EAST MISSISSIPPI EDITION | SPRING 2018
mississippi
baby bump
NURTURING THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF MISSISSIPPI’S NEWEST GENERATION MSBABYBUMP.COM
It made Muddy wail+ Kermit talk+ Faulkner write. What will it do for you?
Mississippi gives rise to more than our fair share of legends. See what inspired them and spark the legend within you.
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Rooming In — Let your baby’s first sleepover be with you.
Breastfeeding — The best nutrition for your baby.
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from the editor
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Welcome to Mississippi Baby Bump!
hank you so much for picking up this magazine! Maybe you grabbed it at a doctor’s office or snagged it at your favorite boutique or maybe your best friend found an article she liked and wanted to pass it on to you- whatever the reason, I hope that you find valuable information inside these pages! Whether you are newly preggy or your kids are in pre-school this mag is for you!! Yes!!! Mississippi Baby Bump is written for new moms, veteran moms, step-moms, grandmas, great-grandmas, daddys, daddys-that-are-moms, aunties, and best friends that are like aunties- it’s for everyone!! With this first issue, I hope that you will find information or tips, hints and tricks that make your life with your newborn to toddler easier! “I’m just a mom” isn’t an accurate statement- you are not “just a mom” here! In my world, you are a warrior, a student, a teacher, a lobbyist, an activist for your family! It is your sole job, Mama, to make life better for your babies ... whew, not to overwhelm you!! I realize that as a mom we are
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overwhelmed every day, and it is my passion to help other moms! I have reached out to experts in their field to share their knowledge and training with you! Think of Baby Bump as our own little Mama network! Please, share and enjoy this- take in Leslie Lee with son Jude each article like a little nugget in those moments alone (WHAT? You’re a mom- we don’t get those). Reach out to us and let us know what you want, what you want more of, what you like and what you could do without. Share with us you mama milestones and send us your pics!! From one mom to another – You’ve got this!! With Much Mama love, Leslie Lee Editor-in Chief & Mama
in this issue
From Prenatal to Preschool ... HEALTH AND NUTRITION
Mississippi Baby Bump is created and distributed by MoonPie Publishing, 2209 5th Street, Meridian, MS.
The Breastfeeding Decision .........................................................................4 Reba Lee, RN Lactation Cookies – The Best Kept Secret..................................................5 Leslie Lee, Editor
Editor & Publisher Leslie Lee
Choosing Lifestyles for Two ......................................................................12 Virginia Carney Nelson, MD
Contributing Editor John Paul Dove
Regaining Your Pre-Pregnancy Body .......................................................13 Kim Monsour
Creative Director Adrienne Dison
PARENTING ADVICE
Contributing Writers Jennifer Jones, LMFT Virginia Carney-Nelson, D.O., FACOG Brittany Farris Katie Cowsert Rachel Hull, M.D. Kim Monsour Contributing Photographer Samuel McGee ABOUT THE COVER
Pediatrician’s Corner .....................................................................................6 Rachel Hull, MD Couple Time: Marriage After Baby.............................................................7 Jennifer Jones, LMFT CHILDBIRTHING What is a Doula? ...........................................................................................10 Brittany Ferris Training for the Marathon of Labor .........................................................11 Katie Cowsert Birth Announcements..................................................................................14
(Photo by Katherine McKiever) Our sweet cover girl, Lucy Joyner, is a blessing to parents Ginger and Jay Joyner of Collinsville. We are so excited to have Lucy grace our first cover of Mississippi Baby Bump!
JUST FOR FUN A Day at the Park ...........................................................................................8 Our Favorites: Mom’s Picks........................................................................16 © 2018 MoonPie Publishing. Meridian, Mississippi. All Rights Reserved. For Advertising or Editorial inquiries, email us at msbabybump@gmail.com.
