Getting a good night's rest is not always the easiest thing, especially when you are pregnant. Suddenly your pre-pregnancy pajamas and nightgowns no longer fit like they used to with restricting waistbands and tops that are tight in the bust and tummy. Soon even your husband's undershirts cannot cover your belly and hardly look sexy on your changing shape! But before you dive into a sleep deprived depression, refresh your wardrobe with some comfortable and flattering maternity sleepwear picks that can ease your ride through pregnancy and motherhood!
Majamas MJs Maternity/Nursing Pajamas are cute, hip, comfortable and flattering. These maternity pajamas are great for early pregnancy and perfect for after the baby with easy nursing access. You can wear these pajamas any season. The pajama pants are full length and fit under the belly. The short sleeve cross over style nursing top is super stretchy and has some bust support. These PJs also make for excellent loungewear for after the baby. They come in black and a sexy lacy black, pewter, raspberry and a new super cute sprinkles pattern. Majamas also has a new พ Sleeve MJ which fits just like the short sleeve and is perfect for cooler weather.
Majamas Pajannaman Maternity/Nursing Pajamas are very similar to the MJ but have a cropped pant. The cross over nursing style top is short sleeve and also has a cross over flap for the belly which allows plenty of room for an expanding belly. These maternity pajamas are better for maternity due to the cross over flap design. The Pajannaman also come in a variety of colors including black, pewter, raspberry and a cute dogwood print.
Majamas Sleepy Nursing Dress is a super versatile sleeping/loungewear/or daytime dress. This dress style by Majamas has been around for years and can also be worn for early maternity. The Sleepy Dress has a cross over style for easy nursing access and also offers some bust support. The wide tank style straps are bra friendly if you intend to wear the dress outside the house and need more support. This is definitely a dress that is comfortable enough to sleep in and sexy enough to wear out to dinner!
BellaBumBum Cotton Dot Nursing Chemise is a sexy maternity and nursing nightie with a beautiful silhouette and plenty of tummy room. The bra straps are adjustable with good bust support and easy nursing access. This nightie is 100% soft cotton which makes it perfect for warmer weather. If you need a little cover up, the Cotton Dot Lace Robe coordinates perfectly and comes in both pastel pink and baby blue dots like the chemise.
The Baby Dot Nursing Dress by 1 in the Oven is another sexy yet comfortable number for warmer weather. Like the Sleepy Nursing Dress, this nursing nightie doubles as comfortable loungewear dress. The built-in soft cup frame has an elastic shelf for total breast support. It is make from a double layer of soft jersey material. This polka dot style comes in both navy and black.
Jersey Hospital Nursing Gown by 1 in the Oven is a must-have for the hospital! This is the perfect gown to wear to the hospital and to wear after your baby is born. This maternity gown has long sleeves with a pretty scoop neck and plenty of tummy room. This maternity and nursing gown is 100% cotton and has slits inside to nurse your baby. The Hospital Nursing Gown is also an excellent gift for an expecting mom!
Japanese Weekend Nursing Loungewear Pajamas are a great basic pajama for both maternity and nursing. The cross over nursing style top has pretty cap sleeves with and the cropped pajamas pants fit comfortably under the belly. The soft cotton/spandex material stretches easily to accommodate your changing shape. Comes in pink, sky and black. Japanese Weekend also makes this same style nursing pajama now in a พ sleeve pajama top and ankle length pajama pant.
So go ahead and invest in your quality of sleep and quality of life while you are expecting because you deserve to sleep in comfort and style!
Most employers have a benefit called maternity leave. This is where any woman that is expecting a baby can take a few weeks off of work without worrying about losing their job. The average time for this leave is six weeks and as long as you return back to work when you are suppose to you have a job. It is advised that you wait as close to your delivery date as possible because you only have a few weeks. In the United States most employers will not pay you for this time, but it is still good to have the option of having time off.
If you feel that the amount of time allowed for maternity leave will not be long enough for you, then you should look into other options. Most all companies have vacation time, medical leaves and disability leaves which will give you added time. It is good to check into these options just in case something unexpected happens and simply because six weeks is not a lot of time to have a baby and adjust to all the changes your family will be going through. Other benefits of maternity leaves include having a chance to relax and not have so much stress to deal with during this exciting but stressful time in your life.
You have to realize that babies wake up all through the night and need to be fed and changed. It's really hard to go to work and function correctly when you haven't slept in days and it will be awhile before you can get the sleeping arrangements under control. You will also need time for your body to heal after delivering a baby. It takes different lengths of time for different women to recover, depending on their overall health and how well the delivery went. It's hard to determine how long this will take in advance so having a back-up plan just in case you need more time is a good idea.
Maternity leave also has advantages for the employers as well. It allows them to cut back on employee turnover. Instead of women leaving permanently when they are starting a family they only leave for a few weeks and then they return to their previous position. This means that they can also cut down on their training expenses because employees will be staying longer and continuing their services. If you are planning on having children in your future, check to see what type of maternity leave your company has to offer. The more you know in advance the easier it will be for you to prepare for this exciting time in your life.
Winter is here and and soon it will be spring is here. It may seem like a while but it is not as long as it seems to find a maternity swimsuit that you love. Also, you don't want the pressure of waiting until the last second before going on a spring vacation to find maternity swimwear. Here are some ideas for new styles for this season which are already at stores today: Maternal America has some adorable halter style tankinis in prints and solids this season. The Maternal America Josie Tankini is simply adorable. This sun garden print Halter style top comes with matching under the belly bottoms with adjustable side ties for the perfect fit. This style is flattering on many different body types and the adjustable halter and side ties make it a perfect maternity suit that you can tie to fit you throughout your pregnancy. In a totally different halter style, Maternal America's Jenni Tankini is a colorful and festive print for pure fun in the sun. This halter top features a center tie ring and a very supportive and flattering bustline. The bikini bottoms have adjustable side ties to fit your changing shape. If you are not quite brave enough for a bikini but still want to show a little belly, check out Maternal America's Flutter Halterkini. This halterkini has an optional halter tie to the top, so it can also be worn strapless with the halter strings bowed in front. The tankini part of this suit features a slightly see through mesh that criss-crosses across the belly. This style is perfect for the woman who wants to wear a bikini but not totally show her belly. The mesh is so light and breezy that it feels like a bikini. This style comes in black, papaya and a festive carnival print. As for bikinis, check out Maternal America's Jill Boy Bikini. This adorable style features the same halter top style as the Flutter Halterkini, just minus the flutter (or mesh tankini that covers the belly). This bikini really does show the belly. The boy shorts fit comfortably under the belly and just skim the top of the thigh with total bottom coverage. The Jill Boy Bikini comes in pretty solids, like this season's delicious Fruit Punch color and fun patterns like, "Flower Power." If you are looking for a suit that you can wear before and after your pregnancy, then consider Belabumbum's Nursing Tankini. This sweet style features a front bow tie and discreet nursing access from under the empire waist style top. The bikini bottoms fit under the belly and are super stretchy to hug your curves throughout your pregnancy and beyond. This style comes in both hot pink with a lighter pink front tie and solid black. If you need a classic one piece bathing suit to take you through your pregnancy and actually allow you to swim laps in the pool then take a look at Prego MaternityÂEmpire Tank suit. This maternity swimsuit is made with super bust support and wide adjustable straps. This suit stretches to fit your curves without stretching out of shape. This is also a great suit for water aerobics or mommy and me classes with toddler. Beach goers will enjoy the Prego Strapless Mini styles as you can get a nice tan across the shoulders without strap marks but still have some superb bust support in your suit. In addition to the classic basic colors of black and chocolate, Prego is offering a tropical print called First Bloom which offers a blend of black and white with a pink blossom. Women particularly like the mini because in addition to a flattering fit across the chest and over the belly, the mini offers coverage over the hips and bottom to give your expecting figure a very flattering and more elongated shape. The strapless mini also comes with an option string halter tie that can be attached for extra support for swimming if you like. So whatever your maternity swimsuit style preference, there are some pretty solids and prints out on the market this season with these premium quality brands in maternity fashion. Remember the early bird gets the worm, so start shopping early this season while the pickings are best!
Amy Jarman is owner of TummyStyle.com an online store selling a variety of maternity clothes, maternity swimwear, and maternity swimsuits.
You are pregnant and you suddenly discover nothing fits quite right in your closet. Don't panic or feel like you have to empty the piggybank before you set foot outside your door again. Really there are just a few basics you need to cover to stylishly clothe your new body.
1. Nursing Bra
Before you break the bank buying up sizes in your bra size, go ahead and invest in a few nursing bras that you can also wear after the baby is born. The advantage of a good nursing bra is that even if you don't plan to nurse, or nurse for very long, it can still be of use after the baby as your breasts go back to their regular size. Nursing bras are made with more stretch than your average bra and can often accommodate a range of cup sizes. Bravado's Original Nursing Bra fits a range of up to 4 different band and 2 cup sizes for each of their bra sizes. Also, well made nursing bras are more gentle on the breast tissue which is a great comfort factor to pregnant or nursing breasts as well as a health factor in reducing the risk of mastitis from a too-tight or badly fitting bra. Even the underwire nursing bras are often made with more padding and gentle wires than your standard wired bra. Melinda G makes a particularly gentle and supportive T-shirt Underwire Bra.
