100 Health and Medical Resources for Busy, Expectant Moms

Getting ready for the arrival of a new baby is busy work. Not only do you have the adjustments to your changing body, but preparing for the baby and the changes in your life can sometimes feel overwhelming. Let this list of 100 resources take some of the workload off you as you learn about aspects of your pregnancy, your developing baby, and what to do upon the arrival of your little one.

Exercise Getting exercise while you are pregnant not only keeps your weight in check as you begin eating for two, it also prepares your body for the birth experience. Here are several resources for ways to keep moving while you are pregnant.

1. 10 Commandments of Pregnancy Exercise. This great article not only offers 10 tips to help with your exercise program, it also lists some exercise favorites of moms-to-be.
2. Pregnancy Exercise Do’s and Don’ts. Exercise is important during your pregnancy, just be sure to keep in mind what you can and can’t do. This article will help you know the best way to exercise.
3. Exercising While Pregnant: Good For You, and Good For Baby Too. This article explains why you should exercise during your pregnancy and offers some great forms of exercise that are safe while pregnant.
4. Pregnancy Exercise–Abdominal Work. Many women fear doing ab exercises during pregnancy. This fitness guru will show you how to do it safely.
5. Exercises During Pregnancy–Cardio. You don’t have to stop doing your cardio workout just because you are pregnant. Learn how to do it safely.
6. Pregnancy Exercises: Three Key Exercises. Strengthen your back, deep abdominals, and your pelvic floor with these three exercises.
7. Clearing Up Myths about Pregnancy Exercise. Get the best information about exercise and pregnancy so you can keep yourself and your baby healthy.
8. Yoga Mama. This blog is written by a pregnant yoga instructor. You will get tons of tips, exercises, yoga DVDs, and more to help you with your prenatal yoga exercise.
9. Joanna Runs. Follow the exercise adventures and advice of Joanna, a runner who happens to be pregnant. She offers good alternative to running as well.
10. Prenatal Water Workouts. As this article points out, you don’t have to know how to swim to participate in a pregnancy water workout. This form of exercise is well-suited to pregnancy.

General Nutrition Eating right becomes even more important when you are pregnant. Your developing baby absorbs what you eat. Use these tips on ways to feed yourself and your baby for the whole nine months.

11. Nutrition During Pregnancy. This list of foods you should eat details how much and why they are important. There’s also a section at the end that lists herbs for pregnancy.
12. Mini-Meals for a Mega Me. Read about the way this newly pregnant woman has shifted her eating habits and her approach to nutrition.
13. Recipes and Nutrition. Find out how to eat for two without overeating. This article offers some handy suggestions for nutritious foods to eat when you don’t feel up to cooking.
14. Nutrition During Pregnancy. Read about keeping a balanced diet during pregnancy in this blog post. Learn what to avoid and what special nutritional requirements you have during pregnancy.
15. Can We Make Smarter, Healthier Babies? This article discusses the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and how you can get more into your diet.

Special Nutrition Just because you are pregnant doesn’t mean you have to give up your principals when it comes to eating. Whether you follow a special diet due to health concerns or to follow a belief system, use these resources to help you get the best nutrition without compromising your diet.

16. Vegetarian diets are good to go for pregnancy. Read this short article to learn about the safety of a vegetarian diet during pregnancy and how to add more protein to your vegetarian diet.
17. Vegan Pregnancy. Get informed about eating vegan while pregnant with this article. Included are lots of links to other resources to ensure success for both your vegan diet and your developing baby.
18. Your Healthy Vegan Pregnancy. Another great blog post discussing a vegan diet while pregnant, this also lists what nutrients you need to include in your diet. Be sure to check out the links to books at the bottom.
19. Gluten-Free Girl. This entertaining and informative blog is loaded with delicious recipes and information about gluten-free food. And it just so happens the blogger is pregnant.
20. Gluten Free Mommy. Having gone through two gluten-free pregnancies, this blogger has much to offer in the way of experience and recipes for a healthy gluten-free diet.

Stress With hormonal swings at a peak and the excitement and worry of having a baby, pregnancy can be full of stress. Learn how to beat the stress with the following suggestions.

