Pregnancy is such an exciting and scary time for a woman. When that plus sign shows up on the stick, a woman's life will be forever changed. Get the facts you need to stay calm and happy throughout your pregnancy, so you'll feel confident that you're going to be a great mom.
Yipee, I'm Pregnant! Now What?
- > Am I Really Pregnant? Normal Symptoms
- > Common Pregnancy Check-ups and Tests
- > Healthy Pregnancy Exercises
- > Feeling Icky? Sooth that Morning Sickness
- > Special Section for Mothers Over 35
- > Typical Pregnancy Discomforts
Fun Pregnancy Moments
- > Fun Myths: Predicting a Baby's Gender
- > Tips for Picking a Baby Name
- > Top 10 Baby Boy Names
- > Top 10 Baby Girl Names
- > Top 10 Pregnancy Myths
- > Sex During Pregnancy
Pregnancy "No No's" & Warning Signs
- > Activities to Avoid During Pregnancy
- > Food During Pregnancy - List of No No's
- > These Medicines and Pregnancy Don't Mix
- > Should I Call a Doctor? Warning Signs
- > Signs and Risk Factors for Miscarriages
- > Signs and Treatment of Gestational Diabetes
Getting Prepared for Baby's Arrival
Great Exercises to Get you Ready for Labor
Labor, "Yikes!" No one looks forward to that, but the results are worth it. You get to meet your precious, adorable angel for the first time. Luckily, there are some exercises that can make labor go faster and hopefully make the labor pains less intense. Below are some exercises for your mind and body to prepare you for the big day!
- Tailor Sitting - "Yipee!" You can exercise while you sit. Simply put your back against the wall and sit butterfly style with the bottom of your feet touching. Gently, push your knees to the floor slowly... no bouncing please. By doing this you'll hopefully have an easier delivery because you'll strengthen your back muscles, thighs, pelvis and keep your pelvic joints flexible. This exercise will also keep blood flowing well to your lower belly.
- Kegel Exercises - Again... sitting. When on the toilet, try to use your pelvic muscles to stop your urine flow. If you can do that, then start to practice this squeezing motion when sitting in a chair. Try doing it for 10 seconds and then letting go. This exercise can help with later pregnancy discomforts like urine leakage "ick" or hemorrhoids "ouch".
- Squatting - Press your back against the wall. Slowly, slide down into a squat position. Keep your legs parallel to the floor. Hold that position for a short bit, but don't overdo it. This will make your legs stronger so during labor you can squat to open the pelvic outlet an extra quarter to half inch. This is sure to make labor easier.
- Pelvic Tilt - Kneel on the floor and gently lower onto "all 4s" position with your hands and knees on the floor. Arch your back up towards the sky and hold for 10 seconds. Then arch your back the other way, tummy towards floor and hold. This will help strengthen your stomach muscles and ease back pain. It will also help make labor easier.
- Breathing and Meditating - Practice taking breaths in and out. Find a pattern you like that makes you relaxed and practice often. Then repeat during labor to keep you calm. Take it one step further and research some labor meditation practices to really stay tranquil during delivery.
- Walking - Keeping your body in "walking" shape during the 9 months of pregnancy will help you endure labor pains a little easier then if you just eat bon-bons on the couch for 9 months.
