It’s blazing hot here in the south. I can recall from my past pregnancies that being pregnant in the summer is not fun, especially if you are in the third trimester of your pregnancy. Being pregnant typically makes you feel hotter regardless of what season it is but during the summer when the heat isn’t just caused by your hormones, getting comfortable and staying cool can be challenging. Dr. Nardone, an OBGYN in Rhode Island advises expectant mothers to pay attention to the heat index.

“If the heat index (meaning how hot the temperature feels because... more

The recently released results of a new study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology show that there is a correlation between the amount of caffeine a pregnant woman consumes and miscarriage.

Most doctors warn pregnant women to cut back on their caffeine intake, but this study is saying that pregnant women should avoid caffeine in any form (coffee, tea, soft drinks, etc) because pregnant women who consume caffeine (even in small amounts) are at a higher risk of miscarriage than those who do not. This study involved more than 1,000 pregnant women... more

As the weather begins to get cooler, it also brings about cold season. Dealing with a cold is never any fun but is especially not fun during pregnancy when you may already not being feeling your best and when you are limited as to what medications you can take to ease cold symptoms.

Symptoms of a cold during pregnancy don’t differ from the normal symptoms of a cold, although you may feel the symptoms stronger. I can recall from pregnancy that my colds were stronger and lasted longer during pregnancy than normally. Cold symptoms include cough, congestion, sore throat, watery eyes,... more

I recently ran across an interesting article about positive affirmations during pregnancy. At first, as I was reading and thinking about what I was reading, I thought it was a little on the kooky side but as I continued to think about it, it began to make sense to me.

Think about it – how many times in pregnancy have you said or thought something negative? I think that a lot of women in unplanned pregnancies probably have low self esteem during the pregnancy and negative statements and thoughts... more

Are you having trouble sleeping during your pregnancy? You are not alone! Many women complain of this especially in the third trimester. You toss and you turn trying to get in a comfortable position, which can be hard to do with your ever expanding belly! There are some common pregnancy culprits that could be hindering your sleep. Below are some ways to deal with those culprits and get some much needed rest!

Getting up a zillion times a night to go to the bathroom? Do not drink a lot of fluids before going to bed but be sure to drink plenty through out the day so you do not get dehydrated.... more

Back aches and swollen tired feet; just a few of the pains of pregnancy! Every woman (pregnant or not) needs a little pampering every now and then to soothe her aching body and refresh her spirit.

Below are a few ideas that you can treat yourself with. They are all inexpensive and can be done from the comfort of your own home!

1. Take care of those feet with a lavender foot soak. Fill a small plastic basin with warm water and add a few drops (about 5) of lavender essential oil. Stick your feet in and soak for about ten minutes. Studies show that a ten minute soak... more

Ugh, morning sickness – it’s the most dreaded part of pregnancy for some. It’s also one of the first symptoms some women may experience cluing them in that they are indeed pregnant. Morning sickness is absolutely no fun and for some (like me!) it’s not just morning sickness. You can have all day sickness that even lasts the entire pregnancy.

If you are experiencing the woes of morning sickness, below are a few tips that may help you cope.

Stay away from spicy foods and foods that tend to have a strong reaction in the stomach. Learn to read your body so that you... more

If you are pregnant, you may have noticed that you are experiencing some mood swings. One minute, you feel happy and content and then the next minute you are crying, possibly at a sappy commercial or maybe for no real apparent reason at all!

No you are not going crazy! Mood swings are normal during pregnancy because of the hormonal changes that your body is going through in addition to the stress and turmoil you are already feeling as you deal with an unplanned pregnancy and make decisions about both yours and yours baby future. Most women find that... more

Do you have plans to be outdoors this 4th of July holiday? Perhaps you will be lounging by the pool, hanging out at the lake, or enjoying a local festival with friends and family. If not this 4th of July, at some point during the summer, you will probably be spending some time outdoors this summer. As a pregnant woman out in the sun, there are a few things you should remember.

Drink lots of water. It’s easy to get hydrated when you are outdoors for extended periods of time so be sure to drink plenty of water. Don’t forget the sunscreen!... more

One of the reasons you may be considering adoption is that your unborn baby may have been diagnosed with special needs. You may feel unequipped to parent a child with special needs.

During your pregnancy, you could find out that your child has a special need, a disability, or a medical condition, such as Down Syndrome or a heart condition or defect. Sometimes whatever may be wrong could be corrected after your baby is born and other times the problem may be uncorrectable and a life long condition, such as Down Syndrome.

For any pregnant... more