LilSugar

Babysugar Diaries: Preparing for a Long Flight

babysugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 08:00:21 -0700

Another weekend, another wedding. Last night, my husband and I flew from San Francisco to Martha's Vineyard for another nuptial filled weekend. Excited as I am for the celebrations, I am never thrilled for the brutal red-eye.

To make life a little easier, I brought a pregnant woman's goody bag on board with me. Here's what it included:

Knee high socks to help blood circulation in my legs.
Bottles of water (purchased after security, of course!)
Snacks - low sodium because less dehydration is best.

To see the rest of my list, read more.

Tums and Tylenol in case I started to feel ill.
Headphones, earplugs and my iPod to block out the noise.
Books, magazines, DVD Player - anything to entertain me in case sleep was out of the question.
Pillows - a donut one for my neck and a small one for my back.
Slippers so I could rest comfortably and get up and walk around with ease.

A long skirt or dress is a dream to wear on a plane as you can relax in nearly every imaginable position - seat permitting. Also, if you are flying during mealtimes, check ahead of time to see if you can request a vegetarian option. They tend to be rather bland, which can often keep a mother-to-be less nauseated than the other options.

If you have some flying tips, share them in the comments below!
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Babysugar Diaries: Flaunt Your Bump in a Bikini

babysugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:00:00 -0700

To bare the belly or not to bare it was my dilemma last week. On a trip down to San Diego, I packed a tankini, a one piece, and a bikini.

On the first beach day, I donned the tankini. After tugging down on it throughout the day, I was ready to toss it in the ocean. For fear of frightening other beach goers, I decided to slip on my one piece the following day. I assumed it would be the most comfortable and practical option, but it proved otherwise. My tummy stretched the boob line way below acceptable levels, and it made me look like a blob. Displeased, I quickly changed into my bikini. Although I looked much plumper, I actually felt more confident than I usually do in a two piece. With my baby-hatching belly on parade, I didn't worry about my typical insecurities.

Other beach moms complimented me on my bare belly, while I am sure others glared from beneath their shades. Either way, I was relieved to feel secure (both physically and mentally) in my sand suit. So here's what I say - if you've got a baby bump, flaunt it.

What's your take on bikinis during pregnancy?

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Do You Think Fergie Is Preggie?

babysugar — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:00:00 -0700

I hate to speculate on pregnancies because you never know who's packing baby heat and who's just piling on the pounds. However, in Fergie's case, the "Glamorous" singer's glowing face isn't the only thing that seems fuller (see belly area).

On the other hand, her fab gams are just as thin and toned as ever.

What do you think - too much sushi or bun in the oven?
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Baby Bump: I'm Pregnant – What Can I Eat?

babysugar — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 10:00:49 -0800

One of my first cravings as a mama–to–be was brie cheese. Little did I know it was on the list of foods to avoid when you're expecting. I didn't find that out until I was two months pregnant at my first prenatal appointment.

That's when I got the list of foods and beverages to avoid for the remainder of my pregnancy. I knew alcohol and caffeinated sodas were off the menu but wished someone had told me earlier to be wary of unpasteurized cheeses and deli meats. I panicked that my unborn babe might contract listeria from a sandwich I had eaten. Luckily, she was fine. To check out the foods to avoid, read more.

WebMD has a great article on steering clear of certain foods while expecting. Here's the list:

Certain types of fish: Swordfish, shark, tilefish, king mackerel, limit canned albacore tuna fish. These large fish harbor higher levels of methylymercury, a metal detrimental to a growing child's brain and nervous system. Pregnant and nursing women may safely eat up to 6 ounces of albacore ("white') tuna fish as part of their weekly total limit of 12 ounces of seafood low in mercury, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This also includes salmon, shrimp, canned light tuna, pollock, and catfish.

Fish caught in rivers, lakes, streams, or any other body of water. Recreational anglers may hook fish contaminated with bacteria or chemicals. Check the safety of fish from your favorite fishing grounds with your local health department.

Raw or undercooked meats: Red meat, poultry, seafood (like raw oysters, clams, sushi), and eggs (including eggs in cookie dough and cake batter). Undercooked animal foods may contain a variety of bacteria and viruses. Use a meat thermometer to determine how well done the meat and poultry are, and cook eggs until they are no longer runny.

Hot dogs and luncheon meats: This includes deli ham, turkey, bologna, and salami. They are fine to eat if they have been reheated until steaming hot. These foods are prone to Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that causes listeriosis, which may result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or other serious health problems.

Unpasteurized dairy foods: These can include some milk and certain cheeses, such as Brie, feta, Camembert, Roquefort, blue-veined, "queso blanco," "queso fresco," and Panela; refrigerated pates or meat spreads; and refrigerated smoked seafood, such as salmon, trout, whitefish, cod, tuna, or mackerel (most often labeled as "nova-style," "lox," "kippered," "smoked," or "jerky"). These foods may contain harmful levels of listeria bacteria. Refrigerated smoked seafood is safe when it's part of a cooked dish, like casseroles.
[Lil note: Many cheeses in the US are pasteurized though, in which case they are fine. But if you are traveling abroad, you might want to play it safe and avoid it all together.]

Unpasteurized juices: Juices such as cider purchased from roadside stands, at farms, or in stores can be prone to germs, including E. coli. Check the label to be sure juice is pasteurized.