Virginia Carney-Nelson, D.O. Board Certified Obstetrics and Gynecology Hannah L. Gray, DNP, FNP-C Family Nurse Practitioner 1702 14th St. • Meridian, MS 39301 • 601.703.1481 • thenelsoncenterforwomen.com msbabybump.com |
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health and nutrition
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The Breastfeeding Decision
ne of the THE most important decisions that a new mother will make is the decision on how to feed her new baby. Did you know that the simple choice to provide breastmilk for your baby provides lifelong health benefits to both you and your baby? From the very beginning, your baby’s digestive system is created for and expecting mother’s milk. Because of this, your milk is easier on your baby’s system in comparison to formula (made from cow’s milk), which is more difficult and takes much longer for the baby’s tiny stomach to digest. Breastmilk is the perfect milk for your newborn baby, providing exactly what your baby needs from the very first feeding. In fact, the first milk, colostrum, begins protecting the baby from infections and boosting the immune system right away. These are only a few benefits of breastmilk, taken from a long list:
• Decreased risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer • Decreased risk of postpartum depression When you make the decision to breastfeed your new baby, the Lactation Center at Anderson Reba Lee, RN, IBCLC Regional Birth Center is available to journey with you, each step of the way, to help you meet your breastfeeding goals. The Lactation Center offers: • Prenatal breastfeeding classes • In-hospital assessments • Personalized consultations with an RN, IBCLC • Breastpump rentals/sales • Telephone support for questions from home • Follow-up consultations as needed • Community Support Group
Benefits for Baby • Decreased risk of asthma, ear infections, respiratory infections • Decreased risk of childhood leukemia and other cancers • Decreased risk of diabetes and obesity • Decreased risk of SIDS and Necrotizing enterocolitis
Because Anderson is on the “Baby-Friendly” pathway, new moms and babies can expect to receive the the optimum in breastfeeding support from the entire staff at Anderson. Our Lactation Center is staffed by Registered Nurses (RN) who have attained the highest level of knowledge and skill in breastfeeding support by earning the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant certification.
Benefits for Mom • Easier weight loss and increased bonding with baby
With over 25 years of experience each in newborn care at Anderson, Reba Lee, RN, IBCLC and Michelle Johnson, RN, IBCLC look forward to meeting with you and your baby.
YOGA • PILATES • BARRE • BALLROOM DANCE • HIP HOP • BELLYDANCE • LATIN • SWING • COUNTRY WESTERN • ADULT TAP • PARTY RENTALS
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health and nutrition
Lactation Cookies – The Best Kept Secret ga·lac·ta·gogue ɡəˈlaktəˌɡäɡ noun MEDICINE plural noun: galactagogues a food or drug that promotes or increases the flow of a mother’s milk.
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alacta-who?? Exactly what I asked when learning about all of the natural ways to increase lactation. Galactagogues are generally herbs or foods that when ingested, increase a lactating mother’s milk supply. Some natural choices are fenugreek (worked like a champ for me, but one side effect is that I smelled like I lived in an IHOP – Bonus: my hubby loves the smell of pancakes!), Goats Rue, Fennel, Red Raspberry leaf, Hops, Alfalfa, Blessed Thistle and many more! Not only are there many natural galactagogues, but prescription options are available as well. Talk to your doctor to find out which option will work best for you! Nursing is one of the toughest jobs there is! On top of the challenges of being a new mom – nursing your baby is filled with sweet rewards, and also frustrating moments where you and your baby end up in tears – it’s different for everyone! Nursing is hard, isolating (only you and your baby at 3AM feedings) and sometimes painful – yet nothing can compare to those intimate moments you share with your newborn baby. Every mom, with whom I have spoken, has a unique breastfeeding story, and it is different with each child!! Rest assured, each day you are able to breastfeed, you are equipping your child with antibodies and nutrients that will last throughout early childhood! Lactation cookies