Pregnancy

3 Pregnancy Secrets to Keep to Yourself

Posted on November 15, 2015

Bellyitch Rewind

Becoming pregnant can be a momentous occasion that new first time parents-to-be want to share with the entire world.

However, there are many parents who have experienced miscarriage and pregnancy loss and have heard horror stories about people’s reactions to various aspects of a woman’s pregnancy when shared with well-meaning friends, family and colleagues.

As a result, some moms- and dads-to-be are cautious about sharing pregnancy and baby related news.

When a woman is pregnant, she is particularly vulnerable and sensitive and frankly may not care or need to hear the various opinionated comments that will be hurled at her from all angles. One way to avoid comment, criticism and critique over a choice is to not tell anyone certain information.

Here are three things pregnant couple keep secret:

1. That you are pregnant: Once the baby’s heartbeat can be seen AND heard, usually by the third month of a pregnancy, the likelihood that will be a viable pregnancy and that fetus growing to term increases exponentially. That is why most parents wait until after the third month to announce to friends. Many parents who do not know this rule make the mistake of announcing too soon and in the unfortunate case they miscarry are then left with the burden of having to tell dozens of people over and over again when they ask that they lost the baby.

Therefore, the best rule is to not tell anyone, even the grandparents about the early pregnancy stages if you can help it. Yesterday, I was over a friend’s house and her mom inadvertently kept going on and on about her daughter being sick, not being able to eat shrimp or keep food down. Clearly, she was trying to let us know her daughter is pregnant and I’m certain this woman’s daughter does NOT want us to be among the first to know she and her husband are pregnant. A while ago former president of France Nicolas Sarkozy’s dad was the first to confirm accidentally that his daughter-in-law was pregnant before the couple wanted all to know.

2. The name of the baby: Often times, people have strong reactions favorable or unfavorable when you tell them the name you’ve selected for your soon-to-be-born child. Some people will try to talk you out of it or go on and on questioning why you chose that name. It can be annoying. To avoid this, simply don’t share the name. No one is entitled to know your name, not even close family members. Simply say we’re keeping the name private for now. Some will continue to prod. Most people, however, will get it and back off.

3. The gender: Well this may only apply if you are a celebrity and wanting to keep the gender a surprise for your spouse, other family or the public. Some parents who have two or more children of one gender may be better off just telling people it will be a surprise instead of revealing they’re going to be having yet another child of that same gender. Saves them all the pity looks and questions if they’re going to keep trying. At that point, they’re probably busy preparing for the arrival of the baby being gestated at the time.

There you go, decide what’s best for you and your situation and adjust to suit.

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Women Suing Birth Control Pill Maker for Package Error Ask for Millions to Raise Their Kids

Posted on November 12, 2015

More than 100 women who got pregnant while using birth control pills they claim had incorrect packaging are suing the maker to compensate them for unwanted pregnancies.

Among the 113 women from 28 states who became pregnant while using pills made by Qualitest Pharmaceuticals are a couple of 17 year old girls, a woman in the military who gave up her child for adoption because she was scheduled for deployment and would not be able to care for the child, and a few other women who had to drop out of school to care for their babies.

According to a 2011 recall, placebo pills in the packaging were placed in the wrong place to so the women could have taken them at the wrong time, ABC reports. Qualitest did a voluntary recall of 1.4 million packages four years ago.

The packaging error caused blisters to be rotated 180 degrees on the card, “reversing the weekly tablet orientation and making the lot number and expiry date no longer visible,” the company said in its recall announcement.

“As a result of this packaging error, the daily regimen for these oral contraceptives may be incorrect and could leave women without adequate contraception, and at risk for unintended pregnancy,” the company said.

This week’s lawsuit includes claims for the cost of raising the unwanted babies through adulthood.

The company has confirmed that only one blister pack was sold to a patient and state that courts have dismissed past cases because those plaintiffs were unable to prove they purchased a defective package.

“Our commitment is to patient safety and we take product quality very seriously,” Qualitest subsidiary Endo Pharmaceuticals said in a statement to ABC. “There is no new or recent product recall. The recall that forms the basis of this suit was entirely voluntary and occurred more than four years ago in September 2011. The voluntary recall occurred based on an extremely small number of pill packs that were manufactured by an external contract manufacturer.”

Wow!

Thoughts?

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STUDY: American Women Struggle With Weight While Pregnant

Posted on November 8, 2015

belly of a young pregnant woman holding scales at home (focus on the scales)

A somewhat-depressing new report found that only a third of pregnant women gained the “appropriate” amount of weight while carrying their progeny, while nearly half (47 percent) put on too much and another 21 percent didn’t gain enough. It’s a veritable Goldilocks situation.

For the study, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at data from about 3 million birth certificates where a woman carried a single child to term (that’s at least 37 weeks). They pulled the mothers’ height as well as pre-pregnancy and delivery weight to determine how many pounds they gained as well as their body mass index (BMI).

