Week 19: Pregnancy Week by Week

Week 19: Is childbirth education for you?

Lessons in preparing for childbirth are really lessons in living.

-Lynn Moen, Around the Circle Gently

What's Happening in Your Body?

Your nipples and the area around them (the areola) may start to darken. Hormonal changes and the increase in your blood supply cause many women to feel congested during pregnancy and also to sweat more or to notice an increase in vaginal discharge. This is normal.

What's Happening with Your Baby?

If your baby is a girl, she has by now already developed her lifetime supply of ova, or eggs, inside of her ovaries. Permanent teeth buds are now forming behind the baby teeth buds in your baby's gums.

Choosing a Childbirth Education Class

When you think of childbirth education classes, you may automatically think about being taught how to cope with labor through learning breathing techniques and how to control pain.

Most childbirth education courses offer much more than this. You will find a broad range of them with different focal points and philosophies. Follow this link to find out what to expect from a good childbirth education course.

Nourish Yourself

Everyone knows that there is nothing more comforting than a bowl of homemade chicken soup. So you can imagine that our 110% Chicken Noodle Soup recipe is even more satisfying. Never mind the protein, calcium, and B vitamin nutrients it offers - just enjoy the ritual of preparing it for yourself and your loved ones.

Body Wise

Sometimes there just isn't time to take a yoga class or get a massage. What you need are some Quick Relaxers. These fast exercises will help you to calm down and de-stress almost anywhere.

Natural Soothers

A relaxed day of good food, great music, and appreciation for the beauty of a pregnant body rejuvenates a harried mom-to-be in Pamper Your Pregnant Self by Amy Buringrud.

Higher Ground

Birth Story
Our second child, a boy, was born on a Saturday afternoon last fall. The sky was blue, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and the clouds floated along as I labored. The midwife arrived at our home at 2:30 pm. I was dilated 2.5 centimeters, very excited, and a little scared.

Read the rest of Lisa Lim's story, The Birth of Kai: Touching the Edges of Myself.

Image by Durga Yael Bernhard

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