When you are pregnant, you are already self conscious about your looks. May it be your size, the fact that your wardrobe has shrunk, the way people are looking at you or just the wrong side of the bed you woke up on this morning.  Whatever it is, you are just not sure about your appearance anymore.

Well, there is something you can do about it! And yes, it would have been fabulous if you had the time and money to treat yourself to a complete new maternity wardrobe to boost up your self confidence, but there really is no need to go to that extreme.

It could be that just a few new fashionable items, mixed with your existing wardrobe (!!) and a nice piece of jewelry or the right accessory will do the trick and make you smile at your reflection at the mirror.

Start with your existing wardrobe. Almost any top you own, you can still ware, using a belly band for the extra length your pre-pregnancy top is lacking. Choose from a variety of colors and get two –three different colors/patterns that will work with the tops in your closet. For your pants you can use the pants expander to get a few more months out of your already owned pants. Later in the pregnancy you will have to get some maternity pants.

Now take a look at other items you already own, such as scarves, bags, gloves, hats, hair accessories, jewelry, and any other accessory you own and like. Mixing these items into your look can be fun and contribute to a fashionable look.

Bold items and/or splashes of color can give your pregnant look just what it needs to make the statement you are looking for, or spice up your appearance. There is no reason why you wouldn’t look fabulous while pregnant!

Planning on getting pregnant? Keep in mind; it can take longer than you think. Yes, there are couples who are very fertile and will conceive on the first try, or get pregnant after having sex only once, but the chances of this scenario are slimmer than you may think.

We are taught to never have unprotected sex, in order to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. Although, it is a good way to avoid an unwanted pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted diseases, it leads to misconceptions of the actual chances of conception. Here are some facts you may want to take into consideration while planning to conceive. Don’t be discouraged, but have patience.

After getting off birth control pills it can (but doesn’t have to) take a little while before you become pregnant. Some healthcare providers say that your body needs to ‘clean itself out off the hormones’, while others say there is no truth to this statement. Regardless of which of the two you choose to believe, be aware that you may not conceive the month following termination of your birth control pills. This is not an indication for a problem. Take your time and continue trying.

Stress is a major factor in delayed conception. When trying to get pregnant, try to avoid stress in your life. If you exercise, continue to do so, or find another way to relax. Stressing over the coveted pregnancy that does not happen can delay it as well. Plan a romantic getaway for two and try to ‘let it happen’ rather than force it on.

To get pregnant faster, you certainly need to have frequent sex, preferably before you ovulate (after which it is too late for this month. But no worries, there is always next month). Sperm can live for three to five days in your body, which means you can have sex even several days before you ovulate and still conceive.

To increase your chances of conception, start having sex every day (or every other day) on the 10^th day of your cycle (start counting on the first day of your period). Try to keep stress levels in your life low, especially does related to whether or not you become pregnant, but also at work, home, etc. Eat healthy and exercise and do not get discouraged if it takes longer than desired. Most couples will achieve a pregnancy within the first 12-18 months. After 12 months, you can speak to your ob/gyn about other options for you and your partner.

Best of luck! And stay positive. Attitude does make a difference!

There are different symptoms that can suggest a pregnancy. First, and usually the most obvious, is a missed period. Although, it is possible to be spotting while pregnant, a late or missed period is usually the first indication you should check if you are pregnant or not.

Most common early pregnancy symptoms include:

Fatigue. Increased, unusual or unexplained fatigue is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. There is not much you can do to prevent it but rest. Usually fatigue is associated with the first trimester and disappears around the 12^th-14^th week.

Nausea is probably the most know symptom of early pregnancy. Also called morning sickness, but can occur at any time of the day. This pregnancy symptom usually lasts between the 6^th and 12^th weeks of the pregnancy. Make sure you are hydrated.

Sore, swollen breasts are caused by increased blood flow. Other changes to your breasts will come throughout the pregnancy. Read more about breast changes.

The only way to confirm a pregnancy is to take a pregnancy blood test. Yes, you can start with the home pregnancy tests, which these days are becoming more and more accurate, but a blood test is still the most accurate way to get an absolute answer. It’s better than guessing or relaying on symptoms, which if you are not pregnant may need to be checked.

Happy pregnancy!

