ML Interest Tag: post-pregnancy

13 Things from Motherhood Maternity Every Pregnant & New Mom Needs

by Gabby Cullen

If there’s one thing an expecting mama wants, it’s to feel and look good all the way up to and after giving birth. Luckily, the shapeless dresses of our parent’s generation are a thing of the past. Our favorite shop for maternity clothes, Motherhood Maternity, has everything from designer duds (found in the luxe Pea in a Pod line) to sensible, affordable clothes in all sizes and colors. We selected our top maternity clothes and gear that will take you all the way through the fourth trimester in style. Keep reading to see them all.

Basic Secret Fit Belly Maternity Leggings

Part of Motherhood Maternity’s starter kit, these leggings have a secret fit belly feature that you can use to pull over or fold under your bump.

Jessica Simpson Secret Fit Belly Skinny Leg Maternity Jegging

Because everyone needs a great pair of skinny jeans, even expecting mamas! We love this pair from the Jessica Simpson and Motherhood Maternity collab.

Giraffe Maternity T Shirt 

Not only is this jersey knit shirt super comfy, but the giraffe print is a lot of fun, too.

Maternity Tummy Sleeve

A staple for any maternity and new mom wardrobe, this tummy sleeve comes in three colors—black, white and nude. It’ll allow you to wear your regular pants for longer, and it’s great for extra coverage while nursing, too.

The Ultimate Maternity Belt

This belt helps to take the weight of your growing bump off your belly and lower back. The velcro straps are adjustable, so you can use this all the way up until your 40th week! 

Full Coverage Seamless Nursing & Maternity Bra

A cult-favorite item for expectant and nursing moms everywhere, this bra can be used before and after your sweet bundle arrives. Offered in 10 colors, the stretchy material grows with you and is so soft, you might want to sleep in it!

Jessica Simpson Striped Button Back Ruched Maternity Top

Another item from the Jessica Simpson line, this striped shirt comes in three colors and has cute button details on the back.

Mamma Graphic Maternity Tee

A power mom shirt is always a good idea! This one made from a blend of cotton and polyester and is machine washable.

Clip Down Nursing Cami 

This nursing cami comes in over 10 different colors and prints. Made in cotton and spandex, it has a built-in bra shelf and a clipdown nursing function, making it perfect for when you're out and about with baby. You can even wear it before you deliver! 

Maia MAMA Prima Post Pregnancy Pants

If you are sick of your maternity pants, these post-pregnancy pants are the perfect solution. Designed with a shaping panel that smooths your post-pregnancy body, you’ll feel stylish and confident.

Lace Trim Nursing Nightgown and Robe

You’ll be hanging around the house a lot after coming home from the hospital, so di it in style with this lace-trimmed nightgown and robe set.

Lift Up Open Front Nursing Tee

This tee has a split front layer that makes breastfeeding a cinch. The shirt is styled to emphasize your waist and is machine washable.

Tulip Pull Over Nursing Hoodie

How cozy is this nursing hoodie? The pullover feature makes it easy to breastfeed while still being a stylish addition to your wardrobe.

—Gabby Cullen

 

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What Motherhood Means for Your Vagina

By Samantha Paget

Creating a birth plan is no mean feat–there’s a lot to consider, after all, and your baby’s given you a non-negotiable deadline.

When putting your birth plan together, you’ll be faced with predicting every situation that might arise leading up to, during and after the birth—don’t forget the days and weeks postpartum, too!

But, no matter how meticulously you’ve covered all angles, your baby might not have gotten the memo. You may find things happen beyond your control, and beyond the control of the medical staff around you, and some aspects of your birth plan may go awry.

Birth complications mean communication is key

Unfortunately, for some women, these complications could make birth and the aftermath significantly more difficult. New research by specialist lawyers Bolt Burdon Kemp found that almost 1 in 10 women felt they had no one to talk to about vaginal health throughout their pregnancy journey.

