If you’re pregnant, definitely do not use teflon!  By the year 2015, teflon will be eliminated from all products.  It’s causing such health and environmental problems.  I would rather it be eliminated right away, but apparently, patents also protect products.

I was searching for the best diaper bag to carry for my store and another retailer suggested a particular brand diaper bag.  In looking into it further, I found that they use teflon for the waterproofing.  It is not making me wonder how many other companies are using the same chemical.  I knew that heating teflon (in cooking) was very detrimental to our health, but after looking into it further, teflon in general is something we definitely want to avoid.

For further information, please read the following article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/25/AR2006012502041.html

It really upsets me to think that though they are aware of how harmful this is, they are still allowing it to be used.

Well, I did find a diaper bag that I love and it’s all natural!  Lots of pockets and great for both mom and dad - You will see it listed soon - the manufacturer is Ecolution and the bags are just beautiful! 

Research has shown the link between a mom eating sufficient Omega 3’s during prengnancy and a baby having better problem-solving skills in infancy.  Experts recommend that a pregnant mom get 300 milligrams of DHA daily, but many American women are not meeting this goal according to research out of New York (Reuters).

For the full article, see the following link:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070622/hl_nm/prenatal_omega_dc

During pregnancy, I’ve always used Omega 3 oil.  I’ve taken flax oil and have also taken fish oil as well.  I truly do believe that this helps a baby.

Be careful in eating fish.  Many contain high amounts of mercury today, but a pure fish oil such as Carlson’s is a wonderful source for moms.  

Fat is essential in a baby’s brain development.  Even as a baby begins solid foods, do not hold back on the fat.  It is essential as their brain continues to develop.  As you nurse, also continue to include the Omega 3 essential fatty acids in your diet.

Did you know that women between the ages of 40-44 are the fastest-growing age group for new mothers?  Wow!  I knew many women today are having them at an older age, but I hadn’t realized that so many between that age were first time moms! I do know many celebrities are having children at older ages when I hear it in the news.

We had our first when I was 34. We now have four young children (my youngest is just 10 months old) and when I was that age, I thought I was an older mom.  Before I ever said anything to the nurse at my first OBGYN appoinment she said, “I just want to tell you that you are a young mom”.  That made me feel good! She said many of her first time moms were on average 38 years old.

Today, moms are eating healthier and we are living healthier lifestyles.  This helps us to not only feel good, but helps with fertility. Proper weight (not too thin and not too overweight), eating healthier foods, exercise and nutritional supplements all help us with our fertility and having healthy babies.

An article was posted about the importance of Calcium.  As moms, it is not only important that we receive adequate calcium, but it is important for our children.  Without receiving proper amounts of calcium, our body will pull if from our bones.   Calcium is extremely important as well as Vitamin D.  It is best to receive calcium from our foods and we need Vitamin D from exposure to sunlight.  Without receiving Vitamin D, we also cannot process calcium properly in our body.  Both of these nutrients are considered ‘partners in health” according to the article and it is important that children begin to receive both in their childhood and continue throughout their life. 

For the full article, please see the following link:

http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2007/02/11/hscout601821.html

 Another item that we carry for proper calcium absorption is put out by Weleda.  The following gives a description of the product:

Weleda Calciodoron PM

Powder (OTC) CALCIUM

CALCIODORON AM & PM: A Homeopathic Medicine for Healthy Bone and Teeth Formation As calcium is not readily absorbed by the body, Weleda has developed two products, taken alternatingly: Calciodoron AM & PM.

While these formulas are not calcium supplements, they stimulate the body’s calcium absorption and metabolism. This remedy can be taken during pregnancy and after lactation for on-going care of the mother. It also helps to promote healthy bone and teeth formation in the baby as he / she develops as a child. Calciodoron is also recommended to prevent bone loss in post-menopausal women.

Use Calciodoron PM in the evening in conjunction with Calcon AM for poor calcium absorption with accompanying symptoms of calcium deficiency; painful and slow teething, and inadequate lactation. 1.77 Oz (50g)

Active Ingredients: Calcarea carbonica 1X (from oyster shells).

http://www.mommasbaby.com/item–Weleda-Calciodoron-PM–CalciodoronPM.html

On February 24, 2007 at 11:29 am we were blessed with our fourth little one.  His name is Jacob Zacharias and he is a healthy little baby and adorable!  He was born C-section (we had hoped for a natural birth and I had actually hired a doula from our church).  We were going to be trying for a VBAC after two previous C-sections.  I am doing well though and he is such a blessing to our family!  Our other children were also excited about him being a little boy (it was a surprise for us).  Our oldest is a boy (7 years old) and two little girls (5 and 2).  They were excited for a little brother!

As I begin to heal, I will be trying out the new Earth Mama Angel Baby C-mama healing savle intended for moms with C-sections.  Because there are so many C-sections being done today, Earth Mama Angel Baby came out with a creme and recovery kit just for moms that are recovering from C-sections.    

For moms who desire a future VBAC, please go to the following web site for a great deal of information on vaginal births after a cesarean: http://www.ican-online.org/   We plan on making a donation to a gift basket for a future conference they are having in April.

Today they finally came out with evidence that use of Omega 3 oil during pregnancy helps increase the babies IQ.  Thankfully, I have been using fish oil as well as flax oil in the last four pregnancies.  I really believe it makes a difference!  In addition, I have never had a stretch mark (unusual for four babies I was told today) and it makes for beautiful and elastic skin.  As moms know, pregnancy has a way of stretching our skin!

We are getting ready for baby number four and the due date is coming quickly!! The due date is February 25th.

Today, I had a belly photo done and it was a lot of fun!  My children were all in it and it was precious!  I had it taken by a local photographer that we use each year for our Christmas photos.

In the next few days, I also plan on doing my belly cast with a pregnancy belly casting kit.  I did one for our little girl, Rachel (now two) and it turned out beautiful.  I would like to do one again and maybe even have the children paint it!  They would love it! It would be a lot of fun for them and that way they would also be taking part in this wonderful occasion.

If anyone is interested in finding out what a belly casting kit is, please see the following link. I loved the idea of having a belly cast to keep forever that I had to purchase them for my customers. They make great baby shower gifts. The one I carry is by Eternal Maternal.  If you let me know you read it on my blog, I would also be happy to give you a discount.   I have to put up my belly cast as soon as it is done for you to see!

 http://www.mommasbaby.com/item–Belly-Casting-Kit–Eternal-Maternal.html 

We still do not know if it is a boy or girl, but we are deciding on the names now. 

Many babies are still being born prematurely according to recent research.  One thing that will help prevent premature births is the use of Omega 3 oil.   According to research done and a report I recently read on Mercola.com, Omega 3 oild improves the health of children and is the single most important item a pregnant woman can take.  Please see the following:

 Omega 3 oil does dramatic wonders to improve the health of all children. The omega-3 fat DHA is absolutely critical for optimal brain and vision function. It is my estimation that omega-3 fats are likely to be the single most important nutrient that a pregnant woman could be on.

To see the full article, please see the following link:

http://www.mercola.com/2006/oct/21/premature-births-now-the-leading-cause-of-infant-deaths-in-america.htm