The good news is that you can sit back and relax. It’s time to cut to the chase with the top three tips that you can use today to have a healthy, safe, and happy pregnancy before you welcome your bundle of joy into the world:

Consider your dental hygiene. When you’re pregnant, the last thing on your list may be making a dental appointment. But due to higher levels of progesterone and hormone changes during pregnancy, it can promote increased bacterial growth on your teeth. Basically, your gums will be much more susceptible to infection and inflammation, which leads to gingivitis. And when you add to that strange cravings for brownies, lemons, and pickles, your teeth may be pretty out of whack. Do yourself a favor and check in with your dentist several times during pregnancy to prevent any unnecessary infection that could spread to your baby.

Think before you eat. FYI, the whole “eating for two” concept is actually a myth. For many pregnant women, this may be terrible news. But when you think more about what you eat, you’ll feel better and improve your energy levels day by day. All you really need are 300 extra calories a day to compensate for your baby. According to MSNBC, your baby requires 55,000 calories from conception to birth–that’s it! And contrary to popular belief, there’s no reason to load up on calories in your first trimester. Begin to eat more healthy foods and proteins in your second and third trimester to compensate.

Have a glass of wine. Yes, you read that correctly! Drinking wine on occasion won’t pose any risk to your baby, and it may even have the opposite effect, according to research from the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. The study showed that pregnant women who drank one to two glasses of wine a week actually had better behaved children than women who abstained from alcohol altogether. Of course, heavy drinking poses behavioral and emotional risks to your baby, but sticking to a few drinks a week under the supervision of your doctor is perfectly fine.

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If you find yourself in the same predicament, or even if you’re just a little bit curious about how to induce labor naturally, superstitions surrounding labor and delivery are worth exploring. More and more expectant mothers are considering these alternative methods, according to a recent study from Ohio State University. Roughly 50% of mamas who are 37 weeks pregnant have tried different superstitious methods to stimulate labor, including masturbation, sex, and eating spicy food.

The good news is that none of the above methods are harmful, so many pregnant ladies think why not? To break it down for you, here’s the 411 on the most common old wives tales used to induce labor:

1. Castor Oil: One of the most famous old wives tales surrounding labor is drinking castor oil to get that baby moving. Castor oil releases prostaglandins, a chemical known to stimulate contractions. Still, castor oil isn’t the most pleasant remedy. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or both, which may put unnecessary stress on your body before labor.
2. Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a fairly successful method used to induce labor, potentially within only 48 hours of treatment. The good news is that acupuncture is safe and relaxing and will only stimulate labor if your body is ready. Acupuncture works to cleanse energy blockages in your body to prepare your body for labor at the right time.
3. Spicy Food: If only it were that easy… Unfortunately, there’s no evidence that eating spicy food will trigger labor, but if you can handle a little extra salsa on your tacos, then go for it. But keep in mind that overdoing it on spicy foods could actually cause heartburn instead of triggering labor.

For many women, they believe that Murphy’s Law is the best method to induce labor. Meaning, don’t shave your legs–or your lady parts–and that will be the time that you’re bound to go into labor. Whatever method you decide to use to induce labor and get that baby moving, remember to stay relaxed (as much as you can) and try to enjoy the ride!

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Prenatal massage is an excellent way for a pregnant woman to relax, unwind, and relieve stress safely and naturally.

Here are some of the top reasons to enjoy a prenatal massage today:

