YES, thanks to Nightfood’s new Nighttime Ice Cream pregnant women can safely satisfy their cravings with eight flavors of yummy deliciousness without the sugar spikes, heartburn, and insomnia of regular ice cream. Nightfood is offering new moms TWO FREE PINTS with this secret link. 

The team of sleep and nutrition experts at Nightfood formulated their ice cream to be a pregnancy-friendly, guilt-free nighttime snack with a sleep-friendly nutritional profile that completely satisfies your crave monster.

Why do pregnant women have cravings?

Doctors don’t know exactly why women crave certain tastes, textures or flavor combinations. According to the Journal of American Dietetic Association, most cravings are the body’s attempt to obtain vitamins or minerals that are missing through normal food consumption. It may be changing hormones or the extra work your body does to sustain your baby.

It’s important to eat a nutritious diet when you’re pregnant and that means lean meats, fish, eggs, plenty of fruits and vegetables. Avoiding sugar and fat along with regular exercise are important to a healthy pregnancy.

The best ice cream to eat while pregnant

Nightfood Nighttime Ice Cream is the Official Ice Cream of the American Pregnancy Association because it includes more protein plus prebiotic fiber, digestive enzymes, amino acids and a special mineral blend that includes magnesium and calcium. These ingredients can mean less acid reflux, help prevent sugar spikes and make it more sleep-friendly. Because it also has less sugar, fat, and calories, it’s more waistline-friendly too.

Forget the pickles and relish this ice cream

Pregnant moms now have a new BFF in Nightfood. It’s sleep expert and crave monster approved, and now American Pregnancy Association recommended. Place an order today!

The post Pregnancy and <span class="bsearch_highlight">Ice</span> <span class="bsearch_highlight">Cream</span> appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

The Best Fertility Supplements To Help Boost Your Conception Chances

For couples who are trying to get pregnant, oxidative stress might not be something that’s on the top of their minds. Yet, oxidative stress caused by damaging free radicals may be one of the most important reasons why you’re not pregnant. The good news? Two premium supplements known as FH PRO for Women and FH PRO for Men give your body the antioxidants it needs to protect the sperm and eggs from free radical damage that could lead to infertility.

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The post Fertility Supplements appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

I Need Help with an Unplanned Pregnancy

Do you need help with an unplanned pregnancy? Rest assured. There are many resources and organizations that help women with unplanned pregnancies. You have many options including choosing parents through adoption, choosing to parent, or abortion.

Financial Help for Unplanned Pregnancy

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, better known as WIC, provides supplemental nutritious foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income:  

• Pregnant women (through pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after birth or after pregnancy ends).
• Breastfeeding women (up to infant’s 1st birthday)
• Non-breastfeeding postpartum women (up to 6 months after the birth of an infant or after pregnancy ends)
• Infants (up to 1st birthday). WIC serves 53 percent of all infants born in the United States.
• Children up to their 5th birthday.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as the food stamp program, SNAP provides low-income and no-income families with debit cards to purchase groceries.  A household is one person or a group of people who buy and make their food together. Eligibility requirements vary from state to state but you need to be close to the federal poverty line to qualify. Check your state’s specific eligibility guidelines and services.

Food Assistance is available from local community food pantries and food banks. Search the internet or ask your local pregnancy center for a location.

Feeding America operates 200 food banks, 60,000 pantries and meal programs.

The USDA National Hunger Hotline is 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273). Information is available in English and Spanish. The hotline operates Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time.

Child Support is the responsibility of both parents. If you’re not married and don’t plan to marry the father, child support may be requested and ordered by the court. Here are the details about child support. 

Affordable Housing Help for Unplanned Pregnancy

Public housing is state-owned, affordable rental houses or apartments. It’s intended for families with low incomes, seniors, and people with disabilities. Found nationwide, public housing comes in all sizes and types, from single-family houses to high-rise apartments. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers several programs: subsidized housing, public housing, and housing choice vouchers.

