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The Best Sex Life in My Dreams

As unusual as this may sound but being pregnant has given me the best sex life of my life. This isn’t a first time occurrence either. Every pregnancy I have had has triggered these fantastic hormones that have given rise to the best perk of being pregnant. The twist on what seems to be unusual in the first place is that this fantastic sex life is occurring in my dreams.

Everyone hears about teenage boys experiencing “wet dreams” but not a single person has ever mentioned to me that the same phenomena are experienced by pregnant women. So, I write this not to brag or to be some sort of voyeur rather I wanted other pregnant women out there to know that they are not alone. In fact, I thought I might be the only one until I had mentioned this to a girlfriend and she admitted that she herself had enjoyed this little benefit of being pregnant.

Men don’t think you are out in the cold on this equation. You can take advantage of your wife’s raging hormones too. Just don’t be afraid of her every changing form. Think of it as a new adventure for you both to experience.

Why are we so reluctant to talk about these wonderful dreams? Maybe it’s hard to think of ourselves as sexual beings while we are growing a baby in our belly? Maybe we don’t want to wound our husband’s fragile male ego? We happily talk about all the downsides to being pregnant so I would like to propose that we open up the forum to talk about the upsides as well. What perks has everyone else experienced?

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Say Goodbye to My Little Friend

Recently I had to get a spot on my boob and stomach biopsied which included a fair amount of stitches. According to my doctors it is not uncommon for pregnant women to have growths show up during pregnancy. Even scarier is that melanomas are extremely aggressive with pregnancies so it’s really important to get them taken care of as soon as you find any skin abnormalities.

Turns out the spot on my breast are “abnormal” which means it’s a good thing I had it removed. Even better news is that they cut enough “good” tissue to ensure that they got it all. I will just have a Frankenstein scar on my boob…which just adds to the sexiness of my overall physic. I don’t know how my husband resists me.

For more information on skin cancer please check out: http://www.skincancer.org/

What you need to know about moles? http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/moles-and-dysplastic-nevi/page8

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20 Side Effects of Pregnancy That No One Wants to Talk About

Maybe I’m luckier than most in that after 3 pregnancies’ I have experienced the gambit of pregnancy side effects. Believe me when I tell you that YOU are the lucky one if your experience only results in the side effect of having a beautiful baby. I am not one of those cute pregnant ladies that seem to glow with the ever maturing basketball under the perfectly pressed maternity shirt. My experience with pregnancy is anything but beautiful and as much as I love my kids I really dislike being pregnant.

My intention is not to scare or discourage rather, I hope that you find comfort in knowing that you are not the only one having the full experience of pregnancy. Here are the 20 side effects of pregnancy that no one wants to talk about:

