Pregnancy is a significant and miraculous experience that brings immense joy and excitement to a woman’s life. But at the same time, it comes with various challenges.
As your body grows to accommodate your unborn baby, it brings changes like morning sickness, cravings, and weariness. And when the hormones kick in, you’re on an emotional rollercoaster that doesn’t stay within limits.
The changes don’t cease once the baby is born. Once your baby arrives, you’ll have to adjust to a new normal of sleepless nights and unpredictable days while learning to be a hands-on parent.
But don’t worry! All you need are some necessary pre and post-pregnancy tips. It’s all manageable.
Pre-Pregnancy Tips
As per various studies, about 10% of women struggle to get pregnant. From fallopian tube blockage to ovulation problems, there are many reasons why this happens.
The silver lining is that these conditions can be addressed through medical treatments and lifestyle changes. So, here are some pre-pregnancy tips that’ll ease your conception journey.
Educate Yourself
You need to understand how your body functions and the reproductive cycle so that you can make decisions based on facts rather than hearsay. Educate yourself on what kind of doctor to visit, tests to take, and available treatments.
Also, read up on possible pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and childbirth injuries. There are resources like childbirthinjuries.com that can help you stay informed and prepared.
Include Necessary Supplements in your Daily Routine
Before starting the conception journey, ensure your body is prepared to handle it. You should include a daily maternity supplement to get all the necessary nutrients. To help you pick the right ones, here’s a list of what you might need to store in your body:
Folic Acid: Folic acid is essential for your unborn baby’s health, as it helps develop neural tubes and the spinal cord.
Iron: Iron is vital for the production of red blood cells and the prevention of anemia.
Calcium: Calcium helps develop your baby’s bones and teeth.
Iodine: Iodine ensures healthy fetal brain growth.
Do consult your doctor before adding any new supplement to your daily routine.
Keep a Healthy Weight Range
Your weight isn’t just a number on your scale. It is a measure of your health with an impact on your fertility. Obesity reduces your chances of getting pregnant. It is because weight gain leads to a hormonal imbalance that disrupts your ovulation cycle.
So, start eating healthy and exercising regularly. And if you’re already overweight or obese, try to shed those extra pounds before you conceive.
Give Up Unhealthy Habits
Say goodbye to cigarettes and alcohol for now. Smoking and drinking adversely affect fertility by damaging the egg quality and reducing your chances of conception.
In addition, chemical toxins like lead, mercury, and cadmium can also interfere with conception. These toxins are usually present in canned foods and non-organic produce. So, make sure to avoid them in your diet as well.
Stress isn’t an Ally
High levels of stress can put a damper on your pregnancy plans. Stress can disrupt the hormonal balance and interfere with ovulation, which explains why many women experience anovulation – a condition where ovaries don’t release eggs.
So, make sure to take some time off and pamper yourself. Create a relaxing routine and prioritize your mental health to reduce stress levels. Yoga and meditation can help you relax and stay in the present moment.
Post-Pregnancy Tips
You’ve braved hours of labor and pain and are now ready to start caring for your little one. But remember to pamper yourself too! Post-pregnancy care is just as crucial as pre-pregnancy care.
Here are some post-pregnancy tips to put your mind and body at ease.
Visit Your Doctor Regularly
Your body continues to face challenges post-delivery. From urinary incontinence to hormonal imbalance, several conditions require medical attention. If left untreated, they can worsen and become a lifestyle problem.
So, make sure to visit your doctor regularly and get the necessary treatments right away.
You’ll also need your doctor to check your baby’s health and ensure they grow normally.
In case you can’t travel, you can consult doctors online. This way, you’ll be able to get the medical help you need without leaving your home.
Eat the Right Foods
Your body is in recovery. Therefore, it’s more important than ever to give it the best food.
Your diet should include lean proteins, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and lots of vegetables and fruits. It will help you in restoring your energy levels and nutrient stores.
Also, try to drink plenty of water and avoid sugary drinks, which can lead to weight gain.
You’ll also need to add special foods to enhance your milk supply. Semolina, for instance, is excellent for lactating moms as it helps in milk production. Fennell, sesame seeds, and garlic can also do wonders for your milk supply.
Take Time to Relax
Motherhood is a beautiful journey, but it can get overwhelming. You’re always on your toes, trying to meet your baby’s needs and caring for a new family.
It can affect your mental health if you don’t relax. You can walk every day, listen to music, and unwind. Doing something that you love can help you relax and reduce stress.
You can also join a support group or an online community of moms to share your experiences and struggles. It can be a great source of emotional support and help you stay connected with other moms in your area.