Women who were overweight or obese before getting pregnant were most likely to gain too much weight — 62 and 56 percent of them did, respectively — even though experts say they should gain the least. The guidelines are specific to the mother’s starting weight. Specifically, women with a BMI in the normal range of 18.5 to 24.9 should gain 25 to 35 pounds, overweight women (BMI of 25 to 29.9) are told to put on 15 to 25 pounds, and obese women (BMI of 30 or above) should only gain 11 to 20 pounds. Underweight women (BMI less than 18.5) should gain the most: 28 to 40 pounds.

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5 Ways to Hide A Pregnancy Before you’re Ready to Announce the News

Posted on November 3, 2015

By now, most people know to conceal an rely pregnancy until the 12th week when the likelihood of miscarriages goes down significantly!

There are different ways to hide a bump by wearing A-line clothing, sheath dresses, baggy sweaters and maxi tops and dresses.

But there are other tell-tale signs that are even harder to hide like hurling! Doh!

Here are 5 tips for hiding a pregnancy:

1. Hiding morning sickness. You may have one challenge to not be caught by a co-worker throwing up in the bathroom. If you work in a multi-level office environment, use the bathroom on another floor. Chances are the people from those other floors won’t know who you are or won’t recognize the shoes to the woman losing her lunch in the stall next door.

2. Shielding alcohol avoidance. You may be known to NOT skip a drink offer. So if it would be uncharacteristic of you to say no to booze, take the glass when offered and pretend to sip it. Then replace the liquid with alcohol-free version when no one is looking. If it’s white wine, replace it with apple juice if convenient. If it’s pure vodka, water works. If it’s rum and coke, get just the coke.

3. Covering up the Early Pregnancy Look. There is a certain look that women who are suffering from morning sickness get: glazed eye, red nose, puffy cheeks are indications of vomiting and dealing with nausea. It’ll be hard, but just try. Also, don’t look too dumpy because that is a dead give-away that something is up. Keep your hair coiffed and keep wearing make up even if you’re feeling queezie and not up to it. If you have to heave, reapply your make up so you don’t look so green coming out of the restroom.

4. Disguising the hand on the tummy posture. You may feel the uncanny urge to rest your hand on your tummy. It’s an unexplainable phenomenon. Try to be conscious where your hands are and make an effort to keep them at your hips or another natural place OTHER than resting on your tummy…LIKE A PREGNANT WOMAN! A couple of years ago, when Mariah Carey was pregnant and before suffering her miscarriage, many outlets, including this blog, reported that she MUST have been pregnant based on that photograph alone! (see right)

5. Dressing to Hide a growing bump. Finally, dress in chunky but hip sweaters or A-line or empire waist tops or dresses to take the focus away from your tummy. Keep it fresh and trendy so it appears that you are wearing those tummy hiding outfits for style, not for the convenience of hiding a pregnancy you don’t want someone to know about.

Good luck!

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STUDY: Excessive weight gain During Pregnancy Could Lead to Lifelong Obesity

Posted on October 28, 2015

Gaining excessive weight during pregnancy can lead to obesity issues throughout life for women who are already at risk, according to a new study.

Researchers found that putting on too much weight while pregnant can cause excess body fat and pounds that remain, as reported by AJMC.

Columbia University researchers evaluated about 300 women, all of whom were African-American or Dominican, between the years of 1998 and 2013. The study group was at risk of becoming obese due to socioeconomic factors and unhealthy dietary patterns, according to the authors.

The participants had an average body mass index (BMI) of 25.6 prior to being pregnant, just slightly above the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention guidelines for being overweight. Five percent of participants were underweight, 53 percent were at a healthy weight, 20 percent were overweight, and 22 percent were obese.

The study suggests that 64 percent of these women put on more weight than the 15 to 20 pounds recommended by health officials. The women were then monitored for seven years after giving birth.

Continue reading

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Pregnancy

13 Classic Pregnancy Comfort Foods

Posted on October 27, 2015

When you’re pregnant, you get so much advice about what to eat, how to exercise and what to do to stay healthy, but sometimes, you just want to vege and chill out and engage in some good old comfort foods. You’re back is achy, your ankles are swollen, your face has broken out, you have heartburn and your sciatica is acting up and you might just want to forget it all and indulge in some comfort treats.

Here are 13 classic pregnancy comfort foods to whip up on those days you just want to let go and enjoy a hearty meal or snack.

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The Reason Why Doctors Downplay Female Patients’ Pain in the ER

Posted on October 17, 2015

Because women survive the pain of childbirth, generally, doctors and emergency room triage health professionals perceive all women of having a higher threshold for pain, a recent piece in The Atlantic relays.

Sheesh… That’s got to suck more for those women who don’t even have child.

In the Atlantic article, writer Joe Hassler how his wife was treated during a recent health emergency.

His anecdotal story is backed by research.