1. “morning sickness” – I put this in quotes because for me I was throwing up all day long. I noticed that the nausea got worse the more tired I became. The best advice I would give you is just to go with it. If you feel the need to throw-up its better just to give in. I remember driving into work and pulling off the side of the high way, quickly opening my door, just in time to give all of the morning traffic a post view of my breakfast.
2. Stretch marks – Despite rubbing everything on my skin from coco butter to olive oil my body looks like a bomb went off and according to my dermatologist there isn’t technology available to get rid of them.
3. Hair anomalies - The hair on your head is fabulous! Its thick, it’s shiny, definitely one of the perks of pregnancy. You will also notice hair growing in other places at a vigorous pace. Not to worry, this will go away but until then you may be a little fuzzier than normal.
4. Sex dreams – Don’t ask me why but just at the time when I felt the least sexy I started having the craziest sex dreams. This is definitely a mixed blessing.
5. Bladder control – Yes, I admit that I have peed myself. Definitely not a high point in my life but I find comfort in knowing that you too will pee yourself.
6. Bigger boobs – I never really had boobs until I had kids and once they arrived I wasn’t sure what the big deal was. Admittedly, having enormous boobs that are leaking milk isn’t exactly what I wished for when I was 14 (I’m sure it wasn’t what my husband was wishing for at 14 either). None the less, they came out of nowhere and once I was done breastfeeding the only thing that was left was these sad little socks.
7. Unsolicited advice from friends, family and strangers – I concede that maybe I am the only one that has friends, family and strangers offering unsolicited advice. Maybe there is something about me that welcomes this sort of weird and frankly uncomfortable feedback. I think the topper for me was when a male co-worker was offering breastfeeding advice (and no, I’m not making that up).
8. Heart palpitations - Occasionally my heart will start racing making me feel out of breath. I went to a heart specialist, he ran some tests but he basically came to the conclusion that this was more of a nuisance than anything.
9. Heartburn – I didn’t really notice this until the last trimester of my pregnancies. My sister-n-law however carried a Costco sized Tums bottle with her from day one.
10. Water retention – I looked like I was baking bread out of my shoes! From my knee down you couldn’t really see any sort of bone structure and by the end of the day my kankles were quite painful.
11. Hemorrhoids – Yep, pregnancy is sexy!
12. Dry skin – Lotion, lotion, lotion.
13. Back pain – OK, so the pain really isn’t restricted to the back but I noticed lower back pain as my belly grows larger.
14. Waddling – This is so hot and totally unavoidable unless you choose not to walk during your last trimester.
15. Feeling the baby move – This is a wonderful miracle early on in pregnancy. The last couple weeks of pregnancy I found myself trying to negotiate the baby out of my ribs or to stop bouncing on my bladder.
16. Varicose veins – I didn’t get too many of these but I did make up for it with stretch marks.
17. Larger feet – I had to go out and buy shoes that would fit me during pregnancy. Don’t expect your feet to go back to their pre-pregnancy size because they don’t.
18. Unexplained fluid – I had a lot of unexplained vajayjay discharge during pregnancy. Unexplained in that I’m sure there was a reason, I just chose to ignore it.
19. Congestion – I seem to have a constant stuffy nose throughout my pregnancies and apparently this is due to the extra blood flow.
20. Skin anomalies - I had weird moles appear and I’ve heard that some women get skin discoloration as well.

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10 Must Haves for a New Mom

As a new mom you can feel overwhelmed by the amount of “stuff” a new baby needs. More importantly its even harder to decipher what exactly is a necessity. I could probably make this list considerably longer but after I conferred with my girlfriends and sister-n-laws this is the top 10 list that we came up with. If you are looking to get started on your baby registry or if you see something on this list that you don’t have I promise investing in anyone of these “must haves” won’t be a disappointment.

Halo Innovations SleepSack Premium Microfleece Wearable Blanket Yellow Though no one knows for sure how to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), current sleep recommendations advise parents to put babies on their back to sleep. Halo Innovations founder William Schmid lost a daughter to SIDS in 1991 and is now devoted to creating products that encourage healthier sleeping environments for babies. The Halo SleepSack is a wearable blanket, that eliminates the hazards of loose blankets, which can bunch up and cover an infant’s mouth. Sleeveless and collarless, the SleepSack wearable blanket is easy to slip on a sleeping or wide-awake child. Unlike blankets, it can’t be kicked off, so your baby stays warm all night — and breathable fleece absorbs moisture, preventing overheating. A top-to-bottom zipper eliminates neck pinching and makes it harder for an older child to unzip and disrobe. SleepSack Premium Microfleece Wearable Blanket

Glamourmom Nursing Bra Long Tank Black This essential nursing bra tank just got a super-stylish makeover with its longer length. Wear it with your favorite low-rise pants and skirts — under a shirt or on its own — for coverage just where you need it. Its slimming design offers postpartum tummy coverage with built-in soft cup frames and elastic shelves for total breast support. The adjustable shoulder straps feature one-handed release clasps that are flush to the fabric, so they’re virtually undetectable. When you open the flaps for nursing, a light mesh liner holds nursing pads in place. Nursing Bra Long Tank

Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder (2-Pack) This nifty little feeder allows your baby to enjoy all the delicious flavor and nutrition of whole food while reducing the risk of choking. Simply place age-appropriate foods from fruits and veggies to meats and snacks in the mesh bag and snap it shut. Your baby will learn to chew tiny pieces of food that come through the mesh. An added bonus: It works like a strainer, leaving peels and seeds from fruits and vegetables safely inside the bag. Fresh Food Feeder (2-Pack)

Kiddopotamus SwaddleMe Microfleece Infant Wrap Ivory The Swaddle Me Infant Wrap is a cozy microfleece wearable blanket that eliminates the hazards of loose bedding, while keeping your baby warm all night. In addition, it has been found that infants sleep better and longer when swaddled, or wrapped securely. The Swaddle Me Infant Wrap is easy to slip on and wrap around a sleeping or wide-awake baby. The bottom pouch pops down for easy diaper changes while your baby’s arms are still wrapped, and the back has slits for car seat/swing harnesses so that a harness can be attached securely. Cute styling features two little bear cubs on the hook-and-loop closure panels. SwaddleMe Microfleece Infant Wrap

Philips / Avent Express II Microwave Steam Sterilizer This compact sterilizer, which holds four bottles, nipples, and caps, works in your microwave yet provides the same hot steam cleaning as electric models. All you need to do is fill the sterilizer with 200 ml. of water (clearly marked on the included Avent bottles), load it with your feeding supplies, and put it in the microwave on high for about four minutes. Allow the unit to cool for two to three full minutes before unloading it will emit hot steam as it cools. The unit is about the size of a large mixing or salad bowl and can be used to clean anything made from microwave-safe plastic, from toddler cups to pacifiers. It also holds Avent’s Isis breast pump with accessories. Express II Microwave Steam Sterilizer

Graco Lovin’ Hug Swing Solid and secure, the Lovin’ Hug Swing encloses your baby like a secure embrace. It includes features parents look for in a swing, such as six speeds, soothing music, a reclining seat, and a tray that flips open with one hand for easy access. Plus it folds for portability. Made in China Lovin’ Hug Swing

The Boppy Company Boppy Pillow with Slipcover Baby Animals This new and improved Boppy now has a center stretch panel to fit every waist size and includes one cotton/poly blend slipcover. Place the pillow around your waist to reduce arm and back strain while your baby nurses or bottle-feeds. Or, put it on the floor as a soft circular support until your infant learns to sit up unassisted. It’s also excellent for tummy time. The zippered cover is machine washable and easy to remove. Boppy Pillow with Slipcover

Graco Cool Mist Humidifier 4 Gallon Graco packed this high-performance humidifier with smart features. First, it automatically maintains whatever humidity level you set. Second, it has a dishwasher-safe tank and tray so it’s simple to clean. And, it includes a tank that’s easy to fill, a QuietMist setting that lets your baby sleep peacefully, an easy-to-replace drop-in filter, and TrueAir technology for reliable performance. Cool Mist Humidifier 4 Gallon

Graco Margo Pack N’ Play Portable Play Yard A best-seller year after year, Graco’s sturdy and convenient Pack ‘N Play remains a parent favorite. The practical Margo model features a full-size bassinet for your infant, removable changer, and wind-up mobile. It’s hard to imagine all this folds into a carrying bag for easy toting, but it does! Margo Pack N’ Play Portable Play Yard

Fisher-Price Lil’ Laugh ‘n Learn Bouncer With the kick of a foot or the bat of a hand, your baby can activate the lights, music, and animal sound effects on this bouncer’s removable toy bar. A smiling puppy, bunny, and kitty dangle and bounce amid the sparkle of a light-up bumblebee and shining sun. Calming vibrations work wonders to soothe your baby. Lil’ Laugh ‘n Learn Bouncer

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All I wanted was a cookie

All I wanted was a cookie, ok, maybe two cookies and a little “me time”. It was the witching hour, the kids were in bed and after a long day I was going to make a run to the store for a little treat. I hadn’t been feeling very well all day but who knows what normal feels like when you are pregnant. I made a quick stop to the bathroom on my way out the door and that is when I found out I was bleeding. yikes!

