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Pregnancy

Gugu Guru & Kindred Bravely’s Ultimate Hospital Bag Packing List

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Our exclusive Ultimate Hospital Packing List from
Gugu Guru and Kindred Bravely.

We’ve compiled a list of must-haves for any mom-to-be’s hospital bag to make your life easier when preparing for the big delivery day!

Please enter your information below and when you are done press Submit.

Filed Under: Essentials, Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy Tagged With: checklist

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Matrescence Safe Pregnancy Skin Care Review

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

One of our expectant mom testers, Caroline, tried the Matrescence safe pregnancy skin care line. Caroline is 6.5 months pregnant with her first. She lives in Miami, FL and says that living an organic lifestyle is highly important to her. Here, Caroline shares her opinion of the Matrescence Stretch Mark Relief Hydrating Oil and Matrescence Rose Glow Brightening Essence.

Matrescence Safe Pregnancy skincare review

The Matrescence safe pregnancy skin care products are amazing! Everytime I take a shower I use them! I literally douse myself in the Stretch Mark Hydrating Relief Oil.

These products create so much confidence that I can be in a bikini at 6 months and 2 weeks of pregnancy. I decided to wear a bathing suit for the shot so you can see how healthy my skin looks, especially the lack of stretch marks on account of the Matrescence safe pregnancy skin care products. I think a lot of pregnant woman can probably relate to not showing as much skin when you’re expecting because of everything that we experience. Matrescence Stretch Relief Hydrating Oil can help with that a lot!

The Matrescence Rose Glow Brightening Essence does what the name says it does – helps you glow. The product is formulated with organic chamomile and pomegranate juice to hydrate and brighten up skin. It also helps even out your skin tone.

I think what is most important to me about the Matrescence line is that it is safe to use during pregnancy and while nursing but it still feels very luxurious and premium. I definitely recommend these products to any moms who want to prevent stretch marks or who are experiencing skin issues during pregnancy.

SHOP MATRESCENCE SKIN CARE ON GUGU GURU

About Matrescence Safe Pregnancy Skin Care

Matrescence was founded on the philosophy of “mothering the mother” and born to provide a practical application of self-care that can fit into a busy mom’s lifestyle. As moms, we sacrifice so much time but we shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality.

Filed Under: Beauty, Mama Wellness, Pregnancy Tagged With: beauty, pregnancy

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Gugu Guru Village Love: Virtual Services

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Gugu Guru’s Village Love Registry is our registry of must-have items from our own community of parents. It’s all the necessities for sleep, feeding, baby gear, bathing, lounging, toddlers and more that our community would always recommend to new parents. Today we’re sharing all of the virtual services that are much-loved by the Gugu Guru community. Check out this comprehensive list of virtual services that you can access from the comfort of your couch. Plus, many discounts and special offers for Gugu Guru readers! 

Arrow Birth: Virtual education and 1:1 support for every step of the parenthood path. By providing innovative education and highly-tailored support, Arrow Birth empowers families to positively adapt to any modern parenting demand. From contemplating parenthood through chasing toddlers, Arrow has families covered. Special Discount for Gugu Guru readers: head to Arrow Birth and use code GUGUGURU to purchase Arrow Birth’s Discover Course for $149 (normally $349)

Little Crown Interiors: Little Crown Interiors offers virtual child and nursery interior design nationwide. Little Crown Interiors was founded in 2008 by designer and artist, Naomi Alon.  She created her design studio with a focus on nurseries and child spaces after seeing this specialized skill missing from other firms.  Bringing together beauty, functionality and safety, Naomi believes in creating spaces for her clients that are unique, intentional and curated.

Lori Bregman: Lori Bregman is a renowned doula, life coach, author of Mamaste and The Mindful Mom To Be and co-founder of Seedlyfe Superfoods. With over 19 years of experience, Lori works with moms-to-be and new moms on all aspects of their personal transformation from fertility through pregnancy and into new motherhood. Lori is offering Gugu Guru readers 15% off using code mindfulmom15.

Mahaley Patel: Mahaley is a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant that helps families nationwide with virtual sleep consulting. Mahaley is offering 20% off any sleep package for Gugu Guru readers, just mention “Gugu Guru Village Love”.

Momseze: Momseze is here to help new parents 24/7/365 by immediately connecting you with nurses, lactation consultants and baby care experts from the comfort of your home. Momseze is offering Gugu Guru readers 10% off a visit with code guguguru.

The Parent Collective: The Parent Collective offers judgment-free in-person and virtual prenatal and postpartum support to help you find your village. The Parent Collective is offering 10% off a class for Gugu Guru parents using code GUGU10.

