HealthyBabyNetwork.com is a network of sites that include helpful articles about pregnancy, birth and newborn care. We like to share products that are environmentally friendly and healthier alternatives for mom and baby.  We also offer many free downloads and . . . → Read More: Are You Having a Baby in 2012?]]>

Happy New Year! For all the new visitors to our sites, I just wanted to let you know a little more about us.

HealthyBabyNetwork.com is a network of sites that include helpful articles about pregnancy, birth and newborn care. We like to share products that are environmentally friendly and healthier alternatives for mom and baby.  We also offer many free downloads and services for women trying to conceive or those preparing for labor and delivery.

Our Ovulation Calendar is easy to use and will provide personalized monthly calendars to let you know when you are most fertile — giving you the best chance of conception.

Print out our Birth Plan and hospital bag checklist to make sure you have a good start on planning for the big day.

If your business is related to birth, eco-products for mom and baby or you have a blog or book that you feel would be of interest to our visitors, please contact us. We are happy to help those with a similar mission as ours — “Helping moms have the best birth experience possible“

For new and expectant moms, a twitter party can allow you to connect with professionals and get answers to your burning questions — directly . . . → Read More: Twitter Parties and Chats for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding]]>

Twitter parties are a great opportunity to connect with followers and friends. Usually an information exchange and place to find support, twitter parties and chats may also include giveaways and prizes for participation.

For new and expectant moms, a twitter party can allow you to connect with professionals and get answers to your burning questions — directly from an expert.  It’s a chance to share ideas, advice, support and friendship during a one or two-hour topic-specific “party”.

Some are regular weekly parties and others are monthly or created around a special occasion. Businesses often support or sponsor a party by offering giveaways and the host usually posts questions for participants to answer in order to win. It can be a ton of fun but a little hard to keep up with. Sign up for Hootsuite or TweetGrid to help you keep up.

Here are the top twitter parties and chats we recommend for expectant new moms:

BFCafe (#BFCafe) – All about breastfeeding. Thursdays at 10pm EST Hosted by @zealandsmom. Giveaways, fast paced, great participation. 

BFChat (#BFChat) – Covers breastfeeding topics with great info and features some giveaways. Weekly chat from 3pm- 4pm EST every Wednesday. Hosted by @GinaAtLansinoh.

Cloth Diapering (#ClothDiaper) - Cloth diapers how-to, tips and advice.  Mondays at 9pm. No official host but it looks like there is great participation and a lot of giveaways and sponsors. Regular twitter chat that’s been around almost one year!

Childbirth Educator Party (#CBEParty) Every Tuesday night at 10pm EST for Childbirth Educators. Hosted by @preparing4birth. Although this is for Childbirth Educators, anyone is welcome to follow and ask questions etc.  

Doulas (#DoulaParty) Every Friday at 10pm EST Hosted by @BirthBabiesBlog and @preparing4birth. Highly recommend this for women considering having a doula for labor and delivery.

EcoWed (#EcoWed) – Discusses ways to improve our lives through environmental choices and avoiding synthetic chemicals. 10p-11p EST every Wednesday. Hosted by @3greenangels If you want to win a eco-friendly prize for attending the party you have to RSVP. Each week RSVP for the party and then participate. You do have to attend the party!

HealthyChild (#healthychild) – Discussion about everything from vaccinations to healthier products for family. Thursdays at 9pm EST. RSVP is requested. Hosted by @Healthy_Child

Pregnancy Awareness Month  (#PAM) – Special chats organized by @PregAwareness throughout May for pregnancy awareness month. Four twitter parties Thursdays at 9-10 pm in May – one to mark each week, attendees to include green, mom and celebrity bloggers. Some giveaways but mostly info about pregnancy nutrition, fitness etc.

Postpartum Depression (#PPDChat) - Postpartum Depression, Mood Disorders and general new mom support . Two chat times 1p EST &  8:30pm EST every Monday. Hosted by @unxpctdblessing and @AtlantaMom

I am sure there are many more. If you host a twitter party that would be of interest to expecting or new moms, please comment below and I will add it to the list. Also, if any host wants to provide a more detailed description, send it along and I will add it too. Have fun!