2. Maternity Jeans
If you are were a jean girl before you were pregnant, chances are you will still want to slip on a comfy pair of jeans after you are pregnant too. Fortunately there are many stretchy, stylish maternity jeans out there that will fit great for your entire pregnancy and feel like a dream on you. 1 in the oven has a very comfortable Invisibelly Maternity Jean with a nude over the belly band and a superb fitting stretchy denim jean material. There are also a number of transistion jeans that look like a regular jean but can be adjusted in the waistband to let out under the belly as needed. Noppies 4 pocket Under the Belly Jean is a great example of a before and after jean that can work fabulously for a whole year of up and down tummy sizes without looking like a maternity jean.
3. Lounge Pants
Everyone needs a pair of comfortable lounge pants that can be worn inside and outside of the house when expecting and after the baby. Majamas makes a wonderful yoga pant, called the Softest Yoga pant, that can be worn during pregnancy and after the baby. This pant comes in both a black and charcoal color which goes with everything and can even be worn as pajama bottoms. 1 in the Oven also makes a Super Soft Ruched Fold Over Pant which fits like a lounge or yoga pant and can be worn all during pregnancy and beyond. This pant comes in black and can be dressed up or down.
4. Maternity & Nursing Top
Japanese Weekend has hands down has the best selection of maternity and nursing tops on the market today at prices that are affordable along with excellent quality. The advantage of buying top that can worn for both maternity and nursing is that it does give you quite a bit of mileage and can be worn after the baby with a postpartum belly whether or not you intend to nurse. The Japanese Weekend Cross Over Top has an excellent body with a พ sleeve that can be worn year round and a stylish cross over style that allows discreet nursing and full belly coverage. This Japanese weekend maternity and nursing top comes in both jersey and Hugaboo material and many color options.
5. Maternity Swimwear
Although a maternity swimsuit sounds like a luxury when you are pregnant, this is an item you definitely need to buy if you are pregnant during the warmer months or plan to vacation somewhere warm. Once you are more than a month or two pregnant the first thing not to fit right is your swimsuit. Many women find that they want to enroll in a water aerobics class or take a swimming class with a young tot and need a real swimsuit that fits right. Maternity swimsuits are made with more spandex and belly room as well as more room in the chest to fit more a range in size without being restrictive. Also, these suits are made to flatter your expecting shape with a wide variety of styles to accent or camouflage what you choose.
So, don't panic if your wardrobe is suddenly no longer the size you need and don't waste your money buying up a size or to in "regular clothing", but go ahead and invest in some good basic maternity pieces that will stylishly clothe you for all nine months and then some!
There are many cuts and styles in maternity swimsuits today which can be overwhelming to a first time maternity clothes shopper. Fortunately with the range of styles today, you can find the ideal suit for your pregnancy body. As with any swimsuit, the most important factor is fit. The following is a basic guide for some suits to consider if you are looking for specific features:
Exercise Swimsuit
If you are looking for a maternity swimsuit to swim laps in the pool and to function like a sports swimsuit, one pieces are always your best bet. The Maternal America Empire Tank is a great choice for maternity sport swimsuit. This suit has all the features you need for serious lap swimming in addition to excellent bust support. If you are looking for more of a fashion suit that you can also wear for swimming, the Maternal America 1 Piece Keyhole swimsuit is a good choice. This suit comes in a beautiful turquoise pattern as well as black and brown solids.
Hip Coverage
If hip coverage is a top priority for you in a swimsuit, there are a number of styles to consider. The BabyDoll style gives maximum hip and bottom coverage while also allowing plenty of room for an expanding tummy. Prego Maternity has both the Tank and Halter BabyDoll styles to choose from which come with over the belly bottoms so there is no chance of a tummy peeking through on land or sea. The Strapless Mini is another good choice for hip and tummy coverage while providing a more form fitting body and allowing a little more skin exposure across the shoulders. Prego's Strapless Mini comes with under the belly bottoms and a detachable halter string for swimming.
Bust Support with Style
Bust support is often an important feature in a swimsuit for expecting women who have found they are suddenly much larger on top. Generally, a tank style strap will give better support than most halter styles. The Prego Ring-Kini style is perfect for accommodating larger busted women and providing more support with wide adjustable straps. If you have a preference for Halter Styles, look for one that has a higher back as well as higher coverage across the bust. The deep cleavage halter styles provides less support. Prego's Sweet Heart Halter style suit has cinching across the bust and fits higher in the back to provide maximum bust support for a halter.
Show a Little Belly
If you are not quite ready to bare all in bikini but would like to show a little belly, the Tankini and Halterkini styles are a good choice. Maternal America has a 2 Piece Flutter Halterkini that is slightly see through with mesh material across the belly along with a side tie bikini bottom. This flirty style also has a convertible halter tie if you want to go strapless as well. Prego's Dot Tie Halter, Halterkini and Tankini styles all have bellow the belly bottoms which allow a little belly to peek out, depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy.
Show a lot of Belly:
The good old fashion bikini is your best choice for maximum skin exposure. Today's maternity bikini by top maternity brands is expertly engineered to fit your pregnant body with comfort and style. BellaBumBum makes a fabulous maternity bikini with vibrant patterned stripes and superior fit. Prego Maternity also makes a beautiful classic maternity bikini with a oval cinch design in the halter top and under the belly bottoms. Maternity bikinis are usually made with more stretch to hug your curves and stretch where you need it.
Cover up
While any swimsuit is going to show a bit of skin, if you don't want to draw attention to your growing belly at the pool or beach then invest in a light tunic cover-up. Maternal America has several styles in beautiful swimsuit cover-ups that come in white or black. These cover-ups can also be worn casually with jeans, capris or shorts.
So don't let pregnancy keep you away from the pool or beach this summer. Find the perfect maternity swimwear that compliments your body type and have fun in the sun!
Pregnant women come in many shapes and sizes, and many of them need plus size clothes and maternity clothes that they did not require before pregnancy. There are ways to get such clothes, although they are not as easy to locate as maternity clothes in smaller sizes. They also tend to cost more than other maternity clothes.
Women are no longer Barbie dolls. With larger women in the marketplace, the demand for better quality plus size clothing at a good price has increased. The availability of plus size clothing has grown because competitive markets have responded to this demand with an increased selection and more value pricing.
Specialty plus size clothing has become easier to find due to an increase in demand. This means that large women can shop for a plus size bra, a plus size nursing bra or a plus size maternity bra, or any combination they need. Before, larger women had few choices in terms of a bra that didn't fit too closely or a bra that could easily be used to breastfeed.
Do keep in mind that many large size garments fit rather loosely and that you may find you don't really require maternity garments for many months of your pregnancy. If you select fashions that are loose and have elasticized waists, you can not only purchase garments that do not cost as much, but you can also wear those items after you have given birth to your child.
Shopping online is real boon for all plus size clothing, but for maternity wear, it opens up a much bigger selection universe than even large cities will have. There are websites now who specialize in pregnancy wear for women over size 12 and it's much easier to compare prices. In brands you know, choosing the right size is usually not hard, but be careful about exchange and refund rules just in case.
Another possibility for plus size clothing for bargain hunters, pregnant or not, is that found in auctions. Garage sales and resale shops have plus sizes more and more often now at huge savings. Another possibility that always is worth doing is trading with friends and relatives who wear similar sizes. Some plus forums and bulletin boards will have clothing sales and swaps sections, which not only can save money but may also mean less boring wardrobes by trading.
You should start a special bulletin board for exchanges of larger maternity clothes, if you cannot find one in your area. Indeed, this may be an opportunity to start a profitable home-based business brokering sales and exchanges of clothes for larger women, including maternity clothing. For larger women bearing children, the Internet makes many resources easily available.
Difficulty sleeping during pregnancy is a common occurrence among women. Many factors contribute to the sleeplessness and discomfort at bedtime. Histamines in the body are much higher for pregnant women. This is a result of a rise in hormones such as estrogen and prolactin in the body. Some women complain of being extremely itchy at night and the stretching of the skin around the ever-growing belly may contribute to the discomfort. Lotions such as coco butter and creams enriched in vitamin E may help remedy the itchy skin but it does not really take care of all the sleeping issues.
Because of the weight gain, which can be anywhere from 25 to 55 pounds, many women experience moderate to severe back pain. Stomach lying and back lying are out of the question and the only other position would be side lying. This can be painful on the pelvic bones, as well as the hips. Support under the belly and back by way of a maternity pillow is definitely needed to alleviate much of the problem.
Traditional body pillows are soft and usually long like the letter 'I'. Pregnancy is a unique time during which the belly and back both need supporting. Many of these pillows feature adjustable straps and other amenities that appeal to pregnant women. They may be scented with lavender or other herbs to help the mother-to-be relax. They also come in a wide variety of colors and fabrics.
There are plenty of different styles of maternity body pillows specifically designed for pregnancy. There are U shaped pillows, designed to support belly, back and knees. Without the unique shape of the U pillow, another pillow can be placed between the knees to mimic the support of the U. Some pregnant women feel that this particular pillow can be too large and prefer a smaller, yet supportive one.
If cost is an issue, there are styles that range from as low as thirty dollars and others that may cost upwards of $150. The Snoozer, for example, costs $154 and boasts it has down filling and total body support. The product also tells of its patented design, which aligns the spine and hips for ultimate comfort. The more affordable Maternity Pillow priced at around $48.89, is filled with premium hypoallergenic polyfill. It has a 100% cotton cover and the entire pillow is machine washable for easy care.