There is no shame in trying to conceive with no immediate results. It could happen that you will get pregnant on your first try, but let’s face it, the chances are slim. Most people who have an unwanted pregnancy can vouch that they were not careful on more than one occasion before they actually became pregnant.

Planed or not, a pregnancy needs “just the right conditions”. Even if one variable is out of line, there will be no pregnancy.

Before you seek medical help, make sure you have been trying for a minimum of 12 months unsuccessfully. It can take up to 18 months or more for a fertile couple to conceive. ‘What’s the delay?’ Well, it can be any one or a combination of reasons. First you need to ask yourself how often and when you have intercourse. Be true to yourself. If you have sex once a month, your chances of hitting just the right day and time are slim. A woman is ovulating usually between the 10^th and 21^st day of her menstrual cycle, which means you want to make sure you are sexually active during these days.

If all else hasn’t proven successful (and you are not yet pregnant), you can now make a consultation appointment with your OB/GYN. This appointment is for the both of you, so take your partner in crime (aka hubby) with you.

Infertility may be caused by one or more reasons, it can occur with you, your partner, or the combination of the two of you. Fortunately, there are ways to diagnose the cause and depending on the result, there may very well be a solution at hand. But before you concern yourself with alternate possibilities to overcoming infertility, speak to your doctor and see if you should consider having a consult.

No matter what, keep having sex! That’s your safest bet for conceiving..

Pregnancy is a miraculous thing. The formation of new life is fascinating, and if you follow your pregnancy week-by-week, you’ll find that this change in your life includes more than just morning sickness  and doctor visits, right from the beginning.

Each woman experiences pregnancy differently, but each woman can experience difference with each subsequent pregnancy as well. Therefore, asking your friends and family about their pregnancies may not help you understand your own, because it is likely you’ll have a very unique experience with only a few shared similarities.

Throughout your pregnancy you will see( should see) your obstetric/gynecologist regularly, so make sure you are satisfied with him/her. If you aren’t, take the time to find another health professional for the duration of your pregnancy. Prenatal visits are important for monitoring your baby’s health and development as well as your own health. Throughout your pregnancy you will be asked to take several different prenatal tests – all aimed at ensuring your pregnancy is progressing properly. Genetic testing may be done depending on yours and your family’s health history.

Some very Common pregnancy problems include nausea, fatigue, mood changes, vaginal discharge, fluid retention, back and leg pains, diarrhea, dizziness, gas, headaches, heartburn, insomnia, hemorrhoids, sinus problems. These discomforts may or may not affect you. There is no way to foresee which pregnancy related issues may affect you, nor is there a way to prevent them. Therefore, it is best to not worry about what could happen. Remember that pregnancy problems are usually not severe and in most cases will disappear after the delivery. If you do suffer from any of the symptoms above or happen to be blessed with multiple issues – you should know that there are ways to minimize your discomfort. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms for a solution.

A pregnancy is not an illness. You can continue your life almost as you have before, as long as you are healthy and lead a healthy lifestyle. If you had engaged in regular exercise before pregancy, you can continue exercising until your doctor tells you otherwise. You may want to consider prenatal yoga. What you should change once you find out your pregnant is your diet. Avoid raw meats, seafood, raw eggs, high mercury fish, soft cheese, caffeine and more. Learn about what foods you should avoid and speak to your doctor about any questions you may have.

You should know that most pregnancies do not involve complications and even if you suffer from discomforts, they do not have to take over your life and ruin this miraculous experience for you. Expect for the best, but be flexible and learn to accept whatever comes your way. This nine months journey may be overwhelming at times, but it is temporary, and at its end you will meet your baby and your life will change forever…

Well, contrary to what you may think, conceiving could take longer or shorter then expected. This depends on different variables, including your health, fertility, weather or not you are/were taking birth control pills, etc.

If you are on the pill and are planning to get pregnant, this is the time to stop taking them. It may be a few months before you conceive, for your body needs some time to cleanse itself from the hormones before it is ready for a pregnancy. So take that into consideration, but remember there is no guarantee either way.

It will be a year of actively trying unsuccessfully to conceive before a doctor will see you for an infertility consultation. One thing you will be asked (obviously) is how often you… have sex, and when in relations to your menstrual period (timing is everything!). You are not ovulating every day. Learn about your cycle to have a better understanding of when is the best time to conceive.

