes for the Spring! Our selection of maternity maxi dresses come in a variety of solids and prints, with sizes ranging from XS to 3XL. Many can be worn during pregnancy and beyond, since they are designed with discrete nursing access for moms who will be breastfeeding. Most women love to wear maxi dresses, pregnant or not, as they are always comfortable and can be worn to most any occasion!

                                                  Designer Diaper Bags for Nursing Moms!

The "Mamie" Diaper Bag was designed for nursing moms. It has plenty of room to store a breast pump and has a detachable cooler on the bottom to store breast milk! Whether you are currently a breastfeeding mom or plan to be, you will love the modern style, convenience, and practicality of this designer diaper bag while traveling or being out for a long day with your little one.

                                      
                                                       Helpful Tips for the Labor Coach

A labor coach is the person who stays with you during your labor and delivery. It is usually the father of your soon-to-be-born child, but could also be a family member or friend. It is helpful if this person has gone to childbirth classes with you, so that they can encourage you to use the techniques that you have learned and better understand what you are experiencing. If you and your coach have not gone to baby delivery classes do not panic, most importantly make plans for someone to be with you during your labor and delivery who can provide you with comfort, support, and encouragement.

Some helpful tips to do and discuss with your labor coach, several weeks before giving birth to your baby:

1. Attend childbirth-preparation classes together, like lamaze classes, which help you learn breathing techniques to use during painful contractions. Ask your pregnancy doctor or local hospital for class recommendations. Do not hesitate to ask a lot of questions and take notes. When my husband and I attended classes, learning about the stages of labor helped him anticipate my needs & be a better advocate for me. It was great for him to know when to get me ice-chips & was comforting when he was confident to ask the medical staff questions as they began inducing labor during my first delivery!

2. Encourage your labor coach to bring an overnight bag to the hospital, packed with snacks, water,  toiletries, comfortable shoes & a change of clothes. You may even want to get your coach a special "Pregnancy Support Team" shirt! When I delivered our second child, my husband became light-headed & nauseated from not eating and had to leave the room at a time that I really needed him!

3. Discuss different scenarios with your coach, such as a change in your preferred delivery method. This will help you be more flexible & mentally prepared if your labor and delivery plans do not go as you expected or learned in childbirth classes. With our first child, we did not expect that I would need a C-section after 8 hours of difficult labor. But having learned about the possibility, we were able to accept it better and realize that a safe delivery was most important!

4. Discuss the need for patience with each other. Not only can labor take several hours, but you may do or say things to each other that could be taken personally. Due to the way that each of us handles difficult situations and pain, we may become sensitive to things that usually wouldn't bother us. With our third child, having a baby went much smoother for me. But just as I was about to deliver,  I remember my husband commenting, "This hasn't been so bad! We should have a fourth!" At the time, even though it had been easier than my others, his timing was not good!

The anticipation of having a baby is always filled with feelings of excitement, but it is also a time of not knowing what to expect, which can be frightening. Learn as much as you can and then be flexible, prepared, and patient. When I was pregnant, someone shared this, "Women have been having babies for thousands of years and you will get through it too!" It's so true...you will get through your labor and delivery, just as so many women have before you. And best of all, you will then have stories to share with other moms, too!