Hassler writes:

“Female pain might be perceived as constructed or exaggerated”: We saw this from the moment we entered the hospital, as the staff downplayed Rachel’s pain, even plain ignored it. In her essay, Jamison refers back to “The Girl Who Cried Pain,” a study identifying ways gender bias tends to play out in clinical pain management. Women are “more likely to be treated less aggressively in their initial encounters with the health-care system until they ‘prove that they are as sick as male patients,’” the study concludes—a phenomenon referred to in the medical community as “Yentl Syndrome.”

Aaah Sexism!

The entire piece is a good read, albeit lengthy, it’s still worthwhile.

Read it HERE!

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These are the Healthy Fats You Should Be Eating While Nursing

Posted on October 16, 2015

When you are breastfeeding, you are told all the things you shouldn’t eat. Common wisdom says the milk you produce will be reflected from your diet which could then impact your newborn’s digestion. It is said nursing women should avoid gassy foods, for example.

But what about the foods you should be eating?

Breastfeeding is a great way to also burn off calories and unpeel some pregnancy weight gain. And while you’re doing it, there are some healthy fats you should eat. What a great gift from nature, huh?

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STUDY: High Blood Sugar in Pregnancy leads to Heart Defects in Baby

Posted on October 14, 2015

Pregnant women with high blood-sugar levels – even if it is below the cutoff for diabetes – are more likely to have babies with congenital heart defects, says a new study.

“We already knew that women with diabetes were at significantly increased risk for having children with congenital heart disease,” said the study’s lead author James Priest, postdoctoral scholar in pediatric cardiology at Stanford University School of Medicine in California, US.

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SURVEY: What Pregnant Women Really Eat (INFOGRAPHIC)

Posted on October 13, 2015

Eighty Percent of Women Admit to Taking Chances with Risky Foods;

Sixty Three Percent Are Not Meeting Daily Recommendations for Fruits and Vegetables

American Baby revealed last month exclusive results from a recent survey on the eating habits and preferences of pregnant women. The findings from the survey, which polled more than 2,300 pregnant and new moms, are featured in a special report, “What Pregnant Women Really Eat,” in the October 2015 issue of American Baby and online a tamericanbaby.com/pregnancy-nutrition.

Almost all moms polled, 70 percent, said they started eating healthier when they became pregnant, however 63 percent are not eating the recommended 5 to 9 daily servings of fruits and vegetables. A shocking 12 percent eat one or fewer servings a day. Many are restricted by extreme food aversions due to pregnancy.

“Time constraints, aversions, and convenience are the top reasons moms-to-be are missing out on beneficial nutrition,” said Mindy Walker, Executive Editor, American Baby. “There is some good news though: 92 percent say no to alcohol, 77 percent are eating breakfast every day, and 84 percent are following the recommended guidelines for caffeine, all of which are critical to a healthy pregnancy.”

Cravings were common among the survey respondents. Eighty four percent reach for foods like ice cream, chips, pretzels, chocolates, cookies, and candy. While these indulgences are common, a staggering 8 in 10 women also admitted to taking chances with risky foods. The study found that 48 percent have eaten cold deli meats, 32 percent have had undercooked eggs, meat or fish, 20 percent have had premade deli salads, and 7 percent have eaten unpasteurized cheese. All of these are considered off-limits because they may contain listeria, which can lead to complications during pregnancy.

“Pregnant women often aren’t given the tools they need to make smarter decisions,” says registered dietitian nutritionist Jennifer McDaniel, R.D.N., a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “If they aren’t told the reason behind a nutrition recommendation, the message gets lost or ignored because they don’t know why it’s important.”

The survey also revealed that 61 percent of moms are concerned about weight gain during pregnancy and over one third started their pregnancy obese or overweight. Surprisingly, of those moms who were overweight, an astonishing 87 percent said their physicians expressed no concern about it, shocking given that a high body mass index increases a mom’s risk for gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and delivery by C-section.

Methodology / Respondent Profile

The What Pregnant Women Really Eat Survey was conducted online April 14 – May 12, 2015 among 2,339 U.S. women who were expecting or has a baby one year of age or younger. Qualified respondents were recruited through a variety of channels including Meredith’s magazine reader panels, websites, e-newsletters, and social media accounts.

ABOUT AMERICAN BABY

American Baby, along with Parents, FamilyFun and Ser Padres, makes up The Meredith Parents Network portfolio of parenthood brands. American Baby celebrates the thrill of “I’m having a baby!” with millions of young women and helps them make the life-changing leap into motherhood confidently. From decoding prenatal kicks to encouraging first words, American Baby surrounds readers with easy how-tos and friendly support so they can achieve their goal: a healthy pregnancy and a happy baby. We also show readers how to nurture themselves as women in their new role as a mom. With informative features, inspiring reads, and irresistibly cute gear, American Baby delivers!

ABOUT THE ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy atwww.eatright.org.

This infographic summarizes the findings:

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Pregnancy

Eighty Percent of Women Admit to Taking Chances with Risky Foods; Sixty Three Percent Are Not Meeting Daily Recommendations for Fruits and Vegetables

Eighty Percent of Women Admit to Taking Chances with Risky Foods;

Sixty Three Percent Are Not Meeting Daily Recommendations for Fruits and Vegetables