We live in a culture obsessed with appearance and instant gratification. Terms like “mommy tuck” and “getting your body back” are common and set new moms up with unrealistic expectations.  “Does This Pregnancy Make Me Look Fat?” The Essential Guide to Loving Your Body Before and After Baby helps a mom-to-be recognize the pressures that exist . . . → Read More: Book Review: Does This Pregnancy Make Me Look Fat?]]>

We live in a culture obsessed with appearance and instant gratification. Terms like “mommy tuck” and “getting your body back” are common and set new moms up with unrealistic expectations.  “Does This Pregnancy Make Me Look Fat?” The Essential Guide to Loving Your Body Before and After Baby helps a mom-to-be recognize the pressures that exist today and how to look realistically at pregnancy and birth – especially the physical changes.

This is not a book about how to lose the baby weight – it’s a thoughtful look at women’s body image concerns during and after pregnancy as well as a guide to help moms navigate through what is realistic and how media and celebrity fuel the pressures to be “supermoms”. It doesn’t paint a rosy picture of life with a newborn and quashes the perception that celebrities give birth and can have a gorgeous baby photo shoot the next day. It also tackles a seldom discussed topic – eating disorders and pregnancy.

It’s a book that almost any expecting or new mom can relate to. Even the most grounded woman can feel insecure or pressure after having a baby. From stretch marks and intimacy concerns to hair loss, these are valid concerns that should be addressed with honesty and acceptance. “Does this Pregnancy Make Me Look Fat?” focuses on acceptance of a new body, a new style and a new love in your life – a sweet little baby.  It takes the power away from media and provides a supportive and empathetic perspective to free moms of the pressure they may feel.

What I also appreciate about this book is that it also goes beyond body image and talks about the many issues women face during pregnancy — Breast feeding struggles, how to deal with inconsiderate comments, trusting your intuition, mama mojo, and even what to pack in your hospital bag. 

I think “Does This Pregnancy Make Me Look Fat?” by Claire Mysko and Magali Amadei is a book for every expectant woman’s library. Any book that gives moms the ability to define perfection by their best effort as opposed to something that’s dictated to you,  focus on acceptance and balance, and provide advice to help teach healthy habits to their children is a book I can easily recommend.

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To learn more about the authors, Claire Mysko and Magali Amadei, visit www.DoesThisPregnancy.com and take the The Healthy Beauty Pledge for Mothers and Mothers-to-Be. To purchase a copy, visit Amazon.com

Reflective and affirming thoughts or spoken words can help you focus on what your body CAN do, what is natural and beautiful . . . → Read More: Birth Affirmations: Can They Prevent Cesarean Sections?]]>

If you search online for birth affirmations you will likely find lengthy poems, guided imagery information and many sites referencing “The Secret” but birth affirmations can still be powerful tools while being a simple practice.

Reflective and affirming thoughts or spoken words can help you focus on what your body CAN do, what is natural and beautiful about childbirth and affirm the strength you have in you to get though labor. 

Can affirmations reduce the chance of a cesarean section?

Well, birth is unpredictable so no one can guarantee any specific outcome however according to Can Birth Affirmations Help Prevent Cesarean Section? “The pain of labor often causes a chain reaction in women that can ultimately lead to a cesarean section, even though the mother could have had a normal, healthy, natural birth. Often, pain and doubting one’s ability can cause women to opt for epidural anesthesia. When given an epidural, a woman is unable to push effectively and so, is given pitocin in order to stimulate contractions.” This may lead down a path of even more medical intervention and ultimately a cesarean.

If we focus on the phrase “doubting one’s ability” then the role of affirmations may serve the purpose of reminding a woman of her strength and ability, not allowing doubt to creep in and giving mom the best chance of getting through the more challenging labor moments.

Here are some simple affirmations to memorize or write down as a reminder when you need it.

