Nursing Tops for Pregnancy & Beyond, at Any Occasion!

Today's modern women will enjoy the Toni™Top Sleeveless in their collection of modern maternity clothes. This versatile maternity & nursing top is manufactured by Snugabell, a company specializing in the breastfeeding needs of today's busy moms. During pregnancy, this top can be worn on your most casual days with comfy maternity jeans. Or, it can easily be dressed up with jewelry and a pair of slacks or a skirt for fancier occasions. It will probably become one of your favorite pieces in your wardrobe during your pregnancy and beyond!

                                                          
                                                            Affordable Maternity Clothes

It is often difficult to find affordable maternity clothes, especially when you want to maintain your style during pregnancy with modern maternity clothes! Here are a few tips that may allow you to find affordable maternity clothes:

1. Buy a few basic maternity clothing items, such as maternity jeans, solid colored maternity pants and maternity tops, that can be dressed up or down, depending upon the shoes and accessories you choose.

2. Pair solid colored maternity bottoms with brightly colored tops. This will allow you to wear the same maternity bottoms several times, but with a new look each time! Often, brightly colored tops will draw attention to themselves and no one, but you, will notice that you are wearing the same pants again!

3. Look for maternity tops with a flared bottom. Most often this type of style looks nice not only during your pregnancy, but afterwards as well.

4. Ask your family and friends to be on the look out & tell you of any discount maternity clothes
 that they see advertised.

                                                                   Travel with Kids

Traveling with a newborn, toddler, or young children can seem overwhelming due to the amount of items that you use everyday for their care. When traveling, consider a few of the following tips, which have convenience & practicality in mind:

1. Pack light weight clothing that can easily be hand washed and hung to dry, if without a washing machine and dryer.

2. Leave behind the multitude of toys and only pack their smallest favorite! As you may find a new toy while traveling to bring home, too! Pack some new snacks, I have often found these to be more interesting & satisfying than toys!

3. Consider taking a larger purse, which is not only an allowable carry-on for most airlines, but which can also function as a your baby's diaper bag for short outings while you are out and about on short excursions during your travel.

4. Decide what type of travel bag would best suit your travel needs. A backpack diaper bag can be a carry-on item on most airlines and carried over your shoulder or back. A larger luxury baby bag, which is a duffle bag style, can easily be hung on the back of a stroller or carried across your body.

5. Consider bring a light-weight umbrella stroller, and if traveling by plane, contact the airlines for their rules on this item.

If you are accustomed to traveling without children, be prepared to allow for extra time to tend to your baby's needs, whether it be to change their diaper, take a "meltdown" nap, and power up on frequent snacks! Most importantly, give your baby and yourself the gift of time and patience, it will make for a more relaxing trip for your entire family!

                                                           Pregnancy Hormones, Part 2

The role of pregnancy hormones is amazing and complex! Although the hormones of pregnancy have many significant benefits for your and your baby's health, they can cause you to experience many symptoms of discomfort, as well. Knowing the role and influence of certain hormones can help you understand your body and prompt you to discuss treatment options with your pregnancy doctor.

In my previous blog, I discussed the role & influence of the hormone hCG, which is vital during your early stages of pregnancy, but can make you feel nauseated, sometimes to the point of vomiting!

Today, I will discuss the role and effects of a few more pregnancy hormones. During the second trimester of your pregnancy, your placenta is now producing large amounts of estrogen & progesterone to maintain your pregnancy & aid in your baby's development. The role and influence of these hormones is summarized below:


Progesterone:

Role: Helps to maintain your uterine lining to support your baby. Keeps your uterus in a relaxed
          state while your baby grows, inhibiting the contractions of labor. Stimulates breast tissue
          growth, but inhibits lactation until after birth.
                                   
Effects: Swollen and/or bleeding gums, indigestion, heartburn, constipation, hip pain, skin
             breakouts, sleepiness.

Baby Benefits: Allows your uterus to grow, making room for your baby's growth.

Role After Pregnancy: Initiates the process of lactation & delivery, when levels rapidly decline.

    
Estrogen:


Role: Stimulates your uterus & breasts to grow, and increases your blood circulation.

Effects: Breast tenderness, stuffy nose, headaches, sinus congestion, changes in skin
             color & sensitivity (increased dryness & itching). Positive and/or negative effects on 
             mood.
 
Effects on Baby: Helps with your baby's organ & bone development.


Other pregnancy hormones are relaxin and oxytocin. Along with progesterone, relaxin is involved with muscle relaxation, allowing your uterus and ligaments to stretch. Oxytocin is thought to be the hormone that triggers your nesting response in which you start to clean house, cook, and prepare for your baby's arrival!

Wow! How incredible to think that God designed our bodies to house and deliver such an incredible gift of life and how pregnancy has a way of preparing us for the amazing journey of motherhood!


Written & Summarized by: Shelley Scheibel RN, BSN


Resources:
http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/pregnant/hormone.html
http://www.fastbleep.com/medical-notes/o-g-and-paeds/16/79/492
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/hormones-during-pregnancy.html
http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/pregnancy-hormones/estrogen.aspx

                                 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

                                              Modern Maternity Clothes: Maternity Tunics

There are many options in modern maternity clothes, like maternity tunics, which are typically a longer style of top, and look stylish when paired with leggings. They come in a variety of styles, from long and short sleeve, to sweater versions. Some are designed to be worn during pregnancy and beyond, functioning as nursing tops for convenient and easy breastfeeding!

Maternity tunics can be worn for dressier occasions by wearing pumps & accessorizing with fancy jewelry. For a more casual occasion, consider wearing flat sandals and accessorizing with mom-to-be personalized jewelry.