may be the best-kept secret among breastfeeding mamas. The ingredients in these tasty cookies work in a number of different ways to boost and maintain a new mom’s milk supply. When breastfeeding, it’s easy to get “hangry” and want to eat the entire batch (while nursing I don’t think I have ever been more hungry or thirsty in my life!) – I recommend 3-4 cookies per day. These cookies have great benefits; not only do they promote milk supply, it is believed to help with fatigue and the “baby blues” and they are downright yummy! Dads can eat these too! My husband was pretty leery of lactation cookies, when I first told him about them – afraid he would develop mammary glands that spouted milk if he dared tried one! However, these are safe natural cookies
that the entire family can enjoy! High-five to all of the breast feeding mama’s out there! Go eat a cookie and feel good about it! LACTATION COOKIES 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 1 1/2 cups unbleached organic all-purpose flour 5 tablespoons brewer’s yeast (do not substitute or decrease!) 3 tablespoons ground flaxseed 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt 12 tablespoons organic unsalted butter 4 tablespoons unrefined organic virgin coconut oil 1 1/2 cups organic cane sugar (you can decrease by ¼ cup) 1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips Add-ins: unsweetened flaked coconut, chopped almonds, 1 to 2 tablespoons of almond butter, dried apricots (fiber bonus!), white chocolate chips, or toffee chips! DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven the 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, yeast, flaxseed, baking powder, soda, cinnamon and salt. With an electric mixer, beat the butter and coconut oil on medium speed until creamy. Add in the sugar and beat on medium to high speed until fluffy, about 4 to 5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl if needed. Add in the egg and egg yolk, beating until combined, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add in the vanilla extract and beat until combined again. Gradually add in the dry ingredients, beating on low speed until just combined and mixed. Stir in the chocolate chips with a spatula until they are evenly dispersed. Scoop the dough into 1-inch rounds and place on a baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the bottoms are just golden. Let cool completely before storing in a sealed container.
These are great to freeze! I like to give these as a gift to new moms – I bake a batch and give a frozen batch for later! – Leslie Lee, Editor-In-Chief msbabybump.com |
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parenting pointers
Pediatrician’s Corner My little girl is 8-months old and hasn’t sprouted her first tooth yet. Should I be concerned? Not at all! The average age of a first tooth is around 4-months, however, every baby is different. Some infants are early bloomers and develop teeth before 4 months, while some may take up to 12-months of age. If your baby doesn’t have her first teeth by 12-months speak to your pediatrician.
My mother-in-law says I’m spoiling my baby by holding him too much. Is this really possible? Not at all! Spoil your baby all you want – babies are meant to be held, that’s why they are so cute! There are several great products likes wraps and carriers to help keep baby close to you in the daytime. Nighttime is a little different though, babies that are held or rocked to go to sleep have a harder time going to sleep on their own. You aren’t spoiling your baby at bedtime, by holding him. Put him down to sleep in his crib on his back when he is calm and drowsy but still awake and he will learn about bedtime and also be able to self-soothe when he awakes at night.
My baby’s poop is green – is that ok? I understand the concern; abnormal color of stool can get a new mom anxious! Normal stool color will vary from yellow to green to brown. Breastfed babies poop is typically yellow and mustard like, while Dr. Rachel Hull formula babies can have more formed and darker brown stools. You need to consult your pediatrician when the stool color is white/pale (indicates liver problem), red (blood) or black and sticky (old blood). Dr. Rachel Hull specializes in Pediatrics. This column is intended for information purposes only. For medical advice, please consult your physician.
Happy Baby Happy Smiles! Make sure your baby sees a dentist before his first birthday!
