Category Archives: Pregnancy Tips

Tips for A Healthy Pregnancy Lifestyle

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Tips For A Healthy PregnancyWhen you’re pregnant, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the pressures of preparing for parenthood. There’s no doubt your life is going to change when your little one comes, but there are many things you can do to promote a healthy pregnancy lifestyle. Follow the tips below and enjoy a happy, healthy and wonderfully heart-warming pregnancy.

Eat a healthy and balanced diet. When pregnant, it’s always best to talk with your doctor or healthcare provider about any supplements you are considering taking. In general, maintaining a balanced diet will help ensure you and your baby are getting ideal nutrition while pregnant. However, there are a few foods that are great to include in your diet while pregnant. Calcium-rich foods are great while pregnant because they help your little one build healthy bones. DHA is another nutrient with impressive proven benefits for your baby. Found in many low-mercury fish, DHA can support healthy brain development, leading to better vision, memory, motor skills and language comprehension later in life.

Stay active. Gentle exercise while pregnant can help you stay fit, improve your mood and help prepare you for childbirth. Yoga, swimming and taking walks are all great ways to keep yourself active without putting stress on your pregnancy. In fact, many fitness clubs offer prenatal yoga with experienced instructors. Before your baby comes, it’s also suggested to begin strengthening your abs and pelvic floor muscles. These exercises can help significantly during childbirth and can also help prevent incontinence after delivery.

Embrace the Pregnancy Bliss. Despite the typical discomfort, pregnancy really does make you feel great. You tend to feel happier, sexier and more connected with your partner throughout this very exciting time. Many women let go of their physical insecurities and embrace the beautiful and voluptuous curves they’ve developed. On top of that, hormonal shifts pump up your libido, which can deepen your connection far beyond physical attraction. The time you spend thinking about baby names, talking to the new life growing inside you, and preparing the house truly brings out the best in each of you. Many couples report feeling like they’re in honeymoon bliss, or should we say “babymoon” bliss?

How did you support a healthy lifestyle while pregnant? Tell us in the comments and share with other moms like you.

Preparing For Breastfeeding While Pregnant

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When you’re pregnant, you eagerly await the birth of your little one and get used to a fair amount of uncertainty. But, we have good news. You don’t have to wait to prepare for breastfeeding. You can start preparing to breastfeed throughout your entire pregnancy. Follow these tips and you’ll feel more confident about breastfeeding and more able to enjoy the incredible bond it creates.

Develop a breastfeeding support system.
Not only is it important to begin learning about breastfeeding, but it’s also beneficial for your friends and family to understand the benefits and demands of breastfeeding. If they share the same knowledge as you, they’ll be able to provide the most valuable breastfeeding advice and support.

Talk to your hospital or healthcare professional about your desires to breastfeed.
A supportive hospital can make a huge difference in your breastfeeding success. So, talk with whomever will be delivering your baby about your desires to breastfeed. Ask questions like these:

  • Is there a Lactation Consultant on staff I can work with before and after delivery?
  • What can be done to support breastfeeding if I need to be separated from my baby immediately after delivery?

Learn about breastpumps.
If you plan on pumping, begin researching breastpumps and other breastfeeding supplies. Consider factors like your need for mobile pumping, how often you plan on pumping, and your need for portable options. We offer a “Breastfeeding Personality Quiz” to help determine which Medela pump best fits your needs. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to a Lactation Consultant for additional guidance.

Consider a breastfeeding class.
Breastfeeding classes are offered for expectant moms, too. It’s a great way to familiarize yourself with the basic techniques and get to know a Lactation Consultant or other breastfeeding professional before your baby comes. It’s also a great place to ask any breastfeeding questions you may have. All moms have breastfeeding questions, so never hesitate to speak up when you have concerns.

Moms, how did you prepare for breastfeeding while you were pregnant? Share your tips in the comments below.

Pregnancy Changes: Preparing to Breastfeed

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Many pregnant women wonder how they can prepare for breastfeeding before their baby arrives. The truth is, your body does most of the work for you. While pregnant, you’ll notice some major changes in your body, many of which are meant to help you prepare for breastfeeding.

Some moms wonder if they need to “toughen up” their nipples before baby arrives, and the answer is no. In fact, doing so can actually damage your nipples and make it more difficult to breastfeed. So, don’t worry! Your body naturally handles the preparation you need for frequent breastfeeding. The best thing you can do to prevent sore nipples, is to ensure your baby has a good latch. In fact, many hospitals have breastfeeding classes you can take while pregnant to learn about breastfeeding and techniques that assist with latch. A Lactation Consultant can also help when the time comes.

Once pregnant, your breasts will undergo some serious changes. Your milk ducts and other milk producing cells will begin to grow. Likewise, more blood will flow to your breasts to aid in growth. As you move further into your pregnancy, hormonal changes will cause your breasts grow even more. At this point, it’s very common for your breasts to feel sore or tender. Consider wearing a highly supportive maternity bra to minimize any discomfort you may experience.

As your due date approaches, your breasts may begin to leak a fluid known as colostrum. This milk, also called the first milk, is packed with nutrients to help your little one fight infection after birth. Washable or disposable bra pads can help protect your clothes and keep you as comfortable as possible during this time.

