being sexy and pregnant on valentine's day seems easy when hotmilk apparently has pregnancy hotness down to a science and what is this...do i spy a sale??!
top row: ruffle my feathers camisole (on sale!), ruffle my feathers bikini (on sale!)
bottom row: slip into seduction nightie (on sale!) , harmony in chaos nightie
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while i may be avoiding traditional maternity stores and their on-trend designs, i'm still stuck in stretchpants-ville and dying for a vacation. ModCloth may not have a maternity section, but i found a few items that are all loose fitting or made with fabric that provides stretch. ModCloth has a great return policy, so it may be worth seeing just how much these little beauties actually do stretch.
top row: lovable scamp top, a new angle dress
bottom row: causal conviction dress, airport greeting cardigan
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i feel as though my wardrobe is down to 3 pairs of stretchy maternity pants and a few seriously stretched out shirts. im having a hard time finding on-trend maternity clothes that i like. so, lets shop etsy vintage.
top row: 70's granny neck, 50's sailor neck (i would pair both these tops with dark capris)
bottom row: hand embroidered, floral lace (i would cinch both of these dresses just under the bust to create an empire waist)
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let me preface this post by saying i am not a tea drinker. i would not call myself a fan of tea. be it hot or cold i generally tend to avoid consuming tea at all times. that being said, i stumbled across an interesting article linking red raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy and the reduction of pain during labor. i am definitely a fan of the reduction of pain during labor. my research began.
http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Pregnancy_Problems.htm
"Brewed as a tea or as an infusion, raspberry is the best known, most widely used, and safest of all uterine and pregnancy tonic herbs. It contains fragrine, an alkaloid which gives tone to the muscles of the pelvic region, including the uterus itself.
Most of the benefits ascribed to regular use of Raspberry tea through pregnancy are traced to the nourishing source of vitamins and minerals found in this plant and to the strengthening power of fragrine - an alkaloid which gives tone to the muscles of the pelvic region, including the uterus itself. Of special note are the rich concentration of vitamin C, the presence of vitamin E and the easily assimilated calcium and iron. Raspberry leaves also contain vitamins A and B complex and many minerals, including phosphorous and potassium.
The benefits of drinking a raspberry leaf brew before and throughout pregnancy include:
~ Increasing fertility in both men and women. Raspberry leaf is an excellent fertility herb when combined with Red Clover.
~ Preventing miscarriage and hemorrhage. Raspberry leaf tones the uterus and helps prevent miscarriage and postpartum hemorrhage from a relaxed or atonic uterus.
~ Easing of morning sickness. Many attest to raspberry leaves' gentle relief of nausea and stomach distress throughout pregnancy.
~ Reducing pain during labor and after birth. By toning the muscles used during labor and delivery, Raspberry leaf eliminates many of the reasons for a painful delivery and prolonged recovery. It does not, however, counter the pain of pelvic dilation.
~ Assisting in the production of plentiful breast milk. The high mineral content of Raspberry leaf assist in milk production, but its astringency may counter that for some women.
~ Providing a safe and speedy pariuntion. Raspberry leaf works to encourage the uterus to let go and function without tension. It does not strengthen contractions, but does allow the contracting uterus to work more effectively and so may make the birth easier and faster."
the highlighted statements are what really caught my fancy. i googled onward.
this link provides the history and use of red raspberry leaf (RRL) and also gives instructions on how to brew tea if you're a tea newcomer like me.
this link to americanpregnancy.org states that many "pregnancy teas" commonly contain RRL to help promote uterine heath during pregnancy.
at over 1900 posts, this thread on mothering.com has a ton of advice along with the "original" red raspberry leaf story which describes an infusion to be consumed at the onset of labor: "On one ounce of raspberry leaves pour one pint of boiling water, cover and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain, and when the time for delivery is approaching drink the whole as hot as possible."
im in.
if you'd like to join the RRL train with me, i super recommend this tea pot. i buy my tea here. right now i am drinking one cup of tea per day using 1 teaspoon of leaves, i add natural honey to sweeten.
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