It goes without saying that you need to have sex in order to conceive. Once or twice a month can work for the extremely fertile (or lucky), but will not do the trick for most woman. Yes, it does take one successful and well timed try, but since we often don’t know when the exact time of ovulation is, it may take many tries (men usually don’t mind having to try more oftenJ).

Most fertility specialists will recommend to actively start trying 10 days after the first day or your period. Some say everyday, others recommend every other day (to allow for a higher sperm count). Whichever recommendation you receive, try not to put too much pressure on yourself. Remember that stress alone can affect your body and mind.

Most couples will get pregnant within 12-18 months of actively trying. Be true to yourselves about how long you really have been trying and do not panic if it has been a while. Speak to your OB/GYN and ask for a referral to a fertility specialist. Sometimes you just need a little help to get there.

When we were about eight months pregnant, we met friends (a couple with two children) for dinner. We were going to talk about babies, and what we need to have ready before our daughter is born, what to purchase, what to expect, etc. Instead, we dove into a conversation about politics and almost completely neglected the baby topic, which was no big deal since we were having so much fun.

Somehow during desert, we got back on topic long enough to hear one statement that has stayed with me since: “Daddy is always three months behind”. That is, Daddy is three month behind Mommy in understanding and accepting the major changes that are happening in a couple’s life when they are expecting a baby.

Not to say that this statement is absolute, but it made sense to some degree for us, and in different ways to other (but of course not all) couples.

It is natural for the Mom-to-be to realize the changes to come during her pregnancy, for she is carrying the baby for the duration of the pregnancy and by that possibly even developing a connection with her unborn baby. For Dad-to-be, it could be harder to connect or even to comprehend that a big change is to come. While this difference between man and woman is natural, it does not have to be this way.

It all starts from the womb

You can help your partner in crime, the “Soon to be a Daddy”  have a better grasp on the new life growing inside you, and the changes to come by asking him to join you at the Doctor’s office on your monthly prenatal visits. When the baby is big enough for you to feel kicks, you can have Daddy put his hand on your belly so he can feel the baby kicking as well.

You can look for baby names together, decide on a theme for the baby’s room and prepare a list of things you will need once the baby is born. You can also talk about your birth plan and put together a bag for the hospital in preparation for the big day.

And then you become a parent

The first three months of most babies’ lives revolve around sleeping and eating. Both rocking your newborn to sleep and feeding him are wonderful opportunities for Daddy to bond with the baby. If you are nursing, you can pump and let your partner feed.

As your baby grows, there will be many activities and opportunities for each of you to bond with him, each in your own way. With time, family activities and play, the three months delay will disappear.

Most of us took the sex education class in high school, right? What did they teach us there? What did we learn in biology about human anatomy and the reproduction system? Did we even listen, or were we too embarrassed to pay attention?

I think the later is most likely the closest answer to the truth, or it could be that we just forgot. Here’s a shocking (?) reminder – there is a whole lot more to getting pregnant other than having sex.  We should care to know the details for two reasons: One, so we know how NOT to get pregnant and two, so when we are ready we know what/when we need to do in order to increase our chances for conception.

If you are trying to conceive, you want to know when you are ovulating, so your efforts are more targeted. Something else to keep in mind is that sperm can live in the female reproductive system for up to three days. This will affect when you want to have intercourse.

Your physical health is a factor when it comes to your fertility. Pregnancy history, miscarriages and planned abortions can all affect your chances to conceive. The “ticking clock” is not a myth – your body will tell you when it is ready. Your fertility is at its peak in your mid 20’s. Not to say that the window is closed before or after, but it may become more challenging after age 35.  Something else to keep in mind is that weight issues can cause infertility. Malnourishment as well as overweight, can both affect your chances of conceiving.

If you are sexually active, but are not planning a baby, there are a few facts you should NOT overlook. The first is an all time myth that curtain sex positions will keep you from getting pregnant – this is NOT true. Also, proven methods to prevent a pregnancy include birth control pills and the use of condoms. Counting on safe days is a dangerous way to go. Specific foods or diets do not have a large impact on fertility, contrary to some beliefs. All in all, if you are NOT trying to conceive, research the birth control options available today. Talk to your doctor to see which one is best for you and your needs.

It is safe to assume that your body will change throughout your pregnancy. Though we periodically hear stories of women who went to the doctor for abdominal pain and came home with a baby, not knowing they were even pregnant! For most of us, we will certainly feel and see the changes our body goes through throughout the pregnancy.

