Parenting

How to Do a Pregnancy Progression or Baby’s First Year Board (Examples)

Posted on July 9, 2015

So pregnancy progression boards are a great new trendy way to track each month of your pregnancy. After baby is born, some new moms use the same concept to chronicle each month of a baby’s development in a photo graphic format.

BUY THESE CHALKBOARD STICKERS (CLICK IMAGE BELOW)

Select from among many different sample boards that other bloggers have done and shared among their readers. We found the above title image at Morgans2Day blog. You can wear the same outfit and/or stand in front of the same chalkboard or framed white board each month. You can track it by weeks or by months. The final image is usually you holding your newborn.

You can add additional details to the board like a description of how large the baby is compared to random objects like a peach, cantaloupe, prune etc. Or what new organ or capability has developed in the baby in utero.

CLICK IMAGE BELOW TO SEARCH A COLLECTION OF STICKERS ON ETSY

They are fun and can be shared with family and friends and kept as a keepsake for later to share with your child as she grows.

If you are newly pregnant, trying to conceive or just had a baby, here are a few sample boards we spotted in Pinterest for you to consider:

TO PURCHASE THIS EDITABLE BABY PROGRESS BOARD CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW

SHOP THE COLLECTION OF BABY PROGRESS STICKERS ON ETSY. CLICK IMAGE BELOW!

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Celebrity, Surrogacy & Vanity controversy

Posted on April 25, 2015

Bellyitch Rewind

Surrogacy, pregnancy and Vanity are controversial topics this sometimes go hand in hand.

E! Entertainment hostess Giuliana Rancic went through infertility, several failed in vitro fertilization attempts and at least one miscarriage before opting on a gestational carrier. The surrogate pregnancy of their son Edward Duke was the subject of her Style channel reality TV show Giuliana and Bill.

Camille Grammer, the ex wife of Kelsey Grammer and Real Housewives of Beverly Hillsreality TV star reportedly suffers from irritable bowel syndrome which prevented her from being able to carry her own kids and forced her to bring her two children, Mason and Olivia, into this world via a carrier.

Elizabeth Banks’ two kids were birthed via gestational surrogate. Her last was also.

And before Nicole Kidman finally settled on a carrier given her advanced maternal age, she had two miscarriages trying to conceive the traditional way.

After having her first child “naturally”, Sarah Jessica Parker struggled to conceive again and turned to surrogacy to deliver her twin girls in 2009.

After 7 years of failed attempts to conceive, actress Angela Bassett and husband Courtney Vance welcomed twins Brownyn and Slater in 2006.

Irrespective of the reasons, there remains a stigma and unspoken presumption among many that women who conceive this way are trying to save their bodies from the stretching out, pigmentation and other trauma and stresses of carrying a child, including excessive weight gain in some cases. Camille Grammer‘s co-stars reportedly went on record saying that was her true reason for not having her babies through conventional methods.

Former cast member Adrienne Maloof was under a similar controversy after castmate Brandi Granville revealed during a dinner party that was taped for airing on the Bravo TV show that Maloof’s two children were born via a carrier. Apparently, Maloof had previously spoken about actually carrying her babies herself. I don’t know if this is true. Don’t sue me, Adrienne. Read this post from Tamara Tattles which covers it well.

It’s a tough route to go especially considering that no matter how you explain your reasons for using a carrier, there will always be a cloud of suspicion that they were truly for vanity sake.

And when a star does admit that she is afraid of the effects pregnancy would have on her body, she is harshly criticized over it.

Biggest Loser star Jillian Michaels got a lot of heat and flak after saying that she had decided to adopt a child rather than try to get pregnant because she worked too hard to have the body she has and was not willing to let pregnancy ruin it.

The New York Times has a wonderful, but a bit lengthy, piece, “Her Body, My Baby” written by a woman who welcomed a child via a surrogate. It’s a worthwhile read for anyone thinking of going that road to have a child.

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8 Questions with BravoTV’s TTC ‘NewlyWeds’ Kirk and Laura Knight

Posted on April 1, 2015

Trying to conceive your first child as a newlywed can be exciting and anxious-filled, but imagine doing that under the ever-present eye of reality TV cameras?

