Pregnancy is a magical time filled with anticipation, excitement, and lots of changes. One of the most exciting moments is feeling the baby move for the first time. But when does that happen? Many first-time moms may wonder when they will start feeling their baby’s movements.

The timeline for when you start feeling your baby move can vary depending on your body, your baby, and how far along you are in your pregnancy. But typically, most women will start to feel their baby’s movements between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy.

For first-time moms, it’s more common to start feeling the baby’s movements closer to the 24-week mark. But don’t worry if you haven’t felt anything yet. Every pregnancy is unique, and it may take longer for you to feel your baby’s movements.

Once you start feeling your baby move, it’s important to pay attention to their movement patterns. Every baby has their own movement routine, so take note of when your baby is most active throughout the day. As you get further along in your pregnancy, the movements will become more frequent and stronger.

But what exactly will the baby’s movements feel like? For some women, it may feel like a little flutter or a gentle poke. Others may describe it as a sensation similar to butterflies in their stomach. As your baby grows, the movements will become more pronounced, and you’ll start feeling kicks, punches, and rolls.

It’s important to remember that if you ever feel concerned about your baby’s movements, you should contact your doctor or midwife right away. They can assess whether everything is progressing normally and provide any necessary guidance.

In conclusion, feeling your baby move for the first time is an exciting milestone in pregnancy. While it’s different for every woman, most first-time moms will start feeling their baby’s movements between 16 and 24 weeks. Pay attention to your baby’s movement patterns, and if you have any concerns, reach out to your healthcare provider.

Pregnancy is an incredible journey filled with many milestones, but it’s not without its challenges. One of the most common challenges is morning sickness. In fact, about 70% of pregnant women experience it. Unfortunately, it’s not always in the morning, despite the name.

Morning sickness typically starts around week 6 of pregnancy and reaches its peak at 9 weeks. For most women, morning sickness will resolve itself between weeks 12 and 14. However, for some, it may persist throughout the pregnancy.

Did you know that morning sickness is proven to be genetic? If your mom or sister had severe morning sickness in their pregnancies, it’s likely that you will too. It’s essential to let your doctor know if you’re experiencing severe morning sickness, so they can provide the best advice to help you manage it.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help prevent or alleviate morning sickness symptoms. One of the most effective ways is to eat smaller meals more frequently. Eating every 2-3 hours will keep your blood sugar levels stable, which can help prevent nausea.

Mint tea is also a great option to help alleviate nausea. Ginger candies or ginger tea can also help. Some women also find that eating foods high in carbs and low in fat can help reduce morning sickness symptoms.

It’s also essential to get plenty of sleep and rest during pregnancy, especially if you’re experiencing morning sickness. Lack of sleep can make nausea worse and make it harder to manage.

Lastly, try eating some crackers or dry toast first thing in the morning. This can help settle your stomach and prevent morning sickness from kicking in.

In conclusion, morning sickness is a common experience for many pregnant women. While it’s not always possible to prevent it entirely, there are things you can do to manage and alleviate the symptoms. If you’re experiencing severe morning sickness, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider to get the best advice and support. With a few helpful tips and some self-care, you can navigate through morning sickness and enjoy a healthy pregnancy.

Maintaining an active lifestyle during pregnancy can offer many benefits, including better sleep, reduced stress, and a healthy weight gain. However, many women may be hesitant to exercise while pregnant, fearing that it might harm their unborn child. The good news is, exercising while pregnant is not as complicated as it may sound. With a few safety measures in mind, you and your little one can stay healthy and happy.

Firstly, it’s essential to choose safe and comfortable workouts that suit your body’s changing needs. Some of our favorite workouts to recommend to pregnant women are walking, weights, yoga, dancing, and stretching. Walking is an excellent low-impact exercise that is easy on your joints and can be done anywhere. Lifting light weights can help maintain muscle strength, while yoga and stretching can help improve flexibility and reduce stress.

It’s important to remember that if you were very active before getting pregnant, your growing belly may affect your balance and coordination, and you may need to modify your workout routine accordingly. Be sure to give yourself grace and listen to your body’s signals. If a particular exercise doesn’t feel comfortable, stop and try something else.

