Fashion Police on Pregnant Celebs!

E! Online has a new Fashion Police lineup. This time they focused on fashionble pregnant celebrities. Check out Gwen Stefani, Angelina Jolie, Mira Sorvino, Brooke Shields and more. Rate your favorite celeb's maternity style from 1 to 5 stars and see who is the most fashionable! I loved rating all the maternity styles. As always Gwen Stefani is fashionable, but I think Brooke Shields looks the best! Go check out who you like the most. Make a comment and share with the community! Which preggo celeb do you think is most fashionable?

Pregnancy - Vitamins C and E Don’t Prevent Birth Complications

Large doses of vitamins C and E won’t prevent preeclampsia, according to research in the April 27th issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Preeclampsia is a relatively common but potentially dangerous pregnancy complication, which affects 5-8% of all pregnancies. Preeclampsia occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and is characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. Symptoms include swelling, sudden weight gain, headaches and changes in vision, but according to the Preeclampsia Foundation, some women with rapidly advancing disease report few symptoms. The study included 1,877 Australian women pregnant for the first time. The researchers excluded women who were pregnant with multiple fetuses and women with chronic health conditions, such as kidney disease and high blood pressure. They found that the addition of these vitamins did not prevent preeclampsia or even lower the risk of complications for the infant. Lead author, Alice Rumbold, said “Our study found that for women in the first pregnancy, taking vitamin C and E supplements did not reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia. Alice is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Adelaide and Women's and Children's Hospital in North Adelaide, Australia. She adds “However, there was nothing in the results to suggest that the vitamin C and E supplements were harmful to the baby.” Risk factors for preeclampsia include carrying multiple fetuses, being overweight, being under 20 or over 35, or having a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, and lupus. Women who have not been pregnant for before or who have not been pregnant in the past 10 years have a higher risk. Women who have had preeclampsia before are also at a higher risk.

Antioxidants don't help, may harm during pregnancy

Published in Reuters- USA Among women pregnant for the first time, antioxidant vitamins supplementation does not appear to curb the risk of developing preeclampsia -- that is, pregnancy-related high blood pressure and kidney impairment --and other serious complications, report doctors from Australia. "We were disappointed by the findings of our study, as antioxidant vitamin therapy appeared to be a promising preventive strategy," Dr. Alice R. Rumbold from Women's and Children's Hospital in North Adelaide told Reuters Health. "However our study, the largest research trial completed to date investigating vitamin C and E supplements for women in their first on-going pregnancy, did not confirm this." In the trial, reported in this week's New England Journal of Medicine, 1,877 women with a first pregnancy were randomly assigned to daily supplementation with 1000 milligrams of vitamin C and 400 IU of vitamin E, or to placebo. Women began taking the tablets from between 14 and 22 weeks of pregnancy until delivery. According to the team, there were no significant differences between the vitamin group and placebo group in the risk of preeclampsia, death or a serious outcome for the baby, or having a very small infant. Also, antioxidant vitamins were associated with an increase in the risk of the mother developing high blood pressure and having to take medications to bring it down. "Our results do not support routine supplementation with vitamins C and E during pregnancy for women in their first pregnancy," Dr. Rumbold told Reuters Health. The authors of a related editorial conclude that "until more data are available, given the scant evidence of benefit and the potential harm, supplemental antioxidant therapy ... should not be prescribed as part of routine practice." Drs. Arun Jeyabalan and Steve N. Caritis from the University of Pittsburgh note in their commentary that there could be subgroups of women who may benefit from antioxidant therapy in pregnancy and, hopefully, several large international trials of antioxidant therapy in pregnancy now in progress will tell.