That’s exactly what newly married business owners Kirk and Laura Knight are going through right now as one of the couples in BravoTV‘s reality experiment show, Newyleds: The First Year. The show follows and chronicles the entire first year of marriage four couples. This is the second time the show has aired and like last time, in 2013, we also have a couple that is preparing to conceive a baby within that first year.

We sat down with Laura, a stylish and very fit Pilates instructor, business savvy insurance brokerage company owner and her very witty and snarky hubby, Kirk, a StartUp founder, top investment and commercial real estate owner and a former ultimate bachelor (he collects expensive exotic fish for goodness sake!) –to check in on their trying to conceive (TTC) efforts and the ups and downs of doing it all on TV!

1. How has it been trying to get pregnant under the watchful eye of reality TV cameras and now audiences watching the show?

LK: It is exciting to share our journey with the audience. Our hope is that other couples will be able to relate to our new TTC (trying to conceive) status.

KK – I really don’t mind the cameras and feel very excited to share this part of our story with the public. It is a very exciting time.

2. What has been the response from family? Co-Workers? Clients? Etc.

LK – I don’t know who is more excited – our families or us?! Having a baby would finally make my parents grandparents for the first time. They are already planning Disney vacations with their imaginary grandchildren. Kirk’s family has been very encouraging & supportive – they would like to see Kirk enter fatherhood again. As far as work is concerned, we don’t really talk in great detail about our personal lives with clients – I guess they will have to watch the show if they want to know more.

3. How have the cameras made the TTC (trying to conceive) road easier or harder, if at all?

LK: It can be a bit stressful when you share your vulnerabilities with the world. We made the decision to have the baby and we want it to all happen right away, seamlessly. We are planners and are forced to let go of that control when TTC. I have to remind myself that this isn’t a race to the finish line. Luckily, our relationship is filled with a lot of love, intimacy & playfulness – this peels away the pressure and allows us to enjoy our time together.

4. Are you prepared for fertility challenges and Kirk, do you realize how the pressures will be different for you, who already have children (he has two teenage sons from a previous relationship), compared to Laura who is looking to have her first?

LK – Most people don’t try to have a baby immediately after marriage, but Kirk and I have been together over 4.5 years and we are not spring chickens. I feel there is no better time than the present. When planning for a baby @ 34 years old (Kirk being 40), I try to be realistic. It may take some time, there may be complications – we are pushing into the “higher risk” category. Above all, we should enjoy the process – we are making a baby!

KK – I do not anticipate any fertility issues as I have super-sperm (top shelf).

5. Are you open to other alternative means for getting pregnant if you cannot the natural way? If so, will you consider IVF, surrogate pregnancy or adoption?

LK – I am certainly open to IVF, surrogacy & adoption. Kirk has more of the “we will cross that bridge when we get there” mentality.

KK – I understand there may be problems but I believe things have a strange way of working out.

6. If not, will you be cool to just be a stepmom, Laura or do you think you will always ache for kids of your own and will continue to strive to have them?

LK – I know that I was meant to be a mother, it is very important to me.

KK – We will do what is necessary to have a child.

7. How has family planning impacted your career, Laura and/or your startup Kirk?

LK: Family planning hasn’t really impacted our careers. Of course, as business owners, there are no “maternity leave” perks. Scheduling will be paramount.

KK – Planning for a family hasn’t had any impact on my career. The challenges will come when you have to balance your time between the family, baby, career, start-up, teenage sons… I need a drink.

8. What advice would you give any couple who is thinking of putting their first year of marriage or their TTC moments on TV?

LK: Think before you speak – JK. You have to be able to go into the realty tv world with open eyes – there are always going to be ups and downs, but what matters most is that you and your partner are there for one another through it all.

KK: You open up your entire life and expose the good, bad, and ugly. Making the decision to share the first year & TTC moments on TV is not for everyone. You really need to have a strong relationship and confidence in each other to show it all to the world.

Very fun interview and from watching these two each week, we’re thinking they’ll be married for a very very long time! They did not confirm whether their efforts have been successful or not so for now, we all just have to keep up by watching them each week on Bravo Tuesdays at 10pm ET.

If you’re reading this on the east coast, it’s time to watch! Check your local listings!

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Tips on getting pregnant after using birth control

Posted on February 23, 2015

Getting pregnant after birth control can pose a number of challenges. The most technically difficult of the lot is the pill that play around with your hormonal balance. So if you are using contraception and the pill or anything else, you need proper guidelines on how to conceive after they stop using contraception. You may be disappointed if you start trying for a baby without knowing the appropriate time frame to conceive.