I quickly composed myself and called the doctor. Since this was my first time bleeding after being diagnosed with placenta previa he asked that I come to the hospital. I immediately started going through the list of people I knew that would be willing to come stay with the kids at a moments notice. This is when I started to cry. Is there really so few people in my contacts list that I feel comfortable calling? I’ve lived in my neighborhood for almost two years and know practically no one. My excuse has been that I am a busy working mom BUT I digress. My brother, his wife and 8 month old baby graciously offered to come over and stay so that my husband and I could go to the hospital.

At the hospital they ran some tests and checked for contractions. The doctor advised to take it easy, watch the bleeding and call if the bleeding got worse. I also got a firm warning that I will eventually have to go on bed rest. 4 hours later we were headed home at 12:30am and not a single cookie was to be had. What does a pregnant lady need to do to get a friggin’ cookie!?!

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Placenta Previa is not a tropical island

During my ultrasound earlier this week my husband and I were thrilled to find out that we were having a little girl. In addition to that news we also found out that I have Placenta Previa which despite how the name sounds is not a nice place to visit.

The ultrasound started out as the normal routine. “This is the baby.” “This is the heart.” “This is the brain.” “The baby looks good.” “This is the labia, Congratulations it’s a Girl.” Then the ultrasound technician asked me to strip from the bottom down for a vaginal ultrasound. That is when I knew there was some bad news with our great news. For those of you not familiar with a vaginal ultrasound let me give you a brief word picture. This device looks like a 30 inch long dildo complete with condom and heavily lubed (definitely not the highlight of my appointment).

After being violated by the ultrasound technician I was sent to another room to discuss my results with my OBGYN. My OBGYN was very matter of fact about explaining what Placenta Previa is and what it means for me. Turns out that my placenta is covering my cervix which prevents me from having a vaginal delivery, it also increases my risk of bleeding and preterm labor. At this stage of my pregnancy Placenta Previa means I need to watch for bleeding, call the doctor if bleeding occurs and wait for my next ultrasound at 28 weeks to see if my placenta has moved.

What is Placenta Previa? http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/placenta-previa/DS00588

Placenta previa is an uncommon pregnancy complication that can cause excessive bleeding before or during delivery.

Soon after conception, the placenta begins to form. This circular, flat organ provides oxygen and nutrients to your growing baby and removes waste products from your baby’s blood. It attaches both to the wall of your uterus and to your baby’s umbilical cord, forming a vital connection between you and your baby.

Early in pregnancy, the placenta may implant in the lower part of the uterus. As the uterus grows, the placenta usually moves up and away from the opening of the uterus (cervix). If it doesn’t, the cervix may be blocked. This is known as placenta previa.

If you have placenta previa, the placenta will detach from the lower part of the uterus as the cervix begins to open in preparation for labor. This can cause severe vaginal bleeding. Thankfully, placenta previa is nearly always detected before a woman or her baby is in significant danger.

Signs and Symptoms

Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding in the second half of pregnancy is the main sign of placenta previa.

Although some women have light bleeding or spotting during the first trimester or early second trimester, bleeding associated with placenta previa usually occurs near the end of the second trimester or the beginning of the third. The amount of bleeding may range from light to heavy. And it may stop, but it nearly always recurs days or weeks later. Some women who have placenta previa experience contractions with bleeding.

Types of placenta previa
There are three specific types of placenta previa:

• Total placenta previa. In total placenta previa, the placenta completely covers the cervix.
• Partial placenta previa. In partial placenta previa, the placenta partly covers the cervix.
• Marginal placenta previa. In marginal placenta previa, the placenta approaches the edge of the cervix.

Low-lying placenta is a term used to describe a placenta that lies low in the uterus but isn’t quite close enough to the cervix to qualify as marginal placenta previa. This condition usually doesn’t cause signs or symptoms during pregnancy, but it may cause bleeding after delivery.

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