The Sleep Lady: For 25 years, sleep coach, family therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and mother, Kim West, aka The Sleep Lady, has personally empowered tens of thousands of families to gently find sleep, without letting their children cry it out. Kim has created and trademarked the original gentle, proven method to get a good night’s sleep for your family – The Sleep Lady Shuffle. She has sold over 140,000 copies of her sleep training book, the best-seller The Sleep Lady’s Good Night, Sleep Tight. Her new and improved Gentle Sleep Solutions e-course is a method to get your child (ages 6 months – 6 years) to sleep without crying it out. If you only want to sleep train once, Gentle Sleep Solutions is the way to create lasting results. With 25 years of experience backing it up, you can’t go wrong! Bonus, we’re offering a $20 off coupon for Gugu Guru families with code getsleep20.

WebBabyShower: Help everyone join in the fun of a baby shower no matter where they live in the world with WebBabyShower, and celebrate a pregnancy together. Web Baby Shower is offering 10% off for Gugu Guru parents with code GUGUGURU. 

Tot Squad: From pregnancy to the playground, Tot Squad connects you to experts in the parenting space, because every parent needs a squad. Whether you’re newly pregnant or already have little ones at home, Tot Squad delivers the providers you need to answer your pressing parenting questions. Connect today for peace of mind. 

Boober: New parenthood can be challenging but you don’t have to do it alone. Boober connects you to the right maternal care providers for you. Boober is offering 10% off for Gugu Guru families using code GUGUGURU.

Birth Day Presence: The days of the one-size-fits-all birth are done. Run by mothers and experienced doulas, Birth Day Presence hand-selects the best ideas and techniques from a range of practices to provide smart, non-judgmental childbirth education, doula, and lactation-support services. Birth Day Presence is offering 10% off for Gugu Guru readers with code GUGUGURU.

Monica + Andy: Monica + Andy is a one-stop-shop for your growing family, including everything from nursery, baby gifts, baby clothing, mom clothing, and more. They are committed to bringing parents the highest quality items for their growing family. 

Tinyhood: Tinyhood is deeply rooted in building a better way forward for parents, everywhere. Their virtual courses in baby care, feeding, nutrition, breastfeeding, and sleeping are taught by experts, giving parents the tools they need to feel confident in their parenting journey. Tinyhood is offering 15% off a course to Gugu Guru parents with code GUGU15 (expires 12/31/2020).

Gugu Guru: Of course we have to plug ourselves here. Need baby product or baby registry help? Get personalized, unbiased product recommendations tailored to meet your lifestyle needs & wants with Gugu Guru. It’s free to get started! Upgrade for additional one-on-one help and enjoy 15% OFF with code VILLAGELOVE at check out.

Filed Under: Baby Registry, Baby Showers, Gugu Picks, Pregnancy, Technology

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An At Home Sonogram Is Actually a “Thing”

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Looking for an at home sonogram? If you’re in the NY Metro area, Andrea Costanzo is a registered OBGYN and founder of WOMB (stands for Wonders Of My Belly), a company that offers sonograms within your own home, servicing families across Long Island, NY*. She first started this unique service to give parents the opportunity to see and connect with their growing baby in the intimate and personal setting of their own home. Setting up in a comfy area of her clients home, she live streams the sonograms straight to their smart TV.

at home sonogram WOMB

This at home sonogram service has been used for gender reveal parties, baby showers, Mother’s / Father’s Day gifts, personal sonogram sessions between baby and family and nursing home visits so grandparents and great grandparents can be a part of these memories. She offers discounts for military families and through the use of Facetime, brings together fathers/partners and other family member’s that cannot be present.

get an at home sonogram WOMB

This at home sonogram service is needed now more than ever. Being pregnant during a pandemic obviously presents many challenges. Most doctors are not allowing any family member to present during sonograms. This means fathers/partners/siblings and other family members are missing out on these precious moments. WOMB allows these loved ones to fully experience the joys of having a baby right in the safety and comfort of their own living room with an at home sonogram!

get an at home sonogram with WOMB

Andrea understands the importance of connection between baby and family. As a mother and revered professional in her field, her ultimate goal is to provide an informative, intimate and relaxed environment for each of her clients by discovering and sharing the joy of having a baby!

siblings involved in sonogram

*Currently servicing families across Long Island, NY.

Visit the WOMB website to learn more: https://www.wondersofmybelly.com

Call (631) 495-3359 or email to set up your next at home sonogram!