It’s also crucial to avoid any contact sports while pregnant, as they pose a risk of injury to both you and your unborn child. Additionally, any exercise that requires lying on your back for an extended period should be avoided after the first trimester.

Finally, we recommend working out for at least 2 ½ hours per week to stay healthy during your pregnancy. However, it’s essential to consult with your healthcare provider before starting any exercise program. Your doctor can provide personalized advice and help you determine the best workout plan for you and your baby.

In conclusion, exercising while pregnant is not as complicated as it might sound, but it’s essential to prioritize safety and comfort. With the right workouts and a little bit of guidance, you can stay healthy and active throughout your pregnancy. Remember to listen to your body and enjoy this beautiful journey of creating life.

Classes are great to look into for many reasons. But one being you get to meet other expecting moms & share each other’s concerns (and excitements) face to face with each other!

Classes are also a great bonding experience for you & your partner! Learning skills together helps bring you closer together.

Find local classes in the area, or try some online classes!

Here are a couple classes we highly recommend trying while pregnant:

Labor & Birthing Class

• These classes are great for first time moms. Learn your options to make a birth plan for you. Go into childbirth prepared & ease your mind of any concerns or information overload you might be feeling!

Postpartum Prep

• So many of us are consumed by the preparation of our newest additions; We completely neglect something that is so, so important: Postpartum. Find a postpartum prep class near you & start planning for those months after birth. Prepare YOU for the 4th trimester with one of these classes

Lactation Education

• Whether you’re planning on breastfeeding or not, your body is still going to produce milk during your pregnancy. Learn all the ins and outs of lactation in one of these classes!

It’s always best to check with your doctor with your specific circumstances to see what is safe for you to take while pregnant. But to give you an idea, here are some general safe medications you can take while pregnant.

What medications can I take?

Tylenol

Claritin

Benadryl

Some medicines for depression

Tums

What medications can’t I take?

Pepto-Bismol

Phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine (during 1st trimester)

Guaifenesin (during 1st trimester)

Advil, Motrin, Aleve

We hope this list gives you a general idea of what is safe & what isn’t, but please contact your doctor for specific medications you may be taking to learn whether those are safe during your pregnancy or not!

#1 What to Expect When You’re Expecting

You are probably familiar with the title of Amazon’s #1 selling pregnancy book, What to Expect When You’re Expecting. If you’re looking for an easy, informative week-by-week read, this is the book for you! This book is full of information for first time mothers. If you don’t want to overwhelm yourself with pregnancy books & reading, just get this one.

#2 Expecting Better

If you’re looking for a data based read. The Author, Emily Oster, states many fact-driven points to help you make the right decision for YOU! This book helps you make educational choices on every major decision during pregnancy.

#3 Cribsheet

This book is another fact-driven, easy read from Oster. If you have anxiety from all the (mis) information out there, you’ll enjoy this book. It’s full of myth-busting & helps put your anxious thoughts to ease.

#4 Bumpin’

This book is a great read for first time modern moms. It states the facts without being controversial, & the author has great insights from her personal birth story. It’s a balanced mix between personal stories & educational content. This book feels more like having a conversation with a good friend rather than being talked down upon from a doctor.

#5 50 Things to Do Before You Deliver

If you’re looking for an interactive, quick read, this is it. Jill Krause gives great advice while being realistic. It’s not all strict rules, but rather an overall encouragement book for you. A reminder that what you’re doing is amazing, & you are doing a great job! This book is down-to-earth, & less clinical feeling than our other recommendations, but still has great information!

So you just found out you’re pregnant? Prenatal vitamins get you all the nutrients for a healthy pregnancy! & it’s best to start them ASAP!

Ideally, you should be taking prenatal vitamins before you even get pregnant! We suggest if you’re trying to get pregnant, it is a good idea to start on prenatal vitamins. But if you haven’t been taking prenatal vitamins & you’re pregnant now, start as soon as possible!

Why they are important:

• Folic Acid– helps with the prevention of defects with the neutral tube.
• Iron– helps support development of fetus & placenta

Here is what you should look for in a prenatal vitamin:

• Folic Acid
• Iron
• Calcium
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin A
• Zinc
• Iodine

Talk to your healthcare provider, they may suggest for you to take more dosage of some of these vitamins for your specific circumstances!