We want to change that statistic. Here are some of the common issues you and your vagina might face during your entry into motherhood:

1. Vaginal tearing during labor. Going into labor typically means contractions. In this first stage of labor, contractions help open your cervix (that’s what ‘dilating’ is) and you’ll need to persevere through the contractions until your cervix opens to at least 10cm. That’s when the second stage of labor begins, and you can start pushing your baby out. And this is also when vaginal tearing could occur.

What is vaginal tearing?

Vaginal tearing is the name given to the accidental tearing of your vagina, and this tearing could extend to the muscles between your vagina and anus (known as the perineum). Vaginal tears can happen if your baby is pushed out too quickly, before your perineum has had a chance to stretch. Depending on your progress, your midwife or doctor may recommend an episiotomy–a small cut along the perineum–to help prevent accidental tearing. Do some research and make sure this is factored into your birth plan as a possible eventuality.

Eventually, your baby’s head (or buttocks, because some babies feel alternate) will start to show. Despite what the movies tell you, you’ll need to stop pushing at this stage and let your baby come out slowly. This could also help reduce the chances of accidental vaginal tearing as you’re giving the perineum time to stretch gently out.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to help your perineum out. Practice pelvic floor exercises throughout your pregnancy to ensure your pelvic muscles are strong and supportive during labor. In the weeks before your due date, give yourself some perineum massages to get the muscles more flexible. You could do this yourself or ask your birthing partner to help. Limit these to twice a week to keep the muscles supple in time for the birth. Perineum massages won’t eliminate the possibility of vaginal tearing completely but can help give the vagina a better chance of surviving unscathed.

2. Your vagina may change in size and behavior. It’s normal for your vagina to feel sore and painful directly after birth—and for a few weeks or months afterward too. If anything doesn’t feel quite right, don’t hold back from going to the doctor. With research finding that almost half of women (47%) admit to not knowing enough about their reproductive health to know what is normal and what is not, it’s all the more important to both keep yourself informed and seek advice from your doctor if you’re ever not sure. After birth, you may also find that things are different down there.

Your vagina may feel looser for example.

Your vagina might feel looser than normal, but this is less because your vagina itself has been stretched out and more because your pelvic floor muscles have become weaker. Keep going with your Kegel exercises to help strengthen the muscles. Kegels can also help with any incontinence issues you may have, so you can ditch that post-pregnancy diaper a little earlier.

Your discharge may change too.

You’ll have heavy discharge called lochia in the weeks after birth, but you may also find changes in your regular discharge. Up until day 10, it may be more watery, and pink or brown in color. In the days that follow, the color may transition into a cream or yellow, and slowly return to the typical color and texture you’re used to.

You may also have vaginal dryness, particularly if you’re breastfeeding (because it lowers your estrogen levels). This could mean you find it painful to have sex, so it’s important not to rush or force things, even if you’re mentally ready to have sex again. Doctors recommend waiting four to six weeks after birth to have sex and using plenty of lube when you do.

If you still have questions about your reproductive health, don’t hesitate to keep researching and asking your doctor questions. Learn as much as possible, so you’re aware of what’s to come and all the options available to you so you can be prepared and as relaxed as possible on the day and all the days following your baby’s birth.

Samantha Paget is a Registered Nutritional Therapist and a registered member of the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). She is the Founder and Director of Paget Nutrition and practices out of two clinics in central London where she sees private clients.

 

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Research Sheds Light on Pregnancy-Related Body Shaming

by Erica Loop

Baby weight shaming is just something celeb mamas, who are constantly in the spotlight, experience. According to research from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Angela Incollingo Rodriguez, the stigma of pregnancy and post-pregnancy related weight game is real for nearly two-thirds of women.

While weight gain is a perfectly normal and totally necessary part of pregnancy, plenty of expectant and new mommies feel pressure to stay thin—and as it turns out, society in general and the media are the two top culprits to blame.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3CGpnvppMw/

One of Incollingo Rodriguez’s recent studies looked at how pregnancy-related weight stigma affected 501 women (143 were in their second or third trimesters and 358 had given birth in the past 12 months). The study found that over 33 percent of the women felt weight stigma from “society in general.” Over 24 percent felt this stigma from the media, 21 percent felt it from strangers and another 21 percent felt in from immediate family. The two least picked culprits were healthcare providers (18.4 percent) and friends (14 percent).

