6 Ways to Adapt Your Birth Plan During the Pandemic

Posted on March 2, 2021

Developing a birth plan is important for pregnant women to share their concerns, fears and get information about labor, birth and postpartum procedures.

Here are 6 ways you can adapt your birth plan during the pandemic:

Choosing Your Hospital

Look into a hospital’s birth protocol. Here are questions to ask before registering with them:

Are patients allowed birth partners?
Who can visit?
What happens if you test positive for COVID-19?
What happens if my baby and I get complications?
What has changed with regards to hospital operations?
Will I be discharged early? If so, what support is in place for follow-ups?
What should I pack in my hospital bag?

Inquire if your partner is allowed to stay with you through birth and during the postpartum process and what provisions they have for that.

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Eco-Friday REVIEW: Aetrex sandals offer style and comfort for moms-to-be

Posted on July 10, 2015

It’s been awhile since we’ve had an Eco-Friday post sharing our latest finds, news and information about living an eco-friendly, holistic and natural lifestyle.

Today, I would like to share my experience testing out one of Aetrex‘s family of comfy, orthopedic friendly yet stylish athletic shoes, sandals, thongs, slippers and other feet support products for men, women, children and families.

Moms-to-be get swollen feet, and often times, they go up a shoe size. Another side-effect of pregnancy for many women is achy joints and muscles having to balance their new re-distribution of weight so they are grounded and balanced.

Having comfortable shoes are a MUST! This brand’s shoes indeed could help out in that department.

The pair I checked out, The Emily Rose Flip Flop (complimentary) retails for $99.95 and felt like butter on my feet.

I got them in the mail after a couple of marathon days at the gym, running on the treadmill. My heels needed a break! So these puppies were perfect. They are light and offer plenty of give. I literally felt like I was walking on air wearing them.

Since 1946, the company has specialized in comfort and wellness footwear. The makers seemingly have perfected the art and skill of manufacturing a quality comfort shoe.

The Emily thong sandal is a classic warm weather shoe and it is fully adjustable for the ultimate fit.

Highly recommend and the brand sells a variety of styles as well for different tastes and style palates. Check them out and find a store near you that sells them HERE!

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News

WANTED: Expecting Mom-to-Be to Model in a Houston baby expo

Posted on May 19, 2015

My friend Monica is putting on another one of her fabulous pregnancy and maternity expos. This time it is in Houston, Texas and she is looking for models!

Here is her casting call:

Are you Pregnant and Fabulous? We Want You!

Baby Bash and Bling Expo & Show Presents “Bump the Runway” in Houston, Texas.

We need YOU, baby bumps, fashionistas and fabulous moms-to-be! Must be able to walk in the “Bump the Runway” fashion show on JUNE 6th (Houston, Texas)

Send us a photo and in the subject line please put “Expectant Mom” to Maggy François at [email protected].

Presenting partners include Babies R Us, The Bump and others.

Baby Bash and Bling Expo & Show

Saturday June 6, 2015

11am-3pm

Hotel Derek

2525 West Loop South

Houston, Texas 77027

Details, tickets and more visit www.BABYBASHANDBLING.com

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Parenting

Watch First Time Expecting Women get pregnancy advice from THEIR moms (VIDEO)

Posted on May 12, 2015

Another Mother’s Day has wrapped. The annual holiday is also a great time for daughters who are mothers to reflect on the advice they were given by their own mothers.

A recent 1-800-Flowers.com survey found that 3 out of 4 women seek their mother’s advice with 18-24 year olds seeking relationship and health advice; 25-39 year olds seeking parenting advice and 40 to 55 and 55+ seeking home projects insights.

The relationship differs depending on age. Millennials say they are best friends with their moms, they talk about everything (36.9%); while Gen Xers and Boomers say their relationship with mom is complicated (31.2% and 31.0% respectively).

It’s no surprise then to discover that the survey results found that 79% of women would feel positively if someone told them they were just like their mother.

And first time pregnant women too turn to their moms for advice and counsel on what to expect.

The Daily Share sat first-time mothers-to-be across from THEIR moms to ask them any and every question they had about what to expect from motherhood.

The result is a candid and endearing short video. Check it out:

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BumpNews

Study: Drinking organic milk while pregnant delays baby’s development

Posted on April 29, 2015

Women who drink organic milk while pregnant or breastfeeding could be putting their babies at risk, according to a new study by scientists in the UK.