The median pillow, which is priced at $75.50, is called the Sleeping Bean Natural Kapok Body Pillow. This pillow extends to an extra long five and a half feet! This pillow is filled with a material called Kapok, which is found in the rainforest and can hold its shape better than most pillow fillings. The kapok is harvested from pods by indigenous peoples and proves to be a source of employment for them. Maternity pillows with a conscience! For the frugal and crafty expectant mother, there are even sewing patterns that can be purchased to create her very own unique looking maternity pillow out of whichever fabrics of her choosing.
Whatever sleeping aids an expectant mother chooses, there is no question that sound sleep is a necessity to keep her energy up! Pregnancy pillows were created to meet just this need, and, with so many options on the market, there is surely a pillow to meet any body size or shape.
Article By Michelle O'Connor
Affordable Maternity Clothes
Maternity Pillows
Pea In The Pod Maternity
When a woman becomes pregnant, it is supposed to be a time of joy for her and her family. But unfortunately for many women in California, it is the beginning of a nightmare as they face the sexist policies of their individual health insurance companies.I was disheartened to hear the story of Holly Shannon of Santa Cruz, who was almost 20 weeks pregnant when her maternity insurance nightmare began. She and her husband had purchased a basic individual health insurance policy for themselves and their two children. However, it did not cover maternity care, so as soon as Holly thought she might be pregnant, she applied for a second policy. This would have resulted in two monthly premiums and a $4,000 deductible for maternity care. In the end, the insurer denied her maternity coverage because her pregnancy was considered a pre-existing condition.When she applied for a second, more expensive, health plan, she was denied by the same insurance company. Her only recourse: apply to the government-run Access for Infant Mothers (AIM) program.For the past two years, Assembly member Hector De La Torre, D-South Gate, has been working toward gender equity in health coverage. Despite overwhelming support for his Equity in Maternity Coverage bill in the Legislature, as well as support from Kaiser Permanente and Blue Shield, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the measure.De La Torre reintroduced the bill. AB98 would require all individual health insurance products regulated under the Department of Insurance to cover maternity services, as is required for health maintenance organizations (HMOs).The data, apart from what should be a fundamental right to this coverage, support this policy. Approximately 805,000 Californians have insurance policies that exclude maternity coverage - a number that has quadrupled since 2004. Just eight years ago, 82 percent of women in the individual insurance plan market had maternity coverage. As of 2008, just 22 percent had maternity coverage. This gap leaves many women without critically important prenatal care while transitioning from private insurance to state-run programs or without any coverage at all if they do not qualify for government programs based on income.It has been shown that women pay more for health coverage than men. According to the National Women's Law Center research, women often have to pay from $106 to $1,000 per month on top of their monthly premium for maternity coverage.California ranks 40th in the nation for women of childbearing age who do not have health insurance, according to a recent March of Dimes report. In addition, more than 14,000 pregnant women had late-term care only or no prenatal care at all.Women who pay for individual policies already have coverage for services they will never use, such as prostate cancer treatment.The idea of including services a woman will never use in her base coverage but requiring her to pay additional premiums for services she will use is just obscene to our collective sense of fairness. De La Torre's AB98 requires that insurance companies provide maternity coverage so that the only thing that will keep women and their families up at nights will be their baby, not their insurance company.Patricia Bellasalma is the president of CA NOW (National Organization for Women California).
EasyToInsureME.com offers clients the easiest way to buy individual health insurance. Free services include instant online health insurance quotes, custom proposals for each client, free phone consultation, and 10-minute application by phone. Our services are free because we are paid by the health insurance company not by our clients.
Getting pregnant doesn’t mean you have to give up your style. There are a ton of maternity designer brands out there whose clothing lines are especially made to help you keep your fashion sense despite the belly. Look into the following top 10 maternity brands to find everything from underwear to evening dresses and jeans that fit your figure and make you look great. James JeansJames Jeans manufactures top quality dry aged denim jeans, and with its new maternity collection, pregnant women can still wear denim and look good doing it. Nearly NudeWhen you’re pregnant or nursing, you need bras with extra support, but these are often not very flattering. Nearly Nude makes strapless maternity bras designed to give you a firm shape and extra support while letting you wear the strapless dress designs you always liked. J BrandA top designer of women’s jeans, J Brand only does women’s jeans, which means that, in terms of quality, fit and finish, few jean-makers match up. Their new maternity collection includes classic jean designs, bell-bottoms and skinny jeans. Juicy CoutureJuicy Couture is a very popular brand of casual wear. Their maternity collection gives expecting moms the most comfortable and stylish sweaters, shirts, tank tops and jeans. Liz LangeLiz Lange was instrumental in changing the way the fashion industry looked at maternity wear. Her clothes aimed at making pregnant women feel sexy and fun again. Look in her collection for top quality, luxurious fabric dresses for every occasion. Maternal AmericaA relatively new maternity design company, Maternal America has a wide variety of colorful and elegant dresses that go with the season. Check out their current summer dresses collection available now. ÂSusana MonacoShe is not a maternity clothes designer. However, the thick stretchy material she uses for her designs makes her clothes perfect for pregnant women, as they still fit even while your body grows and changes shape.Samson Martin MaternityWell known for its playful maternity-themed graphic tees and tops. Look for casual wear and comfortable indoor wear. OlianOlian has a great range of styles available that are specifically made for pregnant women. If you are looking, especially, for new business pants, Olian is the place to go. BelabumbumThis designer specializes in lingerie and swimwear. Many of Belabumbum’s designs are worn and endorsed by different pregnant celebrities. The company’s goal is to help pregnant women feel sexy again. The next time you need to buy designer maternity clothes for yourself, check out some great clothes at http://sierramaternity.com.
Ryan Frank is a 23 year writer and blogger living in San Diego, CA
Maternity acupressure is an all natural method to inducing labor. It can have an extremely beneficial effect in the mother giving birth to the child. Natural ways to induce labor with acupressure has been used by millions of people for thousands of years. This method is 100% safe and effective! Today the number of maternity acupressure users is increasing daily, due to how effective this method truly works. Induce labor naturally has never been easier!
Maternity acupressure points are different than actual acupuncture points in that only the fingers and thumbs are used on specific points instead of needles. Maternity acupressure has been proven time and time again to be effective in medical labor. There is no need for patients to take harmful drugs and medicines to prevent pain.
The benefits of maternity acupressure prior to and during labor are phenomenal. These benefits include the following:
1. Acupressure induce labor
2. No More Labor Pains
3. Natural labor
5. Peaceful and stress-free
7. Nausea and Vomiting Eliminated
8. Give birth the all natural way
Maternity acupressure techniques are very easy to master and have no side effects whatsoever. Many pregnant women fear the thought of labor and the delivery room because of the thought of knowing how long childbirth can actually take. With maternity acupressure women can have much quicker delivery times. When women feel nervous, scared, or afraid it increases how long a childbirth will take. This can cause serious problems such as stall and can have serious effects in the delivery room. Maternity acupressure is one of the best ways to help women stay calm and delivery a baby with no labor pains. Women are in complete control of their labors and deliveries.
Here is exactly how maternity acupressure can work in the delivery room:
When a woman's labor is going extremely slow and the cervix is not dilating, using the proper techniques can be extremely helpful. Women are setting themselves up for a long childbirth if they are not careful! It is vital to have a safe and effective childbirth experience. Many women go through hours and hours of agonizing pain and struggle getting rid of their labor pain. Drugs and medicines most of the time do not help women at all get rid of their pain. The nervousness, anxiety, and the amount of pain are the main factors that contribute to a woman having a long childbirth. It can cause a lot of problems for the mother and child to have such a long labor inducing birth. Why take the risk of having problems during labor when you can use maternity acupressure to cure away all your labor problems? These maternity acupressure techniques are 100% safe and effective and can be used in your very own home to relieve pain! Please don't subject yourself to another painful childbirth ever again when you could be using these 100% safe and effective techniques! I wish you the best of luck and I hope you make the right choice and use maternity acupressure today.
Give birth the way it was meant to be given. Visit InduceLaborNaturally.org and discover how you can eliminate the long hours of pain with Natural Child Birth.
A generation or so ago it was traditional for the husband within a marriage to have a career and for the wife to raise the children at home. While this arrangement may have worked well back then, life is very different these days and both members in the relationship usually have busy careers to consider when planning a family.
The prospect of balancing career obligations with child rearing can be very daunting, but especially so if you are in charge of the business. If you are a senior manager, then you have additional responsibility and decisions to make. It might be difficult to imagine how the business can operate without you, so what is going to happen when you need to take months away on maternity leave?
As the boss, your additional responsibilities will need to be addressed well in advance of your leave and you will need to find ways to manage your time most effectively. Time management, as we know, is critical as a business leader and you will now find that you have two babies to watch - your newborn and your business interest!
By planning how you will manage your priorities, you can put in place effective strategies, standards and boundaries that will help you perform at work and enjoy your time at home fully.
Consider what additional support you will need both as a manger and as a mother once your baby is born and you return to work. If your baby becomes ill and your nursery or child manager imposes an obligatory week away, what might your contingency plans be? Or if you have a nanny, what will you do if (or when) she suddenly becomes ill, goes on holiday or quits? You won't learn this at your ante-natal classes, but it's something that most mums wish they'd anticipated before it happens!
Many senior managers and CEOs make use of professional coaching to help them plan a smooth transition leading up to, during and beyond maternity leave.