Follow WOMB on Instagram to learn more about Andrea’s services! @w.o.m.b_andrea

get a sonogram service on your home TV

Filed Under: Pregnancy Tagged With: pregnancy

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Should You Take Lamaze, Hypnobirthing, or Bradley Childbirth Classes?

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Pregnancy is a time of many questions, especially when it comes to preparing for baby’s arrival. Many parents wonder if they should take Lamaze, Hypnobirthing, or Bradley Childbirth Classes – and what are these classes, anyway?! Today’s post is a guest post from our friends at  Arrow Birth. Read on to learn more about all of these classes and a special offer for friends of Gugu Guru on Arrow Birth‘s Virtual Education and Courses.

By Tara Campbell Lussier, Co-Founder of Arrow Birth

Very often one of the first steps after the news of the pregnancy settles in – is to look for a childbirth education class. With so many options available you may feel overwhelmed and not know which class is the right fit. Should you take a class in-person, or online (aka you don’t have to leave the couch)? Should you spend time preparing for a natural birth, or one with an epidural or even a c-section? Unlike our mothers before us, as these questions begin to surface the mothers-to-be of our generation will take to google to figure out which route is best for them. In this blog we’ve done the work for you – and added a new, modern alternative that we’re admittedly biased about. Let’s dive in, shall we?

Lamaze

If your mother (or grandmother) took a childbirth class, chances are it was Lamaze – it’s been around that long. Popularized by a French obstetrician by the same name in the 1950’s, the method prepares families for labor and birth through presentations on massage, breathing, and movement. Lamaze International has grown steadfastly since the 1950’s and is widely recognized when one thinks of childbirth education. The core of Lamaze’s teaching are based on the Lamaze Six Healthy Birth Practices; letting labor begin on its own, movement during labor, continuous labor support, avoiding unnecessary interventions, following mother’s urge to push, and keeping mother and baby together after birth. You can take a Lamaze class in-person, and limited classes are also available online. 

Hypnobirthing

Hypnobirthing has gained popularity in recent years with the uptick in the desire for natural childbirth. There are many hypno-based classes available, and all of them focus on teaching students self-hypnosis which is said to facilitate deep relaxation throughout the labor and birth experience. To create the state of self-hypnosis, the mother uses visualizations, suggestions and affirmations that she has practiced prenatally. Very often in labor the mother will be listening to one of her guided visualizations to aid her in creating her state of self-hypnosis. Self-hypnosis during labor is said to reduce the fear and pain of a natural childbirth. Hypno-style classes are available in-person in most areas, and some are available online for self-paced study. 

Bradley

The Bradley method was popularized by Dr. Bradley’s book, Husband Coached Childbirth, in the 1960’s, and continues to be a popular way to prepare for a natural childbirth. The premise of Bradley is to empower the husband, (or birth partner) to be able to advocate for his birthing person while in labor. It also relies on the premise that birth is a natural process and mothers should prepare for it through education, diet, and exercise during their pregnancies. Bradley strongly supports having a labor coach throughout labor and birth, and very often this is the birth partner, or husband. Bradley classes are in-person and twelve weeks long. 

Arrow

Arrow is definitely the new kid on the block as far childbirth education goes with their cutting-edge digital platform. Arrow’s Discover Birth Education Course is entirely online and geared towards today’s modern parents. Discover prepares you for any type of birth you may have – natural, medicated and/or cesarean. It was important to the founders to teach every type of birth because experience (as long time doulas) taught them you never know how babies may want or need to be born. Discover is taught by 35+ birth related experts such as OBGYNs, Midwives and doulas on topics they know best so students are always getting information from the correct source. Discover is available exclusively online at arrowbirth.com/learn. 

There are many options when it comes to educating yourself for the magical and momentous birth of your baby. Just like we would tell you in labor and birth – explore your options and make an informed decision that’s best for you and your (growing) family. Happy Birthing!

Special Discount for Gugu Guru readers: head to Arrow Birth and use code GUGUGURU to purchase Arrow Birth’s Discover Course for $149 (normally $349)

Filed Under: Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy Tagged With: pregnancy

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Four Must-Haves For Pregnant Mamas

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

It’s no secret that Gugu Guru is all about real reviews, real moms, and really helpful products. Today’s post, the four must-haves for pregnant mamas, is a review from Danila Davidson, a mom of almost 4 kiddos! Danila is pregnant with her fourth baby and is sharing her four must-have items for making pregnancy comfortable for all mamas.