• Reduce Anxiety: Studies have confirmed that regular massage treatments throughout pregnancy can help to reduce anxiety and even alleviate depression. Most prenatal massage is done through the lighter therapy of Swedish massage, which helps to relax tension in the muscles and improve circulation using mild pressure applied to the muscles. Swedish massage is the recommended form of prenatal massage since it will help to alleviate discomfort without causing any harm to the baby.
• Relieve Muscle Cramps: For any pregnant women suffering from muscle cramps, spasms, and lower back pain as a result of carrying around extra weight, prenatal massage may be the answer. Prenatal massage is safer and much more effective than taking over-the-counter pain medication to manage pain. This will help a pregnant mom to feel more balanced and serene to improve her overall health. The act of relieving physical stress during pregnancy is a powerful tool to relieve emotional stress at the same time. This pain relief can work hand-in-hand to reduce even more stress and anxiety that a pregnant mom may be carrying around without knowing it.
• Reduce Swelling: If a pregnant mom is struggling with swelling of her joints later on in pregnancy, this is often a result of reduced circulation that occurs when the uterus places pressure on major blood vessels. Regular prenatal massage will help to stimulate soft tissue and reduce accumulated fluid to ease swelling. This will help to flush toxic waste from the body and aid in hydration.

Women who enjoy prenatal massage can greatly improve their circulation to relieve minor aches and pains, like headaches. If a woman is having difficulty sleeping at night, a prenatal massage can often help to put her body back into balance so that she sleeps more deeply to get the rest that she and her baby need.

Prior to considering prenatal massage, make sure that you work with a licensed prenatal massage therapist. It’s also important to discuss with your doctor beforehand to ensure that you are a candidate for prenatal massage.

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Don’t let the baby naming blues get you down! Whether you are totally stumped or just can’t come to a compromise with your spouse, here are a few tips that you can use to pick out the perfect name for your bundle of joy well before he or she born:

• What is your baby naming style? This could be where you and your spouse fall into a disagreement. Perhaps you are a traditional namer who likes Michael or Jessica. Your spouse, on the other hand, maybe a trendy namer who prefers newly popular names like Leonardo or Harper. Try to come to a compromise between the two by choosing a unique, classic name that you both can agree upon.
• Consider a gender-neutral name. If you are waiting to find out the sex of your baby until it’s born, why not consider a gender-neutral name for either sex? A gender-neutral name can be strong and unique and work for a boy or a girl. Examples include Robin, Evan, Ashley, or Reese.
• Think about your inspiration. Many people are happy to name their baby after a beloved family member, like a grandmother who has passed away. Or perhaps your religion can inspire you to name your child after a saint or after a character in the Bible. Baby names are often much more meaningful if they have inspiration behind them.
• Think twice about nicknames. Today, there are no rules when it comes to baby names. Many people choose a longer name specifically for its nickname, like Ben for Benjamin. But who says you have to name your baby a longer name first? More and more couples today are naming their baby a nickname instead of a longer name that will be shortened later. Examples include Bo, Jess, Jodi, or Katy. Think outside of the box and don’t be constrained to a longer, traditional name when you could use a shorter version instead.
• Consider an unconventional name. If you keep going back and forth between old favorites like Jennifer and Alexander, consider an unconventional name instead. It may be difficult for people to pronounce or understand an unusual name at first, but unusual names are easier to remember. Why not name your baby Ireland, Althea, Griffin, or even Selma?

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In the United States today, the cost of in vitro fertilization starts at around $12,400 per cycle. Most often, it takes multiple cycles of IVF in order for it to prove to be effective and still, at the end of your treatment, there is no guarantee that you will come out with the success you had hoped for.

Infertility is recognized by the World Health Organization as a legitimate disease and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has publicly stated that infertility is an “emerging public health priority.” Regardless, it is extremely rare to find IVF, as well as any other assisted reproductive technology services, listed on insurance policies. In fact, only 15 states have passed laws to date that require insurance companies to offer some level of treatment for infertility. That isn’t to say that you will find IVF listed as a covered course of treatment within all 15 of these states, but you will find some form of treatment that will be made available to infertile couples.

Considering that an extremely limited group of people are likely to ever find in vitro fertilization, or most other services like it, listed as a covered course of treatment on their insurance policies, the only other option those seeking this procedure is to pay for it out of pocket. This does not look too great for, well, most people who are diagnosed with infertility. This is especially true since while we have seen a subtle rise in our national economy, we are still very much dealing with the aftermath of a historic financial crisis.