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Accept Medicaid and most other insurance plans All services provided by MS licensed General Dentists
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601.474.3140 happysmilesmeridian.com
couple time
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Marriage After Baby
ould it surprise you to know that couples often rate the first few years after the birth of their first child as being the lowest time in marital satisfaction? With sleepless nights, endless diapers, tripled laundry, and added financial stress (to name a few of the challenges), there is a lot working against your marriage when a baby comes into the picture! Thankfully, your relationship isn’t just another statistic, and there are many things you can do to keep your marriage going strong post-baby. Here are just a few: Prepare for the adjustment during pregnancy. Sure, “babymoons” are great, but if spending more time together during pregnancy is the only thing you do to prepare your relationship for parenthood, the change when baby comes along may feel even more drastic. Instead, make time during your pregnancy to talk about the upcoming changes in your relationship – discuss any fears or concerns with your partner about how your relationship will change. Coming up with a plan together of how you will continue to prioritize your marriage will help you to feel like a team. If you talk about potential problems before the baby comes, it will be much easier to bring them when they arise. Make room for each other. It can be especially difficult for dads to feel like the outsider once baby comes into the picture. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and co-sleeping are just some of the things that connect mom and baby and leave little room for a third party. If you want your relationship to stay strong, there has to be a boundary around it that excludes the baby, which can be really difficult for new parents. Make time to spend with just each other, even if its in the other room. Its important to work towards spending time alone together, but even a few minutes of really looking at your partner and letting them know you see them can make a world of difference. Encourage your partner in their parenting. When we’re new at something, it takes time to build confidence.
Nothing feels more discouraging then your partner telling you you’re doing it “wrong” or taking over because they’re “better” at it. This is especially a trend when one parent goes back to work or one is spending more time with the baby. Instead of immediately taking Jennifer Jones, LMFT over if your partner is struggling, be a cheerleader for them. You’ll feel a lot happier with your partner when it feels like you’re on the same team rather than competing against each other or comparing parenting skills. Do nice things for your partner. The overwhelming stress of a new baby can quickly lead to resentments and annoyances at the other adult in the house. One of the best ways to not let those take over and create a wedge in your marriage is to treat your partner like you like them, even (especially) when you don’t. Find things to complement them on, cook their favorite meal (or order in!), take care of a household task that they normally do. Treating your partner with love and kindness will increase those feelings between you. Forgive your partner and yourself if it’s not going well. A new baby is hard. In addition to adjusting as a couple, you are also both going through one of the biggest individual adjustments of your life in becoming a parent. That means its okay if it takes time and if the process is at times painful. Let go of grudges and know that you and your partner are doing the best that you can (even if its not that great some days!). Success really is about continuing to try. Though it can be challenging, if you continue to put effort into strengthening your relationship once baby comes along, you can create and even better marriage and both you and your baby will benefit!
Jennifer Jones is a marriage & family therapist licensed in Oregon, Florida, & Mississippi. She currently works with couples, families, and individuals in her private practice, Magnolia Counseling and at TAME, LLC.
msbabybump.com |
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a day at the park
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OPPOSITE: Crystal Andrews plays with her grandchildren, from back to front, Brooklyn Brashier, Cash Chapman, Lenni Mae Chapman (inset) and Jax Chapman at a Bonita Lakes Park playground. ABOVE: A mother and son share an after-school view of the lower lake. BELOW: A lone runner crosses the dam on a quiet, overcast day. (Photos by Samuel McGee / Mississippi Baby Bump Magazine)
msbabybump.com |
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pregnancy and labor
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Doulas are for Everyone
