Labor Day

With the holiday weekend that just passed I started to think about my own labor day - the one that involves going to the hospital! I have been so busy planning the baby's room, clothes, and other accessories that I forgot to plan for the actual birth. Here is a great list of things that I found helpful in planning what to pack in the hospital bag:

1. A picture ID, insurance card, and any other hospital paperwork that you might need.
2. Your birth plan - if you have one.
3. Toiletries - the hospital usually provides things like soap and shampoo but you might prefer your own.
4. A bathrobe, a few nightgowns or pajamas.
   
5. Some comfy slippers or socks for delivery and for walking around the halls afterwards.
   
6. And don't forget the camera and charger!
   

Things for after the delivery:

1. A list of people and phone numbers that your partner can contact about the good news!
2. Things to keep your skin hydrated like: lip balm, lotion, and nipple cream for nursing.
   
3. Your favorite snacks - because let's face it, sometimes that hospital food just doesn't cut it!
4. Comfortable, wireless, nursing bras. We have great Bravado nursing bras here at the store.
5. Several pairs of maternity underwear. The hospital will provide some mesh underwear, but many women prefer to bring their own.
6. You might want to bring your baby book to get things like the footprints that are done at the hospital.
   
7. A journal and pen - to write down all the feelings that you are experiencing about your new bundle while it is fresh in your mind. You are also able to track your baby's feeding sessions and any questions that you might have for the nurse when they are not around.
8. Clothes to wear home. Remember that now isn't the time to try to fit into your favorite pre-pregnancy jeans. Bring something that fit comfortably when you were about six months pregnant.

And don't forget about things for the baby!

1. Make sure you have your car seat properly installed beforehand and know how to buckle your new one in properly!
2. A going home outfit for baby. Make sure that you have socks or booties for their little toes and a soft knit hat is a good idea for the cooler air that is coming!
3. An extra receiving blanket. The hospital will provide one to swaddle your bundle in, but having an extra one to tuck around them in the car seat - esp. in cold weather is important.

Hope these things help- please feel free to comment with any other advice!

Ritual & Routine

Daily, weekly, or yearly routines and rituals can be the glue that holds your life together when you are too busy or worn out to do it yourself. Rituals can be grand gestures or small, playful acts: Anything from visiting the Grandparents on Sundays to kissing your baby on both cheeks when dropping her off at the sitter to blowing kisses to the moon each night before bedtime. Create your own family rituals for birthdays and holiday celebrations. Your child will come to understand these gestures as the marking of time, and see them as a reassurance that life are around her is secure..

Watch KJZZ tomorrow morning …..

Becca and Shauna will be on tomorrow morning between 9 AM and 10 AM with some important tips on what to remember during pregnancy.

 

Here is a old clip from KJZZ enjoy :)

 

Just a few little tips ….

My name is Shauna and I have a two children. Joaquin is a very active two and a half year old and Elena is a chubby four month old. Needless to say, life is busy and sometimes downright crazy. I knew it would be tough to have two kids but I never understood the extent of the difficulty. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t regret having two kids but there are days I would much rather work a 9 to 5. There are those precious moments that make it all worthwhile like when Joaquin looks me in the eyes and says “I love you mama” or when Elena smiles so big her deep dimples pop out. Actually, I think my favorite is when Joaquin leans over Elena and talks to her and she laughs and smiles. There’s something about that brother-sister connection that is special.

Anyway, as a mother of two, I have a few pieces of advice for all you expecting mothers…….

1. Get a Bella Band to lengthen the life of your pants that are getting to be too tight.

2. Buy at least one pair of jeans that make you feel like a million bucks while wearing them.

3. Exercise, it will help now and later (but don’t forget not to start anything new during your pregnancy so disregard this if you didn’t exercise before).

4. Go on dates with and make love to your significant other now because these two luxuries become exponentially more difficult once you have a kid (or kids in my case).