pregnancy pillow

The Boppy Pillow: Finding the right pregnancy pillow to support your growing belly when pregnant is SO important! What I like the most about my Boppy Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow is that I don’t have to choose anymore between my back and the baby bump! The pillow features a stretch panel that comfortably accommodates my growing bump while supporting my back! I’m currently 22 weeks pregnant with my fourth child and I’m getting big very quickly this time around which is why I’ve been using my Boppy pillow for a few weeks already – and I must admit it has been a total life saver!! I like also that it doesn’t take up too much space, and it’s machine washable! Highly recommend to any expectant moms!

hydrating oil

Matrescence Skin Stretch Mark Relief Hydrating Oil: I’m a big fan of clean skincare, and having gone through several pregnancies & breastfeeding journeys over the past few years I love that all Matrescence Skin products are made with organic ingredients and are safe for the expecting and new moms alike! Currently 22 weeks along with my fourth child, I’m using their relief stretch mark hydrating oil daily, and I genuinely love it! The oil is light, super hydrating and quickly absorbs into the skin when I gently massage my bump. I usually apply it right after the shower and it has become my favorite self-care moment of the day, almost a ritual! – highly recommend.
earth mama organics
Earth Mama Organics: My journey to motherhood began almost 6 years ago and since that first pregnancy I’ve used (and loved!) so many of the fantastic Earth Mama products! What I love about Earth Mama is that no matter what stage you are going through – from pregnancy to breastfeeding and postpartum – Earth Mama has got you covered! I’m currently pregnant with my fourth child and I can promise you, I don’t leave for the hospital without packing their herbal perineal spray in my bag! Another favorite of mine is the nipple cream which is a must when breastfeeding. At 24 weeks and with the summer approaching, I’m currently loving their mineral sunscreen face stick SPF 40, certified organic, and formulated with pregnant ladies in mind! Trust me, no matter which product you pick, you can’t go wrong!
nursing bra
Kindred Bravely Nursing Bras: As somebody who has been pregnant for almost 36 months out of the past six years (!) comfort comes first. I’ve been always quite picky when it comes to clothing, to bras especially – and I must admit that I’m obsessed with Kindred Bravely nursing bras! They are made with the softest fabrics, and are super stretchy too! It’s like wearing a sports bra that gives you all the support you need AND doubles as a nursing bra! More in general I love that all of Kindred Bravely pieces are designed FOR moms BY moms and are aimed at making this motherhood (journey) easier, and why not?, cozier and more comfortable! Kindred Bravely offers a wide range of maternity & postpartum clothing from the bump to the breast and beyond. Highly recommend! Use code DANILA20 for 20% off your order at Kindred Bravely.
Check out more must-haves for pregnancy:
  • 5 Pregnancy Must Haves You Need to Know About
  • Best Pregnancy Apps You Might Not Know About
  • 11 Things to Do When You Find Out You’re Pregnant

Filed Under: Pregnancy Tagged With: pregnancy

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Giving Birth in a Pandemic: What You Need to Know

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

With regulations and rules in hospitals changing daily due to the Coronavirus, we thought it would be helpful to have an overview of what you need to know if you’re giving birth in a hospital during the coronavirus pandemic; this is a guest post from our friends at Arrow Birth. Read on to learn more about giving birth during this unprecedented time and a special offer for friends of Gugu Guru on Arrow Birth‘s Virtual Education and Courses. 

What you need to know if you’re giving birth in a hospital during the coronavirus pandemic:

By Mari Stutzman Smith, Co-founder of Arrow Birth

If you’ve clicked on this blog post, you’re probably pregnant and facing giving birth in this crazy, unprecedented time.  First off, I want to say we feel you. Everything is so upside down right now and everyone is worried and trying to do the best thing for the collective and for themselves. I want to encourage you to stop… and take a deep breath. It’s ok to feel all the feelings we have right now. This is a challenging time. Sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to just sit in what we’re feeling.

But, if you’re like me, when I’m done with acknowledging my feelings, I’m ready to make a plan. So the Arrow team got together to compile what we thought you might need to know before heading into your hospital birth in the wake of COVID-19.

From what we know so far, pregnant women and their babies are not considered a high risk population. 

As you’re probably aware, due to your endless Google searches, there’s not a lot known about how COVID-19 affects pregnancy and newborns. This virus is new to the world so a lot of data just isn’t there yet. The World Health Organization states, “Data are limited, but at present there is no evidence that they [pregnant people] are at higher risk of severe illness than the general population.” That being said, it is important to remember that those people who are pregnant can be more susceptible to respiratory illnesses due to changes in hormones and the immune system. Newborns also don’t seem to be in a high risk population. As of March, the CDC has not reported any COVID-19 positive infants born to mothers sick with the virus. There is more data as the days move on, so this obviously might change with the release of additional studies.

