Guest Post: 10 Tips for Living with Infertility

Infertility is unfortunately the reality of 1 in 8 couples. It’s hard, lonely and painful. After being on our road to our baby for two years, I’ve learned a few things. Honestly, I’m still a rookie in the infertility department, but after learning these things, I’ve found so much more peace and happiness in our journey than before I started applying these things to my daily life.

Guest Post: Parenting Hack: Bright by Text

Hello! My name is Amanda Butler and I blog over at becomingextra-ordinary.com. I have a two year old daughter and another little boy on the way and life is crazy! Like many moms, I am strapped for time and lack creativity when it comes to thinking of new activities to do with my toddler. (I mean, there are only so many times I can pretend to feed a stuffed frog). I'm also not always sure what kinds of activities are appropriate for my daughter's age and development. That's why I was so excited to be introduced to this new text line and to be asked to review it for you. This is seriously the best mom hack ever.

10 Things Dads can do for Mom-to-be

Hi all! As most of you know I am pregnant with my first child and my husband and I are super excited! Most of our friends already have kids and some of them have mentioned that the husbands/partners just didn’t really know what to do during the pregnancy. Mom is doing most of the work (i.e. Growing the baby, feeling the baby, going through morning sickness) and sometimes the dads can feel helpless. I’m hoping that this post helps dads know what they can do during the pregnancy. Because trust me dads, you are needed and wanted!

Guest Post: Post Pregnancy Body Positivity

 I knew a lot of things would change when I became pregnant. What took me by surprise was what my body would look like after I had the baby. I mean I had heard about the weight gain, the saggy breasts, the stretch marks, but seeing those things on myself was a completely different story. And by different I mean utterly disappointing.  But worse than that, was the self loathing and body hate that started to infiltrate my thoughts soon after. That was something I hadn't been warned about.

Do's and Don'ts of Pregnancy Eating

So you’re pregnant. Congratulations! In the midst of all you have to do and all you're feeling, it’s easy to overlook one of the most vital parts of pregnancy: nutrition. Prenatal appointments are important to the health of you and your growing baby, and you will most likely get a list of foods to avoid during pregnancy when you arrive for your first checkup. To help supplement that information, here are some basic don’ts and do’s for nutrition and eating during pregnancy.

What She Didn't Expect While Expecting

When imagining and daydreaming about the day you will become pregnant, you might envision “the glow”, a perfectly round belly, or the excitement of holding your new bundle of joy. You may think about the side effects- the nausea, the swollen ankles, and so on. But that doesn’t seem to matter because it will all be worth it in the end, right?

Vaginal Birth After a Cesarean

Photo Credit

There is a common misconception – if you’ve had to have a Cesarean, or C-section with one child, the rest of your children will have to be born via C-section as well. Thankfully, for many women, this misconception isn’t true. You can indeed have a vaginal birth after having a C-section with a previous child. This is known as a VBAC, or Vaginal Birth After Cesarean.

This is not an option that is recommended, or even available, for all women who have had a C-section. The most important thing to do if you would like to have a VBAC, is to talk to your doctor or midwife about it as an option, since they know your medical history best.

Team Member Spotlight: Robin

Have you ever felt so sluggish that you could hardly put one foot in front of the other, your mind so dull that you could not remember what you were doing?

I have – after my first child was born.  It’s called postpartum depression (but I didn’t know that then).  After I had been home with my baby for almost two months I happened to turn on a TV program called “What Every Baby Knows” hosted by Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, a well known pediatrician in Boston. 

When Being Pregnant isn't Joyful

Pregnancy is supposed to be one of the happiest times in life. Yet for many expectant mothers, it isn't the joyful experience that it is often communicated and portrayed. There are many body and hormonal changes that can make the pregnancy experience rough, such as mood swings, nausea, swelling, fatigue, and lack of sleep. Most of these are well known, and there are ways to help.

There is one aspect of pregnancy that isn't as commonly known, and that is depression and anxiety during pregnancy. Most people are aware of the "baby blues" that many post-natal moms experience, but less well-known is that 1 in 10 pregnant women experience depression and/or anxiety during their pregnancy (Baby Center, 2016) Expectant mothers may not fully realize that their low mood isn't just due to the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy.

Where Will I Deliver My Baby?

Congratulations! You are having a baby! Now comes the list of all the wonderful (and not so wonderful) things to plan for. One of the things on your list will be where to have your baby. My mom had all five of her children in a hospital. Each experience was different, but that was where she felt most comfortable. My Grandma had some of her children in a hospital and some in her home, but this was more because she had to rather than she wanted to.

Now, however, there are so many ways and places to deliver your baby. Today I’m going to focus on the places. They all have “reasons to do them” and “things that can interfere”, but they are all places that are common to have babies.

Guest Blogger: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression

Lizzie Langston is a mom of two by day, and a singer-songwriter by night. She loves to connect with other moms via instagram, follow her @lizzielangston In this blog post she shares her personal experience with Postpartum Depression (PPD) and Postpartum Anxiety—how they first presented, how she recognized them, got the help she needed and healed.

