Maternity — Pregnancy tips and advice and motherhood help « Maternity

How To: Prevent pregnancy stretch marks with water and exercise

Getting pregnant is one of the most joyous times of many women's lives, but carrying an eight pound baby doesn't come without its share of wear and tear on your body. Your feet go up half a size to one size, you swell up all over, and stretch marks usually set in wherever your skin is overstretched.

How To: Have sex while breastfeeding

Most new mothers are concerned about having sex while breastfeeding. Learn all about the affects of breastfeeding and sex as well as tips on how to prevent leaky breasts during sex. All you have to do is watch this maternity how to video.

How To: Wrap & wear your baby in a long scarf

This video tutorial shows you how to use a long wrap product to dress yourself while creating a secure carrier for your baby. The long wrap is brought forward from back to front and round your belly button, criss-crossed over your back and brought forward and criss-crossed once more, then tied. The two criss-crosses (in the shape of an X) help hold the babies legs, as the pass through the criss-crosses and support the baby. You should then try to bring the fabric down as far as possible to su...

How To: Use a nursing cover for breastfeeding

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to use a nursing cover to breastfeed a baby. This process is very easy, fast and simple to do. It allows the mother to have more privacy when feeding her baby, without having to wear any special nursing clothes or go to somewhere private. The nursing cover simply goes over the mother's head like a apron. People everywhere will not be able to see the mothers nursing, but she can still see everything as she looks down. This video will benefit those view...

How To: Find a good latch on position for breastfeeding

This is an excellent video, by the wonderful Dr Jack Newman, showing a classic cross-cradle hold, and a baby latching well. The important part of this video is what's happening at the mouth/nipple exchange. Learn tips for how to breastfeed a baby properly and comfortably.

How To: Give a good foot massage during pregnancy

A pregnant woman's feet tend to be one thing you can always count on to ache. In this video, learn how to give a great foot massage to a woman who's pregnant with help from licensed massage therapist, Willow Hajicek. When giving a foot massage during pregnancy, one should use some reflexology, as well as lymphatic, techniques to loosen up the muscles and reduce the swelling that occurs during a soon to be mother's second and third trimesters. Learn in this video how to administer a great food...

How To: Exercise during labor to help ease the pains and discomfort

Always make sure to check with your doctor before implementing any medical advice! Labor can take awhile, and sometimes, exercise can help labor progress and alleviate the pain. It also can open up the pelvis, which leads to an easier delivery as well. This tutorial gives expectant mothers are few useful labor exercises.

How To: Breastfeed when you're just starting out

This video lesson will show you how to breastfeed when you are just starting out. Breastfeeding offers babies and mothers remarkable health benefits that are lifelong. A new born baby is ready to breastfeed. But, it may not come naturally to all babies. A baby is born well fed, but, it is a good idea to bring the baby to the mother’s breast as soon as she is born. This will help the baby to connect with the taste and smell easily. A mother’s breast should be the first thing to reach a baby’s ...

How To: Avoid foods that decrease conception

If you're trying to get pregnant there are foods you should avoid. Certain foods can decrease your chances of conceiving. Watch this how to video to learn more about what foods to avoid when you are trying to get pregnant.

How To: Sleep comfortably while pregnant

This how to video has great maternity tips for moms to be. Trying to sleep while you are pregnant can be difficult. Learn about sleeping comfortable while pregnant and what sleeping positions are safest for you and your baby.

How To: Conceive after your tubes have been tied

Women get their tubes tied (Tubal Ligation) because they don't want any more children, but what if you change your mind and want to conceive? Learn how Tubal Ligation Reversal can help you successfully become pregnant after getting your tubes tied with this maternity how-to video.

How To: Massage a baby's teething gums

How to massage a baby's teething gums in four easy steps. Use the pad of your fingers to rub in a circular motion all along the gum line. You can do this both inside and outside the mouth. When you do it inside the mouth, use the pad of your finger and just rub it all over the gum. Rub the baby's gum back and forth. Rub the bottom gum, front of the gum and the top of the gum. Just rub all around the gum and you might also feel if there's a teeth coming out.

How To: Consider the effects of diet on the composition of breast milk

Looking for a quick overview of how your diet effects the composition of your breast milk? This video guide from Health Guru will teach you everything you'll need to know. For all of the details, watch this video guide for new parents.

How To: Tandem breastfeed twins

To feed twins, you are going to need a couch (loveseat preferred), a breastfeeding pillow, and two towels. Take baby one and put them against the arm of the couch with their head against the back of the couch. Next, take the other baby and do the same but on the opposite side. Now wrap your pillow around your waist and fasten it if it has straps. Pick up the first baby and place them on the top of the pillow on one of the sides with their head under one of the breasts. Wedge them in by using ...

How To: Make a pregnancy-belt cast

Immortalize your pregnancy by making a cast of your belly. Watch this video to learn how to Make a pregnancy-belt cast.

How To: Workout during your second trimister with Joel Harper

In this tutorial, Joel Harper teaches us how to work out during your second trimester. You will need a couple of hand weights and a sturdy chair to do this work out. Start off by marching with the weights and then lift your arms into the air with 15 counts each. Do a slight lunge while you are doing these arm raises. Next, sit in the chair and list the weights up in the front and on the side. Now, move your chair and place your feet apart, then look behind you as you open your chest up. To fi...

How To: Breastfeed your baby in public

Nervous about breast feeding in public? You shouldn't be. Breast feeding outside your home doesn’t have to be a source of anxiety. Create a calm and modest approach to nursing in public.