Along with the sources of the stigma, Incollingo Rodriguez’s research also revealed that these experiences were linked to depression, stress and dieting behaviors.

Even though Incollingo Rodriguez’s research isn’t exactly a ray of sunshine in your pregnant day, she did note that changing the message women receive about their pregnancy and post-pregnancy bodies could, “spark a much-needed culture shift.” The researcher said, in a press release, “There are already celebrity mothers out there, like model Chrissy Teigen, for example, who are celebrating their healthy bodies, even if their figures are fuller post-baby. That gives a positive message. That’s the goal, ultimately—healthy mom, healthy baby, healthy relationships.”

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Freestocks via Pexels 

 

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How Does Chrissy Teigen Balance Work & Motherhood?

by Erica Loop

Model, TV host, cookbook author, mama––Chrissy Teigen is a multitasking woman. Even though it may seem like Teigen has the whole work-life balance thing under control, the mom to two recently revealed she has plenty of help.

When Teigen was asked, via Twitter, “Can you please talk about working while pregnant, shortly post-pregnancy and away from your babies?” the Bring the Funny host got real about how she does it all.

Teigen, who is mom to Luna, three, and Miles, one, answered in a refreshingly truthful way, “I girl I have HELP and a half. That’s it. There’s no way I could have done it without it.” The model-mama went on to add, “I’m so lucky to have it and I don’t know how anyone else does it.”

Not only did Teigen admit that she has “help and a half,” but she also gave a shout out to the other working mamas out there, writing, “I have so much respect for all of you.”

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Chrissy Teigen via Instagram

 

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Products You’ll Need for Each Trimester (Including the 4th One)

by Aimee Della Bitta

One thing that helps with the stress of a new pregnancy is knowing you have the products you need to help you through the next nine months and beyond. Find out what to expect and what to buy with this pregnancy buying guide that includes the very important fourth trimester! Here’s our list of essential items you can rely on through each stage of your pregnancy so you can rest easier as you prepare for your little one’s arrival.

1st Trimester

Studio 7042 from Pexels

From alleviating morning sickness to a tip on how to keep your favorite jeans on rotation, here are a few things to help get you through your first few months of pregnancy. 

Preggie Pop Drops
Morning sickness affects more than half of pregnant women. The nausea-causing illness, which is usually the worst between weeks 6 and 12, can be caused by a variety of factors, such as hormonal changes, low blood sugar, vitamin deficiencies, stress, fatigue and general anxiety. Preggie Pop Drops are a natural supplement that ease the symptoms of morning sickness. They come in tasty flavors like green apple, sour raspberry, and sour tangerine. If the pops don't do the trick, some pregnant women swear by Sea-Band accupressure wrist bands to get them through the roughest days. 

The Bellaband
Even though most people probably won't know you're pregnant, there will come a time in the first weeks or months of pregnancy that you feel like you're popping out of your pants. It's this exact moment that inspired an invention many pregnant mommas list as one of their die-hard maternity essentials. The Bellaband by Ingrid and Isabel lets you stay in your favorite pre-pregnancy jeans for longer without sacrificing comfort. The greatest part is it works for every trimester, including the post-pregnancy fourth one: You can use it to hold up maternity pants that are now big on you or keep up pre-pregnancy jeans that are still too tight.

Mayo Clinic Pregnancy Guide
One of the coolest things about the first trimester is that so much is happening under that burgeoning bump. The easiest way to learn about your baby's week-to-week growth is with the Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. This illustrated book offers advice, meal-planning tips, healthy exercise options and much more. It's a great reference tool for each stage of your pregnancy.

2nd Trimester

estebantroncosofoto0 via Pixabay

Congratulations! You made it through the first three months and are on to what some call the "honeymoon trimester." If you experienced morning sickness, it has more than likely subsided, and you should be feeling more energetic during the second semester, so this is a good time to focus more on other areas of self-care. 