Maternity Homes

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services operates the Maternity Group Homes for Pregnant and Parenting Youth (MGH) Program to support homeless pregnant and/or parenting young people, as well as their dependent children. Youth must be between the ages of 16 and 22 to enter the program.

The National Maternity Housing Coalition (NMHC) of over 400 maternity housing programs can help you find a residential maternity home that is able to meet your needs.

Clothing and home items are available at thrift stores, and second-hand and resell shops. The Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries are great sources for everything from cribs, to easy chairs and business attire. Your local pregnancy center will have baby clothes and other items, plus they will know what other resources are nearby.

Healthcare Help for Unplanned Pregnancy

Medicaid is a federal and state program that provides health coverage to low-income pregnant women during pregnancy and up to two months after the birth of the baby. Medicaid differs from state to state so be sure to apply in your state.

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides low-cost health coverage to children in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid. In some states, CHIP covers pregnant women. Each state offers CHIP coverage and works closely with its state Medicaid program. Services include hospitalizations, doctor visits, and prescription drugs. If you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, your coverage can start right away, any time of year.

Learn more about Medicaid and CHIP coverage

Emotional Support for Unplanned Pregnancy

For women looking for support in continuing their pregnancy, Embrace Grace is a faith-based community committed to providing spiritual, emotional, and physical support to both partners throughout the pregnancy journey. When you join, they will love on you with Love Boxes, a baby shower, and so much more. Check out their website and find a support group near you.

Your physician is also an excellent resource to learn about local support groups in your area, as well as providing medical care and discussing your options.

Pregnancy Help Centers are local clinics that provide just that – help with your pregnancy. That may include prenatal care, parenting education, adoption assistance and guidance to local resources and programs, such as food banks. Our locator will help you find the center nearest you.

Our Pregnancy Educators are available every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CST to talk with you, encourage and support you. Click chat below, or call toll-free 800-672-2296help

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The post Pregnancy Help appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

Thank you for downloading the Fertility Resource Guide

In this ultimate handbook for getting pregnant, you’ll find helpful information and tips to guide you through your fertility journey. At American Pregnancy Association, we’re all about helping you achieve healthy pregnancies and wellness through education and support. We’re also by your side for one-on-one support through our Pregnancy Hotline at 1-800-672-2296, or through chat.

Thank you for downloading the Fertility Resource Guide

In this ultimate handbook for getting pregnant, you’ll find helpful information and tips to guide you through your fertility journey. At American Pregnancy Association, we’re all about helping you achieve healthy pregnancies and wellness through education and support. We’re also by your side for one-on-one support through our Pregnancy Hotline at 1-800-672-2296, or through chat.

Free ice cream

P.S., don’t forget your free ice cream brought to you by Nightfood Nighttime Ice Cream. Simply click here to redeem your ice cream in wonderful flavors such as Midnight Chocolate, Milk & Cookie Dough, and more!

Coupons

And don’t forget to check out the Product Index pages for a wide variety of fertility products offered with 10-15% off coupons through the Ultimate Fertility Resource Guide.

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Pica is the practice of craving substances with little or no nutritional value. Most pregnancy and pica-related cravings involve non-food substances such as dirt or chalk. The word pica is Latin for magpie which is a bird notorious for eating almost anything. It is true that the majority of women will experience cravings during pregnancy; however, most of these cravings are for things like pickles and ice cream.

Pica cravings are most commonly seen in children and occur in approximately 25-30% of all children; pica cravings in pregnant women are even less common.

What Causes Pica in Pregnancy?

The reason that some women develop pica cravings during pregnancy is not known for certain. There is currently no identified cause; however, according to the Journal of American Dietetic Association, there may be a connection to an iron deficiency. Some speculate that pica cravings are the body’s attempt to obtain vitamins or minerals that are missing through normal food consumption.

Sometimes pica cravings may be related to an underlying physical or mental illness.

Common Pregnancy and Pica Cravings

The most common substances craved during pregnancy are dirt, clay, and laundry starch.
Other pica cravings include:

• burnt matches
• stones
• charcoal
• mothballs
• ice
• cornstarch
• toothpaste
• soap
• sand
• plaster
• coffee grounds
• baking soda
• cigarette ashes

Are There Risks to the Baby?

