Every pregnant woman deals with a certain amount of stress. However, stress should be avoided at all costs during your pregnancy. Try this simple and quick pregnancy stress relief tips.

Stress Relief Tip #1: 15-minute foot soak.  If you’re tired and stressed from a long day, a nice, hot, 15-minute foot soak will ease the day’s tension like a charm. Your feet have many pressure points, so remember to get off your feet when you’re stressed. Add a little lavender or chamomile oil for a relaxing aromatherapy foot soak.

Stress Relief Tip #2: 30-minute massage
Make an appointment for a 30-minute massage at your local spa. You may not feel like it at first but push yourself to do it, a professional massage is not only relaxing but can physically work a lot of tension out of your body and relieve pregnancy aches and pains, particularly in the back area.  This is a really nice gift you can give yourself. After the baby is born, you probably won’t have time for many luxuries like this, so take advantage of it right now!

Stress Relief Tip #3: 30-minute manicure/pedicure
Another once-a-month stress reliever that is nice is a manicure and/or pedicure. Treat yourself to something nice. You deserve it. A manicure and pedicure might seem like an extravagance to some, but it will make you feel so much better.  Pregnancy is hard on the body and some of us don’t feel at our best, so nice hands and feet will make you feel sexy and pretty.

Stress Relief Tip #4: 30-minute afternoon nap - You may be experiencing extreme fatigue during your pregnancy. If so, don’t fight sleep. Get in a cat-nap during late morning or early afternoon. Whenever you feel fatigue setting in, stop and rest. The best relief for stress sometimes is just a good sleep.

By the same token try to get enough sleep at night.  A good way to avoid going to bed too late is to get into the habit of making yourself a nice relaxing herbal tea (chamomile and sleepy time are great) and get in bed to read a good book.  If you don’t like the thought of going to bed to early, think of it as just relaxing and catching up on some reading.  Before you know it you’ll be drifting off to sleep and ensuring you get some much needed rest.

Are you still on the hunt for coupon codes?  Coupon Chief can help.  They have online coupon codes for lots of online webstores.  Before you start clicking on Black Friday, you may want to check to see if they have a code that can help you save some extra money

I spotted a Joann’s coupon code which will come in handy for some craft shopping I have planned.  One of the coupons is for fifty percent off one item.

 

New mothers often feel overwhelmed by all the new responsibilities thrust upon them. Between bottles and diaper changes, you can easily lose yourself amongst it all. What’s worse is that moms often feel like they have to do it all on their own. If you’re tired of being Super Mom, let me share with you a few reasons why you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help.

Reason #1: You deserve a break. Moms are busy people. We take on a lot of tasks and often don’t get much credit or recognition for them. Moms work 24 hours a day, rarely getting breaks. Allow yourself to take a break every now and again.

Reason #2: You can’t do it all by yourself. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. In fact, it’s just the opposite, a sign of strength. Someone once said that no man (or mama) is an island. Oh how true this is! There is no way you could do everything by yourself, and if you did you would be exhausted so ask for help and feel good doing it.

Reason #3: They want to help you. If there is no other reason for you to ask for help, remember this one: your family and friends want to help you. That’s right—they want to. I’ve heard family members of so many new mothers say that they would love to help, but the mom never asks for help. Sometimes people don’t want to feel like they’re intruding so be proactive in asking for help.  When friends and family ask if there is anything they can do to help say yes.  If people ask you what you would like as a gift, mention housecleaning vouchers (or ask a close friend or relative to spread the word for you).

Reason #4: Being a “good” mom means taking care of you. Last, but certainly not least, asking for help does not mean that you are a bad mother. Lots of moms refuse help because they think others will view them as terrible parents for doing so. This couldn’t be further from the truth. A good mother knows when she needs help and isn’t afraid to ask for it. She knows when she needs a break. A good mother also knows that she needs to take care of herself first in order to keep the family going.

A good friend of mine planned to have only two children.  They had a nice home on property with three bedrooms and everything just as they wanted it. 

Then came baby number three.  

Rather than putting baby in with a sibling, they decided to add onto their house.  The project was very expensive and tons of work.  They had fun with it, but it added a lot of extra stress to my friend’s life during her pregnancy.

What if you could win a free home makeover?

We’ve all seen those great television shows about families winning an extreme home makeover.  But what if you don’t have a crisis situation?  You don’t have much hope of getting picked.  The good news is that you can still be entered to win an extreme makeover.  Just visit this website and enter.

I personally would LOVE to win a home makeover - and not because I’m expecting a new baby.  More because the baby I’ve raised has taken his toll on the house! LOL!