Hollywood's Pregnancy Rumors

I've been online this morning and I keep coming across celebrity gossip. Seriously, who can escape it? Sometimes I honestly try not to. Its so interesting, especially with all the pregnant celebs out there. Somehow I feel like I can relate with them. Hey, we're all pregnant! I feel a bond with every pregnant woman out there, even celebs. We're going through this together! Talking about pregnant celebs, before heading to work today I got a tiny bit of Ann Curry's interview with Angelina Jolie on the Today Show. I must say that Jolie looked radiant! Stunning! She was absolutely glowing with pregnancy. I really didn't catch much of it, but I heard that it will air in its entirety on Sunday on NBC's Dateline. Anyway, since this is the first interview Jolie has had while pregnant and with Brad Pitt, no one can get enough of her. I would like to share some GOSSIP that was the internet. Disregard if you like, they are only RUMORS as of now: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, to name their baby "Africa"! Brangelina’s Baby’s Name Revealed! Eight months pregnant Angelina Jolie is planning on combining her two biggest loves- motherhood and activism- when she delivers her first child next month reports Star Magazine. Jolie is going to do so by naming the baby “Africa”! “They both love the name- they think it’s so distinctive and unique,” says a source close to the actress and her love, Brad Pitt, adding that Angelina and Brad, hope that the name will also help strengthen ties between their baby and their adopted children, Maddox and Zahara. And, contrary to recent reports, Star’s sources confirm that the baby will be a boy. “Brad doesn’t call him the baby, he calls him ‘the little guy,”’ says a source close to the Pitt family. “He’s been raving that with the amount of kicking that’s been going on, his son is going to be a soccer player!” Jolie Sells Baby Photos For $4.25 Million Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have sold their baby photos to People magazine for $3.5 million. The magazine will be the first in the U.S. to show any photos on the yet-born child, and the money will go to UNICEF. The couple reached a similar deal with Hello magazine for $750,000, with that money going to charity. Pitt and Jolie are now in Namibia awaiting the child's birth. Let's not forget about poor Brit... US Weekly says Spears was upset by the news and seen crying in her doctor's office after learning she and Kevin Federline were expecting a second child together. Gossip is so ridiculous, but yet entertaining.

Exercises To Prepare You For Childbirth

Recent studies have shown that pregnant women who do regular, intensive pelvic floor exercises have an easier time giving birth. In addition to kegel exercises, the following can help with the labor process:

• Pelvic tilt- This exercise strengthens the abdominal muscles and relieves back pain.

• Squats- This tones your thighs and help open your pelvis.

• Sitting with legs crossed- This position relieves strain from the pelvic muscle and stretches the groin and hips. Sitting in this posistion with your back against a wall also helps to alleviate back pain.

• Sitting with legs outstretched, lean forward with your spine straight. This stretch tones the groin and hamstrings.

Pregnancy Weekly Guest Writer- Chelsie

My husband and I decided after 2 years of marriage, that we wanted to start a family. I was so absolutely excited, and immediately bought prenatal pills and began eating healthy foods(except for when I was eating chocolate and marshmallows), walking daily, and just doing everything I could to make sure that when I got pregnant I would have the perfect little home for my baby! Then the test finally came up positive and you couldn't have slapped the smile off of my face! My husband was in a state of shock....happy shock, but he couldn't quite beleive it. I spent a lot of time staring at my belly going "Hurry up and grow!" and I just couldn't wait for my pregnancy to be in full swing. I just didn't really feel pregnant, and every day seemed longer and longer with no change!!! And then it hit week 6 in my pregnancy and suddenly I was throwing up morning noon and night, and when I wasn't busy throwing up, I was busy trying to hold it back. Even thinking of eating made things worse, all I could do was lie in bed and whimper, I couldn't even sleep it was so bad! The worst part was, though I had no desire to eat, I had to do it for the sake of my baby. It just kept getting worse and worse, and people were telling me, "Don't worry, it usually goes away by 12 weeks!" And I would smile and nod, but inside I was screaming "3 months like THIS! I'm going to die!!!" Nothing helped, every little trick I read about on the internet did absolutely zero! I began puking at the sight of saltine crackers after trying to keep them by my bed and eat them before getting up. I had to take a week off of work, which I really could not afford, I lost 10 pounds, and my poor husband was miserable! I just kept saying "It's worth it! It's worth it!" Now I'm in week 10, and one day I woke up and Boom! No morning sickness! It's totally gone, just like that! I still have a hard time getting up my appetite, just because of the memory of all that nausea, but now I can eat! And I never thought it would happen, but I'm already starting to forget! I told my husband this was going to be our only child, but I bet you by the time I have that baby, I won't even remember being miserable, because all in all, it really is worth it!

New Way to Boost a Newborn's Immune System

Researchers may have found a new way to enhance newborns' immune systems, making vaccines more effective. A new study from Children's Hospital Boston reveals one part of a newborn's immune response can be used to boost immunity. This could potentially lessen the threat of infections like respiratory syncytial virus, pneumococcus, pertussis (whooping cough), HIV and rotavirus. A group of receptors called Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on the surface of certain white blood cells has been known to be a human's first line of defense against infection. TLRs detect the presence of invading bacteria and viruses and trigger production of proteins that trigger other immune cells to fight infections. Results reveal when all but one of the 10 different kinds of TLRs are stimulated, newborns' immune responses are very impaired. The one TLR is known as TLR8. It triggered a strong immune response in a group of white blood cells crucial for vaccine responses. Researchers say agents that stimulate TLR8 could be used to enhance immune responses in newborns, making it possible to vaccinate them right away, rather than wait until they are 2 months old. "Birth is a point of contact with healthcare systems," says Ofer Levy, M.D., Ph.D., lead researcher. "Families may not see a health care provider after that. From a global health perspective, if you can give a vaccine at birth, a much higher percentage of the population can be covered." Researchers say TLR8 stimulators could also be given alone, perhaps to help a baby fight off an infection or to prevent a disease. They plan to test their approach in animals and eventually in human babies. This information was taken from Ivanhoe's Medical.