5. Buy an amazing nursing bra or two or three…..Let me tell you a quick story. After Joaquin was born my milk came in and my size medium, wireless, flimsy bra could no longer hold my bountiful bosoms. My mother and I rushed to Nordstroms to buy a more suitable bra. I went in the fitting room and was measured as a letter that I had never heard of before, an “E” or “DDD.” I was shocked and bought two fifty-dollar bras with underwire. I suffered through the uncomfortable, large bras until I shrank down enough to wear my size medium, wireless, flimsy bra again. After Elena was born I had my mom run to Expected to buy me a Bravado bra that I had heard good things about. I LOVE IT!!!! It is very supportive even without wire and has extra padding that can be removed. It is comfortable enough to sleep in, which, FYI you sleep with a bra on for a while after you have your baby. So, enough preaching, buy a good bra. Oh, one more thing, I would consider buying a few different sizes because you will go through a few different sizes as you breastfeed.

6. There is another “must have” for nursing mother, a nursing cover. Some brilliant mother that could sew came up with the idea to make a cover that is modest and useful. There is boning in the top so you can still have eye contact with your baby (I am finding this especially helpful now that Elena likes to chomp down every once in a while). There is also a little terry-cloth pocket on the bottom that is useful for breast pads and can also be used to wipe up spit-up (both my kids have had reflux so that is super handy for me). I even feel comfortable breastfeeding in front of my father-in-law now. J Even my sister-in-law who has breastfeed two other children loves to use the nursing cover with her third.

7. My other suggestion is don’t forget to think about buying maternity shirts not only for now but for the post-partum body transition. We would all love to pretend that out comes the baby and our bodies are back to normal. Buy shirts that are loser fitting around your belly, like the Lilac Avery top from Expected.

8. Good luck! Remember you are not alone, we are all in this crazy motherhood thing together!

Amazing Family Photographer

So Kristy came into the store today and was so excited about how great her family photo shoot went with yan photography that I wanted to share it with everyone.  Diana did a great job capturing the family and each persons own individual personality. All the photos are beautiful. 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

you can get more info about Yan Photography by going to this  link www.yanphoto.com/blog

JUST FOR YOU!!!!

Napping?

Your baby isn’t the only one who gets cranky when they doesn’t get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can make what is already difficult seem impossible. Learning to nap while you baby is napping is one of the most important things you can do for yourself, your partner, and your baby . Your body needs rest to keep you sane and keep your immune system up. Don’t worry about the dust bunnies on the dinning room floor. If you’re tired, set the baby in his bed and then head straight to yours; or if you prefer, lay down with your infant and let the flicker of his closing eyelids lull you to sleep.

Motherhood Groups

There is nothing like new motherhood to make you question your abilities and doubt your sanity. Locking yourself in the house with a baby who is just as confused as you are doesn’t help. Get out there and meet some fellow moms, and you’ll see that you’re not alone. Support see that you’re not alone. Support groups can provide a much needed social outlet, as well as pals who can ease your worries and potential lifelong friendships for  you and baby. To find a mothers’ group in your area, contact local baby stores, recreation departments, pediatricians’ offices if you can’t find a group , form it yourself: Post a sign on a neighborhood community board or strike up conversations with moms in your neighborhood.

What not to feed baby..

Honey: Risk botulism in infants

Cow’s Milk: Not digestible

Wheat(before 6 months) Possible allergen

Peanut Butter, Tree Nuts, Citrus, Shellfish, Egg Whites (before 1-3 years) Possible allergen

Popcorn, Raw Carrots, String Cheese, Whole Grapes, Lollipops, Raisins, Marshmallows: Choking Hazards

If you are on the go: Stash non perishables in your diaper bag: jars of baby food, snacks such as biter biscuits or crackers, and ready- to –pour formula.

If your baby is a fussy eater: Don’t worry if she goes gaga for cottage cheese day after day, but turns her nose at the other foods you offer. Nutritionists say you may have to introduce a new food as many as ten to twelve times before child will try it.