21. Resources for Effects of Emotion and Stress During Pregnancy. This resource list provides links to several places where you can learn about stress during pregnancy and ways to combat it. Included is information from the March of Dimes fact sheet.
22. Relaxation Exercises for Pregnancy and Labor. These breathing exercises can help you find your place of calm during pregnancy. They are handy to know before the birth so you can incorporate them into the birthing experience as well.
23. Pregnancy and Stress. This blog post explains why managing your stress while pregnant is important and offers suggestions on ways to do so.
24. Stress During Pregnancy. Another article outlining the importance of reducing stress, this also includes several suggestions for ways to reduce stress.
25. Stress and Pregnancy. While alleviating stress is definitely the goal, it’s impossible to completely eliminate it. This article discusses stress as it affects fertility and pregnancy and outlines what is an acceptable amount of stress to have in your life.
26. Music Therapy. Read this blog post to learn about how music therapy can reduce stress. While this is not aimed specifically at pregnancy, any way to reduce stress is welcome (and developing babies may enjoy the music too).
27. Reduce Stress with a Strong Social Network. Creating a strong group of friends and family around you is an excellent way to combat stress.
28. Lower Your Stress with Just Three Deep Breaths! Learn about how to fend off stress with a change in perception coupled with three deep breaths. This blog post explains how to do it and why it works.
29. My Very Own Prenatal Massage. Massage is a great way to get rid of stress. Read about this pregnant woman’s experience with her first prenatal massage.
30. Apparently I have clean skin. Read about how a great facial worked to relax this mama. Her next venture to the spa will be a massage…yet another great way to reduce stress.

Healthy Pregnancy Finding out you are pregnant opens up a world full of new experiences. From tests to the development of your unseen baby, so much is going on that you must find out about. The following resources will help get you started gaining that knowledge.

31. Overcome the Symptoms in the First Trimester of Your Pregnancy. Learn about what symptoms you may experience during your first trimester and get suggestions on how to alleviate any discomfort associated with them.
32. Second Trimester. After the symptoms of the first trimester subside, you can focus on the exciting changes taking place in your body and with your developing baby.
33. Facts About Third Trimester Pregnancy Weeks. Follow this week-by-week run-down of the last three months of your pregnancy to learn about what your body and baby are doing.
34. Pregnancy Calendar. This easy-to-use resource will tell you what is happening to your body and your developing baby week by week.
35. Pregnancy Dictionary. Ever wondered what primigravida means? You can look up pregnancy and parenting terms with this online dictionary.
36. Pregnancy Weight Gain–A Weighty Issue. Find out how much weight you can safely gain during pregnancy and why it’s important to find the balance between too much and too little weight gain.
37. Which prenatal tests should my wife get? While this post is on an expectant fathers’ blog, it does an excellent job of describing the various tests available during pregnancy and some considerations as to why or why not to have them done.
38. Amniocentesis Facts. Women giving birth after they turn 35, women who have a family history of genetic abnormalities, and women who have gotten an abnormal result on a screening test may all have to decide if they will do an amniocentesis. Get the facts on the procedure here.
39. The risk of eating sushi while leaning back during a vaccination. This post hits on three common concerns that many women face during pregnancy…especially if they like sushi.

Developing Baby’s Health With so much information on what an expectant mom should or should not do, it can get confusing. Find the facts on how you can do the best job possible in growing a healthy baby.

40. Folic Acid–The Miracle Baby Pill. Folic acid may be the most important supplement an expectant mom can take. Learn about the benefits to the developing baby’s brain and spine as well as the reduction of risk for preterm labor.
41. How to quit smoking when you’re pregnant. This article offers informative and supportive information to help you understand why quitting is so important and offers tips on how to make it easier to do.
42. Myths About Prenatal Vitamins. Read what is true and what is not when it comes to pregnancy and prenatal vitamins.
43. Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy. Based on research, the facts are not clear as to how alcohol affects your unborn child. Get recommendations from The March of Dimes on alcohol and pregnancy here.
44. Foods to Avoid during Pregnancy. During pregnancy, some foods can cause problems for your baby. This list lets you know what is not safe to eat while pregnant and why.
45. 10 types of food and drink to avoid during pregnancy. Like the prior list, this post outlines what is not safe to consume. Also included are types of drinks to avoid. This resource includes lots of links to authoritative sources who discuss the warnings.
46. Lead Poisoning Threatens Pregnant Women. Lead poisoning is easily passed from mother to baby during pregnancy. Learn how to protect your baby from exposure to lead.
47. Pregnant Moms: Check Your Thyroid. A simple test to check your thyroid can avoid problems for you and your baby. Read this article to find out about thyroid problems and how they can affect you.
48. Pregnancy and Medication. Both over the counter and prescription drug usage may affect your developing baby. This article offers advice on how to proceed with your medications while pregnant.
49. Can I use a Hot Tub While Pregnant? Read about the safety of using a hot tub during your pregnancy and how to enjoy a soak without harming your baby.
50. Moms that Eat Fish Low in Mercury Produce Smart Kids, Study Finds. The balance between getting the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids from fish and not ingesting too much mercury is a difficult one. This article explains why mercury should be avoided and how to strike this balance.