Here’s what we do know – no age group is immune to COVID-19, so the most effective precautions to avoid the virus include washing your hands (the right way), practicing social distancing and avoiding touching your face, eyes and mouth.

Laboring at home for as long as possible can decrease the amount of time spent at the hospital.

I’m sure you’ve heard this in your childbirth class or talked about this with your doula – aiming to labor at home as long as possible has some real benefits during the coronavirus pandemic. It will reduce your time spent in the hospital and therefore reduce your exposure to people. This not only benefits you, your baby and your partner, it also benefits the numerous healthcare professionals you will come into contact with during your hospital stay.

Ideally, you would head to the hospital during active labor. Active labor is when your cervix is 6+ centimeters dilated and you’re having strong, powerful contractions every 3-4 minutes. But since you will be at home and not checking your cervix, it can sometimes be hard to know when to leave for the hospital. If you haven’t taken a childbirth class yet or if you want to learn more, consider taking Arrow Birth’s Discover course where you’ll hear from midwives, doctors and many other professionals about: the signs of labor; the stages of labor; when to head to the hospital; and so much more.

Bottom line – get comfy in early labor, reach out to your provider to let them know your status, and let your labor advance prior to heading into the hospital.

Visitor restrictions will most likely be in place at your hospital.

Recently, a few hospitals in New York City started only allowing the person in labor upon arrival, but New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo swiftly announced an executive order to allow women to have one support person with them at all times. My guess is that this will set the precedent among other hospitals throughout the country as we continue to be impacted by this pandemic.

Almost certainly your hospital will have visitor restrictions in place. Most likely, the birthing person will be allowed a designated support person to remain with them throughout the hospital stay. That means no switching between your partner, doula, mom, etc, and your support person should be prepared to be with you the entire stay. 

COVID-19 tests might be administered upon admission.

In hotspots where the virus has spread rapidly, hospitals have been administering COVID-19 tests upon admission.  In areas that are not experiencing an increase in cases, hospitals will likely only administer tests with the presence of symptoms or known contact with a person who is COVID-19 positive. What’s certain is that hospital staff will screen you prior to admission, oftentimes in the popup tents placed in front of the hospital’s entrance. They will measure your temperature and ask if you have been experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive.

Consider wearing personal protective equipment.

If you’re birthing in an area where there is a large number of COVID-19 cases, personal protective gear will probably be given to you and your support person at the hospital. Otherwise, you may want to locate masks, preferably N95 masks, prior to going to the hospital. If you weren’t able to score any recently before they all disappeared from Amazon, check your garage from that past painting project, text your neighbors or even post on social media asking if anyone can spare two masks. You might be surprised how kind people can be. If you can’t get ahold of N95 masks, surgical masks are the next best thing. A surgical mask is best at protecting those in contact with you, whereas an N95 mask is best at protecting you from others.

Additionally, wearing gloves prior to entering the hospital can protect your hands from picking up germs on items such as door handles, elevator buttons, and in public restrooms. Make sure to remove them once you’re in your labor room or, better yet, exchange them for a fresh pair and try to remember not to touch your face.

Virtual birth support is now a thing.

You don’t have to tackle your birth without the support you need. Doulas around the country have swiftly shifted their services to make available virtual birth support. Whether or not you’ve hired a doula for your upcoming birth or are just considering it now, you’ll benefit from the extra support. Doulas can help you know your options, provide suggestions for comfort measures, encourage you as you tackle each contraction, and advocate for you. Although physical support can’t happen virtually, you will surely benefit from their labor coaching, practical counsel and emotional support as you transition to becoming a parent. This is where we all say a collective thank you to the creators of FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, Hangouts and all the other virtual connection tools we have available these days.

Consider an early discharge.

Some hospitals might already be suggesting or implementing early discharge but you can ask your provider if it’s an option for you. The usual hospital stay is 2 days for a vaginal birth and 3 days with a cesarean but you might be able to leave between 24 or 48 hours if all is well with you and your baby. This would minimize your exposure to additional healthcare professionals, benefiting everyone. Of course, if you or you baby need to stay for a medical reason, it is best to remain where care is easily accessible.

Prepare your postpartum support plan prior to your birth.

This is something you can do right now to be proactive and prepared. Think about your at-home support system and line up the necessary professionals to ensure a smooth postpartum transition. I suggest you hang your support team contacts on the fridge. Of course, you will have your doctor or midwife’s number but also consider Arrow’s network of professionals: midwives, lactation consultants, postpartum doulas, counselors, sleep coaches, back-to-work coaches and many more. They’re experts in helping you tackle the problems you will inevitably encounter. As a company, we’re designed and optimized for remote support which keeps everyone safe.