Take a Moment

 

 

Sure you’re tired; sure you’ve got other things on your mind. But it’s a good thing to take a moment each day for you and your partner to remember what brought you here in the first place. Try to have one conversation a day where no one uses the word “baby,” diapers,” money,” or housework.” Skip the dishes once in a while, crawl into bed early and remember what it’s like to hug and kiss each other. The creation of a child is a terrific bond between two people, and keeping the connection will make family life even better.

Come to the Ultimate Girls Day Out Show!

 

 

April 17-18 at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy...

Shop, Shop til you drop!! We've got everything a woman wants!  Makeovers, skin care, the latest in home decor, to health and wellness. You can find a great selection in jewelry, clothing, maternity fashion, purses and cleaning products, not to mention the gifts for any occasion.

Expected Maternity

Fashion Show starts at 4:30  Saturday the 18th
Come check out the NEW Spring inventory from the hottest maternity boutique in Utah!  

Walking With A Purpose

I recently decided to participate in Walk MS and I'm inviting you to join the Expected Maternity team Walking With A Purpose! By joining The Expected Maternity team, you will be signing up not just for a day of fun, but also for a celebration of the great things we can achieve when working together for a common cause. Each step we take brings us one step closer to a cure - and closer to a world free of multiple sclerosis. So what are you waiting for? Join my team today or make a donation in behalf of Walking With A Purpose .
Click here to view the team page for Walking With A Purpose

 

If you are interested in joining our team please email : cherill@expectedmaternity.com 

 

 

 

P.S. If you would like more information about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, how proceeds from Walk MS are used, or the other ways you can get involved to create a world free of MS, please visit www.curemsutah.org

Morning Sickness???

We carry a product called Preggie Pops:

• The sucker or lollipop format works well in labor to help prevent dry mouth.
• Seven interesting flavors like peppermint, sour tangerine and ginger.
• Come in a variety of formats so you can select your favorite: suckers or drops.
• They make a nice baby shower gift or gift to a new mom-to-be.

Morning sickness is something that plagues many women during pregnancy. It can happen at any time of the day or even last all day long. For centuries women have been seeking a remedy to cure morning sickness. Many of the remedies that women found helpful were hard to find in a readily available form.

The flavored suckers are meant to be used for just this purpose. The flavors are all designed to help alleviate nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and in cases of motion sickness, which can occur more frequently when you are pregnant. They are designed to work by the flavoring, but also have the added benefit of helping you if you suffer from dry mouth or over active saliva glands .

Cellex-C Mother & Child Skin Care

 

We now have these amazing Mother & Child Skin Care items by Cellex-C.

Spider Vein Complex is a lightweight gel that should be applied to the legs twice daily. Allow a minimum of 4 weeks of continued use for improved skin appearance. May be used before, during or after pregnancy to improve the appearance of spider veins and capillaries.

Stretch Mark Cream combines ultra moisturizers with collagen boosting ingredients. Stretch Mark Cream is ideally applied regularly (twice a day) beginning at least 3 months before giving birth. Can also be used post-pregnancy.

Baby SunSafe Cream SPF 30 Formulated specially for baby’s skin, including face, this oil free, fragrance free, mineral based sun protection cream is completely free of chemical sunscreens yet gives your baby’s skin complete SPF 30 protection. This aquamarine-colored sun protection cream combines sea botanical extracts—Omega Plankton, Aquatic Vegetable Protein and Seaweed Biopeptides—with natural earth minerals to create the ultimate light-weight, natural, sun defense moisturizer.

The Language your Doctor Speaks…

Here is your cheat sheet for that language your Doctor speaks…

Amniotic fluid: what your baby is more or less swimming in for nine months. When your water breaks, it’s the amniotic fluid that gushes- or more likely trickles out.