Is Britney Spears Actually Pregnant with Number 2?

Us Weekly reported that Britney Spears, 24, is expecting number two. This rumor has been floating around for some time now. In early March I wrote about how their were rumors surfacing that Britney could be pregnant again. Now it seems like those rumors are true. When Mrs. Federline was at the poolside in Las Vegas' Ceasar's Palace, wearing a red bikini, it was clear that she had a "serious bump." This will be her second with hubby Kevin Federline, 28. They got married in September of 2004 and shortly after she was pregnant with now seven-month-old Sean Preston. Federline has a daughter, Kori, 3, and a 21-month -old son, Caleb, from a previous relationship. This would be Federline's forth child. I'm interested to hear how Britney successfully hid it from everyone... until now! She kept it a secret from her parents, ordered fake cocktails, but continued to do what she wanted... sun bathing. Bump or no bump! Congratulations again Britney and KFed!

Week 20

According to PregnancyWeekly, this is day number 137 and I'm 20 weeks pregnant! I have 143 days or 20 weeks left, and are 50.0% of the way there!

Can you believe it? I am 50% of the way there! All of a sudden I feel like this pregnancy is actually starting to pick up. I've had ALL of the signs that my baby is on the way. I've heard my little Bun's heartbeat, I've seen my little Bun during an ultrasound, and now, finally, my Bun has moved! Yay! Last night I felt my baby move. I wasn't confused that it could have been indigestion or gas. I knew that it was my baby!

To be quite honest with everyone I was getting quite nervous that my baby hadn't moved. One of my friends told me she felt her baby move at week 16. I was starting to stress out knowing that I was reaching week 20 and my baby hadn't moved.

I began talking to my little bun and asking her/him to move, "Please, baby, move just a little bit. Just a little so I know you're there." I usually talk in a gentle, sweet, baby voice hoping she/he would do what I asked. "One little nudge is all I'm asking, sweetie." What I really wanted to say was, "please move, before I freak out and call the doctor again pleading for advice!" I was to the point that I didn't want to hear any stories about other babies moving inside their mothers' bellies. So, I took a break from PregnancyWeekly's message boards. But now I'm returning mothers! Miss me?

So, it wasn't indigestion. My baby finally moved! I know I'm bragging like my baby kicked me and I loved it, but it wasn't quite like that. I was getting up from bed to go to the bathroom and as I was lifting myself up my baby moved! Not a lot, just a little movement, just enough. At that time it was clear that my little Bun in my oven moved and it wasn't gas or indigestion! Boy, am I thrilled!!!

Caring for baby before conception

The United States is ranked 26th among developed countries in infant mortality. But if mothers-to-be follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report's Recommendations and Reports, the health of babies and moms can be improved. "Preconception counseling is a new buzzword that we are stressing in maternal/child care because of the poor neonatal outcomes in this country," said Berkeley Merrill, M.D., an obstetrician/gynecologist with a private practice in Texas. "It really is nothing more than good primary care for women." These guidelines will be a powerful resource for physicians, too. They apply up-to-date scientific evidence to preconception care, explaining when and how to intervene. CDC Director Julie Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H., said it's important for women to see their doctors when they reach childbearing age, even if they aren't planning for children yet. He added that diets in preconception months should include foods that are high in iron. Iron raises the blood count, which almost always falls slightly during pregnancy. Foods high in protein are also important because that is what will nourish the baby's body. "Getting in the habit of eating healthfully prior to conception will make those pregnancy 'cravings' easier to handle and resist when they come on," Merrill said. Merrill said recent research showed caffeine was not a direct toxin on developing babies. But he warns that caffeine is an appetite suppressant and a stimulant and could have an adverse effect on women's eating and sleeping habits. "While caffeine-containing drugs should be avoided, most over-the-counter sinus meds, local ointments and laxatives are OK in pregnancy," Merrill said. "Herbals should be avoided, for no one knows exactly how much of what is in them." Merrill also warns against too much exercise. "The 'burn' of muscles in vigorous exercise indicates lactic acid production in the muscles, and while that is good for workout goals, it is not so good for unborn fetuses," he said. "Just when the exercise is beginning to feel effective, that is the time to stop during pregnancy." Merrill explained that the time for losing weight should be before pregnancy. He also said contraception may be used until the weight goal is achieved. Activities such as horseback riding, skiing, motorcycle riding and other activities that require balance should be avoided, especially later in the pregnancy. "Exercise in extremely hot weather can lead to dehydration rapidly in pregnancy and a rise in core body temperature, which has been shown to be detrimental to fetal development," Merrill said. "Likewise, more than a few minutes in a hot tub should be avoided for the same reason." Merrill said pregnant women should drink a lot of water. More water is needed for the blood, tissue and weight increase during pregnancy, and preterm labor can be triggered by too little water. "All obstetricians are 'water nazis' according to my patients," Merrill said. "No matter how much you just had, another glassful is better." This information was taken from MyDNA.