Soma Glass Water Bottle
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. That's the name of the game in the second trimester. Sometimes drinking from a pretty bottle makes it easier to do and remember. Our favorite is the Soma Glass Water Bottle, which comes in a variety of colors. Made from high-quality, shatter-resistant glass with an easy-grip protective sleeve, it’s perfectly designed to fit into your bag, your cup holder, and your life—making it easy to drink up!

Mio Skin Care
Trimester two lasts from the week 14 to the end of week 28, and your baby grows a LOT during this time. By the end of the 2nd trimester, baby will be the size of a butternut squash (check out how big your baby is each week). That means your body is changing and your skin can take the brunt of all this growth. Your stomach needs to expand and you may also be dealing with pesky breakouts from hormonal shifts. Mio Skin Care's second trimester bundle includes everything you need to keep your belly, breasts and face moisturized and glowing. 

Erin Baker's Breakfast Cookies
In addition to the extra energy you'll be enjoying in the second trimester, you'll probably notice something else: You're starving, like all the time! Carrying Erin Baker's breakfast cookies with you to ensure you don't get hangry is a life-saver. They come in a variety of flavors (double chocolate, peanut butter, carrot cake, oatmeal raisin, and more) and are perfect for the morning or mid-day when you need a satisfying snack to keep you going. 

3rd Semester

Artem Bali from Pexels

You're in the homestretch! That's good to remember because the third trimester can get a little uncomfortable. You may experience pelvic pressure, back aches and have more trouble sleeping with your growing baby wriggling and working its way to full-term. Here are some essentials to get you to the finish line. 

Belly Bandit
Experiencing strain on your body and specifically your back is very common in the last three months. Luckily, Belly Bandit's easy-to-wear Upsie Belly Pregnancy Support Band provides back, hip and abdominal support, while also easing sciatic, back and leg pain. It comes with a hot or cold pack and a pouch for immediate relief from cramps, pain or hot flashes.

Tame the Flame! Heartburn Relief
You've gotten through the morning sickness but are now faced with frustrating heartburn. If you're suffering from indigestion, heartburn or an upset stomach, try the dye-free, gluten free Tame the Flame! Heartburn Relief chewables from Healthy Mama. Added bonus: They contain calcium, which is important for both you and baby.

Total Body Pillow
You need to catch as much shut-eye as you can before baby arrives, but getting comfortable can be an uphill battle during the last few months. We love the Leachco Snoogle Original Maternity/Pregnancy Total Body Pillow, because it's designed to follow the natural contour and shape of your body, no matter your size. The all-in-one pillow supports your head, neck, belly, back and knees to keep you cool and comfortable all night long.

 

4th Trimester

pixabay.com

You've done it! In the last nine months, you've created a new life. Considering that growing your baby didn't happen overnight, recovering from childbirth doesn't either. Often considered the fourth trimester, the 12-14 weeks post-delivery is a very special (and intense!) time. Here are some products to help make this final trimester more bearable. 

The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide
Equally as important as the guides about pregnancy are the books about when your baby arrives. The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions and Restoring Your Vitality supports women though postpartum healing on physical, emotional and spiritual levels and provides a roadmap to this important transition in a new mother's life. 

Blackout Curtains
You probably already know this, but the one thing you'll crave more than anything else during those first few months after your baby is born is sleep. That's why hanging blackout curtains in your room, where you and baby will probably be spending a lot of time, is key for better rest. 

Booby Tubes
The name sounds funny, but trust us: These are a lifesaver for breastfeeding discomfort in the first few months after childbirth. Booby Tubes are clever little, gel-free breast packs made with an organic cotton shell and filled with fresh, pliable flaxseed. They can be heated or cooled depending on what you find most soothing. Try heat to avoid clogged ducts and encourage milk flow, and use cold to reduce tenderness. 