Raw vegetable sprouts: The FDA says sprouts are not a good idea for anyone, especially pregnant women who are more susceptible to the health effects of the germs sprouts possess. Examples of raw vegetable sprouts are alfalfa sprouts, clover, radish, and mung bean.

Herbal supplements and teas: Herbs are natural, but herbal products have not been studied enough to recommend them during pregnancy.

Alcohol: Beer, wine, and spirits rob developing cells of oxygen, making normal development impossible. The effects of alcohol on intellectual prowess are irreparable. According to the March of Dimes, there is no known safe level for alcohol consumption in pregnancy.

Tap water in undeveloped countries: Drink bottled water to avoid bacteria and viruses.

Certain foods that cause food allergy. Depending on your family history, your child may be at risk for developing food allergies. Avoiding foods including peanuts and peanut products during pregnancy (and nursing) may reduce allergy risk in susceptible children. Before you make any changes to your diet, speak with a licensed health care professional about your child's risk for allergy and consult with a registered dietitian knowledgeable about food allergy.

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Lil Gift Guide: The Pregnant Friend

babysugar — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 14:00:23 -0800

For our first gift-guide post, we are thrilled that the person we are giving to is the mother-to-be. Having been one, it was hard to narrow down just a few items that I liked when I was pregnant. Here are three presents that any pregnant lady would love (and need).

Under $50
My hot mama friends and I love Belly Mama Belly Oil (4 fl. oz. for $24). There are tons of belly rubs to choose from, but this one is great for stretch marks and dry skin - all the things a mom-to-be wants to avoid!

To check out the rest of my gift guide, read more

$50 to $100
When she's in the hospital with swollen ankles and sore parts, the last thing she will feel is cute. Dear Johnnies ($65 – $70) makes adorable pajamas and robes for women who have just had their babies. Their motto is "special gowns for special deliveries." These punch-colored gowns and polka-dotted robes will give the new mom just the pep she needs for all of those hospital paparazzi moments!

Over $100
As a woman's belly grows so does her sleep discomfort. You can help remedy the restless nights by getting your friend a body pillow that will mold to her form. The Tempur-Pedic Body Pillow ($150) may set you back just a tad but your friend will be eternally grateful.

The Horror of MTV's New Show, 16 and Pregnant

LilSugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:14:12 -0700

MTV's new show 16 and Pregnant about kids having kids is hard to watch. Last night's episode featured Maci and Ryan, a Chattanooga, TN, couple who accidentally conceived and were staying together to raise their baby. At 16, Maci got pregnant by her first boyfriend while doing the "hokey pokey" and announced the news to her mother via a text message. After 30 hours of labor, she gave birth to their healthy and darling son, Bentley.

While the teenage mama enrolled in college, worked part time for her father, and participated on dance team, her mom babysat. New papa Ryan worked, exercised, hung out with his friends, and slept. Though he barely held the baby and acted annoyed anytime his fiancé asked him to feed or change the infant, he showed his love for his lil boy by getting an enormous tattoo of his son's name across his body. While MTV is trying to give teens a sneak peek at the realities of young parenthood, it's impossible to view the program and not feel sorry for the poor kids born into these ignorant situations and worry how their lives will pan out.

Women Didn't Know They Were Pregnant Until Babies Arrived!

babysugar — Thu, 14 May 2009 07:00:16 -0700

Women who have experienced a stereotypical pregnancy complete with morning sickness, weight gain, and exhaustion may have a hard time believing fellow mothers who swear they didn't know they were pregnant until they gave birth. Having watched a few of the I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant segments on the Discovery Health channel, I am convinced it can really happen. Do you know someone who has experienced this phenomenon?

Did You Drink While Pregnant?

LilSugar — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 08:00:05 -0800

The Office of the Surgeon General has long cautioned expectant women about drinking. It released this statement in 2005.

"We must prevent all injury and illness that is preventable in society, and alcohol-related birth defects are completely preventable," Dr. Carmona said. "We do not know what, if any, amount of alcohol is safe. But we do know that the risk of a baby being born with any of the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders increases with the amount of alcohol a pregnant woman drinks, as does the likely severity of the condition. And when a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, so does her baby. Therefore, it's in the child's best interest for a pregnant woman to simply not drink alcohol."

Still many pregnant women drink. While with child, did you indulge or err on the side of caution?

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Lil Find: Pregnant Paper Dolls

babysugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:00:01 -0700

At some point during your pregnancy, you have to take a step back and laugh at the whole situation. Your ankles are swollen and you're wearing clothes you said you would never put on your body. You can't remember the last time you saw your toes - where is the 40 week glow?

Remember your sense of pre-pregnancy humor with Pregnant Paper Dolls ($12), a set of cut-out paper dolls and maternity wear for each trimester. The set includes clothing and accessories for four paper dolls with varying belly sizes to represent different stages of fetal development, as well as the postpartum period. And for the mamas-to-be who want marriage before carriage, a pregnant wedding gown is included.

Do You Judge Pregnant Women Who Drink?

LilSugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:00:08 -0800

I've been at a few festivities lately where I've noticed very visibly pregnant women imbibing in a festive drink or two. While sixty percent of lilsugar readers said you wouldn't take a chance by drinking while expecting, do you judge mamas-to-be who do?

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