Scientists at the University of Reading in England published research Tuesday that states the reduced levels of iodine in organic and UHT milk is harmful for babies.

In the research, published in the journal Food Chemistry, the scientists assert that the amount of iodine found in organic and UHT milk was a third lower than that found in regular milk.

The World Health Organization recommends that pregnant women eat foods that are rich in iodine because of the role it plays in the healthy development of the baby’s brain and nervous system while in the womb. It says that iodine deficiency is one of the leading causes of impaired cognitive development in children.

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BumpNews

St. Patrick’s Day: How to hide your early pregnancy from friends while out

Posted on March 16, 2015

Bellyitch Rewind

If you are newly preggers but haven’t leaked the news to colleagues, acquaintances and friends yet because it’s still quite early, hiding it from pals at a Saint Patrick’s Day outing this Tuesday may be tough If you can’t come up with an excuse to skip it because up until now you’ve been known in your circles as the group lush, here are some things you can do to maybe head off curious looks and questions:

DRESS: Stick with A-line tops or dresses or empire waist tops to conceal any bump that may have emerged. Whatever you do, just say no to the new crop top trend this round! mmmkay?

Macy’s Plus Tops · Motherhood Maternity Clothes · Free People Tanks

DRINKS: Order a coke or other dark drink at the bar away from everyone so no one knows you’re not consuming alcohol. They may assume there’s liquor in that glass. Nurse your drink so you get to pass when someone orders another round for the group. You don’t want to waste good liquor having to place it discreetly on the bar and switch it for a nearby empty glass. But hey, you do what you have to do.

If everyone’s going out for beer, you cannot go wrong with carrying your own bottle of O’Doul’s or some other non-alcoholic beer in an oversized handbag and pouring that in an emptied glass when no one’s looking.

NAUSEA AND VOMITTING: Fortunately, if you have to hurl in the bathroom, and you’re at a pub, you may have plenty of company among other too inebriated light weights in there doing the same. ha! No one will suspect it’s you in the toilet hurling or they may think you had one too many! For once, being considered to be the too drunk girl in the room has its benefits.

Have Fun and Good Luck keeping your baby-baking secret concealed!!!

More Forever 21…

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BumpNews

Study: Diabetes risk high for women whose mothers smoked while pregnant

Posted on February 17, 2015

New research suggests that women whose own moms smoked while pregnant are two to three times more likely to develop as adults.

This suggestion is based on a survey of 1,800 women between 1959 and 1967 who received obstetric care in San Francisco as part of an early. The study was limited to women because it was initially launched to explore breast cancer risk. The findings found that fetal exposure to cigarettes not only increased the risk of obesity and low birth weight, but also diabetes.

“Our findings are consistent with the idea that gestational environmental chemical exposures can contribute to the development of health and disease,” study author assistant professor of environmental toxicology at the University of California, Davis, Michelle La Merrill, said in a release. “We found that smoking of parents is by itself a risk factor for diabetes, independent of obesity or birth weight,” she added. According to La Merrill, the study suggests that, “if a parent smokes, you’re not protected from diabetes just because you’re lean.”

read more about this finding in Philly.com

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BumpNews

New Year Fitness: 5 Regimens to pin to your home gym wall

Posted on January 12, 2015

We’re halfway into January and if you are still sticking with your New Year’s resolution to get fitter or lose pregnancy weight, we picked a few of our fave fitness posters and links to share.

I’ve done these and can vouch for their effectiveness.

Moms to be should definitely check out the Lindsay Mac Fitness‘ Toned After Twins blog post “10 Pregnancy Safe Exercises” to start.

Those trying to peel off the baby poundage, can start here:

ttp://mag.activewearusa.com/5-healthy-exercises-pregnant-women/

Good Luck mamas!

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BumpNews

Fertility 100: Ebook with 100 conception tips (FREE DOWNLOAD)

Posted on January 2, 2015

Is 2015 the year you plan to start a family or hope to finally become successful and conceive a baby after some fertility struggles? If so, we here at Bellyitch have assembled 100 of the common tips, suggestions, old wives’ tales, dietary and lifestyle advice we’ve heard and read in various sources over the years. It’s in this little ebook below for your edification, FREE!

Enjoy and Good Luck!

Fertility 100 from JJ Ghatt

If you’d like to download this ebook for your files, all we ask is you pay for it with a tweet. Click below and share using your favorite social media platform;

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