— Aimee Della Bitta

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Whitney Port: What Recovering After Childbirth Was REALLY Like

By Whitney Port

photo: Whitney Port

To say that childbirth changes your life may very well be the understatement of the century, if not history. Moms, you know what I’m talking about. There’s literally nothing on earth and no person in existence that can prepare you for the mental, emotional and physical changes that take place after giving birth. Even now, well over a year after having my baby, I can’t say that I’ve “recovered” because honestly, it just doesn’t feel like the right word. My journey hasn’t been about salvaging or returning to a previous life. It’s been about re-emerging as a new me: myself, as a mother.

The Delivery

For all intents and purposes, I consider myself a planner—not an obsessive one, but a planner nonetheless. I love to-do lists. I used to carry a day planner everywhere I went. I’m the type of person who likes to be prepared for things and to know what I’m getting myself into. But on the precipice of such a momentous event—materializing a HUMAN BEING out of my body—I knew that I needed to go in with a certain level of trust and flexibility. For this reason, I consciously decided not to have a birth plan.

“My doctor. My husband. And my family. I placed my wellbeing in their hands and willfully released control.”

I had spoken to so many mothers who had planned every detail and when things didn’t go as expected, they felt a great sense of fear or failure. I couldn’t stomach setting myself up for that kind of disappointment. Plus, the I-know-more-than-my-OB-GYN attitude was really unappealing to me, so I skipped the books and opinions and decided to trust the people I had chosen to take care of me. My doctor. My husband. And my family. I placed my wellbeing in their hands and willfully released control.

Hours into labor, I was given the choice to either keep pushing or have an episiotomy. With my newfound go-with-the-flow approach, I told my doctor to snip away because I was beyond ready to have that baby. Just to clarify: that was me agreeing to have someone cut part of my “vagina” to get this kid out. That’s no small commitment. But low and behold, with a scissor and one more push, our Sonny was born.

First Steps

Cut to coming home from the hospital. Here I am, a new mom and so profoundly unprepared for how that would feel. This precious newborn relied on me for everything—for survival, literally—and the weight of that responsibility felt impossible to carry. Looking back, I’m not sure if I was struggling from postpartum depression or some other form of the baby blues, but it took a long time to escape the post-pregnancy blur. I remember feeling more overwhelmed than I’d ever felt in my life—like a truck had hit me. I barely ventured outside for three full months after my pregnancy and even then, it was only once a week for a baby class. The act of being out and about with this fragile little baby was petrifying, so I shut out the real world and stayed in the safety bubble of my home. Right or wrong, good or bad, it was what I needed to protect myself at that time.

I remember scrolling through Instagram, comparing myself to other moms who just *poof* went back to their regular lives in a matter of weeks. In hindsight, I wish I’d taken a break from social media altogether and not compared my journey to those of other women. Maybe that would have helped me feel less insecure or ashamed—worrying that me and motherhood weren’t a natural fit. It wasn’t easy, but I’ve come to terms with the idea that every woman becomes a mom in her own way and in her own time. That said, I’m still searching for a mantra that will control my instinct to compare myself to others, so if any of you out there have one, I’d love to hear it.

My Body

When I was pregnant, I couldn’t really exercise due to insane nausea and the exhaustion that came with it. I also ate whatever I wanted because if food could bring me any level of comfort or relief, I was all in—and probably going back for seconds. As a result, I gained more weight than I would have liked and admittedly, I felt very body-conscious throughout my pregnancy. After having Sonny though, my perspective grew up. Getting my body back became less about losing weight and more about being healthy and feeling confident. I eat healthier now, I finally have the energy to work out and overall, I’m just more forgiving of myself. I have new wrinkles and marks on my body. Cool. After what felt like the fight of my life with breastfeeding, my boobs are a weird shape now and my nipples aren’t as cute. Not as cool, but fine. My stomach has extra skin that will probably never go away. Hey Whit, you grew a person in there!

“Self-acceptance was the one the hardest things for me to learn after my pregnancy and also the most freeing.”

Self-acceptance was the one the hardest things for me to learn after my pregnancy and also the most freeing. At points, I wondered if I would struggle with motherhood forever, but like so many new moms reassured me: everything is just a phase. Today, I can say that I’ve finally settled into who I’ve become. My mind doesn’t think the same way anymore. My heart doesn’t feel the same way anymore. My body doesn’t look the same way anymore—and so be it to all.