Coaching for women in senior positions is now commonplace and is a sound investment in your work life integration as well as your business! You may well be used to working with consultants in other areas of the business to help you run your operation efficiently, so why not consider online life coaching as well?
It is essential to communicate with all stakeholders - colleagues, employees and most importantly customers. If you inform customers of your forthcoming absence and let them know how you intend to cover for this to ensure a seamless service to them, you will grow their loyalty. Now is certainly the time to nurture the relationships with your existing client base rather than developing new ones, as you will not be able to closely oversee the delicate process of rapport building new clients.
As a leader, you are probably well aware of the importance of delegation. However, if this has not been your forte, now is the time to build up your delegation muscle! As you get closer towards your maternity leave, increase the delegation and make sure that you are training your "number two" in as many areas as you can safely hand over.
In short, your four essential success criteria for planning a smooth transition to your maternity leave are:
1. Seek Support
2. Plan
3. Communicate
4. Delegate
Once you've done what you can to prepare for your absence, relax and enjoy your new "promotion" to motherhood!
Amanda Alexander is the Founder and inspiration behind Coaching Mums. She's a distinguished ICF-accredited coach who has been bringing a new feeling of hope into the lives of working moms around the world, showing them how to discard their guilt and rediscover their passions! For amazing articles and truly effective professional coaching tips, sign up to "Inspire", our outstanding free newsletter at Coaching Mums.
What exactly is acupressure?
Acupressure is an ancient healing art developed in Asia over 6,000 years ago that deals with the human body and the flow of natural energy within the body. Acupressure treats the body as an energy system and works to relieve a persons individual symptoms by releasing blocked energy centres in the body. These centres are called acupoints and are found on energy pathways called meridians.
Acupressure is somewhat similar to acupuncture, only it uses fingers and thumbs to stimulate specific points instead of needles. Acupressure is actually considered to be the mother of acupuncture, as it was used long before needles came into the equation.
Acupressure is usually applied by hand, but can also be applied by elbow or by various hand-held devices. By using deep but gentle finger pressure on specific acupoints the blocked energy starts to release, allowing the body and mind to relax.
Acupressure is known to help in a number of positive ways - by reducing stress and tension, increasing blood circulation, aiding in the removal of toxic wastes, providing relief from head, neck and shoulder aches, increasing energy levels, stimulating speedy healing of injuries, increasing general well-being and last but not least - helping pregnant women to have a normal and safe birthing experience.
The latter is also called maternity acupressure or labor acupressure.
How can maternity or labor acupressure help pregnant women?
Maternity or labor acupressure is a holistic method that can have a remarkably beneficial effect in preparing the mother and the baby for the birth. It helps to induce labor naturally and is very effective in giving relief from labor pains without drugs and medications. During childbirth, it can be used to strengthen contractions, help the cervix to dilate and help to relax and stay calm.
A large number of pregnant women are using labor acupressure technique to induce labor naturally, if the pregnancy is overdue. Using acupressure to induce labor is as simple as locating sensitive spots on your skin and stimulating them by pressing the points with your thumb. Labor acupressure uses only application of pressure on specific spots on the skin, so it can be safely used at home with basic instructions. Labor acupressure is a very simple hands-on technique and extremely safe to use.
Studies show that over 80% of pregnant mothers using acupressure to induce labor naturally experience a normal and natural childbirth with significantly less complications than others who are not familiar with this technique. The use of labor acupressure also significantly shorten the total labor time. Women who have used acupressure during pregnancy and childbirth have been incredibly satisfied with the results of this method.
Mel Brooks is Crazy!
Film producer Mel Brooks was born Melvin Kaminsky on June 28, 1926 in Brooklyn, New York. Brooks was married to Anne Bancroft who died last year. They were married for 41 years.
Learn more about Mel Brooks at http://www.answers.com/topic/mel-brooks
What went wrong with Mel Brooks?
I heard that his mother wanted him to be a dentist or get into the diamond business.
Instead he hung out with a bad bunch consisting of Sid Caesar, Carl Reiner, and Gene Wilder and others like them. All they ever wanted to do was Clown Around.
I talked to an old pal of Mel's named Jesse "Ankles" Midweek.
"Ankles" is 85 years of age. A snappy dresser he still has a full set of hair and good teeth. He lives with his girlfriend, Dixie, in Brooklyn in the same house in which he was born. Dixie is from Louisiana, recently displaced by Katrina.
Here are excerpts from our interview:
Hack Writer, Taylor Jones: I appreciate your being willing to let me interview you, Mr. Midweek.
Midweek: I said, $150 not $100.
Hack: Sorry, I guess it slipped my mind.
Midweek: Well, don't let it slip again, Taylor Jones, the hack writer.
Hack: You knew Mel Brooks when you were a boy, right?
Midweek: Who?
Hack: Sorry. You knew Melvin Kaminsky, right?
Midweek: I knew the little twerp. Have you seen him? He owes me a buck.
Hack: I'll check that out for you. Did you see indications of his comedy genius when he was young?
Midweek: He was about as funny as prunes.
Hack: So, he wasn't funny when he was a kid?
Midweek: Is road kill funny? I've got to go now. I'm taking my lady out to lunch with this dough you gave me.
I didn't ask "Ankles" how he got his nickname but I noticed that they were like those of a baby elephant.
After that unfruitful interview I decided that more research was needed to find the trends that generated a great American Jewish comedian. I've traced back to some of Mel's ancestors to see if I couldn't find some trend that led him to his life of Just Fooling Around.
Here are some of the results of my detailed research:
His Father
Mel's father was either George Meddling, Fred Hopkins, or Isaiah Freedman. With no DNA results there was no help for definitive research there.
I decided to follow the maternal line. Noting that women are hardly ever funny, I decided to stick with the men in the line. (Note: A funny woman like Imogene Coca or Carol Burnett is priceless because of rarity.)
Maternal Grandfather
I learned that this was not his mother's real father. I had to stick with the maternal side.
Maternal Great-grandfather
I learned that his maternal great-grandfather was born in a lighthouse that had not been visited for 13 months. Therefore I was able to go directly to his maternal great-grandfather and his maternal great-great-grandfather for male-evidence trends leading to Mel's humor.
I found absolutely nothing funny about these two gentlemen.
The first had a hobby of collecting fish skins.
The other had a great interest in natural history too and wrote an unpublished article entitled An Exciting Day in the Life of the Now Extinct Giant Land Sloth.
An improved article on this creature is at http://ladywildlife.com/animal/giantgroundslothinfo.htm. Don't forget to click on the blue dot to see the pics. It was bigger than an elephant.
Conclusion
I've decided that Mel Brooks just got into a bad crowd.
As final proof I point out his association with Harvey Korman.
Korman was born in Chicago, if that isn't enough.
Also, Harvey is only one year younger than Brooks. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_Korman
QED!
John T. Jones, Ph.D. (tjbooks@hotmail.com, a retired VP of R&D for Lenox China, is author of detective & western novels, nonfiction (business, scientific, engineering, humor), poetry, etc. Former editor of Ceramic Industry Magazine. He is Executive Representative of IWS sellers of Tyler Hicks wealth-success books and kits. He also sells TopFlight flagpoles. He calls himself "Taylor Jones, the hack writer."
More info: http://www.tjbooks.com
Business web site: http://www.aaaflagpoles.com
NEW YORK February 26, 2004--While much of the media emphasis focuses on men as leaders in the entertainment industry, four women at BET are blazing new territory. The collective contributions of this foursome have made BET the most successful Africanโ€"American network in the history of television. Debra Lee, Kelli Richardson Lawson, Nina Henderson Moore and Gina Holland are enterprising business leaders in every sense of the definition. And while industry analysts may categorize them and BET in a singular category, each executive is rapidly bringing individual distinction to their careers, responsibilities and places in the network's history.
BET's successful saga in television has proven to be fertile ground for women contributors almost since the network was founded in 1980. Currently, women comprise 62% percent of BET's 300-plus employees nationwide, with more than 31% percent of management positions also occupied by women, 5% of them at the vice president level and higher.
As the prototypical corporate leader and the highest-ranking African-American woman inside BET's parent company Viacom, Debra Lee's achievements as the network's President and Chief Operating Officer and her numerous accolades from across the cable industry make her one of this country's most respected business executives. Lee began her BET career 17 years ago as the Executive Vice President of Strategic Business Development. During her tenure, Lee's many roles have included corporate secretary; Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the legal affairs department; and President and Publisher of BET's publishing division. The outside world also gets to share in Lee's business and philanthropic prowess in role on the boards of directors of several corporate, industry and civic organizations, including Eastman Kodak Company, Washington Gas & Light Company, Genuity Inc., Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, National Cable & Telecommunications Association, Girls Inc., National Symphony Orchestra, Kennedy Center's Community & Friends Board, National Women's Law Center and others. Lee is also the recent recipient of several prestigious awards such as the 2003 Positively Visionary Award from Cable Positive, 2003 Quasar Award from the National Association of Minorities in Communications and the 2001 Woman of the Year Award from Women in Cable and Telecommunications to name a few.
