Pregnancy-Safe Cocktails for the Holidays

So, you're pregnant, the holidays are fast approaching, and the thought of having another glass of water or soda while those around you are enjoying delicious elixers is enough to make you just want to stay at home. Don't despair! There really are lots of alternatives that will make you feel like you're still part of the party.

First, there are several varieties of sparkling juices available these days that are wonderful and, best of all, very affordable. Of course, we're familiar with sparkling apple cider and sparkling grape juice. Did you know you can also find sparkling pear and sparkling blueberry juices, too, though? The pear is really dreamy and the blueberry is my particular favorite. Think of all the wonderful antioxidants you'll be getting with that blueberry juice, too! Many of these can be found right in your local supermarket and generally for less than $5/bottle. That's a super deal for something that tastes so delicious!

Second, you can make your own beverages. It's as easy as mixing your favorite juice with a clear carbonated soda (7-Up or Sprite work well) or with soda water. I suggest using a frozen juice concentrate for this and just replacing the water you would normally mix with it with your carbonated beverage of choice. If you use juice that is already made up, mixing it with soda water or soda can tend to water down the juice and you'll lose the real flavor of the juice.

Third, if you're out at a restaurant and want a cocktail but don't want to order yet another virgin daquiri, tell your server/bartender what flavors you normally like and ask to have something non-alcoholic specially made for you. I got a great drink this way while I was pregnant with my second child. It was a combination of grapefruit juice, cranberry juice and soda water. It was delightful and I don't even like grapefruit juice! The key here is finding a bartender that really is experienced and creative.

And, don't forget good old gingerale. This is an often overlooked soda that is a real treat. We think of it mainly as something to calm an upset stomach but it really is a remarkably yummy soda.

Finally, and we think most importantly, don't let your inability to imbibe keep you from getting out there and celebrating with friends and family. There are lots of options and don't be afraid to bring your own beverage. We're sure no one will give it a second thought if you show up with a bottle of your favorite sparkling cider to enjoy. Whatever you choose this holiday season, though, we hope that your celebrations are full of joy.

Pregnant? Get Plastered the Safe and Easy Way!

The holidays are upon us - festive music plays 24 hours a day on local radio stations, children are busy making wish lists, and pregnant women everywhere have the opportunity to get plastered. OK, not with hot buttered rum or mulled wine but with our belly casting kit!

And, getting plastered is really easy! First, you have to have a buddy. This may be your spouse or partner, your sister, mom, or best friend. Whoever it is, remember that getting plastered is a two person job...at least!


Seriously, though, this holiday season why not put a belly casting kit on your wish list? This pregnancy of yours is wonderful and miraculous and fleeting. Capturing that magic with a bellycast is a real treat and a fun experience to share with someone special to you. Our kits offer everything you need to create a memory that will last a lifetime, including simple, easy-to-follow instructions for your buddy! Best of all, we're always just a phone call or email away. We'll be happy to answer any questions you or your buddy may have and help you understand the process further.


Once your cast is done, you can leave it 'raw' or choose to decorate it. Decorate to match the theme of the nursery or do a sports theme or pay homage to your heritage. Whatever you choose, let your imagination run wild, and you'll come up with all kinds of options.


So, whether you're looking for a unique gift to give this holiday season or are hoping to be on the receiving end, our belly cast kit is a gift that will be cherished by many for years to come!

MS or Epilepsy Doesn't Equate To Significantly Riskier Pregnancy

In a story published yesterday in The Oregonian, scientists at Stanford University have reported that pregnant women with epilepsy or MS do not have significantly riskier pregnancies than those who do not. While their studies did show that women with either disease experienced abnormal fetal growth rates, the percentage was less than 5% in each case and less than 2% more than women who did not have either disease.

