Pregnancy

3 Ways To Deal With Pregnancy Migraines

It's unfortunate, but some women suffer from pregnancy migraines.

As if some of the discomforts of being pregnant aren't enough, the added risk of getting migraine headaches can make things pretty uncomfortable for a pregnant woman. It is thought that pregnancy migraines are caused by the influx of extra hormornes when you become pregnant.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to help relieve the symptoms of pregnancy migraine:

• Don't take any medication without first consulting your doctor since it is generally thought that the less medications pregnant women take, the better. However, if the migraine is bad, your doctor can prescribe acetominophen -- which is thought generally to be safe for pregnant women.
   
• Consider non-medicine treatments such as yoga, meditation, or massage -- all of which are said to help decrease the pain of a migraine.
   
• Lie down in a dark room with a cold compress and sleep. This oftentimes is the best remedy, since symptoms can include nausea, sensitivity to light, and even vision problems referred to as "aura."

3 Ways To Control Panic Attacks When You're Pregnant

Panic attacks (whether you're pregnant or not) are a fact of life for many people.

Being pregnant can increase the odds of your having a panic attack -- especially if you have been prone to panic attacks in the past.

However, there are 3 things you can do to help prevent suffering from a panic attack when you're pregnant:

• Drink some water. Water keeps your nerves and veins at ease. So if you're feeling panicky, or as though a panic attack is coming on, drink some water and head it off at the pass.
   
• Get a bit of exercise. Sometimes when you're pregnant, your muscles get tired of just doing the same old pregnant thing every day. And when you don't use them, your muscles can feel restless. Over time, this can turn into a panic attack. So, get a bit of exercise each day -- even if it's just going for a walk around the block.
   
• Learn how to breathe. Breathing properly can head off a panic attack in record time. Pulling air into your lungs and filling them, and then blowing it out through your nose for a few minutes can work wonders.

10 Tips To Ensure You'll Have A Healthy Pregnancy

Having a healthy pregnancy is important -- not just for you the mother, but for your baby as well.

Here are 10 ways to help ensure that you and your baby stay healthy and happy!

• Learn as much as you can about being pregnant. Talk to pregnant girlfriends, or girlfriends who have been pregnant in the recent past, as well as female relatives who have been pregnant.
   
• Begin researching different places where you might want to give birth.
   
• Plan your pregnancy ahead of time.
   
• Avoid substances such as alcohol, cigarettes, and illicit drugs that could harm your health and the health of your baby.
   
• Eat a balanced diet.
   
• Be active. If you weren't active before getting pregnant, start out gradually with walks or yoga. You'll want to start with easy exercise that is low-impact, and then gradually increase the amount of exercise you get each day over time.
   
• Rest as much as you need to. If your body says it needs a break or needs to rest, then take the time to do so.
   
• Talk with your baby, and establish a bond with him right away.
   
• Keep stress to a minimum.
   
• Enjoy being pregnant!

2 Reasons You Shouldn't Get the H1N1 Vaccine If You're Pregnant

We've all been hearing a lot of information on the news lately about the H1N1 vaccine.

Pregnant women especially have been being told that they need this vaccine in order to protect themselves and their baby. But do they really?

There is evidence that getting this vaccine if you're pregnant may actually do more damage than good.

Here are the 2 main reasons to reconsider getting the H1N1 vaccine if you're pregnant:

• The H1N1 vaccine contains a preservative called thimerosal which contains mercury. Several states including California have banned the use of this preservative in influenza vaccines, and yet here it is being used in the H1N1 vaccine. Vaccines containing thimerosal have been linked to increased autism rates in children.
   
• Adjuvants are being considered as an additional ingredient to the H1N1 vaccine -- in order to stretch the number of dosages available. There is conern that without adjuvants, there won't be enough of the vaccine to vaccinate everyone. Adjuvants have been shown to cause auto immune disorders in mice. There is some concern this could also translate to people. Also, some war veterans have claimed that adjuvants in vaccines are what caused the Gulf War Syndrome that so many U.S. veterans suffer from.

8 Signs That You May Be Pregnant

Whether you've been trying to get pregnant for a while or just a short time, being able to tell the symptoms of pregnancy is important.

Of course, some symptoms are more reliable than others for telling if you're pregnant, but it still doesn't hurt to know what all the possible symptoms are.

There are about 25 common symptoms of pregnancy, with the 8 most common listed below. If you're exhibiting even a few of these symptoms, then you may be pregnant.

• A missed period. This is usually one of the first signs that you may be pregnant.
   
• Feeling as though you are pregnant. Never underestimate your women's intuition, if you feel pregnant you very well could be.
   
• An abnormal period. This one is harder to define, but it can a period that lasts longer than normal or is shorter than normal, really any period that just doesn't fit your norm.
   
• Nausea and throwing up. This could be a sign of morning sickness.
   
• Your libido may change. This can mean you have higher sex drive or a lower one, it depends on the woman.
   
• Sore breasts. This is especially true in the first trimester, however, some women experience the same thing with prior to getting their period.
   
• Oddball cravings like pickles and icecream for example.
   
• Being tired all the time.

Also check out, signs of pregnancy. Is it really possible to not know that you're pregnant?

8 Cool Pregnancy Halloween Costumes

Who says you can't participate in Halloween festivities just because you're pregnant? No one if they're smart! 

There are several fun Halloween costumes for pregnant women. You might want to consider them if you'll be dressing up for Halloween this year.

Some examples:

• Bun in the oven. This one made me laugh because it's for a couple, and the costume comes with a "bun" and a shirt for the daddy that says, "The Bun Maker!"
   
• Witch. The cool thing about a witch costume is you can probably cobble together a few things around your house and then just purchase a witch's hat and you're set to go!
   
• Pirate. Who doesn't love lady pirates? After all historically there were a few, so you might consider checking into that to help put together a costume.
   
• Flapper. Flapper dresses are tradtionally a little loose anyway, so this can be a really cool, and attractive costume for the mother-to-be.
   
• Beach ball. Okay, this one was my favorite! With some body paints and a bikini, you're all set to go!
   
• Pumpkin. Here's where some orange and maybe green body paint can come in very handy.  Of course you may want to consider also using an old sweatshirt that you can cut a hole out of to show off your tummy!
   
• Sports balls. This is similar to the beach ball idea. You'll want something to show off your tummy if you go with the body paints idea, although you could also use an applique on a sweatshirt right over your tummy too!
   
• Pea in a pod. Another favorite of mine since all you have to do really is dress head to toe in green! You can cut a slit down the front where you bump is and then use body paint to paint the little bit of your tummy that shows.

For more great Halloween costume ideas see the top 5 Halloween costumes for pregnant women.