Another thing to tackle is your nutritional plan during the postpartum time. Consider ordering from your local grocery store for pickup or delivery which limits your face-to-face encounters. Due to the high demand, many stores offer dates only a couple days out, so order well in advance of your need. You can also call your favorite go-to restaurants prior to your birth to confirm they are still open for food pickup. Add this to the fridge list! I highly suggest meal planning prior to delivery so you and your partner don’t need to ask the age-old question of, “what’s for dinner?” during the already stressful first weeks’ postpartum.

Your emotional and mental health are important at this time.

While it’s very important to stay abreast of the situation in the world today, it’s also important to reduce your stress level. Consider limiting your news exposure and decreasing the time spent talking with people who stress you out (we all have our “worrier friends”). 

DO find the time to move your body. Go for a walk outside. Take that online prenatal yoga class. If you find yourself needing more support, we have yoga teachers and Licensed Clinical Social Workers in our network ready to meet with you.

I think it’s best to break things into categories- the things you can control and the things you can’t. A few examples of the things you can control: your attitude, ability to turn off the news, exercise, filling your time with fun activities, decreasing social media time (it’s become like the news, hasn’t it), social distancing… and many more. Some things that are outside your control: the spread of COVID-19, knowing how long this will last, the impact the current situation has on future plans, new teleworking setup, others choices (to social distance or not), the availability of toilet paper, lol. Knowing what’s in your control can help you channel your energy towards those things.

The hospital isn’t the only place you can give birth.

If you are planning a birth without the use of an epidural and you are having a low-risk pregnancy, there are two other options you could consider to avoid the hospital setting; a birth center and a home birth. Google to find local centers/providers in your area and call to talk further. Given the increase in demand for these type of birth settings, they could fill up fast so, even if you’re due in a couple months, it’s good to call soon.

While we all are doing our part to #flattenthecurve, the Arrow team is here for you. Reach out to us if you have any questions, concerns or just need someone to talk to. 

Special Discount for Gugu Guru readers: head to Arrow Birth and use code GUGUGURU to purchase Arrow Birth’s Discover Course for $149 (normally $349)

Filed Under: Pregnancy, Safety

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11 Things to Do When You Find Out You’re Pregnant

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Just found out you’re pregnant? Here are eleven things to kick-off your to-do list for a safe and healthy pregnancy from our friends at Natalist. 

So you POAS (pee on a stick) and get a BFP (big fat positive). This is life-changing news, and you may feel a bevy of emotions—excited, scared, anxious, surprised. What now? Here are eleven things to do to kick-off a safe and healthy pregnancy.

pregnant

  1. Begin taking a prenatal if you’re not already. Look for which brands contain folate, iron, calcium, vitamin D, DHA, and iodine. Read this article by Dr. Liz Kane on what to look for in a prenatal and check out our Prenatal Multi Duo.
  2. Call your OBGYN! Most like to see patients at six to eight weeks after your last period (earlier if you are at risk for ectopic pregnancy or have unique concerns), but it’s time to get that first appointment scheduled. Your first prenatal visit will cover an assessment, routine labs, genetic testing, and more. If you don’t yet have an OB, call your insurance company to find one who is covered under your plan.
  3. Stop using products that contain toxic chemicals. Especially look out for BPA and phthalates, which are chemicals often found in food, food packaging, drink cans, cosmetics, perfume, air fresheners, and soft plastics (e.g. shower curtains or children’s toys). Research shows that these types of chemicals found in plastics and other man-made goods are linked to health risks in fetuses and infants.
  4. Calculate your due date. March of Dimes has a free and easy calculator to help you know how far along you are and estimate your expected due date. Of course, every pregnancy is unique, and most babies arrive sooner or later than expected. Always talk to your doctor about your due date.
  5. Rethink your diet. Now is the time to cut down on caffeine, cut out booze altogether, and start nourishing yourself with what your body really needs. Read What To Eat When You’re Pregnant to get weekly descriptions of what’s happening in your body and learn how certain foods contribute to the development of a healthy and happy baby.
  6. Get moving! The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends at least two and a half hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week during pregnancy. Moderate intensity means you are moving enough to raise your heart rate and start sweating. Try brisk walking, gardening, yoga, or swimming. Your doctor may recommend avoiding hot yoga, contact sports, downhill snow skiing, water skiing, and/or scuba diving.
  7. Get your flu shot. The flu shot is even more important for you now that you are getting immunized for two! According to the CDC, the flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women because changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs during pregnancy make pregnant women (and women up to two weeks postpartum) more prone to severe illness from flu, including illness resulting in hospitalization, such as pneumonia. These complications can be life-threatening.
  8. Track baby’s growth and development. Perhaps one of the coolest things the female body can do is grow a human! The American Pregnancy Association (APA) has a week-by-week guide to development so you can follow along.
  9. Read Parent Plans. Covering topics from pregnancy to parenting philosophies, this workbook is especially designed for couples planning for a baby. Expect to think and talk about everything from baby names to values and finances to fertility.
  10. Enjoy this special time. Document your journey with photos, videos, or write in a diary. Document the good moments, the awkward things your body may do, times of anxiety, questions you have, your hopes for the baby, etc. The process can be therapeutic and wonderful to look back at in the future.
  11. Start your registry: Sign up to create a personalized baby registry on Gugu Guru! It’s free to get started and the products are all customized for your lifestyle.

