Top 10 Secrets of Second Pregnancy

Have you every wondered about the secrets of second pregnanices that no-one talks about? I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy 11 weeks ago and discovered a few helpful hints in the process. Here is my list of the top 10 things I wish someone told me or I just didn't think of. Yes some information may be a little graphic, but it's valuable to know.

1. While carrying your second child, you may experience some additional discomfort. The reason is a woman's ligaments and uterus is already stretched out.

2. Braxton Hicks can increase in intensity, occur earlier in the pregnancy, and be more uncomfortable.

3. Not everyone will loose their plug. During early labor, I was in denial because I didn't loose my plug. My doctor said that it's just something that happens in second pregnancies.

4. Even though you know what to expect, just because you've raised a newborn before, doesn't make it any easier.

5. Unless your first child is still taking a morning nap, there is no sleeping in. Generally it's manageable to put them both down for afternoon nap, but be prepared for going non-stop for 15+ hours a day.

6. After birthing the second child, it's amazing how quickly the body bounces back...nature's way when you have a toddler.

7. The one-on-one time I missed with my first born. I believe it was more difficult for myself than her. It took a few weeks, but now "special time" is manageable.

8. Running simple errands by yourself, (ie. Going to the grocery or drug store) may be impossible depending on their age difference.

9. Alone time with your spouse is scarce and finding time for sex may also seem impossible. With sleeping schedule and routine not yet established, you find yourself trying to squeeze it in during little pockets of time, around your first child's schedule.

10. Beginning from birth, it's speechless and priceless how quickly my children have formed a special bond.

On The Go?

I can understand that being pregnant and traveling may turn into a disaster when you need to use the bathroom. That's why I use www.tena.com when I am on the go! Using your Blackberry or iPhone, locating a bathroom is only a simple click away. All you need to know is the zip code of where you are and several options will pop up. It's also a great site to use while planning a road trip. You'll never have to wonder where the next rest stop is.

Exercise Ball...A Must Have

An exercise ball or birthing ball is a must have for pregnant women. Working out using the exercise ball during pregnancy helps to decrease discomforts and prepare the body for labor and birth. These are workouts I use during the third trimester of my pregnancy to relieve back pain and other discomforts.

Sit on the Ball. Just sitting on the ball can improve posture, balance, stomach muscles and relieve back pain.

Bounce on the Ball. While in a sitting position, bounce on the ball to strengthen leg and abdominal muscles. You can also rotate your hips in a circle to strengthen abdominal muscles.

Lunge. Place the ball against a wall and then place the small of your back against the wall. Stand with your legs spaced a little further than your hips. Extend your left knee (so you're lunging) and hold for 5-10 seconds. Return to the start position and then do the same with the right knee. Do this for 12-15 reps. You could also sit on the ball, with the pelvis tilted back and do the same exercise to strengthen leg muscles and improve balance.

Hands and Knees. Get into a hands and knees position and lean over the ball so your cheek is resting on the ball. Rotate your hips or do a pelvic tilt while in this position. To do a pelvic tilt, tighten your stomach muscles so the pelvis tucks under. This will help to relieve back pressure not only during pregnancy but also during labor.

Remember to always check with your doctor before starting an exercise program during pregnancy. When doing exercise ball workouts use caution...your center of gravity is not the same and it is possible to fall of the ball and injure yourself.

Are You A Fan Yet?

Now that I have a toddler and another baby on the way, I am always looking for great deals at children's stores. Especially for clothing and baby gear, that's why I became a fan!

I am a fan of The Children's Place and Babies R Us personally and on Facebook. They recently updated their Facebook pages to keep their fans informed about steals and deals for the latest fashionable clothing and upcoming events and sales. For example 10/24 only, Babies R Us launched a printable 20% coupon to use in-store for any one baby item.

From now until October 31st The Children's Place is giving away a $50 gift card EVERY DAY to one of their Facebook Fans regardless if you are new or old! And all you have to do to enter is become a fan!