Anatomy scan: Halfway through pregnancy you’ll get this, also know as a level 2 ultrasound. It’s your chance to find the sex of the baby. The sonographer also can measure the baby’s length  and head size, and checks for the development of organs, such as the heart and lungs.

Birth Plan: A document you write and then share with your doctor, explaining your preferences for the birth.

Due Date: The date that the baby might arrive.

Heartburn: Pregnancy=slower digestion= a chance to see what heartburn really is about.

Doppler: Doppler fetal monitor picks up baby’s heartbeat. Your doctor will move the handheld device across your belly until they find a whooshing sound (your blood) and a clip-clopping  sound(baby’s heart).

Braxton-Hicks: Practice contractions that can drive a woman crazy. You can tell them from labor contractions only because they don’t get stronger or closer together.

Colostrum: Thin milk, rich in protein and antibodies, produced during pregnancy.

Cord blood: Baby’s umbilical cord had blood stem cells that could help someone overcome disease.

Baby Lilac Sleeping Masks

 

 

Okay so most people laugh when I tell them about this amazing new product for helping babies sleep. We all know of this sleeping enhancement called a sleep mask. However, we only know it to be applicable to the adults today as many sleep deprived individuals need these masks to assist them in sleeping better. But a infant sleeping mask? The Infant sleeping masks are great, for soothing your sleepy baby at church, home, or on the go. Use the infant sleeping mask as apart of your babies normal sleep routine. This way your baby will associate the mask with sleep time. 

Skinny Mini

Hey all, Kristy here.  I’m so excited right now, I’m pretty much bouncing off the walls (ask my kids, they’re over it).  Anyway, I’m so so so grateful for this new product that I found after I had my baby that I have to tell you all about it.  Seriously, it is the answer to my dreams (and I was SO skinny in these dreams)...

So, it takes us all nine months to put on the joyous 30+ lbs of pregnancy weight.  But, that weight can just not come off fast enough!  Towards the end of my pregnancy (my 4th mind you), all I could think about was getting this beautiful baby on the outside.  The sleepless nights, crazy bladder urges, swollen ankles, and a bootie to match my belly were all worth it…but seriously - let's get this show on the road.

Well, my darling little Avery was born healthy and perfect!  It sure made all the weight gain and hormonal rages worth it.  But, as I left the hospital and my belly had gone down (barely) I felt that the rest of my body had ballooned up!  I was fat and bloated and kept thinking, "This is the last time I will ever be the size of a whale – EVER"!  At least I had an excuse 2 days earlier, not the case anymore now that baby was born.......so sad.

After recovering from the delivery and taking it easy for a few weeks, I was ready to get this squishy body back into shape!  I lined up my workout plan, renewed gym membership and was READY to go!  I woke up early and dragged my tired, sleep- deprived body to the gym.  I worked out like crazy trying to get my body back in shape as quickly as possible.  The weight.........was not coming off.  After chatting with a trainer about my frustration of my slow weight loss, he told me "Kristy, just EAT LESS and EAT HEALTHY".  He then told me that I could run 10 miles a day, but if I'm eating like a pig, the weight won't come off.  He totally figured me out.  I ate like a PIG.

Well, (and here’s where it gets good) our sister Heather had been losing weight with some new weight loss product.  I have never really bought into the whole world of weight loss scams, but this one seemed different.  I noticed her at family meals.... EATING LESS.  She didn't talk about it, she didn't complain about what she couldn't eat - she just wasn't eating as much.  This is out sister Heather Hansen who was one of the finalists on NBC's "Biggest Loser", so this girl normally really likes to eat.  It was then that I wanted to know more about the product she was taking (she is also the spokesperson for this company so I figured she’d give me the REAL scoop).  Well, after she explained to me what it was and how it worked I was on board.   It seriously is brilliant! 

Click here to watch the video and see how it works.

