How to Stay Comfortable During a Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a challenging time for many women. You are dealing with all sorts of new and uncomfortable changes in your body, not to mention the added stress of preparing for a baby. Luckily, there are some things you can do to make the experience more comfortable. Here are a few tips on how to stay comfortable during pregnancy.

Stay Moving

One of the best ways to stay comfortable during pregnancy is to keep moving. This doesn't mean that you need to go out and run a marathon, but even moderate exercise can help to reduce swelling, improve circulation, and ease back pain. Taking a brisk walk around the block or doing some gentle stretching each day can make a big difference. Additionally, staying active can help to prevent constipation, a common problem during pregnancy. Of course, it's important to listen to your body and not overdo it. If you're feeling tired or uncomfortable, take a break and rest. But if you can keep moving, you're likely to feel better throughout your pregnancy.

Manage Pain

One of the most common discomforts during pregnancy is back pain. This can be caused by the added weight of the baby and changing center of gravity. Luckily, some things can be done to help manage this pain. First, it is important to maintain good posture and alignment. This can be difficult as the belly grows, but it is important to try to avoid rounding the back or hunching over. Additionally, sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees can help take some of the pressure off your back. A chiropractor can help correct pains in pregnancy. By following these tips, you can help keep yourself comfortable during pregnancy.

Eat Healthy

Pregnancy is an amazing time in a woman's life. However, it can also be a challenging time, both physically and emotionally. One way to help keep your body comfortable during pregnancy is to eat healthy. This means making sure to get enough fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It also means limiting unhealthy foods such as processed meats, sugary drinks, and excessive amounts of caffeine. Eating healthy will not only help your body feel better, but it will also give you the energy you need to care for your new baby. So make sure to take care of yourself by eating right during pregnancy. 

Following these tips can help make pregnancy more comfortable by managing pain, eating healthy, and staying active. Listening to your body is key in making sure you don't overdo it and cause unnecessary discomfort. With a little care, you can enjoy this amazing time in your life.

Check out this article on how to get over boredom during pregnancy!

What to Expect When You Work and Are Expecting: Understanding Your Rights

When you’re a pregnant working professional, life at work can be a little stressful. Pregnancy isn’t easy to begin with, and on top of that, you risk being discriminated against simply because you’re pregnant. Because of this, it’s important to understand your rights as a pregnant employee so you can defend yourself properly if such an incident occurs. So here’s what you need to know:

Discrimination is Illegal

Times have changed since an employer could ask a woman if she was pregnant and make his hiring determination because of her answer. Based on pregnancy status, it's illegal to deny someone a job, demote, decrease pay rate or terminate employment. If your exact job is not available to you after maternity leave, you must be offered an equal or better job with equal or greater pay.

You Are Entitled to Maternity Leave

State laws regarding maternity leave differ, but there are some situations that every state addresses. Regardless of your place in your company's organization, you are entitled to the amount of maternity leave specified in your state's guidelines. It is illegal to use bullying tactics to intimidate a woman who is contemplating maternity leave or discriminate against her when she returns. Causing your work environment to be hostile in any way due to your pregnancy can be grounds for the dismissal of the person who instigates the situation.

Sexual Harassment Can Still Happen

People generally want to be helpful to pregnant women. The more advanced your pregnancy, the more help you will probably be offered. Unfortunately, you might also get some offers that are somewhat creepy and illegal as well. Pregnancy does not put you out of harm's way when it comes to sexual predators. Whether you're pregnant or not, being hit on when you have not invited it is not allowed in the workplace. A coworker may be more helpful than necessary, let his eyes linger on your fuller body or touch your belly without your consent. If you feel uncomfortable with someone at work, discuss it with your superior or human resources.

In general, pregnancy puts you in a somewhat vulnerable space. You want to protect your child and you deserve to be treated with respect at all times. Just remember that you have rights and resources that can help you if an incident occurs. 

I create showpiece images for modern moms to remember everything they love about their kids, forever. Book a shoot today!

3 Tips for Feeling Great During Your Pregnancy

Being pregnant is an extremely exciting and meaningful time in life. To achieve that proverbial pregnancy glow, it is important to take steps to care for your own body and its changing needs. Here are three proven tips to help you feel great during your entire pregnancy:

Exercise How You Can

Medical News Today explains that engaging in appropriate exercise can help you to feel better during all stages of the pregnancy. During the first and second trimester, you should be able to continue the majority of the exercise that you were performing before getting pregnant. Some women find that they need to slow down more as the pregnancy enters the third trimester. Walking, yoga, and swimming are ideal ways to get in physical activity as you nurture your growing baby. A regular exercise routine during pregnancy will also enable your body to bounce better more quickly after the baby is born. As always, be sure to check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise routine.