Looking Back

Had I known what things would be like after having a baby, maybe I would have made a bigger place in my life for an objective, supportive voice—someone experienced and empathetic to talk to and help get me through those dark first months of infancy. Maybe I would have trusted myself more, leaned on my mom and sisters more or sought validation in a more proactive way. There’s no way of knowing for sure, but what I do know is that time creates perspective and that being gentle with yourself is one of the most important things a new mom can do.

After all, recovering from childbirth isn’t just healing from a major physical trauma. It’s going through complete and total chaos and then coming out the other side with an entirely new sense of self. Becoming a mom is an experience beyond anything I could have imagined—it’s beautiful, terrifying, badass, confusing, exhilarating, outrageous, hilarious, heart wrenching and ridiculously adorable all at once. And if you ask me, that’s something well worth getting a snip in the hoo-ha for.

Wife. Daughter. Sister. Aunt. Cuzzie. Friend. Designer. Boss. CEO. Snack Mom. Baker. Skin Obsessed. Babysitter. Pasta Hater.  Manicure Maniac.  Leather Jacket Hoarder. World Traveler. Nester.

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The US Open Will No Longer Penalize Mom Athletes—Thanks to Serena Williams

by Shahrzad Warkentin

Having a baby can have a big impact in your career—especially when your career is that of being a tennis superstar like Serena Williams. Williams already made history for being the first female tennis player to compete—and win—the Australian Open while pregnant. Now, she’s blazed yet another trail for female athletes as the U.S. Open has ruled it will no longer penalize female players for being pregnant.

On the heels of the French Open, many criticized how Williams was dropped from her No. 1 seeding to 453 as a result of her taking her much-needed maternity leave. (Williams ultimately withdrew from the competition due to an injury.) The U.S. Open announced a major change to its own rules in light of Williams’ French Open fiasco, declaring that it will protect the rankings of female athletes returning to the game post-pregnancy.

Katrina Adams, president and chairwoman of the United States Tennis Association, told The New York Times that the U.S. Open would “revise the seedings if pregnancy is a factor in the current rankings of a player.” While there is some resistance to giving new moms special treatment, Adams likened the situation to an executive returning to a job after maternity leave and being forced to take an entry-level position.

“We’ve shown that we have been a leader over the decades, from equal prize money onward to what we are doing today,” Adams told The Times. “We are all about social justice and equality, and this is definitely an instance of equality.”

No word yet on where Williams will fall in the rankings for the U.S Open, but she just made her return to Wimbledon with a No. 25 seeding and took home her 87th tournament victory in the first round, proving that this new mom has still got it.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Serena Williams via Instagram

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10 Reasons Why Being Pregnant in San Diego Rocks

by Aimee Della Bitta

You just found out you’re pregnant and you’re busy trying to navigate through the steady stream of emotions you feel daily. We want to make sure that exuberant joy and excitement are topping your list. Sure, you may feel slightly nauseous or a bit tired, but guess what? Being pregnant in America’s Finest City comes with tons of benefits. We’ve ten great reasons to make you feel lucky that you’re a mom-to-be living in San Diego.

Photo: Thomas Pompernigg via Flickr Creative Commons

1. Stay Healthy and Strong
Fitness-crazed San Diego certainly isn’t lacking when it comes to class exercise options, so it’s no surprise that our health conscious city offers specialized classes made specifically for pregnant women, like L.A.-based chain WundaBar Pilates. Also try one of the many maternity yoga classes offered at studios like Yoga Jai Mai and Hapa Yoga.

2. Capture the Moment
There are so many amazing photographers in San Diego to capture your pregnancy and then move right on into taking your family photos once baby arrives. Some of our favorites (and those who specialize in babies and birth photography) include Christy Wallis Photography, Captured By Carrie, and The Leo Loves.