Eating non-food substances is potentially harmful to both you and your baby. Eating non-food substances may interfere with the nutrient absorption of healthy food substances and actually cause a deficiency. Pica cravings are also a concern because non-food items may contain toxic or parasitic ingredients.

Managing Pica

Don’t panic; it happens and is not abnormal. The most important thing is to inform your health care provider to make sure you have a complete understanding of the specific risks associated with your cravings.
Here are some suggestions to help you deal with pica cravings:

• Inform your health care provider and review your prenatal health records
• Monitor your iron status along with other vitamin and mineral intake
• Consider potential substitutes for the cravings such as chewing sugarless gum
• Inform a friend of your craving who can help you avoid non-food items

Want to Know More?

• Pregnancy and Ice Cream
• Safe Catch Tuna

Compiled using information from the following sources:
Mayo Clinic Guide To A Healthy Pregnancy Harms, Roger W., M.D., et al, Part 3.
American Dietetic Association, https://www.eatright.org/
American Academy of Family Physicians, https://familydoctor.org/

The post Pica Cravings During Pregnancy appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

The Safety of Tanning While Pregnant

Regardless of whether you are pregnant or not, exposure to the sun puts you at risk for premature aging and malignant melanoma (skin cancer). The following information will help you think through tanning in a bed, on the beach, or with help from a bottle.

Some studies also link UV rays and folic acid deficiency. Folic acid prevents neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, and is especially important in the first trimester. During pregnancy, your skin is more susceptible to burning and chloasma, the dark splotches that appear on the face during pregnancy. Speak to your health care provider about the safety of tanning beds during pregnancy.

In a Bed

There are no studies that provide conclusive evidence that tanning beds directly harm your baby. However, the following are some ways that tanning beds can be harmful to you. Most health care providers advise against any activity that might raise your body temperature, such as saunas or tanning beds. Overheating is associated with spinal malformations in the baby.

On the Beach

Many of the concerns about beach sun are the same as tanning beds. Pregnancy makes your skin more sensitive so the sun may cause hives, heat rash or worsened chloasma. Staying in the shade should prevent hives or heat rash. The same safety measures should be taken in the sun whether you are pregnant or not: drink plenty of water, use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or more, and wear a hat.

If you feel dizzy, nauseated or tired go to an air-conditioned area.  Long hours in the sun that result in burning should be avoided.

From a Bottle

This may be the best option if you are pregnant. Avoiding UV rays will ensure healthier skin and less chance of skin cancer, hives or worsened chloasma. There are so many different kinds of sunless tanning lotions, creams, and foams that have very good results. Many of the new varieties have minimal odor and provide immediate color.

The only concern is whether the active ingredient, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), is able to penetrate the skin. Studies do not confirm that it can, but some health care providers encourage women to wait until after the first trimester, just to play it safe. DHA has been used in cosmetics since 1960 and no problems have been reported.

Even if you have used sunless tanners before, try a patch of skin first. Your skin may be more sensitive and irritable during pregnancy. Learn more about your skin changes during pregnancy.

Want to Know More?

• Pregnancy Exercise Guidelines
• Wine During Pregnancy
• Pregnancy and Ice Cream – Nighttime: the pregnancy friendly ice cream

Compiled using information from the following sources:
Mayo Clinic Guide To A Healthy Pregnancy Harms, Roger W., M.D., et al, Introduction.
American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/

The post Pregnancy and Tanning appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

Is it Safe to Take TUMS During Pregnancy?

Heartburn (also called acid indigestion or acid reflux) is a burning sensation that often extends from the bottom of the breastbone to the lower throat. It is caused by hormonal and physical changes in your body. During pregnancy, the placenta produces the hormone progesterone. Progesterone relaxes the smooth muscles of the uterus,  but it also relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach. This allows gastric acids to seep back up, which causes the unpleasant burning sensation.

