Strollerderby : maternity

Guess the Belly Bumps

SunnyChanel — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Can you name the baby bump? Here are six different baby bumps of the knocked up and famous.
And if you can't guess, the answers are below.

Baby Bump A

Baby Bump B

Baby Bump C

Baby Bump D

Baby Bump E

Baby Bump F

THE ANSWERS

Baby Bump A = Gwen Stefani

Baby Bump B = Angelina Jolie

Baby Bump C = Octomom!

Baby Bump D = Katie Holmes

Baby Bump E = Jennifer Garner

Baby Bump F = M.I.A

Knocked Up and Arty – 5 Wackiest Maternity Masterpieces

SunnyChanel — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:08:00 GMT

If you happen to be knocked up and someone starts approaching you with body paint, I have one tip for you…run. A bevy of beauties with bountiful bellies succumbed to their would be ‘artist’ friends and allowed their stomach to be the canvas. Here are five of the wackiest maternity masterpieces from the Daily Mail’s piece “How’s This for a Belly Laugh?” Click here for more photos.

The literal translation of what’ in the belly, minus the purple and blue hues and sparkly stars.

Are you carrying a girl, a boy, or a baby Spongebob? Time for another ultrasound.

Here’s hoping this baby is being born during the year of the dragon and not a precursor to the long nailed beast that lives within.

Apparently this woman will be giving birth to one very large leather baseball that or she’s just a really big Arizona Diamondbacks fan. Perhaps both?

If you were/are pregnant, would you ever let anyone paint your belly?

Source via Jezebel!

Another Hospital Baby Mix-Up, Now With Added Racism!

Kate Tuttle — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:01:00 GMT

Despite all the modern technology that's meant to keep newborns from being given to the wrong parents in the hospital, there seems to be a rash of inadvertent baby swaps going on. The latest took place in New Hampshire, at the Portsmouth Regional Hospital, late last month. And the parents of the newborn in question -- a baby girl who was handed to the wrong mother for either five minutes (according to the hospital) or significantly longer (according to her parents) -- are hopping mad.

Calling it "every parent's worst nightmare," the father has taken to the media to publicize the mistake, because, he says, "the public has a right to know." Also, I'm guessing, to lay the groundwork for a lawsuit. Because here's the crux of the matter: when their baby, whom they had sent back to the nursery after the mother had ("reluctantly"!) taken a sleeping pill, was given to another mother, that mother did something truly horrific. She breastfed the baby. Now the parents are waiting for results of tests for HIV and Hepatitis C (despite the fact that doctors estimate a risk of HIV transmission at one thousandth of one percent per liter of breastmilk consumed). They are terrified the other mother took drugs during her pregnancy (although it's not clear how this would affect their baby). They feel violated, assaulted, scared. The father says his wife is "physically sick" over it.

Could it be because they are both white, and the other couple is a white woman and a black man? I'm sensitive to making unwarranted charges of racism (it's too easy, and not fair), but in this case it's hard to escape the feeling that the parents' overwrought horror of contagion may have something to do with their (all white! 100% caucasian!) baby's having been sullied by the possibly unclean nipple of a race traitor, a nipple meant for another, darker baby. The racial difference has the white baby's parents especially confused as to how the other mother (and the nurse) could have made this error. Why didn't she notice, he asks, and "give our baby back?"

The thing is, biracial babies aren't necessarily any darker at birth than white babies -- believe me, I've given birth to both! My children, born 13 years apart and with different husbands, looked enough alike as newborns to be twins, and it's a well-known fact that many black and biracial babies don't come into their skin tone until they're older. At any rate, newborns are newborns -- the reason hospitals go to such trouble to set up systems to avoid baby-swapping is because they do tend to look so much alike.

Of course, now I guess I'll have to believe something a little bit uglier: that hospital policies to avoid baby mix-ups exist to allay the fears of parents who think that another woman nursing their child for five minutes is their "worst nightmare" (I can think of worse, and have friends who have lived through worse, and I'm sure you all do, too). I genuinely hope this is the worst thing that ever happens to this family; if it is, they'll have lived a blessed life.

Babies Switched in NYC Hospital

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Are Working Mothers (And Fathers) Discriminated Against?

Forget the Hospital Gown: Give Birth in Couture

JeanneSager — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:32:00 GMT

The last thing I was thinking about as I pushed my daughter into this world was what I was wearing. And here I thought I was totally normal.

For moms who want to look fab even while contracting, there's hope - a new company has introduced a slinky, sleeveless dress just for giving birth.