Pregnancy Health Concerns Every mama-to-be hopes for an uneventful pregnancy, but if something unexpected does arise, it’s best to know how to handle it. Learn about many common pregnancy health concerns and what you can do to avoid or treat them if they do occur.

51. Morning Sickness. Learn about why women get it and tips to try to combat morning sickness. Be sure to click on the link at the end of the first page to get more remedies for morning sickness.
52. Heartburn and Indigestion in Pregnancy. This problem occurs in almost every pregnancy. Learn how to reduce the discomfort or avoid it altogether.
53. Hemorrhoids in Pregnancy are Embarrassing and Painful. Learn about what causes hemorrhoids and how to treat this uncomfortable condition during pregnancy.
54. Pre-eclampsia–A Risk Factor in Pregnancy. Find out the risk factors, signs, symptoms, and preventative measures of pre-eclampsia in this article.
55. Pre-eclampsia News. This blog is dedicated to all news and research updates about pre-eclampsia. Some of the posts tend toward the scientific, but there is still lots of accessible information on support groups and other news as well.
56. Good News and Not So Good. Learn about placenta previa from this woman’s experience and her calm approach to a wait-and-see situation. Follow the link to learn more about placenta previa.
57. Avoiding Premature Labor. Almost every pregnant woman can’t wait to finally meet her baby, but only when the baby is fully developed and ready to be born. Learn about premature labor, how to try to avoid it, and signs of early labor.
58. Gestational Diabetes. This mom-to-be discovers that she has gestational diabetes again and gives the run-down of what to expect while dealing with this issue.
59. More Diabetic Moms-To-Be Than Ever. This informative post offers statistics and advice on pregnancy and diabetes. There is an emphasis on Type 1 and Type 2.
60. Kick Counts. Monitoring fetal movement in the third trimester serves as both a bonding experience for mama and baby as well as a non-invasive method of noticing any changes that may indicate fetal distress.

At Work Many women work outside the home throughout most of their pregnancy. These resources will help make the most of the situation during pregnancy and help prepare you for your decision to work or not after the birth of your child.

61. Making Ergonomic Accommodations for the Pregnant Worker. This article explains why it’s important to make adjustments in the workspace for pregnant workers and offers tips on how to do so.
62. Pregnancy in the Workplace. Learn about your rights as a pregnant woman in the workforce with this article that outlines discrimination and the federal law against it.
63. Health Hazards in the Workplace. Avoiding hazards at work can protect you and your baby. Find out what you should be aware of with this article.
64. Maternity leave–my experiences so far and a call to help. This blog post offers an excellent review of the Family and Medical Leave Act and how it affects a woman’s right to maternity leave.
65. Maternity Leave. Read about maternity leave options and ways you can get the time off to bond with your new baby before returning to work.
66. Should You Go Back to Work or Stay Home? This decision is frequently a very tough one to make. Use this article as a guide with its pros and cons for each choice to help you make the right decision for you.
67. Can you afford to stay home with your children? For those who are leaning towards staying home but are concerned about making ends meet, this is a great resource for thinking about how to make it work.
68. Top 10 Tips for Finding the Right Childcare. Read about what you can do to find the best place for your baby if you plan to return to work.
69. Breastfeeding Mother’s Guide to Finding Childcare. Broken down into suggestions for finding childcare in general and specific considerations when breastfeeding and placing your child in care, you are sure to find helpful information from this article.
70. Working Mother Blog. Get support and news from this blog devoted to all mothers, whether they are working in an office, at home, or staying at home to rear the children.

Successful birth There are so many options available to women when it comes to the actual birth experience. You must choose a class, where you want to give birth, and prepare for the unexpected. Find what you need to know about these decisions with the list below.