Most people know antacids can provide fast, safe relief for heartburn. The question you have is whether or not it is safe to take TUMS during pregnancy? TUMS provides safe heartburn relief for women who are pregnant. TUMS also adds calcium to your body. When you are pregnant, your body may need between 1,000 mg and 1,300 mg of elemental calcium per day.

Be sure to take TUMS at a different time than you take iron supplements. It is recommended to space doses of these antacids and iron supplements one to two hours apart, to get the full benefit from each medicine or dietary supplement. You should consult with your healthcare provider before taking any antacids containing sodium bicarbonate.

How to prevent heartburn during pregnancy

Altering your diet or adjusting your lifestyle should be the first thing you try when looking to manage your pregnancy heartburn. If you pay attention, you will probably notice certain foods are more likely to trigger heartburn. Here are some steps you can take:

• Avoid food and beverages that cause you gastrointestinal distress – For example caffeine; chocolate; acidic foods like citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, mustard, and vinegar; processed meats; mint products; and spicy, highly seasoned, fried, or fatty foods.
• Do not eat big meals. Instead, eat several small meals throughout the day. Take your time eating and chew thoroughly.
• Avoid drinking large quantities of fluids during meals — you don’t want to distend your stomach. (It’s important to drink eight to ten glasses of water daily during pregnancy, but sip it between meals.)
• Try chewing gum after eating – Chewing gum stimulates your salivary glands, and saliva can help neutralize the acid.
• Do not eat close to bedtime – Give yourself two to three hours to digest your food before you lie down.

Keep in mind the majority of pregnant women experience heartburn during pregnancy, take TUMS for relief and go on to have a normal and healthy pregnancy. Another product similar to TUMS, called Tame the Flame, is provided by Healthy Mama.

Want to Know More?

• Nightfoods Nighttime Ice Cream: the official ice cream of American Pregnancy Association and deliciously pregnancy friendly

Compiled using information from the following sources:

1. Mayo Clinic. (2004).Mayo Clinic Guide to A Healthy Pregnancy. United States of America: Harper Collins.

2. Barbieri, Robert L., and Reecce, E. Albert. (2010Obstetrics and Gynecology The Essentials of Clinical Care. Berlin, Germany: Thieme Publishing Group.

The post TUMS During Pregnancy appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

Without a doubt, a nutritious, well-balanced eating plan can be one of the greatest gifts you give to your developing baby. Pregnancy nutrition is essential to a healthy baby. Ideally, adopting a healthy eating plan before pregnancy is best. But no matter how many weeks are left on your countdown calendar, it’s never too late to start! Supplying your own body with a tasty blend of nutritious foods can improve your fertility, keep you feeling healthy during pregnancy, and pave the way for an easier labor. It can also help to establish essential building blocks of growth and overall health for your child.
Pregnancy is the one time in your life when your eating habits directly affect another person. Incorporating a variety of delicious vegetables, whole grains and legumes, lean protein, and other healthy food choices into your eating plan before and during pregnancy will give your baby a strong start in life.

Pregnancy Nutrition: Weight Change and Calories

Your body will gain weight during your pregnancy! As you watch your weight begin to increase, take it as proof that your body is nurturing your growing baby. By the time you are ready to give birth, your total blood volume will have increased by as much as 60%.
Your breasts will have filled with milk. Your uterus will have grown to accommodate your baby and has filled with amniotic fluid. Your baby has grown to weigh 6 to 10 pounds (on average). To accomplish all of these productive changes, your body needs approximately 300 extra calories per day during your 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy.
Every woman should discuss her individual nutritional needs with her health care provider. Do not neglect your baby’s health by neglecting your own!

Myth: Now that you are pregnant, you should be eating for two.
Fact: It is true that your nutrient needs increase, but energy requirements only increase by about 300 calories per day for the second and third trimester of pregnancy.

Myth: Gaining less weight during pregnancy will make delivery easier.
Fact: Mothers who do not gain enough weight during pregnancy place their babies at risk for severe complications such as premature birth, which can cause lung and heart problems.

