So, you and your husband have decided that it was time to get pregnant.  Now what?

• Start taking a prenatal vitamin.  They will have folic acid in them, which will help your growing baby ensure a healthy start.
• If you have a pre-existing condition that requires medication, take the time to discuss with your doctor how the medication will affect the baby and what you can do to minimize those effects.
• Quit smoking as smoking can cause low birth weight babies and also raises the risk for a baby with Down Syndrome and other birth defects.  If you cannot quit, do your best to cut as far back as possible.
• Quit drinking alcohol as it may reduce your chances of conceiving.  Drinking during pregnancy may cause a number of birth defects, especially during the first few weeks.
• Go to the dentist.  Good dental health is important.  Why you ask?  Gum disease and other oral infections can increase your risk of premature birth, and other health issues.  Also it can lead to poorer maternal nutrition.
• If you have a cat, prepare your husband to begin cat care duty, as you should not be scooping the kitty litter during pregnancy as it can cause health risks to you and your baby.
• Start exercising if you don’t already.  The more fit you are, the easier your pregnancy and labor will be.  It also helps relieve stress, boost your energy levels and helps you to maintain proper body weight.

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I remember reading over and over again to make sure my bag was packed to take to the hospital. Yet, most articles never really said what should be located inside this bag. I did figure out the essentials, and wanted to share with you some thoughts.

You will be working very hard to have this baby, working up a sweat and then some. So, one essential is your own soaps, shampoos, and lotions. It is true that the hospital will supply you with these, but using your own will make you feel more comfortable and more like yourself. Don’t forget to bring your own toothpaste and toothbrush too. There’s nothing like a good tooth brushing to give you the lift you may need.

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I must admit, I believe I am done having children.  Yet I do remember there being certain perks to being pregnant that I don’t get now as a mom.  Some of these perks you may not think about, others I know you are using to your full advantage.  So, let’s run through my Top 10 Pregnancy Perks!

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A missed period is often the first clue that a woman might be pregnant. Sometimes, a woman might suspect she is pregnant even sooner. Symptoms such as headache, fatigue, and breast tenderness, can occur even before a missed period. The wait to know can be emotional. These days, many women first use home pregnancy tests (HPT) to find out. Your doctor also can test you.
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Everything is going just fine until you are stricken with the idea … it’s a food, something you don’t normally eat, but you just have to have it. Or do you? Pregnancy cravings are very strong, even overwhelming cravings for a certain food or foods. When the craving strikes, do you really need to give in?
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Green your pregnancy

What steps should you take to have a healthy, non-toxic pregnancy? For some pregnant moms, taking steps to live a more environmentally friendly life is a natural step when expecting. So, how can you green your pregnant life?
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Being pregnant and working can leave most pregnant women with some interesting challenges. How do you manage to remain healthy, stress free, control morning sickness and still ensure that your work does not suffer?

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The second trimester is a great stage of pregnancy to go on holiday.  You won’t be too big yet, you’ll be feeling pretty good and it will be still safe to fly. However, there are some safety precautions you should take when travelling during pregnancy.

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Infection in early pregnancy indicates genital tract infection in upper layers is distinct in pregnant when compare to non-pregnant women. Women who suffer from pelvic inflammatory disease are encountering difficulty when they become pregnant suffering from acute infection in the uterus tracts which has the

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Now that you’re pregnant, taking care of yourself has never been more important. Of course, you’ll probably get advice from everyone — your doctor, family members, friends, co-workers, and even complete strangers — about what you should and shouldn’t be doing.

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