Archive for January 2008
Flu Season
The holiday season is now over and winter is coming to an end. Stress and hectic schedules give in to feelings of exhaustion. Overworked and tired you set aside time for some R&R hoping you will feel like your old self again. Unfortunately, that may not be the case as it turns out that you are suffering from a cold or worse, the flu. In the United States, the flu season ranges from November through March peaking from December through March. Here are some tips on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu: be vaccinated, take everyday preventative actions against germs, and take antiviral drugs if prescribed by your doctor.
Add comment January 29, 2008
Push past the pain
After a long day of packing and moving boxes, Sunday I woke up with a lower back ache. With our percussion massager packed away in storage I was left with no other choice than to use a pillow to elevate my lower back and remain in bed until late Sunday morning. I woke up feeling much better until I moved and realized that during my mid-morning nap, I slept on my shoulder funny and that was now in pain. I find it unbelievable how now matter what I do, no matter how much precaution I take, I manage to end up in pain one way or the other. Oh well. It’s a very small price to pay for the little bundle of joy we are expecting.
Add comment January 28, 2008
Coping with Stress
Coping with daily challenges and responsibilities can be well. . . stressful. Keeping on top of things at work, spending time with family, and maintaining friendships can eventually become overwhelming and take a toll on you mentally and physically. Now add to the mix, expecting a child. Here are some quick tips on how to relieve stress during pregnancy:
- Be willing to give up some control over the lifestyle you have worked so hard to attain
- Communicate with your spouse
- Know your limits
- Learn as much about pregnancy as possible
- Allow yourself to relax
- Talk to yourself – and write it down
In addition to these coping mechanisms, yoga can help alleviate stress by calming your mind and body.
Add comment January 25, 2008
Snoring and Pregnancy
Among the many physical changes that has overcome my body in the last few months I must admit that snoring is the most unpleasant. I did not begin snoring until I was about 6 weeks pregnant. It started out as a light, more heavier breathing than normal. In the last two months that light, heavier breathing has turned into a very loud, deep snoring. My snoring has become so bad that I wake up in the middle of the night with a sore throat and dry tongue. This is quickly resolved with a few gulps of water, but I’m wondering . . . with over 300 snoring treatment products on the market there must be one out there suitable for an expectant mother to use. I’m sure a few quick whiffs of my nasal spray would do the trick; however, that, along with my deep love of sushi, has been prohibited for the next six months. With that being said, I suppose there is nothing more that I can do other than just enjoy this incredible adventure to motherhood. In the meantime, I will just catch up on some extra zzz’s in the
afternoons and early evenings.
Add comment January 24, 2008
Maternity Wardrobe Malfunction
Shopping for new clothing is a guilty pleasure every woman is said to enjoy whether it be a new job, promotion, birthday, season change, or the very unappreciated weight gain. I recently went shopping as a result of the latter. Yesterday it became obvious that at nearly three months pregnant I’m not as flexible or thin as I was a few months ago. I was experiencing a little tightness around my mid section last week and unable to bend over because of lower back pain, I attempted to adjust the button on my pants without looking. With a valiant oomph I unbuttoned the pants popping the zipper off. It was more than obvious I needed to upgrade a few sizes. Later that day I headed to Old Navy to do some serious maternity shopping. Five pairs of pants, seven shirts, and one sweater later, I was feeling better about my 10 pound weight gain. As painful a lesson it was for me to learn share these words of advice with you “When expecting, dress each morning as if you were going to spend the day at an all you can eat buffet”.
Add comment January 23, 2008
Maternity Care
Aww pregnancy, the joyful bliss of anticipating a new life. In the past few years I witnessed friends and family experience this life changing event and imagined how wonderful the journey to parenthood would be for myself. Little did I know, I was in for the ride of my life. Nearly three months pregnant with our first child, I have never been more sick, tired, or just plain cranky. It appears as though everyone forgot to tell me having a child starts long before having a child. The last few months my husband and I have traded in our leisurely weekends to look at baby furniture, baby joggers/strollers, and nursing supplies. My husband has been just darling in that he is more than willing to go anywhere at any time to feed my what seems to be my ever growing hunger. He also reminds me every morning and every night to take my prenatal vitamins. True, I have already taken them by the time he has reminded me , but I like to give him the satisfaction of believing he is doing me a good service. Just over six months left to go and I feel as though time it running out. His or her list of needs seems to grow with each passing day: baby wipes, diapers, baby monitors, and the list goes on an on. I see how it becomes easy for one to question her ability to take on the world let alone this child. Nevertheless, it is an absolute dream come true.
Add comment January 18, 2008