71. Childbirth: Read. Think. Do. This informative blog touches on just about every imaginable topic when it comes to childbirth with the goal being for the pregnant woman to be informed and make her own decisions about her pregnancy and childbirth experience.
72. Tips Tools for Choosing a Place of Birth. To give birth in a hospital, birthing center, or at home is a huge decision. Use these tips and tools to help you make your choice.
73. Childbirth Issues–Lack of Good Medicated Birth Advice. Frustrated by the lack of sound advice for mamas who decide on a hospital or medicated birth, this mother who birthed both at the hospital and at home writes about what you can do to make the most of your medicated birth.
74. My First Prenatal at the Birthing Center. Read about this woman’s decision to birth at a birthing center. She includes a great list of questions to ask about your care and birth for any visit to a birthing center.
75. Better Beginnings. Home births are gaining popularity. If you are considering a home birth, learn the facts with this article.
76. What is a birth doula and should I have one? Doulas offer amazing support to both women giving birth and their partner. Find out exactly what they are and decide if you want to have a doula present for your birth.
77. Choosing Childbirth Education Classes. With so many types of childbirth classes available, it’s difficult to know what to look for in a class. Use this helpful article to find the best class for your birth experience.
78. Lamaze Birthing Method. Learn what the Lamaze method is about and where you can find more information on this type of birthing experience.
79. Childbirth the Bradley Way. Find out why women choose this birthing style that focuses on natural childbirth and active husband involvement.
80. HypnoBirthing–The Basics. This method of childbirth teaches the woman to lose her fear of delivery by changing her perspective about the birthing process and thereby eliminating the pain. Get the basics here.
81. A Risky Rise in C-Section. During medical emergencies, a c-section may be the best way of giving birth. Unfortunately, many women are choosing the option for a c-section with no medical reason. Read this article that gives the facts about this major surgery and the risks involved.
82. Empowering Birth Blog. Read posts that touch on VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) topics such as preventing uterine rupture, VBAC blogs, and birth stories of women who have experienced a VBAC.

Postpartum After you give birth, you will have so many new adjustments in your life. Preparing beforehand can make those busy first months go more smoothly.

83. Bonding With Your Baby. This article explains the mechanics and importance behind bonding with your baby. It also offers suggestions on ways for both mothers and fathers to help in the bonding process.
84. 71 New-Mom Truths. This fun list of truths will have you laughing…and they really are true!
85. Postpartum Progress. Written by a woman who was affected by postpartum OCD, this blog offers support, information, news, and links to other resources about postpartum depression, postpartum OCD and postpartum psychosis. With an estimated 10 to 20% of women affected by postpartum depression, this is an important resource to have.
86. Postpartum Nutrition. Follow these guidelines to get the best nutrition after you give birth. The suggestions are broken down into different categories for breastfeeding and bottle feeding moms.
87. Weight Loss after Pregnancy. Follow these tips for a healthy post-partum weight loss program.
88. Get Your Body Back! Postpartum Exercises for Mom. Making time for exercise is a great way to do something for yourself when your time is at a premium. Get back into shape with these exercises and you will feel better and look great.
89. Post-Partum Exercises to Get Rid of Belly Fat. Learn three easy exercises you can fit in any spare moment to help you lose the postpartum weight.
90. Introducing Your Pet and New Baby. For those whose first baby is their pet, bringing the baby home may have you concerned for how to introduce the two. This article will help ease your mind by offering tips on how to make a smooth transition.

Newborn Care Too bad babies don’t come with instruction manuals. Once you hold that little bundle of joy, you will soon be flooded with tons of questions on how to take care of your baby. Take advantage of these resources to help you know what to do.

91. Breastfeeding Resources. This blog post offers an excellent array of breastfeeding information and help. Especially helpful is the video demonstrating a proper latch.
92. Bottle Feeding Your Infant. Get all the information you need to know to start bottle feeding your newborn, including how to select bottles and choosing the type of formula.
93. Baby Diapers: Cloth vs. Disposable. Take a look at this balanced view of the ecological impact of both cloth and disposable diapers. Making the choice will be yours, so hopefully this piece will help you find the answer right for your family.
94. Newborn Umbilical Cord Care. Find out how to care for your newborn’s umbilical cord with this helpful article.
95. How to Find Car Seat Safety Ratings. Every baby traveling in a car will need a car seat. Use this resource to help you determine the best car seat for your baby.
96. Circumcision. Parents of baby boys must make the decision about whether or not they will circumcise their son. This article provides the pros and cons on both sides of the issue.
97. Baby Sun Protection. Baby’s delicate skin is especially vulnerable to sun exposure. Learn what you can do to protect your baby’s skin.
98. SIDS: Do You Know the Facts? Test your knowledge when it comes to SIDS with this quiz. Knowing about SIDS can protect your baby.
99. Ask Dr. Sears: Newborn Jaundice. Jaundice in newborns is very common. Learn how to recognize if your baby has the usual type of jaundice or if it is something more serious.
100. Newborn Screening: Behind the Scenes. Newborns are typically screened for a number of disorders through a blood test a day or so after birth. This interview with an employee of a newborn screening lab offers insight as to the importance of screening.