Says the company literature, "You’re a fashionista in every other aspect of your life, why not when you are bringing new life into the world too?"

What's wrong with this idea? Let me count the disgustingness that is the delivery room bed after you're done giving birth . . . the water breaking, the blood, the poop (dirty little secret there - a LOT of women push out of both ends during the birthing process). Unless you're giving birth at a fancy new birthing center, I'm going to hazard a guess they don't have laundry service. So when you're done dropping all those birthing fluids all over your new gown, you can . . . take it home to wash!

What's wrong with the plain old hospital gown? It's perfectly, functionally ugly. So? Here's a tip - the delivery room is not a catwalk, and the people we care enough to have in there for the birth of our children could give two hoots what we're wearing at that moment. They're there for Mom . . . and to get a glimpse of that little miracle. And if they're picking on the way the green gown contrasts with your pale skin, honey, I give you permission to tell them to get the f--- out of here, NOOOOOOW.

Of course, if you're still craving couture, and you don't want to spend $98 when there's a baby on the way and the economy is in the toilet, you can always win one over at MomLogic this week.

Just let us know how those slinky straps stayed up on your shoulders while you were grabbing your knees and screaming for someone to get this thing out of you.

Image: MomLogic

New for Mom: Spa Treatments on the Maternity Ward

JeanneSager — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 20:55:00 GMT

This might make even the die hard home-birthers opt for a hospital delivery. A new service is making the rounds of maternity wards in the Twin Cities to "mother" new moms with massages and spa treatments.

Launched last year by a mother of three and former TV producer, Go Home Gorgeous is an attempt to give new mothers a jump on recovery from delivery. And did me mention they do massages?

Business owner Rachel Swardson Wenham says after her giving birth to her third child, she was exhausted (sound familiar) and couldn't summon the energy to look forward to going home with a newborn to two toddlers.

"I looked at my swollen legs, my dry skin and was startled by how old my bulbous veins made my hands look. I looked terrible and felt awful. Additionally, nothing about my environment was very healing in a comforting sense. I craved hydration, soothing music, aroma, and someone to tell me it would be okay. I didn't want to just leave the hospital, I wanted to go home gorgeous."

They probably can't do much for the swollen legs. And the stretchmarks are here to stay. But who wouldn't want a little pampering after thirteen hours of contracting followed by forty-five solid minutes of pushing? The pain of childbirth isn't equal for everyone, but it leaves no one looking or feeling their best. We all share that same wan look in the first picture of mom and baby.And with an increased push to keep babies in the mother's room at all times to promote better breastfeeding, it's all exhaustion from there on out.

The way Wenham sees it, it doesn't have to be that way. Let Dad take care of the baby for a forty-five minute message. Get a facial while the pediatrician is taking a look-see at the newborn. And you never have to leave the hospital.

Services run from $45 to $139 (pretty standard spa prices - and that's when you're going to them rather than them coming to you). So would you take them up on it?

Image/Source: MSNBC

The Hello Kitty Maternity Ward

SunnyChanel — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:15:00 GMT

Hello Kitty is everywhere, and pert near everything. Now you, yes you, can brand the birth of your child with Sanrio magic. A 30-Bed hospital in central Taiwan has created a Hello Kitty themed maternity ward, for those wanting to cute up their birth journey. The newborns are wrapped in pink and blue receiving blankies, the room décor is dolled up with cute kitties, all the linens are Hello Kitty branded, and the nurses wear official Hello Kitty uniforms.

"I wish that everyone who comes here, mothers who suffer while giving birth and children who suffer from an illness, can get medical care while seeing these kitties and bring a smile to their faces, helping forget about discomfort and recover faster," the director of the hospital told Reuters. He opened the hospital because his mom, wife and his daughter all liked the Hello Kitty character. You can check out a video about the hospital here.

Would you make any kind of special effort to deliver your baby in a themed maternity ward? And if so, what kind of theme would you want?

Best of FameCrawler: Week of August 29th

Whit Honea — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Holy Crap! Is That an Engagement Ring on Jennifer Aniston's Finger?

Jessica Biel Pregnant!!?

Is Michelle Obama Pregnant?

Julia Roberts Goes To Hawaii

The Obama Text: Barack is My Booty Call

Zuma Zuma Zuma Zoom

Matthew McConaughey: Nanny Ain't Alright, Alright or Little Levi and the Longboard

Ashlee Cries At The Doctor's Office?

Is Dolly Parton Dead?

Minnie Driver - HUGE Bump TINY Bikini - Photos

Guess Which Celebrity Rebecca Romijn is Naming One of Her Twins After?