Reflect on the Birth Process
Birth is a natural process, even when we have excellent modern medical interventions to make it safer. But it can also be very stressful, and sometimes even traumatic. Things rarely go exactly as you wanted them to in your birth plan, and sometimes they can even go horribly wrong for either you or your baby. After the birth, taking some time to reflect and process is a good idea, whether you had a good or bad experience. You might even need to address any birthing complications that could cause health issues for you or your baby. In some cases, there may have been negligence on the part of the medical team, for which you want to seek recompense. Of course, you might have had a good experience too, which is also worthwhile to reflect on.
Exercise
Slowly get back into physical activity. Start with walks and light exercises like stretching, yoga, or Pilates. It will help you regain your energy and strengthen your core muscles.
You can also try a low-impact workout that’s gentle on your body. As you build strength, you can gradually increase the intensity of your activities.
Remember to take breaks in between. Your body needs time to heal and recover, so don’t tough it out.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations on your decision to become a mother! It’s one of the most rewarding experiences a woman can have. Cute cuddles, giggly conversations, and unconditional love make it all worth it.
So, follow our pre-pregnancy tips to give your baby a healthy and happy start in life. And when they’re finally here, prioritize your well-being just as much as you did during pregnancy.
By taking care of yourself and eating the right foods, you’ll be able to provide the best possible care to your baby. Good luck.
Jewellery has been an important part of human culture for thousands of years. It is made from various materials, including gemstones, precious metals, beads, and shells.
Some cultures used jewelry to show status, while others made it for ritual or spiritual purposes. Learning a lot about a culture by studying its jewelry is possible.
Origins
The origins of chain pendant jewelry can be traced back to 2500 BC when they were first designed and created. Egyptians were among the first to create these gold chains, which often adorned beautiful pendants.
The early chain design was improved in the 8th century BC with the invention of the “strap” chain. This design involved strands of chains connected side by side to form a more flexible band that almost resembled fabric.
Chain pendants can be made from various materials, including gold, silver, pearls, and gemstones. They can also be engraved or painted and come in all shapes and sizes.
They can be worn as amulets, talismans, or good luck charms. They can also be symbolic, expressing a person’s spiritual beliefs. They can also be worn as a part of other jewelry, such as a necklace or bracelet.
Styles
From ancient times, chain pendants have been popular and versatile jewelry designs. These types of pendants have many different meanings and can be worn to signify religious, protective, or devotional themes.
Gold chains became an important accessory to the elite class during the Renaissance. During that time, they were often embellished with pendants or brooches.
The pendants hung from the long gold chains were often adorned with images of saints, landscapes, and bible scenes. They were also often used as amulets and talismans.
The heaviest chains were made of solid gold, a material that was easy to work with and durable. They were also often woven with strands of chains to form a more flexible design.
Materials
Chain pendant jewelry can be made of many materials, but sterling silver and gold are the most popular. Both types of metal are durable and can withstand daily wear and tear.
Gold necklace chains are typically made of either 14k or 18k gold. Both karats of gold are considered the highest quality, but both can be very expensive.
Aside from gold, other common metals used for necklace chains are platinum, nickel, iron, and steel. These metals can be combined with gold to make an alloy stronger, lighter, and more durable.
Necklace chains come in various styles, from simple designs to eye-catching and complex styles. The type of chain you choose depends on what type of pendant you plan to wear with it.
Meanings
Chains have long been a symbol of tradition and culture. They are often worn in tribute to a family’s history or as part of a religious ritual.
They were also traditionally a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Gold and silver chains were commonly worn by royalty and the rich.
In later centuries, they were even used to adorn women’s necks. They were used as decorative pedants and to suspend semi-precious stones from them.
Today, necklaces are still an important element in many jewelry styles. They can be worn alone or layered together and are often essential accessories for any wardrobe.
They can be decorated with various symbols and designs, including those from various cultures. Some popular examples include Laughing Buddhas, the lotus, and hamsa hands.
Whether you’ve been to lots of raves before or you’re just about to go to your very first one, you’re going to have to buy clothes for rave partying, specifically. Getting to put together a rave wardrobe is a big part of the fun and you don’t want to show up in your regular street clothes. You’re just not going to have as good a time if you’re wearing the same, old boring clothes instead of clothes designed for a fun time.
There are rave clothes for men and women and your style is completely up to you and how you want to look on the floor. The best thing to do is decide on an overall look and get the best pieces of clothing to make it happen. You can buy clothes right online so you don’t have to worry about going to a store that’s not going to have what you want.
Rave Clothes for Women
Women have a lot of different rave clothes to choose from and deciding on a style can take a much longer time than it does for men. Women get to pick from crop tops, rave tops, harness tops, and outerwear to build a look that best reflects their style for everyone else to see. Then there are entire collections of rave bottoms, joggers, skirts, shorts, and even belts and harnesses.
If that sounds like a lot of decision making then you’re very right and that’s not a bad thing. When your main goal is to put together an outfit that looks good and is easy to move around in, you’re going to have to put some effort into it. When you finally settle on a look that you want, it’s easy to find the clothes that match the look that you’re trying to get out of your rave clothes.
