LilSugar

Do You Know Your Trimesters?

babysugar — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 11:27:45 PDT

Moms-to-be have bookshelves filled with pregnancy books that tell them everything they need to know about their pregnancies. But how much of that information do you retain? From conception to birth, a pregnancy is filled with constant changes, both for the mother and the baby. How well do you know your fetal development? Take these quizzes to test your knowledge!

Which Trimester, Part 1

Which Trimester, Part 2

Which Trimester, Part 3

Which Trimester, Part Two

babysugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 07:00:00 PDT

Last week some lilsugar readers said you had trouble remembering your stages of fetal development. From conception to birth, a pregnancy is filled with changes for both mother and babe. Let's see if you brushed up on the subject. Take this quiz to further test your knowledge!

Source

Take the Quiz

Which Trimester?

babysugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:00:28 PDT

From conception to birth, a pregnancy is filled with constant changes, both for the mother and the baby. How well do you know your fetal development? Take this quiz to test your knowledge!

Source

Take the Quiz

Lil Links: The Case Against High Heels in Pregnancy

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:32:46 PST

Does Jessica Simpson need to ditch the heels while pregnant? - The Stir
Is Maddox Jolie-Pitt taking flying lessons? - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Why Elizabeth Banks chose surrogacy - Celebrity Baby Blog
Surviving cancer and your first trimester - FitPregnancy
Tips for handling baby's first 100 days - Parenting
Fun things to do with baby indoors - The Bump
Homebirth advocate dies after giving birth at home - Momformation
Help kids understand static electricity with these fun activities – Tecca
Celeb moms are open to their kids' gay, straight, transgender lifestyles - Yahoo! Shine
Why kids lie, cheat, and steal! - Real Simple

Molly Sims Debuts Baby Bump; Discusses Ways to Document Pregnancy

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:32:00 PST

Celebrate that growing belly! Four months into her pregnancy, Molly Sims is officially celebrating the end of the first trimester and the visible signs of her growing baby. The mama-to-be "officially" revealed her baby bump on her web site today, launching her new project of documenting her pregnancy with monthly photos.

Molly's not the first expectant mama record her journey for future reflection. From plaster belly casts that can be shown off to family and friends to time-lapse videos to be shared on YouTube, here are six fun ways to commemorate a mom-to-be's midsection.

Source: Molly Sims

From the Community: Exercises to Avoid Later in Pregnancy

OnSugar — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:31:42 PST

Recently, OnSugar blogger Coach Lark Says offered advice on how to work out while you're pregnant and in your first trimester. Here's a follow-up post with more advice on exercises to avoid in your second and third trimesters.

In my last post, I went over the benefits to exercising while pregnant and listed some basic guidelines.

In the second and third trimester, you should limit or avoid altogether:

Supine (back lying) exercises, especially exercises where the legs are not moving. These can cause some circulatory problems with blood returning back to your heart from your uterus.

Two more exercises to limit in your second and third trimesters after the break.

Hilary Duff's High-Energy Prenatal Piloxing Workout

Self — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:39:32 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

Some women may take it easy during their last trimester, but Hilary Duff isn't the type to let her workouts slide just because she's eating for two. The singer-actress may be seven months pregnant, but according to her trainer of eight years, Vivica Jensen, she's still staying fit with biweekly Piloxing sessions. "Piloxing is the first fitness program that blends the best of Pilates, boxing, and dance into a high-energy, hour-long interval workout," says Jensen, who created the hybrid class. "I put a lot of focus into balance and alignment, which can be thrown off when you're pregnant. You also get a great cardio workout, and the boxing element tones your arms and legs."

Although Jensen has tweaked Duff's workouts to accommodate her pregnancy, she's quick to point out that the mom-to-be is no slouch in the gym. "Since Hilary was already in good shape, she's able to do everything but at her own pace with a few modifications like taking more breaks to drink water and catch her breath when her heart rate goes up and not doing advanced ab exercises," says Jensen.

As her due date draws near, the former Lizzie McGuire star is also preparing her body for the hardships of labor. That means plenty of arm, leg, chest, and core exercises. "For now, I'm focusing on her core muscles because I want those muscles intact so she has an easier delivery," says Jensen. Just don't expect Mrs. Comrie to stay bedridden for very long since "Hilary loves being healthy and has always been very active. Once she gets the OK from her doctor, we're really going to kick it up a notch," says Jensen. "She's tough with amazing form, so I'm able to work her hard and really kick her butt!"

Want to stay fit throughout all nine months of your pregnancy (or even if you're not eating for two!)? Incorporate four moves into your regular workout routine to get buff like Duff. Read on for the moves.

From the Community: Trainer Tips For Exercising While Pregnant

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:31:53 PST

OnSugar blogger Coach Lark Says encourages his pregnant clients to exercise while pregnant - safely, of course. He shares a few tips on how to exercise when pregnant below.

Here are some of the best reasons to exercise when you are pregnant, which I have gathered from a variety of sources.

Better psychological wellbeing
Reduced incidence of gestational diabetes
Decreased incidence of preclampsia
Reduced lower back pain
Improved weight management
Improved fetal development
Easier or shorter labor
Decreased risk of premature labor
Greatly reduced incidence of abdominal surgery during delivery

Of course, it’s important to modify your workout to accommodate and support the pregnancy. But that doesn’t mean you can’t work out as hard. Maintaining the workout intensity you had going into your pregnancy is exactly what you want to do. It’s not time to start a new program. It is time to work the core in three planes of motion to strengthen the abdominals for pushing during labor. When I work with expecting moms at my training facility at the Bentley Reserve in downtown San Francisco, I advise them according to the following parameters.

Read his tips after the break.

Giuliana Rancic Opens Up About Her Double Mastectomy

Mackenzie Wagoner — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:20:04 PST

What to Skip When Shopping For Baby

LearnVest — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:15:45 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

By the last few months of every woman’s third trimester, she’s inevitably faced with one of life’s most intimidating situations: baby shopping.

No matter whether you had your most recent child years ago or are currently expecting, I’m sure you’re familiar with the situation.

You walk into your local baby store brimming with excitement and confidence, ready to stock up for your little one. Ten minutes later, after seeing floor-to-ceiling walls of bottles, swaddling blankets, baby food containers and strollers of every variety, that confidence plummets. Or it morphs into apathy that has you reaching for the chocolate and telling yourself your baby would be fine sleeping in a box.

At least, that’s how it was with me.

Thankfully, you don’t need everything you see at the baby store-nor do you need to be drowning in debt to provide a happy home for your little one. As it turns out, a lot of the items listed on the “must buy for your baby” checklists given out by big box baby stores aren’t essential at all.

If you’re way past the baby stage, share your wisdom with other budding moms in LearnVest Discussions.

As for me, here’s what I’ve found you can skip:

Bottle Sterilizer

Keeping your baby’s bottles germ-free is the best way to prevent infection and upset tummies. But you don’t need to pay upwards of $80 for an electric sterilizer that will take up a lot of kitchen counter space. Instead, try this Munchkin one for $18. It fits all size bottles, takes up no space and sterilizes your feeding accessories in the microwave in three minutes.

Read on for more items to skip.