MY PREGNANCY BABY

Hip Chick's Guide to PMS, Periods, Pregnancy & Babies

Trying to Conceive: How to Increase Cervical Mucus

by 3 Comments

Prenatal TestsOvulation kits are great, but there’s one easy way to check out if you’re fertile – your cervical mucus. The changes in those secretions in your cervix play a huge role in your fertility and ovulation. During your fertile time, cervical mucus aids and helps sperm swim through the cervix to reach their final destination.

When you’re fertile, you will be moist and sticky. Your cervical mucus will be white or creamy, and it breaks easily when you stretch it between your fingers. When your cervical mucus is thin, watery, transparent and has a similar consistency as an egg white, that’s when you are at your most fertile and most likely to conceive if you have unprotected sex.

During the parts of the month when you’re feeling dry down there, you aren’t fertile. Not having much cervical mucus may also be a sign of a fertility problem. It could mean that you’re not ovulating, and this is especially true if you are missing periods or your cycle is irregular.

There are many reasons why you not be producing enough cervical mucus, including stress; how old you are (in your 30s and 40s, your fertility decreases and your days of having stretchy, slippery, fertile cervical mucus also decreases); lower estrogen levels; side effects of medications, and other reasons.

If you’re looking to increase your cervical mucus, the following may help improve the amount of cervical mucus: [Read more…] about Trying to Conceive: How to Increase Cervical Mucus

Green Tea and Fertility – Will Drinking Tea Help Me Get Pregnant?

by 2 Comments

Green Tea and Trying to Get PregnantIf you’re trying to get pregnant, you can desperate to try anything for a baby. Why not enjoy a hot, relaxing cup of green tea? There is some research that drinking green tea can boost your fertility and potentially improve your chances of getting pregnant.

For thousands of years, humans have consumed and enjoyed tea. Today, it’s the second most consumed beverage in the world, with water being the first.
Not only is tea soothing, but it has medicinal purposes as well. Green tea, in particular, is one of the healthiest varieties of teas.

Green tea, first cultivated in ancient China, is packed full of unique antioxidants, which protect you against free radicals that can cause cancer, heart and cardiovascular disease.

There is some research that suggests that polyphenols and hypoxanthine – the two main ingredients found in green tea – are correlated to a higher chance of having viable embryos. Studies have indicated that these two compounds can help egg maturation, which may lead to your eggs being more fertile. [Read more…] about Green Tea and Fertility – Will Drinking Tea Help Me Get Pregnant?

Why is My Period Late?

by 12 Comments

Late PeriodMy period is always on time – always! – but a few weeks ago, when I went on vacation, overseas, I found myself panicking. My period was late. And not only by a few days, but over a week late.

I knew I wasn’t pregnant, but the idea of having a baby completely scared me. Like most of you, pregnancy is a life-changing event and one of the scariest experiences if you’re not planning on having a baby anytime soon. I mean, having a baby is a game changer (and really expensive too boot.)

Fortunately, my period came and went, and I realized it was all the stress and the few extra pounds I had put on, due to the holidays and yummy holiday food I was binging on, and my oversea travels that threw my body for a loop. I went 52 days from one period to the next – so it definitely freaked me out! [Read more…] about Why is My Period Late?

Why are Muslin Swaddle Blankets so Popular?

by 2 Comments

Aden and Anais Swaddling BlanketMuslin swaddle blankets have become incredibly popular in the last few years. Aden and Anais swaddles, in particular, are taking the market by storm and have done a fabulous job creating beautiful 100% muslim swaddles.

But what makes muslin baby blankets so popular? And why are more moms choosing to swaddle with muslin, rather than cotton and other blends?

First, what is muslin?

Muslin fabric has been around for centuries. Clothes made with muslin – a lightweight, finely woven breathable cotton fabric – were first worn by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The fabric has its origins in Bangladesh, and was imported to Europe in the 1800s, where its popularity increased. Muslin clothes were especially popular in the summertime and warmer temperatures, because of its breathability.

Muslin is one of the purest and most gentle fabrics available, and it’s only fitting that companies like Aden and Anais use it to make their beautiful muslin swaddling blankets.

Muslin is Breathable

The breathability of muslin has made this fabric very fitting for use with babies. Muslin is made with an open weave; the threads go over and under each other, allowing it to be lightweight and breathable. Muslin prevents your infant from overheating, since his/her body heat can escape through the open weave, while still keeping baby snug and warm. Other swaddling blankets keep baby’s body temperature inside, which can cause baby to get too hot and uncomfortable. (Plus, overheating can be a risk factor for SIDS. So you will want to avoid this!)

It’s very durable and stands the test of time.

The durability of muslin swaddle blankets also make them beloved by parents. Muslin is strong and durable and can withstand many washes. In fact, the muslin fabric itself will get softer the more you wash it. Muslin baby blankets also have a natural stretchiness about them, so you can easily swaddle your baby without immobilizing him or her. Your baby can still move comfortably, without being able to move too much. The snugness of these swaddles help your little one feel cozy and comfy, just like the feeling of still being in the womb.

Muslin swaddling blankets are so lovely, and I have no doubt will remain popular for many years to come. What are your favorite muslin blankets, and why?

Countdown to Baby: 7 Tips to Help You Prepare for Having a Baby

by 6 Comments

Countdown to Giving Birth

Once the excitement of your baby’s presence has set in, and your pregnancy progresses through its beautiful and sometimes challenging phases, there are many important tasks to focus on as you prepare yourself for “go-time.”
[Read more…] about Countdown to Baby: 7 Tips to Help You Prepare for Having a Baby