oulas seem to be a hot topic right now. Some people associate doulas with hippies having their babies on a farm while chanting to the moon. Although that might have been the case on a commune in the sixties, it is not an accurate picture of the modern-day doula. Today doulas assist every type of birth; however, a doula is more than just a trendy birth accessory. A doula present at a birth can possibly be the difference between a positive birth experience and a negative one. Studies have shown that mothers who give birth with doulas in attendance are less likely to need Pitocin (a drug used to induce labor), less likely to have a cesarean birth, less likely to use pain medication, and more likely to feel positively about their birth. What exactly does a doula do? During pregnancy and birth, families have a wide range of needs that can’t always be met by their care provider and partners. For example, when it’s time to write a birth plan a doula comes to the home with evidenced based information so that the family can make informed decisions. Doulas spend hours with
their clients to prepare them for birth. They are available night and day at the end of pregnancy, waiting for the call saying, “it’s time!” Although natural pain management is an incredible skill doulas have, doulas also are trained to support medicated births and cesarean births. Brittany Farris
Many couples wonder why they would need a doula at their births when they have each other. Doulas always encourage partners to be a part of the preparation and birth, but doulas play a very different role than partners. Our partners love us. They don’t want to see us in pain and many times don’t know how to handle seeing pain that they can’t fix. Doulas know what to say to put everyone at ease. They can step in so that the partner can take a break. Doulas also prepare their clients so that no one goes into the birth with fear. Families tend to feel more relaxed during labor with a doula because they know they have someone there who can answer questions and assist in making informed choices. If something unexpected happens like an emergency cesarean birth, a doula can help keep the atmosphere calm and be that extra hand so that the partner can stay focused on mom. After baby is born many times the baby becomes the center of attention. The partner goes where the baby goes and mom is left alone. Not with a doula. A doula stays a couple of hours after birth to make sure mom is doing well and to assist with breastfeeding if needed. A doula’s job doesn’t end there, though. Within the first few weeks after birth, doulas make postpartum visits. Mothers get the chance to process their birth experiences and discuss any concerns they may have. Doulas can also help with any breastfeeding issues. There are also postpartum doulas that specifically serve clients during the postpartum period. They help with the baby overnight, cook meals, make sure mom gets a nap, and help with overall adjustment of a new baby. Doulas are for the person who births in a hospital, birthing center, and at home. They are for the kind of person who wants a natural birth, a medicated birth, or a we’ll see how it goes birth. Doulas provide support, respect, and encouragement to their clients and every mother deserves that during pregnancy and birth. Doulas are for everyone. Brittany Farris is a certified doula in Mississippi.
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pregnancy and labor
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Training for the Marathon of Labor
’m certainly not the first person to compare childbirth to running a marathon. It just makes sense. They’re both major events. They’re hard work, physically and mentally. They’re not something that people typically just breeze through without breaking a sweat. They’re momentous accomplishments. And with the right training, they can be they can be great experiences! When people ask me why I had my own babies naturally or why I teach a natural childbirth class, a one word answer is: training. If you stand at the starting line of a marathon with little or no training, I can tell you first-hand, it is not gonna be a pretty race. And if you’re like me, you’ll be quite content to never run a marathon again! But what if you stand at that same starting line after months of physical training; having studied the course map, visualized the streets you’ll run on; located where you will get Gatorade and drink those heinous “gu” packets; lined up the perfect playlist and set up a support team of your closest family and friends at strategic cheering points? Then you’re confident. Then you’re not fearful, even though you know you’re about to attempt something huge that still has factors beyond your control. I believe the same is true of childbirth. There will always be factors outside of our control that warrant the need for medicine. And how thankful I am that we have brilliant people who are able to save mamas’ and babies’ lives when we need someone to intervene! But what could it be like if we invested more time into training for the monumental moment when we welcome our babies? When I found out I was pregnant with our first, we were thrilled. And then after that thrill I had to face the reality that, God willing, at some point I would actually go into labor. Wait, what??? What would that be like? What does a contraction feel like? How long do they last? How badly will it hurt? How long will labor last? What am I supposed to do? When should I go to the hospital? How do you push out a human? What if I have to get a C-section? What’s that like? I was hit with an onslaught of questions that, if left unanswered, would have resulted in a lot of fear. Fear is not your friend in labor. It leads to tension and that leads to more pain and no body wants that! My husband, Chip, and I took the Bradley Method® course when I was pregnant with our first. Our friends told us how