• I embrace birth as a miracle that my body can handle.
• I believe in my strength and ability.
• I feel the strong waves of labor and know that everything is as it should be. Labor is progressing.
• I trust my instinct.
• I trust my body to give birth just as my body knew how to carry this baby throughout the last nine months.
• Keep breathing, relax and accept the power I have in me.
• I am strong and can do this. I trust my body to give birth.
• Soon I will hold my new baby.
• I do not fear labor. It is natural and I am able to get through this. 
• I am strong, healthy and in control.  

Write down the words that would empower you. Most importantly surround yourself with supportive, encouraging, loving people that will help you experience the birth you want.

Your birth experience may end up being different than you expect but going into it with positive energy, awareness and focusing on the amazing, life-altering event you are experiencing may allow you to feel more empowered and in control. If fear of pain, fear of the unknown (totally normal for moms in labor) and self-doubt creep in, re-focus and ask for the emotional support you need from your support team and try to appreciate the miracle of birth.

There are many things you can do to reduce the chance of having a cesarean birth. Please read Things You Can Do to Avoid an Unecessary Cesarean from the International Cesarean Awareness Network to help you avoid a cesarean birth and  insure that your birth experience is as healthy and positive as possible.

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If you would rather listen to meditations or affirmations, you could download Pregnancy and Labor Meditations from NaturalChildbirthEssentials.com or Relaxation for Expectant Mothers by Nancy Hopps available through Amazon.com

For more information on Epidurals, please visit the International Cesarean Awareness Network and read Epidurals–Real Risks for Mother and Baby 

To help you convey your birth preferences to your birth team, print and fill out this two-page birth plan.

  1. Belleze Belly Tubes are a must -have to get the most out of a maternity wardrobe. Worn around the belly, they hide bellies and extend the length of any shirt. Check out a recent review at BabyShowerGifts.net

2. Motherhood Essentials Kit contains four great skin care products that new . . . → Read More: Top 10 Gifts for a Pregnant Woman]]>

Here are our Top 10 gift suggestions for a mom-to-be.

 
1. Belleze Belly Tubes are a must -have to get the most out of a maternity wardrobe. Worn around the belly, they hide bellies and extend the length of any shirt. Check out a recent review at BabyShowerGifts.net

2. Motherhood Essentials Kit contains four great skin care products that new moms will love. 100% phthalate-free and all ingredients are screened in medical databases to ensure safe use by nursing mothers.

 
3. Spa Gift Cards are always welcome during or after pregnancy. Comfort for sore feet and aching back. Life is busy with a new baby and having a little time just to pamper mom is always appreciated.
 

4. Maternity or Newborn Session. A growing trend is to have professional photos taken in the last few weeks of pregnancy or the first few weeks with a newborn. Moms will often look back fondly on their belly and pregnancy. A studio session before or after baby is a thoughtful gift.

5. A great diaper bag makes life easier for a new mom. Although it is a necessary item and practical gift, choosing one that is a little more expensive than most will be a luxury any mom would appreciate.

6. Baby’s First Journal is a comprehensive log book for parents to track the eating, sleeping and diapering schedules of their newborn. It makes a great gift because new moms always have a ton of concerns and keeping track in a journal will reduce worry and be a great reference for doctor’s appointments.

7. Teething Bling by Smart Mom Jewelry lets mom be fashionable and give baby something safe to chew on. Babies are always grabbing at necklaces so give mom something pretty and practical. Non-toxic, phthalate, BPA, PVC and lead free and all pendants come with a breakaway clasp.

8. Breastfeeding pillows, like Boppy, are great gifts whether you know if mom is going to breast feed or not. The pillows offer extra support for mom when she rests, hold baby in the right position when nursing, provides support for tummy time and sitting when baby is ready.

9. Gifts to make life a little easier once baby arrives. House cleaning services, restaurant gift cards, even a diaper service can make a big difference to a new mom.

10. Scrap booking supplies or photo albums. The first year has milestones that come fast and furious so give mom an opportunity to organize it into a treasured keepsake. There is nothing like the first few days.