Erica Ziel, certified personal trainer, pilates instructor, nutritionist, founder of Core Athletica Inc., creator of Knocked Up Fitness, and mom of three (whew!), shares can-do exercises to help you stay fit during pregnancy and beyond. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Exercising and keeping your … Continue reading
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Pregnancy
Snacking to snooze
There’s no getting around the fact that pregnancy is exhausting, and unfortunately, there’s no rest for the weary. Just when increased demands on your body have you craving hours of uninterrupted slumber, biology plays a cruel trick by making sleep … Continue reading
All in the family
Becoming a mom is a life-changing event, but adding an additional child to the family can be even more stressful. Why? Because you’re not only changing your own life—you’re also changing the life of the little person you already have … Continue reading
Expecting the unexpected
You’ve loaded a playlist onto your iPod, cemented your stance on pain medication, and practiced your squat in the mirror. But when you’re in the throes of labor, your “givens” may require a little give-and-take. From insisting on silence in … Continue reading
Budgeting for baby
Think first, buy later When you first learn you’re pregnant, it’s easy to get carried away. Everything is so cute and tiny and new that you find yourself wanting to buy everything in sight. Erica Sandberg, a money and credit … Continue reading
Natural beauty
Some moms know as soon as they see that positive pregnancy test that they will be delivering with the aid of a pain-numbing epidural, thank you very much. But others might not be so sure they want to go … Continue reading
Address your stress
For many mamas-to-be, pregnancy is a roller coaster of emotional, physical and situational changes, and it’s natural for this time of life to challenge even the coolest of cucumbers. But dealing with your personal worries and applying positive solutions can … Continue reading
Understanding the ultrasound
The test came back positive—congratulations! You’re going to have a baby. While your nine-month to-do list is growing by the minute, it’s likely you can think of little else besides seeing your bambino for the first time. Thankfully, waiting 40 … Continue reading
Double-duty dishes
Feeding baby the same foods his parents and siblings are eating invites your little one to feel involved in the dinnertime ritual. (It also grants you control over the quality of his dinner and even saves time and money.) These … Continue reading
Almost there
In the last weeks of gestation, baby’s development is nearly complete, but your healthy-eating duties are far from over. With diminished stomach space, predelivery jitters, and a mile-long to-do list, expectant moms may be tempted to slack off on healthy … Continue reading
The babymooners
I never used to fully relax on vacations. To me, the more adventure-packed the trip, the better. I was the girl first off the boat to swim with whale sharks in the Gulf and could be found at the front … Continue reading
Fish food
While some types of seafood provide wonderful nutrients for expectant moms and their tiny tadpoles, others range from slightly harmful to downright dangerous. It’s vital to know the difference, so take some notes and keep your little guppy healthy before … Continue reading
Deconstructing the labor bag
Imagine for a moment that one twitch of your nose is all it would take to land you with a gentle thud on the other side of baby’s delivery so you could do a little information gathering—you know, see … Continue reading
Craving conspiracy
When it comes to eating healthily during pregnancy, a woman’s cravings can sometimes get the best of her. Even the most disciplined moms-to-be find themselves struggling to eat enough folic acid-rich foods, among other prenatal diet recommendations, when all they … Continue reading
Liquid assets
We all know that drinking water is a good idea, but most of us don’t follow the “8×8 rule” religiously. When you find yourself expecting though, it’s time to start slurping —staying hydrated is a matter of utmost importance. Invest … Continue reading
A full body experience
When most people think of the pregnant body, they automatically envision that burgeoning belly. But your tummy isn’t the only thing transforming while baby’s on board. Your entire body is hard at work making sure your tot’s temporary home is … Continue reading
A watched bump never grows
“How far along are you? Eight weeks?” a friend of mine asked. “Almost 10,” I said. She was surprised: “Wow, doesn’t time fly?” I muttered something appropriate in reply, but what I thought was more along the lines of “No, … Continue reading
Record Keeper
Nine months can seem like an eternity when you have a bun in the oven. You might think you have plenty of time to record every one of baby’s tender moments in the womb but in actuality, the time will … Continue reading
Beat the heat
Pregnancy isn’t without its fair share of discomforts any time of year, but toting a baby bump during the summer months can be especially problematic. Your higher-than-normal body temperature makes the steamy weather seem even hotter, and let’s be honest, … Continue reading
Serious support
While your healthcare provider can arm you with knowledge about your health and that of your burgeoning bump, there are plenty of other things that may require outside support. From hotlines to online communities to nationwide organizations, there is a … Continue reading
Past due
One of the most common questions a pregnant woman is asked after announcing she has a baby on the way is “When are you due?” And the askers are not often looking for a roundabout answer. They want a specific … Continue reading
Sex scheduling: Make time to make love
Despite your new found supermom powers, when it comes to making time for sex, sometimes you just can’t swing it. Between babies and work (or working with babies), time for romance is seemingly not on your side. But finding time … Continue reading
Countdown to motherhood
Before conception Even when baby’s nothing but a preconceived notion, you can begin to prepare for her future well-being … by taking care of yourself. Before you try to conceive, start taking a daily prenatal vitamin. The folic acid will … Continue reading
Prenatal surprise party
Imagine it’s your birthday. You walk into a dark room and get the shock of your life when you flip on the lightsto find a room full of people standing there ready to celebrate. The scenario isn’t unlike pregnancy, when … Continue reading
Stage mom
Labor is a good lesson in rolling with the punches. Unless you have a scheduled induction, there’s no way to know when it’s going to happen or how long it’s going to last. A full-term baby might arrive anytime between … Continue reading
