Prenancy Tips

Information about Doulas
http://www.dona.org/mothers/index.php

Great books for pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and parenting
http://knowbirth.com/books.aspx

Kegel exercises: how to strengthen pelvic floor muscles
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/kegel-exercises/WO00119

Positions for labor and birth
http://www.transitiontoparenthood.com/ttp/parented/pain/positions.htm

Here are some tips for mothers-to-be to prepare your body for the pregnancy:
1. Sit straight to maintain a good posture at all times reduces back pain during your last trimester.
2. Open your legs as wide as you can when sitting helps to prepare your pelvic floor muscles for delivery.
3. Do the Kegel exercises at least 100-150.
4. Muslims, vegetarians and vegans can purchase Rainbow Light vegan prenatal vitamins from Whole Food Markets. Norwegian omega-3 fish oil can also be purchased there.
5. Eat more fish (salmon, cod and sea bass; avoid tuna) now to help your baby's brain development. Eat more beans and drink milk at all times to provide sufficient protein and calcium for you and your baby. Eat less starch and carbohydrates during the last month of the pregnancy helps to avoid putting excessive weight on the baby (so that he/she will not grow too big).
6. Drink young coconut juice during your last trimester to help cool your body down. Amy & Brian Natural Coconut juice, free of preservatives, can be purchased at Whole Food Markets or local asian grocery stores.
7. Pregnancy gingivitis occurs quite commonly, so maintaining good dental health is important.
8. Drink raspberry tea at least once a day helps strengthen the uterus.
8. Between 34-36 weeks, start swallowing one evening primrose oil capsule and applying evening primrose oil from one capsule every day to the vaginal helps to ripen the cervix muscle for delivery.