Best of FameCrawler: Week of August 22nd

Whit Honea — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Suri & Her Doll - Photos and Girl Talk

Gwen Stefani Gave Birth! It's A Boy!!

Like I Needed Any More Reason To Love Johnny Depp

Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh Get The Gold, Now They Want to Get Pregnant

Ricky Martin is a Daddy!

Teenage Boob Jobs? A Tale of Two Lohans

Bernie Mac's Funeral Attended By Thousands (Pictures)

Peek-A-Boo, Guess Who?

Matt Damon Welcomes Second Baby!

Best of FameCrawler: (Sad) Week of August 15th

Whit Honea — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Bernie Mac Memorial and Donations

Romeo Bending It Like Beckham

Jennifer Aniston & John Mayer - IT'S OVER!!!!

Bernie Mac Was Expected To Recover

Did Lil Wayne's Daughter Die?

Lil Wayne's Daughter Dies? Her Mama Says "No"

Not True? Lil Wayne's Daughter Did Not Die

Bernie Mac's Final Moments -Wife & Daughter By His Side

Brad and Maddox Hit The Track

People Disappointed with Brad and Angelina

Best of FameCrawler: Week of August 8th

Whit Honea — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Is Bernie Mac Dead?

John Edwards - Mistress, Love Child & Hush Money

Barbara Walters Wants Sherri Shepherd Off The View

Helena Bonham Confirms Her Baby's Name-Finally

Angelina and Brad's First Picture of the Twins! Meet Knox and Vivienne Jolie-Pitt!

Pictures of Knox and Vivienne Jolie-Pitt Faked?!

Pamela Anderson: Boob Shots Only Please

Alessandra Ambrosio Gives Birth?

Knox & Vivienne Here!! Photo!!!

First Pictures of Vivienne and Knox Jolie-Pitt Mean Goodbye Brangelina

Best of FameCrawler: Week of August 1st

Whit Honea — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Christina Aguilera On A Bed Of Roses

More Beautiful Jolie-Pitt Family Photos!

Tom Cruise Named In Scientology Lawsuit

Federline is SHOCKED at Britney!

Miley Cyrus: Saying Goodbye To Hannah Montana?

What Actor Was Not Nice in Nice?

Formal McCarthyism

Who's Pregnant But Not Admitting It?

Britney's Bikini Photos Leaked!

Sarah Jessica and Matthew Broderick: EX In The City?

Top Five Celebrity Pregnancy Denials

Kate Hudson and Eric Lindros, Already

Best of FameCrawler: Week of July 25th

Whit Honea — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Pregnant Man Shares Baby Photos & Baby Name

Angie and Brad Couldn't Get It Done on Their Own?

Mindy McCready: Miscarriage?

What is Wrong With Katie Holmes?

2008 Emmy Nominations: Five Drama Mamas

Sex Tape: A-Rod and Madonna!

Maggie Gyllenhaal on Letterman- He Wishes

Jennifer Garner's Baby Bump: She's Pregnant Alright

Bob Geldof's Daughter Peaches' Drug Overdose

Brad Pitt Pulls A Britney

Jennifer Aniston, Oh So Gracious

Ashlee Simpson's C-Section

Best of FameCrawler: Week of July 18th

Whit Honea — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Angelina Jolie Twins Photos: SOLD!!!

Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman Wreck One Home Too Many

Exclusive Sketch Of Angelina's Twins!

Pictures Of Nicole Kidman's Sunday Rose-Two Stories

Drea De Matteo Sobbed When She Found Out She Was Pregnant

Jennifer Aniston's Obsession With Baby

Jessica Alba Already Wants Another Baby

Jessica Alba's Honor Marie - Photo!!!

Name Change: The Jolie-Pitt Twins

Miley Cyrus Leaked Shower Pics: Blame Lindsay!

Best of FameCrawler: Week of July 11th

Whit Honea — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Preg-a-licious! Is Fergie Expecting?

Photos Of Maddie Briann, They're Official

Sexy Superhero Parents: The Top 10

Is Michael Jackson Dying?

Nicole Kidman's Dad Reveals Secret of Sunday's Name!!

THESE Two Are The Hottest Celebrity Parents, For Seriously

Photos! Who Is Diana Bianchi?

Wanted: Nanny for the World's Most Famous Family

Angelina's Due Date - Got It!!!!

Angie And Brad's New Baby!

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's Baby Names!

Angelina's Paparazzi Proof Room

Best of FameCrawler: Week of July 4th

Whit Honea — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:00:00 GMT

Jennifer Aniston-Mama To Be?

