Pregnancy Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Oh My Heartsie Girl

August 15, 2019

What Science Says: Is the Pregnancy Glow Real?

What Science Says Is The Pregnancy Glow Real

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At some point in your pregnancy, you probably got comments about your skin’s glow or radiant appearance. Prior to having a baby, you’ve been so religious with skincare routines, but you still get a pimple here and there. Who knew growing a bump will be the fix, right? But is the pregnancy glow truly real? Or are people just too kind towards the pregnant lady? And you’ve gotten carried away by people’s praises that you start to believe it, too?

The Real Deal about Pregnancy Glow

The short answer is that pregnancy glow is real. But contrary to what your aunt says, it has nothing to do with your baby’s gender. It’s also not your own happiness creating this. There are many factors as to why you’re radiant. For one, it’s the changes in the hormone levels. When you get pregnant, estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin increase. Inside your body, these body chemicals help prepare the uterus and nurture the baby into further development. On the outside, they give off that flushed-look on the skin.

Another reason for the glow is the fact that your body pumps more blood to support the growing baby. As noted by a doctor of obstetrics in Provo, this increased blood volume causes blood vessels to dilate, again leaving a nice, warm blush in your appearance. Both the hormone changes and stronger blood flow cause the body to produce more oils, making for the blooming look. There’s no specific time as to when women get the glow. It’s simply when the peak of the pregnancy changes happen. For most people though, it’s during the second trimester.

Absence of the Glow

Not all pregnant women will get the glow though. If you don’t experience it, that shouldn’t be a cause of concern. It just means your skin responds differently to what’s happening inside your body. As mentioned earlier also, given that sebum production increases, there’s also the possibility of developing acne. If you had pimples in the past or experience breakouts at the start of your menstrual cycle, you’re most likely to develop this while pregnant. Resist the urge of self-medications. Some acne treatments may be harmful to the baby, so make sure to consult your doctor first before applying or taking any treatments.

Aside from acne, other pregnant women may also notice brown spots on the skin. The stark contrast of pregnancy glow, this is called the ‘pregnancy mask.’ This happens due to hyperpigmentation as the body releases more melanin, again, as a result of hormone changes. These should go away after giving birth. But do note that too much sun exposure can exacerbate them. So apply sunscreen every day. Choose products whose active ingredient is zinc oxide and/or titanium oxide, because they’re hypoallergenic. Those that offer SPF 30 and up will do. Re-apply it every three hours.

Is pregnancy glow real? Yes, it is. It’s one of the natural changes you can expect while expecting. But at the same time, you can also expect the pregnancy mask, the not-so-pretty aspect of having a baby. All the same, for a healthy nine-month journey, welcome and embrace the changes, whatever they are. Good and bad.
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Related:
3 Reasons Yoga Is Great for Moms and Kids
10 Household Products To Save Busy Moms Time
5 Easy Home DIY Projects for Expectant Mothers

October 31, 2018

Post Baby: Snapping Back to Your Old Self

Becoming a mom is a wonderful experience, but sometimes you can lose yourself in the process. Once you give birth, everything is all about the baby, as it should be, of course, being that we are their protectors and nurturers, but getting back to your “pre-baby” self is just as important.

Maybe you enjoyed hot yoga or going to get your hair and nails done…just because you brought a wonderful human being into the world, doesn’t mean you have to stop doing what you enjoy or change what makes you, you.

The biggest change you experience post-baby is your body. It’s definitely an adjustment, to say the least, but it also doesn’t mean you’re defeated…in fact, the changes your body goes through after giving birth should be looked at as empowering.

Women are powerful beings and are capable of limitless things. So we are going to look at how to get our bodies back to how we looked before our bundles of joy.

Get Your Mind Right

We’ve all heard the saying “you can do it if you put your mind to it.” Well that saying is very true. We have to have it in our minds that we want to get back to our old selves…we are our biggest critic.

After having a baby, you’re of course going to be tired, sleep deprived, and probably cranky. Some perks are that your parents, friends, and family are all going to be there for you for support…a lot of times, they’ll be happy to babysit, even if it’s just for a couple of hours to give you a break for a nap.