There are obvious considerable cost barriers that infertile couples are faced with. This bill would help to alleviate some of this well-known struggle by making tax credits available to taxpayers who earn an adjusted gross income of less than $182,500. This bill would also make these tax credits unavailable for those who earn $222,520 or more per year.

While the introduction of this bill is light at the end of the tunnel for many who hope to undergo fertility treatments but cannot afford to do so, spreading the word about this bill also raises awareness about the importance of egg donation.

We don’t hear about the option for healthy women to donate their eggs very often. The term “in vitro fertilization” has quickly become quite common and has reached the point where most everyone knows what it is and how it is done, but we usually have a very one-sided thought process when it comes to the procedure. We think about the women undergoing IVF, but not about if she will use donor eggs or who they come from.

In most cases, there is a six to nine month matching wait associated with IVF when a woman is using eggs that are donated. This is merely more time that women undergoing IVF must wait in order to attempt to conceive, not even counting the amount of time one cycle takes to complete. This can become an understandably hard time. The key to more women wanting to donate their eggs is letting them know that it is an option and what qualifies them in order to start the process.

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Eating well, keeping stress at bay, and exercising regularly are all important for everybody, but perhaps even more-so for expectant moms. Women who work out or are otherwise physically active might heave easier and more enjoyable pregnancies. Prenatal workouts and fresh air can even help reduce pregnancy signs like morning sickness, fatigue, and mood swings. But how do you stay active?

Prenatal exercises and an active lifestyle are suitable for almost every woman. Only if you are on bed rest for a threatened miscarriage or pre-term labor should you shun physical activities, as they can trigger contractions in women who are already at risk. For everyone else, even women who were mainly sedentary when they were wondering how to get pregnant, an active pregnancy should be encouraged.

If you were not working out before you got pregnant, it is best to start slowly and discuss your exercise plan with your doctor or midwife. Gentle cardio is a great place to begin–walking and Pilates are both wonderful options, and swimming is especially beneficial because it supports your body while also exercising your muscles. Do make sure to stay hydrated during your workout, listen to your body and take a break when you start getting sore or tired.

Do you have a busy schedule or work full-time? I know from experience that it can be hard to know where to fit in time for exercising. The good news is that everything that gets you busy and makes your heart beats faster is physical exercise, even if you never step into a gym. Gardening, decorating your baby’s nursery, and walking up and down stairs all contribute to your physical health. Don’t feel the need to take it easy and avoid these activities just because you are expecting a baby, as they are hugely beneficial for you.

Some types of exercise are not suitable for pregnancy. At the risk of stating the obvious, I’ll say the bungee jumping and white-water rafting are not a great idea while you are expecting a baby. Horseback riding, skiing, or any other sport that carries a large risk of physical injury should wait until after you give birth. And as you enter the third trimester, lying on your back for prolonged periods of time can reduce blood flow to your baby’s placenta. As long as you stay away from obvious risks and listen when your body tells you to stop, an active pregnancy is healthy, enjoyable, and might even help you have an easier labor and delivery.

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Infertility is a huge hurdle for a lot of women. In fact, one in eight couples of childbearing age experience fertility issues, making up about 7.3 million people in the United States alone. Regardless of the number of people infertility affects, it remains a reproductive health issue that still has a good amount of stigma attached to it and some, some of that stigma being internalized self-critique by the women affected by it. It is not uncommon for women to believe that there must be something wrong with them on a deeper level than just having a health issue when they are having trouble getting pregnant or experience a miscarriage. That is why it is so important for more people who are and have been affected by fertility issues to speak up about them and create a safe and encouraging dialog for others.

Giuliana and Bill Rancic are a couple who are very familiar with fertility issues. Giuliana, a news anchor for E! and Bill, an entrepreneur and The Apprentice season one winner, have been sharing their story of trying to get pregnant in intimate and explicit detail on their reality television show, Giuliana & Bill, which airs on Mondays at 8pm ET on the Style Network. The couple has also recently joined RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association, a non-profit organization with the only established, nationwide network mandated to promote reproductive health, and Fertility LifeLines, a free and confidential educational resource that provides information and support to people with fertility health concerns. With these organizations, Giuliana and Bill Rancic have been speaking up about fertility issues, their own issues, and how to go about getting help, support, and treatment options.