Here is how you should go get pregnant after using birth control.

Tips for getting pregnant after birth control:

1. You can not be entirely sure what to be on birth control pills do to your reproductive system. When you are taking these pills do not ovulate at all. Yes, the hormone suppresses ovulation and periods obtained are due to the sudden drop in hormone levels when they stop taking the pill.

2. Usually, the last 3 tablets are placebo because they have little or no hormones in them. So you get your periods of 2 to 4 days to stop the pills. Now, after giving your body this dose, however small, of the hormone, it takes time for your ovaries to return to normal.

3. The body of every woman and the system is different. Some women can get pregnant a few days after stopping birth control pills, while others have to wait for some circles. Ideally, you should wait for your natural cycle to happen first before trying to conceive.

4. Sometimes you can not get your periods after stopping the pill, because the eggs are taking time to mature after a long sabbatical. Basically, the body’s hormonal balance has to get back on track after using birth control.

5. If you have a history of miscarriages or other abnormalities, then it is better to wait for 3 normal cycles before conceiving. This eliminates the risk of bleeding during pregnancy unnatural.

6. Other birth control methods such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) allow you to design faster. The copper IUD as using the base metal must be removed physically in the chamber of physicians and takes only a few minutes, you can get pregnant after using birth control of this type immediately.

7. The patches are also hormonal IUDs, but you may have to wait for a normal cycle before you start thinking about how to conceive. Although not affected as much as the pills that have an impact on hormone balance.

8. Barrier methods like condoms and diaphragms are best when trying to conceive quickly. You can get pregnant as soon as you stop using them!

Follow these tips to understand the process and the science behind birth control. You can get pregnant after using the methods of birth control once you understand the workings behind it.

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6 New Year Workout Mixes from 6 Music Genres

Posted on January 2, 2015

Whether you are trying to have a more fit pregnancy, are getting in shape before or while trying to conceive, unpeeling pregnancy weight after giving birth, or simply have a resolution to get fit, the new year = new commitment to the gym and working out.

To help you out, I curated some work out mixes to help you on your journey. You can start with my personal Pop Dance mix (above) which can be accessed on SoundHound HERE. I also have a good music video mix from 2011 that still has some rocking tunes on it which can be found HERE.

And to accommodate different people’s musical preferences, here are a few other mixes from various music genres to check out! Enjoy and Good Luck on your fitness path.

POP MUSIC

DANCE MUSIC

ALTERNATIVE POP MUSIC

SOCA MUSIC

And mine:

HIP HOP

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Former Playmate Hope Dworacyzk announces pregnancy, shares fertility struggles in blog post

Posted on October 12, 2014

Former Celebrity Apprentice contestant Hope Dworacyzk announced that she and her fiance Robert Smith are expecting their first child in a blog post that featured some erotic partially nude pics. She also shared her fertility struggles.

“It’s true.” the 2010 Playboy Playmate of the Year wrote. “We’re having a baby. My growing waistline is proof and I love very bit of being pregnant.”

She said she had been keeping her pregnancy quiet since spring. Dworacyzk also opened up about her struggles to get pregnant.

It was a long process and finally getting a positive pregnancy test, after trying to conceive for a couple years, made us want to keep it all to ourselves for a while. I’ve never been more proud of my body and am in awe I am creating life. Feeling the baby move inside of me has been one of the most magical things I’ve ever experienced. There is nothing more beautiful than growing something that is half of the person you love the most

photo: Bombette.com

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CONFIRMED: Kate Middleton and Prince William expecting 2nd child

Posted on September 8, 2014

Prince George is going to be a big brother!
Clarence House announced today that Catherine Duchess of Cambridge (née Kate Middleon) is expecting her second baby with Prince William.
“The couple are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child,” the statement read.

The Queen, Prince of Wales and Prime Minister have both been informed and are said to be “delighted” with the news, it continued.

The news comes on the heels of speculation and rumors that Kate had suffered a miscarriage recently and was trying to conceive again.

As with her first pregnancy, she is suffering with a form of extreme morning sickness and has been hospitalized for dehydration and other symptoms of the condition.