Your body’s changes can sometimes be uncomfortable, but they should never be painful. If you notice any unusual lumps or nipple changes that cause discomfort, talk to your healthcare provider. They’ll be able address these problems and help relieve any discomfort.

Moms, did you notice these changes while you were pregnant? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Handling Pregnancy Discomfort

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A woman’s body goes through many changes throughout pregnancy in order to prepare for childbirth and breastfeeding. Typically, along with these exciting changes comes a fair amount of pregnancy discomfort. Understanding what to expect and how to manage the discomfort can help you focus on the exciting times that lie ahead.

Pregnancy Breast Tenderness

Your breasts will undergo many changes to prepare for breastfeeding. Hormonal changes cause an increase in blood flow and growth of the tissue itself. You’ll begin to notice changes in size around 6 to 8 weeks and this will continue until birth. As they grow, you may find your skin to be itchy as the skin stretches. Also, your breasts will most likely feel tender as they grow, similar to how you feel during your menstrual cycle, just more intense. To relieve this discomfort, take the time to get fitted for a supportive bra by a knowledgeable salesperson. A properly-fitted bra becomes increasingly more important if you maintain an active lifestyle, exercising regularly. Make sure the bra you purchase fits when the clasp is at its tightest, so you have room to grow. Also, consider buying a nursing bra to prepare for breastfeeding. For the evenings, a sleep bra without underwire helps a pregnant mom get comfortable in bed.

Pregnancy Back Pain

There’s no doubt carrying a baby puts added pressure on your lower back, but there are ways to manage the discomfort and enjoy your everyday activities. The hormonal changes that occur loosen your joints and ligaments in your pelvic region, making that area less stable. Likewise, the changing distribution of weight weakens your abdominal muscles, putting added stress on your lower back. To relieve this discomfort, there are a variety of strengthening exercises and stretches that can be done regularly. Also, make sure you limit activities that cause discomfort, keep good posture and listen to your body. At night, try sleeping on your side with knees bent and a pillow between your legs. Medela offers support belts to take pressure off your back for before and after pregnancy.

Pregnancy discomfort is very common, but severe pain can be a sign of a more serious problem. If you notice any severe back, breast or abdominal pain, it should not be ignored. Likewise, see your healthcare provider if you experience bleeding, unusual vaginal discharge, fever, vomiting or severe cramping.

How did you manage pregnancy pains? Share your tips in the comments below.

Pregnancy Exercise Guide: Safe and Effective Workouts

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Don’t worry. It is possible to maintain a healthy lifestyle and exercise while pregnant. There are plenty of fitness routines that can help you stay in shape while keeping your little one safe. In fact, some exercises can even help you prepare for childbirth, breastfeeding and motherhood.

Every pregnancy is different; so make sure you consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program. They’ll be happy to help you develop a healthy exercise routine that’s best for you and your baby.  Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind as you begin your exercise routine:

  • Include a warm up and cool down in all workouts.
  • Don’t exercise to exhaustion. As a rule of thumb, make sure you can always hold a comfortable conversation without gasping for air.
  • Stay hydrated.
  • Avoid contact sports and high impact activities.

Now, let’s get into some great exercises for pregnant moms:

Pregnancy Exercise #1: Prenatal Yoga

Prenatal yoga serves many purposes for pregnant moms. From a fitness standpoint, it builds strength and stamina without impact, which can be beneficial when you’re trying to be mindful of the needs of your little one. Avoid holding positions for prolonged periods, as that can decrease blood flow to the uterus. Try flowing more quickly between positions.

Yoga also offers great emotional benefits for mom. It gives you the opportunity to connect more fully with the life growing inside you and open your mind to what’s to come.  You’ll practice focus and mindfulness, which may help you be more mentally prepared for the delivery process and the new adventures that lie ahead. Check with your local fitness club or yoga studio to see if they offer prenatal yoga classes. Otherwise, consider a gentle traditional yoga class with an experienced instructor. He or she may be willing to teach adjusted poses for your pregnant body.

Pregnancy Exercise #2: Water Workouts

Exercising in water is ideal for expectant moms because it allows you to perform more repetitions in a low impact environment. Also, the cool water pressure can help relieve swelling in your legs and help with pregnancy discomfort. When doing water exercises, stand with water at chest level and keep your core contracted for best results. Remember to stay hydrated. You won’t realize how much you sweat while you’re in the water.

Pregnancy Exercise #3: Walking

Walking workouts are a great option for cardiovascular exercise because they allow you to raise your heart rate without putting too much pressure on your knees or ankles. Walking also allows you to enjoy different scenery while exercising. It’s best to limit your jaunts to about 30 minutes, and don’t allow yourself to reach a point of breathlessness or exhaustion. As you reach your third trimester, avoid uneven terrain that could cause you to misstep or fall. Also, consider a loop closer to your car or home in case of an emergency.

Remember, taking good care of yourself can play a key role in your breastfeeding success. So, feel free to continue this healthy lifestyle throughout your breastfeeding journey.

What type of exercise did you prefer while pregnant? Share in the comments below.