1.) the state or condition of being pregnant
2.) the period from conception to childbirth

The test has just confirmed that you are not going crazy, you’re pregnant! Whether you wait 12-weeks to inform your friends and family of this fun and exciting news, take time for yourself to recognize changes in your behavior, mood, and your everyday life. Know before you go: These tips will explain what seems like the unexplainable and give clarification of what seems like out-of-body behavior:

1.) You are one hot mama: No really, you might feel as if you are overheating in temperatures you coped well with before you were pregnant. Why? Pregnancy hormones are speeding up your metabolic rate, making you feel flushed and sweaty. How to take the heat: Dress in loose, light clothing, and drink plenty of water.

2.) To grandmother’s house we go: This will only hold true if grandma is within driving distance. Most airlines won’t let you travel after 36 weeks. After 28 weeks you won’t be allowed to check in without a doctor’s certificate.

3.) You’re scared. No you’re not: Brace yourself, mood swings are lingering. Expect to feel extreme anger, uncontrollable bouts of crying, and times of unexplained fear.

4.) Morning sickness go away; come again another day: Morning sickness is definitely a pitfall of being pregnant but it is twice as bad on an empty stomach. Keep a light snack on your bed stand to avoid making morning sickness worse than it should be.

5.) Itchy belly: Your tummy will most likely itch as a result of your skin expanding to fit your growing soon- to-be baby. Some women get itchy feet and hands, too. But if you begin to itch badly all over, consult a Doctor. It could be a very rare but serious liver disorder.

6.) Smile! U.S. researchers suggest that mothers who worry less tend to have a stress-free pregnancy because they are able to sleep better, stay slimmer, and have an easier labor.

7.) You are not turning into big foot: Surprise, big foot is only a myth. Pregnancy, though, is a reality and so are the changes that come with it. Expect to increase by one shoe size within the first 28-30 weeks due to fluid retention.

8.) Is that a new perfume? During pregnancy, the hormonal and chemical changes within your body can give off a new odor and change the scent of your favorite perfume.

9.) Forget me not: Pregnancy amnesia is very common amongst new pregnant mothers and can include anything from slight to full memory loss. Believe it or not: Scientific evidence suggests that a woman’s brain can shrink by as much as five per cent during pregnancy! The good news: It does return to normal after giving birth!

10.) Release the beast: If your husband blames you for waking him up in the middle of the night, blame it on your hormones. Pregnancy hormones can sometimes cause the membranes in your nose to soften and swell.

The “Newbie” Father:

The DadGear Messenger Bags are perfect for the new father who is spending the day with his little one. Give him his very own diaper bag. What men love about the DadGear Messenger Bag is that it serves as a diaper bag but looks nothing like the one mommy wears!

The Chicco Smart Support Backpack allows dad, or mom, to take baby on the go! Hiking with the family has never been so fun and easy. Dad, don’t worry, the Smart Support Backpack by Chicco comes in navy blue and red which won’t clash with your rugged, manly style.

The “Experienced” Father:

Get out and GO with your Kent WeeRide Co-Pilot. This add-on is a great way to teach a child the fun of riding a bike with mom and dad. The WeeRide is easy to attach to almost any adult bike and it’s safe! Check it out for yourself at BabyAge.com!

The “Grand” Father:

Mud Pie has been offering timeless gifts for parents, grandparents, and children since 1988. Give Grandpa the gift he will cherish for a lifetime. The Mud Pie “Grandpa’s Little Man” Frame is the perfect gift for any occasion, except maybe the Super Bowl.

For great gifts for every member of the family, log on to BabyAge.com, today!

Twin facts you may not have known:

1. Rates of twin births vary by location. Certain areas of the world and our own nation have much higher rates of twin births than other places. For instance, if you live in Massachusetts, New Jersey or Connecticut, the twinning rate is 25% higher than the general populace. On the flip side, Hawaii and New Mexico have a twin birth rate 30% lower than that of the national average. Scientists believe that this propensity for multiple births is the product of multiple factors involving fertility drugs, heredity, food choices and age.

2. While most people are only familiar with identical and fraternal twins, there are actually 7 different types of twins. They are: identical, fraternal, half-identical, mirror image twins, mixed chromosome twins, superfecundation, and superfetation. Those other than identical and fraternal can be quite rare.

3. Twins do not have to have the same father. While we often think of twins as having the same mother and father, it’s possible for a woman to give birth to two children on the same day who don’t share a father. This phenomenon is called heteropaternal superfecundation. It happens when a woman releases multiple eggs, each fertilized by sperm from separate instances of sexual intercourse. It’s uncommon, but genetic testing has shown that it is possible.

4. Certain diets may increase your chances of having twins. What a woman eats can help increase her chances of having twins, or so researchers think. While genetics obviously plays a big role, diet can also influence this phenomenon. Researchers have found that women who eat dairy and animal products are much more likely to have twins than those that don’t. This is likely due to a protein called IGF that increases the sensitivity of the ovaries to hormones that cause ovulation.