The obvious change is your growing belly, due to the new life growing inside you. Other elements affecting your body may not be as obvious, and may or may not affect you.

You may notice, even before your belly begins to expand that your pelvic bone widens and your jeans may start to feel a bit snugger. This is due to the loosening of your hip bone, which occurs in order to prepare your body for the birth.

You may have also been told to avoid salt during your pregnancy. This is due to water retention and is typically associated with the third trimester. Most women experience some swelling during their pregnancy. It is common to experience mild edema in the feet, legs and hands, even the face. This is due to the increased blood volume in the body during the pregnancy. Some woman may experience more swelling than others. See your doctor if you feel the swelling is extensive or abnormal.

While all these changes, combined with elevated level of hormones, can result in frustration with your body, it is best to try and see the up side of things, and remember it is all temporary. Your body is changing because of the baby growing inside, and after the birth your body will change again. This is certainly not the time to start a diet, but a short while after you deliver, you can start working on your figure again, if you wish.

Do not be discouraged when you look in the mirror, but find ways to enjoy these changes while they last. Treat yourself to new items of clothing, shop for maternity clothes that will enhance your celebrated curves and don’t throw out all you have in your closet. You never know, you may fit into them sooner than you thought.

What does the fall / winter fashion has planned for us? This winter maternity fashion brings us styles for extreme body sizes – everything from newly pregnant and still skinny to celebrating the “real” feminine shape of the ‘nearly due’. Grays integrated with a touch of warm color in truly dramatic textures & patterns are what’s “in”. The chest that was magnified in the past decade is now covered under layers of thick sweaters accenting long lines of feminine legs. The combination between forms that emphasize a skinny waist & those that leave room for a preggo belly truly broaden the selection and allow even the most pregnant women a wide variety in putting together their pregnancy wardrobe.

The global winds

New designs have always been inspired to an extent from historical periods and different ethnic cultures, as well as from textile innovations, social movement, weather & politics. Yes, my dear readers, our garments are made of a little more than we would have thought. This season we can see the changes in the global weather very clearly on the runway as well. The new ethnic trend is assembled of a collection of cultures across the globe combined into a unique new line. Patterns and textures from wild cultures are introduced in tailored and conservative designs.

If so far one period was significantly present in one line, this season introduces the 20’s, 80’s & 50’s with a hint of futuristic sci-fi movies. The use of multiple layers that has been in style for some time now, supports the immediate and constant movements between extreme weather and air conditioned or heated spaces. These elements are evident in current fashion collections around the world. With time, a collection of layered items is being designed to fit to any weather with the use of accessories and layers that make the difference per outfit. The infinite mix & match with the layering of clothes allow the pregnant women to wear maternity clothes with items from her pre-pregnancy wardrobe.

Gray is the new global color

The famous “little black dress” is making room for the new “little gray dress” in different tones. Other new colors this season are purple, which is replacing the summery yellow; the bright red is stepping down for red gray; blue & brown are also touched with gray with season. These new colors and tones are combined with items in gray, of course. For example: gray dress with colorful tights. If you are pregnant & are planning for more than one pregnancy, you should design a classic wardrobe in fashionable gray, mix it up with this season’s purple scarf or top, and in a year or two for your next pregnancy you could use the same basic wardrobe and update the item(s) of color with the colors of the time.

A celebration of textures & fabrics

Do not worry, the world of fashion is not becoming boring, all this grayness that is introduced this season is accompanied by many patterns, thick knits, and – feathers! No, it’s not a typo.. many feathers, layers & folding of the fabric that look much like origami.

This new style celebrates long skinny legs. Hence the higher belt location at the waist, that make the legs look longer & ignores the chests area. If you are pregnant this is your time to celebrate! A massive & comfortable sweater dress & tights will emphasis your skinny legs in comparison to your growing belly. If you finally have a chest to show off, you can always emphasis it with a belt at the bust line.

And to wrap up, the jeans! You can see that even the jeans go gray and the blue gets deeper.

So how does it all fit on us?

Shape – careful, over layers will compliment the colloquial among us. A fashionable look can also be achieved with softer layers with clean-line tailored top & a flowing bottom. For those of us with feminine legs, this is the time to enjoy tights, a skirt or dress– anything that ends above the knee. For narrow legged, skinny tights are the way to go.