There’s just something about babies that make people cater to your every need..take full advantage of that!

Remember, we are only talking about our mindset right now. Having the right, the positive mindset will be the motivational jumpstart you need on the road to new beginnings. This whole process starts with you. Your mind can defeat you before you even get started…if you let it.

Water Water Water

When trying to get your body to bounce back to what it once was, water is crucial. It provides the hydration you need without the added calories.

Being that our bodies are made mostly of water, it’s an essential part of our body’s functions and processes. Drinking water aids in the elimination process, flushing out wastes, as well as digestion.

If you’re having trouble with controlling your portions, a trick you can do is drink a glass of water before eating your meal; it will help you feel full faster. The goal is to eat untill you feel content, not necessarily full. A lot of times we’ll eat and say “I’m stuffed,” when really, we should eat to live, not live to eat.

Diet

It’s very important to make sure you’re eating, and eating enough. Skipping a meal is so easy to do when your dealing with the demands of a new baby.

Breakfast is a common meal people skip all the time. A trick you can do is eat when your baby eats. If you’re an on-the-go mom, then an on-the-go breakfast is more fitting for you.

For lunch and dinner, sometimes, it’s a lot easier to grab something quick, like chips, cookies, or ordering a pizza, but on the road to renewal, being aware of what we eat and how much we eat is key.

Don’t give up what you enjoy, just be mindful. Remember, we’ve already established the determination mentally, now we just have to apply the determination and be disciplined to eat right.

Exercise

Exercise is also a key component to your snapback body. You don’t have to go to a gym and kill yourself. The goal is to get your heart rate pumping.

Getting your heart rate up can take the forms of walking or jogging, riding a bike, or swimming. You can even include your little one in the mix. Pull out the stroller and take the baby on a morning stroll with you.

There’s really no perfect way to exercise. If you’re at home, put your favorite song on repeat and dance your heart out! Exercise in combination with eating right is truly the best way to snap back.

Exercising increases your metabolism, which in turn, boosts your energy levels. And energy is just the thing you need when adding another little human being to life…but with exercise, it’ll make the load a little lighter.

Go At Your Own Pace

Pace is one of the biggest causes of giving up and having feelings of defeat. You must know that there is no specific time frame you have to follow to get your pre-baby body back.

It can be hard to mentally stay positive when you see that it took Khloe Kardashian 3 weeks to get her body back post-baby, but you also have to consider these celebrities lifestyles too. Many of these celebrities have personal trainers that come and work them out. They also have personal nutritionists that will prepare their food…they don’t have to lift a finger.

Whether you need to lose weight or gain weight, only you know your body and what works for it. If it takes you 3 months to bounce back that great! If it takes you a year and a half to bounce back, that’s great too! The point is that you’re consistent and you keep pushing, so don’t limit yourself to anyone’s timeline.

Help Other Moms

Nobody really talks about the struggles moms go through everyday post-baby. There may be other moms out there experiencing the same kind of feelings as you, and it’s so helpful to communicate with others about it.

One thing that’s really helpful is starting a blog about it. The first step you want to take in starting a blog would be to pick and register a memorable and relevant domain name. Doing this will allow you to share your story and help other moms in the process.

A long time ago, they used to say that to raise a child, it takes a village, well that saying is true for the most part. The only difference now is that, that village, has now spread across the world wide web. That’s not a bad thing either. Helping other moms around the world by sharing your story and experiences is a wonderful thing.

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Related:
Tips for a Happy Pregnancy
Focusing On Your Health During Pregnancy
Things to Figure Out Before Having a Baby

July 27, 2018

How To Enjoy Being Pregnant

Being pregnant is life-changing, and you should try to enjoy every moment of it as much as you can! Pregnancy can be a test of your endurance; it not only takes you through emotional turmoil and hormonal changes, but it also changes your body shape. Too often the negative outcome of being pregnant is focused on, hindering one from focusing on the many joys of expecting a new baby.

Rather than going through your pregnancy being anxious, there are many ways you can enjoy the passing months; here are some of them.

