7/27/09
I’m in my 21st week now, which is just past the halfway mark, and I can feel my natural instincts kicking in. I’m starting to think maternally. So much so, I’ve begun looking into all things birthing—techniques, classes, and a birth plan. I never knew there were so many choices out there until I started looking.
Childbirthing classes run the gamut from a few hours over one or two days, to 12 classes with 36 plus hours of training. The techniques and teachings vary greatly too, although some classes teach a blend of them. The four primary techniques are Lamaze, The Bradley Method,Hypnobirthing, and Birthing From Within. Each has a Web site explaining their methods, but if you want the Cliffs notes version check outamericanpregnancy.org, which has an article that concisely explains each one.
I think I’m leaning toward the Lamaze style, because it worked for my mom and seems to best fit my personality, but I’m still looking into the other options. One important benefit of any couples class is that it can help the father feel more closely connected to the pregnancy. Also, any teamwork activities create a shared experience, which should deepen the bond between the preggo and the partner. Two reasons enough to go.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Morning Fix
7/24/09
When I decided to quit my green tea-in-the-morning routine (luckily, I had already kicked coffee a few years earlier), I started looking for a tea that would both warm my mornings and help with my nausea. An internet search led me to Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics.
They have a cute name with pleasing design, but was the tea any good? Well, I’d just have to try. For us blossoming belly women, they offer Morning Wellness Tea, Peaceful Mama Tea, Heartburn Tea, and Third Trimester Tea. I’ve now had two of the four, and gladly report I really enjoyed them. There’s no caffeine, so no need to worry about hyping your fetus, and the flavors are mild enough to be both soothing and satisfying. Not a bad substitute for the ole’ caffeine boost.
When I decided to quit my green tea-in-the-morning routine (luckily, I had already kicked coffee a few years earlier), I started looking for a tea that would both warm my mornings and help with my nausea. An internet search led me to Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics.
They have a cute name with pleasing design, but was the tea any good? Well, I’d just have to try. For us blossoming belly women, they offer Morning Wellness Tea, Peaceful Mama Tea, Heartburn Tea, and Third Trimester Tea. I’ve now had two of the four, and gladly report I really enjoyed them. There’s no caffeine, so no need to worry about hyping your fetus, and the flavors are mild enough to be both soothing and satisfying. Not a bad substitute for the ole’ caffeine boost.
Embracing Needles
7/20/09
No, I’m not talking about the large, sharp kind they use for the amnio test (speaking of which, I got the all-is-well results on Friday. Yeah!). No, I’m referring to knitting needles. You know, that enduring motherly tradition that has produced many a lovely and less-than-lovely sweater, hat, and blanket. I decided I should try to keep the practice alive, rather than relying on “grandma” and knitting friends to do it for me.
Luckily, I had some help from my mom to get me started. She already had a pattern for what I was looking for (an earflap hat) in Erika Knight’sKnitting for Two, so all I needed was the right yarn for my peanut’s little head. As it turns out, Patons yarns has a wonderful new product called Bamboo Baby that is super soft and eco-friendly because of the pesticide-free bamboo, which fits my needs perfectly.
Set with all the ingredients I needed: pattern, yarn, and needles, I faced the actual task of doing it. I cheated a little, with my mom starting me out on the earflaps, but from there it was all me—flaws and all. At times knitting felt a bit tedious with the small repetitive movements, but I also found that eventually I would get into a groove and do it without much thought (although, sometimes chanting knit or pearl so I wouldn’t forget which one I was doing).
Knitting turned out to be a perfect activity to pass the time when I was taking it easy after the amnio. And oddly, it seemed to bring out a motherliness in me that felt a lot like natural instinct.
No, I’m not talking about the large, sharp kind they use for the amnio test (speaking of which, I got the all-is-well results on Friday. Yeah!). No, I’m referring to knitting needles. You know, that enduring motherly tradition that has produced many a lovely and less-than-lovely sweater, hat, and blanket. I decided I should try to keep the practice alive, rather than relying on “grandma” and knitting friends to do it for me.
Luckily, I had some help from my mom to get me started. She already had a pattern for what I was looking for (an earflap hat) in Erika Knight’sKnitting for Two, so all I needed was the right yarn for my peanut’s little head. As it turns out, Patons yarns has a wonderful new product called Bamboo Baby that is super soft and eco-friendly because of the pesticide-free bamboo, which fits my needs perfectly.
Set with all the ingredients I needed: pattern, yarn, and needles, I faced the actual task of doing it. I cheated a little, with my mom starting me out on the earflaps, but from there it was all me—flaws and all. At times knitting felt a bit tedious with the small repetitive movements, but I also found that eventually I would get into a groove and do it without much thought (although, sometimes chanting knit or pearl so I wouldn’t forget which one I was doing).
Knitting turned out to be a perfect activity to pass the time when I was taking it easy after the amnio. And oddly, it seemed to bring out a motherliness in me that felt a lot like natural instinct.
The Preg Veg: Pass it On
7/17/09
The Web site Zwaggle is a perfect example of how the internet can connect hordes of people for the greater cause of sharing. We no longer have to depend on local mommy groups, but can branch out to a nationwide network of parents to find and give, and recycle and reuse, things for our kids. It’s pretty simple too. You just sign up and post something that you have to give, which will earn you Zoints (these are points, that are equivalent to dollars). Once you have those you can find and “buy” whatever it is you need, and thereby keep the cycle going—and the landfills clear. It’s never been so easy to be green.