Myth: If you gain the right amount of weight during pregnancy, none of it will be fat gain.
Fact: A healthy pregnancy includes fat storage.  Your body uses this excess fat as energy during labor and breastfeeding.

Myth: Pregnant women only crave the foods their bodies need.
Fact: Pregnant women can crave foods of any type. Cravings should not be the sole indicator of nutritional needs.

Myth: A pregnant woman who is healthy will not experience discomforts.
Fact: Nausea, heartburn, and constipation are not biased! They will afflict women regardless of healthy living. However, women who regularly eat healthy foods, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and avoid excess sugar and fat may significantly reduce these uncomfortable symptoms.

What to eat when pregnant: Food Groups

It is helpful to pay attention to the recommended daily servings from each food group. Most foods come with a nutrition label attached. This nutrition label will help you to know what amount constitutes one serving.

Pregnancy Nutrition: Protein

Experts recommend 75 to 100 grams of protein per day. Protein positively affects the growth of fetal tissue, including the brain. It also helps your breast and uterine tissue to grow during pregnancy, and it plays a role in your increasing blood supply.
Examples of daily sources of protein:
2-3 servings of meat (1 serving = approximately 3 ounces/size of a deck of cards)

• fully cooked fish or seafood
• liver
• chicken
• lean beef
• lamb
• pork
• nuts (1 serving = approximately ⅓ cup)
• tofu (1 serving = approximately ½ cup)

Safe Catch Tuna is an excellent source of protein and the only brand that tests its fish for mercury. Because each can of Safe Catch provides a pure and solid tuna steak with all the natural oils and nutrients essential for growing minds and bodies, it’s the official tuna of the American Pregnancy Association.

2-3 servings of legumes (1 serving = approximately ½ cup)

• split peas
• red and white kidney beans
• black beans
• navy beans
• black-eyed peas
• chickpeas (garbanzo beans)

Calcium

The daily requirement of calcium is around 1000 milligrams during pregnancy.  Calcium helps your body regulate fluids, and it helps build your baby’s bones and tooth buds.
Examples of daily sources of calcium:
3-4 servings of dairy

• milk (1 serving = 1 cup)
• eggs (1 serving = 1 large egg)
• yogurt (1 serving = 1 cup)
• pasteurized cheese (1 serving = approximately 1.5 ounces or 4 playing dice stacked together)
• tofu (1 serving = ½ cup)
• white beans (1 serving = approximately ½ cup)
• almonds (1 serving = approximately ⅓ cup)
• salmon (1 serving = approximately 3 ounces)
• turnip greens (1 serving = approximately 1 cup)
• cabbage (1 serving = approximately 1 cup)

Iron

In combination with sodium, potassium, and water, iron helps increase your blood volume and prevents anemia. A daily intake of 27 milligrams is ideal during pregnancy.
Examples of daily sources of iron:
2-3 servings of green leafy vegetables (1 serving = approximately 1 cup)

• collard
• turnip
• spinach
• lettuce
• cabbage

3 servings of whole grains (1 serving = approximately ½ cup or one slice)

• bread
• cornmeal
• cereal
• oatmeal

2-3 servings of lean protein (1 serving = approximately 3 ounces/size of a deck of cards)

• beef
• seafood
• poultry

Folate/Folic Acid

Folic acid plays a key role in reducing the risk of neural tube defects, including spina bifida. Experts recommend 600 to 800 micrograms (.6 to .8 milligrams) daily.
Examples of daily sources of folate:
2 servings of dark green leafy vegetables (1 serving = approximately 1 cup)

• collard
• turnip
• spinach
• lettuce
• cabbage

2-3 servings of fruit (1 serving = approximately ½ cup)

• orange
• strawberry
• lemon
• mango
• tomato
• grapefruit
• kiwi
• melon

3 serving of whole grain (1 serving = approximately ½ cup or 1 slice)

• bread
• cornmeal
• cereal
• oatmeal

2 servings of legumes (1 serving = approximately ½ cup)

• split peas
• red and white kidney beans
• black beans
• navy beans
• black-eyed peas
• chickpeas (garbanzo beans)