Rave Clothes for Men
Then there are the clothing choices for men and there are more than enough of them to keep you guessing as to what you should buy. Men can choose from collections of hats, tank tops, t-shirts, jerseys, pants, shorts, and outerwear for themselves. It can be a very daunting task, but the right clothing is going to stand out to you.
You don’t have to be an expert at raves to know that getting your clothes together in advance is going to work in your best interests. Get your style onto your body and show it off to the club!
Modern life is busy and it can make mealtimes far more stressful than they need to be. Many families are out of the habit of sitting together at the table and eating a meal at the same time. What’s meant to be a time of peace and an opportunity for bonding becomes another thing on the to-do list that seems more like a chore than a pleasure.
Then there’s the kids. Perhaps your kids can’t agree on what meal they want. Perhaps they easily become distracted by the TV or other devices. If you’re yearning to get back to stress-free meals, here are a few tips that can help.
Set It In Your Routine
Eating a family meal shouldn’t be something you only do when you get around to it. If you want to make a success of family meals, they need to become part of your everyday routine. When a meal is served, it should be everyone’s que to down tools and head to the dinner table.
When it’s part of your routine, it becomes a habit and when it’s a habit, no one questions why it’s being done.
Easy Meals
Cooking one meal for the whole family makes things a lot easier at meal times. Try not to offer alternatives to children if you can avoid them. Get everyone to eat the same meal so you don’t have to worry about cooking more than one.
Doing big and easy family meals will take up less of your time. You can even prep most of them hours in advance and freeze them so they’re ready and waiting when you need them. For instance, here’s a great crock pot pot roast recipe that pleases everyone.
No Devices At The Table
When everyone uses a device for something, it can be hard to switch it off long enough to have a family meal. Make a clear rule that no devices are allowed at the dinner table when you’re having a meal. This is your opportunity to eat and talk together while you have the chance.
If you find that conversation is lacking, try asking some questions and going around the table with answers. If you need to get creative, make up an elaborate story about your day to grab their attention.
Take Focus Off The Food
Meal times don’t have to be just about the food. If you’re all eating and running, you might want to think about doing something different. Think about what would make your family want to stay at the dinner table. Maybe you could turn one evening into a games night with buffet-style food.
Cook Together
Cooking works up an appetite. It’s great for young children to get involved with the preparation of the meal. Whether you have them cracking eggs for you or laying the table, it helps to build up to a meal rather than just being called to the dinner table when it’s all ready and waiting. For children, helping to prepare a meal can help instill a sense of value and achievement.
If you’ve enjoyed this article, take a look at the rest.
I asked our blog sponsor Sarah Davis of BodyBalance 365 to answer some of your questions about nutrition and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Sarah Davis is a Nutrition Counselor, wellness expert, and health coach. As a mother of three teenage athletes, Sarah knows the essential role nutrition plays in sports and academic performance. She is forever working in her own kitchen to create new healthy, allergy-safe, and delicious recipes for her family and clients.
To contact Sarah for more information or for more nutrition tip click HERE.
Sarah received her training at Integrative Institute for Nutrition in New York City. She is certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and has a degree in Continuing Education from Purchase College, State University Of New York. She is the nutrition consultant for the educational YourSelf series, taught in middle and high schools around the country. Sarah leads workshops on nutrition and offers individual health and nutrition coaching to teens and their families.
How would you describe a healthy diet?
I think a plant-based diet is the healthiest way to eat — and that does not mean you need to become a vegan! But animal protein should not be the staple of our diets, as it often is in the Standard American Diet. If 1/2 your plate is plants, 1/4 is lean animal or plant protein, and 1/4 is high fiber, complex carbs you will be eating a nutrient-dense diet that is great for your gut health, your energy, your appearance, and your immune system — and it is also naturally low in calories. It’s a win/win!
What did you normally recommend for breakfast?
I love plants and protein in the morning. I often do smoothies, or oatmeal made with almond milk topped with almond butter and berries, or a veggie egg scramble with a slice of GF toast, or a coconut yogurt bowl with gluten-free granola, chia seeds, and berries. YUM!
How many servings of fruits and vegetables do you recommend per day?
While the USDA recommends 4-5 servings of fruits and veggies a day, I do not find that is nearly enough for adults. Honestly, I eat closer to 7 or 8. And a smoothie can get you 4 servings before you even leave the house in the morning! I think 6 is a happy medium for most people to strive to hit between 3 meals and a snack.
How often do you eat fish?
