Itching During Pregnancy: Everything You Need to Know About ICP

posted by Adriana Velez 13 hours ago in Pregnancy

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When is an itch not just an itch? When you're pregnant. An expecting mom with a severe itch found out the hard way that the unusual symptom can actually mean your unborn baby is at risk. When Magdalen Reece developed a severe itch around her abdomen at 35 weeks, she mentioned it to her midwife. She was told that itching was a normal part of skin stretching over a growing belly, and it is. But in Reece's case, it was a sign of something much more dangerous. Three weeks later, when her water broke, her baby was already dead.

Those of us who've been pregnant are all too familiar with that mild abdominal itch. All you do is moisturize a little more and that usually takes care of it. But it turns out the more severe itch Reece had was a sign of a pregnancy-related disease called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). What is this disease, and what can you do about it?

LOL

15 Lies Every Pregnant Woman Tells Herself

posted by Mary Fischer 17 hours ago in Pregnancy

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Pregnancy is such a magical and wonderful time in a woman's life -- but it's pretty safe to say that some aspects of it are definitely easier than others. Every mom-to-be has good days and bad days and everything in between -- including those instances where you do whatever you have to just to make it through the day without having an emotional meltdown.

Oh come on, you know what I'm talking about, right? Those times when you try and convince yourself that everything is hunky-dory even though you know very well you're feeling the complete opposite?

Love It!

Sneak Peek at What Giving Birth Looks Like -- From the Inside! (PHOTO)

posted by Jacqueline Burt 20 hours ago in Pregnancy

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Despite centuries of advancements in medical science and countless babies born, the topic of childbirth has managed to remain, somehow, slightly mysterious. Why? Personally, I think it's because even though we have ultrasounds during pregnancy and fetal monitors during delivery, we still can't really see what's going on in there when push comes to shove (literally, sort of). Except someday in the not-too-distant future, all of that could change: There's a new computer program, recently developed by researchers in England, which uses 3D virtual reality to simulate human birth. Incorporating factors such as the size and shape of both the mother's and baby's bodies, the program could potentially save lives by helping doctors and midwives prepare for "unusual or dangerous births." Just check out this shot and you'll see why:

Awww!

Simon Cowell's Baby Shower Should Start a Trend We'd Love to See Catch On

posted by Jenny Erikson Monday at 5:30 PM in Pregnancy

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I never thought I’d say this -- Simon Cowell is so sweet! I know, right? But it’s true. The apparently smitten dad-to-be planned and hosted a baby shower for his pregnant girlfriend Lauren Silverman on Sunday.

They may be expecting a son, but the party was totally girly. Cowell organized an English themed tea party at his Beverly Hills home. The ladies set up in the back garden and noshed on mini sandwiches, cakes, and tea (wine and champagne for those who inclined to indulge).

Rant

The Thought of Having Sex During Pregnancy Makes Me Cringe

posted by Mary Fischer Monday at 4:00 PM in Pregnancy

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Not too long ago, I was having a nice little chat with one of my expectant friends about how things are going with her pregnancy, how she's feeling, and all that good stuff. And don't ask me why, but somehow the conversation shifted to the topic of sex -- and the fact that she and her husband are doing it like a couple of rabbits right now.

I kind of smiled and nodded my head and said, "Oh, that's great!" But I can't lie -- I had to restrain myself from looking at her with a very confused/borderline disgusted expression on my face. The thought of the two of them going at it like a couple of teenagers in the back of a Chevy really made me cringe.

For the life of me, I just don't understand how pregnant women can enjoy sex. No wait, scratch that. I can't understand how they possibly feel sexy enough to even have sex -- because I sure as hell didn't.

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Mom Moment

8 Things Every Pregnant Woman Secretly Wishes Her Husband Would Say

posted by Sasha Brown-Worsham Monday at 1:33 PM in Pregnancy

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I am currently headed into the home stretch of my third pregnancy. With just a few weeks left to go, my mind is on folding newborn clothing, getting all my supplies for our planned home birth, and kick counts to make sure the baby is healthy. It's a good time.

Physically, though, it's also a hard time. I am six years older than the last time I was pregnant, and my body feels that age in every way. I am achy and creaky and cranky and whiny, and my poor husband, supportive as he is, has to hear it all. Poor dude.

He is a fantastic daddy to our two older children and is every bit as hands on involved as I am when it comes to bedtime, pickups/dropoffs, extracurriculars, and more. But no man, no matter how wonderful, can actually get what it's like to be pregnant. I know he tries, but I have talked to a number of women and compiled a list of things we all WISH our husbands had said to us while we were pregnant. See below:

Mom Moment

What We Can All Learn From Women's Birth Stories

posted by Michele Zipp Sunday at 2:41 PM in Pregnancy

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There is a status update "game" circulating on Facebook where women share a certain number of facts about their birth. If you like the status, you too are given a number and that is the number of facts you share on your own status update. It's a social networking way of sharing birth stories, perhaps only previously heard by other women who were interested in sharing their own as well or preparing to go through birth. Now it's there for single friends to read. Former boyfriends. Those friends from elementary school. Old high school acquaintances. Everyone! Learning some of the very intimate details of part of your journey to motherhood.

I think it's beautiful.

Mom Moment

Kelly Clarkson Talks About the 'Ugly' Part of Pregnancy

posted by Michele Zipp Friday at 1:47 PM in Pregnancy

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Kelly Clarkson is such an adorable pregnant lady! She's got that pregnant glow. Her hair looks gorgeous and full. You see the smile on her face and just know that she's thrilled to be pregnant with her first baby with hubby Brandon Blackstock. And she really is -- she's so happy she's pregnant, but she admitted on Ellen that she wishes the baby would stop trying to kill her.

Oh Kelly. I know what you're feeling. Those pregnancy side-effects that no one really likes to talk about ... they sure are a challenge to get through. And the women who went through them try to tell you it's no big deal and it will pass, but when you are in the moment going through them, you know exactly what Kelly means. Kelly quite literally spilled all the details on the wacky stuff going on with her since becoming pregnant. She's miserable.

Rant

Maternity Clothing Is the Reason I Don't Get Pregnant More Often

posted by Lisa Fogarty Thursday at 8:55 PM in Pregnancy

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I held out as long as I could, but this week I had to do it. I had to buy what I dread spending money on -- awful, terrible maternity clothing.

This is my second pregnancy. In my experience, morning sickness fades after the 12th week and, though annoying and painful, at the very least, the Breast Gods have the decency to give you nice boobs to compensate for the constant tenderness you experience above the waist. But there are few good things to be said about maternity clothing.

OMG

15 Worst Reactions to Pregnancy Announcements

posted by Mary Fischer Thursday at 3:01 PM in Pregnancy

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One of the best parts of being pregnant is most definitely the moment when you can finally spill the beans that you're expecting. It's so much fun letting family and friends know that you have a bun in the oven -- and most of the time they're just as (if not more) delighted than you are with the news.

Who doesn't love a baby? Adding a new member to the family is a blessing no matter how you look at it -- but unfortunately, not everyone thinks that way. Seriously, some people have no filter.