To become a Facebook Fan click on the links below and start saving. Who knows, maybe you'll be the next $50 winner of The Children's Place giftcard!

www.facebook.com/pages/The-Childrens-Place/46687203018?ref=mf

www.facebook.com/pages/The-Childrens-Place/46687203018?ref=mf#/babiesrus?ref=ts

5 Tips For New Parents

1. Organize your home before the baby arrives. You won’t believe how much clutter a newborn can bring to a house! It all begins with that first baby. Get a head start by carefully planning and organizing ahead of time. Here are some ideas:

• Put a basket in every main room for toys. It’s a cinch to pick up all the toys and toss them into the basket at the end of the day, and your child can learn to do this independently at a very young age.
• A well organized changing table: we use my parents old vanity.
• Designate a place in the kitchen for bibs, baby bottles, baby dishes & utensils, etc. or they will take over your counters and drawers.
• Organize baby clothes in boxes by gender, season & size in a storage area. You’ll be going through baby clothes every two or three months.
• Make sure laundry is cleaned, folded, and put away.
• Put batteries in toys and baby equipment is put together. With a newbie in the house you will not have a time or the energy to that care of these things. It also gives you the opportunity to focus on yourself and enjoy your new baby!

2. Use a Backpack diaper bag. Forget the standard diaper bag. We parents need use of both our hands as much as possible. An ideal one would have two halves: one for the diaper bag, one for your purse items. Keep your purse and diaper bag items simple and organized (use Ziploc baggies if you need to), and you’ll be set! A couple rules of thumb: always have one more diaper than you think you need; always have one change of clothes until the child is beyond potty-training; have a plastic bag to put soiled clothes in; and make sure you have a back-up binky or burp cloth or whatever your baby gets attached to, if applicable.


3. Freeze meals ahead of time. This is a great tip for those that do not have family members living close by and you can’t always depend on people coming over with several meals. All you have to do is freeze half of your dinner every night about a month or two before the baby arrives. Doing this will save you time, money, and energy in the long run. By the time the baby arrives, you will have about 3 weeks of dinners prepared!

4. When friends and family members offer to help…take it! Whether it’s to pick up items at the store, watch the baby so you can catch up on much needed rest, or assist with household chores.

5. Find a way to get your sleep. Don’t feel bad about turning people away. When we had our daughter my husband and I limited our visitors to one a day, turned off our phones, and put a note on our front door. Since our friends and family were anxious to see the new baby, this was the only way we could get some quiet and alone time. Just remember you need to take care of yourself!

RELAX AND ENJOY! This stage will be over before you know it, and babies are so precious. Enjoy this time fully. I hope these tips encourage and enable you to be a successful, joyful parent. They should also give you an idea of what’s ahead. Good luck and happy parenting to you!

Stepping Up Your Workout

Did you know that after a year of giving birth, 26% of women still carry 10 lbs of baby weight? Experts say that in addition to cutting calories, improving your fitness routine is vital to keeping off the extra baby weight. Please keep in mind that if you are nursing do not cut calories. Your body still needs about an extra 300 calories a day.

Here are some ideas on how an hour of activity can step up your "workout". Who said it had to be boring!

• Bike Riding 441 Calories


• Dancing 370 Calories


• Gardening 324 Calories


• Brisk Walking 297 Calories


• Light Cleaning 240 Calories


• Playing With Kids 216 Calories


• Strolling 206 Calories

For more information on activities and calorie counts go to www.americanbaby.com

Congestion During Pregnancy

OK, now I'm sure I am not the only pregnant woman out there that is/has/or will suffer from congestion during pregnancy! Thanks to our wonderful hormones kicking in full swing the nasal passages swell and make it difficult to breath.

After several sleepless nights I went on to search for my own holistic remedy. One drug-free method I found are Breathe Right strips. I've worn them at night and even though it doesn't clear the nose, it makes breathing easier by slightly opening up the nasal passages. Some other methods I found include:

• Saline Nasal Spray.
• Humidifier.
• Boil water than place a towel over your head and lean over the bowl of water for 20 minutes.
• Rub your tongue on the roof of your mouth and rub between your eyebrows at the same time. Yes this one seems strange, but when you are desperate you'll try anything!

If anyone has tried other holistic methods and they have worked, leave a comment to let me know. I would like to try it!

