LilSugar

Which Trimester, Part Two

babysugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 07:00:00 -0700

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!

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Which Trimester?

babysugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:00:28 -0700

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!

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Take the quiz

Which Trimester, Part Three!

LilSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:00:00 -0700

We've tried this before and lilsugar readers told us they had trouble remembering the 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

Baby Bump: Third Trimester Morning Sickness

LilSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:00:32 -0800

I survived two pregnancies without morning sickness, but a pregnant Sugar staffer provided me with a tidbit of information that I thought I'd share. She was sailing along smoothly in her third trimester when the dreaded morning sickness she experienced early on in the first trimester was back, and it was worse. She said:

"I was literally seven months and one day pregnant and I started feeling nauseous again. The nausea was accompanied with getting sick this time around. Like all things in pregnancy, everyone is different and some, according to my O.B., have the unfortunate return of nausea. I wish I would have known it could come back, I totally thought I was in the clear - boy was I wrong!"

So it's back to ginger ale and dry crackers for my poor pregnant colleague. But she's right, and while it's not fun, it can be common for morning sickness to surface at any point during a pregnancy.

What about you? Did you experience morning sickness in your third trimester?

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Pregnancy's Home Stretch: Swollen Feet and Ill Fitting Shoes

LilSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:00:46 -0700

My swollen feet won't fit in a pair of wedges I wore yesterday. I've officially entered the final stretch of pregnancy. While heartburn, believing my stomach can't possibly stretch anymore and the sudden need to reorganize our flat, were indications - water retention, and feeling as though my water was going to break while walking last week have sealed the deal.

As mom to two, I've been preoccupied with my daughter starting kindergarten and getting my son potty trained for preschool. But, my limited shoe supply is a big signal that this is it! I'd better dust off some flip flops and start focusing on baby who will be here in a matter of weeks. From exhaustion to cankles, every mother has her indicator that the time for the kiddo to arrive nears - what was yours?

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Pregnancy and Carpal Tunnel

LilSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:00:29 -0700

Pregnancy and motherhood are ripe with shocking, funny, embarrassing, and insightful moments. All too often we have that "how did I not know that?!" moment. We created the Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me? group in the LilSugar Community for you to share the things you wished somebody had told you, too. cheersdarlin916 shares her startling discovery:

I have been having issues with my forearms and my hands going painfully numb at night and the last couple of nights have been so bad it is causing me to loose sleep. I did some research online and then talked to a nurse at my doctor's office and sure enough I have carpal tunnel syndrome. Just when I think I get past one issue (be it nausea, insomnia, or getting GD under control) something else like this pops up. They tell me that it will likely go away within a month of having my baby but I am not even due for another three months. Good grief.

cheersdarlin916 isn't alone on this one. Studies have shown that one out of four pregnant women complain of the syndrome, usually in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Did you experience it?

We want to hear your shocking pregnancy and motherhood stories. Join our Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me? group over in our LilSugar Community and dish your tales and tips.

Prenatal Exercise Benefits Mom and Baby

LilSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:30:00 -0700

Let's get physical! The benefits of prenatal exercise have been linked to easier labors, faster postpartum recovery and improved mental health for the mama-to-be. Now, we can add healthier birth weights to that list.

The latest edition of Obstetrics and Gynecology features a study in which researchers have discovered a direct link between exercise during a first pregnancy and a decrease in the odds of delivering a larger baby. According to the study, women who exercise at least three times a week in the second and third trimesters of their first pregnancy reduce the odds of delivering a baby weighing more than 8.8 pounds by as much as 28 percent. Exercise habits before pregnancy did not appear to affect the baby's birth weight.

Many Hollywood mamas-to-be, including Ellen Pompeo, have been seen strutting their post-workout bodies around town throughout their pregnancies and with more performance-based maternity clothes on the market, it is easier than ever to follow suit. How long did you maintain your exercise routine while expecting?

Five More Ways to Stay in Pre-Pregnancy Clothing

LilSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:00:03 -0700

As previously flat bellies turn into baby bumps and an expectant mama's clothes grow tight, a woman in her second trimester may try just about anything to extend the life of her pre-pregnancy clothes before diving into the world of maternity wear. Celebrities may opt for purchasing looser clothing in bigger sizes, but there are plenty of tricks for staying in your current clothes for a few weeks longer than expected. Check out our five additional tips for staving off a trip to the maternity store.

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Heidi Klum Shows Off Her Third Trimester Knockout Body

LilSugar — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:30:27 -0700

The glitz and glamour of a black tie affair is enough to get any mama giddy about a night on the town. Trading in the sweats for a beautiful gown and primping in front of the mirror – be it for a fancy wedding, a charity event or a school function – can make a mom forget the bickering tots she leaves at home for the evening.

Though Heidi Klum makes it look effortless, finding a maternity dress that flatters an expectant mama's assets and hides her growing bump – especially in her last trimester – is no easy feat. The supermodel and mom of three, who looks to be due any day now, showed off just how sexy pregnancy can be at the Emmy Awards. Forgoing the traditional black empire-waist maternity dress, the Project Runway host opted for a custom black strapless Marchesa gown, remarking, "I wanted something simple because I'm so big."

How have you survived a black-tie affair in the late stages of pregnancy?

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Did You Love Being Pregnant?

babysugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0700

A pregnant friend of mine recently declared, "People who say they love pregnancy are so full of it!" I had to laugh and tell her she was dead wrong, because I was one of the lucky ones who really did love the expectant state. Of course I missed out on morning sickness, which makes the first trimester more delightful than imagined. The trip down baby bump lane was also made easier by the fact that I don't care much for alcohol and gave myself permission to eat whatever my baby-growing heart desired. Though what I loved most of all were the magical kicks and flips. I consider myself fortunate that I have only fond memories of my nine months with each of my children. What was your experience?

Source: Flickr User mahalie