It's no surprise that Washingtonian Magazine named Lee one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Washington, further solidifying her image as an African-American leader of great accomplishment. Lee graduated from Brown University with a bachelor's degree in political science with an emphasis in Asian politics. She also earned her jurist doctorate at Harvard Law School, while simultaneously earning her masters degree in public policy from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
As Executive Vice President of Corporate Marketing and Communications, Kelli Richardson Lawson manages seven different departments โ€" market research, graphic arts & design, off-channel marketing, corporate communications, creative services, special events and public affairs. In only seven short years, her leadership has helped drive the network to its highest ratings in BET history. The channel's ratings success can be directly traced to Lawson's creation of a full-fledged marketing department within the company in 1999, ratings are up 33% since that strategic decision was made. In addition, she's led major initiatives in the community by developing BET's first major pro-social campaign, โ€œRap-It-Up,โ€ which addresses the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic in the African-American community. Officially launched in 2000, this award-winning program includes strategic programming, public service announcements, a toll-free information number, website and HIV testing nationwide.
As if she didn't have enough on her plate, Lawson recently achieved a personal entrepreneurial milestone by launching a new upscale maternity boutique for the Washington, DC area, catering to the style-conscious mother-to-be. 9 maternity celebrates pregnancy through sophisticated and chic clothing. Lawson earned her bachelor's degree in economics from Howard University and completed post-graduate work at the Center for Creative Leadership.
The driving force behind BET's critically-acclaimed News, Public Affairs and Documentary programming is Executive Vice President Nina Henderson Moore. With a noteworthy career in entertainment, Henderson Moore's responsibilities not only include serving as one of the country's few female news chief executives, but also managing BET's acquisitions of syndicated programming and movies. Before taking the reins of her current division, she was President and Chief Operating Officer of BET Pictures, the only African-American owned film studio in the nation with a historic 13 made-for-television movies to its credit.
Henderson Moore has also served as Vice President of BET Movies/Starz!, an all-Black movie channel in partnership with Encore Media. Her wide-ranging career includes prior positions as President of the Griot Group, Executive Director of the Boston Cable Co-op and various roles in marketing with IBM, Chase Manhattan Bank and Cox Cable. She holds a bachelor's degree from Harvard University and earned her MBA from Harvard Business School.
In perhaps the most male-dominated areas in television, Gina Holland shines as Senior Vice President of Production and Technical Operations, overseeing BET network production, technical facilities and entertainment programming as the company's top West Coast-based executive. Tops on her list of BET credits is the design of cutting-edge digital production facilities for the network's units in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and New York. Holland's first association with BET began in 1990 as Director of Production where she managed the entire production staff; oversaw all remote-location projects; and coordinated both the creative and technical aspects of BET's Emmy-nominated A Tribute of Black Music Legends (1995).
One of the most challenging tasks in Holland's career came after she departed BET in 1996 to join NBC as Manager of Production and Technical Services. In that role during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, she managed the technical portions of all Olympic television and radio broadcasts to the tune of 160 technical personnel, 80 cameras, 11 foreign broadcast clients, eight mobile production units and countless on-air graphics stations. Holland's NBC tenure stretched from 1996-2000 where she was also an integral player in a number of wildly successful NBC productions including Seinfeld: The Finale, ER's โ€œLiveโ€ 1997 season premiere, The Today Show and The Tonight Show. She rejoined BET in 2000 as Vice President of Production and Technical Operations. A graduate of Bowling Green State University, she also runs her own production company, Making our Mark Entertainment, Inc.
BET continues to break new ground by broadening and diversifying an entire genre of music, entertainment, news, sports and public affairs programming for African-Americans โ€" a feat that some current networks are trying to duplicate. With these leading women executive playing critical roles, BET has delivered six consecutive seasons of record-setting ratings, and now reaches an all-time high 78 million homes. While their names aren't exactly household words, their numerous achievements and contributions have left indelible marks on BET and the entertainment industry. These women aren't just powerful influences and leaders, they're each pioneers in their own respect.
ABOUT BET
BET, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the nation's leading television network providing quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs programming for the African-American audience. The BET Network reaches approximately 78 million households according to Nielsen Media Research, and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. BET is a dominant consumer brand in the urban marketplace with a diverse group of branded businesses: BET.com, the Number 1 Internet portal for African Americans; BET Digital Networks โ€" BET Jazz, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, specializing in a full range of event production services, including event management, venue selection, talent recruitment, sound, lighting and stage production; and BET Books, the nation's leading publisher of African-American themed romance novels under the Arabesque Books label, and publisher of new imprints Sepia and New Spirit.
Maternity is the most happiest and embarrassing duration in every woman's life. They just enjoy carrying the baby and feel their day to day movements. Why shall this occasion be made memorable by taking few photographs of the motherhood occasion? The maternity photography can either be taken in your home with the assistance of your husband or somebody else or you can prefer some professional photographers who would provide you the best portraits.
At present many studios offer various maternity sessions with utmost privacy. They offer indoor and outdoor sittings based on your choice. Taking the natural beauty of a woman who is prepared to bring new life into the world and the dignity of a mother can be brought out by these photographs. There are some issues in taking photographs in studios if they do not consider our solitude aspects and in this case you can just prefer taking shots at your house.
Taking maternity photography snaps in their own house will give much comfort to the mother and she will gladly cooperate for fantastic photographs. This will also help in getting fine photographs of the couple as well which exactly shows others what their existence was like at the time their baby came to be a part of their family. In future, this snap will be cherishing plenty of memories to us and we can enjoy by showing this to our grown up child. It is possible for you to have ample of postures with your bulged tummy.
Where ever you shoot it is vital to simplify your surroundings to show the beauty of a mother awaiting the onset of her newborn. The photographs must be in such a way that they make wonders in expressing the whole story. Backdrop must be selected cautiously in a way that it will not deviate from the originality of the snap. As women do not usually feel very sexy when they are carrying, it is must to pull that beauty out of her to make the photograph much special.
A best way to shoot a beautiful photograph is by conversing on some good topics that suits the situation. As if she feels pretty the snap will come out much effectively. It is also good to take snaps of the lovable couples as this will focus the relationship between a mom and dad and confidently new babies are coming to a loving home and this photograph years later will show them the divine love of their parents.
You must keep in mind that if in case of the siblings ensures to include them in some frames or else they will feel isolated and worried. Taking snaps along with a brother or sister will create a good bonding between them and the newborn forever. Also do not take snaps that are routine, as maternity is something which each and every mother will cherish extraordinarily and the photographs taken at this occasion must make her experience the pleasant memories in a different and unique way.
Your body is experiencing some marvellous alterations at present and let us capture this feeling moment in your enduring way of parenthood with some beautiful and memorable maternity photography, you and your family will treasure these photos for the rest of your life!
The author is proud to help present the maternal mother with ideas and information at the time of her pregnancy with the inclusion of the maternity photography that will provide many future memories.
Shopping for clothes takes on a whole new level of complexity when you are pregnant. Not only do you have to guess ahead to how big all parts of your body will be in the months ahead, but you need to plan for different seasons as well. It's one thing when you buy a pretty dress for summer and know you can wear it for the next few years but when you are maternity clothes shopping, your window of wearing a new item may only for a couple of months unless you know for sure you are going to have many children in the coming years. Also, maternity clothes can receive a lot more abuse than your average top or dress as you are continuing to stretch it out more each day you wear it with an increasingly bigger belly. Chances are, there may not be a lot of clothes left in your wardrobe by the time you have your baby that you even want to recycle for another pregnancy several years down the road. With this in mind, you may want to target some good basic maternity clothes that will carry you across several seasons to maximize your purchases. Here are a few suggestions:
Any good American girl needs a good pair of jeans. If you are newly pregnant, you may want to postpone this purchase with a BellaBand that will allow your pre-pregnancy pants and shorts to fit a bit longer by unbuttoning the top button and even unzipping partway as the BellaBand fits around your hips and tummy and will hold the pants in place without anyone knowing your secret. The BellaBand can also be worn on pregnancy pants that are bit big and need more support – this is particularly useful after you have your baby when you are not quite ready to squeeze into your pregnancy jeans, but don't want to show off a postpartum belly or have your maternity jeans fall off.
When you are ready to buy maternity jeans and maternity pants, buy a little bigger than would fit you at the moment. You will be surprised how much bigger your belly and even hips will get in the coming months. A jean or pant that fits perfectly at 4 months of pregnancy will probably be on the tight side in another month or two down the road. Also, look for a very comfortable fit across the belly. There are so many belly styles to choose from in maternity pants today, some that fit under the belly, some over and some across. When you try on your maternity jeans or pants, try to sit down and get up several times. Lean over and pick up something and try jogging in place. These are the movements that will tell you the true comfort level of the jean and how it fits around the belly. Some lowrise maternity jeans look great on when you first pull them up, but after bending over a few times you realize they may not stay up so well and wearing a belt is not an option. Also, the bigger your belly is, the more likely a super low rise jean or pant will slide down if the belly support is not sufficient.
Tanks and tops that have built in nursing bra support with nursing access are extremely useful for pregnancy and beyond. Not only are these types of tops nice and cool to wear for the hotter months, they can be layered effectively in the fall and winter months and worn after the baby for nursing. The tip to buying fitted tanks during pregnancy, is to go a little bigger or looser than normal if you are buying early on in your pregnancy. Not only will your belly get bigger in the coming months, your bust will continue to grow and your rib cage will expand. After you have your baby and your milk comes in, you will probably achieve another cup size of growth if you plan to nurse. Although as your milk supply settles in after 6 weeks or so, your bust size should go down a bit, but your will still be bigger than pre-pregnancy until your baby is weaned. Bravado, the nursing bra brand, has come out with a Nursing Bra Tank with very good built in bust support and easy to access strap buttons for pull down nursing access. The cotton material is very stretchy and even comes in a super soft organic blend. This bra tank can easily be worn through the first two trimesters of pregnancy due to the stretchy material and then again after the baby is born for postpartum wear and nursing clothes.