amazing their labors were because they used this method. That’s not something you hear a whole lot – “amazing labor.” Today, I teach the Bradley Method® because the education and training Chip and I received answered our questions, prepared me physically, calmed our fears, and enabled us to stand at the Katie Cowsert starting line of labor confidently. What do you learn in the course? You learn nutrition tips to promote a health pregnancy and pregnancy-specific exercises that prepare the muscles you will use in labor. You learn the stages of labor and what to expect in each. (Did you know there are stages of labor? I didn’t.) Your #1 support person in labor (spouse, mom, bestie, whoever!) comes with you to class and learns how to be helpful to you in labor! You learn how to interact well with your birth team. You learn what your choices are for labor and delivery. You learn how to relax through contractions. You learn about complications that could come up in labor. You leave informed, trained, and prepared. I have had a 22-hour labor and a 3-day labor. Both were natural. Both were long. And both were hard work, but I’d do it again. Here’s why: I knew what was going on and never felt out of control. Chip and I were able to work together as a team and make decisions as they came. I had freedom to move around, change positions, and didn’t have to be stuck in a bed. I could eat and drink during labor. I was alert and felt great once baby was born (seriously!). I was able to hold our babies right away and get up to walk around the room and watch them get their first baths. My birth stories are two experiences we look back on so fondly. As a childbirth educator that’s my primary goal – for moms and dads to go confidently into labor and be able to look back fondly on their birth experiences. It can really happen! If it is your hope to have a natural birth, my biggest piece of advice is to learn as much as you can; get as much training as possible. Even if you don’t long for a natural birth, training well for labor day is invaluable. It will help you mentally, physically, and emotionally. It is an investment for sure, but I think we’d all agree it’s an investment in a worthy cause! Katie Cowsert teaches the Bradley Method for Natural Childbirth, supporting expecting mothers in Mississippi. msbabybump.com |
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health and nutrition
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Choosing Lifestyles for Two
here she was on her first day of daycare in her pressed pink dress, huge bow that showcased her blonde curls that she got from her dad, big blue eyes, and a smile that lit up the room. It was lunchtime, her favorite part of the day and as she had had a breakfast tart and a soda for breakfast she was beyond starving. She opened her carefully prepared lunch box packed by her wonderful mama and there it was .... the perfect lunch. She carefully unwrapped the cellophane off of her sandwich which today was her favorite .... an oatmeal-crème cookie, she stopped to eat her vegetables du jour- sour cream and onion chips and washed it all down with her favorite red sports drink full of sugar for her big playground day. She then had a double peanut butter and chocolate cup for dessert, because mom said that peanut butter was good for you.
Lil’ Jimmy had been especially mean to her lately and she was stressed after he stole her toy. Mama had packed a Xanax for just such an occasion, thank goodness, because she was stressed a lot these days. She also was suffering from her hair being pulled and from a bo-bo she had from scraping her knee, so she took a Percocet that her mom had also packed just in case. As she washed that down too, she smiled thinking that she had the best mom in the world! A mom that taught her everything, how to eat, how to deal with stress, and how to be unselfish and look out for others! Ridiculous, right? What mom would ever, ever pack that for a child, especially a baby? As an OBGYN, I see moms do it every day while pregnant. Working in my clinic, I hear the rustle of cellophane as I enter the room and look down at the sugary treat being washed down with almost 100% pure-sugar apple juice, soda, or sports-drink and it makes me cringe. I am not a dietician by any stretch and I too, struggle to eat-on-the-run sometimes. I’m not here to make sweeping dietary recommendations, so I’ll leave that up to people much smarter than me on that topic. The topic of my column is how poor dietary choices affect complicated pregnancies. The pregnancy death-rate in the U.S is skyrocketing, while the maternal death-rate around the world is on the decline. According to the latest statistics, the maternal death-rate has grown in recent years to 25.4 moms per 10,000 and is still on the rise. In general, in-yourface terms, that’s 25 moms that are gone in the U.S each year. Dead. One mom is too many to lose. Granted, there are some losses that are natural, uncontrollable acts of God, however there are too many poor lifestyle choices that we make while pregnant or before pregnancy that lead us to preventable “lifestyle diseases.” Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in women. Major contributors to this disease are smoking, undiagnosed diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension,