A-Rod's Wife Cynthia Rodriguez Dating Madonna's Ex Lenny Kravitz

Christina Aguilera Keeps Marriage Alive With Cocktails

Remember When Entertainment Tonight Insisted That The Brangelina Twins Were Already Born...?

Nicole Kidman's Heartbreak

Birth for Angelina Jolie? They Say it Happened!

Cindy Brady Gone Wild!

OMG! Britney Has A Boyfriend - You'll Never Guess!

Gwyneth Paltrow, Without Pants

Guy Ritchie's Mother Is Fuming Over Madonna Divorce Talk

Naomi Watts, Liev Schreiber Expecting Baby #2

Maggie Gyllenhaal Makes Choices With Ramona In Mind

Best of FameCrawler: Week of June 27th

Whit Honea — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Billie Piper's Topless Role

The Sexualization of Miley Cyrus

Ben And Jen Together For Better Or Worse

Worst-Dressed Bellies? Top 5 Maternity Wear Mistakes Of Spring/Summer 2008

Tim McGraw and the Wife Beaters

Scott Kalitta Killed In Drag Racing Crash

Robert Downey, Jr., and Son: What's Wrong with This Picture?

Matthew McConaughey Is Ready To Rumble

Guess Who's Moving Across The Pond?

Jamie Lynn's Delivery Room Drama!

Tori Spelling Baby Photos!!

Weekly Check-Up: Natural Birth Like the Dutch

Kelly Mills — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:29:00 GMT

There's an interesting report on the Dutch tradition of giving birth from the perspective of a Reuters reporter. Basically, the Dutch believe birth optimally happens at home (30 percent of births happen this way, compared to a tiny fraction in the U.S.,) no pain medication is necessary, and that labor pains are part of the way the mother bonds with the baby. (If so, I ought to be practically fused to my child.) The bottom line is that birth is not seen as a medicalized process. Oh, and get this: A maternity nurse takes care of the family at home for a week and does cooking, cleaning, and infant care. Sign me up for that part!

While I've never been a convert to the notion of natural birth as essential--at least, not since the epidural became my BFF--I will freely admit that the Dutch system makes the whole thing sound kinda nice. However, it does sound like some feel that pain relief should be more readily available to moms in labor. As it stands now, there's no guarentee an anesthesiologist will be available, since it isn't seen as necessary. However, even those who want more options for women say it would be a shame to lose the Dutch perspective and practices in labor and delivery. But this is nice from an ob-gyn professor: "Giving birth at home, a unique Dutch tradition, should not be a goal in itself. What really matters is a good result of the pregnancy for mother and child." You said it.

The More Things Change

Adrienne Martini — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:30:00 GMT

When it comes to mixing work and pregnancy, I have been extremely lucky. With baby number one, I worked for a weekly paper whose maternity leave policy was, in essence, do what you need to do and come back when you're ready. With baby number two, I was (and, um, am) a freelance writer who also taught at a university and was off during the summer that I delivered. Hooray for me!

Sadly, my experience has been the exception rather than the rule. Pamela Paul's impassioned column is a reminder that announcing you're pregnant can be a career killer. Hell, even just being female and therefore potentially pregnant is enough sometimes.

Have we really come a long way, baby?

Photo credit: abc.net.au

Pregcellent: What Exactly Should You Expect?

Kelly Mills — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:33:00 GMT

With the fourth edition of "What To Expect When You're Expecting" slated for release next month, Jezebel asked the question, what should women really, actually expect? I'll totally take that one up, and perhaps some of you will too. First, anything goes, and good luck trying to predict what will happen. You might be exhausted for nine months, or you might run around like a cracked-out chipmunk. You might all of the sudden need glasses; your hair could fall out or it could get thicker; you might glow or you might feel your life force sucked from your face. Oh, and it can change for the same person from pregnancy to pregnancy. The only consistent stories I've ever heard: Your belly will get big. (Duh.) Your hips will spread. Your boobs get larger. You will at some point have to get that baby out of there.

Second, on the pooping front so popular in the J-bel comments: Yes, you might poop during labor, but if you are like me, you will not give a shit because you will be otherwise occupied. (Ba dum.) However, the first crap after giving birth will probably be your worst nightmare come true. Also, the episiotomy, should you have one, is probably less painful than anything else. Your body will most likely be altered to some degree forever, but you might not mind as much as you think you will. Oh, and the belly doesn't disappear when the baby is out, so get ready for the "When are you due?" questions for a while after delivery.

What else? Share the hard-won wisdom...