Ten Unique Ways to Announce That You Are Pregnant

Announcing that you are pregnant is a memorable and unforgetful moment. Therefore it needs to be memorable! I found this great site that shares fun ways to announce to your family that you are expecting a baby that they will never forget! Check it out!

www.associatedcontent.com/article/1384357/ten_fun_and_unique_ways_to_announce.html

Exercising During Pregnancy May Increase Baby IQ

I found an article which states mothers who exercise 30 minutes a day during pregnancy are helping to boost their child’s IQ. Nisbett who is a psychologist states "Exercising large muscle groups increases the growth of neurons and adds to the blood supply of the brain."

It's an interesting article that shows a different approach. Check it out www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6211362.ece

Pregnancy Journal & Planner

I bought and used this journal for my first pregnancy and it was a great tool to help make all the details of my pregnancy more manageable. There is a week-by-week tracker that notes the age and the length of the embryo. Here you can also make notes on how you are feeling, any movement and sensations you are experiencing, and things to do that week. I really enjoying going back and reading about my pregnancy!

There are also to-do lists; suggested questions to ask when looking for health care provider, locating childcare options, and touring a birthing facility. This journal is a great way to have all your pregnancy related information in one place!

The Pregnancy Journal & Planner can be purchased at any bookstore or on-line. I recommend purchasing it through Barnes & Noble's authorized used book sellers, since the selling price starts at $1.99 versus $11.99 new.

Exercising During Pregnancy

Though you may not feel like running a marathon, many women benefit from exercising during their pregnancies. Early in the pregnancy, you should talk with your doctor or health advisor about starting/continuing an exercise routine. The amount of exercise recommended depends largely on your pre-pregnancy condition and be prepared to make adjustments to your routine throughout the pregnancy.

Exercise not only benefits you, but also the baby. A weekly exercise routine can help you feel better by toning muscles, reduce back aches, reduce constipation, and help you sleep better at night by reducing stress. Exercising not only helps you return to your pre-pregnancy weight, but also prepares your body for birth. Strong muscles and a good heart have been proven to greatly ease pain and delivery (so they say). And just in case you have a lengthy labor, good endurance will help. Studies have also shown that exercise reduces complications like preeclamsia and gestational diabetes.

Now I’m not saying that if you exercise you definitely won’t experience any of these challenges. I exercised prior, throughout, and post pregnancy and still struggle with high blood pressure. We can’t change our genetics, but we can help to minimize complications and challenges that may come our way.

Since I was labeled as being in good health condition, my doctor gave me the go ahead to continue my normal exercise routine. I recommend that if you don’t have any restrictions from your health advisor continue your routine, but listen to your body.

Suggestions for following an exercise routine:

• If you are tired or it hurts…stop. Give yourself a break…you are pregnant!
• At the gym, lower the weight if you have any pain or anything feels uncomfortable.
• Wear a belly band for extra back support…it worked wonders for me!
• If you experience dizziness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or pain in your back or pelvis than stop.
• Avoid activities that require bouncing, jarring, leaping, or sudden change of direction.
• Just keep moving…every little bit counts!

My well rounded exercise routine during pregnancy:

• Went to the gym 3 times a week.
• Always used a cardio machine, but instead of 20 minutes I did either 10 or 15 minutes. If you have high blood pressure, make sure that your heart rate doesn't go above 140.
• Weights for upper and lower body. As I advanced through my pregnancy I decreased the weight to make it more comfortable. I discontinued my abdominal workout around 5 ½ months because it was uncomfortable. It is also recommended that at 5 months not do anything that requires you to be flat on your back.
• Stopped mountain biking around 6 months because it was uncomfortable.
• I walked almost everyday…it’s so easy to do this!
• I returned to the gym about 2 months post-partum with the same routine I was doing when I left and built it back up.
• Almost immediately after having the baby you can start walking and doing Kegal exercises. I also bought an exercise ball for the days I couldn’t make it to the gym…at least I still got a little workout at home.