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poor exercise habits and obesity. As a practicing physician, it’s disheartening to see how we take our health for granted and how we are on the path to pass those bad habits down to the next generation. It’s a simple cure for poor choices –- over and over again bad decisions on the food we eat while pregnant, poor Dr. Virginia Carney-Nelson exercise habits, poor sleep and general poor lifestyle choices can be changed with a simple commitment for change. Personally, I see a change in how our cahildren seem to be developing socially. I associate part of that blame on diet during pregnancy and post-natal diet, factors that can be changed with education and desire from parents wanting to make a change for the better of their children’s future. We can start by encouraging breastfeeding after delivery with proper education and support from family, friends and a Lactation specialist. Studies show that the childhood and adult obesity rates drop dramatically with the initiation of breastfeeding, as it ensures proper nutrition from the very beginning of life. We also need to address our painkiller crisis, medications such as Percocet and Narco (previously known as Lortab but now has less Tylenol because of the deaths from liver failure from overuse) are becoming a national epidemic. This epidemic is branching into problems with medications from the benzodiazepine family ( Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan and Tranxene ). Pregnant women are taking “benzos” for anxiety and multiple other reasons without any knowledge or concerns regarding developmental effects for their baby. Addictions, such as cigarettes, painkillers, “benzos”, and sugar have to be eradicated during pregnancy. If the mother does not overcome these addictions, the baby will go through withdrawals after delivery because the mother couldn’t do it for them beforehand. In my opinion, this is quite profound. As a mother, it makes me rethink what our responsibility is to our precious baby and most importantly to ourselves, to live healthier lives so that we can be around to take care of our children. With all of this, I urge you to speak to your OB, doctor or midwife on what you can change right away before getting pregnant and during pregnancy. Motherhood is the most important job you will ever have; take it seriously. You are the most special person in your baby’s life, make that decision for two every time you choose what to put in your body – correction your bodies – plural. Life is about choices. Choose wisely. Dr. Virginia Carney-Nelson is a Mom to two boys and has her own practice, The Nelson Center for Women, where she is passionate about changing lives for the better health of all generations.
health and nutrition
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Regaining Your Pre-Pregnancy Body
ongratulations Mama for making it through nine months of pregnancy, labor, and most importantly, becoming a mother to the little miracle you brought into this world. I want to give you all the necessary tools to be successful in regaining your pre-pregnancy body. I like to think of it as a long-term goal. This can be a healthy lifestyle modification you are making for you and your baby for years to come, not just a quick fix for losing weight. Goals: Set a small goal for yourself and try to reach it, whether that be losing weight, running a race, or joining a workout group. Building confidence in yourself by reaching small goals now is very important. Give yourself a deadline for these goals, measure your progress, and be consistently accountable with your workouts and clean eating. Deadlines have a way of making people get things accomplished. Choosing to have an accountability partner such as another new mom, bestie or partner, is also beneficial. If it’s too difficult to coordinate schedules, you can be accountable with many different fit apps where you track workouts and log dietary intake to be accountable to yourself and one another. Goals are easier met with the support of friends! Bust a move: Move those muscles every day that ends in Y until you reach your goal. I’m not suggesting some strenuous activity every day, but I am suggesting something that gets your heart rate in your targeted cardio-zone daily for 20-60 minutes. This could be dancing to your favorite tunes while your baby is down for a nap, or while they are watching you in a bouncy seat. If you are also a doggie mom, that’s another way to get in cardio while pushing a baby stroller, and all three of you are sharing a bonding experience enjoying the outdoors. Another goal: Work for your wardrobe, and don’t buy any size larger than the one you desire to be. That’s a huge incentive to get back into the pre-pregnancy clothes. Weight training: When beginning weight training, use your body weight as resistance, and as you get stronger, you can hold your baby as added resistance to many of your exercises, such as squats and lunges. This would also be a good time to meet with a personal trainer and let her/him design you an in-home program for you to do 2-3 times a week. Whether or not you decide to hire a trainer to meet on a consistent basis, it’s always a good idea to at least consult with an experienced trainer before beginning a new exercise regimen. Your trainer will design an individualized routine specifically for your needs. The routine should address any