Will has just landed a flexible job as a hospital ambulance helicopter pilot so he can be there for the new baby, news reports indicate.

Kudos and Congrats on the impending arrival! Let the bump watch, take II, begin!!!

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Tips for conceiving after age 35

Posted on September 2, 2014

Access to education and more career opportunities is the reason behind the shift in the age women conceive their first child.

According to Pew Research, in 1990, 13 percent of all births were by teen moms while women women 35 and older gave birth at a rate of only 9 percent.

In 2008, that number flipped where teen birth rate was 10 percent to 14 percent for women over 35.

Stats suggest education can account for the shift. Now, 71 percent of mothers ages 35 and older had some college education, compared to 41 percent in 1990 (for all mothers). The U.S. Department of Education, data show that less than 20 percent of women went to college in 1967, but in 2012, that number has more than doubled (44.5%).

Currently, women receive 60 percent of the bachelor’s degrees. With more education comes access to more work opportunities and the delay in starting a family.

“Advanced maternal age is becoming more common as women are living different lifestyles than before,” said Dr. Vivian Romero of the Spectrum Health Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic.

Dr. Romero adds that in her office, she sees many patients that have delayed childbearing due to the demands of their education and opportunities to have a career.

She offers these tips for women who decided to have children later in life.

Before trying to conceive:

Start or continue to exercise regularly.

Eat healthy foods and get the nutrients you need.

Start taking prenatal vitamins.

If you have a pre-existing condition, such as diabetes or hypertension, optimize your health.

Lose weight if you are overweight or obese.

While trying to conceive:

Your menstrual calendar is not same as those under age 35.

Don’t wait too long to call your doctor.

If you have been trying for more than six months, you may need a reproductive specialist.

“Age is nothing to be concerned about, but the more information and knowledge that you have, the more prepared you will be for a healthy pregnancy,” Dr. Romero said.

The availability of more fertility treatment and options also is encouraging women to delay starting a family. Technology is helping women extend that proverbial biological clock.

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Jaime King opens up about suffering w/infertility and mulitple miscarriages

Posted on July 29, 2014

Apparently, our Bellyitch Bumpwatch alum Hart of Dixie actress Jaime King recently opened up to her followers on Instagram sharing her journey to give birth to her first and only child, son James, last October with husband Kyle Newman.

In a post that was accidentally deleted, according to the former model, she opened up about having had:

8 yrs of pain & undiagnosed PSOC & Endometriosis, 5 miscarriages, 5 rounds of IVF, 26 IUIs, most with no outcome, 4-1/2 years of trying to conceive, 26 hours of brutal labor, early delivery b/c of sudden preeclampsia, tearing and tearing after the stitches were in once I was home.

In a followup post, King used the hashtags, #youarenotalone #ihavetobebravetosupportothers #realtalkthatterrifiesus, to cap off her solidarity and empowerment message to many other women out there who may have or are suffering with infertility problems.

We definitely appreciate seeing celebrities open up about struggles that many women face so they are not disillusioned and discouraged by the glossy mags and celeb interviews that project a rosy and easy journey to baby. It’s not the easy for many.

Kudos Jaime!

h/t She Knows

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TTC: Have your man ditch the Skinny Jeans if you want to become pregnant (VIDEO)

Posted on July 6, 2014

If you are currently trying to conceive a child with a spouse or male partner who wears skinny jeans, you may want to tell him to hang up his tight Levis until you become prego.

Skinnys have been found to raise the risk of nerve compression, which can lead to numb thighs and suppressing his sperm count, says Dr. Drai, a top Board-Certified OBGYN and President of the National Osteopathic Medical Association.

In one of his entertaining YouTube instructional video series, the practicing physician and Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh teaching faculty member advises women to buy their man a larger slim fit pair of jeans to replace the skinny fit that have been suppressing their boys and causing them not to swim.

Check out a quick vid with the Doc addressing the problem with men and skinny jeans:

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Prince George is going to be a big brother! Clarence House announced today that Catherine Duchess of Cambridge (née Kate Middleon) is expecting her second baby with Prince William. “The couple are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child,” the statement read.

Prince George is going to be a big brother!
Clarence House announced today that Catherine Duchess of Cambridge (née Kate Middleon) is expecting her second baby with Prince William.
“The couple are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child,” the statement read.