Lizzie’s also shares this story in a video on YouTube. View it here

The creepy thing about postpartum depression and anxiety is that you can seem completely fine to people who aren't around your for more than a short conversation. I remember family coming to visit me while I was in postpartum recovery at the hospital; they left thinking I was doing great, everything normal. But I was overwhelmingly lost and struck with fear on the inside. At the time of this photo (about three months after giving birth to my second child), I was facing paralyzing anxiety regularly. I was still having panic attacks every 2-3 days (some in the middle of the night--the worst), and I felt out of control. Panic attacks and regular anxiety were completely new to me, and the most mind-boggling part was: I did not have a clue why it was happening. But it was. And it was starting to become an exhausting way to live.

Dad's Fears During Pregnancy

Photo Credit

I was reading an article from the Baby Center called "Seven Fears Expectant Fathers Face".  It was an excellent article and good to read. I talked to my husband about the article, and he was able to relate with many of the fears. I thought it was interesting, because while I figured that he might have fears related to making enough money to provide for our family and having enough time, some of the fears I didn't realize my husband even had. It helped me to realize that just as I am expecting a lot of support from him as I go through my pregnancy, in turn, I also need to show support for him.

I have highlighted some of the fears expectant husbands face below.

Guest Post: The 5 P's of Successful Breastfeeding - Part 2

We are excited to share part two of Breanne Clinger's hit post, "The 5 P's of Successful Breastfeeding", and her "6th P" written especially for Help Me Grow! Breanne is a Labor and Delivery Registered Nurse, Prenatal Educator, and author of the blog Mommy To Be Prep.

4. Patience with your Baby and Yourself While Learning and Mastering Breastfeeding
When working with mothers on breastfeeding, I have noticed the babies sense and mimic their mother’s emotions! If the mom starts becoming frazzled or stressed that the baby is not latching
appropriately, the baby will become frazzled too. When the mother is able to stay relaxed and calm, it helps to sooth the baby, and the two can work better as a team. Remember, you are both learning together.

Guest Post: The 5 P's of Successful Breastfeeding - Part 1

We are excited to have Breanne Clinger share her hit post, "The 5 P's of Successful Breastfeeding" with Help Me Grow Utah! Breanne is a Labor and Delivery Registered Nurse, Prenatal Educator, and author of the blog Mommy To Be Prep.

1. Plan and Decide if Breastfeeding is for You
The pros and cons of breastfeeding should be understood when deciding if breastfeeding is for you and your baby. It is a good idea to discuss these with your health care team, but it is ultimately up to the parents to decide. Whether you have breasts the size of prunes, peaches, or pumpkins, the payoffs of breastfeeding are far reaching. If you decided breastfeeding is for you, then HOORAY! Let’s get planning and headed towards success! Sign up for a breastfeeding class held by a lactation consultant in your area.Check with the hospital where you plan to deliver, as they may offer breastfeeding classes at no charge.   

The Benefits of Exercising During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be tiring, draining, and all around uncomfortable. The last thing you want to is to exercise, but being physically and mentally fit during pregnancy is so important and has many
benefits. Many exercises may be strenuous for pregnant women, but brisk walking, swimming, and actively playing with children are all exercises that are fun, easy, and they need no expensive equipment or any equipment at all! It may be a great way to get together with friends all while getting that physical exercise you need! Benefits include lowered risk for gestational diabetes, blood pressure, and a smoother labor and delivery.   

Painting Your Nursery...It's more than just a color!

As new parents, everything has to be right. The right stroller, car seat, diaper bag, etc. When it comes to the nursery especially, you want it to be perfect. Did you know that the color of the nursery has an affect on your new baby? It may be hard to choose a color for your little one, but maybe knowing about how the color will affect your infant will change your mind!

A Simple Guide to Newborn Essentials

Having a new baby is exciting and fun, but can be stressful at the same time. Especially if this is your first, you may feel overwhelmed with the amount of things that need to get done.

One of the best ways to eliminate stress is by being prepared. We can’t prepare for all the bumps along the way, but being prepared for what we need makes the transition from in your belly to in your arms a lot smoother.

Make a list of the essential things that you will need for your baby early on. It may seem like the list is never ending, but focus on the essentials. Work throughout your pregnancy to acquire the things that you’ll need when you bring your baby home.

Before the Baby Bump

The other day I was at my sister's house. When I walked in the door, my 7 year old nephew asked me if I was having a baby yet.  I laughed, since I have only been married for a few months. Just a few months ago I was getting asked questions about flowers, decorations, food, cake, guests, bridesmaids, and everything in between. Now, it seems like almost everyone wants to know when my husband and I are going to have kids, and if I'm expecting our first bundle of joy yet.

How Will My Body Change During Pregnancy?

Photo Credit

So we all know a woman’s body is going to change during pregnancy. There will be happy changes and not so happy ones. Usually changes include gaining weight (yay…..), cravings, morning sickness, pain, mood swings, etc. But when does everthing usually happen? Honestly, it’s different for every woman, but here is an average break down of what changes to expect by trimester.

Pregnancy and the New Look of Help Me Grow Utah

Help Me Grow Utah is excited to announce that we have expanded our services to include pregnancy, allowing us to help families in the very earliest stages across the state! With all that goes on during pregnancy, it’s no surprise that parents begin bonding with their child during these first months. Pregnancy is a perfect time for parents to prepare for and learn more about their little one. Help Me Grow Utah is dedicated to answering prenatal and pregnancy questions to help expecting parents feel confident in their choices, during pregnancy and beyond.