The funds stuff
Financial planning isn’t exactly a barrel of laughs, but alas, it must be done. And you’ll sleep easier at night (when baby doesn’t have other plans) knowing certain tedious to-dos have been crossed off your list. Insure thing Health insurance … Continue reading
Bring back breakfast
Now that you’re busier than ever getting ready for baby, you may have begun to classify breakfast as a luxurious affair reserved only for weekends. But if you’ve started considering the milk in your morning latte the first meal of … Continue reading
Rest Easy
The thought of lounging around in your pj’s all day while someone caters to your every beck and call might sound appealing initially, but for expectant moms who have been placed on mandatory bed rest, the downtime is anything but … Continue reading
The postdelivery party favor
The ultimate multitasker The placenta is a pancake-shaped organ that grows alongside your developing baby from the moment of conception. Connected by the umbilical cord, this complex piece of biological equipment is filled with small blood vessels that act as … Continue reading
When there’s more than one heartbeat
For an increasing number of women, the miracle of motherhood comes with not just one new baby, but with two—or even three or more. If you’re among the moms-to-be-of-multiples crowd, you know how stunning it can be to learn there’s … Continue reading
A life-saving option
A slew of thoughts ran through my mind when I found out I was expecting my first little bundle. Is it a boy or a girl? What color should I paint the nursery? Will he or she look like me? … Continue reading
Organized eats
As a dietician, blogger and mom, I tend to approach eating during pregnancy in a way that celebrates food both for its flavor and the nourishment it provides mom and baby. Amidst the first trimester energy drain and the onset … Continue reading
You’re so vein
Over the course of your nine-month journey, you’ll encounter countless changes and surprises both emotionally and physically. Many of these surprises are good, but some can be unwelcome. Among the latter are the oh-so-glamorous varicose veins, which can develop on … Continue reading
7 Deadly Sins of baby-naming
If your boyfriend wanted to name your son Floyd, would you break up with him? Some people might think calling it quits because of a moniker is extreme, but others might argue that calling a baby Floyd is unforgiveable. Reasonable … Continue reading
How do you doula?
Labor and delivery is a lot like free-fall parachuting: You take classes to prepare, you file a detailed plan for the (blessed) event, and then you take the leap. Still, jumping into the hurtling wind with only your significant other … Continue reading
Abnormal screening scares
Of all the things I lost sleep over when it came to pregnancy number three, I never thought a phone call would be one of them. No, I’m embarrassed to admit I worried about whether, if the baby was a … Continue reading
Find your mom-to-be mojo
Pregnancy is one big energy suck. Showers are rare. Ice cream fests are frequent. And the favored position is most certainly horizontal. But if you can summon enough gusto to read the next couple pages, you just might find the … Continue reading
Special delivery
The road to delivery is paved with a slew of questions and concerns. For the parents of babies born prematurely (before 37 weeks of gestation), the lack of knowledge about what’s happen-ing can be a source of anxiety and extreme … Continue reading
Mind your pregnancy p’s and q’s
As children, we are taught to chew with our mouths closed, keep our elbows off the table, and follow all requests with a heartfelt “please.” But rarely are we taught proper protocol for handling the social blunders that inevitably surround … Continue reading
Make-ahead meals
Banana bread When a newborn makes a quick trip to the bakery next to impossible, turn to this homemade treat to start your day off right. 5 ripe bananas, mashed 3/4 cup oil 4 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla 6 tablespoons … Continue reading
The quest for the best
Shortly after discovering I was pregnant with my first baby, my husband and I decided we wanted to move away from the fast-paced grind of New York City to raise our child closer to family in the South. Since we … Continue reading
The confident pregnancy
Keys to feeling empowered while expecting. There are a myriad of different situations you may find yourself in when you discover you have successfully conceived a child. You may have decided to begin trying only a few weeks prior. You … Continue reading
Training for labor
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a gymaphobe, labor and delivery will probably be one ofyourgreatest physical feats. While exercise duringyourpregnancy can keep you in fighting shape, you’ll need more than muscle when you’re weathering contractions at one minute apart. … Continue reading
Baby buzzkill
For many mamas-to-be, expecting a new baby means squeezing doctor appointments into an already packed schedule of meetings, carpool and housework. In the pre-baby bump days, you relied on your morning cup of joe to get you through the day … Continue reading
Working woman
It took you years to earn a college degree and even longer to receive a promotion. Just last week, your boss commended you on your dazzling work ethic and gleaming sales record. But now, one month late and a positive … Continue reading
Back talk
If you’ve experienced back pain during pregnancy, you’re in the majority among expectant women. Major body changes—particularly weight gain and a notable influx of hormones—unfortunately make these aches par for the course. While it may be wishful thinking to hope … Continue reading
Coming out
A lot happens in the moment a baby is born. Not only for you, but also for the new tiny human being you’ve delivered. There are people who claim they can remember their own birth, right down to the first … Continue reading
Pump it up
You might think pregnancy is a free pass to sit back, put your feet up, and enjoy a relaxing nine months on the couch
Forbidden foods
That wedge of artisanal brie from the cheese counter beckons you and your baby-growing body once again. But your conscience stops you short. Isn’t this bad for baby? Should I really eat this? So goes the conflicting internal dialogue of … Continue reading
Babyproof your relationship
There are plenty of preparatory tasks to check off your to-do list during your 40 weeks of pregnancy: create your baby registry, put the finishing touches on the nursery, and pack your bag for the big day, for example. But … Continue reading
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