Filed Under: Nutrition and Health, Pregnancy Tagged With: pregnancy

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Q&A with Natalist: All Your Questions About Prenatal Vitamins Answered

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

We get so many questions from soon-to-be pregnant women on which vitamins they should be taking; so, we turned to an expert and chatted with our friends at Natalist about prenatal vitamins. What are prenatal vitamins and why are they so important? Get the answers to your most important questions about prenatal vitamins from an OBGYN. 

Prenatal nutrition has a significant impact on your overall pregnancy and health outcomes for both you and your baby. A prenatal vitamin is a dietary supplement that includes all the key ingredients you need to enhance your health. While multivitamins (MVI) and dietary supplements have many benefits, prenatal supplements include specific vitamins and minerals needed for your baby’s development. These special elements are not routinely found in all multivitamins.  Choosing a good prenatal vitamin (PNV), provides you with the nutrition found in a multivitamin plus some.To get the most out of your vitamins, you should take prenatals ideally three months before actively trying to get pregnant, during all 40 weeks of pregnancy, as well as when you’re breastfeeding. It is possible to have a surplus of vitamins and minerals, so just stick with your prenatal vitamins to ensure you and your baby are getting the appropriate amount of nutrition.

What to look for in a prenatal vitamin:

Natalist’s Prenatal Multi contains 23 ingredients, all vital for healthy development during preconception and pregnancy. There are several standout ingredients that are especially important:

  • Folate, the natural form of folic acid, is vital for fetal brain development and preventing neural tube defects such as spina bifida. The risk of neural tube defects is increased by 25-30% with folate deficiency.
  • Calcium is a key building block of bones, teeth, muscle function, and more. When you’re pregnant, your growing baby is prioritized and uses lots of calcium, putting stress on yourbody, teeth, and bone mineral homeostasis.
  • DHA(docosahexaenoic acid). Whether it is included in your prenatal vitamin or taken separately, DHA is essential for making up the neural tissue in the brain and eyes and is recommended by the ACOG and APA.
  • Iron helps blood carry oxygen to mother and baby. Over 40% of pregnant women are anemic and up to 25% are iron deficient, which can be dangerous if left untreated.

Various medical groups differ slightly on what they recommend in a prenatal routine. This table breaks down the recommendations from the largest, most trusted sources:

The bottom line is to stick with a prenatal that’s been researched and doctor approved to ensure you’re getting the appropriate amount.

Prenatal dosage 

There are various prenatal vitamins available and the dosage will depend on the brand. Natalist’s Prenatal Duo which includes a prenatal vitamin and an omega DHA, comes with 120 pills total, two of each per day.

Although all prenatal vitamins are at least daily dosing, we’re human and most pregnant women will miss a few here and there. If you happen to miss a day, don’t panic! Forgetting to take your prenatal on occasion isn’t a big reason to worry, especially if you typically eat a balanced diet including foods such as dairy, green leafy vegetables, and healthy proteins. Just make sure you start taking them again right away. Because prenatals contain a mixture of water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins, they are absorbed differently. You will definitely have broken down most of your vitamins within 24 hours, which is why it’s recommended to take them daily, starting about three months before trying to conceive.

If it turns out you aren’t a big fan of the brand of prenatal you chose, you can always switch! We recommend talking with your healthcare provider before making the switch, but the most important thing is that you consistently receive the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals.

Why are prenatals so BIG?

People tend to have the same reaction to seeing a prenatal vitamin: “that pill is huge!”. Prenatals can seem daunting, but they have to be fairly large to fit in all the proper nutrients! Not only do prenatals contain all the ingredients found in a typical multivitamin, but they often have higher concentrations and added ingredients to cover all the bases. Think about it this way: Natalist’s Prenatal Multi contains 23 ingredients, all vital for healthy development during preconception and pregnancy.  With that many ingredients, the size of the prenatal vitamin is much more justifiable!

