LilSugar

Baby Bump: Coping With Pregnancy Acne

LilSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:00:03 -0800

Stop seeing spots and start enjoying your pregnancy. It's upsetting for an expectant mama to find her once flawless skin covered in blemishes, but instead of committing to nine months of hats and big sunglasses, there are a few things a mommy-to-be can do to keep her skin (and her confidence level) in check.

Don't overwash your face - two times a day is plenty. Avoid scrubbing your face with a cloth; just use your hands to gently wash off the suds.
As always, avoid squeezing and popping your pimples. You may end up with some pregnancy scars, but I doubt you'll want them to be on your face.

There are other great tips so read more.

Use a mild cleanser and an oil-free moisturizer. Look for products that are labeled "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic," such as Cetaphil. Or you could splurge for specially formulated cleansers like those from Belli ($22).
Talk to your OBGYN or dermatologist before using medicated gels or lotions with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid in them. These ingredients have not been cleared as safe during pregnancy, and your doc may advise an alternate solution.
Above all, don't let what's happening on the outside let you lose sight of the amazing thing taking place on the inside. Acne during pregnancy, while a nuisance, is completely normal and should clear up after your bundle of joy is born.

Did you get blemishes when you were pregnant?

Source

Mommy Wellness: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

LilSugar — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:00:00 -0700

One of the most common hormonal issues women face is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Affecting 1 in 15 women, PCOS is a condition in which many small cysts fill a woman's ovaries. While some women begin showing signs of the condition - through weight gain, extra facial hair, and acne - in their teens, many do not discover it until they try to conceive a baby.

According to A.D.A.M.:

In polycystic ovary disease, there are many poorly developed follicles in the ovaries. The eggs in these follicles do not mature and, therefore, cannot be released from the ovaries. Instead, they form cysts in the ovary. This can contribute to infertility. The immature follicles and the inability to release an egg (ovulate) are likely caused by low levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and higher-than-normal levels of male hormones (androgens) produced in the ovary.

Though the condition sounds frightening, the good news is that PCOS is treatable. To see how doctors diagnose this problem and treat it, read more.

During routine gynecological exams, doctors suspecting that their patients have PCOS will ask patients about their menstrual cycles and other symptoms. They will check for extra body hair and high blood pressure, while also conducting blood tests to check out blood sugar levels and hormone levels. Doctors may also suggest pelvic ultrasounds to see if there are any cysts present on the ovaries.

Should a woman be diagnosed with the condition, there are several treatments, including both birth control pills and the infertility drug Clomid. Women with PCOS who wish to conceive still have a good chance of normal pregnancies with a little medical or surgical intervention.

Source

Lil Links: Why Some Parenting Books Collect Dust

LilSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:00:28 -0700

Parenting books you can't live without - The Poop
What are you telling your kids about the economy? - Parent Dish
Travis Barker can't wait to hold his kids again - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Suri Cruise and her mama share a smile - Celebrity Baby Blog
Pregnancy acne that just won't quit, even three years later - Alpha Mom
Vaccine tracker helps mom keep tabs on her tots' shots - The Bump
When kids aren't what mom and dad had in mind - Cookie
What's the best baby carrier - Inhabitots