Pamper Yourself

Pregnancy is a significant physical change, putting the body through a myriad of challenges. As you go through this process, it is important to always listen to your body if you are feeling aches and pains. Do not be hesitant to seek outside help in alleviating some of the most common pregnancy ailments. Congruent Life Chiropractic says that chiropractic has been known to keep expecting moms feeling great physically during your pregnancy by utilizing a three prong approach (bone, ligament, muscle) to allow for optimal alignment and stability to the pelvis and uterus.

Nourish Your Body

There is no season in life where good nutrition is more important than when you are pregnant. According to What to Expect, while most expecting women focus on how the proper nourishment will positively affect the baby, solid nutrition choices are also important to keep the mother healthy and ready to face the rigors of pregnancy. Be sure to be intentional about consuming extra protein and calcium. The body will take calcium from your existing stores to nourish the growing baby, making it especially important to make sure that you replenish adequately. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids will also keep both you and the baby functioning at optimal levels.

The most important rule to remember is to put your needs first. Taking the time to rest and nourish your body will give your baby the best start in life while also taking care of your own personal needs.

Want to capture the memories of your pregnancy? Contact Panos Production Photography to schedule a photography session that you will treasure for years to come.

5 Tips to Help You Prepare for Future Children

When you're expecting additional children, there are all kinds of things that you need to keep in mind for preparation. Your previous experience can help you grow your confidence. While there's no way that you'll be able to prepare for every possible scenario, you can definitely start off on a strong note. These tips can be useful for helping you prepare for your future children.

Store the Baby Items from Your First Child

Having a second baby can be difficult, particularly if your firstborn is still toddler age or younger. However, it can be easier in many regards. One advantage is that you can save money by reusing items from your firstborn. You should only keep things that you know are worth holding onto. All explains, get rid of damaged items, like toys with broken or missing parts, books with tears, and clothing with stains. You may be able to donate or recycle some of these. You'll want to keep the best quality items.” Store your baby items in a secure location that won't cause any sorts of damage. If necessary, you might consider renting out a storage unit.

Figure out Childcare

If you work full-time, you'll be able to at least get a few weeks of maternity leave. However, you will need to factor in childcare options. If you're already using the services of a trusted daycare for another child, you can continue doing so. However, you might consider looking elsewhere. Ask around for as much advice as possible. There are several options for people who are flexible. If your child is over the age of three years old, then you may be able to enroll your child in a preschool program. This is a great way to prepare your child for kindergarten while creating free time in the day for you to work.

Assemble Your Postpartum Kit

From pads to numbing spray to peri bottles, there are many things you will need. It’s a lot easier to have all that put together and ready to go before your second baby is born. Amazon has almost everything you need. You can read another experienced mom’s ideas on what she had in her recovery kit. Be sure to talk to your doctor about what to expect, again, for postpartum healing. You can also see the ultimate list of everything you will need for your recovery here. You will be so much happier if you do not have to drag yourself around CVS just hours after you get home.

Talk to Your Toddler

Be sure to spend time talking to your first baby about what is about to happen. They may seem fine, but it is good to see what kinds of questions they ask you. It is important to let them lead the discussion to a point. The questions they ask will tell you what they are ready to begin processing. If major changes in room assignment or babysitting are going to happen right away, it is good to explain that to them. Reading books can help too. Of course, nothing will become totally real to them until the baby is actually here. You can try to foreshadow all the phone calls, pictures, gifts for the new baby, people visiting, emails and the myriad of activity that will happen when the baby is born. Be sure to explain to your toddler that these same things happened when they were born. Creating a secret word, or handshake that only you two know can be soothing. Then, when it is crazy busy, you can use it to connect with your toddler so they know they are loved.

Plan a Photoshoot

Ushering in the arrival of a new baby with a photoshoot is something seriously worth considering. Even if you're not yet pregnant, it can still be good to keep this in mind so that you can reserve a desirable photographer as soon as possible. There are all kinds of shoots you can consider, like one of your newborn and their older sibling, one of the whole family together, or one of the baby by themselves. While professional photoshoots might be more expensive than just snapping photos with your smartphone, the investment can be absolutely worth it when you see the finished product. Order extra copies from the photographer so that you can send them to friends and relatives.

Being a parent is all about showing how responsible you can be. This happens over time, and it starts with making good decisions today. Use these tips to help smooth the process. There's no scenario that can't be improved by preparation, and you can enjoy parenthood all the more this way.