Air Travel With Baby - Michelle R. LaRowe
What Not To Say During Childbirth - Tara Crooks
Great Gifts for the Expectant Mom - Rebecca Powell
Twinfatuation - Cheryl Lage
The Happy Breastfeeder Part Seven - Carrie Lauth

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Cheryl Lage is mom to fraternal twins and she is going to be sharing a regular segment with Baby Talk Radio listeners where she will get to give us a peak into the life of a family with double everything.

Her first segment airs this week so stay tuned!

Win a free [bump]-tee shirt this week! 

Potty Training and Type One Diabetes - Susie Glennan
[bump] babies Giveaway - Renae Plant
What Not To Say During Childbirth - Tara Crooks
Infertility and the Father’s Emotions - Iris Waichler
Baby Needs To Eat Right - Michelle R. LaRowe
The Happy Breastfeeder Part Six - Carrie Lauth

Baby Talk Radio is Partnering with [bump] maternity apparel this Holiday season.  Shop at bumpbabies.com for a great Christmas gift! Use our special coupon code and get 10% off any purchase: BTR10.  You can be entered to win the above shown [bump]-tee this week by submitting your name and email on the main page of Baby Talk Radio.

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Do you adore getting free stuff?  I do!

Freebie Fanatic is a website that connects you with lots of great freebie offers.  You can also find special deals, coupons and product samples.  You can specifically find free stuff for babies, free wedding stuff, free coupons, free food, even free stuff for pets.

Who doesn’t enjoy some free groceries and getting product samples for new things?  Especially things that we would like to try out for our baby.  Become a member and get regular alerts about new items being added to the website.

I had to giggle, they even have an offer for free condoms… incase you want to make sure you won’t be having another baby too soon

 

How are you doing on that Christmas list?  No, not your personal wish list - your gift giving list.  A little stumped on what gift to give the expecting mommy on your list?

Let’s start with what not to give her. Forget about giving her a bikini, high heels or gift certificate to the tanning booth.  Giving clothing to a pregnant woman is just downright dangerous.  If it’s too small, you’ll just remind her of how big she is.  If it’s much too large, she’ll still cry because she thinks you think she’s as big as a house.  To be safe, take a pass on clothing for her this year.

Also on the “what not to give Christmas list for the expectant mom” is anything to do with the baby.  That’s what baby showers are for.  It’s bad enough Mom has to go through her pregnancy with strangers touching her belly; it’s sometimes nice to forget she is pregnant and get her something that she, and she alone would like.

Expectant mothers don’t always feel so hot.  Gifts geared toward pampering the mom are always a huge hit.  Gift certificates for a manicure, pedicure, facial or massage are wonderful gifts.  If you opt for the massage, just make sure the masseuse has a pregnancy table (imagine her trying to flip over on her belly on a standard massage table).

You can never go wrong with chocolate.  That is, unless the expecting mommy has developed gestational diabetes, then it’s not such a good gift.  If you know of any other favorite edible she likes, expecting mommies tend to get hungry often.  How about a large jar of cashews?  Yummy.

Any gift that is given with love will be appreciated; however if you want to give the expecting mommy a gift she’ll really like, get her something that will make her feel special!

You knew things would change once the baby was born, but didn’t quite grasp how much they would change.  Now you find yourself thinking about situations in entirely different light.

Walking your new baby in a stroller is great exercise for you and the fresh air is fantastic for you both.  Nonetheless before you take off for a walk there are a few considerations to ensure you are prepared to keep the both of you safe.

If at all possible walk with another adult or walk inside a mall where there are lots of people.  It’s just safer.  Always carry a well charged cell phone.   Do not talk on the phone while you are walking.

Some people feel safer talking to someone on the other end of the phone while they walk.  However your are unable to focus on your surroundings.  You need to have domain awareness at all times.  Constantly look in all directions.  If you’re talking on the phone, you’re distracted.

Carry a whistle with you.  There are many that are bracelet style and have stretchy cords for easy carrying.  If someone decides to attack you or take your baby, you need to make some noise – and lots of it.  Additionally, blowing a whistle directly into the perpetrator’s ears will cause some damage.

If you’re in danger do not yell “Help!  People, unfortunately do not want to get involved.  You’re much better off screaming “My Baby!” or “Fire!”  Both of those will illicit more assistance than “help”.

Attitude is everything.  Even if you have to fake it until you make it – pretend you are not fearful of anything.  Hold your head high as you walk.  If someone passes you look them directly in the eye and say “Hi”; walking with your head down only signals that you are fearful and weak.

Being a new mommy carries with it an awesome responsibility.  Don’t be fearful and don’t be careless – you’ll settle into motherhood just fine!