Get Help From Friends And Family

Getting lots of support can help reduce stress during pregnancy. Loving support from friends and family can serve as a foundation of security and growth for an expectant mother and baby. It also significantly contributes to a healthy pregnancy, childbirth and parenting experience.

Practice Yoga And Meditation

Exercising while pregnant is very beneficial to both you and your unborn child. It is best to stick to light exercises such as yoga, which is safe to practice as long as you take certain precautions. Yoga calms down your mind and body and helps you breathe and relax, which enables you to adjust to the mental and physical demands of pregnancy, labor, and childbirth. It may also help to reduce postpartum depression according to some studies.

Also, through yoga, you are relieved of physical and emotional stress. By attending prenatal yoga classes, you meet other expectant mothers you can quickly bond with and take the pregnancy journey together.

Have A Baby Shower

Having a baby shower is a beautiful way of celebrating your pregnancy. A baby shower is a perfect way of bringing all your friends together and catching up with them without having to visit them individually. The baby shower is going to be about you and the baby, so you get to choose the theme you want from a vast number of baby shower theme ideas for girls and boys. It includes tropical baby shower theme and the bumblebee theme.

Do Not Stress Too Much

To enjoy your pregnancy, take time off specific activities to relax and generally cut back on chores. You need to focus on yourself and the baby to avoid any complication. During pregnancy, it is very common and usual to worry about the health of the baby, the food and drinks to consume and how the baby will change your life. However, it should not be all-consuming that it affects your daily functioning.

Socialize More

Socializing helps boost your confidence and protects you against the effects of stress and loss. You can join or create a support group, exercise group or any similar form of a community group. To enjoy your pregnancy, you need all the support and attention you can get to ward off loneliness and depression.

In conclusion, it is essential you take the time to fully relax and enjoy every moment of your pregnancy. After all, your new bundle of joy will be arriving before you realize and the journey of parenthood begins!

July 13, 2018September 27, 2020

How To Budget For a Baby: A Guide For New Parents

Once you bring your baby home from the hospital, you’ll quickly find that a child is expensive. From clothes to diapers to food to childcare, it’s not cheap to raise a child these days. In fact, estimates show that the cost of raising a child tops out at over $233,000. With that in mind, it’s important when to budget before your baby is even born. Here’s how to do it.

Budgeting Basics Still Apply

You may have heard that Europe’s childcare costs are higher, but it’s pricey to raise a child anywhere. That’s why you need to break out your basic budgeting skills and get to work. It’s important to anticipate child-related expenditures and budget them into your monthly spending. A simple spreadsheet is the easiest way to stay on track. A simple log of income and buying will help you balance your child’s needs with your paycheck. budgeting when preparing for a baby seems non-existent but it can be done. By following these steps in articles prepared by
Financial Priorities: Retirement vs. College Savings

Most financial experts will tell you that it’s more important to save for your own retirement than your child’s college. That might not be a comfortable thing to consider, but most college students have access to loans and grants to get them through. The same cannot be said for retirement and you must be prepared for your later years by putting money away now, even if that means you can’t fund your child’s college education.

Practice Living on Less

One of the best ways to save on anything, including child-related expenses, is to live below your means. That means not moving to a bigger and newer house every time you get a raise and not buying your child the latest pair of pricey basketball shoes. Living on less enables you to save money for the future and teaches your child a valuable lesson about financial responsibility.

Anticipate Ongoing Changes to Expenses

While you can expect to spend some amount of money on your child each month, those expenses change. For example, your teen child is going to cost a lot more money in groceries than your toddler. However, you won’t need diapers once your child hits preschool and is potty trained. You’ll also need to take into account school fees for your kids as they get older. Anticipating these changes makes it easier to budget accordingly so that you aren’t coming up short at the end of the month.

When There Just Isn’t Enough

It’s no secret that raising kids is expensive, but there’s help out there if you find there isn’t enough. Public assistance programs can help you find affordable housing and provide you with enough food to feed your family. Other ways to make ends meet include finding a part-time job to supplement your income, cutting unnecessary costs, such as cable television or your morning Starbucks run. You might also consider shopping for clothes and other items at second-hand stores where you can save a lot of cash on stuff your kids need.

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