3. Defy Gravity
If you haven’t noticed yet, growing a new life can really heat things up! You can find a slew of places to escape gravity and cool down. If the ocean isn’t your cup of tea, try one of the city’s many coves, lagoons, lakes, or pools and swim (or float!) until your heart’s content.

Photo: Beaming’s Facebook Page

4. Healthy Living Is Fully Embraced
Your maternal instinct kicks in as soon as you see that plus sign. Instantly you become acutely aware of what you’re putting into your body and you know that you want it to be healthy and fresh. From specialty places like Beaming with locations in Del Mar and La Jolla to weekly farmer’s markets throughout the county, you’ll have no problem finding healthy options for you and your growing baby.

5. Massage
Sharing your body with another human means that your body may need a little extra TLC every so often. Luckily there are plenty of places that specialize in pre-natal relaxation. Our favorites include Equilibrio Massage, Healing Kai and Holistic Zen.

6. It’s Almost Always 72 Degrees and Sunny
The pure fact that getting outdoors at any time of year is easy is a special treat we can’t take for granted. While many fellow Americans are faced with blustering cold weather in the winter months and humid sticky temps in the summer, San Diego offers moderate temps for the majority of the year.

Photo: Baby Mable’s

7. Dress Your Bump
Style that bump! Your body is changing and that means your old wardrobe will need a face-lift. Don’t panic! San Diego has plenty of shops that cater to moms-to-be, and the clothes are cute enough that you’ll want to keep wearing them post pregnancy. Baby Mablel’s in Solana Beach and Modish Maternity in La Jolla are just a few of the amazing maternity shops in San Diego county.

8. You Can Always Stop and Smell the Roses
Nine months of being pregnant helps prepare us for the reality that having a baby forces us to slow down. Luckily, there are plenty of beautiful places throughout San Diego county to stop and smell the roses. When days get stressful and you to clear your mind, check out The San Diego Botanical Garden, Balboa Park or The Waterfront Park Downtown.

Photo: Blush Desserts

9. Cravings? No Problem!
Pregnancy cravings are only a problem if they can’t be fulfilled and you won’t have any issues getting a sweet (or salty) fix in sunny San Diego. At some point you and baby may even want a cupcake for breakfast, so just head over to newly opened Blush Desserts on Convoy Street and indulge in a blueberry pancake cupcake with maple frosting and candied bacon! Can we say #beingpregnantinSanDeigoRocks?

10. San Diego’s Amazingly Supportive Community
The moms in San Diego are amazing. From the many online communities to the numerous opportunities to meet moms in person through classes, seminars, organized nights out and more; the parents here are incredible and just waiting to welcome you into the club of motherhood.

Do you have a San Diego “secret” that every pregnant mom should know? Tell us in the comments!

— Aimee Della Bitta

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Chrissy Teigen Snappchatted Photos of Her Post-Pregnancy Stretch Marks & Moms Are Celebrating

by Red Tricycle

Photo:chrissyteigen via Instagram

The model and TV personality Chrissy Teigen gave her fans on Snapchat another reason to love her: in her ongoing efforts to keep it real, she flaunted her stretch marks. Just four months after giving birth, Chrissy was able to bounce back to her model-licious body, but she wants her fans to know she’s not immune to the physical changes that go hand in hand with motherhood. Scroll below to see her beautiful mom-thighs.

Photo: chrissyteigen via Snapchat

Chrissy is known as one of the few totally honest celebrity moms. Her twitter account is hilarious!

https://twitter.com/chrissyteigen/status/743033911152771072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/chrissyteigen/status/759048579285553153

https://twitter.com/chrissyteigen/status/747901614762012672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

 

Cheers to more of us being less ashamed of our bodies, lumps, and squiggles.

Do you wish more celebrities shared their no-shame pics? Or is this too personal? Let us know in the comments below!