In general when shopping for maternity tops, look for styles that are extra long and have plenty of belly coverage as well as stretch. There is nothing that is more annoying than having a belly skimming maternity top when you are 8 months pregnant and when you are not in the mood to show off your belly to the world – particularly if this time happens to be during the colder months! Also, a top that is long enough can be worn after the baby postpartum until you slim down. After all, there probably isn't a woman in the world who wants to show off a postpartum belly in the weeks or even months following the birth of their child!
Maternity tops that can double for nursing tops after the baby are always a good investment. Cross over styles are easy to wear and usually very flattering for both before and after the baby and have easy nursing access. Look for styles with ¾ sleeves that can be worn comfortably anytime of the year and dressed up or down.
Styles that are versatile for both maternity and postpartum as well as those that are made for all seasons will get you the most wear out of your maternity clothing investment. Make sure that you actually like the styles that you buy and that they are comfortable against your skin since we all know that the clothing we reach for the most in our closet are those that we like the best and feel the most comfortable on, particularly when we are pregnant!
The weather is warming up, Spring is in full swing and Summer is just around the corner. Your body is changing daily and you aren't sure what to buy next when compounded by seasons changing and long summer months ahead. Here are a few suggestions on some must-haves maternity clothes to get you started out in style this season without breaking the bank.
Everyone needs a versatile casual dress for summer. When the weather is hot the last thing you want to pull on is a pair of hot denim jeans or long pants. A casual sundress or tank dress can do wonders for your wardrobe and beat the heat come summer. Majamas Sleepy Dress is an excellent choice for an all around versatile tank dress that can be worn anywhere and is a great nursing clothes item for access for after the baby is born. You may like this dress so much you'll want to have it in several colors. If there is a cool breeze, just layer this dress with a fitted demi cardigan or light wrap.
If you need to step it up a notch for a few dressier occasions such summer weddings or maybe your wedding shower, take a look at Maternal America's new line of summer dresses this season. To start with the Flutter Crochet dress is a show stopper! This dress was a best seller last year due to the wonderful fit and style, so Maternal America has brought it back again this Spring in a beautiful sea mist color. Another pretty sea mist color dress is Maternal America's Front Tie dress. This dress is so versatile, you can wear it out for a casual summer day, to the office or dressy to a wedding or your baby shower. Another Maternal America style dress to check out is their Magenta dress. This dress is a classic tank style dress with rutching across the bust and shoulder straps which adds a pretty accent. This is another dress that can worn both dressy or casual with a killer color for warmer months.
Aside from dresses, another must have for any expecting mom is a good pair of maternity jeans. Maternal America has a new Megan Jean that is a relatively light weight denim and is super stretchy. This jean looks like a million buck with expert fading and 5 pocket pockets style. However the best part about this jean is the fit. The legs are wide and slightly bootcut without being too exaggerated, and the panel is wide, supportive and subtle. You will also want to wear this jean after the baby as a transition jean!
Another great jean that looks and fits like a high-end designer jean and even more moderately priced is Mama Black's Celebrity jean and Cha-Cha jean. These jeans are cut exactly alike, even with the same back pocket design, the only difference is the Celebrity jean is a darker blue dye than the Cha-Cha. So, depending on your wardrobe preferences, pick the color you like best. Both of these Mama Black jeans fit like a dream along with a lot of stretch. Unlike the Maternal America Megan jean, they hug your curves with a mild bootcut and moderate rise. The elastic waistband is very comfortable and functional while being relatively short, so people will not even suspect you are wearing maternity jeans.
If you are not a "shorts" person, a great alternative is gauchos or crops or even a Bermuda short which hits at the knee. You will be a lot cooler with a pant alternative that is not full length to your feet for the hot days of summer. Japanese Weekend makes a Crop Cargo Maternity Pant in Khaki that will go with anything and fits comfortably below the belly. Juliet Dream also has a very tasteful Bermuda Pant that comes in White, Stone or Rosemary which is a great alternative to "short" shorts and can be dressed up with a nice top. If you are looking for even more casual, check out 1 in the Oven's French Terry Capris in Baby Camel. These lightweight capris are so comfortable, you will want to throw them on everyday and sleep in them too!
Another necessary addition to your summer wardrobe, are maternity tees and tops. The place to begin your search for amazing maternity basic tops and tees for reasonable prices is Shade Clothing. Shade's Baby Tee and Cap Sleeve Tee will hug your body in style. These tees come in solid colors and are extra long and extra stretchy to allow plenty of room for your growing tummy without riding up. Once you try one of these fitted tees, you will want one in every color! Maternal America also makes a very stylish ribbed cotton Cap Sleeve tee with a scoop neck in a variety of colors. Although you will pay a bit more for this tee, it washes and wears very well and has a beautiful neckline that can be dressed up with a nice pant. Also, you can layer any of these tees in cooler weather, so they are worth their moderate investment.
Finally, the last must-have is a maternity swimsuit. Even though you may not be a big lap swimmer, chances are you will find yourself near a body of water sometime this summer and would like the option of jumping in. Prego Maternity makes the best fitting maternity swimsuits in town and has a number of great body styles to choose from including the Babydoll, Halterkini, Tankini and maternity bikinis. Prego's suits are designed to stretch with your changing shape and flatter your maternity figure. Most of Prego's are reasonably priced.
So, go ahead and buy yourself a pretty dress, some versatile maternity tees, a couple great pairs of jeans and capris and, last but not least, an awesome maternity swimsuit to kick off your summer season in style!
Summer is fast approaching, so now is the time to begin shopping for maternity dresses before the pickings are slim. If you have been pregnant for more than a few months, you doubtless have some good basics, but you may not have begun the dress hunt yet. Late spring and early summer is definitely the dress season so many with graduations, weddings, outdoor parties, not to mention baby showers! You will most likely find you could easily use a few choice casual dresses for those hot summer days, an occasion dress for a wedding or shower and maybe a few versatile office dresses.
The biggest advantage of maternity dresses in summer is that they are easy to wear and non-restricting, cooler than pants, and can really flatter your maternity shape and allow you to feel 100% woman! Here are a few top style picks for summer maternity dresses:
The Wrap Maternity Dress
Summer is packed full of long hot days and with your body temperature rising and increasing pregnancy weight gain, you will want to cool off in something easy to wear and very comfortable. In terms of easy to fit and timelessly stylish, there is nothing better than your basic wrap maternity dress. Japanese Weekend makes a classic Short Sleeve Collar Maternity Dress in both a solid navy and black in a jersey fabric. This dress can easily transition from the office to out to dinner or can be worn as a casual weekend dress. Another great wrap dress is JKU's short sleeve Wrap Maternity Dress. This versatile V neck wrap maternity dress is similar to Japanese Weekend's, only minus the collar and with an adjustable front tie. JKU's Wrap Maternity Dress comes in a beautiful dusk blue solid color in a super soft and stretchy Rayon/Spandex blend.
The Maternity Sundress
There is no better time to buy an awesome sundress than when you are expecting. Sundresses are so easy to wear and allow you to bask in the sun without sweltering in the heat. The Maternal America Embroidered Dress in cool mint is an understated yet beautiful sundress that can be worn for everyday casual or for a special occasion. This dress hangs beautifully on your figure and does not wrinkle. The garment dyed mint color is accented by floral embroidery throughout and the ruffle detail allows a casual elegance and effortless beauty that is only enhanced by your pregnancy. On a similar theme, Juliet Dream's Embroidered Maternity Dress is a versatile lightweight cotton paisley pattern sundress. This dress has that casual summer sundress feel with adjustable tie shoulder spaghetti straps, tube smocking and ruffle hem which hits a bit above the ankle. This is another great example of a maternity dress that be worn extremely casual or even to a wedding.
The Transition Maternity/Nursing Dress
If you are due during the summer and hope to get more mileage out of your summer maternity dress investment, choosing a dress that can be worn during and after your pregnancy is a good idea. Majamas, a label that specializes in nursing and transition fashions, has a number of great choices. Their Praline Maternity/Nursing Dress does not look like a maternity or nursing dress but is designed for both. This dress has a fun kaleidoscope pattern with a stylish black accent band above the hem. The pretty cap sleeve with V neck style is flirty and cool for summer and the front cross over design easily doubles as a nursing dress. It's stretchy rayon/poly/lycra blend will stretch with you during your pregnancy and spring back into place for wear after you have your baby.
The Sleepy Nursing Dress is another great transition wear dress by Majamas. This dress has been around for years and is a favorite for expecting and new moms everywhere. The Sleepy Dress is a tank style dress, with built in bust support which is also nursing bra friendly. This dress features a cross over front design for nursing and the hem hits just above the knee. This dress can be worn casually or accessorized for a more formal occasion. The cotton/lycra blend allows this dress plenty of stretch so that it can also be worn during pregnancy. The Sleepy Nursing Dress is such a popular dress that it comes in many different colors and patterns including a beautiful merlot and twilight as well as classic black.
So whether you are looking for a few choice office dresses, a casual summer sundress, or a some versatile transition wear dresses, there are some great pickings out there! A few pretty and easy to wear summer maternity dresses will make your summer even more enjoyable while you are expecting.
