Searching for the perfect diaper bag? This large and colorful one,
appropriately named "MotherShip" ($155, www.fleurville.com), can hold
almost every baby essential in its roomy compartments. It comes with a
wipe case, insulated bottle holder, cinch sack and changing pad—perfect
for toting with your baby to day care or on any other outing.
Preventing Pregnancy Pains
Many jobs, such as those that require computer work or standing or
sitting for long periods of time, can exacerbate common
pregnancy-related complaints. To prevent or manage pregnancy pains, try
these tips from Rodney Edwards, MD, an assistant professor of
maternal-fetal medicine at the University of Florida.
A woman's center of gravity shifts forward during pregnancy, which can
put pressure on the lower back and lead to pain. How to handle: Don't
wear high heels. Try swimming, which takes weight off the back and
helps strengthen the muscles.
Swollen ankles
Gravity pulls the extra fluid retained in pregnancy into the legs and
ankles. How to handle: If possible, lie down for 20 minutes and put
your feet up above your heart to help fluid come back to the larger
blood vessels, which are in the center of your body.
This occurs when a nerve in the wrist is compressed by fluid retention
and swelling. Repetitive motions like typing can worsen symptoms, which
include numbness, tingling and pain in the fingers, hand or wrist. How
to handle: Take frequent breaks, switch to an ergonomic keyboard (found
in any electronics store) and adjust your chair's height so your wrists
are level when you type. Ask your doctor about a wrist or hand splint,
which may be worn day or night to help reduce pain.
Another Reason to Eat Right
Between getting ready for your baby and wrapping up things at work
before your maternity leave, eating right and exercising can often fall
by the wayside. But a recent study indicating an increase in
pregnancy-related (gestational) diabetes emphasizes the importance of
taking care of yourself when you're expecting. The study found that the
incidence of gestational diabetes doubled between 1994 and 2002.
"Pregnancy is a particularly risky period," says the University of
Colorado School of Medicine's Dana Dabelea, MD, PhD, the study's lead
author. "Even in women who aren't obese, there is a physiological
tendency toward insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes."
To help guard yourself against this pregnancy complication, ask your
doctor to recommend a diet and exercise plan that's right for you.
Fact: The percentage of pregnant women who worked until one month
before the birth of their first child has risen in the last several
decades, from 27 percent between 1971 and 1975 to 53 percent between
1991 and 1995.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
A woman's center of gravity