 

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11 Reasons LA is the Best Place to Be Pregnant

by Shannon Guyton

We might be a little biased, but we think Los Angeles is just about the best place in the world to be pregnant. From dressing comfortably to having creative carte blanche on naming your baby, here’s why Los Angeles is home to the happiest expecting mamas.

photo credit: Amber McNamara via Creative Commons

Getting away with wearing flip-flops and maxi-dresses all year long: Living in LA while pregnant means your maternity wardrobe is a breeze. Maxi-dresses feel amazing (and can be used post-pregnancy!). Flip-flops and sandals work in the mild weather all year and feel great on tired, swollen feet. Plus, not having to purchase a heavy maternity winter coat saves a bundle.

photo credit: Daniel Hoherd via Creative Commons

The best OB’s: LA mamas-to-be love their Obstetricians, many of whom trained at the best hospitals in the country. Access to the highest tech in ultrasounds and first class NICU centers bring peace of mind to even the most nervous first time mom.

photo credit: John DellAngelo via Creative Commons

Breathtaking locations for pregnancy photo shoots: Whether you want a mountainous country backdrop, a photo shoot in the forest, in front of an antique barn or at the beach, Los Angeles has some of the most jaw dropping scenery for capturing this incredible time.

photo credit: Prenatal Yoga with Cassie via Yelp

A variety of pregnancy-specific fitness classes: Staying fit during your pregnancy is a little easier when you have so many choices of maternity classes. From prenatal yoga to barre to pilates, there’s likely a class near you. Bonus: meeting moms having babies at the same time as you who also live nearby (essential to LA’ers who might want to avoid the freeway with pregnancy bladders or new babies) and interested in fitness!

photo credit: guillaume.click via Creative Commons

Open space and warm enough weather to get outdoors: Expecting moms in LA love the fact they can take a hike or walk any time of year, and they can make it as hard or easy as they like. Later, take your kiddos back to the places you carried them pregnant.

photo credit: The Cliffs Resort

Gorgeous getaways for babymoons: There’s no need for expensive air fare or uncomfortable 10 hour drive to get to a romantic, private getaway for you and your partner before baby comes. There are a slew of idyllic places in, or driving distance from, LA to enjoy.

Photo credit: Theoleom via Flickr creative commons

Keeping your pregnancy business private: As populous as Los Angeles is, during your pregnancy you may not want to have all of your business exposed. So while some deride our car culture, when pregnant, it’s a boon. Having your own space in your car on your commute means you never have to compete for your seat, you can recline a bit, sit however feels comfortable, be gross (you know you need to) and you won’t have your train seat mate staring.

photo credit: Holla Back via Creative Commons

No one balks at a preggo in a 2-pc swimsuit: It’s total sweet swimsuit freedom in LA, ladies! Here, no-one cares if you’re nine months pregnant rocking a bikini. In fact, it’s de rigueur.  Not only will you feel great at the pool or beach, you’ll save money not having to buy maternity swimsuits.

photo credit: Christian Haugen via Creative Commons

Anything goes for baby names: In a city where celebs name their children Lyric and Cricket, you’ll have full creative license to name your baby whatever you want without worrying he or she will have the most unusual name in the school. Who knows, that name may be on the Hollywood Walk of Fame someday.

photo credit: Brock Tice via Creative Commons

Healthy (and crazy craving) pregnancy eats abound: Whatever your foodie lifestyle, be it vegetarian, carnivorous, gluten-free, low-carb, you have plenty of options in local specialty food stores and restaurants to stock your kitchen with the healthiest of foods for pregnancy. Plus, those crazy cravings? Chances are there’s something open serving exactly what you want, when you want it.

photo credit: Cedars-Sinai

Giving birth like a celeb: Both UCLA and Cedars-Sinai have been designated “most luxurious birthing suites” in America by Parents.com. At UCLA you can enjoy a outdoors-themed room with a tuxedo wearing waiter bringing you food from your personal menu, at Cedars-Sinai you can enjoy a spa treatment in your room or a personal doula during your stay.

And finally, the coolest thing about being pregnant in LA?  You’re about to be an LA parent!  Welcome to the club.  It’s awesome.  If this is your first child, here are all the things a new LA mom needs to know.

What’s your favorite thing about being pregnant in LA?

—Shannon Guyton

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