Warnings signs to check with your doctor:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Unusual pain
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Unusual shortness of breath
• Racing heartbeat or chest pain
• Fluid leaking from your vagina
• Uterine contractions

Wondering how to get started here are some ideas:

• Start gradually. Even 5 minutes a day is a good start if you've been inactive. Add 5 minutes each week until you reach 30 minutes.
• Dress comfortably in loose-fitting clothes and wear a supportive bra.
• Drink plenty of water to avoid overheating and dehydration.
• Skip your exercises if you're sick.
• Go for a walk in an air-conditioned mall on hot, humid days.
• Remember to listen to your body and have fun!
  
  

How To Have A Healthy Pregnancy

One of the best moments in my lifetime is becoming a mother. It's a feeling that only other mothers can understand. From the time I conceived and throughout the next 9 months or so, all I wanted was a healthy baby. Sex, appearance, and color did not matter just a healthy child. A mothers health comes first and should be the primary concern of any expecting mother. I quickly understood that taking care of myself was and still is the most important focus of motherhood.

It is important to follow a certain healthy lifestyle and avoid a few things to insure a healthy baby. An expectant mother must stay healthy by eating nutritious foods. You are not just eating for yourself, but also for your baby. A balanced and nutritious diet must include fruits, vegetables, milk products, meat, and protein daily. A pregnant woman must also consume about a gallon of water a day, to keep herself hydrated and to keep the baby healthy.

Here Are Foods To Avoid

Unpasteurized Products :

• Raw Milk


• Soft cheeses : feta goat cheese, brie, camemberts


• Mexican-style cheeses : queso blanco and queso fresco


• Unpasteurized juice
  

Raw Eggs :

• Raw eggs


• Caesar dressing
  
• Egg nog (unpasteurized)


• Hollandaise sauce


• Cookie batter


• Homemade ice cream

Undercooked Meat:

• Deli meat


• Sushi


• Pates


• Raw seafood, especially shellfish


• Undercooked chicken or meat

Certain Fish:

Following is a link to a chart that shows which fish are safe during pregnancy and which ones to stay away from. www.pregnancy-info.net/foods_to_avoid.html

Other things that pregnant women must avoid that effect the development of the fetus:

• Alcohol or Drugs


• OTC or over the counter medicines


• Consumption of a lot of hot or spicy food items


• Limit caffeine


• Some vitamin supplements


• Jacuzzi’s, Sauna or sun bathing, as it has been found that women with over heated bodes tend to deliver baby’s with neural defects.
  

There several evidences that indicates exercise is very healthy for expectant women. A weekly exercise routine that incorporates both cardio and weights will help you feel better, assist the laboring process, and help shed the baby weight quicker. I exercised throughout my pregnancy, right up to 2 weeks before I had my daughter and returned to the gym when she was 2 months (check with your health advisor for their suggestions). As my pregnancy progressed I modified my workout. It is important to keep moving, listen to your body, and do what you can...every little bit counts!

All of this information is not only useful for expecting mothers, but also pre and post pregnancy. Nursing mothers need to be extra careful about food consumption because it can seep into the mother's breast milk (I will write about the effects of nursing another time). But of course check with your health advisor if you have any questions or concerns about your pregnancy. Stay healthy and enjoy your pregnancy!!!

Sources: www.pregnancy-info.net/ & www.articleclick.com/Article/Pregnant-Women-What-Should-You-Do-or-Avoid-For-a-Healthy-Baby./1185735

Stretch Marks: One Way To Prevent Them

Wondering what to use to prevent stretch marks on the belly? Try Deep Comfort Body Butter made by Clinique. One of my friends told me about it when I was about 6 weeks pregnant and I am so glad she did! A few friends and I used this product throughout our pregnancy and we did not get any stretch marks…AMAZING! From what I have read, body butter is very good moisturizer for the skin. Just rub it on your belly daily throughout your pregnancy. Deep Comfort Body Butter comes in a 6.7 oz. container and can be purchased either online through several websites or select stores for $23.50. The sweet aroma and rich smooth texture makes it worth the money!

To read product reviews and additional information about the use of this product go to: www.clinique.com/templates/products/sp_nonshaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY4921&PRODUCT_ID=PROD795