Check out their recent PSA for RESOLVE and Fertility LifeLines below:

If you are under the age of 35 and have been trying to conceive for a year or more, or if you are over the age of 35 and have been trying for six months or more, it is important to see a fertility specialist as soon as possible. By seeing a fertility specialist now, you can potentially reduce the chance of more frustration later. You will also have the opportunity to get educated about fertility, get answers to your questions about fertility from a professional who knows what they’re talking about, and with your specialist, you can determine potential treatment options that have the best chance of working for you.

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Marisol Rodriguez’s Skin clothing collection has sent me through a wave of mixed reactions ever since I first stumbled upon it.

Her green Transform dress, which transforms with your body as you go through your pregnancy, is very innovative. It’s something I have never seen done before, especially not in such a literal way, and it certainly racks up bonus points as taking an idea and bringing it to its execution in a very different way. It’s also a little ugly and not something I think I would be crazy about wearing out of the house.

The green dress, which is said to explore traditional Asian origami and simple methods of cutting and folding, begins as a very boring dress that hangs loosely on the body with its four slices in the material at the belly being very apparent. As your belly begins to get bigger, the center of the dress unfolds, showing light green stripes of color.

The Transform dress from the Skin collection is definitely a piece that will either be loved or hated by those who experience it. What do you think? Would you wear this origami-inspired, conceptual maternity dress?

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One of the puzzles teaches boys and girls about their bodies, from the skull and outward to what they see when they look in the mirror, and more interestingly, a mother’s body puzzle ($22.50) that makes it easy to teach small children about their mother’s new pregnancy, showing them the various stages of their new sibling’s development. The puzzle is directed towards children ages 4 and up, but I would think could be used for children as young as 3. It contains 29 wooden pieces in all and made of birch plywood, German water-based paint and lacquer.

I think this puzzle is a great idea; it’s always a good idea to back up any close-to serious conversation you need to have with your small child with some fun games and toys and it can definitely be a tremendous feat to portray exactly what is going on that they should be aware of during a pregnancy and an impending new sibling. However, of course concepts like this are novelty items that aren’t always “in season” when it comes to the various toys children accumulate, so this puzzle is a bit on the pricier side.

Would you use a puzzle like this to help explain pregnancy and a new sibling entering the household to your child or is it a waste of money?

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Women feel their best when they’re wearing clothes that they feel comfortable in and know that if they were famous and walked out of the house, they would feel good about seeing fans and signing autographs in whatever they were wearing. These feelings do not simply diminish as soon as a woman becomes pregnant; in fact, as time goes by and their outside gets bigger and bigger, women would absolutely love to have a few blouses or dresses that make them feel their best. While there are few maternity lines currently on the market, not many even come close to offering the amount of styles or even the amount of different products that Belly Dance Maternity offers.

Belly Dance Maternity stocks clothing and accessories for stylish moms-to-be. They opened their first store in 2002 in Chicago’s fashion forward Bucktown neighborhood and another in 2003 in Highland Park, Illinois. Belly Dance Maternity has received a great deal of press due to their unique and undeniably in-demand fashion. They stock everything a hip mama will need in terms of fashion from several different designers and outlets including Bravado Nursing, Maternal America and Ripe Maternity. They understand that all women deserve to feel sexy and fashionable in the clothing they wear, especially pregnant women. Their fashions have been seen on several different celebrity mamas and not only do they cater to mothers, but they also carry fashion and accessories for baby.

Carrying fashion and accessory lines for both mother and child in two stores as well as an online boutique working with several different retailers and fashion designers, Belly Dance Maternity is the go-to resource for everything you crave in maternity fashion.

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