How To: Pick the right sperm donor for you

Just getting the pretty boy genes shouldn't be the only thing you go for. When going for artificial insemination, there's also plenty of rules that you may not be aware of. In this video you'll learn about how the process works to a degree, and what sort of legal actions you should take in the process.

How To: Understand pregnancy, weeks 21 to 24 (Month 6)

Your second trimester is almost done by month 6, and big changes are taking place. Your baby has probably broken the one pound mark and you may also have started to notice some changes to your skin, like stretch marks. Watch this pregnancy video for more!

How To: Survive swollen feet while pregnant

During pregnancy, your belly usually isn't the only part of your body that grows. Learn why feet, ankles, and legs swell during pregnancy, and learn ways to reduce and alleviate this swelling.

How To: Recognize the signs when you start ovulating

If you're looking to increase the odds of pregnancy or are just looking to understand your body better, you will need to be able to understand when you're ovulating. In this video you will get basic tips and signs of when you're ovulating and how to identify some of the symptoms.

How To: Deal with your labor fears

Labor is probably the most feared of pregnancy’s "unknowns." Here's how to manage it. You Will Need

How To: Know if a baby is drinking enough breast milk

Babies naturally drink milk from their mother's breasts, but how much milk they intake is a more greyish area. While some babies latch on to that nipple and make big slurps in very little time, other babies are very reluctant and slow at sucking, so the process may take longer.

How To: Determine if your baby is getting enough breast milk

Some new mothers worry that their babies aren't getting enough breast milk. One of the biggest myths is that bigger breast produce more milk. Watch this maternity how to video to learn how to determine if your baby is getting enough breast milk and how to increase your milk supply.

How To: Find a comfortable latch on position for breastfeeding

Breastfeeding comfort varies due to subtle nuances in technique. This video shows how to find a comfortable position for a baby to latch on while breastfeeding to make the experience more pleasant for the mother.

How To: Make homemade baby food with these recipes

Homemade baby food is a great, natural way to keep your baby healthy and happy. Learn how to make your own baby food, including vegetable puree, fruit puree, baby cereal and more, in this free series of baby food video recipes. Make homemade baby food with these recipes - Part 1 of 14.

How To: Know if you're pregnant

There are signs you're having a baby even before you miss a period. You Will Need: * A knowledge of physical symptoms

How To: Prevent hyperlactation while breastfeeding

Some mothers have hyperlactation meaning an overabundance of breast milk. This causes milk to spray or leak out of the breast during breastfeeding which causes some babies to choke or gag on the first spray of milk. This maternity how-to video gives a few tips on preventing this.

How To: Pump and store breast milk

Sometimes, it is necessary for nursing mothers to express or pump breast milk. Watch this video for tips on how to pump, store and re-heat breast milk.

How To: Do pilates exercises for C-section moms

Pilates is a great way to start exercising after a C-section and to regain your core strength back. First lay on your back and do a pelvic tilt. Start off with five to ten of these pelvic tilts but be sure to make your way up to twenty. Make sure your belly button is pulled into your spine. The second exercise is the pelvic tilt that goes up into a bridge. Press into your heals to lift your pelvis off of the ground. Do the same amount of reps. The third exercise is the modified crunch. Place ...

How To: Use lavender oil to get rid of baby eye mucus

This video details the use of lavender essential oil to help get rid of eye mucus and eyes and. Gently measure out a small measure of lavender oil into your hand and use your fingertips to gently apply the lavender oil to the cheeks and carefully to the edge of the eye socket and the bridge of the nose. The presenter cautions that you must never get the oil into the baby's eyes. According to the video if you use lavender oil in this manner it should get rid of the eye mucus from around the ba...

How To: Deal with an itchy pregnancy stomach

Increased blood supply and a growing belly contribute to pregnancy itch. Take these steps to reduce the itch and gain some calm.

How To: Understand pregnancy, weeks 17 to 20 (Month 5)

During month 5 of your pregnancy, a sonogram can tell you if you're having a boy or girl! You may be eating everything in sight - but that's normal. You're now at the midpoint of your second trimester - 20 weeks pregnant!

How To: Position your baby during breastfeeding

Proper breast feeding position is necessary for the baby to be able to latch on properly during nursing. Nursing mothers are recommended to watch this video to learn three efficient breastfeeding positions.

How To: Tighten and firm loose skin after pregnancy

Pregnancy can take a typically fit body and throw it for a loop. Your body will change so dramatically during those nine months that you may be left with stretch marks, extra fat and sagging skin. So, after you've had that beautiful baby, why not check out this tutorial? In it, you will get tips from expert physical trainer, Kathy Kaehler. Kathy has three children and knows everything there is to know about toning a post-pregnancy body. Kathy is also an author and celebrity personal trainer, ...

How To: Nurse in your sakura bloom ring sling

Nursing a baby in the bloom ring ring sling is very simple and comfortable. While the baby is sitting in the sling their bottom will be at stomach level for you with the fabric stopping around the baby's knees. Support the babies weight with your hand and gently slide the top ring to lower the sling so your baby will be sitting at your hip. with the baby in place you can lower your shirt so the baby can latch on and nurse. The sling is high enough for you to be able to nurse hands free and no...

How To: Lose your pregnancy weight

Looking to shed that baby weight? In this three part tutorial learn how Iris completely lost her baby weight in one year and got back to wearing her pre-pregnancy clothes before her baby's first birthday. In the three parts of this advice session, the following topics are touched on: details of Iris' weight gain & weight loss, how she did it, what routines she followed, and how she found her motivation.