LilSugar

Would You Buy Pregnancy Products by These Names?

LilSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:00:53 -0800

You can't judge a book by its cover, but can you pick on a product line because of its name? LeastLikely2Breed sells a line of remedies ($6 - $18) for expectant and new mamas. From stretch mark potion to nipple salve and hemorrhoid ointment to vaginal jelly, there's even some diaper rash balm for baby. But the names of the products are another story. In your ninth month of pregnancy, would you find humor or insult in rubbing Whale Oil ($12) on your big belly?

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me? The "H" Word

babysugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 06:00:59 -0700

There are a few nasty lil secrets about pregnancy that only your closest girlfriends divulge. I was unaware of the "H" factor until a friend who shared my same due date called me and inquired, "I have got the worst hemorrhoids! Do you?!" Sympathetic and embarrassed for her, I was relieved to answer, "heavens no!"

My OB/GYN says that about half of her patients develop the unsightly and irritating condition at some point during the child-bearing stage. Many women deal with them in the third trimester while others get them during labor. Constipated mothers often get them as a result of straining during bowel movements, excess weight gain, and sitting or standing for long periods of time.

To see how mothers can treat or even prevent hemorrhoids, read more.
The March of Dimes recommends the following steps to keep your bum happy.

Drink plenty of liquids. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water each day. One to two glasses of fruit juices, such as prune juice, is also helpful.
Eat foods high in fiber. Eat raw fruits, vegetables, bran cereals, and other sources of fiber. If you are also suffering from increased gas, introduce fiber into your diet gradually. Wheat bran is a good fiber supplement, since it causes less gas than other fiber-rich foods.
Exercise regularly. Walking and engaging in other safe activities for at least 30 minutes per day help the digestive system do its work. Always be sure to find out from your healthcare provider what exercises are safe for you and how long you can maintain your exercise program.
Don't delay. Always go to the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge. When you delay, it becomes harder to pass stool.
Don't gain too much weight. Gain a sensible amount of weight. Stay within the guidelines your healthcare provider sets. Excess pounds put additional pressure on your abdomen, increasing your chances of getting hemorrhoids.
Avoid long periods of standing or sitting. If you must sit for long periods, get up and move around for a few minutes every hour or so. When lying down, lie on your left side to help take the pressure off.

For relief, try these steps.

Soak your rectal area in warm water for 10 to 20 minutes at a time several times a day. At most drug stores, you can get a sitz bath that you can use for this. A sitz bath is a small basin that fits over the seat of the toilet.
Ask your healthcare provider about which over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams are safe to use.
Use unscented, white brands of toilet paper. Some women find it helpful to wipe the anal area with moist towelettes, wet toilet paper, or medicated pads instead of toilet paper.
Keep the anal area clean. Soap isn't necessary and may aggravate the problem. Be careful to gently dry the area after bathing, since moisture can cause irritation.
Apply ice packs or cold compresses for 10 minutes up to four times a day.
If a hemorrhoid begins to stick out, gently push it back into the rectal canal.

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Tell Mommy: Do You Share Pregnancy Tales With Strangers?

LilSugar — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 04:00:00 -0800

When you're pregnant it seems everyone wants to know all about you. When are you due? Boy or a girl? Have you picked a name? Are you eating fish? Do you have hemorrhoids? Avoiding questions and belly rubbers can take serious tactics, but what of sharing tales post pregnancy?

While sitting in a waiting room recently I struck up a conversation with the two other women in the room, one pregnant and one a mother. The mother-to-be was glowing, and proudly showed us her "large mango" belly while admitting she's hasn't suffered any morning sickness or discomfort yet. While I am very candid about my pregnancies and experiences as a mom, I try not to bombard others (particularly those who are carrying a child for the first time!) so I listened intently and relished her happiness and excitement about bringing a baby into the world. The other mother was less reserved, and much to the chagrin of the rest of the room, said during labor she felt like her "uterus was going to just jump out of her body."

Do you find yourself sharing battle stories and pregnancy tales with strangers, or do you hold your tongue?

