Mom Stages - Pregnancy

I’m giving away my maternity clothes.

It’s the last “baby” thing left in our attic.

Really, it’s the last “baby” thing left in our whole house.

Read more: Bags of Memories

Mom Stages - Pregnancy

One of the most anticipated, and also most crucial, stages in a woman's life is conceiving another being. All pregnants are 2-3% at risk of having a child with defect. Pregnancy could bring a lot of stress and strain to the would-be mom, and the best way to fight these is being knowledgeable of the predicaments that comes with it. 

Read more: On Women's Pregnancy Issues

Mom Stages - Pregnancy

I developed gestational diabetes (GD) with my first son when I was 32 weeks pregnant with him. I was so glad I only had to deal with it the last eight weeks of his pregnancy. It was a big adjustment and because the rest of the pregnancy had been so easy, I had a silly sense of failure when I was diagnosed. Well, it's 5 years after my son's pregnancy, and I'm pregnant with my second child now...and guess who's "failed" again? Me!

Read more: Gestational Diabetes or My Pancreas Hates Me

Mom Stages - Pregnancy

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I was warned that pregnancy would bring on some pretty strange dreams. This didn't phase me (not near as much as the hemorrhoids disclaimer) because I always remember my dreams vividly and they're always pretty out there. But yesterday, Dave and I took the hospital tour and that must've stirred up an extra special reserve of crazy in my subconscious.

Read more: Bizarre Pregnancy Dreams

Mom Stages - Pregnancy

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As I am just about over my first trimester, I have to say it has been a bumpy ride for me, lots of cramping, severe morning sickness and to top it all off I have a blood condition known as Thalassemia which is a form of iron deficiency which I was born with.

Read more: Pregnant and with Thalassemia

Mom Stages - Pregnancy

I've talked a lot about feeling your best during pregnancy, and exercise definitely plays a part in  your overall health. Regular exercise can help to stave off the aches and pains that occur during pregnancy as well as prepare you for the physical demands of childbirth. While exercise is great and is recommended by physicians, you don't want to overdo it. Follow these tips for exercising safely during your pregnancy.

Read more: Pregnancy Exercise Tips

Mom Stages - Pregnancy

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Stretch marks are a fact of most pregnancies. More than half of all pregnant women will develop them. Stretch marks are streaks or lines on the skin that appear due to the intense stretching that occurs as a pregnant woman's abdomen grows. They vary in color. Stretch marks can be pinkish red on fair skin or a whitish color on darker skin. No matter what the color, no woman wants them.

While you may not be able to avoid stretch marks if you're genetically predisposed to them, it is possible to take preventative measures to help lessen their intensity.

Read more: Avoid Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

Mom Stages - Pregnancy

It can become increasingly difficult to feel attractive as your pregnancy progresses. Your belly is gigantic, your ankles are swollen, and you may even be experiencing some problems with acne. Add to this the discomforts of heartburn and aching body parts, and it becomes even tougher to feel good about your appearance. Don't let yourself sink into a beauty rut. I know there were times during my pregnancies that I thought I'd never feel pretty again, but pregnant women are beautiful. You just have to change your mindset and modify a few habits, and you'll be feeling better in no time.

Read more: Feeling Pretty While Pregnant

Mom Stages - Pregnancy

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Most of us love clothes shopping. It's fun to check out different styles, try on the trends, and hunt for bargains. Shopping for clothes is sometimes not, however, quite as much fun when you're pregnant. It's hard to know what to look for if you've never shopped for maternity clothes before. It's also impossible to foresee the changes the next several months will bring to your body. And who wants to spend an arm and a leg for clothes they'll only wear a few months? Here are some tips for buying maternity clothes on a budget without losing your mind.

Read more: Maternity Clothes On a Budget

Mom Stages - Pregnancy

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It's recommended that you get enough rest during your pregnancy, but it's a well-known fact that getting a good night's sleep can be a real challenge for pregnant women. During the first trimester, frequent waking associated with increased urination and incessant thoughts about the changes that are to come may keep you awake. In the second trimester, the baby's position changes, no longer resting on the bladder, but it may become increasingly difficult to find a comfortable position as the size of your belly grows. The third trimester brings even more sleep disturbances including heartburn, nasal congestion, leg cramps, and the return of regular trips to the bathroom. So what can you do to improve your odds of getting some sleep over the next several months?

Read more: Improve Sleep During Pregnancy