Within 10 days, I lost seven pounds.  I didn't feel like I was depriving myself, I was just eating less.  Eating smaller portions, but still eating what I wanted to.  I was just full - all the time!  Anyway, the concept is so smart: put something into your stomach to make it feel full, and VOILA  you eat less.  It is even safe while nursing, which was very important to me.  The gist of it is that you take a pill 30 minutes before eating, it expands, takes up space in your stomach and solidifies, and then after 4 hours or so it liquefies and passes out of your body.  It doesn't absorb or digest, so absolutely no side effects.  I lied, one side effect..... WEIGHT LOSS.  Yeah!  Pretty dang crazy, but like I said earlier – I really am grateful that I found this product.

If you want to read up and get more information CLICK HERE.

Signing off,

Kristy

The Belly Bandits - WIN ONE!

Cultures all over the world have a history (and a long one) of belly binding after women give birth - and for good reason...Every woman wants to get her post-baby body back to it's pre-pregnancy hotness as quickly as possible.  It's actually unbelievable to me that this product just barely made it on the market here in the USA - it's one of those "duh" things (like the Bella Band) that should've been around forever.  Well luckily for us, NOW IT IS!  Hurray for The Belly Bandits!

For centuries, Japanese mothers have used their “Sarashi”, while Hispanic mommies can't live without their “faja”. No matter what she calls it, women in Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Latin America, Mexico, Spain, England, and the Philippines have benefited from using an abdominal compression wrap after childbirth. No wonder so many US celebrities have gotten on board!  And PS, have you noticed how many of these cultures are known for their teeny tiny women?  It's all making sense to me now.

So here is why belly binding has stood the test of time (they do WAY more than I thought, I was just going for the vanity reasons myself!).

1. Speeds up weight loss, for real
2. Toning of the abdominal muscles & skin
3. Gets organs back in place after the baby
4. Brings pliable hips back together to post pregnancy width (I've even heard people say they get SMALLER after using compression wraps...SOLD.)
5. Closes the birth canal
6. Speeds up getting rid of waste blood
7. Promotes great posture
8. Protects back, core and legs - think of weight lifters on this one

And I thought Spanx were best thing ever!  Well, they are too - let's be honest.

If you're finding that you just can't live without one of these click here to get your own.

TO ENTER CONTEST: Leave a comment!

• Click on "Comments" link at the bottom of the post
• Be sure to fill out your email address.  It won't be displayed and will not be used except to notify the winner.

"I Just Want My Baby To Be Healthy"

Yesterday one of our favorite customers, Kathryn, was in the store and had just found out the gender of her baby.  I asked if she had a preference of boy or girl before she found out what it was and she said, "You know, I always heard people say it but never really believed it until I was in this position, but to be honest I didn't care what the gender was - as long as my baby was healthy".  Even though this is her first pregnancy, that was spoken like a true mother.

I think (and hope!) that most everyone who goes through those months of having a baby develop in their body is always concerned about the health of the baby, wanting to bring a perfectly happy child into the world.  It's difficult to know what tests to have, since some of them can potentially be harmful to you or the baby.  But on the flip side - not having them could put the baby at risk.

Many women undergo tests during pregnancy to check for birth defects, genetic disorders, and other problems. A few of the most common tests are ultrasound scans, the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test, amniocentesis, and chorionic villi sampling (CVS). Each of these can be helpful in diagnosing problems, but the tests are not necessary for every pregnancy. Check with your doctor about what tests, if any, are appropriate for you.

If any of you have had any experiences with one or more of these please comment about it.  Everyone is different and your comments could help somebody going through your same situation.

ULTRASOUND - Ultrasound technology uses high-frequency sound waves to form pictures of the fetus on a computer screen. The test can verify a due date, determine causes of bleeding, check the overall health, development, sex and position of the baby, measure the amniotic fluid, and check the condition of the placenta. There are no known risks from the tests, and many women have one or two ultrasounds in routine pregnancies. However, there is little scientific evidence that normal pregnancies benefit from ultrasound tests.

ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN SCREENING (AFP) - A simple blood test that poses no risk to the fetus, AFP screening measures the levels of alpha-fetoprotein in the mother's blood. Abnormal levels can indicate a brain or spinal cord defect, the presence of twins, a miscalculated due date, or an increased risk of Down syndrome. Because AFP levels can be elevated for a number of reasons, a positive test is usually repeated or followed up by other tests before a diagnosis is made. Very few women with elevated AFP levels are found later to have babies with birth defects.

AMNIOCENTESIS - This test examines the cells shed by the fetus into the surrounding amniotic fluid. Performed about 16 weeks into pregnancy, the test involves inserting a long, thin needle through the mother's abdomen to extract fluid from the womb. The cells must be cultured in a laboratory and it may take up to a month for test results to be ready. The test is a reliable indicator of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome or genetic disorders such as Tay-Sachs disease, Hunter's syndrome, and others. While usually safe, amniocentesis can trigger cramping, leakage of amniotic fluid, and vaginal bleeding, and it may increase the risk of miscarriage by about 0.5 to 1 percent. The test is only done on women at increased risk of having babies with genetic disorders or to assess the maturity of the baby's lungs in the last trimester.

CHORIONIC VILLI SAMPLING (CVS) - Performed between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy, CVS can detect the same genetic abnormalities as amniocentesis. It involves inserting a catheter or needle into the womb and extracting some of the chorionic villi (cells from the tissue that will become the placenta). The chorionic villi contain the same chromosomes as the fetus. The test is relatively safe but it has a greater risk of miscarriage than amniocentesis. While there has been some concern that the test itself may be associated with limb deformities, many geneticists believe that CVS performed between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy does not increase that risk.

Comment away!

What is a Healthy Eating Plan for Pregnancy?

So APPARENTLY it’s very important to eat healthy while you’re pregnant.  Hmm, who knew.  So what is eating healthy?  We all know what you’re NOT supposed to do (raw fish, alcohol, smoking, etc.), but what SHOULD you do to make sure you’re taking care of yourself and the lil’ guy or gal in your belly?  Have you ever heard of the 5 food groups?  Sounds familiar doesn’t it.  Well a healthy eating plan contains a wide variety of foods from the those very same food groups.  Try to stick within eating these foods every single day:

• 6 or more servings of bread, cereal, rice, or pasta.
  • One serving equals one slice of bread, 1 ounce of ready-to-eat cereal (about 1 cup of most cereals), or 1/2 cup of cooked cereal, rice, or pasta.
  • If you are physically active, you can eat more servings (up to 11 servings if you are very active).
• 3 to 5 servings of vegetables.
  • One serving equals 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables such as spinach or lettuce, or 1/2 cup of chopped vegetables, cooked or raw (raw is always better).
• 2 to 4 servings of fruit.
  • One serving equals one medium piece of fruit like an apple, banana, or orange; 1/2 cup of chopped fresh, cooked, or canned fruit; 1/4 cup dried fruit; or 3/4 cup of 100-percent fruit juice.
• 2 servings of milk, yogurt, or cheese
  • One serving equals 1 cup of milk or yogurt, 1 1/2 ounces of natural cheese like cheddar or mozzarella, or 2 ounces of processed cheese like American.
  • If you are 18 years or younger and pregnant, you need at least 3 servings of milk, yogurt, and cheese.
  • Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products most often.
• 2 to 3 servings of meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, or nuts.
  • One serving equals 2 to 3 ounces of cooked meat, poultry, or fish-about the size of a deck of cards. Choose lean cuts and eat no more than 5 to 7 ounces of meat, poultry, or fish a day. One cup of cooked beans such as kidney beans or 2 eggs count as a serving.
  • Four tablespoons of peanut butter or 2/3 cup of nuts also equals a serving.
• At least 8 glasses of water.
  • Drinking milk, 100-percent juice, seltzer or other non-alcoholic beverages counts toward your amount of daily water.