—Gabrielle Harradine, Market Editor
Gabrielle Harradine is VT's Market Editor and, more recently, The Preg Veg. She's navigating the joys and challenges of her very first pregnancy, and she's blogging here about her efforts to keep it healthy, green, and vegetarian.
The Web site Zwaggle is a perfect example of how the internet can connect hordes of people for the greater cause of sharing. We no longer have to depend on local mommy groups, but can branch out to a nationwide network of parents to find and give, and recycle and reuse, things for our kids. It’s pretty simple too. You just sign up and post something that you have to give, which will earn you Zoints (these are points, that are equivalent to dollars). Once you have those you can find and “buy” whatever it is you need, and thereby keep the cycle going—and the landfills clear. It’s never been so easy to be green.
—Gabrielle Harradine, Market Editor
Gabrielle Harradine is VT's Market Editor and, more recently, The Preg Veg. She's navigating the joys and challenges of her very first pregnancy, and she's blogging here about her efforts to keep it healthy, green, and vegetarian.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
A Cookbook Just for Us
Cathe Olson’s The Vegetarian Mother’s Cookbook is possibly the sole vegetarian cookbook created for pregnant and lactating women, and after receiving several recommendations about it from my blog, I decided I needed to get a copy and test it out.
As it turns out, it may just be as good as everyone says. It has over 300 recipes, with a wide variety from teas to tonics, to tofu scrambles and mango sorbet. And even better, it goes beyond recipes, containing useful nutrition information such as a list of “super mommy foods” and a compilation of common pregnancy ailments (with suggestions for prevention and treatment). Also, a user-friendly appendix includes recipes that are high in protein, iron, and calcium, for when you want to focus on getting more of these key nutrients.
I’ve only had the cookbook for about six weeks now, but I’ve already got some favorite recipes tagged. The Tofu and Udon Noodles with Sesame-Peanut Dressing is creamy, filling, and protein packed (and also a big hit with my husband); the Black Bean and Sweet Potato Enchiladas (I made the carrot variation) is a delicious way to eat some greens, and the Banana-Molasses Muffins made a perfect late morning snack. Mmm, I already have visions of making more, but with some added apples to get my fruit fix.
For the links go to: www.vegetariantimes.com/features/editors_blog/149
As it turns out, it may just be as good as everyone says. It has over 300 recipes, with a wide variety from teas to tonics, to tofu scrambles and mango sorbet. And even better, it goes beyond recipes, containing useful nutrition information such as a list of “super mommy foods” and a compilation of common pregnancy ailments (with suggestions for prevention and treatment). Also, a user-friendly appendix includes recipes that are high in protein, iron, and calcium, for when you want to focus on getting more of these key nutrients.
I’ve only had the cookbook for about six weeks now, but I’ve already got some favorite recipes tagged. The Tofu and Udon Noodles with Sesame-Peanut Dressing is creamy, filling, and protein packed (and also a big hit with my husband); the Black Bean and Sweet Potato Enchiladas (I made the carrot variation) is a delicious way to eat some greens, and the Banana-Molasses Muffins made a perfect late morning snack. Mmm, I already have visions of making more, but with some added apples to get my fruit fix.
For the links go to: www.vegetariantimes.com/features/editors_blog/149
Alive and Well
I survived my amnio, a little embarrassed about the angst I had leading up to it (because of how easy it was), but relieved I didn’t fill the room with blood-curdling screams. I actually came out of the procedure with a much greater appreciation of today’s technology. There’s nothing more surreal than watching a living thing inside of you, doing its thing—especially when its laying out a yoga move.
These Genes Won't Budge
If you’re discovering motherhood a little later in life like me, you may be going through some of the more diligent testing for chromosomal and genetic birth defects. A woman’s risk rises significantly from the age of 35 on, which is why many doctors suggest additional testing for those who fall into that category.
The most common genetic test is known as an amniocentesis (or amnio for short). It’s a fairly simple procedure as far as medical procedures go; however, it does pose a small risk to the fetus. The benefit from the procedure is a nearly conclusive report as to whether or not the baby has spina bifida, Down syndrome, or other chromosome problems. With the results you can make an informed decision about what to do next if defects are detected.
I’m having my amnio done on Wednesday, after which I plan to take it easy for the suggested 24 hours. (As long as I don’t look at the needle, I should be fine.) Check out these links for more information on genetic testing: ACOG, March of Dimes, UPMC.
The most common genetic test is known as an amniocentesis (or amnio for short). It’s a fairly simple procedure as far as medical procedures go; however, it does pose a small risk to the fetus. The benefit from the procedure is a nearly conclusive report as to whether or not the baby has spina bifida, Down syndrome, or other chromosome problems. With the results you can make an informed decision about what to do next if defects are detected.
I’m having my amnio done on Wednesday, after which I plan to take it easy for the suggested 24 hours. (As long as I don’t look at the needle, I should be fine.) Check out these links for more information on genetic testing: ACOG, March of Dimes, UPMC.
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