Many first time moms often think that once they have their baby they can just slip back into their pre-pregnancy wardrobe after a week or two. Not so! In fact, post-pregnancy clothes shopping can be a little trickier than maternity clothes shopping because this time you do NOT want to look pregnant! Also, if you plan to nurse your baby, functionality in tops and dresses becomes a key element in choosing your post-pregnancy wardrobe! Here are a few suggestions for some top picks in nursing dresses and nursing tops to make shopping for nursing clothes a little easier.
Majamas Sleepy Nursing Dress
This dress has been a bestseller for years to nursing moms across the country. What's so great about the Sleepy Dress is that you can wear it as a nightgown, as lounge wear, out to lunch or dinner or even to a special occasion with the right accessories! The cotton/lycra blend is thick enough that it does not look like lingerie when you wear this dress out of the house and it is very comfortable and stretchy. The cross over tank style design of the dress allows easy pull down nursing access for your baby as well as bust support. This dress can also be worn with a nursing bra for extra bust support outside the house. In cooler weather, just layer with a demi-cardigan, wrap or sweater for new look. The Sleepy Dress comes in many colors including new merlot and twilight for this spring and summer season. Many women get one in every color and continue to wear this dress long after their babies are weaned!
Japanese Weekend's Convertible 3 Piece Maternity and Nursing Dress
Even if you are still pregnant, this dress is one to get for "during and after" wear. Japanese Weekend is known for their super versatile convertibles styles which can be reversed and mixed and matched for up to 8 different looks and functions for both maternity and nursing. This season's white on black Sleeveless Floral 3 Piece Convertible Dress can be reversed and attached to the demi cardigan for a stunning solid black empire waist maternity dress or nursing dress. It can also be unbuttoned at the waist to be worn as separates - demi cardigan and reversible skirt. The combinations are endless and all can be worn for both maternity and nursing. You will find yourself grabbing this dress/skirt/cardigan for the office, out for dinner or even to a wedding - and maybe in the same day! Perfect for all occasions and well worth the reasonable investment!
Japanese Weekend Cross Over Maternity and Nursing Top
The cross over style top is a perfect choice for both pregnancy and nursing. Japanese Weekend makes the best cross over top on the market today with a wide variety of color options to choose from. This top provides the perfect stretch and de-emphasis for a postpartum belly while doubling as a great maternity top as well. The ¾ sleeves is perfect for all seasons and can be dressed up or down. The crisscross design in the front allows for very discreet nursing access without revealing anything to anyone else in view. Japanese Weekend makes this style top in both a stretchy lightweight jersey material and soft organic bamboo fabric.
Majamas Jake Top
If you are looking for something more casual and cool for the summer that can be worn for both maternity and nursing, the Majamas Jake top is a great choice for a versatile stylish nursing top. The Jake Top is a new style out by Majamas this season that comes in both funky tulip print and chic solid latte. The tank straps are bra friendly while the top does offer built in bra support. This top is designed for nursing with pull down straps that cover the bust while allowing easy nursing access for your baby. The extra long length and side ruching stylishly cover your postpartum belly while allowing enough room and stretch for pregnancy wear. This nursing top can be dressed up or down or even layered with a shrug or wrap for the office.
Once you find a brand that you like for nursing wear, you will doubtless find other styles that you like and wear within that brand. Both Japanese Weekend and Majamas are high quality and exceptionally made lines for stylish nursing tops, nursing dresses and nursing pajamas to make your transition from pregnancy to motherhood seamless, comfortable and all the more enjoyable!
1. Choose stretchy fabric.
Buy clothing with a lot of stretch but that fits snuggly around the belly and your curves. Wearing bigger maternity clothes may sound comfortable and practical, but clothes that do not hug your figure will actually make you look bigger than you are and you may be mistaken for overweight rather than pregnant. Choose clothing that emphasizes the parts of your that are not expanding - such as ruched sleeves to show off your arms, cropped pants or skinny jeans if you have trim legs.
2. Buy tops with ruching designs.
Ruching is when the fabric is gathered on the sides with elastic in a stylish way to fit snuggly and stretch with your body as it expands. This type of styling is perfect for maternity because it actually trims down your silhouette and allows you to look pregnant and sexy at the same time. Ruching at the sides allows a snug fit over the belly and ruching at the bust also allows for an attractive fitted look with room for expansion.
3. Try leggings.
Leggings which used to be so taboo after the 80s are back in style and so much better than they ever were. Today's leggings come in all colors, lengths and fabrics for any season- there are cropped leggings with lace, leggings with ruching detail below the knee and leggings that hit ankle length for the colder months. Today's leggings come in all different colors and styles, so choose a good weight legging for the weather with a lot of stretch and pair with a tunic, longer maternity top or sweater. Best of all leggings are super comfortable for maternity and can fit either below, across or over the belly depending on the style you choose.
4. Show some skin.
By showing a little skin, you can show you are still sexy when you are pregnant. Pregnancy is not a time to hide behind your clothes and cover up your whole body in shame. Be proud and show off your new curves. For many women this is the first time they can experience some cleavage, so take advantage of this life changing event and try out some new necklines. Scoop necks, cross over style V necks and sexy maternity tanks and tubes are all popular styles in maternity tops today, so now is the time to try out some new looks with your new enhancements!
5. Dress with color.
Although everyone likes black and denim, don't get stuck in rut with all neutrals for 9 months or you will tire of your maternity clothes very quickly. Instead, mix it up a bit with some pastels and bright tees and tanks for summer and a colorful sweater or two for Fall and Winter. After all, if you already have a lot of neutrals, chances are your colorful items will mix and match very well with your existing wardrobe.
6. Be Decorative.
Every wardrobe needs a few decorative accents to keep it interesting. It's important to invest in a few fashion items with color so you can keep your maternity wardrobe interesting. Try some ruffled trims or embroidered tops and tunics to mix up the fabric a bit. Beaded accents on a halter top can make an otherwise ordinary looking top take on new life. Pick some items with some decorative detail you really like and you will find yourself reaching for them in your closet when you want jazz it up a bit. Small details such as fashion pieces with a styling detail can make pregnancy an even more enjoyable time.
Many first time moms often think that once they have their baby they can just slip back into their pre-pregnancy wardrobe after a week or two. Not so! In fact, post-pregnancy clothes shopping can be a little trickier than maternity clothes shopping because this time you do NOT want to look pregnant! Also, if you plan to nurse your baby, functionality in tops and dresses becomes a key element in choosing your post-pregnancy wardrobe! Here are a few suggestions for some top picks in nursing dresses and nursing tops to make shopping for nursing clothes a little easier.
Majamas Sleepy Nursing Dress
This Majamas nursing dress has been a bestseller for years to nursing moms across the country. What's so great about the Sleepy Dress is that you can wear it as a nightgown, as lounge wear, out to lunch or dinner or even to a special occasion with the right accessories! The cotton/lycra blend is thick enough that it does not look like lingerie when you wear this dress out of the house and it is very comfortable and stretchy. The cross over tank style design of the dress allows easy pull down nursing access for your baby as well as bust support. This dress can also be worn with a nursing bra for extra bust support outside the house. In cooler weather, just layer with a demi-cardigan, wrap or sweater for new look. The Sleepy Dress comes in many colors including new merlot and twilight for this spring and summer season. Many women get one in every color and continue to wear this dress long after their babies are weaned!
Japanese Weekend s Convertible 3 Piece Maternity and Nursing Dress
Even if you are still pregnant, this dress is one to get for "during and after" wear. Japanese Weekend is known for their super versatile convertibles styles which can be reversed and mixed and matched for up to 8 different looks and functions for both maternity and nursing. This season's white on black Sleeveless Floral 3 Piece Convertible Dress can be reversed and attached to the demi cardigan for a stunning solid black empire waist maternity dress or nursing dress. It can also be unbuttoned at the waist to be worn as separates - demi cardigan and reversible skirt. The combinations are endless and all can be worn for both maternity and nursing. You will find yourself grabbing this dress/skirt/cardigan for the office, out for dinner or even to a wedding - and maybe in the same day! Perfect for all occasions and well worth the reasonable investment!
Japanese Weekend Cross Over Maternity and Nursing Top
The cross over style top is a perfect choice for both pregnancy and nursing. Japanese Weekend makes the best cross over top on the market today with a wide variety of color options to choose from. This top provides the perfect stretch and de-emphasis for a postpartum belly while doubling as a great maternity top as well. The ¾ sleeves is perfect for all seasons and can be dressed up or down. The crisscross design in the front allows for very discreet nursing access without revealing anything to anyone else in view. Japanese Weekend makes this style top in both a stretchy lightweight jersey material and soft organic bamboo fabric.
Majamas Jake Top
If you are looking for something more casual and cool for the summer that can be worn for both maternity and nursing, the Majamas Jake top is a great choice for a versatile stylish nursing top. It is a new style out by Majamas this season that comes in both funky tulip print and chic solid latte. The tank straps are bra friendly while the top does offer built in bra support. This top is designed for nursing with pull down straps that cover the bust while allowing easy nursing access for your baby. The extra long length and side ruching stylishly cover your postpartum belly while allowing enough room and stretch for pregnancy wear. This nursing top can be dressed up or down or even layered with a shrug or wrap for the office.
Once you find a brand that you like for nursing wear, you will doubtless find other styles that you like and wear within that brand. Both Japanese Weekend and Majamas are high quality and exceptionally made lines for stylish nursing tops, nursing dresses, maternity sleepwear and nursing pajamas to make your transition from pregnancy to motherhood seamless, comfortable and all the more enjoyable!