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Ecotot: Earth Mama Labor Ease

LilSugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:00:00 -0800

Lots of mamas seek out natural remedies to aid with childbirth. From herbal teas to essential oils, every woman has her own stash of products that induce comfort and calm during the craziness that surrounds labor. For those without the time to run from store to store stocking up on supplies, Earth Mama Angel Baby puts a handful of organic items at your fingertips with their Labor Ease ($40) kit. The box includes basics like lip balm, socks that can be warmed and used as heating pads and stretch oil for perineal massage to help prevent episiotomies. It also contains a CD of lullabies and tea bags featuring a blend of leaves that are said to aid the body in recovering from delivery.

For those mommas who want an all natural, organic kit for other than the postpartum times that their bodies feel out of sorts, recovery sets (including a balm to help with hemorrhoids) and a breastfeeding set complete with "Bobby Tubes" that can be frozen or heated to soothe various discomforts are available.

Baby Bump: It's OK To Be Sick of Being Pregnant

LilSugar — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:00:25 -0800

Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting times in a woman's life, but don't be discouraged (or surprised) if your perpetual glow fizzles into nothing more than a flushed face that's short of breath after the first couple of months.

In the beginning, pregnancy is new and fun, but the novelty can wear off for some moms-to-be - and it's completely normal. Don't feel down on yourself if you're sick of being poked and prodded at by the doctor, and by anyone else who feels the need to touch your growing bump. From nausea, to heartburn, to hemorrhoids, to comments such as, "You're huge!" - cooking a bun in the oven is not always easy emotionally or physically, especially as you get down to the last stretch. Just do your best to keep your eye on the prize: your bundle of joy!

If you do start to feel a lil more than just down, you may want to talk to your ob-gyn, as depression does not only happen postpartum. In fact, 10-20 percent of women will experience it at any point during the nine months.

Did you ever get sick of being pregnant? Share your stories in the comments.

Mommy's Lil Helper: femé Pads

babysugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:00:48 -0700

If necessity is the mother of all invention, then why did it take so long for someone to create a product to help ease immediate postpartum discomfort? Earlier this year, lilsugar told you about the diaper ice pack nurses gave her when her son was born.

As I gear up for the birth of my second lil one, I am curious to see what is new to the market. An Australian company named SmartChoices had created a "reusable" version of Lil's pack, called femé Pads ($20 for two). The elongated oval cooling pads come with disposable gauze covers and can be used to help soothe both post-episiotomy and hemorrhoid pain. Some women I know could have used these pain relievers. It's certainly a more proper alternative to the condom popsicle!

Baby Bump: Sleeping on the Side

babysugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 08:00:00 -0700

I typically like to sleep on my side, but also delight in the belly down position.

While pregnant, I snoozed on my tummy for as long as I could "stomach" it. It wasn't until about half way into my pregnancy that I was told to slumber on my left side.

To see why that is the case, read more.

According to the American Pregnancy Association (APA):

Snoozing on your back can cause problems with backaches, breathing, digestive system, hemorrhoids, low blood pressure and decrease in circulation to your heart and your baby.

The APA recommends women sleep on their left side as the placenta and baby will benefit from the increased blood and nutrients allowed in this position.

Near the end of my pregnancy, the only way I could get some shut eye was to prop myself up in bed in a Lazy–Boy like posture. How did you rest best?
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Lil Tip: Kegels

babysugar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 04:00:53 -0800

Pregnant women often seek advice on how to have an easier labor. Nearly every doctor, nurse, and birthing class told me, "Practice your kegels!" Not really having a clue why they would help, I did some research and found that according to americanpregnancy.org, kegels can offer the following advantages:

Less chance of perineal tearing.
Less chance of urinary problems and bladder leaks.
More ability to control muscles during labor and delivery.
Less chance of developing hemorrhoids.

And the best part is that they are easy to practice - you can do them anywhere without anyone noticing. Do them while you watch television, type at work, or while you're stuck in traffic. To learn how to do them, read more for directions from americanpregnancy.org.

If you're unsure of which muscles to work with kegels, practice stopping the flow of urine when urinating to identify them.
Contract pelvic floor muscles for 10 seconds, then relax, repeating 10-20 times.
Breathe normally during the exercises.
Try not to move your leg, buttock, or abdominal muscles during the exercises.

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