Pregcellent: My Shirt Says It All

Kelly Mills — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:30:00 GMT

Once upon a time, funny message t-shirts were the province of frat boys and other guys with beer bellies. Then they began to grow in popularity were adopted by fashion designers and hipsters. Then they ended up on small children who could hardly protest. (I'm guilty of this--my kid had a shirt that said "Cereal Killer.") Now there's a real explosion of message tees for pregnant ladies. Shirts that say "Knocked Up" and "Baby on Board" don't even begin to scratch the surface.

I have mixed feelings about this trend. Of course pregnant ladies should be able to flaunt some funny expression if they so desire. However, the majority of these shirts, like the majority of all message shirts, are highly stupid and doomed to be someone's bright idea for a shower gift. So here's my top three best and worst maternity message tees for the week.

Worst:

1. "Pregnant is the new sexy." Let me reiterate this: Unless you are a female rapper, saying "I'm sexy" under any circumstances is just irritating, true or not.

2. "I have milk." Yes, we know you will, though you probably don't now. Either way, we don't always wanna think about it.

3. "The Princess is Pregnant." What, you work at Disney? No princesses.

Best:

1. "If you didn't put this baby in here don't even think about touching my stomach." Finally, a useful shirt.

2. "The baby wants cake." Perhaps it's a bit trite, but I've always been fond of that sentiment.

3. "My fetus can beat up your fetus." I'm just a fan of violence, I guess.

Feel free to voice your opinion on this vital issue or add any you've seen that are great or suck eggs.

The Sad State of the American Maternity System

Karen Murphy — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 17:49:00 GMT

Did you know that the good ol' U.S. of A. has the second-worst infant-mortality rate of developed nations? While at the same time the cost of health care surrounding birth in the U.S. is one of the highest? Do you see a problem with that? I was astounded when I read the transcript of this week's "Living on Earth", a radio program found on public radio. Speaking as someone who has experienced a variety of birth scenarios with my four children, I can completely agree when Dr. Marsden Wagner, the OB/GYN interviewed for this show, says that the American maternity system has turned into an essentially medical system, "turning birth into a surgical procedure". That's right, what should be in most cases a simple and uncomplicated, natural experience, has become a medical and potentially litigious nightmare for everyone concerned.

The midwives suffer because they've been needlessly pushed out of the profession. The OB/GYNs suffer because they've set impossibly high standards, promising perfect births and perfect babies to everyone, and the only way they can do so is by prostituting themselves by adding control to a scenario that doesn't like to be controlled. Whatever happened to letting the baby decide when to be born? Now babies are born after oxygen-starving drug-induced labors so the doctor can make his tee time, or worse yet are born by c-section, a real surgical procedure that according to Dr. Marsden is performed in this country about twice as often as is warranted medically.

The birthing mother suffers because she loses the ability and support to bring a baby into the world by using her own personal power, grounding herself with the inherent knowledge every laboring mother is capable of accessing. We've been taught that birth is a potentially scary, medical experience, so we allow ourselves to be hooked up to monitors telling us what our bodies already know (I thought that was the silliest thing, avidly watching the monitor to know when my contractions were, when I could of course FEEL the damn things myself!) And far and away the saddest loss of all is the baby's, now born in a world colored by needless drugs, bright lights, pain, and fear.

So what do we do? Sure, there are many who birth at home (which I was 2 weeks from trying myself, but chickened out at the last minute, some sixth sense telling me that my baby would have medical issues at birth, and sure enough he did). But what about everyone else? How do we escape this maddening world of fear that something might go wrong (which it admittedly does at times), and escape this ever-tightening circle of needless medical intervention while balancing the need to keep our babies and ourselves safe and healthy?

Pregnant Women Fired From Maternity Clothing Store?

Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 15:16:00 GMT

This has to be the definition of irony:

"A maternity-clothing retailer has agreed to pay $375,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging it refused to hire qualified applicants because they were pregnant -- and then fired an assistant manager who complained about it"

I actually feel kind of sorry for Motherhood and their president Rebecca Matthias. I like that store. I spent hundreds of dollars there when I was pregnant. They are saying that the just settled out of court to save money and that they would never discriminate against pregnant women. I bet they get short term pregnant workers all of the time that are just in it for the employee discount. I know I considered it when I was expecting.

While this company may or may not be guilty I know that this practice exists in the business world. I can't prove it, but I still think I lost my last job because I was pregnant. Of course I was too sick to care at the time. This particular story is kind of funny, but when pregnant women who need work can't find it, it isn't humorous at all.