Although most people think of shopping for maternity swimwear in the summer only, when you are pregnant you may suddenly find that it is a good idea to do your shopping early. Since swimming has been deemed by doctors as one of the best forms of exercise for expecting women, having a swimsuit that fits you correctly and one that you like is important. Afterall, who wants to go swimming if they don't like their swimsuit?
Many people take that last couples vacation when expecting their first child. If you plan a couples' getaway some place warm, you will probably want to throw a maternity swimsuit in your bag. If it's the winter or spring months you probably will not find much of a selection, if anything available in swimwear at your local maternity store. Your best bet for selections is probably online. Here are some great new swimsuit fashions available now that you can chose from:
Halter Styles are always very popular and flattering to many body types. Prego Maternity has some super cute new halter patterns out this year. The Hippie Chic Sweetheart is a cute pastel paisley pattern with a supportive built in cinched bra with lightly padded cups and a pleated center for plenty of belly expansion room. The bikini bottoms fit under the belly with a matching pattern.
Prego's Flower Power Tie Halter is already a hot bestseller! This fun patterned 2 piece suit has a popping flower pattern with beautiful colors of aqua, green, yellow, lavender and dark purple. The top has a empire waist sash front tie which gives a super flattering look for pregnancy. There is enough belly coverage for all nine months of your pregnancy. The bikini bottoms are a matching fabric and fit under the belly.
If you are looking for something a bit more Retro/Modern, check out Prego Maternity's Retro Dot Hipkini. This halter style top features a large oval geometric pattern against a chocolate backdrop. The bikini bottoms are solid chocolate brown with adjustable cinched side ties. This suit is a very flattering style for almost all body types as the bikini has an adjustable bottom and the halter straps are also adjustable and offer good bust support.
If you are looking to get more of a tan but don't want to bare your belly. Check out Prego's Tiki Strapless Mini in red. This beautiful Hawaiian patterned suit covers the hip and bottom while giving a you a flattering silhouette. The strapless top fits securely and has built in bust support with molded pads and a removable halter string for around the neck.
If you are ready to flaunt your belly or looking for maximum sun exposure, then Bellabumbum's 2 piece halter bikini is for you. This pretty maternity striped bikini comes in both mandarin and aqua colors. This maternity bikini offers more bust coverage and a very comfortable below the waist elastic belly band with an adjustable side tie.
Also, don't forget to complete your beach outfit with a flattering maternity swimsuit cover-up. Maternal America's Tunic Swimsuit Cover-up features a V neck empire waist design with back sash tie. This tunic cover-up hits mid thigh and is the perfect swimsuit accessory. You also wear this tunic casually or layered with a tank, it comes in solid white and black.
So, invest early in a swimsuit that suits your tastes and hit the pool as soon as you can!
Winter is here and and soon it will be spring is here. It may seem like a while but it is not as long as it seems to find a maternity swimsuit that you love. Also, you don't want the pressure of waiting until the last second before going on a spring vacation to find maternity swimwear. Here are some ideas for new styles for this season which are already at stores today:
Maternal America has some adorable halter style tankinis in prints and solids this season. The Maternal America Josie Tankini is simply adorable. This sun garden print Halter style top comes with matching under the belly bottoms with adjustable side ties for the perfect fit. This style is flattering on many different body types and the adjustable halter and side ties make it a perfect maternity suit that you can tie to fit you throughout your pregnancy.
In a totally different halter style, Maternal America's Jenni Tankini is a colorful and festive print for pure fun in the sun. This halter top features a center tie ring and a very supportive and flattering bustline. The bikini bottoms have adjustable side ties to fit your changing shape.
If you are not quite brave enough for a bikini but still want to show a little belly, check out Maternal America's Flutter Halterkini. This halterkini has an optional halter tie to the top, so it can also be worn strapless with the halter strings bowed in front. The tankini part of this suit features a slightly see through mesh that criss-crosses across the belly. This style is perfect for the woman who wants to wear a bikini but not totally show her belly. The mesh is so light and breezy that it feels like a bikini. This style comes in black, papaya and a festive carnival print.
As for bikinis, check out Maternal America's Jill Boy Bikini. This adorable style features the same halter top style as the Flutter Halterkini, just minus the flutter (or mesh tankini that covers the belly). This bikini really does show the belly. The boy shorts fit comfortably under the belly and just skim the top of the thigh with total bottom coverage. The Jill Boy Bikini comes in pretty solids, like this season's delicious Fruit Punch color and fun patterns like, "Flower Power."
If you are looking for a suit that you can wear before and after your pregnancy, then consider Belabumbum's Nursing Tankini. This sweet style features a front bow tie and discreet nursing access from under the empire waist style top. The bikini bottoms fit under the belly and are super stretchy to hug your curves throughout your pregnancy and beyond. This style comes in both hot pink with a lighter pink front tie and solid black.
If you need a classic one piece bathing suit to take you through your pregnancy and actually allow you to swim laps in the pool then take a look at Prego Maternity Empire Tank suit. This maternity swimsuit is made with super bust support and wide adjustable straps. This suit stretches to fit your curves without stretching out of shape. This is also a great suit for water aerobics or mommy and me classes with toddler.
Beach goers will enjoy the Prego Strapless Mini styles as you can get a nice tan across the shoulders without strap marks but still have some superb bust support in your suit. In addition to the classic basic colors of black and chocolate, Prego is offering a tropical print called First Bloom which offers a blend of black and white with a pink blossom. Women particularly like the mini because in addition to a flattering fit across the chest and over the belly, the mini offers coverage over the hips and bottom to give your expecting figure a very flattering and more elongated shape. The strapless mini also comes with an option string halter tie that can be attached for extra support for swimming if you like.
So whatever your maternity swimsuit style preference, there are some pretty solids and prints out on the market this season with these premium quality brands in maternity fashion. Remember the early bird gets the worm, so start shopping early this season while the pickings are best!
You are pregnant and you suddenly discover nothing fits quite right in your closet. Don't panic or feel like you have to empty the piggybank before you set foot outside your door again. Really there are just a few basics you need to cover to stylishly maternity clothes for your new body.
1. Nursing Bra
Before you break the bank buying up sizes in your bra size, go ahead and invest in a few nursing bras that you can also wear after the baby is born. The advantage of a good nursing bra is that even if you don't plan to nurse, or nurse for very long, it can still be of use after the baby as your breasts go back to their regular size. Nursing bras are made with more stretch than your average bra and can often accommodate a range of cup sizes. Bravado's Original Nursing Bra fits a range of up to 4 different band and 2 cup sizes for each of their bra sizes. Also, well made nursing bras are gentler on the breast tissue which is a great comfort factor to pregnant or nursing breasts as well as a health factor in reducing the risk of mastitis from a too-tight or badly fitting bra. Even the underwire nursing bras are often made with more padding and gentle wires than your standard wired bra. Melinda G makes a particularly gentle and supportive T-shirt underwire bra.
2. Maternity Jeans
If you are were a jean girl before you were pregnant, chances are you will still want to slip on a comfy pair of jeans after you are pregnant too. Fortunately there are many stretchy, stylish maternity jeans out there that will fit great for your entire pregnancy and feel like a dream on you. 1 in the oven has a very comfortable Invisibelly Maternity Jean with a nude over the belly band and a superb fitting stretchy denim jean material. There are also a number of transition jeans that look like a regular jean but can be adjusted in the waistband to let out under the belly as needed. Noppies 4 pocket Under the Belly Jean is a great example of a before and after jean that can work fabulously for a whole year of up and down tummy sizes without looking like a maternity jean.
3. Lounge pants
Everyone needs a pair of comfortable lounge pants that can be worn inside and outside of the house when expecting and after the baby. Majamas makes a wonderful yoga pant, called the Softest Yoga pant, that can be worn during pregnancy and after the baby. This pant comes in both a black and charcoal color which goes with everything and can even be worn as pajama bottoms. 1 in the Oven also makes a Super Soft Ruched Fold Over Pant which fits like a lounge or yoga pant and can be worn all during pregnancy and beyond. This pant comes in black and can be dressed up or down.
4. Maternity Nursing Tops
Japanese Weekend has hands down has the best selection of maternity and nursing tops on the market today at prices that are affordable along with excellent quality. The advantage of buying top that can worn for both maternity and nursing is that it does give you quite a bit of mileage and can be worn after the baby with a postpartum belly whether or not you intend to nurse. The Japanese Weekend cross over top has an excellent body with a ¾ sleeve that can be worn year round and a stylish cross over style that allows discreet nursing and full belly coverage. This maternity and nursing top comes in both jersey and hugaboo bamboo material and many color options.
5. Maternity Swimwear
Although a maternity swimsuit sounds like a luxury when you are pregnant, this is an item you definitely need to buy if you are pregnant during the warmer months or plan to vacation somewhere warm. Once you are more than a month or two pregnant the first thing not to fit right is your swimsuit. Many women find that they want to enroll in a water aerobics class or take a swimming class with a young tot and need a real swimsuit that fits right. Maternity swimsuits are made with more spandex and belly room as well as more room in the chest to fit more a range in size without being restrictive. Also, these suits are made to flatter your expecting shape with a wide variety of styles to accent or camouflage what you choose.
So, don't panic if your wardrobe is suddenly no longer the size you need and don't waste your money buying up a size or to in "regular clothing", but go ahead and invest in some good basic maternity pieces that will stylishly clothe you for all nine months and then some!