5. Twins separated at birth and reunited are often found to be eerily similar in personality and interests. The studies that discovered this fact, however, have widely been condemned as some of the cruelest and morally repugnant in medical history. During the 60′s and 70′s, identical twins were separated at birth in an attempt to determine whether it was nature or nurture that determined their personalities. However unethical, the study demonstrated that a great deal of who we are comes from our genes; many of the twins bore uncanny similarities in personality and preferences despite spending decades apart.

Holman, K. (2010, October 12). 20 amazing facts about twins [Web log message].

If you are expecting twins, log on to BabyAge.com and check out the large selection of twin strollers from best selling brands like Graco, Britax, and Chicco!

After catching wind of the Kardashian soon-to-be baby girl, BabyAge.com did a little investigation to find out what the expectant mommy asked for in her registry.

Here is the list of Kourtney K’s baby must-haves, along with the BabyAge.com comparable item:

Kourtney’s Picks

1. Complete Coverage Video Monitor Set ($350)
2. Graco SnugRide- Platinum ($160)
3. Como Tomo’s Natural Feeding Baby Bottle ($22)

Similar from BabyAge.com

1. Summer Infant Complete Coverage Baby Monitor

2. Graco SnugRide-Metropolis
3. Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Wide-Neck BPA-Free 8 oz. Bottles

Happy Shopping!

So, find BabyAge.com on Facebook and check in from time-to-time! We are here and ready to give you the most important information pertaining to parents and soon-to-be parents. As always, BabyAge.com abides by the motto of being the one stop shop for parents and parents-to-be and the BabyStore blog would like to get you involved!

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In the United States, 12% of all babies are born prematurely. This percentage is higher than Europe and other developed countries. According to Joy Lawn, director of global policy for children’s rights group Save the Children, “Being born too soon is an unrecognized killer.”

For more information about premature births in the United States, click the link below to read the full article:

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/articles/2012/05/03/health-buzz-15-million-babies-born-prematurely-worldwide

Full article found at ABCNews.com: Health-Allergy Basics

[Allergies are caused by an imbalance in a person's immune system resulting from exposure to an environmental substance or allergen which when present may cause a wide range of symptoms. When a person is allergic to one of these substances, their immune cells release a substance called histamine.
When the allergen comes into contact with an antibody that was created from an earlier exposure. The result may include symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, itching or pruritus of the eyes, nose, and throat, and skin hives…]

2- Studies that have been conducted in the past about a man producing 2 types of sperm: boy sperm and girl sperm and the timing in which the couple conceives do not have any say in whether the child will be a boy or girl. The only way to do this is with the help of technology.

3- You cannot predict the sex of your child without the use of technology. Meaning: basketball shaped bellies do not automatically suggest that you are having a boy.

http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/667-common-pregnancy-myths.html

Jar after jar, the baby food containers are pilling up left and right with no sign of stopping. With a hefty garbage pile-up equipped with dirty diapers and other household waste, a perfectly good jar has to be worth more than just the squash and peas that were inside.

If you are crafty or would like to see your money go toward something with multi-purposes, check out these great ideas for reusing your baby food jars:

Spice holders: DIY chicken or steak rubs might be the secret ingredient to an always delicious meal. These small baby food jars are perfect for holding spices and secret ingredients designed by you, the crafty mother.

Root plants: What once housed your baby’s food is now the home of your favorite herb. Try growing basil, parsley, or fresh dill in one of the small baby food jars and then transplanting once the herb has rooted and began to grow.

Baby shower favors: How fitting to use for a baby on the way! Fill the small jars with candy, loose tea, bath salts, etc. Top with a ribbon to dress up the cutesy little jar.

Reuse AS a food container: Because the food containers are made to be resealed, reuse the jar to hold salad dressings or condiments on the go!

Organize small/sharp objects: Safety pins and push pins should be stored in safe containers to avoid dropping on the floor. Now that a baby is in the house, there is even more of a reason to keep the sharp objects out of reach!

Sell on eBay: Small glass jars might be junk to you, but they could be a crafty person’s treasure. Every dollar counts, right?

Log on to BabyAge.com today to receive the best price on a gift that she will be sure to love. Hurry, Mother’s Day is only 13 days away! Here are a few products that have great features for women in all stages of motherhood:

Today’s Mom Cozy Comfort Pregnancy Pillow

For all around support and a great night sleep, look no further than the Today’s Mom Cozy Comfort Pregnancy Pillow! The pillow was designed to alleviate pain from all areas of the body. From shoulder support to lumbar support and everything in between, the Cozy Comfort is sure to provide lasting comfort even after your pregnancy.

Touch of Elegance- The Gifting Group

With the Scent of Water Lilies and Lotus, all she will want to do is spend the day relaxing. Log on to BabyAge.com and receive the Touch of Elegance gift set which provides everything a mother will need to do just that!