Vitamin C

Fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C will promote wound healing, tooth and bone development, and metabolic processes. Experts recommend at least 85 milligrams per day.
Examples of daily sources of Vitamin C:
3 servings of fruit or vegetables (1 serving = approximately ½ cup)

• orange
• strawberry
• lemon
• mango
• tomato
• grapefruit
• kiwi
• melon
• potato
• peppers

Pregnancy Ice Cream

Most pregnant women experience heartburn, acid reflux not to mention extra weight when they eat ice cream. Nightfood Nighttime Ice Cream is specially formulated to be pregnancy friendly while satisfying your cravings in a healthier, more sleep-friendly way. Visit their website to see how you can get a free pint and tame those crave monsters.

Pregnancy Nutrition Concerns

During pregnancy, some foods can cause harm to a developing baby. Be sure that all meats are thoroughly cooked to avoid exposure to toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and other harmful bacteria. Eliminate tobacco smoke, drug use, and alcohol consumption from your diet.
Reduce or eliminate caffeinated beverages (soda, coffee) from your daily intake, and maintain a reasonable exercise program throughout your pregnancy. Walking and swimming are considered healthy activities during pregnancy but always consult with your health care provider before starting a new exercise program.

Want to Know More?

• Food Safety During Pregnancy
• Common Foods Nutritional Data

Compiled using information from the following sources:

1. Blount, Darynee (2005). Growing a Baby: Diet and Nutrition in Pregnancy. The Birthkit, Issue 46.

2. Gatsa, Katie Gates (1997). Internal Ecosystem Health. Midwifery Today, Issue 42, pgs. 28-29.

3. Haas, Amy V. (1995). Nutrition During Pregnancy. Having a Baby Today, Issue 5.
The Bradley Birth Method.

The post Pregnancy Nutrition appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

Only 7 more weeks until your baby arrives. Here is what you can expect this week.

What changes are occurring with your body?

The top of your uterus is a little over 5 inches (12.7 cm) from your belly button. Your total weight gain should be between 22 and 28 pounds (10 to 12.7 kg). You may wonder if you will be able to tell when your water breaks (also called rupturing of the membranes). This is the breaking of the fluid-filled sac surrounding the baby. Only 1 in 10 women experience a dramatic gush of amniotic fluid, and even then it usually happens at home, oftentimes in bed. Other women only notice a small trickle. Sometimes the amniotic sac breaks or leaks before labor begins. It is common to be uncertain about whether leaking fluid is amniotic fluid or urine. Amniotic fluid is clear and odorless. If you think your membranes are leaking or have ruptured, call your health care provider. Until you see your physician or midwife, do not use tampons, have sexual intercourse, or do anything that would introduce bacteria to your vagina once your water has broken. Let your doctor know if the fluid is anything other than clear and odorless, particularly if is greenish or foul-smelling because this could be a sign of infection. Most doctors will evaluate you and your baby as soon as the membranes rupture due to the risk of developing an infection. Y our doctor may also decide to induce labor at this point.

Pregnancy Week 33: How big is your baby?

Your baby is approximately 16 ½ inches (42 cm) long and weighs between 4 ½ to 5 pounds (2 to 2.3 kg). Because growth can vary for each baby during this time, your baby may be a little off from these measurements, which in most cases is completely normal.

Pregnancy Week 33: What is happening with your baby?

Your baby’s skin is beginning to look less red and wrinkled. Fat stores are continuing to be deposited under the skin. The bones are all beginning to harden except for the skull because the skull needs to remain soft and pliable for delivery.

Pregnancy Week 33: What should you plan for this week?

Your next prenatal appointment is a good time to discuss an episiotomy with your doctor. An episiotomy is a surgical incision occasionally necessary to enlarge the vaginal opening to help deliver your baby. Many health care providers prefer not to perform an episiotomy unless it is absolutely necessary. The practice of performing episiotomies during delivery is becoming a less frequent occurrence. According to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), episiotomies can actually cause more problems than if natural tearing were to occur.