Prenatal vitamins and hormones

Many of the vitamins found in prenatals can have an impact on hormones, and the effects are overwhelmingly positive. Vitamin D, for example, plays an important role in hormone balance, and hormone communication. Likewise, vitamin C is a vital  part of liver health, the primary organ for breaking down hormones like estrogen. Other ingredients found in a prenatal multi such as omega-3 fatty acids also have an effect on hormones.

While most ingredients in prenatal vitamins benefit both mom and baby. Additional supplementation beyond your prental vitamin is not recommended unless advised by your doctor or healthcare provider. Research on both Vitamin A and Vitamin E are conflicting but suggest excessive amounts may be harmful.

Prenatal vitamins and medications

Again, it’s important to discontinue the use of any other multivitamins while on a prenatal vitamin, as well as other supplements already found in your prenatal vitamin. Other drugs can also affect prenatal vitamins including: diuretics, certain blood pressure medication, tretinoin or isotretinoin, and e anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen, most of these are contraindicated in pregnancy and should be stopped with a positive urine pregnancy test. It’s important to ask your doctor before mixing any drugs with your prenatal vitamins. And of course all recreational drugs—marijuana, cocaine, etc.—should be stopped while trying to conceive and pregnant.

Prenatal vitamins are an essential part of a pregnancy routine that combine all the vitamins and minerals you need into one supplement. Taking a prenatal everyday ensures the healthy development of your baby and can grant peace of mind when pregnancy cravings sabotage your well-intended diet.  If you want to ensure you’re getting the right amount of the right ingredients, check out Natalist’s Prenatal Duo.

Thank you to Natalist for sharing all of this info! You can check them out on their website for more information. 

 

Filed Under: Mama Wellness, Pregnancy

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What’s New on Gugu: December 11, 2019

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

During the holiday season, it is so easy for moms and moms-to-be to forget to stock up on products to treat themselves! Below are some fun new finds from the pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood market. We love these as gifts for expectant moms or as a personal gift to focus on the always-important (and never attainable) self-care! Let us know some of your favorite just for mom products! 

For a number of our other favorites, please check out our Explore page!

NYSSA Postpartum Underwear: Called the ‘Fourthwear’ Collection, we love this update to the standard mesh undies you’ll receive in the hospital. They are stretchy and you can easily insert an ice pack or heating pad where it may be needed most. They can also be worn high-waisted or rolled down for maximum comfort no matter what type of delivery. Love these for all moms to be!

Soothing Scents Expecting Personal Inhaler for Morning Sickness: Those dreaded days full of morning sickness (or all-day sickness) can be behind you! Utilizing essential oils, this inhaler works immediately and is 100% natural. Check with your OB before purchase, but we love the idea of combating morning sickness without added medication.

GLOWE Maternity Leggings: These leggings will be supportive and comfortable from first trimester to the postpartum days! They will give you the support of a medical maternity belt without the bulk of wearing one. Plus they are made from a super soft Italian fabric so you will beat that back pain in style!

The Laundress New Mom Kit: It’s absolutely amazing how one (or two in my case) little babes can dramatically increase the amount of laundry you find yourself doing. The Laundress has created their New Mom Kit to help combat those messy spit ups and blow outs without harsh chemicals, petroleum, phosphate, phthalates, or artificial color. Plus I love that this kit comes with stain remover (a must for little ones) as well as all other detergent products you would need!

HATCH Mama Must-Haves Kit:  An excellent set for pregnant and new moms, HATCH has put together a set of three top selling products. Their Belly Oil is excellent for your moisturizing your growing belly. Down, Girl is  great for relieving swelling in your legs and feet. Nipple + Lip helps keep those special parts (your nipples and lips) hydrated during pregnancy and while nursing. Plus it all comes wrapped in the cutest gift box!

 

Please note that these opinions are 100% my own and I have not received any products in exchange for placement in What’s New on Gugu!

 

Like what you see? Check out some other What’s New on Gugu posts:

What’s New on Gugu: October 30, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: November 6, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: November 14, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: December 4, 2019

Filed Under: Comfort Is King, Cool Mom Picks, Ecofriendly, Gift Ideas, Mama Wellness, Mom Style, Multiples, New Mom Series, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Style, Summer Pregnancy, What's New on Gugu?!, Winter Pregnancy, Working Mom Tagged With: postpartum

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