Pregnancy

I have a pretty physically intensive job. There are days where I don't stop from the moment I get there to the minute I leave. Between cleaning the gym, picking up behind big lugs who leave their weights laying around, & climbing on equipment to fix it, I can usually count a day's work as an extra work out. I should add that I'm also fiercely independent (read: headstrong and stubborn), and like to do things myself, thankyouverymuch. But when lower back and sciatic pain kicked in insanely early on in my pregnancy (like 12 weeks pregnant early) many of the normal things I did during my day became nearly impossible. And I was pissed. I was completely unprepared for...

#6 Any sentence containing the words "plump", "round", "big" or any of their synonyms. Even if you're trying to lovingly refer to their precious bump. Just use the word cute.   #5 Your won't fit through that door much longer! Ha. Haha.   #4 Should you be eating that? Nope. You know me, all about putting my unborn child at risk eating whatever I want.   #3 Why're you breathing so hard!?   I think it has something to do with this other human being inhabiting my body & the heat index of 95 degrees before 9 am #louisianaproblems   #2 Any guess at how far along they are, of any kind. You’ll either over guess and make them feel like they’re not showing “enough”, or under guess and make them feel...

Before I ever got pregnant, even married for that matter, I dreamed of what it would be like to be pregnant. I just knew it was going to be one of the greatest times in my life. I would feel great, have the pregnancy glow, be fit because of all the prenatal yoga, and look incredibly cute in all the latest fashions. That is what pregnancy was to me. The time you felt best in your life! One morning in July 2010, I woke up convinced I had the flu. My whole body hurt and I could barely move. That night I was so nauseous, I couldn’t eat dinner. After a few days of this, I had the thought, “could...

When I was pregnant, one of the best pieces of advice I received went something like: Come to terms with the fact that every parenting decision you ever make will be the wrong one. I have come back to that idea over and over again in my six months as a mom.  There is not one right way to do anything, much less how to raise a child.  And I remind myself that people have been birthing kids and raising kids, since, say, the beginning of time.  Since before we knew about SIDS.  Before formula.  Before car seats. Here are two ways that I am trying to combat fear (and fear of failure): 1. Stop surrounding myself with information and advice that is not...

Disclaimer: This is a guest post from Dr. Leanne Redman, associate professor of women’s health studies at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. You can get to know her more here and read her first post here. Her facts and opinions are based on her personal research. Red Stick Moms Blog was not paid to promote any specific medical viewpoints or studies. Always consult your physician with any medical questions.   With technology at our fingertips, 21st century moms have evolved to be savvy readers on health and wellness topics important to their own health and the health of their family. Lucky for us that with the development of the internet, many important health and medical organizations developed educational and research materials that are...