Fish is perfectly safe to eat 2-3 times a week as long as it is not all coming from fish that can contain a higher mercury content, such as tuna, swordfish, and shark — so watch the sushi rolls! Fish are high in Omega 3’s (especially fatty fish), a lean and low-calorie source of protein, and far lower in saturated fat than red meat. I eat fish 4x a week (because I don’t eat meat and chicken) and if you are eating fish like wild salmon, flounder, trout, cod, sole, tilapia, or sardines which have very little mercury you are fine doing the same.
How often do you eat red meat?
I do not eat red meat, but if you are buying organic grass-fed beef it is certainly safe to have it once a week — twice a week for kids, so no stress so if you make hamburgers one night and steak on the weekend for the kiddies. All good! BUT if you have high blood pressure, heart issues or high cholesterol I would recommend only 2x per month. (PS. We should ALL be eating a plant-based diet no matter if you like red meat or not!)
What is a healthy option for people who like to snack?
I love snacks! Snacks should simply be a smaller version of one of your meals. I recommend protein, plants, high-fiber carbs, and healthy fats at every meal, and your snacks should mirror this. And be roughly 150-200 cals. Think a cut-up apple with 1 Tbsp almond butter; 1 oz pistachios with a couple of clementines; 2 Tbsp hummus with rice crackers and baby carrots; a slice of avocado toast on GF bread with chia seeds and sea salt; 5 oz plain Greek or coconut yogurt with blueberries and 2 Tbsp of GF granola and a drizzle of honey; a hard-boiled egg and a pear; a rice cake with 1 Tbsp almond butter and sliced bananas; grain-free Siete chips or baked tortilla chips with 1/4c guacamole and salsa. Just to name a few…HAHA!
As far as alcohol is there a drink that is best to order when trying to maintain weight loss or prevent weight gain?
A cocktail or 2 a few nights a week is fine on a weight loss program (no more than 5 drinks a week for women please. Period!) but avoid all the sugary mixers (sour mix), blender drinks(daiquiri), soda (not seltzer but things like Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale), tonic water, and juices. A 6oz glass of white wine has 150 calories so even if you had 2 glasses at a birthday party, the 300 calories won’t show up on the scale. Better still would be 1 glass of wine followed by a glass of water to hydrate! White wine usually has about 1g of sugar which is only 1/4 tsp so not a deal breaker if you are watching your sugar.
For mixed drinks, I recommend clear alcohol (vodka or tequila) with seltzer, lemon or lime, and a splash of cranberry or grapefruit juice if you like. A cocktail usually has 1.5 oz of alcohol so again, 1 or 2 over the course of an evening with food and plenty of water is safe on occasion. There are 140-150 cals in either one of those mixed drinks so also not a deal breaker! A lite beer or spiked seltzer is 100 calories so another safe option.
How do you feel about intermittent fasting?
I recommend a 12-hour fast for EVERYONE — as in, you finish dinner at 7 pm, and the kitchen is closed until 7 am. If you want to push it to 14 hours and have breakfast @9 am I am ok with it but only IF you are not getting up early (like 6 am) and exercising before work. Then I want you to eat within an hour of finishing your workout! I wouldn’t say I like these 16-18 hour fasts that have become popular and I have not read anything to convince me otherwise. I feel 3 evenly spaced meals and 1 snack — eating roughly every 4 hours — and a 12-hour with window with NO food is the best formula for weight loss and maintenance.
Yesterday I was invited by Sarah of Hybrid Media with my friend stylist Tina from Wardrobe Envy to view the fabulous Pologeorgis luxury outerwear sample sale. OMG!!! It was incredible. All items were between 30 to 50 percent off and the designs were out of this world. Nick the owner was informative and recommended some beautiful things for us to try on. I have highlighted some of my favorites below. Their new shop is located at 25 Lewis Street in Greenwich and Nick decided to open during the pandemic at the urging of his friend and client Aerin Lauder, so you know it has to be fabulous!!!! The sale is extending one more week and you can also contact them at 212.563.2250 to make an appointment to see everything as well.
Pologeorgis is a pioneer in forging relationships between fashion designers and the fur industry. Since the first collection designed by Pierre Balmain in the 1970s, Pologeorgis has collaborated with numerous prestigious fashion labels including Michael Kors, Derek Lam, and Zac Posen.
Here is Tina is the most luxurious fur-trimmed cardigan.
These fur-trimmed hair clips are adorable…such a great bday gift for your besties!!!
This is really one of my favs….the Dr. Scholls…How cute would these be with white jeans!!!??
I look the little mink bag out on the town…I want every color now!!!
Vests are the most requested pieces from my readers…these are 2 incredible choices
This cape was amazing…..So classic and so chic…
This is one of my favorite pieces of all time…a cropped leather jacket…how amazing with any outfit all year round??!!!!!! We all NEED one ASAP and it’s a great price!!!
It was hard to deicde which we liked the best!!!
Watch this video with Nick to learn more about Pologeorgis and all of the beautiful pieces available…