Another decision is whether to store your baby’s cord blood.  Storing your baby’s cord blood is a type of insurance to protect your growing child from future conditions that might be diagnosed later and treated with the stem cells from that stored cord blood.  The American Pregnancy Association recommends Affordable Cord Care and ViaCord.

The following are preventative measures to lessen the chances of needing this surgical incision:

• Good nutrition (Healthy skin stretches more easily).
• Kegels (an exercise for your pelvic floor muscles)
• A slowed second stage of labor where pushing is controlled
• Warm compresses and support during delivery
• Perineum massage techniques

Read more about episiotomies, and talk to your doctor or midwife about your concerns.

Pregnancy Week 33: Tips for making your pregnancy better

Many women may wonder if it is still safe to have sexual intercourse at this point in their pregnancy. It is safe as long as your health care provider has not told you differently. However, the changes in your body may make this a little more difficult. Nonetheless, there are ways to make sex during pregnancy a little more comfortable and enjoyable.

Tips for mom’s partner:

Even though the birth of your baby is still several weeks away, you and your partner need to begin discussing birth control options for after delivery. Your partner is currently going through many changes, so she may not even have begun to think this through. Be intentional to bring up this subject. More than likely, you will want to research this so you and your partner can choose an effective method. Remember, there are some forms of birth control that cannot be used if a woman is breastfeeding, and breastfeeding is not a reliable form of birth control. For more information please see Birth Control & Preventing Pregnancy.

Want to Know More?

• Pregnancy Exercise Guidelines
• Creating Your Birth Plan
• Nighttime Ice Cream – The Official Ice Cream of the American Pregnancy Association

The post 33 Weeks Pregnant appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

At 24 weeks pregnant, you can now feel the top of your uterus around 2 inches (5 cm) from your belly button. The skin on your abdomen and breasts is stretching, which can cause these areas to feel itchy. Many times the itchy skin can be caused by dry skin. If you are having itchy and/or dry skin, use a moisturizer or lotion. Your eyes may also feel more sensitive and dry during your pregnancy. You can alleviate some of this discomfort by using artificial tears to keep your eyes moist.

How big is your baby?

Your baby is over 12 ½ inches (32 cm) long and weighs 1¼ to 1½ pounds (0.6 to 0.7 kg).

What is happening with your baby?

Your baby’s brain is growing rapidly at this time. Taste buds are also forming, and the lungs are becoming more developed and complex. The branches of the main lung are beginning to form as well as special cells that will produce surfactant. Surfactant is necessary for the air sacs to inflate easily. Babies who are born prematurely often have trouble breathing because these cells have not had enough time to develop or are not producing the necessary amounts of surfactant.

What should you plan for during the 24th week of pregnancy?

Between 24 and 28 weeks, most healthcare providers will perform a glucose screening test. This test checks for gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a temporary (in most cases) form of diabetes in which the body does not produce adequate amounts of insulin to regulate sugar levels during pregnancy. Signs and symptoms can include:

• Sugar in urine (revealed in a test done in your doctor’s office)
• Unusual thirst
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Nausea

Approximately 2-5 % of all expecting mothers will develop gestational diabetes. Doctors test for gestational diabetes between the 24th and 28th week because the placenta is producing large amounts of hormones that may cause insulin resistance. If the result comes back with elevated levels, further testing would be done to confirm a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

Tips for making your pregnancy better

If you are having a problem with heartburn, you may want to try eating smaller meals throughout the day. Many women find that eating five or six small meals a day decreases the amount of heartburn they experience. Heartburn can also be decreased by skipping snacks and meals late at night.

Tips for mom’s partner

Plan a romantic getaway. It could be to a spot that has a significant meaning to the two of you or somewhere that you have always wanted to go.

Want to Know More?

• Creating Your Birth Plan
• Pregnancy and Ice Cream: Nightfood, the Official Ice Cream of the American Pregnancy Association
• The Slumbar Sprout Pregnancy Pillow

Get the Fetal Life App for Apple and Android endorsed by the American Pregnancy Association.

The post 24 Weeks Pregnant appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.