limitations or weak links and will give you something to fall back on to be accountable throughout this journey. With the craze of High Intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T) and using your body as resistance, it is not necessary to join a gym. It would only take 30 minutes, 2-3 times a week, to perform 2-3 sets of Kim Monsour 10-15 repetitions of these exercises: squats, lunges (with furniture sliders-paper plates work!!), step-ups, push-ups, dips, planks, sit-ups and V ups. Meal prep: As you pack a diaper bag for outings, you want to be equally prepared for your meals, this eliminates the guesswork of meal planning. Keep snacks such as nuts, apples, protein bars, and healthy shakes to avoid binging on unhealthy foods. This will also keep your energy up as it will be needed if you are breastfeeding, because of the extra calories burned, or just adjusting to the demands of motherhood. It will prevent you from driving through a fast food line when you realize you haven’t eaten all day. Another thing I’ve seen helpful to new moms is buying pre-made meals at the grocery store, such as Healthy Choice, Weight Watchers, and Amy’s to name a few. These help with portion control and are balanced nutritionally. Water: Drink more water! Just as breastfeeding mothers need slightly more calories, they also need more hydration. Try to drink a glass of water when you wake up and before you go to bed. Additionally, drink a glass before, during, and after feeding the baby. This will help you stay satisfied, hydrated, and ward off snacking. Often times when you think you are hungry, you are actually thirsty. Water can help curb your appetite. These subtle changes can make a huge difference in energy levels, health, body composition, and confidence. It may take you longer than a restrictive diet would, but everyone knows restrictive diets are just that, and who can be restrictive when you are preparing to take care of yourself and a newborn? Give yourself 3-9 months of consistent effort with these changes, while enjoying the newness of being a mom, along with nurturing yourself and your newborn to a permanent, healthy lifestyle! Kim Monsour is a certified personal trainer, health coach and fitness consultant who has many years of experience working with women pre and post-natal. msbabybump.com |
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birth announcements
Welcoming Mississippi’s Newest Generation
Weston Eric Stubbs November 4, 2017 5 1bs 9 oz 19.5” Eric and Laine Stubbs, II
2209 5th Street • Meridian 14 | mississippi baby bump spring 2018
birth announcements Want to see your new bundle of joy in print? Email your newborn photos with birth information to: msbabybump@gmail.com Please include baby’s full name, parents’ names and hometown, date of birth, baby’s weight and length, with two valid phone numbers for verification.
Brookley Michael Boles October 26, 2017 Daniel and Julie Boles 7 lbs 4 oz 19”
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moms picks
These are a Few of Our Favorite Things ... W
e want to share with you some of our favorite Mom Go-Tos to help make your life easier and more fun with your little one!
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1. Personalized leggings, blankets, hats and more made with organic cotton and printed with a non-toxic soy-based dye available from newborn to 3T at MoonPie. 2. Blackjack Wax Candles are the yummiest smelling soy candles you will ever light and they last forever! Made right here in Meridian, Mississippi, by artisan Courtney Trawick. Available at Blue Girl. 3. Moby Fit works like the best wrap you have ever had, however, you won’t get tangled up like a pretzel. It slips on like a T-shirt and grows with baby, from newborn to toddler. Dads will even wear this one! 4. The Happy Mat from EZPZ combines a placemat and plate in one. The best thing about this is it suctions to the table and can not be thrown to the floor in a feeding frenzy! These little jewels are available in ToGo sizes and bowls and they are dishwasher and microwave-safe. 5. Day Tripping! A quick trip to the Hattiesburg Zoo is fun for the entire family and won’t break the bank. Admission is $5 for adults and children ages 2 and up, free for under 2. They have an imaginative playground, rope course, train rides and a carousel.
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Know While You Grow Childbirth Education Course
Prenatal Nutrition and Exercise Stages of Labor Relaxation Techniques Training for “coach” and more knowwhileyougrow@gmail.com 703.915.9272
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