This is great news for women who experience either disease and have been cautious about becoming pregnant because so. Epilepsy and MS are both neurological diseases for which there are no known cures. Both can be experienced at varying levels as well. While some may have very mild cases in which they rarely experience the effects of their disease, others experience symptoms that significantly affect their daily lives. Even in more mild cases, those with these diseases often take medicines to help control their disease, and this can be a cause for concern for a woman that is thinking about becoming pregnant. After scanning records of babies born in the US between 2003 and 2006, including thousands that were born to mothers with either epilepsy or MS, researchers concluded that, although women with either of these diseases should be monitored more closely during pregnancy, their diseases did not necessarily predispose them to experiencing a higher risk pregnancy.

On a personal note, I have a few family members with MS. Each experiences the disease in their own unique way but a common thread to anyone with the disease is that it can be exacerbated by stress. I've said it loads of times but, it bears repeating...if you're pregnant (and even if you're not!), take time for YOU! It doesn't have to be a whole day - although that would be nice - but make time for you. Whether it's reading a book or magazine for even just 15 minutes or treating yourself to some pampering time, "you" time can make a huge difference in how you feel mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Are Group Prenatal Visits Right for You?

Read this great blog this afternoon. It seems that women going to prenatal visits in groups tend to have more positive pregnancies and even fewer premature births. They were even more likely to initiate breastfeeding!

This doesn't really surprise me given that women, in general, tend to be social creatures who find security in the friendships and relationships that a group can bring about. Having a shared bond sure doesn't hurt, either. Brings a whole new dimension to the saying that "it takes a village to raise a child!"

Read the whole article by clicking on the link below!

Pregnant mothers see benefits from group prenatal visits

Birth Day - The Journey of Childbirth

It seems like I'm doing a lot of book recommendations lately; but, seriously, there's some really great new books out there for expecting mommies! This morning on my metro area's local morning show, Dr. Mark Sloan appeared to talk about his new book Birth Day: A Pediatrician Explores the Science, the History, and the Wonder of Childbirth.

Sloan has delivered nearly 3,000 babies over the last 30+ years and draws on that experience to further deliver, with humor and wonder, the science, history and culture of this very fundamental journey that all of us have taken.

Birth Day is put out by Random Press and, being book publishers, they have written a spectacular summary of topics covered in the book. I'm not even going to attempt to outwrite Random House, so the following is directly from their website...

Some of Birth Day’s many topics include

• The evolution of human childbirth—or, why do gorillas have it so easy?
• The first five minutes of life—scuba divers, astronauts, and the amazing adaptations that transform a fetus into an air-breathing, out-in-the-world baby
• Cesarean section—a look at its origins, its future, and how it came to be the most frequently performed operation in American hospitals
• Pain and politics—the age-old quest for painless childbirth, starring Adam and Eve, Queen Victoria, a nineteenth-century medical brawl, and the rise of today’s “epidural monoculture”
• Daddies—raging paternal hormones, hidden anxieties, and the emotional evolution of men (including the author, his father, and grandfather) as they approach fatherhood
• The five senses at birth—does light enter the womb? how loud is it in there? what is a newborn baby searching for with those first anxious glances?
• A tour of the newborn body—springy skulls, hairy ears, innies and outies, the advantages (and disadvantages) of looking like your father, and why the United States is one of the world’s most circumcised nations

So, if you're expecting or know someone who is, pick up a copy of this fabulous book. It's entertaining while still being instructive and would be a great gift for Mother's Day!

Full of Life

Just heard about yet another great new book for pregnant moms! "Full of Life: Mom-To-Mom Tips I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was Pregnant" is an easy to read, pre-conception to post partum book by Nancy O'Dell. Yes, that's the same Nancy O'Dell that is a co-anchor on Access Hollywood!

Nancy says she wrote the book because of all the things she learned during her pregnacy that weren't in any of the books she already had. She wanted to spread the word about all this new found information to moms everywhere. She says, "There were just so many things that came as a complete surprise to me that I wish someone had given me a heads up about." O'Dell holds very little back, too, even including her experience with a miscarriage.

Available on April 14th, "Full of Life" will give you a variety of tips from the importance of taking a prenatal vitamin before you conceive to preregistering at the hospital where you'll be delivering. So, if you're planning for a family in the near future or if you're already well on your way, pick up a copy of "Full of Life" next week!