Vitamin D linked to baby birth weight

Low Vitamin D During Pregnancy May Result In Smaller Babies, according to BBC News. According to a study carried out on pregnant women in Canada, women who have a low vitamin D intake during their pregnancy tend to have babies who weigh less than women who have a good intake of vitamin D. The researchers said restricting the intake of milk during pregnancy can reduce intakes of protein, calcium, riboflavin and vitamin D. The researchers screened pregnant women, aged 19-45, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They were screened for low milk consumption. Low milk consumption means 250 millilitres or less per day. Women with low milk consumption were compared to women whose consumption exceeded 250 millilitres per day. The babies' birth weight, length and head circumference were obtained from birth records. They found that the women who consumed less milk had babies who weighed less at birth - when compared to the babies' whose mothers consumed more than 250 millilitres per day. All the babies had similar head circumferences and body lengths. The women with low milk intake had statistically significantly lower intakes of protein and Vitamin D. They found that milk consumption and vitamin D intake were significant predictors of birth weight. An extra cup of milk a day correlated closely with an extra 41g in birth weight. Each extra microgram of Vitamin D was linked to an extra 11g in birth weight.

Is maternity clothing too revealing?

Over the weekend I visited my grandparents. I always love taking some time to see how they are doing. In one of our conversations I mentioned that I was looking into purchasing maternity clothing because everything is starting to get a little tight. Grandma-ma said she disliked many of the maternity styles, saying that they are too revealing. I quickly disagreed! I love the new styles and how women are proud enough to show their bump. So, what do you guys think? Has maternity clothing become too revealing? I know that maternity style has changed quite a bit since my Grandma-ma had my mother back in the 1950s! When you think about it, maternity styles have changed a lot in the last decade! I couldn't imagine what she must be thinking about maternity styles now. She did raise some interesting points during our discussion. Grandma-ma said, "pregnant women are wearing clothing that are too tight." She thinks too much is being revealed by saying,"Their belly buttons are poking out!" She doesn't find it necessary for everyone to see a pregnant women's bulging belly button. "Do we have to see it in such detail?" Definitely pregnancy has become fashionable since the Hollywood Baby Boom. Their are many young and beautiful celebrities that are pregnant with great bodies that helped bring in the new look. I just love it, but my Grandma thinks otherwise. What do you think? Should we leave something to the imagination?

Tips to look stylish during Pregnancy

High street stores Top shop and New Look have recently launched stylish maternity ranges for Mom’s to be. Even sexy lingerie brand Agent Provocateur have launched an underwear range for pregnant women.

Top tips to look effortlessly stylish during your pregnancy are as follows:

• Don’t try to hide your belly, be proud of your bump and choose bias cut and wrap dresses which will flatter your changing figure.

• Avoid smocks and tunics if you have a larger frame as they can make you look bigger.

• Try a stretchy jumper dress over jeans for a casual and chic daytime look.

• Finally, be proud to emphasise your bump, but try to avoid anything which is too cropped which can look too much

Natural Solutions to Pregnancy's Discomforts

PregnancyWeekly advises that it is best to avoid over the counter medicines, especially in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy while your baby's heart, lung and brain systems are being formed. Here are some simple tips to beat ailments without having to take medication:

• Snack frequently, drink plenty of liquids, and avoid fatty foods to help beat morning sickness. You could also try anything made of ginger.
• Eat a few hours before bedtime, get your neck massaged, and take a warm bath to help you rest easy.
• Massage and heat can alleviate leg cramps and backaches.
• Drink prune juice to help with constipation.
• Get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids to help with your cold.
• Eat smaller meals more often and avoid spicy or greasy foods to prevent heartburn. You could also try a glass of 100% papaya juice which has a thicker consistency.